50 PLU S O R B E T TE R
Free Expo
New Location
WILSON PARK SENIOR CENTER
2601 W. Howard Ave., Milwaukee Thursday, October 23, 2014 • 9am-1pm
October 2014 Vol 28 No. 10
COMPLIMENTARY
POMMER:
Seniors go back to school with MPS
Illegal Drugs
page 3A
ELLENBECKER:
Attend Our FREE Discussion Oct. 7
By Rachel Schepp
page 7A
NEMOVITZ: Some Selling Facts page 7A
Sally Jahrmann Sally Jahrmann is a big believer in public schools and has been since her three children were young. Sally puts this belief into action by tutoring elementary school children through the
Editorial: FALL ELECTIONS
The fall elections will be of much more than of passing interest. Could the results be troublesome to the state’s future? Presently, there’s a narrowness in the polls between the governor and the lady who wishes to unseat him.
Cindy Juds
Governor Walker, in the eyes of many people, has been a great leader. To many others, he needs to be replaced. His record is very open. He places his reputation on the line every time he signs a legislative bill. We doubt that he is looking backward at things some people believe
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Interfaith Older Adult Programs. RSVP’s tutoring program, operated in partnership with MPS, pairs adults 55 and older with MPS teach-
EDITORIALS
-By Jim McLoone
should have been different. He says the fruits of his labors are for the people of Wisconsin. Others claim much of what he does is for big business. Making choices with an eye on the big picture is not always easy. It is not as easy as keeping both eyes straight ahead when you
MPS continued on page 15A
already have suffered through quite a bumpy road. The democratic gubernatorial challenger, Mary Burke, has a successful career in the business world behind her as well as having served in state government under the
FALL ELECTIONS continued on page 22A
2A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
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OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
Drug policy does need upgrading in state An influential Republican legislator is stepping up his campaign to have Wisconsin re-think how it deals with illegal narcotics. “Our state is recovering when it comes to addiction, but we’re not recovered yet,” says State Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, who is co-chair of the Legislature’s budget committee. Nygren’s daughter, now 25, had a teenage OxyContin habit that led to heroin addiction. She spent time in prison but has been drug-free for more than a year. The family is open about the challenges it has faced. Spurred by his family’s experience, Nygren drafted a package of bills labeled HOPE: for “heroin, opiate prevention and education.” The seven bills passed the Legislature unanimously. The laws require identification to obtain prescription drugs, allow first-responders to administer reaction drugs to overdoses, and provide immunity for persons calling 911 to report overdoses. It’s a first step in trying to shift the public emphasis from a law-and-order
STATE CAPITOL COMMENT By Matt Pommer
approach to education and treatment. He concedes that hard-nose approaches to drug issues have been popular with the public across the nation. That approach continues MOVING IN THE to surface in Wisconsin. RIGHT DIRECTION By Bruce Republican Gov. ScottNemovitz Walker’s campaign proposes drug testing for persons seeking unemployment compensation or food stamps. It’s a popular idea among states where Republicans are in control. STATE CAPITOL Critics say federal law apparCOMMENT AGING ently would prohibit governBy state Matt Pommer ISSUES ments from barring food stamps or By Tom Frazier jobless benefits from those who fail drug tests. Inclusion of that measure in Walker’s campaign platform indicates that Nygren has lots of work ahead in order to change public opinion. The public has to MOVING IN THE PLANTING RIGHT DIRECTION TOMORROW’S By DREAMS Bruce Nemovitz TODAY
understand that there is a large cost to the “lock-‘em-up” approach to drug issues. “We’re spending $35,000 a year for a man, $41,000 a year for a woman in state prisons, and getting zero results,” Nygren said in a recent speech. The prison system is seeking an additional $45 million for its budget in the next bienniMONEY um. The prison system is theSENSE major By Karen Ellenbecker employer in several small towns, so & Julie Ellenbecker -Lipsky a change in policy could also affect employment in those towns. Wisconsin has the highest percent of African-American men in prison, and many ofAPRON those inmates Emma are there because ofSTRINGS links to illegal Aunt Emma drugs in the inner By city. Department of Justice statistics for 2009 cited Milwaukee, Rock and Dane as counties with significant heroin problems. Three years later, the DOJ showed widespread heroin problems, especially in the Fox River Valley. DOJ statistics showed MONEY SENSEthe By Karen heroin problems also had Ellenbecker spread to & Julie Ellenbecker rural counties in central-Lipsky and western Wisconsin, demonstrating that
I hope that you have heard by now that the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago has decided that Wisconsin’s Voter Photo ID law can be implemented in the November 4, 2014 general election. This means that you will need an approved photo ID in order to vote in November. The big change is that the Wisconsin Supreme Court has said that the state must have a process for issuing FREE ID cards for anyone who cannot obtain the necessary documentation without paying a fee. For example, forcing a person to pay for a certified birth certificate in order to get a “free” ID constitutes a poll tax, and is therefore illegal.
EDITORIALS
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SENIOR EDITORIALS Answer Man
IT MAKES ME
TRAVEL
ARTS Emma
SENIOR ENTERTAINMENT Answer Man
By Aunt Emma erally recognized Indian Tribe in Wisconsin. 6. A certificate of naturalization issued not earlier than two years before the date of the election. NOTE: Items 1-4 above must be unexpired or have an expiration date after November 6, 2012. If you have an unexpired Wisconsin driver’s license that is all that By Enis Wright you need. If you have had a Wisconsin driver’s license in the past eight years you would only be required to provide proof of identity upon application for your ID card. To apply for a Wisconsin ID card you must go to a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Service Center and complete form
MV3004 (Wisconsin Identification Card (ID) application) and provide the following information: 1. Proof of name and date of birth (certified birth certificate, or a valid passport). 2. Proof of identity (Military discharge papers, certified copy of a Marriage Certificate, or your Social Security card). 3. Proof of Wisconsin residency (a utility bill for gas, water, electricity, or landline telephone service at least 30 days old, an account statement at least 30 days old from a Wisconsin financial institution, a Wisconsin Quest Card, a Forward Wisconsin ID Medical Assistance
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IT MAKES ME
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By Tom Frazier By Jack Pearson
There are a number of acceptable forms of photo ID: 1. A Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) issued driver’s license. PLANTING 2. A WisconsinTOMORROW’S DOT issued DREAMS TODAY identification card. By Brad Olson 3. A Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service. 4. A U.S. passport. 5. Identification issued by a fed-
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drug issues are for white people as well as those of color. Nygren seemed to speak to the heroin problem that is no longer just an issue for the inner cities. “There are no barriers with drug addiction and alcoholism. I think that’s what’s changing in society,” he said. “You can raise your kids right, you can come from the white-picket fence world, and you can still have a child with a problem.” Nygren concedes the treatment approach won’t wipe out drug issues. He estimates it will help just 30 percent of those who get it. But 30 percent is better than the zero from the prison approach. “Six or eight years ago, before addiction affected my family, I probably would have had a different view on it,” he said. “When it affects your family, someone you work with, somebody you know at church, all of a sudden your views and those barriers that you might have had in the past are broken down.”
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FRAZIER continued on page 12A
MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION By Bruce Nemovitz
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PLANTING Emma TOMORROW’S PLANTING DREAMS TODAY TOMORROW’S DREAMS TODAY By Brad Olson By Brad Olson
EDITORIALS
Is there a racist problem? AGING ISSUES
By Matt Pommer
Answer Man
ARTS ENTERTAINMENT ARTS IT MAKES ME ENTERTAINMENT
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MONEY SENS I must admit that a device a daughter claims it can andBy does Karen Ellenbeck we must recognize that black peo& Julie Ellenbecke daughter has in her den disturbs play music, too. Now tell me, who SPORTS ple over the years too often have SPORTS By Jack Pearson me. It is a Smart Cloud. It lights needs more thunder and lightning?-Lipsky By Jack Pearson been taken advantage of by relentup, reactsthe to motion with censors, Even as a gift, I would not want WRIGHT lessly unyielding white people of the WRIGHT issues forth thunder claps and simone of those contraptions at my MOVING IN THE SIDE of poor moral character. PLANTING SIDE of RIGHT Wright DIRECTION ulated lightning.By Enis Truthfully, my house. Amen to that. TOMORROW’S By Enis Wright We have many peerless leaders DREAMS TODAY By Bruce Nemovitz By Brad Olson among our black citizens. We must listen to their words while ignoring Emma with Jim McLoone with Jim McLoone the rabble-rousers. As October is upon us, it is not recall those paper By Aunt Emma While there is too much seg- unusual for a day to be dark and rings like I got as a regation in the city, it has come to somewhat dreary. But don’t be wea- little kid from the be over time just as it SPORTS will dimin- ry of October days as there’s much Old Dutch Masters my dad lit up. Jack Pearson ish over time in the Byfuture. There more to endure. Even Kukla, Fran Those cigars may have helped him is no racist hate-mongering. There the WRIGHT and Ollie are long gone and it isn’t along the way to throat cancer. AGING should not be such. There never even wintertime. SIDE of Speaking of beRRRRRR ISSUES Enis Wright will be such as Milwaukee people ing long Bygone, By Tomseems Frazier We recently visited with old letter writing are God-loving, considerate and to almost be a lost art. Some of the friends; yes, people as old as we basically helpful people. Now ev- messages we get via our computers are, who are brave souls that reside with Jim McLoone eryone has to have a pair of boots tell us the writers are playing hop- Minnesota. Father time has been before they can pull themselves up scotch with words. especially good to one aging genby those bootstraps. tleman. While his mind wanders RRRRRR
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person ages. If you don’t believe you can do 6,000 steps daily, start out with a lesser number. But do something to be able to keep moving. Even 10 times daily up and down your basement steps will help your cause.
ENTERTAINMENT
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n Ellenbecker e Ellenbecker -Lipsky
RON INGS
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DEAR DAN: Getting a feather in your hat or cap refers to an old Native AmerAnswer Man ican tradition in which feathers were awarded by the tribal chief DEAR SAM: Just exactly what does it mean for accomplishments or special for someone to get a feather in his achievements. It then, and to this day, is to be proudly displayed; cap? thus the placing of it so often in the PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS headwear. Wearing such is an honDAN PELENSKE orable activity. I had to look up this answer. It was a very interesting question. Put a feather in your cap. SENIOR ANSWER MAN
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EDITORIALS
Recent studies by Boston University scientists indicate that walking is the most prudent and effective way to keep knee arthritic pain at a minimum. The university’s reTRAVEL cent study suggests 6,000 steps daily, or about one hour of walking to keep fit and able to move about as a
APRON STRINGS
KILLING ARTS ENTERTAINMENT KILLING TIME TIME
moving, be active AN Get WHITE WRITES
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By Aunt Emma
By Tom Frazier
Without much information available, looking at the homeless gentleman killed by a police officer in downtown Milwaukee when confronted in a park, it seems the NEY SENSE evidence that does exist leans toen Ellenbecker e Ellenbecker wards police using beyond neces-Lipsky sary force. But who really knows how the man killed had come at the officer? Anger cannot have a chokehold on our sensibilities. RON While the City of Milwaukee RINGS has become segregated as to neighunt Emma borhoods in recent years, the trends today are to locate more white people in the city via the apartment boom. Milwaukee had a seriously unstable time in the 1960’s. It would be irrational for such to occur again. We are a community that must be inclusive of all people. Still,
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STATE CAPITOL HERMAN WHITE WRITES APRON COMMENT HERMAN WHITE WRITES STRINGS SENIOR
ME with Jim McLoone
AN WHITE WRITES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for ENTERTAINMENT
the 20th Annual 50+ or Better Expo calendar October 23, 2014 at Wilson Park Senior Center
HERMAN
We have read that Burger King through and then settles on thouwill be joining with Tim Horton’s sands of thoughts, he doesn’t seem PLANTING restaurant chain in Canada and will to realize that he’s now in the twiTOMORROW’S be moving its headquarters there to light of his life. And so are many of DREAMS TODAY save on corporate income taxes in By Brad Olson this column’s readers. Try to continthe United States. Is this one more ue to pick the fruits from the tree of reason to like Ronald McDonald’s life. Go seek; don’t hide. places? RRRRRR We ran across an old saying that RRRRRR More than several persons at really holds true today. It is from a recent political demonstration John Dewey, who said, “Teach a proved that they’re good at being child to think, not what to think. RRRRRR bad examples. SPORTS Our fall show has been moved RRRRRR By Jack Many people revere thePearson Old to Wilson Park Senior Center. Dutch Masters of the art world. I Why? I’m told it is to accommo-
ARTS
the WRIGHT SIDE of
KILLING TIME continued on page 21A By Enis Wright
Hartland, WI 53029
262-367-5303
PUBLISHERS Tom and Maureen Slattery EDITOR Jim McLoone
WRITER/PROOFREADER Jill Slattery ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Saran Piehl ART DIRECTOR/ PRODUCTION MANAGER Nicole Hesse GRAPHIC DESIGNER Peggy Duffy OFFICE MANAGER Paula Koeppen
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KILLING TIME
WWW.MYMILWAUKEELIFE.COM find us at 50 Plus News Magazine
OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
• 5A
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50PLUS What’s new for phase two of your life?
IN COOPERATION WITH INTERFAITH OLDER ADULT PROGRAMS
Pum
6A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
When the time comes to sell your family home, fear not, we’re here to help! We hold your hand through the entire process!
The Nemovitz Team Bruce & Jeanne Bruce and Jeanne (also licensed Realtor) work together to make sure you are treated with respect and kindness. With over 35 years of experience, Bruce is passionate about his work and it shows! In 2010 his peers voted Bruce Realtor of the Year. He also has written two books sharing his knowledge: Moving in the Right Direction- A Senior’s Guide to Moving and Guiding our Parents In The Right Direction.
Each sale/move is individualized to meet the needs of the family. Our one-stop shop offers advice from downsizing to selling to packing and moving, it doesn’t have to be painful. We have contractors, inspectors, stagers and downsizing companies on our team. Call today and put Bruce and Jeanne to work for your family!
262-242-6177 www.BrucesTeam.com Covering the Four County Milwaukee-Metro Area
Advisors who Listen Invest with us
Ellenbecker ®
Investment Group
ellenbecker.com
N35W23877 Highfield Court, Suite 200, Pewaukee (262) 691-3200 705 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay (414) 727-6920 Securities and advisory services offered through SII Investments, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC & Registered Investment Advisor. Ellenbecker Investment Group and SII Investments are separate companies.
Attend our upcoming seminars in Pewaukee.
Social Security on Tuesday, October 7th & Medicare on Thursday, November 13th
Call 262-691-3200 to register. Seating is limited.
85608 50+ ad®.OCT2014.indd 1
9/8/14 11:20 AM
OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
The truths about real estate…
By Bruce Nemovitz Perception becomes reality… but not when it comes to selling your home! It is natural to put our emotions into things we value such as the home we love and cherish. Our perception of value is laced with the enjoyment and security that has given us years of peace and happiness. We think about raising our children, our neighbors that have come and gone, our tomato and cucumber garden, the views we have grown to love, our neighborhood and our community. We infuse all of these blessings into our perception of what a buyer will pay for these added extras when it comes time to sell our home. When the rubber meets the road and it is time to put a price on your house, your reality versus current market value meet head to head. For some this can be simple
acceptance of what the market offers and for others a battle of perception of value versus a market that has absolutely no conscience. The market is and always will be the value established by what a buyer will pay for your home. A home, a car, an antique is worth what a buyer will pay and that is the reality of our capitalistic system. It can be difficult to absorb this principal or law of value, especially when we have perceptions based on emotion, love of our home and one more factor. Most of us are not in the business of selling large assets such as our homes. For those of us doing this every day in the market place, we can understand how the market works and we have made peace with the laws of money exchange. But for those of you who have not sold a large asset such as a boat, a business, a home, selling can be
difficult and hard to grasp when setting a value on your cherished asset…your home. Here are some thoughts that can assist when the time comes to put a value on your house. 1. Listen to professionals. Friends and loved ones and especially neighbors want the best for you. That means you achieving your perceived value whatever that may be. They will bolster your views on value and usually go a bit higher so that you reach your goals. That is why they are your friends. Neighbors have a staked interest in you achieving the highest price when selling as their homes then become more valuable if you achieve a higher selling price. When it comes to establishing value, it is crucial to listen to those on the outside. Objective professionals will be honest and up front as to what your home is worth in today’s market. A Real-
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tor will assess your home in its current condition which is a critical factor when establishing a value. 2-Never look too far in the past. We all look for the highest sales of homes in our area when forming our opinion of our home’s value. We are coming out of one of the deepest recessions in our nation’s history. In some areas values dropped up to 50% and are now recovering but not close to the highs of 2007. Some neighborhoods are doing better than others. Buyers are much more conservative and are privy to the internet’s flood of information when deciding how much they will spend on a home. 3-Make your plans today based on current values and the objective opinions you collected from professionals. I would suggest talking with money managers or financial BRUCE continued on page 8A
Planning for Social Security is Oct. 7 topic By Karen Ellenbecker Many investors today work with a financial planner whom they trust. They have established a road map to help them reach their retirement goals, monitor progress closely, and make adjustments as necessary to keep them on the right track. The same care should be given to your Social Security planning. Your Social Security is much more valuable than you often realize. You want to think of Social Security as your pension. It is, in effect, a lifetime annuity, offering payments for as long as you live. Traditional pensions from our employers are becoming a thing of the past. If you have a pension from your employer, you understand just how valuable that commodity is. The same care that you use when analyzing when to take your pension payments should be used with your Social Security. Your Social Security is infla-
tion-protected. This adds to its value, helping your payments to keep their purchasing power. This compounding effect can really add up over the years. In addition, unlike most pension plans available, there are full survivorship benefits. This means when one spouse dies, the other can continue to receive the higher of the two benefits until they pass away. Most pensions have a 75%, or 50% survivorship benefit. Social Security provides a 100% survivorship benefit. Given the many benefits of your Social Security payments, it makes sense to make planning for your Social Security a priority, and not just add it to your existing financial plan. Unlike many decisions investors make early on in life, decisions regarding your Social Security are difficult and costly to reverse. If you start receiving Social Security payments at age 62, this can cause
you to leave a significant amount of money on the table if you live well into your 90s. Understanding the impact of divorce, remarriage and widowhood on your Social Security payments could put a major kink in your retirement plans. From a tax standpoint, not coordinating your Required Minimum Distributions with Social Security taxation could result in a needless diminishment of income in the form of taxes. The question of when to take your Social Security benefit is a very personal one. The answer will be different for everyone. There is no substitute for planning, and the time is now. You don’t want to wait until you are already taking your Social Security benefits to start planning. By then, it will be too late. Ellenbecker Investment Group will be hosting a free Social Security Seminar on Tuesday, October 7th. Please contact us to register or request more information. Take con-
trol of this key aspect of your retirement by speaking with a financial advisor. Ellenbecker Investment Group in Pewaukee (ellenbecker.com) provides comprehensive financial planning services and offers complimentary consultations. EIG has an A+ BBB rating and has twice been awarded the Wisconsin BBB Torch Award for Business Ethics and Integrity. Catch Karen Ellenbecker on The Morning Blend on TODAY’S TMJ4 at 9 a.m. twice a month on Tuesdays and on her Money Sense radio show Sundays at 2 & Saturdays at noon on WISN AM 1130 (MoneySenseRadio. com). Securities and advisory services offered through SII Investments, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC & Registered Investment Advisor. Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. & SII Investments are separate companies. SII does not provide tax or legal advice.
bw 8A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
Your options for medicare supplemental coverage What are Medigap plans? Medigap plans work with original Medicare and pay costs that are left over after Medicare has paid what it covers. Depending on the plan, they pay for some amount of Medicare’s deductibles and co-insurance. They do not usually offer additional services, so they will not pay for an item or service that Medicare does not cover. For example, they do not cover prescription drugs, so most people with original Medicare and a Medigap plan also buy a Part D plan. Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies. These plans come in several different categories, each designated by a letter: For example, “Medigap Plan F.” Every plan with the same letter must offer the same benefits, so it is easy to compare plans from different insurers. In addition, these plans have to follow state and federal rules. What are Medicare Advantage plans? Medicare Advantage plans are different from Medigap plans. Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurers that contract with Medicare to provide all Medicare benefits. Many of these plans include prescription drug coverage, and some plans also offer extra services that are not covered by traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans usually have provider
networks that limit which doctors and hospitals you can go to. Medicare Advantage plans also have rules about what you will have to pay out of pocket that differ from the rules for traditional Medicare. Sometimes these rules are beneficial and can protect you from high out-of-pocket costs. For example, a Medicare Advantage plan may have a low copayment for office visits. But sometimes you may pay more for a service if you have a Medicare Advantage plan compared to traditional Medicare. What factors should I consider if I’m deciding between buying a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan? There is no insurance that is right for everyone. Here are some key factors to consider: o Medicare Advantage premiums may be more affordable than Medigap premiums. o Medigap may offer better protection against high out-ofpocket costs (deductibles, copayments, and co-insurance) than Medicare Advantage. o Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra services not covered by Medicare. o Medicare Advantage plans can change what services they cover every year. Medigap plans usually do not change what they cover, but
they can, and do, raise premiums. o Medicare Advantage may limit your choice of doctors to a particular network and may require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist. Medigap will not. One key concern is that in many states, Medigap premiums can increase as you get older. And if you decide to drop your Medigap plan, you may have to pay a much higher premium to get that plan back in the future—if you can get it back at all. So be careful about making any changes to your Medigap coverage. When can I enroll? Normally, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan only during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. Once you pick a Medicare Advantage plan, you must stick with it for the whole year (unless you qualify for a special enrollment period). Sign-up periods for Medigap plans vary from state to state. How can I get more information? Anyone with Medicare can get help from a local counselor through their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for a referral to your local SHIP, or go to www.Medicare.gov and click on “Find someone to talk to.”
4-Know thyself! We are who we planners using the equity you have are based on what we think. Our in your home based on the Real- past experiences and how we mantor’s opinions. Coming up with a age our thoughts determines how number without any basis of fact we think and react. Perceptions of can lead to lost selling time, emo- what should be, versus what is, can tional heart ache, and losing out lead to disappointment when our on opportunities for your future. expectations are unrealistic. 5-Should I stay or go? This Remember, if you are going to take your equity and purchase another sounds simple but it is one of the home, the property you purchase most complex decisions you will falls under the same rules of real ever make in your lifetime. Changing where you live is a decision that estate. must be made carefully and intel-
ligently. Gathering information is the best antidote to fear. The more you know the less the fear factor of where you are going. In other words, if you want to make your move, assess why you are moving. For some, they are health reasons, for others navigating stairs is difficult. Some folks are no longer feeling safe living alone. Many of my sellers move because they want to downsize or live closer to their grandchildren. There are many reasons to move. Make sure you
consult with your trusted advisors before moving forward. Make sure a move would be beneficial to your future happiness and security. In the end the hard truth is that to you it is your home, to a buyer it is a house. That is a hard pill to swallow, but by following the above guidelines you can successfully transition to a better lifestyle. For the same money you can be happy!
By: Ron Pollack Medicare health coverage is fairly comprehensive. But if you need a lot of care, Medicare can leave you with significant out-of-pocket costs. That’s why most people have some kind of supplemental insurance to help cover the costs that Medicare doesn’t. Choosing a supplemental plan that makes sense for you is not always easy. Here are some tips that will help. What are the types of supplemental coverage? About a third of people with Medicare have supplemental insurance from a former employer. If you are lucky enough to have this type of coverage, it is probably your best option. Be careful if you ever decide to drop it—you may not be able to get it back. People with low incomes may qualify for their state’s Medicaid program (and other related programs) that cover Medicare premiums and prescription drug costs. If you don’t fall into these categories, you may want to consider buying either a private Medicare supplement plan (often called “Medigap”) or a Medicare Advantage plan. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and you should do careful research before selecting one or deciding to change your current coverage. BRUCE continued on page 7A
OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
Divorced women and Social Security By Tom Margenau I’ve been saving up some questions I’ve received from divorced women about potential benefits they believe might be due from their ex’s Social Security. Here are some of them. : I was married to my husband for 35 years before he divorced me and married a much newer and better-equipped model (if you get my drift). They have even had a child together! I’m 62 and my ex is 65. If all his extra physical activity (if you get my drift again) causes the bum to drop dead, are the trophy wife and little love child going to get all his Social Security — leaving me with nothing? : Don’t worry. You’ll get a full share of Mr. Wonderful’s Social Security. Whenever two (and very infrequently three) women are due benefits on the same man’s Social Security account, they don’t offset one another. They each get whatever Social Security spousal benefits they are due. And you might not even have to wait until he dies from exhaustion. You are possibly due divorced wife’s (not widow’s) benefits already. At your age, you would be due about one-third of his basic Social Security benefit — but only to the extent that it exceeds whatever you might be due on your own Social Security account. In other words, if a third of his Social Security is more than your own retirement benefit, then you will get that benefit plus whatever extra you are due on his record to take you up to that one-third level. But if you’ve worked any decent amount of time, then it is very likely that your own benefit exceeds a third of his. Then you would have to wait until he keels over and you could be due much higher divorced widow’s benefits. And in case you are wondering, here is what Ms. Trophy might be
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due. While he’s alive, she and little Junior can’t get Social Security until he files for benefits himself. At that point, Junior would get an amount equal to half of daddy’s benefit rate. Ms. Trophy is potentially due benefits as a young wife caring for a child. But, due to rules that limit how much a family can get, she probably wouldn’t qualify for anything. When he dies, then both Junior and Trophy could get survivor benefits. However, if Trophy is working, her earnings would prevent her from getting any Social Security. : I was married to my husband from March 2001 until April 2009. Then we divorced. I then married the same man in November 2010 and divorced him a second time in January 2014. So we were married more than 10 years, although it was in two separate stretches of time. Will I be able to get Social Security on his record? : You lucked out. The rule normally does say your marriage must have reached its 10th anniversary before you can be considered potentially eligible for divorced wife’s benefits. But two periods of marriage to the same man that, combined, add up to at least 10 years will count IF the second marriage occurs before the end of the year following the year in which you got the first divorce. In other words, because you got divorced in April 2009, you had
Q
A
until the end of 2010 to remarry the him in November. So now I’ve got a guy and stay within the Social Secu- question for you: Why the heck did rity duration of marriage rules. And you marry the guy the second time? you just squeaked in by marrying
Attention Wisconsin Seniors!! • Paying too much for your health insurance? • Disenrolled or receiving reduced health coverage by your insurance company or employer?
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• 9A
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10A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
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Only have a cardiac stress test if really needed By Dr. David Lipschitz Annually, hundreds of thousands of healthy Americans have an EKG and stress test to screen for coronary artery disease. The stress test can be done in one of two ways. The heart can either be stressed by exercising on a treadmill and the heart monitored by EKG, or by injecting a radioisotope and scanning the heart before and after exercise. If exercise is difficult, the heart can be stressed by injecting the medication Persantine. In either case, abnormalities can identify coronary artery disease. Recently, the United States Preventative Services Task Force reaffirmed the opinion of many experts by recommending against routine EKG’s and stress tests in healthy individuals at low risk of having heart disease and who have no symptoms suggesting a heart problem such as chest pain or shortness of breath. They do so because the tests often yield false results leading to needless additional investigations that may cause more harm than good. Furthermore, a normal test is not a good predictor of future risk of cardiac problems. Even for those at higher risk of heart disease, the task force does not
believe there is enough evidence either for or against EKG and stress testing and suggests that a decision be made on a case-by-case basis between doctor and patient. So how do you determine your risk of having a heart attack? This can easily be accomplished by entering information into a risk assessment tool developed by the American Heart Association that is available on the Internet (www.heart.org). Their heart attack risk calculator factors in the common conditions that contribute to a higher chance of having a heart attack including age, being a male or post menopausal female, a strong family history of heart attacks, high blood pressure, an elevated total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, a fasting blood sugar greater than 100, smoking, being overweight, sedentary and eating poorly. Once completed, the tool provides information of risk of having a heart attack within 10 years (mine is 12 percent) and what steps should be taken to address any problems. As heart disease is clearly the leading cause of death, it is fair to assume that everyone is in danger of problems and therefore attempts STRESS continued on PAGE 11A
real experiences
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“I am pleased to say that the care I received at ManorCare Health Services – Pewaukee was quite good. The staff did all they could to make me comfortable and allowed me to recover faster after my surgery. Overall my experience was great .” – Dawn
ManorCare Health Services – Pewaukee 262.523.0933ÊÊUÊÊÜÜÜ° > ÀV>Ài°V
OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
STRESS continued from PAGE 10A
at preventing heart attacks are far more important and valuable than finding out during a stress test that significant coronary artery disease is already present. This involves being compulsive about living a hearthealthy lifestyle, including exercise, eating right, smoking cessation and stress management, as well as working closely with a physician to identify and correct treatable risk factors. If heart attack risk is moderate or high, a dialogue with a primary care physician or cardiologist to determine if a stress test should be done is appropriate. And for someone whose assessment indicates a very high risk of a heart attack within the next 10 years, a screening stress test is a realistic consideration. There must be an understanding that the result may lead to angiograms, angioplasty and even openheart surgery. No matter your risk, should symptoms develop, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, a stress test is then used as a diagnostic rather than a screening tool. Some experts may even forgo a stress test and opt for an immediate angiogram if symptoms are sufficiently compelling. For anyone who is known to have coronary artery disease, who is being optimally managed with medications and who either has no or stable symptoms, annual stress tests may do more harm than good. In this circumstance, any invasive procedure to open a blocked artery
(either by angioplasty using stents or surgery) will neither prolong life nor reduce the risk of a heart attack. Invasive procedures will relieve symptoms, but sadly, angiograms and even open-heart surgery are done frequently on individuals with no symptoms at all. Nothing is scarier than dealing with a heart problem. The evidence is compelling that aggressive diagnostic and invasive procedures are highly effective when done for the appropriate indication. But numerous studies have shown that this aggressive care is frequently unnecessary and can cause more harm than good. In relation to heart health, the more you know, the more involved you are in your care the better. Dr. David Lipschitz is the director of The Longevity Center at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
• 11A
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12A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014 icate or other required documents that you would have to pay a fee Card, or mortgage documents for a ber. On the above form MV3004, to get, then DMV has developed a residential property in Wisconsin). 4. Proof of U.S. citizenship or you must check a box (question 4) process for you to “apply for a free other legal status (a birth certificate that you request the “ID for FREE.” ID card for the first time for voting If you do not have a birth certif- purposes and your documents to or valid U.S. passport). prove U.S. citizenship, name and date of birth, and/or legal name change are unavailable.” This process requires you to complete the 1 & 2 Bedroom Floor Plans — No Income Limits! Wisconsin Identification Card (ID) • All Utilities Included • Underground Parking application (MV3004) and provide • Secured Lobby • Laundry on Each Floor as much information listed above • Elevator • Social Activities as possible. Then you complete • Community Room • On-Site Management another form DMV ADMINIS• Beauty Salon TRATOR PETITION-Unavailable Rents start at Documentation (MV3012). By $679 with 414 -78 80242 completing and signing this form, 1 month FREE rent signed application & approval 8935 S. Wood Creek Drive, Oak Creek • 3blks. West of Howell Ave. off Puetz Road you are giving DMV authorization to communicate with state and federal partners (agencies) to verify unavailable documentation. Once verification is received by DMV, the ID card will be mailed to the applicant’s address. The DMV states that it hopes to complete this process in less than seven business days, but it all depends on the responsiveness of the agencies being contacted for verification. One major problem is that thousands of absentee ballots were sent out before the Circuit Court ruling with some of them already returned to municipal clerks. All absentee voters who have received ballots or who will be requesting ballots must provide a copy of a photo ID to the municipal clerk or their ballot will not be counted. Clerks have been directed to follow up with voters who have already been sent an absentee ballot. One FRAZIER continued from page 3A
5. Your Social Security num-
exception to this requirement includes voters who are “indefinitely confined” defined as “persons who, because of age, physical illness, infirmity or disability, may have difficulty traveling to the polling place.” People who indicate that they are indefinitely confined may request an absentee ballot without a photo ID (question 6 on Wisconsin Application for Absentee Ballot). The ballot signed by the voter and a witness satisfies the photo ID requirement. Obviously, this is a complicated process which is compounded even further by the rush to implement it before the November 4, 2014 election. It seems to me that there are two evils; that a handful of people might vote illegally, or imposing a process that is so bureaucratic and complex, thousands of people will be legally prevented from voting. I suggest that the integrity of my vote is more compromised by the latter than the former and, therefore, the photo ID law is the greater of the two evils. I urge you to do everything possible to exercise your constitutional right to vote! For more information you can go to the Government Accountability Board (GAB) website: http:// gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/photo-id or the DMV website: http:// www.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/petition-process.htm
RIDGEDALE Quiet Senior Community 7740 W. Grange Ave. Greendale, WI 62 & Older Don’t Delay, Call Today
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OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
Do more to prevent cancer More than half of the estimated cancer deaths projected to occur in the United States this year are related to preventable causes, according to a major report on cancer research released earlier this week by the American Association for Cancer Research. Four factors — diet, foods, weight and activity — are linked to cancer risk. With changes to those lifestyle factors, AICR estimates that approximately one of every three cancer cases is preventable. Using data that includes vaccines, sun exposure, smoking and other facts, the AACR report says that more than 50 percent of the 585,720 cancer deaths expected to occur in the United States in 2014 will be related to preventable causes.
HERE ARE NINE TIPS TO HELP YOU PREVENT CANCER: 1. Be as lean as possible without being underweight. 2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day. 3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods. 4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans. 5. Limit consumption of red meats and avoid processed meats. 6. If consumed, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day. 7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt.
8. Don’t rely on supplements to protect against cancer. 9. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. Information courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Part-time Job Openings Widow or Widowers Club Friendship after losing a spouse. Monthly meeting and social events. To find out more, go to
www.milwwowclub.info or call 262-521-1342 or 414-837-3947 or 414-235-3805
Front desk reception/dog handler
Affordable independent living with amenities to enhance a comfortable & enjoyable lifestyle. L Prime Locations L Free Transportation to Grocery Stores L Free Underground Parking L Free Laundry L Social & Recreational Activities L On-Site Banking L Salon L Chapel L Craft Center L Fitness Center L Pet Friendly L Smoke-Free
Open shifts: 3-7 p.m. weekdays and 4-6 p.m. Sat/Sun. Two years experience with computer software, telephone, and customer service skills. Pay: $8.50/Hour
CRAFT FAIR- Oct. 18th 10-3 pm
Dog Handler
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• Big Bake Sale • Crafts • Resale Shop Crafters Wanted! Call 762-7762
Open shifts: 3-7 p.m. weekdays and Sat/Sun. Must be able to work both weekend days. Some experience with dogs preferred. Pay: $7.50 for 30 days, then up to $8/Hour
wimmercommunities.com *Income restrictions may apply Do you or a loved one need
VMP has apartments for rent with NO ENTRANCE FEE REQUIRED! Ask about our rent special for the studios and 1 bedroom apartments.
AMENITIES & ON-SITE SERVICES • • • • •
Senior Community Club Wellness nurses/Key to Fitness Banking & convenience store Rehabilitation & therapy Housekeeping & laundry
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Heat, A/C, electricity, water included Dining Room - 10 free meals/month Chapel - Catholic & Ecumenical services Basic cable plus option for more channels 24 hour emergency call system
50 Plus News Magazine
Exceptional Living For those 55 and better
Call Susan at (414)-617-0455
• • • • •
• 13A
• • • • •
Transportation service Aurora medical clinic Pastoral care Underground parking Computer/internet access
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With almost 90 years of experience, we are here to serve you and your loved ones. Enjoy the privacy of apartment living while receiving the services of Assisted Living. Three wholesome meals served daily!
14A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
Interfaith Announces Social Innovation Winner Interfaith Older Adult Pro- Social Innovation Prize in Wiscongrams announced this past Sep- sin is Christopher Capper, 65, for tember that the winner of the 2014 his work as CEO of Just One More
Burnham Village
Gonzaga Village Sunset Heights West Allis
Waukesha
Cifaldi Square
Oak West
Valentino Square
West Milwaukee Cudahy
West Allis
West Allis
Ministry, a Milwaukee nonprofit that rescues leftover food from some of the community’s bestloved establishments and redistributes it to the hungry. Capper’s innovative idea was to rescue food that would otherwise be discarded, repackage it with volunteer help, and distribute it to hungry people through their central city churches. Just One More Ministry addresses the needs of hungry people with delicious food from well respected vendors, filling people while reducing waste. For his continued support of the community, Capper will receive a $10,000 prize to be awarded at a ceremony in November. Hunger is a pervasive, longterm problem in Milwaukee. According to the Hunger Task Force, over 35,000 people visit area food pantries each week, and at least half of those visitors are children. In 2013, Just One More Ministry served approximately 72,000 meals. About 275,000 pounds of food that would have been discarded was instead rescued, thanks in large part to more than 100 volunteers who donated more than 9,300 hours of service. Some of the meals go home with people to feed their families, helping to alleviate some of the stress that comes with hunger. Other food is offered in community settings at central city churches, where people can gather for fellowship and conversation over a hearty meal. One of the sites specifically helps veterans, many of whom face hardships when they return from service. As hungry people enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables, bakery, and entrees, the environment benefits because all the food that is rescued would otherwise have been dumped into landfills. Just One More Ministry is located at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. Learn more
about the organization at www. jomministry.org. 2014 PRIZE FELLOWS Honorees for the Social Innovation Prize in Wisconsin include the following individuals who are also doing exceptional work in their communities and throughout the state. Gary Hollander, 66, is the President and CEO of Diverse & Resilient, Inc. (D&R), a Milwaukee based nonprofit for the healthy development of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Wisconsin. Through D&R, Hollander has formed numerous health partnerships and adapted best practices to address health issues affecting LGBT people. D&R’s reach extends from Milwaukee, to Madison, to rural communities throughout the state. Barbara Lindholm, 74, is the Co-chair of the Caregiver Coalition of Ozaukee County. Based in Port Washington, the coalition is dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating family caregivers. Lindholm, a Grafton, resident, has created helpful caregiver resources, organized educational programs, spearheaded “Caregiver Renewal Day” and “Caregiver Coffees,” reached out to caregivers in need, and much more. Rosalie Misco, 76, is the owner of Natural Expressions 100% Whole Grain Bakery in Appleton, Wis. After being diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2004, Misco used her knowledge and experience to test foods and develop healthy, whole food mixes specifically for diabetics to help them lose weight and control their blood sugar. Since 2004, she has lost 55 pounds andmaintains a healthy blood sugar level.
OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
MPS continued from page 1A
ers in order to help students in MPS classrooms become grade-level proficient in reading. Sally has been tutoring in some capacity for the past twenty years. Most recently, Sally volunteered as a tutor at Clara Barton School on Milwaukee’s Northeast side. During the 2012-2013 school year, Sally worked in Mrs. Karll’s kindergarten classroom. When Mrs. Karll began teaching first grade the following year, Sally moved up with her to tutor first grade for the 2013-2014 school year. As a result, Sally had the opportunity to tutor some of the same students over the course of two years. During this time, she saw great progress with the students and has developed relationships with many of them. She recalls that “the children are always very happy to see me and I get hugs from them every week. I am also happy to see them. It has been a good relationship.� Like Sally, Cindy Juds has been an RSVP tutor for several years. For the past three years, Cindy has been tutoring kindergarten students at Sherman Multicultural Arts School. Cindy loves meeting the students each year and seeing them progress from not knowing the alphabet to learning how to read. She also enjoys seeing the students become more confident in their reading ability. Cindy explains that she typically works with three children at a time, reading and playing games with them. She cherishes the relationships she builds with the children and she believes many of the younger students enjoy having the older adult tutors as part of their lives. She recalls that when she suffered an injury and couldn’t tutor for several weeks, the entire class made cards for her. She laughs when she remembers one child’s get-well card which was handwritten in capital letters asking “WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK?�
While both Sally and Cindy keep busy with family, work, and many outside interests, they both recognize the need for tutors and they both place a high priority on their volunteer work. The RSVP tutor program provides free training and ongoing support to its tutors and Sally confirms that she has received “great support from Interfaith and great training. If I have any questions or problems I just call them. They are very well-organized.� Cindy agrees that if issues come up during the tutoring process, Interfaith provides a host of resources, as well as a personal contact at Interfaith, to assist the tutor. Sally’s advice to anyone considering joining RSVP to become a tutor? “Just do it!� Sally encourages all older adults to make their time count -- “you only go around once in this life and this is something very important that you can contribute to.� Both Sally and Cindy believe that students in MPS can be successful if we all work together.
Sally and Cindy are certainly doing their part! Last school year, approximately 200 RSVP volunteer tutors like Sally and Cindy worked in 48 MPS elementary schools affecting 3,259 students. As a result, over 50% of students in classrooms with RSVP tutors improved their academic performance as measured by MPS testing data. Additionally, of the students tutored, over 85% demonstrated improved academic engagement in the classroom and a positive change in attitude over the course of the school year. While RSVP volunteers such as Sally Jahrmann and Cindy Juds have made a huge difference in the
• 15A
classrooms in which they serve, the reality is in the beginning there are many more MPS classrooms still in need of a tutor. With the 2014-15 school year stages, now is the time to get involved. No formal training or degree is required. Tutors are trained through Interfaith Older Adult Programs and are supported by Interfaith in each step of the process. If you are 55 years of age or older, have 90 minutes a week, and are interested in making a difference in an MPS school near you, please contact Karen Aronson at 414-2208653.
Welcome
to the
new
Senior Lifestyle in Hales Corners
Cottonwood Trails Apartments 4600 S. Nicholson Ave, Cudahy, WI
Cottonwood Trails SPECIAL Apartments is a Will pay $400 senior complex of your movin g which offers income costs! eligible 1 & 2 bedroom units for adults 55 plus. This is a non-smoking environment with heated underground parking, elevator service, laundry rooms on HDFK ÀRRU FRQWUROOHG HQWU\ DFFHVV with private intercom, and a community room for social activities. Heat and water are included in the rent.
Please contact Andrea at
414-483-9969
Let us show you our beautiful community and private residences enriched with fun social activities, new friendships, fitness and wellness programs, delicious dining and so much more! Personal Tours Daily Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• • • • •
Ask about our specials Senior living starting at $924/mo. 2 bedrooms from $999/mo. Assisted living from $2,494/mo. Call today to set-up a tour
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11077 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners (414) 425-1148
cottonwood@bearproperty.com
www.WimmerCommunities.com
EDITORIALS
16A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
Prairie Du Sac and Wollersheim Winery
E CAPITOL OMMENT
att Pommer
The charming city of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin may be widely known as the locale made famous MONEY SENSE by the nearby Wollersheim WinTRAVEL By Karen Ellenbecker & Julie Ellenbecker ery, which has been in-Lipsky operation now for 150 years and which must NG IN THE be the oldest of such operations in DIRECTION Prairie du Sac Chamber of Come Nemovitz this state. But many fun-loving people know Prairie du APRON Sac best as the merce at 109 Philips Boulevard. Emma Prairie du Sac and its sister city, home of the annualSTRINGS August Cow By Aunt Emma Sauk City, are about 25 miles northAnswer Man Chip Throw Festival. This almost west of Madison. unbelievably attracted about 40,000 Now, let’s take a look at the hispeople over its two days. toric landmark winery and its latThe longest cow chip throw, by AGING SSUES the way, is 248 ft. a bit over three- er additions to accommodate the om Frazier fourths the distance of a football successes of the wine making of the grapes that grow in the hillside field. When this writer was a kid, we vineyards that overlook the Wisutilized cow chips as we could find consin River. Dating backward to the 1840’s, in the outfield for our baseball basANTING es. Sliding into second was not real- the first winery there was developed ORROW’S by Agoston Haraszthy. He later MS TODAY ly advised. rad Olson Before we get to the winery and sold it to Peter Kehl and that famother Prairie du Sac features such as ily operated the winery until it was the scenic nearby Wisconsin River, purchased by Bob and Ann Wolwe’ll dwell a bit on the Cow Chip lersheim in 1972. The Wollersheim Festival. It costs $3 to enter, $1 for family and grape vines seem to have kids under 14 and you can enter a love affair. The vines are almost PORTS a team of four adult competition overloaded with juicy grapes of ck Pearson throwers for $25. While there ar- various varieties and the wines that therules, WRIGHT en’t many participants cannot imported from France chief wineSIDE of wear gloves and are encouraged, if maker Philipe Coquard squeezes By Enis Wright they have the stomach for such, to for juice then become very tasty lick their hands for a better grip on tempting treats. From the original three story the dried cow chip. with Jim McLoone building that housed a As for the community of about limestone dance hall, carriage house and wine 4,000 people, residents swear that that their little city has the abso- cellar to several buildings and very lutely best drinking water found modern equipment, the Wolleranywhere in the United States of sheim Winery, itself, is almost as popular as its vintage wines. Tours America. The community has a great and tastings are held for the public. Spring Swing Golf Tournament at To set up a tour for yourself, call Lake Wisconsin course and awards 1-608-643-6515. They’re almost a Silver Spatula for the winners of every day between the hours of 10 the Chamber Super Bowl (bowl- a.m. and 5 p.m. There are no admission fees. ing). Coming up will be the Holiday Among coming Lights Parade, which we’re told fea- events are the following: ICE WINE RELEASE: This event tures the annual tree lighting ceremony and a fireworks extravaganza. will be Wednesday, Oct. 8 and will If you wish, you can get more in- feature the hand harvested in winformation on these events from the ter nectar of the vines as a sweet gift of the 2013 winter, both Red and
SENIOR
IT MAKES ME
CRABBY
White Flights Guided tours this day will be 12:15 through 4:15 (every hour) and each will last about that length of time. They are for those ages 12 and up. There will be music in the afternoon and wines available for purchase by the glass. Wagon rides to the vineyard will be available. HARVEST TASTING: This will be a special event the Saturday before Thanksgiving from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. VINTAGE CHRISTMAS: This will be held the Saturday following
Thanksgiving, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will feature holiday wines as visitors tour the Sugarloaf and Vineyard rooms. We’ve been told over and over that the best sermon is good example. The friendliness and helpfulness of Prairie du Sac residents tell us that this community’s residents are positive thinking and friendly people. Could the friendliness be helped along by Wollersheim wines?
HERMAN WHITE WRITES
ARTS
ENTERTAINMENT
calendar
60
Just as pretty as the wines are tasty.
KILLING TIME
Fun on the river.
OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
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BBB SHREDFEST to be held on Saturday, October 4 9 AM TO 11:30 AM THE PETTIT NATIONAL ICE CENTER 500 S. 84TH STREET Shred your personal documents FREE of charge – 3 box maximum Sponsored by BBB, Summit Credit Union and Piranha Paper Shredding. For more information visit: http://www.bbb.org/wisconsin/ shredfest/ The Better Business Bureau has long been an educator and advocate of identity theft prevention. Each year we collect and shred thousands of personal documents for the public. While identity theft can and does target anyone, seniors can be vulnerable more so than other segments of the population. We’d like to remind you to 1. Always check your bank and credit card statements. 2. Shred or destroy documents that contain personal information. 3. Safeguard your Social Security numbers, checks, credit cards, Medicare cards and financial statements and protect your mail. 4. Don’t carry important information and identifiable cards in your purse, wallet or car. 5. In your home, keep important information safe in a locked box or give it to someone you trust to keep in a safe place for you. 6. Never provide personal or financial information over the telephone or internet to anyone you don’t know. BBB would also like to remind you that October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. This is a good time to remind ourselves that while the internet offers us access to a vast world of products, services, information and entertainment, it also creates numerous opportunities for scammers, hackers and identity thieves. With more and more publicized data breaches in various sectors, we are constantly reminded about our vulnerability and account
security regarding passwords and other account information. There are more and more internet sites implementing additional security features that can help computer users add another layer of security to their accounts, such as log-in approvals, multi-factor authentication, and two-step verification as well as random one-time use password generators. But consumers still need to be very vigilant about using strong, unique passwords and implementing these safety standards. Utilizing all available security measures and understanding the consequences of our online actions and behaviors is the key message in the National Cyber Security Alliance and BBB’s “STOP. THINK. CONNECT.” campaign. The campaign’s purpose is to educate the public about online scams and inform them how to respond effectively if they do occur, because every consumer who uses digital technology devices at home or in the office, plays a part in cyber security. For example, if you open a virus-ridden email attachment, you could infect your computer or your company’s entire computer network. Savvy cybercriminals have become experts at luring people into clicking dangerous links or opening phony email attachments. Remember to STOP before you use the internet, take time to understand the risks and learn how to spot potential problems. Take a moment to THINK, making sure the patch ahead is clear. Consider how your actions online could impact your and your family’s safety. And, CONNECT; enjoy the Internet with greater confidence by knowing you’ve taken the proper steps in safeguarding yourself and your computer. It’s also recommended that you click with caution; only open emails, attachments and links from people you know. Install and use anti-virus software, and enhance email
filters to block threats. Watch out for unsolicited emails that contain grammatical errors and misspelled words. Don’t believe everything you see; it’s easy to steal logos and headers and create bogus websites. If you have questions, contact us at 414-847-6000 or bbb.org and always check out companies with the BBB first before doing business with them.
1
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18A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
PLANTING TOMORROW’S DREAMS TODAY By Brad Olson
HERMAN WHITE WRITES
The WSO’s triathlon and a guyARTS named Gary ENTERTAINMENT The 35th Annual Wisconsin Senior Olympics has been completed; it opened with the triathlon event in Pewaukee on July 13 and concluded with Lawn Bowling at Lake Park in Milwaukee on September 14. There were a total of 21 events, all held at different sites and times throughout the state. Hats off to all. To be sure, the Wisconsin Senior Olympics is a most praise worthy and dedicated organization, and fills a real need. For decades, ever since the modern day Olympics began back in 1896, competition involved only the young; teenagers on up to the early 30s. It’s different today. In Senior Olympics today, all over the country, athletes into the 70s and 80s have become the norm, and there are even instances of competitors over 100. We’d like to list all the winners of the recently completed Wisconsin Senior Olympics here, but in truth, it’s just not feasible. There are 21 sports for men, an equal amount for women, and medals are awarded for three places, first, second and third. These medals are awarded in several age classifications, primarily 50-54, 55-59, 60-65, 65-69 and 7074, with more as needed. Assuming all the slots are filled, that adds up to 300 to 400 medals being awarded for men and a like amount for women, or a total of 600 to 800. Which means a lot of names to read through. But really, every one of the hundreds of participants in all those sports here in Wisconsin, not just the ones with the medals but everyone, is a winner. To be almost 80 and compete in a highly rigorous event like the Triathlon is commendable, no matter where he or she finishes. The motto of the VMP (Village at Manor Park) that says “You’re Never Too Old To Play” truly applies here. There are seniors out there in
SPORTS By Jack Pearson
the general public, however, who just don’t seem to go along with that. Talking to an acquaintance the other day, I mentioned that I was putting together an article about the Senior Olympics here in Wisconsin, and I asked him what he thought about the event. He made a face and sort of chuckled. “Well, if you ask me (which I had) those guys and gals who participate are a bunch of ov e r- t h e - h i l l jocks who think they’re still kids, and most of the events are about as strenuous as playing a game of checkers.” I was sorry I asked, and walked away. I wondered if there were others who thought the same way. The old movie “Casablanca” popped into my head, and Humphrey Bogart, replying as to why he had chosen such a crummy place in which to live, said, “I was misinformed.” Well, if my friend or anyone else has these misguided views on the Senior Olympics, the best thing I could say is that they also were misinformed. I will admit, however, that a few of the sports in the Wisconsin Senior Olympics lineup, such as the aforementioned lawn bowling, or shuffleboard, pickleball, horseshoes, golf or the basketball free throw, are not as physically taxing as pro football or boxing. But even those sports demand a degree of
dexterity and skill. (If you don’t believe that, we’ll use golf as an example. I know a 77-year-old grandmother who plays the game, and whom I’d say can whomp most of the male golfers in the state of any age. If you don’t believe me, and think you could beat her, let me know and maybe we can set up a By Enis Wright match. But I’ve listed only six Senior Olympics sports above. There are more. How about track & field, swimming, the 5K road race, tennis and racquetball? All of those sports are usually linked to young people, right? But they’re in the Wisconsin Senior Olympics lineup, for women as well as men. There’s also a tougher one, a much tougher. It is the Triathlon. That sport is one of the most difficult, most strenuous and most energy consuming ever devised. It is almost sadistic. It combines three arduous sports; swimming, and not just dabbling along but an all-out speed crawl for a quarter of a mile; biking, again at full speed and for 16 long miles; and then running, when beat and exhausted from the first two segments, for 3.1 more miles. (It’s 3.1 rather than 3 because 3.1 conforms to the metric 5k, or five kilometer run). Doing just half of that ordeal would kill the average person; I know it would me. Actually it wouldn’t, as I wouldn’t even attempt to do it. The whole race is non-stop and go, go, go, from start to finish and in between segments; that is if you want to win or finish high. When the Triathlon was originally conceived, way back in the
the WRIGHT SIDE of
calendar
time of the ancient Greeks, or by whoever, because of its great difficulty and three sport concept, it was undoubtedly intended for young, limber athletes. Things change and senior athletes today are younger in spirit and ability than ever before. The oldest Triathlon male athlete in the current Wisconsin Senior Olympics was Frank Hedgcock of Waukesha, who is 78; the oldest female was Mary Strupp of Milwaukee, who is 75. Both, incidentally, won gold medals. For the past two years, the Wisconsin Senior Olympics Triathlon event has been under the direction of a highly unusual gentleman named Gary Pinter. Gary, who is 62, his wife, Beth, and little girl dog, Rascal, live in a lovely home surrounded by huge oak trees out in the countryside near Sussex. Gary built the house himself some 35 years ago and finds time to be employed by one company and to run his own as well. It is not because of his home or his business that I consider him highly unusual, however. Consider first his involvement as an administrator. When Gary became the event coordinator for the Triathlon last year, he succeeded John White, who is now the president of the Wisconsin Senior Olympics. Usually, when someone becomes the coordinator of an event, it’s because he or she has been with the organization for a long period of time and has thus compiled a backlog of experience. Gary had been with the WSO for only a short time and only as a participant. That apparently did not bother him or anyone else. “We could see, early on, that Gary was an extremely hard worker and had exceptional leadership qualities,” White said. “We had no qualms whatsoever about asking him to take over. And what he’s done since has proved that to be
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KILLING TIME with Jim McLoone
OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
Gary and Beth at their home in Sussex. That’s little Rascal in between them, wondering why her picture was being taken. true.” Gary’s task, however, was quite challenging. Not all athletes, and especially elderly athletes, want to subject themselves to the rigors of the Triathlon. One can enter most of the other events with little if any preparation and training. Not so for the Triathlon. Constant work and exercise are a must for weeks and months to build up strength and endurance, and not for just one sport, but for three, swimming, running and biking. If a participant doesn’t, he or
Here’s a happy Gary Pinter at the conclusion of the Triathlon, held aloft by his two sons, Josh (left) and Jeremy.
she will not only have little chance of winning, or won’t even finish the event. Because of this, and for other reasons, it’s like pulling teeth to get people to enter and compete. Over the past couple of decades, an average of less than ten people, men and women combined, have come in each year. The year before Gary took over the job, there were only six. So increasing that meager total became a prime focus. He did all he could to do so. He moved the site, which was in Manitowoc, to Pewaukee, where there was a larger area population base. He visited senior centers and other places and spoke on the enjoyment of being in the Olympics. He appeared and spoke on radio talk shows. This year, largely because of his efforts, the total rose from six to 28. That may not seem to be such a huge figure, but it is nearly five times larger than it was in the previous Olympics. Now let’s look what he has done as an athlete. When I asked him about it, he said he’d rather I write just about the Triathlon. I assured him that I would, but that he was part of the story. “Oh, alright,” he conceded. “But you have to give the credit to my son Josh. I only got into competitive athletics because he goaded me into it.”
Gary explained that he had always been sports-minded, but because of his work and family, never had the time for anything more than an occasional softball game. He also liked to write about sports, and was a contributing writer for the old Lake Country Reporter for many years. “One day,” he said, “when I was well past 50 in age, Josh came up to me, stuck his finger in my stomach and said, ‘Dad, you’re getting a pot.’ Now I must point out that Josh, and my other son, Jeremy, are very good athletes and like to challenge their old pappy. (Gary and Beth also have a daughter, Jennifer, and two grandkids.) Anyhow, I agreed with Josh,” Gary said. “I hopped on a scale and saw I was about 30 pounds more that I should be. So I said to him, Ok, big boy, what do you suggest?’ He replied, ‘Follow me,’ and I did. We went outside and raced, then we swam against each other, did everything to outdo one another. At first, he beat me in everything. But then, to my amazement and surprise, I started getting faster and more agile, even beating him once in a while. Then one day, Beth suggested I should get involved with the Senior Olympics and compete against somebody besides my son. I did.” And what occurred is beyond belief. Last year, in the 2014 Wisconsin Senior Olympics, Gary entered not one, not two or three, but 15 events. Even more incredibly, he won medals in 14 of them. (One gets a medal for winning or for finishing second or third) and he won gold first places medals in three. It is believed that this kind of a performance has never been achieved at any Senior Olympics event, in any state, or even in the Nationals. What makes it all even more mind boggling, he hadn’t competed or even played in any of those sports until he was well past 50, and when he did win them, he was 61 years old. Gary’s biggest fan and supporter is his wife, Beth, who not only is at every event he participates in as
• 19A
an athlete or is in charge of as a coordinator. She also is quite involved, taking photos and keeping statistics. His second through fifth biggest fans and supporters are, in no particular order, his daughter Jennifer, and sons Josh and Jeremy. And, of course, also Rascal. In addition to his involvement in the Wisconsin Senior Olympics, Gary has also entered Ironman competition. Both involve the triathlon, but the Ironman’s version is quite a bit longer. In the Senior Olympics, the Triathlon, as noted earlier, is a quarter of a mile for swimming, 16 for biking and 3.1 more for running. In the Iron Man, the distance for swimming is 2.4 miles, for the bike race 112 miles, and for the run 26.2 miles. I asked Gary that at his age, 62, isn’t competing in something like that a bit insane? “No, of course not,” he said. “It’s fun; I love it. And besides, there are men as well as women who are older than me; a lot older.” By the way: earlier in this article, 12 of the current state of Wisconsin Senior Olympic sports were named. There are nine more; Basketball (3 on 3), Bowling, Cycling, Archery, Powerlifting, 5K Racewalk, Softball, Table Tennis and Volleyball. Also, in the Triathlon, the sport featured in this column, the race director was Cole Braun, and the operations director was Craig Braun. So here we are, at the end of our little story. We’ve talked about a lot of special things; the Wisconsin Senior Olympics is a very special organization; every senior participant, male and female, no matter if they won the gold or came in dead last, is very special, too; and this fellow, Gary Pinter, who was challenged by his son to take up competitive sports well after he’d passed the age of 50, and has taken the ball and run with it, both as an athlete and as an administrator, might be the most special of all.
20A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
An old clock My life is like an old tic tock
It always ticks and never stops. It endures our weather, with wet and cold For it was guaranteed where it was sold. It sure did shine, When it was new, Its movement was fine, And its time was true.
And now it’s old, As one can see. For it doesn’t shine Like it used to be. The gears and springs Are worn and lame. For when they’re old They are not the same. For this was told When it had its checking It needs “good care” To keep it ticking.
Freedom From the Atlantic to the Pacific We live in a noble land. We always help our neighbors When we offer them our hand. No speech here is forbidden As you can speak your mind. And you’ll never go to prison
By Melvin Clark
Or be forced to pay a fine. We all have freedom of religion And to enjoy a day of play. Be it at a golf course Or at the beach all day. Let’ not forget this freedom That lets us choose our toil. To be a doctor or a lawyer Or the ones that till the soil By Melvin Clark
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• 21A
EDITORIALS continued. . . . . . KILLING TIME continued from page 4A
date the wishes of so many seniors who will attend. Will you believe we expect several thousand people to find their way to Wilson Park Senior Center that day and many will be there for the opening hours of breakfast snacks? RRRRRR
This lady may be old, but not really aging. We couldn’t ever report that she was over the hill. At a recent 90th birthday party, Helen Palmer socialized, moving from table to table of well-wishers. Once a newspaper reporter, then in real estate sales, Helen has finally retired after volunteering at Ethan Allen State School for about 16 or
October Poem
October’s 31 days arrive with much dutiful fare. Fall leaves are to be raked as trees become bare. The significance of the season is apparent everywhere. There’s so much to do this month here and there. To realize that winter’s coming needs no brilliant seer. Old Jack Frost sits in the wings, perhaps enjoying a beer. Warmth of the day gives way to cool of the night. Still, it is 31 days to Halloween’s night of fright. In the interim, some hunting seasons do open. For hunters, protection, of course, we’re hope’n. May the harvest moon for us be a beacon of light. We can never place real purpose beyond our sight. Strife and warring have come into too many lands. We pray that sensible acts might halt lawless bands. The Middle East turmoil brings everywhere tension. There’s concern by a hermit and man in his mansion. Many bountiful crops farmers are harvesting. Overflowing storage areas leave them smiling. Purchases for Halloween bring smiles to store clerks. Oldsters who think badly of Halloween are jerks. Dutiful parents must pay for children’s fun. Time was when kids soaped windows and away would run. As October continues, fall school sports reach a climax. The game’s horn tooters still look to melody of a sax. Teachers’ conventions mean time off for a kid. Schoolbooks will be forgotten or away be hid. Yes, the month goes by and we will learn much. But gained knowledge is of nature and such.
17 years. I guess she’s an example of God wanting to keep the good people on earth. Being only 90, she was not a writer at the time the Dead Sea Scrolls were composed. RRRRRR We’re told that the best time to get the greatest deal on airline tickets is from noon to about 3 p.m. on Tuesdays. The same person claims travelers can save money by flying on Saturdays and Tuesdays. RRRRRR Elbert Hubbard said that a friend is a person who knows all about you and still likes you. RRRRRR As I glanced around at a recent event, many of the women might have been older than they appeared to be. Yes, those beauticians do sometimes work wonders.
RRRRRR Waters of the oceans cover about two-thirds of the world as we know it. If you believe the story of Noah and the Ark, they certainly have receded in time. RRRRRR The squirrels are hurrying back and forth past my office door hauling what I believe are buckeyes; those are nuts, not eyes of a male deer or Ohio State football players. RRRRRR There’s now a $49 portable breathalyzer on the market that can be plugged into a person’s smart phone’s headphone jack. After plugging it in, it will blurt out “Call a cab” if you have too much alcohol in your system to drive your car safely. It recently was featured in a Popular Mechanics Magazine article. No, I don’t know who sells them.
BW 22A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
Emma: time to do some volunteering Hi there, folks! It is really nice to be able to get together with you on such a nice fall day. The sun is warming, and the air has a certain chill in it. I guess it is time to get my apron on; as I have told my friends, “This apron is like a motivational thinking cap; when I have it on it is like I am sitting on the very front of the chair, ready to spring into action, at least with words, instead of lolling back in comfort.” While there may not be a lot of things going on, except for politics, my Henry says I am not thinking as clearly as I might as I am in a rut. He says that I am constrained by my not getting out of the house and that the information I get over the telephone is kind of like listening to Lawrence Welk on TV playing the same old tunes over and over again. I must admit that Henry seldom is wrong. I don’t exercise my legs much, but will admit to exercising my voice. And what about the thought process that goes into that? Henry claims I need to get out of the house more and also to do something that I can be proud of, as he says, worthwhile. Now, he’s not pressuring me or stressing me all out, but he did bring home (I have no idea where he got it) a Volunteer Handbook, which is a guide for home delivery of meals drivers and dining assistants. I don’t
know which job he wants me to apply for so let’s you and me look into these possible jobs. Henry says that volunteers are vital to the success of many social programs including the seniors dining in the meal site and, for others, having their meals carried right to their doors. I perhaps would be better at being a volunteer dining assistant, who do such things as pack meals for the home delivery and set up for, serve and then clean up afterwards in the congregate dining areas. I believe this congregate, as they call it, dining is important as it gives the elderly people who can make it to the dining room a chance to socialize a bit. They not only chew the food we serve to them, but possibly chew on some of the day’s problems, in general, and their own, of course. As I read through the booklet, I discovered the one Henry brought to me must have been left behind in a restaurant and Henry picked it up. How did I determine this? Henry works in Milwaukee and the booklet he brought to me is for Waukesha County. Even though we don’t live out there anymore, I’ll still share with you what it has as requirements as they’re perhaps much the same wherever you want to volunteer. Hand sanitizing is a big deal as it should be for dining center volunteers. The volunteers might almost wash the skin from their hands as
they’re to wash at the beginning of a shift, before handling any food, after touching their face or hair, after handling potentially hazardous foods, after using the restroom, after sneezing, coughing or wiping of the nose and, quite naturally, after handling any garbage. One thing that I didn’t know is that hand sanitizer, like Henry uses before dinner, is not to be utilized instead of hand washing with real soap and water. The booklet also says that the volunteers, when they wear gloves, should wash their hands before putting the gloves on. What’s this? Are they afraid that germs might get into the gloves? I think I could handle all of this plus a hairnet, clean clothing and no open toe shoes. I plan to talk this over with Gertie and Annie tomorrow at coffee. Gosh, if I do this volunteering, I’ll miss coffee time. Perhaps that is why Henry brought this volunteering booklet to me. I came home so frustrated over Florence’s self-importance and criticism of others after our last get-together that I wanted to just sit and cry a bit. Henry said that I should understand that a person has to recognize stress before he or she can cope with it. Henry says I should just unburden it on him. I am thinking this volunteering over. If I go for it, as my daddy used to say, “whole hog,” I will miss out
being with my friends some times. But the feeling of helping others, of doing something to make some lives better and even to keep the older folks from letting their feeling spiral out of control due to loneliness seems more than worthwhile. Now, let’s see. How do I get in touch with those meal people? Surely, I’ll call that Stephanie Sue person at the Department on Aging. She’ll probably have answers for questions I haven’t even thought of yet like how close to my home is a meal site, how’s my health, how often in a given week would I volunteer, can I talk nicely and become friends with the diners and if there’s stuff left over, what do we do with it? I doubt that Henry would want me to even consider this at home. And if you are wondering, Henry is not quite old enough to qualify for dining at the meal site. My question now is, will Annie and Gertie join me in volunteering at a meal site?
FALL ELECTIONS continued from page 1A unions to state employees. But what
good. We honestly think the quality of life in the Milwaukee inner city certainly could be better. But what must come first? There has to be education and the availability of good paying jobs. Gov. Walker claims that Wisconsin is climbing the economic ladder. Mary Burke says the state is among the worst in job creation. Depending on which of the economic data you decide to choose, they’re both right.
We believe that people must go to the polls. Elections are to keep or replace public servants. The motto of our nation since the earliest of its times has been “In God we trust.” So it is in God we trust that you will seriously consider the future of this state…at least for four years ahead. Are you satisfied or not with today’s state government? Answer that question with your ballot.
leadership of Gov. Jim Doyle. She is no neophyte to the who, what, why and when of state government. To the credit of her family owned company, Ms. Burke has not been riding a Trek brand as she high rides towards the November elections. Burke’s campaign has been impressive. She has kept away from harsh disagreement as to how Wisconsin should be led over the next four years. She has made clear her will to try to bring back the worker
about a Republican legislature? Differentiation of the two candidates is easy. Their philosophies as to what the future will bring or what is needed are obvious. We do believe that the state is not in ill health. Still, there are other writers among us who do believe a good dose of different political vitamins is needed. We believe the quality of life in Wisconsin outside of the City of Milwaukee is
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• 23A
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HERMAN WHITE WRITES 24A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
ARTS
ENTERTAINMENT
calendar
October 1 Vagabond Ski & Social Club WG’s Banquet Center, 3200 S. 103rd & Oklahoma Ave. An active social By Enisclub Wrightfor singles and married couples. Meeting 7:30 p.m. and dance 8:30 p.m., $5. Visit website for more details: www. vagabondskiclub.com.
the WRIGHT SIDE of
Menomonee Falls Enjoy an Agatha Christie play adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon. For tickets, 262.255.8372 or fallspatioplayers.com.
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October 4 Waukesha Fall Crawl Downtown Waukesha Live music, 175 artists’ galleries, and so much more from 4 – 10 p.m. Visit waukeshaart.com.
KILLING TIME with Jim McLoone October 2 Free First Thursdays Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Visit mam.org for details. Sponsored by Target. October 3 – 12 A Murder Is Announced Falls Patio Players, North Middle School, N88 W16750 Garfield Dr.,
October 11 & 12 Octoberfest Downtown Historic Cedarburg You will enjoy this free German festival with foods, beers, music and much more. Visit cedarburgfestivals.org. Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
October 17 & 18 Gallery Night and Day Historic Third Ward Downtown Milwaukee Featuring over 60 venues to explore on Friday, 5 – 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. October 17 – November 15 Sherlock Holmes – The Baker Street Irregulars Todd Wehr Theater, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Enjoy this latest mystery by First Stage Children’s Theater when a gang of street kids, hired by Sherlock himself, help solve his latest case. Visit www.marcuscenter. org/414-273-7206. October 17 – 18 A Fair To Remember Craft Fair Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center
October 19 HAWS-Move Your Mutt 5K/10K run & Walk Genesee Lake Road Park, 27505 Genesee Lake Road, Oconomowoc Choose the 5K/10K or bring Fido along for the one mile walk through the park. All proceeds go to support the Humane Animal Welfare Society. Visit Hawspets. org for more information. October 23 50 Plus or Better Expo New Location- Wilson Park Senior Center, 2601 W. Howard Ave., Milwaukee Don’t miss this exciting event! Exhibitors, entertainment and so much more, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. See you there! October 25 – Nov 2 Halloween in Delafield: Grand Pumpkin Illumination Downtown Delafield
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OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
Hundreds of pumpkins, carved by local area school children and their parents, illuminate before your eyes! Don’t forget your cameras! The event site will be lit each evening until 10 p.m. through November 2. Visit there web at visitdelafield.org. FUTURE EVENTS November 11 – December 7 The Lion King Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Tickets on sale now. This show is not to be missed being the one of Milwaukee favorites. Visit www. marcuscenter.org/414-273-7206. Public events at Jackson Crossings Retirement Community Jackson Crossings Retirement Community, N168-W22026 Main St., Jackson (All events take place at our Lakeshore Building, address above) Oct. 2 – Music by Greg Driss – Free of charge, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 – Music by Craig Siemsen, Free of charge, 6 p.m. Oct. 10 and 24, Professional Massage appointments, call 262-6778864 for reservation and cost. Oct. 25 – Music by Randy Roeder – Free of charge, 6 p.m.
ON-GOING Alzheimer’s Support Group Cedar Bay West, Fellowship Hall, 5595 County Road Z, West Bend. Group meets the second Wednesday from 1 p.m. For details, call (262) 306-4230. • • • • • Alzheimer’s Support Group Jackson Crossing Lakeshore Building, N168 W22026 Main St., Jackson Support group held the third Wednesday of each month; 6 p.m. Respite care is available. Please call for reservations at (262) 993-2838. • • • • • Afternoon Dance American Legion Post #449 3245 N. 124th St., Brookfield Everyone Welcome! Second Monday of every month, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Big Band dance, $3. • • • • • Charles Horwitz Planetarium 14 W28167 Madison St., Waukesha for more information on upcoming programs visit www.waukeshaschools.com/planet. • • • • Milwaukee Art Museum 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday Sunday. Call (414) 224-3200 or go to www.mam.org. • • • • •
Milwaukee County RSVP – Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Inc. Contact Eddie at (414) 2208655 to be a volunteer. • • • • • Milwaukee Dancing Grannies Interested in becoming one of Milwaukee’s dancing grannies? Contact us at (414) 630-4493.
• 25A
• • • • • Museum of Wisconsin Art 300 South Sixth Ave., West Bend Public hours, Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 - 4:30 p.m. (262) 334-9638/ www.wisconsinart.org. • • • • •
Pumpkin Smash
26A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
Off Broadway at the Marcus Center Presents
WSYA Germanfest 2014
It wasn’t too hot, it wasn’t too cold, the weather was perfect and so was everything else for the largest German celebration in this country, Milwaukee’s own Germanfest. Colorful costumes by so many, terrific music from more than a dozen German bands, then add the great food and all that wonderful beer. Some of the visitors included:
OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 2
Hilarity, failed dishes and food fights ensue during this live “broadcast” of a public access cable cooking show hosted by two larger-than-life Italian sisters, Delphine and Carmela Calamari. The sisters sing and dance to beloved Italian favorites as they try to make it through their final broadcast together in one piece!
Irene and Rick Schuchler of Waukesha.
Claire Kaufman of Milwaukee, and Marge Feld of Germantown.
WILSON THEATER IN VOGEL HALL • TICKETS $45
Direct from Dakar, Senegal
THE SENEGAL ST. JOSEPH GOSPEL CHOIR
-Jeff Wunn, and Kristin and Charles Friedrich, all of Juneau.
One Night Only!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 • 7:30PM
Created more than 44 years ago, the Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir interprets spirituals and traditional African songs, raising their voices in a local polyphony representing Senegal’s language, rhythms and music traditions. Catholic liturgy and the indigenous Muslim songs of Senegal are combined to create an extraordinary harmony between the two cultures that comprise the nation of Senegal. IN UIHLEIN HALL • TICKETS $35
MARCUS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
414.273.7206 • MarcusCenter.org • Ticketmaster.com Groups of 10+ Save! Call 414.273.7121 Ext.210
-Lynn Gundlach, Peter and Kris Krause and Dan Gundlach, all of LaCrosse.
OCTOBER 2014 • 50PLUS
• 27A
-Glen Hoelz of Eagle River, Kayla Wolfe of Phoenix, Ariz., and Eveline Kehlert of Germantown.
Deer Haven Golf Club Introducing our New Indoor driving Range and simulators for the winter months. Book swing times by the half hour. Also golf instruction all winter long.
Aron, Kris and Dan Glazewski of Milwaukee.
from all of us at 50 Plus
Deer Haven is an executive 9 hole course. Senior rates are $9.00 for 9 holes walking Monday thru Friday. Banquet hall available for parties up to 225 Weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, meetings, funerals.
19180 W Cleveland Ave New Berlin • 262-650-0760 Ask for Jeff www.deerhavengolfclub.us
SERVICES OFFERED A Helping Hand
YOUR LOCAL SINGLE SOURCE FOR HOME SERVICES
A Helping Hand of Lake Country LLC offers a unique variety of home services including in-home care and property upkeep. Call for a free consultation and brochure
262-354-4658 www.AHelpingHand-wi.com
A single space can be purchased for as little as $43 per month or double $86 per month.
Call Saran Piehl, 262-367-5303 EXT 12 Wanted to Buy
Antiques & Collectibles
Anything old from attic to basement. Old advertising signs including automotive & gas station signs, clocks & thermometers. Old toys-tin & steel cars, trucks & trains. Old woodworking tools & Stanley Planes. Old crocks, coffee grinders & kitchen items. Cash paid please.
Call Frank 262-251-6545
Cash Paid
Junk C ars Running or Not 7-day Service FREE pickup
414-394-3116 Are You Happy With The Return On Your Savings Plan?
Harold L Hebbe, Agent 262.853.9047
Top Cash Paid!! WE BUY
Entire Estates Old Toys Bronze Statues Cameras Advertising Pottery Glass
Fishing Hunting Swords/Knives Silverware Gold Jewelry
414•416•3431
WE BUY
Watches Coins Old Photos Paintings Military All Antiques
9955 W. Forest Home Ave. • Hales Corners, WI 53130
www.milwaukeeantiquedealer.com
If you don’t wear it. . . . We buy it.
• Antique Jewelry • Pocket & Wrist Watches • Plastic Pins • Costume Jewelry • Diamonds • Scrap Gold • Cameo’s • Rhinestones • Stick Pins • Estate Jewelry • Cufflinks
Look through your jewelry today.
414-546-1818
United Seniors of Wisconsin
Play Bingo Every Day! Doors Open at 7:30 am & 4:30 pm Morning Sessions: 9:30 & 11:00 am Evening Sessions: 6:30 & 8:00 pm
U P TO $2500 IN P RIZE S !!!
414-321-0220
CA$H PAID • TOP PRICES Autos • Trucks • Vans
Running OR Not Serving 4 County Area Prompt Courteous Service FREE Pickup 7 days/wk Tow/Flat Bed Sevice
Call Don
414-305-3341
4515 W. Forest Home Ave. Greenfield www.unitedseniorsofwisconsin.org
Senior Handyman Licensed, insured, needs work, carpentry, porches, siding, kitchen, bath, rec-rooms, vinyl replacement windows, doors, glass block, drain cleaning, electrical, gutters, tiling, painting, staining, reasonable, reliable, no job too small, senior/veterans discounts.
262-784-7940
SUPPORT
OUR ADVERTISERS THEY SUPPORT YOU!
28A • 50PLUS • OCTOBER 2014
50 PLUS OR BETTER • 50 PLUS NEWS MAGAZINE • AARP Wisconsin • Alliance ENT & Hearing Center, SC • American Republic Insurance Service • Attorney Timothy P. Crawford, S.C. • Bath Fitter • CapTel-Captioned Telephone • Connect Hearing • Courtyard/Williamstown Bay • Disability Rights Wisconsin • Edvest, Wisconsin’s College Savings Plan • EverDry Waterproofing • Eye Care Specialists • Fred Astaire Dance Studios • Greenbrook Gardens • Guardian Home Improvements • Heritage Senior Living • HUMANA • Interfaith Older Adult Programs
• Lamers Tour & Travel • LeafFilter Gutter Protection • LifeCare Hospitals Center for Advanced Wound Healing • Med Group Adult Day Care • Milwaukee County Dept of Family Care • Milwaukee County Dept On Aging • Oak Creek Place an Enlivant Community • Peace of Mind • Potawatomi /Badger Bus • Presbyterian Homes of WI • Rent-A-Daughter, LLC • ResCare Home Care • St. Ann Rest Home • St. Camillus Home Health Services • Steeple View Christian Senior Community • Sunset Options Funeral & Cremation Services
Expo • The Centennial Independent Senior Living Community • The Fireside Dinner Theatre • The Woods of Cedar Village • Tops Club Inc (Take off Pounds Sensibly) • Universal Services • VMP MANOR PARK • Walgreens • Wilson Commons • WPS Health Insurance • W.O.W. Widows or Widowers
2014
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FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT NETWORK
PLUS INSIDE . . . . . . . . Other Local Businesses and Resources page 18
2B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014
Having a family meeting before a crisis situation Why have a family meeting? Too often a family meeting is delayed until the older adult has a health or housing relocation crisis. They are frequently held informally through discussion during the holidays or at special family events. However, when family meetings are held because of a crisis or during informal activities, discussion can be fragmented and often not everyone involved is consulted. It is common for family members to have misconceived or pre-existing ideas regarding the physical and mental capabilities of the older adult. Family members also may be confused about exactly what their caregiving role is going to be. This is why having a family meeting is so important; and why doing so before a crisis situation can help avoid the heightened emotions brought on by stressful circumstances. Ideally, in a situation of aging parents and adult children, the parents should openly discuss their caregiving expectations with their children. The adult children need to define their limitations as to how much caregiving they are willing to do. All immediate family members should be present in a non-crisis situation. A good way to bring up the topic of caregiving is to get all close family members and friends, age 18 and older, together to fill out their Power of Attorney for Health Care forms, appoint health care representatives and discuss care preferences. The forms, which are free, can help stimulate discussion about the older adults’ care and housing preferences. They can be found at http://www.dhs.wiscon-
sin.gov/forms/advdirectives. Is a family meeting always needed? Some families who frequently communicate by telephone or face-to-face and understand the need to “share” caregiving functions may not need a family meeting. However, this scenario is rare. A family meeting can still be a nice way to check on whether or not everyone feels they are being treated fairly or kept in the communication loop. How do you hold a “family meeting?” The meeting should be kept as small as possible, only attended by those individuals who will have direct decision-making or care involvement. If the older adult is mentally competent, he or she needs to be involved in all decisions about his or her own care and attend all family meetings. A basic agenda should be developed to keep the meeting on track. Before the meeting, everyone should be able to give their input on the topics for discussion and no one’s ideas should be discounted. The outline can change and develop with future meetings and as care needs change. For ideas on important topics to include and discuss see the Family Caregiver Support Network’s handout entitled “Family Planning Is Important”. This handout may be obtained by calling (414) 2208600. If disputes are expected, the first meeting can be about setting ground rules about behavior, understanding what are convenient times for meetings and goals for meetings. If relationships are strained, a neutral third party such as a social worker or geriatric care manager trained in offering family
meetings may be a good person to have at meetings. If the only time all family members can get together is during the holidays, schedule a special time, possibly the day after the holiday, for a family meeting. Then whenever discussion about caregiving is brought up, there can be a reminder that it will be discussed “tomorrow.” Everyone can then enjoy the holidays and complete attention can be given to discussing caregiving concerns during the meeting. FAMILY MEETING CHECKLIST 1.) Invite everyone, including the older adult, who has an interest but keep the meeting as small as possible. Limit attendance to those people who have direct contact with the aging loved one. If this is a planning meeting and not an older adult care or relocation crisis, set the guidelines for future meetings – frequency, respect while talking, length of talking, place for meetings and goals for meetings, etc. The older adult can discuss his or her preferences for immediate or future care and housing. i Also, Advanced Directives known as Powers of Attorney for Health Care and for Finance, when completed, can help give direction when delegating duties and choosing roles. 2.) Everyone in the meeting should be encouraged to participate so that no one can later say, “I didn’t get to talk.” 3.) Listen “generously.” Remember that there is usually more than one way to solve a crisis or situation. 4.) Take notes so that things can be sorted out later and ideas can
be written down if more thought is needed. 5.) Obtain the help of an objective outside party if needed. Many social workers and geriatric care managers are trained to help families negotiate sensitive issues with a goal of having the best possible outcome. 6.) If anger crops up, suggest a break so folks can “cool off ” and hopefully come back to the table a little more willing to work through the challenges. 7.) Be willing to compromise. Rarely does anyone get to have his or her way all the time and on every point. 8.) Agree to disagree without being “disagreeable” if at all possible! Common courtesy and civility do matter in keeping things positive in family discussions. 9.) Have more than one meeting if needed and if appropriate so that ideas can be explored, phone calls made and new facts presented before a final decision is made. 10.) End the meeting by affirming the following: i What was decided? i What is left to be decided? i Who is going to do what before the next meeting? i Setting up a time for the next meeting if needed. Interfaith Older Adult Program’s Family Caregiver Support - 414.220.8600 – www.interfaithmilw.org www.caregiversupportnetwork.org www.living-options.org
OCTOBER 2014
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 3B
2014 Caregiver’s Guide CONTENTS
Caregiver’s Guide Listings..........................................3 Adult Day Services.................................................... 5 Alcohol and Substance Abuse..................................... 5 Alzheimer’s and Memory Loss..................................... 5 Animals/Pet Care...................................................... 5 Assisted Living........................................................... 5 Caregiver Education..................................................5 Consumer Protection.................................................. 5 Dental...................................................................... 7 Driving..................................................................... 7 Employment Services................................................. 7 Elder Abuse..............................................................7 Faith/Spirituality........................................................ 9 Financial Issues.........................................................9 Funeral and Burials.................................................... 9 Geriatric Assessment.................................................. 9 Geriatric Care Management and Support.................... 9 Grandparents and other Relatives Raising Minors....................................................... 9 Grief Resources........................................................9 Health Care Clinics.................................................... 9 Hearing Resources................................................... 11 Home Maintenance / Chores................................... 11 Home Safety........................................................... 11 Homemaking and Healthcare................................... 11 Hoarding...............................................................11 Hospice.................................................................. 11
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Housing.................................................................. 11 Insurance- Medicare................................................ 11 Legal Matters.......................................................... 11 LGBT Caregiving.....................................................12 Lifelines- Medical Alarms.......................................... 12 Long-Distance Caregiving.........................................12 Medicaid/ T-19....................................................... 12 Medical Equipment.................................................. 12 Mental Health and Counseling.................................. 12 Nursing Homes....................................................... 13 Nutrition-Dietitians, Home Delivered Meals................. 13 Older Adult Services-ADRC and Volunteer..................13 Older Adult Services by Volunteers............................13 Podiatry.................................................................. 13 Publications............................................................. 13 Relocation Services.................................................. 14 Respite Care........................................................... 14 Silver Alert Program................................................. 14 Socialization........................................................... 14 Support Groups....................................................... 14 Transportation......................................................... 14 Veterans Benefits ..................................................... 14 Visions Resources.................................................... 14 Websites................................................................. 15
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For advertising information on this Caregiver’s Guide or 50 Plus News Magazine please call: 262-367-5303 Ext. 12. 128 Cottonwood Ave. • PO Box 230 • Hartland, WI 53029 • www.mymilwaukeelife.com
4B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014
Being an advocate Each Caregiver’s journey is unique, but something we all face is being an advocate for our loved ones. Chances are, you are already an advocate and just don’t think of what you do as advocacy. According to Webster’s Dictionary an advocate is “a person who pleads another’s cause; or someone who speaks or writes in support of something.” We may not identify our role as an advocate when we first make that call to the doctor’s office to arrange a check-up or have a simple conversation with neighbors to ask if they are willing to continue to help with the snow shoveling again this year. Then again, the role of advocate may be much more obvious when we need to address concerns regarding the health or safety of our loved one while they are recuperating at the hospital or nursing home. Sometimes we have to be the eyes, ears or voice of a loved one who cannot or will not express their needs or concerns. If their care is being compromised or their rights as a person or as a resident are being violated, we need to make sure our loved ones are seen and heard. Advocating comes easily to some caregivers but for others it may seem overwhelming to speak up and “make waves, or stir things up.” However, if carried out correctly, advocating for a loved one will result in better care for them and peace of mind for you. Here are 5 basic skills that can help you be the best advocate you can be: i Reflect: First, reflect and recognize the underlying reason why you advocate. Often, it is out of love, respect and belief in the dignity for the person you care for. Once the reason or purpose can be
recognized and taken to heart, the emotional impact may not be as difficult or burdensome. i Discuss the Tough Stuff: Make sure you know what your loved one would want. To be assertive on behalf of another person requires understanding that person and respecting their wishes. Medical professionals expect families to have had conversations about life, death and all the stuff in-between in order to provide quality ongoing medical treatment and care. There may be times when you as the caregiver do not agree with the choices of your loved one, but honoring their choices shows respect for the person. That in itself is advocacy. i Communicate: When advocating it is important to be assertive in order to get your concern addressed. It is possible- and is actually more likely- for you to get results without being aggressive. What we really want is someone to truly listen to our concerns, take them seriously, and do something about them. A useful communication tool to accomplish this is to try using “I” statements rather than “you” statements. For example, think about how you would feel if someone said to you “Why does it always take you so long to respond to my mom after she presses her call light?” “You” messages unintentionally irritate people because they sound accusatory, blaming, critical or hostile. They can veer a conversation off track because people focus on their irritation or hurt feelings, and not on what you intended to say. Now, consider if someone said to you, “I am very concerned because my mother tells me she waits
a long time after pushing her call light.” Using “I” messages in a firm and matter-of-fact tone allow us to express our feelings such as anger, frustration, disappointment or concern without “blowing up,” blaming others or causing them to become defensive. “I” messages can be helpful when you need to raise a problem or concern, ask for help, state your intentions (or what is not intended) and to set limits. Although it may take some time and effort to break old habits, good communication techniques like “I” messages can open the door to effective problem solving and create an atmosphere of working together which can make a difficult situation much easier to discuss. i Be Informed: It is important to develop a knowledge base about medical, social service, legal and financial systems. Find out about the services and resources that are available in your area. How might they meet your needs and whom should you talk to? Knowing where and whom to bring your comments, concerns or praises to is critical to being an effective advocate. i Document: Sometimes the pen really is mightier than the sword. In the medical, social service, legal and financial worlds, “it doesn’t exist or didn’t happen if it’s not written down.” Keep a caregiver journal or notebook and write down everything you do on behalf of your loved one. Record all phone calls with the date, place or person you are calling, the name of the person you spoke to, a contact number and some general notes about the conversation you had. Write down any questions you asked as well as
the response you received and any concerns that were resolved or decisions that were made. It is equally important to make sure things are being documented on the professional end as well. If there is a care plan in place make sure that any concern, no matter how small, is reflected in the care plan, even if you talked to someone about it. Ask for copies of any paperwork or documents and keep them in a safe place. Finally, never hand over an original document or your only copy. If you absolutely have to turn over an original, make a copy for yourself first. If it comes down to your word against someone else’s your paper trail backup can provide tangible evidence to your claim. Last but not least, know that at the Family Caregiver Support Network, 414-220-8600, they are ready to assist and support you in your role as your loved one’s advocate. We understand the types of information you may need, the hats you wear and the emotions that you wade through on any given day. Just as you are an advocate for your loved one, we are an advocate for you as the caregiver. Come to us for information, resources and support. We are here to help you be the best advocate you can be. Interfaith Older Adult Program’s Family Caregiver Support - 414.220.8600 – www.interfaithmilw.org www.caregiversupportnetwork.org www.living-options.org
OCTOBER 2014
declines to a diversity of past or Adult Day Centers are designed present medical conditions, nutrito service adults who are experi- tional deficiencies or medication encing a decrease in physical, men- side effects. If you or your loved tal and social functioning and who one is experiencing trouble with may need the protective environ- memory, discuss the problem with ment when their caregivers are at your physician. work or in need of respite. Full and half day services are usually avail- For 24/7 information and referable. Range of services may include ral helpline (English and Spanish), recreational therapy, meals, social contact Alzheimer’s Association services, transportation, personal Southeastern Wisconsin chapter at. care, including bathing, hair and ................................ 1-800-272-3900 www.alz.org/sewi nail care, nursing services, rehaWisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute bilitation therapy and medical services. Fees for Adult Day Services – Milwaukee Project: Education, vary based on what services are in- services, research opportunities, cluded in the fee. Some centers may and resources for Milwaukee’s Afribe able to offer low income persons can American Community a reduced fee based on ability to ...................................414- 219-5083 www.wai.wisc.edu pay. Most centers offering the wide (WAI Milwaukee tab) range of services are licensed by the State. Those that are more informal with more of a recreational model iShould you need community services and or respite, contact your are not licensed. local county resource.
ADULT DAY SERVICES
iContact your local county resources.
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Alcohol and Substance Abuse is at epidemic proportions among the elderly. It remains for the most part, unreported, undiagnosed, or ignored. Most drinkers who started late are affected by social isolation and physical health problems which may include grief or loss, housing, marital or mental health problems. For a facility locater in Wisconsin go to: www.theagapecenter.com/ treatment-centers/wisconsin or refer to your local yellow pages under Alcoholism information and treatment centers. You may also choose to talk to local county resources.i
ALZHEIMER’S AND MEMORY LOSS
Problems with memory can have many causes that may range from normal age related memory
ASSISTED LIVING
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 5B iLOCAL RESOURCE
Assisted living facilities are for FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS Milwaukee County....................414-220-8600 people who need assistance with Ozaukee County.......................262-238-8120 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), ...............................................262-284-8120 Walworth County.....................262-741-3200 but wishing to live as independentWashington County..................877-306-3030 Waukesha County....................262-548-7848 ly as possible. Assisted living exists State Wide Toll Free..................866-843-9810 to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes. tion and support you need. The services provided may include www.caregiversupportnetwork. but are not limited to meals, assisorg tance with bathing, dressing, launwww.strengthforcaring.com dry, housekeeping and assistance www.caregiver.com with medications or medication www.caregiving.org monitoring. www.caregiver.org www.CAREgivinghelp.org Assisted Living options include: Residential Care Apartment Complex (RCAC) independent i Contact your local county apartment units that can provide resource for caregiver education up to four hours of skilled and/or that may be available in your community. supportive care per day. Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) state li- CONSUMER PROTECTION Consumer Protection works to censed supportive living facilities where five or more adults reside. eliminate unfair or deceptive marThey are staffed 24 hours per day ketplace practices. and can provide three hours of To file a complaint against a busiANIMALS/PET CARE ness contact the Better Business skilled nursing care per week. Whether you are looking for Adult Family Homes (AFH) a Bureau at................ 1-800-273-1002 listings of animal friendly land- place where three or four adults re- ....................................414-847-6000 lords, information on the impor- side and receive care, treatment or or www.bbb.org tance of spaying and neutering, services that may include up to sevTo file a complaint against a available options when you are no en hours per week of nursing care. nursing home or assisted living falonger able to care for your pet and cility contact the Office of Quality nutrition programs to provide food iCall Family Caregiver Support Assurance at for pets of individuals with low in- Network – Living Options service ....................................414-227-5000 come, contact your local Humane for more information, Concerns with inappropriate call 414-220-8600 or Society. marketing and sales practices of 800-449-4481 or visit Medicare Advantage plan agents www.living-options.org or call Milwaukee.................414-264-6257 contact: your local County resource. www.wihumane.org The Medigap helpline at Elmbrook...................262-782-9261 ................................ 1-800-242-1060 To file a complaint or ask about Wisconsin No Call List prevents www.ebhs.org Waukesha..................262-542-8851 State regulations contact the Office telemarketers from calling for two of Quality Assurance www.hawspets.org years...................... 1-866-966-2255 Washington...............262-677-4388 ....................................414-227-4501 www.wchspets.org Ozaukee.....................262-377-7580 CAREGIVER EDUCATION Caring for an older adult can by highly demanding work. ThroughRefer to your yellow pages for pet related services such as in home out your caregiving journey, you veterinary care, pet sitting, groom- will have questions related to the ing and yard clean up. These ser- many aspects of caring for your vices have often been the answer to loved one. The following websites a number of older adult pet owners and phone numbers will provide you with the education, informaneeds.
6B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014
Caregiver Stress Warning Signs
The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation – www.leezasplace.org The first step in dealing with caregiver stress is to recognize the signs. Common signs that stress may be affecting your health include:
PHYSICAL SIGNS • Disturbed sleep • Back, shoulder or neck pain, muscle tension • Headaches • Stomach/digestive problems (upset or acid stomach, cramps, heartburn, gas, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea)
• Loss of hair • High blood pressure, irregular heart beat, palpitations • Weight fluctuation (gain or loss) • Chest pain • Fatigue • Perspiration
• Skin disorders (hives, eczema, psoriasis, tics, itching) • Periodontal disease, jaw pain • Reproductive problems/infertility • Weak immune system suppression: more colds, flu, infections • Sexual dysfunction, lack or libido
EMOTIONAL SIGNS • Anxiety • Depression • Moodiness/mood swings • Butterflies • Feeling out of control
• Irritability, easily frustrated, road rage • Argumentative • Feeling of isolation • Memory problems and lack of • Job dissatisfaction concentration • Increased substance abuse • Phobias
FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit www.leezasplace.org and to take a Caregiver Stress Assessment, please visit
We Can Help. Living Options Service
FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT NETWORK (414) 220-8600
www.living-options.org • www.caregiversupportnetwork.org • www.interfaithmilw.org
OCTOBER 2014
Job Center Southeast For Driver Safety contact www.AARP.org 2701 S. Chase Avenue As we age, our dental care beMilwaukee, WI 53207 comes critical to our over all health ..............................414-389-6607 and well being. Cost is one of the For a Comprehensive Driver’s Readiness Evaluation contactmain reasons older adults do not Job Seekers age 55 and over can seek dental care. Below is a list of Aurora Rehabilitation Centers: get assistance at the following locadental clinics that offer services West Allis Memorial Hospital ....................................414-328-6633 tions: based on income or at discounted Sinai Medical Center Mature Worker Resource Center rates. ....................................414-219-5241 Washington Park Senior Center Milwaukee: 4420 W Vliet Street AIDS Resource Center of WI/ The Alzheimer’s Association Milwaukee, WI Dental Clinic ............414-233-6800 has a variety of information and ..............................414-931-0253 www.arcw.org/dentalclinic/ materials. Guadalupe Dental Clinic, Inc Interfaith Older Adult Programs ....................................414-286-8895 For 24/7 information and referral helpline- contact Alzheimer’s Asso600 W. Virginia, Suite 300 Milwaukee, WI 53204 Independent Care Health Plan ciation at ............... 1-800-272-3900 ..............................414-291-7500 (ICare)........................414-231-1067
DENTAL
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Significant numbers of workOzaukee Marquette University Dental ing caregivers often need to make Workforce Development CenterClinic..........................414-288-6790 Ozaukee County Spanish.......................414-288-1520 adjustments to their work life, from reporting late to work, reducing 5555 West Highland Road www.mu.edu/dental hours or giving up work entirely. (P.O. Box 547) For individuals 54 years of age Mequon, WI 53092 MATC Dental Hygiene Clinic and under contact: Phone..................262-238-2880 ....................................414-297-6573 For information on all State of FAX......................262-238-2890 Wisconsin Job Centers Milwaukee County Veteran Service www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/ Walworth ....................................414-643-1727 directory/wda02/1810.htm Walworth Job Center Milwaukee 10 E. Centralia Street St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Dental Milwaukee County Residents/ Elkhorn, WI 53121 Clinic..........................414-383-3220 Phone..................262-741-5180 www.columbia-stmarys.org/ caregivers of any age can get job search assistance at the following FAX......................262-741-5275 Ann_Seton_Denta locations: iContact your local County Washington Northeast Comprehensive resource for another clinic in your Workforce Development Center Job Center community. Washington County 1915 N. Martin Luther King Dr 2200 Green Tree Road Milwaukee, WI 53212 For a list of Title 19 dentists in your West Bend, WI 53095 ..............................414-267-3291 area contact the Greater Milwaukee Phone..................262-335-5300 Dental Association at FAX......................262-335-5321 Job Center Central ....................................414-276-9911 4030 N. 29th Street Outside the Milwaukee area Waukesha Milwaukee, WI 53216 contact ................... 1-888-338-6852 Workforce Development Center ..............................414-203-8500 Mobile Dental Care Waukesha County ...........................262-786-4819 x222 892 Main Street Job Center Northwest Pewaukee, WI 53072 ..............................414-760-6060 DRIVING Phone..................262-695-7800 ..............................414-385-6920 Driving is affected by a variety FAX......................262-695-7890 Hire Center of health issues. If you have conwww.milwaukeelabor.org cerns about your loved one’s drivFor individuals 55 years of age and about_us/hire_center.cfm ing abilities contact: older call: Southeastern Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Driver Services Medical Attn: Older Worker Coordinator Division at.............1-608-266-2327 125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 102
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 7B iLOCAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Milwaukee County....................414-220-8600 Ozaukee County.......................262-238-8120 ...............................................262-284-8120 Walworth County.....................262-741-3200 Washington County..................877-306-3030 Waukesha County....................262-548-7848 State Wide Toll Free..................866-843-9810
Brookfield, WI 53005 Phone:................ 262-821-4444 Southeastern Area Agency on Aging serves all four counties. They also have a caregiver support program that can supply additional information. iContact your local county resource for Family Caregivers for employment or caregiver reimbursement options.
ELDER ABUSE
Wisconsin Statute 46.90 states that “Elder adult at risk” means any person age 60 or older who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse: Physical Abuse Emotional Abuse Sexual Abuse Treatment without Consent Unreasonable Confinement or Restraint Financial Exploitation Neglect Self-Neglect For Definitions of each of the above: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aps/ public/definitions.htm#adultatrisk To report a suspected case of elder abuse or neglect, call your county resource center.i For Milwaukee County call the Aging Resource Center at ....................................414-289-6874 www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aps/index.htm
8B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014
The “I” In Caregiver A member of the Family Caregiver Support Network Advisory Committee once said that as a caregiver people always ask how your mother or father, husband or wife is, but rarely ask how you are doing, so, how are you doing? You are the I in caregiver and only you can answer that question. Caregiving even for the most independent individual can be and most often is lonely. It is lonely at times even when we have help because it is such an individual thing. Let’s take the two sisters both willing to assist mom with her groceries. One believes in getting her out and into the store as an outing while the other cannot handle the amount of time it takes to read the new product labels so she prefers to shop for her mother. Sound familiar? Lonely is not a bad thing as long as the feeling of being alone does not create the stress associated with feeling isolated. Caregiving brings change into our lives. Change brings on stress and impacts our lives in ways we may not even realize. The type of stress we live with depends on whether we have selected a role as victim, survivor or navigator. Which role do you think you are? Navigator is where you need to strive to be. A critical thing to understand about “caregiver stress” is that it is not for sissies. (Wow? A double whammy of i’s.) Stress can not be taken lightly if we want to remain both healthy and our body actually responds in predictable ways:
i All of our senses are heightened. i Our hearing can be more acute and our eyes can dart from side to side. i Our blood pressure and pulse increase and our heart can race. i We breathe more quickly but with more shallow breaths. i Constant stress lowers our immune system. i Our thyroid speeds up and we can feel jittery. i Because we are jittery we can lose weight or because we do not take time to prepare meals, we gain weight from eating out more and/ or not exercising. i We do not produce as many sex hormones so our sex drive decreases. i W e put out more insulin and no longer metabolize sugar well so we have an increased tendency towards diabetes. i O ur cholesterol increases which can lead to an increased chance of stroke and heart disease. We need to listen to what our bodies are saying to us. The following five suggestions will go a long way to help maintain physical, emotional and spiritual well-being: Exercise is the easiest and most beneficial thing we can do to help our bodies. A regular exercise routine of even 20 minutes a day helps us feel better physically and mentally. It allows us to be alone with our thoughts and we can concentrate on our bodies so we stay well. We get busy as caregivers and we may not take the time to think about our nutrition, what we are putting into our own bodies, even though we watch what our loved
ones eat very carefully. We may eat out more, eat more fast food or snack more. We may be upset, lose our appetite and eat less. We feel tired and need energy so we eat more sugar and caffeine. We often forget that it is as easy to cut up an apple as it is to dig into the ice cream, and that a glass of water will go a long way toward keeping us hydrated. In addition, it is important to consume enough vitamins, especially from fruits and vegetables. Taking care of our mental health lets us blow off steam. There is no road map to caregiving; at times it is constant change. Most caregivers say that only other caregivers get it. So how do we hold our emotions in check? How and to whom do we express our anxieties and still feel safe? Who will listen? For some caregivers the answer is to join a caregiver support group. For others, it is seeing a therapist. (Our office has lists of both.) We once asked a large group of caregivers at a conference what helps them through their days? 85 percent said their “faith.” Most believe they do not walk their journey alone and without spirituality they would not make it through most days. Prayer can be a form of meditation. It causes mental relaxation. People also find their strength through worship, prayer, song and fellowship. Prayer and meditation help to counteract many of the negative symptoms of stress. Lastly, reclaim you life to include caregiver but not to be only a caregiver. You are the daughter or son, wife or husband who is now also a caregiver. Write down all the
roles that you now have and remember you should have no more than seven, including that of caregiver. Once you have done that, can you …Take a class? Plant a garden? Walk your dog? Go fishing? Get a job? …and somehow remember there is no i in stress….only in caregiver. Interfaith Older Adult Program’s Family Caregiver Support - 414.220.8600 – www.interfaithmilw.org www.living-options.org www.caregiversupportnetwork.org
Caregiver’s Code I need to… Take care of my self physically, emotionally, spiritually; Accept my limitations and be satisfied with doing my best; Recognize and get help, no matter how difficult that may be; Enjoy time away without guilt; Maintain relationships with friends, family, co-workers; Set goals, pursue dreams and remember to live life. A prepared, informed and supported family caregiver provides better self and older adult care.
OCTOBER 2014
FAITH/SPIRITUALITY
As a caregiver you may draw your strength each day from your church, synagogue, mosque and other faith based groups to help you manage your daily caregiving challenges. iContact your local county resource for Family Caregivers for Caregiver Retreat Information or to find out about respite options that would allow the caregiver to attend church.
FINANCIAL ISSUES
As seniors age, many struggle to keep up with their finances. Some pay their bills late or forget entirely. It is uncomfortable for children— no matter if they are 30, 40 or 50— to ask if their parents are struggling to pay their bills. Below is a list of tools and resources available that will assist the caregiver with financial issues. For information on services that may be available through Medicare and Medicaid and information on all benefit programs in Milwaukee County, contact Senior Law Benefit Specialist of Legal Action at ....................................414-278-1222 iContact your local county resource for Family Caregivers or for Benefit Specialists in other counties. Money management services are available through Aurora Center for Financial Wellness at ....................................414-345-4437 ....................................414-482-8801
FUNERAL AND BURIAL
Preplanning a funeral allows an individual to express their views in the selection of services that best fit their beliefs and desires. Preplanning can save a family 50% or more on funeral and burial arrangements.
iFor information on how to talk with your loved one about funeral arrangements, contact your local county resource for Family Caregivers.
throughout the country. iContact your local county resource for a list of Care Managers in your area.
Consumers may locate geriatric care managers throughout the UnTalk with your funeral home of tied States by visiting www.caremachoice about the burial assistance nager.org program offered through your county. GRANDPARENTS AND iFor more information contact OTHER RELATIVES your your local county resources. RAISING MINORS Researchers tell us that grandIn Milwaukee contact the Benefit parents and other relatives raising Specialists of Legal Action for burial children 18 and under are one of trust information......414-278-7722 the fastest growing types of families in America. This is due to a number GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT of reasons - death, divorce, mental Progressive memory loss, a health, crime/jail, drugs and aldecline in eating or isolation from cohol. The courts would prefer to family or friends is not a normal remove a child from their biologpart of the aging process, and of- ical parent(s) and place them with ten family members are the first a family member if at all possible. to notice that something is wrong. This situation knows no racial or Early detection and intervention is economic boundaries. It is esticrucial as many symptoms are re- mated that 1 in 12 children are beversible. A Geriatric Assessment ing raised by a ‘grandparent’. The offers a comprehensive approach to National Family Caregiver Prodealing with the problems, which gram has been asked to work with includes a multidisciplinary team Grandparents 55+. to diagnose and treat all types of memory and health issues. Below iContact your County Aging / is a list of geriatric clinics or talk Family Caregiver Program for with your family physician about possible respite options, support groups, workshops and other local options available in your area. resources. Froedtert Memory Disorders Also in Milwaukee contact: Program ....................414-805-3666 Gary Dobbs Family Center ....................................414-265-2222 Aurora Center for Senior Health ....................................414-219-7300 Grandparents Support Group ....................................414-671-0566 Kids Matter GERIATRIC CARE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT ....................................414-344-1220 www.kidsmatterinc.org Geriatric Care managers can provide coordinated care Legal and social service information management for caregivers who AARP w w w. a a r p . o r g / f a m i l i e s / live near or far. They have extengrandparents sive knowledge about quality, costs, and availability of services in your Parenting Network Helpline community and can connect you ....................................414-671-5575 www.theparentingnetwork.org with the services that will be right for you or a loved one. Profession- The Women’s Center - Waukesha al Geriatric Care Managers gener- ....................................262-542-3828 ally charge a fee and can be found
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 9B iLOCAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Milwaukee County....................414-220-8600 Ozaukee County.......................262-238-8120 ...............................................262-284-8120 Walworth County.....................262-741-3200 Washington County..................877-306-3030 Waukesha County....................262-548-7848 State Wide Toll Free..................866-843-9810
GRIEF RESOURCES
It is natural to grieve the death of a loved one before, during and after the actual time of their passing. The process of accepting the unacceptable is what grieving is all about. For support groups and to learn about resources for anticipatory grief, ambiguous loss, grief at death, chronic illness and loss, symptoms and stages of grief and helping those who are grieving, visit: www.cargiver.org
Caregiver Education Fact Sheets; caregiving issues and strategies; grief and loss. If you have been involved with a hospice program, take advantage of their grief education and support. Or contact Horizon Home Care and Hospice Grief Resource Center ....................................414-586-8383
HEALTH CARE CLINICS
Many times individuals earn just enough income to be ineligible for Medicaid coverage, yet do not receive health insurance through their employers and cannot afford to pay for “out of pocket” health insurance. Often, these individuals are forced to seek treatment at local emergency rooms and become saddled with medical bills that they are not able to afford. Free or reduced fee medical clinics fill the gap in healthcare access for the uninsured. iFor a list of free or reduced fee clinics in your area contact your county aging services or 211. For a list of free medical clinics in your area contact www.freemedicalcamps.com
10B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014
The Caregiving Experience Why is the Caregiving Experience Different for Everyone? Did you ever notice that your caregiving experience is different than that of even a very close sibling or friend? Have you wondered why your father will not let anyone in to help with mom? Information from www.extension.org tells us that caregiving experiences are just as unique as the people involved. Each caregiver has different needs, feelings, challenges and rewards. And each family member’s relationship with the care receiver is unique, influencing expectations and the overall caregiver experience. Much has been learned about the differences in these experiences as the result of a growing body of research. For example: i Men tend to think about and approach caregiving differently than women. i Husbands and wives differ from adult children or other relatives in what they do, how they do it, how long they do it, and when they consider letting others help. Each of us forms personal expectations of ourselves as caregivers. These expectations are shaped by past experiences and observations, societal rules, our cultural heritage and our own family rules. Caregiving can affect us in multiple ways. It can cause changes in physical and emotional health, finances, and time available to participate in other family, social, work, leisure or community activities. Caregiving can be stressful at times. Yet, people who perform the same task may have very different experiences. One person might feel
very uncomfortable emptying a commode, while someone else may not give it a second thought. Caregivers also experience different types and levels of stress over time. Rhonda Montgomery, PhD, has been studying family caregiving experiences for more than 20 years with her colleague Karl Kosloski, PhD. Out of their work has emerged a theory called Caregiver Identity Change. It says the caregiving experience over time involves a process of change in activities, responsibilities, and in the partner-like relationship between the caregiver and person receiving care. It also involves a change in the way the person giving care views him or herself in relation to the person being cared for. This new role grows out of the earlier relationship between the two care partners. The Caregiving Journey Changes You The caregiving role unfolds over time as the caregiver takes on greater responsibility, helping with everyday household affairs, personal care and decisions. Caregiving involves an identity change process. At some point, the person providing care begins to identify himself or herself as a caregiver in addition to being a wife, a son or other kind of relationship. The journey is different for each person in terms of when and how we begin to identify ourselves as caregivers. Caregivers who are providing assistance for a short period of time may never see themselves as a caregiver, while those providing care for years may see themselves and act more like a caregiver than spouse
or adult child. This is reflected in a statement repeated by many adult children: “I feel as if I’m the parent now and not the child.” They have assumed a caregiving identity and lost their identity as an adult child to their parent. Personal rules and expectations play an important part in how we each feel about what we are doing in the caregiving role. Montgomery and Kosloski find caregivers experience increased levels of stress when a mismatch occurs between what they are doing and what they think they should be doing on behalf of the individual receiving care. Often, the source of distress is not the activity itself, but how the caregiver feels about it. The first step to lowering caregiver distress is to identify its source. Once this happens, caregivers can work toward reaching a new comfort level. A number of strategies have been shown to help reduce caregiver distress: i Adjusting or modifying the expectations we have of ourselves. i Changing what we are currently doing--perhaps by making room to let others help or by letting go of some current responsibilities. i Changing the way we view or judge our own actions. Share Your Caregiving Journey with Others through Research Montgomery and Kosloski’s research on the differences in caregiving experiences continues to move forward with the help of a national caregiver registry called the League of Experienced Family Caregivers. The purpose of the League is to help create better services and resources
to support family caregivers. Caregivers share their knowledge and insights by completing brief questionnaires in one of three ways--telephone interviews, mailin surveys or online. More than 1,000 caregivers are currently enrolled. If you would like to join log on at: www.familycaregivers.uwm. edu or call toll free 800-410-2586. Reprinted with permission from the UW Extension’s “extension” website. Interfaith Older Adult Programs Caregiver Support 414.220.8600 – www.interfaithmilw.org www.caregiversupportnetwork.org www.living-options.org
CAN YOU ANSWER “YES” TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS? Are you concerned about an older adult who lives nearby or at a distance, either at home or in a facility? Do you help with grocery shopping, housekeeping, rides, doctors appointments, bills or insurance? Do you help with feeding, bathing, dressing or supervision? Are you concerned about someone who isn’t taking care of him or herself? Are you using all your own sick leave or vacation time to help or care for someone?
WE CALL THAT CAREGIVING.
OCTOBER 2014
HEARING RESOURCES
HOMEMAKING AND At least 25% of individuals over HEALTHCARE
the age of 65 report problems with hearing. Persistent failure to understand what is being said can lead to frustration, discouragement and embarrassment. Two of the most common consequences of hearing impairment in the elderly are depression and withdrawal. Contact the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for information on the wide variety of services offered.. ....................................414-604-7202
HOME MAINTENANCE / CHORES
Although the average elderly individual would prefer to remain in their own home; frailty, chronic illness, and disability often prevent this dream from materializing. Below is a list of programs available to help the elderly remain in their homes.
Volunteer chore services and resource information:
Independence First (main office) i ....................................414-291-7520 For volunteering see older adult services on page 15B. iA resource serving people with disabilities in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha Counties: Your county resource may have other options available to you.
HOME SAFETY
Each year older adults are injured in and around their homes. Many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix. iContact your county resource for a list of agencies that will do home safety assessments and offer home safety check lists. Contact the family caregiver support network website at www. caregiversupportnetwork.org for a home safety check list.
iSee your local yellow pages under “Hospice” or talk with your County resource.
Today’s older adult wants to grow old at home, the place he/she feels most comfortable. Assistance HOUSING Southeastern Wisconsin has with homemaking, personal needs and transportation can help an older a wide variety of housing options. Contact your county resource to adult maintain independence. discuss the options available to you. Contact the County Resource iContact your county resource to – Living Options Services for infordiscuss options or for resources for homemaking and healthcare mation on all types of living options providers. for older adults ....................................414-220-8600 HOARDING ................................ 1-800-449-4481 Hoarding is generally characwww.living-options.org terized as obtaining and refusing to throw out a large number of Contact United States items that would normally appear Department of Housing and Urban to be worthless, hazardous, or un- Development (HUD) for area sanitary. Living spaces become information on low income housing. significantly cluttered and prevent ....................................414-297-3214 activities for which those spaces were designed. Hoarding can be For information on housing a contentious issue among family available for individuals with members adding stress and frus- disabilities contact Independence tration to an already sensitive issue. First at .......................414-291-7520 While the exact underlying causes of hoarding are unknown, there are iSee your local yellow pages some underlying factors including: under “Hospice” or talk with your OCD, ADHD, Psychosis, and De- county resource. mentia.
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 11B iLOCAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Milwaukee County....................414-220-8600 Ozaukee County.......................262-238-8120 ...............................................262-284-8120 Walworth County.....................262-741-3200 Washington County..................877-306-3030 Waukesha County....................262-548-7848 State Wide Toll Free..................866-843-9810
Information on car, home (non Medicare) health and renters’ insurance. Hours are Mon. 1:00 p.m-4:00 p.m. Tues.- Thurs.8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Railroad Retirement Board 310 West Wisconsin Avenue Suite 1300 53203 ....................................414-297-3961 Retirement unemployment and sickness program Senior Care............ 1-800-657-2038 Prescription drug assistance program for Wisconsin residents 65+ who meet eligibility criteria. Veteran’s Insurance Information .......
................................ 1-800-669-8477 Veteran’s Affairs Regional Office 5000 W. National, INSURANCE - MEDICARE Milwaukee, WI 53295 iContact your local county reFor information on different .............................. 1-800-827-1000 souce for assistance. types of insurance options, see the For information, resources and list: Wisconsin Medicaid professional tools visit www.milwaukeehoarding.wee- Medicare information, ordering For assistance with Title 19 and SSI-E applications and financial bly.com Medicare booklets, and information assistance for individuals 60 and about health plans, contact older contact the Benefit Specialist HOSPICE ................................ 1-800-633-4223 through your County resource. The hospice philosophy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week recognizes death as the final stage of life and seeks to enable patients Medigap / HMO Hotline / Spousal LEGAL MATTERS There are a variety of personal to continue an alert, pain-free Impoverishment................................. life and to manage other symp- ................................ 1-800-242-1060 legal matters regarding health and finances which need to be taken toms so that their last days may Provides Information on Medi- care of. This can best be done by be spent with dignity and quality, care Insurance, Long Term Care surrounded by their loved ones. Insurance Home Health Care Insur- an Elder Law Attorney. Elder Law Hospice care can be given in the ance and other health insurance that Attorneys specialize in age related patient’s home, a hospital, nursing might be available prior to Medicare. legal matters and problems including qualifying for public benefit home, or private hospice facility. Community Insurance programs, long term care, estate Typically, an interdisciplinary Information Center planning, advance directives and health care team of doctors, nurses, 700 West Michigan Street, guardianship issues. Your local social workers, home health aides, Suite 350, 53233 clergy, therapists and trained vol- ....................................414-291-5360 county resource may have a list or call: unteers care for you.
12B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014 Milwaukee Bar Association’s Referral Service....... 414-274-6768 www.findmilwaukeelawyers.org
May discuss legal matters and or seek a referral to an attorney in Milwaukee and surrounding counties. National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys...................703-942-5711 www.naela.com
LGBT CAREGIVING
As American’s live longer, greater attention is being paid to the concerns facing aging adults and caregivers. Some unique considerations arise for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people dealing with aging. For information on topics such as finding supportive health service providers, dealing with your employer, and caring for an LGBT spouse, domestic partner or friend, the following resources may be helpful: The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center........................414-271-2656 ...................................292-3070(SAGE) www.mkelgbt.org (SAGE tab) www.caregiver.com Under caregiver education fact sheets, “Special Concerns of LGBT Caregivers”
LIFELINES - MEDICAL ALARMS
Telephone monitoring systems assist seniors in their home in case of a medical emergency. When a subscriber activates a monitoring pendant, the monitoring agency immediately contacts the subscriber as to inquire the type of assistance needed. Emergency Medical Technicians and personal emergency contacts are notified if the subscriber is unable to respond. Contact telephone monitoring agency for listing of other monitoring services offered as well. iContact your county resource for more options.
18-59 contact your ADRC. See “Older Adult Services ” ADRC If you are providing care or section in this directory. You may apply for Medicaid assistance to a person who lives an hour or more away, you are by mail, telephone or in person. To “long-distance caregiving”. You obtain an application or apply in may be paying bills on line, ar- person, contact your county aging ranging for services and appoint- service number. ments over the phone, commuFor information on the Medicaid nicating with service providers; a program contact their website at care center, the bank, a pharmacy, http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/medneighbors, friends, relatives or even icaid/index.htm driving or flying in when there are appointments or “emergencies”. Please know that you are not alone If you are unsure of where or how in your efforts. There may be as to obtain an application or need many as 7 million people caregiv- help in completing an application, ing at a distance in the US. Pro- call Recipient Services at................. . grams and services are growing in ................................ 1-800-362-3002 the understanding of your efforts and dilemmas. Don’t be afraid to MEDICAL EQUIPMENT The Independence First Moseek out the National Family Carebility Store, formerly Wheelchair giver Support Program (NFCSP) in your community or the community Recycling Program (WRP), is an of your care receiver for informa- non-profit program that offers low tion, assistance to access services, cost, refurbished and sanitized moeducation, support, respite and bility and medical equipment to those who lack the resources to acsupplemental services. quire new equipment. It also offers a selection of low-cost new equipWisconsin Caregiving ................................ 1-866-843-9810 ment. www.wisconsincaregiver.org Greater Milwaukee Area, Eldercare Locater 3720 N. 124th Street, Unit F ................................ 1-800-677-1116 Wauwatosa www.eldercare.gov ..............................414-988-5333 Publication: So Far Away gma@ifmobility.org National Institute on Aging # 105496............................800-222-2225 Independence First Assistive www.nia.nih.gov Technology Geriatric Care Managers ....................................414-291-7520 www.caremanager.org www.independencefirst.org iContact your local county Experienced staff has informaresource for NFCSP services, addition on assistive technology and tional suggestions and assistance in seeking help to move someone adaptive equipment. The Try-Acloser to you. Gadget Center offers 700+ items to try. Formal and informal assessMEDICAID/ T-19 ments, advocacy, information and For assistance with Title referral, and equipment trials are 19 and SSI-E applications and services available through this profinancial assistance for individuals gram. 60 and older, contact the Benefit Specialist through your county Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs). For those
LONG-DISTANCE CAREGIVING
iLOCAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Milwaukee County....................414-220-8600 Ozaukee County.......................262-238-8120 ...............................................262-284-8120 Walworth County.....................262-741-3200 Washington County..................877-306-3030 Waukesha County....................262-548-7848 State Wide Toll Free..................866-843-9810
iContact your county resource for more options.
MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELING
For both the caregiver and or the care receiver. Nearly 20% of those who are 55 years and older experience mental disorders that are not part of normal aging. Most common disorders are anxiety, severe cognitive impairment and mood disorders. The rate of suicide is highest among older adults compared to any other age group. Nearly one out of every four U.S. households provides care to a relative or friend aged 50 or older. Studies show that caregivers experience a sense of burden and estimated 46% are clinically depressed. Center for Psychological Services ....................................414-288-3487 at Marquette University Mental Health Association in Milwaukee County.........414-276-3122 Resources for prevention in mental health. NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. Greater Milwaukee Office ....................................414-344-0447 State Office............ 1-800-236-2988 Waukesha Office.......262-524-8886 www.NAMIwisconsin.org Advocacy, Referral, Support Groups, was founded for people with mental Illness and their families. NAMI also has educational programs. Everything is free of charge.
OCTOBER 2014
iContact your local county resource for Family Caregivers for other counseling services within your community.
NURSING HOMES
Nursing Homes and Health Care Centers are skilled nursing facilities designed to meet the needs of persons convalescing from illness or surgery or to provide longterm care which is not appropriate for a hospital or available through other alternatives. All persons entering a nursing home do so under physicians’ orders. Their care is supervised by nurses and other professionals under the direction of a physician. Facilities may offer special programs in rehabilitation, mental health, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s, hospice and subacute care. Along with meeting long term care needs they may offer outpatient services for rehabilitation, respite care (1-28 days) and short term or recuperative care (190 days).
Call to ask questions about nursing home regulations or file a formal complaint about a facility in southeastern Wisconsin.
services (home care/chores, home delivered meals, transportation, housing, financial assistance, elder abuse and much more), helps people understand the various Medigap Hotline long term care options available to ................................ 1-800-242-1060 them, helps people apply for proInformation on spousal impov- grams and benefits, and serves as erishment, nursing home insurance the access point for publicly-fundand other ways nursing home care ed long term care. These services may be paid for. can be provided at the ADRC, via telephone, or through a home visNursing home inspection reports/ it, whichever is more convenient to provider search website the individual seeking help. www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/bqawww.dhs.wisconsin.gov/adrc/ consumer/search.htm Milwaukee County NUTRITION-DIETICIANS, DRC............................414-289-6660 MEALS ON WHEELS/ (age 18-59) HOME DELIVERED MEALS ARC............................414-289-6874 A significant number of elder(age 60+) ly fail to get the amounts and types Ozaukee County.......262-284-8120 of food necessary to meet essential Walworth County.....262-741-3200 energy and nutrient needs. There is Washington County evidence that good nutrition pro- ....................................877-306-3030 motes vitality and independence Waukesha County....262-548-7848 whereas poor nutrition can prolong For aging and caregiver rerecovery from illness and lead to a sources anywhere in the country lesser quality of life. contact the Eldercare Locater iContact your county resource or ................................ 1-800-677-1116 Milwaukee County 414-289-6874 www.eldercare.gov for a list of meal sites and providers of home delivered meals. OLDER ADULT SERVICES
Family Caregiver Support Network: Living Options services ....................................414-220-8600 ................................ 1-800-449-4481 Assists when exploring options Outside Milwaukee or needing to select a facility by proFor aging and caregiver reviding Federal and State inspection report information, touring check sources anywhere in the counlists and more specific information try contact the Eldercare Locater on facilities (size, rates, smoking, a number at ............. 1-800-677-1116 www.eldercare.gov religious affiliation) in southeastern Wisconsin.
BY VOLUNTEERS
There has been a long standing tradition of “neighbor helping neighbor” in Wisconsin. Because of active lifestyles, it is often volunteers who assist with friendly visits, phone calls, transportation, shopOLDER ADULT SERVICES - ping, chores and other “neighborOmbudsman Program – State of ADRC AND VOLUNTEER ly” activities. Organized through Aging and Disability Resource churches and other community Wisconsin.............. 1-800-815-0015 “Ombudsman” means ‘advo- Centers (ADRCs) provide accu- groups, older adults are assisted cate’. Ombudsman acts as advocate rate, unbiased information on all to remain independent in their in licensed facilities such as nursing aspects of life related to aging or homes. homes on behalf of residents and/ living with a disability. ADRCs are www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/adrc/ or their families. Leave a message friendly, welcoming places where including the facility name so that anyone - individuals, concerned PODIATRY your call can be routed to an Om- families or friends, or professionals Foot care is of utmost imporbudsman assigned to the facility you working with issues related to ag- tance in older adults because of the ing or disabilities - can go for infor- need for ambulation and mobility. are referring to. mation tailored to their situation. Circulation to the lower portions State of Wisconsin Office of Quality The ADRC provides information of the body tends to decrease with Assurance................. 414-227-5000 on a broad range of programs and age. Decreased circulation, coupled
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 13B iLOCAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Milwaukee County....................414-220-8600 Ozaukee County.......................262-238-8120 ...............................................262-284-8120 Walworth County.....................262-741-3200 Washington County..................877-306-3030 Waukesha County....................262-548-7848 State Wide Toll Free..................866-843-9810
with diminished sensation, can lead to skin breakdown and infections. Older adults are less agile and may experience difficulty in maintaining good hygiene of the feet. Many times podiatry services are covered by insurance, depending upon your medical condition. At home services are also available. iContact your county resource for more information or talk with your primary care physician.
PUBLICATIONS
AARP - American Association of Retired Persons Yearly membership & receive the monthly newsletter “Bulletin” and the “Modern Maturity” magazine, free brochures & discounts. Membership Processing Center P. O. Box 199 Long Beach, CA 90801 50 Plus News Magazine P. O. Box 230 Hartland WI 53029 ..............................262-367-5303 Today’s Caregiver ..............................800-829-2734 A bi-monthly publication providing information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers. iContact your local county resource for Family Caregivers to subscribe to a free caregiver newsletter within your community.
14B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014
RELOCATION/MOVING
Making the decision to relocate (move) can be a welcome decision or a traumatic one. Many procrastinate because the thought of all the work to move, even where to move, is overwhelming. There is a complete series of resources available to provide assistance all along the way. County social workers and other professionals can help determine the best level of care. Placement services, most of which do not charge a fee, can assist in finding a new ‘home’. A number of realtors have chosen to be certified as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and other companies are available to assist with packing, and all the details of moving. iContact your county resource. Family Caregiver Support Network – Living Options Service ....................................414-220-8600 ................................ 1-800-449-4481
RESPITE CARE
Respite service allows caregivers to have free time for themselves while their loved ones receive assistance when needed. Respite services are available in a variety of options, ranging from a few hours to several weeks. They can be offered within the home, group home or nursing home, depending upon the level of care needed. Each service has a different rate of cost, some services offer a sliding scale fee.
who have disabilities and special TRANSPORTATION needs. Care is provided 24 hours a Without effective transportaday, seven days a week for up tion, many individuals cannot acto 20 days. Reservations accepted cess medical appointments, shop for necessities and may be isolated SILVER ALERT PROGRAM in their home. This presents health Wisconsin’s Silver Alert law and safety risks for some and may (Act 264) took affect August 2014. result in the elderly being forced Similar to an Amber Alert, Silver from their homes before they need Alerts will go out by e-mail, cell to be, solely because of the lack of phone, text, or fax through the transportation. Wisconsin Crime Alert Network to notify the public that an adult with iContact your county resource Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other for transportation options in your permanent cognitive impairment area. is missing. Anyone may subscribe on-line to receive Silver Alerts and VETERANS BENEFITS Crime Alerts for free by e-mail, cell, Eligibility for most VA benefits text or fax. Visit is based upon discharge from active www.wisconsincrimealert.gov military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active SOCIALIZATION service means full-time service as Exposure to social and phys- a member of the Army, Navy, Air ical activity improves cognitive Force, Marine Corps, and Coast performance and sleep quality in Guard. Generally, men and women the elderly. Maintenance of social veterans with similar service may engagement and avoidance of so- be entitled to the same VA benefits. cial isolation are important factors Benefits will also be based on conin maintaining cognitive vitality in flict, time served and if a sustained old age. There are many opportu- injury had occurred. nities for social interaction which include adult day programs, senior Kenosha County Veteran’s centers, friendly visitors, and tele- Service Office phone reassurance, to name a few. 8600 Sheridan Rd., Suite 700 iContact your county resource to discuss appropriate options or for a list of programs in your area.
Kenosha, WI 53143-6516 ....................................262-605-6690
Milwaukee County Veteran’s Service Office SUPPORT GROUPS For both the caregiver and the VA Hospital Grounds, Bldg. 6 care receiver, support groups can 5000 W. National Ave. help with the well being of one’s Milwaukee, WI 53295-0002 iContact your county resource physical and mental health. A sup- ....................................414-266-1234 for respite services and or a list of port group is one way to share your facilities that offer respite. troubles, exchange ideas and gain Ozaukee County Veteran’s new information. It can offer an Service Office Facilities that offer respite, you atmosphere of understanding and 121 W. Main St., PO Box 994 do not need to live in Milwaukee support. Port Washington, WI County. 53074-0994 ....................................262-238-8326 iContact your local county reSt. Ann Center for Intergeneration- source for information on the al Care many support groups in your area. Racine County Veteran’s ....................................414-977-5024 Service Office Based on assessment, provides Alzheimer’s Support Groups 1717 Taylor Ave. both adult day and overnight ser- ....................................800-272-3900 Racine, WI 53404-9996 vices to people 18 years and older ....................................262-638-6702 www.alz.org/sewi
iLOCAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Milwaukee County....................414-220-8600 Ozaukee County.......................262-238-8120 ...............................................262-284-8120 Walworth County.....................262-741-3200 Washington County..................877-306-3030 Waukesha County....................262-548-7848 State Wide Toll Free..................866-843-9810
Walworth County Veteran’s Service Office PO Box 1001, 100 W. Walworth Elkhorn, WI 53121 ....................................262-741-4222 Washington County Veteran’s Service Office 432 E. Washington St. Rm 1047 West Bend, WI 53095 ....................................262-335-4400 ....................................800-616-0446 Waukesha County Veteran’s Service Office 500 Riverview Ave., Rm. G138 Waukesha, WI 53188-3680 ....................................262-548-7732
VISION RESOURCES
As we age, the quality of our vision diminishes naturally. Most changes typically are not severe, and a new prescription for glasses or a few adaptations, such as improved lighting, may be all that is needed. Eye care is important. Only a doctor can detect certain vision changes when you cannot—before symptoms become noticeable. Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped ....................................414-286-3045 ................................ 1-800-242-8822 Sends books postage free, loans cassette players and much more at no charge. Vision Forward ....................................414-615-0100 Local outlet for equipment, offers advocacy and organizations for the blind. iContact your County resource for services in your area.
OCTOBER 2014
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 15B
Juggling a Job and Caregiving Can Work Each Caregivers journey is unique, but An employed family caregiver has a minimum of three jobs: 1) self-care; 2) work duties; and, 3) helping or caring for an older adult. For the family caregiver who has a spouse and/or children, there is the fourth job of caring for these family members. Whether family caregiving means periodically helping, handson care or concern about an older adult who lives in an assisted living or nursing home facility, there are demands on your time. It may involve coordinating older adult care services or medical appointments, going to medical appointments with your older adult, planning for future care and handling minor and major emergencies. This likely takes time away from work or creates “presenteeism”. Most employers are aware that caring for older adults is common and growing. If caregiving is becoming a personal concern, speak to your supervisor or your company’s human resources professional about the company’s policy for making phone calls during work hours, taking time off for caregiving
WEBSITES
Interfaith www.interfaithmilw.org (support for family caregivers tab) Family Caregiver Support Network www.caregiversupportnetwork. org County Aging Services:
Milwaukee
www.county.milwaukee.gov/Aging
Ozaukee
www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/Aging/
Walworth
www.co.walworth.wi.us
duties and what you are required to disclose when taking personal and sick days or hours. Also, check out your rights under the Family Medical Leave Act if it is available to you as an employee. Depending on your situation, you may want to discuss your caregiving situation with your immediate supervisor or human resources manager. Talk with them about possible options for time and flexibility. Being organized helps you prioritize what needs to be done and may reduce the time dedicated toward actual care which allows you time to enjoy being with your older adult, family and friends. It also indicates to your employer that you are trying to control the effect of caregiving on your job. Be sure as part of your organization to include time for your personal interests. A family caregiver can only be good for everyone else – family members and work – if self-care is a priority. As they say on airplanes, put your own oxygen mask on before helping others! Here are some tips that may be helpful in keeping up with personal care and family caregiving:
i Make “to do” checklists: Having things in writing can often help keep a person organized and make duties that seem “larger than life” less stressing and more manageable. Also, if a worry wakes you up in the middle of the night, try writing it down. You’ll feel free to go back to sleep knowing that you will see the reminder in the morning. i Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask siblings, other family members or caring friends to help you with caregiving duties. Also, communicate to your spouse and children the type of help you need to take time for caregiving, and meet your family and personal needs. A family meeting can be helpful with discussion and acceptance of tasks to prevent family conflict. Professionals are available to facilitate if necessary. i Pursue community services or pay for help: If your or your older adult’s budget allows, check out paid in-home care services or having a geriatric care manager coordinate care. Delivered meals and other community services – free and for pay – may help. Contact the Family Caregiver Support Network
Washington
AARP www.aarp.org/families/caregiving National Alliance for Caregiving www.caregiving.org National Caregiver Alliance www.caregiver.org Wisconsin Caregiver www.wisconsincaregiver.org
www.co.washington.wi.us/adrc
Waukesha
www.waukeshacounty.gov/adrc Living Options www.living-options.org Elder Locator www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/ Public/Home.asp Social Security www.ssa.gov Medicare www.medicare.gov/caregivers
to discuss your help options 414220-8600. i Make your older adult aware of your limitations: The older adult you care about may not realize constraints you may have at work. Communicating this helps eliminate confusion and potential resentment about why you can or can’t help in certain circumstances. i Group appointments and help duties: If you group, for example, medical and hair appointments in an afternoon, or help with groceries and housekeeping for a few hours an evening or weekend day, caregiving duties may seem less demanding of your time. Grouping time may also make it easier to coordinate efforts with your employer and other family members. i Consider assisted living, adult day care or other care facilities: Depending on the level of care
needed, there are many assisted living housing and adult day care options available. Moving to housing with care services or using adult day services can be a positive change for an older adult, including more socialization and activities providing mental stimulation that wouldn’t
16B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014
Staying at Home Responsibly Cost Sheet/Expenses Family Caregiver Support Network For Family Members and Friends Who Help or Care For Older Adults Compare the costs of bringing private pay services into the Home vs. Assisted Living at $2,200-$5,000 a month and Nursing Home care at $5,000+ per month.
Service Provided*
Home Delivered Meals (1-2x/day, 7 days a week)
Cost Per Day/Hour/Service
$6.00/Meal
Cost Per Week
Total $57.00-$99.00 $57.00-$78.00
$168.00-$336.00 +$60.00 Shipping (If shipped weekly) Total $228.00-$396.00 $228.00-$312.00
$18.00-$34.00
$72.00-$136.00
$7.00 Round Trip (Taxi Rides Transportation Using Milwaukee County’s Transit Plus May Exceed This Amount) (2x/week) (414) 343-1700
$14.00
$56.00
Adult Day Service (2x/week)
$100.00-$150.00
$400.00-$600.00
1x Installation Fee of $50.00-$99.00 (Sometimes Waived) Chore Service for Snow, Leaves $10.00-$25.00 etc. (1x/week) Medication Monitoring System 1x Installation Fee of $99.00 through Life Line
$7.00-$9.00
$35.00-$45.00
$10.00-$25.00
$40.00-$100.00
$12.50
$50.00
Grand Totals
$275.50-$421.50
$1,109.00-$1,695.00
Homemaking and/or Personal $19.00-$26.00 Care (1x/week) (Usually 3 hr. Minimum) Bathing Service (1x/week)
Life Line Alert Service
$18.00-$34.00/Bath
$50.00-$70.00/Day
$42.00-$84.00 + $15.00 shipping/week
Cost Per Month
Don’t forget to add up the other costs of living at home such as utilities, taxes, home maintenance etc. in addition to these supportive services. Then compare the total to a facility that offers it all under one roof. The Family Caregiver Support Network’s Living at Home Expense Sheet (Next Page) can be helpful in adding up the costs you already incur living at home.
Remember that with supportive in-home services you can adjust the type and amount of care to your needs. Your monthly totals may be different than the example above based on which services, how many and how much you choose or can afford to use. *There may be government assisted or volunteer services available to help offset the costs of some of these services. Contact the Family Caregiver Support Network (414) 220-8600, or the local Aging Resource Center of Milwaukee County (414) 289-6874 for more information on what may be available. **As supportive care needs increase to skilled care needs or if 24-hour care becomes necessary, a higher skilled assisted living or nursing facility may be a viable alternative to meet the senior’s needs safely.
OCTOBER 2014
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 17B
Living at Home Monthly Expense Sheet Family Caregiver Support Network For Family Members and Friends Who Help or Care For Older Adults Supportive In-Home Care
Home
Mortgage/Rent Property Tax Homeowners/Renters Insurance Association Fees Home Security Home Maintenance/Repairs Invisible Mortgage* Monthly Total
Meals Homemaking/Personal Care Transportation Adult Day Services Life Line Alert Service Chore Services (lawn, snow, etc.) Medication Monitoring System Monthly Total
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Entertainment
Utilities
Water Electricity Gas/Fuel/Oil Trash Groceries, Cleaning Supplies and Hygiene Items Monthly Total
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Cable TV, Internet, Phone Hobbies Shopping-Hair/Skin/Nail Care/Clothing Dining Out Gifts (birthdays/holidays etc.) Monthly Total
$ $ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $ $
Monthly Totals
Home Utilities Entertainment In-Home Care Monthly Grand Total
$ $ $ $ $
*The “Invisible Mortgage” or “Lost Interest” is 5% of the selling price of your house divided by 12 months. If you stay at home you are losing X amount of investment income, per month.
We Can Help. Living Options Service (414) 220-8600 www.living-options.org www.caregiversupportnetwork.org www.interfaithmilw.org
18B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Home Health Care DIRECTORY “At Your Service” Inc.
Serving Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha Counties. Bridges Home Healthcare offers personal care, 414 Genesee St., Delafield, WI 53018 Contact Person: Tom Genetti baths, etc., companion/daily check and skilled nursing, PT, OT, SLP, and 262.646.8668 MSW. Medicare approved with paperwork done on insurance claims. Our www.weare-atyourservice.com staff includes RNs, PT, OT, MSW and Home Health Aides. Benefits of Our company services Waukesha County and the surrounding com- home health care offer personalized care plans for each individual client. munities. The services we offer include housekeeping, respite care, cook- It keeps you in your own home with the skilled care that you need. Reducing/feeding, telephone reassurance, overnight care, personal care, baths, es hospitalizations, eliminates the need to find transportation for persons etc., administer medication, check medication compliance, companion/ that cannot safely leave home. The future of home care is one of the fastest daily check, conversation and companionship, medication reminders, growing areas of healthcare. Skilled care received in the home is far less transportation, errands, grocery shopping along with paperwork on insur- expensive than care in a facility. Monitoring of patient needs is much more ance claims. Our staff includes a registered nurse. “At Your Service” Inc., efficient and thorough with a skilled home care agency. provides an affordable alternative for those individuals who wish to remain in their homes and live a fulfilling healthier and happier life. We help all of Bright Star of Central Milwaukee 5594 N. Hollywood Ste 210, Milwaukee our clients to experience quality of life, maintain independence and most Contact Person: Andy Eyers importantly, peace of mind. As for the future, we see 10,000 people turning Phone: 414.944.0281 65 every day for the next 15 years. Most of who will want to remain in their www.BrightStarCare.com homes. There will be a huge need for both qualified caregivers and dependServing Milwaukee County Bright Star offers housekeeping, respite able, flexible and affordable home care companions. care, cooking/feeding, telephone reassurance, overnight care, personal care, baths, etc, administer medication, check medication compliance, Bridges Home Healthcare companion/daily check and skilled medical services. We have a registered 1121 E. Sumner St., Ste B, Hartford Contact Person: Lisa Nealey nurse on staff and we do paperwork on insurance claims. The benefits of Phone 262.673.6600 home health care a offer personalized plan of care in your own home. www.bridgeshh.com
There is no place like home. That’s why MCFI Home Care helps people remain safe in their home by providing: Medically oriented tasks
Supportive home care
Personal care services Companionship
Supervision
Respite care
MCFI Home Care is: Medicaid Certified
Call 888-381-5696 toll free, 24 hours a day www.mcfi.net
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION • OCTOBER 2014
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 19B
Home Health Care DIRECTORY Bright Star – West Bend
quality care, trustworthy with a solid reputation in the medical community. One hour visits available. Helps prevent medical emergency and offers peace of mind.
W227 N16841 Tillie Lane Circle, Jackson Contact Person: Rick Lincoln Phone: 262.677.9200 www.brightstarecare.com/west-bend
Bright Star - West Bend services Ozaukee, Washington and Dodge Counties and is Joint Commission Accredited. We offer housekeeping, respite care, cooking/feeding, overnight care, personal care, baths, etc., administer medication and check medication compliance. We do paperwork on insurance claims and have a registered nurse. Benefits of home health care offer help with daily activities that become increasingly difficult, additional supervision is needed throughout the night and outpatient procedure is performed. When you or a loved one faces a circumstance you need services that only an industry leader can provide.
Cedar Home Health & Hospice 5505 County Rd. Z, West Bend, WI 53095 Contact Person: Carrie Schepp Phone: 262.306.2691
Cedar Home Health & Hospice services Waukesha, Washington, Fond du Lac, Dodge, Ozaukee and Sheboygan. Services we offer include housekeeping, respite care, cooking/feeding, telephone reassurance, personal care, baths, etc., supportive care, case management and hospice. We are Medicare approved and do paperwork on insurance claims. Staff includes a registered nurse and medical director. Benefits of home health care include
In-Home Care For Older Adults
SM
Home Care Medical, Inc. – Corp 5665 South Westridge Dr, New Berlin Milwaukee Retail Store, 4818 S 76th St, Milwaukee
SHEBOYGAN RETAIL STORE,
2922 S Business Dr, Sheboygan
WEST BEND RETAIL STORE,
1709 S 18th Ave, West Bend www.HomeCareMedical.com www.HomeCareMedicalShopOnline.com
Serving Southeastern Wisconsin since 1974, Home Care Medical, Inc. provides home infusion, enteral nutrition and hospice care; rehab technology; respiratory care; home medical equipment and supplies; and bracing and compression garments. Home Care Medical, Inc. is the WAMES (Wisconsin Association of Medical Equipment Services) HME Provider of the Year award recipient in 2013 and 2012. Accredited by the Joint Commission and an active member of WAMES, the MedGroup and AAHomecare, Home Care Medical’s mission is to enhance the lives of those we serve.
20B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
The Ultimate Man Cave Chair
Home Health Care DIRECTORY Home Care Services
9429 72nd St., Kenosha Contact Person: Greg Phone: 262.657.8467 www.homecarewisconsin.com Serving all of SE Wisconsin, Home Care Services offers housekeeping, respite care, cooking/feeding, overnight care, personal care, baths, etc, administer medication, companion/daily check, shopping and medical appointments. Benefits of home health care include, stay in the comfort of your own home, one-on-one assistance, immediate availability of help, flexibility (stay on your own schedule) and affordable (less than a nursing home).
$599 Golden Technologies Lift Chair* Now through the month of October, take advantage of our $599 Golden Technologies Lift Chair (Model GOLPR200 regularly priced at $844). – Made and assembled in the U.S.A. – Multiple fabric options – FREE in-home delivery/set-up Stop by one of our three Retail Stores today in Milwaukee, Sheboygan or West Bend and let us help you put the finishing touches on your Man Cave. We are your local Lift Chair experts!
Lending Hands Healthcare Inc.
Chestnut
Milwaukee Retail Store 4818 South 76th Street | Ph 414.423.8800 Sheboygan Retail Store 2922 South Business Drive | Ph 920.458.5768 West Bend Retail Store 1709 South 18th Avenue | Ph 262.957.5501 Shop Online www.HomeCareMedicalShopOnline.com Facebook www.facebook.com/homecaremedical Twitter www.twitter.com/HCM_Wisconsin *While supplies last. Lift Chair inventory varies from store to store.
625 Walnut Ridge Dr., Suite 104 Hartland, WI 53029 Contact Person: Jane Khen Phone: 262.369.8000 7665 N. Port Washington Rd, Glendale, WI 53217 Phone: 414.751.7090 www.lhhomecare.com Lending Hands Healthcare, Inc. serves Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha, and Washington counties. Services offered include housekeeping, respite care, cooking/feeding, overnight care, personal care, baths, etc.,
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION • OCTOBER 2014
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 21B
Home Health Care DIRECTORY companion/daily check and accompany to doctor appointments. Medicaid approved, will fill paperwork on insurance claims also. Staff includes a registered nurse. The benefits of home health care help the elderly and disabled people stay independent as long as it is possible, by providing quality services (in client’s home). We offer In-Home care that really works for you. We understand that making the decision to bring a caregiver into your home is not an easy one. That is why we are committed to making the home care process as stress-free as possible. With the services that Lending Hands offer, you are always in control. We work with you to develop a plan of care that fits your lifestyle and select a caregiver that you feel comfortable with. So you never have to worry about your decision to go with Lending Hands Home Healthcare as your home care provider. Our team of Certified Nursing Assistants work under the direction of our Nurse Manager to deliver top quality care solutions to you and your loved ones. All of our caregivers are screened, licensed, insured, supervised and receive continuous training in areas specific to home care and the clients we serve.
MCFI Home Care
Contact Main Office: 414.290.0050 mcfi.net MCFI Home Care offers housekeeping, Respite Care, cooking/feeding, overnight care, personal care, baths, etc, administer medication, check medication compliance, companion/daily check and Registered Nurse tasks like: Hoyer transfers and blood sugar checks. Our staff includes a
registered nurse and we are Medicaid Certified. Benefits of home health care include 24/7 on-call staff. MCFI serves 16 counties throughout and we work with many insurance carriers. We are always looking for personal care workers and offer competitive wages. You may qualify to be a paid caregiver, call us for details.
Quality Home Health Care, Inc.
W125 S7554 Coventry Lane, Muskego 414.315.3717 - Kim 414. 315.0504-Lynette Contact Persons: Kim M Jrolf CAN Lynette Stefanec, RN BSN, RCS Quality Home Health Care is committed to providing its patients with the highest quality care. Services provided include housekeeping, respite care, cooking/feeding, telephone reassurance, overnight care, personal care, baths, etc., administer medication, check medication compliance, companion/daily check. We are a health care service provider that provides in home skilled and non-skilled nursing services to individuals in the comfort and privacy of their own home. We are staffed with registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, companions and housekeepers. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide you or your loved one that personal care that is deserved. Quality Home Health Care promotes appropriate, adequate, effective and efficient health care to all its patients. The future of this type of service will grow as the population reaches maturity.
22B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Home Health Care DIRECTORY Rent-A-Daughter, LLC
12660 W. North Ave., Brookfield Contact Person: Jean Henke Phone: 262.754.0550 Rent-A-Daughter serves Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. Services offered include housekeeping, respite care, cooking/feeding, overnight care, personal care, baths, etc., check medication compliance and companion/daily check. For almost 30 years, our mission has been to come alongside older adults to help them live independently by providing non-medical home care. Rent-A-Daughter caregivers becomes an extension of the Homeand Carecompassion Service 10-13:Layout 9/18/13 3:11 PM own Pagefamilies. 1 love that people1 receive from their As for the future, we see the needs of the elderly population increasing.
❃ Are you concerned about the well-being of your loved ones? ❃ Looking for a comprehensive and affordable in-home care for your elder?
Home Care Services is your answer. Call 888-697-4800 Visit www.homecarewisconsin.com for more information
ResCare Home Care
13700 W. National Ave., New Berlin, Contact Person: Cathy Kossow 262.814.1884 www.ResCareHomeCare.com We serve Washington, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Walworth, Jefferson, Dodge, Green Lake, Fond Du Lac and Sheboygan. Services we offer include housekeeping, Respite Care, cooking/ feeding, telephone reassurance, overnight care, personal care, baths, etc., administer medication, check medication compliance and companion/ daily check. We are Medicare approved and do paperwork on insurance claims. Our staff includes a registered nurse. The benefits of home health care for our clients, is keeping them in the comfort of their own home. The future outlook for these services is seeing more and more seniors having the ability to stay in their home with the assistance of home care services.
Quality In-Home Care Serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee & Washington Counties
Our Personal Care & Home Support Services • Bathing • Grooming • Personal Hygiene • Dressing • Transferring • Positioning & Mobility • Food Preparation • Therapy Assistance • Medication Reminders • Dementia Care
Waukesha 262.369.8000
• Respite Care • RN Home Support • Client Check-in • Light House Cleaning • Laundry • Pet Care • Grocery Shopping • Incidental Transportation • Companionship • Appointment Escort
Milwaukee 414.751.7090
www.lhhomecare.com
Licensed, Insured & Experienced Staff
A community that comes to you With home-based Cedar Supportive Care, friendly, reliable Cedar Community staff provide one-on-one, non-medical services. Call 262.306.2691 for help designing a service package, from light housekeeping to friendly visits to taking you on errands, to fit your needs. Start small with a minimum hour-long visit! In most cases, you’ll see a familiar face each time, always on time – and we honor the price structure quoted. Cedar Supportive Care’s trusted staff participate in the rigorous quality standards, screening and training for which Cedar Community is known. Services available across six southeast Wisconsin counties including Washington, Dodge, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan.
Cedar
home health hospice pathfinders cedarathome.org
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION • OCTOBER 2014
• CAREGIVERS GUIDE • 50PLUS • 23B
Home Health Care DIRECTORY St. Camillus Home Health
10101 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa 414.259.6310 St. Camillus Home Health Agency provides compassionate, personalized care in your home, serving Milwaukee and Waukesha County. We provide skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. These services are often covered by Medicare, Medicaid or Private Insurance. We also provide Home Health Aides and Homemaker Companions to help with bathing assist, mobility assistance, nail care, medication assistance, exercises, incontinence care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry and accompaniment to appointments. We have experience caring for people with dementia and we also provide 24 hourin-home care.
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24B • 50PLUS • CAREGIVERS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2014
A Helping Hand When You Need it Most Support for Family & Caregivers
Do You Care For
• an older adult • a loved one with dementia • a grandchild • a relative with a disability?
The long hours and hard work of caring for an older adult can be challenging yet rewarding. Interfaith offers services and resources that can make caregiving easier. We’re here to help you, as well as the one you’re caring for.
“The help I’ve received has enabled me to effectively care for my mother at home while still maintaining my career. I learned I can have a life aside from my role as caregiver by utilizing respite services and other resources.” Tom N.
FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT NETWORK
(414) 220-8600 www.interfaithmilw.org www.caregiversupportnetwork.org www.living-options.org