October 2010
The Sandwich Generation
The Many Faces of the Caregiver Page 24
Home | Lifestyle The Empty Nest
Move or Remodel? Health | Fitness
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Workplace | Career
Preparing for the Job Search
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La Bohème BY GIACOMO PUCCINI
OCTOBER 16, 18, 20, 22 | 7:30 PM & 24 | 2 PM CAPITOL THEATRE Romance and tragedy unfold in Bohemian Paris as Utah Opera presents one of the most popular operas of all time. Do not miss the most beautiful melodies Puccini has ever composed.
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The Sandwich Generation | Don’t let caregiving be just another name for burnout. Caregivers should forget the notion they can go about it alone or better than any one or service could provide.
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HOME | LIFESTYLE What Now? | The kids have left. Should you stay and remodel or should you move to a smaller home or condo? HEALTH | FITNESS Avoiding Type II Diabetes | The diagnoses of type 2 diabetes is on the rise as boomers age. The good news: it can be prevented. WORKPLACE | CAREER Preparing for the Job Search | Being unemployed can be very discouraging and easy to get unfocused and off the very tasks that lead to success.
26 DOLLARS | SENSE
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Social Security. Is it Secure? | the system needs work and attention is finally being paid to this critically important progra Money Matters | Four Stratigies for Every Investor.
ARTS | ENTERTAINMENT Halloween and Other Fall Activities
THINGS TO DO Volunteering | Continuing the Legacy
05 | FROM THE EDITOR
19 | THIS & THAT
38 | UPCOMING EVENTS
46 | RESOURCES
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Next Month: Viet Nam Vets | Veterens’ day is November 11 and Thanksgiving on November 25, what better time to say thanks? The Blended Family | Getting to grandma’s isn’t as easy and it used to be. Managing holiday get-togethers. Reverse Mortgage | Is it right for you? The pros and cons of reverse mortgages. Holiday Travel | 10 tips for easier, more enjoyable holiday travel
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Editorial Publisher................... Utah Boomers Magazine, LLC Managing Editor......................................... Teresa Glenn Copy Editor........................................................ Janet Lynn Contributing Writers..................Ken Spencer, SPHR
Lon Jefferies
Christine Fraizer
Roger Beattie
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Advertising Sales Traci Wood 801.201.5087 Webmaster Dan Call Cover Art Ron Oden Artist, designer, and visual communications specialist; Ron Oden is arguably one of the most published artists of our time, having created thousands of illustrations, paintings and drawings for virtually every industry and in the art world. www.ronoden.com Utah Boomers Magazine is published monthly for the baby boomer population of Utah. The information contained in this publication may be contributed by independent writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Utah Boomers management. Copying or electronic distribution of any content within this publication is strictly prohibited without the written permission of Baby Boomers Magazine and the author. For reprint permission, editorial submissions or comments email teresa.glenn@utahboomer.com.
Dear Boomer, The response to our first issue of Utah Boomers Magazine has been overwhelming. I want to thank everyone for all the kind words and continued support. It’s good to hear from all of you. It really reinforces our belief in the need of a forum for our age group. One issue that is constantly raised is the care of our elderly parents. We are often pulled in so many directions, we rarely have time for ourselves. Please read the article on page 19 to find out how and where you can receive support. Another subject, and one that makes me proud to be a boomer, is volunteering. Boomers are the largest demographic in the United States for volunteering. We love service work, and it is needed now more than ever. Small gestures make a big difference. For instance, I was recently invited to a get-together for a Facebook group I belong to. The organizers asked that we bring food for the food bank to the gathering. The group ended up donating over $100.00 and nearly 1000 lbs of food. Try doing something like this for your next gathering. Kathie, one of the organizers, said she had a food drive for her fiftieth birthday party. All the guests brought food rather than gifts! What a great idea. Instead of neighbor gifts at Christmas, tell them you donated a can of food, or planted a tree, in thier honor. And finally, speaking of Facebook, if you have an account, please join Utah Boomers Magazine. Many of the emails we’ve received have had questions about single boomers in Utah, good places to eat, and upcoming events. Facebook is the perfect forum for discussions and announcements. The more the better. Until next month,
Questions and suggestions: info@utboomer.com
October 2010 | 5
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What Now? 8|
The chickadees have flown the nest. They’re off to college, or moving out to carve out their own futures, leaving you with too much house. You’ve already put your treadmill in one bedroom, and converted another into a seldom-used guest room. Do you really need all that space? Should you, instead, downsize to a smaller home or condo?
5. Do you have pets?
There are many questions you need to ask yourself before making such a life-altering decision.
Some condos don’t allow pets at all. Some allow pets but have weight restrictions. If your pets are important to you, be sure you read the CCRs of the development your are interested in for pet policies. You will give up the freedom of just opening up the back door for them to do their business.
1. Will your kids be moving back?
6. How will the sale of your home affect your taxes?
Baby boomers are experiencing increasing rates of the boomerang effect—grown children not being able to make it on the “outside” because of the economy, divorce, or let's face it... inability to eke out a living that will provide them with the lifestyle to which they are accustomed. The lifestyle you provided them.
7. Will your house transition to the needs of an elder?
2. Where are your kids? If your kids have moved to another state and you expect them to visit, how much room will you need to put them up? If they have a spouse and children, space needs will be compounded.
3. How is your home used? Is your home the one everyone goes to for parties, holidays, or Sunday dinner? These events may only happen a few times a year, but try to imagine your entire family in your new 800 square foot condo with one bathroom.
4. Are you involved in your neighborhood or church? Building a life in a new area means leaving behind the old familiar neighborhood; where you shop; who you socialize with.
Before the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, you were allowed a one time capital gain once you turned 55. Now, when you sell your primary residence, you can make up to $250,000 in profit if you’re a single owner, twice that if you’re married, and not owe any capital gains taxes.
Right now, you are in shape, active and independent. But it’s not too early to consider if your house will be accessible should you or your spouse experience medical problems or should you decide to have an elder parent move in (see page 24). Are there stairs that might not be as easily manageable when your older? Is there a place for a ramp? Are your bathrooms large enough to accommodate a wheel chair should that become necessary?
8. Do you plan to travel extensively? There are definitely benefits to living in a PUD where you can take off any time you want and not have to worry about who will mow and water your lawn, or shovel your walks. Now that these questions have been posed, here are some options:
October 2010 | 9
Keep Your Home and Remodel Many boomers are choosing to stay in their home and making changes that better fit their lifestyle, turning two bedrooms into one large master suite, updating the kitchen, or adding a hot tub. In fact, in an article “Baby Boomers Lead Remodeling Spending”, a survey by ServiceMaster.com shows across the board, those in the 45-64 age range are leading the charge in home improvement projects and seem to be the first “back in the pool,” willing to jumpstart home projects more than any other age range, according to the index. The survey also found that homeowners are looking to boost the entertainment value both inside and outside of their home to create a fresh feel. Projects include hardscaping, deck installation, home theatre and computer rooms, remodeling bathrooms, sauna installation and kitchens renovations.”
Another feature they haven’t overlooked is the baby boomer’s love of their pets. Once limited by weight, many developments are now allowing pets of any size and species. Make sure, too that the development is amiable to visiting children and grandchildren. If they have a clubhouse, is it available to the resident for large family gatherings? If you plan on traveling extensively, or leaving for an extended period of time, for example, church service, and you want to have a younger adult care for your unit while you are away, make sure in advance that you won’t be violating the CCRs. Read the CCRs carefully, and talk to residents before making a decision. Planning ahead. In any 55+ community, 20% of the units must be made available to younger age groups, so if you are a younger baby boomer (46-54) and the community hasn’t met their 20% quota, you can still qualify.
Should you choose to go in this direction, make sure your remodel plans are possible within the guidelines of local code. Talk to a reliable contractor, establish a budget. You can find a renovations budget online at www.letsrenovate.com.
Other things to consider when purchasing a condo or townhouse is the floor plan (stairs vs one level). You may be running marathons today, but if you consider this to be your final move, plan for the future.
Note to do-it-yourselfers: Have you ever seen the commercials where the man and woman are sitting on a blanket in front of a fire and holding up a glass of wine to toast a job well done while they look admiringly at their accomplishments? Yeah... it’s not like that. Be prepared for some (to put it mildly) differences of opinion. In fact, have your relationship counselor on speed dial.
Choosing an Agent
Purchase or Build a Smaller Home Moving to a smaller home may be the answer if you still want a yard to garden in, or have a place for your pets to run. The down side is, you still have responsibilities to maintain your yard when you are away for extended periods. After purchasing another home, it is likely some renovations will be required to meet your needs. You will maintain privacy and autonomy that isn’t always afforded in apartment or condo living. Like Benjamin Franklin said “Love thy neighbor—but don’t pull down your hedge.”
Purchase in a PUD Planned Urban Developments are seeing the writing on the wall when it comes to the active baby boomer. Most now come equipped with state of the art gyms, swimming pools, and running paths.
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As with any large investment, choose a real estate representative you can trust. Don’t choose someone because they are your cousin’s best friend, or they live in your neighborhood. According to Clay Scherer of Coldwell Banker you should ask potential agents the following questions: • What is your online marketing like? Is there a cost? • Will you hold open houses? How often? • Do you have the ability to track calls for information? • Can a buyer use their phone to get information and pictures of my property using their smart phone or texting? • Are you trained on home staging? • How quickly do you get back to perspective buyers when they call? • How often will you be meeting with me to discuss progress on the home sale? • What other marketing will you be doing for my home? • How many sellers and buyers do you currently represent? • How many homes have you sold in this area? • Do you have any sellers I can call as a reference? When you make lifestyle changes, whether remodeling or moving, it will cause stress in your life. Don’t allow your emotions to make decisions that you will regret later. Make a list of the pros and cons and weigh them out in a logical, unemotional manner.
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DONATE FOR LIFE. HOST A BLOOD DRIVE TODAY! By sponsoring a blood donation program you can help save lives. Many of us will need a blood transfusion at some point in our lives. That means that you, your family, or your friends may need the support of volunteer donors. Your company, school, or organization can help save lives. By holding blood drives at your site, you can make blood donation convenient and provide essential support to patients right here in your community. Your pledge is to find the donors. We’ll do the rest! Call (801) 584-5272 to become a blood drive host.
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Granny pod The Future
Medcottage Makes Debut, Introducing New Way to Care for Loved Ones
The MedCottage, a 12-by-24-foot portable cottage is loaded with technology and amenities for the health, comfort and safety of the elderly or those recovering from illness or injury. It was developed as an alternative model for healthcare as 78 million baby boomers prepare for their senior years— potentially straining nursing homes and government-funded healthcare programs. “The MedCottage model for healthcare offers a totally new paradigm,” says the Rev. Kenneth Dupin, founder and CEO of N2Care and the innovator behind the MedCottage. “With a daunting reality looming, we must, as a society, consider every option to take pressure off the system. The MedCottage is such a cost-effective alternative—and baby boomers are ready for new options for aging in place.” The MedCottage can be purchased or leased and temporarily placed on the caregiving family’s property with features that most hospital and nursing home rooms are denied. Like an RV, it connects to a single-family house’s electrical and water supplies. “Comforts of a home setting, proximity to loved ones and access to a whole new level of medical technology are merged into the MedCottage,” Dupin says.
MedCottage contains a family communication center that provides telemetry, environmental control and dynamic interaction to off-site caregivers through smart and robotic technology throughout the charming, comfortable modular home at costs less than a hospital or nursing home. The Virginia-made MedCottage is equipped with the latest technology to monitor vital signs, filter the air for contaminants and communicate with the outside world via high-tech video and cell phone text technology. Sensors alert caregivers to an occupant’s fall, and a computer can remind the occupant to take medications. The technology also provides entertainment, offering a selection of music, reading material and movies. “With changing family structure and lifestyles over the past century, research demonstrates that end-of-life care is emerging as the most pertinent concern for the baby boomer generation,” Dupin says. “Boomers have a particular fear of being isolated from family and institutionalized in the final stage of life. Consequently, there is a need in the market for an innovative alternative to care for the aging population unlike any current options for end-of-life care.” www.medcottage.com October 2010 | 13
t
he diagnoses of type 2 diabetes is on the rise as boomers age. Although, no longer referred to as adult onset diabetes, because more and more overweight children are being diagnosed, age is still a risk factor. The biggest risk factor, however, is lifestyle. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects 23.6 million Americans. Type 2 diabetes makes up approximately 90 percent of all diabetic diagnoses. Besides the general symptoms listed below, Type 2 diabetes can have horrific effects on all of your major systems. The risk of stroke more than doubles within the first five years of being treated for type 2 diabetes. About 75 percent of people who have diabetes die of some type of heart or blood vessel disease. Poorly controlled blood sugar can eventually cause you to lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs. Damage to the nerves that control digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue. Blindness, kidney failure, gum infections, dementia are all possible outcomes for out of control diabetes. People with diabetes also have a 50 percent greater risk of depression than nondiabetics. OK...enough of the bad news. Now for the good news: type 2 diabetes can be prevented.
Symptoms
Risks
Possible Effects
The six most common symptoms are:
Risks you can control:
Heart and blood vessel disease Nerve damage Kidney damage Eye damage Foot damage Skin and mouth conditions Osteoporosis Alzheimer’s disease Hearing problems
Excessive thirst
Food choices
Frequent urination
Weight
Increased appetite
Inactivity
Unusual weight loss Extreme fatigue
Risks you can’t control: Age Race
preventi
Crankiness
Family history
type 2 diabetes
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Angel Lush
Controllable Risks Ironically, lifestyle is the largest risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and is the only risk factor that can be controlled.
Diet A healthy diet is especially important in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. This doesn’t necessarily mean giving up the foods you love. For example, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that approximately 50 percent of total daily calorie intake should be in the form of carbohydrates. There are many meal planners and great recipes online (see helpful websites below). As with any diet, talk to your doctor for a set of guidelines specific to your needs.
Weight The New England Journal of Medicine found that being overweight and obese is the single most important risk factor that predicted who would develop type 2 diabetes. Losing that extra weight could prevent major health problems in the future.
Exercise Exercise helps prevent type 2 diabetes by improving your body’s use of insulin, burning excess body fat, improving muscle strength, increasing bone density and strength, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, improving blood circulation and reducing your risk of heart disease. Studies show that regular exercise— at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week—and an improved diet that’s low in fat and high in fiber significantly helped with type 2 diabetes prevention.
1 can (20 oz.) Dole crushed pineapple, in juice, undrained 1 pkg. (1.5 oz.) JELL-O vanilla flavor fat free sugar free instant pudding 1 cup thawed Cool Whip Lite or Cool Whip sugar free whipped topping 1 pkg. (10 oz.) round angel food cake, cut horizontally into 3 layers 10 fresh strawberries Mix pineapple and dry pudding mix in medium bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in Cool Whip. Stack cake layers on plate, filling layers and topping with pudding mixture. Refrigerate 1 hour. Top with berries just before serving. Nutrition Bonus: Serve up this heavenly dessert for a low-fat treat. As a bonus, the fruit is rich in vitamin C. Carb Choices: 2 Diet Exchange: 1 Starch, 1 Fruit Nutrition (per serving) Calories 140 Total fat 1g Saturated fat 1g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 340mg Carbohydrate 31g Dietary fiber 1g Sugars 26g Protein 2g Vitamin A 0%DV Vitamin C 25%DV Calcium 6%DV Iron 2%DV http://brands.kraftfoods.com/diabetic
Helpful Websites www.diabetes.org www.diabetes.webmd.com/guide/type-2-diabetes
on
www.intermountainhealthcare.org/weight www.defeatdiabetes.org/self_management/text.asp?id=Utah_Supp_Grps www.dlife.com/diabetes/information//food_and_nutrition/carb_counting.html
Eating healthy doesn’t mean giving up yummy treats
October 2010 | 15
The Sandwich Generation The many faces of the caregiver Christine Fraizer
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Bob Wassom prefers pushing hills during his morning bike ride, rather than choosing roads keeping him in the flats. “It comes down to attitude,” said Wassom, who bikes in part to maintain the mobility gained since a paralyzing diving accident 38 years ago. “Without that hill I’d never have the thrill of getting to the top.” Wassom doesn’t say the analogy is a metaphor on life. The bike ride each day is his escape into the moment, putting in miles he finds both soothing and energizing. To bypass the hills could alter his view. Wassom is a caretaker. A positive attitude, tempered by the outdoors and endorphins, is his favored recourse. The free-lance writer and former ad agency creative director and his wife Jayne, a school teacher, spend hours once devoted to careers in anticipation of retirement caring for their 30-year-old daughter and 5-year-old granddaughter. Up until last year, he also took a daily detour during his morning commute to visit and run errands for his elderly mother. The central role in the lives of four generations makes Bob
the sexes. Sandwich-generation women are more likely to be married and working part-time force and to have much greater income than other women of their same age. This probably reflects both opportunity and ability to support extended family members. 3 The size of the sandwich generation depends on how one defines it. An AARP report found that 44 percent of 45– to 55–year– olds had at least one living parent and one child under age 21. Only 7 percent of 45– to 55–year-olds, however, lived in a household containing the three generations. 4 According to the Pew Research Center, just over 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for a parent, in addition to between 7 to 10 million adults caring for their aging parents offer their support from a long distance. 5 Support, of course, doesn’t depend on living under the same roof. Parents may provide financial support to their out of the house children for college expenses, a home pur-
“We work our whole lives to be independent,” Hunter said. “No one wants to lose their abilities or hand over what they used to do to somebody else.” and Jayne part of what is popularly called the sandwich generation; rather than the traditional slice of cheese between parents and children, however, their arrangement is more like what some refer to as a club sandwich (those in their 50s or 60s sandwiched among the layers of aging parents, adult children and grandchildren). 1 The consequences of caretaking can change the dynamics of a home, said Scott Wright, director and associate professor, Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program at the University of Utah. “Caretaking creates a ripple effect on marriage, children, and any plans you have made,” Wright said. “The caregiver can no longer allocate the same amount of time to home and family. There are just too many hats to wear.” Dorothy Miller coined the term sandwich generation in 1981 to refer to a segment of the middle-aged generation that provides support to both young and older family members yet with little reciprocal help in return, at least during this stage of life. Miller emphasized the unique stressors of multigenerational caregiving and the lack of community resources available to assist the middle generation. 2 Women more often then men are the primary caregiver, although some statistics show only a slim margin between
chase, or, in cases similar to the Wassom household, medical expenses and financial help with daily expenses such as groceries and utility bills. They may also provide help with childcare, errands, and home repairs. Once parents move to the third generational spot, their adult children often help with personal care, transportation, financial assistance, and keeping an eye out for opportunists eager to pounce on the riches of the wealthy senior. Some boomers might think the term dated and behind the times. After all, adult children have historically cared for their aging parents. Cheryl Yorke-Fein, a principal at a Chicago marketing firm, grew up in a three-generational home. She recalls few Sunday mornings during her teen-age years without the loving smell of bread and pretzels her grandparents pulled from the oven. Forty years ago, there was no label for the children, parents, and grandparents sharing the same residence, Fein said. “That’s just the way it was,” she said. “I don’t remember anyone complaining about the situation. Maybe my parents did under the breath, but honestly, I don’t recall anything. We had the space, so they stayed. I’m glad we had that time together.” October 2010 | 19
The difference 40 years later has its roots in demographic trends, Wright said. Life expectancy is increasing, meaning the probability of much more intensive assistance for aging parents 10, 20, and even up to 30+ years following retirement. By 2020, 12 million older Americans will need long-term services and supports. Among people turning 65 today, 69 percent will need some form of long-term services and supports over the remainder of their life, whether in the community or in a residential care facility. 6 In addition, fewer children per family results in fewer siblings to share the caregiving and with more two income-earning households, the additional care becomes increasing difficult to provide. And the care they need is markedly different than the care most adult children need, excluding those with exceptional medical needs or adult children with disabilities (e.g., cognitive or behavioral dependency). Most baby boomers aren’t ready for the demands, Wright said. “Golden years? Boomers can forget about it,” he said. “They’re now moving into the caregiver mode.” The inclusive definition of support for a parent or child with extenuating needs can run into the hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. According to a National Longitudinal Survey of Young Women (1997), 15 percent of women aged 43 to 54 years old shared a residence with a parent, gave their parent $1,000 or more/year, or spent 500 hours or more each year helping their parents with personal care, household chores, or errands. On average, this group gave $1,124 to their parents and spent 1,008 hours helping them. 7
Of those polled by the Per Research Center, 73 percent of those in their poll have decreased spending on entertainment, recreation or eating out. In addition, 43 percent have decreased overall spending on food or groceries and three out of five of those polled say it is difficult to be a caregiver for their parents and/or in laws while financially supporting their children. 10 Wassom doesn’t sugarcoat his situation. Que sera, sera are not his mantra. The couple offers financial assistance to the family, particularly to help cover hefty medical expenses, but the pain goes deeper than digging into their retirement account. Their pain, Wassom said, is watching his daughter miss out on the quality of life she once had. An autoimmune disease has steadily robbed Wassom’s daughter (she asked her name kept anonymous) of her independence. Soon after the birth of her daughter, the formerly wiry and athletic mother started feeling unexplained fatigue and weakness in her arms and legs. Favorite sports like rock climbing and kayaking were prohibitive. A series of medical tests, spanning two years, finally pinpointed the cause: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a progressive disease characterized by weakness and the loss of sensory function in the legs and arms. “I can’t tell you how difficult this is for me,” Wassom said. “This has been devastating for her. It turned her life 180 degrees in the other direction, and there’s nothing I can do to fix it for her.” Wassom’s daughter, her husband, and their daughter share an apartment close to her parents. The debilitating fatigue keeps her from working and completing a master’s degree in exercise and sports physiology. She receives immunoglobulin IV therapy for three consecutive days every three weeks.
If the parent can no longer live independently, there’s the expense of long-term care outside the home. The estimated average cost for a nursing home stay is around $79,935 a year—or about $219 per day—for a semi-private room, according to the American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging. A private room runs just over $72,270, or $198 per day. Assisted living at home can run more than $38,000 a year, or $21 per hour for a home health-care aid. The national average daily rate for adult day centers is $69.8
“Our goal is remission,” Wassom said. “This isn’t something you can cure.”
The current recession complicates matters.
Coping mechanisms are keys to surviving the pressure of caregiving, said Carolyn Hunter, research specialist for the Help with My Parents Organization based in Salt Lake City and President-elect of the Utah Aging Alliance. Many don’t recognize the role and, consequently, ignore the signs of caregiver stress. They might also misinterpret the signs indicating depression in the parent receiving the attention.
According to a sandwich generation survey released by Generation Mortgage and Zogby International, found 78 percent of those polled are worried about having enough money to retire comfortable. As a result, 23 percent have restructured their retirement plan in the last year to cover expenses to include financial help for their aging parents. 9
Wassom accepts the responsibility and maintains a balance in his life through biking, golf, swimming, and volunteering. He also tries to find the good. “We enjoy spending the time with them, and we’re fortunate she’s home and not in the hospital,” he said. “There is a bright side to everything.”
“We work our whole lives to be independent,” Hunter said.
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“No one wants to lose their abilities or hand over what they used to do to somebody else.” Wright said caregivers should forget the notion they can go about it alone or better than any one or service could provide. “Respect the psychology that caregivers can do it better, but also make it a point to tell the caregiver about help that’s available,” he said. “Reach out and look to community resources. Don’t wait until burnout gets the best of you.”
Stress Factors Some of the common stressors affecting Sandwich Generation caregivers include: • • • • • • •
How do I split my time between my children/family and my parent? How much of my time is too much time in each caregiving role? How do I find the time for my marriage? How do I find time for myself ? How do I keep the generational peace between my children and my parents? How do I find the right resources? What can I do about my feelings of inadequacy (guilt, guilt and more guilt for not accomplishing everything that I should be doing)?
Finding Balance The following tips may help to counteract the caregiver stressors:
Hold family meetings One person can’t go it alone and a meeting can not only open communications but also set mutual expectations and establish a pattern for optimal caregiving.
Communicate The importance of talking – expressing the way you feel – cannot be emphasized enough. Discuss how caregiving is affecting your life and what can be done to alleviate stress and possible resentments.
Ask for assistance Find the resources that will help make the arrangement work for you and those receiving your care. Phone calls, an Internet search, and watching your local newspaper for stories relating to caregiving can provide all kinds of resources, including a network of kindred souls.
Take time to care for yourself Doing anything until you drop is not sage advice. Take a walk. Read a book.
Love the one you’re with The care recipient is in a vulnerable position; no one likes losing independence and relying on others to do what he or she has done in the past can be very humbling. Reassure the person of your love and commitment. Be compassionate, understanding, loving, and, above all, respect the individual receiving your care and attention.
Where to go for help The Salt Lake County Aging Services offers a caregiver support information center listing Utah’s Area Agencies on Aging (county contacts), state resources, caregiver handbooks, national aging resources, medical cost comparisons, and multi-language sites (www.aging.slco.org/caregiverSupport/infocenter.html) You might also try United Way, Catholic Charities, and the local Breast Cancer and Parkinson’s information and support groups. There’s Benefits CheckUp, an service (www.benefitscheckup. org/) developed by the National Council on Aging that contains senior benefits information about federal, state, and local programs (both public and private) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The nonprofit Help With My Parents (www.HelpWithMyParents.org) provides information and resources, recommended reading by topic, networking, and access to podcasts and blogs. There is no cost for any of these services. Sources 1
Carol Abaya. The Sandwich Generation
2
family.jrank.org/pages/1446/Sandwich-Generation-Definition.html
Reverse Mortgage Daily, Sept. 17, 2010, reversemortgagedaily.com/2010/09/17/sandwich-generation
3
Charles R. Pierret, Director of Longitudinal Surveys, Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Bureau of Labor, Monthly Labor Review, September 2006
4
5
ibid
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), www.aahsa. org/facts/
6
7
ibid
8
ibid
Reverse Mortgage Daily, Sept. 17, 2010, reversemortgagedaily.com/2010/09/17/sandwich-generation
9
10
ibid
Chris Fraizer recently passed the 25-year mark, at least as the number of years applies to this boomer's residency in Salt Lake City, Utah. Fraizer could never return to her Midwest roots once discovering the scope and space of the Western outdoors. She lives and works in the city, although her heart belongs to the desert and alpine tundras.
October 2010 | 21
going on vacation? otHer family matters needing attention? Holiday festivities or sHopping got you tied up?
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PREPARING FOR THE
JOB SEARCH Searching for a new job can be extremely challenging and at times out right discouraging. Approaching it with the right attitude and putting forth a focused, constant effort is critical for success. Keep a positive attitude, even when you receive what seems like a boat load of rejection and “no thank you” letters. Although not everyone you speak with will offer a job, there are great opportunities for those who are prepared and do the right search efforts.
Knowing What You Want The starting point of any job search is to know the job or jobs that interest you, and that you are qualified to perform. Life is too short to work at something that you do not enjoy. Most of us spend more awake hours at work than we do with our own families. Clearly define several targeted jobs that fit with your interests and skills. Don’t waste employer’s time applying for jobs for which you do not have the listed skills or experience.
Focused Effort Being unemployed can be very discouraging and easy to get unfocused and off the very tasks that lead to success. Work at finding a new job and using good search techniques as if it were your new full-time job. The effort required can take as
much as six to eight hours a day, of your time, until you are successful in finding your new position.
TOOLS AND PREPARATION Before you begin knocking on doors, applying for jobs and calling your contacts, spend some time preparing a strong resume, a 30-Second Overview, letters of recommendation, and references. Once you get a call for an interview, spend time getting ready for the interview. If these are done it can make the difference as to whether you get an interview or the job.
Résumé Prepare a professional looking résumé that clearly shows your qualifications, past experience, accomplishments, education, skills and abilities. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have a resume that clearly highlights accomplishments that are targeted towards the job for which you apply. In some instances you may want to create several résumés that emphasize different job qualifications and skills targeted to different jobs. The goal of your resume is to help you get an interview presenting in a clear concise manner why you are a good fit for the job. If you apply for jobs with a sloppy resume with typos and grammar problems, you may blow your chance for October 2010 | 23
Prepare a professional looking résumé that clearly shows your qualifications, past experience, accomplishments, education, skills and abilities. the dream job you seek. You may only get one opportunity to present yourself to a given employer; make sure it shows your best attributes. Have someone else read through your résumé, looking for any errors or typos before sending it out.
30-Second Overview Prepare a brief statement that summarizes what you are looking for and defines your experience. This will be needed when you network, contact potential employers and will prove useful in interviews. For example someone looking for a Controller job might prepare a statement like the following: “I’m looking for a Controller or CFO position. I have 15 years experience, a Masters degree in Accounting and am a CPA”.
Letters of Recommendation If you recently left a job, ask your supervisor and other key leaders to write a letter of recommendation. This will be useful to share with prospective employers, and will help your past leaders focus on positive things they will say about you when other companies check references or job history.
References Prepare three to five professional/business references with their name, title, address and telephone number. Use past managers, customers and co-workers, where possible as references. Other professional, business leaders are also good references. Do not use family members, religious leaders or your buddies.
Know Pay Expectations Know what the going wage rate is for the job you seek. Keep in mind; it may be very different if you have moved from another state or city. Resources like Salary.com can give you a basic salary comparison. Also, if you are changing fields or specialties, you may have to work your way up the wage ladder again.
Interview Preparation When preparing for an interview, review your past work experience and be ready to explain past duties and accomplishments. Be prepared to demonstrate how you added value for past organizations. What did you accomplish? What problems did you solve or prevent? How did you make a difference for the company, customers or other team members? Quantify where possible showing meaningful numbers like increase in sales, productivity or profits. Think out ahead of time how you might respond to the below questions. Don’t sound rehearsed, just re-
24 |
lax and be yourself. If you are prepared ahead of time, it helps you be more relaxed and able to answer any question. •
Why are you looking for a new opportunity? What are you looking for? What is an ideal job? • Create answers for three situations where you solved a problem and three where you anticipated a problem before it occurred. • Reflect on your strengths. Why does someone want to hire you? Be ready to give examples of how you demonstrated certain skills in the past. Create a list of your skills and abilities. • How do you like to be managed? • What motivates you? • Know what job you want and what your goals are for the next two, five, and ten years. Where do you see yourself going? Prepare questions to ask the employer: “Describe a typical day on this job?” “What type of person would most succeed on this job?” “What challenges or problems are you currently working on?” Focus your questions on understanding how you can add value to the company, not what’s in it for you. It is not a good idea to ask about such things as benefits and pay on the first interview, unless the hiring manager brings it up. Now that you have done your preparation work, it is time to dive in doing the following activities for job search success: networking, responding to help wanted ads, internet searches, college placement centers, Work Force Service responses, LDS Job Services, working with search firms, cold contacting desired employers and finding ways to set yourself apart from the rest of the applicants. Approaching your search for your dream job is possible with proper preparation, hard work and using the right techniques. Keep positive and confident working at your search efforts with the same commitment as if it was your full time job and you will find the job you seek. Ken Spencer, SPHR, CEO and HR Coach, for HR Service, Inc, provides HR solutions, outsourcing, compliance, training and recruiting for small employers. Ken earned a Master’s degree in HR from the U of U and has over 20 years experience. He taught leader courses for Westminster College and the University of Phoenix. Ken is a Co-Program Director for SLSHRM. Ken@hrserviceinc.com, www.HRServiceinc.com <http://www.HRServiceinc.com> (801) 685-8400
&That
THIS Boomers on the Supreme Court
With the recent appointment of Elena Keagan (50), the Surpreme Court now has 4 sitting baby boomers: Clarence Thomas, 60 Samuel Alito, 58 John Roberts, 53
Boomer Suicides Are on the Rise
Baby Boomer Survey As baby boomers reach retirement age, they are redefining what constitutes a luxury item and what defines a basic need, but being able to afford those basic needs may affect the way some boomers prepare for retirement. Traditionally, basic needs extended to three categories: food, clothing and shelter. But that’s changing. Here’s more information on the portion of boomers surveyed who find the following items to be basic needs: • Weekend getaways: 46 percent • Professional hair color/cut: 43 percent • Children, grandchildren’s education: 42 percent • Dining out: 38 percent • Domestic travel: 35 percent • Ordering takeout: 34 percent • Movies: 30 percent By MarketWatch Monday, August 16, 2010
Utah Suicides between ages 45-54 have risen 33.2% from 2005. (Salt Lake Tribune 8-8-10) If you or someone you know has had suicidal thoughts, please talk to someone.
Join Us On
Support groups include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline www.suisidepreventionlifeline.org In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 Utah Suicide Prevention Fact Sheet www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/statedatasheets/ut_datasheet.pdf
Facebook offers the perfect avenue for our readers to share their favorite restaurants, movies, books, and memories of growing up as a boomer.
October 2010 | 25
Is it
SECURE? Even though politicians love to scare you into voting for them or their party by claiming that the Social Security system is bankrupt, and that only they (or their party) can solve the problem. That is simply not true. Here are the facts.
would you vote to reduce benefits or shut down the system?
At current levels, funds from current worker’s payroll taxes will cover all retiree’s payments until 2016 or 2017, even if no changes are made. After 2017, The Social Security Administration can fund full benefits until 2037 by cashing in Treasure Bonds currently held in the Social Security Trust fund. If and when the bonds run out, ongoing contributions will still fund approximately 75 to 80 percent of Social Security payments to retirees for many decades.
the longer you wait to receive your benefits, the more you’ll
Sure the system needs work and attention is finally being paid to this critically important program. There will be changes, but it’s not going belly up. In the mean time, if you’re 55 or older, chances are that you will see no change in benefits. Younger workers can be confident that drastic cuts or the abolition of the Social Security System is virtually impossible. After all, if you were a politician looking for votes,
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As my grandpa used to say, “It just ain’t gonna happen.” Another question you may have is just how much will I receive? The answer is a little more complicated. Simply put, get. If you take benefits early you may receive as little as 75% of what would have been your benefits at “full retirement age.” On the other hand, if you can wait a very few years, your benefits can be as much as 130% of what they would have been at “full retirement age.” That’s a huge difference! As for the dollars and cents of it, here’s a very important thing to remember. Your benefits are based on your income during your working life and you need to understand that the more money you make, the less your percentage-of-income benefit will be. This is logical when you consider that those with higher incomes have increased opportunities for preparation for their retirement through IRAs, 401Ks, company
Sure the system needs work and attention is finally being paid to this critically important program. There will be changes, but it’s not going belly up. pension plans and other investment and wealth development during their working lives. As for just SS benefits, for example, if you were born in 1954 and were earning $24,000 per year now, if you waited to maximize your benefits and started receiving benefits when you turned 70, your monthly benefit would be an estimated $1,311. That is $15,731 per year in benefits, or the equivalent of 65% of your working salary. However, if you were born in 1957 and earning $65,000 per year, your estimated benefit when you turn 70 would be $2,471 per month. That adds up to $29,652 per year or 45% of your pre-retirement salary. You can see that the more you make the less the percentageof-income benefit. You should receive a statement from the Social Security Administration twice per year which estimates your benefits. Look for it around your birthday and about six months later. If you want to learn today what your estimated benefits would be, just go to http://www.ssa.gov/planners/calculators.htm. Click on “benefit calculators” and not “retirement estimator” (there are too many hoops to jump through there). Just enter in your birth day, annual income and retirement date and the program will do the work. You may be surprised. Good luck in your ongoing success and preparation for a secure retirement. Roger Beattie has been in real estate for about 30 years. He believes in a practical, workable approach to real estate investment. He also teaches courses online for Utah real estate credits. More on that can be found at http://www.123rece.com
Lon Jefferies
Four Strategies for Every Investor
Q
A
My portfolio has been extremely volatile since 2008. How can I increase the stability of my nest egg?
The S&P 500 (an index representing large cap stocks) was down over 37 percent in 2008, but recovered 27 percent in 2009. At times during the first half of 2010, the index was up 10 and down 6 percent. Understandably, people are concerned about the security of their retirement accounts. Here are four tips to staying on pace to enjoy the retirement you’ve envisioned.
1. Utilize Retirement Simulators Investment circles call the 2000’s “The Lost Decade.” The S&P 500 achieved an annualized return of –.99 percent during this ten-year period. This put many baby boomers behind their personal savings goals. Consequently, investors must now re-evaluate their retirement plans and make adjustments. People may need to save more, delay retirement, or reduce their anticipated standard of living. Retirement calculators can illustrate where you currently stand compared to your goals. They can be found online, or financial planner can perform these calculations.
2. Review Your Risk Tolerance Now that the market has recovered much of 2008’s losses, it is a great time to reconsider your tolerance for risk. If you have a hard time sleeping due to recent market declines, perhaps your investment portfolio is too aggressive. Most financial professionals have great tools to identify an asset allocation of stocks, bonds, and cash that will maximize your chances of reaching investment goals while providing increased stability. This tip will spare you the stress of checking market updates every hour.
Four Strategies continued on page 29
October 2010 | 27
It might not be too late... Crowns • Veneers • Bridges • Enamel Fillings Root Canels • Cosmetic • Periodontal Treatment
Dr. Brett Stephens DMD, PC
1st Holladay Dental 4667 S. Holladay Blvd.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84117 801-277-5531 Dr. Stephens is available for weekend and after hour emergency care. 801.597.4417
Finally, a product that lessens the discomfort of oxygen therapy... As a Geriatric Physician and Nursing Home staff Physician, I have seen the discomfort caused by irritating cannulas. The Ear Glide eliminates the chafing, making oxygen therapy more tolerable. -Dr. James Wood
E
very patient who has needed oxygen therapy knows the discomfort of the cannula on the tender area behind the ear. Chafing, sores and itching are just a few of the unfortunate side effects. The O2Glide is designed to alleviate these annoying conditions. Ease of Use Unlike similar products the O2Glide has an open channel that offers ease of use in spite of possible patient limitations. The O2Glide will save valuable time in health care facilities. No more fumbling to open tubing. Simply install the pre-formed, pliable O2Glide behind the ear and place the cannula tube in the open channel. Hypo-allergenic The O2Glide is made of soft non-latex material that has been dermatologist and allergy tested. www.o2glide.com | 801.924.8916
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Four Stratgies continued from page 27
3. Rebalance Annually After a period of volatility, investors must rebalance their portfolios. If a portfolio was 50 percent stocks and 50 percent bonds at the beginning of 2009, that ratio is likely closer to 60/40 today. Thus, the portfolio is currently more aggressive than it was designed to be. Further, because mid cap and small cap stocks have performed better than large cap and international stocks, most portfolios are currently not as balanced as investors might think. Rebalancing annually will ensure appropriate diversification.
4. Leave Emotions at the Door Investors can’t afford to make rash decisions concerning retirement accounts. It’s natural to consider selling after the DOW falls 300 points. However, an investor must recognize that in doing this, it is almost a guarantee that the investment was purchased at a high price and sold at a discount. Buying high and selling low as an investment strategy will quickly fail. Rather than making decisions based on emotion and fear, investors should have a longterm investment strategy and stick to it, in both good times and bad.
Is It Worth It? Some people consider investing in only money market accounts—they just don’t want the stress that accompanies investing in stocks. However, money markets currently earn less than one percent, and actually lose money after inflation. Meanwhile, a portfolio consisting of 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds diversified across large, mid, small, and international companies returned 4.75 percent annually during the 2000s. Most of us need this extra return in order to meet our retirement goals. If you doubt your ability to follow these tips, hire a financial planner to look out for your best interests. Have a question you’d like Lon to answer in an upcoming issue? Email him at lon@networthadvice. com. Lon Jefferies is a fee-only financial planner with Net Worth Advisory Group (www.networthadvice. com). He never collects commissions so he can provide objective advice. He is a candidate for CFP™ certification and a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). Contact him at (801) 566-0740 for a no obligation consultation to review your financial situation.
Classical Genius Narrated biographies of the most beloved composers The Classical Genius Composer Executive Series, offering beautifully narrated biographies of over fifty-five classical music composers. From Bach to Rachmaninoff, their amazing, and often tragic lives unfold against the wonderful masterpieces they created. The set includes 24 CDs in a sophisticated leather case.
I have been listening to these CDs nonstop. What inspiration. Thank you. -Stephen M. Ehninger, AIA www.classicalgenius.com
October 2010 | 29
and other fall activities Things Pumpkin: Pumpkin Carving Pumpkin carving is becoming more and more sophisticated. This might be the year to try something more difficult than your normal Jack O’ Lantern. Go to www.spookmaster.com for some very interesting and free patterns. If you have little ones that shouldn’t be handling knives and other sharp carving implements, get out the paint brushes and poster paints, and let them go wild. You won’t be disappointed.
Pumpkin Bread Ingredients 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 3 cups sugar 3 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 (16 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin or fresh pumpkin Directions In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Stir in pumpkin. Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until bread tests done.
Roasting Pumpkin Seeds Separate seeds, and wash thoroughly . Spread pumpkin seeds on a cookie sheet. Baste with cooking oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and bake for 10-20 minutes, stirring frequently. For a more flavorful roasted seed, try tossing with worchestershire sauce and garlic salt; cayenne pepper; lemon salt; or for a sweeter version, toss with a teaspoon of sugar, one half teaspoon of ginger and allspice.
Pumpkin Patch For locations where you can pick your own pumpkin, or indulge in a little fright go to: www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/UTpumpkins.php www.gardens.com/go/browse/pumpkin/Utah/all/
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The Great Outdoors Autumn Gardening Don’t Panic! That is the advice of Loren Nielsen, owner of Wasatch Shadows Nursery. Many people are afraid to plant in the fall, but according to Nielsen, it is the perfect time. Soil moisture improves, and plants and shrubs thrive in the cooler weather. Just be sure you keep watering the new plants after you’ve winterized your sprinkler systems and every three or four weeks throughout the winter. Below are planting suggestions for a beautiful fall garden. Bulbs— Nothing says spring is coming like a crocus peeking through the snow. Now is the time to start planting your spring blooming, or hearty, bulbs. Follow the instructions provided on your bulb packaging. Mums—these colorful flowers are a hearty perennial. Plant them in the fall for 3 months of color. Pansies— Nielsen recommends that you plant your bulbs, then plant pansies on top. Pansies will provide you with a “good show” of color this fall, and will bloom again in the spring, providing you with gorgeous color until it’s time to plant your annuals in late May. Although pansies are a biennial, many people use them as a cold season annual. Asters — The perfect autumn flower, asters produce large clusters of delicate daisy-like flowers in white, purple, lavender, pink or red. Asters are a perennial and will need to be divided every few years. Grasses — In the fall and winter, perennial grasses will go dormant, giving you that harvest straw look which can be enjoyed in the landscape all winter long. No worries, they will come back to life in the spring. Roses— To protect your roses from heavy snows, cut them down to about 18 inches. Nielsen recommends using a rose collar, an apparatus that wraps around the rose bush, and filling the collar with mulch or compost to insulate the crown of the plant from possible winter damage. In the spring, cut them down another 6 inches to give them a clean starting point for fresh growth. In late October, remove your old plants and add compost to prepare your soil for next years plantings.
Autumn Leaves Drive, Bike, Hike There is nothing more beautiful than Utah mountains in the fall. We recommend the popular Alpine loop. There are many hiking and biking trails along the way, but if you are strictly visual, it’s still a beautiful car ride. To Salt Lake City
Alpine
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” - John Muir
Mt.Timpan Timpanogos Lehi
Alpine Loop
Timpanogos Caves Sundance
American Fork Orem 189
Bridal Veil Falls
Provo October 2010 | 31
October Events October 2, 2010 St. George Marathon
October 10 Guided Deer Valley Historic Hike
October 30-31 Halloween Hoot
Entry Fee $80.00 www.stgeorgemarathon.com/
9:30 am Meet near the base of the Sterling Express chairlift, located mid-mountain at Silver Lake Lodge
Tracy Aviary Liberty Park www.tracyaviary.org/events.php
October 4–15, 2010 Tuacahn Tarzan Crazy for You $56–$34 www.tuacahn.org
Saturdays 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Historic Pioneer Park (300 South & 300 West)
Peery’s Egyptian Theater 2415 Washington Blvd, Ogden $12 includes prop bag
October 6–October 10 Odyssesy Dance Theatre’s “Thriller”
October 16 Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas
October 30 Moab Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival
The Egyptian Theatre Thurs-Sat 8pm, Sun 6pm This celebration of all things Halloween features all your favorite characters such as Frankenstein, The Curse of the Mummy, and Jason. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $30 balcony seating parkcityshows.com 435.649.9371
Rio Tinto Stadium 9256 South State Street, Sandy 7:00 pm www.RealSaltLake.com
10 am–4 pm Old Airport Runway, South of Moab
October 8 Bug Brigade at the Utah Museum of Natural History 1390 E. Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City 2:00 pm–4:00 pm $3.50–$7.00 www.umnh.utah.edu/bugs
October 8–10 Fall Yoga Retreat at Alta Lodge
October 20 Speed-Dating Event for Busy Singles Kristauf ’s Martini Bar 16 West Market St. 8:00 pm–10:00 pm $35.00
October 16-24 La bohème
Thru October 30 Provo Farmers’ Market Pioneer Park 500 West Center Street, Provo Free
November 1-November 4 Day of the Dead Celebration & Exhibit
Capitol Theatre 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City 801.323.6800
1355 West 3100 South West Valley City, UT 84119 Hours Mon–Thurs, 9 am–6 pm 801-965-5100 Free
October 26 The Haunted Symphony
Thru December 31 Yellow #2 (Improv)
Price: $525 single occupancy $425 double occupancy Includes: 3 days of yoga, 2 nights lodging and meals 801.742.3500
7:00 pm Abravanel Hall 123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City 801.355.2787
October 9, 16, 23, & 30 SLFS Film Class
October 22-November 6 Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Tower Theatre Saturdays, 11:00 am–1:30 pm $20.00 Class Enrollment Fee for 4–class series, or individual dates $6.00 per date
32 |
October 30 Rocky Horror Picture Show
Thru October 16 Downtown Farmers Market
Monday–Thursday 7:30 pm Friday 8:00 pm Saturday 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm Pioneer Theatre Company 300 East 1400 South, Salt Lake City 801-581-6961
ComedySportz 36 W Center Street, Provo $4
November 11 ABBA MANIA! Kingsbury Hall 1395 E Presidents Circle $23.50–$29.50 To have your event included here, email info@utboomer.com.
October 2010 | 33
Volunteering Shar Lewis, Executive Director Utah Commission on Volunteers
34 |
Continuing the Legacy
Boomers lived through a time of great social change in America. They have continued that legacy and are leaders in the service movement in America. Across the Nation in every state, Boomers volunteer at a higher rate than any other age group. The Utah Commission on Volunteers, an Office of the Lieutenant Governor, has a mission to improve communities through volunteerism and service. One way we meet that goal is by engaging baby boomers (ages 46-64) in meaningful service. As with every generation before and after them, Baby Boomers are distinguished by certain characteristics that represent their age group. Boomers lived through a time of great social change in America. They have continued that legacy and are leaders in the service movement in America. Across the Nation in every state, Boomers volunteer at a higher rate than any other age group. Nationally, 28.3% of Boomers are volunteers and in Utah, 55.4% of Boomers volunteer in their community. In order to better utilize the great wealth of experience of older volunteers in our state, in February of this year the Commission formed the Encore and Skills Based Subcommittee. This committee has the task of promoting and engaging Boomers, older adults and professionals. Their mission: To engage adults in meaningful service to meet critical community needs and enrich the lives of those they serve. This group is comprised of representatives from the leading groups dealing with aging issues: Salt Lake County Aging Services, AARP, the Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services, the Utah Homeless Taskforce and the Corporation for National and Community Service. As older adults you have a lifetime of experience to share and the desire to make a real difference in our world. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve managed households, been business owners and nurses, farmers and salespeople, artists and executives. Now you are ready to put your unique talents and expertise to work in your communities, and enrich your own life in the process. The Utah Commission on Volunteers understands the wealth of knowledge and experience that comes with age and is providing ways to put them to use in benefit of others.
How You Can Help Each year, approximately 500,000 older Americans share their life experiences, skills, and interests to help address local needs and concerns in their communities through one of three Senior Corps programs.
Foster Grandparents Do you realize that we are in an epidemic? The number of fatherless and motherless children is becoming more and more prevalent in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society. The Foster Grandparent Program, one of three Senior Corps programs, offers adults age 55 and over the opportunity to become a mentor, a loving caregiver, or even a tutor to more than 15,000 young people who have special needs.
Senior Companions program Senior Companions help more than 1,300 homebound seniors and other adults maintain their independence while continuing to live in their own homes. They also provide respite care to families caring for an aging relative.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) RSVP provides a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. VIPS (volunteers in police service) conduct safety patrols for local police departments. Some participate in environmental projects such as state land restoration. Many are cornerstones of the classroom as tutors and mentors. RSVP volunteers add valuable community services through more than 680 organizations across Utah. This year we celebrated the first annual Senior Corps Week. The week of Sept 20th-24th we recognized these older Americans who make a difference in the lives of those around them, and shine the spotlight on the great volunteer opportunities available through these programs in Utah. We applaud the over 7,900 Senior Corps participants in Utah who October 2010 | 35
last year volunteered 1.2 million hours of service. For more information on how to get involved in one of these Senior Corps opportunities visit www.seniorcorps.gov. There are also numerous other opportunities to serve which you can find through a volunteer matching database on the Commission website www.volunteers.utah.gov. This database can be searched by interest, location, skills, etc. As baby boomer you have a lot to offer. Your valuable life experience and knowledge can help improve and make the difference in someone’s life.
Shar Lewis is the Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, whose mission is to improve communities through service and volunteering. Before joining the Commission, Lewis worked as the Community Affairs Director and Feature Reporter for ABC4/KTVX and was an award winning Executive Producer and Host of the community affairs program “Spotlight Utah” on CW30. Shar has worked with nonprofit, charitable and community organizations for over 15 years holding management positions with the American Cancer Society, Children’s Miracle Network and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Lewis has served on numerous boards and volunteer committees, has run three half-marathons raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and went to Kenya on a humanitarian service project with her oldest son. Lewis is the proud mother of three children who remind her daily that life is a gift and every moment is a treasure.
Volunteering with Animals The Salt Lake County Animal Services Volunteer Program exists to support and enhance the goals of our shelter:
• Serve our customers • Reunite lost pets with their owners • Increase the number of licensed pets in our jurisdictions
• Increase the number of shelter adoptions • Ensure that people who adopt pets from our shelter are happy with their adoptions
• Keep our shelter animals healthy, clean, safe and happy
• Encourage responsible pet ownership which
Come in for a tour!
Camp Bow Wow South Salt Lake 801-288-BARK (2275)
southsaltlake@campbowwow.com www.campbowwow.com/southsaltlake
475 W. 3600 S. Ste. A SLC, UT 84115
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. –Aesop 36 |
Material Shortages In addition to our need for volunteers, we are in constant need of the following supplies. If you can open your hearts and share ANY of these items, we would be extremely grateful.
• Bite-sized Dog Treats (any brand) • Paper Towels • Bleach • Peanut Butter • Laundry Detergent • Dawn Dish Detergent • Dishwasher Detergent • Canned Food • Cat Litter More information: adoptions@slco.org
Mark Crim
FREE BATH with any package purchased
includes licensing, spaying/neutering, and understand the relevant local ordinances
222-222-C
October 2010 | 37
Resources Advocacy AARP of Utah
801.561.1037 Utah Dept of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) Phone: 801.538.3991 www.hsdaas.utah.gov/ Utah State Courts Estate Planning & Probate www.utcourts.gov/howto/wills/ Phone: 801.578.3800 Social Security Administration 1.800.772.1213 www.ssa.gov SAGE Utah Services & Advocacy for GLBTQ Elders www.glccu.com/programs/lgbtq-elders-50
Dental Services
Most Senior Centers supply transportation and meals. They are open Monday through Friday, and the hours varies. Call your center for times.
Davis County
Autumn Glow Center 81 East Center Kaysville, UT 84037 Phone: 801.544.1235 Golden Years Center 726 South 100 East Bountiful, UT 84010 Phone: 801.295.3479 Heritage Center 140 East Center Clearfield, UT 84015 Phone: 801. 773.7065
Salt Lake County
Legal Services
Columbus Senior Center 2531 South 400 East Salt Lake City, UT 84115 Phone: 801.412.3295
Financial Services
Draper Senior Center 12350 South 800 East Draper, UT 84020 Phone: 801.572.6342
Employment Services Utah Legal Services 800.662.4245
Healthcare Resources Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association of Utah 801.265.1944
American Cancer Society of Utah 801.483.1500 American Chronic Pain Association 800.533.3231 American Diabetes Association-Utah 801.363.3024 George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84148 Phone: 801.582.1565
Pet Services Respite Care
Medical Home Portal www.medicalhomeportal.org CHTOP Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Program chtop.org/ARCH/National-Respite-Locator. html helpwithmyparents.org Connecting caregivers and professionals
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Senior Centers
Eddie P. Mayne Kearns Senior Center 4851 West 4715 South Salt Lake City, UT 84118 Phone: 801.965.9183 Friendly Neighborhood Center 1992 South 200 East Salt Lake City, UT 84115 Phone: 801.468.2781 Harman Senior Recreation Center 4090 South 3600 West West Valley City, UT 84119 Phone: 801.965.5822 Kearns Senior Center 4850 West 4715 South Salt Lake City, UT 84118 Phone: 801.965.9183 Liberty City Center 251 East 700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: 801.532.5079 Magna Center 9228 West 2700 South Magna, UT 84044 Phone: 801.250.0692 Midvale Senior Center 350 West Park Street 7610 S) Midvale, UT 84047 Phone: 801.566.6590
Mount Olympus Senior Center 1635 East Murray.Holliday Road Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Phone: 801.274.1710 Riverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bend Senior Center 300 North 1300 West Salt Lake City, UT 84116 Phone: 801.596.0208 Riverton Senior Center 12891 South Redwood Road Riverton, UT 84065 Phone: 801.254.7609 Sandy Senior Center 9310 South 1300 East Sandy, UT 84094 Phone: 801.561.3265 South Jordan Senior Center 10778 South Redwood Road South Jordan, UT 84095 Phone: 801.302.1222 Sunday Anderson Westside Senior Center 868 West 900 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104 Phone: 801.538.2092 Taylorsville Senior Citizen Center 4743 South Plymouth View Dr. Taylorsville, UT 84123 Phone: 801.293.8340 Tenth East Senior Center 237 South 1000 East Salt Lake City, UT 84102 Phone: 801.538.2084 West Jordan Center 8025 South 2200 West West Jordan, UT 84088 Phone: 801.561.7320
Washington County Council on Aging http://www.washco.utah.gov/contact The Washington County Council on Aging provides services for senior citizens 60 and older. These include classes (pottery, painting, aerobics, yoga, square dancing, and computer training) tax assistance during tax season and other services. Nutrition is a main focus of the senior centers. In-house meals are served as well as Meals on Wheels. The following centers are supported in part through the donations of those patrons who use the facilities. Gayle & Mary Aldred Senior Center 245 North 200 West St. George , UT 84770 435.634 . 5743 Washington County Senior Citizens 150 East 100 South Street Enterprise, UT 84725 435.878.2557
Hurricane Senior Citizens Center 95 N 300 W Hurricane, UT 84737 435.635.2089
Volunteering
Utah State Parks Volunteer Coordinator 1594 W North Temple, 116 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 (801) 537-3445 robinwatson@utah.gov The Nature Conservancy in Utah www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/utah/volunteer/ Volunteer Match www.volunteermatch.org/ United Way www.unitedwayucv.org/volunteer/ Utah Commission on Volunteers volunteers.utah.gov/ Red Butte Garden Call 801-585-5688 To include your services in this space call Traci Wood at 801.201.5087
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