SENIOR LIVING - Senior Resource Center...sharing a cup of tea and conversation, listening to stories, including them in family events, taking them a meal, bringing by a pet or child,

Moments with Marvel ....... Page 3A Preview of Isolation

LEGAL MATTERS ...................Pg 4Safe Guarding Your Online Accounts and Information

Retirement FUND$ ...............Pg 5Financial Spring Cleaning

Leisure & Learning Activities................................... Pages 6-10

NEW!Caregivers Corner .......... Page 11Kansas Passes CARE Act

Senior Romance, Sex, and Relationships ................Page 12Comfortable Sex After Menopause

LEGALESE ....................... Page 13 Supplemental Needs Trust an Option for Developmentally Disabled Child

FREE POOL at SRC’s temporary location (2920 Haskell, Lawrence).

Open games available for seniors and intergenerational play.

Inside This Issue

June 2017 www.YourSRC.org

June is National Safety Month. The National Safety Council (NSC), founded in 1913 promotes safety at work, on the road, and at home. A big focus of the NSC is education regarding preventable injuries. According to the statistical report on unintentional injuries created by the National Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for adults age 65 and older.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three older adults fall each year. In addition, more than 250,000 hip fractures are reported every year, and 95 percent of those are from falls. Statistics show that many of these falls occur within the home. The good news is that most falls are preventable, as most falls are caused by a number of underlying factors, including improper footwear, vision impairment, muscle weakness, and often from medicinal interactions.

Most Falls Are PreventableIt’s important to note that falls don’t just happen, and people don’t fall because they get older. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Even in the face of these alarming statistics, there are a number of ways to make small changes in the home to prevent the risk of a nasty fall. Some simple safety measures you can implement in your own home include:• Remove clutter, electrical cords, and

unsecured rugs or runners in high traffic areas.• Provide adequate lighting in every room and stairway, and use nightlights in kitchen, bath, and hallways.• Make often-used items easily accessible without the need for stools or extended reaching.• Use non-slip adhesive strips on stairs.

• Install grab bars in the tub, shower, and near the toilet.

Maintain Strength and BalanceAnother easy way to work on preventing falls is spending just a few minutes doing simple exercises to maintain muscle strength and

improve balance. Exercises such as simple side leg lifts with support of a chair can help maintain muscle strength. Other simple exercises such as flexing and stretching joints, standing with support on one foot, and rocking from heel to toe can improve balance.

Harvard Medical School touts the value of exercise in preventing falls and even reversing some of the many conditions associated with aging. Multiple studies, including those done at Harvard and by PubMed.gov have identified Tai Chi as an excellent activity to improve both balance and muscle tone and can even be practiced from a seated position or even in a wheelchair. The PubMed.gov study showed inactive older adults who did Tai Chi three times a week decreased the risk of falls by 55 percent.

(Fall Risk, continued on page 12)

785-842-0543 • Temporary Location: 2920 Haskell Ave • Mailing Address: 745 Vermont St • Lawrence, KS 66044

During National Safety Month, Keep Your Fall Risk to a Minimum

Michelle Meier, Editor

BetterSENIOR LIVING

Page 2 Better Senior Living June 2017

June 2017 Better Senior Living Page 3

Moments with Marvel

While on vacation recently in a remote area of Ireland, I was occasionally cut off from all contact with any other person. I was comfortable, warm, and had enough food, but whenever my husband needed to take the car to a distant city for the day, I was alone — really alone with no phone, no internet, no wi-fi, no people in sight, no email, no Facebook, no stores within walking distance, no texting, no bus service, no mail, no newspaper, nor any other means of making human contact. The only sound was the persistent ticking of a clock. I couldn’t take walks for more than a few feet, as our cottage was surrounded by rocky cliffs, and the only road was a dangerous one-lane path with blind corners and no shoulders.

While planning the vacation back in my busy life, the thought of “unplugging” and having quiet days free of stress was appealing. I’m an introvert by nature and grew up on a farm where, as the last child, isolation was normal. My parents were much older and quite solitary. Reading, taking walks, doing farm chores, and playing the piano for hours was my lifestyle. As an adult I often crave such respites, but rarely get them.

In my quiet gilded cage on vacation, a slug oozing across the window and a bird feeding a nest of babies became the highlights of my day. Engaging the mind by doing puzzles or rereading books for new details had little appeal. Life became a waiting game punctuated by mealtimes and bedtime.

I found myself having thoughts about a possible future of unwanted isolation. I also thought about some of our Senior Resource Center clients who live alone and have no human contact except for our volunteers who bring them Senior Meals lunches.

What is the effect of having too little to occupy the mind? Of having no social interaction? Of living in the same environment day after day? In some settings it’s called solitary confinement

or house arrest. Isolated seniors are not incarcerated, of course, but similarities exist. They are in their situations often because of forces over which they have no control. Feelings of hopelessness are common. Living a life without meaning or human interaction can soon dull the mind and wound the spirit.

My temporary isolation was by choice, a welcome relief that too quickly ended. Social isolation of the elderly often has no foreseeable end, except death.

Our culture too easily forgets about persons out of view, so I challenge us all to seek out isolated seniors to adopt. The attention you give need not be more than occasionally sharing a cup of tea and conversation, listening to stories, including them in family events, taking them a meal, bringing by a pet or child, taking them to church, or looking at old photos.

Be alert for the subtle clues in their eyes that show hurt if you are rushing away, discomfort when you might be overstaying your welcome, or distrust of your sudden unfamiliar attention. Start slowly and never exploit their vulnerability.

Let’s all try to see the person behind the closed door. Pay it forward. You may yourself be a socially isolated senior someday out of sight and forgotten.

A Preview of Isolation By Dr. Marvel Williamson, Executive Director, Senior Resource Center for Douglas County


Every year after tax season, there are always events focused on shredding and disposal of printed documents to prevent identity fraud. I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to review some of the reminders and tips of what you can do to keep you and your digital files and online accounts safe. I know changing and upgrading all of your account passwords is a tremendous headache, but it is not nearly the headache it would be if your accounts were hacked and your personal information was stolen. The old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” certainly comes to mind. So what would make your accounts less vulnerable? Actually, you can do multiple things.

You may want to consider signing up for an account with a password manager. With a password manager, you configure all of your login credentials with that one account and you then access your sites through your new password manager account via a strong, master password. For even more security, some of the password managers (possibly only at the premium

levels) offer two factor authentication, which even further reduce the possibility of your account being compromised. A few of the more commonly known managers are KeePass, LastPass, and Dashlane, which all have free versions. Cyber-security experts, however, seem to be somewhat divided on the value of password managers and some of them believe your most sensitive accounts such as financial and e-mail accounts should not be placed into password managers. There are many password manager sites available so if you decide to go this route, do your homework and choose a reputable site with a proven track record. Finally, remember your password manager depends heavily on you choosing a secure master password. There is more on that topic below.

You need to ensure you are using strong passwords for your accounts. You do not want to use a word that can be found in the dictionary. So if you do not use a word, how do you remember your password? Steal a tip from the pros and create an anagram from a sentence and use symbols and numbers to make it more complicated. For example, My dog Ate my Homework Yesterday evening!14 would become MdAmHYe!14. While that string of random letters would be very difficult to remember, the phrase makes it much easier. Another way of creating a strong

password is by stringing a group of nonrelated, smaller words together to form a longer phrase, such as sailedcatTop78. Make certain your nonsense phrase has eight or more characters and never re-use the same password at more than one site.

Here are some additional safety tips:• Change all of your passwords every 60 days. If you cannot manage to get this done, even every six months would set you way ahead of the pack. Set a tickler on your calendar to remind yourself.• Never use your name as your password or part of your password.• Do not use milestone dates such as birthdays or anniversaries.• Do not use family members’ first or middle names.• Never use simple, adjacent keyboard patterns such as zxcvb or ghjkl.• If you insist on using words found in the dictionary, add numbers and/or symbols at the beginning and end.• Do not even consider using the most easily guessed passwords such as “password” or “123456.”

I hope this information was helpful to you, and you will put these tips into action. Please pass this information on to anyone you believe may benefit from it. As always, for general consumer protection information, please contact my consumer protection division at 785-330-2849. We are always ready to serve the citizens of Douglas County.

(This article is not intended to provide legal advice. Legal advice can only be provided in an attorney-client relationship. This information must not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney.)

Safe Guarding Your Online Accounts and Information

LEGAL MATTERS - A Letter From District Attorney Charles Branson

SRC Board of Directors

Dr. Judy Wright, ChairJudy Bellome, Vice ChairDoni Mooberry, TreasurerSteve Tesdahl, Secretary

Hank Booth, Kay Brada, Kelly Calvert, Dr. Dennis Domer, Ernesto Hodison,

Dr. Ellen Paulsen, Janet Prestoy, Dr. Maren Turner

A publication of Senior Resource Center for Douglas County. Better Senior Living is published monthly and is available online and via mail by subscription.

Editor: Michelle MeierExecutive Director: Dr. Marvel WilliamsonPrinter: Minuteman Press, 1404 E 24th St B, Lawrence, KS 66044

For advertising, calendar listings, or other content submissions, contact Michelle Meier at [email protected]

Senior Resource Center for Douglas County is funded by the Douglas County Mill Levy • Older Americans Act through the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging • Kansas Department on Aging • Kansas Department of Transportation • special grants • project income • fund-raising activities • and your donations.

Senior Resource Center for Douglas County does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or size. If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you have the right to file a complaint with Senior Resource Center for Douglas County. 785-842-0543 • TDD: 1-800-766-3777 • Toll free: 1-877-295-3277 • www.YourSRC.org

Better Senior Living


Did our mild winter manage to steer you off the path of financial discipline?

With summer beginning to grow in our windshield and school winding down, it’s the perfect time of year to check in on the financial goals we set in January and see how we’re doing at accomplishing them. Even the best intentioned among us can be thrown off course by unexpected events and new priorities that may have manifested since the beginning of the year.

Let the excitement of summer and its busyness spur you into action; no matter where you stand with your goals, you can finish the year strong with these tips about achieving your investing, saving, debt payoff, and money management goals.

#1 – Get OrganizedLate spring can be the season of re-focusing. Relocate the 2017 organizers you bought and let them motivate you to spend a little time organizing your financial life. Much stress can be relieved by gathering all your financial documents into one place. Before a carefree summer, spend 15 minutes organizing your statements, bills, and other financial documents.

Along with collecting your financial documents, spring is a great time to review your credit score by getting a free copy of your credit report to make sure there aren’t errors or inaccuracies. #2 – Take a Closer Look Your credit report isn’t the only important financial document you should review regularly; your budget should be included as well.

Think of your budget as a living document; a tool that helps get your finances back on track and stay there. If you find, after reviewing your budget, that you’re not socking away as much as you should for retirement or living within your means, one of the best things you can do is examine your expenses and look for things to cut. Analyze prior months’ spending to see where you are spending your money. If that’s not possible, track your spending closely for 30 days to see where funds are being spent. Look for excesses and then trim them from your budget.

#3 – Use Free Tools If living by a budget and tracking expenses sounds too hard, remember that you don’t have to do all the work yourself;

let a free financial tool like Mint.com, Personal Capital, and others do some of the heavy lifting for you. Mint is a great free website and app that allows individuals to track spending, create a budget, put in place savings goals, and monitor debt. You can sync checking, savings, and investment accounts as well as credit cards and loans to your Mint account.

Tools like these, or even something as simple as Microsoft Excel, can make it easier to monitor spending and make adjustments. If you think the investment is worth it, a paid tool like QuickBooks or even a course like Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University can help.

#4 – Stick with the Plan When it comes to investing, one of the worst ways to get your finances back on track is by listening to the talking heads on TV tell you how to invest your money. For starters, they can’t possibly know your risk tolerance level or personal investing goals. Additionally, talking heads and TV prognosticators tend to focus on what the market is doing today and how that should affect your investing, but that mentality is irrelevant when considering long-term strategies. What the market is doing at any particular time might slightly affect your short-term implementation of investments but it should not influence your ongoing investing decisions. Individuals need to examine their long-term goals and risk tolerance to

determine the appropriate mix of investments that’s right for them.

If determining an investing strategy, setting savings goals and living on a budget sound overwhelming. If you feel like you’ve exceeded your knowledge and are operating outside of your comfort level, it might be time to bring in a professional to help. A financial advisor can guide you through the financial planning process and help you set realistic goals.

(The information in this article is not meant to be financial advice. This information should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining financial planning advice from a financial planning professional.)

Jason Walker, CFTA, MBA, is a Trust Officer & Relationship Manager with the Trust Co. in Lawrence. Contact Jason at 785-371-9555 or [email protected]. The Trust Co.’s offices are located at 333 W 9th St., Ste. A in Lawrence.

RETIREMENT FUND$

Financial Spring CleaningBy Jason Walker

Senior Resource Center for Douglas County (SRC) offers programs for Douglas County residents in the second half of life. Classes and other activities sponsored by other groups are also listed here.

• Register for SRC activities at the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County online at www.YourSRC.org or call 785-842-0543.• Register for Lawrence Parks & Rec Department (LPRD) activities online at www.lprd.org, or register at the Community Building, 115 W. 11th St., Lawrence, or call 785-832-7920.

Leisure and Learning Activities


Intergenerational ChoirJOIN US FOR THE SUMMER SESSIONTuesdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m., June 27 – August 8(No rehearsal July 4)Rehearsals at Babcock Place, 1700 Massachusetts St, Lawrence Sing with KU students. Led by music therapy students from KU. The Intergenerational Choir will rehearse weekly with summer performances TBD. For more information contact Deanna Hanson-Abromeit, [email protected] or 785-864-9632.

ART ENTERTAINMENT

MUSIC

SRC activities are noted with a s.

s Tuesday Painters Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – noon At SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence Bring your own painting project and supplies. 785-842-0543.

s Acrylic Painting 2nd & 4th Sat. each month, 9:30 a.m. – noonClinton Place, 2125 Clinton Parkway, LawrenceFee $20 per session. Drop in sessions for beginners and experienced painters. No registration required. 785-842-0543.

O.U.R.S. DancesSundays, 6-9 p.m.At the Eagles, 1803 W 6th, Lawrence$6 per person cover charge. Dance to live country-themed music! Carry-in meal at 7:15.

s SCRABBLE Club – Open Play1st, 3rd and 5th Thursdays, 1 – 4:30 p.m.At SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence2nd and 4th Thursdays, 1 – 4 p.m.At Lawrence Public LibraryMondays, 1 – 4 p.m.At Clinton Place, 2125 Clinton Parkway

s Pool (Billiards)Open for play Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.At SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence

HEALTH & FITNESSs Welcome to Medicare

Wednesday, June 21, 12 – 1 p.m.SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, LawrenceFee: FREE New to Medicare? Learn what to expect at this informational meeting. Call 785-842-0543 for more information. (Always the 3rd Wednesday)

Senior Supper and Seminar Tuesday, June 13, Supper: 5 p.m., Seminar 6 p.m.LMH, 325 Maine St (Auditorium), LawrenceFee: $5.50Topic: Strategies to Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease & the KU LEAP! Program Seniors are invited to come and dine at LMH and enjoy a healthy three-course meal. After the meal there is a short educational program of interest to older adults. Advanced registration is required due to limited seating and must be made 24 hours in advance. Call LMH Connect Care at (785) 505-5800 or email [email protected].



SRC activities are noted with a s.

SUPPORT GROUPSs SRC Caregivers Support Group

First and Third Mondays, 2:15-3:45 p.m.At SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence Meet with fellow and former caregivers in a safe haven to discuss challenges and issues surrounding being a senior caregiver.

JAAA Caregiver Support GroupFirst Wednesday of every month, June 7704 Eighth St, First United Methodist Church, Baldwin City Support group for caregivers of individuals age 60 or older. Meet with other caregivers in your area that may be struggling with some of the same issues you face while caring for your loved one. Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging staff will be present to answer questions and provide assistance. For more information call 785-832-0754.

Grief Support GroupMondays, June 5 and 19, 4 p.m.LMH, 325 Maine St Facilitated by LMH Chaplain Angela Lowe. Meets in the LMH Chapel office, usually the first and third Mondays of each month. For more information, call 785-505-3140.

Better Breathers ClubTuesday, June 13, 10-11 a.m. LMH Pulmonary Rehab Department, 330 Arkansas St, 3rd floor, LawrenceTopic: Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency This free education and support group is for those with chronic lung conditions and their support persons. For more information, call (785) 505-2850.

Diabetes Education GroupWednesday, June 14, 6-8 p.m.LMH, 325 Maine St, Lawrence Diabetic Skin Problems is the topic. The LMH Diabetes Education Center provides this monthly program for those with diabetes and their support persons on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information call (785) 505-3062.

Cancer Support GroupWednesday, June 21, 5:30 p.m.Lawrence Memorial Hospital Oncology Center, Lawrence Join representatives from Lawrence Memorial Hospital Oncology Center for a general cancer support group. Open to anyone with any cancer diagnoses and/or others affected by their cancer. Meets third Wednesday of each month in the LMH Oncology Center. For more information, contact 785-505-2807 or e-mail [email protected].

Look Good, Feel Better Wednesday, June 21, 5:30-7 p.m. LMH, 325 Maine St, Lawrence Look Good, Feel Better is a non-medical public service workshop that teaches beauty techniques to cancer patients to help manage any appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at the LMH Oncology Center. Offered and supported by the American Cancer Society. Services are provided at no charge by trained volunteer beauty professionals. Advance registration required. Call (785) 505-2807 to enroll.

Stroke Support GroupThird Tuesday, June 20, 4 p.m.LMH, 325 Maine St, Lawrence For those recovering from a stroke, and/or their family and friends. Meets third Tuesday of most months. For more information, call LMH Therapy Services at 785-505-2712.


Leisure and Learning ActivitiesLAWRENCE PARKS & RECREATION (LPRD)

Whether your goal is to enhance your current routine or maintain overall health, everyone benefits from physical activity. This is especially true for those with health concerns, as they may have a tendency to live a less active lifestyle. For those with specific wellness goals, or who are new to exercising, Lawrence Parks and Recreation offers a variety of beginning classes.

Selecting the right activity is critical to success. There are three general goals of exercise: increasing cardiovascular endurance, increasing muscle strength, and improving range of motion. Discuss your goals and concerns with your physician, and then identify which classes will best fit your needs by reading class descriptions in the activity guide or using a guest pass to try out a class. Once you have registered, talk with the instructor about any adaptations that may be available to assure your fullest participation.

• New this summer is Nia Dance. Combining dance, martial arts and mindfulness, Nia is a holistic fitness practice addressing each aspect of your life — body, mind, and soul. Based on the intelligent design of the body, Nia cardio-dance workouts combine 52 simple moves with dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts to get you fit in 60 minutes. Nia is non-impact, practiced barefoot, and adaptable to individual needs and abilities. The class is taught by Jamie St. Viva, licensed Nia instructor. Nia Dance meets Mondays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Community Building, 115 W 11th Street.• The practice of Tai Chi has long been recognized as a means of improving health and wellness for all people. Two LPRD classes offer the benefits of this ancient practice along with rest breaks and seated options so participants can build their endurance gradually. • Tai Chi for Health meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:15 a.m. - Noon at Holcom Rec Center, 2700 W 27th St• Tai Chi for Chronic Conditions meets Tuesdays, 3-3:45 p.m. at Holcom Rec Center, 2700 W 27th St

Lifelong Gentle Stretch * (LPRD)Tuesdays/Thursdays, June 6-July 13, 10:45-11:35 a.m.Holcom Park, 2700 W 27th St, LawrenceFee: $38 Join us exploring gentle yoga postures for increasing strength and balance.

Nia Dance * (LPRD)Mondays, June 5-July 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m.Community Building, 115 W 11th St, LawrenceFee: $24 Combining dance, martial arts and mindfulness, Nia tones your body without impacting your joints.

Yamuna Body Rolling * (LPRD)Wednesdays, June 7-July 12, 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m.Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Ln, LawrenceFee: $24 This approach alleviates symptoms associated with low back pain, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, joint pain, and more. Bring your own mat.

Fencing: Modern Olympic Sport (LPRD)Thursday, June 8-July 20, 7-9pm Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Ln, LawrenceFee: $56 This fencing class is for both beginners who have no experience as well as more experienced fencers in foil, epee and saber, and emphasizes technique, tactics, strategy, and psychology.

Bocce Ball League (LPRD)Wednesday, June 8-July 27, 6-8 p.m.Holcom Park, 2700 W 27th St, LawrenceFee: $25 Lawrence Parks and Recreation is offering an adult Bocce ball ladder league. Bocce ball is a relaxed but strategic game that can be easily learned.

Fitness and Chronic Conditions

Lifelong Recreation (50+)These programs are designed for those 50 years or older to maintain an active lifestyle. Those over 60 years old receive a 10 percent discount on programs and activities, excluding the Eagle Bend Golf Course and Learning Center, travel programs, and some co-sponsored classes. Sign up to receive a quarterly newsletter outlining activities, trips, and programs at https://lawrenceks.org/subscriptions/.

Looking for a way to get started? Entry-level classes are a great way to explore your interests and discover an activity that is right for you. Just look for one star near the class title in the activity guide, and this will indicate classes tailored for those just beginning their fitness journey. Once you make exercise is part of your routine, keep it interesting and challenging with other LPRD classes. Summer classes begin June 5. Registration is available at any recreation center or at www.lprd.org.



Various DatesCommunity Building, 115 W 11th St, Lawrence

Would you like to learn more about cooking and the science behind your favorite foods? Come join Lisa Elles, a biochemist and an avid home cook, in a hands-on discussion of the chemistry of food and cooking. In each individual session of this class you will learn about and experiment with the different chemicals that make up food. Because the classes will be in a kitchen and not a traditional chemistry lab we will also get to taste our experiments.

Fresh Homemade Pasta (LPRD)June 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee: $39 In this session we will talk about two of the basic food molecules in flour, carbohydrates, and protein. We will first experiment by extracting the insoluble proteins, mostly gluten, from different types of flour. Then we will use what we learn to make a simple and tasty pasta.

Delicious Dairy (LPRD)July 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.Fee: $39 Dairy is a versatile ingredient used in many food dishes. In this class, we will learn about the different food molecules in milk and how they can be manipulated to give us a large variety of foods. Our experiments will include making homemade butter, easy cheese, and everyone’s summertime favorite, ice cream.

Excellent Eggs (LPRD)August 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.Fee: $39 Eggs are incredible. They provide excellent nutrition as well as some amazing chemical properties for cooking and baking. In this class, we will examine the egg and the chemistry that makes yolks perfect for puddings and custards while the whites can be whipped into stable foams used in meringues and angel food cakes.

Science of Cooking Classes

LAWRENCE PARKS & RECREATION (LPRD)



The Impact of Great Speeches on the WorldTuesdays, June 13, 20 & 27, 2-4 p.m.

You’ll Wanna Know This About Your Aging BrainWednesdays, June 28, July 5 & July 12, 2-4 p.m.This event is full. Please call (toll free) 877-404-5823 to have your name placed on a waiting list.

American Regionalism: Art from the HeartlandWednesdays, June 28, July 5 & July 12, 7-9 p.m.

Amelia Earhart: What Happened to Her?Thursdays, June 29, July 6 & July 20, 10-noonBrandon Woods Smith Center, 4730 Brandon Woods Terr

Walt Disney: From Mouse to ManThursdays, June 29, July 6 & July 20, 2-4 p.m.

Shakespeare’s HamletThursdays, June 29, July 6 & July 13, 7-9 p.m.

Haiti: Its History, Religion, Culture & IdentityMondays, July 10, 17 & 24, 2-4 p.m.

How Spaced-based Technology Affects Your Daily Life

Mondays, July 10, 17 & 24, 7-9 p.m.

The Duke of Wellington and the Emergence of British Century

Tuesdays, July 11, 18 & 25, 2-4 p.m.

Churchill and His Personal War on Behalf of the British Empire

Thursdays, July 13, 20 & 27, 2-4 p.m.Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold Dr, Lawrence

The National Historic TrailsWednesdays, July 19, 26 & August 2, 7-9 p.m.

Immigration: The History We Know…but the Future?

Thursdays, July 20, 27 & August 3, 7-9 p.m.

Imagine Your Retirement: It’s More than Just Money!

Mondays, July 24, 31 & August 7, 7-9 p.m. Senior Resource Center at Peaslee Technical Center, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a part of KU Professional & Continuing Education. Osher is committed to creating accessible and innovative learning environments throughout Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area, with special focus on participants age 50 and over, although anyone can participate.

For a full description of each class or to register, go to http://www.continuinged.ku.edu/osher/northeast.php. For further information, contact Jim Peters at [email protected]. All courses are held at the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr, unless otherwise noted.

Fees: $50 per course; income-based scholarships are available

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Happy Father’s Day


In April, the Kansas Legislature and Governor Sam Brownback passed and signed the Kansas Lay Caregivers Act, otherwise known as the Caregiver, Advise, Record, and Enable or CARE Act. The law will go into effect July 1, 2018. The Act includes three main components relating to the care of all patients after any hospital stay. The three components includes allowing the patient to designate a caregiver upon admission; requires hospitals to notify the caregiver before the patient is discharged or transferred to another facility; and ensures that the hospital consults with caregivers on how to care for patients at home after they are released.

The impact of this Act is significant as AARP statistics show that more than 600,000 family caregivers in Kansas make it possible for their loved ones to live independently at home. According to an AARP survey conducted in December 2016, of Kansas registered voters over 45, nearly 66 percent of these caregivers are tasked with some level of care assisting loved ones with complicated medical tasks, wound care, infusion therapy, and complex medication management upon release from the hospital. The CARE Act helps ensure that the caregiver knows what to do and how to do it, giving the patient a better chance of recovery and reducing the need to be readmitted to the hospital.

AARP volunteers and staff, along with AARP Kansas Director Maren Turner, celebrate the passage and signing of the CARE Act at the Topeka Statehouse in May.

Maren Turner, AARP Kansas Director and an SRC Board Member, says that “the CARE Act will help improve post-discharge health outcomes, reduce costly hospital readmissions, and enable older Kansans to stay in their homes longer. It will support our state’s caregivers by making sure they know what to do to help their loved one get well after a hospital stay.”

The CARE Act was first developed in 2014 with some version of the Act passed in 38 states, including Kansas. Other states, including Texas, are also working to implement CARE Act legislation with noticeable bi-partisan support across the country. This is great news for Kansas seniors who want to remain in their homes and helps to provide positive outcomes and reduced medical costs to those who need assistance after any level of hospitalization.

CAREGIVERS CORNER

Kansas Passes CARE ActMichelle Meier, Editor


Q: Making love is gradually becoming more uncomfortable for me. I am 57 years old. Is my sex life over?

A: After menopause, it’s common for female tissues to lose some natural bulk and lubrication. They are stimulated by the hormone estrogen, but when the ovaries retire from ovum production at about age 50, the natural production of estrogen also disappears. What estrogen has been doing since puberty becomes obvious when it subsides in menopause. Breasts lose volume, skin gets drier and thinner, and the vaginal lining becomes more fragile. Of course, the good news is that monthly menstrual periods stop — something to celebrate! As an added bonus, pregnancy is no longer a concern.

However, a woman’s desires for an active love life don’t dry up after menopause; hence, a mismatch in romantic desires and physical capabilities for sexual activity can occur. This doesn’t mean that an active love life has to be over, just that this is an area needing a little extra attention for continued healthy function. (In fact, sex drive can increase after menopause because the small amount of natural testosterone made by women does not diminish.)

In this era of modern science, several options for maintaining a physical romantic potential are available. Some people choose to maintain their hair color after the gray appears; the process of estrogen replacement isn’t much different philosophically. A little estrogen replacement after menopause is relatively safe and will not restore periods. The amount in replacement preparations is much less than the levels in birth control pills.

Estrogen preparations are available by a physician’s prescription. Women who haven’t had a hysterectomy will want to balance the estrogen with the other female hormone,

progestin. The physician will monitor the effects of the hormones. Risks should be discussed with your physician and are covered by regular annual exams, pap smears, and mammograms. A lower dose of the estrogen keeps the risk of leg vein clots to a minimum. The effects can also slow progression of osteoporosis (thin bones from calcium loss) and reduce risk of bladder infections.

Topical preparations are available for women who don’t want to take a tablet by mouth. Options include estrogen vaginal suppositories or pills with inserters, topical creams, estrogen patches, and estring vaginal ring replaced every three months. A new non-hormonal pill called ospemifene (Osphena) is now available too. Natural lubrication that occurs with getting turned on sexually also decreases after menopause, so a water-soluble lubricant is a big help, such as KY or other brands available in the pharmacy without a prescription.

Menopause does not signal the end of an active love life. Even if you’re past this stage, a return to comfortable romantic function is still possible with a little effort. If you haven’t been sexually active for quite a while, get a pelvic examination by a physician first to clear any minor obstruction in the vagina that has developed with disuse, since “use it or lose it” can apply in this case.

Send your questions to [email protected]. Names and identifying information will be removed. Questions may be edited. Answers are written by qualified licensed/certified health care professionals. Answers cannot be personalized for individuals and are intended for general information only.

SENIOR ROMANCE, SEX, & RELATIONSHIPS: ADVICE FOR GROWN-UPS

There are multiple local options for basic strength training and Tai Chi available through the Lawrence Parks & Rec department, as well as fitness programs and Tai Chi options through Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Drug Interactions and Vision ChangesAn often overlooked solution to dizziness and falls is asking your doctor about potential side effects from your medications and/or changes in vision. If you find you are experiencing dizziness or other sudden changes in balance or equilibrium, ask your doctor to review your current list of medications to identify any medications or interactions that can cause these changes, particularly with the addition of short-term treatments.

Although these solutions seem simple and insignificant, these considerations can prevent risk of a serious fall. At the core, all safety measures take just a few moments, but provide long-term assurances that all you and others stay safe in your home. Eliminating potential trip hazards, taking five minutes to work on muscle strength and balance, and checking your current medication cocktail can ensure you won’t be facing a fall that could change your life and independence in an instant.

For more information about National Safety Month or to find other safety tips, go to the National Safety Council at www.nsc.org. To find additional resources on simple exercises and other resources for seniors, visit the National Institutes of Health website at www.nihseniorhealth.gov.

Fall Risk (continued from pg. 1)

Q: I have a daughter who is developmentally disabled and who will probably never be able to take care of herselfwithout help. She is living in a supervised group home and receives government welfare benefits — Medicaid and SSI — to pay for her shelter, food, and medical care. When her mother and I die, if we have anything left, will it be possible for us to leave her an inheritance without causing her to lose the government benefits she needs?

A: Maybe. You cannot leave your daughter a significant outright gift without causing her to lose her eligibility for public assistance, at least until the value of the gift is exhausted. However, if you structure your gift carefully, your daughter can receive much of the benefit without unfavorable consequences.

When most of us talk about giving an “inheritance” we mean that we intend to turn over our assets to our surviving family members when we die. However, the traditional notion of inheritance will cause unintended consequences if your loved one receives public assistance. Eligibility for welfare programs, such as Medicaid, requires the recipient to have income and resources below certain maximum levels. If you leave your daughter an outright inheritance, there is a good chance you would cause her to become disqualified for public assistance. For example, because your daughter receives Medicaid and SSI, she cannot own more than $2,000 worth of cash resources. If you leave your daughter an inheritance that causes her resources to rise above that maximum amount, she would be disqualified from the program. If your goal is to provide for your daughter’s long-term quality of life after your death, then a traditional inheritance — an outright gift of money or other property — is not the way to accomplish it. You must make sure that any assets you provide do not count as excess resources, that is, do not exceed the maximum limits.

One way to accomplish this after your death is to use a supplemental needs trust (SNT). When property — cash, other personal property, or real estate — goes into a trust, the beneficiary of the trust (your daughter) does not own it outright. She will “benefit” from any disbursement, but if the trust is property structured, she cannot require payments from the trust. The trustee of the trust decides whether and how to make disbursements to the beneficiary. Because the beneficiary’s rights to the trust are limited, the property in the trust is not counted against her for welfare eligibility purposes.

An SNT can provide your daughter with some assets that go beyond the necessities provided by public assistance. It can provide your daughter with extra

funds to purchase things such as a lift chair, a computer, transportation services, or tickets to a concert or ballgame. By restricting the type of payments that the trustee can make, the trust will not be depleted rapidly by the high cost of medical care and other living expenses. Rather, the property in the trust will last longer and be available to supplement the other benefits your daughter receives from public assistance programs.

The downside to creating an SNT is that it can be expensive to set up and it will require careful management through the life of the beneficiary — several decades, perhaps. Moreover, the law that regulates how to set up an SNT varies from state to state and depends upon what type of public assistance benefits the trust beneficiary receives. You will need the help of an experienced attorney to create an SNT, or you can contact a trust company or bank trust department to help you.

The best thing for someone with your special situation is to think about your goals for the assets you leave behind to benefit your daughter. Then seek out an experienced attorney to help you carry out your wishes.

(Molly M. Wood is a partner at Stevens & Brand, LLP, in Lawrence, Kansas, where she confines her practice to Elder Law, especially seniors with long-term care issues. If you have a legal question or concern, call the Kansas Elder Law Hotline, a toll-free legal advice and referral service for Kansas Seniors, 888-353-5337. An Elder Law Project attorney is available in Lawrence by appointment at Senior Resource Center for Douglas County, 785-842-0543.)


LEGALESE by Molly Wood, JD

Supplemental Needs Trust an Option for Developmentally Disabled Child


The Lawrence Intergenerational Choir presented their spring concert, Through the Decades, on Saturday, April 29th, at Lawrence High School’s Black Box Theatre. Highlights included a dulcimer solo on “Imagine” by Pam Hadijsavalos, a harmonica solo on “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Frank Pondrom, and a performance of “Route 66” featuring Chuck Benedict with a reminiscence of his life as owner and operator of a gas station on Route 66. Chuck also displayed Route 66 memorabilia following the concert.

Community members of the intergenerational choir include Dody Anderson, Chuck Benedict, Beverly Gronough, Pam Hadjisavalos, Earline James, Evan Jorn, Mary Jorn, Sandy Johnson, Pete Peterson, Frank Pondrom, Joetta Ryan, JoLynn Seibel, Connie Shomaker, Julia Thomas, and Donna Wanner. The University of Kansas School of Music student members included Natalie Bondank, Jackie Byer, Melissa Gillespie, Rachael Ludwick, Tina Minor, Halle Nick, Emily Nordhues, and Lane Zipsie. These music therapy students arranged the music and co-directed the choir. As administrative assistance, Amanda Sipes provided leadership and organization to the choir this semester. The Lawrence Intergenerational Choir thanks Babcock Place for hosting rehearsals and Lawrence High School for hosting the concert this season while the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County is undergoing renovation.

The Intergenerational Choir will be meeting over the summer! All ages and voices are welcome in the Lawrence Intergenerational Choir. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Watch the newsletter for rehearsal start dates or for more information contact Deanna Hanson-Abromeit, [email protected] or 785-864-9632.

Intergenerational Choir Caps Season with Spring Concert

Left: Frank Pondrom’s harmonica solo.Below: Members of the 2017 Intergenerational Choir.

Spring Concert Through the Decades


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SENIOR LIVING - Senior Resource Center...sharing a cup of tea and conversation, listening to stories, including them in family events, taking them a meal, bringing by a pet or child,