Seasoned

november 2018

Living to 100 What you can do to reach that milestone

Estate planning Digital assets and property need to be addressed

Wisdom

Lessons learned at the end of life

Cancer

Minimize the side effects of cancer treatment

In all things

charity Charitable work gives back and builds strong communities

seasoned PUBLISHER

Crystal Dupré

A monthly publication of The Eagle 1729 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, TX 77802

SPECIAL SECTIONS COORDINATOR

Kristi Lester DISPLAY ADVERTISING MANAGER

Linda Brinkman

SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR/ PUBLICATION DESIGNER

Kelli Weber

3 4 5 6 9 10

Contents Will you live to 100? Will you want to?

Your digital estate: 3 tips for the seasoned crowd Wisdom from the edge of this life In all things charity Minimizing cancer treatment side effects Calendar

Metro Creative Connection Charitable giving is on the rise. The National Philanthropic Trust says that, in 2017, Americans gave $410.02 billion to charity, reflecting a 5.2 percent increase from 2016.

Individual giving is the largest source of charitable donations, accounting for 70 percent of total giving. Foundations and bequests take the second and third spots. Corporations round out the top four, according to research from Giving USA. Despite being the largest demographic

2 | November 8, 2018

by age in the United States, millennials (people between the ages of 18 and 34) donate less and volunteer less for charitable causes than other age groups, except in regard to one particular means of donating. According to the research firm Massolution, millennials are the driving force behind the crowdfunding movement. Crowdfunding accounted for $3 billion of charitable giving in 2014.

Environmental causes, animal charities, arts, culture, and health causes experienced the largest jumps in contributions in 2017. Education-based giving saw relatively slower growth.

While the majority of donations in the United States were made to religious organizations in 2017, 17 percent of American families have reduced the amount that they give to their local churches, offers Nonprofits Source.

Charitable giving can come in the form of volunteerism as well. The National Philanthropic Trust says approximately 25 percent of the adult population volunteers their time. Americans contribute what would equate to $193 billion of their time to various efforts.

estate planning, charitable giving Metro Creative Connection

spelled out in your will.

Charitable giving comes in many forms. Some people donate annually to their favorite charities, while others may volunteer their time or professional services.

One way many people choose to give to charity is to donate at the time of their death. Including charitable giving into an estate plan is wonderful way to support a favorite cause. When researching this approach, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by references to tax codes, attorney fees and other items that can make including charitable gifts in one’s estate plan seem more complex than it needs to be. Schwab Charitable, an independent nonprofit organization, notes that there are various ways to incorporate charitable giving into an estate plan, and that doing so is something almost anyone can do.

Donate your retirement account

Another way to utilize an estate plan to donate to charity is to designate the charity of your choice as the beneficiary on your retirement account. Schwab Charitable notes that charities are exempt from both income and estate taxes, so choosing this option guarantees the charity will receive 100 percent of the account’s value once it has been liquidated.

explore a charitable trust

Charitable trusts provide another way to give back through estate planning. For example, a split-interest trust allows men and women to donate their assets to a charity but retain some of the benefits of holding those assets.

A split-interest trust funds a trust in the charity’s name, and people who open one receive a tax deduction any time Dictate giving in your money is transferred into the trust.

Will When reading about charitable But the donors still control the assets giving and estate planning, many in the trust, which is passed onto the people might begin to feel intimidated charity at the time of their deaths. You by estate taxes, feeling their heirs won’t have various options at your disposal get as much of their money as they in regard to charitable trusts, so speak hoped. But Schwab Charitable notes to a financial advisor to help you pick that including a charitable contribution the best one for you.

Charitable giving is a part of many in your estate plan will reduce your estate tax liabilities, which will help to people’s estate plan. Explore your maximize the final value of your estate options and choose the one that’s most for your heirs. Speak with your estate beneficial to you, your heirs and the attorney and ensure your donation is charities you want to support.

Reach the audience that’s right for your business by advertising in

To find out more about this valuable advertising opportunity, contact your Eagle Marketing Consultant or call

979-731-4738

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Will you live to 100? Will you want to?

Some analysts are suggesting that 100-years old may be the new 80. More and more people are now celebrating their 100th birthday. Those reaching that milestone this year were born in the year when the infamous flu pandemic killed about 50 million people.

Life expectancy that year was 36 for men and 42 for women. When the epidemic ended the next year, life expectancy rose back to its more typical 55. Today, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 80. Some of my readers are going to beat the average. I already have.

Scientists know some of what it takes to live longer. Genes, they say, are important. Substantial evidence supports that, but then the gene explanation does not explain why life expectancy has risen from 55 to 80 in just a couple generations. Humans do not evolve that fast.

So what else matters? Diet and exercise are obvious answers. Bad diets give us hardening of the arteries or diabetes. Lack of exercise degrades our cardiovascular system.

Back to the question of whether you want to live to a 100: I bet the answer depends on how healthy you are at 80. Does anybody really want to live to 100 if they are sick and debilitated in all the later years? Can you predict your health in extreme old age? Memory ability seems to be a good predictor, as documented in “Memory Medic’s” latest book for seniors: Improve Your Memory for a Healthy Brain.

Memory Is the Canary in Your Brain’s Coal Mine.

Good memory requires a healthy brain, a healthy brain requires a healthy body, and a healthy body requires good genes, diet and exercise.

A healthy body also requires protection from the ravages of oxidative stress. Just being alive promotes death, because the metabolic processes of cells generates toxic chemicals called free radicals. This is the reason that medical people recommend diets rich in anti-oxidants and even supplementation with such products as resveratrol, turmeric and vitamin C. Then there is the cumulative damaging effect of life-long emotional stress. Raising kids, pursuing a career and negative social interactions inevitably create emotional stress; and that in turn can cause permanent dysfunction of key hormonal systems involving adrenalin and corticosteroids. I have numerous blog posts documenting the serious damage caused by chronic stress and that suggest ways to cope more effectively (search on “stress” at my blog site, thankyoubrain.blogspot.com).

I also have blog posts showing that staying mentally and socially active seems to be key to quality old age. Scientists, for example, seem to live longer on average. So do stand-up comedians. Laughing may T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

be more than fun. It may be good for your health. It certainly reduces stress.

Autopsies of elderly have shown that some people have the brain lesions of Alzheimer’s disease, yet they never exhibited signs of dr. bill klemM dementia when they were alive. It the memory medic is as if a mentally active life creates a cognitive reserve that can offset much of physical damage to the brain. If you have been mentally active all your life, your brain has been in constant stimulation and learned well how perform mental tasks.

Fear of being sick and lonely grows with each passing year. Fear of aging is unwarranted, at least for healthy seniors with sufficient retirement income.

Actually, one’s later years can be the best years of life. Helen Hayes, at age 73, said, “The hardest years are between 10 and 70.” Paul Meyer, upon reaching 70, claimed that “life begins at 70.” By that time, we all have accumulated a “rich reserve” of life experiences and lessons learned. Meyer points out some of the many advantages of old age, such as people expecting less of you. What you do accomplish makes a bigger impression because it isn’t expected. Also, at 70 you have more choices. You can act your age or act young.

You can do things you didn’t have time for in the past, particularly “smelling the roses.”

In my case, and I bet you find this too, I now can

take naps without feeling guilty. I feel less guilty about the way my wife and I raised our kids, because now they know just how hard raising kids is and are having many of the same difficulties and angst as we did. I make it a point to look for meaningful things to do. Time becomes precious, because it is running out. I therefore spend it more wisely. I sure don’t want to waste time on harmful emotions or personal animosities.

There are many things people can and should be doing to make the senior years the best years of their lives. These include eating well, exercising frequently and vigorously, constructing a positive emotional attitude, becoming more active in mental and social life, getting frequent medical checkups, and most of all I think, living with an honorable purpose.

Waiting until you are elderly to eat right, exercise and be more mentally and socially active may surely help, but it may be too late for big improvements. You know what they say about “an ounce of prevention.”

Memory Medic’s recent book for seniors, “Improve Your Memory for a Healthy Brain. Memory Is the Canary in Your Brain’s Coal Mine,” is available in inexpensive e-book format at https://www.smashwords.com/books/ view/496252. See also his recent books, “Memory Power 101” (Skyhorse), and “Mental Biology. The New Science of How the Brain and Mind Relate” (Prometheus).

Care

That’s At Home, Wherever You Live.

Comfort Keepers® provides in-home care services that help seniors and others live safe, happy and independent lives in the comfort of their own homes.

ConTACT uS TodAy

979.764.3076

• Personal Care • Companionship • Meal Preparation • Light Housekeeping

Metro Creative Connection There are many things people can and should be doing to make the senior years the best years of their lives: eating well, exercising frequently and vigorously, constructing a positive emotional attitude, becoming more active in mental and social life, getting frequent medical checkups and living with an honorable purpose.

2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018

244 Southwest Pkwy E. • College Station, Tx 77840

©2016 CK Franchising, Inc. An international network, where most offices independently owned and operated.

ComfortKeepers.Com

November 8, 2018 | 3

Your digital estate: 3 tips for the seasoned crowd

Have you ever considered what will happen to your Kindle book collection after you die?

Probably not. However, that is an important question to ponder. By now, most people have come to understand what it means to have your estate in order. Savvy Boomers know that they need to double-check account titles, Will, Trusts, insurance policies, and Powers of Attorney. However, many people don’t realize that their wishes fail to address a sizable asset that has emerged over the past decade: their Digital Estate.

What exactly is “Digital Estate”?

Digital Estate planning is about organizing all of your digital assets and property and making arrangements that address what will happen to them after you die or otherwise lose the ability to use or manage them.

Before you dismiss this as irrelevant for your personal situation, keep in mind that you don’t have to be a tech whiz to have Digital Estate. Do you use Facebook? How about a cloud storage service for thousands of family pictures? Perhaps a website or a blog?

If your answer is “yes,” then you need a plan for your Digital Estate.

The best way to get your arms around your Digital Estate is no different from tangible belongings: by making a list first. Here are some categories to get you started.

QQ “Hard assets” such as computers, laptops, digital readers like Kindle or Nook, smartphones, external data storage drives.

QQ Social media and networking accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) This should include your videogaming accounts as well.

QQ Online data storage accounts such as Box.com.

QQ Domain names.

QQ Intellectual property.

Why is it important?

There are several TracY Stewart ways in which your financial literacy Digital Estate could be valuable. The most obvious one is emotional value: pictures of your son’t graduation ceremony or your daughter’s wedding may not have any dollar signs attached, but they are certainly important for the family history. More and more people rely on those “pictures in the cloud” as their virtual memory books. If your family has no way of getting to those memories, they will be lost when you pass away.

Then, there is practical value. In this day and age, people expect to learn each other’s news from their newsfeed (not the phone tree). Would someone be able to log into your Facebook account and post the arrangements for your memorial service?

Finally, there is potential for commercial value (for example, a website domain that you own may be worth some money), as well as considerations of copyright and intellectual property.

Making a list is also a good place to start asking questions about what you do and don’t own. For example, a Kindle account (and all the books you have ever purchased on the device) will remain active as long as the Amazon account that it’s linked to is active.

However, when you “buy” a book on Kindle, you don’t actually buy the rights to own a copy of that book (as would a paper copy). Instead, you are licensing a copy of the book for personal use.

As you can see, the question of what happens to your eBook collection enters

4 | November 8, 2018

Metro Creative Connection Do you use Facebook? How about a cloud storage service for thousands of family pictures? Perhaps a website or a blog? A Kindle? If your answer is “yes,” then you need a plan for your Digital Estate. murky waters because legal rules may not have caught up to technology yet.

Quick tips to avoid mistakes with your Digital Estate Even recognizing that we are in uncharted territory, there is still value in thinking through your digital assets and your plan for them.

Begin by making a list, being careful to include every online account that you have. This is a good opportunity to close down any inactive accounts that you haven’t used for years.

Then, explore what you want to happen to each active account you’ve listed. For example, Facebook gives users the option to “memorialize” an account of a deceased person and preserve this electronic space for friends and family to share memories.

Twitter allows immediate family members to deactivate the account with proof-of-death documentation. Google has an Inactive Account Manager service that allows you to automatically

transfer the account to a designated person after a certain period of account inactivity. Different platforms have their own rules for addressing this complex issue, so keep your eyes open and ask the question.

Finally, consider naming someone as your digital executor. While this is not a legally enforceable position or document, it could make things easier for unwinding and closing your online accounts. Make sure that your digital executor has your online passwords (or the code to your automated password manager like 1Password), as well as passwords to unlock your digital devices (phone, laptop, etc.) And, if your digital assets are considerable, complex or highly valuable, talk to an attorney to explore your options of formally adding them to your Will and to your estate plan.

Tracy Stewart, CPA consults on financial issues related to elder planning and divorce. She can be contacted at tracy@ TracyStewartCPA.com.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Wisdom from the edge of this life The room was silent except for the hum of the machines, the rhythmic blip of the heart monitor and quiet cadence of my dad’s breathing. I was sitting next to his bed in the cardiac care unit. I was 15. Dad was in his early 50’s.

Dad had a massive heart attack a few days prior. Tests revealed no brain activity. With no hope of recovery, doctors recommended we turn off life support. I was spending a few last moments with him.

Suddenly, I became acutely aware of my own heartbeat. It was in perfect sync with dad’s heart monitor. Stunned, I realized several profound truths.

First, I wasn’t causing my own heart to beat. That was scary.

Second, relationship runs deep.

Even heartbeats can match at critical moments. We’re more connected than we know.

Third, life is incredibly fragile. Here one moment and gone the next.

Dad died that night.

Our time is limited.

I had experienced losses before and I’ve had many since. Each death reminds me that I’m not going to be here forever. My time on this earth is

limited. Anything could happen to me, anytime, anywhere.

The same is true for everyone around me - everyone I love and care about. gary roe The same is true hospice for you too.

Living with our own death in mind is a precious gift we can give ourselves and those we know. That might sound a bit morbid, but it all depends on how you approach the subject of death.

I have the honor of serving as a hospice chaplain and grief counselor.

I’m in the presence of death and grief daily. I’m grateful for this. It gives me perspective like nothing else can.

Hospice patients are on the rim of the canyon. This life is ebbing away, and they are peering ahead to what’s next.

Many have a new sense of clarity.

Since November is National Hospice Month, I would like to share three of their stories with you.

bedridden in the backroom of the house that her father built, she was still full of spunk and wit. After she uttered the statement above, she giggled until the tears came streaming down her face.

We all make mistakes - lots of them.

We all have regrets - perhaps some big ones. We’ve been hurt, and we’ve wounded others along the way. Guilt is a familiar companion to most of us.

Sally’s mind couldn’t hold much anymore, so she jettisoned what she no longer needed. She was joyful. Happy.

She left me wondering why we cling to stuff that can only bring us down.

Life is heavy enough. Who needs extra baggage?

We can’t afford to let regret, guilt and bitterness roam free in our hearts and minds. Instead, we need to get good at forgiving (both ourselves and others).

We make what amends we can. We release what we can along the way.

Life is heavy. Travel light.

Richard

“Worry is bad stuff. It will eat your mind.”

Richard was in his mid-forties and suffered from ALS. All he could move was his head and one finger.

Richard’s past was riddled with pain. An abusive childhood led him to alcohol, drugs and criminal activity. He lost his parents, a child, two marriages, multiple other family members and his health. With no resources and no family left except for a distant sister, Richard passed his days in a nursing facility.

Richard’s life was sad. Tragic. Yet, this man found hope.

“I focused on what I lost. I became bitter. Now I focus on what I still have.

I’m grateful,” he said. “Who knows?

ALS might end up being the greatest blessing of my life. Worry and fear

See wisdom page 11

The Most Important Thing in any Relationship

Sally

“I know I’ve made mistakes. I just can’t remember any of them anymore.”

Sally had lived a full, active life. Now of the

Winner

2012

Robert Herring, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

3091 University Drive East, #410 Bryan, TX 77802 www.listenhearaudiology.com

Metro Creative Connection Where we are currently on the health spectrum isn’t as important as what we choose to do with the health we currently have. None of us knows exactly how close to the edge we are. You have today. Make it count.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

November 8, 2018 | 5

In all things

charity Charitable work is a great way to give back and build strong communities.

Here are some ways you can help make the world a better place.

what is Giving Tuesday?

Metro Creative Connection Celebrated on the Tuesday following American Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday helps raise awareness that charity is an important component of the holiday season. The nonprofit services company Neon says nearly one-third of all annual giving occurs in December, with 12 percent happening over the final three days of the year. Giving Tuesday is positioned right in the midst of the most popular time for charitable giving.

What makes Giving Tuesday unique is that it is largely fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. The day was actually created by the 92nd Street Y, a cultural center in New York City that has been instrumental in bringing diverse groups of people together with the goals of giving back through service. The 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation came

6 | November 8, 2018

together in 2012 to help form a day that was focused on the generosity of giving during the holiday season. Thus, Giving Tuesday was born.

Technology and social media play a large role in uniting people for Giving Tuesday. Founding partners included Mashable, a technology website, Skype and Cisco. But the success of Giving Tuesday is thanks in large part to the general public, who have both spread the word and made their own contributions to charity.

In 2017, Giving Tuesday soared to new heights when technology mogul Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, announced their foundation would match up to $2 million in donations to Giving Tuesday fundraisers started on Facebook.

Facebook similarly waived its 5 percent fee for U.S.-based nonprofits all day long.

The global Giving Tuesday movement helped raise more than $300 million online across more than 150 countries in 2017 alone. This year, the Giving Tuesday organization is poised to top their numbers and continue to improve upon the more than 46,000 participating organizations involved in their charitable efforts. Learn more at www.givingtuesday.org.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Get the facts about clothing donations Metro Creative Connection Did you know that around 80 billion articles of clothing are produced and sold around the world each year? The documentary “The True Cost,” which offered an inside look at the fashion industry, indicated consumers now purchase 400 percent more clothing than they did 20 years ago. The average American ends up throwing out 82 pounds of textile waste each year.

Rather than sending clothing to landfills, many people opt to donate items that they no longer wear.

Some drop off large bags of clothing in bins found in local retail parking lots, while others donate directly to organizations that operate secondhand clothing charities. But once those clothes are dropped off, where do they go? The answer is more interesting than some may know.

ABC News has found that less than 10 percent of donations are actually kept by charitable institutions and sold in their thrift shops. Research from National Public Radio’s Planet Money says the U.S. exports over a billion pounds of used clothing every year.

Much of that clothing winds up in used clothing markets in subSaharan Africa. These clothing items are sorted and resold to the local population, which benefits from lower-cost shirts, pants and shoes.

Clothing donated may not necessarily end up being worn by local needy people. But that doesnÕt mean it wonÕt help those in need.

Many pieces of clothing are either shipped away or sold to recycling companies who turn textiles into cleaning cloths and industrial items. Some people may be glad to learn that their favorite college sweatshirt may one day be an engine-cleaning rag in a mechanic’s shop.

Even though a small percentage of clothing items may benefit people in local communities, clothing donations are still doing good for the community. Money earned on selling clothes to recyclers or around the world may help charities raise funds for local causes.

If the ultimate goal is to have used clothing benefit those in need nearby, here are some ways to do that.

Q Donate directly to a friend or neighbor who could benefit from some free clothing.

Q Bring only high-quality items to secondhand shops so they have the greatest chance of being resold.

Q Ask questions as to how clothing donations are used.

Donate to those charities who work to benefit local communities.

Clothing donations help people, oftentimes in some very surprising ways.

Volunteer locally: retired senior Volunteer Program The Volunteer Center of the Brazos Valley, a partnership of Brazos Valley Council of Governments and the United Way of the Brazos Valley, promotes volunteerism as a means of fostering increased citizen involvement in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties, enriching the communities and the lives of its residents through volunteerism. To learn more, visit www.volunteerbrazosvalley.org.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Giving back when time is not on your side Metro Creative Connection Commitments to work and family can make it hard to find time to give back, but even the most timepressed individuals can take steps to make the world a better place.

Q Become a more eco-conscious shopper. When shopping for clothing, groceries and other items, consumers who want to give back to their communities can do so by looking for locally produced products. Such products support local businesses, and a successful local economy serves as a great foundation for community. In addition, purchasing locally produced goods such as groceries greatly reduces your carbon footprint, which benefits both your local community and the planet as a whole.

Q Look for fair trade products. The Fair Trade Federation is a trade association that looks to build equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and create opportunities to alleviate poverty. Fair trade aims to provide safe working conditions and fair pay for all workers. While coffee and chocolate might be the goods most often associated with fair trade, the FTF notes that fair trade encompasses a wide variety of agricultural and handcrafted goods, including clothing, rice, soap, toys, and wine. Products that are sold with the Fair Trade Federation logo have undergone a rigorous screening process to ensure they are committed to the principles of fair trade. More information about fair trade is available at www.fairtradefederation.org.

Q Give back when you buy something. Consumers can give back simply by making purchases. For example, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 percent of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of the buyer’s choice.

Many of the products available on Amazon.com, which operates AmazonSmile, are eligible for such donations. Users simply type smile.amazon.com into their web browser and choose a charity they wish to support. When making purchases, do so via smile. amazon.com instead of amazon.com. Bstow.com is another charitable endeavor that enables users to automatically donate the spare change from everyday purchases.

Q Become a financial donor. If you don’t have the time to volunteer, then offer your financial support.

Many charitable organizations would cease to exist without donations from private citizens. Such donations help charities fund their programs and cover their operational costs.

Time constraints make it difficult for many people to volunteer. But there are many ways to support worthy causes even if you don’t have the time to volunteer.

November 8, 2018 | 7

How to help veterans in need Metro Creative Connection Millions of men and women serve in the military and make the sacrifices that such service requires. Risking their lives to serve their countries, veterans sometimes endure mental and physical trauma, returning home to face uphill battles as they deal with their injuries.

Many veterans in need are not just in need of medical attention. Learning that their efforts and sacrifices are recognized and appreciated by the ordinary citizens they protect can make a world of difference to veterans as they recover from their injuries. Men, women and children who want to help veterans in need can do so in various ways.

QQ Visit a veterans hospital. Contact a local veterans’ hospital to inquire about their volunteer programs. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that each year more than 75,000 volunteers spend more than 11 million hours in service to America’s veterans. Visiting veterans at the hospital to hear their stories can lift their spirits and aid in their recoveries. In addition, veterans’ hospitals may have volunteer opportunities that make it easier for hospitals to operate at optimal capacity.

QQ Help a neighbor. Unfortunately, many veterans return home with injuries that affect their ability to make it through a typical day without assistance.

Disabled veterans may be unable to do their own grocery shopping or maintain their homes. If a neighbor or nearby veteran is facing such hurdles, offer to do his or her shopping or mow his or her lawn. Such tasks won’t take much time but can make a world of difference to veterans.

QQ Offer professional services free of charge.

Professionals who want to help veterans can offer their services free of charge. Accountants can offer to prepare veterans’ tax returns for free, while attorneys can provide legal advice to veterans who need it.

Contractors can help disabled veterans by offering to make alterations to their homes for free or at cost.

QQ Employ social media to help local veterans.

Many people who want to help local veterans might not be able to do so more than one day per week. But some veterans may require daily assistance. Men and women can start a locally-based Facebook group for fellow members of their community who want to pitch in to help local veterans. Such a group can make it easier to share information and arrange help for veterans in need.

Many veterans return home from serving overseas in need of help. Offering such help can improve veterans’ lives while letting them know their efforts and sacrifices are appreciated.

What to know if you’re a job-seeking veteran StatePoint With the veteran unemployment rate at a record low, many who have served in the military are now in the driver’s seat when it comes to civilian job hunting.

This is in part because employers understand that veterans bring a wealth of translatable skills and experience to the workforce, including leadership, teamwork and attention to detail.

“For veterans, the right employer is one who values the leadership, discipline and service record of military members and veterans,” says Jerry Quinn, Wells Fargo Military Affairs Program manager.

“They seek an employer that goes above and beyond to empower them to succeed in and out of the workplace.”

Wells Fargo, which established its Military Affairs Program in 2012, is an example of an employer committed to hiring and retaining veteran team members. A variety of job options, confidential resources, educational information and career guidance tools are available to those who served.

In fact, eligible team members called to active duty receive military leave benefits and other programming designed to mitigate the burden on their families.

Are you a job-seeking veteran? Before accepting an offer, find out whether your potential employer values veterans’ contributions to the workplace.

“Start by asking the hiring manager or human resources contact what benefits and programming are offered,” suggests Quinn. “You’ll quickly get a feel for the company culture.”

To help get the conversation started, Quinn suggests the following topics of discussion: QQ Growth opportunities. Is this position one on track for promotions and raises? Does this company offer resources and support to employees looking to grow? Discover what your future at this company could look like.

QQ Development programs. From apprenticeships and internships to transition services and leadership programming, ask about opportunities that will offer a chance to make new contacts, find a mentor, develop professional skills and learn how to translate existing skills to a new position.

QQ Employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs can provide resources, opportunities and camaraderie to employees. Find out if the company has a similar group for veterans.

QQ Diversity. Is this a company that values diversity,

8 | November 8, 2018

StatePoint particularly when it comes to veteran status and disabilities? Will the employer accept your veteran status and value it as an asset?

QQ Benefits. Beyond military leave, are benefits available that provide supplemental pay and continued healthcare when individuals are called to active duty? Research whether the company offers additional fringe benefits to ease the burden of being away on active duty. For example, some employers provide lawn mowing and snow removal to those away from home on military orders.

More information about career transition services and the type of workplace benefits offered to veterans are available at wellsfargojobs.com/military.

Remember, military skills and experience is an asset to employers. Hold out for a position that will value what you bring to the table through tangible workplace benefits and programming.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Minimizing cancer treatment side effects with diet, exercise Cancer affects over 1 million people a year. In fact, 77 percent of all cancers are in 55 and older adults. We are living longer today and thus the possibility of getting cancer as we age increases. We now know that 75 percent of all cancer risks are caused by environmental/ behavior factors that includes tobacco, diet, chemical exposure, occupational hazards and radiation. Three of the leading causes for cancer are within our control and thus we can greatly affect our chances of getting cancer by the choices we make, particularly in our diet and daily activity.

Individuals who have undergone cancer treatments can suffer from fatigue and overall physical weakness.

Often described as a sudden onset, overwhelming exhaustion/lack of energy and no great relief or improvement from rest. Cancer treatments such as radiation, surgeries and chemo-therapy can cause side effects that interrupt the body’s natural physiological and immune processes that will create fatigue and loss of energy.

The fatigue and muscle weakness you are feeling stem from cancer treatment side effects that include body

Exercises using tubing, light hand weights or light settings on weight machines can be beneficial. Ways to stretch, strengthen and exercise include yoga, water aerobics and Tai Chi.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

The resistance program can be as simple as a few exercises using tubing, light hand weights or light settings on weight machines. Make certain someone who has expertise shows you how to properly use these tools. Other ways to stretch, strengthen and exercise include yoga, water aerobics and Tai Chi. I know several cancer patients who have benefited greatly from gentle, restorative yoga, both in mind and body. Make sure the instructor understands your condition and works with you gently.

Exercise and resistance programs can begin before, during and after cancer treatment(s). It’s important to note that exercise can be important to you during your cancer treatments. However, it is also important that your blood levels are adequate. Talk to your oncologist to ensure blood levels are adequate to safely exercise. Remember with exercise duration, frequency and intensity can all be modified at a safe level. Resting is not always the correct solution to prolonged fatigue. For example, do not exercise when your white blood count is below 3000/mm, your hemoglobin is less than 10g/dl or your blood platelets are less than 25,000mm. Further, do not exercise on the day of your chemo-therapy treatment or radiation.

As a physical therapist, I encourage you to consider an exercise program developed in collaboration with your therapist, oncologist and you. Of course your care and progress has to be monitored to insure safety and more importantly to ensure you gain the benefits of the exercise program to help combat fatigue and muscle weakness.

A physical therapist has the clinical expertise to monitor blood levels and provide the correct exercise prescription in conjunction with your oncologist approval.

In addition to exercise, there are Metrp Creative Connectiont

tissue dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disturbances, hypoxia, neurologic toxicities, cardiac abnormalities and dizziness which leon bradway all contribute to physical therapy complete and constant tiredness.

Exercise is a good non-pharmacologic intervention that can help minimize pre and post side effects from cancer treatments. A 2004 research study looked at exercise as an intervention for fatigue stemming from cancer treatments and found that as one increased exercise, fatigue decreased. The study looked at a home-based aerobic and walking programs that proved effective for cancer related fatigue. The training exercise guidelines from this study included: 1) frequency of exercise – three to five days per week, 2) intensity – 50-70 percent of maximum heart rate or 11-13 on a Borg Perceived exertional scale, and 3) duration – each session lasted 15-30 minutes.

It is also beneficial to begin a light resistance program two days a week.

some nutritional changes or additions you might consider when undergoing cancer treatments. Again, you will want to discuss this with your physician before making any dietary changes that could affect or interact with your treatment.

QQ Chemo nausea – ginger QQ Radiation – spirulina (blue green algae), wheatgrass QQ Breast cancer – lemon, rosemary, pomello QQ Inhibits the growth of cancer cells/tumors – fenugreek, cucumber skin (use organic), pineapple, wheatgrass, turmeric, turnips, flaxseed, garlic QQ Stimulates enzymes to fight cancer growth – cloves, garlic I personally believe it is important to consume as much fresh, local, organic produce as possible when undergoing cancer treatments. The less food processing and the closer to its natural state, the better. So look for fresh wheatgrass, fresh ginger, fresh turmeric root, fresh herbs, and so on.

Make certain all produce is thoroughly cleaned. You do not have to suffer from body fatigue and muscle weakness while under-going cancer treatments.

Talk to your physical therapist or ask your physician about curbing fatigue and muscle weakness that involves prescribed activities and not rest.

Dr. Leon Bradway PT MS OMPT is owner of the Sports, Back & Pain Management Clinic in Bryan. He has developed conditioning programs and rehabilitated division one college athletes, high school and middle school athletes and elite military forces. He believes that most injuries can be prevented and that no one should have to live in pain as there are natural solutions that work.

November 8, 2018 | 9

CALENDAR Ongoing

email kpeterson@cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/ QQEnglish Conversation Circle – Practice seniors. speaking English on Mondays starting at 6 p.m. at Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey QQSit & Fit – Join other adults 55+ for a Mitchell Pkwy in College Station. Contact gentle exercise class while sitting. ParticiHilary at hcrowder@bryantx.gov or 979- pants follow a video that features fat-burning aerobics and weight lifting exercises.

764-3416 for more information.

Sit & Fit meets every Monday, Tuesday, QQBCS Newcomers Club – The BCS New- Thursday and Friday from noon to 1 p.m. comers club is a women’s social club with at Southwood Community Center. The Cenmembership open to both new and es- ter is located at 1520 Rock Prairie Rd. For tablished residents of the Bryan-College more information contact Southwood ComStation area with a mission to provide op- munity Center at 979-764-6351, email portunities to develop lasting friendships. kpeterson@cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/seThe club hosts a luncheon at the College niors.

Station Hilton every first Thursday of the month, as well as activities such as bridge, QQClassic Country & Bluegrass Jam Sesbunco, Mah-jongg, coffees, tours and dining sion – Open to all adults 55+ who enjoy out throughout the year. For more informa- listening or playing Classic Country or Bluetion, contact membership director Carolyn grass music. Bring string instruments and More, 979-255-3412 or visit www.newcom- invite a friend! Join us every Tuesday for a Jam Session at Southwood Community ersclubbryancollegestation.com.

Center, located at 1520 Rock Prairie Rd. QQLine Dance Workshop for Beginners from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. All levels welcome – Adults 55+ are invited to learn the lat- including beginners! For more information est line dance steps and terminology. Join contact Southwood Community Center at us at Southwood Community Center from 979-764-6351, email kpeterson@cstx.gov 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday of each or visit cstx.gov/seniors. month. No registration necessary. For more information contact College Station Parks QQGame Night – Adults 55+ are invited to and Recreation Department, Senior Ser- join the fun every Tuesday evening from 7 to vices at 979-764-6371, email kpeterson@ 9 p.m. at Southwood Community Center. Table games and table tennis are available or cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/seniors. bring your own favorite game. Meet friends QQBeginning Tap Dance Review – Adults and enjoy a fun game night. For more infor55+ are invited to learn basic tap dance mation contact Southwood Community Censteps and terminology with Instructor Sue ter at 979-764-6351, email kpeterson@ Engbrock. Join us at Southwood Community cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/seniors.

Center from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Tap shoes are recommended but not QQLearn to Play 42 – Learn the popular required. For more information, contact Col- dominoes game of 42 every Wednesday lege Station Parks and Recreation Depart- from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Southwood ment, Senior Services at 979-764-6371, Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Rd. email kpeterson@cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/ For more information contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351, email seniors. kpeterson@cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/seQQLine Dancing – Join other adults 55+ as niors. they line dance to the hottest tunes and enjoy a great low impact aerobic workout. The QQForevercise – Forevercise is an exercise group meets every Tuesday and Friday from class for adults 55+ and offered on Monday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Southwood Com- Wednesday and Friday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. munity Center located at 1520 Rock Prairie at Southwood Community Center. Class ofRoad. For more information contact South- fers individuals healthy lifestyle practices wood Community Center at 979-764-6351, and exercise. Exercises may be done while

1 0 | November 8, 2018

standing or sitting in a chair. For more information contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351, email kpeterson@ cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/seniors.

College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the College Station Parks and Recreation Department present monthly lectures on the history of our community and state. The luncheon will be held at the Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road. A reservation is necessary for lunch and the cost is $7. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The speaker will begin at noon.

Please make your reservation no later than the Friday before the luncheon by calling 979-764-6371, emailing kpeterson@cstx. gov or visitng cstx.gov/seniors.

QQIndoor Walking Group for Seniors – Join our instructor, Ms. Susan Lehr in our free indoor walking class weekly to get your heart rate up with a fun, go-at-your-own pace environment. Class is offered at Southwood Community Center on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10 a.m. No registration necessary. For more information contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351, email kpeterson@cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/se- November 15 niors.

QQMovie & Popcorn – Join us for a movie and popcorn every third Thursday at SouthQQMah-jongg – Adults 55+ interested in wood Community Center from 1 to 3 p.m. playing the game of Mah-jongg meet at No registration needed. For more informaSouthwood Community Center on Thurs- tion contact College Station Parks and days from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Beginners wel- Recreation Department, Senior Services at come! For more information contact South- 979-764-6371, email kpeterson@cstx.gov wood Community Center at 979-764-6351, or visit cstx.gov/seniors. email kpeterson@cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/ seniors.

November 22–25 QQThe Southwood Community Center will QQBible Study at Lincoln Center – Join be closed for the Thanksgiving Holidays. other senior adults every Thursday morning at Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor Street in November 26 College Station, for Bible Study from 9:30 QQSenior Advisory Committee Meeting – to 10:30 a.m. Contact Annie Williams at The Senior Advisory Committee meets on Lincoln Center at 979-764-3779 or email the last Monday of the month to discuss awilliams@cstx.gov for more information. programs and activities for adults 55 +. The meeting is held at Southwood Community QQPlay “42” Dominoes – Adults 55+ meet Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road starting at every Thursday to play “42” at Southwood 9:30 a.m. Visitors welcome! For more inforCommunity Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Rd. mation contact College Station Parks and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more informa- Recreation Department, Senior Services at tion, contact Southwood Community Center 979-764-6371, email kpeterson@cstx.gov at 979-764-6351, email kpeterson@cstx. or visit cstx.gov/seniors. gov or visit cstx.gov/seniors.

November 29

QQFriday Bridge – Southwood Community Center offers a senior friendly environment to play bridge every Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Southwood Community Center is located at 1520 Rock Prairie Rd. For more information, contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351, email kpeterson@cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/seniors.

November 14 QQExploring History Luncheon: “Muster Speeches Book” by Jerry Cooper – The

QQMonthly Dance – Adults 55 + are invited to enjoy an evening of dancing with a live DJ at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Rd. The dance is held from 7 to 9 p.m. Door prizes and light refreshments served. No reservation needed. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371, email kpeterson@

See calendar page 11 T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

calendar

from page 10

wisdom

from page 5

QQBingo & Birthday Celebration – Join us on the last Friday of each month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Southwood Community Center for bingo and cake as we celebrate monthly birthdays!

Prizes donated by Signature Select Services. No registration necessary.

Call 979-764-6351 for more information.

controlled me. No more. I always have a choice. I’m never, ever trapped.”

Richard died a happier man than he had ever been.

Worry will eat our minds. Fear can squeeze our hearts and anesthetize us into living small, mediocre lives. Don’t let that happen. Don’t let what you’ve lost set the agenda for your future.

Cultivate gratitude, and watch what happens.

December 1

Sam

cstx.gov or visit cstx.gov/seniors.

QQHandling Holiday Grief – Missing someone? Grieving during the holidays? Join author Gary Roe for Hospice Brazos Valley’s free event at 10 a.m. at the Astin Mansion, 506 W 26th Street in Bryan. To RSVP, visit www.hospicebazosvalley.org or call 979-821-2266.

If you have an event you would like listed in the monthly Seasoned calendar, please e-mail the details to kelli.weber@theeagle.com.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

“Take good care of yourself. You’re no good to me if you don’t.”

Sam was a World War II veteran and the life of the party. He zipped around his assisted living facility in a scooter he had rewired for speed. The staff repeatedly scolded him and adjusted the scooter back to its original settings, only to have his buddies sneak in and soup the contraption up again.

On Sam’s last birthday, he got a special surprise. He zipped out of his apartment toward the dining room as

usual, only to find a policeman with a radar gun in the hallway.

“Pull over young man. Do you have any idea how fast you were going?” he asked.

Sam’s laughter filled the hallway. The staff around the corner doubled over in delight.

One day, I found Sam in his room staring at the wall, with the lights off and the blinds closed. I pulled up a chair and sat with him, silent. After about a half hour, he said, “Thanks for being with me.” Looking toward me, he added, “Take care of yourself. You’re no good to me if you don’t.”

Sam summarized a lot in those brief sentences. We need each other. We’re wired for relationship. Since all of us need to love and be loved, one of the best gifts we can give others is the healthiest version of ourselves possible.

Where we are currently on the health spectrum isn’t as important as what we choose to do with the health we currently have. Being loving to ourselves is the foundation of loving others well.

Ultimately, we’re all on the rim of the canyon. None of us knows exactly how close to the edge we are.

Don’t let this discourage you. Instead, let this fact spur you on to loving more deeply and living with greater purpose.

Let your own mortality become the fuel for overcoming more, serving meaningfully and relating better than ever.

You have today. Make it count.

Release regrets. Forgive often and quickly. Make the amends you can.

Travel light. Cultivate gratitude. Take care of yourself so you can love others more effectively.

The names in this article have been changed to ensure the privacy of those involved.

Gary Roe is an award-winning author, speaker, chaplain, and grief specialist with Hospice Brazos Valley. He has been featured on Focus on the Family, CBN, Dr. Laura, Wellness.com, and other national media sites. Visit Gary at www. garyroe.com or contact him at groe@ hospicebrazosvalley.org or 979-821-2266.

November 8, 2018 | 11