A DOCTOR’S OFFICE FOR ADULTS 65+ TIME FOR BETTER CARE.
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*Free gift without obligation. Limit one per attendee while supplies last. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage (BCBSAZ Advantage) Medicare Advantage plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) Medicare Supplement and BCBSAZ Medicare Part D plans will be discussed. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-844-608-8830, TTY: 711, daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. By registering for this seminar, a sales representative may contact you. A sales person will be present with information and applications. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage (HMO) is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage depends on contract renewal. Blue MedicareRxSM (PDP) is a Prescription Drug Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue MedicareRx depends on contract renewal. BCBSAZ and BCBSAZ Advantage comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. ATTENTION: If you speak another language, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 480-566-2868 (TTY: 711). ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 480-566-2868 (TTY: 711). D77 baa ak0 n7n7zin: D77 saad bee y1n7[ti’go Diné Bizaad, saad bee 1k1’1n7da’1wo’d66’, t’11 jiik’eh, 47 n1 h0l=, koj8’ h0d77lnih 480-566-2868 (TTY: 711).
Charles Daniel, MD will share what we can expect as a result of normal aging and let you know what may call for further assessment. Bring your questions for Dr. Daniel.
Downsizing Your Meals
As we age, our nutritional needs, food preferences and eating habits change. Our TMC Wellness team will share how eating well can help you improve your health and quality of life.
TMC Diabetes Education Day
Join the TMC Diabetes Educators and other experts for a day of education on managing diabetes. Lectures, exhibitors, dental screenings, raffle prizes and a wonderful healthy lunch are all included in this FREE conference!
Tibetan Sand Painted Mandalas
Join us for exciting new art activities taught by multi-media artist Carolyn King. You will learn about a culture and create a piece of art. No prior experience needed! All materials provided, $15/person.
Virtual Dementia Tour
Have you wondered what it must feel like to have dementia?
This workshop allows loved ones, care partners, and care providers to experience for themselves a little of what it might feel like to have dementia. This experience provides attendees with deeper insight into this condition and enables them to identify with and better understand the behaviors and needs of those with dementia. tmcaz.com
WIt’s the little things that annoy The Curmudgeon
By Drew Alexander
e’ve all had, will have, or now have some major challenge confronting us as we travel the road of life on planet Earth.
Then there are those pesky little things that don’t amount to anything especially serious, but still have the power to cause at least momentary discomfort if not full-blown aggravation.
Out on the street in front of my home the siren of an emergency vehicle is screaming to a fever pitch, while overhead the whop-whopwhop of helicopter blades noisily cuts through the air, making my walls shiver. A minute later, I’m hearing the hornet-like buzz of a
motorcycle speeding at full-throttle, its especially strident sound echoing for miles it seems.
Later in the day, I’m attending a wedding. After the dignified ceremony, the reception is in a beautiful room where an expertly prepared full course dinner is served.
Then, after dessert, the disc jockey goes to work, and what is described as music comes crashing rudely into the room out of five big speakers in a cacophonous wave of out-ofcontrol decibels that rattle me down to my bones.
The world has become too damn noisy.
This is one reason I rarely go to
movie theatres anymore. The last time was to see a James Bond picture. The film was one action scene after another, engulfing me and the rest of the audience in a blanket of pounding sound effects that shook the walls of the auditorium.
Kaboom! Crash! Kabang! Crunch! Pow! Somewhere in all that assaulting, ear-splitting audio was a story, but I’m uncertain as to what it was.
The telephone is a wonderful invention, but I reach an immediate level of agitation every time I call a business or government agency and have to hear a robotic voice telling me to press this and press that before I can ever reach a living, breathing human being.
Even when I do connect by phone, often people ill-equipped in the art of communication speak so fast, or mumble their words, and I have to constantly repeat myself.
More than ever, I hate shopping, especially at so-called big-box stores.
What makes trying to buy stuff such an agony is that I have to run and tackle a store employee to receive some assistance in finding what I want. There was a time
when customer service was truly an emphasis on customer and service, when professional, knowledgeable sales personnel were immediately available. Those days are long gone. Now it’s: good luck, buddy, in finding things, and after you do, give us the money and get out.
Yes, I know, sweating the small stuff is nothing compared to those big punches that life can throw at us. The trouble is that those little things are like that teacup-sized Chihuahua who thinks he’s King Kong and comes snapping relentlessly at your heels.
You can ignore the tiny critter’s bite, but you just can’t get his incessant high-pitched barking out of your head.
Drew Alexander, also known as “The Curmudgeon,” is a monthly columnist for Lovin’ Life After 50, writing about political issues. Send comments to drewalexander@ cox.net or to Drew Alexander, in care of Lovin’ Life After 50, 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282.
The Up Side
Can you see the flag from here?
By Michael Grady
Ohhh, say can you see …?
Our National Anthem poses a question. People forget that, because too many of them think its final two words are “play ball!” But each of its four verses (there are four, really!) return to the need to see — and the joy of beholding — that our country’s flag is still there.
Unlike other national anthems (Canada’s “Oh, Canada,” England’s “God Save the Queen” or Australia’s “Crack Me Open a Foster’s, Mate”) “The Star Spangled Banner” was born of a particular situation. In 1814 — midway through a prisoner exchange — lawyer Francis Scott Key stood on the deck of the HMS Surprise and watched as the British Navy spent the night shelling Baltimore’s Fort McHenry. All night, Key kept an eye out for the fort’s 15-star battle flag as it was consumed,
then revealed, then consumed again in the smoke from rocket and cannon fire.
Key’s need to know his country hadn’t buckled became a single question — can I see the flag from here? — which became the spine of his poem “The Defence of Ft. McHenry,” which Key’s brother-in-law set to music. Long story short: it was crowned our national anthem in 1931, and has been an excellent way to shut our children up at sporting events ever since.
It’s a durable song. It has survived charges that its middle lyrics glorify slavery. (They don’t.) It has been mauled by everyone from Robert Goulet to Leslie Nielsen, to countless smalltown crooners whose vocal range runs aground on “the rockets’ red glare.” It rolled gamely with the raised fists of American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the medal stand at the
Mexico City Olympics. It was electrified by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, and squawked in a frightening, crotchgrabbing, trailer-park interpretation by Roseanne Barr in the 1980s. Yet somehow the song has survived.
I don’t think Colin Kaepernick will be the death of it, either.
In August, the San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback began taking a knee during the anthem. It was in protest, he said, of the way African-Americans were treated in this country.
At first, this made me livid. The idea that a professional athlete — coddled, celebrated and vastly overpaid — would stand at the summit of all his blessings and (in the national spotlight, no less!) disrespect the country that bestows those blessings on him. I wondered what he would say to the servicemen and women who have died in the service to that flag; and I waited for the news stories, mean tweets and Facebook outrage to roll in and crush him like the Rams’ front seven.
It did. And I followed every minute of it. And as I did, I began to realize, in slow degrees, that Kaepernick had a point.
civic “revenue stream.” And a 2015 study found that African-Americans in New York City were 18-25 percent more likely to be touched, pushed, cuffed or held at gunpoint by law enforcement. Does this mean all police are racists? We all know too many good police officers to believe this is so. But if you believe all people are created equally, and if numbers don’t lie, then there is, undeniably, a lot of trouble and smoke around race relations in America.
This year, we’ve seen counterproductive efforts to bring awareness to it. If violence is not the answer, and demonstrations only antagonize both sides; if lawsuits devolve into hung juries and social media gets lost in the semantics of “Black Lives Matter” vs. “All Lives Matter,” then maybe an African-American athlete taking a knee during our national song isn’t such a horrible thing.
Maybe it’s his way of saying, “I can’t see the flag from here.”
There are plenty of things not to like about Colin Kaepernick: his remarks come off as self-righteous; he has trouble throwing to secondary receivers and — oh, yeah, he’s a 49er. But the soldiers his detractors cite — the ones who fought and died for this country — fought for his right to express himself as he sees fit. If “patriotism” requires everyone to stand and make nice during the national song, then we should all move to North Korea, where they have lots of national songs and everyone stands because no one can afford chairs.
This last election has shown us that, while our country still believes in the freedom to hold opposing views, we get increasingly impatient when those views are actually expressed. Politics has partitioned us into teams. If you “oppose the war” you automatically don’t “support the troops.” If you say “black lives matter” you automatically hate law enforcement. This “either/or” approach to the world excludes all the middle ground that could create social progress.
Francis Scott Key had one simple concern. Standing on the deck of the Surprise, Key wasn’t sure if the country he loved was still around, and the Fort McHenry flag was his only touchstone. The anthem speaks eloquently of what the flag, and the country, meant to him. And it reflects his all-night struggle to see it through all the trouble and smoke.
A recent University of California study found that black, unarmed citizens are 3.49 times more likely to be shot by police than white, unarmed citizens. A San Francisco study tells us that black San Franciscans, who amount to 15 percent of police stops, also account for 42 percent of non-consensual searches.
A Department of Justice investigation found Ferguson, Missouri, police officers were fining the city’s black citizens as a
I would rather go the other way. I’d prefer we direct our attention on the problem of race relations until our Colin Kaepernicks can no longer bring themselves to take a knee.
If that rankles the beginnings of our ballgames a little, that’s a small price to pay for social progress. And it could turn Key’s sturdy little song into something more.
What if our national anthem became a lever to address social injustice? What if we checked our knee-jerk outrage long enough to discover what the dissenters’ beef was, and this became a mechanism to draw attention to an overlooked issue? It would make our national anthem an expression of our national values.
And it would kick the crap out of “Oh, Canada.”
Michael Grady is a local playwright, reporter and the author of “Death Calls a Meeting.”
Aging Today November is National Family Caregivers Month Offer
to “Share the Care”
By Bob Roth, Managing Partner Cypress HomeCare Solutions
November is National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM), a time to honor those who have taken on the role of caring for an aging loved one. NFCM was first proclaimed in 1994 by President Bill Clinton, continued by every sitting American president each year since its origin. This gives Americans the opportunity to not only celebrate family caregivers, but to also recognize these unsung heroes that make the ultimate sacrifice in caring for their family members.
With 78 percent of aging adults living in the United States in need of long term care, many will depend on family members and friends as their only sources of assistance in this transition. In order to ensure that these aging loved
ones are comfortable, family members often take on the role of caregiving. On average, two out of every five adults in the United States are acting as a family caregiver; many are caught unprepared for the roles that they take on. The time commitment alone is a burden on so many households, with about 48 percent of family caregivers already employed full-time in addition to these new responsibilities.
Family caregivers assume many roles in order to help maintain the quality of life for their loved one. These include personal hygiene, medication reminders, meal preparation, and remaining the loved one’s closet companion. Even with family caregivers in place, there are still more challenges
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to overcome. The need for caregivers shows no slowing of growth in the future either; for the next 13 years, baby boomers are turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day. This kind of growth is unprecedented and the need for assistance is going to go through the roof.
Currently, 65 million Americans are making the ultimate sacrifice as these unsung heroes spend an average 20 hours a week assisting their loved ones. This time commitment can make it incredibly difficult for them to not only continue previous obligations in their own lives, but to also maintain their own well-being. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 67 percent of family caregivers report that they do not go to the doctor because they put their families’ needs first. Continued stress on the family caregiver can take its toll; caregivers of elderly spouses between the ages of 66 and 96 experiencing stress suffer a 63 percent higher mortality rate than the recipient of the care.
those family members who continue to go above and beyond as caregivers, whether it is assisting in household chores or completing errands. While sitting around the Thanksgiving table, take inventory of your loved ones, friends, and/or relatives. If you can, watch for signs of change. Changes in health, mood, and living conditions can all be important indicators. In addition, family members should be speaking with the people who see their senior relative(s) on a daily basis to find out if they have noticed any recent changes. Consider this list when looking for changes:
• Personal hygiene problems
• Home in disarray or needing to be cleaned
• Weight loss or weight gain — check for spoiled food or insufficient food in the home
• Failure to manage medications or medical appointments
• Increased difficulty with mobility (such as climbing stairs or using a bathtub)
• Changes in judgment, mood, or overall behavior
• Increased forgetfulness — check for unopened mail or unread newspapers
• Missed bill payments or other financial difficulties
There are many ways to reduce the stress a family caregiver often experiences. One important way is by offering to assist with the person that is in need. By doing so, the family caregiver can get the respite time they so desperately need to accomplish simple errands, such as grocery shopping, visiting the doctor, or just taking some time to read a book. Other ways to assist can include spending time with the family caregiver, helping to clean around the house, or pitching in to take care of any animals in the home. While these seem like small ways to help, your assistance will give the family caregiver the relief of knowing these tasks have been accomplished.
Celebrating the roles of family caregivers will help to encourage the health and well-being of both the loved one in need and the family caregiver. Family caregivers can often feel overwhelmed, but by taking on an active role in helping the caregiver, we can drastically improve the lives of everyone involved. While National Family Caregivers Month is a time to celebrate those who take on the role, the need to help these individuals continues throughout the year.
This holiday season, recognize
• Unusual or extravagant purchases that are out of character
• Decreased social activities or failure to maintain friendships
This Thanksgiving join us in recognizing family caregivers across the nation for keeping the promise to be there for their aging family members and friends. Make sure that this Thanksgiving if you see a friend, a loved one or a neighbor in the role of being a family faregiver, offer to “Share the Care.” By offering to share the care with the Family Caregiver you will enable the caregiver to get “respite,” so that they can be a better caregiver to their care recipient.
COPD treatment takes center stage
By David Ebner
The world will never forget the momentous day when four young men from Liverpool, England, walked onto the stage of the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. The Fab Four strolled onstage, squinting in the glare of the lights and smiling at the squealing fans, and that grainy black and white image became the music history icon of the “British Invasion.”
Stem cell research appeared on the world stage with much less fanfare. There were no screaming fans or standing ovations when doctors conducted the first stem cell procedure in the form of a bone marrow transplant in 1956. The painstaking hours scientists spent researching and studying cells in laboratories across the world passed unremarked upon in the pages of Life Magazine. Even in 2012, when John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka won a Nobel Prize for their discovery that “mature cells can be reprogrammed to become
pluripotent,” enthusiasm was limited mostly to the medical community. The advent of stem cell research may seem inconsequential in comparison to the rise of the Beatles or Elvis Presley, but its impact on the medical industry is nothing less than revolutionary. Although the ethical implications of using embryonic stem cells have a highprofile and controversial history, knowledge of adult stem cells—cells present inside the body of every adult, remains relatively obscure. Adult stem cells live in the blood or bone marrow, and can be extracted and reintroduced into different parts of the body, as needed. Some stem cells can respecialize to mimic whatever type of cell they are near. For example, when bone marrow stem cells are extracted,
isolated and reintroduced to the lungs of a patient with a progressive lung disease, the stem cells have the potential to morph into lung cells. The hope is that the new cells will be disease-free and promote healing and potentially return lung function. For someone suffering from a debilitating disease, such investigative stem cell therapy could mean the difference between struggling for air and singing “Twist and Shout” in the shower.
Physicians at the Lung Institute (lunginstitute.com) have been performing such procedures since 2013, increasing the quality of life for more than 83 percent of the patients they’ve treated as reported by the patients themselves in a recent study. During a stem cell procedure, cells are extracted from the patient’s blood or bone marrow tissue. The cells are then isolated and returned intravenously. This outpatient procedure is completed over three days and is considered minimally
invasive. According to the Lung Institute’s Senior Medical Director, Jack Coleman Jr., M.D., “Stem cells are important because they offer an alternative approach. Instead of looking at symptoms simply to make the patient more comfortable, investigative stem cell therapy can potentially target the disease itself, challenging conventional medicine’s fatalistic mindset that there’s nothing more we can do.”
It’s difficult to imagine a medical breakthrough stealing the show from the latest trending celebrity. However, real people have sought these innovative procedures, and some are already seeing a difference in their lives. They may not be screaming like the crazed Beatles fans of the sixties, but the alternative procedure fan base grows every day among people who look to stem cell research for answers. If you or a loved one suffer from a chronic lung disease, the specialists at the Lung Institute may be able to help. You can contact the Lung Institute at 855-842-7878 or visit lunginstitute. com/lovin to find out if you qualify for these new treatments.
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Straus’ Place
“Sticks and stones …”
By Bill Straus
“Sticks and stones can break our bones, but words (or names) can never hurt us.”
It’s a lie. Yet most of us were either taught that from an early age, or have even taught it ourselves. If you’ve ever been called a derogatory name, you know how untrue the old adage really is. The reality is that being called a name that hurts is often more painful than being physically assaulted. I realize that sometimes people say or write things that hurt unintentionally. But that’s beside the point. The hurt is not mitigated by intention or lack thereof. And that’s precisely why I have such a problem with the overused term of “political correctness.”
We’ve all heard plenty from those who oppose what they call “political correctness.” It was one of the watchwords of the Trump campaign. “Political correctness” is a derogatory term usually targeting left-leaning folks. It is used to suggest that some people (usually on the political left) are somehow so vapid and shallow they will use ridiculous language just to avoid offending someone.
The origins of the term “politically correct” may surprise you. It was initially coined by the advisors to the Kremlin back in the days of the Soviet Union to describe those who toed the communist party line. It was initially adopted in American society by liberals who used it to poke fun at themselves, but blossomed into usage in the 1990s when conservative pundits used it to ridicule those viewed as overly sensitive. Today, it’s become a
staple of conservative attacks on liberals. Here’s my problem. I feel that one of the most fundamental characteristics of what I consider an evolved society is goodwill toward one another. I really do believe that! Strongly. Goodwill cannot be achieved without respect for one another. We most often show respect — or disrespect — for one another with our words. Downplaying disrespectful language as “political correctness” is nothing more than a gross trivialization of the notion of mutual respect.
A personal example may help make my point. Not too long ago, an acquaintance was telling me — bragging actually — about his new car purchase. He mentioned that he had “jewed the salesman down” to the price he wanted. Now this wasn’t the first time I had heard that phrase used. I’ve heard it numerous times over the years, and I could tell he meant no malice. Nonetheless, I objected and told him I was Jewish. He was shocked that I was offended by the phrase. He told me he was using it as a “compliment,” that it was in no way intended to insult me or Jews in general and finally, that I was being “way too politically correct.” NO! I was pointing out how thoroughly offensive the phrase was and that intentionally or not, should not be used at any time under any circumstances. After a thoughtful, lengthy discussion he understood. He apologized and that was the end of it.
Disrespect should never be dismissed or trivialized. Labeling it as “political correctness” does just that.
“OneCelebrating Tucson
One person...Six questions
By Barbara Russek
ne person … Six questions” is a continuing series of columns about Tucsonarea residents who have made an impact on the community. This month, Lovin’ Life After 50 focuses on Michael McDonald, age 55, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (CFBSA.)
Tucson native, piano enthusiast and grandfather Kevin McDonald is the CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (CFBSA).
During this season, when we Southern Arizonans consider the blessings in our lives and also make plans for Thanksgiving dinner — from the simple to the sumptuous — we also think of those who are less fortunate.
Michael McDonald knows a thing or two about the need for putting food on the table, not only during the holidays but throughout the year.
Born and raised in Tucson, this selfdescribed “desert rat” has enjoyed several rewarding careers in the Old Pueblo, including stay-at-home dad for five years when his wife started her teaching career. He also worked in his father’s electronics manufacturing start-up.
“When the company sold,” he continued, “I wanted to make a change to a life of service in the nonprofit sector.” This new career path has included ten years working at Habitat for Humanity and now almost three years as CEO of CFBSA.
A busy professional who gets to the office before 6:30 a.m., McDonald frequently works at home in the evening or attends a community event in an official capacity.
He and his wife also find time to enjoy activities with their children and grandchildren, who all live in Tucson. One of his favorite ways to relax is to play the piano for his eight-year-old granddaughter. “She has me playing current pop tunes,” McDonald quips, “but I can always go back to Chopin when I’ve gone too far into pop culture!”
As the season of thankfulness approaches, I knew McDonald would have a lot to say about the importance of our local food bank.
Canyou give our readers an overview of your job?
I provide support to a great team of 120 staff members, more than 6000 volunteers and 200-plus community partnering organizations. Our vision is to build a hunger-free future for all Southern Arizonans.
H ow many folks have needed help from CFBSA in the past year? We provided 32 million pounds of food to approximately 187,000 individuals experiencing food insecurity in five southern Arizona counties — the majority going to folks in our own Pima County.
W hat are your biggest sources for obtaining food?
Most food is donated by grocery stores, regional growers, the USDA and local residents.
H ow has the improving economy affected needs at CFBSA?
We are now more able to provide people with educational and technical assistance to grow their own food and make more informed nutritional choices.
W hen is the food bank open?
The CFBSA or one of its partners is open seven days a week.
H ow can folks contribute to the CFBSA, especially during the holidays?
We’re always looking for volunteers as well as charitable contributions of both money and food, including fruit from your trees. To learn more please visit www.communityfoodbank.org
Barbara Russek, a local freelance writer, welcomes comments at Babette2@comcast. net
Ask Gabby Gayle
Advice for the over-50 crowd
By Gayle M. Lagman-Creswick
Dear Gabby Gayle: I want to tell you and your readers about romantic scams. I got caught in one from a dating site. This man turned up as one of my matches; I liked his profile and his photo and started conversing with him. We chatted for over a month and I really liked him. I have been a widow for five years, and I am extremely lonely as I had a wonderful marriage. Soon he was talking about loving me and when he retired, he wanted to come and see me. It was wonderful to have him say how beautiful I was, and how he was so happy that he had found me. I was literally walking on air. Then one day he told me he was going to Egypt to do his last archeology dig and would be there seventeen days. He sent me a copy of his airline itinerary! He was also an art dealer and had some paintings to sell. He sent texts to me each day telling of the dig and some of the artifacts that had been found. Then he wrote to tell me he was feeling sad and upset by something that happened that day. Of course, I asked what had happened. He said the Egyptian inspectors came that day and told him he had the wrong kind of permit, and they closed down his site until he produced the proper papers. He said the permit was going to cost $45,000, and he only had $20,000 with him. He asked if he could borrow the $15,000 so he could get the permit, and he would pay me back when he got back to the states. Then I knew it was a scam. I emailed him back and said, “you should be ashamed of yourself; I am going to pray for your soul, and I am reporting you.” That was the last of him. I did report him. I am certain there are some unsuspecting widows out there who would fork out that money, and I want to warn them to be suspicious of everyone they chat with on a dating site. Thank You, Scammed
DearScammed: Thank you for writing about another type of scam that is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, I’ve been doing research on them for a novel I’m writing.
I am amazed at the creativity these predators use in attracting a woman’s interest. My advice is this: 1. Do not ever answer a dating site request from anyone out of town. 2. Do not ever friend anyone on Facebook that you do not know — and then be sure that they have not used the name and address of a person you do know! 3. Never give out the slightest information about you — not your telephone number, not your email address, nothing at all. 4. When you do connect with a local person that you like, suggest coffee in a very public place and make sure you are the first one to arrive. Some lie about their looks, occupation, marital status, etc. I joined a dating site because I’ve received so many questions from my readers about them. I met and enjoyed coffee with five very nice guys, but none of them were for me. I met two that are still friends — without benefits. Be careful and cautious! Thank you, Scammed, for bringing to light a very timely and important subject. I do not know if these same things happen to men, but I would like to hear from you if they have. —GG
Dear Gabby Gayle: I want to thank you for the advice you gave me — that I should attend my granddaughter’s wedding to her gay partner. I went, I loved it, and I love my granddaughter’s choice of a partner. And we are all at peace. You kept me from making a serious mistake. Signed, Grateful Reader
Dear Grateful, Yahoo!
If you have a question for Gabby Gayle, please send it to Ask Gabby Gayle in care of this newspaper, or email Gabby Gayle at lagmancreswick@cox.net
Gift shopping. Holiday parties. Out of town visitors. Family gatherings.
All of these trappings of the season can bring great joy – but they can also bring stress as well.
Getting enough sleep should be at the top of every holiday survival guide. Making sure you have the energy to cope with the changes in your routine and leading the lifestyle you want to lead is critical to your emotional health.
And it’s essential to your physical health as well, since ongoing sleep issues have been linked to an increased risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Consider a few tips from Paul Rosas, an electroneurodiagnostic technologist at the sleep lab at Tucson Medical Center, on how to maintain your shut-eye during the busy season: Do your best to practice solid sleep hygiene. The brain is built on a circadian rhythm – think of it as your body’s internal clock. By keeping a regular routine, your body knows what time to go to sleep and what time to wake up, and is more likely to transition through the necessary stages of sleep without interruption. If you want to pull an all-nighter to watch Rudolph reruns, just know that you can’t reverse lost sleep easily. It takes the average person three days to rebound from one night of sleep deprivation, so you’re not going to be able to recover in a single weekend. You’re better off just keeping a reasonable schedule so your sleep is more consistent.
Pay attention to eating and drinking practices. It may be hard to push away from the holiday buffet table, but it’s not just your waistline
Ask the Expert
Give yourself the gift of good zzzz’s during the holidays
By Paul Rosas
that will thank you for it. Overeating is likely to interrupt your sleep patterns. Steer clear of alcohol and caffeine, including chocolate, within five hours of bedtime. At the same time, also try to avoid going to bed on an empty stomach. A light snack might be just the thing to stave off hunger that might wake you up.
Maintain your exercise routine. Physical activity can help combat those stress hormones, but try to finish exercising at least three hours before bedtime.
Practice some form of relaxation. It might take some discipline, but bedtime is not the time to check off your holiday list or go over the menu for your holiday open house. If you’re a list person, write it all out
before you go to bed so you can put it away and focus on rest. It’s also helpful to consider other techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation, which focus on systematically relaxing the muscles of your body, from your jaw to your eyebrows down to your toes. Make your room a haven for sleep. A cooler room temperature often improves sleep, but beyond that, it’s a good idea to turn the television off during the hours you sleep. Televisions have fluctuating volumes and lighting, which can cause microarousals during which you don’t completely wake up, but which can make it difficult to transition to deeper stages of sleep or get back to sleep all together. This is almost always an
unpopular tip, but consider keeping pets out of the bed. Pets, too, can be active at night and impact your sleep patterns. If you can’t fall asleep after 15 to 20 minutes, get up and do some other relaxing activity. That’s going to put you in a better frame of mind instead of stewing over your inability to sleep.
The bottom line? Getting the sleep you need is important for your health. After all, no one wants to be too tired to share happy memories with friends and loved ones over the holidays.
Paul Rosas performs sleep studies as well as multiple modalities in neurophysiology to include EEG, nerve conduction studies and evoked potentials at TMC
Tips for Communicating During the Holidays Don’t Let Hearing Loss Affect Your Holidays, Plan Ahead
By Michele Michaels, hard of hearing specialist, Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
During the holidays, many of us are surrounded by groups of people we love and families near and far come together to celebrate. With these family gatherings often come large groups of people, and for those who are hard of hearing, the ability to understand and communicate may become difficult with the constant bustle and noise of multiple and overlapping conversations. Because the holidays should be a time to relax and enjoy one another, we have compiled some tips to help you manage these holiday gatherings while reducing stress from understanding those around you.
• Anticipate difficult situations and plan how to minimize them. Know that there will most likely be a time when you can’t understand what everyone is saying at once. Create
a plan on how to deal with these situations. If you want to have a oneon-one conversation while everyone else is talking, pull that person aside into a quiet area.
• Pay attention and concentrate on one speaker. While you may be gathered with many people who are all carrying on their own side conversations, decide who you’d like to speak to or listen to and concentrate only on them. If that’s not working and you’re having trouble understanding, take a look at the next two tips.
• Ask that everyone speak one at a time and don’t talk over one another. If you are having people over, give them a reminder that you may have trouble following a conversation if more than one person
is talking at once and ask that everyone try to speak one at a time. If you are visiting family members or friends for the holidays, ask your hosts if they would let other guests know of the situation.
• Communicate to others when you don’t understand what they are saying. Make it known that you’re having difficulty understanding what they are saying. Ask that they repeat themselves and/or give them tips so that you can better understand what they’re saying in the future.
• If you’re too tired to concentrate, ask for discussion later. While the holidays are meant to be relaxing, they can also be quite exhausting since family and friends are trying to catch up with one another who they
might not have seen in a while. Be aware of your energy levels and know when you need a break.
The holidays are a time to enjoy your loved ones, catch up and hopefully relax. Take these tips into consideration before your next gathering to help make your holidays more enjoyable and less stressful.
For more information on the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, visit http://www.acdhh.org/, or Arizona Relay Service, visitazrelay.org/.
Fraud Fighters
From scammers to spammers to skimmers, experts share tips on how to spot and avoid the latest frauds targeting older adults
By Jimmy Magahern
Abouta year ago, Brenda Holt received something in the mail that struck her as a little strange.
“There was a new CVS being built around the corner from where we live, and one day, right before the grand opening, I checked my mail and found an envelope in there with a cashier’s check for $2,500 made out in my name.”
The surprise mailing came with instructions: Holt was told to deposit the check in her bank and take out $300 of it in cash to be returned to the sender. Then she was instructed to go to the new CVS and spend the remaining $2,200 as a “secret shopper.”
Initially, she admits she was intrigued by the offer. “I was excited — I mean, what woman would not want to go to CVS and blow $2,200 on cosmetics and bath products and perfume?” she says. But something about it “didn’t feel right.” Her uneasiness was compounded by the fact that almost immediately after she received the check, she started getting calls and emails from the senders asking her “When are you going to deposit the check?”
“I’m thinking, ‘How did they get all of this information about me?’ They told me: ‘We know there’s a new CVS in your area, and you were randomly selected from the neighborhood to participate.’”
Suspicious of the operation, Holt
for AARP!” she says, laughing. “I mean, we’re out there on the forefront every day trying to help people to avoid fraud. The next time they called, I said, ‘The jig is up! I called the bank, they said it’s a bogus check; I work for AARP’ — and then suddenly I heard ‘click!’ Never heard anything else from them after that. Nothing else.
“In a way, I thought, it couldn’t have happened to a better person!”
Staying off the “sucker list”
A 2014 FTC report (as reported in USA Today) placed Arizona as the eighth “most scammed state” in the U.S. AARP reports that although people over age 65 comprise only an eighth of the U.S. population, the group makes up a third of all scam victims. The foundation’s research suggests that scammers target this age group because they’re able to exploit three main vulnerabilities that come with the natural aging process: memory loss, loneliness and a more trusting nature.
you’re 120 percent sure that the person who sent it is someone you know and trust,” she says. “It’s a trick the scammers often use to install malware on your computer that can then give them access to all of your files, all of your emails and even the ability to log your keystrokes, so that every time you go online and put in a PIN or a password or a credit card number, the keystrokes are being read.”
The “click here” scam is just one of many that Vitale cautions seniors to be on the lookout for — she says it’s often used by people pretending to be IT professionals offering to rid the victim’s computer of a virus it doesn’t actually have.
The Medicare scam is another common problem, particularly at this time of year.
never deposited the check into her bank account. Instead, she took it to her office — which happens to be the Arizona office of AARP, where she serves as a senior program assistant. Holt showed the check and the accompanying letter to then associate state director Kathy Stevens, who advised her to contact the bank identified on the check.
“Sure enough, we called the bank and found out it was a bogus check,” Holt says. She promptly alerted the Better Business Bureau and the police in San Jose, California, where the company claimed to be located, as well as that new CVS in her neighborhood.
“The people at CVS were really glad I alerted them that this was happening, so they could tell corporate, and these people could be on the lookout for elderly people coming in with a lot of money to spend.”
Holt says she found it ironic that for all the personal information the scammers had gathered about her, the one thing they hadn’t discovered was the name of her employer. AARP has long been a watchdog organization for seniors’ rights, and in 2014, the nonprofit launched the Fraud Watch Network, a program designed to arm older Americans with the tools and resources to avoid, and aggressively report, scams and identity theft.
“They picked somebody who works
As a tax professional and AARP volunteer educator, Linda Vitale is often tapped to lead free classes organized by AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to educate older adults on how to safeguard against ID theft and fraud. The author of a book on common scams, “Scam Me Once ... Can’t Get Scammed Again,” Vitale, who lives in Surprise, has developed a keen eye for unsavory operations and has learned how to outsmart what she calls the “fraudsters,” often before they strike.
Put Identity Theft in the Shredder
AARP Tucson Shredding Event
Saturday, November 12 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 1310 W. Miracle Mile Tucson, AZ 85705 azaarp@aarp.org
Protect yourself from identity thieves and scammers; bring up to five medium-sized boxes for on-site shredding.
No registration required, just show up and score some peace of mind – free of charge!
Vitale says scammers have become sophisticated in gathering information about their targets and can “spoof” or forge a sender’s email address to make it appear to be originating from a trusted source.
“I always tell people that when they get an email or a text message, never click on a link or download an attachment unless
“Every year at this time, from October 15th through December 17th, there is an open enrollment period for Medicare, when seniors are given an opportunity to change their policy,” Vitale says. They know that people are looking at their Medicare plans and they will get either a piece of mail or, more likely, a phone call, and it’ll be somebody impersonating someone from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.”
The caller will remind the target that it’s time to renew their Medicare plan, but in order to issue a new card, they’ll need their Medicare number. “The reason they want that,” Vitale says, “is that on most people’s Medicare cards, their ID number is the same as their Social Security Number.” In April 2015, the federal government announced that Medicare beneficiaries would no longer be receiving new cards that display their Social Security number, to fight against identity theft. But the Department of Health and Human Services has four years to issue the updated cards to new beneficiaries, and four more years to issue the new cards to existing beneficiaries.
“In the meantime, if a fraudster can get a person’s Medicare number, they also have that person’s Social Security Number and can then go out and do some damage.”
Vitale says the real Medicare/Medicaid office will never actually call beneficiaries on the phone to renew their policies.
“It’s kind of like the IRS scam,” she says, referring to the widespread practice of scammers making unsolicited calls demanding payment while fraudulently claiming to be from the IRS, a scam the Internal Revenue Service says has already bilked thousands of people out of more than $5 million. “The real IRS does not call. But people get so frightened when they hear the IRS is calling that they really believe it.”
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To complicate matters, Vitale says scammers have become adept at tricking caller ID systems to make the calls appear legit.
“Most people now have caller ID. But caller ID gets spoofed, or manipulated. So in the case of the IRS scam, when the phone rings and the person looks at their caller ID, they see ‘Internal Revenue Service.’ So they already believe, before they’ve even picked up that phone, that they’re talking to someone in authority, and that can make them more amenable to giving out their personal information.”
Sometimes they end up not even talking to a real person but to a “robocaller,” or a computerized autodialer that delivers a pre-recorded message. “Robocalls are actually illegal,” Vitale says, “with very few exceptions: charities and political parties can call, and doctors’ offices can robocall to confirm an appointment. Other than that, if a person picks up the phone and they hear a recording, they should never press numbers. Because what happens on those robocalls is they’ll say, ‘Press 0 to talk to an operator, or press 1 to get on the do-not-call list’ or something. Well, as soon as they press any numbers … it tells them that it’s a good number and the person follows directions, and now they will be on a ‘sucker list’ — which means they get even more calls. So it’s kind of a fishing expedition.”
Scambusting tips
How can older adults avoid scams as the fraudsters become more and more sophisticated in their techniques? Vitale says there are a few things to look out for. “First, watch out for anyone that threatens you to send money,” she says. “Any time a supposed bill collector calls demanding a payment, a utility company calls threatening to shut off your services, or a credit card company calls saying you didn’t pay your bill — with no option to dispute the debt — that’s a big, big red flag. And usually how they want the money sent to them is by some untraceable method. If they can’t get you to give them your credit card, they will usually ask you to wire money or get a pre-paid debit card. Lately, a big ploy is to get you to purchase an Amazon or iTunes gift card and send that to them. Anything like that should be considered a red flag.”
Vitale also advises regularly checking your bank statements. “Because there have been so many data breaches over the past few years, it’s important to always look for any unauthorized charges. Even if it’s just a $2 or $3 charge you don’t recognize, you need to call your credit card company
to address it, because a lot of times they’re testing the water with small charges first to see if the card is still active. And if the small charges get ignored, there’ll be larger and larger charges each month.”
People also need to be on the lookout for “skimming” devices, or small card readers affixed to ATMs or gas pumps that can scan and store credit card data from the magnetic stripe on the card. “We have had a huge amount of skimming going on at ATMs and gas stations,” says Vitale. “In the month of August, there were more skimming devices found in gas stations than in the entire previous year. I tell people never to use a debit card at a gas station. Because debit cards are tied to their checking account, which can be cleaned out if someone gets ahold of the data. With credit cards, at least you have some redemption — typically you’ll only be responsible for maybe $50 of a fraudulent charge. With a debit card, if you don’t notify the bank within two days, you’re often responsible for $500-plus.”
Lastly, Vitale advises to be wary of impersonators. “The ‘grandparents scam’ is still a big one — where you get a call, usually at an inconvenient time in the middle of the night or early in the morning, from a person who claims to be a grandchild in a jam. And they’ll say, ‘Don’t tell mom or dad, but I got a DWI and need to be bailed out of jail.’ And the grandparent wants to help their grandchild; it’s triggering those emotions.” Vitale says these days, most scammers can gleam grandchildren’s names and personalities from a Facebook page. “The key is to always ask a question only the grandchild will know.”
A good way to keep up on all the latest scams, Vitale says, is to register on AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. “That’s what I would say is one of the best aspects of the website, that you can sign up for fraud alert and you will get messages in your inbox, or a telephone call, alerting you to the latest scam that’s out there. I just got one in my inbox yesterday, about a new twist to the IRS scam. It’s a really good way to stay on top of what’s happening.”
For Brenda Holt, she’s just happy she was able to blow the whistle on a scam that was happening in her neighborhood. She says she subsequently heard from other neighbors who also received the bogus checks for the so-called CVS secret shopper program, but hasn’t heard about any of them getting hassled further.
“I’m just glad I work for AARP, and that I had the presence of mind to go and take the check to the office and let somebody have a look at,” she says. “We were able to take the necessary steps to get this shut down. And that feels good.”
COMING NOVEMBER 8TH!!
16th Annual KGVY Sr. Boomer Info Fair
Tuesday, November 8th • 9AM to 1PM
FREE FOOD
throughout the day by 8 local restaurants!
Desert Hills Lutheran Church • 2150 S. Camino del Sol • Green Valley • FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING •
Over 50 Exhibitors with information, samples, demonstrations & health screenings • FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH • Makeup & Hair Makeovers
Skin Cancer Screenings • Hearing Test • Blood Pressure Check
Balance Testing • Flu Shots/Insurance or Cash
Arroyo Gardens
Alvernon Optical
American Parkinson’s Disease
American Southwest Credit Union
Angel Valley Funeral Home
Animal League of Green Valley
Associated Dermatologists
AZ Oncology
Bill’s Home Service
Canyon Valley Memory Care
CareMore Medicare Health Plan
Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Community Food Bank Amado and Green Valley
2016 Co-Sponsors
Casa Community Services
Community Food Bank
Amado & Green Valley
Desert Hills Lutheran Church
Parish Nurse
D.R. Horton
Fellowship Square
Golf Cars of AZ
Green Valley Fire Dept
Green Valley Hospital
Green Valley Mortuary
G.V. Community Foundation
GV / Sah Volunteer Clearing House
GV / Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce
Heartland Hospice
Housley Builders Renovations
La Posada
Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona
Mary Kay Cosmetics
North West Medical Center
Open Enclose Windows
Posada Life at Home
Prestige Assisted Living / Homewatch CareGivers
Rapid Sound
Renewal by Anderson Right At Home
Rosie On The House
Santa Rita Nursing & Rehabilitation
Santa Rita Home Health Services
SAV
Silver Springs
Simply Feet
Solutube Sunshine Industries
Sonora Quest Laboratories
Soreo Hospice & Palliative Care
Sound Point Audiology SunTran
SW Advanced Vascular
Surgery & Integrated Wound Care
United Community Health Center
VAS
Walgreens
Westgate Garden Design /
GG Tile
Zeta Hair & Day Spa
1080AM & 100.7FM
A ‘Hoylarious’ Treat
By Diane Meehl
Sean Hoy admits it: He’s no good at accounting, and he had a cubicle job for all of a week. Early in his life, the consummate “class clown” performed his own talk shows beginning in second grade in the school library. He’s still doing that today, playing master of ceremonies, event host and even private bartender.
Hoy has emceed several Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos, where seniors mix it up with vendors and service providers to learn about the various resources available to them. He reports the gigs are great ones.
“I love the crowd,” he says. “They’re just so appreciative of a smile. You can see they appreciate the energy we bring to them. You can really make someone’s day there.”
Just don’t expect him to stand onstage and tell jokes at the expos. Burning off his infectious, relentless energy, he’ll be roaming
the room and interviewing folks at the booths.
“A long time ago, I learned that making people laugh wasn’t about me. It wasn’t about how funny I could be. It was about talking to people. Now I incorporate the
audience into my show. Nothing’s more funny than a secretary who has something to say about the boss,” he shares.
“I just hold the microphone (or wireless mic) and I let the guests be the stars,” he says.
parents met at the Washington Post.)
Hoy worked the stand-up comedy circuit at lofty marquees, including the Comedy Store in Southern California, and the Scottsdale Improv. But it was his work drawing pictures that led to his real start juggling his craft as a cartoonist with emceeing fundraisers, corporate parties and other events.
“The people at Ames (Drywall Finishing Tools & Services) asked me to draw a character for them. Then, they said, ‘that’s you.’”
He got to play the character for several years, fortuitous for a man who claims comedy is his “tool” wherever he’s working.
Do You Have Pain/Numbness/Tingling in the Feet/Legs???
A doctor has moved to Tucson that treats neuropathy (nerve problems), and his name is Dr Trent Freeman DC (Dr T). He has been treating Neuropathy for the last 10 years.
Like most “ah-ha” moments, it was a tough one onstage that shaped the biggest lesson he learned in his career: to put people first.
“I was emceeing an event at the Arizona Humane Society where I do a lot of work,” he says. “They wanted us to come and do comedy, and I thought it would be so cute and fun, puppies and all that.
Sean says he enjoys working for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the Arizona Human Society and other charitable causes. His mixology classes are packed to overflowing at the Four Seasons, where he stirs in comedy with cocktails. Hoy also landed a “man on the street” gig for local and legendary DJ Dave Pratt’s radio show and now television production. But, he’s got big plans for the future: a talk show dubbed “Hoylarious,” where he’ll continue to emulate some of his heroes, including Johnny Carson and Jimmy Fallon.
“I admire their laid-back likeability,” he says. “I’m not really into being put on the spot when people say, ‘Hey, funny boy, make me laugh!’”
Maybe you have seen him interviewed on CBS by Steve Ochoa or during the Dr Oz show, maybe you saw him on NBC He has brought this new treatment to persons suffering from neuropathy in Tucson. He uses two kinds of Light to stimulate the nerves to funcbetter He uses pulsed infrared technology helps reduce the pain, and FDA approved cold lasers that help the cells function better He offers his consultation for FREE He looks at the interview time as a time for him to see if you have the type of neuropathy that he treats but more importantly, for you to interview him and see if he is someone that you would like to work with. His clinic is certified with the Neuropathy Treatment Centers of America and he has received advanced training in the treatment of neuropathy There are fewer than 100 doctors in America that have received this advanced training in this type of therapy Dr T looks at neuropathy as a thief that comes to your life and starts to steal from you. If you allow neuropathy to continue, it will steal your independence (driving, walking, balance) As Dr T says “Everyday we are having more success relieving neuropathy pain, WHY NOT YOU?” Give his office a call and schedule the FREE consultation and see if you qualify for this new therapy 520-445-6784. Give him a call he may be able to change your life! 520-445-6784
“But the crowd was so somber, and people in the audience were crying. Someone pulled me aside to remind me it was a bereavement event. And I learned then that you really have to know your audience. That experience changed how I performed and it changed my soul, too.”
Tools of the Trade
A native Arizonan, Arizona State graduate and one of four children, Hoy started out as a cartoonist, something he’ still passionate about. The editorial bone is in his blood, he says. His father was an accomplished photojournalist, whose credits include a post as White House photographer spanning several administrations beginning in 1963. (In fact, his
Once he played emcee for a casino event with a Goodfella theme for RSC Rentals.
“I got to wear this cool tux, and I threw a couple of horse heads in bed just to get into character,” he quips.
Clearly he can be funny on demand, but he still prefers to let the audience come up with the best lines.
He’s not one of those comics, he says, whose brand of comedy masks a deeper sadness.
“Not me. I’ve got a happy center,” he says. “And I want to use it to spread joy and happiness to others.”
To learn more about Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos, visit: seniorexpos.com
Getting the most out of your health insurance
Health insurance often represents one of the largest budgetary expenses of a household. Therefore, you should understand your benefits in order get the most out of them. By utilizing your health insurance to the fullest you may find ways to save money and improve your health. Listed below are some suggestions to maximize your health plan benefits.
90 Day Prescriptions: Oftentimes, filling a 90-day supply of your medications is less expensive (lower copay) and more convenient (saving you monthly trips to the pharmacy) than filling a 30-day supply. A lot of insurance plans allow 90-day fills; ask your Walgreens pharmacy staff if this is an option under your plan.
Generic Prescriptions: Choosing generic over brand-name medications leads to savings! Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs and are the same in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that generic medications have the same quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name drugs. When it comes to price, however, there is a big difference. On average, the cost of generics is 80 percent to 85 percent lower than brand-name medications. Therefore, if you are on a brand-name drug, ask for the generic the next time you visit your pharmacy. Even if you are on a brand-name medication that does not yet have a generic, your pharmacist can recommend a switch to a generic drug within the same medication class.
Immunizations: Although most people do not look forward to getting immunizations, doing so may save you time and money. Take for example the flu vaccine, most plans cover the cost as a preventative service; hence, you are able to receive it for a zero copay. If you do not receive the vaccination, you are at an increased risk for getting the flu which can lead to missed days at work and a visit to your doctor. By getting your flu shot, as well as other immunizations, you are pre -
venting serious complications and potential hospitalizations which will end up saving you money in the long run.
Medicare Open Enrollment:
Medicare open enrollment ends on Dec. 7. Therefore, now is the time to reevaluate your plan options to find a Medicare Part D plan that covers all of your medications at the lowest out-of-pocket cost. Switch -
ing plans may lead to less expensive premiums, deductibles, and/ or medication copays. You should thoroughly research all of your options to see which plan will save you the most money. HealthPlanOne is a licensed health insurance agency that can help you evaluate and compare Medicare Part D plans and help you enroll—for free. You can receive their free expert advice
by calling (888) 395-0324. There are a variety of ways to get the most out of your health benefits. Perhaps you may have further questions or concerns in regard to maximizing your insurance benefits. Talk to a Walgreens pharmacist today to help you research ways to get the most out of your insurance and improve your health!
Entertainment
Joe Bourne is back with what he knows best
By Carson Mlnarik
Nat King Cole or Stevie Wonder?
Easy listening ballad or boogie woogie bop?
Guests will take a musical journey when Joe Bourne, singer and artist, shares his multifaceted repertoire at the Lovin’ Life after 50 Expo on Nov. 8 at the El Conquistador in Oro Valley.
While he currently lives in Tucson, Bourne can boast international fame as a performer. He lived in the Netherlands for 25 years and performs in countries across the globe, including Italy, Australia, Scandinavia and Germany.
Bourne’s typical set dances across the decades, featuring songs from as early as the ‘40s to modern day hits from artists like Bruno Mars. Before his residency in Tucson, he toured Europe with artists by the likes of Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole and The Pointer Sisters.
Bourne got his start in music as a kid in a church choir and later in street corner singing groups. He calls Lou Rawls and Nat King Cole his biggest influences, the latter of which he honored with a cover album in 2005.
His artistic talent does not stop at music, however. Bourne is also a painter, specializing in watercolor, acrylic and encaustic works.
His paintings range in style from abstract to realistic, mostly inspired by his international travels. He recently wrapped up an exhibition at Flying Leap Wine Tasting Room in Tucson, though he has been a part of exhibits all across Arizona and the Netherlands.
He began painting after taking a watercolor class on a German cruise ship on which he had been performing. While he took the class just for fun, he left with a new hobby.
Born in Massachusetts, Bourne ended up in the Arizona heat after his wife needed to live in a warmer climate.
He quickly became a staple in the area and at the Lovin’ Life expos. He made an appearance at last year’s Oro Valley event and has also been a part of events in Mesa, Sun City and Phoenix over the years.
While he likes staying current in his performances, it’s songs from the Great American Songbook that really get Bourne’s heart beating.
With these classics in his set list, Bourne hopes he’s helping spread great melodies and lyrics to young
fans, exposing them to songs they may not have heard.
In addition to showing today’s youth a different side of music, he wants to just have fun with the audience he has set out to entertain.
His mission statement simply reads, “To lift the spirits of those who I have the privilege of entertaining and to have an abundance of fun while doing so.”
When he takes the stage in Oro Valley, he will be doing just that.
Bourne will be performing a set every hour, starting at 10:10 a.m. For more information on his music and art, visit joebourne.com
November 1 Tuesday
Tour of Hacienda de la Canoa, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, 520724-5220, free, online registration required: www.pima. gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. All ages welcome.
November 2 Wednesday
Palm Trees and Owls in the Desert, 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m., Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Gallery, 12325 E. Roger Road, or 520-615-7855, free, www.pima.gov/ nrpr, eeducation@pima.gov. Local nature artists Susan Libby and Nancy Cressler bring Tucson’s oasis to life with works on canvas, paper, and stunning glass. All ages welcome.
November 3 Thursday
Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society Meeting, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sky Islands Public High School, 6000 E. 14th St., free, 256-2447, tcss@tucsoncactus.org. Dr. Robert Webb and Toni Yokum, experts on succulents, will discuss Haworthias and Gasterias.
November 4 Friday
Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games 30th Year Celebration, (Runs Nov. 4- 6), 6 p.m., – 10 p.m., Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 N. First Ave, Tucson, 520-349-4345, Seniors: $10, Wee Ones (Under 6) FREE with adult admission Youth (6 – 15) $6.00 Adult (16 and older) $16, www.tucsoncelticfestival.org. Celebrate the heritage and culture of the Celtic Nations, such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales just as it has been done for centuries with great music, athletics, food and fun. Fourteen food and beverage vendors will cater to an estimated 5,000 people over the 2 ½ day festival. Patrons of the festival enjoy haggis made from high quality Highland
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cattle from a farm in Kansas, Scottish Shepherd’s Pie, Steak Bridies, Bangers & Mash, classic fish & chips, Welsh Cakes and much more.
November 5 Saturday
Birding in Tucson Mountain Park, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area, 1548 S. Kinney Road 85735, 520-615-7855, free, online registration required, www.pima.gov/nrpr, eeducation@pima.gov. Join birding expert John Higgins for a guided walk in Tucson Mountain Park to see rufous-winged sparrows, gilded flickers, phainopeplas, and many other desert birds. Ages 12 and up.
Book Event & Signing: Fighting for Uncle Sam: Buffalo Soldiers in the American West by Dr. John Langellier, 2 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel Street/P.O. Box 1296, Tubac, 520-398-2252, $7.50 fee includes admission to tour the park, www.TubacPresidio.org. From the American Revolution to the present day, AfricanAmericans have stepped forward in their nation’s defense. John Langellier breathes new vitality into a stirring subject, emphasizing the role the “buffalo soldiers” played in opening the West. Join us to hear this stimulating presentation of the remarkable history of these courageous men. The book will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be served.
November 6 Sunday
Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games 30th Year Celebration (Runs Nov. 4-6), 9:00 AM
– 5:00 p.m., Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 N. First Ave, Tucson, 520-349-4345, Seniors: $10, Wee Ones (Under 6) FREE with adult admission Youth (6 – 15) $6.00 Adult (16 and older) $16, tucsoncelticfetival.org. Celebrate the heritage and culture of the Celtic Nations, such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales just as it has been done for centuries with great music, athletics, food and fun. Fourteen food and beverage vendors will cater to an estimated 5,000 people over the 2 ½ day festival. Patrons of the festival enjoy haggis made from high quality Highland cattle from a farm in Kansas, Scottish Shepherd’s Pie, Steak Bridies, Bangers & Mash, classic fish & chips, Welsh Cakes and much more.
November 7 Monday
Turquois Trail: A Downtown Tucson Self-Guided Tour, brochure: Visitor’s Center, the La Placita Shopping Center at 110 S. Church Avenue, visit www.tucsonpresidio and download a map, free. Discover Tucson’s historical landmarks on this self-guided tour by foot. Stop and explore 23 sites, including Hotel Congress, Armory Park, the Pima County Courthouse, and Fox Tucson Theatre. Don’t worry; you won’t get lost. A turquoise-colored line keeps walkers on track, while plaques along the way provide historical information.
November 8 Tuesday
Tour of Hacienda de la Canoa, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, 520-7245220, free. Online registration required, www.pima.gov/ nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. All ages welcome.
November 9 Wednesday
The Opera Guild of Southern Arizona “Say Hello to Opera” Program, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Oro Valley Library, 1305 W. Naranja Ave., Oro Valley, 825-1563, free, buonasorte2@gmail.com, azogsa.org. The Opera Guild of Southern Arizona (OGSA) will present a preview of the opera, “Rusalka.”
November 10 Thursday
Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., repeats the same time Nov. 11, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 12, Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Rd., free, quiltcraftsew.com. The festival features every brand of sewing, quilting and embroidery machines. In addition, patrons can participate “Make and Take” workshops or free educational seminars. The ticket is good for three days.
November 11 Friday
Brown Bag Opera: The Opera Guild of Southern Arizona, noon to 1 p.m., Grace St. Paul Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St., free, 825-1563, buonasorte2@gmail. com, azogsa.org. The organization will present a free preview of the opera, “Rusalka.” Bring a lunch.
November 12 Saturday
St. Martin’s New Release Festival and 32nd Anniversary of the Sonoita American Viticulture Area, Sonoita Vineyards, 290 Elgin-Canelo Rd., Elgin, $35 in advance, $40 at the door, 455-5893, sonoitavineyards.com. Blessing of the new vintages will happen at noon. Tickets include wine tasting with souvenir glass, tasting of new and current releases from Sonoita Vineyards, Callaghan Vineyards, The Village of Elgin Winery and Distillery, Kief Joshua Vineyards, Lightening Ridge Cellars, Arizona Hops and Vines, Wilhem Family Vineyards, Hannah’s Hill Vineyard and Charron Vineyards. The event includes live music, vendors offering items for holiday shopping, barrel tasting and discussion with the winemakers and vineyard tours.
Entertainment
Trivia Contest B y Kenneth LaFave
Welcometo November, the 11th month of the year, despite a name that means “ninth.” Blame the Romans, who used to start their years in the month we call March.
Official days in November include National Indian Pudding Day (Nov. 13), National Spicy Guacamole Day (Nov. 14), National Vichyssoise Day (Nov. 18) and National Eat a Cranberry Day (Nov. 23). I used to eat Vichyssoise; all my guacamole is spicy, and I love Indian Pudding, a hard-to-find concoction of corn meal and molasses. But I have never eaten “a cranberry.” Instead, I consume them in large bunches as relish or in scones. But… ah! Nov. 22 is National Cranberry Relish Day.
Everyone knows that the fourth Thursday in November (that’s Nov. 24 this year) is Thanksgiving, but did you know it is also National Day of Mourning? This is observed by Native Americans on the same day as Thanksgiving to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, which began a centuries-long displacement of Indian tribes.
November birthdays include frontiersman Daniel Boone (Nov. 2), late great TV journalist Walter Cronkite (Nov. 4), Dracula author Bram Stoker and Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell (both Nov. 8), General George S. Patton (Nov. 11), painter Georgia O’Keeffe (Nov. 15), astronomer Edward Hubble (Nov. 20), ragtime composer Scott Joplin (Nov. 24) and author of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis (Nov. 29).
It’s a history-rich month, not all of it good. Nov. 22 is, of course, the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963. On Nov. 20, 1789, New Jersey became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights. Nov. 20, 1917, saw the first use of tanks in battle, when 300 tanks commanded by the British went into battle about the Germans. And Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, because on that date in 1918, World War I came to an end.
The average high for November in Phoenix is 76 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low is 52. Enjoy.
Month of October Questions
1 What branch of the U.S. military was founded on Nov. 20?
2
3
Fill in the blank: “Remember, remember, the ___ of November.”
The above quote refers to an English holiday celebrating a man who tried to do what to parliament?
4 In the Guns ‘n’ Roses song, what is hard to hold “in the cold November rain”?
5 The first Saturday used to be a day on which a woman could ask a man to marry her. What was it called?
To enter simply:
On a sheet of paper list the correct answers in order 1 through 5.
Include your full name, mailing address, phone number and an email address (if you have one).
Mail your trivia contest entry to: Lovin’ Life After 50 Attn: Trivia Contest 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy. Tempe, AZ 85282
Or email your entry to: trivia@lovinlife.com
The deadline for entry is the 15th of each month. Please be sure to have your entry postmarked by that date. If you’re a winner in our drawing, we’ll contact you via telephone. Good luck!
for a one-night
1 Gregory III
2
3 Charles Macintosh
5
A certificate for a one-night stay at InnSuites October 2016 Winners
A certificate for a one-night stay at InnSuites Kim Newhouse A certificate
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Squash
By Jan D’Atri
Want to change up your weeknight or holiday menu just a bit? Why not replace mashed potatoes with two recipes that will have you forgetting about spuds in no time at all!
Both the Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Squash
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, smashed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons (4oz or 1/2 package)
cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Steam cauliflower in a saucepan using a small amount of water or by using a steamer in a saucepan, filling pan with water to just below the bottom of the steamer.
Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until and Sensational Squash slip right into the mashed side categories and you will be amazed at their flavor and appreciate their health benefits. These are two of my new favorites. Hope you enjoy!
In October’s issue, the 2016 information for Blue Cross Blue Shield was reported. Below is the current information for 2017.
HMOs which Assume Responsibility for Medicare Coverage
COMPANY
PREMIUM OR SUBSCRIPTION CHARGES
REGISTRATION OR POLICY FEE
PRE-EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS
COSTS ON ENTRY TO HOSPITAL
MAXIMUM PERIOD OF COVERAGE FOR ANY ONE BENEFIT
SKILLED NURSING FACILITY
tender, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat olive oil and butter in a small skillet. Over medium heat, cook and stir garlic until softened, about 2 minutes. DO NOT BURN GARLIC! Remove from heat.
Transfer half of the drained cauliflower to a food processor. Blend on high. Add remaining cauliflower florets and blend until creamy. Blend in garlic, parmesan cheese, cream cheese, salt, and black pepper. Serve hot.
MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR PART B
OUTPATIENT CARE
Physician care for hospital or office services, surgery, anesthesia, X-ray, laboratory, injections, splints, casts, dressings, physical and speech therapy, radiology, ambulance, prosthetics, etc.
OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
RENEWABILITY OF CONTRACT
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS OUT OF AREA
MAJOR OPTIONS AVAILABLE FROM THE COMPANY
Blue Medicare Advantage Classic (HMO) (Available in Pima County )
$0 monthly premium
Not available for patients with end-stage renal (kidney) disease and receiving dialysis.
$190 per day for days 1-7 in plan hospital; same cost sharing for non-plan hospital with prior authorization (di erent cost sharing applies to inpatient mental health).
364 days in calendar year.
$0 per day for days 1-10 in plan skilled nursing facility; $20 per day for days 11-20; $120 per day 21-100 in plan SNF; same cost sharing for non plan skilled nursing facility with prior authorization. No prior hospital stay required.
Covered in full after applicable copayments/coinsurance.
You pay $0 for each primary care physician o ce visit; $30 for each visit to most specialists. You pay $5 - $300 for x-ray/ultrasound; You pay $30 for each visit for occupational, speech, physical therapy or $15 for cardiac and pulmonary rehab (Medicare coverage limits apply). You pay $260 for each outpatient surgery. You pay $200 for each ground ambulance transport. You pay 20% coinsurance for durable medical equipment and prosthetics.
$2 for a 30-day supply of preferred generic, $10 for non-preferred generic, $45 for preferred brand and $95 for non-preferred brand drugs at retail preferred-pharmacies; 33% for specialty drugs. $3,700 initial coverage limit. Catastrophic coverage with $4,950 spent.
Renewable annually
Coverage throughout the United States for emergency and urgently needed care only.
Health/wellness education, disease management. Discounts on eyewear/hearing aids. Silver & Fit membership, $0 Annual Physical.
Entertainment ... answers on page 39
EvEn ExChangE by
Donna Pettman
Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from M A STER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.
sudoku TimE
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
DIFFICULTY THIS MONTH H H
H Moderate HH Challenging
HHH HOO BOY! HHHH Put on your helmet!
SCRAMBLERS
Across
1. Smoke above the tepee
5. Web site?
10. Army program
14. Brainstorm
15. Longest river in France
16. Fujairah bigwig
17. Paraphernalia
18. Older brother of Moses
19. Kill, in a way
20. Tucson Byway
23. Little buffalo
24. ‘’Dead Poets Society’’ director Peter
25. Correct faults
28. “The Matrix” hero
30. Man of La Mancha
34. “Cheers,” e.g.
36. Aggravate
38. Kimono sash
39. Biltmore Fashion Park dining choice
43. Common contraction
44. Pick __ or the other!
45. Is behind
46. Big birds
49. “___ the first cock crow” (Shak.)
51. Free from restraint
52. Flowering plant type- not a grass
54. Craving
56. Phoenix attraction
62. “Pipe down!”
63. Raccoon relative
64. Black bird
66. Guisado cooker, traditionally
67. Not fulfilled
68. Volcanologist’s study
69. Hammer’s end
Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!
70. Set
Across
71. Distinctive style
13. Swamp critter
21. “The ___ the Innocence”
22. Alliance that includes Ukr.
42. Hymn
47. Knitted throw
48. Sun in Spanish
1. Smoke above the tepee
Down
1. Hair piece
25. Buzzing with activity
5. Web site?
2. Footnote word
10. Army program
3. Center of authority
14. Brainstorm
4. Manner of speaking
26. What Mike Myers creates
27. “Study” in French
29. Pillow filler
15. Longest river in France
5. Rental car company
50. On cloud nine
53. Happen again
55. Politicians call for it
56. Clobber
57. Reign
6. From a boy ___
16. Fujairah bigwig
31. Like a pitcher’s perfect game
58. “Cast Away” setting
7. Novice
17. Paraphernalia
32. Printer’s daggers
18. Older brother of Moses
8. Some sculpture
33. Remove soap
59. “That’s All Right, ___” (Elvis hit)
9. Perfume a room
19. Kill, in a way
35. Dairy farm sound
60. Kind of exam
10. Admire and respect
37. Paramedic’s need
61. Cured Pacific salmon
20. Tucson Byway
11. Augur
40. Singly and successively
23. Little buffalo
65. Pasty
41. Swathe
24. ''Dead Poets Society'' director Peter
12. Long-tailed monkey
25. Correct faults
28. "The Matrix" hero
30 Man of La Mancha
Volcanologist's study
Hammer's end
Set
Calendar
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Renee’s Organic Kitchen, 7065 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Make checks payable to AAUW Tucson Branch for $20 and mail to AAUW, P.O. Box 40822, Tucson, 85715. The league will discuss Local, State and National Race and Racial Justice and its Impact on Everyone in 2017.
Book signing! Madaras Gallery/Swan (new location) 11a.m.- 2p.m., 3035 N. Swan Rd. Please RSVP, ops@ madaras.com or 520-615-3001. www.madaras.com. Diana Madaras will sign her newly released book, The Colors of Tucson. Rediscover the Old Pueblo through Madaras’ iconic Tucson paintings.
Antique,Vintage & Collectible Book Fair, Sat. 10am 9pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm, Foothills Mall north of movie theaters. 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd. Tucson, tellmeagoodstory.org/, 520-975-2904. Antique, vintage, and collectible book fair benefitting Tell Me A Good Story educational nonprofit.
November 13 Sunday
Presentation: Natural Disasters, including Global Warming by Don Davidson, 2 p.m.
1 Burruel St., Tubac, reservations: 520-398-2252, $7.50 fee includes admission to tour the Park, www.TubacPresidio.org.
Join Don for another of his illustrated geological presenta-
tions, this time on natural disasters. He’ll discuss the causes and effects of major geological events including earthquakes, volcanoes and hurricanes, and the more “minor” ones like landslides, sinkholes and tornadoes.
November 14 Monday
Raptor free flight, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. daily, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, 520.883.2702, seniors: $18.50, kids $8.00, children under 3: free. See birds that fly so close, you can touch their feathers! A close-up view of these majestic birds of prey native to the Sonoran Desert outdoor exhibition. (Arrive early to park, enter, and walk to the demonstration area.)
November 15 Tuesday
Tour of Hacienda de la Canoa, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, 520-724-5220, free, online registration required. www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. All ages welcome.
Bingo Happenings - October 2016
Desert Diamond Casino Bingo
With bingo favorites, new games and levels to buy in, there’s more to win than ever before.
WHEN: Thursday through Monday from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Hwy.
COST: $4 to $200 INFO: 342-1840
Casino del Sol Bingo
Casino del Sol’s spacious bingo hall seats up to 600 players with smoking and nonsmoking sections.
WHEN: Daily with start times from 12 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
WHERE: Casino del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Rd.
Elks Lodge Tucson East Bingo
Open to the public. $1,000 jackpot on the first three bingo days of the month.
WHEN: Sundays at 1 p.m.; Monday at 7 p.m.; and Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Elks Lodge Tucson East 2532, 615 S. Pantano Rd. COST: Depends on number of cards purchased. INFO: 886-8120
DAV Bingo
The public is welcome to play bingo at the Disabled American Veterans Hall.
WHEN: 12:45 p.m. every day except Sundays and Wednesdays; and 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
COST: $1 to $95, depending on package INFO: (855) 765-7829 or www.casinodelsolresort.com/ tucson-casino/bingo
WHERE: Disabled American Veterans, 3455 S. Wilmot Rd.
COST: Call for cost INFO: 747-3333
Architecture, archaeology and adventure at Mesa Verde
By Andrea Gross | Photos by Irv Green
Itakea deep breath, reach for the side rails, and scramble up a ten-rung ladder. There before me is a small city, tucked into a shelf on a canyon wall, protected by a huge overhang. Some of the buildings are circular, like tall towers. Others are rectangular, with sharp, crisp angles; all are made of sandstone bricks and have small, open windows.
I’m in the Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park, one of only 59 places that the United States Congress has declared worthy of this designation. Here in the southwest corner of Colorado, using nothing but rocks and sticks as tools, an ancient people created not only a city, but an entire society. They farmed, prayed, made pottery and wove sandals for approximately 700 years, from roughly 600 to 1300 AD.
There are more than 600 archeological sites at Mesa Verde, ranging in size from small one-room huts to large multi-storied compounds. They are so unusual, so well preserved and aweinspiring, that in 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt signed a special Mesa Verde National Park Bill, granting protected status to the 52,000-acre site.
Ten years later the National Park Service was created to oversee the 84 million acres set aside “to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural re-
sources and values of [this country] for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations,” and Mesa Verde was officially put under the jurisdiction of the new agency.
Today Mesa Verde is the only national park devoted exclusively to archeological remains and one of only fourteen national parks also designated as a World Heritage Centre.
Several of the remains are visible from roadside overlooks; a few can be explored independently; others can only be visited during ranger-led tours. My husband and I begin with a tour through Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde’s largest cliff dwelling. We climb uneven steps and ladders, peer into alcoves, look down into kivas (circular structures used for religious, ceremonial or political purposes), and marvel at the architectural skill as well as the communal structure that existed so many years ago.
The actual walk through Cliff Palace is short, only about a quarter- mile round trip, and the steps, though uneven, aren’t that steep. But the park is approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, meaning that the air is thin and short walks seem long. For those who are reasonably fit — and who’ve taken a few days to acclimate themselves to
Cliff Palace is the largest dwelling in Mesa Verde. It contains 150 rooms and once housed approximately 100 people.
the high elevation — the tour is worth every huff and puff.
After Cliff Palace, we’re ready to tackle a more difficult site. A sign at the Visitor Center encourages folks “to begin the day as the Ancestral Pueblo people have for generations.” I like the idea of getting into the skin of ancient people and am all ready to sign up for a tour of the Balcony House, when I read that I’ll not only have to climb a 32-foot ladder, but I’ll also have to crawl through an 18-inchwide tunnel. It occurs to me that far from getting into the skin of the ancients, my hips might not even get into the tunnel.
Mesa Verde, is a Navajo word, given to them by those who discovered the deserted dwellings in the 1880s. It means “ancient ones,” but it implies, say today’s Puebloans, that the ancient ones were ancestors of the Navajo people rather than of the Puebloans.
What’s more, the Navajo word for “ancient” can also be translated as “enemy,” and today’s Pueblo people are understandably reluctant to have their ancestors described not only by a Navajo word but by one that can be interpreted as meaning an enemy.
Meet Lucille
I convince my husband to go to Wetherill Mesa instead so we can see Step House on a self-guided exploration that’s open to people of all ages — and presumably all hip widths — as long as they can carry a half gallon of water. This is definitely more my style.
No one knows exactly why the ancient folks left the dwellings they’d so carefully constructed, but for the Pueblo people of the Southwest, who they were is no mystery at all. They claim the cliff dwellers as their ancestors.
Anasazi, the word previously used when referring to the inhabitants of
“That’s why we now call the cliff dwellers ‘Ancestral Puebloans,’” says a park ranger. “It’s a more accurate description of who they
Vertebral Body Augmentation changed her life.
Vertebral Body Augmentation ( VBA) is a treatment for the relief of back pain that has been caused by the compression fracture of a vertebral body in the spine.
ter description. “Genius” is the one that
ticle as well as information on other
There are two types of VBA:
• Vertebroplasty involves placing bone cement into the fractured vertebral body following the path of least resistance.
• Kyphoplasty is performed similarly but also involves the creation of a cavity and instillation of a thicker cement, designed to improve the lost height of the vertebral body due to the fracture.
Our radiologists are skilled in analyzing your imaging and will explain the benefits of VBA. Successful treatment is defined as complete or significant reduction of pain which allows increased mobility, reduced need for pain medication, or improved quality of life. Please consult with your healthcare provider to learn more about this procedure.
To see Lucille’s story, visit www.radltd.com.
Mesa Verde, which means “green table” in Spanish, is between 6,000 and 8,500 feet above sea level.
Mesa Verde has abundant wildlife, from the Yellow-collard lizards to bobcats and spotted owls.
Visitors to Cliff Palace must climb five 8 to 10 foot tall ladders.
How to Catch a Wild Wave
Surfing lessons in the land of Aloha
By Ed Boitano
I had become one with the wave. To be honest, I couldn’t quite believe I had even made it up. But here I was, a rookie surfer, riding the 20-foot crest of a monster wave with the Hawaiian sun at my back. Some of my companions at the surf school waved and shouted in encouragement, others just rested on their boards, watching in awe. But I was not to be distracted; I was committed to riding this baby to the end. As I headed towards the shore, little heads peered out the water. On closer inspections, I could see they were jagged rocks. This I was not ready for. Should I force a fall or take my chances through the rocks? With the adrenaline pumping, I headed towards the rocks, when suddenly out of nowhere
A deafening crash consumed my world. I jolted up in bed. The room steward at the Turtle Bay Resort had dropped a plate outside my room on the hallway
floor. I glanced at my alarm clock: 5:05 a.m. I had a few more hours before I was to begin my first surfing lesson at the Hans Hedemann Surf School on the North Shore of Oahu. I wondered if I could go back to sleep.
Back Story
Surfing has long been a central part of ancient Polynesian culture. When Tahitians migrated to Hawaii, they brought with them the paipo (belly) board, which allowed them a quick way to get ashore with their daily catch. The art of wave riding upright on long boards was perfected in Hawaii and is considered the true birthplace of surfing. Hawaiian royalty were the most skilled surfers in the villages with the best beaches reserved for them alone. The rest of the villagers were not allowed on the same beaches, but could gain prestige among the populace by their own mastery of wave riding.
The sport of surfing was popularized by Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku in the 1920s, whose statue rests on Waikiki’s waterfront. Today Hawaii is regarded as the surfing capital of the world.
Hans Hedemann Surf School
When the clock struck seven, the monkey-wrench tightening in my gut
reminded me that I was to meet Hans Hedemann and staff in an hour at his office located right at the hotel. Why was I so nervous? Yesterday, watching surfers on the North Shore’s world-famous surf beaches - Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline, Waimea - it all looked so, well, easy.
Handshakes were exchanged between the seven rookie surfers and surf school staff. Hans, a remarkably charismatic man, made a personal connection with each participant, immediately put everyone at ease. Born and raised in the Hawaiian Islands, Hans spent 17 years on the pro surfing tour circuit, winning many distinguished competitions, including the first person to win back to back ASP World events. Interestingly, his reason for starting the schools (he has another on Waikiki) is that his initial introduction to surfing as a boy was an unsuccessful and negative experience. At the end of his years on the pro tour he realized the importance of proper surf instruction. In 1997, he launched the schools to also enrich the authentic Hawaiian surfing experience. Beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers of all ages are welcome to attend his schools.
Surfing USA
The group was led down to the beach where we were instructed on proper water safety, and then given drills on the techniques that we would later use.
Before I knew it, we were in the water. Surfing begins with climbing on your board and paddling out to waves on the horizon. Our instructors would maneuver us so that we were facing the shore. Then,
when a wave arrives, they’d give the board a push, matching the wave’s speed. Once the wave starts to carry you and the board, you jump to your feet and ride down the face of the wave, staying just ahead of the breaking part “white water” in a place referred to as “the pocket.” I was textbook prepared, but quickly learned that the surfer expressions, “cutback,” “tube riding” and “hanging ten” were not destined to be part of my own personal experience that day.
My goal: simply to stand up on my board and ride a wave.
Countless times Hans would patiently push me out to the pocket, and countless times I would fall. He was relaxed and encouraging, diligently critiquing my moves and giving me pointers.
In between waves, I asked another instructor, “What made him settle in Oahu? “I was visiting the North Shore,” he replied. “And I fell in love with a wave.” Such is the passion of the surfer in their quest to find the perfect wave, making surfing a major component to today’s travel industry.
Did I ever make it up? Well, yes. I did make it up once. It was probably only for five seconds, but the memory of that sensation that will stay with me for an eternity. I really had, at least momentarily, become one with the wave. Perhaps it was love at first sight.
Hans also has surf schools at the Park Shore Hotel Waikiki, New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel and Kahala Hotel & Resort.
For further information about the Hans Hedemann Surf Schools, visit www.hhsurf.com
No, not me, that’s Hans doing what he does best
The iconic Turtle Bay Resort on the fabled North Shore of Oahu
ADVENTURE TOURS & TRAVEL
TREKS, TOURS, WORLD-CLASS DESTINATIONS & MORE
v Compiled by Ed Boitano
HAWAII
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MANA KAI MAUI - Welcome to Mana Kai Maui, “Where Heaven Meets Earth.” We offer 51 one and two bedroom ocean front condominiums and hotel style units. The mile long Keawakapu Beach is literally at your doorstep. Enjoy our many complimentary services; daily maid service, pool towel exchange, free parking, free Wi-Fi access, on site restaurant and deli, free local phone calls and whales (seasonal), Free pass to a local fitness center, gas BBQ grills. Mana Kai Maui has everything to help create your perfect vacation and make you feel right at home. (800) 525-2025 or www.ManaKaiMaui.com
SHORELINE HOTEL WAIKIKI is a modern boutique hotel with classic island-chic style, just 2 blocks from the beach and upscale shopping. Choose from 135 rooms, designed with sleek, minimalist interior design that accents ample natural light each with their own private lanai. The property features
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Heavenly Organic Restaurant and lounge and an outdoor rooftop pool with panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Shoreline Hotel Waikiki is within two blocks of Royal Hawaiian Center and The International Market Place. www.shorelinehotelwaikiki.com or (808) 931-2444
VIVE HOTEL WAIKIKI - Located in the heart of Waikiki, just a short two-block walk to the best beach in Waikiki, and a three-minute walk to International Marketplace. Each guest enjoys complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary enhanced continental breakfast, complimentary beach gear (including boogie boards). All guest rooms include flat screen HDTV, refrigerator, safe, remote controlled air conditioners and mountain, city or ocean views. NO RESORT FEE. (808) 687-2000 or www.vivehotelwaikiki.com
WAIKIKI RESORT HOTEL puts you in the heart of Waikiki Hawaii, within walking distance of silky, white sands, renowned shopping and incredible attractions and activities. The three-star Honolulu beach resort features 275 hotel rooms and suites, outfitted in tropics-inspired furnishings and deluxe amenities, including mini refrigerators, high-speed Internet access and 32” HD LCD TVs. Enjoy two onsite restaurants, bar and lounge, outdoor pool, hotel shops and more. Consider Waikiki Resort Hotel when seeking hotels that offer comfort, convenience and value. (800-367-5116) or www.waikikiresort.com
ALASKA
ALASKA CRUISES AND VACATIONS BY TYEE TRAVEL - What kind of cruise is right for you? From casual same AFTER 50ll-ship cruises to elegant luxury ships, Alaskans at Alaska Cruises & Vacations have experience and first-hand knowledge to plan your perfect cruise. Customize a land tour to make your journey complete. For advice from Alaskans who cruise themselves, go online at www.akcruises.com or call (800) 977-9705
CORDOVA – Intentionally off the beaten path. Cordova, Alaska is an authentic commercial fishing town nestled in the heart of a spectacular wilderness, shaped by its dramatic natural setting, rich cultural heritage and colorful residents. In 2016 and 2017, let Cordova become your base of operations for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure. Go hiking, fishing, birding, boating, kayaking, or travel to other parts of the state. (907) 424-7260 or www.cordovachamber.com
SEWARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Known as the ‘Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park’ Seward is a picturesque town located 126 miles south of Anchorage. Discover our bustling harbor and historic downtown filled with quaint shops and art galleries. Experience trophy sport fishing, glacier and wildlife cruises, sailing, hiking, kayaking, flight seeing and more. A wide range of accommodations, restaurants, RV parks, tent camping, and visitor services are available. (907) 224-8051 or www.Seward.com
NINILCHIK SALTWATER CHARTERS is the premier fishing charter business on the Kenai
Peninsula. Nestled in the Russian fishing village of Ninilchik, we have the knowledge, experience, and are second to none when it comes to customer satisfaction. The world’s largest halibut have been taken off of Cook Inlet from the shores of Ninilchik. Enjoy a preferred fishing location in a truly Alaskan setting with picturesque beauty, Native and Russian history, and abundant wildlife. (800) 382-3611 or AlaskaBigFish.com
TUNDRA TOURS – TOP OF THE WORLD
HOTEL - Welcome to Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States! Packed with excitement and exhilarating adventures, tourists come from around the world to experience this unique Arctic region. When you stay at the Top of the World Hotel, you can maximize your trip by enjoying easy access to some of the top things to do in Barrow, Alaska. Head out for an impressive visual experience, or take in some history at the Iñupiat Heritage Center. Most importantly, be sure to experience our new Winter Tours, departing from the hotel, including the Whale Bone Arch and Arctic Ocean visits. Put us on your Bucket List today. (800) 478-8520 or www.tundratoursinc.com
CALIFORNIA
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. (800) 424-4787 or www.BigSurLodge.com
THE CEDAR HOUSE SPORT HOTEL, located just outside the Historic Downtown District of Truckee, California, fuses innovative green architecture with the best of contemporary design. Described as a stunning combination of hip and organic, savvy and relaxing, The Cedar House incorporates a number of eco-friendly elements, bringing a fresh and environmentally conscience style to the Sierras. Featuring 42 rooms and suites, enjoy modern conveniences, from flat screen TVs to plush linens. (866) 582-5655 or www.CedarHouseSportHotel.com
DOLPHIN BAY RESORT & SPA - Set along the rugged California Coast, just south of San Luis Obispo, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is centrally located in Pismo Beach. The Dolphin Bay is the ideal hotel for romantic getaways or family vacations where guests stay anywhere from two nights to months at a time. With 60 spacious 1 and 2 bedroom suites featuring all of the amenities of a home, Lido Restaurant, The Spa at Dolphin Bay and an array of activities, guests can experience the best of the Central Coast. (800) 516-0112 or www.thedolphinbay.com
BIG SUR LODGE is located in ancient groves of redwood and oak trees in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Sur, California. Guests are invited to step back in time to an earlier, more peaceful era. Our 61 cottage-style guest rooms, each with its own deck or porch, are located on a hillside, within walking distance of our restaurant, gift shop, and grocery store. Your stay at the Big Sur Lodge includes free access to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park and
PISMO COAST VILLAGE RV RESORT – Located right on the beach, this beautifully landscaped RV resort features 400 full hookup sites, each with complimentary Wi-Fi and cable TV, on 26 grassy, tree-lined acres. Enjoy general Store, children’s arcade, restaurant, Laundromat, heated pool, bicycle rentals and miniature golf course. The resort offers the ideal location for wineries, golf or Hearst Castle. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort was awarded the 2007/2008 National RV Park of the Year. (888) RV-BEACH or www.PismoCoastVillage.com
UTAH
RUBY’S INN is the closest accommodations to southern Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. We offer 368 deluxe guest rooms, restaurants, general store and gallery, conference center, car care, and a RV park. Our guests can enjoy swimming pools and spas, or browse the general store, shops and gallery. We feature year-round activities including cross -country skiing, horseback rides and scenic flights. Ruby’s Inn and Bryce Canyon National Park are open all year. (866) 878-9389 or www.RubysInn.com
SunRiver - ST. GEORGE is southern Utah’s premier master-planned active adult lifestyle community. Built in an unspoiled, rural location, SunRiver St. George provides a quiet, superbly planned community with occupancy limited to at least one resident 55 or older. From the golf course layout and community center design to the floor plans of our sensational SunRiver St. George homes, the active adult lifestyle is our central point of focus. SunRiver St. George is “building a lifestyle, not just homes.” (435) 6881000 or www.SunRiver.com
WESTERN EXPERIENCES
COLORADO TRAILS RANCH - What you need is a week unwinding and exploring the wonders of our first class guest ranch. Colorado Trails Ranch is not far from Durango, in Southwest Colorado. Set in the spectacular panoramas of the San Juan Mountains, our dude ranch resort offers lifetime experiences for singles, groups and entire families. There isn’t one difficult activ-
ity in our perfectly personalized programs. The food is delicious, the comfort is wonderful and you’ll feel like a well cared member of the family. (800) 323-3833 or www.ColoradoTrails.com
THE DUDE RANCHERS’ ASSOCIATION -
Dude ranches are a popular destination vacation for families, couples, singles and groups. All seem to fit in nicely with the easygoing ranch atmosphere. Since most ranches offer a wide variety of activities such as horseback riding, fishing, river rafting, swimming pools, children’s programs, cattle drives, cookouts, line dancing, spas and plain relaxing on the porch swing, everyone is sure to find something that appeals to them. (866) 399-2339 or www.DudeRanch.org
INTERNATIONAL
ADVENTURE CANADA Join Adventure Canada on a voyage through the legendary Northwest Passage. We’ll search for polar bears, seals, walrus and whales; visit vast Arctic
bird colonies; hike among budding wildflowers, and tour welcoming Inuit communities. An exceptional team of experts—biologists, historians, Inuit guides, authors, musicians and artists—provides daily lectures and onshore interpretation to complement your journey. (800) 363-7566 or visit www.adventurecanada.com
Enjoy the Drive Cherish the Stay
CRUISEONE specializes in cruise and land vacations to the world’s most exotic destinations, including multi island destination in Hawaii, the St. Lawrence River, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Mexican Riviera. Programs range from family reunions at sea and honeymoon cruises to river cruising and land vacations. Each independently owned and operated business combines the latest technology with old-fashioned customer service. Contact Joni Notagiacomo in Los Angeles at (800) 600-4548 or www.luv2cruz.com
DELFIN AMAZON CRUISES
- Deep in the Peruvian Amazon, Delfin Amazon Cruises will take you into one of the world’s largest protected flooded forests, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Experienced guides will show you the immense biodiversity of the area. Voyages include visits to native villages, kayaking, swimming near pink river dolphins, fishing, daytime hiking, and night safaris. On board, guests can enjoy exquisite Amazonian cuisine in an authentic, intimate setting with the right amount of elegance and comfort. Call toll-free (844) 4-DELFIN or www.DelfinAmazonCruises.com
ELDERTREKS is the world’s first adventure travel company designed exclusively for people 50 and over. Established in 1987, ElderTreks offers active, off-the-beaten-path, small-group adventures by both land and sea in over 100 countries. ElderTreks offers wildlife and tribal African safaris, active hiking trips to the Rockies, Himalayas and Andes, expeditions by icebreakers to the Arctic and
Antarctic and cultural journeys in Cuba, Asia, and South America. Join ElderTreks on one of our small group adventures for travelers 50 plus. (800) 741-7956 or www.ElderTreks.com
WILDERNESS
TRAVEL has been creating dream journeys for over 35 years. With over 200 journeys worldwide, our cultural, wildlife and hiking adventures offer an incredible range of experiences with trips for every interest. From hikes in Switzerland to thrilling wildlife safaris in Africa and cultural journeys to Machu Picchu, we offer both Small Group Adventures and Private Journeys. All feature
or www.WildernessTravel.com
• O ver 20 years r unning trips to Cuba
• Small groups 4-16 travelers
• E xperience30 years of great adventures
• Call for references to find out why our Cuba itinerar y and tour leaders are simply the best!
ElderTreks' Cuba adventure offers a 13-day cultural journey to this Caribbean gem. Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, colonial architecture and the streets of old Havana. Be inspired by Cuba's soulful art, musical rhythms and vibrant dance. Visit a cigar factory, white sand beaches and search for native birdlife in national parks. Reconnect with Havana's heyday of the 1950's with a performance at the Tropicana Cabaret. Most importantly, enjoy the welcoming smiles and encounters with the Cuban people.
Nov 29 - Dec 11, 2016
Dec 20 - Jan 01, 2017 Jan 17 - Jan 29, 2017
Feb 21 - Mar 05, 2017
Mar 21 - Apr 02, 2017
Apr 04 - Apr 16, 2017
Apr 25 - May 07, 2017
Jun 06 - Jun 18, 2017
Nov 07 - Nov 19, 2017
Dec 05 - Dec 17, 2017
Dec 20 - Jan 01, 2018
Jan 02 - Jan 14, 2018 Price from: $3995
T H E F INIS H L INE
Arizona’s Leader in Senior
Fitness
Arizona Senior Olympics featured on Arizona Sonoran Living
Arizona Senior Olympics (ASO) was featured on October 10 as a part of the “Stories of Strength” contest. Irene Stillwell, ASO Executive Director was chosen as a part of the series because she is a 10-year cancer survivor and has continued to work as the director of Arizona Senior Olympics.
“I saw this as a great opportunity to promote Arizona Senior Olympics and to inform the public about the value of a healthy, active lifestyle,” Stillwell said. She was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer followed by surgery and “brachy therapy,” which involves
radiation applied to the site only. She is still a part of a study of the efficacy of brachy therapy, a less invasive application of radiation. Stillwell noted that she was, “happy to share my story during Breast Cancer Awareness Month because I believe it is important to remind women everywhere to get an annual mammogram.”
Joining Stillwell on the program was Maurice Maharaj, Marketing Manager of the West Region of SimonMed, who opened their imaging centers seven days per week during the month of October in order to facilitate breast
cancer screenings for women in this area. Maharaj presented Stillwell with a $500 gift card in recognition of her selection in the “Stories of Strength” series presented by ABC 15.
Terri O and Susan Cooper, hosts of Sonoran Living were enthusiastic about recognizing the Arizona Senior Olympics program and the work of its Executive Director, as well as promoting the importance of reaching Arizona women with this life-saving message: “Don’t wait for a lump, get a mammogram!”
Susan Cooper, Irene Stillwell and Terri O celebrate Irene’s recognition.
It’s
autumn — try not to “fall”
Get a step ahead and stay attentive
Now that seniors taking falls have reached epidemic proportions, a great deal of attention is being given toward prevention. Various aspects of falling are being studied and many programs have been developed to help seniors avoid injuries.
Among the most common problems dealt with in the various prevention programs are: 1.) making your home a safe environment 2.) checking with your doctor to be sure none of your medications are making you dizzy or unbalanced 3.) the importance of a nutritious, well balanced diet and 4.) the role of exercise and an active lifestyle in keeping you on your feet. Often overlooked is an aspect that has a profound effect on whether or not you will fall this Fall or not — attentiveness. The habit of paying attention to where you’re going, and what’s under and ahead of your feet, is a vital step in prevention. Consider a few of the mistakes we make that lead to falls:
• We get out of the car, keys in hand, and because we’re in a hurry, we attempt to put the keys in a purse while walking and don’t see the crack in the sidewalk that catches our toe.
• We carry packages or bundles that
The early bird gets the worm
Register for the games by December 31
Just in case eating a worm doesn’t appeal to you, how about this? If you register during the Early Bird Registration this year, you will save yourself $5.00! Now that’s more appetizing!
are unbalanced — too heavy on one side.
• We think ahead, focusing on our destination and in hurrying to get there, forget to look down and miss the curb.
• We’re getting off the bus, anxious to make a connection and don’t see the space between the step and the curb, catching our foot in between.
Get the picture? As seniors, it is important to pay attention to walking when we’re walking! Be attentive to the surface of the sidewalk or street. Be aware of the places in your home that might “trip you up.”
Listen, but don’t talk, when walking with a loved one or friend. They won’t mind, they’ll think you’re a great listener! Pay attention to your toes. Are you raising them or shuffling? If you’re a shuffler, get into a class that teaches exercises to strengthen the toes, feet, ankles and legs. Remember, attentiveness can make a significant difference in determining whether or not you will fall this FALL.
For more information about prevention, call the Arizona Lifetime Fitness Foundation’s office at 602274-7742 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You may question why it’s necessary to impose a penalty on those who are late to register for the games, but there’s an answer to that as well. Arizona Senior Olympics is an all volunteer organization. Because dedicated volunteers are hard to find, we really don’t want to wear them out, or give them jobs so chaotic they never come back. For that reason and for the quality of the games, it’s very important
that registration be finished in time for us to do the myriad of things that we can’t do until we know how many people will participate. It’s like inviting your friends over for dinner. You have to know how many will come in order to know how much food to cook.
The Early Bird registration period will allow us to have the time necessary to plan quality games and as a bonus, it gives you, the athlete, time to practice and train. The final deadline for Early Bird Registration is December 31st, giving everyone plenty of time to register. So don’t put it off, be an Early Bird and save yourself that $5.00 worm!
THE ARIZONA LIFELONG FITNESS FOUNDATION BOARD AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AT ARIZONA SENIOR OLYMPICS WANT TO WISH YOU A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ALL YOU DO TO MAKE THE SENIOR OLYMPICS POSSIBLE.
Is that drink with dinner worth it?
By Ellie Kallal
Like many people, I enjoy a glass of red wine in the evening, and knowing it’s good for my heart makes it just that much better. However, recently I’ve been reading that it might be doing more harm than good. And any more than that one drink a day is definitely not a good thing.
Alcohol use may increase the risk of cancer. Recent research indicates that three drinks a day can double and triple the risk of cancer in the mouth, upper throat and bowel. Liver cancer risk increases by 16 percent. Even one drink, whether it is a mixed drink, beer or wine, is believed to increase the risk of some cancers by as much as 20 percent.
As for the benefit to the heart, newest research indicates that that benefit has been over reported. Not all of those who drink are helped. Women over 55 receive the
most benefit.
The National Institute on Aging reports that alcohol and drug abuse and alcoholism among those over 60 is increasing. As we get older, our sensitivity to alcohol increases. We simply don’t metabolize it as well as we did when we were younger. Just as we can no longer eat the way we did at 35, we can no longer drink that way.
Consider these dramatic statistics from NIH Senior Health, as well as their statement:
• There are 2.5 million older adults with an alcohol or drug problem.
• Six to eleven percent of elderly hospital admissions are a result of alcohol or drug problems — 14 percent of elderly emergency room admissions, and 20 percent of elderly psychiatric hospital admissions.
• Widowers over the age of 75 have the highest rate of alcoholism in the U.S.
• Nearly 50 percent of nursing home residents have alcohol related problems.
• Older adults are hospitalized as often for alcoholic related problems as for heart attacks.
• Nearly 17 million prescriptions for tranquilizers are prescribed for older adults each year. Benzodiazepines, a type of tranquilizing drug, are the most commonly misused and abused prescription medications.
“Alcohol and drug problems, particularly prescription drug abuse, among older adults, is one of the fastest growing health problems facing the country. Yet, our awareness, understanding and response to this health care problem is inadequate.”
As with all health reports, we need to look
at our lives, use caution and common sense and decide whether we think the benefits are greater than the risk or vice versa. It may be time to rethink how we look at that drink before dinner. Is it worth it? Luckily, I’m in the “women over 55” category that actually benefits from that glass of red.
I
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Christian senior male would like acquaintance with educated retired lady, age not as important as shared interests Ability to speak, write Spanish would be a
DRAWER LL1551 WWF 70's, I look much younger! Let's not be alone for the Holidays! Seeking M companion to enjoy theatre, dinners, movies, dancing! Great sense of humor. E.Tuc. Please send phone#.
