Senior Living Fall 2012

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Moving made easy

Brian and Kimberly Alwin are the founders and owners of A Smooth Move, which started in Rochester seven years ago. They expanded to include Austin this summer. Photo provided

Business specializing in helping seniors expands to serve Austin

By Matt Peterson matt.peterson@austindailyherald.com

M

oving into a new home has and will forever be a chore for most people — except for those who have discovered A Smooth Move.

Brian Alwin and his wife, Kimberly, started the business about seven years

ago in Rochester and expanded to Austin this summer. They specialize in helping senior citizens with all aspects of moving.

“We had always kind of done moving in Austin, but it was kind of sporadic,” Brian said.

See MOVE, Page 4-SL

Both parties promise gains coming from Medicare debate Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A little more than a week before Election Day, Republicans and Democrats alike say Medicare is working to their political advantage in campaigns for the White House and Congress.

They can’t both be right, and no matter which side is, this is one cam-

paign clash with consequences extending well beyond Nov. 6.

Mitt Romney “would replace guaranteed benefits with a voucher system,” says a commercial that President Barack Obama’s campaign aired in several states this fall.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012

Senior Living

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Medicare: Both sides spending millions on issue From Page 1-SL “Seniors could pay $6,000 more a year.

A plan AARP says would undermine Medicare,” it adds, making claims that Democrats in congressional campaigns echo in ads of their own from New York to California.

Not surprisingly, Republican presidential nominee Romney describes the issue differently as he describes what he and running mate Paul Ryan want to do.

“You pay into Medicare for years.

Every paycheck. Now when you need it, Obama has cut $716 billion from Medicare.

Why? To pay for Obamacare,” one of Romney’s ads says. “The Romney/Ryan plan protects Medicare benefits for today’s seniors and strengthens the plan for the next generation,” it says, a pitch that party strategists say is helping Republicans up and down the ballot blunt a perennial Democratic campaign attack.

Given the millions of dollars both sides are spending, the winner of the presidential election may well be able to claim a Medicare mandate. Add the near certainty that deficit reduction will be prominent on the 2013 agenda.

Then factor in the official estimate that the Medicare fund that pays for inpatient care will run out of money in a little more than a decade.

The result is a near-certainty that significant change is coming for a program that provides health care to 49 million beneficiaries, the large majority of them age 65 and older.

Like so much else in a gridlocked capital in the throes of a tight election, much depends on where the argument begins.

A polling advantage on Medicare for Obama and fellow Democrats isn’t surprising because surveys for decades have shown the public favors them on the issue.

But a narrowing GOP deficit would be, and that’s what Republicans say is happening, citing surveys in previous years that showed a Democratic advantage on Medicare of 20 points.

The polls vary. A Washington Post-ABC survey this month showed Obama with a 54-41 advantage over Romney on Medicare among likely voters, while a Pew survey made it 46-43 for Obama.

“The Romney/Ryan Medicare message has neutralized the issue,” GOP pollster David Winston wrote in a memo for the American Action Network in August, shortly after Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman, was placed on the Republican ticket.

He and others say the passage of Obama’s health care plan has given Republicans a new argument to make — that passage of the legislation involved cutting $716 billion from Medicare over a decade.

It’s a point that independent voters dislike about the president more than anything else, according to Charlie Black, a Republican strategist and informal adviser to Romney.

But Mark Mellman, a Democratic pollster, said, “Nobody would put up all these ads if we didn’t believe it was working.”

Rep. Steve Israel of New York, head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, says he has a two-word answer to the GOP claims: Ron Barber. An Arizona Democrat, Barber won a special election in June to replace Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who had been wounded in an assassination attempt.

Both parties test-marketed ads on Medicare and Obama’s health law in anticipation of the fall campaign.

The dispute over the ads themselves is no less intense.

Democrats reject the claim they cut Medicare to help finance the health law.

They say that law was financed partially by reducing the projected growth of Medicare, not cutting it. Ironically, it is the same argument that Republicans often fall back on when they are accused of seeking cuts to education or other programs.

Democrats also say that none of the $716 billion came from cuts in guaranteed benefits, but primarily from reductions in projected payments to private insurers in the Medicare Advantage program, as well as reimbursements to hospitals and other providers.

They also note that the health law eliminated the doughnut hole, a gap in coverage that required seniors with especially high prescription drug costs to pay large sums out of pocket.

But Republicans accuse Obama and the Democrats of making false accusations of their own.

They stress that neither Romney nor Ryan has proposed any changes for current beneficiaries or those within 10 years of enrolling in Medicare. They also cite independent fact checks concluding that Democratic claims of a $6,400 increase in out-of-pocket costs for seniors under the GOP approach are bogus, based on an outdated version of Ryan’s plan.

Republicans also say that unlike Ryan’s plan, Romney’s does not include a mandatory cap on growth of the overall program to guarantee budget savings. Romney has yet to release details of his own proposal, or even a comprehensive description of ways in which it differs from his running mate’s blueprint.

There’s no doubt about the millions going into the campaign debate on the issue.

Obama’s campaign seized on Medicare shortly after Romney named Ryan as his running mate. It spent nearly $16 million on ads in eight battleground states for several weeks beginning in mid-August, according to records compiled by ad checkers. Romney spent about $7.7 million over roughly the same time period.

There the issue sat, until Romney’s strong showing in the first debate on Oct. 3 and Obama’s poor one.

Suddenly, the president’s campaign was back on the air attacking Romney over Medicare again, trying to blunt the Republican’s gains in the polls.

Last week, Romney, too, mentioned Medicare in an ad that begins by cataloging the high unemployment and large deficits during Obama’s term. “He just hasn’t been able to put in place reforms for Medicare and Social Security to preserve them,” the commercial says.

A similar clash is playing out more than two dozen Senate and House races, largely along the same rhetorical lines.

In California, Democratic challenger Raul Ruiz and the party’s campaign committee have both paid for ads targeting Rep. Mary Bono Mack’s record on Medicare. One accused her of “voting to end Medicare, leaving seniors at the mercy of insurance companies, paying $6,400 more.”

The sixth-term congressman aired an ad of her own, and the National Republican Campaign Committee defended her as well.

“The truth: Mary voted to protect Social Security and Medicare. She always will,” the congresswoman’s ad said, before going on to accuse House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of being behind the ads. It claimed the ads were part of a campaign to put liberals back in charge of the House. “We get more taxes, higher spending, fewer jobs.”

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A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Senior Living

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012

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’Tis the season to drive safely Brand Point Content

Trips to visit family and friends, nighttime drives to midnight Mass or to look at Christmas lights, emergency runs to the grocery store - driving is as much a part of the holiday season as gift wrap and Christmas carols. No matter where you live in the country, driving during the holidays presents some unique challenges.

It pays to make sure both you and your vehicle are prepared to stay safe on the road throughout the winter.

The experts at AARP Driver Safety offer some advice:

Holiday meals are not always kind to waist lines. Metro Image

Eating well over the holiday season Simple techniques can stave off cravings

By Matt Peterson matt.peterson@austindailyherald.com

W

hile lack of exercise can be an issue for many northlanders during the winter, bad eating habits can follow closely behind. On holidays, those bad habits take the lead.

Amy Pleimling, registered dietitian at HyVee in Albert Lea reminds people to keep their focus. More than any other tip, she frequently reiterates “nutrition density.” That means eating foods with good nutrient and vitamin profiles, often with high fiber. Eating at the right time is also key.

“I always tell people, ‘focus on more super foods, more nutrient dense foods,’ so they can feel more satisfied,” Pleimling said.

“So they aren’t becoming more susceptible to those cravings.”

People preach it all the time, but it’s true.

Eating a wholesome breakfast, one with nutrition density, is a good way to stay healthy and to maintain proper weight. An example of a good breakfast, Pleimling said, is oatmeal, half a banana and a hardboiled egg. There is protein, a fruit and a grain. The combination is also filling. Pleimling

said people who eat a filling, nutritious breakfast are less likely

to overeat during the day, as they will have more energy. Pleimling

Oatmeal is a healthy choice for breakfast. Metro image

is a big supporter of breakfast because she has seen the research and seen the personal effects of following such a routine.

Small snacks throughout the day can also keep the metabolism going, instead of bogging a person down.

Low-calorie foods with nutrition density, like almost all produce, Pleimling added, will help people maintain positive eating habits throughout the day.

“Carrot sticks and celery sticks, a lot of salads, that can fill you up, and it can also give your mouth something to do,” Pleimling said.

On the other end, people often get stuck in bad habits when they eat large meals only once or twice per day.

During the holidays, it can be tough to stay away from the sweets, but Pleimling said eating those small snacks throughout the day may be all it takes to resist that cake or tray of cookies at the end of the day. She also urges eating colors. Colorful foods, like squash, sweet potatoes and types of beans have great nutrition density.

Like exercise, work and many other things in life, eating right just takes a little planning.

Prepare for bad weather: If you live in an area of the country that gets winter weather, take steps to ensure your vehicle is ready for snow. Have your mechanic check the brakes, hoses and belts, ignition, battery and all fluid levels, including the antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid levels. If you know you’ll be driving through heavy snow and ice, consider putting winter tires on your car.

Stock your car with emergency equipment that will help if you become stranded, including a flashlight, first aid kit, shovel, jumper cables, basic tool kit, a bag of salt, extra windshield wiper fluid, and an ice scraper and brush. Before you leave home, always be sure you have a full tank of gas, a fully charged cell phone and a functional spare tire, jack and lug wrench.

Be aware of holiday volume: Gas prices notwithstanding, the roads are always busier during the holidays. Shopping trips, local visits to loved ones and long-distance trips keep the nation’s highways humming with heavier-than-usual volume. More cars on the road means you face more time sitting in traffic and more risk of a fender-bender or even a serious accident.

To minimize the crunch of holiday traffic, try to travel during off times of the day. Avoid traditional rush hours when you’re making local trips, and if you’ll be taking a long drive avoid historically high volume days. Use GPS navigation to help avoid the busiest roads by plotting less-traveled alternate routes.

Minimize distractions: Holiday driving is full of distractions, from bright holiday lights that can be visually challenging at night, to driving with a carload of happy holiday revelers. Take steps to minimize distractions. Never drive and use your cell phone at the same time. If you must use the phone, pull over or hand it to a passenger. When driving with passengers, establish ground rules for behavior that won’t turn into a distraction for you.

Be at your best: Finally, you as the driver are the most important factor in ensuring your holiday drive time is as safe as possible. Take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest during this busy time of year and by driving at times of day when you’re at your best.

Consider brushing up on your driving skills. AARP Driver Safety’s course is designed to help drivers 50 and older refresh their skills and adapt to age-related changes to vision, hearing and reaction time. To find an in-person course near you, search at www.aarp.org/findcourse, or sign up to take an online course. Courses are available in both English and Spanish.

Signing up for a driving course may also make you eligible for a multi-year auto insurance discount, and who couldn’t use some extra money during the holidays?

Metro image

Carrots and celery can help quell cravings during the holidays and winter months.

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Senior Living

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Can Latinos in California afford old age?

Associated Press

A Smooth Move, which opened in Austin this past summer, has 15 employees, three moving trucks and offers full-service moving help, from consulting, packing to unpacking and furnishing. Photo provided

Move: ‘We really want to make it a home for them right away’ From Page 1-SL Yet opportunity knocked on the Alwin’s door.

They began frequently moving residents at the Cedars of Austin and later discovered that a former moving company in Austin no longer was in business. Brian contacted the Chamber of Commerce and set the ball rolling. The business officially opened in Austin in July, and a Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony was held in September. Brian said the business is now holding its own in the community and offers an encompassing service approach.

“Our primary mission is to move older adults,” Brian said. “We help them with all aspects of the move.”

That means A Smooth Move doesn’t just wheel boxes and couches on a dolly, its 15-employee team helps clients consult with their families, pack their boxes, downsize their collections and even make their new homes move-in ready. They’ll go as far to set clocks and hang pictures on walls.

“We really want to make it a home for them right away,” Brian said. “It’s really a start-to-finish, turnkey move is what we are promoting.”

Among full-service moving, the company consigns unwanted items and donates and disposes of items when necessary.

A Smooth Move has more information, including details about all of their services, success stories, testimonials and more at its website,

“Our primary mission is to move older adults.”

-Brian Alwin

Physical therapists can help you stay fit after 50 Brand Point Content

Most of us know that physical activity provides outstanding benefits, such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing belly fat, increasing bone density, improving cognitive function and improving sleep quality. But remaining physically active as you age can also help guard against certain chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and some cancers.

People who are most fit at midlife experience better health and reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases after the age of 65, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

At 78 million strong, baby boomers are a generation known for redefining aging. Although boomers are more health conscious, educated and financially secure than previous generations, America's worsening obesity epidemic has also touched those in this age group and threatens their long-term health and the active lifestyles they embrace. To promote healthy aging, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has launched a new initiative, Fit After 50, to provide baby boomers with practical tips and useful information to help them maintain the motion and mobility needed to engage in regular physical activity and sustain a healthy lifestyle.

According to APTA, adults should engage in aerobic and muscle strengthening activities on a weekly basis. This involves at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of the two, each week. Moderate-in-

tensity activities, done for at least 10 minutes each time, may include brisk walking, biking on relatively flat surfaces or general gardening.

Muscle-strengthening exercises that work the arms, shoulders, chest, abdomen, hips, back and legs — the major muscle groups — should be done at least twice per week. In addition, stretching exercises to ensure adequate flexibility are important.

For tips and videos about physical therapy for a variety of activities and conditions, visit www.moveforwardpt.com /fitafter50.

How a physical therapist can help “Many people think of going to a physical therapist only after illness or injury,” says APTA President Paul Rockar Jr., PT, DPT, MS. “However, physical therapists are experts in restoring and improving motion in people's lives. We understand how to help prevent injury

from occurring as well as changes in the body that happen with normal aging. With the help of a physical therapist, you can turn midlife into the fittest time of your life.”

Physical therapists develop a customized plan of care for each individual — there is no “one size fits all” approach.

Through exercises that increase range of motion, strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and endurance, physical therapists greatly improve mobility and motion and can help reduce pain associated with agerelated conditions such as frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain.

All physical therapists are required to receive a graduate degree — either a master's degree or a clinical doctorate — from an accredited physical therapist program before taking the national licensure examination that allows them to practice.

State licensure is required

in each state in which a physical therapist practices.

Learn more about conditions physical therapists treat, and find a physical therapist in your area at www.moveforwardpt.com/fitafter50.

Follow Move Forward on Twitter (@MoveForwardPT) and on Facebook a t www.Facebook.com/Mov eForwardPT.

California is home to more than 14 million Latinos, who make up roughly 38 percent of the state’s population. In this community, caring for one’s elders is often a source of pride and a strong familial tradition.

Yet a coming wave of need for services threatens the financial security of many Latinos in the state. Six of 10 Latino voters over the age of 40 say a close family member will likely need longterm care in the next five years, yet most do not know where they will turn for help, according to a new poll by The SCAN Foundation and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

If faced with these needs, 68 percent of Latino voters indicated that they could not afford even a single month of nursing home care — which costs on average $6,800 a month in California. Furthermore, 74 percent of Latinos mistakenly believe or are not sure if Medicare will cover these long-term care needs, indicating a greater need for awareness about who pays for these services. The reality is that Medicare only pays for short-term rehabilitation. The majority of those needing longterm care will require it for an average of three years and these costs primarily borne by individuals and families.

Addressing the needs of aging Latinos in the state is not an issue that can be ignored or put off for future generations.

Due to the prolonged economic downturn in the state, Latinos are worried about just getting by, with 78 percent express-

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ing concerns that their income will not be enough to meet their family’s living expenses and bills. Here in California, once you have spent nearly all of your income and savings for this kind of care, Medi-Cal is the only alternative.

Statewide, nearly half of California voters surveyed have experienced a decline in their household income over the past 12 months, and another 42 percent have had to cut down the amount they spent on food. Californians are clearly struggling to get by and when prompted to look into the future, many in the state, including Latinos, are worried about being able to pay for their health and longterm care needs.

However, there is also hope for the state to build a system of care that enables people to age with dignity and in their communities. Democrats, Reand publicans, Independents at all income levels have at last found an issue on which they can agree: 88 percent of respondents said providing more affordable options for longterm care so that individuals can stay out of a nursing home should be a key priority for state elected officials. Support for building a strong system of long-term care ranked higher as a priority than balancing the state budget. There is work underway. Proposals at the state level are on the table for reorganizing services as well as improving assessment measures so that people can receive the right care by the right provider at the right time, with an emphasis on care coordination and efficiency.

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