New Chapters 2015

NewsC A D I L L A CTrusted. Local. Connected.

Issue 2: 2015

ChaptersNew

Lifestyles after 50

2 New CHapters - Cadillac News www.cadillacnews.com | Wednesday, July 15, 2015

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Kristen Castillo

How many magnets are on your refrigerator? How many scraps of paper are on your desk? Do you have lots of extra socks in case you need them?

Over the years, its easy to accumulate things clothes, photos, gadgets and miscellaneous paperwork. Having lots of stuff around doesnt make you a hoarder, but it doesnt make you organized, either. Thats why its so important to overcome clutter.

Just because its clutter doesnt mean that its junk, says professional organizer Melinda Massie, owner of Organizing with a Side of Fabulous, who explains clutter is anything that prevents you from having the house you want. If its not being used by you and doesnt fit within the goals of your home, its clutter and needs to be let go.

Getting StartedMitzi Weinman, founder of TimeFinder and

author of Its About Time! Transforming Chaos into Calm, A to Z, suggests pre-organizing planning to make sure your decluttering is efficient.

First, write down what you want to organize and how you plan to use the space, such as cleaning out a file drawer for office projects.

Clean up surface clutter, and you will feel instant gratification, says Weinman. It becomes visually pleasing to see what was once cluttered is now nice and neat. But its just as important to tackle the clutter in drawers or cabinets. Even though you cant see it, you know its disorganized.

PurgingProfessional lifestyle organizational designer

Amanda LeBlanc recommends purging what

you dont need.Get rid of the unnecessary, she

says, encouraging her clients to create three piles - keep, trash and donate to consciously decide what will stay in their homes.

Next she suggests looking at what you dont use, as well as getting rid of expired items like old cold medicine

or expired spices.

Stay FocusedDont get overwhelmed by the big job. Work on only one area and one room at a

time, says Massie, who advises setting a goal for how you want to feel and function in that room.

Then, starting in one location, work one area at a time to remove everything you dont need, use and love, she says, noting you can work clockwise around the room until all the clutter is removed.

DECLUTTERING TIPSA full life & a full house

Creators.com photo courtesy of Amanda LeBlanc

Keep your kitchen cabinets organized us-ing clear containers and wicker baskets.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 | www.cadillacnews.com Cadillac News - New CHapters 3

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EVERY LIFEDESERVES THE BESTPOSSIBLE CARE

Organized & ConvenientDesignate a place for everything you need.

For example, LeBlanc recommends using a Lazy Susan to store products under the sink for easy access.

Use baskets in the pantry labeled with the type of food in each, she says, noting that snacks placed at eye level are ready for eating-on-the-go.

Sentimental StuffGetting rid of sentimental items can be

challenging. Weinman advises asking yourself these three questions: Do I really need this? Will I ever look at it again, really? Can I get it again if need be?

Massie reminds clients that memories are not in the things, and excess clutter does not honor the item or the memory.

Instead, Massie encourages thinking about how the items work with or against the goals you have for your home.

Be Creative & Clutter-Free If you love a space, you will keep it neat,

says LeBlanc, suggesting keeping your home functional and beautiful too.

One example: dress up storage in your

bathroom drawer by using acrylic bins with fun paper underneath.

Be Wary of the GarageBefore you store stuff in the garage, realize

you might just be moving the clutter around.Garages are where decisions go to die, says

Massie. So when you face the garage, know that youre going to be facing a number of unmade decisions. Be prepared to make them.

Give Yourself A BreakClutter takes time to accumulate so its OK

to give yourself a reasonable amount of time to sort through your stuff.

Decluttering can be physically, mentally and emotionally tiring, says Massie, explaining that taking breaks can help keep you on task. Facing a major amount of clutter can be very daunting but youll feel so much better once youre on the other side.

COPYRIGHT 2015 CREATORS.COM

Creators.com photo courtesy of Amanda LeBlanc Use a Lazy Susan under your sink for easy access to products.


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Catherine DiGiacomo

Mothballs, black licorice and the sweetest, most flowery perfume imaginable. Thats what Grandmas senior living home smelled like. I still smell this unique combination any time I think of my great-grand-mother, who I was blessed to know for 13 years. I would beg Mom to let me sleep over at her senior home, the setting for most of my fondest childhood memories: pushing the elevator button, playing chef in her little kitchen and our favorite going to the arts and crafts sale. Each weekend, Grandma took me to the arts and crafts boutique, where we would peruse the tables of trinkets and doilies created by her neigh-bors. She socialized with friends and often complimented their work as I gathered pretty items into my little arms. The whole experience was fun for me but it was more than that for Grandma.

According to a study published in the Journal of Aging Studies, study participants, aged 60 to 93, identified six features of successful aging: a sense of purpose, interactions with others, personal growth, self-accep-tance, autonomy and health. As stated in a Holiday Retirement Commu-nity blog post, Creative activities, such as writing, painting or knitting,

encourage a sense of competence, purpose and growth all of which contribute to aging well. Arts and crafts play a vital role in aging health-fully by contributing positively to each of those six features.

BEYOND KNITTING CIRCLES The many benefits of arts and crafts for seniors


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A sense of purpose. Sage Minder, an online resource dedi-cated to supporting caregivers, explains that its important for senior citi-zens to feel they are contributing to something larger than themselves: Even just feeling useful can be a boost to an elderly person who is feeling isolated or depressed. Organizing an arts and crafts sale is a perfect way to get members of an assisted or independent living home involved in their community. Assigning member volunteers to various roles gets them out of their apartment and gives them responsibility.

Interactions with others. Sometimes the idea of meeting new people and adapting to a new lifestyle can be daunting, but arts and crafts pro-grams help to bring the timid out of their shells. As Terry Hurley explains on the LoveToKnow senior lifestyle blog, for seniors living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or who are members of senior citizen cen-ters, making crafts brings people together. It helps them to have a sense of belonging and develop friendships.

Personal growth. To be an artist, you must create something out of nothing. You have to problem solve and practice seeing your work through someone elses eyes. Mastering these skills and sharing handmade gifts with friends and family helps build self-esteem and pride.

Self-acceptance. The more a person feels accepted in a com-munity the more he will begin to accept himself. Health issues can make a person feel disadvantaged, and they may be tempted to sit out during certain activities. However, meeting others who share those same physical challenges will create bonds of trust and acceptance and even friend-ships. Plus, there are plenty of art projects specifically designed for those who suffer from health issues.

Autonomy. Many seniors who need living assistance feel a loss of control over their lives. Its hard to give up your drivers license or have someone routinely check on you. Those who have disabilities or need a little extra help doing daily tasks may find a sense of autonomy through art. For someone who has lost use of her legs, learning a new skill she can do with her hands, such as pottery or painting, can be extremely reward-ing. In the artists seat, seniors can regain control over their projects.

Health. There are several ways art can help you keep your wits about you as you age. As Hurley mentions, aside from the physical ex-ercise of molding, sculpting, painting, etc., engaging with art also keeps your mind stimulated and helps prevent emotional health illnesses. Ac-cording to Michael Friedman, adjunct associate professor at the Colum-bia University School of Social Work, art can be a healing force for peo-ple with mental disorders, including people with dementia, and art can contribute to psychological well-being of people regardless of whether they have a mental disorder or not.

Im grateful I had a grandmother who took me to the arts and crafts sales at her senior living home. Not only did she introduce me to art, but also she showed me how valuable the practice of art can be in someones life es-pecially for those who are retired, elderly or disabled. Even if you are not an artist, incorporate art into your life in some way. Its good for you.



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Simone Slykhous

Imagine waking up in the morning, reflexively reaching for your glasses and realizing the unnecessary is futile. No more itchy eyes from your contacts. No more expensive solutions and drops and cases. No more fear of accidentally breaking your eyewear. Can this be real?

For millions of Americans, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis makes this fantasy a reality. Better-known as Lasik, this procedure involves a doctors using a laser to change the shape of your cornea. Baby boomers are a burgeoning market for Lasik and other corrective eye surgeries. With more education on health and well-being than their parents had, the older patients coming in for consultations usually have worn sunglasses most of their lives, do not smoke and follow healthy diets, and their eyes have clear lenses and little yellowing because of this.

Although there is an age minimum for corrective eye surgery -- the Food and Drug Administration has no approved lasers for people younger than 18, and most surgeons wont operate on 20-somethings if their

eyesight remains in flux -- there is no age maximum. People are living longer, and frankly, they have more money, says Roy S. Rubinfeld, M.D. They are undergoing more plastic surgery procedures, and Lasik is a

natural progression. Indeed, it is an alternative that is becoming increasingly popular among people over 50 or 55.

SEEING CLEARLYIs corrective eye surgery a good idea for seniors?

Creators.com photo courtesy of David Mark Corrective eye surgery can be risky for senior citizens.


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Though increases in medical technology have made corrective eye surgery safer than ever, there are a number of serious concerns you should discuss with your doctor first.

General Health ConcernsAs the lenses in your eyes age, they lose

their focusing power. This causes trouble when you are trying to read or see up close. Called presbyopia, this is age-related and cannot be corrected with a standard Lasik procedure. If you are interested in eye corrective surgery because of presbyopia but have healthy eyes otherwise, you can consult with your doctor about monovision Lasik, which can minimize your reliance on reading glasses.

However, many seniors experience other ocular health problems. According to AgingCare.com, by age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Cataracts are the clouding of your eyes lens. They interfere with the natural process of light passing from your lens to the retina. Having Lasik or another type of

corrective eye surgery does not reduce the chance of cataracts, which could mean further eye surgery in the future.

Diabetes can also be a concern. Almost 26 percent of Americans 65 or older have diabetes, and diabetes can affect the bodys ability to heal. Most corrective eye surgeons do not consider an individual with uncontrolled or insulin-dependent diabetes to be a good candidate, according to AllAboutVision.com.

Anatomic ConcernsIf your prescription has changed in the past

year, you are not considered a good candidate. According to the FDA, this refractive instability can be caused by hormonal changes, taking certain medication and pregnancy.

As most corrective eye surgeries change the eyes ability to focus by reshaping the cornea, possibly removing tissues, people with thin corneas might not be viable candidates. Dry eyes are another concern. Lasik often temporarily worsens such conditions, and doctors prefer to have cured the dry eye issue before preforming

surgery. Deep-set eyes, cornea shape and abnormal positioning of your eyelids can all be concerns, as well.

Monetary ConcernsAccording to Liz Segre of AllAboutVision.

com, in 2013, the average cost overall for laser vision correction was $2,073 per eye. With limited incomes, some seniors might not be able to handle this price. And many insurance plans dont cover vision correction surgery, because it is not considered essential. Younger patients might be more inclined to swallow this cost when they compare how much they would be spending on contact lenses, solution, drops, prescription sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses over the years.

Dont be too hasty in throwing away those contacts and glasses; instead, carefully consider all of your options before committing to corrective eye surgery. And then enjoy your new perspective.



Tom Margenau

Ive written columns similar to this before, but I must keep repeat-ing the following mes-sage: Whenever you are not sure whether you are eligible for any kind of Social Security benefit, it never hurts to actu-ally file a claim for that benefit. You have every right in the world to do so.

Todays column was prompted by several re-cent email exchanges Ive had with readers. I will use two of them as examples.

Robin filed for her own reduced retirement benefit at age 62. That was about four years ago. Her husband, Jim, recently turned 65 and applied for his own Social Security benefit.

After reading a recent column of mine, Robin

wondered whether she could file for any sup-plemental spousal benefits on Jims record. She gave me the benefit amounts involved. Jims benefit was much more than Robins rate. I wont bore my readers with all the math, but I told Robin that it appeared as though she might be due a few extra bucks in wifes benefits from her husbands Social Security account to supple-ment her smaller retirement check. I told her to call the Social Security Administration hotline at 800-772-1213 to check into this.

About a week later, she emailed me again. She said she talked to a woman at the call cen-ter, who told her that because she filed for re-duced retirement benefits at 62, she could not file for any benefits on her husbands record. And that ended the phone call.

I explained to Robin that based on what she told me about her conversation with the Social Security agent, I thought she got some

bum advice. (I must point out here that as I discussed in another recent column, some-times people present one set of facts about their situation to me and another set of facts when they talk to a Social Security representa-tive. This is sometimes why they get conflict-ing advice from me and from SSA.)

Anyway, here is a little more clarification of Robins situation. The information the SSA representative gave Robin is usually correct. You normally cannot file for reduced retire-ment benefits on your own record and later switch to higher benefits on a spouses record if that spouse is already getting Social Secu-rity. But in this case, her husband was not yet receiving Social Security when she filed for her reduced benefits. So when Jim later filed for his benefits, Robin should, at that point, have seen whether she could get a spousal supple-ment from his account.

SOCIAL SECURITY & YOUYou always have a right to file a claim


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My educated guess (based on the numbers that came out of my dollar-store calculator sitting on my desk) was that Robin might be due about $200 extra on Jims account. But the SSA official told her she wasnt due anything. Obviously, one of us didnt have all the facts and was wrong.

And this is a classic example of the focus of this column: Robin has every right in the world to file a claim for spousal benefits on Jims So-cial Security record. By doing so, she will get a formal and legal deci-sion about her eligibility. And believe me, that is a whole lot better than the possibly skewed opinion of a word scribbler like me with a cheap calculator or the possibly incorrect information from a maybe harried and overworked Social Security clerk.

I cant stress enough the importance of getting that legal decision the result of actually filing a claim for benefits. If Robin doesnt file a claim and it turns out that either I or the Social Security rep was wrong, the most she will get from us is a Sorry! But when she files a claim and gets a formal decision in writing from the government, it comes with a host of legal rights for example, the ability to appeal the decision.

Having said all that, it brings up a related issue. I had another recent email exchange with a reader named Martina, who had a similar situ-ation. I wont bore you now with the details of this case, either, but the bottom line is that I told Martina I thought she was eligible for Social Security spousal benefits and that she should file a claim. She went to her local Social Security office ready to fill out the paperwork. But the front desk clerk told her she wasnt eligible for benefits. Martina said that I had told her she was due some benefits and that she wanted to file a claim. According to Martina, the SSA agent then told her, Who are you going to believe when it comes to Social Security, a newspaper columnist you never met or a real live Social Security representative? She then told Martina to go home!

When Martina contacted me again, I was very upset. I told her to march back into that Social Security office and demand to speak to a supervisor. Again, the issue is not whether I am right or the SSA clerk is right. The overriding point here is that Martina has every right to file for any kind of Social Security benefit to which she thinks she is entitled. For a representative of the Social Security Administration to deny her that right is almost inexcusable.

To add to that thought, let me make one final point. Back in the day, as they say, meaning back when I worked for the Social Security Ad-ministration, staffing levels were determined by the number of claims taken. In other words, the more claims an office took the more staff it was allocated. So we were actually encouraged to take a claim anytime we thought there was a chance someone was eligible. It was a win-win situation. The applicants legal rights were protected. And the office got enough staff to handle its claims workload. If staffing policies at SSA havent changed, the manager of the office that Martina visited needs to have a sit-down chat with his or her front desk representative.

Tom Margenaus weekly column, Social Security and You, can be found at creators.com.



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Gone are the days when growing old meant looking forward to quiet time on the porch watching life pass by. Todays older generation is leading more active lives. People live longer, families grow and prices go up. Life goes on, and more and more baby boomers are marching along.

Finances are a major concern for most people nearing retirement. If they quit their job, then can they pay their bills? Will they be burdens to their offspring? Retirement age, the point when a senior can begin collecting Social Security, seems to get pushed further away each year. Everyone who has completed 40 credits (quarters of salary) is eligible to collect reduced Social Security retirement benefits starting at age 62;

THE BEAT (GENERATION) GOES ON How living longer changes retirement needs


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however, full retirement benefits vary according to date of birth and are based on cumulative salary earned. An adult born between 1943 and 1954 reaches full retirement age at 66. If a 62-year-old began collecting, the amount would be reduced by 25 percent. Someone born 1960 or later would have to reach age 67 before collecting full benefits. Delaying benefits until after full retirement age, up to age 70, may increase the monthly benefit.

Some people are not prepared financially or mentally to retire, says Michael Bivona, a retired CPA and author. He suggests part-time jobs to give a boost to the bank account and to help remain active. I dont think many people realize that they may live 30 to 40 years after leaving the workforce, Bivona says. A few of the jobs he recommends for the semiretired include working in a library or as a bookkeeper, working on a cruise ship, being a virtual assistant to business executives lacking in-house staff, becoming a crafts instructor or teaching adult education.

A longer life means more medical care for both normal aging and unexpected illnesses. Medicare, an insurance program for people 65 and older, has four parts: Part A is hospital insurance; Part B is medical insurance; Part C is Medicare Advantage; and Part D is prescription drug coverage. Even if an individual remains gainfully employed and is not collecting Social Security benefits, it is recommended that an application be put in for Medicare no later than three months prior to turning 65 or a penalty might be imposed on certain costs. Seniors approaching retirement also need to understand what Medicare will cover and the costs of available supplemental plans. An unexpected illness can quickly deplete a nest egg. Good sources of information and guidance include the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, AARP and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs.

Living arrangements for seniors can make a huge difference in affordability and independence. As adults reach retirement age, they need to consider their cost of living against their guaranteed income, the cost of home modifications, maintenance and transportation around the surrounding community. Many older couples look to downsize in the hopes that a smaller home will cost less in upkeep.

Before selling one home and purchasing another, it is a good idea to physically spend time in or near possible locations. Look for places that will accommodate desired lifestyles such as golfing, boating, hiking, etc.; shopping convenience for groceries, clothing, pharmacies and other goods; medical facilities, doctors and hospitals; veterinary care for pets; religious institutions, civic clubs and other social activities; and alternate transportation in case driving is no longer an option. While a smaller home may require less maintenance, size does not necessarily mean more affordable -- local taxes, utility bills, home and auto insurance costs vary depending on the region. Change can be hard, especially on older people set in their ways, so the earlier a move can be made, the easier the adjustment.



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Chelle Cordero

North Americans are living longer lives, but even with healthier lifestyles, our bodies undergo normal tear and wear, and muscles, bones and even brain cells deteriorate. Small amounts of memory loss are normal as we age, especially when everyday stress is elevated. Memory loss, dementia, confusion, depression and Alzheimers disease are often thought of as normal signs of aging. But while there may be an increased proclivity toward these conditions as we get older, there are ways to stave them off.

Learn the difference between normal and minor memory loss and a serious cognitive disability. Depression caused by money worries, grief over the loss of loved ones, physical disabilities or sudden changes in home life may cause confusion and impaired reasoning, but continued depression should be brought to a doctors attention. Sudden personality changes, extreme withdrawal from social contact, excessive lethargy or apathy, an inability to follow conversations or to articulate words, and the failure to retrace steps such as returning home from the store are serious symptoms, and a doctor should be consulted without delay. Trauma to the head, a drooping of the mouth and slurred speech may indicate a brain injury, a transient ischemic attack or a stroke and require immediate medical intervention.

MAINTAIN YOUR BRAINA guide to living a brain-healthy life

Creators.com photo creators.com photo courtesy of the National Insti-tute on Aging

Exercising the brain is a way of staving off normal memory loss and improving reasoning and decision-making skills.


Introducing Halo

The Made for iPhone Hearing Aid

NOTE: When using this graphic in marketing materials, please incorporate the following legal text:Halo and TruLink are compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad Air, iPad (4th generation), iPad mini with Retina display, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation). Made for iPod, Made for iPhone, and Made for iPad mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone, or iPad, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod, iPhone, or iPad may affect wireless performance. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

2013 Starkey. All Rights Reserved. 12/13 MISC3094-00-EE-ST

Introducing Halo

The Made for iPhone Hearing Aid

NOTE: When using this graphic in marketing materials, please incorporate the following legal text:Halo and TruLink are compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad Air, iPad (4th generation), iPad mini with Retina display, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation). Made for iPod, Made for iPhone, and Made for iPad mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone, or iPad, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod, iPhone, or iPad may affect wireless performance. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

2013 Starkey. All Rights Reserved. 12/13 MISC3094-00-EE-ST

Starkey SoundLens is the first and most popular custom fit Invisible-in-the Canal (IIC) hearing aid ever made. It is custom fit to your unique ear canal for all day comfort, and rests deep inside your ear where no one can see it.SoundLens come with Starkeys innovative features, including the industrys most proven feedback canceller, and a noise reduction speech preservation system that is designed to help

you hear clearly and easily, even in noisy environments like restaurants. We can now fit this technology on a wide range of hearing losses and the hearing aids are available at three technology levels and price points to suit your lifestyle and your budget. Please give our office a call if you would like to come in for an appointment to discuss this exciting technology.

Have You Thought About Invisible?connects directly to your iPhone via Bluetooth to allow you to easily adjust sound settings to any particular environment. These hearing aids virtually function like wireless headphones. Call today for a free demonstration.

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Doctors sometimes prescribe medications to help with cognitive memory loss or depression, but underlying medical conditions may be the cause and should be treated first. Individuals should make sure they are eating healthful foods, doing physical exercise for at least 30 minutes every day and getting sufficient sleep (seven to nine hours are recommended) every night. Drug use, both illicit and prescription, as well as heavy alcohol use and smoking, can alter the brain. Prescription drugs should be taken only when and as prescribed. If a patient has diabetes, blood glucose levels need to be carefully monitored and controlled. Studies have found that controlled sugar levels are associated with higher cognitive abilities than uncontrolled.

A healthy diet that includes adequate proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, B-12 and high-potency multivitamins will help to maintain vascular health and reduce the risk of coronary disease, stroke and hypertension all conditions that could lead to a serious cognitive deficit, dementia or Alzheimers disease. Proper nutrition goes a long way toward effective body and brain maintenance.

Exercise, both physical and mental, will help to keep body and mind sound. Physical exercise, particularly cardiovascular exercise, increases blood flow and oxygen to the body and brain. Always speak to your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. In addition to increasing blood and oxygen, exercise releases endorphins, which are the bodys natural therapy for depression, pain and stress. Even a 30-minute daily walk will help to alleviate the tension that exacerbates memory loss and

confusion. Physical exercise can be high-intensity for those who are physically able, or as mild as arm curls with one-pound weights while sitting. Yoga and meditation are also great stress reducers and will help to free the mind and encourage clear thoughts.

Exercising the brain is a way of staving off normal memory loss and improving reasoning and decision-making skills. Figurative situps for the brain include memory games such as Pictionary, the memorization of short poems, or simply writing a grocery list and then putting it aside to rewrite without looking at the original.

Reading books and writing stories also help to keep the brain active. Go back to school and enroll in classes just for the fun of learning something new and interesting. Stay in touch with friends and family in person is best, but phone calls and emails will help, as well. When you are alone, talk your way through mundane tasks as if you are teaching someone else to do what you are doing you will utilize more of your brain by talking through these activities.

It also is important to schedule some fun into your otherwise hectic week. Go see a movie, go bowling, or take up golf. Volunteering for a civic organization, working at a part-time job or teaching a skill you possess to others will keep your brain active and receptive to more learning opportunities.

Whatever you do, engage and maintain your brain every day.



Green Acres is a home away from home for me. Since I can no longer be at home with my husband due to my physical limitation, we had to find a place I could call my home away from home. Green Acres came into our life and filled that need we both had. I get the care that I need and my husband no longer needs to be my caregiver. Now he is once again my husband and best friend.We chose Green Acres because of the spacious apartments, the sense of family and community. My husband and family are able to come and visit my apartment and stay for a meal at any time. I am able to have my typewriter I love in my apartment along with any of my other personal items from home. One of the other perks of living here is playing Green Acres grand piano.If someone would ask me if I wanted to move, I would say NO. Green Acres is my home away from home.

~ Sincerely, Phyllis Hodges

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Like puzzles? Then youll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Heres How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Fun by Numbers - Sudoku

Answers: Advanced

Answers: Beginner

Answers: Advanced


CLUES ACROSS 1. Swedish rock group 5. Founder of Babism 8. 2 stripe Army rank (abbr.) 11. Of Salian Franks 13. Indicates near 14. Swiss river 15. Golden pothos 16. Runs PCs 17. E. Tunisian seaport 18. Cyprinid fishes 20. Genus Ulmus 21. Stitched garment border 22. Takes in as a part 25. Pierre is the capital 30. Brush upward 31. Mobys authors initials 32. Belgian franc 34. Mongolian capital Ulan ___ 35. Computer code for letters & num-

bers 38. Initials of Watsons detective 39. Spanish be 41. Jauntier 43. Cormoran Strikes 2nd novel 46. Wasted material 48. Bleat sound 49. Excess body weight 50. Oral polio vaccine 55. Rigs 56. Drawstring 57. Baltic flat-bottomed boat (alt. sp.) 59. Double curve 60. Point midway between NE and E 61. Mackerel shark genus 62. Used to be United __ 63. Animal nest

64. Abba __, Israeli politician

CLUES DOWN 1. Signing 2. Spoken in the Dali region of Yun-

nan 3. Worthless drivel 4. Aboriginal race of Japan

5. Adorn 6. Greek god of light 7. Atomic #83 8. Eating houses 9. Baby buggy 10. Supervillain Luthor 12. Hansom 14. Tennis champion Arthur

19. Flank 23. Sleep 24. Richly patterned weave 25. Hoagies 26. Moonfish 27. University of Santo Tomas 28. Duo indicates 29. Regarding this point 32. Stand for coffin 33. Not yielding 36. Point midway between S and SW 37. Data executive 40. Changed gears 41. ___ Sauer: Weapons co. 42. Brews 44. __ May, actress 45. Shiny cotton textile 46. Cavalry-sword 47. Bullfighting maneuver 48. Shopping containers 51. Puppy Bowl network listing 52. Hillside 53. Metrical foot 54. Dog in Peter Pan 55. Romaine lettuce 58. Irish Sea Isle

Crossword

Word SearchAIRBASEMENTBUSINESSCENTRALCOILCOMFORTCOMPRESSORCONDENSATIONCONDITIONINGCOOLANTCOOLINGCYCLEDAMPERDISCHARGEDUALZONEDUCTWORKEFFICIENCYEVAPORATOR

EXCHANGERFANFLOWFORCEDHOUSEHUMIDIFIERHVACLUXURYPRESSUREREFRIGERANTRETURNSEERTEMPERATURETHERMOSTATUNITUPFLOWVARIABLEVENTING


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Perhaps you remember it from visits to your grandparents house as a child: that sweetish musty odor that hid in every nook and cranny? Its the smell of old people. Its no secret that ev-ery person has a unique smell, and we get a lot of information through our noses. But do all old people really have a different smell, or is that ur-ban legend?

Believe it or not, studies have been done world-wide to determine whether there is a smell that comes with aging. The results almost all point to yes: There is an old-person smell.

First, lets clear the air a bit. Saying there is an old-person smell doesnt mean its an awful odor; its just distinctive. We live in a society that is constantly at war with our own biology. Indus-tries have risen out of the desire to mask or elimi-nate odors that have been deemed offensive but are natural. So maybe old people do have a smell that is different and distinct from those younger than them. That doesnt mean its a bad thing.

In 2000, a group of Japanese scientists discov-ered that as people age, an odiferous chemical, 2-nonenal, found on the skin and in the sweat increases. Its rarely found in the under-40 set, but by the time a person hits their 70s, its three times as prevalent as it is in 40-somethings. This chemical, which is described as having a grassy or greasy smell, mixed with other factors is prob-ably the biggest contributor to what is considered

old-person smell.Swedish researcher Johan Lundstrom came to a

similar conclusion in a recent study. He grew up visiting his mother at her job in a nursing home in Sweden. When he walked into an elder care fa-cility in Philadelphia, he noticed the smell was the same as that which he remembered from those childhood visits. In his study, he had volunteers of different ages, ranging from 20 to 95, sleep for five nights in a row wearing T-shirts with pads sewn into the armpit area. The pads were then cut into pieces and kept in jars. A different group of volunteers was asked to smell the pads. Almost all could identify the pads from the volunteers who were 75 to 95 years old.

Humans are not unique in that their body chemistry changes as they age. It also happens in mice, rabbits and owls, as well as our closest genetic cousins, monkeys. While science has not given us a satisfactory answer as to why this is, these chemical changes are what add up to old-person smell.

But chemistry alone is not responsible for old-person smell. Other scientists have pointed out that as we age our bodies lose the ability to regu-late body temperature as efficiently as when we are young. This can lead to feeling cold a lot of the time. Many older adults bundle up year-round and dont air out their homes, which compounds the musty, stale smell.

The sense of smell is more closely linked to memory than any other sense. If the idea of

smelling like an old person bothers you, there are steps you can take to make sure Eau dAge isnt what people remember about you.

First, bathe daily. This may seem obvious, but its the best way to get rid of any unwanted body odor. And not only is the bathing important, but so is drying yourself thoroughly using clean tow-els.

Second, clean, clean, clean! Another obvious one, but sometimes habit can become the enemy of cleanliness. Maybe you have a favorite sweater you wear around the house and never think to throw in the laundry. Or perhaps your house is very neat, but its been years since youve done a deep cleaning. Clothing, furniture and clutter all hold on to smells and pass them back to you.

Third, drink plenty of water. Staying well-hydrated helps with a number of ills, including body odor. The better hydrated you are the more diluted your bodily fluids will be, which means theyll be less potent, which means there will be less old-person smell.

Finally, dont make yourself crazy! This is a naturally occurring change that everyone goes through. So embrace the odor; youve earned it.

If it makes you feel any better, the sniffing vol-unteers from Lundstroms study didnt mind the smell of aging. The group they rated as having the most unpleasant smell? Middle-aged men.


EAU DAGEBreaking down the chemistry of old-person smell


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If you dont have the lawn space to put in a big garden, you dont have to spend this season envying your friends gardens. Microgardening is a big trend for those who are short on gardening space but still want to grow healthy vegetables, herbs and other foods, as well as vibrant flowers and greenery.

What Is Microgardening?Microgardening is gardening in a small space.

It might be a container garden comprised of sev-eral planters filled with lettuce, carrots, beets and chives or a single tomato plant in an urn. If youre very short on space, vertical gardening is a smart solution that provides tiers of planting space ex-tending upward.

Microgardens can be tended indoors or out-doors, but many people opt for indoor planters so they can control the heat and humidity levels surrounding their plants. Indoor gardens are also protected from pests who want to steal your har-vest. And scent-free fertilizer sticks can keep your plants fed without the hassle, mess and smell of traditional garden-spread fertilizer. If physical mo-bility is an issue for you, microgardening indoors or on your terrace can allow you to enjoy garden-ing without strenuous labor or a long trek out to the garden.

What Can You Grow in a Microgarden?Grow what you love! Anne Gibson, author of

the Micro Gardener blog, suggests planting what

you and your family love to eat, adding your own per-sonal, whimsical touches to your garden, no matter how small it is. A personalized sign or DIY herb ID sticks connect you further to your microgarden.

Growing healthy foods improves your diet and also cuts down on your weekly grocery budget. According to the U.N. Food and Agri-culture Organization, a well-tended microgarden of 11 square feet can pro-duce as much as 200 tomatoes a year, 36 heads of lettuce every 60 days, 10 cabbages every 90 days and 100 onions every 120 days. Eliminating some veggies, herbs and greens from your gro-cery shopping can save you enough money to al-low for some indulgences or allow you to spend money more comfortably on other needs.

How to Establish a MicrogardenFirst, decide on your location. Choose between

an indoor and outdoor garden, and then measure out the space you can devote to your garden so that you can purchase (or repurpose your used) plant containers. Some home gardeners like the look of terra cotta pots, and others use their flea market finds of old desk drawers and metal water-ing cans to host their plants. If youre considering a terrace garden, you may wish to rearrange your terrace furniture or clear away nonessential

items to make room for your garden. If you live in a retire-ment community, you may have access to a community garden, where you can claim your plot and plant your harvest. You may wish to grow your plants from seed indoors and then transfer your seedlings to outdoor pots when the time is right, so make sure you prepare adequate room in your indoor living space to help those seeds grow.

Next, choose your plants. You can use the free interactive garden-planning tool at the Better Homes and Gardens website. Just enter the exact dimensions of your microgar-den space, and then get a template to design your plants. Combine different kinds of herbs in one planter to save space, or line up single pots attrac-tively on your windowsill.

Consult with a garden center expert when youre shopping for your plants, sharing with that expert the lighting conditions of your cho-sen planting space, to get good advice on what to plant when and how best to tend your garden.

Research all you can about the proper main-tenance of your chosen plants so that the money you spend on your containers, soil and plants re-turns well on your investment and so that garden-ing continues to be a joy for you. Its rewarding to see your plants thriving.


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Lifeline can give you and your loved ones a greater sense of confidence to help maintain independent living, and to continue living safely in the comfort of home.

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Sharon Naylor

You take excellent care of your pets. You feed them the best quality food, tend to their health, take them everywhere you go and perhaps even dress them up for the holidays (or on any day). Theyre your babies, and you love them dearly which is why you need to make a careful plan to provide for your pets if they should out-live you.

Animal shelters are filled with baby, adult and senior pets whose owners passed away without making solid plans to have a willing friend or relative assume ownership of their pets. While some pets are quickly snapped up by new fami-lies, others languish sadly in their depressing new home. And others meet terrible fates. If you never want to imagine your pet winding up in such a sad situation, start planning to provide

for your pets care. Here are some steps to fol-low:

Talk to your closest friends, family and neighbors to let them know youre es-tate planning for your pet, and ask if theyd be willing to take ownership of your pet or pets if they should outlive you. Choose not just one but two trusted and very willing people to assume ownership of your pet if you are hospitalized or if you should pass away. Your best contenders are people your pet is used to already. Designate who gets your pet in the immediate time after your incapacitation or demise and who will take permanent custody if not the immediate care person.

Provide all of your pets care infor-mation to your immediate caretaker, and make copies for anyone who eventually as-sumes ownership of your pet. The Humane Soci

WHAT IF YOUR PET OUTLIVES YOU?Plan now for your pets care


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ety of the United States advises providing your immediate caretaker with keys to your home, feeding and care instructions, contact informa-tion for your veterinarian where they can get your pets medicine list and wellness sched-ule, and any particulars about your pet, such as what comforts him during a thunderstorm. Also provide a copy of your pet care plan, such as your pet trust.

In your own home, post a remov-able in case of emergency sign on your doors or windows, letting emergen-cy personnel know how many pets you have inside the house. Dont use hard stickers for this task, as they can be left behind after you move, and emergency personal may assume the sticker is outdated. Always write the date in the corner of your removable decal. Also add your emergency contact numbers to this decal, so that emergency services can contact your chosen pet caretaker.

Add to your wallet a card with your pet caretakers contact information, should anything happen to you while youre away from your home.

You may be thinking, Giving my pet to someone is one thing, but what about the cost of my pets care? Can I leave money to my pet in my will? According to the experts at legal form service Nolo, you cannot use your will to leave money or property to your pet. If you attempt to, the money and property you des-ignate for your pet will be legally included in your residuary estate, to be handled by your executor.

Talk to your attorney about creating a pet trust that will become a legal and enforceable document to create a legal obligation to care for your pet according to your instructions. And a pet trust also provides for accountability for any monetary sum you leave to the caretaker (with your attorneys carefully phrased word-ing specifying how monies should be used). For instance, if you name a caretaker in your trust, giving him your dog and $3,000 for your dogs care, he doesnt get that money if the dog does not outlive you. Its always a smart idea to protect yourself and your pet with a legal document specifying and enforcing your pet care wishes, to the best of the laws ability.

If you do not have a willing friend or rela-tive, you may be able to leave your pet to a pro-gram or organization that has a legacy program offering care and home replacement of pets left to their care. It may be a program found through the Society for the Prevention of Cru-elty to Animals or it might be a local veterinary school with a legacy program. Always research these programs well before committing your pet to their care.

If you dont create a pet care plan, your pet will be given to the beneficiary of your will which is why its so important to refresh your will often, should your relationships or your wishes change regarding the person youd like to inherit your estate. And if you dont have a will or a beneficiary, the state will award your pet to your next of kin, as determined by the state. Its important to make your plans for your pet legal and official for your peace of mind, your loved ones peace of mind and your pets well-being.



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Julia Price

The beauty of yoga is that you can tweak it to fit your needs and athletic ability at any time. There are several different levels to choose from when youre looking for classes, so make sure to take a beginner class if youre a beginner or if youre looking to take it easy on your body. For more of a challenge, you can try the higher levels, but you may run into pushy teachers and competitive students. The best teachers are the ones who encourage you to hold poses in a way that doesnt hurt or cause any stress on your joints. If you have a pushy teacher, move on and find another, or simply tell her or him that you would like to be mindful of your current level of flexibility and strength.

There are many different types of yoga from which to choose. Vinyasa is one of the most common forms, where there is heavy emphasis on connecting the breath to movement and the flow between poses. Bikram is a different format, where you practice yoga in a heated room (usually at least 104 degrees) for an hour and a half.

Anusara is another popular form of yoga, where students are encouraged to practice poses that they personally pick to express themselves. Restorative yoga is pretty much what it sounds like. Its a very gentle form of posing and meditation where students will alternate between several poses the entire time, utilizing blankets and pillows to comfort their surroundings and clear their minds. At the other end of the spectrum, youve got power yoga which is made for the more antsy yogi who wants to move more and is consistently looking to challenge his or herself with new poses.

Some of the benefits of yoga include connection with yourself, which helps with alertness of body and mind, connection with others (yoga is more of a lifestyle and community than an individual practice) and harnessing strength and flexibility into a day-to-day routine. It can help alleviate pain from arthritis or chronic injuries and can help with breathing, stress reduction and sleep patterns. This, combined with the increase of strength and flexibility, will help with your posture, your energy and, of course, your confidence.

In addition to yoga classes that you can find in a gym or yoga studio, there are also outdoor classes that you can attend in most neighborhoods. Some of these classes are free or donation only, so be sure to check your local paper or community websites to see whats happening near you. And remember, yoga isnt just for trendy blond California kids; its for anyone who wants to take an extra step in caring for themselves. Go for it! Namaste.


Yoga for seniors

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