Silver - Jamestown | Post-Journal

Sil verA 55+ Magazine ForWNY and Northern PAFEBRUARY 2013VOLUME VIII ISSUE IIMULTIDISCIPLINARYTEAMplusTHE OLD GANG OF MINECURIOUS MERIDIANFROM OUT OF THE WEST: COOL!FREE

contentsSilverFEBRUARY 2013 • Vol VIII Issue IISILVER5791113151921FROM OUT OF THE WEST“Cool”MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMFinding an Assisted Living Home that covers allthe bases.BEWARE OF FINANCIAL ADVISORSCLAIMING TO BE “SENIOR SPECIALISTS”DON’T LET THESE MYTHS RAIN ON YOURRETIREMENT PARTYIdeas that could derail your expectations forincome when you retire.POLISHED SILVER“Curious Meridian”SILVER OLYMPICS“Aim Higher, My Friends”FALL PREVENTION STRATEGIESBOOMERS CAN FALL IN LOVE WITHProtect yourself with simple solutions.THAT OLD GANG OF MINETaking up a new hobby no matter how old youare is great fun!FEBRUARY 2013 3

introADVERTISING DIRECTORDebra Brunner716. 487.1111 ext 222dbrunner@post-journal.comEDITORKirsten Johnson716.487.1111 ext 295kjohnson@post-journal.comART DIRECTOR/DESIGNERHeather Felton716. 487.1111 ext 305hfelton@post-journal.comFOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALLJamestown Office 716.487.1111 ext. 222Warren, PA Office 814.723.8200 ext. 612PRINTED BYFROM THE EDITOR:At any point in life it is good to figure out what your passions are andpursue them. The things we love and feel strongly about usuallychange as we age but sometimes they remain the same forever. Eitherway, turning those things we do get excited about into hobbies ofsome sort can be a fantastic outlet.Pat Webdale wrote an article this month about a new pastime that shehas found great pleasure in and might have even started sooner if shehad the time. Her story is one of friendship and fun as a result of asimple activity. By following up on something she knew she wouldenjoy, she has also found a group of people she thoroughly enjoysspending time with.Taking a risk by starting down a new path is difficult no matter if it’sjust for fun or because of something more serious. Our fear of theunknown prevents us from trying different things that might stretchus a bit beyond our comfort zones. It has been my experience, however,that I often find the most joy in the moments that follow a littlerisk taking now and again.15 West Second Street Jamestown, NY 14701716.487.1111www.post-journal.comIf you have been sitting on the sidelines only daydreaming about themany things you once enjoyed or have been considering trying outsomething new that might be filling your thoughts, I would encourageyou to follow in Pat’s shoes (maybe even literally) and take up a hobbyor follow a passion. You never know where it will lead!Take care,Kirsten L. JohnsonEditor4 SILVER

silverFROM OUT OFTHE WEST“COOL!”ya know there are some things that pop up in lifethat you can’t believe that you never experiencedbefore. Living up here on the escarpment in Ripley is agreat place to live if you don’t mind breezy summernights, outstanding sunsets any time of the year andlooking right into the front face of a cloud! Somewould say that we get more than our share of snow.Global warming took care of that!Imagine looking out your front window and you areeye level with a great blue heron. I imagine myself inSir Conan Doyle’s Lost World for just a moment asthis majestic almost pterodactylian bird darkens thesun for a moment and swoops east to west. Breath taking.Then there’s the sighting of a pileated woodpeckerwhich I saw two summers ago. I thought I was seeingthings. It was huge and making quite a racket. Movingabout without concern for anything in the quiet woodsbehind our home.On another occasion I looked up to see yet anotherswooping shadow in the tree line. An immature baldeagle. Not impressed? I lived in Buffalo as a kid andwas told that the eagle was on its way out. Every nowand then I see one in a tree on my way through Sherman.I feel like a National Geographic explorer seeingthis bird for the first time.By DOC HAMELSCONSULTANT, RIPLEY, NYI am writing this in mid-January. Maxwell, my dogand I went for our morning walk about the propertyand he was doing his usual bounce and aerial anticsand begging for a little treat. During one of his highflying leaps I noticed something that looked out ofplace in the lawn. It sort of looked like a bunch ofthick stems that had grown during late autumn andhad missed the fury of my John Deere blades.Max guided me onward and I just dismissed thesestubby things in the ground. As we do our usual tourof the land I came across another unusual but similarsight. This time it wasn’t so much stubby and thickbut more delicate and fern-like. Sort of gray and sortof clear. I’m thinking fungus…alien life form…This time I stopped, stooped and had a good look.Intricately but haphazard, I could see curved spikythings coming up from the ground in a patch. Theyalmost had a worm like characteristic to them and Ihesitated to reach down at first to touch them.By now, you must be thinking, come on Doc, what’sall the fuss? I’m telling you straight up, I have neverseen this sort of thing before in my life. I’m all over theplace, up and down hills, streams and woods. I havecontinued on page 6FEBRUARY 2013 5

FROM OUT OF THE WESTsilvercontinuednever seen this sort of strange formation before.So now I have to have the little reality chat with myself.‘Take a photo. Take a sample.’ First thing was to distractMax so that he didn’t get into the picture or disruptthis other worldly creation. With that done I startedto take pics with my trusty iPhone. (What did we dobefore without these things?) Then I gingerly reacheddown and picked at one well formed worm-lookingpiece. It was cold and smooth. Brown on the tip andalmost a see through. Was it animal? Vegetable? No itwas some type of ice formation.How in the world can ice form going up? This formationlooked like a plant.Well, I started to look around some more and every sooften I would see another cluster of these formations.Each one completely different. What’s going on here?Icicles form downward. These were like icicles goingthe wrong way.Next I went onto the old computer and started doing alittle Googling (is this a word?). After a few attempts atvarious terms I tried “Ground Ice, Permafrost.” Nope.“Glacier sheets.” Nope. Then photos of my strange formation.Photos are good but don’t tell the story. So alittle more digging and then I found the answer.“Needle Ice.”Needle Ice can form any place where the groundfreezes. It crunches when stepped on. Needle Ice ismade up of thin ice crystals. The ice crystals growupward, starting a few centimeters (inches) underground.If the air stays cold enough, needle ice cangrow forty centimeters (sixteen inches) long.”16 inches long!!! Mine were maybe 4-5 inches, onlybaby needles!So here’s my theory on the whole matter. Prior to findingthe “Needle Ice”, we had had a few days of heavyrain. My land starts on a flat and then rolls downward.I found the clusters where the rain water must havebeen draining and then the temperature dropped. Asthe water froze, it expanded sending ice crystalsupward with varying force. As the temps fluctuatedthe needles curved, bent, bonded and created all sortsof formation. Kind of reminded me of those crystalexperiments that we did in our bedrooms with ourChristmas chemistry sets!I guess there is a first time for everything! I would putthese needles in the same category as flowers that onlybloom at night, during the full moon for one hour andthen gone. These crystals probably have been formingevery year and this was simply the one time that I happenedto see them. By the way, the sun came out, thetemperature rose and no more ice needles!Until next time, look around, the world still has somevery amazing and interesting things to be explored evenin your own backyard! Very cool! ■Dr. John Hamels is a familiar face in Chautauqua County. He is a wellknown educator, having been a Special Education Teacher, Training Specialist,Principal and now a retired School Superintendent. He has a widerange of interests, serves on a variety of boards of directors in the region,consults and presents as an Adjunct at JCC. He may be contacted athamels@fairpoint.net.FUNERAL HOME, INC.6 SILVERFamily Owned & Operated Since 1941805 WEST THIRD STREETJAMESTOWN, NEW YORK 14701www.lindfuneralhome.com716-664-3800

silverMultidisciplinaryTeamevery so often, there is a new concept or buzzwordabout which people begin to talk. A recent one is “MultidisciplinaryTeam.” According towww.businessdictionary.com, a multidisciplinary team is“A group composed of members with varied but complimentaryexperience, qualifications, and skills that contributesto the achievement of the organization's specificobjectives. See also: multifunctional team.”After reading a few articles on this “new concept” inelder care, it got me thinking: this is not a new concept.It is something we have strived to achieve formany years.By BECKY LeBARONADMINISTRATOR AT HERITAGE VILLAGERETIREMENT CAMPUSAt Heritage Village Retirement Campus, we have manyvalued staff members with “experience, qualifications,and skills” that contribute to our organization’s specificobjective “to promote hope, dignity, and purposeful living.”May I relate a story demonstrating a good example ofhow our multidisciplinary team works? A resident wholives in an independent home asked to have his sink servicedbecause the drain was slow. This man and his wifehave been married for over 60 years and relied very muchon each other. When the maintenance worker arrived forcontinued on page 8FEBRUARY 2013 7

MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMsilver continuedthe service call, he noticed the home was in disarray, andthat both residents had not been feeling well due to medicalconditions. He was very concerned because thiswas so out of the ordinary for this couple. The staffmember immediately reported what he witnessed. Wewere able to offer appropriate assistance and encouragesupport services to allow them to stay in their homelonger, and, more importantly, together. Without thatmaintenance worker’s concern, we would not have beenable to offer help as quickly; and the outcome may havebeen very different.Maintenance staff often complete work in the residences.If anyone observes anything out of the ordinary or of concern,they alert the Case Manager or Administrator forfurther review. The maintenance department’s main goalis not just to get the job done; it’s to maintain a safe,healthy environment for those who have chosen to callthis campus home. This is not a “big brother” spying, thisis done out of respect and concern for our residents.When people want to know why they should move to aretirement community, this is a perfect example. A multidisciplinaryteam concept should be utilized and executedevery day. There is a support system in place and everystaff member is included on this team. It’s not just oneperson’s responsibility.Certainly, the maintenance worker was doing his job; butbecause he had a friendly relationship with the residents,he was able to notice a problem. He became part of thesolution.A retirement community should offer different avenuespromoting socialization, friendships, hobbies, safe environments,and the support needed to maintain a healthylifestyle. Everyone is working together in the best interestof the residents! ■Becky LeBaron currently serves as the Administrator at Heritage VillageRetirement Campus in Gerry, NY. In this role, she manages the day-todayoperations of the Campus and has administrative responsibilities.Becky and her husband, Brett, live in Sinclairville and have two children.Becky stays very active with her daughters and attends the Park UnitedMethodist Church.PO Box 788Jamestown, NY 14702-0788jrpc@windstream.netService Locations31 Sherman St.207 Foote Ave.15 South Main St.Business Office333 East Fifth St.Phone: 716-664-9731Fax: 716-664-91608 SILVERSCARFYARNThe area’s largest and most complete yarn shopfeaturing all of the most popular yarns and notions.THESHOPSatBoard Certified Radiologists• Ronald D. Klizek, MD• Lyndon S. Gritters, MD• James G. Dahlie, MDDREAMBOATin Warren• Brian D. Meagher, MD• Bruce H. Rockwell, MD• Dallen B. Ashby, MDWinter Hours: Mon- F ri 9-5pmSat 9-3pmSun Closed2 1/2 MILES WEST OF WARREN814-723-8052094036

silverBEWARE OFFINANCIAL ADVISORSCLAIMING TO BE“SENIOR SPECIALISTS”the North American Securities Administrators Association(NASAA) recommends that seniors carefullycheck the credentials of individuals holding themselvesout as “senior specialists.” NASAA is the oldest internationalorganization devoted to investor protection. It isa voluntary association whose membership consists of67 state, provincial, and territorial securities administratorsin the 50 states, the District of Columbia, PuertoRico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Mexico.NASAA’s Investor Alert, titled “Senior Investor Alert:Senior Specialist Designations,” can be viewed onNASAA’s website at www.nasaa.org.By MICHAEL B. ENGDAHLJD, CFP®NASAA’s Investment Advisor Operations ProjectGroup recently observed a significant increase in designationsclaiming to provide the holder with expertise inproviding services to investors 55 years of age andolder. NASAA is concerned that individuals may callthemselves “senior specialists” to create a false level ofcomfort among the elderly. However, according toNASAA, the training these so-called “senior specialists”receive is often nothing more than being taught marketingand selling techniques targeting the elderly.According to NASAA, bogus “senior specialists” commonlytarget elderly investors and seek to review theelderly investors’ investment portfolios and other assets.Often, the “senior specialist” recommends that the seniorsell his or her current investments and use the proceedsto purchase annuities sold by the “senior specialist.”NASAA recommends that, before doing business withany investment professional, all investors should checkwith their state securities regulator to determinewhether the individual is properly licensed and whetherthere have been any complaints filed against the investmentprofessional and his or her firm. It also recommendsthat investors work only with state licensedinvestment professionals who have passed rigorous competencyexams. ■Michael B. Engdahl, JD, CFP® is an Assistant Professor of Financial Servicesat Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, a “fee-only” CERTIFIED FINAN-CIAL PLANNER practitioner, and an attorney with offices in Jamestown.He can be reached at (716) 485-6913 or mbengdahl@netsync.net.FEBRUARY 2013 9

silverDON'T LET THESEMYTHS RAIN ON YOURRETIREMENT PARTYdo you dream of the day you can retire, but aren'tsure how to get there? You're not alone. Many people findit easier to avoid reality when it comes to planning forretirement."That can lead to big mistakes in their retirement incomeplanning," says Zachary Gipson, vice president of retirementand wealth planning at USAA.Here's a look at five common myths that could derail yourexpectations for income when you retire.MYTH 1: YOU WON'T BE AROUND LONGENOUGH TO GO THROUGH YOUR MONEYThe reality: Life expectancies are at record highs in theUnited States, so it's important to acknowledge that you ora family member may spend as many years in retirement asyou did working. According to a 2010 report by theNational Academy of Social Insurance, for a 65-year-oldmarried couple, there's a 48 percent chance that one spousewill live to age 90.To help stretch your money, consider incorporating immediateand deferred annuities into your planning. Created toprovide guaranteed, lifelong income in retirement, they canalso offer guaranteed growth while you're saving for it,Gipson explains.A long retirement extends your exposure to one of financialplanning's most subtle enemies: inflation. As you invest, it'simportant to seek a mix of assets that guard against thedeclining value of the dollar and that is in line with yourrisk tolerance and goals.MYTH 2: YOU SHOULD GET OUT OF STOCKSWHEN YOU RETIREThe reality: Stocks can help provide the long-term growthyou need to make your assets last longer since your retirementcould span several decades.You've probably heard you should reduce your investmentrisk as you age. But with traditional pensions beingreplaced by 401(k) plans, you're wholly responsible formaking asset allocation decisions. As Gipson puts it,"Everyone now has to be a pension fund manager with theirown money, and most people just aren't equipped to dothat."Gipson agrees with the notion of dampening portfolio riskat retirement, but that doesn't mean getting rid of stocksentirely. Rather, regularly reviewing, and if necessary,rebalancing your portfolio based on your risk tolerance canlock in gains from strong-performing asset classes andallow you to buy those that underperform at cheaper prices.MYTH 3: YOU CAN JUST KEEP WORKINGThe reality: Counting on being able to work as long as youwant is dangerous, Gipson says. Employers are feeling pressureto cut costs, and with high unemployment, findingcontinued on page 12FEBRUARY 2013 11

MYTHSsilverRETIREMENTcontinuedwork is always a challenge. A disability also could forceyou to stop working prematurely.Many people think they can simply work longer if theydon't have enough money to retire. According to a recentsurvey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 74%of workers plan to work at least part time during theirretirement years, and Schaffer notes working in retirementhas become a necessity for many.Good planning doesn't rely on good fortune. Rather, yourplan should both keep you from having to work the restof your life and deal with the consequences of unexpectedsurprises that prevent you from earning a paycheck.MYTH 4: AN INHERITANCE WILL BAIL YOUOUTThe reality: You may be hoping for an inheritance as apotential retirement boost. But hope is not a strategy,and counting on an inheritance can create big problems ifit doesn't come through.Many people who expect to inherit money never do so,Gipson says. And even for those who do inherit money,it's often too little or comes too late to make a differencein their retirement planning, he adds. The safer thing todo is to treat an inheritance as an unexpected bonusrather than relying on it.MYTH 5: YOUR TAXES WILL BE LOWER INRETIREMENTThe reality: Big government deficits make future taxincreases much more likely. Also, taking money out ofretirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs and401(k)s, creates taxable income that can push you intohigher tax brackets.One suggestion Gipson offers is to consider convertingpart of your eligible retirement assets to a Roth IRA. Bydoing so, you'll pay taxes now, but you'll create a tax-freepool of money to tap in retirement. Diversifying withboth Roth and traditional IRAs is a possible way to handlefuture tax uncertain ■Courtesy of BrandpointPETER LUMIA BC-HISAll Of Our Clients WithHearing Aids Receive:Lifetime Office Service,Cleanings New Filters &Tubes, All Available DigitalAdjustments & Upgrades ForFREE!Let’s Get This Party Started!Living Life To Its Fullest12 SILVER641 Foote Ave. Jamestown Ph. 484-7777AETNA, Comp., Univera, Empire, BC/BS, AARPWE MAKE HOUSE CALLSfrewsburgresthome.comFor More Information CallDennis Bechmann, Steve Sischo,or Tammy Melice at(716) 569-3095or email: dennis@frewsburgresthome.com

silverP O L I S H E DS I L V E R“CURIOUS MERIDIAN”david Charles Bryant, PhD, of Brocton, NY, is myCurious Meridian. Frankly, he is an anomaly to describe.Unlike my usual approach, I will begin his story at the presentand then fill in his history as we progress.David is currently centered in on Personal Wellness with anEnergy Psychology Practice featuring Meridian TappingTechniques. My home dictionary defines “meridian” as thehighest point of prosperity, splendor or power, a zenith ofvigor or prime. I realize that is quite a concept to embraceeasily but it does describe what David’s personal goal is andhow he helps others through personal coaching.Most of us are somewhat familiar but may not completelyunderstand the process of the ancient Oriental art ofacupuncture. The Meridian Tapping Technique does basicallythe same thing without the use of needles. PersonallyI plan to attend one of David’s workshops in the nearfuture to learn more. Each of us should be open to livingrelaxed lives at our zenith of vigor or prime. Dave’s cellphone is (716) 410-3019 or he can be reached at wellness.dave.bryant@gmail.com.First off, I find David to be highly intelligent, an educationaljunkie, an educator and a writer of poetry. Over hislifetime, Dave has learned many practical skills simplybecause the need to know presented itself. For example, heis a certified welder, asbestos manager as well as has practicedMorse code and telegraphy.Most recently David has become part of a national researchBy BOB DILKSAUTHOR, CASSADAGA, NYstress study applied to American veterans with PTSD todetermine the positive value of the Meridian TappingTechnique.Dave is married to an attractive, talented woman, LucilleMarie, who is truly complimentary to their wellbeing as a couple.Both are interested in organic vegetable and flower gardening,cooking, canning and freezing as well as being selfreliant.She is a licensed massage therapist. David is a physicallyactive person always seeking out new avenues of activity tocomplement his mental and spiritual activity in life.Personally, I love to read and in recent years have enjoyedwriting but have always thought of the writing of poetry asdifficult. No surprise, Dave finds the writing of that genresheer pleasure. He has published his first book, Noticings:50 Poems from the Heart of Energy Psychology, and aHandful Out of Left Field. It even sounds like fun.Dave is father of Samuel, a San Diego architect whose wife,Sharon, is a PhD Psychologist. David’s three stepdaughterswho live in the Chicago area are Julianne, an environmentalBotanist, Michelle, an annuity consultant andAnne(LMT).Please accept the following as factual as his diverse journeytruly brings him to his present concentration as owner ofPersonal Wellness, a personal coaching practice.Nothing unusual about being a morning delivery boy forcontinued on page 14FEBRUARY 2013 13

silverPOLISHED SILVERcontinuedthe Detroit Free Press and later graduating from GrossePoint, Michigan High School in a neighborhood wherehe spent his youth. Subsequently, he graduated with aBA at Alma College, Alma, Michigan. Following a tourin the US Army in the European Command, Germany,as a legal clerk with a background in radio and teletype(Secret Clearance) he received an MA and PhD in philosophyof Psychology from the University of Michiganin Ann Arbor. Diverse Certifications followed. Technicalschools were attended as his interests grew. I wasimpressed by his part-time job during his college yearsas a motorcycle mechanic and race driver.Between l970 and 1974 David was a Philosophyinstructor at SUNY Fredonia. Following, he assumedthe role as project engineer at Newbrook Machine Corporationin Silver Creek, NY, dealing with aerospaceand oceanographic exotic metals. Be warned, this guy isnot easy to plant a label. Then he oversaw an ApartmentManagement and Maintenance Company. Thisexperience set the tone for his subsequent businessactivity. The Dunkirk/Fredonia area became the bailiwickfor the development and management of commercialbuildings, specializing in restoration of historicstructures and nurturing of tenants. Most recently Davehas had hands on experience with the White Inn in Fredonia.Volunteerism by Dave has been a vital part of his rolein the community. He has been a director or past presidentof such diverse groups as the Adams Art Gallery(Access to the Arts, Inc), Brooks Hospital Citizen’sAdvisory Council, Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce,Historic Harbor Development, Inc, Fredonia RotaryClub and the Iraq Vets Stress Project research coach.We will stop there.Dave and Lucy, I salute you. You were fun to writeabout. God Bless You. ■Mr. Dilks is an adopted Seneca Indian, Sensei, triathlete, Olympic torch bearertwice, long distance cyclist and has canoed the Allegheny River from the headwatersto Pittsburgh. He has been a columnist for Masters Athlete magazine and theHistory Channel Magazine. He has also written three novels and will publish afourth in the fall of this year. His wife, Susan, has written a novel, Her ReasonFor Being.NEW SCOOTERSAVAILABLE!MOBILITY &ACCESSIBILITYSPECIALISTSWE NOW CARRY PORTABLE RAMPSAND EXTERIOR VEHICLE LIFTS!Outlander Exterior Lifts and Ramps were designed to provide adurable, easy-to-use system to take your power chair or scooterwith you. Simple, hitched-based installation requires little to nomodification of your vehicle and allows for easy removalFREE EVALUATION &DELIVERYAUTHORIZED DEALER FOR:QUICKIE • INVACARE • E&J • MEDICARE• MEDICAID • IHA • BLUES & OTHERINSURANCE ACCEPTED• Custom Fitted Wheel Chairs • Seating• Scooters • Durable Medical Equipment• Sales • Repairs • Modifications For AllMakes & Models of Wheelchairs14 SILVER

silverSilver Olympics:Aim Higher, MyFriends!we all know our local economy has not yet reachedthe higher ground we've been hoping for, and good-payingjobs are still proving elusive for many local people. Somenotable attempts have been made to improve our economyaround here: on an individual basis, brave folks startingtheir own businesses; and on a larger scale, attempts suchas the Allegheny Musarium in Warren to get regional andnational appeal.I say we need to aim higher. Let's bring the WinterOlympics to our area! We have great attractions alreadyin place, and the potential to add so much more. WarrenCounty would be the primary location, but we wouldgladly share it with you New York neighbors. In an effortto save time, taxpayer dollars, and endless committeemeetings wasting thousands of styrofoam coffee cups,you'll be pleased to know that after thinking about it fortwenty minutes or so, I have most of the details workedout already.Let's start with an exciting, fast-paced event. The luge!We could build a thrilling luge run starting on top of thehill in Scandia, and ending in the Kmart parking lot at theWarren Mall. It would be a nice long downhill run, andfor spectators, there's usually plenty of parking available atthe mall lot at any time. Okay, now for soccer. Eventhough soccer is generally not offered in the WinterOlympics, I'd be all for building a world-class soccer stadiumat what used to be the Grunderville Dump. When noBy JOE ULRICHAUTHOR, WARREN, PAlonger being used for the Olympics, it could be utilized asthe reviewing stand for the local fishing tourney, and perhapsthe site of an annual festival. Some towns have aStrawberry Festival, some have a Blueberry Festival; whynot start our own Annual Dingleberry Festival? I'm bettingit would draw national attention to us.Skiing could be offered at our nearby New York ski areas,and we can promise plenty of ice for ice-skating competition!To maintain a snow-free ice surface for hockey andall, I don't see why they can't string together blue tarpsover the frozen Allegheny Reservoir. Should be a snap, andpretty cheap, too. Often times local hardware stores areoffering 5' x 8' tarps on sale for only a buck or so. As theads say, we could load up and save! Cross-country ski competitioncould be just about anywhere. I'd suggest a locationnear downtown Warren, though, so the parkinggarage could be filled up at least once.At each of the Olympics, the host country can present ademonstration sport, to be considered for future regularOlympic competition. That would be a great time for us toshow off our pride and joy, Two-Man Tag Team RoadHunting. I have a hunch it would be a YouTube sensation!And we could give international basketball competition anew twist, by playing it outdoors at Betts Park and AllenPark. I wonder if those really tall guys could still dunk abasketball wearing Carhartts and snowmobile boots.continued on page 16FEBRUARY 2013 15

FEBRUARY 2013 17By: Lisa Anderson,Vice President of CommunityOutreach Brevillier VillagePAID ADVERTISEMENTThe Aging Population:Who Will Care for Them?In the beginning of the 20th century about half of all p eop le died beforethey reached their 50th birthday. C urrently, m ost p eop le can exp ect to liveuntil at least the age of 75 years old!T he fastest grow ing age group is the85+ years and older population. T hirty years ago, for som eone to reach100 years old w as indeed a m ilestone. N ow , it is com m onp lace.So w hat does this say for the field of geriatrics and gerontology?S im p lified, geriatrics refers to the health care issues of older p ersons.G erontology is the study of the overall aging of individuals thatencom passes physical, m ental, em otional, and social changes in olderad u lts. B ecau se of th e in crease in th is d em ograp h ic, th e field of agin gp rom ises to offer very diverse em p loym ent op p ortunities in the future.A t one tim e, being over the age of 65 w as associated w ith retirem ent,m oving out of one’s hom e, having m any m edical problem s and slow ingdow n to the point of being in a rocking chair in front of the T V. N ow,because of the great m edical advances w ith m edication and m anagingchronic illness, p eop le live very active lifestyles som etim es into their 90’sand beyond.Job op p ortunities w ill be available in p rogram s that p rom ote health andw ellness of body and m ind such as S enior C enters, intergenerationalp rogram s, and leisure and recreational p rogram s for older, indep endentadults. E state planning and financing everyone’s long term care needs w illbe essential esp ecially since everyone has the p otential to live 20 or 30years beyond the age of retirem ent!Teaching courses and research ingeriatrics an d geron tology w ill b e n eed ed in colleges an d u n iversities.A d vocatin g in th e legislatu re w ill b e key to p u t agin g issu es in th eforefront w here our law s are m ade.T here w ill also be m any jobs available that p rovide direct care to a m orefrail, chronically ill older adult. T hose older adults living in retirem entcom m unities w ill need m eals and sp ecial diets, “hands on” direct care suchas bathing, dressing, help w ith m edications, and rehabilitative care such asp hysical, sp eech and occup ational therap ies. S ocial service p rofessionalsw ill be the “gatekeep ers and bridges” to all the services needed toadequately take care of our elderly. A dem and for m ore certified, geriatricp hysicians that are trained to care for these older p ersons and their chronicillnesses and needs w ill be needed. T hese discip lines w ill also be needed inhom e care agencies as m ore and m ore p eop le w ill w ant to rem ain at andbe cared for at hom e.T he p ossible p rofessions in geriatrics and eldercare are endless and runacross the sp ectrum of education from a high school dip lom a to anadvanced degree such as a m aster’s, m edical or doctorate degree. Theb ottom lin e is th ere w ill b e a d em an d in every area of geriatrics an dgerontology. T h is is d efin itely an in terd iscip lin ary field w ith all field sw orking together to p rovide the best quality of care for the older adult.S o h ow d oes on e kn ow if th is field is for th em ? W orkin g w ith th isdem ograp hic group is not for everyone. M any schools now require servicelearning and volunteering as a p rerequisite of their course curriculum .V olu n teerin g op en s m an y d oors for career in vestigation . B revillier V illagehas coordinated a 6 w eek intergenerational p rogram w ith K leinE lem entary S chool for m any years. A fter the 6 w eek p rogram , m anystudents com e back and p articip ate in our S um m er Junior V olunteerProgram . A nd a few years later, som e students seek em p loym ent atB revillier V illage rem em bering years earlier how m uch they enjoyed thep rogram w ith K lein S chool. Places like B revillier V illage are alw aysseeking volunteers as are senior centers, and other p rogram s serving theelderly.O thers do their college p lacem ents and p racticum s here. W e w elcom e alldiscip lines that need to do student p lacem ents in social w ork,reh ab ilitation , b u sin ess, n u rsin g, food services an d d ietetics an d recreationtherap y. S everal students that have done student p lacem ents here w erehired after graduation.A nother w ay to exp lore your interest in gerontology is to take a class tolearn basic concep ts of aging. T hese classes are held at the college level andin som e high schools.T he aging dem ograp hic is only going to exp and even m ore as the “B abyB oom er” p op ulation ages. W e need to be ready to care for them . Jobsecurity anyone?If you are in terested in em ploym en t at B revillier V illage, please feelfree to com e and com plete an application or go to our w ebsite atwww.brevillier.org.Brevillier VillageHousing and Health CareBarnabas Court South offers3 different levels of care!~ Licensed Personal Care ~ Residency Care~ Independent LivingFor more information contact ourAdmissions Department at (814) 899-86005416 East Lake Road • Erie, PA 16511www.brevillier.org

18 SILVER8 TIPS FOR GETTING BACK INTHE DATING GAMENO EXCUSES:Don’t cheat yourself of love in your later years by tellingyourself that you’re too old or too out-of-date to have agood time. You don’t have to be the cutting edge serialdater you were in your 20s, but that doesn’t mean youdon’t have the right to find someone who makes youhappy.REMEMBER HOW MUCH FUN YOU USED TOHAVE:Get out of the house and surround yourself with friendsand contemporaries when you’re feeling low.START OFF SLOW:Ease yourself back into dating by attending groupevents at community centers you’re familiar with.BE OPEN MINDED:The rules may have changed a bit since you weredating, so be open minded about modern datingetiquette.STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF:You’ve kept your morals and your opinions this long, sodon’t sacrifice everything you know for a newrelationship.DON’T ABANDON YOUR PAST:If you’re afraid that a new boyfriend or girlfriend willmake you forget your family or past relationships, havea discussion with that person to let them know thatyou’ll always remain close to your past and that a newrelationship doesn’t entail leaving them behind.DON’T OVERDO IT:Staying out all night or all weekend may have beeneasy back in the day, but keep yourself in check whenyou’re first starting to date again.DON’T TAKE IT SO SE RIO USLY:Getting back in the game can be nerve wracking at first,but just remember to have fun, explore your options andstay true to yourself.Absolut Care of Westfield is afive star, one hundred andtwenty (120) bed skillednursing facility located inthe quaint village ofWestfield. Absolut Care ofWestfield specializes inrehabilitation to home, longterm care as well as respite(vacation) care. To comparenursing home ratings in yourarea visitwww.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare.”Specializing in Short-term Rehab toHome & Long-term CareContact Bonnie Lafferty at326-4646 orb.lafferty@absolutcare.comwww.absolutcare.comMonthly Activities: Spiritual Hour w/David Herr, Dietary Council, ResidentCouncil, Bible study w/Rev. Carlson, Parkinson’s Support Group, Fish Fry,Make Your Own Pizza For Dinner, Lunch Bunch, Bowling Bonanza

silverFEBRUARY 2013 19FALL-PREVENTIONSTRATEGIESBOOMERS CANFALL IN LOVE WITHyou'reonly as oldas you feel, which isgreat news for today'sbaby boomers, as 61percent report they feelyounger than their trueage. But despite feelinggreat, the reality is that adults may need to make minorchanges to their homes and lifestyles to ensure they cancontinue to enjoy safe, healthy and independent lives.If you are part of this demographic, you're likely thinking,"Not me. Not yet." But did you know that one in threeolder Americans falls every year, according to the Centerfor Disease Control and Prevention? Falls are the leadingcause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for people aged 65and older.-Don't worry - protecting yourself from falls does not meanusing a walker or wearing an alert siren. Try these simpletips to protect yourself from becoming a fall statistic, whileimproving your home and lifestyle.GET MOVINGIt's no wonder that 50-years-plus is the fastestgrowing segment of thefitness population. Inaddition to maintaininga healthy weight, regularexercise improves your leg strength and balance - bothof which are important in reducing falls.Experts at the National Institute of Health recommendthat seniors enjoy a combination of four types of exercises:endurance, such as walking, cycling or swimming; flexibility,which includes stretching before and after enduranceworkouts; balance, such as walking on a line or steppingover small objects, and strength, which is using resistanceor weights to target core muscles.PREPARE YOUR HOMEAccording to the Home Safety Council, more falls occur inthe bathroom than any other room in the home. But don'tcontinued on page 20

20 SILVERsilverFALL PREVENTIONcontinuedfear, adding safety to your bathroom can add exquisitestyling as well.Grab bars are the most common bath safety productinstalled, and brands such as Moen Home Care offer stylishDesigner Grab Bars with Accessories, which combine thesafety benefits of a grab bar with common bath essentials.Options include a towel bar, a paper holder, a straight shelfand a corner shelf, making each item functional and fashionable.Plus, each is available in popular finishes such asChrome, Brushed Nickel and Old World Bronze, to coordinatewith the rest of your bath.Next, add style and peace of mind in the shower by addinga Fold-Down Shower Seat. Unlike traditional bath seatsthat can be intrusive, this wall-mount design from MoenHome Care folds down for a comfortable and secure showerseat to avoid slips and falls - yet folds up for a thin, compactprofile when not in use. Plus, the teak wood and stylishmetal trim will accentuate the look of even the mostupscale shower. For more information about Moen HomeCare products, visit www.moen.com/homecare.For the final step to your safety-upgraded bathroom,increase the amount of lighting. Researchers have foundthat by the time a person is 60 years old, he or she needs upto 15 times more light than when that person was 10 yearsold. Add higher-wattage bulbs or even additional lamps tothe room for improved illumination.ASSESS YOUR MEDICATIONSSince boomers buy 77 percent of all prescription drugs sold,chances are that you take more than one medication daily.However, these remedies may have been prescribed by differentdoctors - and could unknowingly cause side effectssuch as dizziness or drowsiness, which can increase the riskof falls. Speak with your physician to ensure that your medicationswill not interact with other drugs. Programmed pillboxes are also a great idea to keep your prescriptions organizedand help you remember what to take and when.EAT RIGHTYou are what you eat...which is why a healthy diet is veryimportant to older adults. In fact, healthy eating can reducethe risk for many conditions, including anemia, confusion,hip fractures, hypotension and wounds. Experts note thatolder adults generally require fewer calories in their dietthan other age groups - but need more nutrition.Especially important to reduce falls is to increase foods thatare high in calcium and vitamin D, such as milk and dairy,which help keep bones strong. Maintaining a healthyweight through proper eating is also essential, as addedweight can cause instability, leading to falls.With these few simple updates to your home and lifestyle,you'll soon feel better about yourself and your home - andcan enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you're doing thebest to reduce the risk of becoming a fall statistic. ■Courtesy of ARAcontentASSISTANCE RIGHT AWAY?LIVING ALONE?WITH THE DOYLEHELP BUTTON, YOUCAN HAVE PEACE OFMIND KNOWINGHELP WILL BE WITHYOU IN MINUTES!ONLY $ 25/MONTHCHAUTAUQUA MEDICAL MONITORING610 West Third St., Jamestown, NY(716) 661-8941

silverFEBRUARY 2013 21THAT OLDGANG OF MINEhappy Valentine’s Day. Are you having fun? Areyou doing things that you love to do? Do you know whatyou love to do? I remember all of the things that I used tolove to do. I loved to roller skate and jump rope and ridemy bicycle. I am not sure which of those things I couldstill do. It’s safeto say I alwaysloved to readand I still do.But, I havefound somethingI alwaysthought Iwould love todo and finally Iam doing it. Iam bowlingwith my peers.I come from along line ofbowlers; parents, siblings, aunts and uncles who bowledinto their later years. I just started late. I now bowl withthe senior citizens. I had bowled only a handful of times inmy entire life in my younger years. I remember a highschool sorority bowling party. I would like to forget abowling double date when my date went home, leavingme with the other couple. I struck out. Since then I havebeen bowling just a few times with my husband, kids andBy PAT WEBDALEAUTHOR, FREDONIA, NYgrandkids. I never joined a league and I was not a verygood bowler. Now I bowl every week with Red andHarry, Bob and Tony. And Carol, Marie, Delores, Ireneand Henrie. Don’t forget Nancy, Doris and Sallie.These are my new friends.I wouldn’t call them ‘old’but they have AARPcards. Grace who hadbowled for many yearsresigned this year at theage of 96. There is anotherbowler over ninety. Therest of us range betweenCarol, the youngest, upthrough the eighties. Ifirst heard about thisbowling activity throughthe Chautauqua Countysenior Grapebelt calendar.The county no longer subsidizesthe senior bowling as budgets have been tightened.However the owner of the facility offers a senior discountto us. Many of my co-bowlers have been at it for a longtime and they bowl very well. To a fault everyone enjoysthe sport. As Doris says, “I just love it”.We meet once or twice a week at Lucky Lanes in Fredoniacontinued on page 22

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