October 15, 2013

GoodLife Good Life THE

Fall 2013

inside

◗ Searching for balance ◗ RRIFs helpful option ◗ Garden full of medicine ◗ Lutier is self-taught

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THE GOOD LIFE

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

No longer a ‘junior senior,’ Frayne keeps going Renee Andor Record Staff Gwyn Frayne’s husband keeps reminding her that she promised him she would slow down the pace of her life.

“But it’s very hard because I’m so interested in seeing the causes that are close to my heart, that they keep on,” the spunky 79-yearold says with a laugh, as she explains helping out those causes energizes her.

Recently, however, Frayne has acknowledged that she is a “senior senior” rather than a “junior senior” and she’s taken a step back to a supportive role with the Comox Valley chapter of Council of Canadians. She’s been involved with this group for many years, advocating about various social, economic and environmental issues affecting Canadians.

“But I’m very involved in the seniors (Support Our Seniors), of course, and am very entrenched in the seniors’ issues because there are now more issues concerning seniors than there were 20 years ago,” adds Frayne, noting housing, medical, support services and transportation as some areas of interest.

Support Our Seniors works to

improve the lives of seniors in facilities and in the community in general. The group meets monthly to discuss seniors’ concerns, share information, support each other, and talk about ways services for seniors can be improved.

She was integral in organizing the Comox Valley Community

I just — I love orga❝ nizing. Because I like doing things that are going to lead somewhere and make things better somehow.

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— Gwyn Frayne

Response Network, which includes over 50 groups and individuals that work together to raise awareness about adult abuse, and related supports available to deal with it, in the Comox Valley.

“I just loved getting in touch with all of the other groups in the Valley and the agencies and getting them on board for that Community Response Network because I felt that was important, you know, to work on abuse of all adults and seniors, and we’re just really getting going on that,” says

Frayne.

Meanwhile, Frayne has been busy helping launch a new coalition, called the Comox Valley Seniors Integrated Care Coalition.

It will also join a number of local groups together, this time looking at the need for integrated care for seniors.

She notes many people have shown interest in the new coalition, and the group will examine what the future of St. Joseph’s General Hospital could be when the new hospital opens in 2017.

“We want, as seniors, to have a one-stop access, that’s what we would like. One place where people could go if they needed a doctor or nurse, or nurse practitioner, or a physiotherapist or a social worker,” explains Frayne.

Frayne has worked in various facets of social work, with time spent working in the U.S. in the ‘50s and ‘60s doing children’s aid work and medical social work. She then spent time in Ontario doing more children’s aid work and working in a veterans’ hospital, before moving to Montreal where she again worked with children before she took a position as a community organizer at a family centre.

“And I loved that. I just — I love organizing,” says Frayne with a

GWYN FRAYNE, 79, continues to fight for causes she believes in by

working with local groups like Support Our Seniors and the Comox Valley chapter of the Council of Canadians.

PHOTO BY RENEE ANDOR laugh before she explains why she loves organizing: “Because I like doing things that are going to lead somewhere and make things better somehow.”

She then taught social work in Montreal, and amidst her busy working life, raised a family.

She moved to Courtenay in 1991 for an early retirement, but before she had unpacked her bags, she ended up with the job of coordinator at the Crossroads Crisis

Centre. There, she co-ordinated 75 volunteers, trained new volunteers and supervised the centre for nine years.

Frayne received the Caring Canadian Award from the Governor General in 2012 for her contribution to the Comox Valley community, though she says she prefers to stay behind the scenes in the groups she’s involved in, and promote others instead.

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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Luthier is self-taught “I’ve always liked guitars, and I thought,‘Why not?’ I was retired and I had to keep doing something.”

Erin Haluschak Record Staff Ernie Zerkee’s wood shop is well-stocked with wood and tools, while the body of a guitar lies face up on a well-used towel, waiting for a neck to be carefully attached.

His signature and date are barely visible in black felt marker through the sound hole, but the varnished body is ready for a musician’s grip.

“I have heard a few good things said about them. One guitarist said they’re alright — they’re If I worked steady, easy to play. But I’ve never put a value on them; I only I could probably make make them when people ask for it,” explained the nonaone a month, but I usugenarian over a coffee in his ally make about one kitchen.

Zerkee is a self-taught a year. They are made luthier — guitar maker — strictly from local wood but modestly added he can “play a little” but gives away … the body is made of many of the instruments he makes. maple and the top is “I started making furniture in the ‘90s. It was just spruce. a hobby and I made things — Ernie Zerkee when people wanted them,” he said, as he points to two kitchen cabinets and a TV stand in his living room.

Born in Manitoba and raised in Saskatchewan, Zerkee moved to B.C. when he was 18 years old, and worked a variety of jobs after joining the army, including falling timber for the John Hart Dam, driving a truck, and ending his working life at the Comox Creamery.

Zerkee said he never follows a particular guide when making his guitars, just a folded cardboard cutout of the body he uses as a rough shape.

“I just start from a three-quarter-inch thick piece of wood and draw the shape of the guitar.

The neck isn’t too difficult. I stain it, then put it together. I finish with some Varathane.

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“If I worked steady, I could probably make one a month, but I usually make about one a year.

They are made strictly from local wood … the body is made of maple and the top is spruce,” he noted.

“I’m always hoping to make the next one sounds a little bit better. I’m always improving.”

Although Zerkee is working on his 15th guitar, he added he can make almost any instrument, IN HIS 90S, Ernie Zerkee including violins is still making guitars after and a mandolin. graduating from constructing “I was really furniture. pleased with PHOTOS BY ERIN HALUSCHAK (the mandolin), but it did cost a little more,” he explained. “I was asked to make it and gave it to my niece who lives with her husband on the East Coast. They use it a lot over there.”

Another guitar, Zerkee said, he gave to his other niece in Toronto who plays guitar for inmates in jail once a week.

In addition to guitars, Zerkee mentioned in passing, he has built bird feeders, his wood shop and even a former home.

“I did build my own house at the top of the hill in 1964 before there even was Ryan Road,” he noted. “It was the first house on Back Road.” photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Luthier: noun; someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string musical instruments such as violins or guitars. The word luthier comes from the French word luth, which means lute.

THE GOOD LIFE

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THE GOOD LIFE

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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www.comoxvalleyrecord.com The Good Life

Searching for balance

You are in a work meeting and your cellphone vibrates.You ignore it.

Two minutes later, it vibrates again. You check the number and see it’s your mother calling.

Between meetings you call her back and she tells you she needs to go to a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.

You wish that she had told you earlier so that you could make arrangements, but you know that she’s struggling with short-term memory loss and you want to support her.

Over the lunch hour you find yourself calling around to your neighbours and relatives to see if they can take your mother to the doctor. You hope that someone gets back to you Balancing eldercare before your and work situations vary next meeting, tremendously and no sin- which is out of office. gle action plan works for theYour last everyone. Developing your resort is to call your own customized strategy can lighten your load and daughter, who is graduatreduce stress. It’s also ing from high important to think about school this year, to take caregiving as an imporher after tant role in your life. school.

Sound

— Wendy Johnstone familiar?

Balancing eldercare and work situations vary tremendously and no single action plan works for everyone. Developing your own customized strategy can lighten your load and reduce stress.

It’s also important to think about caregiving as an important role in your life.

Performing well at work and being successful in your role as a caregiver require similar elements — the right skills and information needed for your situation and being happy and healthy.

Caregivers need good information to make good decisions — at work and outside of work. A key strategy in balancing your role as a working caregiver is developing a workable plan. You can start by assessing the following: The level of impact eldercare is hav-

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ing on your work: Does your role as caregiver cause you to arrive late or leave work early more than once? Are you required to make phone calls related to eldercare while at work? Find yourself becoming tired or emotionally upset, resulting in feeling distracted at work? How would you rate the impact — none, some, high?

Job responsibilities and tasks: Being clear about your day-to-day responsibilities and what is expected of you is an important step in mapping out an eldercare plan.

Flexibility in your workplace and level of trust with those you work with: Can you work flexible hours? Do you have someone who can cover for you if you need to leave the office? Does your employer know about your eldercare situation? Are you comfortable Wendy talking to your Johnstone direct superior or colleagues about your eldercare situation? What policies does your company have in place to support working caregivers? What degree of flexibility do you have in your work schedule — a lot, limited, none? What is your level of trust with an employer and colleagues — none, some, high?

If you haven’t had the conversation with your employer or colleagues about your caregiving situation, now is the time to do it. Letting your manager and your close co-workers know what is going allows them the opportunity to provide support.

People notice when a colleague isn’t able to give 100 per cent. If information about your current eldercare situation isn’t shared, some colleagues may feel resentful and others may make other assumptions.

If you are not comfortable bringing up the subject with your supervisor, consider contacting your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or Human Relations staff at your workplace.

Many businesses have familyfriendly options that can help balance the demands of family caregiving and work. Employer and union collective agreements have several familyfriendly work provisions that may apply to your situation.

Wendy Johnstone is a gerontologist and is the founder of Keystone Eldercare Solutions. Her column runs in the Comox Valley Record every second Thursday.

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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Tuesday, October 15, 2013

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THE GOOD LIFE

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

RRIFs helpful option Deciding how you will turn your RRSP savings into retirement income is an important decision.

Janine Martin Contributor In the year you turn 71, you must close your RRSP and make one of a few choices.

You can choose to take all of your savings in cash, leaving yourself with a huge tax bill. You can purchase a life annuity or fixed-term annuity, which guarantees a set monthly income but gives you no control over your investments.

Avoid takOr, you can roll your RRSP into a Registered ing a short-term Retirement Income view. Your retire- Fund (RRIF).

Some benefits of a ment could last RRIF are: a lot longer than • Investments comyou think. The pound tax-free as long as they remain in the investments in your RRIF must plan.

• You select your generate sufholdings from a wide range of investments. ficient growth • You decide how to provide an much to withdraw income for as annually (above a set long as you need minimum once you turn 71). it.

• You can choose to leave the remaining RRIF assets to your heirs.

If you choose a RRIF, it is important to understand that this option does not guarantee an income for life. Similar to an RRSP, if your investments decrease in value, you will have less to draw from.

Top five RRIF tips 1. Rebalance your portfolio when you retire so that you can draw on income from your savings, rather than receiving a paycheque. Make sure a portion of your portfolio is earning enough short-term income to meet your needs.

2. Avoid taking a short-term view.

Your retirement could last a lot longer

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than you think. The investments in your RRIF must generate sufficient growth to provide an income for as long as you need it.

3. Is your spouse younger than you are? If yes, you can tie your RRIF withdrawal schedule to your spouse’s age instead of your own. This does not allow you to avoid minimum withdrawals from your RRIF. 4. If you have a locked-in RRSP — referred to as a Locked in Retirement Account (LIRA) in some provinces — or pension plan savings, you cannot purchase a RRIF. Instead, you have the option to purchase a Life Income Fund (LIF) or Locked-In Retirement Income Fund (LRIF).

These offer the same investment flexibility as RRIFs, but have additional restrictions.

5. Ensure that the withdrawals from your RRIF meet your income needs; however, you should also look at the strategy of deferring income until the end of the year to create more growth in your portfolio.

Final Details • The restrictions on foreign content have been eliminated.

• You must withdraw a minimum amount from your RRIF each year based on your age or the age of your spouse.

• There is no maximum withdrawal amount.

• Funds withdrawn from a RRIF are considered income and are taxable.

Retirement planning doesn’t stop when you finish working. Another phase comes into light.

A thorough review of all your sources of income and expected investment returns should be considered when assessing your retirement options. It’s important to make informed decisions regarding your financial future.

Janine Martin is an investment adviser with Odlum Brown Limited in the Comox Valley.

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www.comoxvalleyrecord.com The Good Life

Treatment options abound for arthritis sufferers Arthritis affects millions of people and can be a debilitating condition that impacts a person’s mobility and quality of life.

The March 2010 issue of Arthritis Care & Research revealed that 16.9 per cent of Canadians suffer from some type of arthritis.

Arthritis has no cure, though medications and physical therapy may be prescribed to help manage pain and improve mobility.

There are many different medicines that may be used to treat arthritis.

Topical pain relievers These drugs are applied to areas of concern and are absorbed by the body to relieve pain. They are generally effective for people who have mild symptoms in just a few areas of the body.

Anti-inflammatory pain relievers These pain medicines may be over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are common painkillers, as are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS. Prescription doses may be helpful for more painful symptoms.

Narcotic pain relievers

For pain that is not controlled by NSAIDS and other methods, arthritis sufferers may be prescribed narcotic drugs that are more potent. While effective, narcotic drugs are addictive.

They also may cause side effects, including constipation.

Antidepressants Some doctors prescribe antidepressants to relieve pain. It is not fully understood how the medications affect the body’s interpretation of pain, but the role of these drugs on brain chemicals may be the connection.

Drowsiness and dry mouth may occur from these drugs.

Steroids For a variety of reasons, steroids are very useful at reducing inflammation in the body. But prolonged use — especially when taken orally — can result in a number of side effects, including weight gain and acne breakouts. Doctors try to avoid these problems by injecting the steroid into the affected joint or trying other medications in combination with steroids to keep the dose of steroids as low as possible.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) These drugs are often used for diseases of the autoimmune system, especially rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. These medications work by interfering with or suppressing the immune system that attacks its own joints in people with these conditions.

These medications can cause serious side effects because they essentially slow down the body’s ability to fend off illnesses. But for some people they are the best plan of attack for symptoms.

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Tuesday, October 15, 2013

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

The Good Life

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Older women who take certain types of medication to combat high blood pressure may be putting themselves at greater risk for developing breast cancer, according to a new study.

This August, the prestigious medical journal JAMA reported that women who had used calcium channel blockers for 10 or more years had a higher risk of breast cancer.

The study is the first to observe that long-term use of this class of blood pressure drugs, which include Amlodipine (Norvasc), Felodipine (Plendil), and Nifedipine (Adalat), are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.

It has long been established that significantly elevated levels of blood pressure increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.

But what is the most effective way of lowering not only blood pressure, but cardiovascular risk?

Recently, a patient asked me just that question.

Georgia, 67, had been diagnosed with high blood pressure by her MD and had started amlodipine a year ago. Her blood pressure was still not optimal and she was looking at having to take a second medication.

She also has a history of breast cancer, which was treated two years prior. The blood pressure drug she was on is part of a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers.

These drugs lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels. They interfere with the normal flow of calcium into the muscles of the

LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE is good, but using a type of medication to do so could raise older women’s risk of breast cancer. blood vessels, which reduces the firing of those muscles.

Unfortunately, this same mechanism may give cancer cells an advantage.

I counselled her and explained that there are other classes of pharmaceutical drugs that are not associated with increased cancer risk. Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics have not been associated with cancer risk.

I recommended she switch to an ACE inhibitor for now and that we engage a thorough program of cardiovascular health promotion to lower her blood pressure, and her cardiovascular risk in a real and lasting way.

Nutritionally, I recommend a diet that is low in both refined carbohydrates and animal fat. Refined carbohydrates, like sugar, bread, pasta, etc., increase inflammation in the blood vessels and drive up blood sugar, both of which harm blood vessels.

Exercise has been shown in countless studies to lower blood pressure.

Georgia had not been exercising, and over six months of coaching she worked up to the recom-

mended 175 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week.

I recommended that she supplement her diet with some of the top natural medicines for blood pressure.

I recommend all my heart patients take a good B complex to lower homocysteine, co-enzyme Q10 to strengthen the heart, and Hawthorne extract to protect the heart and lower blood pressure.

Georgia’s blood pressure came down significantly during the six months of intensive coaching. She felt she was ready to try going off her medication.

I recommended she consider a strong, prescription herbal medication called Rauwolfia serpentine to continue to lower her blood pressure.

With the help of this safe and effective medicine, and her heart-healthy lifestyle, she was able to maintain her blood pressure at an average of 125/83, and know that she is also on a program that supports an anti-cancer lifestyle.

Dr. Deidre Macdonald is a naturopathic physician in Courtenay.

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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Tuesday, October 15, 2013

SHOWCASING

LOCAL ARTISTS

Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox presents: GALLERY EVENTS

A GARDEN’S HARVEST can provide so many of the nutrients people need as they age.

PHOTO BY JOHN COX

Garden full of medicine Harvesting the bounty from our garden certainly makes us appreciate the goodness it has produced.

DUCHESS OF DIRT

Who can dispute the incredible fresh flaOne good, non-food, advice for your eyes ... stop staring at the computer screen for vour straight from the garden to the table? hours. Look away for a few seconds on a And nothing better for our bodies than the regular basis and take a 15-minute break beneficial nutrients they supply. So imporevery two hours, as recommended by eye tant for the older family members...as well specialists. as the youngsters.

Need to speed up your Scientific studies abound metabolism? It slows down to support just how important as you age, so eat your caulicertain foods are for warding flower. off many of the aging pitfalls Problems with your bowels? the baby boomer generation Eat your beets. is encountering. And many of Thinking about that next those foods come from your trip to the dentist? Eat a vegetable and herb gardens. handful of raisins daily.

You must remember the LESLIE COX Various studies have deterPopeye cartoons of our youth? mined raisins actually lower the pH level in And all that spinach he ate to give himself the mouth and inhibit certain harmful bacstrength to bust his way out of trouble? teria that cause cavities and gum disease.

Well, there is more than a little truth in Of special note to baby boomer genthe miracle powers of spinach. Try about eration women: eat your cabbage! It raises 20 vitamins and minerals, along with a your estrogen levels, a very important and nice balance of omega-3 fatty acids, protein healthy factor for us. and fibre all wrapped up in a single cup of Oh yes, and the herb garden. Who knew cooked deliciousness. basil protected cell structure against radiaSo much goodness for your body and only tion?

41 calories. Without the dressing, of course.

Or that oregano was such a great antibacCollard greens and Swiss chard are also terial and antioxidant source, as well as a way up there in nutritional value with 18 nutrient-dense source of fibre? And don’t forand 21 vitamins and minerals respectively. get to liberally sprinkle rosemary and sage Failing eyesight? Carrots, of course! But in your soups and stews for the boost they do not forget to vary that diet with bell will give to your cognitive powers. peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, sweet Leslie Cox co-owns Growing Concern Cotpotatoes...and spinach which all contain the tage Garden in Black Creek. Her website good minerals and vitamins for maintaining is at www.duchessofdirt.ca and her colhealthy eyes. (Eating too many carrots will umn appears every second Thursday in the definitely turn you a light shade of orange Record. from all that beta-carotene.)

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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CVRD director Gillis has been everywhere, man Jim Gillis has worked for the RCMP, airlines and colleges, and travelled the world over

Scott Stanfield

Record Staff

Call him a Renaissance Man if you will.

Before he was elected Area B (Lazo North) director of the Comox Valley Regional District, Jim Gillis had worked for the RCMP, airlines and colleges, and travelled the world over the course of several years.

A self-described “air force brat,” the 71-year-old Gillis spent his childhood living in various parts of Canada.

At age 11, his worldly interests were piqued when he received an encyclopedia from his parents.

A teenaged Gillis joined the RCMP in 1961 but resigned from the force in 1964. To do so he had to purchase his way out. He

then sold his baby blue TR3, saved money working as a postmaster at the Cassiar asbestos mines and hit the road.

After crossing Canada, he travelled to England, France and Spain, from where he popped over to the Canary Islands for $21. He recalls the day in 1965, while thumbing his way through the south of France, when former British prime minister Winston Churchill died.

Gillis worked for Dan Air in England before discovering Scandinavia and other parts of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He found work in South Africa, back when “apartheid was full blown.”

Then came Latin America. He caught a boat to Rio de Janeiro, hitchhiked to

AREA B DIRECTOR Jim Gillis says he believes strongly in championing the environment.

Buenos Aires, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Central America, Mexico and back to Vancouver.

“The interesting thing about travel is you can diarize your life,” said Gillis, who worked as a salesman for CP Air in the late-’60s.

He then embarked on another two-year travel

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odyssey, this time visiting Australia, Southeast Asia, India, the Far East and Europe. At the time, the Vietnam War was still raging.

At Ward Air, where he sold seats to non-profit societies, Gillis said the Boeing jet — or the “great communicator” as he calls it — was

a “huge reason why you see societal change in North America, especially Canada.

“So much has changed,” Gillis said, recalling when beers parlours were the only place to drink alcohol and pubs had designated sides for men.

In 1973, he worked for the National Film Board’s Chal-

lenge for Change project at Douglas College.

“Out of that came probably the most important project, as I look back at my eclectic career, was the creation of a child sexual abuse educational kit called care.”

Back then, he said the taboo subject was “swept

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‘AIR FORCE BRAT’ Jim Gillis loves the Comox Valley, but also appreciates travelling. He’s seen above in Mexico with his wife, Gloria Balazs.

Continued from page 10

under the rug.” But it came to the forefront in the wake of some major incidents, such as the conviction of pedophile Robert Noyes, who had been a teacher.

“When Robert Noyes broke, every school district wanted to buy our kits,” Gillis said, noting a societal shift where child sexual abuse went from the back

to the front pages of newspapers.

Gillis later became dean of continuing education at Kwantlen University College, where he had served as faculty association president.

Upon retiring in 2002, he and his wife, Gloria Balazs, moved to the Comox Valley.

When it appeared his new home was to be paved over

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with development, Gillis felt it was important to protect the lifestyle that attracts people like himself to the Valley. So he ran in the 2008 municipal election and narrowly defeated then-Area B director, Barbara Price. He retained his seat by acclamation in the 2011 election.

His credo?

“Championing the environment and the lifestyle it

Gordon

brings, and how we have to protect and enhance it,” Gillis said.

During his terms in office, the CVRD has, among other things, adopted the Regional Growth Strategy and Sustainable Plan, upgraded Goose Spit Park, built the Barbara Road Walkway, and developed a Beach Access Inventory and Management Plan.

He has delivered on several campaign promises: promote building a new hospital within the next five years, create more walking/ cycle paths, and protect and revitalize the Courtenay River Estuary — which he calls the Valley’s ‘jewel in the crown’ — by supporting a management plan.

Along with district committees, Gillis serves with

the justice centre, housing and cycling task forces, the Environmental Council, and the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation for the K’omoks First Nation treaty negotiation process.

He has two adult children, as does Gloria. Gillis has a granddaughter and Gloria has four grandchildren.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Tuesday, October 15, 2013

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‘Heart disease’ describes numerous conditions Few people are unaware of heart disease and its potentially devastating effects. But many people may not know that the term “heart disease” is a blan-

Angina Angina occurs when a person has chest pain or discomfort around their heart because the muscle is not getting enough oxygenrich blood. Angina can be a byproduct of elevated levels of stress or overexertion and may even be caused by clogged arteries. All cases of angina are not the same.

Stable angina is the most common form, and usually follows a pattern that is common among patients.

Unstable angina is less predictable, while variant angina, the rarest form of the condition, occurs while a person is at rest. Rest and medicine are at the root of treating angina.

Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is characterized by the buildup of fatty materials in the arterial walls. This fatty material can harden over time, restricting blood flow and resulting in calcium deposits. Daily exercise and a healthy diet void of high-fat,

ket term used to describe several health problems related to the heart.

The following is a rundown of some of the more common heart conditions.

high-cholesterol foods are two ways to prevent or treat atherosclerosis.

Cardiac Arrest Cardiac arrest is a culmination of several heart conditions, including angina and atherosclerosis. Also known as a heart attack, cardiac arrest occurs when blood and oxygen are unable to reach the heart. Chest discomfort; discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck or jaw; shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort; and nausea or lightheadedness may all be indicators that a person is going into cardiac arrest.

Hypertension Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension is a relatively common heart condition. Nearly every adult has likely received a blood pressure reading at one point in his life. That reading measures the systolic pressure, which is the pressure created when the

heart beats, and the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the heart when it is at rest. A blood pressure above 120 over 80 is considered high, and that high figure might be caused by salt and water levels in the body and the condition of the body’s kidneys, nervous system and blood vessels.

Treating hypertension is relatively simple, as a doctor will typically recommend some dietary changes or even prescribe medication.

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Stroke Stroke occurs when the blood supply to any part of the brain is interrupted.

Potentially deadly, stroke can cause paralysis as well.

Trouble speaking, loss of coordination and trouble moving limbs may be indicative of stroke, which is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate medical help. The longer a person goes between the onset of a stroke and seeking treatment often determines the severity of the consequences.

More information on heart disease is available at www.heart.org.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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Simple ways to avoid overspending as retirement nears

EMPTY NESTERS CAN track their monthly expenses to ensure they aren’t overspending as they inch closer to retirement.

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When the nest is empty and the kids no longer need financial support, many men and women find themselves with some extra money in their budget.

Fewer mouths to feed and no more college tuition bills can give parents a sense of financial freedom they may not have had since before starting their family. But that freedom can also lead to overspending, something that can put retirement in jeopardy if people are not careful.

Though it’s understandable for men and women to splurge on a welldeserved getaway once the kids have finally left the house, it’s important for adults to ensure that such splurging does not become routine.

The following are a few ways men and women with some newfound disposable income can avoid overspending and putting themselves in financial hot water as they get closer to retirement.

• Pay with cash whenever possible. Swiping a debit card or credit card is certainly a convenient way to shop, but it can also be dangerous. Many people find it difficult to keep track of their spending when they use debit

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cards or credit cards to make their purchases. Using cash to make purchases, especially daily purchases like a morning cup of coffee, reduces the likelihood of overspending. This can help you get a better idea of how much money you’re spending and if there are any steps you can take to curtail that spending.

An effective way to use cash is to withdraw money from the bank once per week and use that as your weekly supply of money. If you find yourself frequently running out of money each week, then you’re likely spending more than you should.

• Keep a financial journal.

Men and women who must adapt to having newfound disposable income may find it is not much different from younger men and women learning to manage their money when they first start working. Some of those lessons, like saving more than you spend, might need to be relearned.

One way to get a grip on your spending is to keep a financial journal to track your daily and monthly expenses as well as larger purchases like a new television.

Write down the monthly expenses you know you have each month, such as a mortgage payment or a car note, and each and every purchase you make, including how much you spend on dining out each month. Do this for at least a

couple of months. When you have logged several months’ activity, examine your journal to see if there are any expenses that can be trimmed to save money.

• Don’t go overboard rewarding yourself. Once your last child has left the nest, the temptation to reward yourself with a luxury item or two might prove overwhelming. After all, raising a family and paying for college tuition has no doubt required substantial sacrifice on your part, so it’s well within reason that you want to reward yourself after all these years.

Avoid overdoing it so your finances aren’t stretched too thinly.

A vacation with your spouse is reasonable, but buying a villa overseas might be a little over the top. Luxuries can be nice, but they can also drain a budget. Your monthly expenses once the kids have moved out should be lower, so if you find your cost of living has increased now that your nest is empty, you might be forced to determine which of your expenses are luxuries and which are necessities.

• Take advantage of your “experience.” Though accepting a “senior” discount might be a blow to your pride, it also can be a boon to your bottom line. Many establishments, including gyms, restaurants and movie theatres, offer discounts to men and women age 55 and older. This can help you save a substantial amount of money over time, and no one has to know you’ve started cashing in on your experience.

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• Medical costs: Private insurance or government-sponsored programs likely won’t cover all of your medical costs, which typically increase as a person ages. There are various ways to prepare for the medical costs that might arise during retirement, and the earlier you start that preparation the less stressful paying for medical care as you age figures to be.

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Whether retirement is right around the corner or still a decade or so away, men and women should consider several factors to make sure their retirement years are an enjoyable time.

• Income: Just because you’re no longer working doesn’t mean you won’t have income. Government benefits, retirement accounts and perhaps even some light consulting work are just a few ways retirees can earn an income. Though your retirement income will likely pale in comparison to your income as an adult working full-time, estimate what that income will be so you can get at least an idea of how much will be coming in each month.

• Monthly expenses: Once you have an idea of what’s coming in, estimate how much will be going out each month. Certain costs associated with working, such as the cost of commuting and maintaining a professional wardrobe, can be removed from the ledger.

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