Senior focus june july 2016 for ws by Senior Services of Snohomish County

June / July 2016 Vol. 42 No. 5 Published by

Senior Services of Snohomish County

Along with lifetime of experience...

New CEO has ‘heart’ for people agency serves By Teri Baker

Savvy Senior …

How to replace important documents Page 7

Know the signs

June 15 – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Page 9

Visit…

Senior Services at

Elder Fair

Thursday, June 23

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Holiday Inn  3105 Pine St., Everett

Columns…

To add your name to the mailing list, phone 425.290.1277 or send an e-mail to srfocus@sssc.org (include “Add to ML” in the subject line). Donations to cover the costs associated with publishing the Senior Focus are welcome and appreciated.

The Senior Focus is distributed the first week of February, April, June, August, October and December as a community service by Senior Services of Snohomish County. We are committed to educating and entertaining readers with information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community.

BookNook....................................... 22 Elder Info........................................... 6 GetAways (Sr. Travel)..................... 12 Meal Times (Nutrition News)....... 18 Perspective on the Past................ 14 Pet Tails............................................ 23 Senior Spotlight............................... 4 Tech Talk.......................................... 20 Volunteer Connections................. 21

Boeing employees named ‘Powerful Partners’ for 2016 By Teri Baker Every year, Senior Services of Snohomish County recognizes an organization, business or group that supports the agency’s efforts to help elders and people with dis-

abilities by presenting the Powerful Partners award. Past recipients include Verdant Health Commission, Roger Pawley and the Snohomish County Music Project, The Everett Clinic, Heri-

Help shape the future of the Senior Focus The future of newspapers has been widely debated as the industry deals with huge changes in costs and readership. Here at Senior Services, the way the Senior Focus provides news is also being discussed and we want your help! Do the articles meet your needs as a reader? Do you enjoy reading the paper in print or would you prefer to read it online? However you prefer to receive the Senior Focus, we want it to be an information source that you look forward to reading. These are important considerations and over the next few weeks we will conduct a survey

non ProFiT orG uS PoSTAGe PAiD SounD PuBLiShinG 98204

Always stays informed, Page 4 inspires others

that can be completed online, by mail and telephone. If you have access to the internet, you are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete the survey. Simply visit sssc.org and click on the Senior Focus Survey button (right side of the homepage). If you receive a survey in the mail, please give a few minutes of your time to complete and return it. If you receive a call, again we ask you to take a few minutes to answer our questions. As always your responses will be completely anonymous. Thank you for your views to help us shape the Senior Focus to your needs and interests. The Senior Focus is a publication of Senior ServiceS oF SnohomiSh counTy 11627 Airport rd., Suite B everett WA 98204-8714

Rowena Miller …

In its last issue the Senior Focus announced that Stephen McGraw has been selected as the new CEO of Senior Services of Snohomish County. So who is this man, and why should he be heading up the premier nonprofit organization in the county for seniors and people with disabilities. At age 60, Steve not only has a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to contribute, but also a heart for the people the agency serves. “Senior Services is about embracing people who worked hard all their lives,” he says. “It’s like I told my mother: You took care of me when I needed it; now it’s my turn to take care of you.” He adds, “I’m glad I can continue working for people living with a disability, too.” Steve is known throughout Puget Sound as “the turnaround guy” who helps strengthen organizations and leads them to the next level of their vision. “I’m thrilled to be here, thrilled to be on a mission that’s an integral part of the community where I live and work,” he says, referring to Senior Services’ mission of Promoting Independence, Preserving Dignity. “In the few weeks I’ve been here I’ve met business leaders and gov-

ernment officials I believe I can work with,” Steve says. “And, it was obvious from the first day I was here that the people at Senior Services are truly dedicated and terrific to work with. It feels like this is where I belong.” Snohomish County is a long way from New York where Steve and his two siblings were born and reared, but most of his life he has been on a path that would lead to this new position. “Even in high school I knew I wanted to help the community,” Steve Steve McGraw, CEO of Senior Services says. “I was a peer counselor for a drug and alcohol crisis line. That’s applied psychology/organizational where I was exposed to social ser- development at the University of vices, counseling and how people Bridgeport in Connecticut. There do what they do. I learned you can he learned the role of psychology better understand people if you in the community. see them in context.” “It’s about how to create an That experience, along with environment that uses resources helping care for his chronically that lead to healthy lives,” he exill father, led Steve to pursue a plains. “I wanted to become an bachelor’s degree in psychology agent of change. I knew that inand sociology at the University volves health care, education, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 of Buffalo and then a master’s in

tage Bank and Community Transit. The latest honorees are the men and women who work for The Boeing Company. “They are our friends, our neighbors and our families,” says Janet Duncan, Senior Services Development Director. “They believe in giving back to the community.” That is why two separate employee-funded and managed nonprofits have been named Powerful Partners for 2016. They are the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound and the employees of Boeing who participate in the Spirit of the Holidays fund drive. “Our partnership with the employees of The Boeing Company makes such a difference in the work we all do to support seniors and people with disabilities in this community,” Duncan, says. “They have such great heart when it comes to helping people live with dignity and independence.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

POWERFUL PARTNERS Here’s a look at the two groups.

Employee Community Fund

When the Employee Community Fund, or ECF, was established in 1951, it was called the Good Neighbor Fund because Boeing employees and retirees wanted to help people in need and to make a positive difference in the Puget Sound region they call home. They reasoned that combining and effectively managing employee contributions would make a greater impact in the community. They were right. “Boeing is one of the few companies that offer its employees their own ‘pooled-fund’ giving option,” says Colette Ogle, ECF Program Officer. “All giving is meaningful, whether it’s gift matching, volunteering or personal donations. But the ability to combine our resources is what makes ECF unique. “When an individual employee gives a $5 or $10 deduction a paycheck, it adds up quickly when thousands of others are doing the same. When we each give a little, we end up giving a lot!” A single grant from ECF makes a more efficient way for a nonprofit to purchase large-ticket items rather than depend on countless individual donations. Over the years, ECF has donated over $400,000 in direct grants to Senior Services to fund much need-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ed capital equipment, including Meals on Wheels delivery trucks, refrigerators and freezers, computer equipment, and most recently, a new bus to transport clients. Senior Services was not chosen at random. Grant applicants have to be a health and human service nonprofit agency that serves the public interest and has a commitment to improving the overall quality of life for those they serve. “We look for the direct client benefit of each grant to ensure that employees’ contributions directly help those in need,” Ogle says, “We want grants to go to nonprofits and United Ways that address homelessness, food scarcity, healthcare access, youth services, elder care and so forth.” ECF does its homework. Employees elect eight trustees to handle the fund. Trustees not only read grant applications, but actually visit the nonprofits. Trustee Alan Rice, a functional skill manager in tech design and drafting at Boeing, made this year’s visit to Senior Services. “There are always more needs than resources,” Rice muses. “We compare all the requests one to another to make sure we serve where we’re needed most. Based on the number of people they serve and the demographic they

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Boeing employees (left to right) Kevin Hanford, Tommy Dee Walker, Oleg Vakulchik and Ryan Mabbott accept the Powerful Partners award on behalf of the Employee Community Fund at Senior Services’ Classic Vinyl Rock Symphony fundraising event in March.

serve, Senior Services rose to the top. “It’s a well-run agency that makes good use of its money to provide services rather than for administrative costs. We appreciate the service they’re providing to so many in Snohomish County.” Rice has been giving to ECF since he was hired in 1970 and continues to be a booster, encouraging fellow employees to give. Elected a trustee four years ago, he plans to keep on giving and says, “One of my ambitions is to be active in the nonprofit world as a retiree.” Ogle, a Boeing employee since 1998, adds, “It’s an honor to support employees who care about the health and safety of the elders in our community. They’re taking care of the most vulnerable and those in need. You may be helping a stranger, but often you may be helping someone you know. You may be helping a factory worker down the line or an elderly neighbor.” Senior Services deeply appreciates being one of the many nonprofits ECF supports because this Powerful Partner is making a tangible, positive difference in lives of seniors and people with disabilities in Snohomish County. This award is a heartfelt thank you to the Boeing employees who give so generously.

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Spirit of the Holidays

The Spirit of the Holidays, known as SOHO, is an employee drive that helps people in the community who might not otherwise receive gifts during the holiday season. For the past decade, SOHO has brightened the holidays for thousands of Senior Services clients with gift cards that can be used for whatever they want or need. Last Christmas, through SOHO’s Adopt a Client program, the employee group gave close to 400 $50 gift cards to Senior Services clients. “Our employees are super passionate about this drive,” says April Wilson, who manages the employee drive in Puget Sound. “We had 100 percent adoption.” Employees are able to look at the profiles, which include where the senior would like the card to come from, and choose a recipient. Some even select two or more recipients. Wilson and her team cross reference everything to see that people get the right card, and then the employee goes out and buys the card. Senior Services has a stack of letters from grateful recipients. One is from Jimmy, a former Boeing employee, who wrote, “I just got the gift card and I’m thrilled. You know it is for $50. Wow, that is just fantastic. I’m going to use the card at Fred Meyer to buy a special sweater to wear to my family Christmas party.” Debbie wrote, “Thank you so much for the gift card!! What a surprise! You have no idea how much this will help. Thank you again!” “I received a Walmart card and it was a blessing,” wrote Carolyn. “I was able to get food items I needed. Please thank Boeing (employees) for me, Senior Services, and thank you for recommending us. I tell everyone what a great support you’ve been to me …” Letters from grateful recipients speak to the generosity and kindness of those who gave to seniors they don’t even know. Many used the cards for groceries and other necessities. One bought a red tea kettle she could not otherwise afford to bring year-round cheer to her home. All expressed how CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Senior Focus  June/July, 2016

McGraw looks forward to leading SSSC into the future CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

human services and arts and culture. It takes everyone helping the community to be a better place. I wanted to see how all that fit together.” Ready to embark on his career, he thought about where he wanted to work. His father had died while Steve was in college. His mother was doing well. “I just felt I wanted to be someplace else,” he says. “I wasn’t married and could live anyplace I wanted, so I made a list. I loved greenery, lakes and open space, but I also wanted what an urban area has to offer.” His brother had moved to Washington the year before and after a little research, Steve believed that the area fit his wish list, including having an economic future. He sold everything he had, got a oneway ticket to Seattle and arrived August 10, 1980. “It was a day I’ll never forget,” he says. “It was a late, sunny afternoon and my brother picked me up, took me to the waterfront and we got on a ferry to Winslow. We were in the middle of Puget Sound and the sun was setting. I saw the Olympic Mountains in front of us and turned around and saw the Seattle skyline bathed in golden light behind us. Fantasy and reality came together.” He speaks of the pungent cedars, rich farmland and thick forests he saw on that long ride to Forks. The next day his brother took him to Hurricane Ridge. “It felt like I was in the Alps,” he says. “I spent the next two months exploring the Olympic Peninsula.” Thoroughly refreshed, he moved to Seattle and got a job as a behavioral specialist and eventually in management with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). “I enjoyed the clinical part and helping individuals,” he says, “but I came to realize in the management track that through others you can impact thousands of lives.” He had been at UCP for two years before crossing paths with a woman who had been there all along. “I saw this cute girl at the annual meeting and thought I’ll just sit with her,” he says. “As soon as I sat down she jumped up and left to work a night shift. I got her name, Michelle, but not her phone number.” Undaunted, Steve talked her

boss into giving him the information. As soon as he left, Michelle’s boss called her and told her the situation. “When I called Michelle she told me, ‘You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting,’” Steve says, grinning. “We saw each other every day and three months later I proposed. Six months after that we got married.” During their engagement, Michelle talked to Steve about his 70-year-old mother who lived on the East Coast. “She should be here!” Michelle said, to which Steve replied, “I knew there was a reason I asked you to marry me!” The McGraws moved to Lynnwood and Steve’s mother came a while later to live near them and their two daughters. Steve took care of his mom the last 20 years of her life, helping her with transportation, housing, healthcare, shopping, finances and finally hospice. She died in 2010 at the age of 95. “I have a personal and deep appreciation for that time of life,” he says. “I know the importance of our community to help folks at this time to be independent and have a good quality of life. And, that it is so very important that they not be alone at the end.” Meanwhile, Steve went to work for Big Brothers/Big Sisters where the director modeled the importance of being a mentor. He also earned a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Washington and eventually, a Certificate in Ethical Leadership from Seattle University. He was exposed to how healthcare works at his next job as head of community service for Harborview. He managed all volunteers and also raised funds. He then took his financial and management skills to become director of Catholic Community Services of East King County and then assistant director of its Western Washington Community Development Office. “That’s where I learned about public housing,” he says, “and about political advocacy on the grass roots level.” His work was satisfying, his efforts effective, but Steve’s career goal was to work at the executive level of nonprofit management. He became executive director of the Seattle Aquarium Society where

givers, service providers and other interested persons) with news and information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community. Signed articles are the opinion of the Published by writer and not necessarily the opinion of Senior Services of Snohomish County Senior Services or the Senior Focus. 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B Everett WA 98204-8714 Distribution: 20,000 papers are mailed to households and senior-friendly businesses; www.sssc.org 3,000 papers are distributed at drop-off Sharon Ostant, Editor locations including senior centers, retire425.290.1277  srfocus@sssc.org ment communities, libraries, etc. Susan Shoults, Advertising Manager Advertising: The existence of advertising 425.263.1868  srfocusads@sssc.org (including political advertisements) in Published bi-monthly with a readership of this publication is not meant as an en38,000+, the Senior Focus educates and dorsement of the individual, product or entertains readers (seniors, family care- service by anyone except the advertiser.

he developed an entrepreneurial approach to helping nonprofits deliver their services to the community. He took that knowledge with him when he became executive director of Seattle Children’s Museum. It was a real plus during his subsequent decade as executive director of the NW office of Starlight Children’s Foundation. The Foundation helps children hospitalized with terminal and serious illnesses enjoy on-site “Fun Centers” where they can escape the reality of pain and medical treatments for a while using distractive entertainment. Steve says, “The foundation also offers Great Escapes, a host of fun activities that are geared toward the whole family to relieve the emotional impact of serious illness and the medical experience.” Steve’s last stop before coming to Senior Services gave him the opportunity to honor those who had mentored him by paying it forward. The Foundation for Private Enterprise Education dba Washington Business Week is the long, formal title of an education program that teaches college level curriculum in business and entrepreneurship to at-risk youth using professional business people as mentors.

Giving back to his local community is part of who Steve McGraw is. That’s why he joined Seattle Rotary 18 years ago. “Now that I live and work here,” he says, “I’ve transferred to Everett Rotary.” Having balance in his life is also part of who Steve is. He loves to read fiction and nonfiction and to spend time with Michelle. “We enjoy going to plays, theater and concerts,” he says. “We also walk and hike together. As we get older we’ll probably continue to camp, but in a trailer.” Concessions to age are coming, but for now, Steve quips, “It’s great to work where I’m not the old guy.” Steve is serious about leading Senior Services into the future and is already working with the staff and board of directors to keep the agency going forward. “The same needs that have always been there are still there,” he says, “but things are not quite the same as 50 years ago. We need to be relevant and impactful to the realities of today.” Judging from his past accomplishments, Stephen McGraw is up for the challenge.

Aging and Disability Resources Answers Questions – Explores Options 425.513.1900 or 800.422.2024 www.sssc.org

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Plan to join us for the …

Senior Resource Fair Friday, June 17  10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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Visit with representatives from a variety of senior-related businesses and services. Enjoy break-out sessions that will cover a variety of topics: health and wellness, downsizing for seniors, transit travel training, plus more. No-host coffee bar and food will be available all day.

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June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

Edmonds senior stays informed, inspires others Senior Spotlight Someone We’d Like You to Meet…

By Teri Baker Rowena Miller has been interested in government since she was a young girl, and at age 88 is still doing her part to help her fellow citizens understand issues that affect their lives. “No matter where I’ve lived, I’ve been involved with the League of Women Voters,” she says. “It’s been wonderful for getting information about local, state and national issues, and it’s a great way to learn what questions to ask.” She gets asked a lot of questions herself in the locker room at the gym where she swims every weekday morning. “I get caught by young people and old people wanting to find out what’s going on in the world,” she says. “I’m interested in what they have to say, too. We should all keep with up with things.” Many aspects of the League appeal to this gentle Edmonds woman. “It’s political, but not partisan,” she says. “We try everything we can to get money out of politics. We really try to be open and transparent, and we study the pros and cons of the issues so we can be less

biased and more factual.” She has served on several study committees, including the Children’s Service Committee raising awareness of the sexual exploitation of children. Study committees research and clarify a public issue of concern, develop a focus and present the facts to the membership so it can decide whether to take a position. Through the League she keeps abreast of issues involving protecting the environment, fair taxation and health care for everyone. She also helps with voter registration. Rowena’s community work extends beyond the League. A member of the Alliance of Citizens for Edmonds, she helps provide citizens and elected officials with accurate information about land use. “We want to promote responsible development that preserves our city’s natural environment,” Rowena says, “meaning our trees, streams, beaches, parks and open space, the things that give Edmonds its unique charm.” It was 34 degrees the night she joined the Edmonds Taskforce on Homelessness. “People need help,” she says. “People become homeless for all kinds of reasons. Some are well-educated, but can’t find jobs because they don’t have an address. Some have jobs but don’t make enough to pay rent

because it is so high. Some are mentally ill; some are on drugs, but they don’t have the right kind of resources. We’re working to find solutions.” Rowena has a silent approach to another issue of deep personal concern. Since 2003 she has dedicated every Sunday to a peace vigil at Brackett’s Landing by the Edmonds ferry dock. “It’s a vigil protesting war in Iraq,” Rowena says. “We hold signs to raise awareness and little by little get our message across of ‘No War.’” She has always taken the most peaceful approach possible, whether holding signs, participating in marches or explaining Rowena Miller holds a ‘No More War’ sign at a peaceher position on social ful vigil to protest the war in Iraq. justice. She says her commitment stems from her par- to see different attitudes about ents, whom she describes as “pro- various issues. She looks back gressive people.” fondly on parts of her childhood. Her father’s work with the “We always had a garden,” she YMCA meant the family moved a says. “We spent a lot of time on my lot, giving Rowena, who was born grandparents’ farm. I learned to in Peoria, Illinois, an opportunity CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Senior Focus  June/July, 2016

PARTNERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

much the card meant to them, and many referred to the Boeing employees as friends because that’s what you call people who remember you and bring you joy. Wilson, who takes care of a 90-year-old relative, has a personal perspective of the importance of remembering elders. “We can’t forget our seniors,” she says, “They have made a huge difference in the whole community. Giving back to those who are less fortunate is all

ROWENA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

cook on a wood stove, and I know how to clean the glass globes of kerosene lamps.” Rowena started high school in Ohio but finished in St. Louis, Missouri before going to Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. “At the time it was the only college in the country that was a co-op,” she says. “We would study for three months, then work somewhere, then come back for classes, then work another three months and so on. Some of the places I worked were New York City; Savanna, Georgia; and Detroit, Michigan.” Working in the south gave her a firsthand look at the evils of segregation and fueled her commitment to social justice. Her introduction to the League shortly after her graduation in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology and education gave her a way of addressing issues in a meaningful way. She had her degree, but it would be 20 years before she would enter the job market. She had met Tom Miller in 1948, two years before graduation. “I always say we had an arranged marriage,” she says. “My parents and his went to the same church and thought we should get married.” Her secret to a successful 55year marriage: “You have to be committed, keep working at it and laugh a lot.” Because of Tom’s marketing career, the family, which would grow to include five children, moved often. “I was glad to be able to stay home with the kids,” Rowena says, “and even though we didn’t have money, I had time to volunteer. I’ve been a leader in the League wherever we’ve lived.” They were in Duluth, Minnesota in 1952 when a large corporation bought out the refrigeration company where Tom worked. “They put 600 people, including the marketing department and my husband, out of work overnight,” Rowena says. “It was a terrible blow to those people and to the city.” The Millers would experience the same thing again and again, especially while Tom did marketing for aerospace companies. In 1967 they came to Edmonds, and Tom worked for Fluke for a short

important. Often families, if there are families around, are in dire need themselves and can’t help. Our employees are happy to do what they can.” Of course SOHO can’t be everything to everyone. That drive, like the three other employee drives Wilson manages, has criteria the 38 agencies it partners with must meet. “It’s based on need level,” she says. “The agency must be a nonprofit health and service organization with a mission that clearly defines its purpose and those they time before starting his own consulting business, which did well until his partner died. “His company had a contract with the Kent School District, and they needed a librarian,” Rowena says. “He got the job and loved working with the kids.” Rowena understood that the family now needed a second income. With her youngest child now in school, she got a job with the Mukilteo School District. She says, “I taught kindergarten and then graduated to first grade.” She also earned a master’s degree in education from Western Washington University and is proud that Tom went on to get a master’s degree in librarianship and a doctorate in education from the University of Washington. Rowena retired in 1991. “My husband was home for two years before I retired,” she says. “He was so glad to have me home to cook for him again.” They had 15 more years together before Tom died. “We traveled the United States and camped and visited national parks.” Rowena says. “We mostly drove so we could stop at little towns and go in their museums.” These days Rowena is a docent at Edmonds Historical Museum twice a month. She still drives, does a little gardening and enjoys walking every day. She doesn’t think much about age. “I have a lot of friends well into their nineties and they’re doing quite well,” she says, “I plan to stay active, just not quite so active. These are my turtle years – I’m slow, but I get there.” With Maggie, the laid back Australian Shepherd Rottweiler mix dog she and Tom rescued a decade ago at her feet, Rowena says she plans to go through photos, papers and her husband’s airplane collection. “I also want to write for my kids,” she says. “I get lots of help from the kids.” Four live nearby, the fifth in Portland. They all enjoy coming to her house for birthdays, holidays and “just because.” She is too humble to say so, but Rowena continues to inspire her family and her community as she encourages them to stay aware and informed about things that affect them and others. And to do what they can to help. As she puts it, “Never underestimate the power of lots of people doing little things.”

serve and have an infrastructure in place so the agency can help manage the program on its end.” Senior Services certainly fills the bill and is pleased and grateful that Boeing employees continue to partner with the agency to promote independence and preserve dignity for seniors and for people with disabilities in the community. As for the employees, Wilson says, “They appreciate the opportunity to give back and combine their giving to do more.” Powerful Partners indeed.

Generous employees Over the years, Boeing employees have contributed $600 million in grants in eight Puget Sound counties. These direct grants to nonprofits include equipment, renovation and capital campaigns that positively impact the children, families and individuals who seek assistance from these organizations.

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June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

Promises, promises Both of the Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, are advancing a proposition that would allow younger individuals to participate in Medicare. Clinton’s would affect those 50 and older while Sanders would open it up to all Americans. Nei-

Visit Senior Services at

Elder Fair

Thursday, June 23

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ther has put any price tag on possible costs. The Chicago Tribune has called Clinton’s plan “modestly radical” while Sanders received a 58 percent approval rating in a recent Gallup poll. This is an outgrowth of the previous background of both individuals. Sanders has long advocated to expand Medicare as a single-payer health care plan and Clinton is famous for heading the commission that drew up a national health care plan – later shot down – during her husband’s first administration. For additional information, visit chicagotribune.com and commondreams.org. – Cheryl Keyser

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By Cynthia Nowowiejski, MSW Senior Services of Snohomish County

My friend’s husband died recently. I did attend the funeral service and have briefly spoken with her. How can I be helpful to her now and in the future?

The first few months following a death are a time when a friend or family member may need the most assistance and support. While you cannot take away the pain of the loss, you can provide comfort and support just by staying in touch and listening when she wants to talk. Asking for help can be very difficult for many people experiencing grief. They may not feel comfortable asking for help or may not have the energy to request assistance. You can make it easier for your friend by offering specific help. For example, “I am going to the grocery store this afternoon. Do you need anything?” or “I made a large pot of soup. I would like to drop by and bring you some. Would that be all right?” There are many practical ways you might help your friend. You may have specific strengths or abilities which could be helpful. Make telephone calls or write letters for her Complete necessary forms or paperwork Return containers from food provided by friends Take care of watering houseplants (as necessary) Provide transportation to the store or an appointment Help her to sort her husband’s clothing items & donate them to her preferred organization Invite her for a coffee break at a local coffee shop or bakery

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Offer to prepare lunch at your home or bring a picnic lunch to her home Spend time with her doing a fun activity (card game, puzzle or craft project). You can also offer an open invitation by saying, “Let me know what I can do.” This may help your friend to feel more comfortable about asking for help. Be careful not to be pushy. Don’t pressure your friend into an activity for which she doesn’t feel ready. Know that events and days of the year like holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, can be difficult. Be sensitive to these times. Let your friend know that you are aware of the special day and that you’re thinking of her. A “thinking of you” card and short message can be helpful. Ask if she would like company or prefer to be alone. You may feel you should avoid using the name of her husband so you don’t cause more sadness. This is not necessary or helpful. Friends must know that their loved one is still remembered and acknowledged in conversations. By mentioning him, you let her know that you think about him too. The pain of losing a spouse never goes away, but the love and support of friends can ease that pain. A small action may be very beneficial. Thoughtful acts will let your friend know that she is not alone. Information adapted from How to Help A Grieving Friend, Mount View Funeral Home, Tacoma WA Aging and Disability Resources is the gateway to access services for older adults and people with disabilities in Snohomish County. To speak with an Information Specialist who will listen to your concerns, answer questions and explore options, phone 425-5131900 or 800-422-2024.

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How to replace vital documents Dear …

Savvy Senior By Jim Miller

Can you tell me how to go about replacing important documents? My wife and I recently downsized to a retirement community, and somewhere in the move we lost our Social Security and Medicare cards, birth certificates, marriage license and passports. Worried Ron Dear Ron, Replacing important documents that are lost, stolen or damaged is pretty easy if you know where to turn. Here are the replacement resources for each document you mentioned, along with some tips to protect you from identity theft, which can happen if your documents end up in the wrong hands. Birth certificate: If you were born in the U.S., contact the vital records office in the state where

Letters alert eligible Medicare beneficiaries to missed benefits The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently mailed letters to Medicare beneficiaries who may qualify for help with out-ofpocket medical and drug expenses. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) encourages beneficiaries who receive a letter to take action to learn more about the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) and Extra Help. For Snohomish and Skagit County beneficiaries, it’s as easy as contacting the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors progam. The letters are sent annually to Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes who could be eligible for – but are not enrolled in – an MSP, which helps with Medicare out-of-pocket costs, or Extra Help, which helps with the costs of prescription drugs. “These letters are an important notification that Medicare beneficiaries should review and consider,” said Leslie Fried, Senior Director of the NCOA Center for Benefits Access. Each state has a health insurance assistance program that provides free, unbiased, one-onone insurance counseling and as-

In Washington State, for information about health care options, including Medicare, contact the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors. Snohomish County: 425-290-1276 Skagit County: 360-707-5567 Outside of Skagit and Snohomish County call the Washington State Insurance Commissioner’s office: 800-562-6900. sistance to Medicare beneficiaries and can help older adults and people with disabilities find and apply for benefits. Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible for MSPs and Extra Help also may be eligible for other benefits to supplement their monthly income. To find state, local, and federal benefits through a free, confidential screening, visit NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp.org or in Snohomish County call Aging and Disability Resources. a program of Senior Services at 425513-1900, 800-422-2024. +

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from $5 to $30), and divorce decree documents can be obtained from the county clerk’s office for the city or county in which the divorce was granted. Passport: A lost passport also puts you at risk for identity theft, so you need to report this as soon as possible to the U.S. State Department. Go to travel.state.gov and search for Report Lost Passport and fill out Form DS-64. You’ll receive an e-mail acknowledging that your report was received. Within a couple of days, you’ll receive another e-mail (or letter, if you request that option) confirming that your passport has been entered into the Consular Lost or Stolen Database. You can apply for a replacement passport at a Passport Application Acceptance Facility. Many post offices, public libraries and local government offices serve as such facilities. You can search for the nearest authorized facility at iafdb.travel.state.gov. The fee for a replacement passport is $135.

puts you at risk for identity theft. If you find that someone uses your Social Security number to obtain credit, loans, telephone accounts, or other goods and services, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-4384338 or visit IdentityTheft.gov. This site will also give you specific steps you’ll need to take to handle this problem. Medicare card: To replace your Medicare card for free, call Social Security 800-772-1213 or contact your local SSA office. You can also request one online at ssa. gov/myaccount. Your card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days. By losing your Medicare card, you also need to watch out for Medicare fraud. So check your Medicare Summary Notice for services you did not receive and, if you spot any, call the Inspector General’s fraud hotline at 800447-8477 to report them. Marriage certificate: Contact your state’s vital records office to order a copy (see cdc.gov/ nchs/w2w.htm). You’ll need to provide full names for you and your spouse, the date of your wedding, and the city or town where the wedding was performed. Fees range from $10 to $30. Note: Divorce certificates can also be ordered from your state’s vital records office (fees range

you were born (see cdc.gov/nchs/ w2w for contact information). This office will give you specific instructions on what you need to do to order a certified copy and what it will cost you. Birth certificate fees range between $9 and $30. Social Security card: You can replace a Social Security card for free, and if you live in the District of Columbia, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington or Wisconsin, you can do it online at ssa.gov/ssnumber. If, however, you live outside these areas, you’ll need to fill out Form SS-5 (ssa.gov/forms/ss-5. pdf) Mail or drop it off at your nearby Social Security office, along with your U.S. driver’s license, or a state-issued non-driver ID card or a U.S. passport (photocopies are not accepted). Any documents you mail in will be returned to you. To find the Social Security office in your area, call 800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov and search for find an office You also need to be aware that losing your Social Security card

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June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

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sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you’ll know that you need to call 9-1-1. F Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven? A Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly? T Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. – www.strokeassociation.org

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Don’t forget to remember By Cecil Scaglione Does that old joke about having read a book about how to remember things but you forgot where you put it come to mind? There have been millions of forgotten words spoken and written over the years about how to use numbers and images and mnemonics – huh? – and an assortment of gimmicks to retain what you read, learned or saw. Your reasons for training your memory to retain memories probably have changed over the decades. When you were young, it probably was focused on phone numbers of a widening circle of friends. Later, remembering names and titles and job descriptions of superiors and subordinates in the workplace became significant. Somewhere along the line it became important to build and sustain a library of knowledge pertaining to your career, childrearing, political shades in our community, and an array of lifestyle and financial factors. Then came the looming peril of dementia. Not everyone is so doomed but the 40 million folks over 65 suffering some brain bewilderment are expected to double by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease is not the only cause of addled brainpower. In fact, many medical experts are beginning to accommodate the concept that dementia is a combination of disorders in many cases. That doesn’t mean you should give up, hunker down and accept what you believe to be inevitable. Most everyone agrees physical and mental activity and exercise help maintain a healthy brain. Keeping your body in shape by swimming, walking, lifting weights, bicycling, yoga or any combination of these have been cataloged as brain-maintenance factors. Reading, writing a journal, lunch with friends, doing crossword and other puzzles, and taking classes to learn new languages or crafts are listed among brain-power enhancers. While the scientific and medical

communities work on how to stop brain-damaging plaques from building up over the years, there are steps you can take to stop you from going daft. Regardless of your age, start now. Your first step is physical – physical exercise. This alone reportedly promotes the growth of new brain cells, which, of course, increases your brain power and/or offsets some brain-power loss. To make exercise a bit easier, get enough sleep. And keep in mind that naps are good, regardless of your age. It’s a scientific fact that waste products that accumulate in your brain while awake are flushed out during a good night’s sleep. There’s also evidence that seniors who socialize regularly with friends and family are 70 percent less likely to slip into dementia than loners. The use-it-or-lose-it mantra mouthed by physical fitness gurus also applies to your brain. This means doing things like travel to soak in new customs and cultures, learn to play bridge or a musical instrument, organize trivia contests with your circle of friends and relatives, or volunteer some of your time and talent to an organization you feel is worthy of your contribution. – Mature Life Features©

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CONNECT WITH OTHERS STAY ACTIVE ENJOY LIFE The YMCA of Snohomish County offers a variety of programs and activities specifically for older adults. From aerobics to yoga, water exercise or special trips, you are sure to find many enjoyable opportunities to stay healthy and connect with others. There’s a Y near you: Everett Marysville Mill Creek Monroe Mukilteo

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Senior Focus  June/July, 2016

World’s older population grows dramatically The world’s older population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate according to a NIHfunded Census Bureau report. Today, 8.5 percent of people worldwide (617 million) are aged 65 and over. According to a new report, “An Aging World: 2015,” this percentage is projected to jump to nearly 17 percent of the world’s population by 2050 (1.6 billion). “An Aging World: 2015” was commissioned by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, and produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. The report examines the demographic, health and socioeconomic trends accompanying the growth of the aging population. “Older people are a rapidly growing proportion of the world’s population,” said NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. “People are living longer, but that does not necessarily mean that they are living healthier.” The increase in the aging population presents “many opportunities and also several public health challenges that we need to prepare for,” Hodes said. “NIA has partnered with Census to provide the best possible data so that we can better understand the course and implications of population aging.” The report includes detailed information about life expectancy, gender balance, health, mortality, disability, health care systems, labor force participation and retirement, pensions and poverty among older people around the world. “We are seeing population aging in every country in every part of the world,” said John Haaga, Ph.D., acting director of NIA’s Division of Behavioral and Social Research. “Many countries in Europe and Asia are further along in the process, or moving more rapidly, than we are in the United States. Since population aging affects so many aspects of public life – acute and long-term health

care needs; pensions, work and retirement; transportation; housing – there is a lot of potential for learning from each other’s experience.” Highlights of the report include: America’s 65-and-over population is projected to nearly double over the next three decades, from 48 million to 88 million by 2050. By 2050, global life expectancy at birth is projected to increase by almost eight years, climbing from 68.6 years in 2015 to 76.2 years in 2050. The global population of the “oldest old” – people aged 80 and older – is expected to more than triple between 2015 and 2050, growing from 126.5 million to 446.6 million. The oldest old population in some Asian and Latin American countries is predicted to quadruple by 2050. Among the older population worldwide, noncommunicable diseases are the main health concern. In low-income countries, many in Africa, the older population faces a considerable burden from both noncommunicable and communicable diseases. Risk factors – such as tobacco and alcohol use, insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruit, and low levels of physical activity – directly or indirectly contribute to the global burden of disease. Changes in risk factors have been observed, including a decline in tobacco use in some high-income countries. The majority of smokers worldwide now live in low- and middle-income countries. The report was prepared by Wan He, Ph.D., and Daniel Goodkind. Ph.D., of the International Programs Center in the Population Division of the Census Bureau, and Paul Kowal, Ph.D., of the World Health Organization’s Study on Global Aging and Adult Health. Research for and production of the report were supported under an interagency agreement with NIA’s Division of Behavioral and Social Research.

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Elder Abuse - know the signs, how to report Wednesday, June 15, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. On that day, communities in the U.S. and all over the world will sponsor events to highlight the growing tragic issue of elder abuse. Senior Focus readers – young and old – should know that the U.S. Administration on Aging estimates that as many as one in 10 older Americans are abused or neglected each year. Older adults are contributing members of society, and their abuse or neglect diminishes all of us. America has confronted and addressed the issues of child abuse and domestic violence, but, as a society we have for too long ignored the issue of elder abuse. Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, financial and sexual. It also includes people who are neglected and those who neglect themselves (self-neglect). Elders who are abused are twice as likely to be hospitalized, four

times as likely to go into nursing homes and three times as likely to die prematurely. While most abusers are family members, trusted professionals and complete strangers also target older adults. Abuse can happen in any setting: in the older adult’s own home, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities. Elder abuse can be prevented if everyone would treat older Americans with respect and care. Learning the warning signs of abuse and knowing how to report it is another great step. Adult Protective Services (866221-4909 in Washington), the police (911), and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (800-562-6028) are organizations that you can call for assistance and information. For information on how you can stop elder abuse, visit the National Center on Elder Abuse at ncea. aoa.gov or by call the national Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.

 Neglect • Lack of basic hygiene, adequate food, or clean and appropriate clothing  Lack of medical aids (glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, medications) • Person with dementia left unsupervised • Person confined to bed is left without care  Home cluttered, filthy, in disrepair or having fire and safety hazards  Home without adequate facilities (heat, cooling, working plumbing, electricity, stove, refrigerator  Untreated “Bed” sores (pressure ulcers)

 Financial Abuse/Exploitation

•Uncharacteristic changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness • Caregiver isolates elder (doesn’t let any one into the home or speak to the elder) •Caregiver is verbally aggressive or demean ing, controlling, overly concerned about spending money, or uncaring

 Psychological/Emotional Abuse • Lack of amenities victim could afford • Vulnerable elder/adult “voluntarily” giving uncharacteristically excessive financial reimbursement/gifts for needed care and companionship • Caregiver has control of the elder’s money but is failing to provide for elder’s needs • Vulnerable elder/adult has signed property transfers, new will, Power of Attorney, etc. but is unable to comprehend the transaction or what it means.

 Physical/Sexual Abuse

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10 June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

Learn to manage your health condition and live your best life Chronic illnesses have emerged as a major health concern for Americans, especially seniors. This concern has people focusing on not only living longer but on maintaining or even improving their capacity to live well. If you are suffering with a chronic condition, you may want to register for a Living Well workshop. The six-week workshop provides tools for living a healthy life with a chronic health condition, including diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma and heart disease. Through weekly sessions,

the workshop provides support for continuing normal daily activities and dealing with the emotions that chronic conditions may bring about. This evidence-based model – known as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) – was developed by the Stanford University School of Medicine The model emphasizes a person’s role in managing his/her illness. Peer trainers help participants build self-confidence and adopt healthy behaviors. Subjects covered include:

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Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation. Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance. Appropriate use of medications. How to communicate effectively with family, friends and health care professionals. Nutrition and making healthy food choices How to evaluate new treatments. The program is especially helpful for people with more than one chronic condition, as it gives them the skills to coordinate all the things needed to manage their health and helps them keep active.

There is no charge to participate in the Living Well workshops. Registration is required.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS Living Well with Diabetes Tuesdays, 5:30-8 p.m., July 19 thru August 23. The workshop will be held at The Center for Healthy Living, 4100 Alderwood Mall Blvd., Lynnwood. It is cosponsored by Group Health and Senior Services. To register, call the Group Health Resource Line at 800-992-2279. Living Well with Chronic Conditions Fridays, 9-11:30 a.m., July 8 thru August 12. The workshop will be held at The Everett Clinic, 4420 76th St. N.E., Marysville. To register, call Amy at 425-265-2283.

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4/28/16 1:24 PM

Senior Focus  June/July, 2016 Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act

CARE Act...a common sense solution for those caring for an older loved one By Cathy MacCaul

AARP Advocacy Director

On March 29, 2016 the Washington State Legislative session came to an end. At the end of each session I am often asked how I thought things went for older Washingtonians and their families. It’s difficult not to express frustration when crucial health and human service programs were not included in the final budget. Funding decisions on education were placed on hold because no one, especially legislators up for re-election, want to wrestle with where to find new revenue to meet the state’s obligations under the McCleary ruling. It was also disappointing to watch the failure of legislation that would have helped increase the criminal penalties for the financial exploitation of older adults. Yet, these setbacks cannot overshadow one significant milestone AARP and its coalition partners achieved this session. Washington State became the 22nd state in the nation to pass the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act. It was passed unanimously by the Washington State Legislature during the regular session and was signed by Governor Inslee on April 1. The CARE Act is a common sense solution to help those caring for their older mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and other loved ones so they can live independently. The law ensures family caregivers have key support as their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home. The passage of this bill reflects the important role an estimated 1.2 million caregivers in Washington State play and the desire to support them in receiving the training they need so they can help their loved ones stay at home, where they want to be. While the legislative process can be frustrating, at times, I was inspired by the reaction of my 17-year-old daughter when she heard that the bill had passed. For much of the month of March the AARP team, along with a few “willing” teenage volunteers, were up to their elbows looking up and sorting thousands of signed CARE Act petitions from Washingtonians around the state into their specific legislative districts. It wasn’t the most glamorous of tasks, but my daughter and those of a few of my colleagues rolled up their sleeves and pitched in. In the end, an estimated 12,000

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cards and letters of support were delivered to legislators by teams of volunteers and staff from AARP, the Area Agencies on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington. Later on, and after three weeks of intense advocacy and outreach, the CARE Act was nearing the March 10 deadline to receive its final vote. The night before, my daughter could tell I was getting anxious about the outcome. While she was more familiar than usual with the issue at hand, it wasn’t at all unusual for my daughter to see her mom get worked up about her job. But when I was able to tell her the next day that the bill had unanimously passed out of the Senate and the House and was on its way to the Governor’s desk, it was as if a light bulb had gone off for her and she realized that the cards she had sorted contributed to the effort to pass the CARE Act. She was beaming with a sense of pride and accomplishment, and a feeling of being part of something big. It’s not every day that I get to connect my day-to-day work at AARP with the concerns and priorities of my teenage daughter. Watching her realize the importance of getting involved in the fight for positive social change, and how her efforts can truly make a difference, certainly helps

Governor Inslee is joined by bill advocates as he signs SSB6327, known as the “CARE Act.” The new law helps provide family caregivers with key support as their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home.

quell the frustration I might feel about those issues we didn’t prevail on this go-around. So now when people ask me how the session went, I reply with pride that a group of coalition

partners, volunteers, AARP members AND a few teenagers made a huge difference in helping make Washington State just a slightly better place to live in and grow old.

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12 June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

Oxnard offers food for thought Get Aways Adventures in Travel

By Tom Morrow Oxnard, Calif. – What used to be a wide spot along California’s venerable U.S. 101 highway is now a sprawling city of nearly 300,000, yet it’s still very much a farming community. The fresh vegetables and fruit that grow around and even throughout the city are featured in cafes and restaurants throughout Oxnard. It’s this old coastal city’s bountiful crops and the seafood gathered fresh each day that help make a local chef’s life one of pure pleasure. Oxnardians will tell you what their city has to offer leaves no reason to go elsewhere. The “Big Avocado” to the south has nothing other than some movie-making as a draw. About that name Oxnard. Henry T. Oxnard and his three brothers settled on the fertile flatlands of Ventura County some 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Their success grew with their lucrative sugar beet crops. As the community grew from a sleepy coastal farming city, there was an attempt by some newcomers to change it

to something, well, less “hokey” sounding. Old-timers prevailed, wanting no part of a change. Besides the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers’ Market that sets up every Sunday for seafood, fruit and vegetables, there’s the downtown market every Thursday on Plaza Park between 9 a.m. at 1 p.m. If you’re not available to shop on those two days, there are always roadside fruit and vegetable stands set up throughout and around the city. You can find any cuisine you can think of among the many restaurants in Oxnard. The downtown Kitchen offers a variety of area microbrewery beers and a Mexican-style menu for which owner and chef Cathie Moreno has created several selections you won’t find anyplace else. One of these she calls Halogen, a Mexican-style won-ton filled with cream cheese – just one of many snacks to complement the beer of your choice before sitting down to a sumptuous Mexican dinner. For an evening of dockside surf and turf at Channel Island Harbor, we tried The Waterside. This is an indoor-outdoor coastal-California-style eatery with a menu that varies from $8 to $38 for a selection of seafood, pork and beef. The rib-eye is an especially generous offering prepared the

Savory satisfaction best describes the feeling after working with chef Michelle Kenny at Oxnard’s La Dolce Vita preparing your own special Italian dish. – Tom Morrow photo

sold for $20,000 plus. No auto in the collection has a price tag of less than $1 million, but none are for sale. His Bugatti Type 13 two-seat roadster valued, at more than $40 million, is said to be the most expensive car in the world. The company, which is owned by Volkswagen, continues to produce about 600 cars per year, but none are handmade any longer. The Mullin Automotive Museum is available for private functions and is open only on select days. Check for details at mullin automotivemuseum.com. A major local attraction is a cruise to nearby Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary. Dolphins leap playfully around the tour boat and CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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way you like it. La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) offers several Italian selections with a twist: owner and executive chef Michelle Kenny will give you cooking lessons. You choose the dish you’d like to eat, and she’ll guide you through the preparation process. She charges $55, and it’s well worth it. She’ll take up to six students for this eating entertainment. A full list of eateries can be found online at visitoxnard.com. Popular among the many local crops are strawberries. The community celebrates this fruit at a festival which boasts strawberries every way imaginable along with a host of cooking demonstrations, concerts, and other activities. There’s also an annual banana festival that features dozens of ways to enjoy this fruit. Bananas aren’t grown here, but that doesn’t stop Oxnard and surrounding communities from celebrating ways to enjoy this fruit. One of the most luxurious auto museums in the nation – the Mullin Automotive Museum – can be found in a local industrial park. Insurance mogul Peter Mullin made it his mission in life to collect the world’s classic, one-of-akind roadsters, including Bugattis. Most were hand-crafted to order in the 1920s and ’30s and

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Senior Focus  June/July, 2016

Laverne Bunney celebrates 107th birthday

This one-of-akind 1920s custom-built Bugatti, said to be one of the most expensive car in the world, is among the features of the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard’s industrial park. – Tom Morrow Photo

OXNARD

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

an occasional shark passes by. To add to the excitement, whales also make their presence known, most frequently between May and September. Some of the seven Channel Islands are available for hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and camping, while other islands are strictly off-limits. There is a huge population of sea lions and seals along with a variety of sea fowl that nest along the rugged cliffs.

Aging and Disability Resources Answers Questions – Explores Options 425.513.1900 or 800.422.2024 www.sssc.org

Back at the harbor, you can check out the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. For more information on the museum go to cimmvc.org; for island excursions, contact Island Packers at island packers.com. – Mature Life Features ©

Congratulations to Laverne Bunney who celebrated her 107th birthday on April 15 with a party at Brookdale Arbor Place where she lives. Laverne, the oldest of seven children, was raised in a small town in North Dakota Her father worked on the Great Northern Railway as a machinist. Living in town, Laverne would see the railroad workers walking down the street and that’s how she met her husband. They dated for about a year and then married in 1928. Later her husband became involved in the trucking business; Laverne kept the books and was the “gofer.”

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The Bunneys had four children, three daughters and a son. Over the years, Laverne has kept busy reading, listening to music and keeping house. She now enjoys card games and associating with friends she has made at Brookdale Arbor Place. She likes to read the daily newspaper especially the Herald. She doesn’t like TV much “it’s just a lot of racket.” Says Laverne, “My life has been normal, no great hardships or problems. I try to be happy and comfortable and be satisfied making the most of what I have. I like to let things come naturally and go with the flow. I make the most of everything to be satisfied.”

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14 June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

The interesting story of Timberline Kate (Katherine Knowlton) Perspective on the Past By Betty Lou Gaeng Even though long-time Edmonds resident Kate Knowlton remained single and alone, she lived a full life. She was a private nurse, an Army nurse, a silentfilm actress, a real estate agent, the proprietor of a tea room, and a mine owner and prospector. Kate’s story begins in Minnesota, where she was born August 26, 1880, the eldest of the seven children of Lyman Ezekiel Knowlton and Eleanor Adella Stone. Her father was from a prominent Canadian pioneer family in South Stukely, Quebec. In Minnesota, the family lived on a farm in LacQuiParle County. When Kate was 10 years old, the family moved to her father’s hometown. South Stukely, near Magog in the southern part of Quebec, has an interesting history. Founded in 1855, the area was actually settled in the late 1700s by New England Loyalists. The Knowltons’ family tomb is prominent in the old South Stukely Cemetery across Highway 112 from St. Mathews Methodist Church. Built in 1852, it was cemented shut in

Miss Knowlton, a character actress in the movie, would appear in person to give a talk on filming motion pictures in Hollywood. The movie was a success. For 43-yearold Kate, Edmonds became her hometown. An article in the May 1972 magazine The True West Frontier Times reported that when Kate first visited, she liked the salt air, the green foliage and the mild climate so much, she decided to remain. Kate worked An older Kate Knowlton at her Monte Cristo cabin. as a nurse and Photo courtesy of The True West Frontier Times, May 1972. a real estate agent. In 1927, she purchased the Later, deciding the real estate former Stevens Building located business was not for her, she on the northwest corner of Fifth exchanged her building for the and Main in Edmonds and began Brookside Inn north of town. Her a real estate business in what old friend Walter Reece had opbecame known as the Knowlton erated a road house in the large building. Brookside Inn became Building. Kate’s home, and for a short time she operated a tea room there. In the meantime, Kate still worked as a private nurse. Her last patient was Edmonds real estate and insurance man, Frank Peabody. In the late 1920s, with his health failing, Peabody hired The Herald has been delivering Kate to care for him at his home quality coverage on local sports, in Edmonds and also at his cabpolitics, entertainment and in at Monte Cristo, Snohomish County’s old mining town. shopping... In 1889, Peabody along with Joseph Pearsall had been first to make the discovery of the gold ore and to stake claims at what became the mines of Monte Cristo. Even though the glory days of the mines had long faded, Peabody maintained ownership of his claims and his on-site cabin. While caring for her patient at Monte Cristo, Kate often hiked the trails and fell in love with the mountains. Eventually, Kate’s enthusiasm for Monte Cristo earned her the affectionate title of Tim-

1906, and a monument gives the names of those entombed. The grave of Kate’s father is outside, but near the tomb. Kate resided with both parents in Quebec during her school years and nurse’s training. However, in 1910 her parents separated and Kate, her mother, and her siblings returned to the States – this time to South Dakota. With the onset of WWI, now living in Oregon, Kate enlisted as a Red Cross nurse in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She served until she was discharged in September of 1919. Following Army duty, Kate lived for a short time with her mother in South Dakota. She was in Southern California when she was noticed by Walter Reece, a resident of Edmonds, WA. Producing and directing movies in Hollywood and Edmonds, Reece was becoming well known in the silent motion picture industry. This meeting led to a role for Kate in one of his productions. After five months filming, the two-reel comedy-drama made its debut locally when the Edmonds Tribune-Review announced that the Hollywood movie, Clothes and the Man, was to be shown Thursday evening, May 1, 1924 at the Princess Theater in downtown Edmonds. The article said that

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Senior Focus  June/July, 2016

TIMBERLINE KATE

Crooks cruise cyberspace vacation sites

made a career of it. When she came to town, it was to protest to the police, the newspaper office, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 the schools, or anyone else who cation-rental scams usually use berline Kate. would listen that something be By Cecil Scaglione When Peabody died in 1930, done about boys tossing rocks on Making travel accommodations wire-transfer services, which Kate continued to spend time at her roof, or otherwise tormenting and connections online is highly make them difficult to trace and impossible for victims to recoup Monte Cristo with his widow, Kit- her.” convenient, but it also can be their money. The crooks also cretie. She died in 1946, and with her One evening, 74-year-old Kate crooked. death, the Peabodys’ Monte Cristo Knowlton suffered a stroke. She The emergence of alternative ate false identities, use temporary properties (17 mine claims, sever- managed to crawl across the road lodgings has opened an entirely free-mail accounts and move on al town lots and the cabin) were to a neighbor’s home, and a doc- new “market” for swindlers. Be- quickly. To avoid the pitfalls of booking left to Kate. tor was called. Unable to care for sides reserving rooms in resorts Her hair now white, Kate – herself, Kate became a patient at or RV parks, a growing number any portion of your vacation with dressed in boots, knickers or the Veterans Administration Hos- of travelers are looking into rent- a fraudster, remember the buyerjeans, a wide-brimmed hat, and pital in Seattle for seven months. ing vacation condominiums and beware bromide: if it’s too good to her favorite red jacket – became The newspaper reported she died apartments through one-on-one be true, it probably is too good to a familiar figure in Edmonds. She at the hospital on April 9, 1955, communication and such handy be true. If you do decide to arrange your never owned a car, so her method alone and friendless. sites as Airbnb, Trivago and a own accommodations online, don’t of getting to Monte Cristo was by A regulation government-issue slew of others. walking and hitchhiking. Kate’s grave marker at Rest-Haven Me- Slipping quietly into this cyber- be taken in by slick-looking ads usual schedule was to stay at her morial Park in Eugene, Oregon, space crowd are criminals who rob and websites. While you’re online, Google the Monte Cristo cabin during ADVERTISER: the identifies the GARDEN burial spotCOURT of Kath- RETIREMENT their victims of vacation time as address to see if you can get a summer and her Edmonds home erine Knowlton. 1704 She is buried on well as money and their identity. SALES PERSON: NEXT RUN DATE: street-view 03/02/15 of the property to deduring the winter. the hillside next to her mother, a These fraudsters crop up in leCREATED BY: DREIFEL PUBLICATION: HERALD termine RETAIL if it’s as convenient and True to her Timberline Kate brother, a sister, and other family gitimate websites with legitimateHERALD RETAIL looking ads SIZE: 2 col X 5 in as comfortable as it claims. You nickname, she never gavePUBLICATION: up members. and photographs of on prospecting for riches, or her A victim of the still unrelent- fictitious resorts or condo com- might call the locale’s chamber of fervent belief that Monte Cristo ing attacks by vandals, Kate’s plexes offering an array of relax- commerce or Better Business Bureau to check credentials. would rise again. Brookside Inn sat empty and de- ation and recreational attractions Don’t fall victim to the tried Meanwhile, back at her Ed- caying for almost two years after at too-good-to-be-true prices. monds’ home, the large rambling her death. Every window was All that’s require is a deposit to and-true thieves’ tactic of act immediately to get in on a special ofand unattended building was smashed, and the doors hung secure your reservation. fer. deteriorating around her. Kate crookedly from their hinges. In most cases, once the money is moved to a small house behind On Wednesday night, February deposited all communication with Never send cash, check or money transfers. Your safest tool is a the building. 20, 1957, what was described as the supposed site or rental agency As Kate aged, she became a re- a spectacular fire burned the 30- ends. In some instances, the cus- credit card. cluse, only leaving her home to by 70-foot barn-like structure to tomer is kept dangling and doesn’t Your best bet to avoid losing buy groceries or complain about the ground, leaving only the huge realize he’s been bilked until he your money as well as ruining the neighborhood children. As fireplace and chimney intact. It shows up at his vacation desti- your vacation is to work with a mentioned in the February 28, was soon learned that the fire was nation to learn the facility never trusted travel agent. If you’re a 1957 issue of the Edmonds Tri- an accident – one caused by two heard of him. Or the address he member of the auto club, you can use its travel department. bune-Review, “During her declin- young boys playing with matches. rented is a vacant lot. ing years, Miss Knowlton was at Years of history were lost as Thieves who profit from va– Mature Life Features© perpetual war with the neighbor- Kate Knowlton’s collection of cuhood boys, who soon discovered rios from Monte Cristo and her that she reacted violently when nursing days went up in flames they pestered her, and so they that night.

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Visit Senior Services at Elder Fair  June 23 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Everett Holiday Inn, 3105 Pine St.

Simplified tablets designed for tech-challenged seniors Dear …

Savvy Senior By Jim Miller

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I’m interested in getting my 78-year-old mother a tablet for video calls and email but want to get one that’s simple to use. What can you recommend? Shopping Around Dear Shopping, There are several different ways you can go about getting your mom a tablet that’s easy for her to use. Depending on how much help she needs and how much you’re willing to spend, here are some options to consider.

Simplify a Tablet If you or your mom already has a tablet, but it’s too difficult for her to use, you can install a free senior-friendly software application. For example, Oscar Senior (OscarSenior.com) works on both Apple iPads and Android tablets. This app will change the appearance and performance of your tablet into a simplified device with large understandable icons to only commonly-used features (video calls, photos, instant messages, internet, news, weather, reminders, contacts, etc.) for easy navigation with no clutter. It even offers remote access capabilities so you can gain access to your mom’s tablet from your smartphone. You can see what she sees, and help her if she gets stuck. Limited Tech Skills If you’re interested in purchasing your mom a new tablet that’s specifically designed for seniors, you have options here too, depending on how simple it needs to be. For seniors with some, but limited computer/tablet skills, there’s AARP’s RealPad. It is an Android Intel tablet with a 7.85-inch touchscreen that provides a simplified home page with large text icons to frequently used functions. It also comes with 24/7 phone support, and a “Real QuickFix” tool that connects users to technology support agents over the internet who can access the tablet and fix problems. Available at AARPrealpad.org for only $60, AARP recently announced that the RealPad will be discontinued when inventory sells out in a few months. AARP will continue offering customer/technical support throughout the life of the product.

No Tech Skills If your mother is completely unfamiliar with technology, two simpler options are the grandPad and Claris Companion. GrandPad is a 7-inch touchscreen Android tablet that is designed for seniors, ages 75 and older. It comes with a stylus, charging stand and Verizon 4G LTE built-in so it works anywhere within the Verizon network – home wi-fi is not necessary. This tablet provides a simplified menu of colorful icons and large text, to only essential features. It will give your mom clutter-free one-touch access to make phone calls and video calls, send voice emails, view photos and videos, listen to personalized music, check the weather, play games and more. But, to simplify usage and avoid confusion, it does not offer web browsing. GrandPad also has a “Help” button that offers 24/7 phone/ tablet remote assistance to help with any facet of the tablet, and it provides damage and theft insurance so if your mom breaks or loses her tablet it will be replaced at no additional cost. Available at grandPad.net or call 800-7049412, a grandPad leases for $60 per month, or $53/month if you pay one year in advance. Another good option to check out is the Claris Companion (ClarisCompanion.com, 866-2844939), which offers wi-fi and 4G tablets that costs $549 and $649 respectively, plus a $29 and $49 monthly subscription fee. These tablets are designed specifically for elderly seniors living at home so their family can connect with them socially via video calls, email, text messages and photos. It also gives caregivers the ability to receive alerts and monitor compliance with medications, treatments and important appointments. Claris Companions are 10-inch Android tablets that have big buttons and text to only essential functions. They come in a thick bamboo frame, with a charging stand that prop them up, and can be customized to fit your mom’s needs and abilities. Claris also offers a lower cost tablet option for $349 and an Android app for $29. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Feel better... be in control… Coping with an ongoing health condition such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, arthritis or hypertension? Take steps toward a better life and sign up for a Living Well with Chronic Conditions a nonprofit organization workshop offered by Senior Services. For information, call 425.347.1229

Senior Focus  June/July, 2016

Thank you… Community Sponsors

Senior Services of Snohomish County serves more than 23,000 seniors and people with disabilities each year. Our community sponsors play an important role in helping us provide nutrition, transportation, home repair, wellness and access to aging and disability resources.

Together in 2016, we will…     

Help people with food and friendship. Help people get where they need to go. Help people live safely in their homes. Help people take better care of themselves. Help people ﬁnd the right service at the right time.

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18 June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

Nutrition for cognition

Blueberry, Walnut and Flaxseed Oatmeal

Brain health in the aging adult Meal Times All the Nutrition News You can Use

By Leah Hammon

Senior Services of Snohomish County

One of the most commonly expressed concerns among older adults is the fear of losing brain function, specifically memory loss and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This is not surprising considering the important role memory serves. Memory allows us to define our goals, values, beliefs and who we are as individuals. Memory enables us to recall and utilize information every day to make decisions, perform tasks and interact with our environment. It is an essential part the human experience. Fortunately, adopting a healthy lifestyle can preserve and maintain mental functions, such as memory, throughout the lifespan. Aging is generally linked with a progressive decline in brain function. As we age, physical changes occur in the brain. These changes may cause certain parts of the brain to shrink, such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus Leah Hammon is a registered dietitian with Senior Services Nutrition Program. For information about Senior Nutrition, call 425-347-1229 or 800-824-2183.

– areas of the brain important for learning, memory and complex mental activities. Other physical changes that can occur in the brain include loss of brain cells (neurons), deterioration of communication pathways between neurons, reduction of blood flow and oxygen to the brain, formation of plaques and tangles, free radical damage, and increased inflammation. Besides affecting learning and memory capabilities, these physiological changes can affect attention span, perception, decisionmaking and a range of mental processes involved in planning, organizing and coordination. Although brain health may decline as we age, older adults can maintain cognitive function by eliminating or managing potential threats or stressors and taking action to promote healthy brain aging. Threats to brain health include improper use of medications or medication side effects, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, chronic disease, poor diet, and lack of physical activity. These stressors impact brain health in the following ways: Medications Some medications and combinations of medications interfere with the brain’s thinking processes by altering the way the brain functions. Adverse side effects can affect the brain when medications are not dosed correctly, or when an individual has an unusual re-

JUNE MENU Thurs: Tossed salad, baked pasta w/ meat sauce, broccoli, fruit cocktail. Weds: Chicken caesar salad, bread Fri: Father’s Day Menu. Tossed stick, apricots, cookie. salad, beef pot roast au jus, mashed Thurs: Spinach salad, hot seafood potato w/gravy, glazed carrots, roll, sandwich, potato wedges, fresh fruit. apple crisp ala mode. Fri: Sunshine gelatin salad, baked chicken, rice pilaf, green beans, fruit. June 20 – 24

action to a medication. Talk to your physician about all medications and supplements you are taking (prescription and OTC) and their possible side effects. Smoking The health risks of smoking are well documented. Smoking is linked to cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high blood pressure. In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking is also a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It estimates that 14 percent of dementia cases worldwide may be attributed to smoking. The benefits of quitting smoking at any age cannot be overstated. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and lung disease, and improves blood circulation throughout the body, including the brain. Alcohol Consumption Chronic alcohol use impairs communication between brain cells and can lead to long-term alterations in balance, memory, emotions and coordination. Abstaining from alcohol can reverse some of these effects over time. Alcohol use should be limited and moderated. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as less than or equal to one drink per day for women, and less than or equal to two drinks per day for men. Chronic Disease Chronic diseases and conditions that affect brain health include

Mon: Fiesta salad, hot topped potato w/sour cream, cheese & broccoli, peaches, cookie. Tues: Turkey sausage, pancakes, scrambled eggs, broiled tomato half, apple bake. Weds: Taco salad w/beef, cheese & rancho beans on chips w/salsa & sour cream, mandarin oranges, flan. Thurs: Broccoli salad, turkey cranberry wrap, chips, fresh fruit. Fri: Cucumber salad, lemon pepper pollock, pasta alfredo, brussels sprouts, fresh fruit.

June 13 – 17 Mon: Spinach salad w/hard cooked eggs, cheese, water chestnuts, mandarin oranges & dressing, bread stick, fresh fruit, ice cream. Tues: Salisbury steak, mashed potato w/gravy, zucchini, apricots. Weds: Coleslaw, fish & chips w/tartar sauce & ketchup, fresh fruit.

Mon: Sliced tomato salad, vegetable quiche, roasted potato medley, citrus sections. Tues: Chef’s Choice. Weds: Southwestern salad w/chicken, romaine, cheese, beans, corn & tomatoes in tortilla bowl w/fiesta dressing, fresh fruit, lemon pudding. Thurs: Meatloaf w/gravy, baked potato w/sour cream, dilled carrots, fresh fruit. Fri: Tossed salad, dijon chicken, orzo w/peas, broccoli, fresh fruit.

June 27 – 30 Mon: Tossed salad, macaroni & cheese, green peas, fresh fruit. Tues: Pickled beet salad, french dip, potato wedges, tropical fruit. Weds: Dilled cucumber salad, tuna melt, potato salad, fresh fruit. Thurs: Shrimp louie w/romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes & egg, roll, fruit crisp.

2 cups water Dash salt 1 cup regular rolled oats 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup blueberries 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped 1 tablespoon flaxseeds Combine the water and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low, add oatmeal and cook, stirring, until the water is just absorbed, about 5 minutes. Add cinnamon, walnuts and flaxseeds. Stir, cover the pan, and turn off heat. Let set for 5 minutes. Serve with blueberries. Optional: Add 1/2 cup of milk (rice, almond, soy, cow’s) for a smoother consistency. Nutrition Information per single serving: Calories, 291; Total Fat, 14.6g; Sat Fat, 2.1g; Cholesterol, 0mg; Protein, 8.6g; Carbohydrate, 30g; Fiber, 6g; Sodium, 83mg; Potassium, 460mg.

– Recipe from sparkpeople.com

heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Heart disease and high blood pressure can lead to stroke and blood vessel changes related to dementia. Similarly, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to vascular damage throughout the body, including the blood vessels in the brain. Vascular damage also increases risk for heart disease and stroke. Heart disease and blood presCONTINUED ON PAGE 19

JULY MENU

June 1 – 3

June 6 - 10

This recipe is packed with antiinflammatory nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit brain and cardiovascular health. Serves 2, Serving Size 1

July 1

July 18 – 22

Fri: Confetti salad, oven “fried” Mon: Fiesta salad, hot topped potato chicken, baked beans, cornbread wa- w/sour cream, cheese & broccoli, peaches, cookie. termelon. Tues: Turkey sausage, pancakes, July 4 - 8 scrambled eggs, broiled tomato half, Mon: Closed for 4th of July holiday. apple bake. Tues: Pea salad, grilled turkey/cheese Weds: Taco salad w/beef, cheese & rancho beans on chips w/salsa & sour sandwich, applesauce, cookie. Weds: Tossed salad, baked fish w/dill cream, mandarin oranges, flan. sauce, roasted potatoes, vegetable, Thurs: Broccoli salad, turkey cranberry wrap, chips, fresh fruit. fresh fruit. Thurs: Chef salad w/ham, turkey, Fri: Cucumber salad, lemon pepcheese, egg, croutons & dressing, per pollock, pasta alfredo, brussels sprouts, fresh fruit. muffin, tropical fruit. Fri: Tossed salad, hot roast beef sandwich w/mashed potato & gravy, peas July 25 – 29 & carrots, fresh fruit. Mon: Spinach salad w/hard cooked eggs, cheese, water chestnuts, manJuly 11 – 15 darin oranges & dressing, breadstick, Mon: Vegetable soup, egg salad sand- fresh fruit, ice cream. wich w/wheat bread & lettuce, pine- Tues: Salisbury steak, mashed potato w/gravy, zucchini, apricots. apple chunks, brownie. Tues: Tossed salad, spaghetti & meat- Weds: Coleslaw, fish & chips w/tartar balls, garlic bread, vegetable, sherbet. sauce & ketchup, fresh fruit. Weds: Chicken caesar salad, bread Thurs: Tossed salad, baked pasta w/ meat sauce, broccoli, fruit cocktail. stick, apricots, cookie. Thurs: Spinach salad, hot seafood Fri: Tossed salad, BBQ pork sandsandwich, potato wedges, fresh fruit. wich, sweet potato fries, fresh fruit. Fri: Sunshine gelatin salad, baked chicken, rice pilaf, green beans, fruit.

Senior Focus  June/July, 2016

BRAIN HEALTH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

sure can be managed by controlling blood cholesterol, exercising, eating healthfully, and avoiding smoking and alcohol use. Diabetes is typically managed through lifestyle choices and medicine. Talk to your dietitian and physician about diabetes management to determine what strategy is right for you. Poor Diet Like the body, the brain thrives on a well-balanced diet that incorporates major and minor nutrients essential for healthy function. A healthy diet should be balanced in carbohydrates, proteins and fats and diverse across each of these food groups: fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and dairy. Not only does a healthful diet aid in the prevention and management of chronic diseases that have adverse health effects, but certain nutrients also have protective properties that can insulate the brain from damage and promote memory function.

Advance directive packet What kind of medical care would you want if you were too ill or hurt to express your wishes? Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to spell out your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They give you a way to tell your wishes to family, friends, and health care professionals and to avoid confusion later on. Senior Services’ Information and Assistance program has an advance directive packet that includes the forms for a health care directive (living will), durable powers of attorney for health care, and Physicians Orders for LifeSustaining Treatment. Also included is an explanation for each form. To receive a packet, call 425513-1900 or email seniorinfo@ sssc.org.

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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends these foods to help strengthen memory: Cruciferous Vegetables – Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and bok choy are loaded with nutrients including fiber, vitamin C, folate and vitamin B-6, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and prevent memory loss. Berries – Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and cherries are great sources of anthocyanins, compounds that provide the red, purple and blue pigments in many fruits and vegetables. Research suggests these compounds can enhance memory function and deter age-related cognitive decline. Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Omega-3 fatty acids are prevalent in the brain, and play an important role in cognitive function. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. The best sources of omega-3s are seafood, algae, salmon, tuna, fish oil, flaxseeds and chia seeds. Walnuts – Walnuts, which provide omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, are well known for their cholesterol lowering and cardiovascular benefits. Walnut consumption, in combination with a healthy diet, is also linked to improved memory and brain function. The antioxidants in walnuts are believed to counteract agerelated mental decline.

Final Thoughts Memory loss and mental decline need not be inevitabilities of aging. It is important to manage risk factors for chronic disease, exercise regularly, eat well and stay current with recommended health screenings. By taking a proactive approach to your health, you can enjoy a fulfilling and active life. While some memory loss may occur, there is an important distinction between normal agerelated mental changes and conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which indicate disease processes. Significant cognitive difficulties should not be dismissed as normal consequences of aging and need to be addressed with a health care provider.

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20 June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

Checkout confusion, one click large type and Smartphone call block Tech Talk Making peace with tech devices

By Bob DeLaurentis

All of a sudden many of my local stores have installed the new credit card readers. The replacements are more confusing and seem slower. What’s happening?

It is not your imagination – the new card readers are less friendly. They tend to operate slowly, they have two slots for different types of cards, and some models emit a loud alarm if you mess up the transaction. In short, they are a hot mess. The new readers are needed to support “chip and pin” type cards which should eventually replace the traditional magnetic strip cards. The obvious visual difference with chip and pin cards is what looks like a square of shiny metal on the face of the card.

In an effort to reduce card fraud, eventually all credit/debit cards will become chip and pin. Until then, customers and cashiers face new challenges at checkout. The new card readers accept both types of cards, which is why they have two slots. The burden is on you to choose the correct slot for each type of card. There are variations, but typically the old cards slide through a slot on the side of the reader. Chip and pin cards are inserted in a slot on the top or bottom of the device and left in place until the transaction is complete. Rather than a signature, chip and pin cards require a four digit number, regardless if they are run as debit or credit. The process seems familiar, but the differences add up. A lack of uniform bank requirements, differences among card readers, and the fact that no one likes unexpected changes in how their money is handled add up to a less than ideal situation.

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Slowdowns can be caused when the card is placed in the incorrect slot, but the readers I have used all work more slowly, even when I use the traditional magnetic strip cards. The silver lining in this dark cloud of checkout madness is that new technology tends to improve rapidly. And after a hopefully brief disruptive changeover the new cards will benefit everyone.

I enjoy reading articles online. Some pages are filled with large, easy to read text. Other pages are less gentle on the eyes. Is there a way to make every page easier to read?

Many newer websites offer large areas of white space, large photos, and single columns of text. Unfortunately, many more sites do not. The solution is “Reader Mode,” a feature available in most web browsers. This special view can turn the most cluttered web page into a typographic masterpiece. The name reader mode varies between different platforms and so does the button for invoking it, but the basics are the same. Load a web page, click on a toolbar button, and clutter disappears in favor of large images and text ideal for easy reading. Nearly every computer, tablet, and smartphone made in the last few years has a reader mode available. If you search the web with the words “reader mode” and the name of your device or web browser, one of the top results should provide enough detail to locate it on your personal setup. It takes practice to add the extra step reader mode requires, but the results are worth the effort.

Despite the “Do Not Call” list and other measures, unwanted telephone solicitations continue to plague my home phone. Even worse, now they occur on my smartphone. Is there anything I can do?

Oh yes. Few things give me joy like blocking junk telephone calls. Newer smartphones have ways to hand off specific numbers directly to voice mail. Considering that

many automated call machines rarely leave messages, the effect completely blocks most unwanted calls. Specific steps for each phone vary slightly, so the easiest way to set this up may be to Google the words “block calls” along with “Android” or “iPhone,” as appropriate. Likely someone has posted a video how-to on YouTube. Without a video to help, the steps are still straightforward. On iPhone, open the Recents call list. Tap the circle icon on the far right of the number you want to block. On the next screen, scroll all the way down to the bottom, and tap “Block this Caller.” Contacts can also be added to the block list from their card in the Contact app. On Android phones open the call log and select an entry. Tap the 3-dot icon at the top of the screen, and choose “Add to Reject List” from the menu that appears. If you need to unblock a number, find their entry in the Contacts app (iPhone) or look at Settings -> Call Blocking (Android).

Wander the Web Bob’s picks for fun browsing National Women’s History Museum The best antidote I know for the noise of the present is a look at history. In a year when much of the noise will be political, perhaps it is only fitting to look back at a time when half the population could not vote because of their gender. “Votes for Women” is only one of over a dozen online collections presented by the National Women’s History Museum. Two of my favorites include the civil rights oriented “Standing Up for Chang” which includes excellent photographs, and the timely “First But Not The Last,” a look at several of the 35 different women who chased a race for President. http://nwhm.org/online-exhibits Thinking Allowed Medium.com is a website that features long form writing on diverse topics. It publishes material from both professional and nonprofessional contributors. Founded less than four years ago by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams as a counterpart to Twitter’s 140-character limit, the site has become a popular online community for timely topics and personal essays. The subjects vary widely, and editorial oversight is minimal. As a result the voices are unfiltered, which is both a blessing and a curse. Nevertheless, in general the quality is very good. https://medium.com Bob DeLalurentis is a technology consultant and writer. His goal is to help people make peace with their tech devices to enable them to get something done. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com. – Senior Wire ©

Senior Focus  June/July, 2016

Know who would be a good volunteer? You! Volunteer Connections John McAlpine

RSVP Volunteeer Recruiter

RSVP exists to help adults 55+ find fulfillment in volunteer work and will match your lifetime of skills and experience to the organization of your choice. Sponsored by Catholic Community Services, RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for persons 55+ and the only agency where the collective contribution of senior volunteers is recorded. Volunteer opportunities exist all over Snohomish County. No matter where you live, I can probably match you with a job. Red Barn Community Farm – Red Barn Farm is located in the Lowell area of Everett. In its 6th year, The Farm practices organic gardening methods while growing food for local food banks. There are work parties every weekend (excluding holidays) and many jobs to be done. The site has water and a porta potty. Wear clothes you can get dirty, bring gloves if you have them and get outside for some fresh air and exercise! The Farm will need volunteers all through the fall harvest season.

ahead. The Fair runs Aug. 25 through Sept. 5. Shifts last four hours, parking is paid plus you can attend the Fair for free. This allows you to get fresh air and a small amount of exercise volunteering for RSVP by renting strollers, wagons and wheelchairs. Volunteer Transportation – Do you have a free morning or afternoon? If so, you could be a volunteer driver. Imagine your life without personal transportation. How would you get to the grocery store or the doctor or dentist? Can you picture what an inconvenience that would be? All over Snohomish County there are people in that exact situation. Volunteer Transportation drivers are needed to assist clients who are on a fixed income, can’t afford a cab and don’t have the option of the bus. You must have a clean driving record (a ticket or two won’t stop you); current insurance; working lights, horn and brakes; and a desire to help.

Clients enter and exit the vehicle on their own. Mileage reimbursement is provided. You pick when and where you drive. Clients live in your general area. If interested, contact me today. Food Banks – The need to eat never goes away. Imagine relying on the food bank for your source of nutrition. People are hungry all year round, not just holidays, and the many food banks of Snohomish County can use someone like you now. There are food bank opportunities all over the county. Some food banks use drivers to go out into the community and pick up food. No matter where you live, a food bank near you needs help. You can get involved in Arlington, Everett (2 locations), Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville (2 locations), Mill Creek, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, Snohomish and Stanwood/Camano.

Are you struggling to make your food budget last through the month? You might qualify for Basic Food (food stamps) if your monthly gross income is at or below $1,980 (one person); $2,670 (two people). Each additional person, add $6p3. Benefits range from $16 to $198 (per person) per month. Basic Food benefits can be used to buy food items at participating grocery stores and to pay for Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining meals served at local senior centers. For information or help completing an application call Senior Nutrition at 425-347-1229 or send an e-mail to basicfood@sssc.org and a Senior Nutrition representative will contact you. Basic Food is available to all regardless of race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion or political belief.

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If you have questions about RSVP, volunteering or any of the agencies listed, contact John McAlpine at 425374-6374; e-mail johnm@ccsww.org.

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22 June/July, 2016  Senior Focus Books with the same name

Ready for a ‘Vintage’ adventure? The BookNook Settle in and Enjoy

By Bonnie Gerken How do you select a book to read? Intrigued by the cover art? Like the author’s other books? Recommended by someone? Occasionally, I go off on an odd tangent – like selecting books with the same title. Book titles cannot be copyrighted, so you’ll find different books with the same or very similar titles – reader beware. I had been feeling “vintage” for a while, so join me in some “vintage” adventures. (vin’ tij) n. wine of a particular region and year; the model of a particular period

Vintage by Olivia Darling

Three international wine critics bet they can find the best sparkling wine. Each backs a different winery owned by a woman – one in Napa Valley, one in England, and one in Champagne. And then the sabotage begins. Reader alert: sex, language

Vintage by Susan Gloss

Every item in Violet’s vintage boutique in Wisconsin has a story behind it. This is the story of four women at different stages in their lives who develop a friendship around some of the beautiful things in the store.

Vintage by David Baker

Bruno’s food and wine writing career is floundering and his per-

sonal life isn’t much better. With a philosophy of adventure and of enjoying the pleasures of life, he sets off for Europe in search of a lost WWII vintage cache of wine. This unlikely hero finds more than he bargained for.

Lethal Vintage by Nadia Gordon

Sunny McCloskey, a restaurant owner in Napa Valley, has a talent for food, wine, fun, and solving murders. When an old friend invites her to a pool party at a local estate, you just know something will happen. Series

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

After the traumatic death of her best friend, Phoebe calls off her wedding, quits her job, and opens a vintage clothing store in London. What she finds are new friends, new romance, and an old story that needs resolution, plus the resolution of her own feelings of guilt.

Vintage Murder by Ngaio Marsh

Roderick Alleyn, Chief Detective at Scotland Yard, is on vacation in New Zealand. Still, murder by unusual method finds him with a full cast of suspects. Reissue of March’s ingenious who-dun-it from 1937. For those who enjoy Christie and Sayers. Series There are many non-fiction books with “vintage” in the titles – information about wine and beer, houses and décor, fashion, cooking, music, travel, authors, crafts, and weddings. If you’re “vintage,” too, you’ve seen things become popular again, sometimes more than once. Serene Realty Enjoy. I

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Oh no! It’s Growing Season By Saralee Perel My husband, Bob, has unearthed his torture chamber – the garden. Each summer he tosses dead vegetables (they all die) into a charming, humungous compost pile, the rotting of which is the only thing that’s productive in poor Bob’s garden. At first, he’s best friends with his plants. He coos, “Hello tomatoes. You’ll have fruit in no time.” Then, “in no time,” I’ll hear him shouting, “I hate you, you little good-for-nothing pieces of crap.” This year, he’s added bird feeders. “Saralee,” he says a billion times a day, “come see! There’s a bird!” After I schlep outside for the thousandth time, I respond politely, “Bob, if you call me out again, I will kill you.” The birdseed sends out invites to darling little things, like vermin. I’ll tell you. Even the seedlings Bob plants indoors drop dead. “Sweets,” I said, “the beauty is in the process, not the results.” “Oh, really.” He picked up a tiny dead plant that was supposed to grow peas. “I’m growing death.” Then one day I noticed our indoor cats staring out the window. I said, “Bob? Come see this.” What he saw powerfully changed him. There were seven baby rabbits, no bigger than four inches long, suckling on their mother. In an instant, all of them hopped around the garden like goofy jumping beans. They hopped in all directions, then seemingly feeling lost, spun around and regrouped as one fuzzy ball of baby bunnies with tiny noses and ears the size of pennies. Bob was speechless. Then I took his hand and led him outside near our shell-shaped bird bath. We watched a cardinal splashing away before he spread his bright red wings in the air to dry. “Bob, my love, it’s better to foAging and Disability Resources Answers Questions – Explores Options

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cus on what you have, rather than what you don’t have.” In a moment of glittering clarity, he declared he would not grow a vegetable garden. Instead he would plant glorious flowers. He would fill raised beds with impatiens, butterfly weed, blue salvia, marigolds and begonias. Bob has feeders for chickadees and other common birds. He has specialty feeders for goldfinches, hummingbirds and woodpeckers. He has seen a mother sparrow bring her babies to the feeder so her young could learn to eat. He’s seen a baby blue jay spiraling his way down a tree. Too innocent to be scared, he hopped over to Bob, only to be scolded by his mother who arrived to put him back in the nest. He has seen a mallard protectively sitting on her perfect nest filled with eleven eggs. And so, he’s rejoicing along with the birds that find food and shelter because of his tender, nurturing hands. He’s rejoicing along with the wildlife, who have reminded him that our yard is their land. He is rejoicing because our backyard has been awarded the status of a National Wildlife Federation Mini Refuge. And he’s rejoicing in his splendorous no-veggies, only flowers, garden. Saralee Perel, an award-winning syndicated columnist can be reached via her website SaraleePerel.com.

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Senior Focus ď&#x201A;§ June/July, 2016

Prepare your pup for the Dog Days of Summer Pet Tails â&#x20AC;Ś The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Paws-itiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Approach

By Laura Boro In Texas the summer temperatures are so intense that some pet owners have their dogs lie on miniature waterbeds full of cold water. In Arizona, the sidewalks can get so blistering hot in July and August that many people put protective booties on their dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet when they go for a walk. Here in the Pacific Northwest we are lucky. For the most part, we (and our pets) are blessed with relatively balmy summers. When the temperatures inch up into the 80s or above, remember that your dog is still wearing an increasingly uncomfortable â&#x20AC;&#x153;fur coatâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and he or she will be a lot happier if you follow these basic summer tips: ď&#x201A;&#x;Schedule walks for the cool parts of the day. The best times to walk or play with your pup are early morning and later in the evening. If midday is the only time you can get out to walk or play with your dog, try to stay in shady areas and keep plenty of water on hand for both you and your pup. ď&#x201A;&#x;Watch out for heat stress. Keep an eye out for any signs of heavy panting, lethargy or vomiting. These are symptoms of doggy heat stress and are signals you need to get your pet inside and cooled down immediately. ď&#x201A;&#x;Be cautious about jogging or bicycling with your pup. Many seniors are avid summer joggers or cyclists. If a dog seems eager to run alongside with you, take it slow at first. Just like humans, dogs must get in shape and gradually extend the distance; otherwise they are at risk for injury or heat exhaustion. And again, avoid the midday heat.

ď&#x201A;&#x;It is amazing that many dog parks are still designed with virtually no trees or shady areas. If you look around, however, you will find a nearby park that has shade â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and that will make all the difference when you play ball or tug or chase with your pup. ď&#x201A;&#x;Invest in a kiddy pool. Those little plastic kiddy pools cost next to nothing, but they can help make summer a joy for your dog.

(L to R) Dudley, Lulu and Chloe test the water temperature in their backyard kiddy pool.

ď&#x201A;&#x;Freshen the water every day and let your pup splash around at will. Toss a couple chew toys or a bone in the pool and let him â&#x20AC;&#x153;snorkelâ&#x20AC;? down to the bottom to retrieve those treasures. If you have no kiddy pool, you can always let your dog run through your garden sprinkler or bite water spirals from your hose. ď&#x201A;&#x;Treat your dog to ice cubes or frozen yogurt. Keep plenty of fresh water on hand, but toss in a few ice cubes to chew on. My dog loves plain frozen yogurt â&#x20AC;&#x153;cubesâ&#x20AC;? for a summer treat. (The plain Fage brand greek yogurt has no sugar and is also a good doggy pro-biotic!) ď&#x201A;&#x;Watch for hot pavement. Taking a walk on hot sidewalks or asphalt can injure the pads of your dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paws. Try to keep to the cooler grass as much as possible. And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to test the temp

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of the sidewalk with your hand. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too hot for you, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too hot for your dog. ď&#x201A;&#x;Give your dog a summer cut. Many people get their hair cut shorter in the summer, so why not do the same for your pup? This is especially important if you have a long-haired, fluffy breed. You can do it yourself or turn it over to your groomer. Either way, your dog will love you for it. Most importantly...never leave your dog in a parked car in summer. Never, not even for a few minutes. When the temperature

outside is in the 80s or 90s, the temperature inside the car can be lethal for your dog. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going for a drive on a hot day, consider leaving your pup with a friend or at doggy daycare. I wish you and your dog a wonderful summer. And remember, HOT DOGS are for baseball games!

Cooper (front) and Treo enjoy a day at the beach.

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A wet towel and a fan help Clifford stay cool.

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24 June/July, 2016  Senior Focus

Think ‘organic’ when trying to control weeds By Lori Pelkowski Controlling weeds organically takes persistence. Sometimes we have to go out in bitter cold or extreme heat to keep the weeds at bay. The bigger the weeds get, the harder they are to control. Make it a habit to tend to weeds once a week or more throughout the growing season and beyond. Use these tips to help make weeding an easy task instead of a dreaded chore. Mulch is a gardener’s friend and a weed’s nemesis. Mulch prevents light from reaching weeds. Without adequate light, plants don’t produce enough chlorophyll to continue growing. Organic mulches such as straw, shredded leaves or shredded bark nourish the soil as they decompose and are effective weed barriers. When the garden has been weeded thoroughly, choose a mulch and lay it two to three inches thick around garden plants to prevent weeds from seeing the light. Many weeds will die when the stems are cut just below the soil surface. Skim the sharp side of a hoe or hand-held blade through the top inch of the soil to cut weeds down. Weeds with thick, juicy leaves like dandelion or thistle can resprout from even a small piece of root left in the ground. The best

way to get rid of these and other perennial or tenacious weeds is to pull them out of the ground, roots and all. Use a hand weeding tool for these kinds of weeds, and be sure to dig deeply to get as much of the root as possible. Corn gluten is a great way to stifle weed seeds before they sprout, and works best early in the season in established garden beds. It will harm any seed it comes in contact with whether it is a weed seed, vegetable seed or flower seed, so use caution. Corn gluten will not harm seedlings that have broken the soil surface and already have their true leaves, nor will it harm existing plants. To use corn gluten, sprinkle it on the soil according to the package directions on a day with no wind. Weeds with thin leaves, stems and roots can be killed by pouring boiling water on them. Boiling water will harm any plant it touches so use caution around desirable plants. A solution of a quart of vinegar, two tablespoons of salt and a teaspoon of dish soap sprayed or poured onto thin weeds will kill them within a few days. This solution will also harm any plant it touches, and can make the surrounding soil toxic, so use it only in extreme situations, or on weeds growing in between pavers or

through decorative gravel. Flamers are also effective on weeds with thin leaves, stems and roots. Weed flamers can be fun to use because the effect is immediate. Weeds shrivel and turn to ash right before your eyes. Use a weed flamer on a day with no wind when plants Organic weed control – tea kettle and a weeder are dry, and keep Photo by Alan Levine the setting as low as possible to prevent burning any weeds for consumption with a mulch and desirable plants. good guidebook, and don’t eat any Large areas can be weeded by thing that grew where chemicals smothering. Start by removing or pesticides were used. Wash the as many weeds as possible, then harvest well before eating. Add moisten the soil and cover it with dandelion or purslane leaves and plastic sheeting. Bury or weigh stems to salads or steam them for down the edges of the plastic, and a unique side dish. leave it in place for a few weeks. Once the garden is weed-free, Remove the plastic, rake off any sprinkle corn gluten where seeds debris, add some compost, then will not be planted, and put down put in new plants. Surround them a thick layer of mulch. Then, be with a thick layer of mulch to keep persistent. any new weeds down. Pull, hoe, burn or dig out weeds For edible weeds like dandelion as soon as they appear. Consisand purslane, if you can’t beat ’em, tent persistence over the course of eat ’em. In fact, the dandelion was a few seasons should make weedoriginally introduced to the Unit- ing manageable and possibly even ed States by European settlers as enjoyable. a salad green. Positively identify – Senior Wire©

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