FEBRUARY 2015 - Complimentary Issue - www.qcfamilyfocus.com
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Mickle Communications is your trusted source for producing high definition videos, creating award winning graphic designs or producing marketing results for your company.
From the New York Times to AssignmentDesk.com, Davenport Police Department to Scott County Family Y, Genesis Sports Rehab to Davenport Parks and Rec. Mickle Communications is the video production company chosen by nationally known and respected news organizations, local government and medical professionals. Let us bring your ideas to life.
Marketing Videos. Commercials. Social Media Videos. Documentaries. Local Programs. Contact Mickle Communications to learn about the most aggressive social media campaign in the area. Call 563-940-7875 or email mike@micklecommunications.com.
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
February 2015
Serving Eastern Iowa & Western Illinios
QC Family Focus Publisher: Mike Mickle Editor: Karen Mickle Magazine Design: Jessie Smith Photographers: Ashley Hempel • Tassy Johnson • Nick Benhart Shannon Colgan • Estelle Nester Videographer: Harry Walker
Contributing Editors
American Heart Association Michael Boehm Felicia Craig David W. Deuth Evin Ersan Jennifer Green Tawnya Hambly Lisa Lockheart Kirk Marske Mark McLaughlin Mike Mickle Michael Oppelt Ellen Reilly Christie Senior Star at Elmore Place Stacey Spillum Ellen Verlo Karen Wadsworth Phyllis Zalenski James Zahara Join thousands of others as they help us promote happy healthy families in the QCA. Call 563-940-7875 for more information.
QC Family Focus Magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mickle Communications Group LLC. Publication of advertising and articles does not constitute endorsement. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and/or edit any materials for publication. You can contact us at QC Family Focus Magazine, P.O. Box 194, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722, 563-940-7875 or email: mmickle@qcfamilyfocus.com. ©Copyright 2015.
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Read with Rover Builds Reading Skills Is my child falling behind in school? Bucks in the Bank: Keep Track of Your Money!
Happy Hearts Take Small Daily Action Steps for Health and Wealth
TIME FOR YOU!
About the Front Cover: Nadia Doland and Spencer Roemer. Photographer: Ashley Hempel Jewelry provided by Doland Jewelers QC Family Focus - February 2015 3
May 2013
QC Family Focus
Serving Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois
Your Mickle’s WorthMONTHLY
7 Give Yourself a Hand! 8 Lessons 14 From Mom Family Fun 21 in Full Bloom TEENS AS 26 TEACHERS
Mickle by Mike Publisher: Mike Mickle Editor: Karen MickleEveryone! Karen and I are me. We just truly enjoy watching our kids participate Happy Love Month Magazine Design: Jessie Smith weekend getaway for making plans for a romantic in their various activities. Truthfully, if we were at a Photographers: someTassy alone time.• Of Johnson Nickcourse, Martel by weekend getaway, quiet dinner alone, we’d be wondering how the game Shannon Colgan • Estelle Nestergames for the boys on was going. ( I know. We need an intervention.) I’ve I mean we’ll be at basketball Videographer: Harry Walker Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The romantic part will learned over the years that Karen would prefer a Contributing Editors be finding aJeffplace to sit alone, not surrounded by handwritten note, orCHILD’S a verbal confirmation instead HELPING YOUR Ashcraft people.Diane The meal will be just short of “gourmet”. of a $9.95 card. She would rather find time to go to Baker - Linda Barlow Brenda Ph.D. Most likely, it Boleyn will be leftover pizza pasta casserole dinner on a night when the kids are not in one of their Roger Brannan that we heat in the microwave between games. various sports or activities and restaurants won’t be David W. Deuth Brooke Falline Kim Fein I used to be really good at this whole Valentine’s packed. She’d rather subject me to a movie on the John Frederick, M.D. Day thing. I Curtis had the flowers ordered at least a month Lifetime Channel (Ugh) than fight the crowds just to Ford in advance,Tawnya I hadHambly the chocolate covered strawberries say we had “plans” for Valentines Day. ready to goKelly andHendershot the present wrapped and hidden well Love can’t be boxed up in a confectionery Kirk Marske before February These days, I’ll race to Hy-vee, creation, sealed in card or arranged in a vase. It’s what Mike Mickle14th. - Kim Mills Joni Mitchell pray they have one bouquet left that’s not wilting, we feel every day. I’m pretty lucky to have a wife Dr. David Moyer grab a bag of Peanut Butter M & M’s, frantically that would rather have quality time than scheduled Dr. Traci Nelson Hassel search a store where Beth Peters I might have a glimmer of hope events. With that said, I have 45 minutes to make it Lisa M. Reisen Beau Shay of finding something that Karen will enjoy and race to Matt’s game on the other side of the Quad Cities. Steven Silverman, D.C., M.S. home toJulie present theStokes gifts. She will have just enough Kyle has practice and Kate needs a new swim cap, so Sisk - Vera Barbara Wiese Ph.D. time to put the flowers in water, open her present and I’d better go! Zahara - Phyllis Zalenski grabJames the M & M’s to take with us to snack on as we Here’s hoping you have a great day with the head to the game. will most likely arrive at least one(s) you love. Join thousands of othersWe as they help us promote happy healthy families in the QCA. five minutes late. Best regards, Mike Call 563-940-7875 for more information. It’s not that my love and appreciation have waned P.S. Anyone know where there’s a sale on Peanut through the years. In fact, if anything, it’s grown. Butter M & Ms? Watching her balance work, home and kids amazes
VOCABULARY GROW
QC Family Focus Magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mickle Communications Group LLC. Publication of advertising and articles does not constitute endorsement. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and/or edit any materials for publication. You can contact us at QC Family Focus Magazine, P.O. Box 194, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722, 563-940-7875 or email: mmickle@qcfamilyfocus.com. ©Copyright 2013.
Watch QC Family Focus come to life on television each Friday. Family Focus Friday only on WQAD’s midday newscast
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
Be sure to tune into WHBF on May 5th at 10:35pm for the next episode of Rule Ur Game. The only Quad City Show where Quad City teens are the reporters and they feature stories about the great things happening in their schools. We always visit at least 4 schools across the area, two from Illinois and two from Iowa. Rule Ur Game is hosted by WHBF Sports Director Jay Kidwell and produced by Mickle Communications! Go to our Rule Ur Game Facebook page and “like” us. Then suggest some stories we could cover at your school.
Watch the next Rule ur Game on February 21st at 1 pm on the Quad City CW Channel 26. It’s the only show where Quad City teens are the reporters and they are reporting on the great things happening in their schools! QC Family Focus - MAY 2013
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Suffering from Cabin Fever? Already Dreaming of Summer? Let QC Jumps and More bring the fun! Our inflatables are a great idea for schools, churches and other organizations wanting to provide some fun for kids. We can set up inside your gymnasium. No gym? Schedule your inflatable for Spring or Summer. The only inflatable bounce house company affiliated with QC Family Focus magazine. Safe, professional delivery.
Check us out at www.qcjumps.com. Like us on Facebook at QC Jumps or call 563-940-7154. QC Family Focus - February 2015
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Sunday, March 22, 2015 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
River Center, Mississippi River Hall 136 E. Third, North Building, Davenport PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY NO TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR!!! Couples ill e adied eginning at 3 p $24 Non-Resident / $2 Resident
No School? No Fear! Join our kid friendly and cered trained! sta for days full of fun and acies! Our upcoming School Out Days include February 16th, March 16-20th, and April 6th. Our days begin at :0 am ith free me and geng to kno you acies. Join us for fun, games, acies, cras, eld trips, and giing back to our community! All parcipants need to be picked up by 5:0 pm and should hae a completed informaon form on le. All parcipants should bring a sack lunch, a labeled, lled ater bole, etra clothes for our fun and messy acies, and they should alays ear closed toed shoes tennis shoes are preferred. $6: Non–Resident $28: Resident
Register in person at the River’s Edge (7 W River Dr., Davenport, IA 282), all 63-328-PARK (727), or online .ityofdavenport.o/parks
Students adventure throughout unior Theatre, eploring ang, iprovisaon, lights, usial theatre, sound, ake-up, and ore. Students also ollaorate on ideas for the reaon of their very on sript! Our ap thee is “ourney through Tie.” Everything ends ith a perforane for faily and friends on Friday at 4p. oin the adventure! Students are to ring a sak lunh and ater ole. To snak reaks are provided. Parent or Guardian ust oplete ap aiver y first day. The aiver ill e ailed to you. Performing Arts Camp : Spring Break - “Journey through Time” Ages 6–13 / $18 Non-Resident / $144 Resident / Online registraon ode SPR1PC1 Monday, Marh 16th through Friday, Marh 2th, 84a-33p eah day
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
Read with Rover Builds Reading Skills Lisa Lockheart Publicity and Outreach Liaison Rock Island Public Library
Starting in February, kids can practice their reading skills at the Rock Island Library before one of the most patient and loving audiences possible - a dog! The library is bringing back regular read with a dog events, which it first introduced this summer as part of its “Paws to Read” programming. The twice-monthly Read with Rover times allow children from PreK to 6th grades to practice reading aloud to a therapy dog at the Rock Island 30/31 and Southwest Branches. “Reading aloud has great benefits for kids of all ages, from developing vocabulary to attention. The dogs proved to be a great draw, even for kids who may have been reluctant to read before,” says Ranell Dennis, a children’s librarian from the Rock Island Public Library. Each drop-in session pairs a young reader with a therapy dog and handler from the Quad Cities Canine Assistance Network (QC CAN). Read with Rover events will be offered from 5:30 to 6:30 pm on Monday, Feb. 2 and March 16 at the 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th
Street, and on Monday, Feb. 23 and March 30 at the Southwest Branch. Families who stay for the 6:30 pm Pajama Storytimes just after Read with Rover can also experience a story, song and craft on different themes and learning concepts, including “backwards” stories on Feb. 2 and friendship stories on Feb. 23. Pajama storytimes are designed for ages birth to five. All events are free and open to the public, and no registration is necessary. For more events that support family learning and fun, visit www.rockislandlibrary. org or call 309-732-READ.
Free Fun and Family Learning Here!
Play and Grow group—New structured play group for ages three and under and parents/caregivers. Monthly, 2nd Thursday, 10:30 am, Feb. 12 at the Rock Island Library 30/31 Branch. Read with Rover— Practice your reading skills before the world’s most patient audience - certified therapy dogs from QC Canine Assistance Network! 5:30-6:30 pm Mon, Feb. 2 at 30/31 Branch; Feb. 23 at Southwest Branch. PreK-6th grades Pop Open a Good Book Winter Reading—Buckets of reading fun & prizes for all ages—until Feb. 28.
Hug-A-Book Dance Party with Jeanie B! 6:00 pm, Thurs, Feb. 12, Rock Island Main Library. Celebrate reading by dancing along with children's music rocker Jeanie B! at a free Hug-A-Book party. Free book for ages five & under.
Winter Reading Blizzard Bash! 3:00 pm, Sat, Feb. 21, Main Library. Celebrate winter & reading with an indoor snowball fight, obstacle course, snow crafts and more! Family event for 3rd to 6th grades. Rock Island Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches
309-732-READ
www.rockislandlibrary.org QC Family Focus - February 2015 7
Ready, Set, Kindergarten!
Felicia Craig
Kindergarten Teacher, Rivermont Collegiate
Beginning Kindergarten is one of the most exciting and memorable milestones in a child’s life. Every parent is eager for his or her child to have a successful, happy, and positive kindergarten experience. Providing a child with a nurturing, stimulating environment prior to entering kindergarten increases readiness for the rich learning opportunities that kindergarten provides. What does “kindergarten readiness” truly mean? In actuality, it is more about being ready to learn than it is about acquiring a specific set of skills before the first day of school. Kindergarten is about learning to be a part of a classroom community, developing independence and autonomy, and building a foundation of academic skills that will serve as building blocks for the elementary school years. How can parents help their children be prepared and ready to learn in kindergarten? Here are some ideas! • Give your child plenty of opportunities to develop social and communication skills by playing and interacting with others. Encourage him to use words to express his feelings, and provide support and praise when he tries new things, takes turns, and shares. Be consistent when setting
boundaries and expectations for behavior. • Help your child to develop independence when taking care of personal needs, such as eating, bathroom and hand washing routines. As much as possible, have your child be responsible for getting dressed for the day. Being able to put on shoes and dressing to go outside to play are important skills in kindergarten. • Develop fine and large motor skills with varied activities. Cutting, coloring, and pencil/paper activities increase strength in the small hand muscles. Running, jumping, and bouncing a ball are not only fun for children, but also important in developing strength and coordination. • Encourage academic readiness by making reading and basic math skills part of everyday life. Read to your child daily, and create a routine of talking about favorite stories. Help increase your child’s attention span by gradually increasing the length of the stories. Sing the alphabet together, and teach your child the letters in his name. Help your child learn the days of the week, and keep a calendar of family events. Count things together and notice shapes and colors – in the grocery store, on car trips, or waiting in the doctor’s office. • Teach your child to follow multi-step instructions, such as “Please pick up your socks and put them in the laundry basket.” Listening to and following instructions is something kindergarteners do every day. Above all, let your child know how proud you are of him at this special time in his life. Let him know that school is an exciting and fun place to be. Then, enjoy the journey together!
Kindergarten Round-Up Thursday, March 5th Sign-in at 5:15 - Welcome at 5:30 Explore Rivermont Kindergarten! Meet the teachers and experience the curriculum with hands-on activities. Bring your future Kindergarten students, childcare will be provided for siblings. Registration is not required.
RiveRmont Collegiate Intellect. Character. Creativity.
The Quad Cities’ only Private College Prep School for PreSchool through 12th Grade 1821 Sunset Drive | Bettendorf, IA 52722 | (563) 359-1366 | www.RiveRmontCollegiate.org 8
February 2015 - QC Family Focus
Five Must-Have Reading Apps Many experts recommend that children read, or be read to, for 20 minutes each day. What better way to help make reading engaging for your child than letting them curl up with their favorite tablet or smartphone to interact with some fun educational apps? The following free apps are available for Android and iOS devices – and have been recommended by educational experts. Phonics Originator Kids: Before kids can read, they need to learn that letters create words – and each letter has a unique sound. So how do you make it fun for toddlers to learn about letter sounds? Monsters. This popular app engages young minds with entertaining animated monsters that create new words by dancing across the screen, making unique sounds. Learning Sight Words 22Learn: Preschoolers and above will enjoy this fun app that provides a variety of games that help familiarize them with sight words commonly found in written English materials. Read to Me ReadMeStories: Receive colorful free books
that deliver grade-appropriate content for young readers. This app is ideal for first- or second-graders and helps children learn new words and practice their reading fluency by highlighting each word as it is read aloud by a narrator -- or readers can opt to read it themselves. Learning Language Arts iTooch: The iTooch series of apps, based on the U.S. National Common Core Standards, provide comprehensive lessons and exercises to help students master subjects across grade levels. For early readers, this app covers foundational skills, parts of speech, reading non-fiction to gather information, reading literature and other helpful topics to help children emerge as strong readers. A Stopwatch for Tracking Reading Scholastic Reading Timer: Track reading progress each week with this reading log and stopwatch. Children set the timer for how long they’d like to read, and when they complete their reading they select “log” to have the information captured for that day. Parents view each child’s dashboard to see total minutes logged for the current and previous week – so they can easily reward students for their determination.
Our Menu Includes: - Pizza - Wings - Specialty Pizza - Calzones - Extensive Buffet - Pastas - Sandwiches - Soups - Salad Bar - Wraps Be sure to visit us and enjoy our fun family atmosphere! Dine-in, delivery and carry-out available. - Burgers - Desserts
We love supporting our local teams! Stop by after the big game! Two Iowa locations to serve you: 3408 State St., Bettendorf, IA 52722, 563-355-FAME (3263) 902 6th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742, 563-659-FAME (3263) Like us on Facebook! QC Family Focus - February 2015 9
HEALTHY HABITS FOR National Children’s Dental Health Month HEALTHY HABITS FOR MOTHER AND BABY MOTHER AND BABY
Karen Wadsworth R.D.H Alex Brandtner Children’s Dentistry Brooke Falline R.D.H., ABC Family Dentistry
Starting healthy habits at an early age is important This month’s article is geared for your children. Healthy habits include brushing and bed or put the child to sleep with a bottle in the crib. If Brooke Falline R.D.H.,of Family Dentistry towards theyour doschild’s and teeth don’ts flossing twiceABC daily along with taking you sleep with the child while he/she is breastfeeding, This article is and geared breast feeding, feeding your childmonth’s tobottle the dentist by their first birthday and for bed orwill putbegin the child to sleep a bottle in the crib. If the child to think thatwith falling asleep occurs towards the nutrition dosevery and6for don’ts the proper you of regularoverall checkups months thereafter. Encourage sleep with theThe childsame while he/she breastfeeding, onlyyou when being fed. holds trueisfor placing bottle feeding them tofeeding, eatone(s). nutritious foods and breast your little If you arewhile a and also regulating the the child will begin to think that falling asleep occurs the child in a crib with a bottle in hand. In essence, amount ofcaregiver sugar they proper overall nutrition for you newthe mother, orconsume. educator, whenisbeing fed. your The same truehabit for placing this only practice teaching childholds a poor of Brushing & Flossing and your little one(s). If you I hope to provide you with someare a the child in a crib with a bottle in hand. In essence, eating while they are lying down. We recommend • Usemother, ainformation soft bristle toothbrush and a pea-sized amount new caregiver or educator, important to promote is teaching child a poor area habit of that this you practice breastfeed or bottle your feed in a different fluoride I of hope to provide you with some healthy habits totoothpaste last a lifetime. eating while they are lying down. We recommend other than where the child sleeps, wipe their mouth • Supervised brushing should important information to promote Breastfeeding and formula inbea done bottleuntil are the the child you or bottle feed in a different area and that any teethbreastfeed with a warm onceSugar reacheshabits 8 years of age or second grade Eating a present Well-Balanced Diet washcloth and Limiting healthy to for last a lifetime. normative standards infant feeding and nutrition. they’ve other than where the child sleeps, wipe their mouth finished feeding and&then place them in their • Flossing should be done once per day, especially in Promotes Healthy Teeth Gums Breastfeeding and way formula inwrong a bottle However, there is a region right and wayare to the any teeth present with a washcloth crib.and the back molar where thea teeth touch • Your child should be eating warm 3 balanced meals once a day normative standards for infant and nutrition. create healthy feeding habits fromfeeding day one. First they’ve finished feeding and then place them in their Regular Dental Checkups Prevention is protein, the key to a healthy mouth. We hope containing veggies & fruits there isvisit a right and acleaning wrong way to and However, it is important toway separate the actions •foremost, At your child’s during their we will that crib. by promoting healthy eating habits start • Limit the amount of snacking yourfrom childthe does create healthy feeding habits from day one. First of sleeping and eating. The purpose of this is to be discuss their daily habits Prevention is the key to a healthy mouth. We hope that it• Awill prevent early decay. voidalso sugary drinks suchchildhood as juice and pop,Stay milk and foremost, it is important separate theItactions sureand do not confuse sleepingtowith eating. is tuned • you Fluoride application that promoting eating from theinstart water are healthier options forbyJune’s articlehealthy where I will habits be exploring of and eating. The purpose of this normal for anainfant toexam, fall asleep while suckling orto be • Psleeping erform dental where the dentist willisevaluate theittopic If you are a decay! parent of childhood young children andStay have that will also prevent early decay. detail of tooth sure youfed, do not you confuse sleeping eating.inIt is tuned eruption patterns anddodecay being bottle but not want towith breastfeed any dental healtharticle related questions feel freeinto for June’s where I willplease be exploring • If appropriate, provide yourasleep child with normal for an infant to fall whileinformation suckling orin detail call our are decay! accepting new patients at this the office. topic ofWe tooth regards to pacifier thumb sucking habits being bottle fed, butorFREE you do not want to breastfeed in time (563) 355-0437. CAVITY CLUB CAVITY FREE CLUB
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Brooke Falline R.D.H., ABC Family Dentistry
This month’s article is geared bed or put the child to sleep with a bottle in the crib. If towards the dos and don’ts of you sleep with the child while he/she is breastfeeding, breast feeding, bottle feeding and child will begin Road to think that falling asleep occurs 5108 the Jersey Ridge the proper overall nutrition for you only when being fed. The same holds true for placing Davenport, Iowa 52807 and your little one(s). If you are a 5108 Jersey Ridge the child in a crib with Road a bottle in hand. In essence, new mother, caregiver or educator, this practice is teaching your child a poor habit of Davenport, Iowa 52807 I hope to provide you with some eating while they are lying down. We recommend important information to promote abcdentistry@mchsi.com that you breastfeed or bottle feed in aBrandtner different area Dr. Alex healthy habits to last a lifetime. other than where the child sleeps, wipe their mouth Breastfeeding and formula in a bottle are the abcdentistry@mchsi.com Dr. Alex Brandtner and any teeth present with a warm washcloth once normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition. Cavity they’ve finished feeding and then place them in their Free Club Winner However, there is a right way and a wrong way to crib. March Winner: create healthy feeding habits from day one. First 4 year-old Alexis Ferguson Cavity Club Winner Prevention isFree the key to a healthy mouth. We hope and foremost, it is important to separate the actions that by promoting healthy eating habits from the start March Winner: December 2014 of sleeping and eating. The purpose of this is to be that it will 4 year-old Alexis Ferguson also prevent early childhood 8 year-old Henry Bopp decay. Stay sure you do not confuse sleeping withwww.alexbrandtnerchildrensdentistry.com eating. It is tuned for June’s article where I will be exploring in normal forInside an infant to fall whiletosuckling or detail the topic of tooth decay! Located South Parkasleep Mall next Von Maur being bottle fed, but youFREE do not want to breastfeed in www.alexbrandtnerchildrensdentistry.com CAVITY CLUB
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
QC Family Focus - MAY 2013
CAVITY FREE CLUB
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QC Family Focus - MAY 2013
Schedule your SPRING Cleaning
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Are you interested helping children in Scott County? Would you like to serve on a volunteer board? The Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa Board is seeking new members. This is a great opportunity to serve your community! We are seeking someone with an interest in early childhood in Scott County. This person must not have any associations to any of the agencies or businesses the Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa Board is contracted with for services. This person must reside in Scott County. Please call Jesse at 563/326-8221 for an application. The application can also be found on our website at www.ScottCountyKids. org . Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa…what is Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa? Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa strives to ensure that “Every child beginning at birth will be healthy and successful.” How does Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa ensure that “Every child beginning at birth will be healthy and successful” in Scott County? Through community involvement community priorities are established. The Scott County Kids Early Childhood board may contract with a community agency to provide a completely unique service or an already existing service may be modified or enhanced to meet a particular need. Often the limited funding Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa has is utilized to meet identified community need; other times, needs can be met through facilitating communication with the early childhood service providers. Our community is fortunate to have a vast array of caring early childhood professionals.
What is the Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa Board? The Scott County Kids Early Childhood Board is comprised of community leaders in the areas of education, health, human services, faith, business and of course parents. How does Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa get the funding they disperse? From the Early Childhood Iowa state board. The state departments supporting Early Childhood Iowa are the Department of Education, Department of Human Services and Department of Health. Funding must be for services for children prenatal through age 5. How does Scott County Kids decide how to spend funding? Through evaluation of community forum information and community data assessments, the Scott County Kids Early Childhood Board has established community priorities. These community priorities drive funding decisions. The priorities are as follows: 1. Advance healthy physical and mental development for all children, with a priority to at-risk children. 2. Increase access to affordable quality learning environments for all children. 3. Increase awareness regarding the importance of the early years. 4. Increase positive relationships between children and parents. 5. Increase the number of center and home based providers meeting quality standards.
QC Family Focus - February 2015 11
What parents are telling me about school and their children’s struggles Jill D. Evola-Vokt
Education Consultant - tutor doctor
Families share with me lots of frustrations about how their kids aren’t making progress in school. That’s usually why they call – to get some help for their student to bring up grades, do better on tests, get organized with studying and being prepared, and just overall academic success. Many times the stress at home has reached unbearable levels. Parents complain they can’t help their students. Homework is beyond their abilities, they don’t know where or how to begin helping, their student doesn’t bring home any work to help with! Sometimes, the student is demoralized because of poor grades. Everyone is pressured to improve the academics, and, even though school is important, the student’s health and well-being are even more urgent. When it looks like your student is just not going to progress beyond “getting by” or average work, not really succeeding or “getting it” in any or all subjects at school, listen to the encouragement of other parents who have found tutoring to provide the solution. “It is worth every penny we spend to know that (son) has (tutor) who will help him. He is so much more confident now!” says a parent whose 6th grader sat quietly in class and did not ask questions and consequently didn’t do well.
“(Tutor) is awesome! She has helped us get over the hump and get much better test results. Just helping (daughter) get ready for tests has made her relax and do better,” says a mom whose 10th grader was anxious during math tests and couldn’t do as well as she had the competence to do. Another parent of a shy 3th grader has told me, “(tutor) explains things in such a clear and patient way! (Son) loves her and makes sure to hug him when she comes for tutoring.” If your child is not doing as well as he could, there may be many reasons for it. A carefullymatched tutor who comes to your home, forms an understanding of your child’s learning style and needs, helps nurture an enthusiasm for learning again, and enables your child to succeed in school is one of the very best investments in a child’s education and the best way of overcoming academic struggles. Call me, Jill Vokt, owner of Tutor Doctor QCA and an educator for over 35 years. I will be happy to provide you with a free assessment and plan for your child, show you what we can do to bridge the learning gap and help alleviate the struggle!
One on One tutoring in YOUR home! Tutor Doctor : 563.468.3763 www.tutordoctorqca.com jevolavokt@tutordoctor.com Our Benefits • Convenient – Fits your schedule •N o Waiting Around in Learning Centers •L earning in student’s own environment • I ndividualized Tutoring without Distractions or Peer Pressure • Improved Confidence • I mproved Study and Organizational Skills •P ersonalized to Meet your Needs
Our Features • In Home Tutoring • One on One Lessons • Free Consultation • All Grades and Subjects • Same Tutor Every Time • Working Collaboratively with Students, Parents and Teachers • Aligned with School Curriculum • SAT and ACT Test Prep
We Take the PAIN out of homework and make a good student GREAT!! 12
February 2015 - QC Family Focus
Is my child falling behind in school? Ellen Reilly Christie Learning Supports Specialist, Davenport Schools You might feel as a parent you are the last one to know your child is falling behind in school. We get busy, no one says anything, and no news is good news right? Here are some tips to know you might want to give the teacher a call or check out that online program that you can access from your home computer to see what assignments are missing. The following are some indicators that you may need to investigate further to be sure your child is not falling behind in school. 1) They don’t want to talk about it. Or they fidget. Or change the subject. Or just ignore you. You may want to look into things yourself. Try not to ask “why” questions…they invite your child to make excuses. Instead stick to “what”…what did you do today? What are you working on in math? What is going on? 2) Younger children may suddenly appear more needy or clingy. If they are struggling in school they may not be able to verbalize this to you and instead seem to really “need” you. This is a sign you cannot ignore. Investigate. 3) Your child shows signs of aggression and acting like something is really bothering them especially right before or
after school. Call school to see if they notice the same thing. 4) You notice that your child just does not seem interested in anything related to school. Sit down with them and ask what they are working on, to show you an example, or demonstrate something they have recently learned. If they are not interested, cry, or have nothing to show you, don’t wait. Call the school and describe your concerns to the teacher or school counselor. 5) The behavior is fine, but the grades are not. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease...and that means a child who acts out is more likely to get a call from school than one who does not demonstrate any behavior concerns. If you get a report card that seems out of sync, do not wait for the next one. Call the teacher and schedule a conference. You do not have to wait for conferences to meet with the teacher. Act now. Above all, talk to your child. Tell them you support them and will work to find ways to help them get caught up. Sometimes kids lose steam by the middle of the year and hit a slump, especially after the holidays. Providing help managing schoolwork, talking to teachers, and using that online system may be all that you need. More intensive interventions may be needed like tutoring or extra help from the teacher. Regardless, do not ignore signs that you, as a parent, recognize as unusual or out of the ordinary when it comes to school. Pay attention and ask for help if your child does not know how to do that for themselves. They will learn from your example!
Ever get ravenous between breakfast and lunch? Especially if you had a very early morning? These breakfast cookies are the perfect, healthy pick-me-up that helps to tide you over until the next meal. Keep them in the freezer and they’ll last for up to 3 months. Blueberry Oat Breakfast Cookies 2 ripe bananas, mashed 1 c. unsweetened applesauce 2 T. chia seeds 1/2 t. salt 1/2 t. cinnamon 1/4 c. slivered almonds 1 1/4 c. dry oatmeal 1 T. flax seed 1/2 c. whole wheat flour 1/2 c. blueberries 1. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients, except the blueberries, mixing well. The batter will be wet. 2. Gently fold in the blueberries. 3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a cookie sheet. 4. Using a large cookie scoop, scoop the “dough” onto the pan, gently pressing each cookie down until it is flat. 5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until just golden. 6. Allow to cool before eating. Keep on the cookie sheet if wanting to freeze, placing the cookie sheet in the freezer for at least one hour. Remove cookies from the cookie sheet and place in freezer safe storage bags. To eat out of the freezer, microwave each cookie for 25 seconds.
For more of Ally’s recipes check out recipe section at www.qcfamilyfocus.com or www.sweetandsavoryfood.com QC Family Focus - February 2015 13
Education
SNOWMAN
Evin Ersan Junior Reporter for QC Family Focus Magazine
Adults like to talk about the weather a lot. I have noticed almost every day I hear them talking about it. Kids, not so much, unless it’s the first snow or a “Snow “Day” of no school. So that got me thinking about weather and especially winter weather …. and snow. I love the snow, because that means skiing and sledding and tubing and all sorts of fun stuff to do, but not all people love it. The snow itself can be dangerous and a hassle. For people who need to get around and go to work and run their businesses and invite customers in, snow can really mess things up. I had never really thought about this before until I talked to my Uncle Tim Whitty. My uncle Tim owns a business called Top Notch Grounds Maintenance and he knows all about snow. He invited me to see what a real Snow Man does! EVIN: What got you interested in this business? TIM Whitty: Well, I never liked the idea if sitting at a desk. I have always loved being outdoors and active, and I wanted to do something that would have a variety of different tasks and jobs. This business is perfect for someone like me. EVIN: Have you ever had to go out in a storm? TIM Whitty: Yes, I have. They can be fun, but they can also be a lot of work. A few years back we had about 18 inches of snowfall here in the Quad Cities and that kept us really busy. EVIN: What are some of the challenges of doing a job like this? Tim Whitty: In my business I really need dependable people who enjoy this type of work. I am lucky I have a good team, but good people can be hard to find. Weather can be challenging because even with all of our forecasting tools it can still be unpredictable. EVIN: So if there’s no snow in the winter do you get a day off? Tim Whitty: No, not really because we need to do maintenance and fuel up our equipment. We also need to clean it because all of that salt can be very corrosive. On days that we don’t have as many jobs we need to ensure that we get new business as well as do billings for the jobs we have already completed. 14
February 2015 - QC Family Focus
Ensuring my people are probably trained is also important because there are new types of jobs and new equipment all the time. EVIN: What do you do in the summer? Tim Whitty: We do a lot. Commercial mowing, planting, fertilizing, laying mulch, building retaining walls, fire pits, patios, all kinds of landscaping jobs. I also have a commercial sweeping truck that we use to do parking lot sweeping and construction clean up. EVIN: What do you like most about this type of work? Tim Whitty: I like being able to be outside and active. I like to exceed my customer’s expectations, doing extra things I know they will appreciate. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing a job completed. I take pride in what I do. I like being my own boss and working with my team. What a cool job! Driving around big awesome equipment, being outside, meeting new people, having lots of different things to do and helping to keep things safe. Very cool. Thanks Uncle Tim! If you want more info on Top Notch Grounds Maintenance Call: 563-508-3630. Watch my video with Tim Whitty where he shows me the ropes on what is like to be a real SNOW MAN! http://vimeo. com/116601731 Fun Fact: Lake Park, in northwest Iowa, holds the state record with 52 inches on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1, 1969…..YIKES!
Dedication
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James Zahara of frozen pipes. Storm Team 8, Chief Meteorologist • Set the thermostat at 55 WQAD degrees HD if News 8 goingfeeders out this winter you’re My bird of town. Although have been an all-you-can-eat you may be feeding frenzy buffet. Do you able to get away ever wonder birds, especially with a how lower smaller the cold t e m p ebirds, r a t u rsurvive e, winter? this setting is considered Birds liketohumans and other be safe for pipes. mammals are homeothermic or • C o blooded. n s i d eThis r means that warm wrapping your as long as birds can find a suitable water heater in food source, an insulation their bodies can blanket. While not convert that food really at danger into energy. In for freezing, this this case, body can lower your heating bills. A frozen water meter can lead heat. to expensive home plumbing repairs and meter replacement Act Givencharges.food now to prevent cold weather from taking a bite out availability, howof your home plumbing and your wallet.doReplacement costs these tiny, range from $115 to $325 depending on the size of the fragilecancreatures meter. Taking the necessary precautions keep you sub-zero from some unexpected expenses andendure trouble this winter. t e m p e rWater a t u r(NYSE: es? Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, Like us, they providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately often tryis the to largest find 200,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water publicly traded U.S. water and wastewaterplaces utility company. With that are headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately well from wind and cold air.water, Evergreen 7,000 protected dedicated professionals who provide drinking wastewater trees provide very important cover. Birdspeople such as and other related services to an estimated 15 million in more than 30 states and jays parts of Canada. More information can thickets be found by cardinals, blue and finches retire to dense visiting www.amwater.com.
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of vegetation. Certain birds like bluebirds and wrens will actually huddle or even stack on top of each other to keep warm. While birds can’t put on an extra set of feathers in cold conditions, they can ‘fluff up’. By fluffing up and creating air space between feathers as well as feathers and skin, it is like putting on an extra jacket. Wet feathers under very cold conditions would spell curtains for any bird. Fortunately, birds have oilproducing glands that allow them to preen a waterproof coating onto their feathers to keep their so-called ‘warm jacket’ from getting wet. What about certain water birds like ducks or mallards? Like most birds they have an amazing number of blood vessels in their feet and legs that minimize heat loss. That’s why they’re able to spend a lot of time swimming in cold water or walking on ice. So remember, feathers with food equals warmth for these birds during the dead of winter.
Life insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. I can help you protect your family at an affordable price. Many people think that life insurance is an unnecessary expense. But it’s not having the coverage you need that can really cost your family. Let me show you affordable options. Call me today. Christy Cox 563-359-4079 5159 Utica Ridge Rd. Davenport a062020@allstate.com
Availability from a particular company varies by product. Subject to availability and qualifications. Life insurance issued by Allstate Life Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL, and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Lincoln, NE. In New York life insurance issued by Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Hauppauge, NY. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. © 2011 Allstate Insurance Co.
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QC Family Focus - February 2015 15
Education Dedication
Bucks in the Bank: Keep Track of Your Money! Tawnya Hambly Public Relations Director, JA of the Heartland www.jaheartland.org Everyone wants a safe place to keep their money. They also want to know how much they spend and save. When you put your money in a bank, you are opening a bank account. The account is listed in your name and is a record of the money you deposit (put into your account) and the money you withdrawal (money you take out of your account). The balance is the money you have left. Pretend you want to buy a new bike. Let’s follow the flow of money to help make that purchase. Fill in the blank using one of these words: Earn, Withdrawal, Bank Account, Deposit, Long-Term. 1. The money trail starts with earning money. You can __________ income from an after-school job or an allowance. You can also receive a cash gift from a relative or friend. 2. After you have earned some money you ask an adult to help you open a __________ _________ at your local bank. 3. The money you put into your bank account is called a ___________. Each time you make one use your bank account register to track the money. 4. Some items you may want to purchase, like a new bike, are expensive and require you to save for a long time. This is called ______-_______ savings.
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5. When you have collected enough money to buy a bike it is time to take the money out of your bank account. This is called a _____________. 6. Now you are ready to buy your new bike! Keeping track of the money is your bank account is a good habit to develop. It helps you make good decisions on when to save or spend. Let’s practice! Read the situations below, make a decision, and track your new account balance. Will your decision lead you to depositing (+) money or withdrawing (-) money from your bank account? Be sure to write your new bank account balance on the blank line after each decision. Your current bank account balance is $25. 1. Your favorite charity needs help. You decide to donate $10 (make a withdrawal) or donate an hour of your time (worth $10 per hour). Account balance: $________ 2. You and your best friend collect bottles and cans. The recycling center pays $18. The two of you split the money (make a deposit). Account balance? $_________ 3. You have $5 in your pocket and you are hungry. You decide to spend it on a snack or save it for something you want more (make a deposit). Account balance? $_______ 4. There’s a new movie you want to see, but your neighbor will pay you to rake her yard. You decide to go to the movie and spend $5 (make a withdrawal) or earn $5 raking (make a deposit). Account balance? $_________ 5. You earn $2 a week for doing chores. Deposit one month’s allowance ($2x4 weeks). Account balance? $_________ Keeping track of your money is an important responsibility. Did it help you in making your decisions? Developing good money management habits now will help you build a solid foundation for money management in the future. Remember to save often and spend wisely – good luck! Article content is a part of JA More than Money® curriculum.
It’s Heart Month. Whether you are a trying to find the perfect gift to make someone’s heart smile or getting stronger to make your heart healthier, we have some advice! - Did you know 141 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greetingcard-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) - There are 119 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages. There are 34 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) age 65 or older for every 100 single women of the same ages. The number of dating service establishments nationwide is now in the vicinity of 1,000. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employ more than 5,000 people and pulled in more than $490 million in revenues. CANDY IS DANDY - There are currently more than 1,200 locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in the United States. These establishments employ more than 43.000 people. - The total value of shipments for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products is approximately $14 billion. - The latest numbers show the annual consumption of candy by Americans was 25 pounds per year. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few years; in 1997, each American gobbled or savored more than 27 pounds of candy a year. FLOWERS - The combined sales of flowers for Valentine’s Day is just over $397 million. Roses are the most popular flower to give to your sweetheart. JEWELRY - Jewelry stores across America will sell more than $2.5 billion worth of merchandise.
Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, the perfect piece of jewelry to say “I love you” or a Valentine’s treat to share with the entire family. You will find it in our Happy Hearts section.
A great way to show someone you care. d e p a h S t Hear Pizzas, ,s Day e n i t n for Vale Available
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Good at participating Happy Joe’s locations. QC Family Focus - February 2015 17
you to take that exit.” “WHY???” My parents said I needed to eat more protein so I found this recipe! Here’s a healthy snack that is full of protein but tastes like one of the most awesome treats you’ll ever taste.
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Ela’s Peanut butter protein balls: Dry Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked natural oatmeal 1 cup dark chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped nuts 1/2 cup Goji berries (or you can substitute cranberries) 1/2 cup currents 1/2 cup flaxseed (not ground) Mix In: 1 cup all natural peanut butter ( creamy style) 1 cup natural honey Directions: Mix dry ingredients together. Mix peanut butter and honey in another bowl. Stir both mixtures together. Form into 1 inch balls. Store in airtight container separated by wax paper. Sprinkle a little real Coco on top if you’d like. Freeze. Enjoy!!
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February 2013 • QC Family Focus
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
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Happy Hearts
As a young person, if you start doing small things every day that keep your body healthy, you hav living a longer, happier and healthier life.
Raising Heart Healthy Kids by American Heart Association
The things that you do to keep your heart healthy will also make you less likely to develop many o diseases, like type 2 diabetes and cancer.” These small steps are not expensive or difficult to take can go a long way toward helping you feel your best.
As a young person, if you start doing small 6. Keep your total cholesterol healthy. Make small choices every day to keep your heart healthy 7. Keep blood sugar healthy. things every day that keep your body healthy, You makeyou many choices everyyour day, like what color socks to wear or how to fix your hair. When it c decisions that keep you healthy, it may seem difficult to choose better options when so many thing To make it fun and exciting, the American have a better chance of living a longer, happier just more fun. You just need to take small steps in a healthy direction and that begins by knowing created a healthy. website called and healthier life. Then it gets easierHeart to make Association choices every dayhas that help keep you The things that you do to keep your heart “My Life Check” that will help you understand yourifheart health is and give you and your family healthy will also make you less likelyHow to develop do I know my heart healthy? ideas to make the best many other types of diseases, like choices. type 2 diabetes and cancer. These The Life’s Simple 7 small steps are not expensive or series describes things difficult to take, and taking them can you can do on your go a long way toward helping you own to keep your heart feel your best. healthy and some things Find out if your heart is that may require the help healthy using Life’s Simple 7™. of a health professional. They are: Making small changes 1. Avoid smoking and using tobacco in your life can add up to products. a big difference in your 2. Be physically active every day. heart health, even for 3. Eat a heart-healthy diet. children and teenagers! 4. Keep a healthy weight. 5. Keep your blood pressure healthy. Find out if your heart is healthy using Life’s S are:
Here’s a great gift to give your 1. for Avoid smoking sweetheart. Enter below a and using tobacco products. 2. Be physically active every day. Eat a heart-healthy diet. chance to win dinner for3. two at 4. Keep a healthy weight. 5. Keep your blood pressure healthy. Texas Roadhouse! 6. 7.
Keep your total cholesterol healthy. Keep your blood sugar healthy.
We’ll help you understand how to keep your heart healthy. To make it fun and exciting, the Americ Association has created a website called “My Life Check” (link opens in a new window) that will he your heart health and give you and your family ideas to make the best choices.
Name________________________
The Life’s Simple 7 series describes things you can do on your own to keep your heart healthy an may require the help of a health professional.
Address____________________________________________ Are you ready? Let’s start off by learning about heart disease and stroke. City___________________________ State______________ Phone Number______________________________________ What is heart disease? Our favorite meal at Texas Roadhouse is_______________ __________________________________________________ I pick up my copy of QCFF at__________________________ Send Entries to: Don’t Make My Date Wait! C/O QC Family Focus Magazine, P.O. Box 194, Bettendorf, IA 52722
Only one entry per family. Must be postmarked by February 12th. Good luck! QC Family Focus - February 2015 19
Happy Hearts
Diamonds and Custom-Made Jewelry
A Thrilling Combination for that Special Someone
Mark McLaughlin Mickle Communications
With Valentine’s Day on its way, it’s time to think about the perfect gift for that special someone. If you are looking for a unique gift that your sweetheart will cherish for years to come, consider diamonds set in custom-made jewelry. “Diamonds are our No. 1 item of jewelry purchased on Valentine’s Day,” said William Doland, manager and one of the four owners of Doland Jewelers. “That includes diamond engagement rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets.” William added that custom-made jewelry is a popular choice for Valentine’s Day as well. “The demand for individualized jewelry keeps our designers busy,” he said. William is the primary designer at Doland Jewelers. His father, Michael Doland, started the business during the mid 1980s in Bellevue, Iowa.
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
William was in the 7th grade when he began training at his father’s side. After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa and the Gemological Institute of America in 2003, William moved to Davenport and started managing the Davenport location. Doland Jewelers has two locations in Iowa – 3865 Elmore Ave., Davenport, and 1735 J.F.K. Rd., Dubuque. Three designers, including William and Michael, from each Doland store have won Best of Show in the Iowa Jewelers Association Designer Contest. “To make a piece of custom jewelry, such as a ring,” William said, “our designers start the process by talking with the client, to determine what they have in mind. Once a rough sketch has been decided upon, a computer aided design, or CAD, can be made which is a very realistic image of what the piece will look like.” Once a design has been created, the designer carves a wax model of the piece and invests the wax model in a plaster mold. The wax is then burned out of the mold and the metal of choice is injected in its place. The designer quenches the hot flask in water and removes the cast piece from the plaster mold. The final steps are cleaning up the rough casting, setting stones and polishing the piece. William added that Doland Jewelers can turn old pieces of jewelry into new creations. The metal can be melted down, poured into the mold of a custom design, and reset with the stones. This process creates a new piece at an affordable price, since the precious metal, and in most cases stones, are being provided by the customer. “People may think that a custom design is out of their price range,” William said, “but depending on the piece, the price difference can be very small. It’s definitely an option worth pursuing.” To contact the Davenport location, call (563) 326-1847. The Dubuque location can be reached at (563) 583-7936. You can also get in touch with Doland Jewelers online at www. dolandjewelers.com/contact-us.
QC Family Focus - February 2015 21
Applying for College Scholarships Kirk Marske Director, Career Cruising Quad Cities February is the heart of financial aid season, a time when current and future college students can pursue financial assistance for their education costs. The financial aid application process actually begins January 1 when students planning to attend college can submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. A FAFSA form determines a student’s eligibility for state and federal financial aid. But state and federal assistance is not the only aid available during this time of year – most scholarship opportunities are presented now, too. Scholarship opportunities are easy to find, if you know where to look. A high school’s counseling office is a great starting point – visit the office or find the information on-line through the school’s website. Many schools include scholarship openings in their daily announcements, and local newspapers publish scholarship announcements and press releases. Students can also search local business and nonprofit websites (i.e. credit unions, community foundations, etc.) for scholarship opportunities. Career Cruising Quad Cities (CCQC) has comprehensive information about the financial aid process, too – guides, articles, and other on-line resources outlining everything you need to know about obtaining aid. CCQC also has a Financial Aid Selector tool that helps students identify high-probability scholarship opportunities based on the student’s personal merits.
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Surprisingly, many scholarship ads draw little or no response, so just FINDING a scholarship opportunity is often a great first-step towards an award. Most scholarships are merit-based, not need-based like other forms of financial aid. Merit-based means the scholarship is awarded based on a student’s characteristics, achievements, or accomplishments. A common perception is that scholarships are only for straight-A students but that’s not true. If you have red hair, speak Pig Latin, or write left-handed, there is probably a scholarship for you somewhere! If a student is still undecided about their college choice and an out-of-state college is among the options, there is one scholarship-related factor to consider. Some scholarships require a student to use the funds within the state of their residence. So, students attending an in-state school may have more scholarship opportunities than those attending an out-of-state school. For families with younger students, make a record of scholarships you may apply for in the future as many scholarships are offered annually within the same time frame and with the same criteria. Students can also prepare for scholarship applications by volunteering and participating in activities that enhance their scholarship qualifications. Quad Cities area businesses and organizations can list their scholarship opportunities on Career Cruising Quad Cities. Scholarship information can be submitted to kirk.marske@ja.org. Career Cruising Quad Cities is a web-based career exploration program administered by Junior Achievement of the Heartland in partnership with The Moline Foundation. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.CareerCruisingQuadCities.org
Take Small Daily Action Steps Phyllis Zalenski for Health and Wealth As many of us take actions toward resolutions or goals set for the new year, it is a good time to consider small steps that can be taken to improve health and increase wealth. Each year, issues related to these two important areas of life (e.g., losing weight and saving money) top surveys about the resolutions that people make. The Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ program from Rutgers Cooperative Extension is built upon the premise that small, positive daily actions improve health and personal finances over time. Dr. Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management, offers the following guidance. Learning to learn is one of life’s most important skills. One way to make progress toward a health or wealth goal is to learn more about health and personal finance topics. Make a conscious effort to learn something new every day. Read an article, watch a television show, listen to the radio, talk to other people (family, friends, co-workers, professionals) and/or visit relevant Web sites. Start a filing system for interesting information so that you can refer to it later, if needed. Another positive action is finding chunks of time to improve your health and wealth. Look for them and dedicate this time to making daily progress. There are 1,440 minutes in a day or 144 ten-minute chunks of time. Subtract about 7 hours for sleep and that leaves 100. Fitness experts say that it is fine to perform physical activity in 10 to 15 minute “chunks” of time. Gradual progress is also fine for financial maintenance tasks such as calculating net worth, requesting free credit reports, and preparing written financial goals and budgets. Another way to “find time” is “smart multi-
tasking.” Read a mutual fund prospectus or exercise while watching television, for example. Finally, decide to incorporate small daily action steps into your daily routine. Below are some suggestions based on government recommendations and frequently cited expert advice: Daily Health Behaviors: • Avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages (e.g., regular soda and sweetened waters and iced teas) • Eat 7 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily • Get at least 7 hours of sleep per night • Eat an adequate amount of fiber • Consume less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day • Eat foods low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol • Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days per week. Daily Financial Behaviors: • Follow a written spending plan (budget) for spending and saving money • Save at least $1per day and/or loose change in a savings account and/or a can or jar • Avoid using payday loans, car title loans, pawn shop loans, cash advances, and other high-cost debt • Eat at least two meals a day prepared at home instead of at a deli or restaurant (excluding traveling) • Use advertisements, apps, coupons, promo codes, sales, and/or discounts to save money on purchases • Do something proactive every day to save money or reduce expenses There are no “magic bullets” that guarantee health and wealth. But daily progress will build upon itself, just like compound interest. If you do something consistently, at least 5 times a week, you will make steady progress. Each little step adds to the ones before it and, what you think about, you bring about!
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3016 E. 53rd St., Davenport, IA 52807 | (563) 359-8500 QC Family Focus - February 2015 23
TIME FOR YOU! Stacey Spillum PURE HAIR STUDIO
New Year, new YOU!? Or how about New Year….. TIME for you!?! We meet many ladies every day that are going through daily routines such as kids, work, laundry, car pool, dinner, laundry, doctor appointments, laundry, vet, working out, kids, and last but not least LAUNDRY. When is there time for you? What if I told you that for two hours, every 4-8 weeks you can sit and be relaxed, get a scalp massage, read a magazine, catch up on emails, and close your eyes in peace? I promise you at the end of two hours you will look and FEEL like a new woman ready to take on the world (or that never-ending pile of laundry)! Here’s the thing ladies, salon appointments can be over looked, canceled because of sick kids, or put off for 6 months to a year or MORE! When you actually get there and you have an amazing stylist in a relaxing atmosphere; what can happen to you in 2 hours is worth every effort, penny and time it took you to get there! A good stylist can give you just what you need without a stressful consultation, within your price range and with a relaxing touch to send you to wonderland for a little while.
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
We at Pure Hair Studio do just that for you. Our coveted consultations guide you through price, maintenance, and home care essentials. We set you up for successful styling at home and ease in your daily routine. We finish every service with a makeup touchup that can open your eyes to a basic makeup regimen that works for you. We strive to create a beauty regimen that will work within your time frame regardless if it’s 5 or 25 minutes you have each day. We at Pure have independently researched and tested every product that we offer. We are proud to offer products free of parabens, gluten, sulfates, talc, as well as vegan friendly options. In addition, we provide formaldehyde free keratin treatments, ammonia free hair color, and many options to accommodate many skin sensitivities and allergies. We offer Hair care, Skin care, and family products that comply with the EU standards. Our mineral makeup line is non-comedogenic and free of nano particles. We have done the work for you and stand behind our safe and unique products. Their performance ‘wows’ while the ingredient list impresses. Come see us soon so we can get you FEELING amazing, looking your best and enjoying worry free products! After all, you deserve 2 hours for YOU!
Cope with Stress by Taking Care of Yourself By Michael Oppelt, D.C. Faculty Clinician, Palmer Chiropractic Clinics
Not all stress is the same, and how we react and respond to it is the difference between good stress and bad stress. Stress is expressed through hormonal fluctuations. The key to managing your stress is to have a strategy to help counteract your body’s natural responses. Following are eight tips that can help you more fully enjoy your life and the people around you. 1. Positive Perception: Every grey cloud has a silver lining, so always identify the positive attributes of a troubling situation. 2. Nutrition: Food is a cornerstone of the holidays, and many of us are trying to make healthier choices in the new year. Making good food choices can go a long way to managing stress. Teas such as Oolong and Chamomile have long been acknowledged as positive mood and immune promoters. Fruits like oranges, clementines, apple slices, bananas, lemons and kiwis are all packed with immune boosting nutrients that keep you feeling good. Omega 3 fatty acids are now placed in foods from eggs to pasta to juices, so buying foods with the omega difference is a big step toward mood and immune support. 3. Motion: Even though it’s cold outside, staying active and in motion is essential to keeping your muscles strong and your joints mobile. More importantly, it helps your heart
and lungs supply your brain and body all they need to keep you alert, happy and healthy. Regular exercise doesn’t necessarily involve going to the gym. Mall walking has become my mother’s favorite exercise and winter social club. 4. Sunlight: Although you may not think of the sun in the frigid framework of winter, the sun remains an important catalyst to vitamin D production and a mood stabilizer. 5. Deep Breathing: Taking time to bathe your brain in oxygen is always beneficial. Inhale slowly for eight seconds, hold the breath for another eight seconds, and then exhale slowly for eight seconds. 6. Soft Love: Time with family, close friend(s), or perhaps a pet all deliver a reduction in blood pressure and stress hormone levels. 7. Laughter: When calendars are full and the day falls short in providing enough time to finish everything that needs your attention, the idea of laughing may sound silly. However, silly is good, and finding the cracks in the chaos can cheer you up and perhaps deliver a beneficial attitude break that is the difference between an overwhelming day and a good day. Laughing is the best natural mood boost the body has to offer! 8. Chiropractic Care: Adjustments are brilliant at maintaining joint mobility, muscular balance, aiding pain-free motion and restoring restful sleep cycles. By following all of these steps, including a chiropractic health plan, you’ll cope much better with stress all year long.
Reach Your Maximum Potential If you’re one of the 80% of Americans who will suffer from back pain, neck pain and headaches—or just want to improve your range of motion, balance and endurance— the experts at the Palmer Chiropractic Clinics can help. To learn more about our services or to make an appointment, call us today or visit us online at www.palmerclinics.com/qc.
Davenport Clinic (open Mon. – Sat.) (563) 884-5801
Moline Clinic (open Mon. – Fri.) (309) 764-4901
The primary care professionals for spinal health and well-being QC Family Focus - February 2015 25
He’s Got Game:
B
LeClaire Man Back in Action after Rotator Cuff Surgery
owling has been a part of Dennis Whitlock’s life for more than 40 years and an injured shoulder was not going to keep him out of the league. “I’ve bowled since I was about 17,” says Dennis, now 57. “I’m not going to stop now.” Dennis has also been a welder at the John Deere Davenport Works for almost as long as he’s been bowling in the local Deere league. “I do a lot of lifting, pulling, and pushing every day — somewhere along the line my shoulder was going to wear out.” His shoulder started hurting while Dennis was performing some weekend chores. “It was the middle of the bowling season and my shoulder started to hurt. I had dealt with pain before, but I went bowling any way. Avid bowler, Dennis Whitlock, 57, LeClaire, is back in the game However the pain got worse and didn’t following successful shoulder surgery at ORA Orthopedics. go away. I had trouble lifting my arm so I knew it was time to see my doctor.” Following X-rays and an MRI, ORA Orthopedics’ surgeon, Dr. Suleman Hussain, determined Dennis’ rotator cuff was severely torn and needed surgery. “He had a massive rotator cuff tear in the right shoulder. The tendon had shifted away from where it’s supposed to be. I see this type of injury often. It’s very common in active people who depend on their shoulders.” patients who are then able to return to work and the hobbies they enjoy most.” Rotator Cuff Injuries Common “Dr. Hussain did a wonderful job,” adds Dr. Suleman Hussain, Dr. Hussain explains that the rotator Dennis. “Everything went well and I was Shoulder Surgeon, ORA Orthopedics cuff is a group of four muscles that home the same day. He advised me to take starts in the chest and turns into my time in physical therapy and not go repair Dennis’ torn rotator cuff. He tendons that attach to the shoulder back to work or bowling too quickly or my re-attached the tendon to the bone joint. These muscles and tendons are with small anchors made of a material shoulder could tear again. Now my arm responsible for the shoulder’s stability, that will eventually dissolve as the feels so much better. I rely on my shoulder strength, and motion. bone re-grows. He says advancements to do my work every day, and I’m back up Patients with torn rotator cuffs to bowling at full speed.” With an average in outpatient arthroscopic shoulder experience significant shoulder pain, surgery have meant smaller incisions, score of 220, Dennis is still on a quest for his weakness, and limited use of their perfect game. fewer scars, and a quicker recovery arm because the injury is actually than in the past. a physical separation of the tendon For more information on ORA Orthopedics “The incision portals for the from the upper arm bone.” For Dennis arthroscope are less than 1 cm long — and its outpatient arthroscopic surgical Whitlock, it meant surgery. options, log on to www.qcora.com and for significantly smaller than traditional Dr. Hussain performed an ORA events and patient success stories, open surgical incisions. The result is arthroscopic shoulder surgery to follow ORA on Facebook. less pain and muscle damage for the
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
Dennis Whitlock (Rotator Cuff) (deleted 5369564e13357c43322647508e0c798c).indd 1
1/19/15 7:31 AM
M
for what
moves you Tim Reagan & his pal, Hank avid hunter, hip surgery
Lynn Bohlman, kayaker, hiker knee surgery Helen Akers, workout warrior & grandmother, spine & knee surgery
WE pay attention to what matters most.you. Whether you’re kayaking in Antarctica, hunting with your favorite pal or a grandmother like Helen who keeps up with her grandchildren, no one deserves agonizing pain when they move. ORA Orthopedics treats thousands of people each year through our Total Joint Center of Excellence. Our specialty-trained joint replacement surgeons have extensive experience in all areas of joint care using the newest minimally invasive techniques for hip, knee, and shoulder joint replacement. The result: less scarring, better results and a quicker recovery, so you can get back to what truly moves you. To learn more about how we can help you move, visit qcora.com or call 563.322.0971.
TM
ORTHOPEDICS
TM
ORTHOPEDICS
Focused on You FACEBOOK LOGO ICON for Adobe Illustrator
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QC Family Focus - February 2015 27
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
Keratoconus
keratoconus patients need frequent exams and contact lens changes to achieve good vision and comfort. Contact lenses, including special “keratoconus lenses,” Keratoconus is estimated to act as a new refractive surface to help improve the visual affect about 1 in 2,000 people, but with acuity of the patient by “masking” the cone shape of the varying severities of the disease. cornea. A proper contact lens fit is essential for good What is keratoconus? vision and to maintain proper corneal health. The word keratoconus is formed from Contact lenses can greatly improve the visual two Greek words, “kerato,” meaning acuity of the typical keratoconus patient. However, cornea, and “konus,” meaning cone. keratoconus can advance to the point that either The cornea is the “clear window” of the significant astigmatism or severe scarring diminishes eye covering the iris (colored part of the the patient’s ability to wear contact lenses. At this point, eye). Keratoconus is a condition in which the normal round shape of the cornea becomes progressively surgical intervention is recommended. Roughly 10-15% thin and steeply curved, developing a cone-like bulge that can of keratoconus patients will require some form of corneal result in significant visual impairment. Keratoconus usually transplantation. Corneal transplants are one of the most first appears anywhere from the early teenage years to around successful transplant surgeries due to the lack of a blood thirty. The condition often progresses slowly for the first system in the tissue of the cornea. This decreases the incidence of immune reaction and several years, at which time it tissue rejection. While there is a 95% can stabilize. However, some rate of success in corneal transplants patients continue to show for keratoconus, this procedure, like significant progression and all operations, involves potentially develop irregular astigmatism. serious risk. If the first transplant As the keratoconus becomes is not successful, a second can be worse, the cornea can become undertaken successfully. Reoccurrence very irregular in shape and of keratoconus in the transplanted develop scars that can lead to cornea has happened, but is extremely marked visual impairment. rare. Even after a successful surgery, What causes keratoconus? glasses or contact lens correction are The cause of often needed Two newer treatments keratoconus is unknown, but a to address earlier stages of keratoconus number of theories have been proposed based on association have been introduced to stabilize the thinning cornea, with other anomalies or from experimental data. Due to a potentially avoid progression of scarring, and the need large number of exceptions to each of the theories, no single for more invasive surgery. Intacs are inert corneal “rings” theory can explain all cases. In fact, there may be several that can be implanted into the corneal tissue. They act as predisposing factors. Heredity appears to play a role in some “struts” to flatten the steep cornea and potentially allow cases, but those links may only be present in roughly 1 in 10 cases. There is an association with eye rubbing, but it successful contact lens fitting. Corneal cross-linking, a is not clear whether this is causative or as a response to the procedure widely available outside of the US, is now in blurry vision induced by the disease. Patients report several clinical trials in this country and shows great progress at common symptoms. The most frequent is a gradual loss of potentially “arresting” the disease progress. The cornea visual acuity, even with the best correction with glasses or is treated with riboflavin and UV light, which induces a contact lenses. Frequent and significant changes in the power, reaction in the cornea that strengthens and stiffens the or refractive error, of the eye are often seen as keratoconus cornea. This procedure hopefully will be approved by is evolving. While usually involving both eyes, one eye the FDA in 2015. With the options available today, a keratoconus may have advanced disease and the other may exhibit mild or asymptomatic keratoconus. Mild to severe photophobia or patient can obtain very functional vision in today’s world light sensitivity and halos at night around lights may also be of eye care. Michael Boehm, M.D. is a board certified comprehensive reported.
Michael Boehm, M.D.
How is keratoconus treated? In the early stages of keratoconus, standard eyeglasses may correct the mild amount of nearsightedness and astigmatism that is experienced. When the disease advances, contact lenses are often the only way to correct visual acuity. Most of the time, this is a permanent and successful remedy. The contacts must be fitted with great care, and most
ophthalmologist at Eye Surgeons Associates with a fellowship in cornea and external diseases and a specialty interest in dry eye. Dr. Boehm practices at our offices in Bettendorf, Rock Island, and Silvis. For more information visit www.esaeyecare.com. The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
QC Family Focus - February 2015 29
Hearing Loss: Don’t Rely on a Quick-Fix Solution Ellen Verlo, M.A., CCC-A Audiology Consultants
Some people may think that hearing loss is a part of life and we have to accept it. But in fact, it should never be ignored. Even though hearing loss can have many negative consequences on day-to-day living, the average person still takes eight years to seek help. They may suffer embarrassment, blame it on other people “mumbling,” or see it as a sign of aging. Hearing loss is present at all ages. It does not discriminate against race, sex, social status, income level or job description. It can lead to isolation, withdrawal, and other difficulties in personal and professional relationships. The Better Hearing Institute reports that studies have linked untreated hearing loss to: • Irritability, negativism and anger • Fatigue, tension, stress and depression • Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations • Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety • Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks • Reduced job performance and earning power • Diminished psychological and overall health Some of you may be asking: If I have hearing problems, can’t I just buy a hearing aid online? Yes, you can … but is it in your best interest? Definitely not. It’s not the type of problem that can be solved with a quick-fix solution. Most websites that sell over the Internet are legitimate. Some, however, are not. Purchasing something online that sounds too good to be true, probably is! So buyer beware. Hearing aids are considered medical devices, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates how hearing aids
are sold. Specific testing must be performed, and in most states, a person who sells hearing aids must hold a license, either as an Audiologist or Hearing Instrument Specialist. A medical clearance from a physician is strongly recommended, so there is no question whether the hearing loss is permanent or medically treatable. If the website is selling mail order “hearing enhancement devices”, beware, because they are not hearing aids. They may look like hearing aids, use batteries like hearing aids, and make sounds louder, but they are NOT hearing aids. If the website is selling what appears to be the same thing you have considered buying from your hearing professional … same make, model, and even brand name … it is possibly an illegal site. The hearing aid sold in this manner may not have a valid warranty and there would be no way to have it cleaned, adjusted or repaired locally. There are websites selling hearing aids as part of an insurance plan. The buyer must provide a hearing test done professionally. That test is used to choose a hearing aid, program it, and ship it to the user. The price quoted is for the device only. No service is included. In other words, there probably is no local office to provide cleaning, adjustments, or repairs. Hearing aids are not one-size-fits-all products. They are intended to maximize a person’s useable hearing for the best communication, and the services of hearing healthcare professionals provide the best way to accomplish this. Audiology Consultants is proud of the service we provide with every hearing aid sold. For more information, visit our website at www. audiologyconsultants.com or call 800-404-7712.
SOUND ADVICE!
With Audiology Consultants, P.C. Communicating With Your Sweetheart...Who Can’t Hear You
Friday, February 27 at 1:00 p.m.
A free 30 minute presentation with questions and answers to follow with one of our audiologists. A great time to meet others with the same concerns you may have!
Refreshments will be available: Coffee & Cookies Free Gift for Every Participant! Bring a Friend! RSVP is preferred due to limited space. Hosted in our Davenport location. RSVP to (563) 355-7712 2215 E. 52nd St., Suite #2, Davenport, IA
www.audiologyconsultants.com 1931 l0th Avenue East, Milan, IL
(309) 283-5902 30
2215 E. 52nd St., Ste. #2, Davenport, IA
1616 Cedar St., Muscatine, IA
Hammond Henry Hospital 600 College Ave., Geneseo, IL
(563) 355-7712 (563) 264-9406
February 2015 - QC Family Focus
(309) 944-9181
Senior Star at Elmore Place Hosts Lewy Body Dementia Seminars
Senior Star at Elmore Place
As part of a 2015 educational focus about aging well, Senior Star at Elmore Place is pleased to host important seminars regarding Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) in the month of February on their campus at 4500 Elmore Avenue. Dementia with Lewy bodies is a type of progressive dementia that is estimated to be the third most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, accounting for 10 to 25 percent of cases. Dementia with Lewy bodies leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. Lewy bodies are also found in other brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Studies have shown that advanced research and education has lead to an increase in the number of LBD diagnoses yet, according to the LBD Association website, the disease is still widely underdiagnosed because its symptoms can closely resemble other more commonly known diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Senior Star, in conjunction with the local Quad Cities chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will provide valuable information on LBD, its symptoms, support groups and local care. Information at these important sessions will also include the commonalities of having both Alzheimer’s and LBD in addition to the significant number of people being diagnosed with LBD at a younger age. As leading experts in caring for those with Alzheimer’s and LBD, Senior Star associates will also be on hand to discuss and share examples of how they are providing care for residents who have LBD. Their individual care plans for residents who suffer
from this disease demonstrate a proactive rather than reactive approach to care including the importance of life stories as part of the care plan. Staff associates go through an intense quarterly training and additional training as needed to understand the specific needs of those with LBD and how they differ from those who have Alzheimer’s. This training also leads to doctor referrals based on behaviors so that a resident’s primary care physician or neurologist can make an appropriate and early diagnosis. Associates also work with families on an individual basis to help them become the biggest advocates for their loved ones. Through education and understanding, Senior Star is able to meet the needs of those who have the diagnosis of LBD while also assisting the entire family through the disease process. These discussions have proven to be helpful to families and friends who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s or a LBD diagnosis so that all those affected are better prepared to walk this journey together. In addition to having a guest speaker from the Alzheimer’s Association, the leader of the local Quad Cities LBD support group will be on hand to engage in open discussions about this disease. Seminars at Senior Star: • Tuesday, February 17 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Please RSVP no later than Monday, February 16. • Tuesday, February 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Please RSVP no later than Monday, February 23. RSVP by calling 563.484.5114. Seating is limited and light refreshments will be served on both days.
Feel the Warmth
at Senior Star at Elmore Place
We all remember too well the cold and snow of last winter and the travel difficulty and confinement that accompanied it. Senior Star has the solution - Make our community your new home and experience a winter that is filled with warmth, friendships, social events, and world class service. Don’t wait - Visit today and experience Assisted Living at its finest!
Ask about our Winter Warmth Special! Call: 563.275.6968. 4500 Elmore Ave. Davenpor t, IA seniorstar.com AL# S0295
QC Family Focus - February 2015 31
of Inspection and Appeals, which provides respite services to individuals diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Danielle Geyssens joins the CASI Team!
If you think you are “old enough” for what CASI has to offer, give us a call today! We’d be happy to show you what it means to be a senior!
CASI is pleased to announce, that Danielle Geyssens, RN, BSN has joined the CASI family as the 1035 W. Kimberly Rd. Nurse Administrator Davenport, Iowa for the organization’s (563) 386-‐7477 Adult Day Services www.casiseniors.org Program, Jane’s Place. Ms. Geyssens received her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from St. Ambrose University in 2002. She comes to CASI with over 13 years of experience in nursing. Her primary focus has been within the fields of neurology/ neurosurgery, assisted living and hospice care. Ms. Geyssens has dedicated the entirety of her career to the field of geriatrics and dementia care.
Bettendorf Health Care Center
A Place To Call Home 2730 Crow Creek Rd - Bettendorf, IA
2730 Crow Creek Rd • Bettendorf, IA • (563) 332-7463
563.332.7463
• We offer skilled rehab 6 days a week. That means you can get well and go home. • Our elegant dining area comes complete with china, crystal, linen table cloths and fa mily-style dining. • You never know when you might need special care. That’s why we work closely with all area hospitals and accept admissions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • We are conveniently located on Crow Creek in Bettendorf. •We offer tours of our facility 7 days a week! • Activities for all ages and abilities, a variety of religious services, and a caring and competent staff.
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When you can’t go home, we’re the next best thing!
February 2015 - QC Family Focus
Ms. Geyssens resides in Milan, Illinois with her husband and two sons, ages 8 and 2. “I am very excited to meet all of the Jane’s Place clients and their families. We have a wonderful team at Jane’s Place and I look forward to helping Jane’s Place be the best experience for all those we serve,” says Geyssens. Jane’s Place is an Adult Day Program, certified by the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals and Medicaid to provide respite services to individuals diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Participants entering the program receive an initial assessment which ensures that each client receives an individualized service plan that is uniquely geared towards meeting their individual needs. Programming includes activities geared towards socialization, cognitive stimulation, and activities of daily living. Participants play games, do light exercise and are included in activities in the main center such as billiards, ceramics and special luncheons for the CASI membership. Please stop by for an introduction to our new Nurse Administrator, Danielle Geyssens and to receive a tour of Jane’s Place!
Sooner or later, it had to happen: I’m now in the final year of my forties.
Sandwiched: Part I
Generation”. David W. Deuth, CFSP As the Sandwich Generation numbers continue to grow a couple As more and more data has been addedhave to thebeen hardadded to Owner / Funeral Director new varieties of “sandwiches” drive over the years, however, the internal memory has W. Deuth, President the menu: DavidWeerts Funeral Home of Weerts Funeral Home Generation”. bogged down and functions notably slower. The processor •As Club Sandwich: those innumbers their 50s or 60s sandwiched the Sandwich Generation continue to grow, You’re caring for someone – an speed, which I had previously considered tobeen beand among the While for today, I don’t think I’ll have a couple new varieties of “sandwiches” have added to between aging parents, adult children grandchildren elderly parent, perhaps – President and along the Funeral Home best available, is becoming dated . . . and now the partition David W. Deuth, of Weerts the menu: any reservations or regrets when I eclipse or those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, aging way, you’re getting quite an education. • Club Sandwich: those in their 50s orsignificantly 60s sandwiched thatparents recognizes faces seems to perform better You’re caring for someone – an fifty next year, I am content to acknowledge and grandparents. With a great deal of hard work and between parents, andwith grandchildren, elderlythat parent, perhaps – and along the than theaging partition that adult has tochildren come up the care. names. readily I maypart, or may not feel differently • those Open anyone else involved elder sacrifice on your you’ve been able to or inFaced: their 30s and 40s, with youngin children, aging way, you’re getting quite an education. Connecting these dots often returns internal errors; rebooting when I actually getown there. implications of being “sandwiched” can range parentsThe and grandparents. keep them their perhaps With a in great deal ofhome. hard Or work and isfrom occasionally necessary often embarrassing. the save sacrifice A few haveyou’ve caught upOne with me minor to positively overwhelming of the mos • Open Faced: anyone elseand involved in elder care.– Ifone they’re living in YOUR home. way on things your part, been able to button is not pressed before rebooting is required, any new The implications of being “sandwiched” can range that I may as well admit, the most evident significant of which can be in the financial realm. As the keep them in their own home. Or perhaps or another, it’s all worked out OK. Until from minor to positively overwhelming – things one of the most to cos data – and some older data – is lost. of which is my need for “focals”. Three economy continues to tighten and continue they’re living in YOUR home. One way now. Just in case you’re wondering . . . significant ofchecking which be in thehood, financial realm.informed As more After under the I’ve finding been or them, another, worked OK.just Until and more,can many seniors are thatthe– despite of in it’s fact.all One littleout strip for you’re not alone. economy continues to tighten and things continue tooncost now. Just in case you’re wondering . . . that there are no more slots for additional RAM my everything felt seniors like proper retirement the computer; to a larger, lower one just for According more and more,that many are finding that planning – despite 20 years you’re not alone.a 2009 AARP survey, motherboard. [Linda says that at least some of the hard ago – itthat is very possible outlive your money today. reading. The is, aI guess, just for everything else. While they do everything felt like propertoretirement planning 20 years “…more thantopto 42 million Americans provide family According 2009 AARP survey, drive and way too much of the RAM is used for certain non- has its Now that the issue is identified and even help with that for which each is intended, I will sheepishly admit ago – it is very possible to outlive your money today. caregiving for an adult who needs help with daily activities”. “…more than 42 million Americans provide family essential information, such as songs, artists and lyrics of songs thatwhat the issue is workarounds? identified and even has itssolutions name, are the Do good I’m survey stillfor getting usedwho tothat their effect upon traveling themillion stairs. own Now caregiving anindicates adult needs helpadditional with daily activities”. Thethat same “…an 61.6 name, what the workarounds? Do good from thefor ‘70’s. I’veare let herare enjoy that opinion…there was some to these exist those who “sandwiched”? The solutions answers The same survey indicates “…an additional 61.6 million own Either direction. people provide at least somethat care during the year.” exist for those who are “sandwiched”? The answers to these people provide at least some care during the year.” really great music in the ‘70’s and I just can’t bring myself to questions vary, to be sure, and a one-size-fits-all solution is All Perhaps my greatest is attributable to both the fact at the same time, challenge so intense has the care-giving rolequestions vary, to be sure, and a one-size-fits-all solution is All at the same time, so intense has the care-giving role drag it to the recycle bin.] certain folly. The best approach is always to seek and I’mparent(s) another year older and thatyou we’ve beenactually in the Quad Cities certain folly. The best approach is always to seek and obtain obtain forthat your become that may be losing for your parent(s) become that you may actually be losing good, Defragmenting the hard drive, quite effective on set o qualified professional advice your particular for nearly 15 years now. This challenge, of course, isown myfamily. internal sight of ofanother primary responsibility: yourown family.good, qualified professional advice forwhile yourfor particular set of sight another primary responsibility: your my computer, seems a bit more risky for my internal hard circumstances . . . because if your planning doesn’t Rolodex. This internal of my brain has toddlers decidedly Your kids may your nest “home”, whether toddlerscircumstances . . . because if your planning doesn’t do what do wha Your kids maystill stillcall callhard your drive nest “home”, whether it toI’m you need itneed dowhat what you GOT it to do, it’s need itdotowhen do exactly when you it do what GOT it drive. not certain would beyou involved, butto do, it’s space and does not seem to all thatThey isThey required to keep or high-schoolers anything between. need your or limited high-schoolers ororanything inhave between. need yourneed about like having no plan at all. about like having no plan at all. I’m pretty sure that it would have to be something more than time, your guidance, your attention, your affection...and your up your with current demands. Upgrades, I’m are not easy to time, guidance, your attention, yourfinding, affection...and your Next month, we’ll take rounds atake closer look at look one particular resources. Next month, we’ll aofcloser at oneAm particula a few Sudoku and a couple Double Jeopardy. come by for my particular model. resources. scenario that we’re beginning to see more frequently among You’re not alone here, either. Whether you know it or scenario that we’re beginning to see more frequently considering possibly digressing to flashcards. not, Foryou’re the few years lived here, the hard seemed You’re notfirst alone here, either. Whether youdrive know it orthose who are being sandwiched. It might be an eye opener among if caring for awe parent (or other relative) AND areand being sandwiched. It might be anthat eye opene As who I defrag reboot my way to 50, I must admit function pretty well.for When one partition ofchildren, myrelative) hard drive saw for those not,to if you’re caring asupporting) parent (oryour other AND some. Remember Well. caring for (or financially you’re for some. Remember Well. now more than ever, I’m finding new angles on what it might caring fora(or financially yourcould children, someone’s face, the internal Rolodex match name Statistics Source: Wikipedia.com. among rapidly growingsupporting) numberpartition of Americans who ayou’re find Statistics Wikipedia.com. to… Remember Well. David W. Source: Deuth, CFSP, is a funeral director and the owner themselves sandwiched between their responsibilities among rapidly growing number ofsoAmericans whoandfind to thataface. Recall was pretty quick and was the connecting of mean of Weerts Funeral Home inCFSP, Davenport. He beHome reached David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a funeral director is anda owns Weertscan Funeral in Davenport the generations to whom they’re responsible. No surprise, David W. Deuth, funeral director andatthe owne themselves between their responsibilities and563.424.7055 the dots, assandwiched it were. and RiverBend Cremation QuadatCities Pet Cremation in Bettendorf. He can be reached at orFuneral by and email Dave@WeertsFH.com. then, that you are now identified as one of the “Sandwich of Weerts Home in Davenport. He can be reached a the generations to whom they’re responsible. No surprise, 563.424.7055 or by email at Dave@WeertsFH.com. 563.424.7055 or by email at Dave@WeertsFH.com. then, that you are now identified as one of the “Sandwich
Sandwiched: Part I
Just Like A Trusted Friend . . . Just Like Friend . . Us We’llABeTrusted Here When You .Need
We’ll Be Here When You Need Us
www.WeertsFH.com Kimberly at Jersey Ridge Road | Davenport, Iowa 52807 | 563.355.4433 | m.weertsfh.com from web-enabled cell phones 46
MAY 2013 • QC Family Focus
QC Family Focus - February 2015 33 www.WeertsFH.com
assist you in making the best decisions for you. We “February, the Month of Love” and provide not only the facts, but emotional and spiritual
Jennifer Green
Manager, Good Samaritan Society - Services @ Home Clinton, IA
The month of February focuses our attention on love. Cards are bought, candy and flowers are given, kisses abound. But, what is it about love? The deepest expression of love is more than the candy, roses, and cards; it is remembering what Jesus did for us by presenting himself as a living sacrifice for our salvation. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV) The mission of The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is to share God’s love in word and deed by providing shelter and supportive services to older persons and others in need, believing that In Christ’s Love, Everyone Is Someone. We are called to share God’s love in word and deed, we do so by being a leader in supporting well-being, and we know we are effective when each person we serve feels loved, valued, and at peace. Are you or a loved one facing challenges of daily life? May it be a possible surgery, lack of “energy”, weakness, or just the aging process in general? Just because life changes doesn’t mean your entire lifestyle or where you call home has to. There is help when you need it through Good Samaritan Society - Services @ Home. We can help identify what’s important to you
guidance. This is where our concept of care begins. Since its founding in 1922, the Good Samaritan Society has grown to become the nation’s largest not-forprofit provider of senior care and services. Services @ Home is just one of the many services Good Samaritan Society offers. The primary goal of Services @ Home is to help individuals retain their highest level of health and success in their activities of daily living. Services can include: * Relief and respite care * Companionship * Personal hygiene * Bathing and dressing * Meal preparation * Medication reminders * Light housekeeping and laundry * Transportation services The Evangelical Good Samaritan Society has high standards for service and performance. Our staff receives special training to recognize and respond to our client’s individualized needs. If you or someone you know might benefit from our services, call our office nearest you to learn more. We offer a free consultation to discuss services that are available to fit your needs. And so, home is not simply where we live, it’s who we are. It’s what we love, where we feel love, and it’s where we hope to spend the years to come.
H elp to keep you living at home.
To learn more about our services in Iowa and Illinois call (844) 359-4446.
All faiths or beliefs are welcome.
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus
ervices@Home changes S everything. Except the place you live. Services@Home from the Good Samaritan Society offers the assistance you need to keep you living at home. Helping you stay well, keeping you company or having someone provide for your daily needs of living — all things that, as the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services, we’ve had a lot of experience doing. It’s why we’re home to more than 27,000 people, many of whom still live in theirs. To learn more about our services in The Quad Cities and surrounding areas call (844) 359-4446.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, national origin or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws. Some services may be provided by a third party. All faiths or beliefs are welcome. © 2015 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.
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February 2015 - QC Family Focus