Boomers - Fall 2016 - Gatehouse Media

FALL 2016

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FALL 2016 AN EDITION OF THE: NEWTON KANSAN, MCPHERSON SENTINEL, PRATT TRIBUNE, WELLINGTON DAILY NEWS, DODGE CITY GLOBE, BUTLER COUNTY TIMES-GAZETTE, KIOWA COUNTY SIGNAL, ST. JOHN NEWS Boomers is created by GateHouse Media, Inc., parent company of the above newspapers, and is distributed with various GateHouse papers across the country. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the management of the publication. ©2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Into video games? You aren’t alone By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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ave you gotten into the Pokemon GO mobile game that has everyone walking and talking? Are you into Spider Solitaire, Beatles Rock Band or Xbox bowling? Games aren’t just for kids these days. Forty-one million Americans, more than one in every three people over age 50, play video games on a regular basis, according to a new survey by AARP and the Entertainment Software Association. The survey found that three-quarters of gamers 50-plus play weekly, with four in 10 playing daily. Among gamers 60 and older, 43 percent play video games every day. “With the explosion of dynamic, compelling and diverse content and the growing popularity of online gaming, video games are now an experience shared across generations of Americans,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president of the Entertainment Software

Association, which represents the U.S. video game industry. “As Gen X turns 50 and millennials raise tech-centric families, participation will only continue to expand just as games continue to evolve.” According to the survey, the 50-plus set plays video games for fun and to maintain mental sharpness. “The scientific community is still working on proving the link between games and brain health. This is an area in which AARP is very interested and we will continue to monitor the research,” said Sami Hassanyeh, AARP’s senior vice president of digital strategy.

Video games can help bring people together, especially through social platforms. “We know video games provide entertainment, but equally valuable is their ability to help family and friends stay connected with one another, wherever they may be located,” said Jo Ann Jenkins, AARP’s chief executive officer. Other noteworthy findings from the study: • Gamers age 50-plus are more likely to be women (40 percent) than men (35 percent). • More women report playing games daily (45 percent) than their male counterparts (35 percent). • Women (57 percent) are significantly more likely than men (43 percent) to say they play more online today than they did five years ago. • Half of gamers age 50-plus report learning about new games and gaming hardware from sources other than websites, with one in six reporting their children and grandchildren influence their choice of games.

Boomers | Fall 2016 3

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HEALTH

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HEAR By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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any people complain they can’t hear conversation, the television or their grandchildren. A quick, easy and low-cost hearing test done over the telephone can be the first step toward solving their auditory issues. More than 37 million American adults report some trouble hearing, yet fewer than half have had their hearing tested or sought treatment, according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communications Disorders. Most people are in denial about hearing loss, and research suggests it is a combination of factors, said Alex Crowley, project manager at Communication Disorders Technology, a Bloomington, Indiana, company that developed the test with funding from the National Institutes of Health and now sells it on a nonprofit basis. “Unlike gradual loss of sight, which becomes evident when

one can’t read a page clearly, gradual hearing loss may be imperceptible for a longer time. People think others around them are mumbling or that noisy places like restaurants are getting louder, so they don’t seek help as quickly,” Crowley said. Additionally, inconvenient or limited access to cost-effective hearing tests also means a lot of people don’t recognize their hearing problems, he said. “Once they do recognize they have a hearing problem, help can be expensive — hearing aids — and often aren’t covered by insurance,” Crowley said.

About the test The National Hearing Test costs $5 and is free for AARP members through the fall. It’s different from the hearing tests offered to children in school. To sign up visit nationalhearingtest.org, and you’ll receive an access code. When you call, you’ll hear a series of numbers played over static. You press the keypad to

Low-cost hearing test can be done over the phone

“Our preliminary research suggests that people are more than twice as likely to seek help within a year of taking the National Hearing Test.” Alex Crowley

show what numbers you’ve heard. After 10 to 12 minutes, you’ll immediately get the results and find out if your hearing is normal or has a slight or substantial impairment. “The National Hearing Test is a screening test and is not meant to replace a fuller examination,” Crowley said. “It is designed to be a simple, convenient first step for someone concerned about their hearing health. We strongly encourage anyone who performs below the normal level to seek a fuller examination with an audiologist or doctor specializing in hearing. Also, even if people are within the normal levels, if they are concerned about their hearing, we encourage them to seek a fuller examination.”

Goal: Better quality of life “Research shows that early intervention in hearing loss leads to better quality of life and greater success with hearing aids,” said Dr. Charles S. Watson, chief

scientist for the National Hearing Test in the United States and professor emeritus of speech and hearing sciences at Indiana University, Bloomington. Used in the Netherlands and other countries for many years, the National Hearing Test became available in the United States in 2013. It has been scientifically validated and is an independent organization with no commercial ties to specific service providers or manufacturers of hearing aids. “Our preliminary research suggests that people are more than twice as likely to seek help within a year of taking the National Hearing Test,” Crowley said. “We have not had the benefit yet of following up after two or three years. Typically, people can wait as long as 10 years to do anything about hearing loss, which contributes to social isolation and degradation in quality of life. Our hope is that by taking the National Hearing Test, people will significantly improve their quality of life by taking action sooner.”


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YMCA taking fitness to seniors at The Cedars

Participants go through exercises in an Enhance Fitness class given by the YMCA at The Cedars. Photo by Patricia Middleton/McPherson Sentinel

By Patricia Middleton Staff Writer Cedars residents marched, twisted, high-fived, kicked, balanced and side-stepped around the room during the YMCA’s Enhance Fitness class on Monday morning. Kansas State Representative Les Mason was present to observe the class with YMCA staff, who said the program was designed especially to help seniors improve their balance, strength and flexibility. “I’ve been a big fan of the Y since it was on Main Street,” Mason said. McPherson is one of six YMCAs in the state that are taking an exercise program outside the walls of the YMCA building to meet participants where they are. The YMCA was given a grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to help bring the exercises to those who couldn’t easily travel to the YMCA. “They recognized the impact of this program and the importance of it,” said Jennifer Bruning, Executive Director for the Kansas State Alliance of YMCAs.

“We have the Enhance Fitness at the Y, but now we brought it here,” said Gwyn Muto, CEO of the McPherson Family YMCA. The YMCA would like to expand the Enhance Fitness and other programs that help prevent falls and other health issues, Bruning said, to help keep seniors active and able. “The Enhance Fitness program is primarily for seniors with arthritis,” Bruning said. “The program has been shown to actually save close to $1,000 for each participant in the program in hospital costs.” Participants in the Enhance Fitness class are tested initially to determine their level of strength, balance and mobility, and then are re-tested again after completing the 16-week class. “This program is unique to most exercise classes because it’s all evidence-based and we track everything from the start,” Glidden said. The series of exercises in the Enhance Fitness class take participants through 5 to 8 minutes of warm up, then moves on to cardio and strength training, then ends with cool down exercises.

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“We do the same 5 or 6 upper and 4 or 5 lower body exercises every time, because those are the ones they feel will help them function day to day and keep them active longer,” Glidden said. “Those things prevents falls.” When participants begin the Enhance Fitness class, they are tested to see how long it takes them to stand up from a chair and walk around another chair to come back to the first chair and sit again, how many bicep curls they can do in 30 seconds and how many times they can sit and stand with their arms crossed in 30 seconds. “When we put it into the database, it tells them how they rank for someone their age against the national average,” Glidden said, adding that the tests allow participants to track for themselves their improvements in those movements from week to week. “They can see the results and that allows them to stay active and keeps them coming to class.” Additional benefits include the socialization class members get from seeing each other regularly in the class, Glidden noted. “53 percent of participants have shown a decrease in depression,” Bruning said. Enhance Fitness is held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. both at The Cedars Wellness Center, 1021 Cedars Drive in McPherson, and at the McPherson Family YMCA, 220 North Walnut. “There are seated modifications for all exercises,” Glidden said. “It’s basically very structured and very safe. That’s why we’re seeing the results that we’re seeing.” For more information about the McPherson Family YMCA, visit http://ymca-mrc.org or call 620-241-0363. Contact Patricia Middleton by email at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @MiddleSentinel.


Mayor takes honor flight

Mayor Glen Davis stands in front of statues near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial while on an honor flight in Washington D.C. COURTESY PHOTO


By Jade Hudson Newton Kansan Newton Mayor Glen Davis recently traveled with Kansas Honor Flight to Washington D.C. The goal of the flight was for Davis and his fellow veterans to view the national memorials of their various wars and conflicts. Kansas Honor Flight raises funds for veterans, sending them on trips to Washington, D.C., at no cost to them. “They wanted to honor the vets... To me, some parts of the trip were overwhelming,” Davis said. When the vets arrived at the Baltimore airport, Davis said there was a small group to meet them. After their arrival was announced, Davis said people came out of all the shops and restaurants to cheer for them, patting them on the back and shaking their hands. “It was humbling, embarrassing, but at the same time, great. I just had all these mixed emotions,” Davis said, “and when I say embarrassing, I feel like... we went and served our time, we don’t really deserve this...” While Davis said Vietnam War vets were not treated well upon coming back from war, and he feels people are trying

to make up for that, there is no need for that anymore. When the veterans got to the memorials, Davis said the Korean War Memorial was his favorite, by far, because the names and faces on it “popped out.” Davis said the memorial featured the faces of actual soldiers from the Korean conflict. While at Arlington National Cemetery, Davis said he looked out across the 624 acres of over 400,000 graves and thought about the fallen brothers and sisters in arms buried out there. “These men and women didn’t die for the country [and] didn’t die for the president,” Davis said. “They died for the people and citizens of the United States, so they have the rights to express themselves, [even by] not standing for the national anthem and not pledging their allegiance to the flag.” That people fought and died for the rights of individuals, who in turn dishonor their sacrifice, bothers Davis. “I don’t know why, but a lot of emotions bubbled up in me,” Davis said. While on the honor flight, Davis said vets do not spend a lot of time talking about their armed forces experiences. He said there is no need for that. Instead, Davis said vets connect with

each other on more a human level and mostly talk to each other about their lives and families. Davis said he traveled with vets from a number of different conflicts. One of his fellow vets was a 92-year-old woman, who was a WWII veteran. Davis said he attended the flight as both a vet and a chaperone for Korean War veteran Bill Chard. Chard is 84, and because there is a lot of walking on the trip, Davis said he needed help getting from place to place. In the evening of their first full day on the honor flight, Davis said the group attended a banquet. At that time, the vets had mail call and were able to open letters from their families. Davis’ grandchildren had written him letters, telling him they were proud of them. At another point in the trip, Davis said the vets got to fold up a replica of the Great Garrison Flag of Fort McHenry. The replica flag was 30 by 42 feet and is the same one that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. Davis himself served as a field medic in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, between 1970 and 1973. Instead of being drafted, Davis said he enlisted in the war.

When an operation was happening and they needed a medic, Davis said field medics were selected to travel from place to place, to act as medical support. When one assignment was done, Davis said they flew elsewhere to help different units. They flew out of Ramstein Air Base, which is located in Rhineland-Palatinate, a state in south-western Germany. Davis said the Army gave him an IQ test, and based on that test, it was decided he would serve as a field medic. “I didn’t want to be a medic. Not at all,” Davis said. “I would have rather been an infantry man than a medic. It’s something the Army thought I was best suited at.” Davis said being a 22-year-old medic came with far too much responsibility. As they were only given eight weeks of medical training before working in the field, he feels they lacked the necessary training for what they were called upon to do. “I was always second guessing myself,” Davis said. Returning from the flight, Davis said his grandchildren were waiting for him with posters. Davis said that, as well as the overall experience of the flight, impacted him greatly.

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RETIREMENT

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SPENDING your golden years Don’t just dream it – write it down


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ot surprisingly, people who write down their retirement plan report feeling more prepared for the future. “Studies have shown that many people stop working at an earlier age than they anticipated. Some due to their own choice and some due to circumstances beyond their control. Those that have a plan will be in better shape when determining how to move forward. Sometimes it’s helpful to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” said Keith McGurrin, a certified financial planner at T. Rowe Price. Life is unpredictable, and no retirement plays out as expected years earlier. “By planning, we find people tend to continually work toward their goal. Without a plan, you may find that you’re going in several directions in

the short-term and not making any progress toward what you’d like to do long-term. Don’t be surprised if your plan changes over time to adjust to unplanned life events,” McGurrin said.

Questions to ask “People are used to planning for events such as a honeymoon or vacation – where they’ll go, what they’ll do and how much they’ll spend. By nature, we prioritize nearer-term things because they are more tangible and visible. Planning for retirement is a similar process, but even more important than planning for a short-term goal, because retirement will last much longer, potentially 20-30 years,” McGurrin said. Crafting a retirement plan can be done in two steps. “Explore questions such as: Would you like to stay where you live now, or relocate closer to family? How will you spend your time? Hobbies, working, caring for grandchildren?

Would you like to travel? Answering these types of questions will give you a great head start on what you’ll need to do,” McGurrin said. “The second step is to inventory how much income you may have in retirement and what all the needs and wants may cost. For example, retirees’ largest cost is typically housing. By determining where you may live and if you plan to downsize to less-expensive housing can help with managing on a fixed income,” he said. If you’re married, consider planning as a couple. “This planning process can help make sure you’re both on the same page and not making assumptions about each other. You could do a first pass separately, then see how you compare,” McGurrin said. “Lastly, add detail and visualize your plan by imagining how you would spend a day in retirement as you write down your goals,” McGurrin said.

‘Time on your side’ By creating and writing down a plan, a person is able to create a budget for now versus what they may spend in retirement. “Social Security will play a large part in most retirees’ finances, so one step is to explore what you’ll receive in Social Security income (see Social Security’s site ssa. gov). Some more good news is that people typically need only about 75 percent of the income they were earning before retirement to maintain their lifestyle in retirement,” McGurrin said. For those who haven’t started to plan for retirement, McGurrin said it can actually be a fun exercise of thinking of what you might like to do in the future, and then how you’ll get there, including the financial piece. “The quicker you start planning and saving for retirement the more you’ll have time on your side,” he said.

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Girton lends a listening ear

Arlene Girton greets friends at Pine Village in Moundridge. Girton was recently selected as LeadingAge Kansas’ Volunteer of the Year. Courtesy Photo/Pine Village

By Patricia Middleton Staff Writer MOUNDRIDGE — A woman sat alone in the communal dining room, an array of plates, forks and cupcakes on the table in front of her. When Arlene Girton walked by, she stopped to talk to the woman, who said she had invited her friends to her birthday party but that no one was able to come. “So I went out in the hallway and grabbed people and we had a party. That’s how it got started,” Girton said. What Girton started was her own personal mission to talk to residents of Pine Village in Moundridge who needed someone to visit with them. “I was walking the halls one day and saw all these people sitting there with nobody and I decided to stop and talk to them and they were so happy to see me,” Girton said. Wanting to be closer to their daughter, Girton and her husband moved to Moundridge in 2011. He passed away shortly after the move. “I just needed something to do,” Girton said. “There’s two of you here, then you come home from the hospital and then there’s only one of you.” Talking with other Pine Valley residents

that she now considers friends, Girton said she visits with more than 30 people each day. “I listen, really, more than I talk, because there’s so many of them that are in such bad shape,” Girton said. “Some days, their minds are clear back to when they were having babies, so we talk about that or whatever they want to talk about. I don’t try to correct them, I just listen and talk to them and I really enjoy it.” Girton’s actions caught the eye of Pine Village Administrator Shelby Shaw, who helped nominate Girton for the LeadingAge Kansas Volunteer of the Year. “She’s touching a lot of lives,” Shaw said. Girton’s daughter, Lori Begnoche, said she was concerned at first when her parents moved to Moundridge. “Her connecting with all these people is just amazing to me because she had no connection to Moundridge and it’s very connected,” Begnoche said. “But the community’s embraced them and she’s found her niche. This has been a really good fit.” Begnoche said the setup and staff of Pine Village has given her mother the support she needed. “It’s a great campus to be involved in,” Begnoche said. “Krehbiel Apartments is amazing because it allows her some free-

dom and there’s some structure. I don’t worry about her as much. I know that she’s got some structure and people that will help her when I’m not available, but it still gives her some independence.” Begnoche said she feels her mother’s volunteering is “a win-win for everyone involved — the residents, my mom, the residents’ families — everyone wins in this whole thing. It’s just a big plus.” Whether in a resident’s room or in a common area, Girton said she is happy to see and talk with people and will even pray with them. “They look for me,” Girton said. “When I walk in, there’ll be a hand here and a hand here — they want to make sure I see them. They have a lot of things to talk about and they don’t have much company.” Girton has been honored at least one other time in her life, being recognized for exceptional customer service when she worked at Robinsons-May department store in Arizona. Girton said she had helped a woman who was unable to walk by going through the store for her to pick out the clothes she needed. “When people need help, they need help,” Girton said, adding she was wellliked because of her reputation there for being dependable and friendly. Being friendly is a joy for Girton, who

said knowing the people she visits with look forward to talking with her is what keeps her going each day. “I really do enjoy them because they’re so glad to see me,” Girton said. “I get the joy of seeing them happy. It’s a good feeling, a very good feeling. I enjoy what I do.” Girton said she will listen to whatever topic the other person wants to discuss, from days gone by to the weather. “I usually go shortly after breakfast for a while and then after lunch for a while,” Girton said. “They talk mostly about their grandkids.” The Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to Girton as part of the LeadingAge Kansas Policy and Leadership Conference on Sept. 27 in Junction City. According to a press release, the award is presented to “a LeadingAge Kansas member’s volunteer whose achievements have made a difference to the lives of the people working and living in member organizations.” LeadingAge Kansas is an association of nearly 160 not-for-profit aging services providers dedicated to serving the needs of aging Kansans. Contact Patricia Middleton by email at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @MiddleSentinel.


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RETIREMENT

HOME sweet HOME By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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imes and people’s tastes change. The best retirement communities are adapting to appeal to the nation’s 80 million baby boomers. “Retirement is really changing. A couple of decades ago, you would have spent your career with one company, raised your family, retired when you were 65 and started collecting Social Security. You would have had a decade or so to enjoy yourself, reward yourself for all of your diligence and dedication to your family and your company. And then your life expectancy came into play in your early 70s,” said Valerie Dolenga, spokeswoman for PulteGroup, a home-building company that includes Del Webb communities, which cater to adults 55 and older. “Today, people have moved around a lot, they’ve lived in different places, they’ve worked for several companies. They’re getting to that stage in life where they’re past career, family and

“Whether it’s pickleball, Zumba, yoga, walking or swimming, the majority of baby boomers report high levels of exercise. … Depending on the location and the interests of our residents, we see everything from weightlifting to softball leagues to line dancing and many more.” Valerie Dolenga

child-rearing and they’re all of a sudden open to this whole new world and they’re faced with a long opportunity, perhaps 40 years,” Dolenga said. While some consumers want to retire in place near family and grandchildren, others seek warmer climates such as Arizona or Florida, Dolenga said. Either way, people are looking for a “highly amenitized community” often near an urban environment, Dolenga said. “These consumers want their community to be located near shopping/retail, restaurants and cultural amenities in the area, or near their family, church and friends,” she said. Access to sports and leisure activities is key. “Whether it’s pickleball, Zumba, yoga, walking or swimming, the majority of baby boomers report high levels of exercise. … Depending on the location and the interests of our residents, we see everything from weight-lifting to softball leagues to line dancing and many more,” Dolenga said. As for home design features,

“for active adults and boomers, it’s all about giving them a home that balances desire for innovative and desirable home features with affordability. They want a healthy home that has retreat spaces, a home that fosters entertainment and a home that is simple,” Dolenga said. Some home feature trends include: • Laundry location near the master suite so homeowners don’t need to carry loads of clothes throughout the house. • Kitchen designs with curved multi-level countertops for entertaining or accommodating a wheelchair, as well as raised dishwashers and lowered microwaves. • Loft spaces that act as a second living area. While one-story homes are a must for boomers, loft spaces add a guest space or a grandkids’ hideout or movie den. • Abundant storage, from easy-to-access attic spaces or to organized kitchen cabinets or very large closets. Many boomers have a lifetime of treasures, and they don’t necessarily want to give them up.



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eading back to college can mean more than a new career path, it can also help adults reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia by boosting their brain’s cognitive capacity, according to a study published by the American Psychological Association. The study, called the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project, observed participants between 50 and 79 years old who completed at least a year of a full-time or part-time college course. Cognitive tests were taken both before and after finishing the course, and participants were reassessed for three years after. More than 90 percent of the participants displayed a significant increase in cognitive capacity, compared with 56 percent in a control group who didn’t take any college courses. None of the participants in the study had dementia. “Our research found that university study increased cognitive

reserve, a term used to describe the efficiency of the brain, in adults over 50 years of age. The more cognitive reserve an individual has, the more resilient their brain is to damage such as that caused by the normal process of aging or pathological processes such as Alzheimer’s dementia,” said lead researcher Dr. Megan Lenehan. “The study findings are exciting because they demonstrate that it’s never too late to take action to maximize the cognitive capacity of your brain.”

Other benefits The study didn’t specifically measure how older students compare to younger ones, but found solid benefits of returning to school for the older learners.

“Anecdotally, the individuals involved in the study reported a number of positive experiences. A number of adults who intended only to do a minimum number of units went on to graduate with a full bachelor’s degree and one participant even completed a doctorate. Another common remark from participants was how much they enjoyed the in-class interactions with younger students and that they felt their life experiences were appreciated by younger students,” Lenehan said. Prior research has shown that college study earlier in life may increase cognitive capacity, and it appears the same may be true for older adults, Lenehan said. “It is possible that any mentally stimulating activity later in

“Our research found that university study increased cognitive reserve, a term used to describe the efficiency of the brain, in adults over 50 years of age.” Dr. Megan Lenehan, lead researcher

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life may also enhance cognitive capacity, such as other adult-education classes or programs to increase social interaction,” she said. The main challenge to a number of participants in the study was the use of technology, such as online delivery of content and submission of assignments online, Lenehan said. “Utilizing the resources and support offered by the university as well as asking fellow students to gain assistance in this area seemed to be useful,” she said.

What’s next The participants who took college classes volunteered for the study so they probably had a greater interest in continuing education than the general senior population, Lenehan said. The study was too short to reveal any long-term effects, so the researchers plan to follow the participants as they age to provide additional evidence of whether college studies may reduce the risk or delay the onset of dementia.


Bike ride strengthens family’s bond by Patricia Middleton Newton Kansan One family, which participated in the MCC Flatlander Bicycle Ride on Sept. 17, brought together four generations of riders. Galen Rudiger, his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren all rode eight miles in the family ride portion of the event. “That’s what this is all about,” Rudiger said. “I have a wonderful heritage. The littlest one, she rode a bike with training wheels.” Rudiger, who is 90 years old, rides a three-wheel recumbent bike. “I’ve been riding three-wheels for a number of years,” Rudiger said. “I love it. It’s like you sit in a recliner and just relax...it’s not hard to pedal uphill or down or into the wind. It is fun. I really enjoy it, plus it gives you some exercise.” Exercise is a regular part of Rudiger’s day. He bikes to the wellness center at Newton Rec five days a week. “This word, ‘choice,’ has gotten to mean so much to me,” Rudiger shared. “I choose to get up...and I choose to go to the wellness center and get exercise. Those are my choices and I don’t want others to control that or situations to control that.” Another of Rudiger’s tenets of living revolves around what thoughts he allows himself to dwell on. “Think positive thoughts,” Rudiger said. “By so doing, you allow your body to heal itself and to operate properly, but when negative things come and you hold that in, those nerves can’t work and your body can’t respond like it should.” Rudiger said he started riding a bike because his son was an avid bike rider. He enjoyed the activity so much, he joined in with other riders to purchase the traffic signs cautioning drivers to stay at least three feet from cyclists on the roads. The signs were installed by Harvey County. “People have been very good about moving over,” Rudiger noted. Cyclists have a responsibility to look out for themselves as well, Rudiger said, making sure they ride with proper gear — a helmet and a rear-view mirror. “That’s terribly important,” Rudiger

said. “I wouldn’t go a mile without it.” The Flatlander ride was short in comparison to some of Rudiger’s other bicycle treks. “I’ve biked across Kansas five times,” Rudiger recalled. “One time, we had wind gusts up to 45 mph for two days.” Rudiger said he has ridden five different routes across Kansas, some from the western border to the eastern border, a distance of 450 miles; some crossing the state diagonally, a distance of 550 miles. “The one along the Nebraska border, that was pretty hairy,” Rudiger said, noting it was the route with the most hills. “But the worst thing is the wind, that’s the hardest part.” Rudiger biked 940 miles in preparation for that first cross-Kansas ride, which he first completed at the age of 67. “The big thing is the training for it. You’ve got to get the calluses at the right places,” Rudiger said. On the days when they had to ride into headwinds, Rudiger said he quickly

learned the importance of drafting off other riders. Rudiger has spent 14 years helping support the Bike Across Kansas tour riders from his camper van. “I meet all my old friends and make some new ones and I have a wonderful time,” Rudiger shared. “That’s the important thing; meeting old friends and making new ones.”

Getting along with people from all walks of life is a priority for Rudiger. “The concept of valuing another person is so important that I believe it is at the heart of every successful relationship,” Rudiger said. There will be an open house to celebrate Rudiger’s 90th birthday from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Faith Mennonite Church, 2100 N. Anderson in Newton.

Boomers | Fall 2016 19 WE CARE FOR THE BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

WE CARE FOR THE BODY, MIND, WE CARE Chisholm Place provides a vibrant, friendly environment for adult AND SPIRIT

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the challenging road of memory loss.forBuilt from the grou Chisholmtraveling Place provides a vibrant, friendly environment adults Chisholm provide traveling theupchallenging road of memory Built from the of ground with the comfort, securityloss. and engagement thePlace residents a traveling the challenging up withheart, the comfort, security and engagement of the residents at our community is committed to fulfilling each resident’s des heart, our community is committed to fulfilling each resident’s up withdesire the comfort, se for understanding and significance. WE CARE FOR THE BODY, MIND, for understanding and significance. heart, our community is AND SPIRIT

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FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

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To avoid conflicts, have a conversation before family comes to visit


“It’s a good idea to talk about expectations and set up some boundaries prior to the visit because it makes it more likely that the visit will go smoothly, because everyone has a clear idea about what the visit is going to look like.” Julie de Azevedo


D

o you treat your houseguests like family? What happens when your houseguests really are family? Laying down the rules when your adult children come to visit can make the experience better for everyone. “Generally, family members who stay are different than other guests, but it depends on the kind of relationship you have with the family members,” said psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker Julie de Azevedo Hanks, author of “The Assertiveness Guide for Women: How to Communicate Your Needs, Set Healthy Boundaries and Transform Your Relationships.” “If the family member is an adult child and their partner and children, that would likely look and feel different than a distant family member from another country coming to stay for a few days at your home.” Setting boundaries There are plenty of potential causes of conflict including mismatched expectations, relationship history, personality differences and parenting issues, de Azevedo Hanks said. “It’s a good idea to talk about expectations and set up some boundaries prior to the visit because it makes it more likely that the visit will go smoothly, because everyone has a clear idea about what the visit is going to look like,” de Azevedo Hanks said. “Everyone has assumptions about how things are, will be or should be. Making those expectations explicit instead of assumed allows for

differences to be discussed and resolved ahead of time.” Here are some tips for setting boundaries: • Have advance conversations: “A great phrase to open up a dialogue is, ‘What are your expectations for staying with us next month?’ After listening, then ask more specific questions like, ‘What would your ideal stay look like?’ and ‘How can I help you make that happen?’” • Listen first, then share: “After listening to their expectations, then share your expectations in a clear and kind way. For example, ‘You’ll be staying with us for four days. We are happy to provide dinner for you and your family each night if you will all pitch in with the

clean up afterward – loading the dishes, putting away food, wiping counters. Is that something that you can commit to doing?’” • Clearly state house rules: “If you have a no smoking policy in your home and your family members smoke cigarettes, then your house rules should be crystal clear. If you have a rule or tradition that everyone makes their own breakfast, let that be known. Another example is, if you expect your guest family to let you know when they are coming and going, so you are aware, ask directly for that information and be overt about your expectation,” de Azevedo Hanks said.

Parenting issues Sleeping arrangements and who cooks and cleans can cause problems, but parenting issues are fraught with potential for conflict. It’s your house, but who sets the rules for grandchildren?

“Some people take offense to other people parenting or disciplining their children, while others don’t really give it a second thought,” de Azevedo Hanks said. “A great way to start a conversation is to start with a general question like, ‘What are your expectations about your children for the trip?’ Then move into more specifics,” such as bedtimes and who should intervene if a child is does something you would rather have them not do. “The most important thing is to be very explicit about expectations. Also, it’s best to always assume positive intent and give your family members the benefit of the doubt whenever possible,” de Azevedo Hanks said. “Avoiding potential areas of conflict is not being nice or kind. The nicest and kindest thing to do is to lay your expectations on the table and collaborate with family members to make their stay a positive experience for all involved.”

“Some people take offense to other people parenting or disciplining their children, while others don’t really give it a second thought.” Julie de Azevedo

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SNACK

ATTACK! Boomers love to nibble. Here are some healthy options

“Create healthier habits like not standing up eating in front of the fridge, pouring a small bowl of snacks rather than taking the whole bag, and making homemade versions of crunchy snacks if you want something for a movie night.” PIXABAY.COM

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Deb Lowther



I

f you just grabbed a snack, you’re not alone. Snacking is an integral part of the American diet, with 94 percent of people grabbing a snack at least once a day and more than half of adults snacking two to three times a day, according to a report from global market research company Mintel. While millennials are the shining stars of today’s marketplace, when it comes to snacking — which is all the rage in the food industry — it’s boomers who shine, according to a new report from market research firm the NPD Group. Boomers consume ready-toeat snack food 20 percent more often than millennials do.

Why we snack The reasons why each of these generational groups snacks are as different as their ages. Millennials reach for

what is often a grab-and-go snack because they’re hungry. Boomers snack because they don’t want to prepare a big meal and eat alone more often than other age groups. Both groups choose snacks based on taste and craving. Although boomers hold the top score over millennials in ready-to-eat snack food consumption, they don’t come close to kids when it comes to the amount of snack foods consumed. Ages 2-17 consume an average of 1,500 snack foods per year, an above-average amount compared to other age groups. Boomers are at about 1,200, or a total of 90.4 billion snack eatings, and there are about 1,000 for each millennial, or a total of 83.1 billion. Fruit, chocolate candy/ candy bars and potato chips rank as the top three snack picks for both boomers and millennials, according to the report.

INTEGRITY MEDICINE Robert R. Roeser,D.O .

Making better choices While we may be a nation of nibblers, there are ways to snack better, said Deb Lowther, co-founder of Boomer Nutrition (myboomer nutrition.com). “Protein is the key to healthy snacking,” Lowther said. “Protein should be the priority as it both fills you up and keeps you feeling full longer as it is slow to digest. Also, protein is important for preventing age-related muscle loss.” Some protein-filled snacks include almonds, hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and berries, hummus and raw vegetables. To avoid mindless eating, “create healthier habits like not standing up eating in front of the fridge, pouring a small bowl of snacks rather than taking the whole bag, and making homemade versions of crunchy snacks if you want something for a movie night,” Lowther said. Make sure you have the

fridge and pantry filled with healthier snacks that are high in protein and fiber. Choose “snacks like air-popped popcorn, berries, almonds and roasted chickpeas,” said Lowther. Avoid snacks that don’t offer any benefits. “Snacks to avoid at any age include high-sugar, high-fat, processed foods such as chips, cookies, sweets and crackers. As we age getting enough protein, fiber and nutrients is key to health, preserving lean muscle and providing energy to stay active. High-fat and processed foods will not only replace healthier choices but leave you feeling flat and unmotivated,” Lowther said. “Beverages can make a good snack if they are not just sugar and empty calories. A smoothie made with fruit, a high-quality protein powder and milk or water will provide essential amino acids and fiber to preserve lean muscle and fill you up,” she said.

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