March 2013 PrimeTime

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March 2013

Old Meets New • • • •

Technology 101

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oming off February’s car issue, what a relief for me to embrace a theme that I am not only comfortable with, but also well versed in. Technology is a gift and a curse for a community journalist. User-friendly websites help boost circulation, and active Facebook pages allow us to interact with our readers. At the same time, we’re already covering events, meetings and interviews days, nights and weekends. Updating a Twitter or Facebook account becomes just one more responsibility in an already-too-short day.

Over the past few years, my love-hate relationship with technology has continued to pull me in both directions. I use Facebook to stay in touch with friends and share photos of our latest goings-on. Checking Facebook is part of my morning and nightly routine.

But when big news breaks or a storm is descending upon the area, I become glued to my computer, sharing updates with readers and interacting with other media outlets to disseminate important information to the public.

I think a lot of people feel that same love-hate for technology, even when it isn’t part of your job description. As soon as you become familiar with one site, another pops up and your family and friends make a mass exodus to join the next big thing. How can anyone keep up?

In this issue of PrimeTime, we’ve tried to give you a primer on personal technology that will make the race to plug in a little more manageable. Kirsten Lambertsen, the founder of a digital content curator tool, took us through each of the major social networking sites, from Facebook and Twitter to LinkedIn and Google+ (and don’t forget Skype, for chatting with the grandkids). We also give you a brief overview of tablets, digital cameras, e-readers and many other handheld devices that are meant to make life easier but can often seem to complicate things. If you’re an avid reader, Kathy Tirrell helps make sense of e-readers and offers some insight as to why they might be right for you.

If you’re not ready to take on all that technology alone, we spoke with Grayce Moorehead from the Mohr Library in Johnston, who shared with us information about the online genealogical research tools available through Rhode Island libraries. With just a library card and a sense March 2013 of curiosity, you can put the Internet to 1944 Warwick Ave. work, tracing your family roots to a time Warwick, RI 02889 when the horse and buggy was about as 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 technical as things got.

Distribution Special Delivery Even “A Worthy Cause” this month hits the techie trends, as Michael Cerio spoke with the folks at TechACCESS of PUBLISHERS Rhode Island, a non-profit that connects Barry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, people with visual and hearing disabiliJohn Howell ties with the technology they need to live independently.

EDITOR It can be overwhelming, we know, but Meg Fraser technology can be an incredible thing. megf@rhodybeat.com It can bring you closer to your family, MARKETING DIRECTOR make daily tasks easier and keep you in Donna Zarrella the know faster than you ever thought donnaz@rhodybeat.com possible.

Before you cut the cord and run Creative Director screaming for a paperback book, peruse Linda Nadeau through this PrimeTime - you might lindan@rhodybeat.com just learn something.

Pr i m e Ti m e

WRITERS Jessica Botelho, Michael J. Cerio, Don Fowler, Terry D’Amato Spencer, Elaine M. Decker, John Howell, Joan Retsinas, Mike Fink, Meg Chevalier, Joe Kernan, Kerry Park, Kathy Tirrell

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Carolann Soder, Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski, Gina Fugere Classified ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com PRODUCTION STAFF Matt Bower, Brian Geary, Lisa Yuettner

inthisissue 5 From Page to Screen

Books go digital

6

Social Media 101

9

Digging into the Past

10

Guide to Gadgets

A primer to social media sites

Uncovering family mysteries

From tablets to cameras, your questions answered

11 Changing lives

with Technology

Daily challenges made easier

14 HIP Technology

HealthID Profile delivers new way to store medical information

15 Prescription: Activity

Social interaction a crucial part of long-term care

PEOPLE & PLACES Doer’s profile..............................................................................19 A Worthy Cause........................................................................19 Glimpse of RI’s past.................................................................21

Meg Fraser

SENIOR ISSUES Director’s column....................................................................16 Retirement Sparks...................................................................17 Alzheimer’s Association .....................................................18

nextmonth

PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE Your Taxes.....................................................................................18

editor

The April issue of PrimeTime will have you in tip-top shape, as we talk to medical specialists about how to stay healthy and prevent common ailments before they start.

LIFESTYLES What do you Fink?..................................................................19 That’s Entertainment.............................................................22

A Joint Publication of East Side Monthly and Beacon Communications.

PrimeTime Magazine is published monthly and is available at over 400 locations throughout Rhode Island. Letters to the editor are welcome. We will not print unsigned letters unless exceptional circumstances can be shown.

March 2013

o n t h e c ove r Gil Botelho of Johnston

PrimeTime |

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March 2013

technology

b y K athy tirrell

from to

Page

Screen

books get a

This is the technology age, so it’s no surprise that novels and non-fiction books, once bound between two covers and lovingly tucked into bookshelves, are now available to consumers in the form of e-books, to be read on devices called e-readers.

An e-book is an electronic version of a printed book. To read one, you need an e-reader, a device that displays digital books, newspapers and magazines. Popular types of e-readers include the Sony Reader, the Amazon Kindle and the Nook by Barnes & Noble. These are relatively new devices that became widely available after 2007. Consumers can also read e-books on tablets such as the Google Nexus or Apple iPad, a small, flat, portable computer that emerged on the scene in 2010. Tablets come equipped with features such as WiFi, MP3 support and full-color touch screens. Both e-readers and tablets enable the readers to adjust the size of the text, making it appealing to anyone with poor vision.

If you want to buy an e-reader or tablet, it will cost on average anywhere from $79 to $500, depending on where you buy it and how sophisticated it is.

If you visit your local library, you will find that in addition to being able to choose from the many traditional books stocked on the shelves, you can also access e-books to be downloaded onto your e-reader for free.

“A lot of people are coming in to do just this,” said Sharon Branch, a librarian at the East Providence Library.

Instruction booklets are available with step-by-step guides explaining how to search for books on the Ocean State Libraries E-Zone. The process is similar to the one used to purchase an e-book online from various companies. There are many book titles to choose from, but still the possibility exists that books you want might be on hold. Most of Rhode Island’s libraries participate in this program and many technical questions can be answered on site.

So what are the advantages of downloading an e-book as opposed to checking out a traditional book?

“There are no fines, you can check out books from home 24-7 and it’s very convenient if you’re traveling,” said Branch.

digital makeover

✓

dise Checking the merchan

rs and their starting prices

A sample of available e-reade

• Sony Reader: $130 -6” screen with built-in WiFi, weighs less than 6 ounces and stores up to 32GB

• NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight: $119 -6” screen with built-in backlight

• NOOK Simple Touch: $79 -6” screen, ultra-light

• NOOK HD: $199 -7” screen, high-resolution display, web-capable

March 2013

She said up to eight e-books can be checked out at one time and borrowed for up to three weeks.

“When that time period is up, borrowers will find a message on their device stating that their book is no longer available,” explained John Carney, a technical librarian at the East Providence Library. Thus, another advantage of checking out e-books is you do not have to return them, because they basically return themselves.

For those who don’t own an e-reader, but would like to try one out, the Cranston Library will let you borrow one of their nine Nook Simple Touch devices for three weeks at a time on a first-come, first-served basis. These Nooks are preloaded with e-books in categories such as bestsellers and non-fiction. You cannot download any other reading material to them.

As e-books become increasingly popular, it is clear that there are mixed opinions about these modern devices that are changing the way we buy and read books.

For some, such as Nancy O’Toole of Pawtucket, there’s nothing like the feel of a printed book.

“I like going to bookstores, looking at the books, reading the jacket to find out what the book’s about,” she says. “It’s more personal. Those other things are impersonal machines. I like the idea of having a book to hold in my hands. I wouldn’t want bookstores and libraries to go out of business.”

Avid reader Susan Vadnais, also of Pawtucket, likes traditional books but is equally happy using her Kindle.

“One of the nice features was the convenience of it,” she said of the e-reader.

“I would just put my e-reader in my pocketbook and whenever I was in a doctor’s office or on a break at work, I could pull it out and pick something I wanted to read. My Kindle is connected to my Amazon account so downloading books and games is very convenient.”

That is not to say that electronic books don’t come with their own disadvantages.

“As with most electronics, there is always a chance of it breaking or the battery running down,” Vadnais said.

But those who love e-readers like the fact that you can conceivably store hundreds of e-books, magazines and newspapers on the device at one time. With a flick of a finger you can read whatever you want, whenever you want.

So like them or not, it looks as though e-books and their e-reader mates are definitely here to stay.

• NOOK HD+: $269 -9” screen, ideal for watching movies, playing games and using the web

• Kindle fire HD: $199 -7” screen, Dolby audio, ultra-fast WiFi

• 4G Kindle fire HD: $499 • Original Kindle: $69 -8.9” screen, high-resolution dis -6” screen with a matte finish, holds play with ultra-fast web browsing more than 1,000 book titles and streaming • Kindle Paperwhite: $119 -6” screen, high-resolution, matte finish touchscreen with built-in back-light

PrimeTime |

by MEG FRASER

l a i c Soedia Kirsten Lambertsen doesn’t just

love social media - she makes her living on it.

Lambertsen is the founder of Kuratur, a digital tool that allows users to curate content from their favorite sources and create a customized web page. Keeping up with online trends is her equivalent of professional development, and sending a 140-character tweet is as good as writing a company memo.

With the sheer volume of social media sites out there, Kuratur web magazines make wading through the day’s content easier to digest.

Lambertsen gave us a virtual tour of the sites that are out there now, and tips on how to use them to fit your needs.

| PrimeTime

m

FACEBOOK

Arguably the most well-known social media site out there, Facebook has more than 1 billion active users. Lambertsen believes it is the perfect starting point for someone unfamiliar with the vast Internet landscape, especially if they’re just looking to socialize in a new way.

“So Facebook, for me, really is, first and foremost, a way to find people you’ve lost touch with,” she said. “That’s really what it does best and everything else it does beyond that is sort of extra.”

Despite the quick rise and demise of predecessor MySpace, she doesn’t anticipate Facebook going anywhere soon. It is a space to find old friends, create notices for family parties or share photographs of your kids and grandkids. All you need to get started is an e-mail address.

“They facilitate communication between people so effectively,” she said.

TWITTER

Facebook walks you through the process of creating a profile pretty explicitly, but Twitter is a bit more complicated. A lot of people ask - what is the point? If you want to put out a message, you’re sharing it with all of your followers, and you must do so in 140 characters or less.

But Lambertsen says there is more to it than meets the eye.

Twitter is an ideal site for news junkies who want up-to-the-minute reports on local, state, national and even global news.

The same is true for any number of hobbyists.

“Twitter is actually more about finding and connecting with people that you don’t know that have the same interests as you, and also bigger sources, companies and media outlets that serve whatever you’re interested in,” Lambertsen said.

Most major companies have Twitter accounts, and just by putting their handle in your post, you could get a response in minutes from tycoons like Starbucks or McDonald’s.

“Twitter is basically the world’s greatest real-time search engine,” she said.

March 2013

technology

1 0 1

INSTAGRAM

Though it’s particularly popular among young people, Instagram is quickly becoming relevant in the wider social media discussion. With the click of a button, users share photos instantly from their phones to Instagram.

But what makes the tool stand out, Lambertsen says, is the filter option the app uses.

After snapping a picture with your phone, you can transform the photograph into black and white or sepia tone, fade or intensify the colors or add an old-fashioned photo border.

“Putting the filters on that are reminiscent of our childhood photos, I just think was the kicker,” she said.

Plus, it takes a cell phone quality image and makes it frame-worthy.

“It makes everybody look like a fantastic photographer. You can take any picture and they look gorgeous,” she said.

GOOGLE+

Google, like the search engine? Kind of, but not exactly. Google is joining the social media craze with a program of their own.

“Google+ is interesting because it has a lot of users, it’s coming on strong, but you’d be hard pressed to meet anybody who’s using it,” Lambertsen said, laughing. “The word on it out there is that right now it’s still for so-called geeks.”

Google+ offers online “hang outs,” where groups of people can videoconference. Unlike Skype, Google+ automatically creates a recording of your hangout, and gives you the option to post it and share it on YouTube. If you March 2013

TUMBLR

If you’re interested in writing a blog, becoming a citizen journalist or just offering up your thoughts of the day for public consumption, tumblr is your medium.

Tumblr is a microblogging platform that allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. Users then follow blogs they enjoy, or can make their pages private.

Lambertsen tells seniors not to be shy - tumblr is ripe for

the picking.

“It’s most highly used among young people - teenagers and college people but I think it’s sitting there, waiting to be used by people who are older and maybe a little less technically skilled because it’s really easy to use,” she said. “Anyone can get started in a few seconds.”

Lambertsen used travel as an example. If a retiree spends a lot of his or her time traveling, they could start a public or private tumblr and easily share photos, observations and tips from their adventures.

“One of my favorite features about it, is I can post to it with my smart phone,” she said.

want to cherish your conversations with your friends and family living far away, it’s a dealmaker.

“It’s a little trickier to learn to use the Google hang outs, but because it gives you an automatic recording, that’s really handy,” she said.

Lambertsen called it a hybrid of Facebook meets LinkedIn, where like-minded people or professionals can gather and either socialize or connect in their industries. The downside, she admits, is that the interface could use some work, and it isn’t particularly easy to get started with just yet.

PrimeTime |

SKYPE

FOURSQUARE

If you’re just looking to share a few minutes with the grandkids in California, Skype will do the trick. Setting up an account is easy, and once you’ve connected with friends and family once, dialing up is as easy as making a phone call - one click and you’re ringing.

Just don’t expect the same bells and whistles as Google+.

“Skype is a little bit notorious for sometimes having issues people not being able to hear each other, dropped calls, etcetera,” Lambertsen said.

LINKEDIN

The professional’s Facebook, LinkedIn has more than 200 million members. Post your resume, solicit recommendations and connect with potential employers all from the comfort of your home.

Lambertsen warns that waiting until you’re in the market for a job is not the time to sign up.

“That’s sort of like saying I’m not going to any industry events or networking with anybody because I’m not looking for a job right now. The time to network and get your name out there is when you’re not looking for a job,” she said. “LinkedIn gives you the tools to make you very findable right now. People definitely are getting found and recruited through LinkedIn.” Whether you’re trying to establish yourself in a new industry, looking to find clients for some freelance consulting or offering up advice to young professionals, a LinkedIn profile is a good thing to have, and unlike some of its peers in the social media realm, you need not update daily or weekly to effectively use it.

If you’re not computer savvy, chances are you haven’t heard of Foursquare - or, at least, not yet anyway.

Foursquare invites users to “check in,” sharing their whereabouts with friends. Once checked in to a restaurant, theater or retailer, you can then review your experience. In essence, you catalog your experiences and offer advice to others in your area.

“Once I’m in Foursquare, what it does now that’s really cool is it shows me where the people I’m friends with on Foursquare are, if they’ve checked in anywhere,” Lambertsen said. “You can take pictures of places you’ve been in, write reviews ... You can find out where are the new places to eat, where are the good microbreweries, what are the must-do, must-see places in that town. It’s a more personalized referral.”

And while it hasn’t exploded in popularity for seniors yet, Lambertsen has high hopes for the site.

“Foursquare is the kind of thing that I think could be more useful and interesting to people who are retired, especially if doing cultural things is important to them,” she said.

Find the

shamrock for a chance to win a

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mail entries to:

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actual size

Entry Deadline: March 31, 2013 Name__________________________________________________________________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________________________________ Phone#________________________________________________________________________________ e-mail__________________________________________________________________________________

| PrimeTime 8

March 2013

technology

by MEG FRASER

Digging into the past Judy George has been studying genealogy for more than three years. She loves the thrill of the hunt, making unexpected discoveries about her own family.

And thanks to technology offered at her local library, those discoveries are multiplying.

George is a member of the genealogy group at the Marian Mohr Library in Johnston, where an investment to purchase Ancestry.com software has paid off for patrons.

“We’re trying to get the word out that it’s there for them. It’s a tool and it’s a lot of fun to use,” said Associate Director Grayce Moorehead, who is also the reference services librarian at Mohr.

Mohr isn’t the only library using Ancestry. Providence, East Greenwich, Lincoln, Barrington, Cumberland, Newport, Warwick, North Scituate, Jamestown, Rogers Free, South Kingstown, Westerly, Harmony and the George Hail Library in Warren are all using the system. The software is free for members but can only be accessed from within these library facilities.

Moreover, all Rhode Island public libraries have access to Heritage Quest through state funding of ASKRI.org.

Ancestry software uncovers family ‘mysteries’

This database has information, including Census records and more than 28,000 family histories.

Moorehead is not a genealogist but is now quite familiar with the research that goes into organizing a family history. She uses an inverted pyramid approach, encouraging patrons to start with general facts they are sure of before putting every tidbit into a search engine.

Sometimes it takes thinking outside the box. Personally, Moorehead was struggling to find information on her grandmother, who was a housewife.

When that trail ran cold, she switched gears, looking up her grandmother’s brother, which proved successful.

Moorehead has now traced her family back five generations.

“I was so excited to go back to the five generations. I didn’t think I would go that far back,” she said. “Searching is what I do and what I love.”

Material can be scarce, depending on what decade or even century you’re looking for. Initial hits often come from census data, setting off a new trail to investigate based on profession, location or other tidbit scribbled into handwritten logs. In the past, stay-at-home wives and mothers left little in the way of paper trails, as opposed to people today who chronicle their lives on the Internet.

Moorehead imagines the process of genealogical research is constantly evolving with technology, calling Facebook and Twitter “gold mines” for genealogists of the future.

While users can navigate the system independently if they so choose, Moorehead is also offering one-on-one help.

She said the library software from Ancestry isn’t always simple to navigate, so she is glad to offer assistance. She is learning alongside patrons.

George’s interest in genealogy is reinvigorated because of the software. She began looking into her family for her own personal benefit and found it addicting.

“I had some questions about the German side of my family. As I started looking around, trying to find things on the

Germans, I said, ‘Why not try the other side of my family?’” she recalled.

George is in the process of making scrapbooks for each of her four children and is including photographs and data collected through her genealogical research.

George enjoys putting the pieces together. She suggested that newcomers start with an open mind and try to put the data into historical context.

“People find unexpected things about their family. It’s like a mystery that you’re trying to uncover,” she said.

George is not alone. At Mohr and at libraries across the state, Rhode Islanders are taking on the role of family historian.

“They’re lifelong learners,” Moorehead said.

To schedule a one-on-one genealogy appointment at Mohr, call the Reference desk at 231-4980 ext. 2213.

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guide to

technology

gadgets

Nowadays, there is technology to assist you in just about any endeavor. There are pedometers and sport watches to help you exercise, digital pens to transcribe your work and sound systems to help you sleep. Morning, noon and night, in the car, in the kitchen and in the office, high-tech gadgets are now found just about anywhere. Keeping up with the trends isn’t easy, and listing everything on the market would take up this entire magazine and then some.

If you still consider yourself relatively low-tech, we’ve covered a few of the more mainstream gizmos that don’t require a degree in computer science to figure out. From tablets to GPS systems, this technology makes life easier for you and can be purchased without taking out a second mortgage.

Tablets A one-piece, handheld computer, tablets are primarily operated by touchscreen. Laptop meets smartphone, tablets first became popular in 2010 with the release of the initial Apple iPad. There are countless models and knockoffs on the market, but the iPad continues to be a top seller. The iPad 2 can hold 16 GB and will start around $400. Microsoft is also doing well with their Surface Windows, which come in different colors, styles, memory capacities and, as a result, varying hits to your bank account. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and Galaxy Note have pushed their way on the scene, too, and will run you about $200 and $500, respectively, depending on memory capacity.

Digital cameras Point and shoot cameras are about as varied as computers, both in function and in cost. If you’re a novice photographer, a basic Fujifilm FinePix sells for just $60, and the first level Canon PowerShot is close behind, just under $75. These models are comparable to the Nikon Coolpix, and the Samsung and Olympus Megapixels.

The same rules apply to camcorders. All the major players have video models, too, with costs running anywhere from $130 and up.

If it’s photo quality you’re concerned with, though, a Digital SLR is more costly, but with that price comes a significant jump in quality. If you’re buying new, you’re not likely to find anything under $500, but don’t be surprised to see price tags that surpass $1,000. Perpetual rivals Canon and Nikon lead the pack in sales.

Digital photo frames Most models cost less than $100, but digital photo frames will enable you to peruse all your cherished photographs whenever you want. With built-in slideshow capability and timers, digital frames automatically transition from photo to photo, making art out of your family album.

Many models come with background music, too, as well as memory cards that can be constantly updated.

10 | PrimeTime

iPod and MP3 players

With today’s technology, people are now storing and playing music on their phones and tablets, so MP3 players are not the must-have accessory they once were. Still, if you enjoy listening to music on the beach, away from WiFi or on a walk, a player that will fit in your pocket or on an armband is the way to go.

For Apple products, the iPod touch is the newest and most expensive version, costing almost $200 for 16 GB or $300 for 32 GB. Nano versions are about $150. If you’re looking to save, you can get a 2 GB shuffle for only $45.

Though they don’t come with the same brand name cache, SanDisk, Sony and Samsung all have MP3 players of their own. SanDisk’s Sansa Fuze will cost $65 for 8 GB; Sony’s Walkman costs $80 for 4 GB and Samsung’s Galaxy Player, a popular alternative, costs $200 for 8 GB. What you should buy depends entirely on how you plan to use your player. Some have video capability, others don’t. And most important is how much music you need to store.

GPS systems If your car doesn’t come with a global positioning system, removable programs can bring you to destinations based on address, proximity to your current location and even based on points of interest. If you’re in a new city, find restaurants in the area, locate a hotel or plan day trips with different stops along the way.

GPS programs – Garmin, TomTom, Magellan and more – allow you to customize your trips, avoiding highways, taking the shortest route possible or going around traffic. Cheaper versions are only $50, but the top-of-the-line models will break $150 and just keep going.

March 2013

a worthy cause

PEOPLE AND PLACES

b y M ichael j . ceri o

Changing lives with technology Today in the United States, one in five Americans - more than 59 million people - live with a hearing or visual impairment.

While some of this increase is due to people living longer, it nonetheless represents a large portion of our population who face numerous challenges on a daily basis.

Advancing nearly as fast as medical science, technology remains a critical avenue in helping people overcome everything from environmental challenges to physical disabilities. To ensure the folks have access to the assistive technology that can help them reclaim their independence, TechACCESS of Rhode Island was established more than 20 years ago.

A non-profit organization headquartered in Warwick, TechACCESS is the brainchild of Judith Hammerlind Carlson, M.S., CCC-SLP, and Dr. Elizabeth Dalton, who identified a need within the community for assistive technology service providers.

Carlson serves as the executive director of TechACCESS, while Dalton works as the organization’s director of research and development.

“Assistive technology is any piece of equipment, whether low- or high-tech, that can help an individual overcome a physical or cognitive challenge,” said Matthew Provost, M.S., CCC-SLP, augmentative communication consultant for TechACCESS of RI. “As technologies were being developed, there was a void in where people could turn to identify the equipment they needed along with learning how to use and implement it - which is what TechACCESS focuses on.”

TechACCESS works with people of all ages addressing communication disorders, low-vision and blindness, difficulty hearing and motor skill challenges. When working with the school-aged population, their most common support helps young people who struggle in their learning environment.

The organization partners with educators to evaluate students who would benefit from assistive technology and then works with schools to acquire and implement equipment. Known as augmentative communication, TechACCESS utilizes everything from pictures, flash cards and communications books, all the way to computer-based technology such as a March 2013

voice output device that uses symbols to generate a wide-variety of statements.

“So many people can benefit from assistive technology, whether it’s a high-tech device or something on a more simplistic level,” says Provost.

For adults and seniors, TechACCESS offers a number of programs to aid those

who struggle to see and hear - two of the most common challenges people face as they grow older. They might need adapted telephones that flash a bright light when they ring, vibrating alarm clocks, a pocket-talker personal amplifier to better hear the television or a conversation, or stationary and portable video magnifiers.

TechACCESS is affiliated with the Adapted Telephone Loan Program, a fellow non-profit that provides phones tailored to the hearing impaired.

“Nearly 40 percent of people over 65 have some type of hearing loss,” said Provost. “Our job is to evaluate their needs and help them through the decision-making process of choosing, in this example, an adapted telephone that best suits their needs.”

For those with visual impairments, TechACCESS offers consultations on video magnifiers developed both for use in the home and on the go. This equipment allows users to magnify sections of a book or newspaper - anything in print - in a black on yellow display, a contrast proven effective to combat certain visual impairments. The magnifiers can also view materials in standard black and white or full color.

Though TechACCESS has been around for more than 20 years, Provost says that one of their biggest challenges is making people aware that they’re available as a resource. The organization offers free

demonstrations.

Each month, they offer workshops for the visual and hearing impaired.

Each workshop is approximately 90 minutes and folks just need to call in advance to register.

“During our workshops, we have people available who demonstrate and explain the various pieces of assistive technology,” he said.

“Our guests also get to try everything, which is an extremely important part of the process.”

If someone attending a workshop really likes a particular piece of equipment, TechACCESS will work with him or her to try and get the equipment funded. For those in need of a telephone, a letter is needed from their doctor documenting that they have a hearing disability. For folks who fall within a certain income bracket, phones may be available for free.

Once equipment is acquired, TechACCESS remains involved to make sure it is implemented properly and that people get the support they need to use it to its fullest potential. The organization also helps people access employment.

Through the Office of Rehabilitation Services, TechACCESS evaluates individuals who need assistive technology to function at work.

Taking this work a step further, TechACCESS also offers a unique membership program for anyone who uses assistive technology. For an annual fee of $35, individuals can attend member hours each Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment. During member hours, people go to TechACCESS and use technology they may not have available in their home and receive support for equipment they already own. The organization also has an adapted computer lab, which people can use to go online.

Another noteworthy change in the realm of assistive technology has been the emergence of portable touch technologies such as android smartphones, iPads and tablets - each able to support assistive technology through specialized applications. Apps are now available to turn an iPad into a voice output device, or a video magnifier using its built-in camera.

“From a clinical perspective, we now have more tools in our toolbox to help people,” Provost said. “Not only are they a fraction of the cost of traditional devices, but they’re also more socially-acceptable. Someone carrying an iPad, which you see frequently, wouldn’t stand out the way a person carrying a voice output device may.”

Each year during the last week in November, TechACCESS holds its annual Technology Conference at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Attracting more than 400 attendees, the conference brings together assistive technology providers and vendors from across New England. There are also representatives from other areas of assistive technology such as those who adapt cars for drivers unable to use their legs, and vendors who install automatic door openers.

As a certified non-profit, TechACCESS is primarily funded through a combination of donations and grants. Their modest fee-for-service efforts - mostly contracted work with schools - represent their smallest portion of funding. They receive no state or federal funding, and often get equipment donated from people they’ve helped who may no longer need a particular device or have upgraded.

TechACCESS gladly accepts donations over the phone at 462-0202 and through their secure website, www.techaccessri.org. All gifts are tax-deductible and may be earmarked to benefit a specific program or impairment.

“If you’re a person with a disability, there is very likely a piece of technology out there that can help you,” said Provost.

“A lot of people don’t know we’re here, but if they become familiar with what we do, we can help them gain better control over aspects of their life and challenges that can be overcome.”

PrimeTime | 11

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March 2013

AARP Driver Safety Be a more informed driver, and get a discount off your insurance

Did you know that when driving on a highway, it is actually legal to pass on the right? Did you know that it is now a primary offense to drive without a seatbelt? Did you know that you are required to “move over” to another lane when an emergency vehicle is in the breakdown lane? There are a great many laws and equally as many perils to driving in our fast-paced world. It behooves today’s driver to know these “rules of the road”, and to be more vigilant than ever before.

Did you also know that the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers a Driver’s Safety program for individuals who are 50 years and older? The AARP is a membership organization that provides information, advocacy and specific services to its members and to the broader senior community ~ and it cares about safe and informed drivers.

Gerry Levesque is the volunteer State Coordinator of AARP Driver’s Safety program here in Rhode Island. He explains that “The whole point of this program is to serve our senior population and to help them understand how laws, roads and vehicles have changed and most importantly, how they themselves have changed as drivers.

There are certain challenges that older drivers face, Levesque elaborates.

Some of these involve impaired hearing and vision, slower reaction times, and the side effects of medications. Seniors are also just as vulnerable to the distractions and dangers that others drivers encounter such as talking with other passengers, treacherous weather conditions and even something as simple as averting your attention to adjust the car’s temperature or the radio. All these concerns are added to the reality that there are more motorists than ever sharing the road. AARP believes it is never too late to be a better, safer driver.

AARP’s Driver’s Safety program meets in different venues across the state, including senior centers, retirement communities and any business available to lend the space. The class takes place over the course of four hours, with breaks – and meets only one day. While the most demand for these classes tends to be from October to March, the course is offered year round. There are ten instructors throughout the state – all of whom, like Levesque, are volunteers. Each participant is given a workbook, but the classes are also discussion-oriented and interactive. Come with your questions and your driving “pet peeves” – and be prepared to learn.

The best part of this driver safety program is that it is both affordable ($12 to AARP members, $14 to non-members) and yields a DISCOUNT on your car insurance. This discount varies by insurer, but most drivers see a 10% savings on their liability insurance.

Drivers may register for this course in three convenient ways – either in person at a designated site, online at AARP’s website (www.aarp.org/drive) or at a toll free number, 1-877-390-8802. For more information about this program, call Gerry Levesque, RI State Coordinator at 401-477-4901. Enroll in a class near you today – and enjoy the benefits of safe driving for years to come.

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March 2013

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PrimeTime | 13

technology

by MEG FRASER

‘HIP’ to technology HealthID Profile delivers new way to store medical information Angelo Pitassi III was still a toddler when he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The news sent shockwaves through his family, and dad Angelo Pitassi Jr. decided he wasn’t going to leave his son’s safety to chance.

He took matters into his own hands.

Pitassi teamed up with Chris Melo and created HealthID Profile (HIP), an electronic medical record that is easy to use, and to 8-year-old Angelo’s delight, a cool accessory. HIP bracelets combine state-of-the-art technology with fashion to offer a new solution to personal health care history.

To ensure Angelo’s safety in the case of a medical emergency, he was given a medical ID bracelet. These bracelets, given out to patients of all ages, inform emergency medical personnel of any pre-existing conditions, to help them better make health care decisions for a patient when their family is not there to provide a medical history.

Most bracelets have an institutional look to them, and normal wear and tear can take their toll on the information being displayed.

“There are definitely several varieties out there on the market, and I think we owned one of everything,” Pitassi said.

Each had its benefits and pitfalls, but nothing met the medical needs of Angelo, while allowing him to fit in with his peers.

Pitassi knew what he wanted. After working in the jewelry design and manufacturing business for a decade, he also knew what would sell.

Pitassi drew upon his experience and created bands to reflect every type of personality. Bright colored rubber bands appeal to young people, while sterling silver linked bracelets are popular with an older clientele. A newer version has a magnetic clasp, making it easy to put on or take off for individuals with dexterity problems. HIP bracelets have interchangeable charms and the most

important component - the medical history - can be transferred from band to band as often as the user wants.

“There is definitely something for everybody. We’re always keeping up on the trends,” Pitassi said.

What appears to be a silver clasp about two inches long is actually a chamber that snaps shut; inside is the user’s unique HIP code. All of the bracelets contain the code that, once typed into the HealthID Profile website, will pull up the medical information of the user. Users can also opt for a bracelet that contains a USB drive that can plug directly into a computer, with the same end result.

All of the fields, from allergies and medications to past procedures and even saved documents like MRIs, can be locked to ensure privacy. Users can add notes to make anecdotal observa-

tions about lifestyle changes or choices that could influence changes in their condition.

The HIP bracelets can be synced to mobile devices, so for example, if someone tests their blood pressure daily, the BP cuff can be set up to automatically update the HIP profile with that day’s reading. All of the information can then be printed out, making it easier to keep doctors in the loop and ensuring that procedures or tests are not duplicated, which also saves money for the user and the insurance company.

The system is secure and encrypted, and if the user loses their bracelet, all they have to do is contact HIP and they will be issued a new HIP code, invalidating the former code.

HIP – Page 22

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March 2013

senior issues

b y kerry park

Prescription: activity

Social interaction a crucial part of long-term care A western theme made the recent 2013 Activity Directors’ Association of Rhode Island (ADARI) Luncheon look more like a cowboy convention than an official installation ceremony, but mixing business with fun is par for the course for this group of long-term care professionals. It is the job of activity personnel to help ensure that nursing home residents have a full and active life, not just a place to live. They understand more than anyone that even the best health care delivered in the most luxurious environment comes up short without social interaction and mental stimulation.

Catering to the individual needs of all the residents in a skilled nursing facility is a tall order, and changes in nursing home demographics have altered the landscape for activity professionals.

“Back in the day, you would have one activity person for 100 residents. Now, we provide physical, mental and social stimulation for all types of different groups,” said ADARI President Cindy Pereira, a 21-year veteran of long-term care.

Pereira points to the different challenges of catering to a younger population as an example.

“The younger residents tend to stick to themselves and want online access for social media. Movies and iPods are important to them,” she said.

Contrast this with the cognitive needs of someone with dementia and add the regulatory requirements involved with caring for each diverse group, and one can see how the evolving world of skilled nursing care has created the need for activities to become a team endeavor in nursing homes.

“At my facility, we have people in our activities department from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with 40 to 50 different residents a day. With the way the world is changing in nursing homes, activities are everyone’s job. If you don’t have your management team on board with that, it’s not going to happen,” said Pereira.

It’s clear then, why Pereira wanted to lead the Activity Directors’ Association.

The group, which offers seminars and continuing education credits to activity professionals, is also focused on expand-

ing their offerings to a bigger group. Social workers, nursing staff and nursing home administration are all encouraged to attend ADARI’s educational series.

Pereira is also focused on building the volunteer base in nursing homes.

“Volunteers are often hard to find, especially in rural areas. With everything we need to do and the paperwork that goes with it, just having a volunteer visit residents in their rooms is helpful,” she said.

Asked what would entice someone to volunteer their time, Pereira answered with a story.

“I remember one woman who has always stuck with me. She had Alzheimer’s disease and never spoke. Night after night, we would go to her room, bathe her, talk to her and say ‘goodnight, Harriet,’ but she never responded. Then one night, when we were leaving her room, we heard her reply ‘goodnight Susan,’ to my co-worker. From then on, she began to speak. You just never know what someone is absorbing from you and sometimes something clicks. That gives you the biggest kick,” she said.

The Activity Directors’ Association of Rhode Island is a satellite group of the Rhode Island Health Care Association, an organization comprised of three-quarters of Rhode Island’s skilled nursing facilities. If you would like information about volunteer opportunities at a nursing home in your area, contact Cindy Pereira at cpereira23@ comcast.net or visit www.rihca.com to find a skilled nursing facility near you.

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PrimeTime | 15

b y catherine T erry tayl o r d i re c to r , r i d e p a r t m e n t o f e l d e r l y a f f a i rs

senior

issues

Don’t gamble with your future that exacts a terrible financial and emo- George Ladd of Rhode Island College tional toll on addicts and their families. estimates that as many as 10,000 older Compulsive gambling often causes its Rhode Islanders may be problem gamvictims to engage in illegal activity, such blers at risk of developing an addiction.

Researchers and mental health proas embezzlement, filing false loan applifessionals identify two stages of disorcations and writing bad checks.

Seniors can be particularly vulnerable and “at Seniors are not only at higher risk” of becoming pathological gam- risk for developing a gambling blers. They may be socially isolat- problem, but face greater struged. They have free gles as a result of their gambling time. They may be bored and look- than do younger people. ing for something to do. Gambling venues or other community organizations often run dered gambling: problem gambling and day-trips to the casinos. Players are en- compulsive or pathological gambling. ticed with the promises of free transpor- Gamblers Anonymous defines problem tation, free food and free play. Because gambling as behavior “that causes growof these additional risk factors, Professor ing and continuing problems in any department of his or her life.” Problem gambling can develop into compulsive or pathological gambling, which is an addiction disorder that requires professional help to overcome. great Compulsive gambling is a hidden food! illness with no obvious physical symptoms. The impact is felt primarily in the great depletion of finances and the destrucprices! tion of relationships. Compulsive gamgreat blers use any and all family resources to feed their addiction. They become view! isolated from family and friends as they seek to conceal their gambling actions.

When families finally learn that a member has a gambling problem and of the lost money and assets, they feel angry, betrayed and frustrated. Abuse or financial exploitation of seniors by persons who are caring for them can also result.

Seniors are not only at higher risk for developing a gambling problem, but face greater struggles as a result of their gambling than do younger people.

Often they lack the ability to replenish their financial assets. They isolate SEAFOOD • CHICKEN • STEAK • PASTA even more as they find it difficult to tell someone about their problem. They feel intense pain and guilt – believing that their addiction is a character flaw rather Chowder & Clam Cakes Every Day! than the illness that it is.

Take OuT Orders WelcOme • smaller POrTiOns available There is also a frightening connection between problem gambling and suiDAIly SPECIAlS cide. According to Dr. Rachel Volberg, president of Gemini Research Limited, Open 7 days a week 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

“Suicide rates among pathological gamblers are higher than for any other of the 288 Arnolds Neck Dr., Warwick, RI • 732-6575 addictions, second only to suicide rates LocAteD 1/4 mILe South of AppoNAug 4 coRNeRS among individuals with major affective disorders, schizophrenia and a few major hereditary disorders.”

For many Rhode Island seniors, playing bingo at a senior center is a cherished pastime. The weekly grocery list includes a Powerball ticket. An Internet fantasy football league is a fun way to connect with other sports fans.

An afternoon at Twin River or a trip to Foxwoods is a real treat.

These are social gamblers for whom gambling is an enjoyable and harmless form of recreation. Social gamblers are in full control of the amount of time and the amount of money they spend on gambling. Indeed, they budget the amount of time and money they want to spend on gambling, expect to lose and consider their gambling losses an entertainment expense.

For most people, gambling is not a problem. However, research at Rhode Island College indicates that as many as 40,000 Rhode Islanders exhibit behavior that may classify them as problem gamblers. Compulsive gambling is a disease

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How can you tell if you or someone you love may have a problem with gambling? Be alert to these warning signs: • Pre-occupation with gambling to the exclusion of all other activities • Concealing gambling and gambling losses • Using gambling as an escape • Jeopardizing family relationships • Marked changes in physical appearance or attitude • Increasing the amount of bets • “Chasing” – i.e., gambling to recoup – losses • Failing in efforts to control or stop gambling If you recognize any of these signs, it’s critical to take a step back from gambling. If you can’t, get help. Most compulsive gamblers find that they cannot stop gambling on their own. Recovery can be achieved through therapy, medication and long-term support. Successful treatment usually involves a combination of these elements.

The Rhode Island Hospital Problem Gambling Treatment Program helps compulsive gamblers identify the issues surrounding their gambling, develops a program of recovery and encourages addicts to join support programs such as Gamblers Anonymous. For information about the Rhode Island Hospital program, call 444-7036, or go to www. rhodeislandhospital.org. For more information about compulsive gambling, go to www.gamblersanonymous.org.

The Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs (DEA) is an active partner with Rhode Island College and our sister state agencies in exploring the issues of problem gambling and seniors and increasing the awareness of problem gambling in the aging network. The key to successful prevention and treatment is awareness that compulsive gambling is a disease, and that lasting recovery is possible. Help is available for compulsive gamblers who seek it.

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16 | PrimeTime

March 2013

retirement sparks

senior

issues

b y elaine m . decker

Bio IDs for retirees India is implementing the first-ever universal biometric ID program, which will assign a Unique Identification Number (UID) to each resident as a national proof of identity. The UID links three pieces of biometric data: a photo of the face, iris scans and fingerprints.

Similar ID trial balloons have been floated in Britain and the United States over the past decade.

Not surprisingly, UID plans have many critics who think Big Brother is already watching us too closely. With a little thoughtful tweaking, we seniors can make a UID work to secure our access to benefits as we age. Forget fingerprints and iris scans. We have more appropriate ways to uniquely identify us using biometrics, ways that will not put us at risk of government meddling.

I’m using as my guide Wikipedia’s definition: Biometric identifiers are the distinctive, measurable characteristics used to identify individuals. And further: The two categories of biometric identifiers include physiological and behavioral characteristics. You just know there’s a treasure trove of possibilities in this. Here are some of my suggestions.

Chemical breath analysis Odors (or odours, if you’re a Brit) are an acknowledged biometric. Per the site griaulebiometrics.com: “...each organism produces a given odour that is characteristic to that organism.” I’d never suggest using body odor as a UID, but let’s face it; older folks have some of the most distinctive breath aromas on the planet. A CIA agent would have to be really perverse to probe that data out of idle curiosity.

Plaster casts Equally curiosity-proof is a plaster cast of your bunion. Though I’ve not conducted a scientific study, I’m quite certain that every bunion is unique.

What’s that? You don’t have bunions?

Then use the profile of your fallen arch when it’s placed on a special footpad.

What, again? Your arches haven’t fallen and you have no bunion?

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Unless you’ve spent your life barefoot on the beach, you can’t

have reached senior status without at least a hint of one or the other of these problems. However, moving on...

Spot patterns The patterns made by our liver or age spots provide yet another biometric for a UID. The ones on your face or on your hands provide the most discrimination. If you opt for this biometric, you should overlay the behavioral test of what you think the patterns represent.

It’s a sort of Rorschach for seniors.

When the ID is set up, you input your interpretation into the database.

Anyone with a similar spot pattern will need to perceive it in your same quirky way in order to co-opt your ID.

The art of earwax Those with excess earwax have an additional option, that being a Pantone match to the color of your wax. Important! Be sure to use the Pantone code for coated stock, not uncoated. Those who have used this color tool know that you get not-so-subtle variations in shades depending on the paper you print on.

Likewise with wax, which performs more like coated stock. The earwax biometric has an added benefit of improving your hearing each time you are screened for a UID match.

The lettuce test This ID measures how long you take to chew a three-by-five-inch lettuce leaf.

It’s predicated on the fact that many seniors have dentures, caps or other paraphernalia that render chewing food such as lettuce a challenge. Be sure to indicate which type of lettuce was used for your standard. If you’re timed using iceberg when your ID is set up, but they test you on Bibb or romaine, you’ll never pass as yourself.

Meandering ratio The final metric is complicated and therefore unique. You walk from point A to point B, 10 feet away. A computer records you and calculates as follows: Ten divided by how many steps you take times your sway (inches from leftmost point to rightmost).

This number is divided by your height in inches times your weight in pounds, and that is divided by the circumference of your right thigh. The result is your meandering ratio.

There you have it. Six alternatives to fingerprints and iris scans for a seniorfriendly biometric ID system. The more we combine these together, the more secure our identity from pretenders. And the less likely some nosy government functionary will go out of his way to track our every move. Isn’t technology great?

Copyright 2012 Business Theatre Unlimited. Elaine M. Decker’s latest book, “Retirement Sparks Again,” is now available. It follows her first two books, “Retirement Sparks” and “CANCER: A Coping Guide.” All are available at Books on the Square, the Brown University bookstore, and SpectrumIndia, on the East Side of Providence, and on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions. You can also special order through Barnes & Noble. Contact her at emdecker@ix.netcom.com to arrange a book reading or a meet-and-greet with your organization.

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March 2013

PrimeTime | 17

your taxes

professional perspective

Ten things to know about free tax help

Each year, millions of people have their tax returns prepared for free by IRScertified volunteers. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs provide free tax help in communities across the country.

1. The IRS sponsors both the VITA and TCE programs and works with community organizations to train and certify volunteers.

2. The VITA program offers free tax help and return preparation to people who generally earn less than $51,000.

3. The TCE program offers free tax help and tax return preparation with priority assistance given to people who are age 60 or older. The AARP Tax-Aide program is part of TCE and helps low- to moderate-income taxpayers. The IRS certifies this group of volunteers to specialize in retirement issues unique to seniors.

4. The VITA and TCE programs provide free electronic filing. An e-filed tax return means an accurate return.

E-file combined with direct deposit is the fastest way to get your refund.

5. Using VITA and TCE can help ensure you get all the tax credits and deductions you may qualify to claim.

For example, credits could include the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the Credit for the Elderly.

6. The IRS continues to expand partnerships with non-profit and

18 | PrimeTime

issues

b y C amilla F arrell

b y meg che v alier

Here are 10 things the IRS wants you to know about these programs:

senior

community organizations to offer these vital services. Thousands of free tax preparation sites around the nation began opening in late January and early February.

7. Some sites have bilingual volunteers to assist people who speak limited English.

8. The IRS partners with the military to provide free tax assistance to military members and their families.

Volunteers receive training on tax issues related to the military. These include special rules and tax benefits for those serving in combat zones.

9. This year, at select sites, you have an option to prepare your own simple federal and state tax return. This option allows you to use web-based tax preparation software for free.

This service can help people who need assistance or don’t have computer access prepare their tax return.

Volunteers at these sites guide taxpayers to help them prepare and file their own simple tax returns.

10. Local VITA site information is available by calling the United Way number 2-1-1. Also, at IRS.gov – search the word “VITA” and then click on Free Tax Return Preparation for You by Volunteers. Site information is also available by calling the IRS at 800-906-9887. To locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, visit aarp.org or call 888-227-7669.

de velopment direc tor , alzheimer ’s association

RI

chapter

Forget-me-not

Jewelry sales support Alzheimer’s Association programs Alzheimer’s disease is the largest underfunded public health threat facing our nation, and it is only growing.

Today, more than half of all Americans know someone with Alzheimer’s. Soon, no one will be left untouched. The Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter is a private, non-profit organization that was started in 1989 by local family caregivers and health care professionals. The chapter’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s 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.

The Rhode Island Chapter is funded solely by individual donations and public and private foundation grants.

To offset the cost of our local programs, we developed an entire line of forgetme-not jewelry. In 2006, the idea blossomed with a committed group of volunteers who joined together and designed and created a lovely forget-me-not flower pin.

Katie Wilkinson, a board member and Newport Walk Chair at the time, wanted to create something as a remembrance of her dad, who had passed away with Alzheimer’s disease. Another committee member, Newport artist Priscilla Malone, designed the flower, and we created the mold and pin with local manufacturers in Johnston. The tagline on the pin is, “Made in Rhode Island for Rhode Islanders with Alzheimer’s disease.”

We sold the pin for many years with sales exceeding $100,000. Visit our website to view all of the items at alz.org/ri.

Today, we have other forget-me-not jewelry items, including a forget-me-not pendant and charm, forget-me-not earrings in a drop style and stud and also a forget-me-not lapel pin. Prices are affordable, ranging from $10 to $30. We even have a $5 off jewelry special for different holidays. Along with the lovely forget-me-not jewelry, we are also selling Pandora-style beads in two different designs created through a sister chapter.

If jewelry is not your thing, we also have cookbooks, wristbands, note cards and bookmarks for sale. The note cards and bookmarks are created by our Live & Learn participants, a social program run by chapter staff and volunteers for persons with early memory loss.

All the proceeds from our sale items directly benefit our local programs. The Rhode Island Chapter provides a 24-7 Helpline, Care Consultation, Resource Library, Caregiver Support Groups, Education and Training, Medic Alert and Safe Return, Live & Learn and advocacy on public policy issues.

If you would like more information about our programs, contact Program Director Marge Angilly at mangilly@alz.org, or for fundraising and events, contact Camilla Farrell at cfarrell@alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900.

Items for Sale • Alzheimer’s Beads ($30) - A Pandora-style bead; the glass bead is green and white and has a sterling silver core with the inscription of the Alzheimer’ s Association. We also have a glass purple and white bead with the inscription Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which is a great addition to any Pandora, Chamilia, Biagi, or Troll bracelet.

• Forget-Me-Not Pin ($20) - A beautiful, hand-painted enamel forget-me-not pin, flower designed by local Newport artist Priscilla Malone. The pin can also be worn as a necklace with a slide.

• Forget-Me-Not Pendant and Chain ($30) - A beautiful, hand-painted enamel forget-menot pin on an 18-inch link chain.

• Forget-Me-Not Earrings ($20) - Two styles of earring with the forget-me-not in either drop or stud.

• Forget-Me-Not Lapel Pin ($20) - Appropriate for a man or woman - a lovely gift.

• TV Maitre d’ Cookbook ($15) - The TV Maitre d’ Cookbook, co-authored by Joe Zito and Linda Beaulieu, is a compilation of recipes from over 100 talented chefs and restaurants.

• Recipes to Remember Cookbook ($10) - This cookbook was created by the Rhode Island Chapter, bringing together hundreds of favorite recipes from caregivers, friends, staff and families - truly a treasure!

• Watercolor Note cards ($5)- An assortment of four watercolor note cards created by the Live & Learn participants. Live & Learn is a free weekly social program for people with early memory loss now serving our loved ones in five locations in Rhode Island: Providence, Warwick, Middletown, North Kingstown and Woonsocket.

• Beaded Bookmarks ($5) - Beaded bookmarks also created by the Live & Learn participants.

• Wristbands ($1) - Rubber wristbands lettering “Reason to Hope” and logo.

March 2013

wHAT DO YOU FINK?

LIFESTYLES

by MIKE FINK

Some thoughts about March Julius Caesar was told: “Beware the Ides of March!”

“The March winds doth blow!” my mother said to me as she wrapped my coat, scarf and hat tightly around me before sending me uphill to school.

The seasons wage war with each other, and the lamb defeats the lion as Easter and Passover close off the winter moon and open up the garden gates of springtime. Welcome the stranger to your table; it might be Elijah the Prophet. Last year, a pair of swans built their nest, recycling human trash and shaping a secure space on the East Side riverbank

DOER’S PROFILE

across from the Roger Williams Memorial, just around the corner from the train station. Tragically, a flash flood did away with the eggs of hope and devotion, leaving naught but grief for promised joy. A group of my RISD students, who had benevolently watched over them last year, awoke before dawn in a panic of concern. They did their best to save the brood, but alas, too late.

March is the month of uncertainty.

Romantic poets celebrate the pagan power of weather. Nature, to Lord Byron, rebukes our “vile strength” and Matthew Arnold, strolling Dover Beach, laments that military’s “ignorant armies clash by night.” The rest of that old Eng-

lish ode to March goes: “What will the robin do? He’ll hide in the barn, to keep himself warm and tuck his head under his wing, poor thing.”

I parked my car in the nicely gardened parking lot at the Marriott, and saw quite a large flock of winter robins perching on the fence over the highway.

The Peter Pan Bonanza bus station abuts North Burial Ground, with its passing stream, its pauper graveyard, its monuments and a variety of crows, starlings, gulls and, of course, sparrows. When you’re tired from travel, to the airports and beyond, or simply for a day of shopping in Boston or New York, you can read in the landscape around the termi-

by JOAN RE TSINAS

nal, all sorts of meandering musings and meanings.

March i s made for struggle, a war that ends in the victory of peace, promise and delicate green hopes. The Goliath Snowman is knocked out by the boy David with his harp and his slingshot.

The voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

people

and

places

Exploring cyberspace at Hamilton House Skype. Facebook. Playlists. Texting.

Twitter. PowerPoint. Apps. Smartphones.

Cyberspace is a technological wonderland. But an older person can find this world mysterious, almost impenetrable, and friends are rarely computer-savvy enough to truly help.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a guide?

Ideally, a grandchild who was majoring in computer science?

Few people have computer-savvy grandchildren nearby, but Hamilton House, a 55+ community center on the East Side of Providence (www.historichamilton. com), has come close. Thanks to a grant from the June Rockwell Levy Foundation, Hamilton House has hired three Brown University students to act as computertutors for eight sessions a week.

Not surprisingly, at times Hamilton House has a waiting list.

Hamilton House members will ask questions that range from basic (how do I work a mouse?) to complex (how do I guard my privacy on Facebook?). Sometimes, a member who has gotten a new gizmo for a gift needs help figuring out how to use it. Members sign up for help: the helper will spend as many one-hour individual sessions as the member needs.

It is a bit like having a grandchild on tap - somebody proficient in cyberspace, yet non-judgmental about a novice’s bumbling.

Anna Mason, assistant director of Hamilton House, notes that on average, 50 members each year seek computer help.

On site, for members use, are an iPad, two Dell computers and a Mac. Marcia Collins had signed up for Facebook long ago but didn’t use it. She had misplaced her password. She was not a

March 2013

novice at computers, though. Forty years ago, as an elementary school teacher in Fairfax, Va., she used ATARI. In the 1980s, she was one of an early cohort of teachers trained to use email (though at the time, she concedes it was far easier to simply call a person on the telephone). By the time Marcia retired in 1999, the staff newsletter came via email; the library had become the “media center” and teachers were required to master fundamental computer tasks, like creating spreadsheets, slide shows and PowerPoint presentations.

Once in Providence, she corresponded by email, bought goods online and she even sent text messages - but she didn’t use Facebook until a Brown tutor guided her through the basics. The result: she is now cyber-connecting with family and friends, a few of them from long ago. On her Facebook page, she has posted a photo of her with her young grandson.

“I got so excited ... I can tailor messages so they don’t go to everyone,” she said.

Katherine Hegedus joined Facebook easily, without help. She has long been comfortable with computers. When she emigrated in 1982 from Hungary with a PhD in archaeology and Egyptology, she worked, briefly, as a secretary, where she used the computer to do inventory control. Later, she taught in high schools and community colleges. She too uses computers to stay in touch, but the iPhone has given her greater access to her farflung family.

One daughter lives in Italy, another lives in New Jersey; her brother lives in New Zealand. Now that all family members have the same iPhone plan, they talk as though they lived in the same state.

“I’d have to be a millionaire to keep

in touch otherwise,” she said.

She uses Facebook to stay abreast of friends and acquaintances in Hungary, where she still has a house. She laughingly notes that she can follow the political tides, commenting to a large audience, mostly of strangers, via Facebook.

She sought help from a Brown student to compile a wonderful album of photographs. She had scanned photographs from her early years in Hungary into an old computer. At a tutorial, a Brown student helped her transfer those files to her new laptop.

Ruth Parker, a psychotherapist and artist, got her first introduction to computers through a volunteer job with What’s Next, a non-profit that helps retirees make postwork decisions, based in Newton. She knew nothing about computers, but the job sounded interesting. So even though the ad specified “computer knowledge,” Ruth thought: “I’ll learn it; I’ll figure it out in a couple of weeks.”

Fortunately, the training paired Ruth with a computer-savvy partner. In time, Ruth got a computer - a Dell that subsequently crashed beyond repair. She took classes at the Brookline Senior Center, where she learned to manage data. At Hamilton House, she sought the help of a Brown student to help her create a PowerPoint presentation of her paintings of the Holocaust.

Ruth had photographed the 12 paintings while on display at the Holocaust Center in Peabody, Mass. With PowerPoint, Ruth created a slide show that she

used in a talk at Hamilton House. As for Facebook, Ruth decided not to join.

“I am in touch with people I want to be in touch with,” Ruth explains. “I have enough to do in person.”

Hamilton House’s elegant rooms overflow with plants, paintings, comfortable chairs and books (the paper ones). Members are painting, exercising, chatting over lunch, discussing a book, playing Mahjong, learning a language (current offerings include Italian, Spanish, German and Latin). But members are also enjoying the wonders of cyberspace. Indeed, Hamilton House has its own Facebook page.

The ins & outs of Facebook

The research is clear: stay involved with people - whether family, work colleagues, fellow hobbyists or neighbors. It is good not just for mental health, but for physical health as well. So Facebook can fill a crucial niche, especially when family and friends are scattered.

The AARP, which calls social media “the new front porch,” will guide people through the ABCs, including instructions on creating a family Facebook page. www.aarp.org

PrimeTime | 19

The celebration of a century

Saint Antoine Residence celebrates its centennial this year, 2013. Executive Director Wendy Fargnoli made the announcement at a ceremony held on the Saint Antoine Community campus. Speaking at the ceremony were Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts and North Smithfield Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton, both of whom presented Fargnoli with letters of commendation, marking the facility’s milestone year. Monsignor Charles Dauray and the Sisters of Charity (the “Grey” Nuns) founded Saint Antoine in 1913 as “L’Hospice Saint Antoine du Woonsocket.” Its original facility was located on Hamlet Avenue in Woonsocket. It moved to its current location in 1941. Later, in 1994, because of the heightened nursing care that the residents needed, a state-ofthe-art facility was erected, replacing the 1941 building. In 2000, the Villa at Saint Antoine assisted living facility was added. Pictured in the first row, from left, are Centurion Residents Sr. Helen Klumpp, Christine Sears, Yvonne LaRoche and Jeanette Meunier. Standing in the second row is Board Chair Msgr.

George Frappier, CareLink CEO Joan Kwiatkowski, Former SAR Administrator Mary Ann Altrui, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts and North Smithfield Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton. (Submitted photo)

20 | PrimeTime

March 2013

A GLIMPSE OF RI’S PAST

PEOPLE AND PLACES

h i s t o r y w i t h T e r r y d ’a m ato S p e n c e r

The era of Alva ends Change in the air

cause of his history of heart trouble and other ailments, some of the country’s most able surgeons hesitated to operate.

When they eventually did, it was too late. The appendix burst and peritonitis set in. Ironically, Belmont’s heart survived the operation with no major ill effects, but the spread of the poison could not be contained and he died as a result of the peritonitis.

During the next 25 years, Alva continued to make history, but the facade was cracked. Her interest in architecture for a brief period overshadowed her other activities. She closed Belcourt and moved back to the Marble House, which she had received as part of the settlement when she divorced William Kissam Vanderbilt in 1895.

Alva Smith Vanderbilt married Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont in 1896.

For 12 years after their wedding, the Belmonts were constantly in the news because of their extravagant entertainments and amusements. They led Newport society and set the standard for what was chic and what was crass. Their formal dinners, impromptu lunches, beautiful horses, bicycles and motor cars received front page treatment in many of the major newspapers. They were looked upon with awe by most Rhode Islanders.

The fantastic energy of Alva Vanderbilt Belmont kept the family at the center of society’s major events, but according to students of the Newport scene, Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont found the mad swirl of society gatherings overpowering after a while. Though five years younger than his wife, O.H.P. Belmont, never in good health, had a difficult time meeting the obligations his wife placed upon him. In 1908, at age 50, Belmont was stricken with an infected appendix. Be-

The famous teahouse

In 1912, Alva decided to build an authentic Chinese teahouse at the end of her magnificent gardens overlooking the ocean at Marble House. Her favorite architect, Richard Morris Hunt, had died in 1895, but his son carried

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on in his place. Alva sent Richard Morris Hunt Jr. to the Orient to study the buildings there and asked him to submit sketches of buildings he felt might be appropriate. She selected the most elaborate sketches and, at a fabulous expense, erected the teahouse.

The new building featured china designed by Hunt and the dominant theme was taken from the Ming dynasty figures (1368-1644) that Hunt had observed and recorded.

When the elaborate teahouse was finally completed in 1914, one major aspect was overlooked. There was no provision for the making of tea. But Alva was not to be deterred. She ordered the building of a small single-track railroad through the gardens to the kitchens at the Marble House. According to Cleveland Amory’s “The Last Resorts,” “...her guests were treated to the spectacle of footmen in full livery, squatting in miniature cars holding silver tea trays over their heads, being whisked in and out of the hydrangeas...” The tea was made at the Marble House kitchen and carried to the Chinese temple in this fashion.

The highlight of the 1914 summer season came in July with the elaborate opening ceremony at the red and gold lacquered Chinese teahouse. Alva was dressed for the occasion in an ancient Chinese robe that was resplendent with diamonds and pearls.

Finding her cause

During the same summer of the opening of Alva Belmont’s Chinese teahouse, an event occurred that P r i m e T i m e

changed the destiny of the world. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of AustriaHungary, was assassinated by a Serbian student. This incident provided the spark that set World War I in motion.

This war not only toppled many of Europe’s corrupt and archaic royalty, it also was the catalyst that brought about the end of the unrestricted extravagance and waste that characterized the owners of the Newport “Cottages” at the turn of the century.

Alva, who spent most of her life spending money on frivolous pursuits, became engulfed in promoting “causes.”

Architecture became one of her concerns. In 1910, she commissioned architect John Russell Pope to redesign the first floor of Belcourt. A 90-foot tunnel was installed so the servants could pass from the south wing rooms to the kitchen without going outdoors.

While she continued to build and rebuild (socialite Harry Lehr said she was always “knee-deep in mortar”), she became seriously interested in promoting good architecture and became the first woman elected to the American Institute of Architects.

To vie with some of her rivals who were known for their “good works,” Alva donated time and money to soup kitchens, anti-drug campaigns, birth control clinics, free clinics for the destitute and, probably most dramatic, women’s suffrage.

The conclusion of this story will be in next month’s issue.

g n i v i Le x p o

M a g a z i n e

senior

exhibitor opportunities

Be part of the PrimeTime Senior Living Expo Wednesday, April 10 • 10:00 AM-3:00 PM at the Warwick Mall Interested in Exhibiting?

Contact Lisa Bronstein, American Health Resources, Inc at 508-588-7700 or LisaB@AHRevents.com

PrimeTime | 21

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

lifestyles

by DON FOWLER

A ‘step’ in the right direction

A taste of comfort

While most well known for its breakfasts, the Norwood Grill in Warwick has recently become a popular respite for great comfort food at lunch and dinnertime.

Drive by on a Saturday or Sunday morning and you will see a line of folks waiting patiently for a table.

Located in a small strip mall at 1325 Post Road, the restaurant shares an outer entrance with the BUSA liquor store.

While it doesn’t look like much from the outside, when you walk through their door, you are magically in a cozy setting with welcoming staff.

You immediately understand their logo: Family Friendly and Attentive.

Norwood Grill is a true family operation. Mom and Dad Xynellix are there, helping with the operation, while son John is cooking. They have been at that location for about three years, having previously run PJP’s on Airport Road and Town Chef in West Warwick.

“My brother Peter found this location and was heavily involved in the business,” John said. “He passed away and we shut down for a few weeks. We miss him so much.”

With help from Aquil Medeira of US Foods, John created a new and exciting comfort food dinner menu, complete with daily specials.

One of the specials on the board was braised short ribs, a meal I haven’t had in ages. For $13, I was treated to a cup of pasta e fagioli soup and four huge, tender

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beef ribs covered with a tasty, sweet glaze and served with mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots and turnips.

For the same price, Joyce enjoyed a chicken Frangelico with freshly cut French fry slices and spinach and red peppers. She chose a salad to begin her meal.

Most dinners are in the $13 range. And that includes a breadbasket, salad or soup, and dessert.

John prides himself in using fresh products. “I cook the specials based on what looks good when I shop for meat and vegetables,” he said.

In addition to the variety of chicken, beef and seafood dinners, Norwood Grill offers sandwiches, burgers, soups, fish and chips on Fridays and prime rib on Saturdays.

John has added a new brick oven to his spacious kitchen for his variety of freshly made pizzas.

His new menu is attracting regular breakfast customers to come back another day and enjoy what is becoming a popular trend in dining: the comfort food meal.

John also prides himself in the fact that he still has the same staff as when he opened.

While Tanya was providing us with excellent service during our visit, her mother was in the back making cookies, which appeared warm from the oven with Joyce’s tapioca pudding and my peach cobbler.

Norwood Grill is open seven days a week, closing early at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

We’re looking for new members . . .

Korean War Veterans Korean Service Veterans Meetings held 2nd Wednesday of every Month Chepachet Senior Center, Rte. 44

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Call Frank 231-3736 or Gil 831-3301 For More Information KWVA – Chapter 3

Cornerstone Adult Services received a national award from NuStep in January for their commitment to wellness and healthy aging at their Alzheimer’s Center in Warwick. Pictured, sitting is Cornerstone participant Joan Fagan, being assisted by Physical Therapist Vikki Paul. Standing, from left, are Steven Sarns, VP of Marketing and Sales, NuStep; Dottie Santagata, Cornerstone Adult Services administrator; Dan Pendergast, Cornerstone Adult Services board chair; Kristyn McCandless, Tufts Health; Steven J. Horowitz, president and CEO, Saint Elizabeth Community; Maria Gil, Saint Elizabeth Community board chair; Roberta Merkle, executive vice present of strategic initiatives, Saint Elizabeth Community; and State Rep. Frank Ferri. (Submitted photo) HIP – continued from Page 14 All of the medical information is housed using web-based Cloud technology, so the storage capacity is significant. The USB drive holds 1 gigabyte of information.

“That’s a lot of data,” Melo said.

Melo came into the mix after Pitassi casually shared his idea in conversation.

After hearing Pitassi’s idea, Melo said he went home and could not stop thinking about the potential for health ID bracelets.

“My mind started to race at that point. Your conventional bracelet can host a limited amount of information; now, basically, we can host endless information,” he said.

Melo’s 15 years in information technology became essential to Pitassi’s vision. He believes that HIP’s secure system is on the cutting edge of health care technology.

Melo imagines a time when chasing a paper trail or duplicating tests will be obsolete.

“We’re really empowering the user

and the patient to be in control of their medical information,” he said.

The USB bracelet retails starting at $27.95, and the medical slides start at $13.95. Users can create their own line of bracelets, mixing and matching charms that start at $2.95, and purchasing different styles of bands that cost $6.95 and up. There is an annual service cost of $19.95 per year.

HIP bracelets are already being shipped worldwide, and Pitassi hopes that once the company grows, they will be able to give back to organizations like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, donating bracelets to low-income families.

“We definitely know there is a need for this,” Pitassi said.

For more information on HealthID Profile, visit www.healthidprofile.com or check them out at Facebook.com/ HealthIDProfile, where you can share your ideas on what products HealthID Profile should offer.

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Your is Waiting for You to Make it.

NORTH BAY RETIREMENT LIVING (IL, PAL, A/D, R/SN)

Active lifestyles. Excellent care. Vibrant communities.

1-888-474-0609

Active lifestyles. Excellent care. Vibrant communities.

Brookdale Senior Living® communities deliver exceptional experiences every day while respecting your preferences and choices. From great food and great times to every level of care you are ever likely to need, our communities exist to provide all our residents with superior senior lifestyles. And as a Brookdale® resident you will always have priority access to the lifestyle you choose or the care services you need – whenever you need them. So, don’t keep your life on hold.

Your best move is just waiting for you to make it.

Call or visit a Brookdale Senior Living® community today to learn more about the lifestyle that awaits you.

171 Pleasant View Avenue Smithfield, RI 02917

POCASSET BAY RETIREMENT LIVING a Brookdale® managed community

(IL, PAL) 12 Old Pocasset Lane Johnston, RI 02919

1-888-904-6289 SAKONNET BAY RETIREMENT LIVING (IL, PAL, A/D, R/SN) 1215 Main Road Tiverton, RI 02878

1-888-905-9964 SOUTH BAY RETIREMENT LIVING (IL, PAL, R/SN) 1959 Kingstown Road South Kingstown, RI 02879

1-866-705-9213 WEST BAY RETIREMENT LIVING (IL, PAL, A/D) 2783 West Shore Road Warwick, RI 02889

1-888-704-6386

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IL - Independent Living PAL - Personalized Assisted Living A/D - Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care March 2013 R/SN - Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing