April 2010

Page 1

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

April 2010 FREE

Montgomery

Healthy

hobbies

Senior housing in the River Region

Inside... n n

World-class Aquariums

close to home

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Health Fitness Nutrition Finances, and much more!


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Features 09 HEalthy Hobbies Enrich body, mind and spirit by picking the right hobby. By Tim Lockette 17 world-class aquariums Aquariums in Atlanta and Chattanooga attract all ages with interactive features and dazzling aquatic displays. By Amanda Gross 28 SENIOR HOUSING OPTIONS Retirement home, assisted living, nursing home — find the housing option that fits senior needs. By Jennifer Kornegay

Entertainment 08 Around montgomery Can you find this Montgomery landmark? Try your luck, then send us your photos to publish in an upcoming issue of PRIME! 25 prime diversions

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Reviews of An Education and Sherlock Holmes, two new DVD releases. By Mark Glass.

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April

32 What’s going on? Plan your fun and activities with PRIME’s April community events calendar. 33 ENGAGing Heart and Brain

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Volunteer to help with a worthwhile community activity. Keep your brain cells moving with Sudoku and crossword puzzles. www.primemontgomery.com | April 2010

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April

Content

Health/Nutrition 13 MOVING FREE Prehab to avoid rehab. Guard against preventable orthopedic problems by knowing what to do. By Mirabai Holland

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27 A question of health

Medical

Karen Collins answers your health questions; this month, overcoming common weight-loss obstacles.

06 news you can use News shorts on bone health, deepvein thrombosis and healthy fast food salads to keep you living well. 15 marci’s medicare answers

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A monthly Q&A provides information about Medicare-covered services. 22 medicare and you

27

Make the most of Medicare’s covered screenings and shots. By Bob Moos

Financial

20

20 practical money matters

Find our cover stories 09 Healthy Hobbies

17 Worldclass Aquariums

28 Senior Housing Options 4

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com

Earn higher interest with a checking account. By Jason Alderman

Lifestyles 16 Dr. Marion Four things you can do to get your parent the best hospital care possible. By Dr. Marion Somers, Ph.D.

23 23 A gracious plenty In the first of her regular monthly columns, Montgomery native and cookbook author Patsy Smith shares one of her most requested recipes.


Editor’s Note My father was a very active man all his life. A lifelong restaurateur filled with zest and vitality, he established and ran the Riviera Restaurant in Montgomery for 25 years, but was never content to let his work alone define his life. From beekeeping, to exercise, to photography, to fishing, to music, Nick Polizos filled his spare time and thoughts with activities that fed his soul. Pleasant diversions in his early life, these pursuits — along with close family relationships — became an important regenerative source for him in later years. Watching my father was proof enough for all of us that keeping a young spirit and staying healthy have a lot to do with engaging in activities that captivate both your body and your mind. It’s in this vein that we focus on healthy hobbies in our first edition. Hobby choices are as numerous and varied as the people who practice them. And while we profile an acknowledged short list of activities, all combine varying levels of physical and mental engagement to help keep us holistically primed for life. In addition to healthy hobbies, this edition is bursting with information and news you can use, from financial tips and to exercise, to travel and a directory of local retirement, assisted living, nursing home, and memory care facilities. The pages of PRIME are filled with stimulating ideas, insight and opinions that add sparkle and zest to our days, whether at midlife or beyond. And what would a southern magazine be without food? Make sure to read Patsy Porter Smith’s monthly column, “A Gracious Plenty.” A Montgomery girl, Patsy unintentionally became a multi-volume cookbook author after collecting family recipes to hand down to her daughter. Her insights on cooking and her recipes are sure to be a favorite with old friends and new readers alike. A special thanks to family and friends who have encouraged PRIME’s development, including fellow publishers Tina and Gary Calligas in Louisiana. They’ve cheered us on every step of the way. I hope you enjoy our new Montgomery publication and make a point of picking it up each month at one of the 300+ locations in the River Region. We thank these businesses that have graciously agreed to ‘host’ PRIME Montgomery. Join us in celebrating, experiencing and exploring the PRIME of our life!

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Montgomery

April 2010 Volume I, Issue 1 PUBLISHER Bob Corley primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Jennifer Kornegay Tim Lockette Andrea Gross Jake Roberts CONTRIBUTORS Jason Alderman, Karen Collins, Mark Glass, Mirabai Holland, Bob Moos, Marion Somers, Patsy Smith PHOTOGRAPHERS Bob Corley, Margaret Ann McGregor PRIME Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035 PRIME Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2010 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. PRIME Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by PRIME Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.

Sandra Polizos Editor

If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery!

www.primemontgomery.com | April 2010

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news you can use Are You At Risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis? Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a large vein. Part of a clot may break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism and possibly death. Here are steps that can help protect you. 1. When sitting for long periods, such as traveling for more than four hours: n Walk around every 2 to 3 hours. n Exercise your legs while sitting by: - Raising and lowering your heels, keeping your toes on the floor. - Raising and lowering your toes, keeping your heels on the floor. -Tightening and releasing your leg muscles. n Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. 2. Move around as soon as possible after being confined to bed following surgery, illness, etc. 3. Talk to your doctor about graduated compression stockings (support hose) and/or medication (anticoagulants) to

prevent or treat DVT. 4. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and don't smoke. — Centers for Disease Control Five Misconceptions About Bone Health n It's A Women's Problem: Women AND men lose bone density as they age. A man 50+ is more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than get prostate cancer (National Osteoporosis Foundation). Some researchers predict a 56 percent increase in osteoporotic fractures in men. n You'll Know It If You Have It: You can't feel your bones weakening. You may not know you have osteoporosis until a bone breaks from a minor fall. Your doctor can determine if a bone density test is appropriate. n Bone Medications Have No Side Effects: Don’t let osteoporosis drug ads about older women exercising with their grandkids mislead you. Some of these medications have been associated with potentially dangerous side effects like severe bone degeneration, muscle or joint pain, heart problems, cancer and kidney failure.

Exercise Can Hurt: Don’t be afraid to exercise as you age. Weight-bearing exercises can help build bones even in cases of advanced osteoporosis. These include lifting weights, climbing stairs, aerobics, dancing, jogging and tennis. Your doctor can advise you on what’s best for you. n Family History Doesn't Matter: Genetics and heredity greatly influence the risk of osteoporosis. If either of your parents had osteoporosis or a history of broken bones, you're at risk. If one had a spine that curved forward, or noticeable height loss, osteoporosis might have been the cause. — Statepoint n

5th Annual Alabama Book Festival Natural Healing by Vitamins Plus Body Scans, Acupuncture, Massage 407 Coliseum Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36109 334-356-8195 vitatv@aol.com

Old Alabama Town Historic Downtown Montgomery Sat., Apr. 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free Admission

Author appearances and readings, book signings, Gees Bend quilt show, children’s activity area, exhibitors Visit www.alabamabookfestival.org or call 1-888-240-1850


Sabotaging Salads Just How Many Calories Lurk Inside Your Favorite Fast Food Salads? Restaurant

Salad

Calories

Burger King McDonald’s

Side Salad TenderCrisp Chicken Garden Salad Premium Southwest Garden Salad (no chicken) (with Crispy Chicken)

Sodium (mg)

40 410

45 1080

140

150

430

920

Veggie Delight Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki

50 200

65 660

Chipotle Steak Taco Salad Fresco

210

960

Chicken Steak Taco Salad

900 (w/salad dressing)

1700 (w/salad dressing)

Wendy’s

Side Salad Southwest Taco Salad (entree)

35 400

25 1140

Olive Garden

Garden Fresh Salad

120

550

Subway Taco Bell

Grilled Chicken Caesar 850 (w/salad dressing)

A review of several national chains found many salads can sabotage weight-loss efforts by packing in calories and sodium well above the recommended amount for one meal. “Salads can provide plenty of cancerfighting vegetables that can fill you up without packing a huge caloric wallop,” American Institute for Cancer Research

Nutritionist Alice Bender says. “But all salads are not alike. We found fast food and restaurant salads that contained over half the calories people need in one day.” Three Tips to Keep Your Salads Lean and Mean Side Salads: Keep it simple. Start your meal with two orders of a vegetable-only side salad with one or

Have PRIME Montgomery delivered directly to your home or office Subscribe to the River Region’s only monthly magazine for those celebrating midlife and beyond! Send a subscription to: Apt./Condo#:

Address: City:

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$15.00, payable by check or money order. Send your payment and this form to: PRIME Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road #144, Montgomery, AL 36116

1880 (w/salad dressing) American Institute of Cancer Research

two tablespoons of low-fat salad dressing. You’ll boost veggie consumption and you may eat less of the main course. Main-Course Salads: Keep the protein lean. Choose entrée salads that include lean protein foods such as garbanzo beans, turkey, fish or hard-boiled egg. Single meals should be around 400-600 calories, depending on the individual’s need, so a salad with 400 to 500 calories could be appropriate if that’s your entire meal. Choosing a salad with lots of chunks of fried chicken, for example, can turn an otherwise healthy option into a high-calorie megameal. All Salads: Always dress with less. Go easy on salad dressing. A little fat is good — a small amount of oil in the dressing enhances absorption of some nutrients and plant compounds such as beta-carotene, and may increase your sense of fullness — but add too much and calories skyrocket. A good rule of thumb: Dress your salad with two tablespoons of low-fat salad dressing. (Oil and vinegar’s a great choice, as prepared dressings often come packed with sodium.) www.primemontgomery.com | April 2010

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around montgomery

Where Is It? By Jake Roberts All the lions in Montgomery don’t reside at the zoo. This fierce incarnation of the species Panthera Leo, with bared teeth and glaring eyes, was created in terra cotta early last century. For 71 years this stately gentleman and three companions were on display high above the city of Montgomery. Now, they’re much closer to the ground. How long will these dramatic figures last? Considering that the life-size warrior statues uncovered in China in 1974 were made of terra cotta and buried in 210 BC, it’s a good bet these Montgomery lions will be around a long, long time.

Lion Bits n The male lion is the largest and laziest carnivore on the planet. n Lions spend 16 to 20 hours a day sleeping and resting. n Female lions do 80 to 90 percent of the hunting. n Lions once roamed across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. n The Swahili name for lion is Simba. n Only four cats can roar: the lion, tiger, leopard and jaguar. n Roaring is possible due to a special two-piece hyoid bone in the throat. Non-roaring cats have a one-piece hyoid bone. n A lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away, and can raise a cloud of dust. n A lion was presented to President Teddy Roosevelt in 1904 by the Emperor of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). The lion resided at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. until its death in 1906. The lion now resides, in stuffed form, in the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian Institution.

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April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com

Send us a photo of you in front of our mystery lion! We’ll select some to print in a future issue of PRIME Montgomery. E-mail your photo to primeeditor@gmail.com, or send via snail mail to PRIME Magazine, 7956 Vaughn Rd. #144, Montgomery, AL 36116.


Feature

Healthy Hobbies Enrich body, mind and spirit by picking the right hobby By Tim Lockette Health is about what you do every day. Baby Boomers, of all people, know that. As the generation that virtually invented fitness crazes and the modern fad diet, Boomers have seen an amazing array of health trends come and go – from pyramid power to grapefruit-only fasts – and they’ve come to realize that the best way to stay healthy is to pick one thing you like, and do it consistently. Late middle age presents us with a problem, though. As our bodies change, it becomes clear that some of our old fitness hobbies just aren’t as fun as they used to be. It might be time to find a hobby that can age gracefully with you. A hobby you can do from now until you’re 100 – and one that’s fun enough to do every day. “There are three important things to look for when you’re selecting a healthy hobby,” says Andrew Duxbury, a professor and clinician at the University of Alabama Birmingham. “Obviously, you want something that includes physical activity. But you should also find a hobby that is mentally challenging, and one that includes a social element.” As it turns out, Montgomery offers plenty of opportunities for people who want to practice a wellrounded, healthy hobby.


Strictly ballroom. Remember learning the foxtrot in a high school gym? If you’re of a certain age, you spent hours of your childhood learning ballroom dances just as those dances were becoming culturally irrelevant. Well, ballroom is back, and it’s sexier than your gym teacher could ever have imagined. Hollywood has been producing steamy films about ballroom for more than a decade, and the pastime retains an allure that even reality TV can’t kill. “Ballroom dancing is one of the best forms of exercise,” says Ray Farris, of Dancin’ Ballroom, a studio on Narrow Lane Road. Farris can rattle off a long list of comparisons to other forms of exercise. He says an hour of ballroom is the equivalent of a brisk, six-mile hike. His own dance floor stories are more compelling. “I just lost a student,” Farris said. “She was 102 years old when she passed away. But until very recently, you’d see her out on the dance floor, having a great time.” While ballroom is hot right now, Duxbury says other forms of formal dance offer many of the same benefits. For instance, Duxbury says, recent studies have shown that tap dancing helps people stay mentally sharp. And Montgomery offers many options, from square dancing to belly dancing. (See resource listing at the end of this article). Gardening. Gardening is almost a stereotypical pastime of retirees. Yet, every generation seems to discover anew the pleasure of working in a little patch of soil. And with good reason – in the garden, we find the perfect mix of freedom and responsibility. “One of the chief human needs is the need to be needed,” Duxbury said. “If you do not care for your garden, your garden will die. That’s a powerful motivator.” Deceptively powerful, in fact. The world won’t end if your gardenias die, but somehow the lack of high-pressure goals gives the garden even more allure.

Couples enjoy an event at Dancin’ Ballroom Studio.


Tai chi. In its homeland, tai chi has all the mundane magic of a steaming cup of coffee. Walk the streets of Beijing in the morning and you’ll see tai chi practitioners everywhere, greeting the day with the slow, dance-like movements that make up this ancient art. In the West, tai chi has a far more exotic reputation. But if you think tai chi is too trippy for you, think again. There’s a growing body of evidence that suggests tai chi reduces stress and provides relief for chronic pain. There are even studies that say it can improve coordination – and lessen your chance of injury due to a fall. “I don’t know if anyone has proven the tai-chi-and-injury connection conclusively,” said Duxbury. “But it does make sense that Instructor Ann Carr leads a class at Montgomery’s Taoist Tai Chi Center. if you improve your coordination, you’ll have fewer falls.” Janet Hutto, an instructor at the Montgomery branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society on Debby Drive, has observed a significant age shift in members over the last decade. “Ten years ago,” said Hutto, “about thirtyfive percent of our members were fifty years old or older. Now it’s more like sixty percent.” A good walk, unspoiled. Golf may not be as mind-bending as tai chi, but according to Duxbury, walking the links can be good for the body and the mind. “The best possible exercise is simply walking,” he said. “Obviously, golf requires walking – if you leave the cart behind. Or let one person in your group drive a cart full of clubs, while everyone else walks.” Golf can fill all of Duxbury’s three major requirements of a great health hobby. In addition to exercise, the game can provide some mental challenge, and a reason to get together with groups of like-minded people. And in Alabama, you won’t have far to look for opportunities to practice this hobby. From municipal golf courses to a tour of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, you can pick and choose golfing opportunities A busy Saturday afternoon at Lagoon Park. scaled to your budget and your schedule.


Year-round swimming at the Bell Road Y.

Swimming. There’s a reason why “buoyant” is synonymous with “happy.” There’s nothing quite like the weightless sensation of floating in a deep pool. Maybe you haven’t been so kind to your knees and back: slip into the pool, and you’ll find that your joints are more than ready to forgive you. Swimming is great cardiovascular exercise. UAB’s Duxbury specifically recommends water aerobics, a Resource Links Golf http://www.worldgolf.com. Enter Alabama in the search box on the right, click on a town, and both public and private courses will appear.

low-impact way to get a strenuous workout. If you live in Montgomery, the YMCA is your best bet for any sort of water exercise. The heated pool at the Bell Road Y makes water sports a yearround possibility. Whatever hobby you choose, it’s important to find things that fill your time with fun so you’ll be motivated to come back to them again and again. Duxbury says he often asks his Gardening http://www.aces.edu/ Click on the Home & Garden link of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service site, managed by Auburn and Alabama A&M Universities. Swimming http://www.ymcamontgomery.org/ YMCA link to find a location near you.

patients what they do for fun. While his healthiest patients report being very active, many don’t see themselves as having formal hobbies. “What I’ve found is that the people who are doing well are the people who do lots of reading, people who work in the garden, and the people who report that they go out with friends or family often,” Duxbury said. “The important thing is to stay active, doing things that keep you interested.” Dancing http://www.renez.com/index.html Several studios as well as dancing opportunities in Montgomery. Tai Chi http://alabama.usa.taoist.org/ Classes held in Montgomery and surrounding areas.

Send us your Hobby/Pastime There are hundreds of hobbies and pastimes that were not listed in the limited space we have. If your favorite one wasn’t mentioned, send us a short description, including why you like the particular hobby or pastime, along with a photograph of you engaged in this pastime. We’ll select several to print in upcoming issues of PRIME Montgomery.


Moving free ® with mirabai

Orthopedic Issues: Prehab to Avoid Rehab Orthopedic problems are a major health issue worldwide, and a growing problem particularly among Baby Boomers. Women and men are both at risk. Mirabai Holland Job-related conditions like standing all day or performing repetitive motions can lead to overuse injuries. And being out of shape and overweight are leading contributors to orthopedic injuries and chronic orthopedic problems. But active adults are not immune. Pushing too hard when you workout or play sports instead of staying in your comfort zone can do you more harm than good. In fact, there are about 28 million reported orthopedic injuries each year in the USA alone. Accidents happen and excellent rehab is available. But a lot of orthopedic problems are preventable. Muscles and tendons are connected to the brain by a complex system of sensors called proprioceptors, capable of detecting the slightest difference in muscle length, or tension on a tendon. The proprioceptors exist to help your body avoid injury.

Those little strains and pains you begin to feel when you push too hard are telling you “back off.” You need more conditioning before you can perform at this level. Pushing through the pain is flirting with serious injury. The proprioceptors also tell the brain where a limb is in space at any given time. A well-trained proprioceptive sense helps a tennis player get to a ball and return it without having to think through each step. The body knows the way. Prehab is one of the best ways to avoid rehab. Developing your proprioceptive sense — awareness of where your body is in space — is a good start. (There are exercise programs that focus on proprioception, like my own Moving Free® technique, Tai Chi and certain yoga exercises.) This sense helps you avoid awkward movements that can cause injury and allows you to perform daily tasks with ease and grace. And it improves your sense of balance, to help prevent falls. Here’s an example — close your eyes. Hold out your arm in front of you.Your brain knows your arm is in front of you without you having to see it. Keep your eyes closed. Now circle your index finger. Your brain knows where your finger is through the full range of motion without looking. That’s your proprioceptive sense at work. Strengthening areas at risk for orthopedic injury is another component of Prehab.

This kind of Prehab comes in two forms, General and Activity Specific. General Prehab for daily living (as part of a personal wellness program) looks at the body as a whole, and develops it as a whole to maximize quality of life. This often includes strength training, cardio conditioning and core training, as well as some proprioceptive exercises. Activity Specific Prehab is designed to get you ready for the rigors of a particular sport or physical endeavor. Good Activity Specific exercises pay special attention to the body parts most involved in that activity without ignoring the concept of training the body as a whole. Send your Moving Free with Mirabai questions to askmirabai@movingfree.com. Mirabai Holland, M.F.A., a leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry, is a public health activist specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work. www.easyexercisevideos.com © 2010 www.primemontgomery.com | April 2010

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Reduce Junk Mail and Telemarketing Calls

Visit the PRIME Montgomery booth at the Alabama Book Festival April 17 at Old Alabama Town

Write to these addresses to remove your name from 3rd class mailing/telemarketing lists. Send all versions of your name (Joe Jones, J. Jones), your address (12 Maple St. Apt A, 12-A Maple St.), plus your phone number. It can take three months to take effect. Mail Preference Service Direct Marketing Association P.O. Box 3079 Grand Central Station, NY 10163 ATTN: Preference Service Manager Telephone Preference Service Direct Marketing Association P.O. Box 3079 Grand Central Station, NY 10163 ATTN: Preference Service Manager

Drawings for free signed cookbooks by PRIME Montgomery columnist and Montgomery native Patsy Smith M

Pr i m e Midlife Celebrating

FREE April 2010

Healthsy hobbie

and Beyond

ery ontgoM

Senior g housin the in in the

River Region

.

Inside..

n

Health Fitness Nutrition ances, and n Fin re! much mo

Meet the Editor and Publisher of PRIME Montgomery

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Register with the Alabama Do Not Call registry (Alabama PSC) 1-877-727-8200, or www.psc.state.al.us.

lass World-criums Aqua

home close to

AT T H E A L A B A M A S H A K E S P E A R E F E S T I VA L

Lettice & Lovage

Great for BBC fans!

by Peter Shaffer April 9 – May 23, 2010

Hamlet

by William Shakespeare April 16 – May 22, 2010

All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare April 23 – May 22, 2010

T R AV E L PA C K A G E S A N D G R O U P R AT E S A R E AVA I L A B L E . 800.841.4273 | WWW.ASF.NET | MONTGOMERY, AL 36117

Kelley Curran as Ophelia Nathan Hosner as Hamlet


medical

Marci’s Medicare* Answers Cataract surgery, hospice care and changing drug plans with Extra Help Q: Dear Marci, I just had cataract surgery. Will Medicare cover it? — Jack A: Dear Jack, Yes. Although Medicare will not generally pay for routine eye care, it will pay for some eye care services if you have a chronic eye condition, such as cataracts. Medicare will cover: n Surgical procedures to help repair the function of the eye due to cataracts. For example, Medicare will cover surgery to remove the cataract and replace your eye’s lens with a synthetic intraocular lens. n Eyeglasses or contacts, but only if you have had cataract surgery, during which an intraocular lens was placed into your eye. Medicare will cover the dark glasses that you must wear immediately after surgery to protect your eyes, and a standard pair of untinted prescription eyeglasses or contacts if you need them after surgery. If it is medically necessary, Medicare may pay for customized eyeglasses or contact lenses. n An eye exam to diagnose potential vision problems. If you are having vision problems that indicate a serious eye condition, Medicare will pay for an exam to see what is wrong, even if it turns out there is nothing wrong with your sight. Q: Dear Marci, When will Medicare pay for hospice care? — Wanda A: Dear Wanda, Medicare will help pay for your hospice care if: You have Part A; n The hospice medical director (and your doctor, if you have one) certify that you have a terminal illness (your life expectancy is six months or less); n You sign a statement electing to have Medicare pay for palliative care, such as pain management, rather than care to try to cure your condition; n Your terminal condition is documented in your medical record; n You receive care from a Medicare-certified hospice agency. You do not need to be homebound to qualify for the Medicare hospice benefit. The benefit is a comprehensive set of services delivered by a team of providers. Many

hospice services are provided in the home, but inpatient care is covered under specific circumstances. Q: Dear Marci, I have Extra Help, and I was told I can change drug plans at any time. Is that true? — Oliver A: Dear Oliver, Yes. If you receive Extra Help, the federal program that helps pay for the Medicare drug benefit, you get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to join, disenroll from or switch Medicare drug plans once per month. The SEP begins the month that you become eligible for Extra Help, Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program and continues as long as you have Extra Help. To switch plans, you should enroll in your new plan without disenrolling from your old plan. It is best to enroll into your new plan by calling 800-MEDICARE, rather than the new plan.You will be automatically disenrolled from your previous Medicare private drug plan when your new coverage starts. *Recent passage of Health Care legislation will affect some aspects of Medicare. Changes will be addressed in future issues of PRIME Montgomery. 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. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114.To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” the Medicare Rights Center’s free educational e-newsletter, e-mail dearmarci@ medicarerights.org. Log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at www. medicareinteractive.org. www.primemontgomery.com | April 2010 15


lifestyles

Dr.

Marion

What to do if you get “the call” that your parent is hospitalized.

I’m terrified of getting “the call” that my 75-year-old dad is in the hospital. How can I make sure I’m taking the right steps when I get there? — Laura, 48 No one is ever fully prepared for this situation.Yet the decisions you make in a moment of crisis can have a significant impact on the level of care your parent receives, both in the hospital and after discharge. The key is to educate yourself in advance - before you even get the call. This is one of the main reasons why I recently launched an app for the iPhone called Elder 911 (E911), which is all about offering quick tips to help navigate through the complexities of a crisis. Here’s what I advise to help those who find themselves in the hospital with an older parent or loved one: n Choose your hospital...if you can. If you have the time to decide where your parent will be receiving care, get them to a hospital that already has his or her patient records, or can access them relatively quickly. n Triple check admissions information. Make sure every detail is accurate, and that you have all necessary legal documents in hand or easily accessible — such as living wills, Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNRs), 15

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com

Health Care Durable Power of Attorney, and Medicare/Medicaid cards. These are things you can — and should —prepare even before a crisis hits. n Ensure quality of care. It’s up to you to advocate for your parent, so be proactive and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Keep notes of doctor and nurse interaction, and ask the charge nurse for an overview of all activity. Find the social worker assigned to the floor to address everything from diet to laundry. Find out about any potential surgery situations and be present in the treatment rooms whenever possible. n Plan for discharge. When leaving the hospital for home or a facility, your loved one may experience “transfer trauma,” and feel scared or disoriented. Make sure you meet and talk to the hospital’s discharge planner, who can help you plan in advance to ease the transition. Ask questions like: who will arrange for transportation? What time of day will your parent be discharged? Will any prescriptions need to be filled? Will any follow-up or home care be required? In an emergency situation, knowledge is power. Arm yourself with as much information as you can in advance, so you’re not without answers at critical times. Good luck! Over the last 40 years, Dr. Marion (Marion Somers, Ph.D.) has worked with thousands of seniors and their caregivers as a geriatric care manager and elder care expert. Her book “Elder Care Made Easier” provides additional information for caregivers, along with her iPhone apps (www. elder911.net), web site, columns, public service announcements and more. For more information, visit www.DrMarion.com.


World-class

Aquariums Story by Andrea Gross Photos courtesy of the Georgia Aquarium; Tennessee Aquarium photos by Todd Stailey


Above: A yellow & blue poison dart frog rests on a leaf at the Tennessee Aquarium. Right: A Maraconi penguin enjoys the view from atop Penguin’s Rock.

There’s nothing I love more than watching fish swim lazily, effortlessly, gracefully among gently swaying sea grass. But snorkeling is not my thing. Instead, I frequent aquariums, where I can immerse myself in marine life without submerging myself in water. Over my years as an aquarium aficionado, I’ve visited the most outstanding aquaria in the United States, including the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, home of the largest freshwater exhibit, and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, the biggest all-inclusive aquatic museum.

The tennessee aquarium in chattanooga The Tennessee Aquarium recreates the environments favored by the 40-plus percent of fish that live in rivers and lakes, and it does so in a most innovative way — by following a drop of rainwater as it journeys from mountaintop streams down to the sea. Visitors first stop at an exhibit that replicates an Appalachian forest, replete with rhododendrons and azaleas. Trout and otters swim in the stream; a copperhead snake lies on the shore and birds sing in Tennessee Aquarium - Open Daily, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas - General admission: $24.95 adults, $14.95 children (3-12) - Discounts for active and retired military with I.D. and groups of ten or more - Parking: $3 - $8 depending on the time of year - A free shuttle runs daily from downtown Chattanooga - Allow at least two hours to visit the aquarium - Galleries are handicap accessible - Limited supply of wheelchairs available free of charge - Tickets good all day - Food available 18

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com

A Longear Sunfish is only one of the fish you’ll see.

the trees.Various galleries show the stream as it becomes a river, which finally empties into the magical environment of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico. Other exhibits show marine animals from further away, such as the spider crabs of Japan and the delightful sea dragons of Australia, which float in a mystical watery world aptly titled “Beyond Imagination.” Until May 2011 the aquarium, in collaboration with the nearby Hunter Museum, is hosting a special exhibit, “Jellies: Living Art.” Jellyfish and art by world-renowned glass artists are juxtaposed to create a display that pulsates with color and light.


The Tunnel at the Georgia Aquarium

While I’m charmed by delicate and beautiful in Chattanooga, I’m overwhelmed by “big” in Atlanta. This aquarium houses thousands of sea creatures representing more than 500 species. There are white beluga whales from the arctic, manta rays from the

tropics and loggerhead sea turtles from the nearby Georgia coast. There are even some cute-as-can-be African penguins. The most exciting attraction is the Ocean Voyager Exhibit, which houses the largest fish species in the world, the whale shark. These behemoths, which often weigh more than 30,000

pounds and are more than 40’ long, are housed in a massive tank that holds more than six million gallons of water. The actual viewing window is 63’ long, as high as a two-story building, and a reassuring two feet thick. All in all, this is about as impressive as it gets.

Georgia Aquarium - 365 days a year: Sunday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Extended hours for April: April 1-7, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; April 8, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; April 9-10, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ) - General admission: $26.00 adults, $21.50 age 65 and above, $19.50 children (3-12) - Discount for active military with I.D. and groups of 25 or more

- Parking $10 ($9 if purchased in advance) - Allow two to four hours to visit the aquarium - Handicapped parking in the parking decks near the elevators - Oversized parking on the first floor - Golf carts are available to transport guests to and from the parking deck - Exhibits are handicap accessible

- Wheelchairs available free of charge (Aquarium staff offer guests in wheelchairs and/or with visual impairments a personal experience touching animals in the touch pool of the Cold Water Quest gallery.) - Aquarium videos are closed captioned - Tickets good all day - Food available

The georgia Aquarium

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practical money matters

Earning Higher Interest — With a Checking Account long-term CDs in the current People stash their money market. in safe havens such as savIn addition to paying higher ings accounts, Treasury Bills interest, financial institutions and Certificates of Deposit offering these accounts typifor a variety of reasons. It cally will refund each month a could be fear of losing moncertain amount in transaction ey in the stock market, the fees charged by other banks security of knowing their Jason Alderman for using their ATMs. For deposits are governmentinsured or, with bank accounts at least, smaller institutions, this helps make being able to quickly withdraw funds up for not having their own extensive ATM network. when needs arise. However, high-yield checking acIn return for that convenience and security, however, interest earned usu- counts usually come with restrictions that may include: ally doesn’t keep pace with inflation. When the economy was cooking n A minimum number (usually 10-15) a few years ago, five percent interest of monthly debit card purchases rates and higher on long-term CDs n Direct deposit (like a paycheck) and/ were not uncommon. But when the or automatic debit transactions (e.g., recession hit and the inflation rate monthly gym membership dues) began dropping, so did interest rates. n Issuing electronic statements only These days, traditional savings accounts There may be a cap on account balcommonly earn just a fraction of one ances eligible for the high yield (compercent interest, while many CDs and monly $25,000 or less); over that cap, T-Bills aren’t much better. the rest may earn a much lower rate. So how can you earn more interest (There usually is no minimum account on insured savings these days? Would balance required, as there often is with you believe a checking account? regular savings accounts.) Although checking accounts usually Accounts may be limited to local earn little or no interest, in the past customers only, although many are few years a product called high-yield available nationally. reward checking has gained in popularIf you don’t meet all requireity. ments during a particular month, These accounts often pay much the interest rate paid for that month higher interest rates than regular could drop substantially, but typichecking or savings accounts – or even cally bounces back once you again

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meet all conditions. Keep in mind a few other factors when considering a high-yield checking account: n Interest rates are variable, so watch for notification of changes. n Compare any fees side by side with those charged on your current account. n Vigilantly track your balance to ensure it covers all debit card transactions; otherwise, overdraft charges could erase any interest earnings. n Make sure the bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation so that up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution will be insured. Search “Bank Find” at www.fdic.gov. Similar coverage is provided to credit unions by the National Credit Union Administration. Search “Find a Credit Union” under the “Data and Services” tab at www.ncua.gov. Numerous websites track banks and credit unions offering high-yield accounts including www.highyieldcheckingdeals.com, www.checkingfinder.com and www.bankingmyway.com. You won’t get rich from the interest earned on these accounts, but in this economy every extra dollar helps. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To sign up for a free monthly personal finance e-Newsletter, go to www. practicalmoneyskills.com/newsletter.

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April in Alabama History (courtesy Alabama Department of Archives and History)

other German-born scientists, technicians, and family members based at Redstone Arsenal become American citizens. Recruited to the United States at the end of World War II, the scientists conducted rocket research crucial to the development of the U.S. space program. April 18, 1831 The University of Alabama formally opens its doors. Fifty-two students were accepted that first day, but by the end of the

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Wed. Apr. 28 9:00 a.m. - noon Alabama Dept. of Archives and History 624 Washington Ave. Montgomery, AL 36130 Admission: $20 ($15 for Friends of Archives) Pre-register before Apr. 23 Registration form available at www.archives.state.al.us or call 334-353-4674.

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session the student body had swelled to nearly one hundred. The faculty was made up of four men including the Reverend Alva Woods, who had been inaugurated president of the university on April 12, 1831. April 24 1922 Alabama’s first radio station, WSY, begins broadcasting. The station was started by Alabama Power Company to help keep in touch with line crews in isolated areas. In 1925 the station merged with Auburn’s WMAV to become WAPI.

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April 8, 1974 Mobile native Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run to break Babe Ruth's long-standing record. Aaron finished his career with 755 home runs, the best in Major League Baseball at that time. April 14, 1955 In a ceremony at Huntsville High School, Wernher von Braun and 102


medicare and you*

Making the Most of Covered Screenings and Shots How many times have you dismissed a new ache by sighing, “Maybe it’ll go away?” Sometimes, the pain does disappear. But playing the waiting game isn’t the smartest way to look after your health. Medicare covers a broad range of exams, lab tests and Bob Moos screenings to detect health problems early, when they’re most treatable or curable. It also pays for a number of immunizations to help beneficiaries avoid diseases or illnesses and stay healthy. Prevention is becoming a bigger part of Medicare. Beneficiaries are entitled to a preventive physical exam during the first 12 months they’re enrolled in the Part B medical insurance program. It’s known as a “Welcome to Medicare” exam. Beneficiaries can make the most of their visit by coming prepared. That means bringing a complete list of their prescription and over-the-counter drugs and their medical records, including their immunizations. They should also have their family health history, with any details that would suggest risks for certain conditions. During the exam, the physician evaluates the patient’s health, discusses any preventive services that may be needed, such as shots or screenings, and makes referrals for more care if required. The doctor also measures height, weight and blood pressure. The exam doesn’t include lab tests. Beneficiaries on original Medicare pay 20 percent of the Medicare-

approved amount for their Welcome to Medicare visit, but the annual Part B deductible is waived for this onetime exam. Keeping up-to-date with screenings and immunizations is important, so Medicare encourages beneficiaries to visit mymedicare.gov and sign up. There, they can see a description of their covered preventive services, the last date they had a particular test and the next date they’re eligible for it again. Here’s a rundown of some of Medicare’s preventive services and how original Medicare and its beneficiaries divide the cost. Medicare Advantage plans may pay differently. n Cardiovascular screenings check cholesterol and other blood fat levels. Medicare pays for the test once every five years.There’s no out-of-pocket expense. n Blood sugar screenings check for diabetes. Based on their health, beneficiaries may be eligible for up to two screenings per year. Medicare covers the full Medicare-approved amount for the test. n Glaucoma tests are available for people at high risk for the eye disease. Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount for an annual test. Beneficiaries are responsible for the other 20 percent, after meeting their deductible. n Immunizations. Medicare covers flu, pneumococcal and Hepatitis B shots. Beneficiaries pay nothing for the flu or pneumococcal shots.

People at risk for Hepatitis B pay 20 percent, after the deductible, for those immunizations. n Mammograms check for breast cancer. Medicare covers a screening every 12 months for women 40 and older and one baseline screening for women 35 to 39. Beneficiaries pay 20 percent of the approved amount. n Prostate cancer screenings consist of a yearly digital rectal exam and PSA test for men 50 and older. Beneficiaries are responsible for 20 percent for the rectal exam, after meeting their deductible. There are no out-of-pocket costs for the PSA test. In addition to these tests and shots, Medicare covers eight counseling sessions each year for beneficiaries with a smoking-related disease or on medications affected by tobacco use. During the one-on-one sessions, a physician or other qualified practitioner helps the smoker quit. *Recent passage of Health Care legislation will affect some aspects of Medicare. Changes will be addressed in future issues of PRIME Montgomery. Bob Moos is the Southwest regional public affairs officer for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Visit the Medicare Web site at medicare.gov or call Medicare’s 24-7 customer service line at 1-800-633-4227.

Visit PRIME Montgomery online at www.primemontgomery.com 22

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com


A Gracious plenty

Chocolate Loves Peanut Butter It’s Spring, and how exciting it is for me to be a part of this new life, this fresh start of this brand new magazine! I look forward to visiting with you each month Patsy Smith and sharing proven recipes, tips and suggestions intended to spice up our meals and breathe new life into our hospitality. The journey that brought me here began 14 years ago when I wrote a cookbook for my daughter who had just left home for college. I wanted to make sure that she felt comfortable in her own kitchen with the legacy of recipes she had known from our family and friends, so I put them together as a love gift for Christmas her freshman year. Others heard about the book and wanted copies of their own, so soon afterward the book found its way into the marketplace. Over the years requests kept coming for a second book, so A Southern Daughter Entertains was released last year. The little books have taken on a life of their own, being featured in magazines, newspaper articles, television

appearances and spawning requests for speaking engagements. I am truly grateful and humbled for being so blessed. How exciting that through all that the books came to the attention of the editors of PRIME! The recipe I share with you this month is my love gift to you. It is the signature recipe from the first book… a rich, moist chocolate peanut butter cake that is so easy you can mix it up with a spoon.

You make this as a sheet cake (I often use two 8” or 9”square aluminum pans so that I can eat one with our family and take one to a friend), or as a layer cake. It freezes well. When serving, try garnishing it with chocolate-covered coffee beans or colored malted bird’s eggs, chocolate curls or shavings, or fresh pansies for an eyecatching presentation. Invite a friend over, share a cup of coffee and welcome Spring!

“Biggest Rat in Town” Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Cake: 2 cups sugar 2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 sticks margarine 4 tablespoons cocoa 1 cup water 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(Continued on next page)

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Measure and stir together in a mixing bowl the sugar, flour and soda. Set this aside. Cut up margarine and add it to a heavy saucepan. With the stove eye on low, melt the margarine and stir in the cocoa, water, buttermilk, beaten eggs and vanilla. Bring the mixture to a boil. Pour the heated mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix well with a spoon. Pour into a generously greased and floured (I use Baker’s Secret™ spray) 9”x 13” pan, two 8” or 9” round pans, or two 8” or 9” square aluminum foil pans. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes until cake springs back when touched gently. Take cake from oven and place on racks to cool. Filling: 1 1/2 cups Jif™ Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter The cookbook calls for additional peanut oil, but that can be expensive to use for this recipe if you don’t keep it on hand. It is just used for thinning the peanut butter a little so that it can be spread easily. I have found that placing the peanut butter in a glass measuring cup and microwaving it for about 8 seconds on high loosens up the peanut butter enough so that it can be stirred and spread. (Be careful not to overheat it so that it turns into liquid.) Spread peanut butter over cooled cake layer. Frosting:

1 stick margarine 4 tablespoons cocoa 6 tablespoons buttermilk 1 box confectioner’s sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pour confectioner’s sugar into a medium mixing bowl.

Add vanilla and stir in well. Frost the cake.

Combine margarine, cocoa and buttermilk in a small heavy saucepan. Stir the mixture in the saucepan until it comes to a boil. Pour heated mixture over confectioner’s sugar and stir (or use a hand mixer on the lowest setting) until creamy and smooth.

Tip: When making a one-layer cake, spread the peanut butter over the whole cake then smooth the frosting over the top. When making a two-layer cake, spread the first layer with peanut butter then frosting before adding the second layer. Spread the second (top) layer with peanut butter. Frost the sides of the cake, and then frost the top. Patsy Smith, a Montgomery native, lived here for 47 years before moving to Birmingham. She is the author of two cookbooks: A Cookbook For My Southern Daughter and A Southern Daughter Entertains. These books may be purchased at Capitol Book and News, Rosemont Gardens, Southern Homes and Gardens, Jo’s Hallmark, Richardson’s Pharmacy, and other fine book and gift stores, or through her website at southerndaughtercookbooks.com. 24

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com


prime diversions

Recent DVD Releases An Education (PG-13) It's England in the 1960s. 16-year-old Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is every parent's dream — smart, pretty, focused, talented and a genuinely nice person. Her stodgy middle-class parents are atwitter with her prospects for a scholarship to Oxford, and brilliant medical career thereafter. She dutifully embraced their agenda with relatively little chafing until the day she met a charming young man (Peter Sarsgaard) who offered a 10-15 year jump-start on the life of travel, sophistication and glamor she yearned her education might some day enable.We can tell there's something hinky about the guy and his interest in her, but there might also be something quite genuine and positive in his appreciation and attentions. He's not just a creepy pedophile. Sarsgaard's charm works at least as well on her parents, turning protective skepticism into hearty endorsements of their relationship, leaving all in suspense about whether they're heading to bliss or some type of bummer.The journey

is beautifully framed and paced by director Mark Glass Lone Scherfig, as he treats Jenny and us to an Audrey Hepburn tour of the era's upscale and romantic settings, laced with bits of roguishness around the edges. She and her beau share these experiences with another couple (Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike) who seem relics of a time when the idle rich wafted through life at their own pace. Pike's dumb-blonde role provides some nice comic relief to the unease of waiting for the other shoe's likely descent. Alfred Molina's take on uptight, social-climbing bureaucrats is dead-on — irritating, yet well-meaning, in his skewed paternal priorities. But the film's greatest asset is Mulligan. Here's our first long big-screen look at a star on the rise. (3/30/10)

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Sherlock Holmes (PG-13) Forget Basil Rathbone and all the brooding, low-impact adventures of England's most famous sleuth that were filmed in the 1930s and ‘40s. In fact, throw out the book on about 200 movie and TV incarnations by a slew of actors since 1905. This one comes from the manic mind of Guy Ritchie. He and Sam Raimi may be the only overgrown teenagers who can keep pace with Quentin Tarantino on over-the-top mixes of action and humor. In Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two smoking Barrels, Ritchie outpaced both on the pace part. His Sherlock is Robert Downey, Jr.; all the rotund, stuffyto-bumbling Doctors Watson (or is it Doctor Watsons?) have been upgraded to Jude Law, as more of an equal to the iconic detective, rather than a sidekick or comic foil. The plot is a mix of murder and sci-fi, with elements of the supernatural, dotted with comic relief and romantic sideplay, making it much closer to Jim and Artie's antics in The Wild, Wild West than any previous saga set on London's

Baker Street. Anglophiles and literature professors might be appalled, but the rest of us will be entertained. Downey's at his best with the script's rapid-fire dialog and throwaway lines. He camps it up a bit while making Holmes as much a master of martial arts as of the mind, with his usual flair for tonguein-cheek comedy. Law's Watson is almost as smart and physically adept as Holmes, trying to temper his friend's mood swings and impulsiveness with caution....mostly in vain. Some of the action seems to have sprung from the pages of comic books, rather than hallowed novels of yore. Mr. Conan Doyle, meet Stan Lee. Enjoy the synthesis of your bodies of work. The ending sets up a sequel. Ready when you are, Mr Ritchie. (3/30/10)

Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.

Read more DVD releases online at www.primemontgomery.com/movies. 26

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com


nutrition/Health

A Question of Health By Karen Collins, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

Tips to help you overcome weight loss obstacles Q: I realize that my food portion sizes are my biggest obstacle to losing weight. But whenever I try to cut back, I seem to just eat more later. How can I tackle this? A: Congratulations for recognizing and being ready to tackle an important obstacle between you and better health! First, try to identify why your previous efforts to reduce portions have not worked out. When you eat more after having reduced portions, are you hungry? This is a key question, so I urge you to keep a record for a week or so, whether on paper or your computer. Perhaps you have cut back too much. You might try reducing your usual portion by just a quarter, or even less. Another key to success is that you need enough bulky, low-calorie foods to fill up on. Make sure you include some simple raw vegetables, salad, vegetable soup, stir-fried vegetables or fruit in your meals as you cut back on the high-calorie foods. On the other hand, perhaps you’ll find that the urge to eat more is not due to hunger. Perhaps you need to drink more fluid. Perhaps you are facing some emotional fear or feeling of deprivation when

you cut back.This is especially common among people who have used very restrictive diets in the past, and those feelings need to be addressed. Simply keeping a record of what is going on with this urge to eat more will probably not immediately change your eating, so don’t let this make you feel guilty. Understanding the problem is the key to finding a solution. If hunger is the issue and you have trouble pulling together meals that work better for you, I urge you to find a registered dietitian (RD) in your area who can help you with fresh ideas. If fear of deprivation or other emotional issues seem to be the problem for you, some dietitians are trained to deal with emotional “disordered” eating patterns, too; otherwise a mental health counselor with training in the field can help you work through and beyond these issues. Don’t give up. Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, writes this column for The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), the cancer charity that fosters research on the relationship of nutrition, physical activity and weight management to cancer risk.

Transitional Care A short-term stay providing patient and family a smooth transition from hospital to home. Transitional Care is a Crowne Health Care specialty. It encompasses a variety of treatments including, but not limited to, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, wound care and pain management. Call for more information. Crowne Health Care and Rehab 1837 Upper Wetumpka Road Montgomery, AL 36107 334-264-8416 Contact Tracy Pattillo or Ann Adams www.crownemanagement.com


feature

Senior Living Options Outside the Home Match your needs to River Region housing choices By Jennifer Kornegay It’s an odd feeling, watching your parents get old, especially when they reach a point that the need to move them to some sort of senior housing facility starts to enter your mind.You wonder how you’ll make the decision, and when that choice is made, how you’ll pick the best arrangement for them. Enter the multiple options—independent living, assisted living, nursing homes—and it all becomes even more disconcerting. But countless options don’t have to be overwhelming; they can be freeing. The first step? Take a few moments to educate yourself on the different selections. Independent living facilities are, as their name implies, the places that give their residents the most independence while still offering some assistance. In most cases, residents of independent living facilities can live completely on their own, but they no longer have to deal with the maintenance that comes with a house. Independent living also provides the opportunity to socialize with people of similar age and interests. Many have a host of organized activities and even trips. Assisted living facilities, sometimes also called supported care, residential care or adult living facilities,

offer help with daily living, like preparing meals, dressing, laundry, housekeeping and keeping up with medications. They often serve as a bridge between independent living and nursing homes. Residents of assisted living facilities don’t need constant care, but they do need some looking after. Nursing homes aid the elderly who have reached a stage in their lives where they require extensive assistance and medical care. So which of the three would best suit you or your parent? John Matson, the Director of Communications for the Alabama Nursing Home Association, offered this suggestion. “When choosing which type of facility will work for you or your parent, it’s always good to talk to their doctor about what their medical needs are,” he said. “How much and what kind of medical care they will require is a big determining factor.” Every individual facility, no matter which type, varies in size and scope of services offered, so thorough research of each one you’re considering is of paramount importance, as Matson explained. “The first thing you should do is ask the facility if they are licensed,” he

More Information... To learn more about the differences between independent living, assisted living and nursing homes, and to find detailed lists of questions to ask facilities, check out the following websites. n www.alfa.org (Assisted Living Federation of America) n www.aarp.org (American Association of Retired Persons) n www.anha.org (Alabama Nursing Home Association) n www.alaaweb.org (Assisted Living Association of Alabama) 28

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com

said. “In Alabama, all assisted living and nursing homes must be licensed by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Those that are licensed have met certain stringent quality standards for care.” Matson then advised taking the location of the facility into consideration. “Think about whether or not it will be easy and convenient for family members to get there when needed and just to visit,” he said. And the next step — one that cannot be skipped according to Matson — is the site visit. “There is no substitute for touring the facility. Go to every facility that you are considering, then after the visits, you should be able to narrow your list down. Once you’ve got a shorter list, you should visit the places again, and do a more intensive inspection,” he said. “While you are on the tour, ask to see everything: the rooms, the business office, the kitchen, look at every part of building. You should also meet with the administrator and director of nursing while you’re there, and check out the rehab areas if it is a nursing home.” It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the way staff interacts with the residents. Make a note of the atmosphere and the feel you get from the place.And don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything and everything. Keep the specific needs and concerns of your parent in mind when you’re seeking information. What’s right for one person may not be a good fit for someone else.


Resource directory

Senior Living Options Outside the Home This directory lists residential facilities in the River Region that offer Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, Rehab, or Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care. Facilities offering more than one level of care are listed in each appropriate category with additional care options noted in parentheses. The directory is as comprehensive as time and resources permitted. If you manage a facility in the River Region not listed here, e-mail primemontgomery@gmail.com and include the word Directory in the subject line. We’ll make every effort to revise the on-line version of the directory to include your facility. Prime Montgomery makes no claims regarding the quality of care offered by these facilities. Selecting and evaluating a facility requires research as well as on-site visitation to determine which one is best suited for you or your loved one. We hope this Resource Directory provides a starting point in your search.

Independent Living Crowne Health Care/Rehab (See ad page 27) 1837 Upper Wetumpka Rd Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 264-8416 Independent Living (+Assisted Living, Rehab, Nursing Home)

Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 264-8378 Independent Living (+Assisted Living) Caravita Village 4000 Fieldcrest Dr. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 284-0370 Independent Living (+Assisted Living)

AHEPA 23-I Apartments 1720 E. Washington Ave. Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 263-3046 Independent Living (Income Limits)

City of St. Jude 2048 W. Fairview Ave. Montgomery, AL 36108 (334) 834-5590 Independent Living (Income Limits)

AHEPA 23-II Apartments 285 Sylvest Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 274-0076 Independent Living (Income Limits)

Eastdale Estates 5801 Eastdale Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 260-8911 Independent Living

AHEPA 23-III Apartments 1728 E. Washington Ave. Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 263-7407 Independent Living (Income Limits)

Eastview Retirement Center 297 Sylvest Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 279-7673 Independent Living (Income Limits)

Bell Oaks Retirement Community 3160 Bell Oaks Cir. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 281-4523 Independent Living (+Assisted Living)

Elizabeth H. Wright Apts. 5201 W. Alabama Christian Dr. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 386-7490 Independent Living (+Assisted Living)

Canterbury Courts 4000 Governors Dr. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 281-8555 Independent Living

Gardens of Wetumpka 209 Country Club Dr. Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-4839 Independent Living (+Assisted Living)

Capitol Heights Place 135 S. Panama St. (cont’d on next colum)

John Knox Manor I 4401 Narrow Lane Rd. (cont’d on next colum)

Montgomery, AL 36116-2915 (334) 288-6462 Independent Living (+Assisted Living, Nursing Home, Dementia Care) Oak Grove Inn 3801 Oak Grove Dr. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 215-8881 Independent Living (+Assisted Living) Rosa Parks Place 3050 Rosa Parks Ave. Montgomery, AL 36105 (334) 263-1388 Independent Living Seton Haven 3721 Wares Ferry Rd. Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 272-4000 Independent Living (+Assisted Living)

Assisted Living Wesley Gardens Retirement Community (See ad back cover) 1555 Taylor Rd. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 272-7917 Assisted Living (+Dementia Care) Crowne Health Care/Rehab (See ad page 27) 1837 Upper Wetumpka Rd Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 264-8416 Assisted Living (+Independent Living, Rehab, Nursing Home) www.primemontgomery.com | April 2010

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Elmcroft of Halcyon (see ad in this issue) 1775 Halcyon Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 396-1111 Assisted Living (+Alzheimer’s Care) Angels for the Elderly 40 Angels Ct. Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 270-8050 Assisted Living (+Dementia Care) Arrowhead Manor 9081 Atlanta Hwy. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 260-8777 Assisted Living (+Nursing Home)

Caravita Village 4000 Fieldcrest Dr. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 284-0370 Assisted Living (+Independent Living) Cedars Assisted Living 3500 Lynchburg Dr. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 221-3444 Assisted Living (+Memory Impairment Care) Country Cottage Assisted Living 235 Sylvest Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 224-0388 Assisted Living (+Memory Care)

Audubon Manor 3512 Audubon Rd. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 288-4110 Assisted Living (+Nursing Home, Alzheimer’s Care)

Elizabeth H. Wright Apts. 5201 W. Alabama Christian Dr. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 386-7490 Assisted Living (+Independent Living)

Autumn Place 5930 Main St. Millbrook, AL 36054 (334)-285-1996 Assisted Living

Gardens of Wetumpka 209 Country Club Dr. Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-4839 Assisted Living (+Independent Living)

Bell Oaks Retirement Community 3160 Bell Oaks Cir. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 281-4523 Assisted Living (+Independent Living)

Green Springs Assisted Living 811 Green Springs Dr. Prattville, AL 36067-2136 (334) 365-0678 Assisted Living

The Belmont 7295 Copperfield Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 273-0110 Assisted Living (+Nursing Home)

John Knox Manor I 4401 Narrow Lane Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116-2915 (334) 288-6462 Assisted Living (+Independent Living, Nursing Home, Dementia Care)

Camellia Lane I, II, III 419, 421, 425 Pratt St. Prattville, AL 36067 (334) 365-6707 (I and III) (334) 365-9392 (II) Assisted Living Capitol Heights Place 135 S. Panama St. Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 264-8378 Assisted Living (+Independent Living) 30

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com

Oak Grove Inn 3801 Oak Grove Dr. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 215-8881 Assisted Living (+Independent Living) RIver Ridge Assisted Living 208 Marshall St. Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-6553 Assisted Living (+Dementia Care, Adult Day Care)

Seton Haven 3721 Wares Ferry Rd. Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 272-4000 Assisted Living (+Independent Living) Waterford Place 3920 Antoinette Dr. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 288-2444 Assisted Living (+Nursing Home) Woodley Manor 3312 Woodley Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 288-2780 Assisted Living (+Nursing Home, Rehab)

Nursing Homes Crowne Health Care/Rehab (See ad page 27) 1837 Upper Wetumpka Rd Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 264-8416 Nursing Home (+Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, Rehab, Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care) Arrowhead Manor 9081 Atlanta Hwy. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 260-8777 Nursing Home (+Assisted Living) Audubon Manor 3512 Audubon Rd. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 288-4110 Nursing Home (+Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s Care) The Belmont 7295 Copperfield Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 273-0110 Nursing Home (+Assisted Living) Capitol Hill Health Care 520 S. Hull St. Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 834-2920 Nursing Home (+Rehab, Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Care) Cedar Crest Rehab2Home 4490 Virginia Loop Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 281-6826 Short and Long Term Care (+Rehab)


Eastview Retirement Center 297 Sylvest Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 279-7673 Nursing Home (+Independent Living, Assisted Living)

Elmcroft of Halcyon (See ad in this issue) 1775 Halcyon Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 396-1111 Alzheimer’s Care (+Assisted Living)

RIver Ridge Assisted Living 208 Marshall St. Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-6553 Dementia Care (+Assisted Living, Adult Day Care)

Golden Living Center 2020 N. Country Club Dr Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 263-1643 Nursing Home (+Assisted Living, Rehab, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Care)

Angels for the Elderly 40 Angels Ct. Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 270-8050 Dementia Care (+Assisted Living)

Residential rehab

Hillview Terrace Nursing/Rehab 100 Perry Hill Rd. Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 396-5900 Nursing Home (+Rehab) John Knox Manor I 4401 Narrow Lane Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116-2915 (334) 288-6462 Nursing Home (+Independent Living, Assisted Living, Dementia Care) Merry Wood Lodge Care and Rehab Center 280 Mt. Hebron Rd. Elmore, AL 36025 (334) 567-8484 Nursing Home (+Alzheimer’s Care) Waterford Place 3920 Antoinette Dr. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 288-2444 Nursing Home (+Assisted Living) Woodley Manor 3312 Woodley Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 288-2780 Nursing Home (+Assisted Living, Rehab)

Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care Wesley Gardens Retirement Community (See ad back cover) 1555 Taylor Rd. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 272-7917 Dementia Care (+Assisted Living) Resident Rehabilitation Crowne Health Care/Rehab (See ad page 27) 1837 Upper Wetumpka Rd Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 264-8416 Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care (+Independent Living,Assisted Living, Nursing Home, Rehab)

Audubon Manor 3512 Audubon Rd. Montgomery, AL 36111 (334) 288-4110 Alzheimer’s Care (+Assisted Living, Nursing Home) Capitol Hill Health Care 520 S. Hull St. Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 834-2920 Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care (+Nursing Home, Rehab) Cedars Assisted Living 3500 Lynchburg Dr. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 221-3444 Memory Impairment Care (+Assisted Living) Country Cottage Assisted Living 235 Sylvest Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 224-0388 Memory Care (+Assisted Living) Golden Living Center 2020 N. Country Club Dr Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 263-1643 Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care (+Rehab, Nursing Home) John Knox Manor I 4401 Narrow Lane Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116-2915 (334) 288-6462 Dementia Care (+Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Home) Merry Wood Lodge Care and Rehab Center 280 Mt. Hebron Rd. Elmore, AL 36025 (334) 567-8484 Alzheimer’s Care (+Nursing Home)

Crowne Health Care/Rehab (See ad page 27) 1837 Upper Wetumpka Rd Montgomery, AL 36107 (334) 264-8416 Rehab (+Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care) Capitol Hill Health Care 520 S. Hull St. Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 834-2920 Rehab (+Nursing Home, Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care) Cedar Crest Rehab2Home 4490 Virginia Loop Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 281-6826 Rehab (+Short and Long Term Care) Golden Living Center 2020 N. Country Club Dr Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 263-1643 Rehab (+Nursing Home, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care) Hillview Terrace Nursing/Rehab 100 Perry Hill Rd. Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 396-5900 Rehab (+Nursing Home) South Haven Health/Rehab 1300 E. South Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 288-0122 Rehab (+Nursing Home) Woodley Manor 3312 Woodley Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 288-2780 Rehab (+Assisted Living, Nursing Home)

www.primemontgomery.com | April 2010

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April Community Doings April 10 and 17 Great American Cleanup 1000+ Volunteers needed to work either Saturday or any day in between. Visit www.clickvic.org for more information, or call 334-264-4436, ext. 1. April 17 Alabama Book Festival Old Alabama Town Free public event. Writers, poets and scholars read from and discuss their works. Includes author appearances and readings, book signings, Gees Bend quilt show, children’s activities, exhibitors. For information call 334-240-4500 (800-240-1850) or visit the website www.alabamabookfestival.org. April 17 Walk of Life, Crampton Bowl through historic downtown Montgomery Walkers and runners raise money for the Joy to Life Foundation to provide free mammograms for medically underserved women under 50. For information call 334-284-5433, or visit the website www.joytolife.org. April 17-18 French and Indian War Encampment Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Historic Site Travel back in time to a French and Indian War era encampment and reenactment. Price is $4-$5 for admission. For more information, call 334-567-3002.

Each day at Elmcroft, we bring our hearts to work. Call for your personal tour! ELMCROFT OF HALCYON Assisted Living & Memory Care • www.ElmcroftAL.com 1775 Halcyon Blvd., Montgomery • 334-396-1111

April 18-24 National Volunteer Week Contact the Volunteer & Information Center for opportunities to help area organizations and individuals. Call 334-264-4636 ext. 1, or visit the website at www.clickvic.org. April 22 River Region Volunteer of the Year Celebration Trinity Hall, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1728 S. Hull St. April 23-25 Chunnennuggee Fair-Homecoming USA Celebrate Union Springs’ Homecoming USA and the 31st Annual Chunnenuggee Fair with a barbeque, arts and crafts show, live entertainment, children’s games, jumping castles and train rides. For more information, call 334-738-8687. April 24-25 Zoo Weekend Shifts 8 a.m.– 2 p.m., 1 p.m.– 6 p.m. 100 volunteers needed per shift, per day. April 25 Civil War Walking Tour Historians Mary Ann Neeley and Bob Bradley lead a walking tour from the Alabama River to the Capitol. For information call 240-4500 (800-240-1850) or visit the website at www.oldalabamatown.com. April 29-May 1 Greek Food Festival Celebrate the food and culture of Greece with native dishes, Greek pastries, imported gift items, live bouzouki music. Lunch and dinner each day. Church tours available. Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Capitol Parkway and Mt. Meigs Rd. For more information, call 334-263-1366.


Stay Active! For volunteer opportunities contact the Volunteer and Information Center, 334-264-4636 ext. 1, or visit the website, www.clickvic.org. April 10, 17 Great American Cleanup — 1000+ Volunteers needed to work either Saturday or any day in between. April 17 Alabama Book Festival — 175 volunteers needed. Escort authors, work in the children’s area, monitor events. 16 or older. April 24-25 Zoo Weekend — Shifts 8 a.m.– 2 p.m., 1 p.m.– 6 p.m. 100 volunteers per shift/day. Volunteer and Information Center — Update volunteer database, input information, call agencies. Elm Croft Assisted Living — Assist with arts and crafts, bingo, exercise classes, day trips, light office work, visiting with residents. Autauga Habitat for Humanity — Home construction, skilled and unskilled, landscape, serve lunches. Central Alabama Laubach Literacy Council — Office duties. Successful Living Center — Exercise, arts and crafts programs, for individuals 55-105. Alabama Dept. of Archives and History — Organize library, serve as museum docents, gallery attendants, receptionists, reference aids, etc. Alabama Scenic River Trail — Fundraising for new trails, campsites, river access throughout Alabama. Meals on Wheels, Montgomery — Deliver meals to homebound. Wetumpka Senior Citizens Program — Deliver meals to homebound. Children’s Center of Montgomery — Monthly one-on-one interaction with medically fragile students. Hospice of Montgomery — Patient/family care, bereavement support, special events, community education. Training available. Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum — Tour guide, welcome and greet visitors, organize groups, provide information.

©2010 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

(For the Sudoku solutions, see page 21.)

90,000 River Region residents are 50 or older (26% of the population) PRIME Montgomery, a new monthly magazine, was created for them. Reach this valuable audience by advertising in PRIME Montgomery. PRIME Montgomery is available free at more than 300 tri-county locations.

For advertising rates call 334-202-0114 or email primemontgomery@gmail.com


CROSSWORD CLUE

©2010 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

ACROSS 1 Sty matriarchs 5 Baton Rouge sch. 8 Composer Gustav 14 Radiate 15 Decide 16 Hebrew prophet 17 Earth-centered view of the universe 20 Country singer Travis 21 Casual talk 22 Writer Quindlen 23 Sault __ Marie 24 Female sandpiper 26 __-mo 28 Yo-yo trick 35 Love affair 36 First name in gymnastics 37 Old-time boxer Max For the answers, see page 21.

40 Bony outgrowths 43 Bugle call 44 Wading bird 46 Rib 48 Frodo’s story, with “The” 53 Average score 54 Old gray mare 55 Broadcast 57 Queens stadium 61 Egyptian Christian 63 Fracas 65 Prepare for an assault 68 Biblical mount 69 Rage 70 River in Normandy 71 Assails 34

April 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com

72 WWII troop transport

13 Ostrich cousin

45 Go one better

73 Resting spot

18 Guitar stroke

47 Greek letter

19 Whip stroke

49 Diamond surfaces

DOWN

25 Eve’s grandson

50 Dog or fox chaser

1 Religious denominations

27 Acknowledge

51 In abundance

2 Code of silence

29 Equipped with paddles

52 Earth pigment

3 More crafty

30 Veracity

56 Return to defaults

4 Let it stand

31 Like Cheerios

57 Wound covering

5 Destiny

32 Letters on vitamins

58 Take on

6 Added zest

33 Sass

59 Periods

7 Cedar Breaks state

34 Prosecutors, for short

60 Land unit

8 European thrush

37 __ Paese cheese

62 Singer Collins

9 Egyptian viper

38 Earlier

64 Swelled heads

10 Sunken fence

39 Do it wrong

66 Cicero’s lang.

11 Property claim

41 Goes in again

67 Drenched

12 Work for

42 Poet Teasdale



WGNewMagAdMar2010:Layout 1 3/11/2010 3:02 PM Page 1

“Mom wants her freedom. I want peace of mind. At Wesley Gardens, we found both.”

WESLEY GARDENS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 1555 Taylor Road At Wesley Gardens, security for your loved one does not mean giving up the freedom of living. Apartments in the dementia and memory care household are furnished by you and are much larger than the average studio apartment. Residents enjoy family-style, well-appointed dining on linen table cloths and napkins. A secure courtyard offers openair views of the outdoors and is used for many activities such as grilling, making lemonade, eating ice cream or just enjoying conversation. Worship and special programs are enjoyed together by all residents. Individualized activities are designed to enhance the quality of life for those experiencing memory difficulties. Because we treat you like family, freedom and peace of mind go hand in hand. Let us show you how.

Montgomery, AL

Call NOW for a tour!

CALL 334-272-7917 WESLEY GARDENS A Methodist Homes Retirement Community

www.methodisthomes.org

“...where life is celebrated... and the touch of God’s love is ever-present and ageless.”

AFFORDABLE ASSISTED LIVING & DEMENTIA CARE


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