senior living - Senior Resource Center | Douglas County

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Mar 3, 2018 - the top one by far would be, “When are you moving back downtown?” Almost every person entering ..... M
Better SENIOR LIVING March 2018

Inside This Issue

Moments with Marvel........ Page 3 When Are You Moving Back Downtown? LEGAL MATTERS................ Page 4 Business Opportunity and Work-atHome Scams Retirement FUND$............ Page 5 Spring Forward In Retirement Leisure & Learning Activities ..................................Pages 6 - 14 NEW Column! New Days Ahead............. Page 17 Living Longer Caregiver Corner............. Page 18 Feelings of Anger as a Caregiver LEGALESE........................ Page 19 Overmedicating Dementia Patients: The Chilling Statistics Senior Romance, Sex, and Relationships.................... Page 20 When the Uterus Drops

SENIOR SUMMIT III Thursday, March 22

Senior Housing in Douglas County. See page 3 for details.

www.YourSRC.org

Phil & Phoebe Godwin Recognized for Lifetime Community Service with Inaugural Godwin Community Service Award By Michelle Meier, Editor

Last month, the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County proudly presented the first Godwin Community Service Award to Dr. Phil and Phoebe Godwin at a gathering celebrating Phil’s 90th birthday. The award was established by the SRC as a way to begin recognizing senior citizens in the community who have contributed substantially to the health, welfare, and quality of life of citizens of Douglas County. Phil and Phoebe Godwin represent the spirit and purpose this annual award through their lifetime of active engagement, volunteerism, and selfless acts of service to the community. This local power couple is well known for their service that has spanned their lives in Lawrence, which was the driving force in creating this distinguished award in their name. Phil credits his father for his interest in pursuing a career in medicine. He says his father wanted both of his sons to have strong professional careers, so his brother became a lawyer and he chose medicine. As it turns out, his brother was involved in the fate that led him to Phoebe. In 1950, Phoebe was attending nursing school at Wesley Hospital in Wichita and her friend was dating Phil’s older brother. This friend knew Phil from high school and after getting to know Phoebe in nursing school, she knew that Phil and Phoebe

should be together and set things in motion for them to meet. She was right, as Phil and Phoebe married in 1951 while Phil was in his first year of medical school at KU. After they were married, Phoebe helped put Phil through medical school by working at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and later at Menorah Hospital and then in a doctor’s office in Kansas City. After an internship at St. Luke’s in Kansas City, they returned to Lawrence permanently, where Phil joined Drs. H. Penfield Jones, Gene Manahan, and Alex Mitchell in practice. Phil later joined in establishing the Lawrence Family Practice Center with Drs. Bruner, Thomsen, and Barnes. As his career developed, Phil had both a family practice and went on to add anesthesia to his skill set and later pioneered the anesthesia department at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Phil was also heavily involved in the development of the intensive care unit, the post-surgery recovery unit, and the respiratory care department at LMH, which were cutting edge advancements at that time. Their involvement in Lawrence service and social organizations has been recognized and appreciated by many over the years. “I’m a joiner”, said Phil in a recent interview. He again credits (Godwin, continued on page 16)

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

SHOP

EAT

PLAY

SRC DAY TRIPS TO

pping y Sho taurants y Res ies y Mov ino y Cas

Third Thursday of the Month Starting April 19 y 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Rotating stops throughout the complex all day $60 Per Person y To register call 785-727-7876

The end of life deserves as much beauty, care and respect as the beginning

Trust in Visiting Nurses Hospice to provide your loved one with compassionate end-of-life care All Your Home Care Needs Under One Roof Home Health | Rehabilitation | Hospice | Help at Home (785) 843-3738 | www.KansasVNA.org Page 2

Better Senior Living

March 2018

Moments with Marvel

The Most Frequently Asked Question: When Are You Moving Back Downtown?

By Dr. Marvel Williamson, Executive Director, Senior Resource Center for Douglas County If I were to compile a list of questions asked most often at the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County (SRC), the top one by far would be, “When are you moving back downtown?” Almost every person entering our doors asks that question at some point, to which we respond with a smile pasted on our faces and say, “It will be at least another year.” We have given that same answer ever since we moved out of the Senior Center at 745 Vermont for its remodeling in January 2017, because that is what we continue to be told by the project managers. They too are frustrated by the unexpected delays and barriers that have arisen during this endeavor: 1. Special arrangements and permits for temporarily relocating Fire Station No. 1, which occupies the west half of the building owned by the City of Lawrence, met some unexpected challenges, while still allowing it to provide its important services to that geographic region of Lawrence. 2. Remediation of hazardous materials in the building led to the discovery of some additional areas of concern that have now been addressed. Long-term residents of Lawrence may remember that the building was originally built as the central city police station, complete with a jail, firing range in the basement, courtroom, and judge’s chambers.

smaller than our permanent building. It is also somewhat difficult to find. However, we are grateful to Kevin Kelley, Director of Peaslee Tech, for allowing SRC to rent the space, and to the City of Lawrence for paying that rent. In the meantime, we continue to have to find locations around the county for some of our services, classes, and other events. Thank you for your patience with these interim arrangements. The sacrifices you and the SRC staff are making during our displacement will eventually be worth the wait. The remodeled building will look new inside and will have a floor plan that will help us do a better job of achieving our mission and accommodating seniors and others we serve. In the meantime, don’t give up on SRC. Come see us at Peaslee Tech, call us at our same phone number (785-8420543), or write to us at [email protected]. Let us know how we can continue to help you and all seniors of Douglas County.

3. Over the winter of 2017-2018 one of the general contractor bidders for the remodeling project, who was not selected, brought suit. This again delayed matters, until the judge reviewing the case deemed the challenge to have insufficient merit. 4. In 2016, the nearly 70-year-old building was placed on the historic registry, rendering it subject to additional regulations and approvals with special requirements to preserve certain aspects of its age. As I write this column in mid-February, the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office is requesting more architectural and material revisions, even though the local Historic Resources Commission, as the certified review board, has the authority to sign off on the project and has done so. However, the project cannot qualify for tax credits, important to the funding of the remodeling project, without the state office’s authorization. 5. Once the general contractor receives the notice to proceed, the remodeling can take another full year, as stated by the accepted bid documents, assuming no additional barriers arise. Our temporary location at 2920 Haskell Avenue in Lawrence within the Peaslee Technical Training Center building is much

March 2018

Better Senior Living

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LEGAL MATTERS - A Letter From District Attorney Charles Branson

Business Opportunity and Work-at-Home Scams A Lucky Opportunity for You or a Scammers Dream? Red Flag Warnings Outlandish Promises: When you are promised that you can achieve financial freedom by doing XYZ. RED FLAG! A real business opportunity comes from a solid business plan and hard work.

I am certain you have seen the ads. They are found online, in printed publications, on flyers posted to community bulletin boards, and many other places. These ads offer a vision of dream work-at-home jobs and business opportunities. Not all, but many of these work-at-home jobs and online business opportunities are scams. These types of scammers are masters at creating a fairytale about the luxury of owning your own business or the perfect work-at-home job. Unicorns and talking snowmen belong in fairytales, NOT anywhere near your hard earned money. Fairytales have no place in business or job opportunities, but those are the stories a scammer will tell you. If you are considering a new income opportunity, do you know the warning signs?

Pressure to buy immediately: Scammers will use this a recurring tactic in many schemes. They want to create the false illusion that if you do not act now, you will miss out. Have you heard of of “FOMO?” Fear Of Missing Out is not your friend in this situation. When dealing with scammers “FOMO” should stand for Fibs, Omissions, Misrepresentations, and Overestimations! If you are being pressured, it is time to walk away. An immediate request for your credit card or bank information: A reputable prospect would not ask for payment before giving you an opportunity to do your research. You may wonder to yourself, “Is this okay if they offer me a refund policy or a money-back guarantee?” No, scammers do not keep their promises. You do not need that headache. You are promised that you will earn a lot of money: Scammers are long on

Better Senior Living Michelle Meier Dr. Marvel Williamson Minuteman Press, 1404 E 24th St B, Lawrence, KS 66044

For advertising, calendar listings, or other content submissions, contact Michelle Meier at [email protected]. Senior Resource Center for Douglas County is funded by the Douglas County Mill Levy • Older Americans Act through the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging • Kansas Department on Aging • Kansas Department of Transportation • special grants • project income • fundraising activities • and your donations. Senior Resource Center for Douglas County does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or size. If you think that you have been discriminated against, you have the right to file a complaint with Senior Resource Center for Douglas County. 785-842-0543 • TDD: 1-800-766-3777 • Toll free: 1-877-295-3277 • www.YourSRC.org

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You are told THEY will take care of everything: A scammer will tell you that you do not need details because they will take care of the details for you. I cannot remember that ever happening and it sure will not happen when a stranger has your money. Specific information for work-at-home opportunities: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made it easier to get information on work-at-home opportunities. Under the FTC’s Business Opportunity Rule, sellers must give you a one-page disclosure document that offers key pieces of information about the opportunity. Use the information in the disclosure to fact-check what the seller tells you. If you would like more details, review this FTC Guide for Workat-Home Businesses at https://www. consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0051work-at-home-businesses.pdf. You (Scam Alert, continued on pg. 16)

SRC Board of Directors

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

promises and short on details. Did they give you the information on exactly what you would be doing to EARN the money? What you would be selling? How would people find your business? What about expenses?

Better Senior Living

Janet Prestoy, Chair Ernesto Hodison, Vice Chair Doni Mooberry, Treasurer Steve Tesdahl, Secretary

Hank Booth, Carol Bowen, Kay Brada, Mary Kay Digby, Eileen McGivern, Sarah Randolph, Dr. Maren Turner, Dr. Judy Wright

Paid advertising from outside entities in Better Senior Living does not reflect the policies or views of or indicate endorsement by the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County. March 2018

RETIREMENT FUND$

Spring Forward – In Retirement By Barbara Braa, CTFA, MBA

Unlike daylight savings time, which comes every spring (on March 11th this year), most folks only spring into retirement once in their lives. Some of you have already sprung; some of you are poised to do so. Retiring is a huge decision. Generally, you are giving up your salary and abandoning your daily routine. Whether you’ve already started retirement or are considering making the leap, the questions and suggestions below might help you review your retirement readiness. Assess Your Timing & Resources Retirement is about so many things. You want to travel, play with your grandchildren, enjoy a hobby, learn a new skill, volunteer, or just stop working and relax. Prior to retirement, you need to ask if both you and your finances are ready for retirement. Even if you have saved a tidy little bundle and have secured a nice retirement income stream, have you considered all the moving parts of retirement? Have you assessed how long your nest egg will likely last with market fluctuations and inflation? Have you considered how many years your nest egg needs to last? It is not unusual to live 20 to 30 years or more after retirement! Will your resources meet your future needs? Is the time right, or are you jumping too soon into retirement? Budgeting for Planned & Unexpected Events To understand your financial future, you must consider your income and expenses. Retirement often results in decreased income and increased expenses. Let’s say, before retirement, you are making a household income of $60,000 a year and you have saved $600,000. You decide you can live on 80% of your pre-retirement salary or $48,000. You expect a fixed retirement income stream of $2,000 a month or $24,000 a year. You are half way to having enough income, but where do you get the other $24,000 a year? You’ve read about a “safe” withdrawal rule of taking 4% a year from your retirement funds and that supplies the other $24,000 (4% of $600,000). You are good to go! No problem, right? Wait! What if the market value of your nest egg falls 10%? What if in the early years you splurge an extra $20,000 on the trip of a lifetime and another $30,000 for a new car? Your safe withdrawal just became $19,800. You now have $4,200 a year less to live on. What will you give up? Will you need to get a part-time job? Of course, markets also go up. All investors hope for steady upward momentum, but it is not a straight upward trajectory. You need to ask yourself if you have a sufficient cushion to bear the ups and downs of your and the world’s changing circumstances. What if the financial markets hold steady

March 2018

but your health fails, perhaps from the stress of worrying about all of this stuff? Have you planned for your care costs to skyrocket? They aren’t called the “golden” years just for the sunsets. Maybe “golden” alludes to the pot of gold you might need to cover your health care costs. Consider & Consult Have you considered how your life will change after you no longer have a structured work day and you have all day to do whatever you want? Will you be able to keep yourself engaged and satisfied? Have you considered how your expenses and day-to-day life might change? Have you considered all the other factors not yet mentioned here that are imperative to making the most of your retirement? Have you done your homework and have all the answers? If so, take the leap. If you feel some trepidation, research how to guide yourself through the pre-retirement analysis and visualize what your post retirement financial life might look like. Retirement advice is plentiful in print, online and even in coffee shop gossip. Do you really understand all this financial stuff? Have you considered getting a financial professional to help you tailor a plan to fit you? A trusted advisor can help take some of the fear out of all the “what ifs” and assist you in analyzing the moving parts of your personal situation so when you are finally poised and ready to leap off the retirement cliff, your parachute (even if it is not golden) will carry you gently to a soft, well-planned landing in your retirement future. By assessing your resources, budgeting for a reduced income and for planned and unplanned expenses, you can set realistic goals and develop a plan with a higher likelihood of success than if you leap into retirement with no plan. Thinking through all this before retiring is best. If you have already taken the leap, you may benefit from a retirement plan review to see if you are on track for your resources to outlive your needs. While we all know money does not buy happiness, it sure makes it easier to face life’s challenges in retirement! If you are properly prepared to weather the sometimes stormy “golden” years, you will be able to enjoy life’s little pleasures and peaceful sunsets better. (The information in this article is not presented as personal financial advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for obtaining advice specific to your situation. Please seek advice from a trusted financial, tax or legal advisor.) Barbara J. Braa, CTFA, MBA is a Vice President & Trust Officer with Central Bank of the Midwest. Contact Barbara at 785-865-1065 or [email protected]. Central Bank of the Midwest’s Trust Department is at 300 West 9th St. in Lawrence.

Better Senior Living

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Leisure and Learning Activities Senior Resource Center for Douglas County (SRC) offers information on programs available for seniors across the county. All leisure and learning opportunities are open to all Douglas County residents, unless otherwise noted. Offerings available specifically through the Senior Resource Center are noted with a all SRC offerings at www.YourSRC.org or by calling 785-842-0543.

EDUCATION

s before SRC listings. You can register for

ENTERTAINMENT

UPDATE YOUR COMPUTER SKILLS WITH ONE-DAY JCCC COURSES

O.U.R.S. Dances

Excel Fundamentals

s Pool (Billiards)

JCCC in Lawrence at Peaslee Tech, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence www.jccc.edu/ce or www.jccc.edu/Lawrence Enroll with one phone call! 913-469-2323 Friday, March 9, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Peaslee Technical Training Center, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence $199 Content introduces essential uses, tools, and features of Microsoft Excel. Enter, edit, and format data. Manage data in a single worksheet. Manage workbooks. Link worksheets and create basic functions. Design and edit charts. Organize large amounts of data. This is a component of the Microsoft Office Essentials Certificated and the Excel Specialist Certificate. Prerequisite: Comfortable using Windows, keyboard, and mouse. Textbook included in course fee. Textbooks distributed in first course meeting.

ART NEW CLASS! s Adventures in Painting

Wednesdays, April 4 – May 9, 9 - 11 a.m. Pioneer Ridge Art Studio, 1000 Wakarusa Dr, Lawrence $75 Explore the basics of painting while having a little FUN. Join veteran instructor Joan Martin for this six week session that will cover the basics of color, light, shadows, and more. This class to open to painters of all levels. The course will culminate in a nice show to show your work. For more information contact Michelle Meier at 785-727-7878 or [email protected]

s Tuesday Painters

Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - noon SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence Bring your own painting project and supplies. 785-8420543.

s Acrylic Painting

2nd & 4th Sat. each month, 9:30 a.m. - Noon. Clinton Place, 2125 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence Fee $20 per session. Drop in sessions for beginners and experienced painters. No registration required. 785-842-0543.

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Sundays, 6-9 p.m. Eagles Lodge, 1803 W 6th St, Lawrence $6 per person cover charge Dance to live country-themed music! Carry-in meal at 7:15. Open for play Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence

MUSIC

s New Horizons Band

Weekly Rehearsals, Fridays, 4 - 5 p.m. Rehearsals at Brandon Woods Smith Center, 4730 Brandon Woods Terr, Lawrence $5/yr. dues. Contact John Towner, 785-865-3519, or [email protected]. March 2 Performance, 4 p.m., Meadowlark Estates, 4430 Bauer Farm Dr, Lawrence March 9 Rehearsal March 16 Performance, 4:15 p.m., Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold Dr, Lawrence March 23 Performance, 4 p.m., Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living, 4851 Harvard, Lawrence March 30 Rehearsal

Intergenerational Choir

Rehearsals at Babcock Place 1700 Massachusetts St, Lawrence Tuesdays, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Sing with KU students. Led by music therapy students from KU. The Intergenerational Choir will rehearse and perform once or twice a semester. Contact Deanna HansonAbromeit at [email protected].

Junkyard Jazz

Every Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m. American Legion, 3408 W 6th St, Lawrence Join the Junkyard Jazz Band every Thursday for an ongoing jazz jam session full of fan favorites and a full dance floor!

SRC activities are noted with a s.

Better Senior Living

March 2018

Leisure and Learning Activities SUPPORT GROUPS

s SRC Caregivers Support Group

First and Third Mondays, March 5 & 19, 2:15 - 3:45 p.m. SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence Meet with fellow and former caregivers in a safe haven to discuss challenges and issues surrounding being a caregiver of a senior.

s Support Group for Spouses of Dementia Patients

Second Thursday, March 8, 11 a.m. -12 p.m. Senior Resource Center, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence Join other spouses in a support group dedicated to partners who are caring for someone with dementia. This group will provide a safe place to share your concerns, discuss caregiving issues and solutions, and learn about additional resources available in the community.

Grief Support Group

First and Third Mondays, March 5 & 19, 4 p.m. Lawrence Memorial Hospital 325 Maine St, Lawrence Facilitated by LMH Chaplain Angela Lowe. Meets in the LMH Chapel office, usually the first and third Mondays of each month. For more information, call 785-505-3140.

JAAA Caregiver Support Group

First Wednesday, March 7, 1 - 2 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 704 Eighth St, Baldwin City Support group for caregivers of individuals age 60 or older. Meet with other caregivers in your area that may be struggling with some of the same issues you face while caring for your loved one. Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging staff will be present to answer questions and provide assistance. For more information call 785-832-0754.

Better Breathers Club

Second Tuesday, March 14, 10 - 11 a.m. Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Pulmonary Rehab Dept 330 Arkansas St, Lawrence This free education and support group is for those with chronic lung conditions and their support persons. Meeting takes place in the LMH Pulmonary Rehab Department, 3rd floor. For more information, call 785-505-2850.

Look Good, Feel Better

Third Wednesday, March 21, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Lawrence Memorial Hospital 325 Maine St, Lawrence “Look Good, Feel Better” is a non-medical public service workshop that teaches beauty techniques to cancer patients to help manage any appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Services are provided at no charge by trained volunteer beauty professionals. Offered and supported by the American Cancer Society. Advance registration required. Call 785-505-2807 to enroll.

Stroke Support Group

Third Tuesday, March 20, 4 - 5:30 p.m. Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Conference Room D South 325 Maine St, Lawrence Join us in sharing experiences and ideas about life changes brought on by stroke. Monthly meetings include informal and formal presentations on treatments and services available for stroke survivors and their loved ones. For more information please contact Trena Triplett at 785505-2712 or [email protected].

SRC activities are noted with a s. VETERANS AFFAIRS

s VETERANS AFFAIRS

BY APPOINTMENT Second Wednesday, March 14, 9 a.m. - Noon SRC Consultation Room, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence Clint Olson from the KS Commission on Veterans Affairs Office will be available for senior veterans at the SRC offices twice a month. Contact Clint Olson for immediate assistance or to set up an appointment at 785-843-5233 or [email protected].

Cancer Support Group

Third Wednesday, March 21, 5:30 p.m. Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Oncology Center 330 Arkansas St # 105, Lawrence Join representatives from Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s Oncology Center for a general cancer support group. Open to anyone with any cancer diagnoses and/or others affected by their cancer. Meets third Wednesday of each month in the LMH Oncology Center. For more information, contact 785-505-2807 or e-mail [email protected].

March 2018

Better Senior Living

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Leisure and Learning Activities OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a part of KU Professional & Continuing Education. Osher is committed to creating accessible and innovative learning environments throughout Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area, with special focus on participants age 50 and over, although anyone can participate. For a full description of each class or to register, go to http://www.continuinged.ku.edu/osher/northeast.php. All courses are held at the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr, Lawrence, unless otherwise noted. Fees: $50 per course; income-based scholarships are available.

Burns, Bagpipes, & Barleycorn

Mondays, April 2 – 16, 7 - 9 p.m. Three strands of Scottish culture braid themselves together in a class that celebrates the essentials of Scotland. You will learn to appreciate the life and poetry of Scotland’s greatest poet, Robert Burns. Then the course will examine the kilt (inside and out), and enjoy a demonstration of bagpipe tunes from different pipes. Finally, you will “taste” Scotland itself with a lesson on single malt whisky regions, flavors, and lore.

What’s Up with Men? The Psychology of Older Adult Males

Mondays, April 2 - 16, 2 - 4 p.m. The field of gender studies has much to offer older adults. This class will focus on the advantages and challenges of adult males with special emphasis on older men. Study some possible origins and remedies for older male loneliness and depression. Then delve into the hush-hush topic of white male suicides-the risk factors and, most importantly, prevention strategies. Finally, examine male life stages and transitioning masculinity and explore genderbased misunderstandings. The class will consist of a onehour lecture followed by small- and large-group discussions.

Three by Tennessee Williams: Sex! Lies! Greed! Compassion?

Irish, German, and Italian Immigrants in 19th- and 20th-century America

Tuesdays, April 12 - 26, 2 - 4 p.m. What caused massive numbers of Irish, Germans, and Italians to come to our shores in the 19th and early 20th centuries? What was the reaction of the native-born to these strangers? To what extent did the newcomers try to stick together, blend in, advance, or return to their old country? What contributions did these immigrants and their offspring make to this country? To answer these and other questions, we will read excerpts from historians and the immigrants themselves, view portions of relevant documentaries, listen to music by or about these ethnic Americans, and share our own immigration family stories.

The Forward Arc: David Besson Discusses What Lies Ahead

Wednesdays, April 18 - May 2, 7 - 9 p.m. Racial violence. Terrorism. Legislative gridlock. Increasing income disparity. A resurgence of nativism. High profile sexual assaults. Alternative facts. We’d like to think of civilization as following an ever-upward trajectory, but is it? Events of the last few years, in corners as disparate as the NFL, Hollywood, and Washington, DC, suggest that a `sea change’ may be at hand. What’s going on here? In this course, we will discuss such issues and how we can interpret and act upon these signs of the times.

Tuesdays, April 3 - 17, 2 - 4 p.m. Some associate the plays of Tennessee Williams with lurid human behaviors. Williams himself once commented that his plays are full of “hysteria and violence.” But he was also the playwright of compassion. “The Glass Menagerie”, “A Streetcar Named Desire”, and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” do contain fierce and painful confrontations, but also offer deeply searching portrayals of complex characters and explore the themes of honesty, lost dreams, and loneliness. As one of Williams’ characters says, “We’re all of us sentenced to solitary confinement inside our own skins.”

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is an SRC Partner.

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Better Senior Living

March 2018

Leisure and Learning Activities LIED CENTER PRESENTS The Lied Center of Kansas serves the state’s flagship university, students, and the greater community by functioning as a catalyst for the arts, creativity, engagement, and community building through diverse, relevant, and world-class artists. Buy tickets online at https://ticketweb.lss.ku.edu or call 785864-2787. Senior citizens age 62 and over and active military (ID required) save 10% off the full-priced adult ticket cost for Lied Series Auditorium performances only. Parking at the Lied Center is free on weekdays after 5 pm and all day on the weekend.

Anthony Trionfo, flute

Sunday, March 11, 2 p.m. $30 Adult, $16 Student/Youth Praised for his “spellbinding” performances with “authoritative intellect” by the Santa Barbara Voice after his performance of the Jolivet Concerto with the Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra, flutist Anthony Trionfo made his recital debuts on the Young Concert Artists (YCA) Series at the Kennedy Center as well as in New York City’s Merkin Concert Hall.

The Staatskapelle Weimar Orchestra of Germany

Tuesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. $40 - 55 Adult, $21 - 29 Student/Youth Founded in 1491, The Staatskapelle Weimar is one of the oldest, most illustrious orchestras in the world. In 1756, Duchess Anna Amalia made the orchestra the primary musical institution of the city of Weimar. There are many famous names in classical music history that have been associated with the orchestra, including Johan Hummel, Franz Liszt, and Richard Strauss.

SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART SENIOR SESSIONS Spencer Museum of Art offers a series of informal gallery talks designed for senior citizens but are open to anyone. Thursdays, 10 – 11 a.m. Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi, Lawrence FREE

Race, Gender, and the “Decorative” In 20th Century African art: Re-Imagine Boundaries Thursday, March 8 The exhibition Race, Gender, and the “Decorative” in 20th-Century African Art seeks to rectify this omission by displaying African artworks contemporary with Thayer’s gift. Co-curator and KU Assistant Professor in African and African-American Studies Jessica Gerschultz presents this talk.

A Coat of Many Colors: Central Asian ikat Garments Thursday, March 22 Join Mary Dusenbury for a discussion about a 19th century ikat coat from Bukhara and several 21st century Central Asian ikat textiles, and the trajectory between them, as well as contemporary production of these boldly patterned and colorful textiles.

KU Powwow & Indigenous Culture Festival

Saturday, March 31, 12 p.m. FREE The KU Powwow and Indigenous Culture Festival is presented by the KU First Nations Student Association in partnership with the Lied Center of Kansas, Haskell Cultural Center and Museum, Spencer Museum of Art, KU Office of Diversity and Equity and KU Office of Multicultural Affairs.

The Lied Center is an SRC Partner.

March 2018

Better Senior Living

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Leisure and Learning Activities HEALTH & FITNESS

s Yoga for Every Body

Next session starts March 6 Tuesdays, 3 - 4 p.m. Carnegie Building, 200 W 9th St, Lawrence $28/8 week sessions Gentle yoga improves joint movement and increases core and leg strength. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. This class runs in ongoing 8 week sessions. To register online, go to https://yoursrc.org/product/yogaevery-body/. For more information call 785-842-0543.

s Welcome to Medicare

First Wednesday, March 7, 12 - 1 p.m. Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont, Lawrence FREE New to Medicare? Join our Health & Human Services team as they present information on what to expect from the Medicare system at this informative session. Call 785842-0543 for more information.

Rhythm & Moves

Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 12 – May 3, 10:30 - 11:20 a.m. Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Ln, Lawrence Class specifically designed for Parkinson’s patients. March, box, use drumming sticks, navigate obstacle courses and agility ladders, and pass and throw balls. To register, visit, www.lmh.org/parkinsons/.

Twist & Shout

Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 12 – May 3, 9:30 - 10:20 a.m. Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Ln, Lawrence Stretch, twist, and perform other movements to challenge yourself physically and vocally in this class designed for Parkinson’s patients. To register, visit, www.lmh.org/ parkinsons/.

Senior Supper and Seminar

Second Tuesday, March 18; supper: 5 p.m., seminar: 6 p.m. Lawrence Memorial Hospital Auditorium 325 Maine St, Lawrence Fee: $5.50 The March topic is “Nutrition Trivia” presented by Aysnley Anderson, RN, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Community Outreach & Engagement. Seniors are invited to come and dine at LMH for $5.50 and enjoy a healthy three course meal prepared by the Unidine chefs, plus conversation with others. After the meal, there will be a short educational program on a health or wellness topic of interest to older adults. Reservations are required and must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Call 785-505-5800 or e-mail [email protected].

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Pickleball – Open Play (LPRD)

Monday - Friday East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E 15th St, Lawrence Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Ln, Lawrence FREE Pickleball free play is offered at East Lawrence Recreation Center, as well as Sports Pavilion Lawrence throughout the year. For times and information regarding free play or dates of scheduled tournaments please contact the Adult Sports office at 785-832-7920 or email adultsports@lawrenceks. org.

AM Walking Club (LPRD)

Monday - Friday 7 - 9 a.m. East Lawrence Rec Center, 1245 E 15th St, Lawrence FREE Need exercise? Get your heart pumping and have a great time building friendships with fellow walkers. For more information, call 785-832-7950.

GENEALOGY WATKINS MUSEUM OF HISTORY GENEALOGY GROUP

Genealogy Classes are taught by Alisa and Richard Branham. Richard Branham is a KU professor who has been researching his family history for 40+ years. Alisa is a KU staff member who caught the genealogy “bug” from her husband about 20 years ago; previously she worked for the Kansas State Historical Society. They have traveled across the U.S. and Great Britain to visit their ancestral homes and research in numerous genealogy libraries, historical museums, and local archives. Registration fees are $10 for Douglas County Historical Society members, and $15 for non-members. Register online or contact the Watkins Museum of History at 785-841-4109. Class size is limited.

Using Maps in Genealogy Research

Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. This will be an expansion of the first session on Land Records and Maps, with a more intense focus on using maps as an analytical tool. Discussions will also include using timelines, Google, and migration in your research, since “time” and “place” are critical to locating records.

Researching Ancestors from Scotland and Ireland

Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Research in Ireland can be very challenging, so learn from the experience of both instructors who have strong ties to Scotland! Research in Ireland can be very challenging, so learn from those who have navigated the waters of genealogy back to Scotland.

Better Senior Living

March 2018

Parks and Recreation LAWRENCE LIFELONG RECREATION (50+) (LPRD) These programs, offered by the Lawrence Parks & Rec Department (LPRD) are designed for those 50 years or older to maintain an active lifestyle. Those over 60 years old receive a 10 percent discount on programs and activities, excluding the Eagle Bend Golf Course and Learning Center, travel programs, and some co-sponsored classes. Registration is required. You may register for the class at any Lawrence recreation center, or on-line at www.lprd.org. For more information, please contact Gayle Sigurdson, Lifelong Recreation programmer, at 785-8327909.

Running Club (LPRD)

Tuesdays, March 27 - May 15, 6 - 7 p.m. Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Ln, Lawrence $32 Running benefits both the mind and body and is available to anyone. This class is designed for people who are new or returning to running. A supportive group, led by a certified running coach will meet for a weekly run with tips on your form, technique and extending your distance with walking intervals. Class code: 227292-A.

Hitchcock Film Study (LPRD)

Tuesdays, April 3 - May 15m 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Ridge Theater Room, 4851 Harvard Rd, Lawrence $22 Alfred Hitchcock mastered multiple genres of innovative filmmaking and pioneered techniques across the span of six decades. The class will introduce the signature characteristics of Hitchcock style then identify examples in his films. Beginning with British silent films where these are first developed, then highlight as he evolved, experimented, and mastered in his peak years. Like detectives solving our own mystery, we as a class will look for the clues. In the end, we will see how all of these Hitchcock touches come together to paint a picture of the Master of Suspense. Class code: 227449-A.

Book Club Plus (LPRD)

Mondays, April 23 - May 14, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Carnegie Building, 200 W 9th St, Lawrence $22 Join us as we read With You Always by Jody Hedlund. The story looks at a little-known piece of the Orphan Train movement, which sent skilled women workers to burgeoning towns out west. Staff from the Watkins Museum, National Orphan Train Museum, and Lawrence Public Library will facilitate the weekly meetings. Author Jody Hedlund will join the group (via Skype) on the final night to guide discussion about the book and her research. Class size is limited and early registration is encouraged. Co-sponsored by Lawrence Public Library and Watkins Community Museum. Class code 127448-A.

Spring Flowering Trees (LPRD)

Saturday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Meet at Holcom Recreation Center, 2700 W 27th St, Lawrence $17 Join us for another beautiful tree trip. We’ll focus on flowering while we view and talk about many of our exotic and native “tree-flowers.” Class Code: 227462-A.

LAWRENCE LIFELONG TRAVEL (LPRD) Lawrence Parks & Rec (LPRD) offers Lifelong Travel excursions, including day and regional trips, tailored for those 50 and over. Registration is required. You may register for the trip at any Lawrence recreation center, or on-line at www.lprd.org. For more information, please contact Gayle Sigurdson, Lifelong Recreation programmer, at 785-832-7909.

Uniquely Kansas City (LPRD)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 $69 History, geography, and people all help make Kansas City unique. Our day will take a closer look at three stops, including the Steamboat Arabia Museum, City Market, and Bird’s Botanicals. Class Code: 227861-A. Registration Deadline: April 10.

How Old Is That Tree? (LPRD)

Saturday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Meet at Holcom Recreation Center, 2700 W 27th St, Lawrence $17 We’ll seek to answer that question and explore its complications, as we view some old trees in Lawrence. As always, there will be tree stories to tell! Class Code: 227461-A.

March 2018

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Parks and Recreation EUDORA PARKS & RECREATION (EP&R) Eudora Parks & Recreation Department (EP&R) strives to provide parks and recreational opportunities for the community of Eudora that will enhance and promote a healthy lifestyle for all ages. EP&R gives Eudora residents and others from surrounding communities the opportunity for family oriented activities.

Eudora Pickleball – Open Play (EP&R)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 - 11 a.m. Wednesdays, 6 - 8 p.m. Eudora Community Center, 1630 Elm, Eudora Join others in groups of two, three, or four for open play for some Pickleball fun. For more information contact Eudora Parks & Recreation at 785-542-3434.

Checkers, Chess, & Dominoes (EP&R)

Every Thursday, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Eudora Community Building, 1630 Elm St, Eudora In the mood for some board game play? Stop by for a quick game, or stay for several rounds! Stop

Bingo (EP&R)

First Monday of the Month, March 5, 1 p.m. Eudora Community Building, 1630 Elm St, Eudora Join fellow residents for a fun round of Bingo.

Brown Bag Lunch (EP&R)

First Wednesday, March 7, 12 - 1 p.m. Eudora Community Building, 1630 Elm St, Eudora Bring your lunch and enjoy time with fellow residents and hear a presentation by our monthly featured speaker.

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EUDORA DAY TRIPS (EP&R) Come explore with fellow adults from the Eudora area. All trips depart from the Eudora Community Building, 1630 Elm St, Eudora at 9:00 a.m. All trips are limited to 10 adults. Food and other purchased items are not included in pricing. To register, call 785-542-3434 or email Gary Scott, gscott@cityofeudoraks. gov. Register early as vans fill up fast!

Royal Crest Lanes & Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence (EP&R)

Wednesday, March 14, 10:30 a.m. $10 Join us for an afternoon of fun, including a stop at KU’s Allen Fieldhouse, as well as a trop for a few frames at Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence. Novice and expert bowlers alike will have the chance to play a few frames and enjoy this fun outing. Bowling and shoe rental included.

Federal Reserve Bank & Union Station, Kansas City (EP&R)

Thursday, March 29, 9:00 a.m. $15 Join us for this day trip to visit two fun stops in Kansas City. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up our nation’s central bank. Union Station, built in 1914 is an architectural delight with Grand Hall’s 95-foot ceiling, three 3,500-pound chandeliers and the six-foot wide clock hanging in her central arch. The station boasts ongoing exhibits and is still a working station for Amtrak travelers headed out across the country from the Midwest. Trip cacapity: 10.

Better Senior Living

March 2018

March 2018

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Leisure and Learning Activities MORE EVENTS CHAMPSS Orientation

First Monday, March 5, 2 - 3 p.m. Lawrence Public Library Auditorium, 707 Vermont, Lawrence Come and learn how to have access to healthy meals by attending the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging’s CHAMPSS orientation. For questions about CHAMPSS, contact Beth Kinnan with Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging at 785-235-1367.

s Monthly Potluck and Speaker Series for All Eudora Seniors

2nd Friday, March 9, 11:30 AM (eat at noon) St. Paul United Church of Christ, 738 Church St., Eudora FREE Join Eudora seniors for a gathering to include a potluck lunch and featured speaker. Bring a dish or two to share, or brown bag your own lunch. Tableware and beverages provided. Sponsored by the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County. For more information or to volunteer to help, call 785-842-0543.

Lawrence Area Partners in Aging Resource Fair

s New! Eudora Senior Advisory Council

Second Friday, April 13, 1 p.m. 738 Church St, Eudora Join the Eudora Senior Advisory Council and help shape the future of issues and services for senior in Eudora. For more information, email [email protected].

Wild Over Wellness Festival

Eudora Community Health Fair Saturday, March 24, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Eudora Public Safety Building, 930 Main St, Eudora For more information, contact Linda Troutfetter at 785542-4940-x 1617.

s AARP Smart Driver Safety Course

Friday March 30, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. At SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave Fee $15 for AARP Members. $20 for Non-Members This course will help you refresh your driving skills, save money, and brush up on proven driving techniques. Contact Larry Woydziak at [email protected] or call 785-7277875 to register.

Tuesday, March 13, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Ln, Lawrence FREE Visit booths and displays from local businesses and organizations that serve seniors in Douglas County. For more information call Michele Dillon at 785-235-1367.

s Eudora SHICK Counseling

2nd Tuesday, March 13, 1 - 3 p.m. 706 Main, Eudora Counseling sessions with a certified Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) volunteer available by appointment to review your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan coverage. Call 785-727-7872 to schedule your appointment.

Eudora Area Historical Society Program

Thursday, March 15, 7 - 9 p.m. Eudora Community Building, 1630 Elm St, Eudora Eudora was founded by Germans in 1857. As a German community, Eudora residents were huge consumers of beer and alcohol. However, Kansas as a state was on the forefront of the temperance movement, eventually becoming the first state to prohibit alcohol consumption. This enforced abstinence clashed considerably with many German, Czech, Irish, Italian, etc. immigrants who had settled in across the state. Indeed, anti-foreign prejudice helped drive support for prohibition. In response, ethnic communities like Eudora frequently violated prohibition laws in an effort to preserve an important expression of cultural identity. Sponsored by the Kansas Humanities Council and Presented by Isaias McCaffery.

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Godwin

Scam Alert

(continued from page 1)

his father for his dedication to community service. “I’ve always been involved. My father was Superintendent of Schools in Winfield, KS. He taught us the importance of working for your community.” Janet Prestoy, SRC Board Chair, become a friend of the Godwins after moving to Lawrence six years ago. “I was fortunate to meet Phil and Phoebe at a social event very soon after my relocation. When Phil found out that I was new in town, he soon connected me to several other Lawrence nonprofit and service organizations. It seemed for a while that, no matter where I went—to a lecture, an event, a community meeting, or even a community festival—I saw Phil. I referred to him the busiest retired person in Lawrence. He and Phoebe have been my inspiration and role models for community engagement.” Throughout his career and in retirement, Phil served on many Boards in Lawrence, including The Watkins Museum, Cottonwood Inc., the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County (formerly DCSS) and New Generations Society of Lawrence. Phil has been awarded Emeritus status on both the Cottonwood board as well as the Board of the Senior Resource Center because of his substantial contributions. In 2016, he received the Kiwanis Legion of Honor Award for 60 years of membership and service with the Kiwanis Club of Lawrence. SRC is honored to have established the Godwin Community Service Award as a way to honor the Godwins for their lifelong service to the community and to serve as role models for a lifetime of compassion, service, and striving to make our community a better place. The award will be presented annually and seeks, through publicizing role models for community service, to encourage community engagement and service among senior citizens.

(continued from page 4)

can also review their list of Bogus Business Opportunities at https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ bogus-business-opportunities. It is always a good idea to enter the company’s name with the words “complaint,” “reviews,” and/or “scam” into your favorite search engine. Keep in mind, even a thorough internet check is not a guarantee of a good reputation. Dishonest companies change their names and move to avoid being caught. Most of us could use some extra monthly income, but before you spend your money on business or work-athome opportunities, thoroughly research the product. Do everything you can to insure any work or investment will add to your bottom line and does not become a money pit. What if I suspect fraud? If you do run into one of these fake opportunities, please contact my consumer protection unit at 785-330-2849. You can also send a report to the Better Business Bureau at 1-800856-2417. For good measure, you can also file a complaint with the at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/?utm_ source=takeaction#crnt&panel1-1. If you have concerns about a business or work-at-home scam or for any general consumer protection information, please contact my consumer protection unit at the number listed above. We are always ready to serve the citizens of Douglas County. Some of the information in this article came from the Federal Trade Commission. This article is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. Legal advice can only be provided in an attorneyclient relationship. Always consult with a tax attorney or other tax professional prior to making financial decisions. This information must not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney.

Back row: Janet Prestoy, Dr. Marvel Williamson, Dr. Judy Wright. Front, Dr. Phil & Phoebe Godwin.

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Better Senior Living

March 2018

NEW DAYS AHEAD

Living Longer By Dennis Domer, PhD

Americans over 60 are living longer than previous generations. The number of people over 65 is the fastest growing demographic in Douglas County. This fact raises some unavoidable questions, not the least of which is: Can we afford to live longer? For many, the answer is no. We just didn’t or couldn’t save enough over a long period of time to make long life affordable, or we spent way too much. At this late stage in our lives, can we do anything about it? The answer is definitely “yes.” We cannot make up for not saving and overspending during the past 40 years, which is not to say that we shouldn’t increase our savings and reduce over consumption even at this late date. Most of us, however, can make changes in our lifestyle, which will not only increase our well-being but also significantly reduce the cost of living longer. John W. Rowe, MD, and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, reported on the MacArthur Foundation’s comprehensive study of aging in Successful Aging. The three components—avoiding disease, maintaining high cognitive and physical function, and engagement with life—involve lifestyle decisions that can increase and lengthen our well-being and don’t cost much. Changing our behavior to avoid disease doesn’t guarantee a disease-free future, which is impossible, but it can reduce the odds of becoming ill. Taking preventive measures, such as lowering the calories in our diet, exercising regularly, and stopping smoking, almost certainly will enhance our quality of life and reduce our cost of living. These measures don’t require a doctor’s visit or taking expensive medicine either.

March 2018

Our genes play a role, of course, but the older we get, the less important genes are and the more lifestyle affects our quality of life. It’s up to us to act, now, no matter how late it is. One of our biggest problems is being overweight, especially in the form of belly fat, which increases our health risks significantly. A diet lower in calories along with aerobic exercise not only reduces weight but also lowers the risks inherent in levels of blood sugar, insulin, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. If our physical condition precludes aerobic exercise (always check with your doctor before you begin), it is comforting to know, according to Rowe and Kahn, that changing our diet has a greater effect on weight than aerobic exercise. Taken together, however, modifying your diet, exercising, and ceasing smoking may reduce strokes by 36% and heart attacks by 27%, thus enhancing your quality of life and lowering your cost of health care. The questions are: Will we as a generation over 60 take these preventive measures? How hard is it to stop eating fast foods? How hard is it to stop smoking? How hard is it to get off the sofa, take a good walk, or head to the gym? That depends on each of us, but we know this: If we change our lifestyle, better new days are ahead. Dennis Domer, PhD, retired in 2014 after 42 years of teaching, research, and service at Baker University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Kansas. He focused on aging and architecture in his funded think tank, “New Cities,” during his last six years at KU. He served on the SRC board from 2012 to 2017.

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CAREGIVERS CORNER

Feelings of Anger as a Caregiver By Michelle Meier, Editor

Being a caregiver to a loved one is one of the most challenging roles one can ever experience. A plethora of emotions come along with this task: fear, worry, devotion, love, guilt, sadness, and even anger. While it is important to recognize all of these emotions, anger is one that is often more challenging to acknowledge. There are so many reasons why anger can rear its head in the midst of caregiving. The circumstances you are dealing with are stressful and often bring on the reality that life for your loved one has dramatically changed. Change alone is often the gateway for many people to experience feelings of anger, particularly knowing that you have little control over the details of this new reality. Once in the throes of caregiving, fatigue can evolve to physical and emotional exhaustion. This is another instance where anger can creep in as you are already feeling weary and frustrated. As much as feeling anger as a caregiver is normal, there are ways to deal with these negative emotions. You are only human, and balancing the changes you are facing with your loved one, along with the physical and emotional demands on your life are enough to make anyone experience these feelings. The important part is to acknowledge them and find positive ways to deal with them rather than allowing them to take control and impact your own health or your loved one’s wellbeing. There are ways to deal with feelings of anger and it is important to feel them and then address them when they come up. Stop and Reflect on the Impact You Are Having As hard as it can be at times, step back and think about the positive impact you are making as a caregiver. This may feel challenging at times, but consider for a moment what might be happening if you were not involved.

Don’t Get Caught Up in Details You Can’t Control For many caregivers, a significant diagnosis with an unpredictable future is the impetus of anger. Don’t waste precious energy on the details that you can’t control or change. There will be days the only thing you can control is the moment you are in, so focus on trying to keep it as positive as possible and focus on the good things that come up each day, even if they are small. Time for a Break Be aware of your body and feelings. Caregiving is demanding on every level, and no one can give 100% all the time. Be sure you are taking time for your own physical and emotional needs. Taking time to care for yourself is vitally important, both for you and for the one you are caring for. As they say, you can’t pour from an empty vessel. Share Your Anger in a Safe Space If you do find you are having feelings of anger, don’t hold them in. Seek out a friend who is willing to listen and allow you to release your feelings. There are also support groups that can provide a safe and understanding ear, as they too are facing many of the same challenges you are. The Caregiver Support Group at the Senior Resource Center also includes past caregivers who have been where you have been and can provide a safe place to express your anger and some perspective on getting through these emotions. It is important to remember that anger is a natural emotion and should not be ignored. Acknowledging your anger is an important step. Next, make sure you have some ways to release the anger, even if there is not definitive resolution to the situation that is causing it.

Don’t Take on Your Loved One’s Anger When you are caring for someone who is yelling or feeling angry, it is hard not to take on that negativity or feel angry yourself. Remember not to take their feelings personally as there are many factors causing their behavior, including their own feelings that they have no control or other factors such as reaction to new medications or unexpressed fears or pain. It is ok to give them the space to express their anger, but be sure that you aren’t taking it on yourself, even if you don’t have a solution to resolve their anger immediately.

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Better Senior Living

March 2018

LEGALESE by Molly Wood, JD

Overmedicating Dementia Patients: The Chilling Statistics Q: My father broke his hip and ended up in a nursing home for post-surgery rehabilitation. I live a few hours away, and when I visited I found him very passive, disoriented, and sedated. I expected some confusion post-surgery because he was already moderately demented, but he is just not himself. Plus, there is no evidence that he has been getting any therapy. The nurse’s aide told us we were to wait in his room for the therapist to come. I waited with him almost a whole afternoon, but when we asked, we were told that the therapist had gone home. A: First, unless you’re getting prompt, robust assurances from the Director of Nursing in this facility that things are going to change immediately, move him. Find a skilled nursing facility that is closer to where you live so that you can monitor his care with more frequency. This will also ensure that the staff knows you are paying attention. To find another facility, you can reference the Medicare.gov website Nursing Home Compare feature which will allow you to search and compare facilities by zip code. I also recommend that you contact Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC.org) for information on nursing facilities in Kansas. There is no excuse for nursing facility staff, including the physical therapist, failing to communicate with a patient and family about treatment plans. Your father is in the nursing facility for rehabilitation, and that is why Medicare is paying for his post-hospital stay, right? Second, even if you’re not ready to move him, find out what medications he is receiving and make sure they are appropriate. In February 5, 2018, the Human Rights Watch published a report They Want Docile: Home Nursing Homes in the United States Overmedicate People with Dementia. This eye-opening report notes: Each week, US nursing facilities administer antipsychotic drugs to over 179,000 people who lack diagnoses for which the drugs are approved, often without their informed consent. Most of these individuals are older and have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Too often, the sedative effect of these drugs drives the high prevalence of their use. The drugs can alter consciousness, sever one’s ability to interact with others, and can make it easier for understaffed facilities to control residents. They also increase the risk of death within ten weeks around 1.6 times in older people with dementia. The report is based on visits by Human Rights Watch researchers to 109 nursing facilities, mostly with above-average rates of antipsychotic medication use between October 2016 and March 2017 in California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, New York, and Texas. Some 323 interviews with people living in nursing facilities, their families, nursing facility staff, long-term care and disability experts, officials, advocacy organizations, long-term care ombudsmen, and others; analysis of publicly

March 2018

available data was used to compile the report, as well as a review of regulatory standards, government reports, and academic studies. The report noted that Kansas, Texas, and Illinois have some of the highest proportions of residents on antipsychotic drugs. In fact, Kansas is among the states with the highest proportion of nursing home residents administered antipsychotics without an appropriate diagnosis and ranks among the states with the least reduction since 2011. The full report is available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/02/05/us-nursing-homesmisuse-drugs-control-residents. The results of this report are chilling. “In an average week, nursing facilities in the United States administer antipsychotic drugs to over 179,000 people who do not have diagnoses for which the drugs are approved.” Antipsychotic drugs have never been approved for use for people with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against their use for these symptoms. If your father has dementia and seems sedated, he could be receiving antipsychotic medications which are not appropriate. Unfortunately, that possibility is real. According to Human Rights Watch, the reason these drugs are administered to so many people with dementia in nursing homes is the sedative effect of these types of drugs, rather than the appropriate medical benefit. Antipsychotic drugs make it easier for understaffed facilities, with direct care workers inadequately trained in dementia care, to manage the people who live there. In many facilities, inadequate staff numbers and training make it nearly impossible to take an individualized, comprehensive approach to care. Many nursing facilities have staffing levels well below what experts consider the minimum needed to provide appropriate care. As you monitor your father’s care, stand firm on these points. Make sure your father is getting the time with the physical therapist needed for his recovery. Be sure to find out what medications are being administered to your father immediately. You both have the right to know what medications he is being given on a daily basis. If he has dementia and is being over medicated to keep him in a sedated state, he needs you to watch out for him and advocate for his quality of life. Molly M. Wood is a partner at Stevens & Brand, LLP, in Lawrence, Kansas, where she confines her practice to Elder Law, especially seniors with long-term care issues. If you have a legal question or concern, call the Kansas Elder Law Hotline, a toll-free legal advice and referral service for Kansas Seniors, 888-353-5337. An Elder Law Project attorney is available in Lawrence at no charge by appointment at Senior Resource Center for Douglas County, 785-842-0543.

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

When the Uterus Drops Q: In the last few months, I have had a feeling of fullness in my vagina. I think something is bulging near the opening. I have no pain and everything seems to be working OK, but I’m worried that sex might cause damage. What should I do? A: What you describe could indicate one of several possibilities. Maybe the rectum is exerting pressure in a weak spot in your vaginal wall. Perhaps your uterus may be moving down in the pelvis. Maybe you may have a growth needing analysis. Only your physician can determine what is happening. Until you get a diagnosis, limit your sexual activity to “outercourse.” Externally produced orgasms will not pose a hazard and are encouraged to promote good pelvic circulation. Let’s assume you have the most common problem: a “dropping” uterus. A protruding uterus at the vaginal opening is not an uncommon nuisance in post-menopausal women who have had several vaginal births. The most common cause is injury to muscles on each side of the vagina that were previously damaged during a difficult delivery, especially if you pushed for a long time. It is made worse with time with the stress of coughing, lifting, constipation, or prolonged standing. Medical professionals call it “pelvic organ prolapse through the vagina,” and it occurs in up to half of older women. It produces the sensation of pressure and can interfere with bladder emptying.

Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles around the vagina will sometimes help as well, performed in three sets of 20 each day. The surgical option by a GYN surgeon is available, if needed. Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and fixation of the top of the vagina to higher structures usually resolves the issues. If uterine dropping or prolapse is your diagnosis, you can resume intercourse with a few simple adaptations. Leave the pessary in. Choose positions that let you lie on your side, as gravity can worsen the protrusion. Lying on your back during sex may force pressure on your rectum through the vaginal wall, so avoid that position as well. Ask your partner to let you control the speed of insertion. If you do have pain, stop and consult your physician. Please don’t let this challenge end your sex life. Get a diagnosis, and preserve your pelvic health, including continued sexual activity and good bladder and bowel function. Send your questions to [email protected]. Names and identifying information will be removed. Questions may be edited. Answers are written by qualified licensed/certified health care professionals. Answers cannot be personalized for individuals and are intended for general information only.

Your physician will start with a pelvic exam. The amount of bulging is observed while the woman bears down with pressure (like pushing a baby out). Next, a speculum is inserted in the vagina, and the uterus is repositioned in its normal place. Then the bearing down procedure is usually repeated to reveal whether it is the forward or backside structures that are the weakest. You may be asked to urinate, after which the bladder will be checked for complete emptying. A rectal exam is also usually included to determine whether the rectum is being displaced as well. Sometimes the exam for how far the uterus drops is performed while the woman is standing. Several options are available for resolving the problem, most commonly with a pessary. Pessaries are devices made of silicone inserted by the woman high into the vagina, the same way she would insert a contraceptive diaphragm. They come in several styles, most commonly in ring or donut shapes. Anyone who has used tampons successfully should have no trouble learning how to use a pessary. The woman having a pessary fitted for the first time should walk, sit, and void the bladder to assess comfort. Pessaries are usually removed and cleaned once a week. The most common problems with pessaries, if any, are vaginal discharge or irritation, bleeding, pain, and odor. If there are no problems, a yearly visit to the physician’s office should be sufficient to monitor the pessary.

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March 2018

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Better Senior Living

March 2018

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