ture dipped low enough to merit a fleece. Don’t worry. It was decaf.

we are lucky, toward each other. We have lingering conversations over the flames flicker. Smoke dances around us in a circle. We zip

APRIL 2022 - 2

April is here and the Sandhills are awash in pollen. So begins another spring. The dogwoods are blooming. The weather is warming up with the occasional cold snap to help ease us into summer. We begin to transition from the darkness of winter into a lighter, brighter, more colorful few months, before the sky is hazy with heat and clinging to our skin.

October is a gentle month. There are constant reminders of change. We turn inward, toward warmth and if we are lucky, toward each other. We have lingering conversations over tea. We burn fires and sit in silence as the flames flicker. Smoke dances around us in a circle. We zip our jackets and consider hats.

Readers….August is here, which means that September is around the corner. For those of us who wrangle our hair all summer and hope for a cool breeze, we cling to the hope that cooler, drier days are only a short month away. Realistically, we know September is no saint. Still…we cling.

In this month’s feature, we’re starting an important conversation: care community for ourselves or a loved one? Fox Hollow Senior Robin Hutchings offers inside perspective for making this decision.

In Ask the Expert, Amy Natt answers a reader’s question regarding what away without any estate planning. Without a will or access to important

In this month’s feature, we’re starting an important conversation: how do we choose the proper senior care community for ourselves or a loved one? Fox Hollow Senior Living’s Sales and Marketing Director, Robin Hutchings offers inside perspective for making this decision.

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This month we explore how to cut costs on what is a growing expense for many Americans: prescription medication. Many of us rely on monthly medication for treatment of health issues, and the cost of many medications continues to increase while insurance benefits and coverage continues to change. Local pharmacist Rob Barrett of Whispering Pines and Seven Lakes Prescription Shoppes helps us understand the pros and cons of savings tips and offers his own suggestions for cutting costs.

Physical therapist Dr. Sara Morrison of Total Body Therapy and Wellness potential diagnostic tools used in physical therapy to help diagnose and these tools differ from what other doctor’s offices may offer.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

In Ask the Expert, Amy Natt answers a reader’s question regarding what to do when a loved one passes away without any estate planning. Without a will or access to important accounts, what does a family do?

As we think of dating, connection and support, Oscar Wilde’s words remind us how important communication is to any bond:

Aging Outreach Services Care Manager Associate Ashley Seace answers a reader’s question regarding Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in this month’s Ask the Expert. She explains the diagnosis, explores possible treatment options and offers advice for caregivers whose loved ones are recently diagnosed.

Amy Phariss, Editor-in-Chief

This month we’re digging into a touchy topic: dating after 50. For many of us, dating is associated with twenty-somethings finding love, marriage and a happily ever after. But dating can happen (and does happen) at any and all ages, from 15 to 85. We all desire connection, whether it’s a friendly game of chess or a dinner date with a side dish of dancing. Dating after 50 elicits many feelings and fears, and we explore them in this month’s feature.

Physical therapist Dr. Sara Morrison of Total Body Therapy and Wellness helps readers understand potential diagnostic tools used in physical therapy to help diagnose and treat pain. You’ll want to learn how these tools differ from what other doctor’s offices may offer.

I’m going to agree with Nathaniel Hawthorne this month, who wrote: I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air.

I’m going to agree with Nathaniel Hawthorne this month, who wrote:

Here’s to enjoying the October sunshine, falling leaves and daylight hours.

We are thrilled to have Colette Bachand’s faith column back this month. Bachand writes about woes vs. wows in a column we can all relate to, no matter our circumstances.

I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. So I have spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air.

As I ease into the summer months and watch the world come alive around me, I’m reminded of Goethe’s prescription for seeking beauty: instagram.com/agingoutreachservices/

Here’s to enjoying the October sunshine, falling leaves and daylight hours.

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.

Aging Outreach Services Care Manager Ashley Seace helps a reader understand the term “solo ager” in this month’s Ask the Expert. Seace explains what solo ager (sometimes referred to as elder orphan) means, how it’s relevant, and how can seniors who identify with this term ensure they’re living and aging on their own terms.

Question:

No one likes to be in pain. In fact, I have spent the past 20+ years helping people get out of pain. The most common question I hear is “How can I get this pain to go away?” The answer to this is simple. We first need to know Why you are hurting. Then we can figure out how to stop the pain. So, why are you hurting? There are many different reasons for pain to occur in our bodies. Pain can be due to a problem in the Muscles, Joints, Tendons, Organs or Nerves. It can also be due to Medication, Psychological reasons, or Nutrition

Recently I was referred to as an solo ager by someone at my independent living community. I do not really understand what that means and how it affects the way I want to age. Can you explain it to me and offer some advice for my future planning?

Answer:

Many health care professionals diagnose pain by Special Tests. During these tests, your practitioner will use their hands to push, pull and twist the areas that are causing you pain. These tests are very useful to find what structure is causing you pain. If you place stress on a structure and it increases your pain, it is likely that structure is contributing to your symptoms. Although helpful, many of these special tests are only 60-80% accurate. While this may look good at first, changing the way the question is framed will show that this also means they are 20-40% inaccurate. Misdiagnosis of pain can be very costly. At best it keeps you in pain longer, while in other cases it can allow symptoms to intensify. When you are dealing with pain, missing your favorite activities and sleepless nights… you want to be as accurate as possible!

That is a fantastic question! The term ‘solo ager’ refers to an individual who does not have any known family or a surrogate family member available to them. Some individuals consider themselves to be solo agers even if they have family, but their family is not local to them. While this may not feel like the best term to describe your current life status, this is not necessarily bad news, and it doesn’t mean you don’t have the option to age the way you want. If you find that you are an solo ager, there are still ways for you to age in a way that meets your individual needs and desires. It all starts with early planning. You have options when it comes to finding the support and help a family often provides. For example, if you don’t have someone you trust to act on your behalf, you can turn to an elder care attorney. These attorneys can help make care decisions for you and will ensure your wishes are executed. They can help find somewhere safe for you to live, such as a care facility. They can employ caregivers to assist you with all of your needs, from transportation for errands or even personal care, which can help you age in place and at home if that is your wish. Elder care attorneys are impartial individuals who will make the best decisions for your situation and circumstances.

The addition of Diagnostic Imaging in Physical Therapy has revolutionized the way pain is addressed. By utilizing Diagnostic Imaging, PT’s are now able to look inside you and diagnose your pain with over 98% accuracy. That means that we can find the real problem, or problems, and address them from the beginning. No more trial and error. No more “try this for a few months and if it doesn’t get any better we will try to get an MRI”. With the addition of Diagnostic imaging, your Physical Therapist can now say “From my evaluation it looks like you have a problem in ____. We are going to do a Diagnostic Ultrasound and confirm this and fully check your joint.” In a matter of a few days, we can have your test performed, results given to you and a new, more comprehensive plan to improve your pain.

Diagnostic imaging in physical therapy includes:

It is also recommended that you find other individuals who are in similar positions as you. If you are living in a care community, there are likely other solo agers. As you get to know people who live around you, you can build connections that feel safe, with people who will help you if needed. If you do not live in a care community, it is recommended to find either support groups or social groups for individuals who do not have family available for help and support. Your local senior enrichment center is a good place to start. They offer lots of activities throughout the week that you could participate in and meet others that might be at a similar stage in the aging process as yourself.

1. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSKUS)

Another resource is working with a Aging Life Care™ Manager. Care managers are trained professionals who advocate for, support, and respect the wishes of their clients. A care manager can schedule your doctor’s appointments, monitor and refill medications, oversee caregivers for you, and advocate for your health.

Regardless of whether you are an solo ager or not, you still have the ability to age the way you want and have your wishes respected.

MSKUS is a safe diagnostic tool. It is used to diagnose structures such as tendons, muscles, bursas, ligaments, nerve entrapment/pinching and joint structure changes. Like a video, MSKUS captures real-time images of body structures and can assess a joint/area while it moves. This feature is especially useful as many times pain does not occur at rest, only with movement.

Debunking the Myths that Keep Us Lonely and Stuck DATING

by Amy Phariss