senior living - Senior Resource Center | Douglas County

Better SENIOR LIVING July 2018

Inside This Issue

Moments with Marvel........ Page 3 The Secret to Living Longer LEGAL MATTERS................ Page 4 When the ID Thief Is Family Retirement FUND$............ Page 5 What If I Don’t Die? Protecting Your Retirement Funds during Incapacity Leisure & Learning Activities ..................................Pages 6 - 12 Caregiver Corner............. Page 15 Kansas Lay Caregiver Act Becomes Law in Kansas Guest Columnist.............. Page 16 Social Isolation: More Dangerous Than You Think LEGALESE........................ Page 19 Long-Term Care Insurance: Do I Need it? Senior Romance, Sex, and Relationships.................... Page 20 Diuretics and Sex

CHANGE FOR OUR COMMUNITY Recipient for July

See page 3 for ways to contribute to SRC.

www.YourSRC.org

Lee Ketzel: Senior Advocacy Pioneer

By Dr. Marvel Williamson, Executive Director, Senior Resource Center for Douglas County First impressions are often wrong. When I met Lesley (“Lee”) Ketzel, her diminutive size belied the strength that threads through her life’s fabric like iron. Now 90 years of age, Lee has a remarkable history of resilience and adventure. Born in 1927 on Long Island in Rockville Centre, NY, Lee was unconventional from the start. Her bachelor’s degree was earned from the exclusive Middlebury College in Vermont in political science, an unusual major for a woman of that era. While there she took flying lessons and earned her solo pilot’s license.

for Better Care (KABC), the state’s foremost leader reporting on nursing home conditions and keeping watch over legislative activities. Lee Ketzel is the only surviving member of that original steering committee and was honored in 2015 with KABC’s Founders Award.

Lee and her husband, Dr. Clifford Ketzel, a political science professor, followed their dream wherever it took them. While they lived in Washington, DC, Lee worked for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. They also lived in Berkeley, CA, for several years. As their three sons began arriving, Lee focused more on childrearing, but returned to school when Cliff began teaching at KU in 1954, and finished her master’s degree in English at KU.

Lee and Cliff lived for a year in Pakistan while he fulfilled a Fulbright grant, as well as a semester in Warsaw, Poland, two summers in Rome, and a semester in England. When Cliff died unexpectedly in 1988, Lee was devastated. Her inability to find a grief support group left scars that remain today, and she speaks with gratitude that such opportunities are now available for others. Although a child of the East Coast who also lived on the West Coast, Lee decided to remain in Lawrence, KS, where she has good friends. Her sons, daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren visit often, and she travels to Texas, Washington, and California to see them as well.

Lee, along with Petey Cerf, Jessie Branson, Harriet Nehring, Katie Pyle, and Bryona Wiley, formed a steering committee in 1966 that began a movement to address conditions in Kansas nursing homes. In 1975 they brought together 150 people for a conference to formalize a plan. From that, Kansans for the Improvement of Nursing Homes (KINH) was launched. Today we know it as Kansas Advocates

Her home is a gallery of original and print art works, reflective of the years Lee worked as the Communications Director for the Kansas Art Commission. Her tastes lean toward the surreal, abstract, and other edgier styles, but she also proudly displays traditional landscapes.

Lee finds joy in playing bridge with friends and eating out. When asked what important life lesson she has learned, she jokes, “To keep my mouth shut and not give parenting advice to (Lee Ketzel, continued on page 21)

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

THE

SAVE

DATE Resources for a healthy and active life. We’ve got it all at the

Better Living

E X P O September 8, 2018 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Tickets $5  Available August 1st

www.YourSRC.org/EXPO presented by

Crown Toyota Pavilion 3430 S Iowa, Lawrence, KS

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

July 2018

Moments with Marvel

The Secret to Living Longer

By Dr. Marvel Williamson, Executive Director, Senior Resource Center for Douglas County How long do you want to live? David Ewing Duncan reports in his e-book, When I’m 164: The New Science of Radical Life Extension and What Happens If It Succeeds, that among the 30,000 people he polled, 60% wanted to live for 80 years and another 30% hoped for 120 years. Such longevity is becoming more and more likely, so how can you set up the best conditions possible to achieve your particular goal? One longitudinal project still underway since the 1930s, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, has produced fascinating results regarding which factors correlate to longevity. Its director, Dr. Robert Waldinger, reported that good relationships produce the happiest seniors. Furthermore, “The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health. The people who were the most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80.” People who maintain bonds live longer and happier lives. The loners tend to die sooner. “Loneliness kills,” he said. “It’s as powerful as smoking or alcoholism.” That is such a remarkable discovery that I had to dig more deeply to see if other research supported this finding. I didn’t have to look far. Many other studies do indeed bear out these findings. For example, one group conducted a metaanalysis, a technique in which data and results from multiple studies across 14 years were combined, on the topic of loneliness in relation to mortality. Their primary finding was that social isolation was associated with earlier death, even if the loneliness was just

July 2018

the individual’s subjective perception, not a reflection of objective reality (2015, HoltLundstad, J., Smith, T. B., et al.). Here are their predictors of longevity from highest to lowest: 1. Social integration 2. Close relationships 3. Quite smoking 4. Quit boozing 5. Flu vaccine 6. Cardiac rehab 7. Exercise 8. Lean versus overweight 9. Hypertension medicine 10. Clean air This does not negate the importance of factors we usually associate with long life. Items 3-10 above are absolutely relevant. We would be foolish to say that as long as we have good friends and a social life, we can smoke as much as we want at no risk. Rather, the takeaway is that all elements of healthy living have value, but foremost among them all is the importance of human contact, being loved and heard, and carefully tending to the preservation of relationships. If you are estranged from family or have not stayed in touch with friends, take the first step to fix those connections. And the second and third steps. If those attempts fail, reach out to other people and build new relationships. Get out of the house. Talk to store clerks. Join a club. Make a friend. If you can’t leave home, sign up with Catholic Charities’ Friendly Visitor program or let a faith-based organization know you need someone to visit you. Your life may depend on it.


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LEGAL MATTERS - A Letter From District Attorney Charles Branson

When the ID Thief Is Family It has been over five years since I wrote about the difficult topic of what you can do when the suspect in an identity theft case is a family member. When someone steals your personal information and uses it for criminal purposes, it can ruin your credit rating, steal countless hours of your time and energy to correct, and is also a criminal act. The situation is difficult enough when the suspect is a stranger, but the reality can be exponentially more painful if you learn the suspect is family.

person and you do not want him/her to get into trouble, but that is what you need to do to protect your personal credit and finances.

What can you do if you learn a family member has stolen your identity? In some instances, it may be best to sort the situation out privately within the family. However you MUST insist the person pay back the money lost due to the crime.

You may want to consider having the credit bureaus put a fraud alert and credit freeze on your credit file. The credit freeze keeps new accounts from

What Is Next? If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, you are entitled to free copies of your credit report. Contact the credit bureaus directly. Depending on what you discover, this could change how you wish to proceed. (See below for their contact information.)

If the family member refuses to take responsibility for his or her actions, you will need to file a police report. Filing a report can be scary and upsetting when you love the

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 an independent 501(c)3 organization 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 • fund-raising 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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Special Considerations for Debit/ ATM Cards Fraud protections for debit/ATM cards are different from those for credit cards. Debit/ATM cards have specific rules that govern what you are liable for should someone take and use your card. Liability amounts may increase dramatically after two days. See the Federal Reserve’s Electronic Fund Transfer Act. The section “Consumer Liability for Unauthorized Transfers: Electronic Fund Transfer Act – Regulation E” may be of particular interest. Some financial institutions may provide protections greater than what is minimally required by law. Contact your own financial institution and request information on its specific protections. If you do find fraudulent charges on your debit/ATM card, your financial institution may be able to (ID Thief, continued on pg. 21)

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:

being opened in your name without you giving a password to unlock the file. You will also want to send a written dispute for any fraudulent debts you may find. Keep copies for your files.


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. July 2018

RETIREMENT FUND$

What If I Don’t Die? Protecting Your Retirement Funds during Incapacity By Barbara Braa, CTFA, MBA

In one of my favorite comic strips, the first frame shows a client listening to an attorney explaining estate planning in sentences sprinkled with such words as “Will, Probate, Death, Executor, and Trust.” In the next frame, the client asks, “What if I don’t die?” The cartoon stops there. Your estate planning should not stop there. The cartoon client may have been joking, opting for immortality over dealing with estate issues, but planning for financial assistance during incapacity is just as important as planning for how to distribute your remaining assets after death. All your retirement income planning and estate distribution plans may be useless during an incapacity if you leave yourself vulnerable to financial abuse. Your financial and legal planning should be coordinated to cover both predeath needs and post-death needs. A complete plan will designate how to disburse your remaining assets and plan for an agent (person or professional trustee) to help when you are still living but incapable of managing your own financial affairs. Both physical and mental incapacities can limit your ability to pay bills, file your taxes, make investment decisions, take your required minimum distributions, sell your home, or contract for a new living arrangement. Incapacity may also make you unable to select the most appropriate agent to handle your affairs. A legal document called a Power of Attorney (POA) allows you to appoint an agent to help with your affairs during incapacity. The most common financial POA is called a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA). If you fail to plan adequately for a DPOA, a judge may appoint a Conservator to handle your financial affairs. A DPOA or Conservator is a person with a legal duty to act in your best interests. If you plan ahead, you get to make this important decision about which who will step in to protect your retirement nest egg and oversee your financial affairs. The second most common POA is a Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA). If you fail to appoint a HCPOA, a judge may appoint a Guardian to oversee your health and personal well-being. A good estate plan would include a DPOA to take care of your financial affairs while your HCPOA takes care of you. The role of a DPOA is a serious obligation. You will be giving your appointee much authority, so it can be difficult to decide who that should be. Don’t appoint an agent you cannot totally trust. Your agent will need enough knowledge to handle your financial affairs or have enough good sense and honorable intent to know when to ask for help from an attorney, trust officer, tax expert, or other financial professional. A trustworthy DPOA will protect your finances and use your resources for

July 2018

you. Untrained or ill-intentioned DPOAs may interpret the legal document as full authority to do whatever they want, may misdirect your assets to themselves, or squander your hard-earned resources in other ways. You may be thinking, “That won’t happen to me,” but it happens every day. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, as many as 5 million older adults are victims of financial abuse at an estimated cost of $3 billion annually. Sadly, most perpetrators of financial abuse are family members, followed by caregivers, friends, or other persons you know and trust. Avoid being caught unprepared and vulnerable during an incapacity. A full estate plan generally would include a DPOA, an HCPOA, a Will, a Living Will, and possibly a Revocable Trust. A Revocable Trust allows you to appointee a Successor Trustee to serve in many of the same ways as a DPOA. You could select a professional trustee as your DPOA and as your Successor Trustee. Trust entities have regulators overseeing all actions taken on your behalf. Individual DPOAs generally operate with no oversight. Perhaps that is why the temptation is so high for some individual DPOA appointees and why financial abuse happens to about 1 in 10 older adults. If you want to learn more about protecting your personal interests both pre- and post-death, speak with your attorney, trust officer, or other advisor to be sure you have an upto-date plan in place appropriate for you and your specific financial situation. Don’t allow someone to walk away with your retirement resources or other assets because you failed to plan for a trustworthy agent to help during an incapacity or after you are gone. You earned the right to enjoy the fruits of years of hard work, but you need to take steps now to protect your resources. Some jokingly say the major goal for their retirement and estate plan is for their money to last just one day longer than they do. All joking aside, not dying is not an option. Plan accordingly. The information in this article is not presented as personal financial or legal 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.


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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 SRC offerings at www.YourSRC.org or by calling 785-842-0543.

s before SRC listings. You can register for all

SUPPORT GROUPS

s SRC Caregivers Support Group

First and Third Mondays, July 2 & 16, 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.

Baldwin Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, July 11, 1 - 2 p.m. **Moved to 2nd Wednesday in July** First United Methodist Church, 704 Eighth St, Baldwin City Support group for caregivers of individuals age 60 or older. Meet with other caregivers in the Baldwin area who may be struggling with some of the same issues you face while caring for your loved one. For more information contact Linda Ballinger at 913-980-3831 or lindababe43@ gmail.com.

s Support Group for Spouses of Dementia Patients

Second Thursday, July 12, 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, July 2 & 16, 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.

Better Breathers Club

Second Tuesday, July 10, 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.

SRC activities are noted with a s. Page 6

Cancer Support Group

Third Wednesday, July 18, 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. For more information, contact 785-505-2807 or e-mail [email protected].

Lawrence Parkinson’s Support Group

Third Tuesday, July 17, 2 –-3 p.m. Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Pkwy Join others affected by Parkinson’s for support, information, and socialization for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. New members welcome.

Look Good, Feel Better

Third Wednesday, July 18, 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, July 17, 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].

ENTERTAINMENT

s SCRABBLE Club – Open Play

Mondays, including holidays, 1 - 4 p.m. Clinton Place, 2125 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence

s Pool (Billiards)

Open for play, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence


July 2018

Leisure and Learning Activities ART

s Tuesday Painters

Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - noon SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave, Lawrence Bring your own art project and supplies. Not just for painters! 785-842-0543.

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.

Third Friday Art Walk

Friday, July 20, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Lumberyard Arts Center, 718 High St, Baldwin City FREE Come out to enjoy live music and check out the work of numerous local artists outside and ongoing exhibits inside. Contact Sandy Cardens at 785-766-6193 if you are interested in showing your work.

Sunflower Basket Weaving Guild

Third Saturdays, July 21, Noon - 5 p.m. Eudora Community Recreation Center, 1630 Elm Street, Eudora The Sunflower Basket Weaving Guild is dedicated to the art of basket weaving while providing an outlet for making friends and sharing ideas, talents, and experiences. New weavers are welcome. Please let us know and we will make a plan to help you get started. For more information contact Emily Brown at 816-524-5755.

Final Fridays Lawrence

Downtown & Warehouse Art Disctrict, Lawrence FREE On the last Friday of every month (all year long!) from 5-9 PM, the streets of Downtown Lawrence and the Warehouse Arts District erupt. Storefronts convert into flash spaces, and performances and exhibits spill in and out of galleries and businesses. Final Fridays include activities for kids, exhibitions designed to challenge adults, music, dance, and theater for all ages.

VETERANS AFFAIRS

s VETERANS AFFAIRS

BY APPOINTMENT 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, July 11 & 25, 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].

SRC activities are noted with a s. MUSIC 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!

Final Thursday Concert

Thursday, July 26, 6 p.m. Eudora Senior Center, 706 Main St, Eudora Stop in for monthly concerts on the final Thursday every month. 785-550-5928

July 2018


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Day Trips 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.

AMERICAN CLASSICS-HANNIBAL, MISSOURI

Wednesday & Thursday, August 8-9, 2018 Early Bird Fee: $370/double, $433/single This trip is a visit with two men who made America laugh and inspired the world. A full two days begins in Marceline, Missouri boyhood home of Walt Disney. Stops include the Hometown Museum and farm site where Walt first began to draw his iconic images. On to Hannibal, home of legendary author Mark Twain. Stops include a Riverboat dinner cruise; Mark Twain Himself, a one man show and the Mark Twain Museum Complex. The final stop is Chillicothe, the home of sliced bread. We’ll tour the famous murals that tell the story of this town’s rich heritage and visit the Grand River Historical society. Motorcoach travel with pick-up stops in Topeka and Lawrence. Class Code: 327874.

WAY OUT WEST IN KANSAS-VICTORIA, HAYS, AND NICODEMUS Tuesday & Wednesday, October 9 & 10 Early Bird Fee: $315/double and $365/single Cultural, historic, and scientific wonders of Kansas are all stops on this trip west. Stops include the art deco Steifel Theatre in Salina; the Basilica of St Fidelis, known as the Cathedral of the Plains in Victoria; the national historic site of Nicodemus, oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi River, and the Sternberg Museum, a destination by itself. Motorcoach travel with pick-up stops in Topeka and Lawrence. Class Code: 327875. Registration Deadline: August 27, 2018

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FAMOUS NATIVES-EMPORIA

Thursday, November 1 Fee: $73 “Things that start in Emporia finish in history,” William Allen White, 1922. The day trip will take a close look at the influence of this prairie town on the nation. The tour will begin at the home of William Allen White followed by a historic city tour with step-on guide. Lunch will include a speaker about the origin of Veteran’s Day. The afternoon includes a Veteran’s art exhibit and tour downtown. Trip departs from the Holcom Recreation Center. Class Code: 327870. Registration Deadline: October 16, 2018

A SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS SHOW

Thursday, December 13 | Fee: $63 Holiday tunes from Musical Theater, innovative arrangements of Holiday classics, and more! A jam-packed Holiday treat sure to fill you with the Christmas spirit. If you are seeking a dazzling time off from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas rush–this is the trip for you! Plan on time for lunch and shopping before the show before the show. Trip departs from the Holcom Recreation Center. Class Code: 327873. Registration Deadline: November 7, 2018

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 quickly!

Uniquely Kansas City Trip

Wednesday, July 11, 9:00 a.m. $3.00 Get out and experience several “unique” stops in Kansas City, including Steamboat Arabia, City Market, and a ride on the new Kansas City Street Car. Start off with a tour of the Steamboat Arabia museum complete with artifacts salvaged from the Arabia, a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856. Spend some time at the historic City Market of Kansas city and enjoy a trolley ride to add to the fun! Trip includes admission and transportation. NOTE: All admission to the Steamboat Arabia, lunch, and personal shopping costs for this trip are not included.


July 2018

Leisure and Learning Activities HEALTH & FITNESS

s Yoga for Every Body

Next session starts July 3 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

Wednesday, July 11, 12 - 1 p.m. **Moved to 2nd Wednesday in July** 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

Twist & Shout

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 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/. 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.

July 2018

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.

Senior Supper and Seminar

Second Tuesday, July 10; supper: 5 p.m., seminar: 6 p.m. Lawrence Memorial Hospital Auditorium 325 Maine St, Lawrence Fee: $5.50 The July topic is “Defensive Driving” presented by Trooper Donald Hughes from the Kansas Highway Patrol. 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 785505-5800 or e-mail [email protected].

SRC activities are noted with a s.

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 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/.

AM Walking Club (LPRD)

Pickleball – Open Play (LPRD)

EUDORA PARKS & RECREATION 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. For more information contact Eudora Parks & Recreation at 785-542-3434.

Eudora Pickleball – Open Play

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.

Adult Lap Swim Times

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 12 – 12: 50 p.m. $1.00 Dedicated pool time for adults only to get laps in. Additional timeslots will be available when Swim Lessons are complete.


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Leisure and Learning Activities MORE EVENTS CHAMPSS Orientation

First Monday, July 2, 10 - 11 a.m. *NOTE AM TIME FOR JULY ORIENTATION* 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.

Baldwin City Car Show & Sock Hop

Saturday, July 7, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Downtown Baldwin City FREE Visit Baldwin City the Saturday after July 4th for a car show on the bricks organized by RustyMetal CarShow, the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Baldwin City, Kansas. Plenty of fun activities for the whole family all day, ending with fireworks by the Baldwin City Recreation Commission.

s Eudora Senior Potluck and Speaker Series

2nd Friday, July 13, 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.

Senior Engagement Coordinating Council (SECC)

Third Monday, July 16, 1:00 p.m. Baldwin City Library, 800 7th St, Baldwin City The SECC is a voluntary council guided by an elected chair and co-chair, meeting on a monthly basis to work on improving quality of life for Baldwin City seniors. Contact Grant Lambert at [email protected].

s Eudora Senior Advisory Council

Second Friday, July 13, 1 p.m. St. Paul United Church of Christ, 738 Church St., Eudora Join the Eudora Senior Advisory Council and help shape the future of issues and services for seniors in Eudora. Meetings held monthly after the Eudora Senior Potluck. For more information, email [email protected].

SRC activities are noted with a s.

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s AARP Smart Driver Safety Course

Friday July 20th, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. At SRC, 2920 Haskell Ave Fee $15 for AARP Members. $20 for Non-Members This hands-on course will help you refresh your driving skills, save money, and brush up on proven driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Contact Larry Woydziak at lwoydziak@YourSRC. org or call 785-727-7875 to register.

Baldwin City Winefest

Third Fridays this Summer, July 20, 2018, 5 - 9 p.m. Downtown Baldwin City Lotatorium, 710 High St, Baldwin City $20 in advance, or $25 at the door The Winefest returns to Baldwin City the third Friday during Summer months, complete with wine, music, and fun! Sample wine from at least 5 local wineries, enjoy live music, and stroll the Lumberyard’s Artwalk. This is a rain or shine event. Tickets available for purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baldwin-city-winefesttickets-45977459820

Lawrence Farmer’s Market

Saturdays, 7 - 11 a.m. 824 New Hampshire St, Lawrence Since 1976, area vendors have provided the community with a wide variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, honey, wine, prepared foods, and much, much more. The Lawrence Farmers’ Market is a member of Double Up Food Bucks Heartland which will allow you to use funds from your SNAP Card dollars at several area farmer’s markets. Bring your SNAP EBT Card to the Lawrence Farmers’ Market Info Booth before you shop. The Info Booth is located in the middle of market on the north-side by the alley. Stop by every Saturday, rain or shine!

Cottin’s Farmer’s Market

Thursdays, 4 - 6 p.m. Cottin’s Hardware, 1832 Massachusetts St, Lawrence The Cottin’s Farmer’s Market is held weekly in the back lot of Cotton’s Hardware. This weekly farmer’s market includes up to 24 weekly vendors during the summer market with live music, Free State beer, and hot food. Cottin’s Farmer’s Market is a member of Double Up Food Bucks Heartland which will allow you to use funds from your SNAP Card dollars at several area farmer’s markets.

Tuesday Lawrence Farmer’s Market

Every Tuesday, 4 - 6 p.m. Parking Garage, 725 Vermont, Lawrence Catch a smaller group of vendors on Tuesdays in the lower level of the Lawrence Parking Garage next to the Lawrence Public Library.


July 2018

Leisure and Learning Activities MORE EVENTS

LIED CENTER PRESENTS

Douglas County Fair

July 30 – August 4 Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St, Lawrence FREE Admission Don’t miss this annual tradition filled with animals, rides, funnel cakes, demolition derbies, the carnival, and live music. For a full schedule of events, go to www. dgcountyfair.com

Legal Outreach Clinic

Wednesday, August 15, 12:30 - 4 p.m. Baldwin City Library, 800 7th St, Baldwin City Come find out more about the importance of advance directives and estate planning basics. A 30 minute program will be held at 12:30 p.m. followed by an opportunity to have advance directive legal documents, such as Powers of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, and Living Wills, drafted for free by volunteers from Kansas Legal Services. For additional information please contact Kansas Legal Services at 785-354-8531.

EUDORA SENIOR CENTER The Eudora Senior Center offers events, dinners, workshops, and concerts specifically for the senior citizen community of Eudora. All events take place in the Hammert Building at 706 Main Street in downtown Eudora, and are FREE and open to all.

Cards

Thursdays, 1 – 4:30 p.m. Come join a game of pitch, bridge or even bring your own game. Seniors from Eudora get together every Thursday for a round or two.

Wellness Tuesdays

The Lied Center has announced some amazing performances for the 2018 – 2019 season marking the 25th Anniversary of the Lied Center. Here are a few highlights coming next season.

Michael McDonald

Sunday August 12, 7:30 p.m. $75 Gold Circle, $40 - 55 Adult, $21 - 29 Student/Youth With a career that encompasses five Grammys, numerous chart successes, personal and professional accolades, as well as collaborations with some of the world’s most prominent artists, Michael McDonald remains an enduring force in popular music. Throughout his career with these bands and a solid solo career, McDonald has an extensive catalog of Top 40 hits.

Steve Martin and Martin Short

Sunday, September 30, 7:30 p.m. $150 Gold Circle, $75 - $100 Adult, $39 - $51 Student/ Youth In this special performance, Steve Martin and Martin Short will present new material in a variety of musical sketches and conversations on their iconic careers, most memorable encounters, and of course, their legendary lives in showbusiness and stand-up.

Monty Python’s SPAMALOT

COMING IN AUGUST Second Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Come once a month to learn about a different wellness topic presented by area experts including Dr. Doug Mateo from Mateo Chiropractic, Dr. Brian Fassold from SERC Physical Therapy and health and nutrition coach Dr. Alan Redd.

July 2018

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.

Sunday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. $40 - 55 Adult, $21 - 29 Student/Youth This outrageous musical comedy is lovingly ripped off from the film classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. SPAMALOT tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen, and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences worldwide are eating up SPAMALOT!

The Lied Center is an SRC Partner.


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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.

iPhone Photography - Beyond Point-and-Shoot

Tuesdays, July 10 - 24, 7 - 9 p.m. Go mobile with your digital photography and explore creative possibilities with your iPhone camera. We will help expand your skill set using your iPhone camera, exploring the basic operations, tools, apps and tricks to help make you smartphone camera-smart. Included will be discussions and demonstrations on how to improve your photography through creative visual devices and techniques. Please bring your iPhones so we can do some hands-on practice in class.

Writing Your Ethical Will

Wednesdays, July 11 - 25, 2 - 4 p.m. You have accumulated wealth-wealth of knowledge, experience, and values. To whom will you leave these precious possessions? Consider writing an ethical will. Unlike a traditional will that bequeaths material things, an ethical will passes on the ethics and life lessons of a family elder – YOU. Our exercises and discussion will help you discern the life experiences that shaped your values. Unlike the bequest of heirloom china or a CD, your ethical will reflects who you are as a person. It will give your loved ones a document to treasure and a reminder of how your values guided and shaped a family.

When Women Wrote Hollywood: Returning to Gender Parity

Wednesdays, July 11 - 25, 7 - 9 p.m. Prior to 1925, women wrote 50 percent of all produced films. In 2016, that percentage was 14 percent. What changed? In this course, we’ll learn about the fabulous female screenwriters of the silent era and look at the way stories and characters changed over decades. From Frances Marion, who still holds the record for Oscars, to the Golden Era with Mae West and married writing teams, to television where IF there was a woman in the room she was still called a “girl.” This course will introduce you to women in film you should know.

Thinking Machines: Impossible, Improbable or Inevitable?

Tuesdays, July 17 - 31, 2 - 4 p.m. This class will look at the quest for artificial intelligence and examine some significant achievements (and failures) in the field. We will look at Deep Learning and other methods currently being used to make computers “smarter,” and we will consider the barriers to achieving humanlevel “thinking.” We will see what computer scientists, psychologists, philosophers and science fiction writers have said about the prospect of thinking machines.

The Cold War

Thursdays, July 19 - August 2, 2 - 4 p.m. Do you remember the Cold War? Did you ever worry about Soviet spies? Did you participate in civil defense drills? Did you feel a sense of relief that the federal government built nuclear missile silos throughout the middle of the country? This class will explore the early Cold War period, when Joseph McCarthy’s anticommunist crusade captured the attention of the nation, when more than a million Americans watched the skies looking for Russian bombers, and America and the Soviet Union pointed thousands of nuclear missiles at each other.

Rolling Revolution: How Bicycles Changed Lawrence

Friday, July 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts, Lawrence $20 per person When bicycles rolled onto the national scene in the 19th century, they frightened horses, upset convention, and quickened the pace of everyday life. A new exhibit explores the impact of bicycling in Lawrence from the 1870s to today, with stories of races, clubs and controversies over bicycles’ effects on mobility, clothing, gender, and youth. In this exclusive Osher tour, Curator Brittany Keegan will take you on a ride through the bicycle revolution, showing how it spelled new opportunities for women and children and how Lawrence riders have continued to impact our community through races and trails. Presentation followed by tour to view the Bicycle exhibit, Noon - Lunch 1-2 p.m. - Behindthe-scenes tour of the Watkins Museum collection.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is an SRC Partner.

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July 2018

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FIT & ACTIVE

Avoiding Heat Emergencies This Summer By Theresa Smith, SRC Intern

July is National Safety Month and with summer just beginning and temperatures already exceeding typical area highs, heat stroke is a significant threat to seniors, even for those who don’t spend time outside. It is important to know the stages of a heat emergency, as well as the warning signs of heat stroke and how to implement prevention and treatment methods. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Heat stroke in simple terms is when the body is unable to cool itself and regulate body temperature, which leads to the inability to sweat, allowing the body to reach 106 degrees F. or higher. If untreated, heat stroke can permanently affect the body or even cause death. Seniors often have an increased risk of heat stroke because of pre-existing health problems, especially with certain medications or when heart disease or circulatory problems already exist. Most people are unaware of the three stages of heat-related illnesses: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Stages of Heat Stroke The first stage leading to heat stroke is heat cramps. Heat cramps start with painful, involuntary muscle spasms that often occur when you’ve been physically active in the heat, but they can occur with heat exposure with limited physical activity. Treatment for heat cramps includes moving out of direct sunlight, moving somewhere cooler, massaging and/or stretching cramping muscles, and drinking cool fluids, such as water or a sports drink that includes electrolytes and salt.

touch. The body is no longer producing sweat. The skin also can be flushed and hot but still dry. By the time the body has reached the heat stroke stage, the person will probably be hyperventilating, faint, and confused and will probably have a change in blood pressure. Tips to Avoid a Heat Emergency The best way to avoid any stage of a heat emergency is not to go outside when it is extremely hot, particularly at midday when temperatures are at their highest. If you must go out during the hottest hours of the day, bring a battery-operated fan and stay in the shade. Working outside is best done in the morning or evening when it is cooler. Wear loose and light clothing, as well as a hat. Last, go inside if you begin to get too hot and immediately take in cool fluids to avoid dehydration. If you notice signs of heat exhaustion, take action before it worsens. However, if you begin to experience the early stages of a heat stroke, get inside into air conditioning as soon as possible. Take in cool hydrating fluids. You can also take a cool shower or bath, or spray your face and body with cool water. A damp towel can help your body cool down to 101 or 102 degrees F. If you suspect you or someone around you is experiencing heat stroke, call medical assistance to make sure no long term damage is been done.

The next stage, heat exhaustion, includes heat cramps with escalating symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, weakness, dehydration, and/or extreme thirst. At this stage, the body is trying to cool itself down. The skin will be pale and clammy with profuse sweating, along with a rapid and weak pulse. During heat exhaustion, the core body temperature will range between 100 and 103 degrees F. Left untreated, heat exhaustion can easily deteriorate into heat stroke, so hydration is key at this stage. Replacing fluids with water or sports drinks is vital. Other fluids, such as alcohol or caffeinated beverages, are not recommended when exposed to the heat, as they may worsen dehydration. Working outside is best done in the morning or evening when the air is cooler. Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke Heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms can seem similar, but the two are different. Heat exhaustion is more common and is a direct result of the body being overheated, but the person continues to sweat. In heat stroke the skin is dry to the

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July 2018

CAREGIVERS CORNER

Kansas Lay Caregiver Act Becomes Law in Kansas Provides support for thousands of Kansas caregivers Thousands of Kansans help their older parents, spouses, friends, and loved ones live independently at home. These Kansas caregivers have a huge responsibility, and on July 1, 2018, a new law took effect that will make life a little bit easier for them. The Kansas Lay Caregiver Act, also known as the CARE Act, will help Kansas caregivers when those they care for go into the hospital and as they transition home. The CARE Act requires hospitals to: • Record the name of the patient’s designated caregiver upon admission. • Keep that caregiver informed of the loved one’s discharge plans. • Provide education and instruction of aftercare tasks that the caregiver will perform at home, such as medication management, injections, wound care, and transfers.

Director, Dr. Maren Turner. “Many times caregivers are asked to provide care that requires training.” The Kansas Lay Caregiver Act will ensure that hospitals across our state—large and small, rural and urban – will consistently recognize the caregiver and provide instruction on how to care for patients once they are home. “The responsibilities and burdens on home-caregivers will only increase as Baby-Boomers age. Medical technologies are becoming more common in the home—which further complicates care delivery. That’s why it’s important to have an objective caregiver who’ll be welltrained at the time of discharge.” If you have questions about the Kansas Lay Caregiver Act, or if you’d like to have an AARP Kansas representative give a presentation to your group or organization, please call 866448-3619 or e-mail [email protected]. You can also find more information on the Kansas AARP website at www.aarp.org/ks. If you’re a caregiver and would like to share your caregiving story or read about others who are caregivers, visit www. iheartcaregivers.org.

Caregiving is the new normal. Either we are a caregiver now, were one in the past, or will likely be one in the future. Here in Kansas, 345,000 caregivers help their loved ones live independently at home. While they wouldn’t have it any other way, caregivers have a huge job. They provide transportation to appointments, help with shopping, aid with household chores, help with bathing and dressing, and more. Together they provide 4 million hours of unpaid care each year, a contribution estimated at $3.85 billion annually. Unpaid lay caregivers are the unsung heroes who provide the majority of care for Kansas families. These efforts are particularly important in our state. AARP Public Policy Institute’s 2014 Long-Term Services and Supports Scorecard showed that Kansas ranked 35th out of 50 states with respect to support that family caregivers receive. AARP Kansas fought to make the CARE Act a reality because supporting caregivers is one of their top priorities. Supporting Kansas caregivers who provide billions of unpaid care annually to their family members and loved ones saves Kansas money. When caregivers are prepared to take care of loved ones when they leave the hospital, there’s less chance that the patients will be readmitted. “This law is necessary to support caregivers when their loved ones come home from the hospital,” said AARP State

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GUEST COLUMNIST

Social Isolation: More Dangerous Than You Think Guest Columnist, Rita McGrew, BSN, RN, B-C

To say I admire and enjoy the older generation is an understatement. I always found personal friends among older aunts and uncles, neighbors, or church or tennis acquaintances. Professionally as a hospital and clinic nurse, my patients were also usually in the over-65 age group. With seniors living longer healthier lives, communities and senior centers have creatively designed programs to provide daily food, transportation, homecare, and other services. While helping seniors with these needs is important, a deeper and more difficult reality faces many: social isolation. Anne-Marie Botek wrote that loneliness among elderly people is epidemic (www.AgingCare.com). Their world becomes smaller due to several factors. Social circles begin to shrink, as do the abilities of close friends and family of the same age group to stay in touch. Some isolation happens gradually. One might lose a spouse and stop activities that used to be done together. Good friends die. Children have busy families of their own and may relocate. One can observe at the grocery store, church, or a doctor’s office that many seniors are left on their own and face growing challenges that may eventually make them want to stop getting out at all. This is due to: • Decreased mobility requiring a cane, walker, or wheelchair • Loss of hearing/vision leading to the need for eye to eye contact to understand speech and for hearing aids and glasses • Loss of confidence for routine driving, walking, bathing, cooking, and cleaning • Decreased energy related to medical conditions, medication side effects, physical deconditioning, and so forth • Embarrassment related to incontinence, wearing an oxygen tank, or assistive device Social isolation and loneliness can have serious negative health consequences. Dr. Carla Perissinatto reported that people who felt lonely—whether or not they live with others or suffer depression—are at heightened risk of death. Her research also found that 43% of people over age 60 feel lonely. Therefore, “They are more likely to lose their independence, and they are at greater risk of dying solely from being alone” (2012, Archives of Internal Medicine). Loneliness also contributes to elevated cortisol levels, which can impair the immune response to fight infections. It is also linked to depression, heart disease, and diabetes (www. psychologytoday.com/basics/hormones). Loneliness studies at the University of California San Francisco revealed similar findings. Lonely participants 60 and older

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saw a 45% increase in risk of death and had a 59% greater risk for mental and physical decline than their more sociallyengaged counterparts. This decline manifested itself in ability to perform basic activities of daily living (bathing, food preparation, eating, dressing, toileting, and walking) necessary for independence. In an ongoing multigenerational study that began in 1948, University of Chicago psychologists discovered that loneliness is contagious. Lonely people become so isolated and disinterested that they shut out their family and friends, resulting in caregivers and friends becoming depressed and lonely too. This gives rise to caregiver fatigue and despair so prevalent in families caring for their seniors. Loneliness and social isolation create the potential for seniors to require long-term care. If they cannot care for themselves, they may become malnourished and less mobile. Assisted living or fulltime care may become necessary for some such individuals, whereas most seniors value their independence. Ironically, losing independence can be positive if it improves social contact. How can we keep ourselves involved socially, and how can we as friends and family of seniors help them avoid isolation that causes depression and loneliness? My experience over many years of working closely with the older population has produced a few practical ideas that have been effective in helping them stay socially engaged throughout life, even into older years. (Social Isolation, continued on pg. 18)

• • • • • • • • •

Help Seniors Have More Social Contact (Don’t wait to be asked!)

Call every day just to say “hello.” Ask if they have any needs. Bring a cup of their favorite coffee or tea and stay for a visit. Write letters or postcards to them. Have children in your life do this too. Drive them to a doctor’s appointment, the grocery store, library, and so forth. Offer to bring them to church or an event. Sit with them. Take them out for coffee or lunch. Read the news or a book to them. Connect them with the Audio Reader Program. Help them set up a computer in their home, get email, and connect to social media.


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Social Isolation (continued from page 16) Staying as physically fit as possible is the first step. Daily exercise will put you in social situations where you can be with people and have a regular outing. In consultation with your physician, choose safe exercises. Do something physically active every day. Walking is best and requires only a safe place to do it and a good pair of walking shoes. However, gardening, cycling, or playing tennis, pickleball, or granny basketball are good too. Seated programs are available at area parks and recreation centers and via videos. Don’t hesitate to utilize a personal trainer to help you exercise correctly. If your situation requires it, a physical therapist can help with strength training, flexibility, and balance.

Volunteering is another great way to stay socially connected. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose through an enjoyable activity. Share your knowledge with others. Read at your neighborhood school, teach kids at Big Brothers Big Sisters how to knit or crochet, become a hospital volunteer, or sign up to help the Senior Resource Center. Opportunities are endless.

Benefits of Being Socially Active • • • • • • • •

BETTER MENTAL HEALTH Social isolation can lead to depression. Loneliness can turn into thoughts of worthlessness, despair, and boredom. With socialization, people feel noticed, loved, needed, and affirmed. A POSITIVE OUTLOOK AND A MORE ENJOYABLE LIFE Being alone with only your own thoughts, especially if you are a negative thinker, leads to a distorted sense of reality. SENSE OF BELONGING Enjoy others with similar personalities and interests, and have conversations. INCREASED SELF-ESTEEM Recognize that you are contributing to the community. INCREASED CONFIDENCE Regular social activities eventually lead to self-assurance. IMPROVED PHYSICAL HEALTH Getting out of the chair at home to go be with people improves strength and immunity. INCREASED COGNITIVE FUNCTION Having to make conversation and interact with others challenges the brain, especially during games or classes. ACCOUNTABILITY If we are meeting someone for lunch or a walk, we are more likely to get up, dress, shower, and be on time.

Many people enjoy being part of a service organization, book club, dinner group, or travel club. Share your travel experiences at your church, library, or friend’s home. Even volunteering to take a friend to the doctor can keep you both connected socially. Offer to keep active in your profession as a volunteer to stay engaged and valued. Some seniors enjoy working full or part-time to stay connected, have a sense of purpose, and make extra money. Engaging intellectually is another great way to stay sharp and interested in life. Take a college or Osher Lifelong Learning course. Learn a new language. Do puzzles with a friend or play cards or board games. Health conditions, mobility limitations, or lack of energy can keep us from being socially active as we age. Perhaps we are a caregiver for a spouse or loved one and have little free time or are too exhausted to socialize. Withdrawing from contact can occur so subtly in these situations that we might not notice how deprived we are until sadness and depression set it. Rita McGrew is Registered Nurse in Lawrence, Kansas. Board certified in gerontology, she has worked with the older population throughout most of her career.

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July 2018

LEGALESE by Molly Wood, JD

Long-Term Care Insurance: Do I Need it? Q: I hear and read a lot about nursing home insurance, and I have been receiving a lot of advertising for those insurance products. But it’s not something I have much experience with. My father died at age 50 of a heart attack, and my mother died a few weeks after she broke her hip at age 89; Medicare paid for her expenses in the nursing home. Do I really need it? A: Probably. In the first place, don’t be misled into thinking Medicare will cover long-term care expenses. I’m guessing your mother was in the hospital at least 3 days when she had her hip fracture surgically repaired, so she would have been eligible for post-hospital rehab, and many nursing homes provide that care. However, Medicare only pays for nursing home care if it is appropriate for rehabilitation therapy, and only for a maximum of 100 days. So if she had survived longer, she would have been discharged from Medicare and would have faced the full cost of nursing home care if she couldn’t go home. Insurance is all about managing risk, and according to the Family Caregiver Alliance, the risk of needing long-term care is quite high. Here are some statistics: • There is a 70% probability that an individual over age 65 will become cognitively impaired or unable to complete at least two activities of daily living-including dressing, bathing or eating over his or her lifetime. • On the aggregate, of those who enter a nursing home, 50% will stay an average of 2.5 years; 10% will stay there five years or longer. • Currently, individuals over the age of 50 control 75% of the nation’s wealth and half the discretionary income. • 70% of single people who enter a nursing home are impoverished within one year. • 50% of all couples are impoverished within one year of one spouse entering a nursing home. • Although there’s a wide variety in costs, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) the average cost of care in a nursing home in Kansas is around $197.88 per day ($73,000 annually) in Kansas. • 75% of all nursing home residents over the age of 85 are women.

to let the policy lapse, you’ve wasted your money. You also want to understand the circumstances under which premiums will increase. Long-term care insurance carriers have been faced with low interest rates, fewer lapses than projected and longer periods of care than anticipated. Hence, policyholders are facing large rate increases and tough decisions about what to do with existing policies for which they have been paying for years. If you are single or widowed and the combination of your income and retirement savings would cover your cost of care for at least 5 years, and you don’t care whether you leave an inheritance to family or charities, you could “self-insure.” And if you’re in your late 70s or older, or already have some serious ailments, you’re probably not insurable. However, if you’re married and your spouse needs nursing home care, while at the same time you need enough income to meet your needs at home, access to long-term care insurance benefits could save you from poverty. A good place to start is at the Kansas Department of Insurance’s website: http:// www.ksinsurance.org/documents/department/publications/ longterm-care-ins-shoppers-guide.pdf. You can download the publication or call and receive a copy in the mail. The consumer assistance number is: 800-432-2484. 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, 785842-0543.

Any way you slice it, every one of us is exposed to the risk that our incomes won’t meet our needs, and the high cost of nursing home care exacerbates that risk. One way to think about your individual need might be to identify who doesn’t need long-term care insurance. If your retirement income exceeds $73,000 per year, for example, you could afford to “self-insure,” that is, just pay for whatever care you need until your death. There are factors to consider before you buy. If you can’t afford the premiums and are likely

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

Diuretics and Sex Q: My blood pressure has risen to the point that my doctor has prescribed water pills. I have heard that prescription medicines can cause impotence. Should I be worried? A: Diuretics (also called “water pills”) help the kidneys pass more water and salts out through urine. This lowers blood pressure by decreasing the volume of blood circulating in your body, much like letting some air out of a balloon lowers the air pressure inside. The good news is that diuretics are not the type of blood pressure medicines associated with erectile dysfunction (formerly called “impotence”), which act instead on the heart, blood vessels, or other tissues. However, some diuretics cause so much water and salts loss that electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium) drop too low. If you experience symptoms that affect physical activity, including sex, such as fatigue and muscle cramps (“Charlie horses”), your libido may suffer. To combat low electrolytes, eat more winter squash, potato skins, oranges, bananas, and other foods high in potassium, but do not increase your intake of table salt, as that is counterproductive to the attempt to lower your blood pressure. Be sure to tell your doctor about these symptoms so your diuretic dosage can be adjusted. A severe potassium imbalance can cause your heart to beat irregularly.

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Now that you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension), be aware that this disease not only affects the heart and brain, but also the pelvic organs. If you do experience erectile difficulty, it may be because of buildup of plaque or cholesterol in your arteries that decreases good blood flow. Just as you are now at greater risk for a heart attack or stroke, you may also have softer or more difficult erections. This new diagnosis is a wake-up call. Do not rely on just diuretics to solve the problem. Tackle your general health to bring it under control. Lose weight. Stop smoking. Even small changes can produce significant improvement in blood pressure. 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.


July 2018

ID Thief

(continued from page 4)

assist you in disputing them. (I will provide information next month regarding stolen checks.) If this unfortunate situation impacts your family, I hope this information assists you in identifying your options and considering what protections may need to put into place. If you would want to learn more about identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission offers a wealth of information on its website. You may also contact our Consumer Protection Unit at 785-330-2849 or [email protected]. We are always ready to serve the citizens of Douglas County. This article is not intended to provide legal advice. Legal advice can only be provided in an attorney-client relationship. This information must not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney.

Credit Reporting Bureaus/Credit Reports Equifax .....................................Dispute Form, Lock & Alert www.equifax.com To order a credit report: (866) 349-5191 PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 Experian....................................Dispute Form, Lock & Alert www.experian.com (888) 397-3742 PO Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion................................. Dispute Form, Fraud Alert www.transunion.com To order credit report: (800) 888-4213 To report fraud: (800) 680-7289 PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 Annual Credit Report Request Service www.annualcreditreport.com (877) 322-8228 PO Box 105283, Atlanta, GA 30348-5283

Lee Ketzel

(continued from page 1)

my children about my grandchildren.” Lee says that she has had a wonderful life full of opportunities and new challenges. One of the best things about growing older, she quips with a twinkle in her eye, is realizing that she doesn’t have to go to everything to which she is invited. She likes having choices and the wisdom to design her time as she wishes. Lee still lives alone in her Lawrence house and drives to Topeka and Kansas City to attend cultural events and serve on Boards. Her many service activities also include the League of Women Voters and KU’s Endacott Society. She works out three times a week on the treadmill, arm ergometer, and the arm and leg cycle ergometer, as she has for many years following a heart scare that motivated her to improve her diet and exercise. She is grateful for good health and is certainly a role model for everyone of any age.

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July 2018

Extra Help for Prescription Coverage & Medicare Savings Programs If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for subsidies and Medical Savings Programs to help offset some of the cost of your prescription drugs and premium costs.

For information or to schedule a free consultation with a SHICK counselor, call 785-842-0543.

785-842-0543 y www.YourSRC.org

This service is provided in part by a grant from the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) as administered through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).

Affordable Living for Independent Seniors

Included Amenitites...    

Gated Entry with Controlled Access 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments Private Patio/French Balcony Detached Garages Available

Carefree...  

24 hour Emergency Maintenance Beautifully Maintained Landscaping

Active...   

Clubhouse Access Ongoing Resident Groups & Activities Available Transportation to Shopping

Affordable... 

Rent options from $770 – 930 per month

Prairie Commons Apartments 5121 Congressional Circle, Lawrence, KS 66049 Call Sheri today to set up a personal tour. 785-843-1700  www.liveatprairiecommons.com

July 2018


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745 Vermont Lawrence, KS 66044