r o i n Se Living
Supplement to Jewish News June 26, 2017 jewishnewsva.org | June 26, 2017 | Jewish News | 11
Senior Living Dear Readers,
J
ust who qualifies as a ‘senior’ is a bit confusing these days. That’s mainly because the definition of ‘senior’ and who identifies as one, is more of a moving target than ever
before. While it wasn’t that long ago that very few people worked beyond 65 years old, or that it was uncommon to find surfers who were over 50, and the same for marathon runners, that has certainly changed. Perhaps it’s all in the attitude. Or the advances in health care. Or the fitness craze. Whatever the reason, people are living longer…and with an emphasis on living. Today’s adults who ‘are of a certain social security age’ are a dynamic and interactive group, keeping up with technology—staying connected and informed. They travel. They dine out. They entertain. They attend cultural performances and events. They compete in sports. They are politically and philanthropically active. They are engaged with the world and with each other. They don’t want to miss a thing. Sometimes, of course, some of the annoyances of age do take center stage. The most prepared—those who have made financial plans and/or are aware of the myriad options for housing and the tools of assistance—tend to view the age-related situations as just that, situations, and not obstacles. In this section, we have articles that offer advice on staying fit—both physically and mentally—such as the tips from several Jewish Family Service therapists on page 14. Other articles such as those on pages 13 and 18, concentrate on making sure your financial and legal affairs are fit, too.
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The piece on page 20 on Paul Shaffer (remember him from the Late Show?) is just another example of someone not realizing he’s a ‘senior.’ At 67, he’s back on the road, touring with ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Band.’ He’s young, still. For 45 years a couple from Detroit had hoped to make aliyah. In 2013, when they made the move, they were in their 60s. The article on page 16 is a prime example of realizing a dream and not fearing making a major life change…no matter one’s age. In addition to the articles in this section, our advertisers are terrific resources for staying healthy, hearing well, being pain-free, living in vibrant communities, getting around, and maintaining a solid financial and legal future. Although it’s not possible to turn back the clock or grab those months back on the calendar, it is possible to go forward with a positive attitude and a commitment to doing whatever possible to assure a good life. Here’s to people of all ages…but especially to those ‘of a certain age.’
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12 | Jewish News | Senior Living | June 26, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org
Terri Denison Editor
Senior Living Tidewater Jewish Foundation supports estate planning by seniors—of all ages Randy Parrish
T
he staff of Tidewater Jewish Foundation regularly works with a large number of donors and prospective donors that represent a diverse mix of individuals and families of all ages and from all walks of life. Those who are of the age to be considered, ‘seniors’ of the Tidewater Jewish community, however, are particularly and incredibly vibrant, passionate, and involved with their families, with their
It is important to remember that estate planning can take place at any age.
temples and synagogues, and with their favorite charitable organizations and recreational pastimes. In fact, the diligence and dedication shown by myriad older members of the Tidewater Jewish community in establishing their estate plans to provide for future generations—both for their families and for those served by their favorite charities—continue to inspire TJF’s staff. Still, it is important to remember that estate planning can take place at any age. It is a process of arranging for the administration and transfer of assets in anticipation of death or incapacitation and it is a means to establish one’s legacy during one’s lifetime. Numerous planning mechanisms exist to create a permanent legacy, including:
•
Designation in a will of a percentage of one’s estate, or alternatively, a specific dollar amount or specific assets to both heirs and to charity. This is often the most simple and effective estate planning option.
•
Another option for creating a legacy plan is the designation of retirement plan assets. While income taxes imposed on the distribution of retirement plan assets make these a poor choice for passing to heirs, this choice can be an effective means to endow a charitable legacy to the community.
•
Charitable life insurance policies can be a powerful and affordable means for younger donors to create permanent resources to benefit their favorite charitable organizations.
•
Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) can be a great mechanism to make tax-advantaged transfers of current assets (ideally, appreciated assets such as stock or other property) that can provide income for the donor or another person’s life or for a term of years, with the remainder interest going to charity.
•
Charitable lead trusts (CLTs) are the reverse of remainder trusts. CLTs make annual payments to charity for an initial term of years with the assets reverting back to the donor or family members at the end of the trust’s term, effectively meeting philanthropic goals and achieving efficient transfers of wealth. There is no such thing as being too old or too young to make plans for the future. Contact Scott Kaplan, president and CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation at 757-9656109 or an attorney or financial professional for guidance on how best to create a legacy.
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jewishnewsva.org | June 26, 2017 | Senior Living | Jewish News | 13
E XCE LLE N CE
I N
O R TH O PAE D I C S
Senior Living
Jewish Family Service physical therapists: Seated: Sid Barrerra, PTA*; Jessica Keetz, PT*; Jenny Lind, PT; and Sally Neilan, PT. Standing: Marion Lisenby, PT; Donna Troici, PT; Kim Naylor, PT; and Joe Anderson, PT. Not pictured: Denyse Jenner, PT; Megan Lewis, PT; Molly Lingua, PT; Jennifer Reasor, PT; Beth Taylor, PT; Michael Maugeri, PTA, Grace Potamianos, PTA; and Stacy Powell, PTA (PTA = Physical Therapy Assistant; PT = Physical Therapist)
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14 | Jewish News | June 26, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org
Seven tips for strong, healthy, and long lives Amy Cobb
W
ho doesn’t want to live a long and healthy life? While it may not be possible for everyone to live to be 100 years old, Americans are living longer today than in previous decades, with many people reaching their 80s, 90s, and beyond. To improve the odds of positive aging, some physical therapists at Jewish Family Service of Tidewater offer the following advice for remaining healthy when entering those golden years. After all, those years should be relished. They’ve been earned! Manage stress—“If ignored, stress can develop into more serious physical and mental illnesses such as weight gain, heart problems, anxiety, and depression,” says Marion Lisenby, PT. It’s important, she says, to recognize the factors that cause stress and to take measures to prevent or minimize them whenever possible.
Stretch—Stress accelerates the signs of aging on the mind and body. “Doing yoga or even simple stretching exercises can help reduce stress. Stretching increases flexibility and circulation,” says Donna Troici, PT. Stretching also increases range of motion, which helps maintain better balance, and may help alleviate lower back pain. De-clutter—Falling in the home is one of the biggest threats to older people and the leading cause of injury in those over 65 years old. Sally Neilan, PT, recommends clearing homes of any unnecessary objects, especially scatter rugs. “Tripping on rugs is one of the most common causes of falls,” says Neilan. “It’s important to make sure your home is as clutter-free as possible.” Try tai chi—Watching the gentle, graceful movements of this ancient practice, it’s hard to imagine that tai chi can burn off a single calorie or strengthen muscles. But this exercise program is far more dynamic
Senior Living than it looks, says Kim Naylor, PT. “Tai chi helps improve balance because it targets all the physical components needed to stay upright—leg strength, flexibility, range of motion, and reflexes—all of which tend to decline with age,” says Naylor.
The best piece of advice for healthy aging: do regular, moderate exercise every day.
Brain exercise—Keep those brains active every day. “It’s important to stay curious and involved,” says Joe Anderson, PT. “Commit to lifelong learning.” Methods to keep mentally active include reading, writing, and working crossword or other puzzles. Additional ways to stay
mentally alert include playing games, gardening, doing memory exercises, and taking courses at the Adult Learning Center or community college.
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Get a personal oil change—Denyse Jenner, PT, recommends using oils such as olive, coconut, flax, or fish oil. “These ‘good’ oils contain Omega3,” says Jenner, “which can help reduce inflammation and prevent arthritis and heart disease.” Just move it—When asked the best piece of advice for healthy aging, all of the physical therapists agreed on one thing: daily activity. It’s important to do regular, moderate exercise every day. Jenny Lind, PT, says, “Older adults should not overdo it, though. That can lead to injury. Walking every day is the best form of exercise you can do.” Jewish Family Service strengthens the community by providing essential services that help people overcome life’s challenges to live fuller, healthier, and more meaningful lives. JFS is unique because it provides a continuum of home-based solutions, as well as unparalleled caring, support, and resources to meet the needs of the community. Services for older adults include Meals on Wheels, transportation, skilled home health care, private duty home care, care navigation, counseling, and more. For more information, call 757‑321‑2222 or visit jfshamptonroads.org.
Volunteers needed this summer by JFS Interested in filling some spare time this summer? Seeking a meaningful way to give back to the community? One option is to call Jewish Family Service of Tidewater. The truth is that at JFS, seasons do not matter, as it is always a good time to volunteer. Jewish Family Service of Tidewater needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound clients on Thursdays from 10 am until noon. Those who
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are not able to commit to every Thursday could perhaps consider being a substitute driver. JFS also needs volunteers to assist with filing, scanning, and check writing in the Personal Affairs Management office. Hours are flexible. To learn more, contact Jody Laibstain at JFS, 757-321-2222.
jewishnewsva.org | June 26, 2017 | Senior Living | Jewish News | 15
Senior Living After realizing 45-year dream of aliyah, couple is surprised by what they find Yardena Schwartz
JERUSALEM—When Joel Zacks and Linda Ginns each first visited Israel, on separate pre-college tours, they fell in love with the country. It was 1968, they were both 18 and had yet to meet. They returned to America, met during freshman orientation at Yeshiva University and fell in love again—this time, with each other. When they married in 1970, they planned to immigrate to Israel. “We had a five-year plan,” says Joel, now 66. “But life got in the way.” They settled in Detroit and raised their seven children there. But love for Israel ran strong in the Zacks household, and six of their seven children made aliyah. After
45 years, their parents finally decided to follow them, making the move in 2013. Today, 18 of the Zacks’ 23 grandchildren live in Israel. “We made aliyah on Yom Haatzmaut,” Linda says. A daughter who made the move from New York several years earlier, jokes that on Independence Day now, all of Israel celebrates her parents’ move. Sitting with Joel on their balcony during a recent interview, Linda watches the sun set over the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood of Jerusalem. “One of the things that brought us together was our love of Israel,” Linda says. But as the Zackses settled down, the couple was concerned that they wouldn’t be able to make a living in Israel. A successful ophthalmologist, Joel had been
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warned by several people that in Israel he would earn only a fraction of what he was making in Detroit. He recalled meeting one doctor in Israel making the equivalent of $10 an hour. “There’s this perception that as a doctor you can’t make a living here, and we had a family,” Joel says. In Detroit, he did house calls—something Joel was told would not work in Israel. On top of the financial risk, was the bureaucratic aggravation he had heard accompanied aliyah. So they waited until they neared retirement age. Then the unexpected happened: Within a month of arriving in Israel, Joel got a job that paid just as much as he was earning in the United States. “I was shocked,” he says, adding that
the bureaucracy was “far easier than I was made to believe.” One thing that helped, the couple says, was assistance from Nefesh B’Nefesh, the organization that manages aliyah from North America. Aside from assisting with the Zacks’ aliyah processing, Nefesh B’Nefesh helped Joel obtain his medical license within a month of his arrival. He immediately started asking around how he could do house calls, and soon someone at one of Israel’s primary health care providers, Leumi, heard about him. Suddenly Joel had a job at Leumi, which hired him to be a visiting ophthalmologist treating patients in clinics throughout the West Bank that lack the expensive eye equipment he brings with him on his visits.
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Senior Living Linda says that a Nefesh B’Nefesh representative named Miriam called them every month during their first year in Israel to check in and see how they were doing. “I always knew that if I needed anything, they would help,” Linda says. Among the benefits the Zacks received upon moving to Israel was free ulpan— intensive Hebrew classes. Linda studied for a full year and now speaks fluent Hebrew. Joel chose instead to do a twoweek crash course. “I can get along fine without Hebrew,” Joel says, though he wishes he were fluent. “I’m very proficient in eye exam vocabulary, but not much outside of that.” The couple’s oldest son, Arye, 43, who made aliyah in 2006 with his wife and three children, the oldest of whom is now finishing up his military service in the Israeli Navy, says it was never a given that one day almost his entire family would move to Israel.
“It just kind of happened over time,” he says. First his younger brother came, then his sister and then another brother. “Seeing my brother living here, it seemed very similar to life in the States,” says Arye, who lives in Modiin, a suburb between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Back in the U.S., he says, “we were sending our kids to a Zionist school, and it kind of seemed silly to do that when we had the opportunity to live here.” Though almost the entire Zacks clan now lives in this small country the size of New Jersey, it’s not easy for everyone to get together. With 18 grandchildren and six sets of parents plus Joel and Linda— 32 people in all—it’s almost a military operation. “We live all over the country, and there are many of us, so getting all together can be tough and expensive,” Arye says. They usually pick one Shabbat a year for a big family gathering. The next reunion is planned for September, when
one of the grandkids has his bar mitzvah. Arye, unlike his father, didn’t worry about making money in Israel. Leaving his job in advertising in Detroit, he felt confident that he would land on his feet in his new home. “I think we had 24 shekels in the bank when I got my first job here,” says Arye, who now manages social media for the software maker AmDocs. His wife is a writer, and the couple is earning about what they made in Detroit, he says. These days, Linda and Joel Zacks are mostly retired. Joel, who was working full time when they first immigrated, recently transitioned to part time and now spends most mornings attending Jewish religious classes. Linda is an artist practicing calligraphy, photography and graphic art. She’s also become interested in paper cutting thanks to a weekly class in Jerusalem. But Linda spends most of her time with her children and grandchildren, whom
she sees several times a week. She also has immersed in communal life, taking Hebrew and Jewish classes and serving on the board of their local synagogue, a Young Israel that is home to many other American immigrants. Four years since making aliyah, the thrill of living in Jerusalem and seeing the Old City still feels fresh. “Every day we wake up and say, ‘Wow, we’re really here,’” Linda says. “We should have come 40 years ago,” Joel adds wistfully. This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with Nefesh B’Nefesh, which in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah, The Jewish Agency, KKL and JNF-USA is minimizing the professional, logistical and social obstacles of aliyah, and has brought over 50,000 olim from North America and the United Kingdom over the last 15 years. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.
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othing is more important than addressing the estate planning needs of the elderly. We are facing what sociologists called the “Silver Tsunami” in America. People are living longer than ever, with seniors predicted to live much longer than their parents and grandparents. However, the rapidly growing senior population has been likened to a catastrophic storm. New pressure is being brought to bear in every area of health care due to this rising demo-
Many experts project the number of people over the age of 65 to double over the next 25 years.
graphic shift. Many experts project the number of people over the age of 65 to double over the next 25 years. While this is good news for many of us 55 and over, there has never been more urgency to address estate planning. The issue is really centered on “capacity.” The nagging truth is that all planning stops when a person loses the “capacity to make a legal decision.” Memory issues such as dementia or medical events such as a stroke or disabling injury can affect legal capacity. When legal capacity is lost, all planning opportunities stop. Doctors can’t talk to you. Access to medical records is denied. The ability to admit or discharge from medical facilities ceases for your family and trusted friends and family. The only recourse at that point is expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes embarrassing public hearings to authorize your family and loved ones to assist you. The best time to do estate planning, and especially to address emergency situations, is now, since often, you may not get a second chance.
What is estate planning? The minimal estate planning process should consist of a: Review and update of documents • Review existing estate planning documents to make sure they reflect your current wishes. • Review out-of-state documents to ensure compliance with local state laws. • Update and/or execute new estate planning documents, which include wills, trusts, power of attorneys, and advanced medical directives. Financial well being and planning check-up • Evaluate current assets and sources of income and assess whether additional support may be available. • Evaluate various options for paying long-term care including insurance, Veteran’s benefits, Medicaid or reverse mortgages. • M aximize benefits and resources available to spouse who remains at home when other spouse enters a long-term care facility. Consideration of future housing options • Offer guidance on various housing options and assessments that may be passed down by the family. • Evaluate options for in-home longterm care solutions. It is important that each person’s unique and valuable passion and hard work to see that their family be taken care of, is revered. To accomplish this, various adjustments must be made at appropriate times to succeed in this mission. It is imperative not only to the success of one’s financial well being, but that of parents, children, and grandchildren. It is also important to only trust estate planning to experts. Contact Stephen D. Lentz, Esq. at slentz@ goodmanallen.com.
Senior Living Older adults can improve movement by using same motor strategy as babies BEER-SHEVA, Israel, June 19, 2017—A motor mechanism that has been attributed primarily to early development in babies and toddlers can also help older adults improve movement accuracy, according to new research from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU). In an article published in Nature Scientific Reports, the researcher shows that an infant’s exploration-exploitation process can work in older adults, as well. “In early development, babies seem to make random movements in all directions until they learn to purposefully reach for objects,” says Dr. Shelly Levy-Tzedek, a lecturer in the BGU Department of Physiotherapy, Leon and Matilda Recanati School for Community Health Professions. “Their movements are variable until they find a solution for the problem at hand, like reaching for that Cheerios bit. When they find a good movement plan, they exploit it.” In the study, the arms of older adults (ages 70+) were connected to a sensor that measures the rotation of the arm at the elbow. Participants were then asked to make rhythmic movements of the forearm in a “windshield wiper” motion while trying to maintain certain speeds and arm amplitude, with and without visual feedback. At first “their movements were too
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slow and too small,” says Dr. Levy-Tzedek, who is also head of BGU’s Cognition, Aging and Rehabilitation Lab and a member of the University’s ABC Robotics Initiative. “We then encouraged them to make movements that were larger and faster, and their performance on the original task improved significantly.” The researchers hypothesized that older participants would not be able to maintain an increase in speed and amplitude of movement over time due to fatigue, but were surprised to discover that making mistakes helped improve future task performance. They also found that once a better movement pattern was established, the variability dropped. Making exaggerated movements actually helped them fine-tune their control. “We haven’t tested it directly in physical therapy, but perhaps getting older adults to make exaggerated movements can help fine-tune their performance on specific tasks that they find difficult to accomplish otherwise,” says Dr. Levy-Tzedek. The study was funded by the Brandies Leir Foundation, Bronfman Foundation, Promobilia Foundation, the Israeli Science Foundation, and the Helmsley Charitable Trust.
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jewishnewsva.org | June 26, 2017 | Senior Living | Jewish News | 19
Senior Living Paul Shaffer’s post-Letterman act: Touring with ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Band’ Gabe Friedman
NEW YORK ( JTA)—Paul Shaffer, sporting a gray T-shirt and a one- or two-day-old beard, is sitting in the living room of his spacious Manhattan apartment near Lincoln Center. The walls are crammed with music memorabilia, including a signed Curtis Mayfield single and a plaque presented by the State of Israel to Sammy Davis Jr. The homey scene is a far cry from the glamorous studio environs that made Shaffer famous. For more than 30 years, Shaffer served as David Letterman’s sidekick, musical director, and band leader on his two latenight television shows. Since Letterman’s first show aired on NBC in 1982, Shaffer has been known for his sparkling suits and quirky sunglasses, and for backing some of the biggest musicians in the world, including Miles Davis, Carole King
and Steve Winwood. But now, on a steamy late spring evening, Shaffer has an audience of one as he sits down at an old Hammond organ near a window. The instrument once belonged to the late James Brown, Shaffer says, and he picked it up years ago at an auction. Shaffer turns on the large multi-tiered organ, lets it warm up and starts playing a walking bass line on the bass pedals. “I used to stay away from [the bass pedals], I was too afraid of them,” he says with a smile. “Now I’m getting to the point where I really want to play them all the time.” Time is something Shaffer, 67, has had since Letterman retired in 2015. “I thought, let’s take a break and enjoy a few things other than show business,” he says. “I guess I don’t have the depth for that because I just got bored right away —and depressed.” So, Shaffer soon found himself in a
20 | Jewish News | Senior Living | June 26, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org
of covers of R&B classics, is somerecording studio with his Late thing of a return to his roots. Show band. An album, Paul A nice Jewish boy from Shaffer and The World’s Thunder Bay, Ontario, Most Dangerous Band, Shaffer recalls how his was released in March, father—a lawyer he and features an array of describes as “conservaguest vocalists, includtive,” but “hip”—played ing Bill Murray (yes, Sam Cooke and Ray that Bill Murray). Charles around the house. Shaffer is currently The Shaffers were in the middle of a short among some 40 Jewish tour—something he hasn’t families in a Lake Superior done since 1980, when he town, and the only synagogue played with the Blues Brothers was Orthodox. So Shaffer had band led by Dan Aykroyd and Paul Shaffer, 1992. (photo by Alan Light) an Orthodox bar mitzvah and the late John Belushi, whose learned to love Orthodox sersongs he helped. vices, which he says he still attends from He has just returned from a gig at the time to time at a synagogue in Manhattan. Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (“the He brought up his daughter and son church of country music,” as he calls it), Jewish in the New York City suburbs of and he will play some dates across the Westchester County; his son also had an Midwest and in Beverly Hills. Orthodox bar mitzvah. The new record, which consists mostly
Senior Living Far from having the stereotypical dreams of “my son, the doctor,” Shaffer says his parents “secretly” wanted him to succeed in music. “There was the Jewish attitude of, ‘That kid is going to play the piano if I have to break every one of his fingers,’” he recalls. “I was going to be musical, I had that kind of Jewish mother.” Shaffer didn’t hide his Jewish identity as he rose through the ranks of show business. His career began in earnest in 1972 when he was the musical director of the Toronto production of the hit rock musical Godspell—its impressive cast included Victor Garber, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, and Martin Short. Shaffer then played in the original Saturday Night Live band before becoming the music director on the Letterman shows—Late Night on NBC and then The Late Show on CBS. A New York magazine article from 1986 described him as a “musician, comic, celebrity, fan,
workaholic, hipster and ethical Jew” who seems “equally comfortable at a rock concert or a cocktail lounge, at a comedy club or a seder.” Shaffer, in what New York magazine called one of the city’s “most bizarre rituals,” hosted what became known as the “Paul Shaffer Celebrity Seder” for the cast and crew of Saturday Night Live during the show’s early years. One year, Shaffer recalls, Murray showed up with his mother and brother. Another year Eddie Fisher, there with his daughter Carrie and her eventual husband, Paul Simon, sang My Yiddishe Mama. “I have to confess I broke halachic rules and accompanied [Fisher] on the piano,” Shaffer says. Shaffer says he and Letterman remain in touch. In fact, the comedian showed up at a Chabad fundraiser dinner a few months ago to present Shaffer with an award. These days, Letterman sports a long,
bushy Hasidic-style beard—and it didn’t go unnoticed by the guests. “His opening sentence was, ‘I can’t tell you, ladies and gentlemen, how many people have approached me tonight and said, rabbi what time is sundown?’” Shaffer recalls. “At the end they presented him with a black hat.” What’s next for Shaffer after the tour?
He’s not sure yet, but at least one thing is clear: His organ practice will continue. With his hands moving swiftly around the keys and his feet hitting the bass pedals, Shaffer sounds like an eager piano student all over again. “I’m trying to get to the point—and I’m achieving it, too—where it’s just natural,” he says.
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jewishnewsva.org | June 26, 2017 | Senior Living | Jewish News | 21
New Adventures are Calling this Summer!
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Senior Living Holocaust survivor, 91, celebrates her bat mitzvah in Buenos Aires BUENOS AIRES, Argentina ( JTA)— Eugenia Unger, who usually displays the number tattooed on her arm by the Nazis, covered it with her Shabbat clothes and her tallit as she celebrated her bat mitzvah eight decades late. Unger, 91, a Poland native who survived the Majdanek and Auschwitz concentration camps and often talks about her experiences at the Buenos Aires Holocaust Museum and in schools, was called to the Torah this past spring at the Herzliya Jewish community center and temple in Buenos Aires. She told the Argentine radio program Radio Cultura that “the culmination of my whole life is my bat mitzvah. It is a ritual that is very important in Jewish life.” The temple also organized a birthday celebration for Unger, a co-founder of the Holocaust Museum of Buenos Aires in 2000. Unger, born Eugenia Rotsztejn in
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22 | Jewish News | Senior Living | June 26, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org
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to Argentina in 1949. Unger now has two sons and six grandsons, and has written three books about her experiences. In 2011, she was declared Outstanding Personality by the Buenos Aires city parliament.