Montana55 spring2014 by Missoulian eEdition

Spring 2014

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Spring 2014

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getaways

scenic haunts favored by photographers

active retirement

Retired for 10 years from automobile sales, Gary Kittelson has an active outdoor lifestyle that revolves around the seasons. Photos by James Woodcock

keeping up with kittleson

Warning: Trying to keep up with Gary Kittelson is difficult. Even though he’s 74 years old, the Billings retiree is a competitive ski racer, enthusiastic and dedicated windsurfer,

by brett french

www.montana55.com

“So I always say I have the perfect life and the perfect wife who lets me do it,” he said while riding up the Willow Creek chairlift at Red Lodge Mountain Resort in March. He and his wife, Nancy, a retired emergency room nurse, have been married for almost 50 years. “I’ve been pretty lucky. Everything I’ve done I’ve really enjoyed.” Kittelson was born in Billings, but his parents moved to Kalispell when he was in the third grade to run the Mountain View Tavern. It was growing up in Kalispell where he first learned to ski when he was 9 years old and then raced in high school. After graduating from high school, Kittelson returned to Billings to attend Eastern Montana College, now Montana State University Billings. He remembers skiing the first day that Red Lodge Mountain, then called Grizzly Peak, opened in 1960. “We didn’t have much racing here because we didn’t have a coach,” he recalled. Ten years ago Kittelson retired after working as a sales manager at two Billings car dealerships, giving him more time to play. Although he raised his five children to ski, and he competed in Red Lodge Mountain’s Town Series races, Kittelson said it wasn’t until last year when Lisa Densmore began coaching the Masters ski racing program that he really became enthusiastic about the sport again. “I would have quit skiing if it wasn’t for racing,” Kittelson said. “I’ve only been on my other skis one time this year.”

a bow and long-range rifle hunter as well as a diversified angler who utilizes fly, spinning and spey rods. Over the course of the year, he has a schedule lined out for each activity.

ensmore said Kittelson was one of the first people to sign up for the Masters program at Red Lodge. It’s an activity he’s fully embraced. In his red and black striped Lycra racing suit, he aggressively turns his skis while speeding downhill, carving wide powerful arcs. While riding up the chair lift he is jovial, taunting fellow skiers passing below while exuding a restless enthusiasm to once again be on the move.

“He is still an incredible athlete and has such a go-for-it attitude,” Densmore said. “I would say he’s a real anchor of the program. He’s always at training, and he keeps on going, which is really impressive for an athlete of his age.” Kittelson’s race times prove that he’s not messing around. He typically beats local skiers in his age group by 30 seconds. In March, he won his division in the annual White Stag giant slalom race at Red Lodge. In a recent Masters race in Idaho he placed third, but the skiers who beat him included a two-time Olympic downhill ski racer and a Masters national champion in the United States and Norway. “Most of the guys are ex-racers from college, some are ex-Olympians and then there are those of us trying to catch them,” Kittelson said and laughed. After learning to ski in leather boots on wooden skis in a manner popularized by Stein Eriksen – skis together and shoulders counterrotated – Kittelson has had to relearn the sport about four times as gear and technique has advanced. Along the way he’s broken his leg three times. “Trying to learn the technique is like the old dog learning a new trick, it’s harder for us to learn,” he said, acknowledging that like the old Wide World of Sports phrase, he has experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

rv vacation

amtrak

knee replacement

know the warning signs

nutrition for quicker recovery

varicose veins

treatment has become easier

by kelsey dayton

www.montana55.com

good sense of humor and a tendency to play hard are attributes many of Kittelson’s friends and acquaintances mention when asked about him. Densmore, who has gone fly fishing with Kittelson on the Bighorn River, said the man is always upbeat. “He approaches fishing with the same joie de vivre, it exudes from him no matter what he’s doing outdoors,” she said. His friend, George Andrikopoulos, agreed. “He’s happy go lucky and will do anything at the drop of a hat,” he said. Spring 2014

active retirement

hearing loss

The procedure today takes only minutes and uses only localized anesthetic, Tonda Richards said. A fine wire is threaded into the vein and then a laser light emitted from the wire slowly draws back out the vein. It heats the inside of the vein and causes it to collapse. The body absorbs the vein tissue. If any pieces are left they can either be removed by pulling the tiny pieces out or injecting it with a fluid that causes the rest of the vein to disappear. By the time a varicose vein presents itself, the body has already compensated and isn’t using that vein, so removing it doesn’t cause any problems, Richards said. Timothy Richards brought the technique to western Montana about 10 years ago, said Tonda Richards. Now it’s become a standard treatment for varicose veins. The current procedure is done in the office instead of a hospital. Patients are given a light sedative to keep them relaxed instead of full anesthesia. They receive a topical anesthetic so they don’t feel the skin punctures, but they are awake and cognizant the 45 minutes the procedure could take, Richards said. Then they head home. In about six weeks the body absorbs the vein, but some patients feel immediate relief. Varicose veins are the result of a valve in the veins, which allows blood to flow throughout the body failing. The blood begins to pool causing the veins to expand to the ropey lumps people see in their legs Richards said. It’s not just that people don’t like how they look. They become painful. “This is not a cosmetic situation,” Richards said of treatment. “(Varicose veins) are a lifestyle altering problem.”

keeping up with gary kittleson 34

explore montana with comforts of home

varicose veins

shingles

senior housing

money matters

estate planning

Everyone experience pain differently but it can be a burning or aching sensation. Legs can feel tired and ache. Ankles and feet can swell and itch. They can cause skin ulcers. “They just hurt,” Richards said. While varicose veins are more often seen in older adults, the condition can be hereditary and impact even teenagers.

orthwest Montana Surgical Practices in Kalispell has treated patients as young as 16 years old up to a 92-year-old woman. “And she did just fantastic,” said Jessica Lee, medical assistant. At Northwest Montana Surgical Practices in Kalispell, varicose veins are treated using frequency ablation where a heated catheter goes down the main truck of the vein system feeding all the veins and then a micro phlebotomy removes the excess vein, Lee said. Ultrasound guides the procedure allowing the doctors to see the veins and the catheter. Like the procedure at Rocky Mountain Surgical Center, it only requires a sedative and small increments of topical anesthesia throughout the procedure. It replaced vein stripping not just because it’s more efficient but because it’s so much easier on patients, Lee said. Varicose veins are incredibly common, she said. At Northwest Montana Surgical Practices, it’s only a small part of what the nine-physician team treats. Two of the doctors are vascular surgeons and treat varicose veins. But it’s a common enough condition that some clinics are able to specialize in just varicose veins Lee said. Heredity is one thing that can increase chances of developing varicose veins but there are other lifestyle factors that can influence the likelihood, Richards said. They are common in those who have jobs that involve a lot of standing, like a waitress and in those who are overweight. They also can occur in pregnant women. They usually begin occurring when people are in the 40s or 50 but most people don’t deal with them until they are in the 60s, 70s, or 80s, Richards said. The longer people avoid treating the veins the worse they can get. It’s better to get them treated early, she said. Especially with the low impact procedures that can remove the veins. Spring 2014 35

treatment has become easier

enjoy the journey, scenery

glamping

soaking up nature with all the comforts of home

by kelsey dayton

www.montana55.com

Glamping, a term to describe highend luxury camping, is modeled after the African safari. It first became popular in the United States about a decade ago, and now ranches and resorts across Montana are offering a way to get out in nature without giving up a comfortable bed and hot shower.

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the sun shines over a Under Canvas Group tent

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In the seven years since the Resort at Paws Up started offering “glamping,” or glamorous camping, they’ve added doors with

actual hinges replacing the zipper opening of a tent, they’ve added twig-made walls to separate rooms, installed bath tubs, air

conditioning and heat, and this year some structures are getting Japanese soaking tubs on the deck. The one thing that has stayed the

same and differentiates the feeling of staying in a high-end hotel or luxury cabin is the canvas walls of the tent. You can hear the river or the sound of rain, said Stephen Beaumont, CEO of Paws Up Ranch in Greenough. “It’s just the canvas between you and the heavens” he said.

n 2009 Sarah Dusek, CEO of the Under Canvas Group, which offers glamping near Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, and her husband started operating Sage Safaris in Havre. Dusek had worked in Africa and Havre’s landscape struck her as similar to the prairies and bush. Rich in wildlife and with visitors coming for hunting, modeling an operation after an African safari seemed natural. A stay at Sage Safaris not only includes three gourmet meals a day and staying in a fully furnished safari tent, elevated off the ground and with its own private bathroom, but also a private hunting guide for upland bird hunting. This allows people to set their own schedules whether they want to hunt all day, or break for a nap. The operation is open for only about a month in the fall, during upland bird hunting season. Most guests are seasoned bird hunters who have hunted all over the world and wanted a unique experience without having to travel internationally, Dusek said. The clients are typically men in their mid30s up to late 70s. Sage Safaris, which only accommodates about eight guests at a time, was so popular the company opened a business in Yellowstone in 2012 and one near Glacier will open this summer. The camps near the parks don’t offer hunting, but instead cater to those wanting to hike and just be outside. “If you are a die-hard camper you may turn your nose up at glamping, thinking you are not doing the real thing,” she said. Spring 2014 21

glamping

soak up nature in luxury

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new facility offers downsized option

converstion about the future

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It started with a casual conversation, and ended with some serious reflection. Now Bill Beecher ’63 is making a big impact for tomorrow’s students. “A fraternity brother mentioned his giving, and it made me think about the kind of legacy that I wanted to leave to the University,” says Beecher. Today the Great Falls resident is part of an important group, the University of Montana Foundation Benefactors Society, using charitable gift annuities to make his goal a reality. “The Montana Endowment Tax Credit offers significant benefits,” Beecher says. “And, the UM Foundation really worked with me so that I could give within my comfort zone.” Most importantly, though, Beecher says giving back to the place that gave him a top-notch education and lifelong friends has been incredibly satisfying. He reflects, ”I have been so fortunate— if there is any way I can help the next student have the same experiences, there’s the magic.” Act now and leave your mark. Support UM with a charitable gift annuity. Call us at 800.443.2593.

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SupportUm.org | Facebook.com/UmFoundation Spring 2014

getaways

montana’s scenic haunts

After nearly six months of snow and winter, it’s time to remind ourselves of why we live in Montana – spring and summer. Maybe this is the year you set

out to find new haunts to explore, or revisit places you haven’t been to in years. Start celebrating now by looking for scenic spots to set up an easel or a camera tripod or just stretch those winter-weary limbs. And who better to school us in finding beauty and fun than area artists and photographers? Here are some picks for the top spots for day trips.

by jaci webb

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Coila Evans

professional artist In Roundup, we have a trail along the Musselshell River that is just a nice place to walk in the spring. It goes down by the fairgrounds and you can get to it easily from town. What you’ll see: There are lots of big old cottonwoods, pine trees and birds. It’s a nice place to paint.

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Yellowstone River by Bob Webster

amateur photographer, community historian at the Western Heritage Center Our hiking shifts according to the seasons. A place we hike, often in cooler weather, and outside of local places such as Four Dances, Swords Park and Phipps Park, is north of the Yellowstone River, north and northeast of Billings. We take our dog Sophie and explore for fossils and other signs of life. We hike north of Pompeys Pillar and north of Shepherd on several large tracts of BLM and state land. It’s rugged country, often better for hiking when it’s a little cooler out. It’s an area of hot dusty summers, with no water and lots of rattlesnakes, but during the cool of spring, fall and winter, it’s fantastic country. Things you may find: Horny toads, praying mantis and rattlesnakes. “We found a praying mantis that is gray, not green and the horny toads when you put them on the ground match their environment well.”

Lynn Al

amateur photographer, marketing director at Venture Theatre My husband, Andre, and I try to look for someplace where he can throw a Frisbee and I can take photos. We really love the area of Diamond X at Phipps Park, which is west of Yellowstone Country Club on Molt Road. We like to explore that part of the Rims along the railroad trestle. The folf course is tough, but there are established trails. What you’ll see: The rock formations are beautiful. We went there at dusk, which is a great time to take pictures, but a horrible time to play disc golf.

Liz Harding

curatorial assistant at the Yellowstone Art Museum I used to go every spring to the Pryor Mountains to see the new baby horses. It’s really cool up there when it starts to turn green. What you may see: I just love to see the horses with all the babies, and to see the stallions competing over the females. A lot of times, there is a BLM ranger up there and they know every single horse and will answer questions. One year I went up there, there was a guy from France taking photographs.

John Havener

professional photographer I have a few that I really like. The first one would be the Pryor Mountains. Go through Bridger and

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getaways

Musselshell River by Donnie Sexton

one mile outside of town, you will see the access to national forest land. It’s paved for 1 mile and after that it’s definitely a four-wheel -drive-only road. What you’ll see: I go to the Pryors to see the flowers in the spring, sometimes the birds and the horses, of course. It’s a beautiful place. I also like Pompeys Pillar National Monument. They have a new visitors center they opened in 2005 that is really nice. What you’ll see: Follow the boardwalk to the top of the pillar and from there you can see four or five mountain ranges. Then, there are the pictograph caves across the Yellowstone River from Billings and then turn south on Coburn Road. They have tours in the summer that will take you to all three of the caves. What you’ll see: Some of the drawings date back to 7000 B.C. Archeologists there can tell you about them. My favorite place is the Montana Grizzly Encounter outside Bozeman off the Jackson Creek exit. It’s a nonprofit organization and the entry fee of $7 for adults goes to help feed the bears. There were three bears there, two females and one male. They live in a natural habitat after being rescued from unfortunate circumstances. The females were rescued from a circus in Texas where they lived in a 10-by10-foot cage. 8

What you’ll see: You won’t see fencing. A dry moat creates a barrier between you and the bears so there are no fences, making it a great place to take photographs.

Jody Grant

amateur photographer and marketing director for the Billings Symphony Orchestra Sioux Charley Lake, southwest of Nye. I’m planning on going in May. It makes for an easy day trip and you can stop in Nye at the Dew Drop Inn for lunch. It’s an easy 3-mile hike to Sioux Charley and the trail doesn’t gain much in elevation. What to watch out for: You have to keep in mind with the snow melting, the river does go up. We went early last year and part of the trail had washed out. The river was so raging in that gorge, it was splashing up on the side of the trail getting us wet. We definitely held our kids’ hands. What you’ll see: You do have to be careful for bears. It depends on how you approach the trip, is it the journey or the destination? If it’s the journey, there are lots of swimming holes along the way. If it’s the destination, there is the lake. There are big horn

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ceramic artist, director of the Moss Mansion Years ago, we used to drive around, looking for places to take pictures. There are all these cool little places to go. The drive to Lewistown is one of the prettiest drives ever. Sometimes we forget. We always look to the south to the beautiful mountains, but there is cool scenery other places, too. What to do in Lewistown: The Lewistown museum is fabulous. It’s all family stuff. It’s so personal. A lot of times it’s grandma’s wedding dress right there as you walk in the door. And the volunteer who is working there is the granddaughter of the woman who got married in 1908. Where else? There are also great little museums in Roundup and Big Timber. These are all nice day trips. Pack a lunch, or eat at the A&W if you’re in Roundup and then come back to the big city of Billings.

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active retirement

Retired for 10 years from automobile sales, Gary Kittelson has an active outdoor lifestyle that revolves around the seasons. Photos by James Woodcock

keeping up with kittleson

Warning: Trying to keep up with Gary Kittelson is difficult. Even though heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 74 years old, the Billings retiree is a competitive ski racer, enthusiastic and dedicated windsurfer,

by brett french

www.montana55.com

a bow and long-range rifle hunter as well as a diversified angler who utilizes fly, spinning and spey rods. Over the course of the year, he has a schedule lined out for each activity.

active retirement Andrikopoulos recalled a windsurfing trip he took with Kittelson years ago in Wyoming. Andrikopoulos had carefully packed a cooler for his meals, but when he picked up Kittelson he looked “befuddled” when asked where his food was. Walking into his kitchen, Kittelson grabbed half a loaf of bread and a half-empty jar of peanut butter. “And that’s what he ate the whole weekend,” Andrikopoulos said. “He didn’t care.”

here can also be an edge to Kittelson’s raucous enjoyment. “He’s extremely competitive in whatever he does, no matter

Kittelson, left, shares a moment with friends in the ski lodge. Photo by James Woodcock

www.montana55.com

windsurfing has held kittleson’s attention for so long because he’s continually able to improve his ability if it’s skiing, fishing or mountain biking,” Andrikopoulos said. Andrikopoulos met Kittelson in 1983 when he employed him as a car salesman. “As soon as he hired me we started talking about skiing, then we became fast friends and started skiing together a lot,” Andrikopoulos said. Not long afterward, Kittelson took up the emerging sport of windsurfing, practicing on Lake Elmo in the Billings Heights. At first he found the boards clunky and difficult to maneuver. Then he discovered smaller boards and his love of the sport took wing. It wasn’t long before he began

annual summer migrations to the Columbia River Gorge, which has become an international windsurfing hot spot. Every summer, beginning in early July, Kittelson packs up and moves to the gorge to spend a few months riding the river’s gusty wind currents. “I have friends from all over the world that come there,” he said. He said the sport has held his attention for so long because he’s continually able to improve his ability, “which is conducive to liking it.” In the past couple of years, Andrikopoulos said his friend has groused about slowing down. Although he can still clip along at

40 mph while windsurfing, he now takes naps in the middle of the day to refresh himself, a ritual that prompts ribbings from his younger windsurfing mates. “I tell the young guys who give me a hard time that before I take the long dirt nap, I have to practice,” he said and laughed. Like his zestful living of life to its fullest, Kittelson vows not to leave this earth quietly. He said he used to have a tree picked out on Red Lodge Mountain that he planned to ski into at “Mach 10” rather than ever enter a nursing home. But this summer the ski area cut down the tree. “Now I’ve got to find a new one.”

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rv vacation

explore montana with the comforts of home

RVing in Montana

With spring already here and summer coming up quickly, Montanans are getting ready to hit the highway in their RVs. Now that the weather is starting

to warm up, Gardnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RV in Kalispell is seeing a lot of people bringing in their vehicles to get them road ready.

by dillon kato

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small, front wheel drive models make it easier to use an RV longer into the season

“A lot of people are bringing their unit in to make sure there are no frozen lines, check out the appliances and systems, pack the wheel bearings,” said sales manager Shawn Bergeson. Gardner’s also does RV rentals, and Bergeson said one of the most popular destinations is heading up to Glacier Park for a few days.

“There’s plenty of RV campgrounds in the surrounding area, some of them even let you book online,” he said. Bergeson said one of the biggest changes in RVs in recent years is the introduction of small, front wheel drive models, which make it easier to use an RV longer into the season, even when roads are snowy or icy. In addition to the normal mechanical checks at the start of the season, there are also concerns specific to having stored an RV outdoors in Montana. Dustin Bretz, co-owner and manager of Bretz RV and Marine in Billings, said chief among these are inspecting the roof for damage or stress from the weight of snow and ice if the vehicle was uncovered. Bretz said one common way some of the company’s older customers use an RV is buying one after retirement. “We’ve had people who made a list of places they’ve always wanted to see, then put their house into property management for a few years to travel,” he said. Many of them travel shortly after retirement in order to enjoy the trip while they are still very healthy, he said. They also use the trip to visit grandchildren that might be spread across the country or even scope out places they might eventually decide to move to later on. “There are very affordable options. You can buy new for as low as $10,000, or spend as much as $500,000 and get features like heated floors and marble countertops,” Bretz said.

elsie Frederickson of Bozeman’s Big Sky RV said they see a lot

of interest in RVs in Montana during the summer months from older people she refers to as “snowbirds,” who head south during the winter. “Obviously, in Montana, our nicest warm weather can be a pretty small window. We get a lot of people in the summer, who stay in the state until the weather starts to turn,” Frederickson said. Big Sky RV posts reminders in the shop and also online via social media in the spring and the fall, reminding people of routine tasks to accomplish both at the start and end of the RVing season. The company also offers winterizing packages on some of their models to help a potential RV vacationer extend the season without sacrificing comfort or reliability. Frederickson said RVing appeals to people who like to travel, but don’t want to leave the comforts of home behind. “You get your own stuff, your own pillows and blankets. You’re more comfortable,” she said. RVing can also be a less expensive vacation option in the long run. “If you stay in a hotel, that could be $200 a night, not including the cost of getting there. With an RV, it’s a reusable vacation, you don’t have to worry about making reservations and booking rooms,” Frederickson said. One couple recently came into Big Sky RV after flying to the United States from their home in Europe. “They bought a trailer from us and went on a trip around the country to see America. When they were finished, they came back, we bought it back and they flew home,” Frederickson said. Spring 2014

amtrak

taking the scenic route

Flying can be stressful. You have to arrive long before your flight leaves, navigate sometimes-long security lines. Sit in cramped seats. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why some travelers prefer by train, said Lisa Overlie, owner and travel consultant at Lelok Travel in Havre.

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amtrak the views are like driving along highway 2, but people can sit back and watch instead of focusing on the road For those travelers who pick the train, it is often because they find it more relaxing, Overlie said. Plus people can get up and walk around stretching their legs, she said. Amtrak vacations aren’t new or on the rise, but demand has held steady, especially with older travelers, she said. One perk of traveling by train is Amtrak offers a senior discount for those 62 and older, Overlie said. Amtrak use is on the rise nationwide, said Marcus Magliari, a spokesman with Amtrak. There’s been record travel in 10 of the past 11 years and most recently Amtrak reports 32 million riders a year. Long-distance driving can be exhausting and plane travel cramped, he said. Amtrak’s seats are wider than any on an airplane. “Domestically, there’s no one who can touch us in terms of seats,” he said. People also have the option to travel in compartments allowing for comfortable sleeping and privacy – some have their own bathrooms. There are also accessible compartments for those with disabilities and with a low employee-passenger ratio those that need extra assistance have plenty of help. Amtrak’s “Empire Builder,” which runs from Oregon and Washington, through northern Montana to Chicago, is one of the most popular overnight trips, he said. It’s scenic. The views are like driving along U.S. Highway 2, but people can sit back and watch instead of focusing on the road. “We like to tell people their trip begins as soon as they get on the train,” Magliari said.

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n Montana, people can board Amtrak at 12 different statins across the northern portion of the state. Most people in Montana that use the train live near the stations, travel agents said. In Whitefish most people who take the train are using it for ski trips said Micki Nonemacher, part-owner of Flathead Travel. People love to come into Whitefish via train for ski vacations, she said. It becomes part of their Montana adventure. Residents also visit the travel agency asking to travel by train, she said. Lately, the trains have had some reliability issues due to increased rail traffic from energy development, Nonemacher said. Amtrak is changing its schedule to help deal with it and hopefully will be more reliable, she said. It’s one of the quirks of train travel that makes it more appealing to those who are retired and have more flexibility with their time. “You don’t set your watch by Amtrak,” she said. Still Nonemacher has clients request traveling by train. It’s great for traveling with kids because of the child rates. And there’s the perks of bigger seats, being able to walk around and accessibility. But for most it’s the experience. Traveling by train is about slowing down and watching the scenery, “land cruising” Nonemacher said. It’s a step back in time away from the hustle and stresses of daily life. It’s a chance to connect with fellow traveling companions, providing time to play games or just sit and talk. “It’s a memory of a lifetime” she said.

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along Empire Builder route. Photo by Amtrak

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glamping

soaking up nature in the lap of luxury

the sun shines over a Under Canvas Group tent

In the seven years since the Resort at Paws Up started offering “glamping,” or glamorous camping, they’ve added doors with

actual hinges replacing the zipper opening of a tent, they’ve added twig-made walls to separate rooms, installed bath tubs, air

by kelsey dayton

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conditioning and heat, and this year some structures are getting Japanese soaking tubs on the deck. The one thing that has stayed the

glamping

the interior and deck of a Paws Up tent

But not everyone has the wherewithal or the desire to sleep on the ground. Glamping provides an experience between staying a hotel and traditional camping and makes the outdoors more accessible. “It’s fantastic waking up in a real bed but breathing that fresh air,” she said. Under Canvas Group

a hotel suite with canvas walls 22

he Sweet Medicine Ranch in Fishtail has offered glamping for about three years, but owner Kaity Williams started thinking about it nine years ago after seeing a safari in Africa. Last summer was the first they really marketed the experience. The semi-permanent structures are canvas tents on raised platforms fully furnished, complete with queen-size

beds. People can spend the day fishing or hiking, but come back to more of a house than a traditional tent, where they can take a hot shower. “You are out there with nature without having to rough it at all,” she said. “It’s a hotel suite with canvas walls.” The ranch sees a variety of guests, most are visiting Montana and want to experience the landscape and lifestyle. It’s a popular activity with couples with kids who want to get away from the world for a bit, but also older people. “The need to go out in nature doesn’t go away because we get older, but the need for comfort increases,” Dusek said.

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Imagine: 7.2% income for life. Yes, it’s true! Depending on your age, the American Heart Association Charitable Gift Annuity will pay you from 5.6% to 11.5%. Here’s how it works. Mr. Jones, age 82, gives the American Heart Association $10,000 to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity. In return, the American Heart Association agrees to pay him $720 per year (7.2%) for his lifetime. More good news. Because of his gift, approximately 88% of his yearly income ($560) is considered tax-free income. Also, he receives an immediate charitable tax deduction for $4,977 (approximately 49% of the gift). The best part, however is knowing that this gift helps those with heart disease through lifesaving research.

Under Canvas Group tents feature a bathroom

t Paws Up, glamping has become especially popular with multigenerational family outings, Beaumont said. Often grandma, grandpa, mom and dad and kids come on a trip. It’s a way for someone who is a little older to still share the experience with kids of throwing stones in the creek or learning to fish or making s’mores on a fire, while still allowing for comforts like running water or heat for a chilly evening. The set-up at Paws Up makes it feel for guests like they are far in the woods, away from the distractions of a city. Many of the tents are near the Blackfoot River, Beaumont said. Glamping has become so popular at Paws Up they’ve continued to expand their offerings and now have five camps; each camp has multiple tents. While there isn’t big game hunting like in Africa, there are chances to spot bears and eagles. “There’s nothing around the tents that tells you, you are in a luxury location,” he said. It is the service that reminds people they are staying somewhere equivalent to a high-end hotel. There’s housekeeping, turn-down service and a chef. There’s no television, but there is Internet. “It’s very much get back to nature,” Beaumont said. “But not too much.”

For a brochure about gift annuities and a confidential, non-obligatory illustration on how this gift can benefit you, fill out and mail this form to the American Heart Association shown in the bottom right corner or by calling toll-free at 1-866-762-0441. Note: We urge you to consult with a qualified advisor before making a final decision regarding any planned gift for the American Heart Association.

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alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

raising awareness

T by dylan chaffin

The sixth leading cause of death in the nation isn’t caused by industrial accidents, a poor diet or lung disease. It’s Alzheimer’s disease – a form of dementia – currently affecting more than 18,000 Montanans and around 5.5 million Americans, according to the National Alzheimer’s Association. The disease generally affects age groups 60 and older, said Robert K. Stern, a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Boston University. He expects an “exponential increase” of patients suffering from the disease and related symptoms in the next two decades, as the baby boomer generation comes of age. A complex and unforgiving illness, Alzheimer’s begins in the hippocampus region of the brain, the area responsible for learning and constructing new memories. “Think of it as a file cabinet,” Stern said. “The hippocampus allows you to keep new information organized, but in a person with Alzheimer’s, the information cannot be accessed after it’s been ‘filed,’ no matter how hard the person tries.” On a biological level, the process begins 15 to 20 years before symptoms manifest, Stern added. A bad form of the protein beta-amyloid is the main component of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. According to Stern, there is one other major component – the TAU protein – that is attributed to the destruction of nerve cells within the brain, and depending on where cell death occurs, causes symptoms to surface. Symptoms include memory loss, changes in behavior or increased difficulty performing familiar tasks. Once so much of the brain tissue is destroyed, the patient develops dementia; a clinical syndrome defined as a loss of memory and at least one other cognitive function so detrimental that it affects daily life. “Dementia is not an illness or disease,” he said. “It’s the end point of a lot of different illnesses and diseases.” Overall, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for ¾ of cases of dementia. Patients live an average of eight

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years after diagnosis. And women are at an even higher risk, according to the National Alzheimer’s Association. Women represent a disproportionate 2/3 of the population suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, for reasons that are unclear to researchers. Studies have found mixed results regarding the relationship between the responsible proteins and the estrogen and progesterone hormones. Alzheimer’s has also been observed to be more prevalent in the African American and Hispanic populations, as well as in people who have heart disease, or diabetes and even affects those who have a smaller cognitive reserve, as Stern puts it, often seen in those with limited educations. An even rarer form of Alzheimer’s represents less than 5 percent of all cases, and is referred to as “familial Alzheimer’s disease,” caused by certain genes in DNA. Symptoms generally appear before the age of 60, and sometimes as early as 30 or 40 years old.

ut there is good news. Improvements in modern medicine have increased the chances for early detection of the proteins before symptoms manifest. Tests include spinal taps, which look at the presence of the proteins in the spinal fluid, and aren’t as painful or as large a risk as earlier spinal taps were, according to Stern. A secondary brain scan detects the amount of beta-amyloids within the brain. Both tests are FDA approved, but are not yet covered under Medicare. As of 2014, there are nationwide clinical trials through research facilities and neurologists that offer medications that potentially curb symptoms before they get worse, or stop them completely. Alzheimer’s disease has a far-reaching effect on economics as well. An estimated $214 billion dollars a year is spent on patients, with ¼ of Medicare and Medicaid funds going toward care. In Montana, there were 48,000 caregivers in 2013 who lost $677 million in unpaid hours. Workers and family members also face the economic impacts of missing work, or falling ill under work-related stress, affecting businesses big and small. To raise awareness and funds for research, the National Alzheimer’s Association hosts 650 different community walks each year. It’s the organization’s largest national event. Montana is hosting seven of these walks, in the towns of Bozeman, Butte, Eureka, Kalispell, Great Falls, Missoula and Billings during the month of September. The Billings walk is being organized by Spring 2014

alzheimer’s awareness events Dates for Alzheimer’s awareness and fundraising walks in Montana: Butte: Saturday, September 6 Missoula: Sunday, September 7 Great Falls: Saturday, September 13 Eureka: Saturday, September 13 Bozeman: Sunday, September 14 Billings: Sunday, September 21 Kalispell: Saturday, September 27 Lea Ann Yucha, marketing director of Marquis Grand Park, an assisted living facility. “There are three things that our generation can be sure of: death, taxes, and Alzheimer’s at the rate that the disease is growing,” she said. The 2013 “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” raised more than $56 million nationwide, with $193,000 of that amount coming from Montana communities, Yucha said. Her goal

for the 2014 walk in Billings is to raise $87,000. More than 400 walkers participate in the Billings event each year, Yucha said. The walk will be held at Zoo Montana, a 70-acre wildlife park in Billings. Participants can walk the 1-mile or 3-mile course for free, though teams that raise $100 or more receive T-shirts. Teams that raise more than $1,000 are able to pick a prize from the corporate office. A kick-off event and information session will be held on June 4 at Zoo Montana at 5 p.m. On June 5, the Lake Hills Golf Course in Billings will hold a golfing tournament, Mulligans for Memory. A summer solstice event will be held on June 21 at the Yellowstone Brewing Company, with live music and a raffle. Participants can register for the walks online at www. alz.org.

To register for a clinical trial Go online to http://bit.ly/1dRZCv5. Dylan Chaffin is a journalism student at the University of Montana and a reporting intern for the Missoulian.

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hearing loss

don’t ignore the warning signs

Hearing loss has become one of the most prevalent health conditions among seniors, behind only arthritis and hypertension. In fact, about one in three people over the age of 65 experience some level of hearing loss.

New advancements in detection and treatment for hearing loss mean it’s especially important to stay on top of this issue, as it can develop slowly and will only get worse the longer it remains untreated. Dr. Crystal Dvorak, an audiologist with Rehder Balance and Hearing Clinic in Billings, said untreated hearing loss isn’t just about not being able to enjoy music, listen to the television, or hear people speaking. It can also lead to broader issues including depression, social isolation and increased anxiety. “If you have something you used to do a lot,

by dillon kato

www.montana55.com

warning signs It’s important not to ignore the warning signs that might come from hearing loss. • Increasingly frustrated and socially isolated • Unable to hear well in social settings • Asking others to repeat themselves • You hear, but don’t understand others speaking • Others repeatedly asking you to turn down the television?

the first spot to go. To have insurance pay for an audiology test, you usually will have to have a physician recommendation,” she said. In addition to aging, hearing loss can also be caused by family history, medications, or illness. An audiologist will be able to fully diagnose an issue and describe options for a person suffering from hearing loss. Sometimes the solutions can be relatively simple, such as a wax blockage in the ear that can be cleared, or learning more effective communication techniques. “Their spouse might always talk to them from the other room, where they can learn to be face to face when they speak. The vision aspect is a big part of how we communicate, relying on body language cues and seeing a person’s mouth when we talk,” Dvorak said.

but have problems hearing, you’re not enjoying it like you once did. Eventually, you stop going to your bridge game, or a weekly coffee with your friends, you pull away from those things and people,” Dvorak said. Many people assume that hearing loss, and other health issues, are just a part of getting older. While that is true, Dvorak said, it’s still a good idea to get a screening and see if the issue is one that can be helped. “A primary care physician can be

or more advanced hearing loss, an audiologist might recommend hearing aids, or in specific cases surgical solutions or certain types of implants. Even since she entered the field in 2008, Dvorak said there has been remarkable improvement in the technology and size of hearing aids. Just recently, there are ones that communicate directly with iphones and ipads. So if you get a video of the grandkids, it can stream the sound right into your ears, or you can use the device to adjust the volume,” Dvorak said. The doctor said while most people think of hearing loss as an on or off condition, where you either hear

sound or don’t, in most cases it’s not like that at all. She said many of her patients have high frequency hearing loss, where they have trouble detecting certain consonant sounds, making it seem like people talking to them are mumbling. “They can hear, just not get the details. It’s like if I gave them a book, but removed a few of the letters from it,” Dvorak said.

racy Paliga with the Hearing Aid Institute, which has offices around Montana and Wyoming, said there are more loud noises, with more machinery and technology, around people in their everyday lives these days, which contributes to slower, gradual loss in hearing. “It’s a very small percentage who say a large noise went off and now can’t hear,” Paliga said. The Hearing Aid Institute conducts tests and evaluations on hearing problems, offering solutions in some cases and referring to a specialist if a patient has a more serious issue. In many cases, the institute fits people for hearing aids to help amplify the sounds around them. “These days, they are very discreet. It’s like wearing a computer in your ear. In the mid-2000s, they went fully digital programmable, which means they compute faster and adjust better than ever before,” Paliga said. New device technology has also been able to help people with tinnitus, a ringing sound in the ears caused by aging or ear damage. Spring 2014 29

hearing loss

hearing loss connection A study by Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins Medical Center found that, after following more than 600 people aged 36 to 90 for 12 years, hearing loss was tied to an increased risk of dementia. For each 10-decibel loss in hearing, Lin saw a 20 percent increase in the risk of dementia. The risk increased as much as five times among test subjects that developed severe hearing loss during the study.

“You know how fast computers are changing and upgrading, it’s kind of been the same for hearing aids. Even people who would not have been able to benefit 10 to 15 years ago can have hearing aids that work for them now,” Paliga said.

r. Roxanne Kohilakis, an audiologist at the Hearing Center at Rocky Mountain ENT in Missoula, said when a person starts to notice hearing loss, it’s important to get an evaluation to develop a baseline and have a comparison to track additional loss in the future. “Let’s say it’s age related. Over time, it will continue to progress. The sooner we do something about it, the more we stimulate that hearing nerve in the brain, the better,” Kohilakis said. The goal is to bring a person back as close to their normal level of hearing as possible.

“Normal is normal, it doesn’t matter what your age is,” Kohilakis said. With hearing aids, one of the most common forms of treatment for hearing loss, she said companies have been putting a lot of work into the size and visual aesthetic of their latest devices. This push is especially relevant as the Baby Boomer generation, who have preconceived notions of hearing aids being large, noticeable, and just generally “for old people,” age and have hearing loss issues, Kohilakis said. “A lot of people who come in are surprised at the size they are. Whether they are in-ear-canal aids or just more standard types, they can often be very difficult to even notice when you see a person wearing them,” she said. Dillon Kato is a reporter for the Missoulian.

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new knees

nutrition impacts recovery from sugery

success of surgery is dependent upon being physically and mentally prepared

As we rack up the years, our joints may suffer to the point that knee replacement surgery is recommended.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are often the culprits that cause pain, decreased joint mobility and even limit our desire to enjoy an active lifestyle. Visions of long hikes, tennis games, playing a little three-on-three basketball, or dancing the night away may encourage you to take that leap â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or limp â&#x20AC;&#x201C; into knee replacement surgery. Historically, physicians request that knee replacement candidates focus on building strength and staying as active as possible.

Typical recommendations include balanced nutrition, losing weight for those who might be overweight or obese, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol intake and pre-surgical muscle strengthening. Although you should avoid activities that significantly increase pressure in damaged joints such as using a stair climbing machine, running or intense hiking, being in good physical condition before surgery will aid in the recovery. New University of Oregon studies on protein intake in the Nov. 13 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation could spell relief and speed recovery for baby boomers who face total knee replacement. Twenty grams of essential amino acids taken twice daily for a week before and for two weeks

by rebecca morley after knee-replacement surgery helped patients recover faster and with much less muscle atrophy than a control group taking a placebo. Hans C. Dreyer, a professor of human physiology at the University of Oregon, explained that atrophy in the quadriceps, a group of four muscles on the front of the thigh, has been a long-running problem after kneereplacement surgery. “We’ve learned that the essential amino acids were able to mitigate the amount of muscle loss,” Dreyer said. Functional measures such as standing up out of a chair, walking up a flight of stairs and going back down the stairs all improved in the group that received the increased essential amino acid therapy. Faster recovery is a big plus for knee-replacement patients who have have been dealing with pain for a long time and are eager for relief. And it is welcome news to know that something so easy and relatively inexpensive can help. Essential amino acids are proteins that are not naturally produced by the human body and must come from food sources. They help the body a variety of ways, including tissue repair. The essential amino acid supplement used in the knee-replacement therapy was composed of rapidly absorbed raw amino acids as a mix of histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine and valine. Supplements were consumed an hour after physical therapy to take advantage of optimum protein synthesis after resistance exercises. More studies by the University of Oregon are planned to identify the mechanisms of action, the durability of effect, and the safety and potential benefits of longer dosing times. The group also plans to assess the effects of treatment on the quality of life of patients and their engagement in their own health care needs.

hough these studies are exciting, I would be remiss if I did not share the larger picture of nutrition in preparing your body for surgery. Your body needs to be well-nourished to heal bones, muscles and skin that are affected by surgery. The nutrients from food provide us with the strength, energy and ability to heal. People who are well-nourished overall are less likely to develop infection and heal faster. Other key nutrients worth highlighting that are important before, during and after your surgery are: • Calcium, to heal your bones and keep them strong. Good sources include milk, yogurt, cheese, canned salmon and sardines (with the bones). Smaller amounts of calcium

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are also found in beans and lentils, broccoli, kale, bok choy and oranges. • Vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and strengthens your immune system. Most people in Montana need to take a vitamin D supplement because adequate vitamin D is not available from our food, nor is it available from the sun during most months of the year. The good news is that quality vitamin D supplements are inexpensive and readily available. (Consult a health care provider for a vitamin D blood test and to recommend the correct supplement dosage.) • Iron, which is needed to build up hemoglobin in your blood and prevent anemia. Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout your body. If your hemoglobin level is low, you may feel tired, dizzy and weak, or get short of breath easily. Good sources of iron include meat, fish, poultry, canned oysters, clams, beans, tofu, some leafy green vegetables and fortified whole grains. Non-meat iron-containing foods can be better used by your body by eating foods rich in vitamin C with them. • Vitamin B12 and folate/folic acid, which are important nutrients to prevent other types of non-iron-related anemia. Good sources of vitamin B12 include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products. Good sources of folate/folic acid include leafy green vegetable, dry beans and peas, fortified grains and orange juice. When you are older than 50, you do not absorb vitamin B12 as well as when you were younger, so you need to increase your intake B12-rich foods or take a multivitamin with minerals. • Protein, listed again here because it is so integral to maintain and increase your strength before and after surgery. Protein is a key nutrient for healing. High protein foods include beef, pork, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products, soy milk, beans, nuts, peanut butter and tofu. Include some protein foods at every meal. The success of your knee-replacement surgery is dependent upon being prepared both physically and mentally. As your health care provider will discuss with you, knee-replacement surgery is not a simple proceeder, but it can help improve the quality of the years ahead. The willingness to prepare for your surgery in advance coupled with the responsibility for proper post-surgery rehabilitation – including physical therapy – assures a speedier recovery and offers long-term health benefits associated with a more active lifestyle. Rebecca Morley provides nutrition services through the Eat Smart Program and can be reached at 258-3827 or at rmorley@co.missoula.mt.us.

people who are well-nourished are less likely to develop infection and heal faster Spring 2014

varicose veins

treatment has become easier

by kelsey dayton

www.montana55.com

Treating varicose veins used to be brutal and barbaric. It was called vein stripping and it meant a stay in the hospital to control the pain, said Tonda Richards with Dr. Timothy Richards’ office at Rocky Mountain Surgical Solutions in Missoula. The procedure today takes only minutes and uses only localized anesthetic, Tonda Richards said. A fine wire is threaded into the vein and then a laser light emitted from the wire slowly draws back out the vein. It heats the inside of the vein and causes it to collapse. The body absorbs the vein tissue. If any pieces are left they can either be removed by pulling the tiny pieces out or injecting it with a fluid that causes the rest of the vein to disappear. By the time a varicose vein presents itself, the body has already compensated and isn’t using that vein, so removing it doesn’t cause any problems, Richards said. Timothy Richards brought the technique to western Montana about 10 years ago, said Tonda Richards. Now it’s become a standard treatment for varicose veins. The current procedure is done in the office instead of a hospital. Patients are given a light sedative to keep them relaxed instead of full anesthesia. They receive a topical anesthetic so they don’t feel the skin punctures, but they are awake and cognizant the 45 minutes the procedure could take, Richards said. Then they head home. In about six weeks the body absorbs the vein, but some patients feel immediate relief. Varicose veins are the result of a valve in the veins, which allows blood to flow throughout the body failing. The blood begins to pool causing the veins to expand to the ropey lumps people see in their legs Richards said. It’s not just that people don’t like how they look. They become painful. “This is not a cosmetic situation,” Richards said of treatment. “(Varicose veins) are a lifestyle altering problem.”

shingles

vaccination

Shingles – as my dad jokes, “you aren’t talking about the things on your roof.” He had what he refers to as “minor” case of the shingles a few years ago. Anyone who has ever had shingles – Herpes zoster – can attest, it is not a pleasant experience.

Shingles is a little tricky. It is a virus that’s caused by the chickenpox virus – Varicella zoster – that you may have had as a child. Even though the blisters disappear, the virus that caused chickenpox actually lays dormant in your nerve roots. As we age, our immune system naturally starts to weaken. This natural “immunosuppression” can be compounded by chronic medical conditions or medications.

These stressors on our immune system allow the sleeping dragon Varicella to wake angrily as shingles. Most people experience some kind of localized pain or burning sensation before a rash appears, sometimes accompanied by general malaise or headache. Typically, the rash follows one or two nerve pathways, or dermatomes, on one side of the body. The most common location is the chest or thoracic area, so imagine a rash starting on the right side of your back, beneath your shoulder blade and wrapping around the right side of your body to the right side of your chest. The rash can last two to four weeks, starting with clusters of clear blisters, or vesicles, that gradually crust over. Because the nerves are inflamed, this can cause severe pain and discomfort. Sometimes this nerve pain continues for weeks or months after the rash has resolved. This residual pain is one of the most common complications of shingles and is

by sara heineman

www.montana55.com

the shingles vaccine is effective for at least six years and maybe longer called post-herpetic neuralgia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there are approximately 1 million cases of shingles each year in the United States. Most of these cases occur in people older than age 60. While shingles typically only occurs once in a lifetime, there are those unlucky enough to experience it two or even three times in their life. Besides the general discomfort of the rash, other potential complications of shingles include bacterial infection from itching/scratching the lesions, nerve palsies and post-herpetic neuralgia. Depending on the nerves involved, serious complications can cause blindness or meningoencephalitits – swelling of the brain and meninges. The shingles virus is not only an “angry dragon” but it can be very devious, too. You cannot give someone shingles while you have shingles, however you can give someone chickenpox. That said, if you have shingles, you are contagious with the chickenpox virus and you should avoid contact with anyone who is not immune to chickenpox either from having had the disease or from being vaccinated.

uccessful treatment of shingles requires quick recognition of the symptoms in order to start antiviral medications and manage the pain, itching and general discomfort. Although you can’t prevent it 100 percent of the time, there is a vaccine, Zostavax, that can reduce your risk of developing shingles. According to the CDC, for people ages 60 to 69, the vaccine can reduce the risk of developing shingles by 51 percent and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia by 67 percent. The most recent research from the CDC indicates that the vaccine is effective for at least six years and maybe longer. Ongoing research continues to look at vaccine effectiveness and this research will help guide future recommendations. Currently, the CDC recommends anyone older than 60 get vaccinated for shingles, even if they have already had the disease. The Federal Drug Administration recently approved Zostavax for people age 50 and older. It is advisable that you and your medical provider discuss when the best time is for you to get vaccinated. There are no recommendations for booster doses at this time. Zostavax does not prevent other types of herpes viruses, such as genital herpes, and should not be used during an active shingles infection. When talking with your medical provider about when you

should get the shingles vaccine, you should also talk about potential contraindications or precautions for receiving the vaccine. You should not get the vaccine if you are: • Allergic to gelatin or neomycin. • Severely immunosuppressed because certain medical conditions, medications, or treatments (such as HIV/ AIDS, cancers or cancer treatment, taking steroids or other immunosuppressive medications). • Pregnant. The most common side effects associated with the vaccine include redness, swelling or soreness at the injection site. According to the CDC, there is no documented history of a person getting chickenpox from someone because they received the shingles vaccine, thus it is considered safe for a newly vaccinated people to be around infants, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. The cost of the shingles vaccine can be perceived as quite expensive – $200 or more – and thus a barrier to getting vaccinated. However, when you compare the cost of the vaccine to the expense of medical treatment for the disease and consider how the illness could impact your daily activities, it might just be worth it. Eventually with the Affordable Care Act, all insurance companies will pay for preventive services that include vaccines such as shingles. Currently, there are some insurance companies that are “grandfathered” until they make benefit updates and therefore do not cover vaccines yet. Medicare Part B covers the flu and pneumonia vaccines while Medicare Part D includes the shingles vaccine. It is best that you contact your insurance company and find out if it covers the shingles vaccine for you at your current age. If you don’t have health insurance and can’t afford the vaccine, there is a patient assistance program available through the vaccine manufacturer. Knowing as much as possible about shingles can help if you or a senior under your care develops the condition. Getting treatment early may help lessen the severity, prevent complications and shorten the duration of the disease. If you suspect that you or someone in your family has shingles, seek medical care quickly. And, if you haven’t already, talk with your medical provider about getting vaccinated. Sara Heineman is the Missoula City-County Health Department outpatient clinic nursing supervisor and can be reached at 258-4987 or at sheineman@co.missoula.mt.us. Spring 2014

downsizing

new facilities offer more options for boomers

Construction contiues on the Affinity for Living complex in Billings. Photo by Larry Mayer

BILLINGS – A four-story apartment complex under construction in the Montana Sapphire Subdivision just off King Avenue West in Billings will cater to folks who just might have traded in their minivan for a Harley.

Chances are, many residents of the new Affinity for Living complex will still be working. But with the kids grown, they’re the kind of people who have been looking for ways to simplify their lives. The Affinity complex is being built with baby boomers in mind, with amenities such as a swimming pool, a library, a computer café, a theater and a pub. The Affinity complex is what real estate professionals refer to as an age-restricted

development, built specifically for people 55 and older. Just don’t call it a retirement community. “If I had to describe it, I’d say it’s like living in a condominium building with great amenities and great spaces,” said Cecil Rinker, operations manager for Affinity Living Communities. But rather than investing in a condo, residents will be renting, he said. Affinity is a subsidiary of the Inland Group, a real estate developer that specializes in senior communities, multi-family housing, resorts and hotels. “There’s nothing like it in Billings,” Rinker said. Affinity’s Billings development caters to a growing demographic: active people who are nearing or have reached retirement age. “Building retirement communities is a great niche and serves a population,” Rinker said. But research uncovered an unmet need for a growing demographic.

by tom howard

www.montana55.com

retirement statistics Almost one-half of baby boomers 65 and older are now fully retired (up from 19 percent in 2008, with another 14 percent reporting that they are retired but working part-time or seasonally. • On average, boomers who have not yet retired plan to do so by age 68.5. • Almost four in 10 respondents (37 percent) who retired earlier than they had planned, cite health-related reasons for doing so, another 16 percent cited loss of a job or job opportunities. Those who retired later than they had planned mention needing a salary to pay for day-to-day expenses (27 percent) and a desire to stay active (13 percent) as the reasons for delaying retirement. • The majority of boomers 65 and older (63 percent) have started receiving Social Security benefits; of those, half started collecting before they had originally planned. • Six in 10 boomers are at least somewhat confident in the ability of Social Security to provide adequate benefits for their lifetime. • Seven in 10 retirees report liking retirement “a lot” while another two in 10 say they “like it somewhat.” Source: MetLife Transitioning to Retirement study

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downsizing Affinity is developing a campus-like setting with a simpler lifestyle “What really got people thinking is, we’re providing a different choice,” Rinker said. “We’re developing a campuslike setting with a simpler lifestyle.” Price and the availability of amenities are important to this age group. “The biggest selling point for us is that we’re an affordable option,” Rinker said. The complex, scheduled to open this spring, features studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, starting at $1,250 per month, with utilities, cable television and Internet included, Rinker said. The generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964 comprises about 20 percent of the U.S. population. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 55-and-older demographic is expected to grow by 4.1 percent per year, four times the rate of growth in the overall labor force. By contrast, the annual growth rate of the 25-to-54 age group will be 0.3 percent and the number of Americans 16 to 24 will remain flat.

arry Swanson, director of the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West in Missoula, discussed local demographic trends during a recent Billings Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau meeting. By 2020, the single largest age group in Yellowstone County will be 62 years old, Swanson said. Construction was one of the community’s fastest-growing industries from 2001 until the recession hit in 2007. Swanson said it’s unlikely that housing construction will rebound to pre-recession levels. But demand will grow for certain types of housing.

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“Where will be the most opportunity for housing growth?” Swanson asked. “Assisted living and nursing homes. But also just downsizing. There’s a huge opportunity.” “I’ll bet you that in Billings in 10 years, you’ll see housing complexes ringing the downtown that you would never have expected, because the time has come with that demographic,” Swanson said. “What happens when (baby boomers) move into a downsized, highquality unit? They’re going to want to sell their homes to younger people. There will be a lot of real estate transactions.” Blaine Poppler, a partner in Coldwell Bankers Commercial, expects the Affinity development to be a success. “The rental industry in Billings has been extremely good in the last five or more years,” Poppler said. “With our growing population, hundreds of apartments have been built in the last few years. Affinity is providing a different choice. With the additional amenities they’re offering, we expect them to do well.” The Affinity development is part of the Montana Sapphire subdivision, which has been taking off in recent months. A new Steak ‘n Shake restaurant, a Verizon store, a new church and a car dealership are all going in.

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money matters

conversation about the future

by stacia dahl, aarp

www.montana55.com

This question came from Judy who stopped by our booth at a recent health fair in Kalispell: Q: My Dad is in his mid-70s and my mom passed away about ten years ago. Dad has since remarried. My sisters and I all know that we need to have “the talk” fairly soon with Dad about caregiving and money matters, but frankly it is quite painful because it will be opening up some old wounds. We are at odds with how to proceed – do you have any tips or advice?

A: Among the more difficult family challenges in life is knowing how and when to have the talk about money matters or caregiving wishes with one or both of our parents. Then there’s the other side of the equation. Have you talked with your adult kids about your financial matters, and your vision of how you’d like to live out your life as you age? Your kids are probably as uncomfortable broaching the subject with you as you are broaching it with your own parents. Follow these suggestions on how to talk to your parents about their finances, and then turn around and talk to your kids about yours. You will find that it will give everyone peace of mind.

Approaching your parents

Talking with your parents about their finances and caregiving preferences is bound to be awkward. They may become defensive, thinking that you don’t trust them to take care of things anymore. You know your parents best, so think about how to set them at ease. It’s helpful to say upfront that it’s a difficult conversation for both of you. Before you have the talk, put together a list of financial and caregiving information you will need to help them. Get help by going to www.aarp.org, and searching for “organize important documents.” When you’re ready, here are some tips on having the conversation. • Share a story. A great way to start the conversation is to share a story about a friend or neighbor that your parents could relate to. • Be respectful and positive. Let your parents know that you’re interested in helping make their lives manageable as they age. • Start small. If your parents are hesitant to talk, try taking on something small. For example, ask them to tell you where they keep their important documents.

• Ask them to talk about their caregiving preferences. Do they want to age in place? Would they be open to moving into a retirement community with continuing care options? Find out if they have long-term care insurance or other means of paying for care if they need it.

Talking to your adult kids

Now that you’ve started the conversation with your parents, it’s time to talk to your adult kids. They will likely appreciate that you initiated the conversation so they didn’t have to! A great place to start is to take AARP’s 40-day pledge to create a “Living Longer, Living Smarter” plan at www. decidecreateshare.org. It will help you decide what kind of future you see for yourself, create a plan to achieve those goals, and then share that plan with your kids. The pledge will take you through the process of organizing documents, calculating long-term care expenses, and creating an advance directive. This document identifies the kind of care you want in the event you aren’t able to make medical decisions down the road. It’s up to you how much you want to share with your kids. Think about what’s useful to know about your own parents, and let that be your guide. We wish you all the best with your planned talk. At this stage of life, one of the best gifts one can give and receive is peace of mind. By talking to your parents, and to your kids, peace of mind is within reach. For help on financial matters such as planning, budgeting and goal setting check out www.aarp.org/ readyforretirement. Do you have a question for AARP Montana? Send your question to “Ask AARP Montana” at MTAARP@ aarp.org or 30 W 14th St., Helena, MT 59601 or call our toll-free hotline at 866-295-7278. As we receive questions, we will consult with both internal and external experts to provide timely and valuable advice. Spring 2014

estate planning

“I

“It ain’t dyin’ I’m talkin’ about, it’s livin’!” – Capt. Augustus McCrae, Lonesome Dove. Gus saw life as a verb and not as a noun. Too often in our safety-labeled society we live so as not to die, rather than giving life a bear hug. In the same vein, I fault the traditional approach to estate planning. Most people translate estate planning into death planning. This approach is antiquated when today’s boomers are exploring the world and attending college. We’re also more contemplative of our legacy. Of course, I have one client whose estate plan includes a backhoe and his backyard. Regardless, an estate plan should be individualized and evolve, not some archaic form document

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covered in dust. Estate planning should be about living fully, figuring out what we stand for, and passing that on to future generations. Hopefully they will benefit from our wisdom and inherit a few assets to get a leg up on life. An approach that often strikes a chord is to think of how things were left, or not left to you, and consider how that has affected your own life. Clients set aside token amounts that can only be spent on future Christmases, family vacations, family scholarships, down payment assistance for first-homes, and so on. We have placed family cabins and land in trusts, doing our best to ensure the property will always remain in the family. Similarly, we have structured life insurance to supplement the revenue of the family business or farm. And it’s not just our heir’s life we want to enhance. Proper incapacity planning minimizes the costs of long term-care but also provides guidance toward our lifestyle preferences. Unfortunately, a recent survey conducted by Forbes revealed that only 48 percent of those 65 and older have the basic

by steve darty

www.montana55.com

documents such as a durable power of attorney, authorizing someone to make financial decisions for them if they become incapacitated and less than 60 percent of those had a health care power of attorney. No matter the size of our estate, we all want to protect our quality of life and lifestyle as best we can. In fact, clients who have fewer assets may have a greater need for careful planning because they are less able to absorb the costs incurred by the lack of planning. When it comes to passing on our legacy and values to those we love and care about, how do we do so and what are our options? Staggering distributions to beneficiaries at ages such as one-third of the balance upon reaching age 30, one-half at 35, and the remainder at 40 is common. In addition to the principal distributions, the trust distributes income and interest annually. The philosophy here is that the beneficiaries are able to learn how to manage money and learn from their mistakes. However, staggered distributions fail to fully take into account most clients’ goals to leverage the estate tax savings and creditor protection benefits that a trust can provide. The longer we can keep assets in the trust, the longer we protect those assets from creditors, predators and from the beneficiaries themselves. The annual income and interest generated for the beneficiary, allows us to keep the principal intact. But for how long? Well, it depends on the heir and your own

wishes. One child may need protection for life while their sibling might inherit outright at a stated age. But what are our options if we want to hold some assets for future generations? An irrevocable trust that is set up to continue for as long as the state’s perpetuities laws allow is known as a Dynasty Trust. In Montana it’s the latter of the life of the youngest living heir plus 21 years, or 90 years from date of the trust. However, Alaska, Nevada and South Dakota are the excellent Dynasty Trust states. These states have no income tax, long perpetuity statutes, and no exception creditor statutes or case law allowing any classes of creditors to pierce through the trusts. In Alaska, trusts can last forever and in Wyoming it’s 1,000 years. Now that’s a lot of livin’! If you lost everything you have today, but got it back tomorrow, how would you feel? You’d probably value things differently. We have the ability to take what assets we have and make differences in the lives of our family for quite some time. Estate planning should be about living, both present and future, not about dying and I bet Gus McCrae would’ve agreed. Steve Darty is a Missoula attorney. He can be reached at Darty Law Office, PLLC, 502 West Spruce Street, Missoula, MT 59802; (406) 549-0306; www.MissoulaEstateLaw.com.

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