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February 2018
PR I M E TI M E February 2018 1944 Warwick Ave. Warwick, ri 02889 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 distribution Special delivery PUBLISHERS Barry W. Fain, richard g. Fleischer, John Howell
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A Journey
Biggest loser’s Bob Harper shares his story
Living with Osteoarthritis
LIFESTYLES
What’s Up Doc
Humor Hotel ................................................13 larry grimaldi..............................................14 That’s entertainment ..............................15 What do you Fink .....................................16
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research offers new hope for dementia patients
SENIOR ISSUES
Tips for Managing
Alzheimer’s Association ...........................6 retirement Sparks ....................................17
Tips to live your best life
don Fowler remembers when...
FOOD & DRINK Healthy & Savory recipes .....................18
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February 2018
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Heart Attack Survivor Bob Harper’s Journey (BPT) - A heart attack can happen to anyone, and Bob Harper is living proof. As a celebrity trainer, Harper dedicated his life to helping others live a healthier lifestyle, but even his devotion to fitness couldn’t keep a heart attack from striking him. Harper suffered his heart attack in February 2017. Harper was in the middle of a workout when he lay down on the ground and others ran to his aid. “I was so lucky that there was a doctor in the gym,” he said. Harper fell into cardiac arrest, and they had to shock him three times. “I woke up in the hospital two days later, dumbfounded and confused. Once the realization set in, I spent an emotional and upsetting eight days in the hospital.”
Surviving with heart Since his heart attack, Harper has learned to adjust his lifestyle to help reduce his risk of suffering another heart attack, and he’s doing all he can to help educate fellow survivors about what they can do to help reduce their risk in the future. Harper has partnered with AstraZeneca to launch Survivors Have Heart, an essay contest where survivors can describe their personal journey and connect with other sur- vivors, including Harper. Together, AstraZeneca and Harper are teaming up to help people like him who have experienced a heart attack share their stories to educate and inspire others. They have asked those who have had a heart attack to visit www. survivorshaveheart.com and submit an essay of 500 words or less about their experience and journey. Five stories will be chosen and those
survivors, along with a caregiver of their choice, will travel to New York City to be welcomed into a heart attack survivors’ club. There they will have the opportunity to join Harper in celebrating survivorship and helping those who may be at risk of another heart attack understand the symptoms, know their body and take the necessary steps toward living a healthier life. For Harper, Survivors Have Heart gives him a chance to practice what he preaches. “Being a heart attack survivor adds you to a club you never want to join, but once you are a part of it, you feel bonded by the experience,” he said. “As survivors, we carry each other and together we can make a meaningful difference in raising awareness on how to navigate this complex journey.” Harper hopes to share his commitment to living in the now. If you have suffered a recent heart attack, talk to your doctor today about treatment strategies that are right for you. After Bob had his heart attack as part of his journey to recovery, he knew he had to adjust his lifestyle to help reduce his risk of having another heart attack. In addition, Harper followed his treatment regimen as his doctor prescribed. “I’ve been working to rebuild the relationship with my heart. Fortunately, I had complete trust in my doctors,” he said. In addition to making lifestyle changes and following his doctor’s treatment plan, Harper was prescribed BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) 90-mg tablets, made by AstraZeneca, to help reduce the risk of having another heart attack or dying from one. BRILINTA is a prescription medicine for people who have had a heart attack or severe chest pain that happened because their heart wasn’t getting enough oxygen. BRILINTA is used with aspirin to lower your chance of having another serious problem with your heart or blood vessels such as heart attack, stroke, or blood clots in your stent if you received one. These can be fatal.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) 60-MG AND 90-MG TABLETS. BRILINTA is used to lower your chance of having another heart attack or dying from a heart attack or stroke, but BRILINTA (and similar drugs) can cause bleeding that can be serious and sometimes lead to death. Instances of serious bleeding, such as internal bleeding, may require blood transfusions or surgery. While you take BRILINTA, you may bruise and bleed more easily and be more likely to have nosebleeds. Bleeding will also take longer than usual to stop. Call your doctor right away if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding while taking BRILINTA, including: severe, uncontrollable bleeding; pink, red, or brown urine; vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds; red or black stool; or if you cough up blood or blood clots. Do not stop taking BRILINTA without talking to the doctor who prescribes it for you. People who are treated with a stent, and stop taking BRILINTA too soon, have a higher risk of getting a blood clot in the stent, having a heart attack, or dying. If you stop BRILINTA because of bleeding, or for other reasons, your risk of a heart attack or stroke may increase. Tell all your doctors and dentists that you are taking BRILINTA. To decrease your risk of bleeding, your doctor may instruct you to stop taking BRILINTA 5 days before you have surgery. Your doctor should tell you when to start taking BRILINTA again, as soon as possible after surgery. Take BRILINTA and aspirin exactly as instructed by your doctor. You should not take a dose of aspirin higher than 100 mg daily because it can affect how well BRILINTA works. Tell your doctor if you take other medicines that contain aspirin. Do not take new medicines that contain aspirin. Do not take BRILINTA if you have a history of bleeding in the brain, are bleeding now, or are allergic to ticagrelor or any of the ingredients in BRILINTA. Slow heart rhythm has been reported with BRILINTA. BRILINTA can cause serious side effects, including bleeding and shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you have new or unexpected shortness of breath or any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Your doctor can decide what treatment is needed. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. BRILINTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how BRILINTA works. Approved use – BRILINTA is a prescription medicine for people who have had a heart attack or severe chest pain that happened because their heart wasn’t getting enough oxygen. BRILINTA is used with aspirin to lower your chance of having another serious problem with your heart or blood vessels such as heart attack, stroke, or blood clots in your stent if you received one. These can be fatal. Please read Medication Guide and Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, for BRILINTA. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
| PrimeTime
February 2018
Signs of atrial fibrillation & how to treat it
Palpitations of the heart or uncomfortable sensations in the chest can be distressing. Thoughts of heart attack may come to mind, and that anxiety can only exacerbate the situation. While heart attack might be the first thing people think of when experiencing chest discomfort, atrial fibrillation may be to blame for such feelings. Atrial fibrillation, also called AFib, is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that may lead to heart-related complications. The American Heart Association says that at least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib. Although treatable, without proper diagnosis, AFib may lead to blood clots, stroke and even heart failure. Many people with AFib experience no symptoms at all and are unaware they have it until it is discovered during a physical examination. For those who experience symptoms, The Mayo Clinic lists these as some of the more common:
· Palpitations, which can be sensations of a flip-flopping in the chest or even a racing feeling. · Fatigue · Reduced ability to exercise · Lightheadedness · Chest pain or shortness of breath · Dizziness and weakness When the heart is working normally, it contracts and relaxes in a beat. When a person has AFib, the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, beat irregularly. They quiver and do not move the blood into the ventricles in an effective manner. This irregularity can cause pooling or clotting of blood. Should a clot break off and enter the bloodstream, particularly in an artery leading to the brain, stroke may occur. A proper diagnosis from a physician is needed before treatment can begin. An examination may include an EKG or ECG, which will show the heart’s electrical activity as line tracings on paper. The spikes and dips in the tracings are called waves. An EKG will determine if the heart is pumping correctly. AFib is more common among people with clogged arteries or diabetes and may develop following valve surgery. AFib also is more common in people with coronary heart disease. As a person ages, his or her risk for AFib increases. Stress also can be a major factor in triggering AFib, according to StopAfib.org. Once AFib is diagnosed, managing risk factors and restoring a heart to normal rhythm becomes the priority. Doctors use a variety of medications to control heart rate, which may include beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Medications to prevent stroke also may be prescribed. Surgical intervention may be necessary if medications aren’t working. Atrial fibrillation is a serious condition that requires treatment. Episodes can be managed and treated to help people live healthier lives
February 2018
health & wellness
Tips for Managing Diabetes Staying healthy can be a challenge, especially for those living with diabetes. Everyone can have conflicts finding the right balance of partaking in healthy habits, such as exercise, eating well and even keeping your teeth and gums clean. From stress to self-care, life can be up and down when you’re living with diabetes. These seven tips from Dr. Natalie Strand, the winner of season 17 of “The Amazing Race” who lives with diabetes herself, can help you stay healthy and lead a balanced life while managing your diabetes. Communicate with your care team. Make sure you connect with your nurse educator, endocrinologist and dietician. Reach out to them with your questions as they can often help you implement subtle changes to avoid completely overhauling your lifestyle and routine because of diabetes. Get involved. Get a local group together to fundraise, vent or just understand each other. Groups such as Diabetes Sisters, JDRF, TuDiabetes and BeyondType1 offer ways to connect with others living with diabetes in person or on social media. Connecting with the diabetes community can be a powerful way to help ease the burden of living with diabetes. Keep doing what you love. Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you have to give up doing what you love. Make efforts to continue sports, travel and other hobbies, even if there is a learning curve to adapting with diabetes at first. Maintain good oral health. People living with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Colgate Total toothpaste is FDA-approved to help reverse and prevent gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. Get into a routine. Find a routine that works and stick with it. This way you don’t have to make new decisions each day. Anything that can ease the mental burden of diabetes can help. For example, pick a time each year for your annual visits: eye doctor, endocrinologist, renew prescriptions, etc. Picking the same time of year every year can help ensure you don’t forget to take care of yourself. Make self-care a priority. It can be hard to keep diabetes care in the forefront. It can be boring, exhausting and also fade into the background. Remind yourself that one of the best things you can do for yourself, and for your loved ones, is stay healthy. Use your family as motivation to exercise daily, eat better-for-you foods and maintain a healthy weight. Manage stress. Diabetes can be a big stressor. Add jobs, kids, relationships and it can become overwhelming. Find an easy and effective tool for stress relief and do it often. Even 5-10 minutes of guided meditation daily can have a big impact on stress management. For more information and ways to lead a balanced life with diabetes, visit OralHealthandDiabetes.com. (Family Features)
Living with Osteoarthritis
Tips for managing function and leading an active life Approximately 21 million people in the U.S. are currently diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, a progressive disease characterized by gradual degradation and loss of cartilage. While the exact cause of OAK is debatable, the impact is well known - pain and a loss of function. The prevalence of OAK has increased rapidly in recent years and is anticipated to continue growing due to factors that include age, obesity, genetics, injury and overuse of the knee in activities such as running.
Taking control
Getting a diagnosis like OAK can be debilitating. While you’re exploring options to treat the physical part of the disease, don’t forget the mental aspects as well. Stress can have an effect on OAK, so anything from yoga to meditation to spa days can help with that. Depression can also creep into your life on the back of an OAK diagnosis. Talk to your doctor honestly and learn all you can about your options.
Tips to maintain an active lifestyle
Here are some tips for staying healthy, easing pain and getting the most out of life while dealing with OAK. (Hint: These tips make sense for people who don’t have arthritis, too!)
1. Match activity to ability. Don’t run harder than your knees can handle, and in general, make sure you are mindful of your abilities. 2. Optimize your exercise. Exercise might be the last thing you want to do when you’re hurting, but it will improve the quality of your life. It can also strengthen the muscles that support and protect your knees. 3. It’s OK to take a day off. Listen to your body. Rest and relaxation can be just what you need to feel pampered and recharged. 4. Diet matters! Foods rich in vitamin C, like fruits and vegetables, can help, along with omega-3 fatty acids like those found in fish oil. Focus on healthy eating, choosing low-fat dairy, whole grains, fish and lean meats. 5. Lose weight. Carrying extra weight around puts extra stress on your joints. 6. Keep up-to-date on medical initiatives. There is always something new on the medical landscape, so consult with your doctor for developments that may be important to you. (Brandpoint)
PrimeTime |
senior
by Michelle LaFrance a lzheimer ’s asso c i a t i o n r h o d e i s l a n d c h a p te r
issues
Feeling Stretched as a Caregiver? Are you a caregiver providing assistance to an adult with a developmental disability and dementia? Please join us for a free-of-charge, award-winning education program. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational series designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself. This program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings better, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. Classes consist of six sessions held once a week. Two experienced Class Leaders conduct the series (many are experienced caregivers themselves, who have successfully applied the techniques they teach). Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life. You will receive a book, The Caregiver Helpbook, developed specifically for the class. Classes will be FREE, thanks to support from Seven Hills Rhode Island and the U.S. Administration for Community Living. Classes will be held at Tockwotton on the Waterfront in East Providence from 10:00AM to 11:30AM. Sessions are held every Thursday and begin on February 8, 2018. For more information or to register, contact ambryan@alz.org or call 800.272.3900. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.
This project was supported, in part by grant number 90AL0014-01-00 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy. Alzheimer’s Association® The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/ri or call the 24/7 helpline at 800272-3900.
Did you know? According to the American Heart Association, half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease do not exhibit symptoms. The AHA also says that between 70 and 89 percent of sudden cardiac events occur in men. Both of those factors only highlight the importance men must place on protecting themselves against heart disease. The AHA notes that the steps that can help men reduce their risk for heart disease vary depending on their ages. For example, men in their 20s can make sure they exercise regularly, avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, and schedule routine wellness visits with their physicians. Men in their 50s may need to be more diligent in their efforts to prevent heart disease, especially if they have already been diagnosed with conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. While young men and older men may need to employ different strategies in their fights against heart disease, men of all ages can benefit from routine exercise, nutritious diets and healthy lifestyles. More information about combatting heart disease can be found at www.heart.org. MT182715
Artists’ ExchAngE
FrEE
clAssEs for seniors (smAll FE E For mAtE r iAls)
| PrimeTime
Classes in:
Art Theater Ceramics Call
490-9475 for info
50 Rolfe Sq., CRanSton
www.artists-exchange.org
February 2018
health & wellness
by don fowler
R
What’s Up, Doc?
emember the good old days when people died of “natural causes” and never knew they had kidney stones, gall stones, enlarged prostates and spleens, type 2 diabetes, GERD, or a dozen other ailments that went undetected by their doctors? Today, we have instant access to MRI’s, CAT Scans, colonoscopies, endoscopies, DNA testing, and another dozen machines and testing devices that find problems that we didn’t care to know about. When I was young, I had a pediatrician. As a teenager, I graduated to a primary doctor. They are a rare breed these days, especially in Rhode Island, where medical school graduates opt for the more lucrative specialties. In my senior years, I have gone from one doctor to ten, and that’s not including my dentist and dietician. I now see a urologist, dermatologist, podiatrist, periodontist and cardiologist, in addition to checkups by specialists for my diabetes, ostomy, aortic aneurism, and bad back. And they all send reports to my primary doctor. And that doesn’t count frequent visits to the clinic for blood tests. And I’m still active and feel relatively well for my 80 years!
February 2018
A friend of mine told me that his primary social activity is waiting in doctors’ offices, and his reading list consists of year-old People Magazines and Sports Illustrated.
R
emember the good old days? If you had a headache, toothache, backache, sore neck, common cold, flu, or just didn’t feel right, you took two aspirin, and maybe had a bowl of your mother’s chicken soup. Today, at least one pharmacy aisle (both sides) is devoted to pain killers, with more behind the counter requiring a prescription. It wasn’t that long ago when pharmaceutical companies only advertised directly to doctors and pharmacists, buying ads in their professional journals, and dropping off free samples and pens, pads, and a plethora of gadgets, promoting their products. The freebies still exist, but now our magazines, newspapers, and television shows are bombarded with ads for cures for everything from paper cuts to erectile dysfunction.
R
emember when you used to get together with friends and relatives and talk about other friends and relatives, your jobs, sports, children, and new recipes? Today, the leading subject of discussion centers around aches, pains, hair and hearing loss, and number of trips per day to the bathroom. Excuse me. It’s my pharmacy calling with an automated reminder to pick up my monthIy prescription renewal. If I could only remember which one. And there’s a message on the answering machine reminding me of my doctor’s appointment tomorrow. I thought it was next week. Good thing I still have my memory intact. Now where did I put my car keys? I could go on, but it’s time to take my afternoon pills that I was supposed to take this morning.
PrimeTime |
by John howell
health & wellness
Bonnie’s birthday lends support
It was during her battles with cancer that she learned there was no support group for deaf cancer patients. She decided to remedy that problem and started a group three years ago that meets regularly at Miriam Hospital. That went well, with the group averaging between 15 and 20 members. But then Bonnie found it difficult to always provide refreshments for the group. They needed money. That’s when Bonnie conceived of using her 75th birthday as the reason to throw a party to raise the funds. “It was all her idea,” said Jennifer Thran, Bonnie’s daughter and only child. Thran and her husband Matthew jumped on the plan that came together last month at the St. Benedict Church hall in Warwick. They helped arrange for a buffet that had people coming back for seconds. Joseph Vono, who regularly plays and sings at the Pilgrim Senior Center in Warwick provided the music that had many people swinging on the dance floor. Funds were raised through donations and a raffle. “I’m very proud to say she’s my mother,” Thran said in opening remarks. She told how Bonnie “pioneered” the support group when she realized there was nothing of its kind for the deaf battling cancer. “We know it is very cold outside,” she said, “but not here where it’s very warm.” Indeed, there was a warm and affectionate turnout of more than 50 for Bonnie. Many were from the support group, as well as the Pilgrim Senior Center, where Bonnie is a regular attendee. Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian was among those to stop in and wish Bonnie happy birthday. Warwick director of senior services Meg Underwood has known Bonnie since she started attending the Pilgrim Senior Center. Underwood called Abols “very active.” “She loves music, she loves to dance. It’s a joy to watch her,” said Underwood. Underwood also called Bonnie “very generous and positive…a fundraiser you don’t get more generous than that.” Thran told the story of her father, Arnis Abols, who died in 2009. Arnis was born in Latvia and was a boy when the Nazis invaded. They grabbed his father, who was never seen again, and forced his mother to become an army cook. It was during this time that Arnis developed an ear infection. German doctors operated but the outcome was not good and he lost his hearing. Following the war his mother, through her connection with her brother who lived in Canada, was able to get to this country and arrange for Arnis to be treated in Boston. His hearing was never restored. Thran believes her parents first met at a church retreat in New Jersey in the early ’70s. Bonnie grew up in New Jersey and was hearing impaired from birth. She lost all hearing in 1982. As the story goes, Bonnie made an indelible impression and Arnis returned to the retreat the following year in hopes of seeing her again. Their courtship lasted about a year, with Arnis driving from Providence to Methuen, New Jersey every weekend. They were married in December 1974 and settled in Rhode Island, where Arnis became the head of the anatomy lab at Brown University. Bonnie, who earned degrees at Rhode Island College and URI, worked as a secretary in a manufacturing company. Bonnie continues to live in Warwick. She doesn’t let her disability slow her down, even on the dance floor. Thran said the party was a success, although, she added, “she [Bonnie] doesn’t know what she’s going to do with all that food.” As for the money, that went to the support group.
Jennifer Thran and her mother Bonnie Abols address those attending Bonnie’s 75th birthday party, a benefit for the cancer support group Bonnie started. (PrimeTime photo) | PrimeTime
health & wellness b y th o mas g r e e n b e r g
Research offers new hope for dementia patients According to research done by Brain in Play, a foundation run by Cranston resident Bill White, the effects of dementia can be lessened by a controlled regime of activities. The Brain in Play foundation has been doing hands-on research since its inception in 2013 at senior living facilities throughout the state including Victoria Court in Cranston and Greenwich Farms in Warwick. Now, their research is being published internationally in a special edition of Alzheimer’s & Dementia, a journal by the Alzheimer’s Association used by neuroscientists and members of the scientific community across the world. The tangible results that Brain in Play has produced are the reason for this. White calls what they’ve found a type of epigenetics, which doesn’t involve any type of medication. “It says that if you do certain kinds of behaviors at threshold [meaning with precise measurement], if you do certain types of wellness behaviors with the right duration, intensity, and frequency, you can change your brain health,” he said. White said Brain in Play has a patent-pending system of ‘best practices’ that include exercise, nutrition, stress management, ‘mindfulness,’ and sleep hygiene. The catch – they’ve developed a “precise” way of measuring these activities that have, according to White, led to cognitive and memory changes in his patients. “The issue for those basic things is that is has to be precise,” he said. It’s not just going to LA Fitness and riding a stationary bike for 15 minutes. You have to do it for 20. You have to do that endurance exercise for 20 minutes for three times a week. You have to do things precisely and you have to do it for at least 6 to 7 weeks.” That preciseness has been tested by Brain in Play with their three to four hundred patients across Rhode Island. Through standardized tests, such as the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) Alzheimer’s test, which they administer up front with patients then around three to four months later, Brain in Play can measure improvements in brain function, thought processing, and memories, according to White. Out of more than 300 patients involved in the study, about half had mild cognitive impairments and ended up falling on the “normal range” after the practice period, White said. In addition to this, all of the patients showed improvements neuro-cognitively and mood-wise because of the tests, he said. “When families sign on and they see their loved ones get better it’s very inspiring.” RESEARCH –PAGE 16
February 2018
Let Us Keep You WARM this Winter IRRESISTIBLE MOVE IN SPECIALS! Call for more information
What They Don’t Tell You About Assisted Living The food isn’t home cooked. It’s better.
At Scandinavian Assisted Living, we will satisfy even the choosiest diner. Our executive chef is highly skilled in preparing healthy fare, so that our residents’ meals are not only nutritially complete, they are also as tasty and varied as you will find in the best restaurants in Rhode Island. We’re not kidding. Join us for lunch or dinner and try out the best food you never had cooked at home.
Experience Scandinavian Assisted Living
ASSISTED LIVING 50 Warwick Ave Cranston, RI 02905 info@ScandinavianCommunities.org
401-461-1444
ǁǁǁ͘^ĐĂŶĚŝŶĂǀŝĂŶ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐ͘ŽƌŐ February 2018
PrimeTime | 9
Westbay Café…More than a Meal Making a luncheon reservation at our eight Westbay Cafes is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Special
february Meals
February 14 VALENTINE’S DAY Italian Wedding Soup, Prime Rib w/Gravy, Roasted Potato & Wax Beans, Whole Grain Biscuit, Brownie ~ Egg Salad on Wheat Roll
February 22 BIRTHDAY PARTY Tomato Soup, Chicken Cordon Bleu w/Gravy, Mashed Potato, Mixed Vegetables/ Wheat Roll, Cupcakes, ~ Iceberg Wedge w/Chicken
February 16 CHINESE NEW YEAR Vegetable Noodle Soup, General Tso’s Chicken, Vegetable Lo Mein, Eggroll w/Duck Sauce, Apple Strudel ~ Seafood Salad Wheat
Our caterer provides the following three options (two each day) for your meal • Hearty Traditional Meal – Appetizer, Main Entrée with sides (potato, vegetables) • Pub Option – Delicious Sandwich • Spa Option – Lighter, healthy option for those on the go All luncheons include an appetizer, bread, dessert and coffee or tea
For more information, please call patty martucci, Assistant Director of Senior nutrition program
401-732-4666 ext. 142
Senior CenterS Charlestown 401-364-9955 East Greenwich 401-886-8638 Jamestown 401-423-2658 The Center–S. Kingstown 401-789-0268 West Warwick 401-822-4450 Westerly 401-596-2404 Senior ApArtmentS (you do not have to be a resident) Park View-Westerly 401-596-4918 Shalom Apartments 401-737-0180
We invite seniors age 60 and older and individuals with disabilities to join us at these Cafes for a nutritious lunch. The suggested donation is $3/person. Reservations are necessary and should be made by Thursday for the following week.
Cremation with Memorial Service
$2,415.00
This service includes: gathering and collation of vital statistic information, one person transfer of remains to the funeral home, use of facilities for state mandated 24-hour waiting period, preparation of remains (not embalming), cremation container, transfer of remains to crematory, crematory fee and use of funeral home for memorial service with rental urn. Also Available: Immediate
Cremation – $1,485.00
Route 44 • Greenville, RI (401) 949-0180 andersonwinfield.net
10 | PrimeTime
February 2018
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
refined, gracious and elegant assisted living at
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in
a ssisT ed l i v i ng
Please call 401-767-2574 to schedule your personal tour. 400 Mendon Road, No. Smithfield, Rhode Island 02896
stantoine .net
www.
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ME M B E R SA I N T A N TOI N E C OM M U N I T Y
Offering daily mass and rosary. A health care ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.
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Let them know you choose us as your preferred provider for short-term rehab services
*5 month commitment
Call today to reserve your space
• A+ State Inspection • Medicare & Other Coverages Accepted • 5-Star Satisfaction Survey
(401) 732-3100
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A perfect Amazon gift for everyone not named ‘Alexa’ Thanks to retail giant Amazon, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may want to ponder creating a new “endangered” list containing the following HUMAN species: –People who leave their homes to shop (Scientific name “mallwalkerus spendicus”) –People who read books containing pages that must be turned, not swiped (hardcovercus addictus) –Babies named “Alexa”
The latter is due to Amazon’s insanely popular Christmas gift, the Echo Dot. Powered by what is currently the most downloaded app from both iTunes and Google Play, Echo Dot answers myriad questions and performs tasks ranging from ordering Uber rides to adjusting home thermostats. Users need only begin their conversations by addressing the device as “Alexa,” as in, “Alexa, why am I talking to something resembling a hockey puck on Christmas morning?” Alexa’s answer? “Sorry, I’m not sure.” I was among the “tens of millions,” according to an Amazon press release, of customers who received an Alexa-enabled device for Christmas. So far, my Echo Dot questions have yielded mixed results. Yes, Alexa correctly told me my wife’s flight from Denver to Chicago was on time. It neglected, however, to add, “It will take
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you think sunset is a little extreme for curfew?” Instead, I forged on. “Alexa, have you been drinking?” “No, not me.” “Alexa, are you thinking of getting a tattoo?” “Sorry, I don’t know that one.” Big sigh of relief. “Alexa, do you have a boyfriend?” “I’m totally cool with being single. Besides it’s sort of hard finding someone who’s kind, funny, and artificially intelligent and doesn’t mind the cloud commute.” Yes, Alexa actually said that. Alexa Tuskey, 26, a Chicago-based web designer and developer, knows the perils of owning the all-knowing device bearing her given name, particularly when participating in conference calls. “Sometimes I work from home,” she said. “I tend to put the call on speaker. Anytime anyone says my name, it sets it off. If it’s a client call, it will say, ‘I don’t know what you mean’ at top volume.” The Echo Dot befuddles Tuskey’s clients. “They’ll say, ‘Is anybody else there?’” she said. Virginia nurse Alexa Stanton, 38, finds herself getting angry at Echo Dot’s interruptions, often yelling at the device. “You have to tell yourself to shut the
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lifestyles
b y La r r y G r i ma l d i
How Terribly Strange To Be (Almost) 70 ( With Apologies To Simon And Garfunkel) Okay. Okay. I’m taking literary license, with an appropriate nod to sudden thoughts. I will celebrate my 69th birthday on February 21, but it marks the beginning of my 70th year. So the story begins here. While listening to a Simon and Garfunkel collection driving home from Cape Cod recently, a spontaneous inventory of life experiences was triggered by the track, “Old Friends.” Whimsically tucked into the musical conversation of this mystical song were the lyrics, “Can you image us years from today, sharing a park bench quietly? How terribly strange to be 70.” Terribly strange indeed! Since both of my parents had passed away by the time they were 65, I had no personal frame of reference to rely on as a guide for growing older. When I look at photos of them in their late 50s and early 60s, they seemed to have aged beyond their years. I believe that their physical appearance was not so much a consequence of advanced age, but a sign of a being worn down by a much more demanding life. Building a personal life history is simultaneously challenging, intriguing, frustrating, rewarding, and revealing. A look at the good, the bad, and the ugly is a reflective trip down memory lane and can be a road map to the future. Even regrets can lead the way to a more peaceful life if you look for the insights they provide. My regrets are few. I am grateful for the many gifts I have been blessed with during my life. My parents inspired in me a desire to pursue an education. Like most working class parents of their generation, they wanted their children to escape the drudgery of factory work. The sight of my father slowly climbing
the stairs to our second floor tenement after spending a day in the sweltering and oppressive plating room his factory made a lasting impression on me. One summer he arranged a job for me in that very department. His “object lesson” was not lost on me. This lesson, and so many others subtly taught, inspired (or maybe frightened me) to complete my education. I became a professional writer, earned enough to move from a rented home in South Providence to a home my wife and I owned and eventually paid off, raised our children, and retired with a degree of financial security, an ability to travel, and enjoy life. I have been married to my best friend, confidant, co-worker in child rearing, life coach, companion, fiscal and budgetary director, (and impartial literary critic) Kathy for more than 47 years. The good times were easy, but enduring the rough times, as well as physical and emotional challenges has given us a profound appreciation for a life spent together. Our children have learned independence with individuality, hard work and generosity, compassion, faith, love, and laughter. (Nobody has moved home yet!) Our twin teenage granddaughters and 8 year-old Nicholas will be joined by a new grandchild in August. We look forward to creating more memories with our growing family. Most of our working years were spent in careers that were interesting, creative, and fulfilling. When the time came to
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Can you image us years from today, sharing a park bench quietly? How terribly strange to be 70.
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retire a few years ago, we left our jobs enriched by the experiences we had and the people we met. Our transition to a life without employment was easier than we had anticipated. Retirement has enabled us to drive cross-country, a personal Great American Road Trip, travel to Paris and the French countryside, escape New England winters by migrating to Florida, and co-author two books. If the past is
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indeed prologue, there are more adventures in our future. Common to all recollections are tinges of nostalgia. The age of digital communications has dulled the skills required for true interpersonal exchanges. An e-mail (or the impersonal, dreaded e-vite) has none of the warmth or emotion of a note. I don’t feel the aura of personal contact. The art of handwriting a letter is lost and electronic messages often contain hieroglyphic symbols and corrupted words that make it difficult or even impossible for me to decipher. (Maybe that’s the point). In many cases, people choose to hide behind computer generated message, relayed via the amorphous “cloud,” rather than invest in an actual conversation. How unfortunate. Appliances and other gadgets did not require a degree in engineering to assemble or repair. Cars were not mobile computers. You could actually talk to a customer service representative on the
telephone without enduring the endless routine of prompts delivered by a robot. Dinners were seasoned with conversations that were not interrupted by endless checking of largely superfluous e-mails and updates on mundane daily routines. The pace of life was slower, but interactions were more meaningful. I’ve come to believe that it’s NOT terribly strange to be 70. (Sorry boys). It’s just another numbered mythical “milestone” in the arithmetic of personal history. Maybe the real answer to successful aging (however you define success) is captured in this amazingly simple lyric in the James Taylor song, “The Secret O’ Life,” when he sings, “The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.” Sound advice or wishful thinking? You decide for yourself. Larry Grimaldi is a retired freelance writer living in North Providence. Comments can be e-mailed to lvgrimaldi49@gmail.com.
Monthly General Grief Support Group Meeting at The Villa at Saint Antoine Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island is offering off-site monthly general grief support group meetings at the Villa at Saint Antoine open to any person experiencing the profound effects of loss and grief. Meetings take place on the third Wednesdays of every month, including February 21 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Center for Hope & Healing support groups are facilitated as mutual support groups and participants do not have to have lost a loved one while in the care of Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island. The support group is being offered at no cost and for more information or to register, please call the Center for Hope & Healing at 401-415-4300. The Villa at Saint Antoine is located at 400 Mendon Road in North Smithfield. February 2018
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT b y
Many of us remember the big bands attracting hundreds of dancers and music lovers to Cranston’s Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. This February 10 there will be two world-renowned bands attracting hundreds of Cajun and Zydeco music lovers to the grand ballroom to dance their hearts away to toe-tapping/knee slapping music that warms up a cold February night, taking us back to the bayous of Louisiana. Chuck Wentworth has attracted music lovers of all ages to his Labor Day Rhythm and Roots Festival in Ninigret Park, promising them a chance to party again in February. This year he brings the very best of the two genres: Beausoliel with Michael Doucet, playing traditional
DON F O W LER
lifestyles
Mardi Gras Ball Attracts All Ages
Cajun music, and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas playing a high energy music that substitutes a larger accordion and more amplification. Both groups draw huge crowds at Rhythm and Roots and wherever they play around the world. Added to the artists list this year is The Knickerbocker All Stars, a talented group of musicians out of Westerly, Rhode Island that play everything from Cajun to jazz. The Mardi Gras Ball is now in its 26th year and is highlighted by a costume contest, where individuals and small groups dress in colorful costumes, with a chance to win prizes, including tickets to the Labor Day weekend. VSA ARTS benefits from some of the proceeds. Great southern cooking, including jambalaya, craw-
fish pie and filet gumbo is provided by Chili Brothers. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door, with special prices for tables of ten. I have seen three-generation families enjoying a night out at one of the many tables that circle the dance floor. Continuous live music from 6:30 to midnight and Mardi Gras decorations keep the festive atmosphere alive. I’m not a dancer, but I love the music, and enjoy sitting in the balcony and watching the bands and the floor full of dancers of all sizes, shapes, dress, and ages. For more information and reservations, go to www. rhythmandroots.com.
The gift of healing for Valentine’s Day The gift of massage treats recipients to relaxation and the healing power of therapy and can serve as an escape from the stresses of daily life. In their 21st annual consumer survey, the American Massage Therapy Association says 19 percent of consumers reported receiving a massage from a professional therapist in the previous year. Many people rely on massage for medical relief, including to alleviate muscle soreness, stiffness or spasms. Massage can also aid in the recovery from migraines, help prevent injury and assist in general well-being. Gifting massage is easy when one knows the type of massage a person desires and the place he or she frequently visits for massage therapy. However, those who are new to massage can use the FindaMassageTherapist.org locator to find professionals in their area. Brushing up on the types of massage therapies available can help gift-givers make more informed decisions. February 2018
Swedish massage This classic, standard massage offered at many facilities has become synonymous with massage therapy. Using lotion or oil, therapists will begin with general, broad strokes on the body and then move on to address specific problem areas. The basic strokes involved in Swedish massage include petrissage (kneading, rolling and lifting), effleurage (long, smooth strokes), friction, tapotement (percussion-like movements), and vibration. Swedish massage is ideal for those who have never before visited a massage therapist. Deep tissue massage According to Massage Envy, a retail chain of massage therapy locations, deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage, but the technique focuses on the deepest layer of muscles to target knots and release chronic muscle tension. This massage can Reflexology has ancient origins, but was refined by physiowork out kinks and is recommended for people who like a deepertherapist Eunice Ingram in the 1930s. It targets areas on the pressure massage. hands and feet believed to be connected with other areas of the body. Reflexologists apply pressure to these points and Hot stone massage When giving a hot stone massage, massage thercan stimulate the release of endorphins in the body to reduce apists will use a form of therapy that follows the same principles of stress and discomfort. Swedish massage with the addition of heated stones, according to Hand & Stone massage centers. Adding heat to specific areas of the Aromatherapy massage Many massage therapists will offer body enhances feelings of relaxation. The heat also enables the masaromatherapy as part of massage packages. Scents may trigsage to be delivered without extra exertion of pressure. ger certain responses, helping to invigorate, relax or recharge the body. Oils may be scented, or perfumed candles or inShiatsu The health resource VeryWell states that shiatsu is a form of cense may be present in the room. Japanese bodywork that involves localized pressure by the therapist’s fingers or other body parts (elbows/arms) in a rhythmic sequence Massage can help relax and heal. Many people see it as a luxalong the body. Each point is held for a few seconds. The practice has ury indulgence, making it a prized gift for Valentine’s Day. roots in traditional Chinese medicine, and can be used to stimulate acupressure points on the body. PrimeTime | 15
wHAT DO YOU FINK?
LIFESTYLES
b y M I K E F IN K
Am I a Groundhog? Well, I have been hibernating half the winter of 2017-2018, just popping out to make a few circles around the block before going back in and under. Had to cancel a few galas and pop some new pills, to get through my groundhog episode, but at least I can still conduct my classes despite the frigid temps and such issues. I could read some books, watch some TCM “essentials” and dwell on what my “confession” would be if I were called upon to sum up my career, or my lifetime decades of just being whoever and whatever I am. So here come a few thoughts on such subjects: Like many, even most, children, I wanted above all to be kind to animals. Under the benign influence of the fairy tales read to me by the fire, I thought every bird or beast tested your sincerity, the limits of your very soul. So: how could I eat my hot dog in peace? I recall that in school I named Albert Schweitzer as my role model because he let the mosquitos bite him rather than swat them dead! On the other hand, I was also a normal boy who could slap ‘em flat on my wrist before they got me and my blood! When my elder brothers would visit me, much later after I was a grown-up with sons and daughters, they would bring up all the humiliating details of my youngest-sibling embarrassing personal patterns. From idly and annoyingly practicing the piano after my lessons, to avoiding such chores as mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway. I can look backward and see that I was not born to take care of the world responsibly. Only to read and talk about it. Woodman, Spare that Tree! I’d recite it from the stage. I think my earliest clear memory is of being in our dad’s grey Dodge, with its wool ceiling smelling of the strong nicotine smoke of Camel cigarettes, looking out the oval rear mirror, with my brothers, at the brick house--ours!-- going up, up, up. With its gabled chimney and its cobbled alleyway, it was a reassurance in those years of Depression, Duration (of World War II) and later the Great Repression (the HUAC years of snuffing out “un-American” activities), that I could always find safety behind the dark draperies of this almost hidden hillside retreat. I was three years old: I went away in due, if delayed, time, to schools, adventurous travels, and quests and questions of all kinds. But I came back and can file this report on the memories I can summon up looking through the windows, front and back and at both sides. In back, behind the beds and night-tables of the chambers, what’s left of an orchard/ranch/farmyard is just, today, a clear blanket of fresh snow. Once upon a time, it was a field of golden wheat, an apple orchard bordered by crabapples to distract the jays, plus a parade ground, a grazing resource for regular circus performers from elephants to llamas, zebras, ponies. Now, it is the neglected space fenced in from the Assisted Living facility, the residents deprived of a proper garden, a groomed prospect of a world somehow at peace under the ever-changing sky, sun■ RESEARCH
Not everyone has the same level of positive results, he admits. “It’s kind of like making that perfect soup,” he said. “You find out what the best practices are that have been proven to change brain function in a positive way and knit them together.” Now that his research has yielded results and the foundation’s findings are documented, it will be made available to neurologists and other people in the field around the world. The founders of the foundation are Bill and Katharine White, who serve as president and CEO, respectively. The foundation is funded by donations on its non-profit side and is also a certified medical practice that patients pay for through health insurance. Bill was the chief operating officer and chief patient care officer at Bradley Hospital for 20 years prior to founding
16 | PrimeTime
Brain in Play and Katharine has also been an advanced practice nurse for many years. They founded Brain in Play to do research and clinical work that will ‘make a difference’ with dementia. Bill also says his inspiration comes from the death of his mother from dementia, which “ripped his heart out.” “If we knew then what I know now we probably would have had her at a more lucid level for two to three years and that’s worth everything” he said. “There’s a good chance if we can do this for brain wellness we could see people staying in great physical and neurological shape into their hundreds.” The Whites will continue to try to combat the dementia disease that affects so many elderly citizens on a daily basis as the Brain in Play foundation continues their work moving forward.
rise, sunset. In my front yard my wife likes to put out promising birdfeeders. The stores pledge that they are carefully designed to discourage squirrels, starlings, and various vermin (unwanted poachers). Such guarantees never, ever, work! Look, as a groundhog myself, I know that wildlife does not obey or respect human wishes. I have tried “have-a-heart” mice traps and thus set free many of the lively wee beige rodents rather than snap their spines. Finally, I have to give up and wage war, that endless struggle between human desires and the will of the wilderness. The east side of my dwelling faces that cobblestone driveway: I have to pull up the weeds that damage the dignified look of that lane, rather reluctantly. The west side, downhill, permits visitors from local history. Flowers, wild or domestic, an occasional skunk, possum, raccoon, snowdrops sometimes, maybe later this February month, once a coyote, and my wife claims she spotted a wildcat loping toward the safe cemetery at the bottom of the steep decline. My small and somewhat mysterious way abuts Third Street, which I like to label “The American Dream.” Just to have a roof over your head, a piece of Providence in front or in back, a free tree, and a pathway to the Pub. That little cafe at the corner of North Main has seen many incarnations over the decades of my residence. I recall the clowns, acrobats, and sideshow stars of long ago. I used to sit at the bar and tell the various bartenders the latest chapters of search for my truths and my illusions. Now there is something new and wondrous in my “pub,” under the name “Parlour.” There, my colleague at RISD plays the washboard blues instrument with a cheerful band and never fails to let me know when and what they will play. Beyond and below even that oasis, there is the memory of the Hobo Haven, at the railroad tracks. As that little lad who watched the neighborhood come to life, I used to confuse the wandering tramps with figures from mythology. Was that the Sandman who just walked upon those cobbles as I tried to fall asleep? Would he throw sand in my eyes? There is a marvelous garden called “The Wild Place” with an arrangement of stones, a path by the river, a few thoughtful poetic signs scribbled on boards, and this Eden is right across from the Peter Pan Bonanza bus terminal that can take you to airports and get you to the moon, or to anyplace upon the planet you plan to visit. As for me, I dig out just enough to have peek from the window at my curtailed cosmos and to sigh and be satisfied, more or less, with my lot in life, so far. With hopes for some sunny days ahead, perhaps? Six weeks? Nature is a tentative prospect for us all. Please: protect whatever “wilderness” is left as our legacy!
Bill (right) and Katharine White recently give a certificate of appreciation to the international chair of Brain in Play, Dr. Edward Iannuccilli after having their research published internationally. February 2018
retirement sparks
senior
issues
by elaine m. decker
Acronyms Redux for Retirees As a lover of language, I like to keep up with the acronyms in our pop culture. I’m not referring here to the text abbreviations used primarily for Instant Messaging (IM) or Twitter. I’m talking about phrases used in daily conversation or mainstream media. Lately I’ve amused myself by rejiggering the words that make up some of the betterknown acronyms, tweaking them into something especially appropriate for retirees. Take for example the political term RINO. When I first heard it, I assumed it was spelled Rhino and referred to elected officials who had a thick hide. Turns out it stands for Republicans In Name Only. This acronym begs to be redefined as Retirees In Name Only. From what I’ve seen, it’s more of a truism than a nickname, since many retirees poke their noses into other people’s business as a way to fight boredom. I’m guilty of this myself. If I’m in a retail store, I’m compelled to tidy up the racks of clothing and I’m tempted to remerchandise them while I’m at it. That’s bad enough in and of itself, but then I have to find the owner or manager and lecture them on keeping their stock in order. If I’ve moved things around, I also explain why the way I’ve displayed the goods is superior to what they had done. I’m a RINO if ever there was one. Another good example is the hot property YOLO. It stands for You Only Live Once. It bored its way into pop lingo a few years back through the song “The Motto” and the promotion of that motto via a tattoo sported by heartthrob Zac Efron. (He’s in the hot new movie “The Greatest Show,” by the way.) The Urban Dictionary defines YOLO as The dumbass’s excuse for something stupid that they did. Wikipedia tells us it’s a motto similar to carpe diem, suggesting that people “should enjoy life, even if that entails taking risks.” That certainly sounds like a motto someone my age could live by. But since the youth culture now owns YOLO, I’m giving retirees a phrase that’s equally appropriate, but highly unlikely to be co-opted by trendy actors. Our new motto shall be YODO—You Only Die Once. Think about it. We can engage in all sorts of risky behavior and when we’re called out on it by friends and family, being lectured to take care lest we get injured (or worse), we can holler out: “YODO! Deal with it.” Who are they kidding? It only matters to them because they don’t want to get stuck taking care of us if we get incapacitated doing something stupid. YODO,
February 2018
Baby, YODO. Another term I zeroed in on is FOMO. It stands for Fear Of Missing Out and explains why people sit through poorly conceived movies, attend boring lectures and eat at restaurants that are popular but, well… lousy. They don’t want to miss out on something fashionable that they don’t appreciate but almost everyone else (for reasons unknown to anyone with a glimmer of intelligence or good taste) does. The retirees’ version of FOMO is FOCO: Fear Of Checking Out. The older we get, the more we worry that we’re going to predecease our peers and, by extension, MO on a lot of good stuff. We wouldn’t want to ride off into the sunset the week before Ferran Adrià announces he’s decided to resurrect el Bulli within a short drive of our condo development. (Thank you, nephew Barry, for enabling me to sound so worldly.) We also don’t want to CO until we’ve done everything on our bucket list. If we haven’t made that list yet (like yours truly), we’re in a precarious position. We could CO at anytime and not MO on anything we’d officially hoped to do. This is a good reason to make your own bucket list now. It gives you an incentive to live in a way that will keep you from C-ing O prematurely. There are many more acronyms we could delve into. You might want to create a parlor game out of this. As for me, I’m redirecting my attention to putting together my bucket list. Item one: Make this a very long list. Item two: Do everything on it before I CO. OK. That’s a good start. I’m ready for a break. And a nice glass of wine. TGFI. (Thank God For Imbibing!) Copyright 2017 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s books include Retirement Sparks, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks Redux and CANCER: A Coping Guide. Her essays appear in the anthologies: 80 Things To Do When You Turn 80 and 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. All are available on Amazon.com. She’s also been featured in ReaderSupportedNews. org. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com.
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February 2018