Senior Scene June 2015

North Dakota lawmakers madesome important decisions impact-ing older North Dakotans in thelegislative session that ended inlate April. Here is a summary:

Support for familycaregiversOver a year’s time, there are an

estimated 109,000 North Dakotanswho provide care to a familymember, neighbor or other lovedone to help them live independ-ently in their own homes. A billcalled the CARE Act would havehelped ensure that a family care-giver is included in the process asloved ones transition home from ahospital setting. The bill wasamended in the House and theSenate to a study on family care-givers.On May 27, Legislative

Management voted to study sup-port for family caregivers betweennow and the 2017 legislative ses-sion. The study could prompt leg-islation supporting family care-givers for the 2017 Legislature toconsider.Other bills were introduced to

support family caregivers, butmost failed. One would have

expanded a state income tax creditfor caregiver expenses. This billwas also amended into a study.Another bill would have pro-

vided a tax credit for private busi-ness that implemented a 12-weekpaid family leave policy. The billwas defeated in the Senate.

Property tax reliefAmodest expansion to the

Homestead Property Tax reliefprogram was approved. Starting in2016, the amount of home valueeligible for the credit will increasefrom $100,000 to $125,000.Legislation to expand the incomebrackets, which would have mademore people eligible for this prop-erty tax credit, was defeated. Also

defeated were efforts to increasetax credits for low-income renters.

Income taxTwo bills, which would have

eliminated Social Security fromtaxation under state income tax,were defeated. One of the billswould have also eliminatedincome tax on government pen-sions.

Financial securityin retirementMore than 100,000 working

North Dakotans do not haveaccess to retirement savings planswhere they work. Legislationintroduced to create state-facilitat-ed retirement options for smallbusinesses was defeated in theHouse. This idea could be consid-ered as part of a study on develop-ing and expanding asset-buildingopportunities for low-income indi-viduals. AARP supports this studyas an opportunity to look at addi-tional ways to help NorthDakotans build a financiallysecure retirement.

More optionsto live independentlyat homeLegislators made modest

increases to funding for seniornutrition programs, including con-gregate and home-delivered meals.Legislators made a slight increasein the state match for county-funded senior services. The billoriginally would have been a dol-lar-for-dollar match. However, theHouse amended the bill back tothe current level of $.85 for every$1. In conference committee itwas agreed to increase the matchto $.875 for every $1 the countyprovides.Legislators approved $160,000

in funding for assistive technologyservices that help keep olderNorth Dakotans out of nursing

homes. The funding fell short ofthe amount needed to meet grow-ing demands, but will replace lostfederal funding.

Affordable housingThe Legislature approved up to

$40 million for the state’s HousingIncentive Fund. The fund helpscreate affordable housing optionsfor lower-income North Dakotans.

VotingThe Legislature made changes

to the state’s voter identificationlaw by further restricting allow-able forms of identification. Thechange allows an attester to vouchfor individuals without a NorthDakota issued ID, but only whenan individual is unable to obtain astate-issued ID “… due to a dis-ability with which the individuallives and which prevents the indi-vidual from traveling to obtain” astate-issued ID.The Legislature will also study

voter registration between nowand the 2017 legislative session.You can find a complete sum-

mary of legislation impactingolder North Dakotans on AARPNorth Dakota’s website atwww.aarp.org.nd.

(Lyle Halvorson, of Bismarck, isassociate director of AARP NorthDakota.)

What did Legislature do for50-plus North Dakotans?

Senior ScenePage 2 Summer 2015

BURLINGTONCOMMUNITY HOUSINGhas an opening in our 1 bedroom apartments. Must be 62 & older or disabled, regardless of age. Rental assistance, utility allowance and Meals On Wheels are available. Free laundry facility and community center are on site.

Accessible interviewing will be made available.

“This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer”

Call Karen at 852-5389 for an application.TDD 1-800-366-6888“Equal Housing Opportunity”

THE MINOTDAILY NEWS

Office located at301 4th St. SE, Minot.For inquiries, call:

Advertising857-1963or toll free

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857-1900or 1-800-735-3119

Fax701-857-1907

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Do you have storyideas?

If you have story ideas,suggestions or comments about

Senior Scene, please contactLoretta Johnson by phone at 857-1952 or 1-800-735-3229 or via

e-mail at [email protected].

Senior Sceneis published quarterly

by The Minot Daily News.It is coordinated

by Loretta Johnson.

Vol. 15 No. 2ceneSenior

You can find acompletesummary

of legislationimpacting older

North Dakotans onAARP North

Dakotaʼs website atwww.aarp.org.nd.

AARP North Dakota

LYLEHALVORSON

Summer 2015 Page 3Senior Scene

centerforfamilymedicine.net 858-6700

The Medicare Access and CHIPReauthorization Act of 2015 madesome important changes that willimpact Medicare. While the pri-mary goal of MACRA was tochange how doctors are paid byMedicare, it also includes provi-sions to revise the incentive pro-gram for reporting Medicare andMedicaid fraud and requiresSocial Security numbers to beremoved from Medicare cards.Over the next four years,

Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services will issue cardswith new identifiers (replacing theSocial Security numbers) to bene-ficiaries aging into Medicare. CMSwill have an additional four yearsto reissue cards held by currentbeneficiaries. The new Medicarenumbers will be a randomly gen-erated identifier.More than 4,500 people a day

sign up for Medicare, with an esti-mated 18 million people qualify-ing for Medicare in the next

decade, bringing Medicare enroll-ment to 74 million people by2025. The Social Security numberis the key to identity theft for sen-iors.Unfortunately, this will likely

be a prime opportunity for scamartists to target Medicare benefici-aries. For example, the callercould state that before the newMedicare card (with the new iden-tifier) can be issued, they have to

confirm the beneficiary’s currentMedicare number so that numbercan be removed from the govern-ment’s data base.

NOTE: New cards will not beissued for existing Medicare bene-ficiaries before 2020.

REMEMBER:Medicare doesn’tcall you or visit you at your home.

Imposters claiming to be withMedicare may call or come toyour door. Medicare will not callyou and they do not go door-to-door.Never give out Medicare or

Social Security numbers unlessyou initiated the call, even if thecaller says they are from Medicare

or the government.What you can do if you get

these types of calls:®Hang up. It’s shrewd to be

rude!®Call the ND SMP office at

800-233-1737®Contact CMS at 800-

MEDICARE (800-633-4227)

How to preventMedicare fraud

To learn more about Medicarefraud and taking steps to preventit, you can visitwww.stopmedicarefraud.gov orcontact the ND Senior MedicarePatrol at www.ndcpd.org/smp or1-800-233-1737.

(Linda Madsen is project direc-tor for N.D. Center for Persons withDisabilities in Minot and for theN.D. Senior Medicare Patrol pro-gram in North Dakota.)

New Medicare numbers are being issued – in 2020

LINDAMADSEN

N.D. Center for Personswith Disabilities

® Hang up. Itʼs shrewd to be rude!® Call the ND SMP office at 800-

233-1737® Contact CMS at 800-

MEDICARE (800-633-4227)

What you can do if youget calls from suspected

scam artists


By MARISSA HOWARDStaff Writer

[email protected] back to the days when

you read simply because you want-ed to, in a secluded and lovelyplace with your toes in the grassand your face to the sun. Whenbooks were not just pages, but newworlds full of adventures that youcould sail into and mountains thatyou could overcome. Now youhave the chance to share that loveof reading with a child.

The Minot Public Library islooking for teens, adults, senior cit-izens and everyone in between tobe reading partners with childrenduring the warm summer monthsin their Book Buddies program.Volunteers will not be tutors orcritics, but will just be there forchildren who want to read with anew face by their side.

“Book Buddies was made tohelp children maintain their read-ing level during the summer and isjust intended to be fun for them,”said Susan Baker, Children’sLibrary associate. “It’s also veryrewarding for someone who enjoysreading and helping others read.”

Book Buddies has been going onfor nearly 20 years, according toBaker. Paulette Nelson, children’slibrarian, started the program toencourage children to fall in love –and stay in love – with reading.

Volunteers are matched withtheir reading buddy and from therethey will schedule a time to meeteither twice a week for half an houror once a week for an hour. Themeeting place is the library andBaker said children can pick anybook they want to read.

“Everyone works it out accord-

ing to their own schedule; it’s areally flexible program,” saidBaker. “That way, children who arebusy with sports or other thingscan still participate.”

Baker said that volunteers willoften participate year after year,and it can grow into a friendshipthat lasts longer than just the sum-mer. Children and volunteers canbe scheduled with one anothermore than once, and family mem-bers, like an older brother or sister,can even sign up to read with a

younger sibling.“We get volunteers from the

honor society, people who needcommunity service hours, collegestudents who are elementary edu-cation majors, Air Force, retiredteachers, senior citizens and more,”said Baker. “It’s wonderful seeingthe variety of the people who wantto make a difference in this way.”

Book Buddies already has themaximum amount of children forthis summer’s program but theyare still looking for volunteers.

Children who participate are agesfirst to fifth grade, while volunteerscan be seventh grade and up.

Baker enjoys seeing senior citi-zens taking the time to read withchildren.

“Not everyone has a grandpar-ent here in town,” said Baker. “It’sjust fun for kids.”

Book Buddies is an eight-weekprogram and people can volunteerby contacting the Children’sLibrary at 838-0606.

“I think for the kids it can be a

very relaxing time, too,” said Baker.“It’s not schoolwork, they’re notbeing graded on reading, and it’snot stressful like it can be whenthey’re reading with family, whomay be more impatient. They get tochoose whatever book they want.”

Baker said that sometimes vol-unteers even share a book with thechild that they read in their past.It’s the toes in the grass and face tothe sun reading from so long ago,coming to life again while youwatch.

Turning a pageVolunteer to bea Book Buddywith a child

Marissa Howard/MDNThe Minot Public Library is looking for teens, adults, senior citizens and everyone in between to be reading partners withchildren during the summer in their Book Buddies program. People who are interested can volunteer by contacting theChildrenʼs Library.

Somerset Court has expandedand has 70 new apartments includ-ing studios, one bedrooms, twobedrooms and two custom topfloor units with many extras. Theproject didn’t just add more apart-ments, it added many more excit-ing common areas also.

The Transition Room connectsour existing building to our newbuilding. A continental breakfastwill be served here daily for thosewho like to sleep in or do not wishto eat a hot breakfast in the diningroom. There will also be coffee, teaand lemonade available 24 hoursper day in this area. Rumor has itthere will also be soft serve icecream for when the craving hits.

Just off the Transition Room isthe Transportation Depot forboarding the bus or van. It is heat-ed and should come in handy onthose cold North Dakota days.

Our auditorium is located onthe first floor. It will host plenty ofactivities, including a monthly AllCity Senior Dance with live bandsand DJs.

Our fully equipped, genuinemovie theater seats 55 people. Itfeatures a full-sized movie screen,authentic movie seats, surroundsound and a lobby with popcorn,soda and plenty of movies tochoose from.

The second floor has a large, yetcozy, meeting area withScandinavian decor. It has com-fortable seating and a big screenTV to watch your favorite shows.

“The Club” on the third floorhas an English Gentleman’s Clubatmosphere which will leave youfeeling relaxed and rested. Come inand enjoy a good book by the fire-

place, play a game of pool or ahand of cards, or catch the gameon the big screen.

We look forward to seeing you!

Melissa VanDeventer is market-ing director/assistant director atSomerset Court, Minot.


Dr. Darin JohnsonOwner/Optometrist

857-6050 • 1-800-713-4337

In-store Lab Service

When it comes to Eyecare The Difference is Clear

1525 31st Ave. SW, Ste E • Minot

Gardening… a pastime forpeople of all ages! Gardening hasbeen an activity in people’s livesfor centuries, since the beginningof mankind. Whether it’s done forfood or pleasure it can be fun,relaxing and therapeutic.

Trinity Homes residents haveplanted their gardens with allActivities staff assistance. KimFredrickson, of the ActivitiesDepartment, coordinated the plan-ning, education and involvementof residents to ensure a successfulcrop with a variety of vegetables,beautiful flowers and herbs for thesenses.

A couple of years ago the coun-ty extension office representativecame to the residents’ GardenClub to explain how to arrangeplants in a small raised gardenbed. By sectioning it off withstring into squares they were ableto plant seeds at different depthsto get a variety of vegetables andplants during the growing months.Some of the vegetables grownwere cucumbers, radishes, carrots,tomatoes, celery, cabbage, lettuce,green peppers and potatoes.

During the summer the GardenClubmeets on a regular basis toensure watering, weeding andtasks are completed for a goodcrop. With this year’s crop plantedthe residents await the sproutingof these seedlings with anticipa-tion and excitement.

Garden walks for residents areprovided weekly to check on the

progress of plant growth. On rainydays the Garden Clubmeets tocomplete garden crafts, such aslady bug houses, bird feeders, raingauges, scarecrows, etc.Harvesting each crop turns into areal treat for the residents as theyjoin in the process of gathering,preparing and tasting the vegeta-bles.

The raised garden beds arelocated on Trinity Homes east andsouth patios. The flowers andherbs are on the second floor eastpatio.

Other outdoor activities TrinityHomes will offer residents thissummer include: Roosevelt ParkZoo, visit parks, special communi-ty events, N.D. State Fair, antiquecar show, picnics with grilled hotdogs/ hamburgers, and socializa-tion with watermelon, lemonade,popsicles and ice cream bars.

(WandaMaixner is director ofactivities/occupational therapy atTrinity Homes, Minot.)

Gardening agreat pastime

WANDAMAIXNER

Trinity HomesSomerset Court expands

The grand opening atSomerset Court will be 7 p.m.Thursday, June 25. Everyone iswelcome to come in and take alook around. People may alsocall Somerset Court at 838-4500 to set up a private tour.

Popcorn andrefreshments are

available in themovie theater

lobby.Submitted photo

Submitted photoResidents can enjoy meals, snacks, ice cream and fellow-ship in this Transition Area at Somerset Court.

Grand opening

MELISSAVanDEVENTER

Somerset Court

Senior Scene Summer 2015

Is your hearing as clear as it could be? Hearing loss can happen to anyone and for a wide variety of reasons. Loss of hearing may negatively affect your quality of personal relationships and life.

If you suffer from impaired hearing, contact our audiologists for an appointment. They may be able to help correct your hearing loss with the assistance of a digital hearing aid. Digital devices offer greater audible range, clarity and quality of sound. Digital hearing aids are also available in a wide variety of styles and sizes to fit your specific needs.

Hearingin the

Digital Age

Health Center – West • Audiology Department101 3rd Ave SW • Minot, ND • (701) 857-5986

www.trinityhealth.org

Tricia Nechodom, AuDAudiologist

Jerrica Maxson, AuDAudiologist

You don’t have to suffer in silence. Call the Trinity Health Audiology Department today.

Medicare is a simple programbut the decisions involved in itcan be daunting. There are sever-al resources available for benefici-aries seeking counsel.

The State Health InsuranceCounseling program, through theNorth Dakota InsuranceDepartment, is available to helpanswer any questions you haveregarding Medicare. Thisincludes questions about theenrollment process in any of thefour primary components ofMedicare (Part A – hospital cov-erage; Part B – medical or outpa-tient coverage; Part C – otherMedicare health plan optionssuch as Advantage plans and orCost plans, and; Part D – pre-scription drug plans). Questionsabout billing, complaints andgrievances, and other coverageissues can also be addressed bycontacting SHIC at 888-575-6611,[email protected] orwww.nd.gov/ndins.

Enrollment questions can alsobe answered by the local SocialSecurity office personnel, or ontheir website, which iswww/ssa/gov/pgm/medicare.htm.They can also provide informa-tion for anyone qualifying for“Extra Help”; an asset-based pro-gram that can reduce costs associ-ated with your Medicare Part Dprescription drug plans. You mayalso contact the national SocialSecurity Administration office at800-772-1213 for additional infor-mation.

Contacting Medicare directlyis another resource. Contact themat 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or www.medicare.gov.

If you believe you will havedifficulties paying for a MedicarePart B premium and otherMedicare costs county socialservices offices can be anothersource of assistance. You canapply for a Medicare SavingsProgram which may pay the PartB premium and potentially othercosts. This is also an asset qualifi-cation program.

All of these resources areavailable to make navigationthrough Medicare easier. TheSHIC program is supported byvolunteers across the state readyto offer an unbiased explanationof the products you are interestedin and their financial costs. SHICcounselors do not sell any ofthese products, nor can they rec-ommend what you should do.They review your particular situ-ation and offer information thatcan help you make the best deci-sions.

You couldhelp others

Have you ever thought youmight want to help others withMedicare choices? SHIC invitesyou to consider becoming a volun-teer.

Volunteers can assist NorthDakotans with questions onMedicare. The SHIC staff providesfirst-time and annual training toall volunteers to help keep themupdated on changes to Medicareor Medicare supplement policies.

Opportunities include workingin your home town, helping SHICstaff with enrollment eventsacross the state, and presentingbasic information to groups.

Call us at 888-575-6611 tolearn more.

(David Zimmerman is directorof Consumer Assistance Division atNorth Dakota InsuranceDepartment.)

Navigatingthrough Medicare

DAVIDZIMMERMAN

North Dakota InsuranceDepartment


Medicare age remains 65although some people become eli-gible earlier if disabled. Today’stopic is a popular question aboutenrolling in Medicare at age 65.

Q: Does Social Security contactpeople at age 65 to enroll them inMedicare?

A: Some people are automati-cally contacted at age 65 but noteveryone is. You might have totake action to enroll in Medicare.

If you already receive monthlySocial Security benefits, then youare mailed Medicare enrollmentinformation several months beforereaching age 65. Even though themailing is automatic, you need todecide if you need both MedicarePart A (hospital) and Part B (med-ical) coverage.

It is important to note that theSocial Security Administrationdoes not send this enrollmentmaterial. The material is mailedby the Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services part of theDepartment of Health and HumanServices, the agency that isresponsible for Medicare. Do notthrow it away as junk mail. SocialSecurity works with CMS to helpenroll people in Medicare.

In summary, the CMSMedicare mailing includes yourMedicare card and tells you thatenrollment in both Part A (hospi-tal) and Part B (medical) ofMedicare will take place at age 65without any further action need-ed. If you do not want both Part Aand Part B, you must contactSocial Security.

Automatic enrollment inMedicare does not occur unlessyou already receive SocialSecurity benefits. If you are notalready receiving monthly SocialSecurity benefits at age 65, youmust take action yourself to enrollin Medicare, either by completingthe recommended online applica-tion or by contacting SocialSecurity.

The online Medicare applica-tion is very simple, taking onlyabout 10 minutes to complete.However you choose to enroll, doso about three months beforereaching age 65. To be sure ofhaving timely coverage, definitely

enroll before the month you reachage 65. You can sign up forMedicare without starting SocialSecurity benefits. More about theonline Medicare application is atwww.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/apply.html.

Most people do not pay anyMedicare Part A monthly premi-um and nearly everyone enrolls init at age 65. Medicare Part B doeshave a monthly premium. In2015, the standard monthly Part Bpremium is $104.90 but somepeople pay more based onincome.

If you have medical insurancethrough your own currentemployment, or the currentemployment of your spouse, thenyou might not want Part B at age65. Current employment is a keyphrase when deciding if you needPart B coverage at age 65.

If you have a Health SavingsAccount or medical insurancethrough employment, be sure todiscuss Medicare coverage withyour employer or insurance com-pany. Social Security personnelcannot provide advice about whatMedicare coverage you shouldhave. The decision is yours.

Medicare Part A and Part Bcoverage is the same for everyoneacross the nation. GeneralMedicare information and theonline application are on the SSAwebsite atwww.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/.Detailed Medicare information,including program coverage andPart B premium amounts, is at theMedicare website,www.medicare.gov.

Enrollment in Medicare Part D

(prescription drug coverage) orany private supplemental insur-ance is through private insurancecompanies, not CMS or SocialSecurity. Different policies areavailable and you shop for the onethat best suits you.

Contact the Social SecurityAdministration in several ways.Visit the SSA website at

www.socialsecurity.gov for freeonline services, retirement plan-ning tools and applications forretirement or Medicare. Phone theSSA national toll-free number,800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778), between the hours of 7 a.m.to 7 p.m. about existing benefits orto make an appointment. Reachthe Minot office directly at 866-

415-3193.

(Based in Grand Forks, HowardI. Kossover is the Social SecurityPublic Affairs Specialist for NorthDakota and western Minnesota.Send general interest questions tohim at [email protected] his online articles atsocialsecurityinfo.areavoices.com)

Answering questions about Social Security

HOWARDKOSSOVER

Social SecurityAdministration

By HOWARD KOSSOVERAug. 14 is the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act by President Franklin D.

Roosevelt. To help celebrate this milestone, the Social Security Administration created an anniversarywebsite at www.socialsecurity.gov/80thanniversary linking to videos about agency history and relatedinformation. People can also submit stories showing how Social Security has benefited them or theirfamily.The Social Security Act of 1935 was much

broader in scope than Social Security. The1935 law contained the first national unem-ployment compensation program, provided aidto the states for health and welfare programsincluding aid to dependent children, andestablished funding for public health services.The preamble of the Social Security Act

(H.R. 7260 - Aug. 14, 1935) states:“An act to provide for the general welfare by

establishing a system of Federal old-age ben-efits, and by enabling the several States tomake more adequate provision for aged per-sons, blind persons, dependent and crippledchildren, maternal and child welfare, publichealth, and the administration of their unem-ployment compensation laws; to establish aSocial Security Board; to raise revenue; andfor other purposes.“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of

Representatives of the United States ofAmerica in Congress assembled.”Social Security, titled Federal Old-Age Benefits and originally only retirement for the worker without

any family, survivor or disability benefits, was established in Title II of the 1935 Social Security Act.Sections of the 1935 Social Security Act are:PreambleTitle I–Grants to States for Old-Age AssistanceTitle II–Federal Old-Age BenefitsTitle III–Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation AdministrationTitle IV–Grants to States for Aid to Dependent ChildrenTitle V–Grants to States for Maternal and Child WelfareTitle VI–Public Health WorkTitle VII–Social Security BoardTitle VIII–Taxes with Respect to EmploymentTitle IX–Tax on Employers of Eight or MoreTitle X–Grants to States for Air to the BlindTitle XI–General ProvisionsHoward I. Kossover is Public Affairs Specialist for ND & Western Minnesota Social Security

Administration.

Social Security Act was signed 80 years ago

School’s out and parents arebusy planning activities for theirchildren’s time. Perhaps thatincludes an extended stay atGrandma and Grandpa’s. So,what activities might the two gen-erations enjoy together?Naturally, you want to makesome wonderful memories, buteach generation has its own inter-ests. The world has changed. Sowhat can grandparents do withtheir grandchildren today?

To help us answer that ques-tion, the online e-zine DollarStretcher interviewed SaraSchwartz, managing editor of

Grandparents.com, the website ofthe American GrandparentsAssociation.Q: Today’s children learn to

use electronic devices when

they’re still toddlers. Can grand-parents still play old-fashionedgames with them?

SS: Absolutely! Kids haveplenty of time to play electronicgames on their own. Visiting withgrandparents should be a treat,something other than what theydo day in and day out. That’swhat makes the time so special.Share a board game likeMonopoly or Operation, or a playa classic hand game (no addition-al parts required) or card game.The best thing about old-fash-ioned games is that they rely oninteraction between players, so

you learn about each other whileyou’re busy having fun.Q: Many grandparents like

activities that are educational.Are there activities that canteach grandchildren withoutboring them?SS: Tons of fun educational

activities are at your fingertips athome, and they are all very low-cost, if not free. Cooking isalways a fun educational toolbecause it’s a usable skill. Itinvolves measuring and some-times math, and it’s messy. Kidslike that! Treasure hunts are use-ful for teaching map-reading andorienteering. Simple scienceexperiments using householdgoods are a great option. Theyteach kids about chemical reac-tions and density. Sometimesthey involve explosions and coolcolors. Take them to the garden.You can teach kids about howplants grow, photosynthesis andhow bugs and crawly things helpthe cycle of life.Q: Teens typically don’t want

to be seen with their parents orgrandparents. What can we dotogether that won’t embarrassthem?SS: People of all ages like the

bowling alley. Plus, kids can’t beembarrassed by their grandpar-ents when you’re all doing thesame silly sport. If teens havetheir learner’s permit, offer toteach them how to drive. You’lllikely be a more patient teacherthan mom or dad and less likelyto get under teens’ skin when youoffer advice. If teens are highlyprone to embarrassment, tryinteracting with them via an applike Words With Friends. No oneelse will know who they’re hav-ing such a good time with.Q: How can we introduce

grandchildren to our hobbies?SS: Invite them to a hobby-

swap day, where they teach youabout one of their favorite hob-bies and you teach them one ofyours. Kids will be more likely tolisten and learn after you’veshown them that you can listenand learn from them.

Q: Are there activities thatprovide an ongoing connection?Is there something that’s morethan a one-time outing?SS: For older kids, the Words

With Friends crossword appgives you an opportunity forongoing interaction; games canlast anywhere from a day to aweek or more, depending on howoften you play. For younger kids,pick a chapter book to read toeach other and budget a fewchapters a sitting. That way, kidswill be excited to see you andpick up where they left off. Long-term projects that you can do ininstallments, like planting flowersin a garden or assembling ascrapbook, are also fun options.

College is expensive. Our man-aged savings plans are free. VisitFutureAdvisor.com and start sav-ing for your grandchild’s educa-tion today.Q: What do grandparents

often overlook when they’rethinking of activities to sharewith their grandchildren?SS: The first step to figuring

out fun activities is to talk withyour grandkids. Ask them whatthey’re interested in and whatthey are doing in and outside ofschool. If you find out they aretaking clarinet lessons, introducethem to some famous songs fea-turing the clarinet or take them toa music museum. Or if they arereally into soccer, find a localleague and take them to a game.They’re usually free or very low-cost. If they like art of any kind,hit the art museums or host acrafting afternoon at home. Onceyou hear what they like straightfrom the horse’s mouth, the sky’sthe limit.

So you sure can enjoy somefun, yet inexpensive activitieswith your grandchildren. Whynot get started today?

Source: Grandparents.com andstretcher.com

(Ellen Bjelland is a family andconsumer science extension agentfor the NDSU Extension Service inWard County.)


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Summer 2015 Senior Scene

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Summer calendarAlamo Senior Citizens

528-4881Meals are served Tuesdays.Business meetings are the

second Tuesday of eachmonth.Birthdays of the month are

celebrated on the last Tuesdayof the month.Cards, with lunch served,

every Tuesday.Foot care is offered every

other month.

Anamoose Senior Citizens465-3316

First Sunday: Brunch, 9:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Open to thepublic.Meal every Monday from

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Open tothe public.First Monday: business

meeting, bingo and speakers.Every Monday: Dinner from

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.Social gatherings are the

third Friday of themonth, start-ing at 1:30 p.m. for pool, cards,dominoes, etc.Chair exercises are Monday

and Thursday at 9:30 a.m., fol-lowed by a 1 or 2-mile walkingtape.Free blood pressure checks

are offered monthly onMondays and per request.The Anamoose Senior

Center is available for rent. Formore information, call Ron at465-3400.

Berthold Senior Citizens453-5680

Business meeting at 1 p.m.on the third Tuesday of eachmonth.Cards and lunch every

Tuesday afternoon.Foot clinics are the second

Wednesday of the month.

Bottineau Senior Citizens228-3339

Center is open Monday

through Friday 10 a.m. to 3p.m.Title III meals served in the

center at noon Mondaythrough Friday. Home deliv-ered meals are available andfrozen meals can be ordered fordelivery.Foot care and blood pressure

clinics are offered every evenmonth. Call the county nursefor appointment.Business meeting is the first

Tuesday of the month at 2p.m., followed by lunch.Social meeting is third

Tuesday at 3 p.m. and includesprograms or entertainment.Activities include crazy whist,bingo, cards, pool and domi-noes. Lunch is served.Birthdays are celebrated

every third month with a pro-gram, dessert and coffee.A potluck brunch is held the

first and third Sunday of eachmonth at 11:30 a.m.Progressive whist parties

will be held at 1:30 p.m.Sundays starting in mid-January and continuingthrough mid-March. Cost is $3.Prizes will be awarded andlunch will be served.The center can be rented for

special occasions.The senior bus runs in

Bottineau Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday and Friday. It goesto Minot every Thursday. Forreservations, call 228-6061.

Bowbells Senior CitizensLast Monday: Business

meeting at 1 p.m.Third Thursday: Health day.Monday: 7 p.m., pinochle.Thursday: 2 to 4 p.m., social

coffee party. Everyone is wel-come.Meals are served Monday,

Wednesday and Friday withhome delivery available.

See SUMMER — Page 10


TeamworkWe are looking forward to the

summer months at Souris ValleyCare Center here in Velva: Beingoutside more and spending timewith our residents while enjoyingthe sunshine and reminiscing onthe patio or maybe drinking somelemonade, grilling hotdogs, eatinga cold slice of watermelon andjust watching the garden grow.But do you know it takes anentire team to make all that hap-pen? Summer can be a lot ofwork!

Have you ever been on ateam? It takes a big team to run anursing home, just as it does torun most every business, school,family or whatever it might be. Atour facility all employees do theirindividual jobs to get the big jobcomplete. Not one position ismore important than the other,because we are all working forthe same outcome, safe, happy,comfortable and content resi-dents. All employees are a specif-ic piece of a large puzzle. If youdon’t have all of the pieces youdon’t have a complete picture. Ittakes all departments to make aresident safe, happy comfortableand content. One missing piece ofthe puzzle or lack of input of ALLemployees leaves an incompletepicture or unhappy residents.Visiting with the residents one

day, we talked about the pastwhen much of the heavy workwas done by teams of horses. Theteam was very important to thelivelihood of the farm. Most ofthe time one horse was usuallynot quite strong enough to do allthe work, so they needed a team

to work together to get the jobdone. “Ned and Nellie, Nip andTuck, Ben and Bessie, Tim andTom” all depended on the help ofthe other horse to pull theirweight. The horses, when puttogether, with their own individ-ual strengths, personalities andtalents made the work loadlighter. The same goes at ourworkplace. There are many differ-ent personalities that have tocome together to “pull the load”to get the work done. “Teamsdon’t work without teamwork.” Itis easier said than done some-times, but we are constantly striv-ing to be the best team we can be.Maybe you would like to

become part of a very specialteam and work or volunteer at anursing home? You might be thelast piece of that puzzle to makethe picture complete. “Alone wecan do so little, but together wecan do so much!” Stop by for avisit.

(Robin Burns is activity directorat Souris Valley Care Center inVelva.)

ROBINBURNS

Souris Valley CareCenter, Velva

Cards are played Monday at 7 p.m.There is no pool table on site but jigsaw puz-

zles are ongoing.

Burlington FriendlySeniors

Meet the first and third Wednesday of eachmonth.Meals served Monday, Wednesday and

Friday at noon.Bible study at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.Exercise room is available at all times.Foot care is offered every other month.

Butte Senior Citizens626-7323

Effective from the first Tuesday in Octoberuntil the end of May.The club opens at 2 p.m. and at times there

are card parties on Thursday. Call to confirmcard party times.First Tuesday: Business meeting followed by

cards.Second Tuesday: Potluck, then cards.Third Tuesday: Bingo, then cards.Fourth Tuesday: Program, then cards.Fifth Tuesday: (Open), then cards.

Carpio Senior CitizensSenior meals are served Mondays,

Wednesdays and Fridays at Carpio Cafe from11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Pool is played Mondays and Wednesdays at

1 p.m.Whist is played Thursdays.Third Thursday: bingo at 2 p.m.Third Thursday: dinner at the Carpio Cafe at

noon, with business meeting at the center at 1p.m.Foot clinics are the second Wednesday of

every other month.

Columbus GoldenCircle Club

Whist is played every Tuesday afternoon.Business meeting the fourth Wednesday of

each month with lunch and entertainment.Foot care the second Friday of every month.

Deering Senior Citizens728-6662

Senior meals are served Tuesdays,Thursdays and Fridays in the Deering Cafe.A birthday potluck dinner is held the third

Monday of each month.Senior meetings are the second Thursday of

each month.

Divide County Senior Citizens965-6964

Business meetings are the first Friday of themonth; followed by bingo.Progressive pinochle is the second Friday of

the month.Third Friday: Card playing.Fourth Friday: Potluck dinner and card play-

ing.

Douglas Nifty FiftysMeet every fourth Tuesday with potluck.Health screening by the First District Health

Unit and foot care is the last Monday of everyother month.

Drake Senior CitizensSecond Monday: Business meeting, 2 p.m.Fourth Monday: Potluck dinner, noon.Each Friday: Bone Builders exercise is at 1

p.m. Coffee and rolls are served from 2 to 4 p.m.Open to the public.Foot clinic is held the third Wednesday of

every other month in the Drake City Hall. Forappointments, call 537-5732.The Souris River Transportation Bus goes to

Minot every Thursday. For rides call 1-800-927-8318.

Dunseith Peace GardenSenior Citizens

244-5483Business meeting is first Monday of the

month at 1 p.m., followed by card playing orbingo.Home-cooked meals are served at the center

Monday through Friday at noon. Meals can bedelivered.

Esmond Senior Citizens249-3230

The Esmond Senior Citizens Club meets thesecond Tuesday of every month.Potluck suppers are held and bingo is played.

Entertainment is sometimes available and thereare always readings done by someone.

Fessenden Specialist Club(Senior Citizens)

547-3403First Monday: Birthdays of themonth are cel-

ebrated.Third Tuesday: Business meeting followed

by special speakers, programs and games, suchas bingo and cards.

SummerContinued from Page 9


Falls are the leading cause ofinjury mortality and morbidityamong Americans over the ageof 65. Every year, a third of thepeople over the age of 65 livingin the community and up to halfof the nursing home residentsexperience a fall. In the UnitedStates in 2006, fall injuriesamong older adults resulted in16,650 deaths and 1.8 millionemergency department visits.Interestingly, there is evidencethat indicates that vitamin Dmay help prevent falls.Over the past 15 years, there

has been an accumulation of evi-dence supporting that supple-menting current dietary intakeand sun exposure with dailyvitamin D can significantlyreduce the number of falls andthe consequences of falls such asfractures.Experts on the topic of vita-

min D and fall prevention inolder adults found and agreedthat an average daily intake of4,000 IU (from diet, supplementand sunlight) of vitamin D issafe and nontoxic. They alsofound that, for older adults, the

impact of vitamin D on bonedensity is very small, while theimpact on falls is measurable.Experts are recommending vita-min D supplements as thesource for most of the vitamin Dconsumed for older patients.They stated the reason for this isbecause the production of vita-min D by the skin when exposedto sunlight becomes significantlyless efficient with advancing age.Dr. F. Michael Gloth III said,“The best advice is to recognizethat most seniors will need sup-plementation with vitamin D.”Patients who think they may


Vitamin D and fall prevention in older adultsbenefit from vitamin D supple-mentation should discuss type,dosage and schedule with theirprimary care physician. To max-imize absorption, the vitamin Dsupplements should be takenwith meals that provide some fator oils.While supplementation may

be the easiest way to get ade-quate vitamin D, there are alsosome good food sources that canbe added to the diet.The foods with the best

sources of vitamin D, their serv-ing size and average IU of vita-min D are:Fortified milk, 1 cup, 100Some fortified cereals, 1 cup,

40-60

Some fortified yogurts, 1 cup,100Some fortified orange juice, 1

cup, 100Shrimp, 3 oz., 127Tuna, 3 oz., 150Salmon, 3 oz., 340Egg yolk, 1 yolk, 27Liver (beef or chicken), 3 oz.,

42Multivitamin/mineral supple-

ment, 1 tablet, 400 (amountvaries; check label)

Note:Mushrooms can also bea good source of vitamin D butthe amount of IUs varies widelybetween type of mushroom, typeof light and duration of expo-sure.Falls can be a very dangerous

event for anyone, especiallyolder adults, so be sure to getsome sunshine, eat some of thesehigh vitamin D foods and talkwith your primary care physicianto see if vitamin D supplementa-tion might be right for you.Adapted from the following

resources: The Academy ofNutrition and Dietetics’Nutrition Care Manual and aToday’s Dietitian Article:“Vitamin D’s Role in FallPrevention.”

Kayla Cole, a registered dieti-tian and licensed registered dieti-tian, is outpatient dietitian atTrinity Health Center for DiabetesEducation in Minot.

KAYLACOLE

Trinity Health Center forDiabetes Education


First Baptist XYZFor more information about First

Baptist XYZ, call 852-4533 on week-days.

FlaxtonSenior Citizens

Foot clinic and health clinic is thefirst Wednesday of each month.Pinochle is played each Wednesday

afternoon.

Glenburn Senior Citizens362-7555

Center is open Monday, Wednesdayand Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.Meals are served those days at theGlenburn Cafe. Reservations arerequired by calling 362-7555 or 362-7565.Business meetings are held every

second Friday.Fourth Tuesday: Pancakes are served

at the center.Foot clinic is held on the second

Monday of the odd-numbered months.Birthday dinners are the first Sunday

of the month at the center. Canasta,whist and marbles are played.The Renville Stage goes to Minot

every Thursday. Call 362-7555 for moreinformation.

Granville Senior Citizens728-6888

Hot noon meals are served Monday,Wednesday and Friday. Meals can bedelivered to shut-ins.Business meetings are held on the

second Monday of each month.Afternoon activities include coffee,

cards and puzzles.Social meetings are on the fourth

Monday with bingo.Birthdays are celebrated on the third

Tuesday of every odd month with apotluck evening meal at 4:30 p.m.Pedicures are available on the last

Monday of every other month.The Rugby bus goes through

Granville to Minot each Thursday.

KenmareSenior Citizens Club

Potluck birthday supper first Fridayof each month at 6 p.m.

Quarterly meeting every third monthfollowed by games and cards.Regular board meeting first week of

each month.Meals on wheels are served Monday

through Friday at 11:45 a.m. Meals canbe delivered.Foot care and health maintenance is

first and third Wednesday of eachmonth. Appointments are requested.Afternoon activities include pool,

cards, games, puzzles, lunch.Craft day is Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

Lakeside Senior CitizensNew Town627-2818

Open Monday, Wednesday andFriday from 2 to 4 p.m.Second Friday: Noon meal, followed

by business meeting.Fourth Friday: Noon meal and birth-

day party.Foot care: Every other month. (Call

for details.)Activities: Cards, puzzles, games,

coffee and lunch.

Lansford HiNeighbor Club

Meets first Wednesday of eachmonth at the Lansford Mall followingthe noon meal which is served thereMonday through Friday.Foot care is available the last

Thursday every other month.

Lignite Senior Center933-2855

Noon meals available each Monday,Wednesday and Friday.First Monday: Business meeting fol-

lowing noon meal.Second Monday: foot care at Christ

Lutheran Church, Lignite.Third Friday: social at 6 p.m.Each Tuesday and Thursday:

pinochle is played at 1 p.m.Coffee time is Monday through

Friday at 3 p.m.Foot clinic is offered the second

Wednesday of every “even” month.Potluck meals are held periodically.For information on bus service to

Minot, call 852-8008.

KenmareSenior Citizens Club

Potluck birthday supper first Fridayof each month at 6 p.m.

Quarterly meeting every third monthfollowed by games and cards.Regular board meeting first week of

each month.Meals on wheels are served Monday

through Friday at 11:45 a.m. Meals canbe delivered.Foot care and health maintenance is

first and third Wednesday of eachmonth. Appointments are requested.Afternoon activities include pool,

cards, games, puzzles, lunch.Craft day is Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

Makoti Senior Citizens726-5522

Second Wednesday of each month:Potluck supper at 6 p.m. followed bymonthly business meeting at 7 p.m.Frozen meals can be ordered the first

week of the month by calling 726-5757.RSVP+ exercises are held two times

a week, except during the winter.

Max Senior Citizens679-2265

Potlucks are held the fourth Friday ofeach month, followed by a businessmeeting.January through March potlucks

start at noon; from April throughSeptember, potlucks begin at 6 p.m.;and from October through Decemberpotlucks are again at noon.Meals program: Monday, Tuesday

and Thursday at noon. Home deliveriesare available on request.

Mohall Friendly Neighbors756-6670

First Friday: Potluck dinner at noon.Third Friday: Potluck dinner at noon

followed by the monthly businessmeeting.Monday, Wednesday and Friday:

“Bone Builders” exercise at 9:30 a.m.First Thursday: Foot care. Call 756-

6383 for appointment.

Newburg Senior Citizens272-6204

Meetings are held the third Thursdayof each month at 2 p.m. in the commu-nity center. There is a business meet-ing, games, cards and a potluck meal.Lunch meeting each Wednesday,

11:30 a.m., Coffee Cup Cafe inNewburg.The foot care clinic is held first

Wednesday of odd-numbered months.

Parker Senior Center21 1st Ave. SE, Minot

852-0561Meals are served Monday through

Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,except for holidays.Monday: Craft day, 9:30 a.m.; bingo

at 12:15 p.m.Tuesday: Exercise, 9:30 a.m.; game

day, second and fourth Tuesday of themonth, 12:30 p.m.Wednesday: Bible study, 9:45 a.m.;

book exchange, 1 p.m.; birthday cele-bration, 12:30 p.m., thirdWednesday ofthe month.Thursday: Exercise, 9:30 a.m.;

movie, 12:30 p.m., third Thursday ofthe month.Friday: bingo, 12:15 p.m.All senior activities are open to the

public. Call 852-0561 for more informa-tion.

Powers LakeSenior Citizens Club

Center is open six days a week from8 a.m. to 9 p.m.Home-cooked meals are served

Monday through Friday at noon.Home delivery is available on

request. Frozen meals are also avail-able.Birthdays and wedding anniver-

saries are celebrated the secondWednesday of each month with enter-tainment after the noon meal.Monthly business meetings are on

third Saturday of the month. Executivemeeting at 5:30 p.m., potluck supper at6 p.m. and meeting at 7 p.m. Cards andgames follow.Foot clinics on third Wednesdays

from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.Souris Basin Bus, available to the

public, goes to Minot every Thursdayand makes trips to Williston, Stanleyand Kenmare.

Rolla Senior CitizensThe club business meeting is held

the second Friday of the month at 1p.m., followed by entertainment orbingo.Meals are served daily at noon.

Home delivered meals are available asare frozen meals for weekends.Foot care is available the third

Thursday of each month.




A van is available for rides to doctorappointments, grocery or other shop-ping and business appointments.

Rugby Senior Citizens776-2240

Center opens 9 a.m. daily.Senior meals available five days a

week serving both congregate (in) andhome-delivered (out) meals.Monthly meeting on second Monday

of each month.Foot care first Tuesday a.m. and third

Tuesday p.m. Call 776-6783 in advance.Cards: Tuesdays at 1 p.m.Bingo: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.

Ryder Happy Hours ClubClub meetings are held the first

Monday of the month.Walkers meet at 8 a.m. Monday

through Saturday.Foot care clinic is offered during the

odd months.

St. John Senior Center477-3950

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday:noon, lunch. Bingo after lunch onThursday.Second Thursday of each month: 11

a.m., business meeting.

Sawyer Senior Citizens624-5256

Pool, exercising, cards and quiltingare available daily.Potluck meals are planned periodi-

cally.Senior meals are served at noon on

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays atSawyer Senior Center. Call 624-5256 formeal reservations.Pool and exercise are available every

Monday, Wednesday and Friday morn-ing.Members monthly birthdays are rec-

ognized the first Wednesday of everymonth at the dinner and birthday cakeis served.Activity night and meetings are held

the second Thursday of each month.Foot clinic is offered the second

Wednesday of every “even” month.Potluck meals are held periodically.For information on bus service to

Minot, call 852-8008.The club email address is

[email protected].

Sherwood Friendship ClubSherwood

Open every Tuesday and Friday at 1p.m. for bone building exercise followedby activities and a snack at 3 p.m.First Wednesday: Food pantry from 2

to 3 p.m.Second Friday: Business meeting at

1:30 pm.Monthly potluck dinner: 6 p.m. last

Wednesday of the month, exceptaround holidays. Call 459-2462 to veri-fy.

Stanley Golden Age Club628-2101

Open Monday and Wednesday after-noons: 1 p.m. for cards or games; lunchat 3 p.m.Open every Friday with home-

cooked meals at noon. Anyone is wel-come. Call 628-2239 or 628-2101 beforeFriday each week to sign up for the fol-lowing week. Musical Jammin’ beforeand after dinner. Lunch at 3 p.m.Cards and games are played every

Friday and bingo is played two Fridaysa month at 1:30 p.m.Members birthday party on fourth

Friday of each month. Soup and sand-wich dinner at noon with cake and icecream at 3 p.m.Arthritis therapy/wellness classes:

Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m., Ina MaeRude Aquatic Center in Stanley. Alsolow, medium, high aerobic classesMonday through Friday.For more information visit

(www.stanleyaquaticcenter.org).

Surrey Senior Citizens839-8702

Senior meals are served at noon onMondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.Call center for meal reservations. Homedeliveries are available on request.Foot Clinic is available at the center.

Call Lavonne at 240-2679 for anappointment.Game night is held every Thursday

starting at 7 p.m. Snacks are provided.Bingo is played every Tuesday at 1

p.m.Birthday cake and ice cream are

served at 12:30 p.m. on the thirdMonday of each month.

Board meetings are held on theTuesday before the last Friday of eachmonth beginning at 7 p.m.Potluck meals are held on the last

Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m.Entertainment follows.

Tioga Senior CitizensDinner Tuesday and Friday at noon.Business meeting: second Monday of

the month, starting at 2 p.m.Potluck on third Monday at 6 p.m. in

May through September and 12:30 p.m.during October through April, followedby music, cards or other games.

Tolley Senior CitizensMonthly meetings are held every sec-

ond Tuesday.From October through April, there is

a potluck meal at noon, followed by thebusiness meeting and games. FromMaythrough September, business meetingsare held at 2 p.m. Lunch and gamesafterward.Foot care clinics the third

Wednesday of the even-numberedmonths.

Towner Senior Citizens537-5155

Business meetings are held the lastWednesday of the month at 11:15 a.m.,followed by birthday potluck.Coffee and goodies are served

Monday mornings for the ladies.Rolls and coffee are served at 10 a.m.

the third Thursday of each month.The center is open the first and third

Thursdays for bunco, cards, games, puz-zles and art. Coffee and cookies areserved.Exercise equipment is available for

anyone who wants to use it.Health screenings and foot care are

offered every other month on the fourthWednesday. Call 537-5732 for anappointment.Bus service toMinot is available each

Thursday. Call 852-8008 to makeadvance reservations.The senior center is open by request

for other gatherings.Upham Senior Citizens

Business meetings: first Monday ofthe month with a potluck meal at 5p.m., followed by cards, pool and coffee.Social meeting the third Monday of

the month at 1 p.m. with cards andlunch.

Cards and pool are played or puzzlesare put together every Wednesday.Lunch is served.Health screening and foot care is

offered every other month. Call theMcHenry County Nurses Office for anappointment.Every Monday, Wednesday and

Friday exercising starts at 9:30 a.m.

Star City Senior CitizensVelva

338-2628Senior meals are served Monday,

Wednesday and Friday at noon at thecenter on Main Street. Volunteers han-dle the serving of the meals which arecatered from the Souris Valley CareCenter at Velva.A monthly birthday party is held on

the second Wednesday at 2 p.m.Bingo is offered on Monday and

Friday at 1:30 p.m. and pinochle onWednesday and Saturday afternoons.The exercise room is available to

seniors with their membership dues.The public may use the room with amonthly donation.Health care is available on a month-

ly basis. Included are foot care, immu-nizations, etc.

Westhope Senior Citizens245-6401

OpenMonday through Friday from 2to 5 p.m.Cards are played every day. Peoples’

choice progressive cards every secondand fourth Friday.Business meetings are held the third

Monday monthly.Senior meals are served at M&D

Pizza at 11:30 a.m. five days a week.Home-delivered meals are also avail-able.

Wildrose Senior CitizensCenter is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.First Tuesday: Business meeting, 1

p.m.Third Tuesday: Birthday parties at 1

p.m.Senior meals are served Tuesdays at

the center. You must be 60 years old toqualify for meals at reduced rate.The senior van goes to Crosby, Tioga

or Williston every week for shopping,doctor appointments or meetings.The van is also available for other

events.


Senior Scene Summer 2015Page 14

One practical suggestion would be to amend

the trust agreement to permit a percentage distribution (for

example, 5%) each year, based on the value of the trust assets at the

beginning of the year. That way, if rates remain low for a prolonged

period of time (current rates on a five-year savings certificate are

about 1.25% when this column was submitted), the trustee would

have some “wiggle room” with respect to annual distributions. A

percentage distribution formula is more flexible, as it facilitates a

“total return” investment orientation. This approach recognizes that

investment returns consist of both earnings and capital appreciation.

A reliance strictly on interest income ignores the historically

superior returns to stocks, and in the present environment, stocks

appear to have a better risk/return trade-off, in my estimation.

2200 15th Street SWMinot, ND 58701

857-7150

Dan LangemoVice President

and Trust Officer

A.

Minot’s only Local Trust Department

Q.

Summer buzzes by so quicklythat we have to pack in as muchfun as we can. It was an eventfulspring at our home. The choirsang at the Salute to Seniorsevent and we enjoyed the day.We had a lot of theme parties,holiday socials and outings.We have some big events

planned this summer. Theschedule includes an openhouse with cocktails June 18, aclassic car show and music onJuly 22, an antique carshow/music/picnic Aug. 15, andthe choir sings at the FirstWestern Bank event at the GrandAug. 27.

The wheels on the bus goround and round as we ventureout of town on many trips. Wealso will be entering a float in

the State Fair parade.Socials and evening visiting

are highlights. Residents gatherto play games or discuss theirbusy day. The patio is such arelaxing environment to enjoythe solace of the lake view,ducks, birds and flowers. Thegarden is planted with manyvegetables and the table tops aretoo. We await patiently for thefresh veggies and watch every-thing bloom, just as our friend-ships grow as we spend timetogether. The residents exclaim,“Memories are golden at theWellington.”The dietary department works

hard to offer daily salad barchoices and weekly grilling is agreat addition all summer.Coffee hour every day brings us,family and guests together andprovides the opportunity to meetothers.Stop by and visit us anytime

and tour the facility and thegrounds.For more information on great

assets and amenities available,call 858-9800.

June Kraft is Life EnrichmentCoordinator at Wellington(Meridian) Assisted Living inMinot.

Busy bees at the Wellington

JUNEKRAFT

Wellington (Meridian)Assisted Living

The Minot Area SeniorCoalition celebrated another suc-cessful Salute to Seniors event inMay. The 19th annual event, aday filled with music, dancingand fellowship, was a “Salute toClassic TV.” The day was filledwith music, dancing, and fellow-ship.More than 400 people attend-

ed.The vendors at the event are

another reason for the continuedsuccess. Once again, we had agreat variety of vendors withproducts and information gearedtoward the senior population.The vendors always provide greatinformation and advice to thosein attendance.We look forward to seeing

everyone at next year’s 20thAnnual Salute to Seniors eventon May 10, 2016, as we celebrate20 years by having a “Salute tothe Red, White & Blue” USOShow.Just because the Salute to

Seniors is over, doesn’t mean thatthe Senior Coalition takes abreak. Our next event, the annualHarvest Ball at the Parker SeniorCenter, in Minot, will be from 2to 4 p.m. Sept. 18. Ticket cost is$5. There will be music and apie and an ice cream social. Besure to RSVP between Sept. 1and Sept. 13 by calling 852-3398.

Kayla Lawson is president ofthe Minot Area Senior Coalition.

KAYLALAWSON

Minot AreaSenior Coalition

Salute asuccess


Cardiovascular disease – damage to theheart and blood vessels – claims moreAmerican lives each year than all forms ofcancer combined, according to theAmerican Heart Association. Yet simplepreventive steps, such as getting a cardio-vascular screening, can help you makestrides toward keeping your heart andblood vessels healthy.

Plaque buildup in the arteries – knownas atherosclerosis – is the main cause ofcardiovascular disease. When the bloodvessels that deliver blood to and from theheart become blocked or damaged, it canaffect the heart itself, causing heart diseaseor leading to stroke. Heart disease is themost severe form of cardiovascular dis-ease, and according to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention, nearly 27million people have been diagnosed withit.

Awareness, prevention, testing andcommunication can help you manage car-diovascular disease risks.

Recognize, reduce risks

High LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowHDL (good) cholesterol are among the mostwell-known risk factors that can lead tocardiovascular disease, but they’re not the

only ones to be aware of. If you haveuntreated high blood pressure, a familyhistory of cardiovascular disease, or dia-betes, your risk of developing cardiovascu-lar disease may be elevated, the HeartAssociation says. Smoking and a sedentarylifestyle may also contribute to cardiovas-cular risks, and women past the age ofmenopause andmen older than 45 can alsohave a higher risk of developing the dis-ease.

You can reduce these well-known riskfactors by:

®Having your cholesterol tested regu-larly, and maintaining the levels your doc-tor recommends.

®Being aware of family history.®Managing diabetes or other health

issues that can lead to complications.®Quitting smoking, if applicable.® Sticking to a regular exercise routine.

Consult your doctor to learn what exercis-es and activity level will be best for you.

Cardiovascular screeningEarly detection is vital to effectively treat-

ing cardiovascular disease; you’ll have a bet-ter chance to stay healthy if you catch thedisease before you begin to experiencesymptoms. Cardiovascular screenings, such

as those provided by Life Line Screening, arean affordable, easy and non-invasive way todetect possible problems in a patient’s bloodvessels before they become more serious.The ultrasound testing looks inside a per-son’s arteries for signs of blockage, whichcan help detect cardiovascular disease early.In fact, a study published in the Journal ofthe American College of Cardiology foundthat such testing improved doctors’ overallability to predict cardiovascular risks.

Cardiovascular screening is often recom-mended for people older than 55 who haverisk factors. To learn more about cardiovas-cular screening, visitwww.lifelinescreening.com.

Vascular-friendly habits

While some risk factors such as age andgenetics are beyond your control, you dohave the power to influence others. Certainlifestyle changes are known to benefit car-diovascular health, while delivering otherhealth benefits as well. The American HeartAssociation recommends these heart- andblood-vessel-friendly lifestyle tips:

® Eat a diet that’s low in saturated andtrans fats, cholesterol, sugar and salt.

® Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains that are rich in fiber. Have fish at least

twice a week, and incorporate nuts, legumesand seeds into your diet. Reduce your meatintake, choose lean meats when you do eatmeat, and opt for low-fat or fat-free dairyproducts.

® Exercise at least 150minutes perweek,choosing moderate to intense activity. Or, ifyou’re able, do 75 minutes of vigorous aero-bic activity like jogging or running everyweek. Do muscle-strengthening activities atleast twice a week.

Learn, communicate

While caring for your cardiovascularhealth is important at any age, risks risewithage. As you grow older, be aware of the signsof stroke and heart attack. Talk to your doc-tor about your risks for cardiovascular andheart disease, preventivemeasures, and howto best detect and treat problems early.

If you’re at elevated risk of cardiovasculardisease, or have it, get support from friends,family and social groups to help you main-tain your cardiovascular health. Support canhelp you stay on track with importantlifestyle changes and make it easier to mon-itor your disease.

(Content and photo courtesy ofBrandpoint.)

4 simple ways to protect yourself from cardiovascular diseasePhoto courtesy of Brandpoint

Documents

Senior Scene June 2015