Lifestyles After 50 Tampa Bay Edition, June 2015 by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine

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Automatic Software Updates and to use! I get photo updates from my children and grandchildren all the time.” – Janet F. Have you ever said to yourself “I’d love to get a computer, if only I could figure out how to use it.” Well, you’re not alone. Computers were supposed to make our lives simpler, but they’ve gotten so complicated that they are not worth the trouble. With all of the “pointing and clicking” and “dragging and dropping” you’re lucky if you can figure out where you are. Plus, you are constantly worrying about viruses and freeze-ups. If this sounds familiar, we have great news for you. There is finally a computer that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s the WOW Computer, and it was designed with you in mind. This computer is easy-to-use, worry-free and literally puts the world at your fingertips. From the moment you Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 2

open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection Then you’ll see the screen – it’s now 22 inches. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now, the very people who could benefit most from Email and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you took part? Call now, and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try it in your home

for 30 days. If you are not totally satisfied, simply return it within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. Call today. • Send & Receive Emails • Have video chats with family and friends • Surf the Internet: Get current weather and news • Play games Online: Hundreds to choose from! Call now toll free and find out how you can get the new WOW! Computer. Mention promotional code 100746 for special introductory pricing.

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Hand Me That Pickle Jar—I’ve Got This

Dear Readers,

(Unless, of course, you want to. Personally, I think it would make pickle jars easier to open. Plus, it looks cool.)

re you a Star Trek fan? How about Star Wars? Terminator? Elysium? The Six Million Dollar Man? Now I know my Tracie Lukens, inner geek is showing, Editor but there’s something exciting that all of these shows and movies have in common (besides being awesome) and the answer may surprise you. It has to do with health care. Tricorders, Luke Skywalker’s robotic hand, bionic implants and mobilityenhancing exoskeletons are all part of the not-too-distant future of medicine, rather than in the realm of a galaxy far, far away. Some of these devices are in development right now, and we’ll talk about a few of them in this issue. These innovations could mean more accessible, more cost-effective and less invasive health diagnostic tools; devices that can help give some sight back to someone with vision loss; or a way to help individuals with limited mobility walk as if they were thirty again. The potential of new technology and new medical practices to improve quality of life as we age abounds, and it’s exciting stuff. Another innovation the health care industry has implemented recently is something called telemedicine. Your doctor’s office may already offer it, and some of you may have had a chance to use it. Think of telemedicine as a digital house call. Say you have a sore throat, but rather than try and schedule an appointment and drive to your doctor’s office, you can communicate with your doctor instantly through an app or video chat on your smartphone. They can ask you questions, check out your throat, write you a prescription right there or

determine if an office visit is needed. Faster, cheaper, more convenient. The health care industry is looking for better ways to foster relationships with patients, to increase the value of their time and the savings to the ones under their care. Ways to provide follow-up care and prevent unnecessary hospital stays—to be available at the touch of a button whenever you have a question, and to help you monitor your wellness in the comfort of your home and be proactive about your health. Telemedicine is relatively new, and it’s catching on faster in some states than others depending on the insurers that cover it, the law that governs it and the technology that provides it. But it looks like it’s here to stay, and that could be a very good thing.

Just make me a cyborg Despite the developments on the horizon, technology is never going to be a substitute for good health. We’re human beings, after all. We need things like healthy food, friends and family, exercise, fresh air and a passion worth pursuing. We need to take care of ourselves, and the earlier we can start, the better. Because prevention is the best medicine, we’ve included a list of health screenings that are good to have after 50. But if you can only do one thing on that list, a yearly checkup trumps them all—because why get a robot arm unless you have to?

But I’m getting away from myself. Father’s Day is happening this month, so make sure to give kudos to the father figure in your life. My dad is the reason why I geek out about sci-fi in the first place. When I was growing up, he kept stacks of books at home—Issac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Douglas Adams, Frank Herbert—and encouraged me to explore them at every opportunity. The first science fiction book I ever read was The Martian Chronicles, and I fell in love with the genre at first sight. We’d listen to Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’s BBC radio narration on tape on long trips. We’d spend evenings watching Star Trek: The Next Generation on TV with a bowl of popcorn and Yorks. He had a comic book collection that made my head spin. “Do, or do not—there is no try” became fatherly advice. That’s only one of the things about my dad that makes him my hero. Whether you had a good relationship with your parents or not, there’s always a part of them that sticks with you. Maybe something you do reminds you of your folks—even if it’s just the way you make a sandwich, quote a movie, swear at traffic or give advice to your own kids. If you notice those small moments, you’ll always be connected to your parents, no matter where they are.

—Tracie Lukens

Tampa Bay Edition

Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc President Richard Reeves richard@lifestylesafter50.com Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing Kathy J. Beck kathy@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Tracie Lukens editor@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Emeritus Janice Doyle Ofﬁce Manager Vicki Willis vicki@lifestylesafter50.com Administrative Assistant Allie Shaw allie@lifestylesafter50.com Production Supervisor/Graphic Design 813-689-6104 Distribution Nancy Spencer: (941) 244-0500 nancy@lifestylesafter50.com

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FCOA Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily reﬂect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for each issue is the 15th of the previous month. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved. As a reader of Lifestyles After 50, you are creating an established relationship with our advertisers. You may be contacted by email, telephone or mail as allowed by law. Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 3

Join The Free Senior Freedom Celebration!

rom the smoke-filled trenches of a World War I battle scene to the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the 50,000 square-foot Armed Forces History Museum tells war’s heroic and tragic stories through the use of life-size dioramas and genuine military tanks, planes, weapons, uniforms and other memorabilia. While the usual price is $17.95, this event is FREE for those over 50 on Thursday, June 18. Sponsored by Lifestyles After 50, this ultimate senior

celebration features up close discussions with esteemed veterans, live music and swing dance lessons. Plan to stay for the $5 lunch special. All the favorites from the Fun Fest experience will be back including DJ Denise Looney, Bingo and Prize-aPalooza featuring a $100 giveaway. Our exhibitors will provide valuable health screenings and the latest information on travel, finance and home improvement. Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Armed Forces History Museum. Conveniently located just off Ulmerton Road at 2050 34th Way N., Largo, inside the industrial park. For more information, call Lifestyles After 50 at 813-653-1988 or the Armed Forces Museum at 727-539-8371.

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JUN 23-28 • MORSANI HALL

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Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice. Handling fees will apply.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 4

Around Town

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G J U N E 2 0 1 5

ues. and Thurs Senior Water Volleyball. The pool is heated; meet new friends and also join in once a month for lunch at different venues. free with membership. 10 a.m. Bob Sierra YMCA, Tampa. 813-962-3220.

place in the Armadillo Acres Trailer Park starring a “stripper on the run” and her “tollbooth collector” hubby. $22/$25. 8 p.m. Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

ridays Plant City Social Dance Club dance. Live music. $6/$8. 7 – 10 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Florida National Guard Armory, Plant City. 863-409-7714. aturdays Farmers Market. Free admission/parking. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Centennial Park, Ybor City. 813-242-5370.

Pre-Father’s Day Comedy Show. Laugh the evening away with David Mann and special guests Akintunde and Amber Bullock. 8 p.m. $32/$52. Tampa Theatre. 813-274-8286. Sahaja Meditation. Learn a simple meditation technique that helps reduce stress and increase wellness. Free. 3 – 4 p.m. New Tampa Regional Library. 813-273-3652.

Movies With A Message. “Heaven Is For Real.” A boy’s trip to heaven and back is revealed in the months following his near death experience. Free admission/refreshments. 3 p.m. Oak Grove UM Church, Tampa. 813-935-4471.

Life Path Hospice Discussion. Learn about the benefits of hospice and palliative care, advance care directives and the importance of making decisions now. Free. 2 – 3:30 p.m. SouthShore Library, Ruskin. 813-273-3652.

North Tampa Friends of the Library Reception. See artists show and discuss their works and share some refreshments. Free admission. 6 p.m. North Tampa Library. 813-273-3652.

Dinner and Arena Football (TB Storm vs. Philly Soul) with the Northdale OWLS. Bus departs Northdale Park at 4:30 p.m. Dutch dining at Hooters’ Channelside, followed by game at the arena. $27 admission includes transport, parking and game ticket. Estimated return: 10:30 p.m. RSVP to Don Clark at 813-985-4859.

Lifestyles After 50 Senior Freedom Celebration. Over 100,000 artifacts. Coffee with the Colonel. Vendors, free health screenings, giveaways, free Bingo and prizes, Swing Show, museum tours, food available and more. Free admission and parking. Armed Forces History Museum, Largo. 813-653-1988.

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical.” Laugh your way through this two-act comedy that takes

Tampa Theatre’s BeerFest 2015. Craft beers and local brewers, snacks and samples. Premium sampling begins at 7 p.m. ($75); general event starts at 8 p.m. ($50). Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-274-8286 or tampatheatre.org.

The Great Father’s Day Race. 5K run/walk for wellness and friendly competition. Free. 8 a.m. 5K starts; 8:10 a.m. walk starts. Award ceremony follows. Al Lopez Park, Tampa. 813-348-1172. Lunch and Learn presentation on hurricane safety and preparation. Lunch provided. Free. 12 – 1 p.m. Memorial Hospital of Tampa. Please RSVP to 813-342-1313. Motown Heat with the Sounds of Soul. The Sounds of Soul return for an encore presentation of last year’s sold out performance. $29/$35. 8 – 10 p.m. Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa. 813-922-8167.

Ballroom Dance Party from 7 – 9:30 p.m. Includes a one hour complimentary dance lesson. $8. Unity of Tampa Church Fellowship Hall, Tampa. Please RSVP to 813-884-2786. Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax 813-651-1989 or email calendar@srnewsconnection .com. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. June 10 for July event.)

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 5

“Annie Get Your Gun” Coming To Florida College In July

roadway Comes To Camp will produce three performances of Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun” on July 24 – 25 on the campus of Florida College in Temple Terrace. Producer Royce Chandler directed Broadway shows at Florida College for 11 years, drawing a large following from senior citizens throughout central Florida. He and his wife, Hope, also directed summer camps for the College for 20 years as part of the school’s student recruitment work. Now they have combined their summer camp experience with that of producing a major Broadway musical each summer, recruiting great talent from across the country. Royce and Hope formed The Chandler Family Corporation for Fine Arts, a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, to produce the camp. Their mission: to provide a rich, educational drama experience for individuals and families who want to participate in a Broadway musical on a creative, professional level in an environment of conservative

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 6

spiritual values. Both individuals and families are invited to participate either on or off stage. “Annie Get Your Gun” will delight you with Berlin’s famous songs: “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Doin’ What Comes Naturl’y,” “I Got Lost in His Arms,” “Moonshine Lullaby,” “I’ve Got the Sun in the Morning and the Moon at Night,” and “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.” The performances will be given in Florida College’s Hutchinson Auditorium at 119 N. Glen Arven Avenue, Temple Terrace, Florida. The public is invited to reserve seats now for 7 p.m. on Friday, July 24, and for Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Seats can be reserved online at broadwaycomestocamp.com or by calling the ticket line at 209-690-7469. Seniors (60+) can get reserved seats (regularly $15) for $12. Go online today and choose your reserved seats. Get a group together and share this incredible performance with an outstanding cast.

Historic Farm Helps Foster Children Find Forever Homes By Cathy Cuthbertson

dopting a child just got easier thanks to the first annual Child Adoption Education Day to be hosted by Old McMicky’s farm on June 13 at 2 p.m. “Adoption can be a complicated process,” explains farm owner and Tampa Bay homebuilder Ralph Zuckerman, “but it’s a process that we’re thoroughly committed to making easy to understand. We’re bringing together all of the agencies involved in adoption for a full day of conversation and information. Equally important, we’ll have a lot of adoptive parents and their children who will talk about what adoption has meant to them in their lives. So far, we’re getting registrants from all around the state of Florida who plan to attend.” Zuckerman, 56, originally bought the farm in 2006 with the intention of developing it. “It was just such a beautiful location, but something inside me said ‘no, let’s give this some time and just think about it for a bit’. After a while I realized that the farm could be my chance to contribute to the lives of others. We rebuilt it and reopened

it in 2013 with a mission On the day of the adoption to serve the community.” event, families and children The site and location can check out all the farm of Old McMicky’s is has to offer while learning historic. It dates back to about the important steps Camp Keystone that was required for adoption. Some originally established there of the agencies that will be in 1946 on the wooded and on hand through the day to rustic shores of a 40-acre answer questions and discuss lake in Odessa. concerns include Eckerd “A lot of people Community Alternatives, will remember Camp and representatives from Keystone as a famous agencies in Hillsborough, summer camp open to the Pinellas and Pasco counties general public,” recalls who are affiliated with Zuckerman. “Back in the the Foster and Adoptive day it was quite the place Parent Association, adoption for people in the Tampa support services, Guardian Local children can be in foster care for years. Bay area to send their Ad Litem programs and At any given time, an average of more than 200 children, and it attracted the Pinellas-Pasco Heart Tampa Bay area children are in need of a forever family. visitors from international Gallery, an independent locations, too.” charitable organization that “They can pet goats, catch chickens But now the farm has been revitalized or milk a cow,” enthuses Zuckerman. uniquely provides and displays portraits and reimagined as an educational farm “There’s also a baby barn where of children available for adoption. and day camp that honors the steadfast children can see newborn animals. For It is never too late to make a difference traditions of farm life. Children can many of these children it will be the first in the life of a child who needs you. To spread their wings and experience time that they ever see or interact with learn more, visit oldmcmickys.com outdoor Florida while actively learning farm animals. It opens up a whole new or call 813-920-1948. The farm is about life on a farm. located at 9612 Crescent Dr., Odessa. world for them.”

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 7_R

Happy Father’s Day! J

une 21 is Father’s Day, a day to remember dad and all his wisdom. Here are some fun quotes and “dad-isms” you may have heard over the years:

“When she says ‘we need to talk,’ what she really means is: ‘you need to listen.’” —Dad

“If your friend jumped off a bridge, would you?” —Dad

“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twentyone, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” —Mark Twain

“A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.” —Anonymous “Did that hurt when you did that? Well, don’t do that anymore.” — Dad “Go ask your mother.” — Dad

June’s Horoscope: Gemini & Cancer

Saveyour your energy Save energy and focus on the

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 8

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) June Home and emotional matters will be predominant during the month as planetary strength is in the lower half of horoscope. However, you cannot overlook career concerns altogether. June calls for self-assertion from the Twins. You have to formulate your own methods to attain your targets in life. You have to bulldoze all obstructions and move forward. You are the best judge of your heart’s desires and goals.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Your focus will deviate from career and profession to family and personal matters. Relationships with friends and loved ones might need a little bit of diplomacy. Your personal ambitions and aggression will dominate in June 2015. You can dictate the path of your progress. Others will end up following you and help you achieve your objectives. (sunsigns.org) For more horoscopes, visit our website at www.lifestylesafter50.com.

Building The Million Dollar Man By Tracie Lukens “We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better, stronger, faster.” he infamous quote from the Six Million Dollar Man is true now more than ever. Advances in research, technology and practice have brought medical innovations that were once thought to be science fiction into the realm of possibility. Here’s a sneak peak at what’s in the works and what’s to come:

Mind-Controlled Prosthetics Last year, Les Baugh, who lost both of his arms in an electrical accident 40 years ago, became the first shoulderlevel double amputee to wear and control two prosthetic arms by simply thinking about moving his limbs. Before being fitted with the device, Baugh went through a surgical procedure called targeted muscle reeinnervation, which redirected nerves that once controlled his arm and hands to interact with the prosthetics. With some computer training, Baugh is now able to perform a variety of simple tasks, showing promise that others may

also be able to benefit from the technology in the future. (jhuapl.edu/prosthetics) Exoskeletons “Someday soon we may have simple, lightweight and relatively inexpensive exoskeletons to help us get around, especially if we’ve been slowed down by injury or aging,” said Dr. Steven Collins, a mechanical engineer and roboticist from Carnegie Mellon University. Collins and several other scientists have been testing a lightweight lower-leg device that uses a spring and clutch system to augment the motion of calf muscles and the Achilles’ tendon, reducing the amount of energy it takes to walk or run by about 7 percent. It’s the equivalent of taking off a 10 pound backpack, one researcher commented. The streamlined, carbon-fiber device weighs about as much as a normal loafer and requires no batteries or other external power sources. How’s that for putting a spring in your step? (April 1, 2015, in Nature) The Bionic Eye The “Argus II” is a device that can give rudimentary sight back to individuals who have lost their vision. A special camera built into a pair of sunglasses

transmits video information to implants in a patient’s retina. While the results aren’t as comprehensive as normal vision, the device can help patients regain some basic navigation of their environment, determine contrast and read very large print. (2-sight.com) On a side note, a company called Medella Health is developing smart contact lenses that can monitor glucose levels and transmit that information to a mobile phone, so patients can better manage their diabetes. (medella.ca) 3d Bioprinting This breakthrough is still in its early stages, and it’s sparked both controversy and potential. Taking a page from The Fifth Element, 3-D bioprinting company Organovo has developed a matrix for 3D printing organs and limbs that may one day be used for pharmaceutical testing or other applications. (organovo.com) Meanwhile, scientists at the University of Nottingham in England have developed a type of artificial bone, 3-D printed from a polymer and a gel-like substance known as alginate. Adult stem cells can then be cultivated on the bone and grown into various tissues and muscles. (sse.royalsociety.org/2015)

Super-Tools The Tricorder, an all-purpose diagnostic and medical tool conceived in the Star Trek TV show may not be far out of reach. The Qualcomm Foundation is currently sponsoring a contest called the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE—a global competition that will award $10 million to teams that develop a portable, consumer-friendly device capable of diagnosing a set of 15 conditions and capturing health metrics through non-invasive means. The goal of the competition is to make reliable health diagnoses available to consumers anytime, anywhere. (tricorder.xprize.org) And I can’t go without mentioning the Sniffphone, a concept device that uses breathalyzer technology as an “electric nose” to sniff out disease quickly, cheaply and non-invasively. Learn more at ats.org. What’s next for medicine, and are we ready for it? Only time will tell...

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 9

SOCIAL SECURITY Q&A

Will Moving To a Nursing Home Affect SSI Benefits? By Daryl Rosenthal Public Affairs Specialist, Tampa

uestion: My mother receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. She may have to enter a nursing home later this year. How does this affect her SSI benefits? Answer: Moving to a nursing home can affect your mother’s SSI benefits but it depends on the type of facility. In some cases, the SSI payment

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 10

may be reduced or stopped. Whenever your mother enters or leaves a nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital, skilled nursing facility, or any other kind of institution, you must tell Social Security. Call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). We can answer specific questions and provide free interpreter services from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We also provide info by automated phone service 24 hours a day.

Health and Medical Section The Future Of Health Care: Telemedicine Is Here I f you haven’t already experienced telemedicine, you may soon have the option. Technology is helping people connect with their physicians in new ways and from a distance, and interest is growing in updating state and federal policies to help make telemedicine available to more patients.

What is telemedicine? Telemedicine most commonly refers to communication with or among a patient’s health care team via video connection, secure text messaging or another platform rather than in person. It can be used to schedule appointments, answer questions, handle routine checkups, allow physicians in different locations to consult about a patient’s case, collect vital signs or even to help examine and diagnose patients. To protect patient privacy, secure communication methods are used. Telemedicine initially developed as a way to provide specialty care to rural patients whose local hospitals didn’t have specialists available. But since then, it’s expanded its reach. Mayo Clinic views development of telemedicine as an important next step to improve health care access, quality and efﬁciency across the country. “I think of telemedicine as using technology to meet the needs of patients where they are rather than making them come to where we are,” says Dr. Ommen, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist. “There are a lot of things we do in medicine that do not require face-to-face interactions, and we can use technology to meet those needs: prescription reﬁlls, or simply exchanging information about how it’s gone since your last visit, for example. A lot of that information can be exchanged electronically in a way that makes it much more convenient for the patient and for the doctor.”

What are some of the beneﬁts? Access to specialized care: For hospitals that don’t always have specialists like neurologists on hand in an emergency, telemedicine can substitute. For example, Mayo Clinic developed a ‘telestroke’ robot that allows Mayo neurologists to perform live, real-time audiovisual consultations with patients and emergency medicine physicians at their hospital, allowing them to deliver fast and accurate diagnoses and treatment to stroke patients in time to halt or reverse potentially permanent damage.

Convenience: Personal mobility can be an issue, especially as we age. “For example, for someone with orthopedic problems, it’s not driving down the highway that’s a problem; it’s getting out to the car that’s even more of a hassle,” Dr. Ommen says. “Telemedicine can also help people avoid having to take time off work or drive across a large metropolitan area to go to a doctor’s office. Everyone can benefit from getting more rapid access and more convenient access to their health care providers.” Savings: Telemedicine is a win-win for medical professionals and patients when it comes to saving money and getting the most value from their time. “Doctors right now spend a lot of time with patients who don’t need to be in the office,” says Dr. Ommen. “If we can change the way they interact with people who don’t need to be in the room, we can improve access for people who do.” For patients, co-pays for a telemedicine service are usually cheaper than office visits, and it means less time in the waiting room and less gas money spent on transportation.

Prevention and Maintenance: Regular doctor/patient communication, especially combined with home monitoring devices, can reduce costly hospital stays.

“One of the leading reasons for readmission is chronic disease,” says Paula Guy, CEO of Global Partnership for TeleHealth and the Florida Partnership for TeleHealth. “When patients are sent home, it’s typically not with the kind of follow-up needed to keep them out of hospitals. Heart failure is a great example. Telemedicine allows the necessary follow-up and patient education opportunities for those who have been recently discharged. Patients can use simple technology to record heart rhythms and submit other patient biometrics.” If preventive and maintenance treatment facilitated by telemedicine could reduce hospitalizations by 10 percent across the state, Florida would see more than $12 billion in annual cost savings for hospital charges, according to a recent report by Florida Tax Watch. The future of health care Hospitals, universities, physicians and emergency care providers nationwide are already providing telemedicine services regularly, or planning to roll them out. According to the American Telemedicine Association, there are approximately 200 telemedicine networks, with 3,500 service sites across the country. However, Florida’s telemedicine services are limited for the time being, mostly due to funding and legislative hurdles. Florida is still working through law outlining how remote health care should be practiced, and telemedicine systems are only reimbursed by certain insurers, such as Medicaid. Despite this, there are a few programs being implemented in Florida. Locally, All Children’s Hospital is connecting doctors to neonatal critical care units with high-res cameras to better diagnose potential illnesses in newborns. UF Health’s telemedicine services help certain patients with diabetes care and mental

health. Memorial Regional Hospital in south Florida has a “telehealth” program that provides recovering heart failure patients with a device that monitors vitals and streams real-time info to doctors, alerting them to any change in condition. More widespread services will become available as demand from patients and health care agencies persuade more insurers to provide coverage. Check with your doctor to see if their practice offers telemedicine services. Telemedicine you can use now There are some third party apps you can take advantage of no matter your state or coverage. Here are a couple: Doctor on Demand: The app offers 24-7 access to U.S.-licensed physicians specializing in internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and more. A video chat session costs $40. (doctorondemand.com) HealthTap: This app connects you to at network of 69,000 doctors and specialists worldwide who can quickly answer your health questions—for free. Doctors review each other’s answers for accuracy, so you can get a variety of opinions. Video chats and other options are available for a separate fee. (healthtap.com) (Information from Mayo Clinic, Florida Tax Watch and the Florida Partnership for Telehealth)

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 11

12 Screenings Every 50+ Adult Should Have Y

our body is a ﬁnely tuned machine, and like any automobile, it needs regular tune-ups to keep it running efﬁciently. If one part is out of whack, it could leave you at risk of losing the freedom and mobility to do the things you love. Get your regularly scheduled maintenance so you can spend more time enjoying the ride. Here are the most important steps you can take:

Get the Screenings You Need

Get Preventive Medicines If You Need Them

baseline bone density test (DEXA scan), and ask your doctor if further screenings are required.

Supplements: Vitamin D, for example, promotes strong bones and a healthy immune system, which can help prevent falls and other mobility issues. A low-dose aspirin regimen may help some patients prevent heart attacks. Always consult your doctor before taking any vitamin or medication; they can help you decide if a preventive supplement is right for you. Immunizations: • Get a ﬂu shot every year. • Get a shot for tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Get a tetanus booster if it’s been 10 years since your last shot. • 60+: get a shot to prevent shingles. • 65+: get a pneumonia shot. Talk with your health care team about whether you need other vaccinations. You can also ﬁnd which ones you need by going to cdc.gov/vaccines.

8. Diabetes: Get screened for high blood sugar with a blood test every two years, especially if you have high blood pressure, are obese or have a family history of diabetes. Diabetes can cause problems with your heart, brain, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves and other body parts.

1. Annual Checkup: Go to the doctor 9. Overweight and Obesity:

when you’re not sick? Yes—it’s more important than you think. Regular health exams can help you stay on track and ﬁnd problems before they start, saving you pain (and money!) down the road. It also helps you build a health history your doctor can draw from as you age. 2. Dental: The American Dental Association recommends you check your chompers every six months, not just for cleaning, but also to detect and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. What’s going on inside your mouth is a good indicator of your overall heath. 3. Eyes: Ages 55 – 64 should have an eye exam every 1 to 3 years, or every 1 to 2 years if you’re 65 or older. Good vision means more indepedence when it comes to driving, reading and getting around, and regular exams will also help you catch and treat disabling eye conditions such as cataracts (a clouding of the eye lense), glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve), and macular degeneration (when images begin to appear blurry). 4. Hearing: Could you repeat that? Hearing loss is more than just an inconvenience—it can lead to social isolation, loneliness and cognitive impairment if left untreated. At least one baseline test after the age of 40 is recommended, with further screenings if doctors advise it. 5. High Blood Cholesterol: Check regularly with a blood test. High blood cholesterol increases your chance of heart disease, stroke and poor circulation. 6. High Blood Pressure: This tune-up is a must every two years. High blood pressure can manifest without symptoms, but if left unchecked, it can cause strokes, heart attacks, kidney and eye problems. 7. Bone Density: This test determines the mineral and calcium content of your bones as well as your risk for osteoporosis (a condition where the bones become brittle and fragile). Post-menopausal women are expecially at risk. Women older than 65 and men older than 70 should have a Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 12

The best way to learn if you are overweight or obese is to ﬁnd your body mass index (BMI). You can ﬁnd it by entering your height and weight into a BMI calculator, like the one at nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/ obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm. A BMI between 18.5 and 25 indicates a normal weight. Persons with a BMI of 30 or higher may be obese. If you are obese, talk to your doctor about help changing your behaviors to lose weight. Overweight and obesity can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

10. Cancer: The earlier you detect cancer, the better your chances of successful treatment and recovery. Screenings are especially recommended if you smoke, drink or have cancer in your family history. Lung Cancer: Ask your doctor about getting screened if you are between the ages of 55 and 80, have a 30 pack-year smoking history, and smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years. (Your pack-year history is the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day times the number of years you have smoked.) Know that quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. Lung cancer can be detected with low-dose computed tomography (LCT). For LCT, you lie on a table while a large machine passes over you to scan your lungs. Breast cancer: An annual mammogram is recommended for women over 40. Colorectal cancer: Several different tests—for example, a stool test or a colonoscopy—can detect this cancer. Your doctor or nurse can help you decide which is best for you. Starting at age 50, you should screen for this cancer every ﬁve or 10 years. Cervical cancer: Women age 30 to 65 years should get a pap test every ﬁve years. Prostate cancer: Men should have a baseline exam when they reach 40, with additional annual exams as recommended by their doctor.

Take Steps to Good Health

11. Depression: Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. Talk to your doctor or nurse about being screened for depression, especially if during the last two weeks: • You have felt down, sad or hopeless. • You have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things. 12. Viruses: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

Get screened one time for HCV if: • You were born between 1945 and 1965. • You have ever injected drugs. • You received a transfusion before 1992. • If you currently are an injection drug user, you should be screened regularly. HIV: Rates of STDs have doubled among 50- to 90-year-olds in the past decade. If you are sexually active, especially if you have multiple partners, get screened for HIV.

You know your body better than anyone else. Always tell your doctor or nurse about any changes in your health, and don’t be afraid to ask about any condition you are concerned about, not just the ones here. If you are wondering about diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or skin cancer, for example, let them know. Several of these preventive screenings are free with health insurance, and certain pharmacies, health centers and wellness fairs will also host free health screenings.

Be physically active and make healthy food choices. Learn how online at healthﬁnder.gov/HealthTopics/ Category/nutrition-and-physical-activity. Get to a healthy weight and stay there. Balance the calories you take in from food and drink with the calories you burn off by your activities. Be tobacco free. For tips on how to quit, go to smokefree.gov. To talk to someone about how to quit, call the National Quitline: 1-800-QUITNOW (784-8669). If you drink alcohol, have no more than two drinks per day if you are 65 or younger. If you are older than 65, have no more than one drink a day. A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

For More Info on Good Health,

check out these websites: Healthﬁnder.gov: Guides and tools for healthy living, an encyclopedia of healthrelated topics, health news and more. MedlinePlus.gov: Health information from government agencies and health organizations, including a medical encyclopedia and health tools. Questions Are the Answer (ahrq.gov/ questionsaretheanswer): Get involved in your health care by asking questions, understanding your condition and learning about your options. (Info from ARHQ.gov)

OSTEOPOROSIS IS A QUIET KILLER. BUT IT CAN BE STOPPED. If you’re a postmenopausal woman, get a bone density screening and lower your risk of a hip fracture by 35%. More U.S. women die each year from complications of a hip fracture than from breast, uterine and ovarian cancers combined. A bone density screening can lower your risk by 35% and give you important information about keeping your bones healthy, so you stay healthy. Beat osteoporosis.

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 13

HEALTH BITE

How Long Can We Expect to Live? U.S. Life Expectancy Hits Record High

ife expectancy at birth reached an alltime record high of 78.8 years in 2012, according to data recently released by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Researchers noted a significant reduction in mortality from 8 of 10 leading causes of death from 2011 to 2012. These include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases and stroke. “People are choosing healthier lifestyles. They are living longer as we do a better job preventing and properly

managing chronic diseases,” says Daniel Neides, MD, MBA, Medical Director, Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. According to the data, women are still living longer than men. (81.2 years for females; 76.4 for males). Even though these numbers show a positive trend, experts say there is still work to do. Small lifestyle changes like eating moderately, increasing exercise and quitting smoking can put you on the road to a long, healthy life. (Cleveland Clinic)

Housing As Health Care: Small Changes at Home Give You More Savings, Freedom

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hat forces older Americans from their homes into assisted living or full time nursing facilities? It’s often the small things—like being able to move around the house safely, cook for oneself or keep up with hygiene—that prevent people from living independently. Some researchers now believe that small changes in people’s living spaces and daily strategies can keep them out of nursing facilities for months or even years, saving families millions of dollars. To prove that theory, a major research effort in the Baltimore, MD area called the CAPABLE project—which stands for Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders—sent out handymen, nurses and occupational therapists into the homes of hundreds of low-income seniors aging in place to see how far $4,000 can go in preserving people’s independence. The average cost of nursing home care in the U.S. is $6,700 a month, much of it paid through Medicaid, so even postponing a move to a nursing facility by just a few months can have a major impact. CAPABLE nurses visited seniors’ homes to assess health risks, often finding

correctable problems such as someone taking all of his daily pills at once instead of throughout the day. Occupational therapists taught basic exercises to help maintain mobility. Handymen made up to $1,100 in home improvements, such as building ramps, raising toilet seats, installing shower seats and grab bars, making kitchen cabinets easier to reach and altering door frames to accommodate wheelchairs. “We see housing as a part of health care,” says project leader Sarah Szanton, Ph.D., an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. “What one can do is a function of where one lives, so the home is a place worthy of health-care investment.” Szanton believes interventions like CAPABLE could reduce the likelihood of admission to a nursing facility for participants by 40 percent over a year. Time will tell as the study progresses and programs like CAPABLE are implemented in other cities. A few simple home and behavior changes could mean months or years of freedom for older Americans who believed their only recourse was expensive nursing care.

(From the Aging Well Revolution by PBS, Next Avenue and The Scan Foundation)

Heart Health Starts With Family

ne of the main reasons that people pursue heart healthy diets is so that they can be around as long as possible to enjoy their families. Therefore it makes perfect sense that the pursuit of heart healthy family activities should be at the top of everyone’s list of things to do. Consider these four ideas.

1. Eat Together. Ever hear the saying “the family that dines together stays together?” It’s true. But these days, having dinner at home with the entire family seated together at the same time has become something of a novelty, a relic of a bygone era—all the more reason to make the preparation of the meal a fun

group effort. Give the grandkids a chance to lend a helping hand, or see who can come up with the best tasting dish by using easy healthy recipes. By taking this approach you not only make it a health experience for yourself, but you might even impart some life-altering healthy eating tips to your kids or grandkids in the process. What could be better than that?

2. Take Family Walks. Walking is the original exercise, next to running—but even the most die-hard exercise enthusiast will probably agree that a family walk will be more conducive to “fun” than a family run would be. Mix up your family walks by going to different locations and

enjoying the scenery. Check out nearby hiking trails, or even head into the city for an afternoon of ambulatory sightseeing. 3. Play Family Sports. While starting your own flag football team may be something reserved for larger families, you can still have fun bending and breaking traditional sports rules to suit the number of people in your family. The trick is to inject fun into the physical proceedings, and to steer clear of any type of situation that may foster aggressive competition. Remember, you’re not out to beat one another—you’re out to have fun activities with kids and to get your heart pumping at the same time.

4. Take On a Family Project. Does your deck need rebuilding? What about that living room—have you been thinking about repainting it? You could take the path of least resistance (and the more expensive path) by hiring a professional to do it, or you could turn it into a family project that will accomplish three important things: it’ll teach your kids and grandkids how to be handy; it’ll keep the blood flowing and the heart pumping; and it’ll give everyone a sense of unity and accomplishment. In the end, there are few things better than that. (Article provided by spot55.com)

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 15

Stem Cells: Helping Veterans Fight Lung Disease By David Ebner, Staff Writer

s they stormed Omaha Beach in Normandy, they weren’t thinking about their health. When they enlisted, they weren’t looking for a job; they were answering a call. Holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are designed to remember those that answered this call. These sacrifices are well known among military families. The hope is that veterans, who made such great sacrifices, receive a high level of care when they return home. However, many are seeing their health decline faster than their medical care can keep up. Among the health conditions affecting veterans, lung diseases like COPD are very prominent. A study conducted by the Veterans Administration (VA) found that COPD is more prevalent with veterans than civilians. Those that served recently were regularly subjected to air pollution from burn pits and exploded IEDs. Others, like those that served during Vietnam, faced airborne chemical pollutants like Agent Orange. Given the limited resources

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 16

According to the VA, 14 percent of veterans who were deployed develop some sort of lung condition.

available to veterans, many have elected to receive alternative treatment options outside of their VA coverage for their lung disease. Some veterans have found that the best option may lie in a new

elective treatment in the form of stem cell therapy. Stem cells are present in all of our bodies, functioning as our body’s repair system. They naturally respond to injury

or illness; however, stem cells don’t move quickly, hence our bodies don’t instantly heal when we get sick. Stem cell therapy can expedite this natural healing process. A clinic in the United States offers such a treatment. The Lung Institute (lunginstitute.com) claims to have performed over 800 treatments since their inception two years ago. Their physicians extract stem cells through a minimally invasive procedure, process them and reintroduce them to the lungs. The result is healthier tissue growing in place of damaged tissue, and although this doesn’t cure the disease, it slows lung degeneration and brings a normal life back within reach. Help does not mean that you have failed; it means that you’re not alone. Help is what veterans deserve whether they would admit it or not. Just like most served because they feel it’s their duty, I feel it is my duty to serve veterans when they come home. We can help by providing solutions to their problems, and for those struggling to breathe because of their lung disease, stem cells may be the answer.

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6 Ways to Avoid ED Without Taking Pills

2. Don’t smoke. Smoking has a negative effect on the vascular system. People who hold off smoking for even 36 hours can see an improvement.

ne third of men aged 50 to 64 suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), according to University of Chicago researchers. While the condition is fairly common, it isn’t inevitable, and there are ways you can treat ED without medication. Here are six tips from Jason Kovac, M.D., a specialist in Sexual Medicine from the Institute of Men’s Health at Urology of Indiana: 1. Stick to a sex-healthy diet. What are some good foods to eat? Leafy green vegetables are great, and beet juice is high in nitrates which help dilate vessels. Flavonoids in dark chocolate have been shown to increase circulation. Also zinc, commonly found in oysters (also an aphrodisiac), can contribute to healthy erectile function.

3. Don’t stress. Anxiety can promote erectile disfunction, and ED can lead to further stress, becoming a vicious cycle. Improving erectile function can take stress away, which can then be a positive cycle for the patient and the partner. 4. Take 30-minute walks. According to one Harvard study, just 30 minutes of walking a day was linked with a 41 percent drop in risk for ED. Other research suggests that moderate exercise can help restore sexual performance in obese middle-aged men with ED. 5. Explore permanent solutions like penile implants. After a 40-minute procedure, men have the ability to pump their penis into an erection in just seconds. 6. Boost your testosterone. Exercise, lose weight and eat better. If you have a lot of body fat, it increases estrogen. There is no quick fix, but these are natural ways to avoid loss of testosterone. To learn more, visit edcure.org.

The Healthy Geezer

Can Men Get Breast Cancer?

By Fred Cicetti

reast cancer strikes most often when men are in their sixties. Male breast cancer? Men do have breast cells that can become cancerous. The disease is uncommon in men. It represents only 1% of all breast cancers. Because of its rarity, many men aren’t aware it exists. And that’s a problem. For unknown reasons, the incidence of male breast cancer has been increasing. About 2,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Young boys and girls have a small amount of breast tissue made up of a few ducts. At puberty, female hormones in girls make breast ducts grow, milk glands form and fat increase. The male hormones in boys prevent further growth of breast tissue. Men’s breast tissue contains ducts, but only a few, if any, lobules. The most common symptom of male breast cancer is the same as it is for women—a lump. Other signs include: skin dimpling, a new indentation of the nipple, redness or scaling of breast skin, a clear or bloody discharge from the nipple. Some risk factors for male breast cancer are: Age. The average age for a man diagnosed with breast cancer is 67. Family. About 20 percent of men with breast cancer are related to someone with the disease.

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Genes. About 7 percent of breast cancers in men are inherited.

Radiation. There’s a higher risk to men who underwent chest radiation treatments when they were younger.

Klinefelter Syndrome. Men with this syndrome make lower levels of male hormones—androgens—and

more female hormones. This can cause gynecomastia, benign breast enlargement. Men with this condition may be at greater risk of breast cancer. Many medicines used to treat ulcers, high blood pressure and heart failure can cause gynecomastia, too. Estrogen. The risk is small for men who take estrogen—the main female hormone. Estrogen drugs may be used to treat prostate cancer. Liver disease. This can increase your risk of gynecomastia and breast cancer. Obesity. Fat cells convert androgens into estrogen.

Alcohol. Drinking alcohol raises the odds that a man will develop breast cancer. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.

If a man has a family history of the disease, he should consult a doctor about regular testing. Diagnostic tests for men include a clinical breast exam, mammograms, ultrasound, biopsy and, if indicated, a nipple discharge exam. Breast cancer treatment for men is similar to that given to women. Some men may need only surgery. Others will need surgery and radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. There isn’t much tissue to a man’s breast, so removing the cancer usually means excising most of the tissue. The procedures that are used on women to save breast tissue aren’t practicable for men. Most men with breast cancer require a modified radical mastectomy. In this procedure, a surgeon removes the entire breast and some underarm lymph nodes, but leaves chest muscles intact. If you would like to ask a question, write to fred@healthygeezer.com. All Rights Reserved © 2015 by Fred Cicetti.

MEDICARE ANSWERS

What Are Medicare Savings Programs?

Dear Marci, my senior center gave me information about different services that can help seniors to save money, including ones relating to Medicare. One discussed Medicare Savings Programs. What are Medicare Savings Programs? —Lori Dear Lori, Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are assistance programs that help to pay certain Medicare costs for people with limited incomes. MSPs can help to pay your monthly Part B premium, and possibly other Medicare costs depending on your income.

To qualify for an MSP, you must meet certain income and asset guidelines in your state, and you must have Medicare Part A, the hospital insurance part of Medicare. If you do not already have Part A, you may still apply for an MSP if you qualify for the MSP that pays your Part A premium. To learn more about MSPs in your state and how to apply, contact your local Department of Social Services, or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). If you have an MSP, you will also automatically get Extra Help, the federal program that helps to pay certain Part D prescription drug costs. —Marci Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare.

Professional Golfer Sees Results After Using Low-Intensity Vibration

rofessional golfer Peter Jacobsen, 59, understands the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That’s why he uses a Marodyne LivMD to help combat conditions associated with aging such as circulation, bone and muscle health, plantar fasciitis and joint problems. Peter began using LivMD—a low intensity vibration device developed through NASA funding by Dr. Clinton Rubin of Stony Brook University in New York—to maintain his overall health and quality of life. In the past, Peter had a hip and knee replacement and was diagnosed with joint problems and plantar fasciitis—a painful inflammation in the connective tissues in the foot. Although Peter has only used LivMD for a short time, he has seen great results. “It’s been eye-opening; I didn’t expect to see results this fast,” Peter said. Peter started using LivMD two times a day for 10 minutes each session. “After about 10 days, the fasciitis in my foot was gone,”

said Peter. Not only was Peter astounded by his success using LivMD, he was also impressed with how easy it was to use. “I plugged it in, it beeped at me, I stepped on the device and it started buzzing.” Peter said. “It’s about the size of home plate, kind of like a large bathroom scale—and it doesn’t take up much space.” Unlike other vibration machines on the market, LivMD vibrations are safe and mild. LivMD’s technology was developed based on OSHA safety standards. “Not only is it safe, but it feels good, unlike other vibration machines that vibrate at much higher intensities,” Peter said. The device, which emits a force of 0.4g (gravitational force) at 30Hz (30 x/second), is safe to stand on for up to four hours per day according to Marodyne Medical. For more information about LivMD, visit LivMD.US or Marodyne.com or call 1-866-387-7131.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 19

Active For Life: Stretching and Flexibility Training

Neuropathy & Other Foot Problems? Yes, You Can Feel Great About Your Feet Again! We Have Your Treatment Plan

By Ajèe Wells-Eiland, BS, NCCT/ MMCI, NSCA-CPT

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n the United States, more than 80 percent of lower back injuries are a result of improper alignment of the spinal cord and pelvic girdle due to tight, inflexible muscles. This tightness can be uncomfortable and debilitating. Over time, especially as we age, our muscles and ligaments begin to shorten, decreasing our flexibility. However, partaking in a regular stretching/ flexibility exercise program can increase circulation to the muscles and improve postural alignment and range of motion.

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You don’t have to join a gym to get a workout. Recent studies show that every hour of moderate physical activity can add two hours to your life. Just enjoy everyday activities like

walking

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Washing the car. Cutting the grass. Playing golf. Or just

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instead of the elevator. Don’t sweat it if spinning classes aren’t your style. Just get out and do something physical each day. You’ll feel better, and live longer. Besides, the stair

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6. Neck: sit or stand keeping your feet flat on the floor. Turn your head to the right until you feel a slight stretch. Hold, then turn to the left and repeat the process. 7. Chest: hold your arms at shoulder height with your palms facing forward. Move your arms back slowly and squeeze your shoulder blades together.

Take the Stretching/FlexibilityChallenge! 1. First, warm up by walking in place or using a treadmill, elliptical or bike.

9. Shoulder: While holding one end of a towel in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart and the towel in your right hand behind your neck. Keep the other end of the towel in your left hand behind your lower back. Pull downwards and hold. Then reverse the position and repeat.

10. Hamstring: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Raise your right leg, then reach up and grab your foot, calf or knee with both hands. Pull your leg towards you gently and hold; then repeat on the left side.

11. Hip: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Keeping your feet together, lower your right leg to the floor. Try not to move left leg. Hold and repeat on the other side. 12. Calf: Place a hand on a sturdy object, keeping both feet flat on the floor. Then step forward with your right foot, bending at the knees, and hold. Repeat on the other side. 13. Ankle: Sit with your legs stretched out and heels on the floor. Point your toes and hold for 15 to 60 seconds, then bring your toes toward you and hold. Now, get up, get going, get active for life!

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5. Avoid locking joints and don’t bounce, but try stretching farther each time.

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It’s common knowledge that strength training is an essential component for developing strong bones and muscles. But sometimes we forget that stretching and flexibility training, which can help us maintain a healthy fitness regimen, are just as important. Think of the movements we perform in our daily lives (e.g., bending over, reaching or picking up a bag of groceries off the floor) that require a high level of flexibility. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, flexibility exercise involving all major muscle groups and tendons should be performed 2 to 3 days per week, building up to 5 to 7 days per week. To ensure a safe and successful flexibility exercise program, seniors should seek out competent personal trainers. Before you start any workout regimen, consult your physician.

2. Perform each exercise 3 to 4 times each session, holding for 15 to 60 seconds.

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4. Stretch slowly and as far as possible to mild discomfort (not pain).

8. Back: Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor, legs together and knees bent. Comfortably lower both legs to one side slowly and hold. Bring your legs back to center and repeat on the other side.

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3. Always remember to relax and breathe normally during stretching.

A Support Network Helps

f you or someone you care about is ever among the nearly two million Americans who have a heart attack, a stroke or are diagnosed with heart disease every year, the key to recovery could come from a surprising source. Research suggests that having a support network—for the patient and the caregiver—can be vital. That’s because helping people heal emotionally after a heart attack or stroke can also help them heal physically. A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that a general lack of social support is associated with poor health and quality of life and depression in young men and women a year after having a heart attack. In addition, the patient isn’t the only one affected by these life-changing events. The stress of caring for a disabled spouse can significantly raise a caregiver’s risk of future stroke, according to a study in the journal Stroke. In response, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s new initiative is to provide emotional and practical support to people living with heart disease and stroke. The organizations’ Support Network offers an online community, as well as materials for starting face-to-face, community-based support groups. The monitored online community is a place for people to ask questions, share concerns or fears, provide helpful tips, and find encouragement and inspiration. To learn more and to find a nearby network, go to www.heart.org/ supportnetwork. (NAPSI) Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 21

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VETERANS CORNER

Patriot’s Point Full of Memories and Education

By Janice Doyle

ary and I stepped under a sign that read “U.S. Naval Support Base Somewhere Vietnam” and suddenly looked overhead to see where the helicopters were. We could hear them plainly. Then we realized what we were hearing were the realistic sound effects of the Vietnam War experience, Patriots Point in Charleston, South Carolina.

U.S. Naval Support Base Exhibit

Under the beautiful Ravenel Bridge, Patriot’s Point is home to several ways to experience military men and their surroundings. We started with the Vietnam exhibit where a boardwalk led us among sandbagged bunkers, helicopters we could climb into, a mess tent, a medical tent, a tower, a tank— and always the sounds of war. Anchored nearby are the USS Yorktown, the USS Laffey and the USS Clamagore, each ready for visitors. Patriots Point continues to grow. Fort Sumter tour boats embark here. Huge celebrations are held on patriotic holidays, with military reenactments and weapons demonstrations. All ages enjoy the freedom to explore.

a submarine tour—spend a few hours here to better understand. Although today’s carriers are much larger, the Yorktown is a manageable museum to see life aboard ship. Almost the entire ship is available for viewing, and below decks gives a great look at life at sea during World War II. The flight deck and hangar deck are filled with displays of planes from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Also on display are the two space capsules recovered by the Yorktown—a Mercury 7 capsule and the Apollo 8 command module. And there are several museums onboard, including the Medal of Honor museum. Below decks you can see all the key parts of the ship. An elevator is available, and a restaurant on board means you don’t have to leave the area for lunch. Got grandkids along? They’d love the flight simulator. Next door are a destroyer and a submarine which make for more interesting tours. Covering the more recent military past is the unusual Cold War Memorial which remembers the decades of the cold war in the silent service. This period of military history loomed very large in Charleston when it was the main port for Polaris Missile submarines and the Naval Weapons Station. The docents at Patriots Point exhibits are veteran volunteers. We enjoyed our contact with each one. They will talk as much as you want them to, or just quietly stand with a fellow veteran who recalls times and places of his or her own.

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Question: On what date did the first national observance of Flag Day occur? Your Answer: Send in the correct answer to be entered in a drawing to win a prize valued at $25 or more each month. Deadline for entries June 16, 2015. Drawing held June 20, 2015.

Name The USS Clamagore

My friend and I are both widows of Vietnam-era veterans. Her husband was a medic for the Marines for two tours in Vietnam; my husband was on a minesweeper off the coast of Vietnam. We agreed that it is a tour one should take to better understand the stories told by soldiers and sailors. Life on a military ship, the Vietnam ground experience,

As we stood looking at planes on the deck of the Yorktown, an older man nearby struck up a conversation. I said, “Were you on this ship?” He laughed and said, “Yes, and when I was on her, I did everything I could to get off. Now I make every opportunity to come back and spend time with her.” Patriots point is that kind of place. Visit www.patriotspoint.org.

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Mail to: Lifestyles After 50, P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL, 33583

May’s answer is “Christmas and Easter” John McCabe from Northport is May’s winner.

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Click on the Trivia Palooza button and answer a Trivia question each week for a chance to win a prize at the end of each month. Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 23

Day Escape: LEGOLAND

chool’s out! If you’re looking for a fun day trip with the grandkids, the brand new LEGOLAND hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort is now open! “LEGOLAND Hotel offers a unique experience unlike any other in Florida,” said General Manager of the Hotel, Kevin Carr. “Imagine how excited children will be to wake up in a giant toy box full of LEGO bricks and to be the first to enter the theme park each day.” LEGOLAND Resort General Manager Adrian Jones also announced a Master Model Builder Workshop being offered exclusively to Hotel guests.

“We’re moving the Model Shop into our Hotel and guests will be able to learn and build with our Model Builders daily in the Master Model Builder Workshop,” he said. The 150-acre LEGOLAND theme park caters to families with kids ages 2 to 12 with more than 50 family-focused rides, shows and attractions, water park play and a breathtaking botanical garden. Fun Town offers families a firsthand look at how LEGO bricks are made from factory to finish. Themed zones fire the imagination and encourage exploration through medieval kingdoms, adventurous lands, pirate coves, America in miniature, the mysterious World of Chima and much more. Let your inner child loose and play at LEGOLAND this summer. Tickets are $84 (plus tax) for adults and $77 for kids 3 – 12. LEGOLAND is located at One Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884. To learn more, call 877-350-5346.

Masterpieces Performed With Passion

he Florida Orchestra’s season just wrapped up in May, but the anticipation already is building for the debut of Michael Francis as music director in the fall. He will lead the orchestra’s premier Tampa Bay Times Masterworks series, conducting nine of 14 concerts. This is what the orchestra is all about: classical masterpieces you love, performed with passion. Combined with pre-concert conversations about the music, there’s no better quality time for the whole family, with free Classical Kids tickets for ages 5 –18. Here are some Masterworks series highlights: Opening Night: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (Oct. 2 – 4): Also on the program is Copland’s Symphony No. 3, the essential American masterpiece. Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons (Oct. 23 – 25): Led by Lara St. John, who started playing the violin at age 2, debuted as a soloist with an orchestra at age 4 and entered the Curtis Institute of Music at age 13. The Bells & Pictures (Nov. 6 – 8): Hear Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, based on the Edgar Allan Poe poem, featuring the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. Then let Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 24

your imagination run wild with images conjured by Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 4 – 6): Hallelujah, it’s the perfect way to start the holiday season! Features the Master Chorale. Brahms: A German Requiem (March 12 – 13): Also featuring principal English horn Jeffrey Stephenson in MacMillian’s The World’s Ransoming.

The Firebird Suite (April 15 – 17): This dynamic concert showcases Concertmaster Jeffrey Multer playing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3, along with Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Faure’s Dolly Suite and the incendiary Stravinsky’s Firebird. Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony (April 29 – May 1): It originally was composed to honor Napoleon, but an angry Beethoven scratched that out when Napoleon declared himself emperor in 1804. Series subscriptions are on sale now. Single tickets are available Aug. 10. Tickets/info at floridaorchestra.org and 1-800-662-7286.

TRAVEL

America’s Cowboy Culture Is Alive and Well

By Janice Doyle

hose of us “of a certain age” grew up with cowboys in our living rooms via the TV. John Wayne was part of our common cultural literacy. Our country’s history was peppered with stories of cowboys, ranchers and Western settlers. Every major city out West now hosts a huge annual rodeo event, but here are some ways to enjoy cowboy culture for the next 12 months. Add them to your bucket list, follow them on social media and pull on some jeans and boots for a fun time.

Horseback riding in Bandara County, Texas

July 15 – 26 Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been named one of America’s Top 10 Summer Events to attend. It’s the Daddy of ‘em all (since 1897) and now lasts 10 days. It’s the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration. Historic re-enactments, Old Frontier Village, living history areas, pony races, cowboy culture, rodeos, roasted buffalo meals, races, up-to-date demonstrations and horses—lots of horses. (cheyenne.org)

August 13 – 16 “Keepin’ It Cowboy” is the theme for the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Music Rendezvous (13 – 16) in Lewistown, Montana. It’s a good reason to head to Big Sky Country. (lewistownevents.com) September 25 – 26 Keep it Cowboy right here in Florida at the Florida Ranch Rodeo State Finals and Heritage Festival at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. (rodeosusa.com/ rodeos/florida)

October Oklahoma City is home to the Western Cowboy Museum, which covers every aspect of cowboy life and Western heritage. John Wayne features big here in painting and sculpture. There’s the TV show “Gunsmoke” display, and in the lobby is “The End of the Trail” sculpture. Much more: Remington bronzes, a Western town, display of blue coat army items, Western movie galleries and the large rodeo displays. Worth the trip! (nationalcowboymuseum.org) November 12 – 14 The Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo is in Davie, Florida. This sanctioned rodeo event also features Western entertainment and top cowboy and cowgirl competition.

December 3 – 12 Cowboy Christmas Shopping Event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. First things first, you have to look like a cowboy by getting some authentic gear—oh, and hang out with cowboys in the dancehalls, dude ranches and rodeos in Vegas. This sale features 400+ vendors selling boots to bedroom furniture and everything cowboy in between. (Free admission.) (nfrexperience.com)

January 25 – 30 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada celebrates ranching and the rural West. Thousands come to share the lifestyle as well as the poetry, music and stories of the cowboy and Western lifestyle. Learn traditional skills, dance the two-step, enjoy the Western Folklife Center. (westernfolklife.org/events)

April Take a dude ranch vacation in the Hill Country of Bandera County, Texas, the self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World. Horseback riding, trail rides, chuckwagon meals and honkytonk music. Pick from many lodging options to suit your cowboy needs. (banderacowboycapital.com)

Here in Florida, Jan. 24 – 30 is the Great Florida Cattle Drive—500 head of cattle. 50 miles, lots of wagons. Eat your meals from the chuck wagon as you help deliver the herd home to the Silver Silver Spurs Arena and Rodeo Grounds in Kenansville. Be a part or be an observer along the way. (floridacattlemen.org)

May Traveling in the Midwest? Visit John Wayne’s birthplace in Winterset, Iowa. An impressive collection of memorabilia from his movies that over a million people have visited. (johnwaynebirthplace.museum)

February Go West to Los Angeles and see the Gene Autry Museum near Griffith Park. Large and fun to visit. Gun collection, saddles to clothing displays, paintings, sculptures, Western/native artifacts. Great photo ops to make you look like you’re in the cowboy movies! Big permanent exhibit dedicated to the Westerns in music, TV and film. (Seniors under $10 admission.) (geneautry.com/museum) March Visit Westgate River Ranch just east of Lake Wales, Florida, where relaxing is every day and every Saturday night is rodeo night. (westgatedestinations.com/ florida/lake-wales)

June

Cowboy Church—finish your cowboy year by finding a cowboy church while you’re traveling. Several groups provide websites—AFCC, for example (American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches). Put on your jeans and boots and head on in for worship. (americanfcc.org) Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 25

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New Books “The Healthcare Handbook: How to Avoid Medical Errors, Find the Best Doctors, Be Your Own Patient Advocate & Get the Most from Healthcare” By Dr. Gwen van Servellen In her book, Dr. van Servellen offers recommendations and secrets to finding the best doctors, how to communicate effectively with them or your healthcare facility, how to make sure your health records are being kept accurately, what to expect from treatment, how to spot and avoid common medical errors, how and when to get a patient advocate and more. Get “The Healthcare Handbook” at Amazon.com and HealthCareBooks.net. “Rumble Yell: Discovering America’s Biggest Bike Ride” By Brian David Bruns Brian David Bruns’ friend had just returned from the military. Eager to reconnect, Bruns agreed

to join his friend on a hometown bike ride called RAGBRAI, which happened to be the world’s largest, longest and oldest bike tour, covering 500 miles through the heart of Bruns’ native Iowa, during the hottest week of the year. The only problem was that Bruns was not a cyclist. Bruns chronicles his ride in his hilarious new book, “Rumble Yell: Discovering America’s Biggest Bike Ride.” Through all the hardships of the ride, Bruns finds the most important lesson is that Americans are awesome. To show his appreciation for our veterans, Bruns will donate 330 copies of Rumble Yell to the Wounded Warrior Project. The book is available at bdbruns.com and amazon.com.

Tech Talk Giveaway: MagnaReady

elcome to this month’s Tech Talk column, where we cover the latest apps, products and websites that make life a little easier. This month, we’re giving away a MagnaReady men’s dress shirt, size medium, blue-striped (Value: $64.95). The MagnaReady clothing line fastens using hidden magnets, rather than buttons, to make getting dressed both quick and painless. “I created this product because my husband’s struggle with Parkinson’s rendered it difficult to button independently,” says MagnaReady creator Maura Horton. By magnetically infusing the buttons on his shirts, I created a product that could restore freedom to his daily routine.” The shirts are 100% cotton, stain resistant and wrinkle free. Each shirt is hand sewn with a side pleated back, 8-button magnetized front and magnetic button cuffs. (Not for use with pacemakers.) For more info, visit magnaready.com.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 26

To enter, just email editor@ lifestylesafter50.com or snail mail us at:

Attn: MagnaReady Giveaway News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583 Send us your name, address and phone number by June 19. The drawing will be held on June 20, and the winner will be contacted and announced in the July issue of Lifestyles After 50. Look for more giveaways in upcoming editions. Good luck!

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Make The Ultimate Man Cave By Elle Layne

o the kids are finally out of the house, and now you have an extra room or two to play around with. Time to build that man cave you’ve always wanted! Start with these essentials:

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Brews Keep your friends close, and your beer closer. The fridge/keg combo Kegerator (kegerator. com) is the way to go if you want it fresh from the tap. For a budget-friendlier option, try the BrewTender Tabletop Beer & Beverage Dispenser, which holds up to 80-ounces and has a separate cooling chamber so your drinks don’t get watered down. (taverntoys.com)

Snooze It’s worth investing in a couple of comfy recliners or a large sectional to watch the game on. For home theater seating without spending a fortune, try stacking a few wooden pallets and adding some old mattresses or cushions for instant tiered seats.

Games A simple card table goes a long way. Invest in a few decks of cards and some poker chips, hang

a dart board or fill a shelf or two with old board games and you’re all set for a night with friends. An old tire and a round table top give you an easy coffee table that you can stow games in. If you have the space, pool, foosball, pinball, air hockey or ping pong are classics. Retro gamers can outfit their cave with an old Atari, Nintendo or newer system, or go all out with an arcade machine. For around $2500, companies like Monster Arcades can build you a custom machine and load it with hundreds of your favorite games. (monsterarcades.com)

Swag This is your sanctuary, so anything goes. Hang or mantle your trophies, frame your favorite moments, build a shrine to the great outdoors or your favorite team. Whatever you’re into, make it a theme and your man cave will feel like home. Some ideas: Irish Pub: Dark wood, plush seats, stained glass panels, walls covered with pictures and Guinness signage give it an instant old pub feel. Country Saloon: Leather seating, rustic wood, an old whisky barrel and couple of muted lamps bring the wild west to the man cave. The finishing touch: a pair of swinging saloon doors. The Garage: Concrete or checkered vinyl floors, chrome, photos of your favorite cars and some vintage roadside signage. Need I say more? Well...maybe a jukebox... Movie Fanatic: Want your cave to double as a home theater? A top-notch surround sound system and a large sectional are musts. Carpets, thick curtains and rope lighting on the floor will give it that cinema feel, and posters of your favorite movies and memorabilia will make it even better. Sports Center: Paint the walls with your team colors, hang sports photos and memorabilia, throw down an astroturf rug or turn an old jersey into a pillow and you have a cozy sports shrine fit for a king. Looking for more man cave ideas? Check out pinterest. com or mancaved.com.

Canine Flu… Again? By Dr. Bob Encinosa

ast month you may have heard on the national news about a viral outbreak of canine influenza in the Chicago area. Many boarding facilities, doggy daycares and dog parks in the region were temporarily closed to control the situation. This is a different strain of canine flu than the one first identified in greyhounds at a racetrack in Florida in 2004. So how does this strain of canine flu affect the Tampa Bay Area and what do we need to be aware of to protect our pets? Canine Influenza (CI, or dog flu) in the U.S. is caused by the canine influenza virus (CIV), an influenza A virus. It is highly contagious and easily spread from infected dogs to other dogs through direct contact, nasal secretions (through coughing and sneezing), contaminated objects (food and water bowls, collars and leashes), and by people moving between infected and uninfected dogs. Dogs of any breed, age, sex or health status are at risk of infection when exposed to the virus.

Unlike seasonal flu in people, canine influenza can occur year round. So far, there is no evidence that canine influenza infects people. However, it does appear that at least some strains of the disease can infect cats. CIV infection resembles canine infectious tracheobronchitis (“kennel cough”). The illness may be mild or severe, and infected dogs develop a persistent cough and may develop a thick nasal discharge and fever. Other signs can include lethargy, eye discharge, reduced appetite and low-grade fever. Most dogs recover within 2 – 3 weeks. However, secondary bacterial infections can develop and may cause more severe illness and pneumonia.

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CIV can be diagnosed early in the illness (less than 4 days) by testing a nasal or throat swab. Dogs are most contagious during the two- to four-day incubation period for the virus, when they are infected and shedding the virus in their nasal secretions but are not showing signs of illness. Almost all dogs exposed to CIV will become infected and the majority (80 percent) of infected dogs develop flu-like illness. With proper veterinary treatment, the mortality (death rate) is low (less than 10 percent). It is not known whether the currently available influenza vaccine will protect dogs against this new strain of virus. Avoidance of exposure to potentially infected dogs is the best means of prevention at the present time. Most disinfectants will kill the virus. The virus can survive only a short time on external surfaces. To our knowledge, the virus has yet to be identified in the Tampa Bay area. Thus, in our area, at this time, we do not consider the canine flu vaccine a necessary “core” vaccine. At our boarding facility we do not currently require the canine flu vaccination. But of course that could change if a case is reported in our immediate area.

ach year, talented seniors over 55 years young take the stage to entertain and help raise money for senior charities in the Tampa Bay area. Bright House Network’s “Bright Stars Senior Idol” competition, held in April at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, was a huge success, full of music, dance and amazing talent. This year’s senior performers were Jerry Gerard Carpinelli, Senior Idol winner Rick Miller receives the grand prize. Al Williams, Bob Weintraub, Clint Herlein, Marilyn Rick will receive a $500 prize for himself Engel, Richard and Laurie Collett, and a $500 donation to a charity of Reid and Margaret Wilson, Michael his choice. Hodges, Rick Miller, Frank Nobles, Rick says, “I will always remember the Tommy Lee, and Bill Bartlett. happy days of this show. Thanks for the Rick Miller, 69 years young, was memories and thanks to Bright House for crowned the 2015 Bright House making it possible.” Networks Bright Stars Senior To learn more, visit brighthouse.com/ Idol by the audience of 875. Rick senior-idol.html or tune in to Bright House wowed the audience with his two Networks Local On Demand Channel 999 songs: “Can’t Help Falling in under Entertainment/Senior Idol to view the Love” and “Johnny B. Goode.” show in its entirety through July 20, 2015.

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Florida Law Shields Assets William R. Mumbauer, Attorney www.flwillstrustsprobate.com

lorida, among a handful of other states, allows a married couple to choose to own their assets, real property or personal property, in a manner that essentially exempts the assets from the claims of creditors so long as any court judgment obtained by a creditor is against only one spouse. Real estate, bank and brokerage accounts and other assets can be made to be exempt from the claims of a creditor who is a creditor to only one spouse by having these assets specifically titled in the name of both spouses as “tenants by the entireties.” Tenants by the entireties ownership is limited to married couples and each spouse must have the legal right to exercise control over the asset. With bank or brokerage accounts, for example, each spouse must have authority to withdraw funds if the account is to be exempt from creditors’ claims. Because entitlement to the Florida exemption to creditors’ claims is ultimately determined by the particular

facts in each case, including the requirement that the married couple actually intended to own the asset as tenants by the entireties (which is usually the case), many assets will qualify as exempt even if the ownership wording is not quite correct or is omitted altogether. Obviously, however, it is better practice to title assets owned jointly by husband and wife as tenants by the entireties. Where married couples most often make their mistake is titling their automobiles jointly instead of having just one spouse’s name on the title. If there is an accident and the driver is at fault, both spouses will be sued. And since any judgment obtained will be against both spouses, the protection against creditors’ taking marital assets afforded by tenants by the entireties ownership will be lost. Also, since one of the spouses is sued or has knowledge that a civil action is imminent, it is usually too late to protect assets by converting them to tenancy by the entireties ownership. Such an attempt would generally be

set aside as a fraudulent conveyance to avoid creditors. Mr. Mumbauer, a 5th generation Floridian, has maintained a law practice in Brandon, Florida since 1980 with emphasis on estate planning. Mr. Mumbauer takes special pride in representing the senior community by maintaining a sensitive and practical approach to problem solving. Mr. Mumbauer is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and is a participating attorney in the AARP Legal Service Network. Mr. Mumbauer is also a Mentor in probate law and has been qualified by the Second District Court of Appeal in Florida as an expert witness in matters involving the drafting of Wills. Mr. Mumbauer’s Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating among judges and lawyers for Legal Ability is High to Very High and his General Recommendation Rating is Very High. His articles are based on general principles of law and are not intended to apply to individual circumstances.

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 30

FINANCE

5 Mistakes That Can Torpedo Your Finances By Ginny Grimsley

he investment world comes with such a maze of options and pitfalls that it’s little wonder people routinely become entangled in monumental and costly mistakes. Tax implications lurk behind nearly every move. Investment risks vary from negligible to moderate to great. And it’s not just a matter of making the right financial decisions. It’s making them at the right time, says Stephen F. Lovell, a financial professional and president of Lovell Wealth Legacy (lovellwealthlegacy.com). “Doing the right thing at the wrong time makes it the wrong thing to do,” Lovell says. Don’t despair. Now is the best time to take stock of where you are money wise and explore how you can improve. Lovell says that by asking the right questions or taking the right precautions, you can sidestep these common financial mistakes: • Becoming infatuated with the latest hot investment. It’s easy to be seduced by whatever is creating the greatest buzz. After all, you don’t want to miss out while everyone else is reaping rewards. Resist the temptation, Lovell says. Momentary sizzle doesn’t guarantee long-term success. “Hot investments are like ice cubes,” he says. “They’re solid when you get them, but they soon liquefy and when you liquidate, your gains trickle away.” • Neglecting to consider all the options. Savvy investors use different kinds of investments to satisfy different financial needs, Lovell says. Don’t neglect the full array of available investments. “Relying only on stocks, bonds and cash puts you at a disadvantage,” he says. • Failing to account for investment costs and tax ramifications. Investing isn’t free. Usually, there is some sort of fee attached and those fees can gnaw away at your returns. Taxes can, too. Before long, what looked to be a nice return can devolve into a minimal, break-even or losing proposition.

“Don’t diminish the importance of investment costs because they diminish your wealth,” Lovell says. “You need to take time to learn about the costs that are applied to each type of investment.”

Help Detect and Report Health Care Fraud with Florida Senior Medicare Patrol Health care fraud and abuse are real. Every year, American taxpayers lose nearly $60 billion to scams, improper payments, and other illegal practices that drain money from health care programs that provide vital health care services to millions of seniors—including Medicare and Medicaid. With your help, Medicare and other health care programs can be protected. At the Florida Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), we are showing seniors and other Medicare and Medicaid beneeciaries how to detect and report suspected fraud, scams, and abuse. • Spending all that comes in. Too many people let their income level set the ceiling on how much they spend each month, Lovell says. Such spendthrift habits leave people living paycheck to paycheck and when the inevitable emergency arises—a car repair, a medical bill—the bank account is short and they need to take on debt just to survive until the next payday. Your budget, not your income, should dictate spending limits, Lovell says. If you don’t have a monthly budget—and many people don’t—now is a good time to create one, he says. Just make sure the amount you budget to spend is less than your net income, and then stick to your budget. Otherwise, you’ll soon creep into the realm of deficit spending, a place best avoided.

• Trying to go it alone. Most people, whether they want to admit it or not, need investment advice, Lovell says. Without reliable guidance, they can end up lost in the financial jungle and succumb to numerous hazards that await the unwary. “You need someone who understands all the upsides and all the pitfalls,” he says. But not all investment advice is equal, either. “The person you choose should be both skilled and trustworthy,” Lovell says, “and should always put your interests first.”

Stephen F. Lovell, MBA, ChFC®, CLU®, CFP® CFS, BCM, CRPC®, AEP®, RHU®, AIF® is a credentialed, nationally recognized financial professional, president of Lovell Wealth Legacy and a branch manager at LPL Financial.

The Florida SMP is funded by the Administration for Community Living and provides an opportunity for seniors at the local level to become a part of the solution by making an impact in the ght against fraud. The dedicated corps of SMP volunteers educates Medicare and Medicaid beneeciaries, family members and caregivers to actively protect themselves against fraudulent, wasteful and abusive health care practices. SMP Volunteers use their time and experience to help their peers protect their identity, read their Medicare Summary Notices and avoid getting taken by scammers. They work one-on-one with beneeciaries, give presentations to groups and/or represent the SMP at events. They are also on the lookout for frauds and scams. JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST MEDICARE FRAUD: The future integrity of our health care system depends upon you. Join the eﬀort to help save our precious health care dollars for the care that you or a loved one may someday need. You will not do it alone! SMPs prepare volunteers for this important work with seminars, personalized help and information they can take home to study. In fact, we have several new volunteer/fraud ghter trainings coming up:

August 5 – 6, 2015

at the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging 8928 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619

August 12 – 13, 2015 & Oct 28 – 29, 2015

at the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas, Inc., 9549 Koger Blvd., Suite 100, Saint Petersburg, FL 33702

To receive a volunteer packet and more information on the SMP trainings, or to report Medicare/Medicaid fraud call us at

1-866-357-6677

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 31

BRIDGE BITES

That Sinking Feeling

Brian Gunnell and the American Contract Bridge League

he auction has not been recorded for posterity, but we can say that N-S must have bid quite superbly in order to reach the excellent contract of 7♠. “Nicely bid, Partner! A cold grand slam with only 28 combined HCP!” enthused Declarer when Dummy was tabled after the opening lead of the ♦K. Declarer was quite right, the slam was cold, but not the way that he played it. Of course, you can do better. How do you propose to make 13 tricks? Declarer didn’t bother to count his tricks, perhaps feeling that it would have been rather unsporting to waste time when he had so many trumps and Club winners. At Trick 2, he played a trump to Dummy’s Ace and, when East showed out, Declarer paused for thought (one trick too late!) It was then that he got that awful sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, realizing that he could no

longer get two ruffs in Dummy because of the shortage of entries back to his hand. Getting only one ruff would leave him a trick short, so he tried to set up the Clubs, but that lifeline failed him when the suit was 4 – 1. Down one! “Rotten luck,” sympathized North, in soothing tones. “If Spades or Clubs had broken reasonably you would have made your slam.” What North politely refrained from saying was “Why on earth didn’t you win the opening Diamond lead, cash the Hearts (pitching Diamonds), ruff a Diamond high, get back to hand with a trump, ruff a Heart high, cross back with another trump, and draw the last trump?” Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or email marketing@acbl.org. To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org /D9Clubsmap.htm. Bridge article provided courtesy of St. Petersburg Bridge Club: stpetebridge.org.

Our Flag

There are many flags in many lands, There are flags of every hue; But there is no flag, however grand, Like our own Red, White, and Blue. ~ Mary Howliston Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 32

Happy Flag Day June 14

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 35

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“Sing! America!” with the Plant City Community Chorale

n honor of Independence Day, the Plant City Community Chorale has crafted its 2015 Patriotic Concert, “Sing! America!,” around music that represents America’s gifts, strengths and wonders. Some of the works to be performed are “From Sea to Shining Sea,” Aaron Copeland’s “At the River,” Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by renowned arranger Peter Wilhousky, a stirring arrangement

of the traditional American folksong “Shenandoah,” and John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” in an arrangement created exclusively for the Chorale. The Saturday, June 27 concert will be performed in the Sanctuary of Trinity United Methodist Church, 402 English Street in Plant City. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert will start at 7:30. Tickets ($10 – $12) are available online at pccchorale.org or 813-757-0212.

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Seniors Getting Together WOMEN SEEKING MEN

4119 SEEKING CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., widow, slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy & exercises. Likes sports and animals. Loves the Lord. 4445 SEEKING THE GOOD LIFE. DBF 62YO, 6’1”, thick, attractive, loving, caring, Steve Harvey books are my kind of a man. Seeking the same. I love God and have lots of interests. Largo area. 4440 SLENDER, ATTRACTIVE, AFFECTIONATE LADY ISO gentleman for possible LTR. Enjoy togetherness, day trips, dancing, dining, to be there for each other, share good times. Age open. St. Pete area. 4400 FUN LOVING, SLENDER, ATTRACTIVE WW, ISO gentleman for possible LTR and romance. Enjoys festivals, day trips, flea markets, dining, dancing, togetherness, share good times, lots of interests. Age open. St. Pete area. 4465 GOOD LOOKING, PROFESSIONAL HCF, 5’1”, very HWP, 65 but looking very young, home and business owner,

intelligent conversation, Fun/short – long trips/shows/concerts/dancing/dining/ cooking. ISO similar for LTR. 4466 ATTRACTIVE, ACTIVE, LOYAL 45 YO, petite philipino catholic widow, F, marriage minded. ISO catholic white gentleman, healthy, active, financially secure, 46 – 55 for loving LTR. Send photo w/letter. No inmates, NDrg, SD, NS please.

MEN SEEKING WOMEN 4437 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE SIZE FOUR. This SWM, 6’2’, 183# would love to meet very slender, active, educated female, late 50’s to early 60’s for day trips, museums, concerts, art fests, biking, etc. Ambition is a LTR with that very special person. 4441 INCESSANT, PASSIONATE, FAITHFUL, GENUINE Dare to think and be young again. Age is merely a number. Pure romantic (real) love is totally cerebral and emotional. I am building a home in the B.V.I. on the beach. Dare to be there with me! 4454 LOOKIN’ FOR OLD AND NEW fashioned lady. Love and sex both. 62 years old. Almost divorced white male. 150 lbs., 5’8”. Happy Christian. Warm, loving, romantic gentleman. No booze or drugs.

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4455 M, C, ISO F, H, companion. I’m 63 years of age. 5’6”. I would love to meet the right lady. FF. From New Port Richey area, sincere, loyal and trustworthy. 4458 NICE LOOKING SWM, R, seeks SWL (Lesbian), trim, nice looking, NS, NDrg, for friendship only. Tampa area. 4460 FOREVER YOUNG AT 61. Retired professional SWM. 6’1”, husky 215 lbs with a good sense of humor seeking a sincere and passionate woman that likes dancing and going out to dine. Non Smoker, 50-65. New Port Richey area.

Commonly Used Abbreviations: F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WW-Widow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old, YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOH-Sense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker, NS-Non Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrg- No Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height & Weight Proportional, R-Retired, P-Professional, FF-Friendship First, TLC-Tender Loving Care.

TO PLACE AN AD

Send your ad, stating what category you would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the address listed below. Make any checks out to News Connection USA, Inc. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge. TO RESPOND TO AN AD

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You Can’t Outsmart an Old Geezer By Bob Robinson

n “old geezer” who had been a retired farmer for a long time became very bored, so he opened a medical clinic and put a sign up outside that said: “Get your treatment for $500; if not cured, get back $1,000.” Doctor “Young,” who was positive that this old geezer didn’t know beans about medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000. So he went to Dr. Geezer’s clinic. This is what transpired. Dr. Young: “Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help me?” Dr. Geezer: “Nurse, please bring medicine from Box 22 and put three drops in Dr. Young’s mouth.” Dr. Young: “Aaagh! This is gasoline!” Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You’ve got your taste back. That will be $500.” Dr. Young gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days, determined to

recover his money. “Dr. Geezer,” he said, “I have lost my memory; I cannot remember anything.”

Dr. Geezer: “Nurse, please bring medicine from Box 22 and put three drops in the patient’s mouth.”

Doctor Young: “Oh no you don’t— that’s gasoline!”

Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You’ve got your memory back. That will be $500.” Dr. Young (after having lost $1000), leaves angrily and comes back after several more days. “My eyesight has become weak. I can hardly see!”

Dr. Geezer: “Well, I don’t have any medicine for that, so...here’s your $1000 back.” Dr. Young: “But this is only $500...”

Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500.” Moral of the story: Just because you’re “young” doesn’t mean that you can outsmart an “old geezer!”

The Best of the Brews By Tracie Lukens

might be biased, but Florida has some of the best breweries in the country. From smooth, kick-back-on-the-porch ales to exotic flavors, our local craft brewers and brew pubs have a lot to offer. We couldn’t list all of our favorites here, so we picked one for each area our magazine covers. If you’re in town, they’re definitely worth a toast:

Mount Dora Brewing and The Rocking Rabbit Brewery Mount Dora

Highlights: Founded by a brew enthusiast with German roots. Dine at the cafe, relax in the beer garden or enjoy one of their six craft beers, along with other brands on tap, in the Rocking Rabbit Tap Room. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 – 11 p.m. Try: Rocking Rabbit Red: Their “First Draft.” A flavoful Irish red ale made with organic ingredients, including Florida orange blossom honey. Location: 405 South Highland St., Mount Dora; 352-406-2924

Cycle Brewing/Peg’s Cantina St. Petersburg Highlights: Fruity, hoppy, full of flavor and character—Cycle beers are produced small scale and the only place you can find them is at Peg’s Cantina. Try: Freewheel Pale Ale: Their signature beer is brewed with New Zealand hops, passionfruit, pineapple and other exotic fruits. Location: 534 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; 727-320-7954

Cigar City Brewery Tampa

Highlights: Creativity, variety and excellent beer have earned Cigar City notoriety not just in Florida, but nationwide. You can reserve a spot on the brewery tour, explore the myriad offerings of their tasting room or head north to the Cigar City Brewpub and enjoy their craft brews with some Tampa-style Cuban cuisine. Try: Their citrusy, hoppy Tocobaga Red Ale won a Grand Champion Award

in the 2012 United States Beer Tasting Championship. Location: 3924 West Spruce Street Tampa; 813-348-6363 x206

Darwin’s Brewing Company Bradenton

Highlights: Darwin Brewing Company breaks the mold by infusing their artisan ales and lagers with the flavors and spices of South America’s Andean and Amazonian Regions. Try pairing them with their Peruvian cuisine. Try: Their award-winning Charapa Spiced Porter blends the flavors of Amazonian aji charapita peppers, annatto, Florida orange blossom honey and Amazonian cacao.

Cigar City Brewpub, Tampa

Location: 803 17th Avenue West, Bradenton; 941-747-1970

Point Ybel Brewing Company Ft. Myers

Highlights: Founded by a husband and wife homebrew team on a quest for the best beer in Ft. Myers, this small island brewery specializes in pale ales and IPAs with unique tropical flavors (think key limes, bird pepper, sea grapes and lychees). Live music Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Try: Snookbite IPA. Bitter burnt orange, simcoe and mosaic hops, mango, lemon, citrus, earthy pine and tropical fruit notes give this beer its punch. Location: 16120 San Carlos Boulevard #4, Fort Myers; 239-603-6535

RECIPE

5 Mouthwatering Burgers to Grill This Month Go Greek: Opt for chicken instead of beef and season with garlic, oregano and lemon pepper, then top with feta, tomato, cucumber, red onion and a tangy Greek yogurt sauce.

Mexican Burger

Vietnamese Banh Mi Burger

ummer is here, which means it’s time to grill up burgers that demand attention. Start by seasoning ground meat, then build with bold toppers and unexpected condiments to deliver mouthwatering flavor in every juicy bite. Add Asian flair: Take inspiration from the Vietnamese banh mi sandwich and season your patty with ginger and garlic, then top with crisp Asian slaw, fresh cilantro, cool mint and a kick of Sriracha mayo.

Argentinian Burger

Take Your Burger South of the Border: Bring smoky heat to your meat with chipotle chili pepper, then top with Mexican cheese for a quick and easy weeknight burger.

Try an Argentine Twist: Argentinians typically serve grilled meats with Chimichurri, a bright green sauce made from chopped fresh parsley, garlic and olive oil. Serve as a condiment for grilled burgers.

Greek Burger

Tropical Burger

Go Tropical: Season ground turkey with a sweet-smoky Molasses Bacon seasoning and top with a pineapple aioli, perfect for a hot summer cookout.

For grilling recipes and tips for these burgers and other ideas from the McCormick Grill Mates Flavor Forecast 2015: Grilling Edition, visit FlavorForecast.com and GrillMates.com. Recipes from McCormick & Company, Inc. (Family Features) Lifestyles After 50 • June 2015 • page 39

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