TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vol. 32, No. 8 LIFE Senior Services, Inc. Publisher
14 Diagnosing and Treating Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It kills over 600,000 people annually, with Oklahoma ranking near the top for deaths related to heart disease each year. Learn more about heart disease, as well as how conditions are often diagnosed and treated.
18 The Link Between Chronic Conditions and Heart Disease
Diabetes, dental disease, kidney issues and other chronic ailments can impact heart health. It’s important to take care of chronic conditions – not only to relieve the specific condition, but also to stave off heart problems.
Laura Kenny President and Chief Executive Officer Kelly Kirchhoff Director of Marketing and Development Erin Shackelford Managing Editor editor@LIFEseniorservices.org Emily Fox Associate Editor efox@LIFEseniorservices.org Bernie Dornblaser Advertising Director bdornblaser@LIFEseniorservices.org Leah Weigle Graphic Designer and Photographer Carol Carter Copy Editor
22 20 Eat (and Play) Your Heart Out
You’re never too old to get heart healthy! Discover tips for eating smart, "adding color," moving more and being well with the American Heart Association’s new campaign.
Take Heart: Know the Subtle Signs of a Heart Attack
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), someone suffers a heart attack every 43 seconds. By 2030, the AHA predicts a 46 percent rise in the number of individuals diagnosed with heart failure. Know the symptoms of a heart attack, so you can respond quickly.
Carrie Henderson Bowen Circulation Coordinator cbowen@LIFEseniorservices.org dick mccandless Community Distribution
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine is published monthly by LIFE Senior Services (a Tulsa Area United Way nonprofit) and helps fulfill LIFE Senior Services’ mission to promote and preserve independence for seniors. This publication is printed and mailed at no charge. Donations of any amount are appreciated and will help offset LIFE Senior Services’ production costs.
A donation of $25 per year is suggested.
24 The Gift of Life 20
It had been a typical August day for Tulsan John Palkowski. He and his wife Linda had just enjoyed dinner with his father-in-law and Linda’s brother when he got the call that not only changed his life, it saved it.
6 Letter from the Publisher 8 Looking Back 10 Caregiver Corner Caring for a Person with Cardiovascular Health Issues 12 Medicare & You Get Replacement Social Security Tax Forms Online 13 Medicare Assistance Program 25 LIFE's Legacy Awards Nominations 26 In the Spotlight 4
27 Gifts from the Heart
Valentine’s Day is more than a “Hallmark” holiday. Take this day to show your friends, family and loved ones how much they mean to you.
28 29 30 31 32 34 35 36 37 39
oteworthy N Share Your Time and Talent Mindbender & Puzzles Business Directory Healthy Aging Health Savvy Tech Calendar LIFE EDU People & Places Classifieds Vintage Friends
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
To make a donation, visit www.LIFEseniorservices.org/VintageDonate or call (918) 664-9000. LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine accepts advertising to defray the cost of production and distribution, and appreciates the support of its advertisers. The publisher does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine reserves the right to refuse advertising. Rates are available upon request by calling (918) 664-9000. © LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine and LIFE Senior Services, Inc., 2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction without consent of the publisher is prohibited. Volume 32, Issue 8, February 2018 LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine (ISSN 2168-8494) (USPS 18320) is published monthly by LIFE Senior Services, 5950 E. 31st St., Tulsa, OK 74135. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine, 5950 E. 31st St., Tulsa, OK 74135-5114.
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“Fulfilling our mission to promote and preserve independence for seniors – today – tomorrow – always, LIFE Senior Services is proud to bring you LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine.”
letter from the
publisher
F
ebruary is a month for the heart! There's Valentine's Day of course, but the month of February is also National American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. However, it is one of the most preventable diseases as well. Making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family history, getting regular checkups and working closely with your doctor to manage your health are all ways to protect youself from this often silent killer. In this month’s issue of LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine, you will find a variety of educational articles that will help you take control of your heart health. From diagnosing and treating heart disease, to eating and exercising for a happy heart, the pages of this issue are filled with plenty of takeaways to improve your health and well-being. On page 14, we visit with two physicians from Oklahoma Heart Institute about heart disease, including risk factors, family history, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. New state-of-the-art CT scanners can detect heart disease before symptoms ever become present, increasing the likelihood of successful mitigation and treatment. Plus, Dr. Cheng speaks about a minimally-invasive alternative to open heart surgery.
Laura Kenny President and CEO of LIFE Senior Services, LIFE’s Vintage Housing and LIFE PACE
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On page 18, we delve into specific chronic conditions that can increase your chances of suffering from heart-related complications. Diabetes, kidney issues and more can negatively impact your heart health, which is why it’s important to speak with your doctor about properly managing any chronic conditions.
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
It’s widely known that healthy eating habits and regular exercise can dramatically reduce your risk of heart-related illnesses. The American Heart Association has a new campaign – “Eat Smart, Add Color, Move More, Be Well” – that offers tips and insight into how you can adopt a heart healthy lifestyle. Besides eating well and exercising, other factors, including smoking cessation and stress reduction, come into play too. Learn more on page 20. Because heart disease and heart attacks are so prevalent, it’s important to know the signs of a heart attack. Quickly assessing, detecting and reacting by calling emergency responders can mean the difference between life and death – minutes matter. Discover the signs of heart attacks for both men and women on page 22. In some instances, an individual is born with heart problems or congenital heart disease. When possible, a heart transplant can give a patient with congenital heart disease the opportunity to have a normal heart with normal blood circulation. On page 24, we speak with John Palkowski, who just a little over three years ago, underwent a heart transplant. Finally, we also embrace February as the month of love on page 27. Find some Valentine’s Day gift ideas that come straight from the heart. We hope you enjoy this issue of LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine!
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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LOOKING BACK
Love is in the Air
Tulsa Historical Society and Museum • 2445 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa
Want More? See additional pictures in the digital edition of February's LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine at www.LIFEseniorservices.org.
Studio photo of a wedding party, c. 1910s.
Pete and Linda posing next to their decorated car after their wedding, c. 1950s. Photo courtesy of the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa
Bill and Betty Boyd at their wedding reception, August 31, 1943.
Wright-Kerr wedding. Photo courtesy of the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa
this month in history February 1, 1884: Oxford Dictionary debuted
February 18, 2001: Dale Earnhardt killed in a crash
Considered the most comprehensive and accurate dictionary of the English language, the Oxford English Dictionary is the authority on the meaning, pronunciation and history of more than half a million words. Conceived of as a four-volume, 6,400-page work, it was estimated the project would take 10 years to finish. It took more than 40 years until the 125th and final fascicle or portion was published in April 1928.
Dale Earnhardt Sr., considered one of the greatest NASCAR drivers in history, died at the age of 49 in a last-lap crash at the 43rd Daytona 500. Earnhardt was driving his famous black No. 3 Chevrolet and vying for third place when he collided with another car, then crashed into a wall. Earnhardt was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead of head injuries.
February 7, 1984: First human satellite
February 22, 1980: U.S. hockey team made miracle on ice
While in orbit 170 miles above Earth, Navy Captain Bruce McCandless became the first human being to fly untethered in space when he exited the U.S. space shuttle Challenger and maneuvered freely, using a bulky white rocket pack of his own design. McCandless orbited Earth with the shuttle at speeds greater than 17,500 miles per hour.
In one of the most dramatic upsets in Olympic history, the underdog U.S. hockey team defeated the four-time defending gold-medal winning Soviet team at the XIII Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York. Two days later, the Americans defeated Finland 4-2 to clinch gold.
February 13, 1991: Long-lost Twain manuscript authenticated
The manuscript was the first half of Twain’s original version of "Huckleberry Finn" – heavily corrected in his handwriting – which had been missing for more than a century. The manuscript surfaced when a Los Angeles librarian sorted through some old papers in six trunks sent to her when an aunt from upstate New York died. In 1995, Random House won the rights to publish the book for an undisclosed price. 8
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
February 26, 1921: President Coolidge established Grand Teton National Park
In one of his final acts as president, Calvin Coolidge dedicated acreage in the Grand Teton mountain range as a national park. The original boundaries of the park included just the Teton mountain range and several lakes. Total acreage of the park increased under Franklin Roosevelt in 1943 and again by an act of Congress in 1950. Today, the park consists of more than 300,000 acres. © The History Channel www.LIFEseniorservices.org
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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CAREGIVER CORNER
Caring for a Person with Cardiovascular Health Issues The human heart is amazing. The fact that it is the symbol for love is a perfect parallel for the commitment of caregivers. Anyone who cares for and supports someone with a cardiovascular disease has many responsibilities.
W
hen someone is diagnosed with a heart or vascular issue, the first course of suggested action is often to make positive lifestyle changes. Typical recommended lifestyle changes include a healthier diet, increased exercise, medication management, stress reduction, smoking cessation and more frequent monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate. These changes are, of course, the responsibility of the person with the disease. However, there is also an expectation that the individual’s care team, including family members or a family caregiver, supports and encourages the changes. As a caregiver, it’s important to encourage your loved one to make positive lifestyle changes. Every healthy change that your loved one makes improves their personal health and can also help you be more successful in providing care. When your loved one’s health improves, hopefully your caregiving responsibilities and stress level will decrease. Here are some things to consider if you love and care for someone with a heart problem: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) – The Mayo Clinic says CHF occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Certain conditions, such as narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure, gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump efficiently. Not all conditions that lead to heart failure can be reversed, but treatments can improve the signs and symptoms of heart failure and help a person live longer. Caring for a loved one with CHF is a long-term commitment. It is possible to work, play and live a long life with CHF, but the signs and symptoms should be noted and watched. Information and support for caregivers of CHF patients can be found at www.heart.org and www.mayoclinic.org.
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Stroke – According to www.stroke.org, a stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost. How a person is affected by a stroke depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much of the brain is damaged. For example, someone who has a small stroke may only have minor problems such as temporary weakness of an arm or leg. People who have more intense strokes may be permanently paralyzed on one side of their body or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than two-thirds of survivors will have some type of residual disability. For caregivers, the caring starts with cheerleading during rehabilitation. For many people the recovery is long, making the survivor and caregiver a long-term team. Support for both caregivers and survivors can be found at www.mystrokeofinsight.com, www.heart.org and www.stroke.org. Heart Attack – A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. Caregivers and loved ones of someone who has had a heart attack typically help encourage the survivor to maintain healthy lifestyle changes, visit the doctor regularly and take medications as prescribed. For many people, a cardiovascular incident is a wake-up call for improved health. Former President Bill Clinton became a vegan when he had additional heart issues in 2010 after quadruple bypass surgery in 2004. Supporting and participating in healthy lifestyle changes can be the most significant role
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
a caregiver can play. For more information on support for people who have had a heart attack, visit www.heart.org, www.goredforwomen.org and www.aahfn.org. Find information about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack on page 22. Arrhythmia – According to the National Institutes of Health, arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow or with an irregular rhythm. A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia, while a heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. During an arrhythmia, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. Lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart and other organs. Like other forms of heart issues, arrhythmias can be managed by lifestyle changes. One of the most important changes that can also be supported by caregivers is stress reduction. Strong emotional stress or anger can lead to arrhythmias, so caregivers can encourage and participate in stress reduction exercises. More information on arrhythmias can be found at www.nih.gov. Lifestyle changes such as reducing sodium and increasing vegetables, managing stress and losing weight help improve overall health, including heart health, for anyone. As a caregiver, maintaining and improving your own health is as important as ensuring your loved one's health. by Mickey Hinds, Education Coordinator, LIFE Senior Services
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MEDICARE & YOU
File Your 2017 Taxes for Free Get Replacement Social Security Tax Forms Online
T
he first step in filing your 2017 taxes is gathering all of your tax documents, including W-2s for each job held in 2017, 1099s showing other income, a 1095-A if you had health insurance coverage from the Marketplace, and income/interest statements received for any savings accounts and investments. If you get Social Security benefits, you should receive a form SSA-1099, which is a tax form that Social Security mails each January to the more than 60 million people who receive Social Security benefits. This form shows the total amount of benefits received from Social Security in the previous year, so people know how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on their tax return. If you misplaced your SSA-1099 Benefits Statement or haven’t received it by the end of January, you can request a replacement form through your My Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. If you haven’t already set up a My Social Security account, you can do so by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov and clicking on the My Social Security link and selecting “Create an Account.” You will have to provide some personal information about yourself, and you also must provide answers to security questions that only you are likely to know. You can only create a My Social Security account using your personal information, and it is for your exclusive use. You cannot create or use an account on behalf of another person, even if you have that person’s written permission. You should never share the use of your account with anyone else under any circumstances. Unauthorized use of this service is a misrepresentation of your identity to the federal government and could subject you to criminal or civil penalties, or both. by Cindy Loftin Tax Assistance Program Coordinator at LIFE Senior Services Source: www.irs.gov
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
LIFE Senior Services offers two easy ways to file your 2017 taxes for free: Online at www.LIFEseniorservices.org. From LIFE’s website homepage, click on the MyFreeTaxes link (located on the right side submenu) for easy, safe, secure and 100 percent free federal and state tax filing online through software powered by H&R Block. You qualify for this online option if your household income was $66,000 or less in 2017. MyFreeTaxes gives working individuals and families with low-to-moderate income access to free online tax preparation and filing assistance services anywhere there is internet access. Offering English and Spanish tax support, MyFreeTaxes provides qualifying individuals access to tax coaches for self-preparation assistance. The online tool allows taxpayers to self-file for free using a simple step-by-step process that includes free telephone, email and online chat support from IRS-certified specialists. In-person with an IRS-certified volunteer income tax preparer. LIFE Senior Services also operates a Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program site to provide free tax preparation services to those who qualify. From February 1 through April 12, trained and IRS-certified volunteers will be available to help seniors age 60 and older, making $54,000 or less annually, with free, basic income tax preparation with electronic filing. Appointments are required and will be held throughout the filing season. To schedule your appointment, contact LIFE Senior Services at (918) 664-9000 and ask to be connected to the Tax Assistance Appointment Reservation Line.
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Robbie Van Hooser, Cindy Loftin and Taylor Wolf of LIFE's Medicare Assistance Program
Medicare Assistance Program at LIFE Senior Services Helps Seniors Save on 2018 Prescription Drug Costs The Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) at LIFE Senior Services provided un-biased, personalized counseling to Medicare beneficiaries as they reviewed their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage options during the 2017 Medicare fall Open Enrollment Period. Over 50 percent of the people served during the eight-week enrollment period either enrolled in Part D for the first time or switched their Part D plans for 2018. Almost all of them will save money on their prescription drug plan costs this year with an average savings of $2,112 per person. The total cost savings for 2018 was an amazing $1,493,326! These results were made possible by the hard work of LIFE’s MAP program employees, Cindy Loftin, Robbie Van Hooser and Taylor Wolf; generous funding from the Oklahoma Insurance Department and the Tulsa Area United Way; and a dedicated team of volunteers who together donated more than 1,500 hours of volunteer time. LIFE Senior Services greatly appreciates the time selflessly given by our volunteers and knows that we couldn’t have done this most rewarding work without them. The MAP team looks forward to helping even more individuals this year as they navigate the sometimesconfusing Medicare health benefit. The MAP team is available year-round to provide counseling and education for Medicare beneficiaries and their representatives in northeastern Oklahoma. You can reach the Medicare Assistance Program at LIFE by calling (918) 664-9000.
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Diagnosing and Treating Heart Disease Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It kills over 600,000 people annually, with Oklahoma ranking near the top for deaths related to heart disease each year. and inflammatory conditions like arthritis, gout, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease also place people at increased risk of developing heart disease. Smoking is a large risk factor, too. Stress can also play a role. “Stress can unmask underlying heart disease, and therefore, oftentimes people associate stress with the development of coronary artery disease,” Leimbach explains. “People who are under stress can exhibit this in elevated blood pressure. If unchecked and untreated, high blood pressure damages the blood vessels and can lead to heart disease. This puts the individual at significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke.” Family History Knowing your family health history is useful when taking measures to prevent heart disease.
W
hile the risk of heart disease increases with age, it doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of getting older. Education and heart-healthy habits are a big part of prevention.
What is Heart Disease? The term “heart disease” encompasses a group of health conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease. This occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hardened and narrow due to the buildup of cholesterol and other material (plaque) on
their inner walls. It can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, chest pain and irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. Other types of heart disease include stroke and heart valve problems. Risk Factors A variety of medical conditions and lifestyle choices can increase the risk of heart disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, being overweight or obese and being physically inactive can all contribute. According to Dr. Wayne Leimbach, medical director at Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI) at Tulsa’s Hillcrest Medical Center, chronic health conditions such as diabetes, depression
“Some people are more sensitive to risk factors than other people. Two people can have the same blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels and activity levels, and yet one is at greater risk of heart disease than the other. This is partially due to their sensitivity to risk factors,” Leimbach explains. “People who have a family history of heart attacks and strokes at an early age are at a greater risk of having significant coronary artery disease and strokes themselves." Diagnosis When diagnosing coronary artery disease, a doctor may order some specific tests. These can include things like an electrocardiogram (ECG), which can show evidence of a previous heart attack or one that’s in progress. He or she may suggest an echocardiogram that produces an image of the heart using sound waves to look for weak or damaged areas. Different types of “stress” Diagnosing and Treating Heart Disease continued on page 16
" People who have a family history of heart attacks and strokes at an early age are at a greater risk of having significant coronary artery disease and strokes themselves." - Dr. Wayne Leimbach, Medical Director at Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI)
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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There are lots of heart-healthy activities to choose from: • • • • • • • • •
Pickleball Line Dancing Functional Movement Yoga Tai Chi Basketball Zumba Walking Fitness Room and More!
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Diagnosing and Treating Heart Disease continued from page 14 tests can be done if signs and symptoms of heart disease occur most often during exercise. Special dye is injected into coronary arteries though a long thin tube, or catheter, during a cardiac catheterization or angiogram. The dye highlights blockages that can then be treated with a balloon that is pushed through the catheter. A mesh tube, or stent, can be used, if necessary, to keep the artery open. Using a heart scan, computerized tomography or CT, a doctor can see calcium deposits that can narrow the arteries. “There are much better tests to accurately diagnose the presence of heart disease now,” Leimbach says. “Nuclear stress tests are better today and more accurate. There are now CT angiograms with high resolution CT scanners that not only detect the presence of coronary artery disease, but can also determine the significance of the coronary blockages.” It is recommended that smokers; those with a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes; as well as those 40 and older consider a cardiac CT scan. According to OHI, the state-ofthe-art ultrafast scanner is more than 95 percent sensitive in detecting heart disease. Discovering and diagnosing these blockages early on can allow for elective treatment through stent procedures and aggressive medical therapy, which can help prevent heart attacks. “When people do have heart attacks and quickly get to the hospital, they can often have their
heart attack interrupted and minimize the damage from the heart attack,” he adds. “These people will then be able to return to full activity.” Treatment A variety of drugs can be use to treat heart disease, including cholesterol-modifying medications like statins and beta blockers that slow heart rate and decrease blood pressure, nitroglycerin for controlling chest pain and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) that decrease blood pressure. Angioplasty with stent placement, as mentioned previously, is one medical procedure to restore and improve blood flow. Coronary artery bypass surgery is used to create a graft to bypass blocked coronary arteries, allowing the blood to flow around the blocked or narrow coronary artery. Dr. Allen Cheng, a cardiovascular surgeon at Hillcrest’s OHI, is a specialist in “Minimally
The majority of heart attacks are preventable by aggressively treating the risk factors for heart disease.
Invasive Heart Surgery” (MIS) or “keyhole surgery” as an alternative to open heart surgery. MIS is performed through small incisions in the chest with specialized instruments or camera scopes. It avoids splitting the sternum (breastbone). It is a procedure used for treating a variety of heart conditions, including repairing and replacing mitral, aortic or tricuspid heart valves, or treating coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. According to Cheng, because of the less invasive nature of this type of surgery, potential benefits include lower risk of infection, reduced trauma and pain, shorter hospital stay with a faster recovery and quicker return to normal activity, and smaller incisions with less noticeable scars. He also notes that any insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, that covers open heart surgery will also cover MIS. Prevention As in games and war, the best defense is a good offense in preventing heart disease and all its complications. Acting proactively to reduce risk factors is key. “The majority of heart attacks are preventable by aggressively treating the risk factors for heart disease,” says Leimbach. “Most adults would do better by putting a significant amount of effort into preventing heart attacks and strokes than trying to see their doctors to get them out of trouble once they’ve developed serious blockages in their blood vessels to their heart or brain.” by Julie Wenger Watson
- Dr. Wayne Leimbach, Medical Director at Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI)
For more information on heart health, visit the American Heart Association's website at www.heart.org. 16
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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We all know our heart is the most important organ in our body. But did you know that other parts of your body can actually affect your heart? So if you want to keep that old ticker… well, ticking… keep reading!
D
iabetes, dental disease, kidney issues and other chronic ailments can impact heart health. It’s important to take care of chronic conditions not only to relieve the specific condition, but also to stave off heart problems. “Dental problems, kidney disease and diabetes are progressive by nature,” says Christopher Webber, APRN-CNP with Oklahoma Heart Institute. “Early intervention can prevent rapid progression of the disease and thereby decrease systemic effects.”
Diabetes Diabetes has become extremely common in the U.S. In 2010, a study by researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute found that diabetes affects 285 million adults between the ages of 20 and 79. This number is expected to grow to 439 million by 2030. The American Heart Association lists diabetes as a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease because of the effect it has on the blood vessels of the heart. Elevated blood sugar, which occurs during diabetes, results in damage to blood vessels due to increased inflammation. The inflammation promotes formation of plaque and narrowing of the arteries of the heart. This narrowing prevents the arteries from delivering adequate oxygen to the heart during times of increased demand, which is often associated with chest pain, Webber says.
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Kidney Issues Kidney disease, diabetes and heart conditions actually all have a connection. Kidney disease is a multifactorial process that can be caused by poorly managed diabetes, according to Webber. Individuals with chronic kidney disease are two to four times more likely to have cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, according to a 2013 study by researchers at the University Medical Centre Groningen. “This increased risk is due in part to increased thickness of the heart muscle, stiffening of the arteries of the heart and body and anemia from chronic kidney disease,” Webber says. The link between kidney disease and heart problems is staggering. Damage to the kidneys can happen as the result of taking certain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or ibuprofen. It can also be caused from a host of other factors, Webber says. “Early intervention with guidelinedirected medical therapy and lifestyle modification can slow the progression of kidney disease.”
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
Dental Health Poor dental hygiene may actually have a connection to heart disease. While dental health affects multiple organ systems, the cardiovascular system is particularly affected by gum disease – or periodontitis. A 2013 study by a European research group on periodontology found that periodontal disease is an independent risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, and the researchers confirmed that routine dental care is associated with decreased levels of systemic inflammatory markers.
The Mayo Clinic recommends the following dental hygiene regimen: • Brush your teeth at least twice a day. • Floss daily. • Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles become bent. • Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings. www.LIFEseniorservices.org
“(Dental) systemic inflammation is clearly associated with increased cardiovascular risk,” says Webber. “As dental disease progresses, there is an increase in systemic inflammation from bacteria and microorganisms, which eventually leads to destruction of the tooth. The misconception is that dental problems are confined only to the mouth, but instead, the mouth acts as a portal to spread bacteria and inflammation to the rest of the body.” While dental groups point to research showing that people with periodontis are twice as likely to have heart disease, in 2012 the American Heart Association stopped short of saying that periodontis caused heart disease. Regardless of whether or not dental health is a factor in heart disease prevention, it's important to take care of your gums and teeth.
Managing and Preventing Heart Disease Ongoing cardiac health can be divided into three goal categories: The first goal is to prevent cardiac disease through risk factor modification, Webber says. “There are risk factors that are modifiable, and some that are not.” For example, weight reduction, tobacco cessation, moderation of alcohol intake, diet and exercise are all modifiable risk factors. “Reduction of risk in those categories is of profound importance,” explains Webber. “Reducing risk in this manner will also decrease the risk of developing comorbid conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome and cholesterol problems.” The second goal is to effectively treat any comorbid conditions that exist and monitor for new or progression of heart disease. “Often when diabetes is initially diagnosed, there is cardiovascular disease already present,” Webber says. “Once heart disease is present, the goal is to optimize medical therapy and treat the existing disease if needed.”
Prevention is the cornerstone of the treatment plan for cardiac disease and is accomplished through routine screening by primary care, internal medicine, dentists and cardiology providers. “Routine dental visits to survey and treat dental disease, in addition to brushing and flossing can significantly decrease the risk of developing systemic effects of periodontal disease, which contributes to heart disease,” asserts Webber. In addition, routine blood tests to detect and monitor blood sugar levels are effective tools to preventing and treating diabetes. This routine surveillance is also helpful to prevent secondary complications such as kidney and heart disease. The third goal is to eat a well-balanced, low salt diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and grains. These kind of foods will lead to a reduction of blood pressure, which plays an important role in the prevention of cardiac and kidney disease. “Preventing heart disease involves the whole body, from the teeth to the toes and everything in between,” Webber says. “Heart health is optimized through a combination of diet, exercise, medication management and risk factor reduction.” If you have a chronic condition or suspect you may have one, be sure to visit with a primary care provider regularly for treatment of the disease. In the long run, you’re helping out your heart too. by Lindsay Morris
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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
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"You're never too old to get healthy,” says Lindsey Hansen, communications director for the American Heart Association (AHA) of Tulsa. The AHA has a new campaign called "Eat Smart, Add Color, Move More, Be Well.” Its purpose is to inform and encourage the public to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. Controlling portion sizes and adding color to every meal are ways to eat heart healthy.
Eat Smart and Add Color
In order to “eat smart,” it’s important to monitor your sodium intake. "Just two slices of bread can contain enough sodium for a person’s whole day,” says Hansen. She adds that reading labels is the easiest way to check for salt content. For example, canned vegetables sound healthy, but they contain a lot of sodium. A healthier choice is to buy frozen vegetables. Breads and rolls, cold cuts and cured meats, sandwiches, pizza, canned soup and canned chicken are all on the AHA’s “The Salty Six” list, and they can sock your body with more than the daily recommended level of sodium. The AHA recommends that you aim to eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. Monitoring your sugar intake is just as important. According to the AHA, women should aim to consume six teaspoons or less per day, while men should consume no more than nine teaspoons of sugar a day. Sneaky sugars lurk in flavored milks, energy drinks, soda, sweetened juice, cereal, granola bars, coffee flavors, jams, ice cream, bagels and more. Controlling portion sizes and adding color to every meal are other ways to eat heart healthy. Balance out your colorful plate with plenty of protein and fiber too. For instance, a dinner consisting of a protein, green vegetable, sweet potato and a small salad covers the colors for healthy eating. The AHA believes that healthy eating habits start at home. It suggests choosing healthy cookbooks and watching cooking shows that offer simple, quick and healthy dishes. Hansen suggests checking out the AHA's “Heart Check Mark” grocery list to ensure the purchase of heart-healthy foods. "It's really about shopping better and living better," Hansen says. Stretching for 10 minutes is like walking the length of a football field, and 2.5 hours of walking every week for a year is like walking across the state of Wyoming.
Move More
Did you know that stretching for 10 minutes is like walking the length of a football field, or that 2.5 hours of walking every week for a year is like walking across the state of Wyoming? The AHA’s “Make Every Move Count” campaign reminds the public to stay active. Hansen says it’s as simple as exercising for 30 minutes at least five days a week. She says you should be able to hold a
For more information on the AHA’s “Eat Smart, Add Color, Move More, Be Well” campaign, visit http://healthyforgood.heart.org. 20
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
Exercise for at least 30 minutes at least five days a week. Choose an exercise you enjoy like walking your dog or walking to a neighbor's house. The idea is to be social doing what you enjoy.
conversation while you’re exercising. She also suggests choosing exercises you enjoy like walking your dog or walking to a neighbor’s house. The idea is to be social doing what you enjoy. Involve friends and family in your exercise routine to help hold yourself accountable. Other simple suggestions to get you moving more are to take the stairs instead of an elevator or park farther away from the store. If you have trouble walking, there are modified exercises you can do in a chair. Consult your doctor for information on exercises that are right for you.
Be Well
The most important goal of good heart health is being well. The AHA suggests taking the time to plan your day instead of being in a constant rush. Rushing causes stress, and stress causes exhaustion; neither of which are good for the heart. Get organized and create a schedule that includes your volunteering, church, work and exercising routines. Sleep is also a big factor in overall well-being. At least seven hours of sleep a night is recommended for most adults. If you’re exhausted during the day, try to schedule a 30-minute nap. Quitting tobacco products is also a key factor in promoting heart health. Another aspect of well-being is staying connected to a community or group. Laughing and talking with others subdues depression and can control stress, so find groups with similar interests. According to Hansen, volunteering is a great way to find friends and also gain a sense of purpose. "Everyone wants to have a purpose, and it urges people to get up and move,” says Hansen. For help finding a place to volunteer, see the Share Your Time and Talent section on page 29. One active senior who embodies the AHA’s "Eat Smart, Add Color, Move More, Be Well” campaign is Lorna Price. Price not only works for the Tulsa office of the AHA, but is also active in her church and community. Price says her passion to help others began in 1994 when she began working for the Oklahoma Heart Institute at Hillcrest Medical Center. A diabetic, Price said she watches her health closely. She said after she retired from the Heart Institute in 2012, she kept busy by singing in her church choir and taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “I ride the bus daily,” Price says. “It gives you time to escape the traffic and read or just focus on what you need to get done.” Price says she eats about seven times a day – only small portions – to keep her metabolism going. She also drinks a lot of water every day. Price’s main focus and advice she gives to other seniors is to “just keep moving.”
Winter Move In Special! $200 OFF
first months rent with paid security deposit.
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(918) 836-7070
• Full Kitchens with Appliances • Elevator
• Small Pets Allowed • 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments
Must be 62 years of age or older, and meet income guidelines. Vintage Properties professionally managed by Sooner Management Consultants, Inc.
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Today’s to-do list: Nurture your mind, body and spirit for a healthier, happier LIFE at LIFE Senior Services’ two Senior Centers for active adults. Discover what
has to offer.
LIFE’s SeniorLine (918) 664-9000 www.LIFEseniorservices.org
by Matt Rose
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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A
ppropriately, February is American Heart Month. Just like the candy hearts filling the store shelves, the “ticker” gets special attention as the American Heart Association (AHA) encourages everyone to live heart-healthy lives. In the United States, cardiovascular disease accounts for 801,000 deaths each year – approximately one in every three. According to the AHA, someone suffers a heart attack every 43 seconds. And by 2030, the AHA predicts a 46 percent rise in the number of individuals diagnosed with heart failure.
Both sudden cardiac arrest and heart attacks pose deadly risks when they strike. Sudden cardiac arrest, triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart, causes the heart to suddenly stop functioning. This often happens without warning. A defibrillator (if available) and CPR can keep the victim alive until emergency medical responders arrive. Taking a class to learn each of these skills is an excellent idea. A heart attack, on the other hand, occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Certain warning signs or symptoms can signal a pending heart attack. While sudden cardiac arrest does not always follow a heart attack, it can … and it’s also more likely if you’ve had a heart attack in the past.
When a Heart Attack Strikes First of all, don’t second-guess yourself. Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women in the United States, and an equal opportunity affliction for both genders. If you notice any of the common symptoms, call 911.
With the risk clear, it’s important to recognize the signs of a heart attack – and that they can differ between men and women. It’s not always like the movie scene, where the victim grabs their chest, seized with pain, then suddenly collapses. Some symptoms are unmistakable and strike suddenly. Others strike slowly and subtly.
Men often experience the standard signs – a tightness or discomfort in the chest that feels like a clenched fist and discomfort in the upper body. Because the symptoms can differ greatly from the idea of sudden shooting chest pains, women often ignore or don’t recognize the signs. While women can experience chest pains or pressure, they can
have a heart attack without feeling chest pains first. What’s more, most women experience one or more of these other subtle signs as well:
Squeezing, pressure, pain or a feeling of fullness in the center of the chest, lasting for a few minutes or even going away and returning
Pain or discomfort in arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
Shortness of breath, even without chest pain
Before that, though, schedule an appointment with your doctor to have a full work-up. This visit will be time well spent. The best ways to protect yourself are scheduling regular exams to learn your personal risk and calling 911 if heart attack symptoms occur. by Kelsey Holder
Cold sweat
Nausea
Lightheadedness
While women are more likely to experience these, it’s important to remember that men can as well. Of these signs, especially watch for shortness of breath, nausea and/or vomiting, back pain or jaw pain. Some women mistake the symptoms for flu or fatigue, but you should never hesitate to call 911 and get the emergency attention you need. Learn how to improve your heart health. This presentation will offer information on heart health, stroke risk factors and practical tips and tools for staying and getting healthy. Friday, February 23 • 10 – 11:30 a.m. Tulsa Health Department – North Regional Health & Wellness Center 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. • Tulsa Free • RSVP • (918) 664-9000
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
Glenwood Apartments 10221 E. 34TH ST. • TULSA, OK
GLENWOODAPT.TULSA@ATT.NET
(918) 663-7797 Retirement Living for Seniors Age 62+ & Adults with Disabilities
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All Bills Paid 24-hour On-site Staff Laundry Facilities Library Planned Activities & Bingo Emergency Pull Cords On-site Beauty Salon
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LIFE PACE
Convenient. Supportive. Smart. In a world where healthcare has become increasingly complicated, the LIFE PACE program is unique in its simplicity and common-sense approach. LIFE PACE brings together a coordinated team of medical and social service providers who make it possible for older adults to live at home and age with dignity.
To learn more, call LIFE PACE at (918) 949-9969 or visit www.LIFEPACE.org. Recognized as a Medicare & Medicaid program.
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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The Gift of Life
It had been a typical August day for Tulsan John Palkowski. He and his wife Linda had just enjoyed dinner with his father-in-law and Linda’s brother when he got the call that not only changed his life, but also saved it. blood type, there are several factors that also have to match such as body size since the donor’s heart has to fit comfortably inside the recipient’s rib cage, antibodies and the distance between the donor and recipient.” Amazingly enough, there was a donor who fit all the categories. “I’d felt like I was on a time bomb that could go off at any minute,” Palkowski says, describing those months he spent waiting for his new heart. “But I was never fearful. I believed it would work out.” When Palkowski received his life-changing call that August night, he says they told him to “leave immediately and drive carefully” to the INTEGRIS Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute in Oklahoma City. He arrived around 11 p.m. “It felt like the longest drive,” he recalls. “I was excited and ready. I’d been praying for this for so long. I wanted the perfect heart at the perfect time. I believed this would happen.”
Linda and John Palkowski with their daughter Jaycee
His surgery took about eight hours. Around 10 a.m., he awoke with his new heart – and a new lease on life. “I can’t tell you how I felt, but I can tell you how I didn’t feel. I no longer felt lethargic and weak. I had energy again to live my life.”
P
alkowski was an active 48-yearold when his doctor discovered an irregular heartbeat during a routine checkup. He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy – or heart muscle disease – caused by a virus. The disease makes the heart large, weak and unable to pump blood effectively. For 10 years, he managed his heart disease with medication – he even had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in his chest. The device monitored his heart rhythm and would have delivered electric shocks if Palkowski had needed them to control his abnormal heart rhythms. Fortunately, he never did. He continued working, running the custom embroidery company he founded with his wife. But he was weak and felt wiped out all the time. Even after having the defibrillator implanted, Palkowski's heart continued to weaken. Then, in March 2015, Palkowski had his first of three acute pulmonary edemas. “My heart couldn’t pump efficiently, and my lungs 24
Three days after his surgery, Palkowski was up and walking. “I have a photo of my first steps with my wife smiling in the background,” he says. “It’s the first steps of my new life.”
" I can’t tell you how I felt, but I can tell you how I didn’t feel. I no longer felt lethargic and weak. I had energy again to live my life." - John Palkowski filled with fluid. I couldn’t breathe,” he recalls. “When the ambulance arrived, I told the paramedics they had about a minute to save my life.” After he experienced two more pulmonary edemas in as many months, he was placed on the heart transplant list in hopes of finding a donor. Three months later, his phone rang. “Normally, the wait can be several years for a heart,” Palkowski explains. “In addition to
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
Palkowski hasn’t looked back since taking those first steps. Today, he is living life to the fullest. “I eat what I want to eat; I bowl; I play golf; I’m on the Broken Arrow Seniors board of directors; I go where I want to go,” he says enthusiastically. The only thing he can’t do is catch a cold. “I take immunosuppressants and will for the rest of my life. I have to wear a mask if I’m in a crowd. I can’t fight colds like everyone else,” he explains.
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He also can’t eat grapefruit and pomegranates because they react with his medication. And for the first year after his surgery, he wasn’t allowed to eat at buffets because the condition of the food was uncertain. Today, he says he enjoys plenty of buffets and no longer restricts himself to hearthealthy foods only – although, he knows you should eat plenty of those! Of course, a life gained means a life lost. Palkowski doesn’t know anything about his organ donor, although he believes they may have died in a motorcycle accident. “We reached out to the donor family through an intermediary party, but we haven’t heard back,” he says. “I wish I could thank them. I wouldn’t be alive if not for them.” Palkowski added that the donor’s organs saved several lives in addition to his that day. “I know the gentleman who received the lungs,” he says. “Their special gift changed so many lives. They brought so much joy, health and happiness to so many – it just can’t be replicated.” For anyone who may be waiting for an organ donation, Palkowski encourages them to hold on to hope. “Have confidence in your team and don’t add to your stress. You don’t need that. Believe that everything will work out,” he says. He also encourages everyone to become an organ donor. “You give others a second chance at life, and that’s such a remarkable gift.” According to LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma, in 2017 more than 481 lives were saved through organ and tissue donation. The need for transplant is growing, and there are still approximately 700 Oklahomans currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant. One organ donor can save eight lives and one tissue donor can help more than 75 people. Every 10 minutes a new name is added to the transplant waiting list in Oklahoma. On average, 22 people die each day while waiting for a transplant.
There are three ways to join the LifeShare donor registry: On Your License or State ID Card – When you get your
driver’s license or state ID card, you will have an opportunity to say yes to organ, eye and tissue donation and you will have an opportunity to donate a dollar to the Oklahoma Donor Education Fund. If you have registered on your license or state ID card, you do not need to register in any other way. Online – If you have not registered on your driver’s license or
state ID card, you can go online anytime and register in just minutes at www.LifeShareRegistry.org. Registering online gives you the ability to access your registry page and change your donation information. On the Phone – You can call (800) 826-LIFE (5433) and
request that a donor registration form be sent to you. After you fill out the form and return it, your name and donation wishes will be added to the LifeShare Donor Registry. LifeShare encourages all Oklahomans to have the important conversation about organ donation with their friends and family and for organ donors to make their wishes known. Palkowski’s life was saved by a selfless donor, and because of that gift, he is able to live his life to the fullest.
Annual LIFE’s Legacy Awards to Celebrate Area Seniors and Caregivers NOMINATIONS OPEN We are pleased to announce the 2018 LIFE's Legacy Awards, honoring local seniors and caregivers. In honor of National Older Americans Month in May, the annual awards celebrate area seniors and family caregivers who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to improving our community and the lives of older adults through the following award categories:
LIFE’s Legacy of Leadership Award
celebrates a leader (55+) who exhibits integrity and collaboration while doing extraordinary work to strengthen our community for a brighter and more prosperous future. Exemplary leadership may be accomplished through any of the following means: (a) active committee participation; (b) leadership role within a professional organization; (c) leadership role within a civic or community organization, e.g., nonprofit, senior center, religious institution, etc.
LIFE’s Legacy of Volunteerism Award
celebrates an individual senior (55+) who has made an impact in their local community by devoting their time and talents through volunteerism and/or mentorship. This may be accomplished through any of the following means: (a) independent volunteerism; (b) volunteerism through an organization; (c) a formal advisory position; (d) a formal mentoring program; (e) an informal relationship with a mentee or group of mentees.
LIFE’s Legacy of Inspiration Award celebrates an individual senior (55+) whose life, actions, accomplishments and attitude inspire others to live each day more intently and to cultivate their own positive habits. This senior should embody core values such as respect, responsibility, kindness, compassion, selflessness, acceptance, perseverance and positivity.
LIFE’s Legacy of Family Caregiving Award
celebrates an individual who has cared for a senior-aged loved one with compassion and commitment to dignity and support, as well as continued dedication to their own well-being. Award recipients will be recognized in the May 2018 issue of LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine and at an awards reception. Nominations are open now. For more information and to nominate an area senior or caregiver for an award using the online form, visit www.LIFEseniorservices.org/legacy. Typed nominations may be submitted by mail and should include the following: (a) name, phone number and email address of the nominator; (b) name and phone number of the nominee; (c) the award being nominated for; and (d) a personal essay (400-500 word limit) explaining why you think the nominee exemplifies the criteria outlined above. To submit a nomination by mail, send to: Editor, LIFE Senior Services, 5950 E. 31st St., Tulsa, OK 74135. All nominations must be received by Friday, March 16, 2018, to be considered for selection. Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee using a pre-determined selection criterion. Award recipients will be formally announced in the May 2018 issue of LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine and invited to attend a reception for public recognition, award presentation and celebration.
by Karen Szabo www.LIFEseniorservices.org
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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In the
Spotlight Email your spotlight-worthy stories to Erin Shackelford at editor@LIFEseniorservices.org.
BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma Supports Volunteering
Thanks to the coaching from the videos, Dementia Friends step in and help them with compassion and respect. Watching the videos takes less than 10 minutes. After you complete the process, register as a Dementia Friend so Tulsa can track its progress in reaching its goal.
BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of Oklahoma recently selected their employee “Volunteer of the Year.” The named volunteer receives a $1,000 donation for the charity of their choice. This year’s volunteer recipient, Pam VanMeter, chose to give her donation to LIFE Senior Services, and we couldn’t be more honored! Choosing to actively live out the volunteer spirit instilled in her by her parents, VanMeter joined the Blue Corps, the BCBS employee volunteer group. For years, she’s been organizing a team of volunteers from BCBS to join her in putting up holiday decorations and spreading holiday cheer at Heritage Landing, one of LIFE’s Vintage Housing communities. As great as it is to see the seniors enjoy the decorations, in the end VanMeter said it is the volunteers who experience joy and excitement because of the time spent helping others. “I believe seniors are one of the most underserved and often forgotten populations in our community,” VanMeter says. “LIFE Senior Services directly helps more than 28,000 seniors and their families each year. Having quality services for the elderly is a need that continues to grow each year.” In 2017, VanMeter logged more than 120 volunteer hours with multiple nonprofit organizations through Blue Corps. In addition to LIFE, she regularly supports the Salvation Army, Clarehouse, Tulsa Quilts for Kids, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. LIFE salutes and appreciates VanMeter’s spirit of giving!
Become a Dementia Friend
Last April, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum committed Tulsa to becoming a Dementia Friendly City. The idea is patterned after the Dementia Friendly America initiative, which 26
Thank You for Supporting LIFE’s Holiday Project
Pam VanMeter with LIFE Senior Services CEO Laura Kenny seeks to forge collaborative efforts in order to increase understanding of dementia so that those affected – and their caregivers – are embraced in a culture of inclusiveness. Alzheimer’s disease makes up 60 to 80 percent of all dementia diagnoses. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative, progressive disease that is always fatal. But, the average lifespan after diagnosis can range from four to 20 years. The Dementia Friendly initiatives focus on keeping someone in the early stages of a dementia disease socially and financially engaged in the community for as long as possible. The end result is a better quality of life for the individual and their caregiver and reduced stigma on a disease that is only going to become even more prevalent as the baby boomer generation ages. The current challenge in achieving our city’s Dementia Friendly designation is for individuals to step forward and become Dementia Friends. If you’re interested in becoming a Dementia Friend, visit www.dementiafriendsusa.org to begin your training. There, you will find a couple of brief informative videos online. The videos provide basic information about dementia and how we may encounter someone with early-stage dementia in the grocery store, or other public space. Such individuals can still go about their daily lives, but occasionally become confused and need assistance.
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
Thanks to the generosity of our fellow Tulsans, more than 600 lowincome older adults in LIFE’s Care Management program had a happy holiday this past year. Asbury Inverness Village, BlueCross and BlueShield of Oklahoma, Church of St. Mary, Lakeview Southern Baptist Church, LIFE's Senior Center at East Side, LIFE's Senior Center at Southminster, National Charity League, ONEOK, Pennwell, PSO/AEP and Spirit Aero Systems, along with many individuals, donated items for stockings and gifts and delivered them to the seniors in need. Kayla Franco, Adult Day Health program coordinator at LIFE, was responsible for making sure the Holiday Program went off without a hitch. She worked closely with Tamra Moore, LIFE's COO, and Brett Long, LIFE's director of business development. “When the people came to drop off their gifts, they were so excited and friendly,” she says. “I saw pictures from one of our recipients getting her gifts,” Franco continues. “She was so excited that she put on each article of clothing and danced around her house. She received a couple of shirts, a robe and a heavy coat. The smile on her face was so big! The impact of this project is huge, and we couldn’t have done it without all of the donations and the volunteers who delivered the gifts.” If you’re interested in helping with the Holiday Project next year, visit our website at www.LIFEseniorservices.org/holidayproject for more information. www.LIFEseniorservices.org
So often you hear people complaining that Valentine’s Day is nothing more than a made up “Hallmark” holiday designed to rip people off. I choose to be a little less skeptical about it. We are all so busy with family obligations, work, health issues, day-to-day life, why shouldn’t we have one day a year where we make sure to honor and love the people who are important to us? There is a lot of hate in today’s world – we should collectively embrace any day that celebrates love!
Frame a photo
Make a homemade meal Bake and decorate sugar cookies
The Way to the Heart …
The most loving thing my Nana ever did for me – besides care for me – was to share her cooking and baking skills. She shared her recipes and passed on generations of love through food.
Nana fed me. That was her love language – seeing people get joy from her cooking and kindness. From decorated cookies for Valentine’s Day to birthday cakes in the shape of a doll to classic comfort food dishes, whatever it was, Nana did it best. And it’s what I remember most about her. When she passed away, I found that she had made each of her children and grandchildren a packet of photographs that were special to each of us. Also in my packet were her famous recipes for carrot cake, chicken and dumplings, pot roast, German chocolate cake and lots of others. She left me her cherished recipes, and it was a loving gesture. I still use the recipes – all memorized by now. I transferred them to a book that I will leave to my children and grandchildren. Talk about a delicious legacy. This Valentine’s Day, it would be a special treat to send your love through food. Is there a special cake that your friends and family love or another comforting food that makes them smile? If you’re not up to cooking, share one of your tried and true recipes with them. You can make it even more special by writing it on a nice notecard or piece of stationary. Maybe you even have a story about the recipe (who
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made it for you first, a memory made around the dinner table while enjoying the dish, etc.) – share it, too, and increase the impact! As an adult, I already have so many material possessions, so when my mother brings me a pot of beans and homemade cornbread, I not only enjoy eating it, but also relish the fact that she cared enough to give me such a thoughtful gift – one I could enjoy right away! A fun idea would be to invite your grandkids or friends over on Valentine’s Day to bake and decorate sugar cookies. Premade sugar cookie dough, frosting and sprinkles cost as little as $8 at the local grocery store, and the directions are easy to follow. If you are looking for something more romantic, try cooking a dinner your special someone enjoys or putting together something as simple as a cheese and fruit tray with a nice bottle of wine or sparkling apple juice. Romance and love are definitely in the air anytime you hear a cork pop.
Heart Full of Kindness
Maya Angelou once wrote, “If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.” Sometimes all it takes is a smile or friendly gesture to make the person you love feel it. This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of a smile – in person and in a photograph! A fun project would be to take new photos of you and your loved ones, and then make cards
or collages. If you don’t have a photo printer, you can easily transfer photos from your computer, phone and camera to a local drug store that prints photos. They can even make copies of the prints you already have and color correct vintage photos. A print usually costs about $.10 a piece, but if you search for coupon codes online, you can usually find one for 50 percent off. Place a photo in a frame from the dollar store or make your own with craft supplies.
The Love of Adventure
If you enjoy getting out, go on an adventure this Valentine’s Day. If possible, take your children on a tour of where you grew up, explaining all the things you used to do when you were a child – even if they’ve heard it before. A special dinner at a fancy restaurant is a traditional Valentine’s Day celebration. Check out the Celebrity Club in Tulsa for a romantic local dining experience. Another beautiful place to dine for Valentine’s Days is La Villa restaurant in Philbrook Museum. After dinner, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the museum and admire the art. The things to remember this Valentine’s Day are that life is short and love is important, regardless of who you share it with – be it family, friends, pets or all of the above. Cherish your loved ones. Make sure they know how much they mean to you all year-round. Go forth and love. by Joey Mechelle Stenner
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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Noteworthy Out of Africa One of the largest events of its kind in the nation will take place on Friday, February 16, at the Greenwood Cultural Center. Citizens and leaders within the African-American community will convene for the 14th Annual Out of Africa: Healthy Brain Strategies event. Alzheimer’s Diversity Outreach Services partners with corporate and faith-based community groups to create an evening of education, empowerment and entertainment. In the U.S., Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses can dramatically transform someone’s life with little warning. But, the impact doesn’t stop with the affected individual. Family members must often assume the role of caregiver. African-Americans are twice as likely as Caucasians to develop late onset Alzheimer’s disease. And they are less likely to receive a diagnosis, which means they have less time for treatment. While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, learning the warning signs and treating the symptoms during the early stages can often make the disease more manageable. Alzheimer’s Diversity Outreach Services provides Alzheimer’s patients and their families, friends and caregivers with the tools and resources to cope with and combat the disease. For the past 13 years, the annual Out of Africa event has raised money and awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and its devastating impact on African-American families. Out of Africa takes place Friday, February 16, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Ave., Tulsa. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.alzoutreach.org. For more information, contact Alzheimer’s Diversity Outreach Services at (918) 514-3154.
Start Your Heart Healthy Lifestyle at LIFE's Senior Centers Did you resolve to adopt a healthier lifestyle in 2018? A healthy lifestyle is one that makes you enjoy living and keeps you engaged with others. It includes regular social interactions and physical activity.
advantage of all the centers have to offer. LIFE’s Senior Center at Southminster even has a fitness room that members can use at their convenience. Plus, many of the exercise classes at both centers are top choices for heart health. • Pickleball is among the fastest growing sports in America. It is a paddleball sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. Participants burn calories, boost their mood and gain balance, energy and agility. Like any regular physical activity that gets your heart rate up, pickleball improves heart health and can help boost the immune system and prevent diseases. LIFE’s Senior Centers offer beginning and advanced pickleball options. • Line Dancing has no downside. As long as you’re moving enough to get and keep your heart rate up for brief periods of time, it’s good for you. In addition, it improves your balance and your mood. And, like all of the exercise classes mentioned here, line dancing has the added benefit of a social component where classmates offer support, encouragement and friendship. • Functional Movement takes the activities of daily living and turns the pulling, bending, lifting and rotating into a serious workout. It can reduce the risk of many major diseases and illnesses and preserve independence by building strength, endurance, cardiovascular health, joint flexibility and balance. Annual membership to LIFE’s Senior Centers is $30 a year. This entitles the member to attend many of the classes for free. Other classes may have a moderate fee for participation. Members may use one or both of the centers. • LIFE's Senior Center at Southminster 3500 S. Peoria Ave. • Tulsa • (918) 749-2523 • LIFE's Senior Center at East Side 1427 S. Indianapolis Ave. • Tulsa (918) 744-6760
Catch Our Regal Winter Visitors Before They Fly Away
LIFE’s Senior Centers offer a place where you can meet other older adults, socialize and enjoy classes to engage your mind and body. Since membership at the centers starts at age 50, you don’t even have to be very “senior” to take 28
Events to Inspire, Educate and Motivate!
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
February is a great time to view bald eagles in Oklahoma. Between 800 to 2,000 of these majestic birds head south from Canada to enjoy the relative warmth of Oklahoma from November through March
each year. January and February are peak times for eagle viewing. Experts have identified two prime locations for viewing our national symbols in the wild, which are both under an hour drive from Tulsa. Keystone Lake/Keystone Dam is less than 30 minutes from downtown Tulsa. Check out the eagle overlook platform in the Brush Creek area below the dam. Eagles can often be seen in the trees just below the dam. They may also be spotted roosting in trees around the lake or along Avery Drive. The area is just west of downtown Tulsa, between Sand Springs and Mannford. Keystone State Park is located at 1926 Highway 151, Sand Springs. Contact the park at (918) 865-5991. Sequoyah State Park is about an hour drive from Tulsa. Start your viewing expedition at the Three Forks Nature Center where their resident bald eagle will get you in the mood for more viewing. Then, begin scanning some of the treelined shores of Fort Gibson Lake. The lake's 225 miles of shoreline is a popular winter roosting area. Sequoyah State Park is located at 17131 Park 10, Hulbert. Contact the park at (918) 772-2046 or (800) 368-1486. Whether you’re going out for the day or a brief excursion, you might keep these facts in mind to optimize your eagle viewing: •B ald eagles are primarily fish eaters and tend to roost in trees around lakes and rivers. • Th ey are most active around sunrise and sunset. •B ring binoculars and/or a camera with a zooming lens. For more information or other prime-viewing locations, visit www.travelok.com and search for “eagle watching.” If you miss the wild eagles, you can always visit the year-round residents at the Tulsa Zoo.
Opportunity for Seniors At the end of 2017, Northeast Active Timers (NEATs) closed. However, a new group with a similar focus has been started. Chronologically Gifted will provide opportunities for older adults to stay socially active, which helps seniors live longer and healthier in body, mind and spirit. Anyone interested in the new group can email Michelle Fourroux, executive director, at mfourroux@sbcglobal.net.
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
Share To submit a volunteer opportunity, contact Associate Editor Emily Fox at efox@LIFEseniorservices.org or (918) 664-9000.
LIFE Senior Services’ Tax Assistance Program is looking for people to help others in our community by becoming a volunteer with the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program at LIFE Senior Services. Volunteer roles range from basic office support to assisting low to moderately low income seniors age 60 and older file their income taxes for free. All volunteers receive training. For more information, call Cindy Loftin at (918) 664-9000. The Coffee Bunker needs veteran support volunteers to staff the front desk (computer skills required), greet arriving guests, handle donations and serve coffee and food. These opportunities are available in the afternoon and evening. For more information, contact Joni Frank at (918) 637-3878 or joni@coffeebunker.org. Tulsa Chapter of the Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) has opportunities for retired professionals with business and consulting backgrounds and a desire to help struggling small businesses achieve success. Tulsa SCORE members perform some or all of the following functions: mentoring start-up and existing small businesses, presenting as subject matter experts at frequent workshops and seminars, and handling office management activities at the SCORE office. SCORE offers assistance at no charge to small business clients seeking advice. Volunteers control the amount of time they commit to the organization, with the typical volunteer working anywhere from a few hours a week to much more. Anyone interested in knowing more can contact Bill Griggs, Recruiting Committee Chairman at (918) 271-1436 or via email at bill.griggs@scorevolunteer.org or wgriggs1@outlook.com. John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation in the historic Greenwood District is currently in need of a volunteer assistant to help give tours and deliver educational information to guests and tourists. The volunteer will help answer phones and assist with photocopying and mailings as needed and will also be involved in special events. They would like someone who can work four to eight hours a week at the volunteer’s convenience. The environment is relaxed and gives someone a wonderful opportunity to meet people from around the world while learning about Tulsa’s history. For more information, contact Annette at (918) 280-8656 or annette@rsvptulsa.org. Crossroads Clubhouse needs two licensed drivers who can make stops for them Monday through Friday. The volunteers will regularly work four hours a day, five days a week, driving to Akins Natural Food Market and picking up boxes of food in the Crossroads van with a colleague from Crossroads. This position requires a valid driver’s license and insurance, as well as the ability to lift 10 to 50 pounds. Parking and a free lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Annette at (918) 280-8656 or annette@rsvptulsa.org.
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.
- Margaret Fuller
Crossroads Clubhouse needs a volunteer to assist with receptionist duties on Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to noon. The volunteer will be paired with another Crossroads colleague and both individuals will answer phones, deliver messages, greet visitors and handle other simple receptionist duties. Parking and lunch are free. For more information, contact Annette at (918) 280-8656 or annette@rsvptulsa.org. INCOG Area Agency on Aging is conducting training for volunteer ombudsmen. These volunteers add another layer of oversight and care for people living either permanently or temporarily in nursing facilities. Ombudsman volunteers visit facilities on a regular basis and work with residents and facility administrators to address concerns and achieve a high quality of care. The schedule is flexible, but most volunteers commit to two hours a week. The next quarterly two-day training sessions will be Tuesdays, February 6 and 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sessions are held at the Bernsen Community Life Center, 710 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa. Training sessions include a free lunch. For more information and to register for the training session, call (918) 359-1022. Tulsa County Post Adjudication Review Board volunteers meet once a month at Tulsa County Juvenile Court to review case actions. Post Adjudication Review Boards of Oklahoma ensure the best interests of deprived/delinquent children are being met through external citizen review to monitor the efforts of children services programs and make recommendation for system improvements. The goal is to enhance the management of individual children’s cases, as well as the administration of the system. As a result, children will achieve safety, stability and permanency without undue delay, as well as enjoy continuity of relationships and have the opportunity to develop their full potential. For more information, contact Sherry at (918) 280-8656 or sherry@rsvptulsa.org. Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium needs volunteers for varying shifts on the floor and during special events. Training and a shirt will be provided. The museum is planning an extension involving a new hangar that will double the current space and include a restaurant and classrooms. Experience in the aviation field is helpful. For more information, contact Annette at (918) 280-8656 or annette@rsvptulsa.org. RSVP Airport Ambassadors is a collaborative program between RSVP and the Tulsa Airport. Ambassadors work four-hour shifts one day per week to provide hospitality and information services to airline passengers at all three information desks, or work three-hour shifts roaming the terminal to offer assistance. Ambassadors offer goodwill and a vital community service by promoting a positive community image, while also providing assistance to military personnel, passengers and the general public. Volunteers are in especially short supply for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shifts. For more information, contact Annette at (918) 280-8656 or annette@rsvptulsa.org. LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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MINDBENDER & PUZZLES
Word search: Heart Healthy
Hink Pinks
Find and circle all of the words.
Arrhythmia Artery Attack Beat Blockage Blood
Cardiology Chamber Circulation Clinical Condition Disease
Doctor Exercise Health Healthy Heart Hospital
Ischemia Medical Medication Muscle Organ Papillary
Pressure Prevention Pulmonary Pulse Pump Stroke
Hink Pinks are fun rhyming word riddles. The answer to the riddle is a pair of words that rhyme with each other. For example: Large Feline would be Fat Cat. These will make you think! Answers on page 39.
Symptoms Transplant Vascular Vein Vessel Wellness
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Pale man in armor ______________________________________
Nude rabbit ______________________________________ Natural remedy ______________________________________ Nice poster ______________________________________
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No more fiber ______________________________________ © 2013 Wuzzles & Puzzles
Suduko Difficulty Level: 1 2 3 4 5 Answers on page 39.
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Schedule A Ride Today! (918) 973-3321 Safe, Reliable Transit for Your Loved Ones Clean Vehicles Wheelchair Accommodations Round Trips & One-Way Frequent Traveler Program Prompt Service & Great Prices
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We’ll Coordinate Your Move! v Help with downsizing decisions v Can design/develop a to-scale floor plan v Pack items and arrange movers
v Unpack & remove mess v Get you settled in (beds made, clocks set, pictures hung)
Call for a FREE Consultation OKC v (405) 315-3844
TULSA v (918) 488-0004
Home Care and Dementia Experts • Transportation Certified Home Health Aides • Up to 24 Hour Care Companion & Sitter Services • Medication Reminders Caregivers are Bonded and Insured
(918) 574-2273
www.seniorhelpers.com
Licensed Home Care Agency (No. 7926)
FOLLOW US ON
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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HEALTHY AGING
Maintaining our health and independence are two high priority goals as we age. Thanks to innovative strides in technology, it’s easy to maintain a thriving, healthy independence with the help of some handy gadgets and apps. There are countless devices and apps for your smartphone or tablet that can improve the quality of your life in areas like health and fitness, organization, cooking, medication management, personal security and basic convenience and comfort. Here’s a list of a few ingenious devices and apps on the market that you may want to consider: Amazon Echo
Google Home Assistant
Garmin Vivofit
prescriptions through your primary pharmacy, receive refill reminders and look up pill and drug information.
$99
The Garmin Vivofit has been recognized by many websites and technology reviews as the best and most low maintenance sports watch/activity tracker. A slim, comfortable, unobtrusive band, the Vivofit has a screen that is always on, so there’s no fussing to quickly check the time. Easily toggle through features like steps taken, calories burned, and heart rate. The Vivofit also learns your activity level and will set daily goals for you. Two main features that make this watch stand out among the rest are that it is waterproof – so accidentally stepping into the shower with it on is not a problem – and the battery life lasts up to one year, meaning no need for daily charging.
Medcoach Medication Reminder App
Free on iPhone and Android devices
This app is a good and budget-friendly solution if you are having a hard time remembering what pills need to be taken and when. The Medcoach app allows you to set pill reminders, alerts and multiple daily alarms so you won’t miss a dose. It also lets you log the pills you’ve taken, easily refill
Tricella Smart Pillbox $39.99 to $74.99
The Tricella Smart Pillbox is actually a physical, digitally interactive way to monitor meds. The box uses smart sensors in each pill drawer to remind users when it’s time to take a dose, and LED light notifications signify when a dose has been missed. It can detect when you’ve forgotten to take a dose or have taken the wrong one and will also alert the smartphones or tablets of family members or caregivers whom you have authorized to wirelessly share that information with.
Smart Home Devices $40 to $149
The latest technological gadgets sweeping the nation are smart home devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home Assistant. Smart home devices are small, sleek, aesthetic-looking devices you place around your home that are hands-free and voice-activated to respond to all types of questions. Easily tell your device to do a myriad of
Tricella Smart Pillbox
convenient things like set a timer when cooking, make hands-free calls and texts, play audiobooks or quickly be connected to family, emergency contacts or medical responders after a fall or in a medical emergency. The Amazon Echo Show is the newest smart home device. Not only does it respond to voice activation, but it also includes a screen to make video calls to family or friends anywhere in the world (provided they also have an Amazon Echo Show). The Show will automatically light up when you walk into a room, and you can even program it to bring up the latest news update when you enter the kitchen for your morning coffee.
5Star Medical Alert App
Free, chart-topping app for iPhone and Android devices
This app is designed to make you feel safe at all times and in all situations. The app features a large button for 911 and a button to connect you to a certified, U.S.-based 5Star agent anytime – day or night – to walk you through anything from a potential allergic reaction to just needing someone on the phone while you walk to your car alone in a parking lot. The app uses GPS technology to locate you immediately if you need an emergency medical responder in your area.
5Star Medical Alert App
Sen.se Mother and Cookies
Garmin Vivofit
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
LIFE SENIOR SERVICES PRESENTS 2 2 n d A nn u al
Medcoach Medication Reminder app is a good and budget-friendly solution if you are having a hard time remembering what pills need to be taken and when. The Medcoach app allows you to set pill reminders, alerts and multiple daily alarms so you won’t miss a dose.
JOIN US
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Cox Business Center • 6:00 P.M.
This premier events fuels LIFE’s mission of promoting and preserving independence for seniors – today – tomorrow – always.
Sen.se Mother and Cookies $99
This is one of the coolest, most dynamic and useful devices currently on the market. The Sen.se Mother and Cookies are a unit of devices that work together wirelessly to track all kinds of daily activities, from sleeping, to water intake, to fitness monitoring and much more. The Mother – a small device you plug into an outlet and an internet router through an Ethernet cable – receives and translates data sent wirelessly from the Cookies, which are very small, slim, unobtrusive motion sensors that clip or stick wherever you put them, from your shoelaces when walking or jogging, to your pill box, to your water bottle, to even under your mattress at night to monitor how well you are sleeping. The Mother then synthesizes the data into simple charts and graphs you can access through an app on your smartphone, tablet or on any home computer with a recent version of a major browser. The Mother also has the ability to notify a third party (family member or caregiver) through notifications to smart phones or tablets if, say, a Cookie was affixed to a pill box and detected that a dosage was skipped. The Cookies are also highly adaptive and intuitive, meaning once you are finished with one use, you can easily affix them to something else and begin collecting new data, allowing them to be reused over and over again. Though this may sound complicated, “Popular Science” magazine calls them “the most user-friendly monitoring system,” and once you get used to it you will wonder how you ever lived comfortably without it.
Elevate Brain-Training App Free on iPhone and Android devices
Selected by Apple as “App of the Year,” the Elevate Brain Training app is a workout for your mind. Through a series of interactive and engaging games, the app is designed to improve cognitive skills like speaking abilities, focus, processing speed, memory recall, math skills and more. The more you play, the more the adaptive difficulty progression will stretch your mental capabilities, working out your brain and helping you to stay mentally alert and aware.
The fun and spirited evening features a complimentary cocktail hour, silent auctions, live entertainment by Double Treble, wine pull, photo booth, gourmet dinner, live auction and much more! New to this year’s lineup is the addition of jazz duo Double Treble, featuring Carmela Hill and Vashonda Sherra. Known for their soulful jazz renditions, the pair will also treat attendees to blues, soul, R&B and a few other surprises. Some of the evening’s most exciting moments come during the live auction. This year, we’re thrilled to offer a variety of items, including a trip to Big Horn Cabin in Colorado, exclusive gourmet wine dinner for 10, a “diner’s dozen” of selected restaurant gift cards, an evening with pop superstar Pink, an Italian dining experience for eight, dinner for 12 by Chef Devin Levine, and a Jackson Hole seven-day winter stay. Additional items will be added to the mix as the event draws closer. Tickets to the event are $150. For more information on the event and to purchase your tickets, visit www.LIFEseniorservices.org/POD.
CAN'T ATTEND THE EVENT? You can still be a part of the night’s merriments! Purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win one of three Visa gift cards in the amounts of $2,000, $1,000 and $500. The drawing will be held at Puttin’ on the Dog on February 22, but you do not need to be present to win. Raffle tickets are $25 each or $100 for five. Visit www.LIFEseniorservices.org/POD or call Rickye Wilson at (918) 664-9000 to purchase your raffle tickets.
by Tiffany Duncan
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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To submit a calendar item, contact Associate Editor Emily Fox at efox@LIFEseniorservices.org or (918) 664-9000.
CALENDAR Festivals Events
Harlem Globetrotters
Feb. 11 • 2 p.m. • $26.50+ BOK Center • 200 S. Denver Ave. • Tulsa (800) 745-3000 • www.ticketmaster.com
BA Community Book Fair
Feb. 2 & 3 • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. • Free The Book Pantry 201 W. Houston St. • Broken Arrow (918) 251-7781
Vintage Tulsa Show
Feb. 16 – 18 Friday • Noon – 6 p.m. Saturday • 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. • $8 Tulsa Expo Square • 4145 E. 21st St. • Tulsa (918) 619-2875
Broken Arrow Community Playhouse Presents William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors”
Feb. 9, 10, 16 & 17 • 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 & 18 • 2:30 p.m. $18 premium • $13 balcony Broken Arrow Community Playhouse 1800 S. Main St. • Broken Arrow (918) 258-0077
Tulsa Opera – The Stars Align Anniversary Gala Celebration
Tulsa Ballet: Strictly Gershwin
George Orwell’s “1984”
Feb. 17 • 8 p.m. • $25+ Tulsa Performing Arts Center 110 E. 2nd St. • Tulsa (918) 596-7122 Feb. 22 – 24 • 8 p.m. Feb. 25 • 2 p.m. $15 adult • $8 senior University of Tulsa, Kendall Hall’s Chapman Theatre 601 S. College Ave. • Tulsa (918) 631-2567 • www.myticketoffice.com
Feb. 9 & 10 • 8 p.m. Feb. 11 • 3 p.m. • $25+ Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Chapman Music Hall 110 E. 2nd St. • Tulsa (918) 596-7122 Celebrate Romance with Bartlesville Symphony & Tiffany Coburn
Card Games & More
Feb. 10 • 7:30 p.m. • $19 – $39 Bartlesville Community Center 300 S.E. Adams Blvd. • Bartlesville (918) 336-7717 • www.bsook.org 2nd Saturday Silents
"Grandma’s Boy" (1922) Feb. 10 • 11 a.m. • $5 Circle Cinema • 10 S. Lewis Ave. • Tulsa (918) 592-3456 • www.circlecinema.com Tulsa Women’s Expo
Feb. 10 & 11 Saturday • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday • 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. • $7 River Spirit Expo, Tulsa Expo Square 4145 E. 21st St. • Tulsa (203) 259-3351 Greater Train Show
Brookside Winter Farmers’ Market
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Friday Night Opry
Branson style show, featuring classic country & gospel music Fridays • 6:45 – 9 p.m. • $6 St. Marks Methodist Church, Activity Bldg. 10513 E. Admiral Pl. • Tulsa (918) 258-1072
Classes, Meetings Seminars
Feb. 10 & 11 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. • $10 cash Tulsa Expo Square • 4145 E. 21st St. • Tulsa (630) 608-4988 Feb. 10 & 24 • 8:30 – 11 a.m. • Free Whole Foods Brookside, Parking Lot 1401 E. 41st St. • Tulsa
Join us for bridge, canasta, 31, poker, Mexican train, chicken foot & a pool tournament Check website for dates & times Miami Senior Center 2104 Denver Harnar Dr. • Miami (918) 540-0533 • www.miamiseniorcenter.com
Book Club
Everyone welcome whether you have read the book or not Feb. 1 • 10 a.m. • Free 5400 South Apartments 4700 E. 54th St. • Tulsa (918) 496-9270
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
Heart Health, Parts 1 & 2
Presented by a Reasor’s registered dietitian Feb. 6 & 13 • 3 – 4 p.m. • Free Creek County Literacy Program 15 N. Poplar St. • Sapulpa (918) 224-9647 Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Free informative seminar Feb. 15 • 5:30 p.m. • Free Perfect Smile Tulsa 5301 S. Lewis Ave. • Tulsa (918) 742-8100 • RSVP Art Focus
For individuals with early stage Alzheimer’s & their caregivers Feb. 20 • 10 a.m. – Noon • Free Philbrook Museum 2727 S. Rockford Rd. • Tulsa (918) 749-5379 nhowell@philbrook.org • RSVP Chronologically Gifted
Support Group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy & Related Brain Diseases
For patients & family members Feb. 7 • 2 – 3:30 p.m. • Free Warren Clinic, Conference Room 6600 S. Yale Ave. • Tulsa (918) 557-8784 Tulsa Hearing Helpers Support Group
For people who have lost hearing later in life Feb. 8 • 10 – 11:30 a.m. • Free Total Source for Hearing-Loss and Access 8740 E. 11th St. • Tulsa (918) 832-8742 • www.tsha.cc OK Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Feb. 9 • 10 a.m. • Free Broken Arrow Senior Center 1800 S. Main St. • Broken Arrow (918) 258-7033 or (918) 798-1495
Monthly events for active seniors Feb. 21 • Program at 11 a.m. Lunch at noon • $6.50 Incredible Pizza, Family Room 8314 E. 71st St. • Tulsa (918) 437-7470 mfourroux@sbcglobal.net • RSVP
Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Support Group
Tulsa Genealogical Society Meeting
Alzheimer’s Support Group Coffee Chat
Feb. 26 • 6 p.m. • Free Hardesty Library 8316 E. 93rd St. •Tulsa www.tulsagenealogy.org LOUD for LIFE
Parkinson’s voice maintenance class Tuesdays • Noon – 1 p.m. • Free Swallowing & Neurological Rehabilitation, Inc. 2121 S. Columbia Ave. • Tulsa (918) 928-4700 • www.tulsasnr.com
Support Groups
LIFE’s Caregiver Support Groups
Sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline • (800) 272-3900 LIFE Senior Services • (918) 664-9000 Respite provided • Free LIFE’s Adult Day Health at Broken Arrow Feb. 8 • 3 – 4:30 p.m. • Free Feb. 22 • 5:30 – 7 p.m. • Free 3106 S. Juniper Ave. • Broken Arrow LIFE’s Adult Day Health at Central Feb. 1 • 6 – 7:30 p.m. • Free Feb. 15 • 3 – 4:30 p.m. • Free 5950 E. 31st St. • Tulsa LIFE’s Adult Day Health at North Feb. 20 • 5 – 6 p.m. • Free 902 E. Pine St. • Tulsa
Feb. 20 • 6 – 7 p.m. • Free Swallowing & Neurological Rehabilitation, Inc. 2121 S. Columbia Ave. • Tulsa (918) 928-4700 • www.tulsasnr.com
Feb. 20 • 10 – 11 a.m. • Free Oxford Glen Memory Care Residence 11113 E. 103rd St. N • Owasso (918) 376-4810 • RSVP OK Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Feb. 22 • 1 – 3 p.m. • Free Owasso Community Center 301 S. Cedar St. • Owasso (918) 272-3903 Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group
For families of Saint Simeon’s & members of the community who have loved ones with dementia Feb. 22 • 6 – 7:30 p.m. • Free Saint Simeon’s, Smith Conference Room 3701 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. • Tulsa (918) 794-1945 • RSVP by Feb. 19 OK Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Feb. 28 • 2 p.m. • Free Central Tech 1720 S. Main St. • Sapulpa (918) 747-3747
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
Dancing
Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance
Feb. 13 & 27 • $4 Workshop 7 p.m. • Dance 7:30 p.m. St. Marks Methodist Church 10513 E. Admiral Pl. • Tulsa (918) 437-7277
Presented by Creek County Health Dept. & Creek County Literacy Program Mondays • 10 – 11 a.m. • Free Creek County Literacy Program 15 N. Poplar St. • Sapulpa (918) 224-9647
Tulsa Swing Dance Club
Yoga with Lucy Weberling
Belles & Beaus Square Dance Club
A variety of dance lessons for different skill levels Sundays East coast/Country/Country two step • 5 p.m. West coast beginning lessons • 6 p.m. West coast intermediate lessons • 7 p.m. $5 Elks members • $7 nonmembers Tulsa Swing Dance Club 2735 S. Memorial Dr. • Tulsa (918) 986-0317 Broken Arrow Senior Center Dances
Featuring The Round Up Boys Mondays • 6:30 p.m. • $5 1800 S. Main St. • Broken Arrow (918) 259-8377 • www.baseniors.org Line Dancing
Presented by the Owasso Community Center Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 1 – 2:30 p.m. • Free YMCA • 8300 N. Owasso Expy. • Owasso (918) 272-3903 Friday Night Dances
Open to the public; nonsmoking ballroom Fridays • 7:30 p.m. $6 members • $7 nonmembers American Legion Post 308 11328 E. Admiral Pl. • Tulsa (918) 437-1635
Fitness
Laughter Yoga
Moderate Yoga • Mondays • 10 – 11:15 a.m. $15/session • $50/month West Oak Village, Craft Room 1002 S. Fairfax Ave. • Skiatook (918) 633-8890 Functional Circuit
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays • 1 p.m. $30 /month (classes rotate on 12-week cycles) University Village 8555 S. Lewis Ave. • Tulsa (918) 298-3379 Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Presented by Ability Resources Mondays & Thursdays 11 a.m. – Noon • Free 5400 S. Apartments • 4700 E. 54th St. • Tulsa (918) 496-9270 Functional Movement
Tuesdays & Thursdays • 10:30 a.m. • $5 LIFE’s Senior Center at East Side 1427 S. Indianapolis Ave. • Tulsa (918) 744-6760 Chair Zumba
Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:45 – 3:10 p.m. Free to members Broken Arrow Senior Center 1800 S. Main St. • Broken Arrow (918) 259-8377 • www.baseniors.org Intermediate Tai Chi
Feb. 14 & 28 • 1 – 2 p.m. • Free LaFortune Community Center 5202 S. Hudson Ave. • Tulsa (918) 664-9000
Tuesdays & Thursdays • 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Owasso Community Center 301 S. Cedar St. • Owasso (918) 272-3903 • Free
Chair & Standing Fitness
Yoga for Back Pain
Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 9 a.m. • $25 a month LIFE’s Senior Center at Southminster 3500 S. Peoria Ave. • Tulsa (918) 749-2623
Tuesdays • 10:30 a.m. • $15/class Zen Body Yoga + Wellness 6024 S. Yale Ave. • Tulsa (918) 388-8799 • www.zenbodytulsa.com
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Wednesdays • 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. $15/session • $50/month Ramona Senior Center 4th St. & Cherokee Ave. • Ramona (918) 633-8890
Owasso Community Center Monday & Wednesday • 1 – 2 p.m. • Free 301 S. Cedar St. • Owasso (918) 273-5903
Seated Yoga with Lucy Weberling
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
Senior & Caregiver Community Education Diabetes Empowerment Education Program
This fun, interactive six-part series is designed for people with diabetes or those caring for someone with diabetes. Topics include risk factors, complications, nutrition, physical activity, use of a glucose meter, working with a diabetes care team and accessing community resources. Attendees will also enjoy games and prizes! Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20 & 27; March 6 & 13 • 10 a.m. – Noon University Village, Club House • 8555 S. Lewis Ave. • Tulsa Free • RSVP • Space is Limited • (918) 664-9000
Caring for the Caregiver
What better day than Valentine’s Day to celebrate and honor caregivers who give love year-round? Caring for the Caregiver will focus on interactive ways of reducing stress and releasing guilt and the need to be perfect. All attendees will also receive a box of chocolates! This is a chapter-developed program by the Alzheimer’s Association. Wednesday, February 14 • 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. LaFortune Community Center • 5202 S. Hudson Ave. • Tulsa Free • RSVP • (918) 272-3900
Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
When people think of staying fit, they generally think from the neck down. But the health of your brain plays a critical role in thinking, feeling, remembering, working, playing, even sleeping. The good news is there’s a lot you can do to keep your brain healthy. Program presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. Tuesday, February 20 • 1 – 2:30 p.m. James Mission • 4122 W. 55th Pl. • Tulsa Free • RSVP • (918) 664-9000
Caregiving 101
New to caregiving? Learn the care-world vocabulary and information you need to make good decisions. Class participants will learn about community resources, living options, legal documents and strategies for support and self-care. Seasoned caregivers welcome. Ask about free respite care during this program. This content is also available by appointment. Thursday, February 22 • 5:30 – 7 p.m. LIFE Senior Services • 5950 E. 31st St. • Tulsa Free • RSVP • (918) 664-9000
Free Tax Assistance
The reservation line is now open for LIFE’s free tax assistance program for seniors age 60 and older with an annual household income of $54,000 or less. Appointments are required. LIFE Senior Services • 5950 E. 31st St. • Tulsa Free • By Appointment Only • (918) 664-9000
Exercise for Seniors
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. • 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Owasso Community Center 301 S. Cedar St. • Owasso (918) 272-3903 • Free
LIFE EDU
LIFE’S SENIOR CENTERS LIFE leaves denote programs that are offered by LIFE Senior Services.
With two locations in midtown Tulsa, LIFE’s Senior Centers offer a variety of activities for adults age 50 and older. To discover all that LIFE has to offer, call LIFE’s SeniorLine at (918) 664-9000 or visit www.LIFEseniorservices.org/seniorcenters.
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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PEOPLE & PLACES
June Ross (right), executive director of the BA Senior Center, congratulates Mary Kay Baird during the Center’s September Pot Luck Luncheon. Mary Kay won the Center’s “Master of Aging” short story competition held during National Senior Center month in September.
University Village residents had a blast during an outing to the beautiful Riverwalk in Jenks.
Carol, a resident at The Parke Assisted Living, decorated her walker for the holidays.
Ladies from Oxford Glen Memory Care enjoyed the quilting display at the Rogers County Fair.
Case Management Society of Eastern Oklahoma (CMSA) raised nearly $5,000 for The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges during its annual fashion show and luncheon in December.
University Village residents can join whatever fun activities they wish, including this festive visit to the Philbrook Museum to see the Christmas decorations!
Sharon Kelly, Joyce Cox, Peggy Tackentien, and Elaine Stanley participate in the “Ladies Only” Pool Tournament at the Broken Arrow Senior Center held the second Wednesday of each month.
Send Us Your Pictures
We Want To See Seniors Smiling & Active
Whether it is your traveling group, tennis buddies or a night on the town, we want your pictures! Submit high-resolution photos to editor@LIFEseniorservices.org by the 1st of every month.
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CLASSIFIEDS
LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine does not endorse advertiser products or services. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
APPLIANCE SERVICES Best Appliance Service We repair washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, ice makers, heaters and air conditioners. Floor furnace service available as well as minor plumbing needs. All repairs guaranteed by honest and reliable, licensed and insured service tech with 30 years experience. 24-hour service available. Mention this ad for senior and veteran discount. Major credit cards accepted. “Expect the best!” (918) 693-5678.
AUTO REPAIR Strickland Automotive Strickland Automotive is locally-owned and - operated with over 40 years of auto repair experience. We perform all types of vehicle repair, from computer and electrical problems to engine and transmission overhauls. ASE Certified mechanics. Open six days a week, with towing provided. Call Gary. (918) 832-7072.
CARPET CLEANING ALL PRO Carpet Cleaning Senior and caregiver discounts. Carpet, furniture, rug cleaning. Pet odor removed and Teflon protectant available. Emergency water extraction. Residential and commercial services. Professional truck mount steam cleaning. Carpet repairs and restretching. Prompt, professional, quality service at a fair price. Certified, insured. Veteran owned and operated. Call Thomas Fink, owner/ technician, for free estimate (918) 636-6303.
CEMETERY LOTS Floral Haven Lots Available Two lots available in the Garden of Faith at Floral Haven, 6500 South 129th East Avenue in Broken Arrow. Lot 159-D, Plot 3 & 4. The asking price is $5,500 down from $7,000. Beautiful area. Call (918) 252-2518 and ask for Lance. M-F, 9 a.m.- 5p.m. Memorial Park Cemetery Lots Memorial Park Cemetery lots for sale in Valley Glen West. Spaces 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 in lot 59 section 33. Lots located close to road, south end on Memorial side. Call Sally for more information (918) 625-4635. Single Lot in Memorial Park Space 1 Lot 10 Section 49 in Memorial Park Cemetery is available. This single lot is located in a beautiful area of Memorial Park. Lot is valued at $2,000 but will sell for $1,200. Call (405) 755-8695 or (405) 630-9016.
COMPUTER SERVICES Computer and Electronic Assistance Are you stuck and need Help with your computer or any electronic device. Price and Son Computer and Technology Services, LLC will be glad to assist you in your home. Call James orJared at (918) 236-6010 or email us at office@pricestechhelp.com to schedule an appointment.
www.LIFEseniorservices.org
Does Technology Frustrate You? Honest, patient, ethical help with your pc, router, wifi, cell phone, email, streaming, camera, password recovery, etc. 28 years of IT experience in Tulsa. Special rates for seniors. References available. Call or email Carmen Armstrong. Carmstrongva@gmail. comm (918) 688-7453.
DAYTIME CARE Daytime care for older loved ones LIFE’s Adult Day Health offers convenient, affordable daytime care at three locations in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. For more information, call LIFE’s Adult Day Health at (918) 664-9000.
ESTATE SALES 2MS Estate Sales ...Tulsa’s Finest! Downsizing? Estate Liquidation? Let us take the worry away and Maximize your return. No out of pocket expense. We specialize in senor transitions, with over 20 years in the senior housing market. My team includes realtors, moving company, senior housing and attorneys if needed. Please contact Michelle Reed (918) 691-5893 or Atulsa@aol.com also Facebook 2MSestatesalestulsa for a Free consultation. Estate Sales PLUS Tulsa’s largest and most experienced Estate Sales company with over 1,000 Estate Sales to our credit. Maximize the value of your estate…Let us organize, advertise and professionally manage your Estate Sale, Moving Sale, Downsizing and Appraisal. Bonded. Insured. Experienced. Accredited Member of the BBB awarded Best Customer Service. For more info go to www.estatesalesplus.com or email us at info@estatesalesplus.com Call for a free consultation at (918) 488-8853. Miss Lilly’s Estate Sale Services Miss Lilly’s Estate Sale Services specializes in Estate Liquidation, downsizing or moving sales. Our Estate appraiser has over 30 years of experience. If you are selling your home, we will work with your agent and bring potential buyers into your home. Contact Patti Lorimer at (918) 906-3539 for a FREE estate evaluation OR email misslilly’s@cox.net OR visit our website www.misslillysestatesales.com Silvey Estate Sales A premier, professional Tulsa company specializing in estate liquidation and personal property appraisals. You can trust our experience, knowledge, and a well-earned reputation for reliability. With Silvey Estate Sales, integrity and results share the bottom line. Contact us for a free consultation. More information on our Facebook page, or visit silveyestatesales.com. Call/Text (918) 770-2407 or email silveyestatesales@gmail.com
FINANCIAL/INSURANCE Medicare Assistance Program The Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) at LIFE Senior Services provides accurate information, counseling and assistance relating to Medicare benefits for Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives and persons soon to be eligible for Medicare. Call MAP at LIFE Senior Services (918) 664-9000 or toll-free (866) 664-9009. Need A New Medicare Plan? The Medicare Supplement Store at Promenade Mall is your “One-Stop-Shop” for Medicare Supplements, Advantage Plans, & Drug Plans. We can give you a quote from top-rated carriers like: Aetna, Blue Cross, Humana, GlobalHealth, UnitedHealthCare, Mutual of Omaha and others. For information, call Bob Archer today (918) 814-5550.
GARDENING/LAWN SERVICES AAA Lawns & More Total lawn care. Lawn Mowing. Snow removal. Gutter clean-up. Specialist in fence/property line lawn clean-up. Stump grinding and small tree work. Dedicated to making your lawn look its best. Insured, honest, experienced and dependable. Veteran-owned. We are a small company with personal service. References available. FREE ESTIMATES. Call Larry. (918) 361-1299. A Complete Yard Mowing, trimming, Fall clean-up, leaves, limbs, debris removal, hauling, flower bed work. Fence and property line cleanup. Gutter cleaning and repairs. Snow removal. Guaranteed at a fair price. Veteran owned. Senior Discount. Call (918) 697-4321. A New Season Lawn Care & Landscape Always accepting new customers. Time for Fall Clean-Up! Leaf removal and small debris removal. Will put up Christmas lights. Mowing, trimming, shrub planting, hedge trimming, mulching flower beds. Small tree trimming. Picket Fence repair. We offer weekly, bi-weekly & year round services for the manicured look. Best rates, senior discounts. Free Estimates. Call Todd (918) 639-2262. Green Hibiscus Lawn & Garden Services Scheduled garden maintenance (weeding, planting, mulching). Garden bed design and installation. Hedge & shrub trimming. Tree pruning & removal. Leaf clean up. Hauling green debris. Call Charles (918) 636-0298. Kimble Davis Tree Company Family-owned and operated. Specializing in all aspects of tree care: restoration, pruning/thinning, removal, stump grinding, hedge trimming, firewood available. Serving Tulsa for 25 years. References. Member BBB. Insured. ISA certified arborist. Check us out at www.kdtreeco.com. Call Kimble at (918) 853-5383.
Mower Repair / Maintenance All brands - Riders, ZTR’s, Walk-behinds, Hand-helds. Top Quality work, ASE certified Mechanic. Pick-up and Delivery available. Tulsa and surrounding counties. Maintenance specials include pick-up and delivery 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call Scott (918) 519-3869.
HOME REPAIR/REMODELING A-OK Plumbing A-OK Plumbing is now offering handyman services. No job too big or too small. Free estimates. We work by the job or hourly. 10% off to all first time customers. Relax, everyone’s welcome. Sit back and give us a call. Special senior rates offered. (918) 810-0397. A Handy Helping Hand Professional home maintenance, painting, and improvements. Whether you’re making overdue repairs, sprucing up your home and garden, or optimizing your home’s “saleability” potential, call Joe Surowiak with A Handy Helping Hand. Professional results. Competitive rates. (918) 520-0333. Allen’s Handyman Services of Tulsa “Your Home Improvement and Repair Specialist.” 18th year serving Tulsa seniors. “One call can do it all.” 10% senior discount. Insured. All work guaranteed in writing. No pay until job is completed. Plumbing, drain cleaning, grab bars, electrical, carpentry, painting, seamless guttering installation/ repair/cleaning. Roof, tile and drywall repair. Wood siding/trim replacement. Deck repair, power washing, staining. Tree trimming. No job too small. For free estimate, call Allen at (918) 630-0394. Big C’s Plumbing Services Your one stop Plumbing Shop! Call us and I guarantee you will never have to call another plumbing company. Licensed, bonded and insured for your protection.... Call (918) 855-9216, tell us you saw us in the Vintage Newsmagazine receive an automatic 10% discount....call us now. Bumgartner Plumbing Licensed, with over 30 years of experience. Rates are low and based on the job, not the hour. No service call fee or travel time charge. Senior and caregiver discount. Plumbing service and repair our specialty. Honest, professional service you can count on. Lic. # 82750. (918) 355-4747. Burton Painting Specializing in all aspects of exterior and interior home painting. Staining, sealing, and painting faux finishes. Decks, fences, cabinets and floors. Free estimates. 30+ years of experience. Reliable, courteous, professional service. Fully insured. (918) 378-2858. Contracting for Seniors by Van Repairs, painting, remodeling, some plumbing and electrical, small jobs. Special needs: grab bars, ramps, hand rails, door Continued
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CLASSIFIEDS alterations to accommodate wheelchairs, handicap fixtures. Working with individuals, families, seniors, businesses since 1987. We function with integrity, with special concerns for seniors. Free estimates, insured. (918) 636-6849. Dave’s Heat and Air, Inc. Licensed, insured, and bonded. Honest and reliable service for over 30 years. Competitive rates. Specializing in heating and air conditioning service and repair. All makes and models. Residential and light commercial. Tulsa metro area. Family-owned and operated. (918) 437-8101. Freedom Electrical Services Do you need outlets, ceiling fans or lights hung? Freedom Electrical Services provides quality workmanship. For all your electrical needs, call (918) 216-1846. www.freedomelectricalservices.com Free Roof Inspection Honest and ethical storm inspection for your home. Small roof repairs free for seniors. Emergency storm repair. Free home remodel estimates. Insurance specialists. Licensed. Locally owned, located on Main in Broken Arrow, right next to the senior center. Proof Construction, 1802 South Main St. Broken Arrow, OK. Call Carmen (918) 688-7453 G.C., P.M. Handyman & Construction Services 30 Years Experience! All Handicap Accessories - grab bars, handicap access abilities; Framing, Drywall, Tape & Bed; Texture & Paint, Plumbing, Electrical, Tile, Laminate & Wood Floors. Free Estimates, Competitive Rates, Professional Service. Call Craig (918) 892-4168. ROBIN’S HOME SERVICES Remodel, paint, repair. No job too small or too large. 20+ years experience. Free estimates. Call (539) 644-3797 Same Day Services Light Hauling /Light Moving - help you rearrange room furniture, lawns-grass mowing/ small paint jobs/cleanup/ fence repair/light construction/sheet rock tile repair - We are honest dependable. References. Call (918) 313-5230. Scrap Metal Haul Off Free haul off/pick up of appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, hot water tanks and any scrap metal. Call John at (918) 313-4405.
HOUSING Updated Duplex For Rent Senior friendly duplex with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath is available. Located at 75th & Birmingham by ORU this updated unit provides necessities for seniors. 24 hour security. Also, available next door is a Master Suite for rent with live-in owner. Call for pricing (918) 491-9929.
LEGAL Full Service Estate Planning Law Firm Trusts, Wills, Gift and Tax Planning, Powers of Attorneys and more! With offices in Sand Springs and Tulsa. Discount to Veterans and Retired Teachers. Willing to meet you in your place for no extra charge! Call Penni of the Skillern Law Firm at (918) 805-2511. www.skillernlaw.com
MOVERS Movers – Laborers Franks Tulsa Movers. Careful, efficient movers. Also, will do miscellaneous work. Low rates! Free estimates! Check us out at the BBB – A+ Rating. Please call (918) 592-1936 or (918) 734-2181.
MUSIC Buy A Gift Certificate Give the gift that fills the heart with song! Weekly or Bi-weekly classes available at home. (A) Sing with the accompaniment of a guitar or ukulele. (B) Learn simple songs on the guitar or ukulele. Make a memory today – FREE (1 time offer) “Happy Birthday” song. Call (918) 551-7004.
OIL AND GAS Mineral, Oil/Gas Interests Want to purchase minerals and oil/gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557, Denver, CO, 80201
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE Affordable Home Care Tulsa’s Affordable Home Care provides affordable non-medical life enriching services to Tulsa seniors throughout the community to preserve an independent and dignified lifestyle while in the comfort of their own homes. Non-medical services include meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands and shopping and so much more. Call (918) 361-5462 for a FREE consultation. Appointments & Grocery Shopping General organizing & food preparation also available. Assistance with your gadgets & computers as well as issue resolution done with compassionate care. I want to help you remain independent! Call Rachel for your free consultation. (918) 845-6362. Bobbi and Bob’s Personal & Business Assistance Handle secretarial and administrative tasks, run errands, grocery and personal shopping, beauty shop transportation, take to medical and health-related appointments, airport transportation, wait for deliveries/repair services, organize home/office, house check, coordinate healthcare/medical insurance tasks. Call Bobbi or Bob Warshaw at (918) 747-3807, Email: bobbi.warshaw@att.net Busy Bee Services Let me make your life easier! I will run errands, take you to appointments, shop for you or take you shopping. I do pet sitting and house sitting, along with companion care and light housekeeping. Rates and references furnished upon request. Call Beverly at (918) 851-0567. B.keeley@me.com.
Companion Aide We are home companions. We do laundry, cooking, transportation to doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping, and errands. We cover Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Jenks, Owasso. We are honest and caring. References available. (918) 688-0031. Dawn’s Cleaning Service NO JOB TOO BIG. NO JOB TOO SMALL. Dawn does it all. A girl Friday. Cleaning, yard work, picking up things at the store. A companion, a lunch and so much more. Over 20 years cleaning experience, rates based on the type of duty. Call (918) 430-9507 or (918) 949-4481. Financial Organizer Are you overwhelmed handling monthly finances (paying bills, balancing your checkbook, organization) for yourself or a loved one? I can help! I create customized systems that fit your needs, either for set up only or ongoing monthly. Call me to discuss the options available. Essential Strategy Consulting, LLC. Gwen Stevens (918) 557-5259.
PERSONAL SAFETY EARS Emergency Alert Response Systems. Enjoy living at home while we listen for your safety with our quality personal medical alarm and monitoring service. Affordable with no long-term commitment. Locally owned and operated (918) 298-0500 or toll-free (877) 885-3277. HALO Medical Alarms HALO provides emergency response throughout Oklahoma with an office inTulsa. Let a HALO medical alarm provide you with the confidence and security to live independently in your own home, where you are most comfortable. Call (918) 392-0566 or (877) 747-HALO (4256). www.halomedicalalarms.com
PERSONAL SERVICES Affordable Hairstyling In-Home or Shop Transportation and home service available for your hairstyling needs. I will come to you at the hospital, rehab or nursing home. A Mane Event hairstyling is for the entire family. 35 years experience. Senior specials for haircuts, perms and color. In-shop special: Haircut $7 for first time customers in shop ONLY. Perms are $45. Tuesday through Saturday. Near 11th and Yale at 937 South Canton Ave. (918) 834-2686. Darlene’s Salon Services Hair care for men and women, specializing in senior clients. Wet sets, blow drying, back combing, perms, colors and cuts. Manicures and pedicures available. This month’s special: Haircut OR shampoo and set for $14.-First time clients only. $10 military cuts by Lori. Come see us at Highland Plaza, 5661 East 41st Street (corner of 41st and Hudson). (918) 742-3440.
For Your Feet Many foot problems occur later in life. Let MY S.H.O.P. (Seniors House of Pampering) take care of your tootsies. Soothing, relaxing foot bath followed by massage to help relieve pain and improve circulation. Senior owned and operated. $25 at your place. $20 at my place. (918) 808-5084. In-Home Beauty Services of Tulsa We provide beauty services to our clients who are unable to leave their home, disabled, hospice care or independent living. We offer full beauty service for men and women in Tulsa and surrounding areas. Our services include: shampoo & sets, haircuts, perms, manicures. pedicures. Licensed and Insured. Visit our website at www.inhomebeautyservicesoftulsa.com. Call (918) 630-6274.
PET CARE Home Veterinary Care Experience Tulsa’s most convenient veterinary service in the comfort of your own home. Our goal is to develop a personal relationship with each of our clients and patients. Contact us today to schedule your house call appointment. Call (918) 892-9382 or email DrFielstra@gmail.com or visit us at www.homevetcaretulsa.com.
SOCIAL/SUPPORT GROUP Single Seniors (55+) Are you over 55, single, divorced or widowed? We are a fun loving group of single seniors over 55. We meet every Wednesday,11:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Buffet Palace, 10934 East 21st Street. We eat at 11:15 have a short meeting and then play cards. Join us for great fun and fellowship. Questions, call Jerry at (918) 838-3718 or Beverly at (918) 272-1049.
TOURS BIG "D" DISCOVERY: FEB 15-17 Round-trip coach to Dallas; 2 nights at the Hilton Garden Inn Market Center; Texas Star Dinner Theater; 6th Floor Museum; Dallas Heritage Village; Dallas Museum of Art; George W. Bush Library; "Dallas by Chocolate" tour, Lunch atop Reunion Tower and more. All meals included. $682. Call (918) 494-0649 or email david@thetravelgroup.biz. BARTLESVILLE: MAR 21 Round-trip coach from Tulsa, includes tour of the Price Tower and Arts Center, visit to the Frank Phillips home; and Woolaroc museum and wildlife preserve with lunch at Dink's Pit BBQ. $96 (but Free if you are registered for the Dallas tour (above). Call (918) 494-0649 or email david@thetravelgroup.biz. KANSAS CITY: APR 18-20 Round-trip coach from Tulsa, 2 nights 1st class hotel, Union Station, Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, Kemper Museum of Art, WWI Memorial & Museum, Dinner Theater (Barefoot in the Park) starring Cindy Williams from Laverne & Shirley, Special "Dallas By Chocolate"
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LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine | February 2018
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Vintage Friends
tour; Wine tasting at the Amigoni Winery, plus all meals included. This great tour includes everything! Only $636.00. Call (918) 494-0649 or email david@thetravelgroup.biz.
In appreciation of contributions to LIFE Senior Services received in December 2017. We sincerely apologize for any error or omission. If there is an error, please call Carrie Bowen at (918) 664-9000.
LITTLE ROCK: APR 25-26 Round-trip coach from Tulsa, 1 night at a 1st class hotel, tour of the Arkansas State Capital and the Old Arkansas State House, the Clinton Presidential Center, visit to the Old Mill, and tour of the Arkansas Governor's Mansion (subject to availability). Only $359.00. Call (918) 494-0649 or email david@thetravelgroup.biz.
TRANSPORTATION Call Patricia! Need a go-fer to run errands, take you to an appointment or grocery shopping? Need someone to take you to hair appointments, the pharmacy, make deliveries? Need someone to stay with you during an outpatient medical procedure? Also, available as a driver/companion for traveling; rates negotiable. Call Patricia! (918) 437-3456 or (918) 855-2302. HealthRide Transportation Services Let us take you where you need to go. Our Wheelchair Accessible Vans can get you to Dr. Appointments, Church Events or anywhere you desire. HealthRide provides wheelchair transportation for Tulsa and surrounding communities. Quality service at a lower cost. Call (918) 404-0038. Website: www.healthridetulsa.org Email: healthride1@gmail.com. My Driver Transportation Service Let me do the driving. To and from work, airport, shopping, errands, post office, appointments. Also, LIFT VAN transportation available. Able to assist getting to and from bed. Senior sitting. Also, small breed dog boarding. 20 years experience. CLEET certified and licensed. References. Member, Better Business Bureau. (918) 491-9929.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Consider Being a Service Volunteer If you are a licensed hair stylist, manicurist or massage therapist, and you could donate a little time each month, please consider being a service volunteer for us. Training is provided. Contact Denise Randall at Millennium Hospice (918) 740-0244. Men and Women 65+: Join Our Study! The OU Aging in Place study needs you for a focus group. Has anyone suggested that you use services specifically for seniors? Could you attend a group meeting for two hours? Compensation provided for time and travel Transportation available. Must be 65+. Men are especially needed. Call Sam Kirzner, (918) 619-4754.
CLASSIFIEDS TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT: Bernie Dornblaser (918) 664-9000 or bdornblaser@LIFEseniorservices.org
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February Answers
For puzzles, see page 30.
HINK PINKS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Anonymous Frank L. Adams The Judith & Jean Pape Adams Charitable Foundation Lester and Donna Alcorn Helen T. Arnold Nick and Mary Aston Mary W. Athens Tommy and Sharon Austin Douglas and Virginia Baldridge Vera Berlin Vera Berlin Susan Berry Ken and Debra Bezan Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma Mark and Brenda Blumenthal Mary Ann Bosley Nicole Boyd Eileen Bradshaw Joseph and Loray Brady Wilmoth R. Brickett Richard and Judith Bridwell Darla Bright Bonnie K. Brown Priscilla Brown Priscilla Brown Charlotte A. Burton Judy Cairl Virginia Cameron Otto and Ellen Cantrell Sue Carlock Lisa R. and Mark A. Carr Don and Marilyn Carter Sandy K. Carter H. A. & Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust Arlene G. Chemers Doris M. Cheney Samuel R. Clammer Phyllis S. Clement Charlie and Marjean Cole Faye Collier Patrick J. Collins The Common Bond Foundation Martha B. Cox Jennifer Crites Gary and Yolanda Crooms Joseph and Mary Cunningham Mark and Lisa Dalton Stanley Dennis Harold and Trudy Dinsmore Gary D. Dir and Dana Callahan Mrs. G. C. Duggan Marion Dyer Martha Earls Nancy Enders Dorothy Endrizzi Devern Eubanks Helen Feldman Flint Family Foundation William and Susan Flynn Sue Forney Silvia Furgason Mildred J. Garton The Gelvin Foundation Dorothy G. Gibbons Robert and Connie Ginn Upkeep Tulsa Co., LLC/ Timothy A. Gramly Bonnie S. Green Anita Greiner Bob and Peggy Grotts Jerry and Julie Gustafson Duane and Dona Hall Rowena K. Hall Mike Hampton Rowena Hancock Grace V. Hargis Sandy Harned Joyce Hatchett Mary Hawthorne Jo Ann Hazlip Don and Linda Hensley Treva Hicks Patricia Z. Higgins Philip and Sandra Hill Ray and Pat Hill Jim and Rowena Hladik Richard and Sybil Holland
Hannah Hoop William R. Horkey Johnnie A. Hovorka Linda L. Hughes Mary P. Hunter Sherry W. Imel Jim and Ruth Jackson Dixie Johnson Raymond S. Johnson Velva-Jo Johnson Dave Jones H. R. Jones George Kaiser Family Foundation The Herman Kaiser Foundation Martha B. Kamp Pat M. Kamphaus Renee Kaplan Kathleen Kastelic Ida Keefer Walter Kempe Gerry L. Kemper Charla Kitch Jerry and Phyllis Kramer Robert G. Lair Charles and Eleanor Lake Angela Larson Larry and Dana Lebold Larry and Dana Lebold Beth Legg Peter and Sally Leininger Richard and Patricia Lieser Bill and Donna Little Dr. Sue W. Lohmann Edward and Eileen Long Laurel Madland Madeline Martin Melvin and Brenda Martin Phyllis McCoy Cathy McDonald Marion and Linda McFadden Whitney McKellar-Stevens Mike and Carol McMahon Lisa McMillen David O. Merifield A. J. and Ruth Meyer Robert M. and Carlene C. Miler Rosanne F. Miller Sue Mishler Lillian O. Montgomery Margaret Jane Moore Drs. Joe and Debra Morgan Robert and Donna Lee Morris David S. Morse Vincent and Rosamond "Posy" Mulford Fund at TCF Paul and Eleanor Mullen Paul and Sandra Mullins Jack and Mary Jo Neal Nancy L. Neal Vanessa Neal Victor R. Neal Don and Nancy Nelson Jim and Kathryn Nelson Ruth K. Nelson Family Foundation Mary Noble Roger W. Noldt Eve B. O'Kelley William and Donna Olson Mary M. Owens Donald and Vivian Palmer Phil Parrish Jo Ann Payne W. Ray Payne Jr. Pam Peck Nancy A. Petty Sheila Powers Jayne L. Radcliffe Georgia Ray Jeff and Carol Reese Mike and Jan Reynolds Ada Richardson George and Elsie Ridgley Willidean Rogers Gail Rommann Billie Rosecrans John Rosso Lon Rumble SADOA - Sooner Association of Division Order Analysts Maureen T. Sands
Bobby D. Sayre Martha L. Scales Matt and Marla Schaefer Doris Schmidt Janet K. Schneider Ginny Schulte David and Sarah Schumacher Sondra S. Schumacher Dr. Robert L. and Shirley Scott Myrna V. Seale Esther B. Semones Edith Senske Bill and Vija Sevier Ray Shamas Gordon P. Shelton Harold D. Snyder Phil and Lonnie Snyder Erma Spann Sue Springwater Church of St. Mary Bill and Sally Stewart Stephen and Kathleen Stouffer John and Melba Taylor Dolly M. Thomas-Dixon Charles Turner Peggy Van Dyke Vivian G. Vande Weghe Pam VanMeter JoAnn Vaughan Trudy Vaughn Louise Waite Charley and Terri Wall Shirley Walter Curtis L. Ware Carol Warnock John A. Warren Jack and Jean Watkins Alyce West Amend Charlotte A. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Williams Pamela S. Wilson Nancy H. Wirth Jan Witwer Sally Wood Jane Woodliff Sarah Zerbe
In Honor of
In Honor of Frances Birchfield's 90th Birthday LeRoy and Linda Fore In Honor of LIFE Senior Services' Medicare Assistance Program Denice Brice Kurtz In Honor of Volunteers of LIFE Senior Services Carolyn Johnson In Honor of Cindy Loftin and the Medicare Part D Volunteers Donald and Patricia Hardin In Honor of Helen Stiner James and Patricia Farrell In Honor of Dorothy R. Wall Robert and Mary Dick In Honor of Lois Walters Thomas H. Walters
In Memory of
In Memory of Madeline E. Alderman Joanne Alderman In Memory of Linda Allwein Robert W. Allwein In Memory of H. Ray and Viola Bridgman Joyce M. Bridgman In Memory of T. A. and Sara Byrd Jamee S. Markert In Memory of Sally Wigert Conrad Jerry R. Conrad In Memory of Joyce M. Coyle William Coyle In Memory of Catherine Cummins Shirley Spears In Memory of Willie M. Elgin Patti M. White In Memory of Theresa Ann Finck
Theresa M. Finck and Mary Ann Finck In Memory of J. D. Frierson Barbara K. Frierson In Memory of Bob and Carol Glass Leslie Edwards In Memory of Marlene Gray Duane Profeit In Memory of Alfred Guerrero Anna Guerrero In Memory of Fern Halverson Maureen Getchell In Memory of Jack Haus, Jr. Jean N. Tate In Memory of Bob Heath Freda Heath In Memory of Chrissy - My Dog Bonita L. Jacobs In Memory of Dana Karlin Beatrice McCartney In Memory of our son, Robert Allen (Bob) Lawson Jim and Betty Lawson In Memory of Trammell McClure Edwina McClure In Memory of Juanita Norwood Cotton Charlie Mae Thornton In Memory of Al Ramsey Billie S. Barnett In Memory of Emmette E. Ramsey Mary Jo Hutchison In Memory of My Parents Jeannie Reed In Memory of Our Parents Jim Ruley & Co., Inc. In Memory of Dallas Sloan Richard and Claire Mueller In Memory of Jay Sylvan Marilyn V. Sylvan In Memory of Boyd G. Talley Dot Talley In Memory of Rich Thompson Ruth Young In Memory of Patrick Thornbrugh Joy Thornbrugh In Memory of Vicki Tyler Cindy G. Armstrong In Memory of Mildred Vance Beatrice McCartney In Memory of Joy Weddington Ben A. Weddington In Memory of Lynn R. Whisman Carley Whisman In Memory of Doyle Lee Williams Sharon L. Chesbro
About LIFE Senior Services
LIFE Senior Services is a recognized leader in aging services and an acknowledged voice on aging issues and is proud to be a nonprofit United Way organization. If you would like to make a donation in support of LIFE Senior Services, please mail your contribution to: LIFE Senior Services 5950 E. 31st St. Tulsa, OK 74135-5114 Make your donation securely online: www.LIFEseniorservices.org
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