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RTC to Launch Transit in Somersett/Verdi and Spanish Springs this Fall
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he RTC is getting ready to launch its new FlexRIDE transit service in the Spanish Springs and Somersett areas in late October 2020. FlexRIDE is an on-demand, shared-ride transit service that provides users with curbside-to-curbside service. These are new areas of our community that the RTC has not been able to serve before due to funding constraints. But, with innovative solutions and vision from the RTC Board, we are now able to bring transit to more parts of our community, reaching more people and expanding transportation choices in the region. The RTC is also transitioning to a new FlexRIDE smartphone application for all current and future FlexRIDE services, including the existing North Valleys FlexRIDE and Sparks FlexRIDE services. New and existing FlexRIDE users will be asked to download a new app to book rides when the new service launches. On that date, the older Transloc app will no longer work to book rides. Information about the new app will be available on RTC’s website and social media channels closer to the launch date. How to schedule: Scheduling a FlexRIDE is done by using an app on your smartphone or table or calling a dispatcher at (775) 335-0035. Schedule your ride at your desired travel time
and the ride can be expected to arrive to the curbside closest to your location in 15 minutes or less. Fares will be the same as the standard RTC RIDE fares, $2 per ride or $3 for a day pass. Reduced fares will also be the same as existing RTC RIDE reduced fares. Spanish Springs/ Sparks FlexRIDE: The current Sparks FlexRIDE service area will be merged with the new Spanish Springs FlexRIDE service area. The new area will include areas of Pyramid Highway, the Galleria Shopping Center, parts of Los Altos Parkway, Vista Boulevard, Kiley Ranch, and the Spanish Springs Library. Sparks FlexRIDE will connect with RTC CENTENNIAL PLAZA so that passengers can connect with RTC’s transit system. Somersett FlexRIDE: The new Somersett FlexRIDE area will include parts of Verdi, including Bridge Street, Cabela’s, and Boomtown Casino, along with a majority of the Somersett area, and parts of Glen Eagle Drive, Avenida de Landa, Robb Drive, and Las Brisas. Somersett FlexRIDE will connect with RTC RIDE Route 4 so that FlexRIDE passengers can connect with RTC’s transit system.
October 2020
THIS ISSUE
Page 3 - RTC Launches New
Page 13 - Prominence Health
FlexRIDE Service
Plan: Open Enrollment
Page 16 - Medicare in
Page 18 - Calendar
Nevada for 2021
Page 21 - The HELLO
Page 22 - Funding of
Project!
Alzheimer’s Programs
Page 24 - Biggest Little City
Page 23 - Caregiver
Page 26 -this ‘n that
Recognition Event
Page 28 - Tinseltown
EVeRY ISSUE Page 4 - Sparks City Coun-
Page 29 - Resources Page 31 - Crossword Page 32 - Smart Travel
cilman, Khristopher Dahir Page 5 - US Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto Page 7 - Adding Life to Years - Center for Healthy Aging Page 9 - CMS: Seniors Get Your Flu Shot
Senior Spectrum Newspaper P.O. Box 7124 • Reno, NV 89510 775/348-0717 email: SeniorSpectrumNV@aol.com Web: SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com Family Publishers Connie McMullen • Chase McMullen Editorial not necessarily the opinion of SSN www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Opinion
A City Says Goodbye
Kristopher Dahir Sparks City Council
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his last month, the City of Sparks and this local region of Northern Nevada said goodbye to a good friend and a great leader. Mayor Ron Smith served the City of Sparks as an elected official since 2006. He was a city council member for three full terms and was elected to office when Mayor Geno Martini retired in 2018. Mayor Kristopher Dahir Smith learned shortly after beginning his term that he was also beginning the war of his life against stage 4 pancreatic cancer. This battle ended for him the morning of August 19. He was at home and surrounded by his beloved family when he died, or, as I like to say, when he “graduated�.
Memorial for Sparks Mayor Ron Smith held at the Nevada Veterans Memorial in Sparks. Mayor Smith died of cancer August 19, this year.
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I knew Ron personally, and would easily have counted him as one of my closest friends. The funny thing is, nearly all the people I have recently spoken to tell me that he was one of their closest friends! This says a lot about Mayor Smith. In this short article, I hope to share with you the heart and the person of Ron Smith, through some of his achievements, passions and character. To begin, you must know that he loved his wife and family beyond all other things. There is only one thing that would take precedence on his schedule over local needs, and that was his wife, kids, and grandkids. On many occasions, his wife, Karen, would travel and sell fabric at craft shows. He really did (Mayor Smith on page 6) October 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com
Opinion
Now’s the Time to Strengthen Federal Aid—Not Threaten Benefits to Seniors
By U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto
I
n my conversations with seniors and health care providers around the state, I consistently hear about the importance of protecting Medicare and Social Security. I’ve seen firsthand the lifeline these programs provide to Nevada’s seniors—like my grandmother, who worked as a sales clerk in Las Vegas to provide for her family and contributed to the Medicare and Social Security she Catherine Cortez Masto relied on in her retirement. There are over 378,000 seniors in Nevada, and they deserve to have full confidence that the Social Security they paid into will be able to provide the benefits they earned and expect. That’s why I cannot understand why this Administration is threatening these vital programs at a time when people need them the most. A recent executive memorandum signed by
the President establishes a payroll tax holiday that allows for the withholding of contributions to the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, threatening the already strained finances of these essential programs. Now, as we work to overcome the health and economic effects caused by the coronavirus, this payroll tax holiday could have needless negative impacts on Nevadans. Payroll taxes are the only mechanism by which workers and employers pay into these trust funds. Workers’ contributions are the foundation of these earned benefit programs. In fact, around $500 billion in payroll taxes went into the trust funds of both Medicare and Social Security from August to December of last year alone. With millions out of a job through no fault of their own and businesses struggling to operate, Social Security and Medicare are already facing significant challenges without the additional pressure from withholding four (Aid on page 8)
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Mayor Smith / from page 4
enjoy helping her, but he would tell everyone that he was going to the “gun show”. Some people still think to this day that Ron sure liked going to gun shows! Mayor Smith was a part of some significant and successful projects in our region. Two of the boards he championed on behalf of the city of Sparks were RTC and our Regional Flood. Additionally, there are three important projects that he helped spearhead, and followed through to completion. • South East Connector also known as Veteran’s Parkway • Regional Flood Management • Pyramid McCarran Interchange If you had the chance to be around Mayor Smith for any length of time, you would quickly know about his passion for the armed forces. He cared for our military and found many ways to ensure they were honored and recognized for their service. Being a Navy veteran himself, who served in the Vietnam War, he understood sacrifice and commitment for the country he loved--the USA. The two most significant areas of investment of his time were the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza, where he served as the president, and the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran’s Suicide.
Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza
Mayor Smith had a vision for a place in the city of Sparks to remember Nevada veterans who lost their lives in battle. This is what gave birth to the non-profit known as the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza, currently under construction at the Sparks Marina. To date, we have completed Phase 1, and have plans to complete Phase 2 next year. Upon the completion of Phase 2, the memorial will display the names of 896 men and women from the state of Nevada, all of whom died while in the line of duty. Additionally, we will represent each branch of the military, recognize every county in our state, and proudly display the American flag, the Nevada state flag, and the Nevada Veterans Memorial Flag for all to see. If you would like to see the 3-D rendering of this project, please visit NVMP.info.
The Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran’s Suicide
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The Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran’s Suicide project was presented to Ron about a year ago, and impressed him greatly. He made it his mission to invest time in making sure that local enlisted military hear his own personal story, and did his best to provide hope to those coming home from battle. My favorite aspect of Ron has to do with his character. The majority of people who knew Mayor Smith first met him as the manager at Scolari’s Grocery Store. I find it interesting that people grew so fond of their grocery store manager. However, if you know Ron, then the sentiment makes sense. Ron Smith was truly a friend and helper to everyone with whom he came in contact. I truly appreciated being able to ask questions and gain wisdom from him, as I knew his goal was to live a life that was honest and filled with integrity. Ron was truly a dear friend and we will miss him terribly. Our plan is to complete the second phase of the Nevada Veteran’s Memorial by the summer of next year, and hold a service for him at the same time we do an official dedication of the completed site. I sure hope you will consider joining us for this incredible day.
“Adding Life to Years” Dr. Larry Weiss Center for Healthy Aging
Healthy Aging:
ADDING LIFE TO YEARS
T
he baby boomers are one of the largest generations in American history. Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, Larry Weiss number about 71.6 million in the US as of 2019. The age wave theory suggests that
there was an economic slowdown when the boomers started to retire in 2007-2009. Many did not experience lower levels of poverty and therefore feel like they are economically fine for the rest of their life. The boomers have a longer life expectancy than previous generations, but also contract many illnesses that require help or caregiving. Therefore, this help alone will require unexpected expenses. We all see ourselves staying as healthy as possible as we get older. The truth is that 70 percent of us who reach the age
of 65 will need some form of care or services in our lives, for an average of three years. Research shows that 43 percent of Americans over the age of 55 have less than $25,000 saved for retirement. Today nursing home care cost an average of $89,297 a year for a semi-private room. Assistance at home, such as a visit from a home health aide cost approximately $24,800 a year. Clearly, one’s savings could disappear very quickly. If we look at other sources of funds for these long-term care services, only short-term rehabilitative care at home or in a nursing home are covered by Medicare. Additionally, for Medicare to even pay for these types of care, we must meet certain conditions. Medicaid is the nation’s primary funder of personal care and supportive services, paying for about half of all services provided. However, should we need care; the only way to qualify is to (Life page 12)
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Federal Aid / from page 5
months’ worth of its major funding source. Furthermore, this temporary payroll tax holiday doesn’t do nearly enough to help those who need it most. The impact of this executive action is proportional to workers’ incomes, meaning people who earn more will get greater relief, and people who are out of work will get nothing. The nearly 200,000 Nevadans still unable to return to work because of the coronavirus pandemic will see absolutely no benefit. And seniors relying on Social Security and Medicare will be left without the certainty that these essential programs are sustainably funded.
Right now, the federal government should be strengthening critical programs like Medicare and Social Security so they can continue to support Nevada’s seniors—not undercutting them. That’s what I’ve been working on in the U.S. Senate. At the onset of this pandemic, I helped pass the CARES Act, which ensured that Medicare beneficiaries are covered for coronavirus-related testing, hospitalizations, and future available vaccinations. Seniors also received access to expanded telehealth options and meal services. The CARES Act also included over $241 million in direct payments to Medicare providers in Nevada to make sure that physicians could keep their doors open to care for older Americans. A portion of that aid also went towards helping nursing homes provide resources they need
to keep patients healthy. I’m committed to making sure the bar is set high for quality care at nursing homes and that no one is endangered because a nursing home is short on funding. In addition, I helped ensure that Social Security recipients qualified for economic relief payments through the CARES Act. My work to protect seniors isn’t limited to the pandemic. Throughout my time in Congress I’ve also worked to improve the Medicare program by making prescription medications more affordable, calling for more funding for telemedicine and bolstering the physician workforce. And in order to get more money into the pockets of many Nevada seniors, I cosponsored legislation that would repeal two provisions that cut or totally eliminate Social Security benefits for retirees and their eligible family members who also receive pensions from government agencies. During these unprecedented times, I’m doing all I can to strengthen important programs that help seniors, not weaken them. Politicians in Washington, D.C. need to be putting their energy into working to give seniors and families peace of mind. I will continue to do everything in my power to find bipartisan solutions that strengthen vital earned benefit programs that Nevada’s seniors need to weather this challenging time and that help our state recover from the effects of the pandemic.
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October 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com
CMS
Seniors: Get Your Flu Shot This Fall – It’s Important!
By Seema Verma, Administrator U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
G
Seema Verma
etting vaccinated for the flu this fall is more important than ever. Not only will a flu shot help keep you and your family healthy, it can help reduce the strain on our healthcare system and keep hospital beds and other medical resources available for people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This is no ordinary flu season; it’s a flu season amid a pandemic. With two dangerous viruses going around at once, it’s time for us to protect our communities by getting the vaccine we already have: the flu vaccine. A flu shot won’t protect you against COVID-19, but it has many other important benefits. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), there’s no evidence that a flu vaccination increases your risk of getting sick from a coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19. Those at high risk for flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people 65 years and older, and people with certain chronic health conditions. Anyone who is six months old or older should get a yearly flu vaccine. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated in September or October, but a flu shot anytime during the flu season can help protect you. Flu season in North America rarely begins before early October and usually lasts from December to March. In the past two years, the peak activity has occurred around mid-to-late February. Your body needs two weeks after a shot to develop a protective response to the influenza virus, so your best bet is to get vaccinated before the flu rate begins to climb. (Flu page 10)
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Flu Shot/ from page 9
Workplaces and other settings that usually provide flu shots may not do so this season because of the challenges of maintaining social distancing. For more information on where you can get a flu vaccine, visit www.vaccinefinder.org. When going to get a flu shot, please practice everyday preventive actions and follow the CDC’s recommendations for running essential errands. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health department if they are following CDC’s vaccination pandemic guidance. Any vaccination location following CDC’s guidance should be a safe place for you to get a flu vaccine. Medicare Part B covers one flu shot per flu season per beneficiary. You pay nothing for a flu shot if your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider accepts Medicare payment for giving the shot. If you have a child over six months old who qualifies for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you may also qualify for a flu vaccination at no cost to you. What’s the difference between flu and COVID-19? Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARSCoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it
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may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. It is possible to have flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be. While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading. CDC has developed a test that will check for A and B type seasonal flu viruses and SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This test will be used by U.S. public health laboratories. Testing for these viruses at the same time will give public health officials important information about how flu and COVID-19 are spreading and what preventive steps should be taken. So please protect yourself, your family, and your community by getting a flu shot this fall.
ONE OF YOU, FOR ALL OF WASHOE Re-Elect Washoe County Commission District 1
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www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Adding Life / from page 7
spend nearly all of our assets. The nest egg we have worked hard all our life to build must be spent to qualify for help. Clearly, a better system of care will ensure that Americans can age with dignity and independence in the place we call home. Several years ago, AARP did a poll of 1,000 Americans and found one in five never thought about it or did not know where they would receive long-term care if they needed it. Just seven percent of the spending for personal care and supportive services comes from private long-term care insurance. This is because less than 10 percent of adults actually have purchased a policy. According to experts, few people purchase it because it is expensive, rates have historically increased rapidly, and potential buyers can be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Today, over 12 million Americans rely on long-term care services and supports, with 58 percent of
those individuals over the age of 65. By 2050, it is predicted that this number will more than double, with 27 million Americans relying upon long-term services and supports. America needs a comprehensive system in place that will support our needs as we grow older. In 2010, spending on supportive services for adults age 65 and older was estimated to be $182 billion, and projected to increase to $684 billion by 2050. Such projections threaten both state and federal budgets, as well as each elder’s budget. Nevertheless, little has been done in the past 40 years to address this problem and create a healthy network of supports and services allowing Americans to age with dignity in our own homes. The federal health reform law created during the Obama administration created a number of opportunities to help older people and adults with disabilities remain in their homes and communities. It includes programs to help states provide more in-home care to low-income adults in need and ways to help those living in nursing homes to return to their homes and communities. However, the home and community-based services (HCBS) that provide those needed services now in Nevada have 780 frail elders on a wait list for 145 days and 270 disabled on a wait list for 200 days before they could receive any services. Additional funding needs to be directed to these services so more people can be served, with less people remaining on the wait list to become more ill or die. What we can do as individuals, particularly at early ages is to have a healthy diet balanced with physical activity, meaningful relationships, and regular checkups by our health care provider. This can be the best means of preventing future health problems. For those facing chronic illness, it is important to develop an effective self-management program with our loved ones and secure a caretaker that builds confidence in our ability to manage our condition and maintain an active and fulfilling life. We also need to have very tough discussions with our loved ones today about what is important to us as we grow older, and how we will get services and supports should we need help in the future. Understanding the realities of what services, we might need as we age, what’s available, how to find them, and how to pay for them allows us to be better prepared for tomorrow. Also, in addition to what currently exists, learn more about what is being done to ensure that as Americans age, a healthy network of services and supports are available to provide all the different levels of care that may be needed. Listen to the politicians and watch what they do so we can help make informed decisions as to what can be done to help our own healthy aging! What better way to add life to years. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. is President and CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weiss welcomes your comments on this column. Write to him at larryjweiss@gmail.com or c/o Center for Healthy Aging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV 89519.
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Open Enrollment is Here - Now’s the Time to Evaluate Our Medicare Options
By Rob Tolle Prominence Health Plan
W
hen planning a future for yourself and your loved ones, it is important to factor in your healthcare needs. Finding the best insurance plan to meet your specific needs can significantly impact the quality and cost of your healthcare journey. The Annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15—December 7 and is the only annual time of year when a Medicare beneficiary can make changes to their current coverage. Medicare is the primary insurer for Americans over 65-years-old or for those with a qualifying disability. But what some might not know is that there are other options outside of traditional Medicare that offer additional benefits, such as Medicare Advantage plans which are an underutilized way to save money on healthcare costs. With so many options to consider, we have outlined a roadmap on how to get started with Medicare and how to find the best plan for your lifestyle and health needs. How to Get Started: All individuals 65+ can register for Medicare through Social Security. If you are already enrolled with Social Security, you will automatically receive Medicare Part A
and B when you turn 65. You have a seven-month period to enroll in a plan, with the window starting three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after you turn 65. For example, if you turn 65 in April, you can file anytime from January 1 to July 31. We recommend you register within the first three months of your eligible period to ensure you have health coverage when you turn 65. Choosing a Plan: Once you are registered with Social Security, you will automatically receive Original Medicare, which includes your Part A and Part B. These two plans only cover (Open Enrollment page 14)
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Open Enrollment / from page 13
medical and hospital costs. You can also enroll in your Part D plan, which is your prescription drug coverage. Since Original Medicare is automatically given to those who enroll in Social Security, many are unaware that you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Part C “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare, which combines Part A, Part B, and usually includes Part D. These plans keep all of the medical coverage offered under Original Medicare and they often include additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare like dental, vision, hearing, and transportation to doctor’s offices. These plans typically set a maximum out-of-pocket, whereas Original Medicare has no cap on your out of pocket expenses. It is important to note that Medicare Advantage plan benefits change every year. If you currently have Medicare Advantage, now is a good time to evaluate your options to ensure that you’re enrolling in a plan that best works for you. Evaluating Your Current Plan: Every year from October 15 to December 7 there is an Open Enrollment Period, where anyone who is Medicare eligible can review their benefits and elect to join or switch to a different company or plan. Coverage with the new plan will begin on January 1, as long as the plan receives your application by December 7. Beginning on October 1, all plans available in your county are posted to Medicare.gov. You can review these options and compare plans to determine which is best for your individual needs. Researching the intricacies of each plan can be a daunting and overwhelming task, which is why we advise talking
Welcoming
New Providers
with a licensed insurance broker who can provide unbiased information to help you find a plan that fits your needs. Your broker can help you compare all available options in your area and help you select the one to meet your individual needs. To help you navigate this conversation, follow these tips to ensure you get answers that provide you personalized care: The more information you share the better. Before meeting with a broker, gather important documentation such as medical history, a list of prescription drug medications, a list of your healthcare providers as well as your financial information (yearly income, living expenses and current healthcare expenses). Know your options. Ask your broker to compare all of the plans available in your area. Be sure to review core benefits and dive into the details of the additional perks and programs of each plan. • Does this plan have a monthly premium? • What is the annual out-of-pocket maximum? • Are dental, vision and hearing included at no extra cost? • Are my prescription drugs covered on the plan formulary? • Does this plan include a fitness benefit, transportation, overthe-counter allowances or mail-order pharmacy options? Choose a plan that works best for you. Based on your healthcare needs, choose the plan that is going to work for you and not against you. Things to look for include cost, network of providers, prescription coverage & other value-added benefits.
Northern Nevada Medical Group (NNMG) is proud to introduce our newest providers. They are ready to meet you and your family’s healthcare needs.
Letitia Anderson, MD, FACC Cardiology 2385 E. Prater Way Suite 302 Sparks, NV 89434 775-356-4514
Adhinaya Rao, MD Internal Medicine 5265 Vista Blvd. Building B Sparks, NV 89436 775-352-5300
Kaylie Humphreys, DNP, APRN Family Medicine 5575 Kietzke Lane Reno, NV 89511 775-352-5300
Josh Wood, MD Family and Sports Medicine 5265 Vista Blvd. Building B Sparks, NV 89436 775-352-5300
Jocelyn Allen, DNP, APRN Family Medicine 5575 Kietzke Lane Reno, NV 89511 775-352-5300
Carrie Yamamoto, MSN, RN, ACNP, CCRN Pulmonary Medicine 2385 E. Prater Way Suite 302 Sparks, NV 89434 775-387-1616
Now Accepting Patients
To schedule an appointment with one of our new providers, call the office number listed above or book online at nnmg.com
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October 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com
For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 200017-6926 9/20
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Prominence Health Plan is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Prominence Health Plan depends on contract renewal. Prominence Health Plan complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-855-969-5882 (TTY: 711). PAUNAWA: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, maaari kang gumamit ng mga serbisyo ng tulong sa wika nang walang bayad. Tumawag sa 1-855-969-5882 (TTY: 711). 203668-5319 Y0109_NSPNV21_M_CMS Accepted www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Medicare in Nevada, 2021 Jack Cheevers Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
M
edicare continues to offer seniors and people with disabilities with flexibility and choices while providing high quality healthcare services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken several actions to improve the Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs that have resulted, overall, in an increase in plan choices and benefits, and lower costs in these popular programs. CMS has expanded opportunities for people with Medicare to choose Medicare Advantage plans that are providing more access to telehealth services, or for those people with diabetes to enroll in a plan that offers a broad set of insulins for no more than $35 per month per prescription. CMS is empowering people with Medicare with price and quality information to make informed choices that best meet their healthcare needs. There are 546,598 beneficiaries in Nevada enrolled in Medicare that can expect changes in 2021.
Medicare Advantage in Nevada for 2021:
• The average monthly Medicare Advantage premium will
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change from $4.83 in 2020 to $3.93 in 2021. This represents a 18.63 percent change in the average premium. • 77 Medicare Advantage plans are available in 2021, compared to 50 plans in 2020. This represents a 54 percent change in plan options. • 100 percent of people with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan. • $0 is the lowest monthly premium for Medicare Advantage. • 100 percent of people with Medicare will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 monthly premium. • 10 plans will be offering Medicare Advantage enrollees innovative benefits such as wellness and healthcare planning, reduced cost sharing, and rewards and incentives programs.
Nevada 2021 Part D:
• 9 stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans and 17 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage will offer lower out-of-pocket insulin costs through the Part D Senior Savings Model. (Medicare Changes on page 17)
Medicare Changes / from page 16 • 29 stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans are available in 2021, compared to 28 plans in 2020. This represents a 3.60 percent change in plan options. All Medicare beneficiaries have access to a Medicare prescription drug plan. • 100 percent of people with a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan have access to a plan with a lower premium than what they paid in 2020. • 24 percent of people with a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan get Extra Help (also called the low-income subsidy, or LIS). • $7.20 is the lowest monthly premium for a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan.
2021 Medicare Open Enrollment Important Dates
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15, 2020, to December 7, 2020. People with Medicare should take the opportunity to review their healthcare needs for the upcoming year and determine if changes to their current coverage are necessary. By shopping available plans and comparing costs, beneficiaries may be able to find a Medicare health or drug plan with better coverage or a lower premium in 2021. The Medicare Plan Finder allows users to compare pricing between Original Medicare, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies.
September 2020
• The “2021 Medicare & You” Handbook is sent to every person with Medicare. The handbook can be accessed online at: https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-resources/medicare-you-handbook/download-medicare-you-in-different-formats. • Health and drug plans begin notifying enrollees about changes to their plans in 2020.
October 2020
• Beneficiaries can begin shopping and comparing plans on Medicare.gov starting October 1, 2020. • Beneficiaries should watch their mail for notices from Medicare with information about changes in 2021. • Medicare health and drug plan 2021 Star Ratings will be available on Medicare.gov on or around October 8, 2020. • Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15, 2020.
December 2020
• Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2020.
January 2021
• Medicare health and drug plan coverage for 2021 begins January 1, 2021.
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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October Calendar Please call in advance to confirm activities and COVID-19 rules and requirements.
Oct. 2 - Tai Chi, 10-11 a.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 9, 16, and 23. Oct. 2 - Pickleball, Session 1: 11:30-1:30 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 9, 16, and 23. Oct. 2 - Gentle Yoga, 2-3 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 9, 16, and 23. Oct. 2 - Karate, 4-6 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 9, 16, and 23. Oct. 3 and 4 - Out of the Silence, Reno Phil, livestream concert, 7:30@Oct.3 and 4@Oct.4, ticket per viewing device, per concert is necessary, buy online or (775) 3236393. Oct. 5 - Chair Yoga, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 12, 19, 26.
Oct. 6 - It Starts With Hello, Virtual Gathering Series, 1212:45 p.m., by Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/96269295417, or phone at (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 962 6929 5417. Event is a part of Renown Health’s Sterling Silver Club, a free program, ages 55 and over. Sign up to be a member at renown.org/ Oct. 6 - Lunch and Learn, Nevada Women’s Lobby, Clark and Washoe County Education Associations, on computer with Zoom, info@nevadawomenslobby.org. Oct. 6 - Pickleball, Session 1: 12:00-2:00; Session 2: 2:004:00; Session 3: 6:00-8:00, Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 13, 20, 27. Oct. 6 - Karate, 4:00-6:00, Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 13, 20, 27.
Oct. 5 - Beanbag Baseball, 12-2 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 12, 19, 26.
Oct. 6- 27 - 18th Annual Nevada Day Treasure Hunt, celebrates Nevada Day, 16 clues given daily, Tuesday through Saturday, published in the Nevada Appeal, prize $1,000 medallion.
Oct. 5 - Gentle Yoga, 2-3 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 12, 19, 26.
Oct. 7 - Pickleball, Session 1: 9-11 a.m., Session 2: 11-1 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 14, 21, 28.
Oct. 5 - Pickleball, Session 1: 4-6 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 12, 19, 26.
Oct. 7 - Drive-through or Walk Up Flu Shots, 10-1 p.m., Renown Medical Group, 3641 Gs Richards Blvd., Carson City.
Oct. 5 - Badminton/Table Tennis, 6-9 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 12, 19, 26. Oct. 6 - Sit and Get Fit, 9-10 a.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 13, 20, 27. Oct. 6 - Tai Chi, 10-11 a.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 13, 20, 27. Oct. 6 - Bunco, 10-12 a.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 13, 20, 27. Oct. 6 - Shuffleboard, 10-12, Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 13, 20, 27. 18
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Oct. 7 - Heartfulness Meditation - Learn How to Meditate, virtual, 10:30-11 a.m., to join please click: https:// bit.ly/2XqneUN or call (775) 325-5409. Oct. 7 - AARP Tele Town Hall Meeting, 10:30-11 a.m., https://states.aarp.org/nevada/. Oct. 7 - Gentle Yoga: 2-3 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 14, 21, 28. Oct. 7 - Karate: 4-6 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 14, 21, 28.
Oct. 7 - Historic Reno Preservation Society presents “The Hunt for Hitler’s A-Bomb” speaker: Jerry Wager, 5:30 p.m., virtual event. Digital library resources remain available at www.washoecountylibrary.us. Oct. 7 - Badminton/Table Tennis: 6-9 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 14, 21, 28. Oct. 8 - Sit and Get Fit, 9-10 a.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 15, 22, 29. Oct. 8 - Zumba,11-12 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 15, 22, 29. Oct. 8 - It Starts With Hello, Virtual Gathering Series, 1212:45 p.m., by Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/96269295417, or phone at (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 962 6929 5417. Event is a part of Renown Health’s Sterling Silver Club, a free program, ages 55 and over. Sign up to be a member at renown.org/
Oct. 9 - Pickleball, Session 1: 11:30-1:30 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 16, 23. Oct. 9 - Gentle Yoga, 2-3 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 16, 23. Oct. 9 - Karate, 4-6 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 16, 23. Oct. 10 - Drive-through Flu Shots, 8-2 p.m., Renown, Livestock Events Center, 1350 N. Wells, Reno.. Oct. 10 - Friends of TOCCATA-Tahoe Symphony, Soirée Musicale Fundraiser “Pops on the Patio”, Incline Village, private home, 30 guests only, $150., 4 p.m., (775) 8332478. Oct. 10 - Drive-through Flu Shots, 8-2 p.m., Renown, Livestock Events Center, 1350 N. Wells, Reno.
Oct. 8 - Restorative Yoga, 12:15-1:30 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 15, 22, 29.
Oct. 13 - Impact Your World From The Inside Out!, Senior Outreach Services Education Talk Series, 10-11 a.m., on Zoom, https://tinyurl.com/sos-edtalk-october.
Oct. 8 - A Thousand Miles of Desert and Mountains: A Prospecting Trip Across Nevada and Over the Sierras, 1-3:30 p.m., virtual exploration of Special Collections and University Archives, 4-7th graders, all ages too. For more information, visit library.unr.edu/1000-miles. Also Oct. 15, 22, 29.
Oct. 13 - It Starts With Hello, Virtual Gathering Series, 12-12:45 p.m., by Zoom, https://zoom. us/j/96269295417, or phone at (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 962 6929 5417. Event is a part of Renown Health’s Sterling Silver Club, a free program, ages 55 and over. Sign up to be a member at renown.org/
Oct. 8 - Pickleball, Session 1: 2-4 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 15, 22, 29.
Oct. 14 - Heartfulness Meditation - Learn How to Meditate, virtual, 10:30-11 a.m., to join please click: https:// bit.ly/2XqneUN or call (775) 325-5409.
Oct. 8 - Hatha Yoga, 5-6 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 15, 22, 29. Oct. 8 - Polynesian Dance, 7-8:45 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 15, 22, 29. Oct. 8 - Badminton/Table Tennis, 6-9 p.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 15, 22, 29. Oct. 9 - Virtual Walking Group, 8-9 a.m., weekly, Renown Health, by Microsoft Teams or by calling (775) 3255409. Program offered for Sterling Silver Club, sign up at renown.org/SterlingSilver. Oct. 9 - Tai Chi, 10-11 a.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Also Oct. 16, 23.
Oct. 14 - Play AARP Nevada Jackpot - Test Your Knowledge About Elections, 10:30-11:30 a.m., nvaarp@aarp. org. Oct. 15 - Washoe County Library Virtual Book Discussion: Dutch Girl, Audrey Hepburn and WWII, digital library, 2 p.m., adults, 25 seats, held on Zoom. www. washoecountylibrary.us Oct. 15 - It Starts With Hello, Virtual Gathering Series, 12-12:45 p.m., by Zoom, https://zoom. us/j/96269295417, or phone at (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 962 6929 5417. Event is a part of Renown Health’s Sterling Silver Club, a free program, ages 55 and over. Sign up to be a member at renown.org/ www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Calendar / from page 19 Oct. 19 - Drive-through or Walk Up Flu Shots, 10-1 p.m., Renown Medical Group, 3641 Gs Richards Blvd., Carson City. Oct. 20 - It Starts With Hello, Virtual Gathering Series, 12-12:45 p.m., by Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/96269295417, or phone at (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 962 6929 5417. Event is a part of Renown Health’s Sterling Silver Club, a free program, ages 55 and over. Sign up to be a member at renown.org/
Oct. 21 - Heartfulness Meditation - Learn How to Meditate, virtual, 10:30-11 a.m., to join please click: https:// bit.ly/2XqneUN or call (775) 325-5409. Oct. 22 - Book Club, 10-11 a.m., Neil Road Recreation Center. Oct. 23 - Virtual Walking Group, 8-9 a.m., weekly, Renown Health, by Microsoft Teams or by calling (775) 325-5409. Program offered for Sterling Silver Club, sign up at renown.org/SterlingSilver. Oct. 24 - Drive-through Flu Shots, 8-2 p.m., Renown, Livestock Events Center, 1350 N. Wells, Reno.. Oct. 24 - AARP Nevada Walk to End Alzheimer’s Virtual Team, anywhere you are, 866-389-5652, email to nvarrp@aarp.org. Oct. 28 - Heartfulness Meditation - Learn How to Meditate, virtual, 10:30-11 a.m., to join please click: https:// bit.ly/2XqneUN or call (775) 325-5409. Oct. 29 - It Starts With Hello, Virtual Gathering Series, 12-12:45 p.m., by Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/96269295417, or phone at (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 962 6929 5417. Event is a part of Renown Health’s Sterling Silver Club, a free program, ages 55 and over. Sign up to be a member at renown.org/
Oct. 30 - Virtual Walking Group, 8-9 a.m., weekly, Renown Health, by Microsoft Teams or by calling (775) 325-5409. Program offered for Sterling Silver Club, sign up at renown.org/SterlingSilver. Oct. 31 - Shivery: Chilling Tales of Horror, 7-8 p.m., Washoe County Library, narrated by the Script Keeper, ivstaff@washoecounty.us. Digital library resources remain available at www.washoecountylibrary.us. 20 |
October 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com
by Kelly Glenn The Hello Project
The HELLO Project –
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n 2018 our team heard some sobering news - older people in Washoe County were committing suicide at a rate twice the national average for people 65 and older and four times the national average for people 85 and older. We had to ask ourselves – why? The more we read and learned, the more we believed that it might have something to do with society. In America, we love youth. In Nevada we love independence. The two of these factors together might very well be the underlying cause of this trend. Loneliness and social isolation are nothing new. Ask anyone who works in the field of aging and they will tell you we have known about this for years. So why were we just waking up to it? Why only now are we starting to report on something that affects almost half of America’s older adults? That’s where The HELLO Project comes in.
In the spring of 2019 we - Renown Health, Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities, and the Washoe County Health District - submitted a proposal to The BUILD Health Challenge asking them to support our program of connecting seniors in our community. Luckily, they saw the value in our program, and we were the first program in Nevada to ever be awarded a BUILD Health Challenge grant. These grants strengthen partnerships between community-based organizations, hospitals and health systems, and local health departments to reduce disparities and create opportunities for improved community health. To date, The BUILD Health Challenge has supported 55 projects in 25 states and Washington, DC. We received a grant for $250,000, Renown Health matched the grant with another $250K donation to the effort, and we worked with community leaders to raise another $100,000. Our goal is to not only develop this program locally, but to eventually introduce the program in other states and jurisdictions. (HELLO on page 22)
At 78, Maria made a life-changing decision: She became part of a movement. Introducing The HELLO Project. An act of compassion for our community’s elders. Maria’s like a lot of others in our community. She’s a force of nature, someone who has the ability to enhance her own life as well as others, a trans-formative skill that starts with a simple “hello”. Chances are, you possess this power as well. Simply click a link, make a call or join our virtual gathering every Tuesday & Thursday at noon. It’s a commitment-free act of kindness for yourself and others that will keep you informed, help you find answers, and engage in a community of encouragement. Have you got some “Hello” in you? Please visit Podcasts & Blogs on our website for additional information.
hellostartsnow.org ©️2020 The HELLO Project
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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HELLO / from page 21
Studies have shown that loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and a growing body of research links social isolation to a variety of negative health effects, including lower life expectancy. The good news is that friendships reduce the risk of mortality and can speed recovery in those who fall ill. Technology holds promise to help reduce loneliness and social isolation, but it is not a substitute for human interaction. Though digital connectivity has hit an all-time high, loneliness has doubled between the 1980s and 2017. Just getting to know your neighbors can help reduce loneliness and increase social connections. In fact, a 2014 study done by Psychological Medicine shows that people in neighborhoods with higher levels of social cohesion experience lower rates of mental health problems than those in neighborhoods with lower cohesion, independent of how deprived or affluent a neighborhood is.
It Starts with Hello Our goal with The HELLO Project is to make someone’s day a little brighter and their life a whole lot less lonely. If you have some spare time you might offer to be a companion to an older person, you might have your employees train on the power of connection, you might set up a table in the corner of your establishment or put up a bench in your neighborhood so older people can take a seat and someone just might sidle up next to them and say “hello”. You might notice that your neighbor doesn’t have visitors often and learn their name or invite them to join us on “It Starts with Hello”. When was the last time you took a walk with a friend or reached out with a call or even a written note? A simple act of kindness and connection can make all the difference. At a minimum, we are confident that all of us can don a smile, wave, and say “hello”. Because that is really all that it takes to make someone’s day; to make them feel cared for, valued, and important. Here are some ways you can help to combat loneliness in our community. • Start at home. Want to help but don’t know where to start? Start at home! Talk to loved ones, friends and neighbors. Check that they are ok. Your reaching out can have just as much of a positive impact on your own health as on someone else’s. • Call, don’t text. These days, we will head to social media or send a text to communicate. To help combat loneliness, talk over the phone or visit in person. A little human contact can go
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a long way. • Ask people how they are doing. Speak to people! Ask your co-worker how they’re doing, chat to the person next to you in line at the pharmacy or coffee shop. You don’t know what another person is going through, a simple “hello” can change a life. Host a “Meet Up” (? Does that sound more casual….a gathering…a get together…or how about Make Time to Get Together…. Perhaps you can get involved in organizing small group events like morning coffees or walks. It’s tough to figure out what’s right, right now but, on a walk you are outside in the fresh air and you can keep you distance. You could all meet at someone’s home and share a coffee but keep your distance – even meet in the driveway and bring your own chair.
Over $1 Million in HHS Grants to Fund Alzheimer’s Public Health Programs and Medical Research U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced three U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants totaling $1,038,959. The first grant of $200,000 was awarded to the Nevada Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) to fund public health programs to address Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias through the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act which was introduced by Senator Cortez Masto and passed into law in 2018. The second two grants were awarded to the University of Nevada, Reno and included $260,000 to enhance maintenance and capacity of food safety laboratories and $578,959 to fund research on the effects of hypertension on the nervous system. “From funding public health programs for Nevadans living with Alzheimer’s to supporting research on the health effects of high blood pressure, these grant funds will provide resources to vital initiatives at the Nevada Department of Health & Human Services and the University of Nevada, Reno. I’m especially glad to see that funding from my BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act is directly benefiting Nevadans in need. The health and wellbeing of Nevadans is my number one priority, and I’ll continue to unequivocally support our research universities and public health departments.” Senator Cortez Masto’s BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act applies a public health approach to reduce risk, detect early symptoms, advance care, improve data, and ultimately change the trajectory of this devastating disease. Headed by the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), authorizes $20 million annually over the next five years to fund state, local and tribal public health departments implement effective Alzheimer’s interventions, including interventions identified by the Alzheimer’s Public Health Centers of Excellence.
15th Annual Nevada Caregiver Recognition Virtual Event!
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his year’s 15th Annual Nevada Caregiver Recognition will be virtual. Held November 19, 2-3 p.m. on Zoom, caregivers will be selected in various categories for their hard work and dedication to others.
Caregivers, businesses and agencies that support the caregiving cause should submit nominations with a detailed summary as to why each caregiver is being presented among the seven categories. The Coalition will be taking nominations of caregivers until mid October. Caregivers will be recognized in the following categories: 1. Family Caregiver 2. In-Home Paid Caregiver 3. In-Facility Caregiver (including Adult Day programs) 4. Volunteer Hospice or Community Caregiver 5. Caregiver for Youth with Special Needs (22 years or younger) 6. Dual Life Caregiver (employee and primary caregiver) 7. Caregiver for a Veteran
If you know someone who is a true “unsung hero,” consider recognizing them so they can receive the honor they deserve. Register and submit your recognition(s) at: www.nvcaregiverscoalition.com. Or contact: Marta Malone, Caregiver Recognition Virtual Event, Chair (caregiverrecognition@gmail.com). 775848-1260 DEADLINE - Recognition forms need to be submitted by October 12th. General registration closes on Wednesday, November 18th. Please like, comment, and share this information directly with friends, neighbors, and colleagues and on social media.
THE RIGHT JUDGE FOR WASHOE COUNTY. MORE QUALIFIED. MORE EXPERIENCED. MORE TRUSTED.
www.judgesattler.com Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Judge Sattler. www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com //October 2020
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BIGGEST Little City
Q&A With Harry Spencer H
Harry Spencer
by Zach Spencer
ello readers, my name is Zach Spencer, at the request of the publisher of Senior Spectrum I agreed to do this profile on my dad, Harry Spencer. Because it is difficult to cover 93 years in under a 1,000 words, I decided to use a question and answer format. Z. As with most people in Reno who are not native Nevadans, how did you happen to come here? H. Actually it was a combination of three things; first I was lucky enough to skip the 4th grade, which caused me to graduate from high school when I was 17. Second, I had a very good basketball career in school. Third, I had a high school chum who had received a football scholarship to Nevada in the fall of 1944. I happened to meet up with him at Christmas in Florida and he said he would be joining the Navy in a few weeks prior to turning 18. He asked me what I was doing and I told him I had a great job as an ice man. Later on he was raving about Reno and said he was going to call the coach and ask him to offer me a basketball scholarship. I didn’t think much of it, but to my surprise a few days later I received a telegram with the offer and a notice that my Greyhound bus ticket was forth-coming. Z. How many students were at the University in 1945? H. There were something like 900 females and 90 guys, over half of them (guys) were 4F. Z. Anything memorable about that semester? H. I remember it was extremely cold and I only had a Florida wardrobe.
The four GI’s pictured above are at Battalion Headquarters in Pusan, Korea in 1946. From l. to r. are Jim Gremmels, top Harry Spencer, center George Vucanovich, r. Bob Williams. .
they were enlisting. Z. Where did you go for basic training? H. Camp Blanding, Florida. It was located some 30 miles west of Jacksonville in northern Florida. After that I was shipped to Camp Shanks in New York for eventual deployment to Europe. While at Shanks one day, I read a notice on the bulletin board that if you signed up for a year in the regular Army you were guaranteed to be discharged within one year. I couldn’t get my pen out fast enough.
Z. I see by your military record you joined the Army Air Corps Reserves when you were 16, then you were sent to Army specialized training when you were 17. Where did that take place? H. At Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University).
Z. According to the record, I see you spent most of 1946 in Korea. What did you do there? H. My main job was in Military Intelligence (which I was often told was an oxymoron). The chief assignment was to go on a weekly Jeep patrol around the Pusan perimeter, a 75 mile trip that took almost all day as I had to interview, through a couple of interpreters, the mayors of every small village in the area. On more than one occasion, I noted that sometimes the mayor didn’t look like the one I had interviewed the previous week. The answer I got was a little disquieting, when I was informed that the prior mayor had been executed by Communist troops from the North. I think we all knew that war was on the way.
Z. I also see here that you were drafted into the Army shortly after you turned 18. H. I lost my shot at being a pilot because the war in Europe was over and the Air Corps was releasing more pilots than
Z. When did you leave Korea? H. I shipped out on a very memorable date, December 7th, 1946. (Spencer page 25)
Z. What kind of basketball season did you have that year? H. It wasn’t especially good, because our coach was a football coach and only used the basketball season to keep his football players in shape.
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Spencer / from page 24 Z. What was the trip home like? H. Quite different from the trip over, which took 21 days. The ship we returned on happened to have had a minor accident when pulling into the port of Inchon. It had ripped a rather large hole in the bow of the vessel, so that the ship could not hold the usual 3,000 troops and would have to return to the states carrying only some 700 souls. They called for volunteers and I was among the first. Z. Any excitement on the trip? H. The most notable thing was that I had noticed on the trip over we received a daily mimeographed poop sheet, sort of a tiny newspaper. So the first thing I did when boarding the ruptured vessel was search out the officer in charge and offer my services as editor. Z. To be continued! Photo: Pietrina Spencer and Harry Spencer share a special moment.
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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this ‘n that by Anne Vargas annevargas3@gmail.com Watching Rick Steves Travel or the National Graphic Channel on television doesn’t compare to packing the suitcases but “it is what it is”. Not being able to go anywhere has given us the opportunity to appreciatively reminisce about the traveling we did. For us, it was cruising.
Anne Vargas
“The owl and the pussycat went to sea…” … fine for them, but not for me!
I get seasick in the shower and I don’t know how to swim so what was I doing in the middle of the ocean?
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hen my husband told me he’d been invited to be the guest lecturer on a cruise ship and that I could go along, I firmly and repeatedly declined! Endless discussions failed to convince me this could possibly be fun; I envisioned a life jacket as a permanent attachment (orange isn’t even on my color chart) and nothing could persuade me to share his enthusiasm.
Of course I soon found myself in the middle of the Pacific, surrounded by seasoned passengers serenely sipping champagne and dancing before dinner while I was devouring Dramamine and clutching the banisters. They yawned through the life-boat drill while I frantically scribbled notes. They dined on caviar and lobster while I nibbled soda crackers and no one appeared to be concerned that there was absolutely no land in sight for days.
passenger capacities ranging from 400 to 2000. We dined at a table for two and had dinner companions of all types; the charming, the delightful, the rather unusual. We met fascinating people from all corners of the world who shared wonderful stories with us. We got to know Mort, the delightful 94-yea-old gentleman who has been living on a Regent ship for the past 15 years. He’s not alone in this way of life; we’ve met other “permanent passengers” on other cruise lines. Although I wonder what they are all dong now. I was tossed and turned in the Tasmanian Sea and wretched waters elsewhere and developed (eventually) remarkably sturdy sea legs. I survived six hours on a ship in the North Atlantic that had lost all power, heading into the eye of a hurricane.
That was 23 years ago. What was solemnly promised to be “just one time and never again” became a way of life for us; we sailed off into the sunset over 150 times (twice without luggage). We were on board as guest passengers, in a passenger cabin with every passenger amenity. The only difference was that my spouse gave one-hour lectures in his area of expertise on some of the sea days.
I found myself in some preposterous situations—being told to leap from a pilot boat into the cargo hatch of a departing ship, being held hostage at midnight at a remote airport in Dakar, Senegal until we satisfactorily paid off a series of guards. Getting separated from my husband on the streets of Cape Town, each of us wandering for hours in panic. Getting totally lost in the labyrinth of Istanbul’s Souk. Having emerged from the womb totally lacking any spirit of adventure, my timidity-tinged life did not lend itself well to those experiences.
Over the course of those 23 years we sailed on ships with
The first twelve years of this chapter were with Holland
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This ‘n that / from page 26 America Cruise Line. We sailed so frequently on one ship in particular that we really got to know the staff and crew and were often privy to a peek behind the scenes, affording us the opportunity to see what their life was like.
experiences, the people we met and the places we were privileged to see. I will be sharing some of that in upcoming issues of Senior Spectrum.
The Holland America era was followed by voyages with Crystal, Azamara, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea. Each line has its own character and personality but there are parallels and similarities between them all. And different itineraries attract different types of passengers. A repositioning of a ship, a “crossing”, offers lots of days at sea with a myriad of activities you can choose or refuse, interspersed with a few stops along the way. Some itineraries are exhaustingly port-intensive while still others offer a balance of both. One summer we spent three blissful months repeating the same itinerary in the Mediterranean, despite advice to the contrary and subtle suggestions that we were being mindless; for us, it was wonderful. At the end of that idyllic time, we sailed tranquilly past the Statue of Liberty at dawn on a beautiful September morning, when all was right with the world, cherishing the emotion of the experience before arriving at JFK on the morning of 9/11. We spent the next three days sheltered in a hotel on airport property with a thousand other stranded travelers, everyone caring for everyone else. We are often asked which was our favorite cruise or ship or port, or most interesting event. Amazingly, every cruise was different from every other, every one wonderful in some way. We would invariably say, at the launch of each voyage, “this probably won’t be a nice as the last one” and we were always wrong. “But what do you do all day?”, people sometimes asked. There is nothing more relaxing than being on a ship, as veteran cruisers will testify. Limitless time to do exactly as you please, from reading to roaming, from feasting to resting…to writing. I’m starting to write a book about our 23-year adventure for our children/grandchildren so they can know more about that chapter of our life. In the process, we gratefully reflect on cherished memories of those
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Tinseltown Nick Thomas
‘Night of the Living Dead’ Still Lives for Judith O’Dea
By Nick Thomas
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hen Halloween returns each October, so do the 50-year-old memories for actress Judith O’Dea who starred as Barbra in the 1968 horror classic “Night of the Living Dead” as one of several characters taking refuge in an isolated farmhouse under attack from flesh-eating ghouls. O’Dea remembers watching the film on the big screen for the first time when it premiered in her hometown of Pittsburgh, where the film was also shot, although she recalls identifying more as an audience member rather than one of the cast. “I looked at myself and began critiquing my performance,” said O’Dea from Los Angeles. “Then suddenly I found myself forgetting it was Judith The cast members from “Night of the Living Dead”, Judith O’Dea, Marilyn Eastman, Duane Jones, and Karl Hardman. (1968)
O'Dea up there and became wrapped up in the storyline. That was a wonderful indication of a powerful story that could hold people's attention.” Over the years, O’Dea has also learned to look beyond the film’s horror scenes and appreciate director George Romero’s film making skills. “There’s a scene where I’m pressing the button on a musical box which George was shooting from the floor up,” she explained. “He was shooting right through the box and for a fraction of a second you see Barbra’s eyes which I thought was a beautiful artistic shot. Then at the end when it alternates between still shots of the bodies and live-action, that was a great effective use of the camera.” The film, says O’Dea, broke barriers in the industry. “As an independent movie made outside Hollywood, it raised its own money which I guess you could call one of the first Kickstarter’s for a film. It was also filmed almost like a docudrama – unusual for the 60s – and there’s no happy ending because everybody died.”
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Shot on a shoestring budget of just $114,000, O’Dea says her (Tinsletown on page 30) October 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com
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Tinsletown / from page 28 final scene being dragged from the farmhouse still haunts her. “In your mind it’s all pretend, but you get involved in the scene,” she said. “With all those ghoul hands grabbing at me, it was actually quite frightening and took me back to the fear I felt as a child when I saw Vincent Price’s face fall apart in the (1953) ‘House of Wax.’ That scared me so badly my folks had to take me from the theater. Whenever I’m called upon to be frightened in a role, I just think of that Vincent Price scene.” Another memorable scene from the film produced one of the classic lines in all horror films, said to O’Dea’s character by actor Russell Streiner who plays her brother in the opening cemetery scene shot at the Evans City Cemetery in Pennsylvania. “I don’t think a week goes by that someone doesn’t come up to me and say, ‘They’re coming to get you Barbra!’” said O’Dea, laughing. So has she
Judith O’Dea in Night of the Living Dead.
grown weary of hearing the quote through all these years? “How could I be tired of hearing something that has changed my life so considerably?” she says. “I love it when fans repeat the line to me. I feel so lucky to have been a part of something that was so different and has lasted so long.”
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October 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and is a free lance writer.
www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Simply Smart Travel By Jeff and Virginia Orenstein
Roanoke, Virginia
SOLUTION FROM PAGE 31
Note; Since our travel is on hold due to the pandemic, we are updating past articles to help you plan for future trips. The venues mentioned are currently open, some by appointment, but check before you go.
I
f you enjoy scenic valley, a mild temperate climate, beautiful mountains, abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, art and/or trains, you should put Roanoke, Virginia and vicinity on your must-see list. This appealing city of about 100,000 (about 325,000 in the region), set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has all of that and more.
Located just west of the mountains on the Roanoke River, the geography that made the town a natural trade center has shaped its history. It became a significant railroad town in the 1880’s and today it has evolved as a major freight rail center that also celebrates its rail history with two excellent museums and an informative rail walk downtown. Roanoke also has a lot of urban appeal due to its emergence as western Virginia’s epicenter for business, education, tourism and health. Virginia’s Blue Ridge is now open in Phase Three of the (Smart Travel page 33)
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October 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com
Commonwealth’s Forward Virginia Recovery Plan in response to COVID-19. Most businesses are open, but occupancy is limited to 50 percent of capacity, or 1,000 patrons.
Before You Go Check out • • • • •
http://www.visitroanokeva.com/ https://www.visitroanokeva.com/blog/post/virtualactivities-tours-things-to-do-in-virginia-blue-ridgemountains/ https://www.facebook.com/RoanokeValley http://www.virginia.org/cities/Roanoke/ http://www.downtownroanoke.org/
Getting There
Roanoke can be easily reached by highway, air or train.
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers spectacular views of striking mountain vistas in the vicinity of Roanoke. Credit: Visit Roanoke
• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), six miles from the city center, is served by four airlines and has service to many East Coast locations, Orlando and Chicago. • By train, there is Amtrak service to Roanoke. It is part of the Northeast Regional Route, making it easy to reach destinations like Lynchburg, Charlottesville and Washington, D.C. where connections to frequent east coast trains can be made. • By car, Roanoke is on I-81. It is 56 miles from Lynchburg, 100 miles from Greensboro and 189 miles away from Richmond.
When You Are There For A Short Trip
• Explore the historic Roanoke City Market open daily. • Learn about Roanoke and railroads (and see some trains) along the 1/3 mile downtown David R. and Susan S. Goode (Smart Travel page 34) www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // October 2020
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Smart Travel / from page 33 Railwalk’s interpretive displays (temporarily located at the nearby Virginia Transportation Museum due to construction.)
If You Only Have Two or Three Days Must-sees for a short stay are:
• A visit to the O. Winston Link Museum for some truly spectacular black and white rail photography by a master photographer from the steam era. • A tour of the Virginia Museum of Transportation, home of restored steam locomotive N & W #611 and many other historical locomotives built at the Roanoke Shops. (http://www. vmt.org/) See #611 at Roanoke on YouTube. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjKTpFlta2o&nohtml5=False • A visit to the Taubman Museum of Art.
If You Have Several Days, enjoy exploring the region by:
The striking architecture of the Taubman Museum of Art is an important part of Roanoke’s walkable downtown. Credit: Taubman Museum of Art
• Participating in a Roanoke food tour (http://www.roanokefoodtours.com), once the temporary suspension is lifted.
• Kayaking on the Upper James River Water Trail.
• Visiting Natural Bridge Park.
• Taking a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Ginny O’s Tips For Dressing
• Hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail or other Blue Ridge trails. • Visiting Black Dog Salvage (as seen on the DIY Network), a 40,000 square-foot warehouse filled with antiques and commercial salvage items.
Since Roanoke is a regional business center with nice hotels, museums and some fine restaurants, the appropriate in-town dress should be a bit more formal than resort casual. Business casual that is appropriate for the weather is always in order. For recreation in the surrounding Blue Ridge, though, typical active wear is the norm.
This Destination At A Glance Mobility Level: Low for in town strolling and shopping, moderate to high for Blue Ridge explorations on foot, boat or mountain bike.
When To Go: Anytime. Spring is gorgeous, summer is pleasant and fall color is incredible. Winters are cold but not severe. Where To Stay: The classy Hotel Roanoke downtown, or Mainstay Suites Airport is also a good choice for proximity to restaurants, a mall and the airport.
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Orenstein is a syndicated travel writer from Florida’s West Coast. He and his wife Virginia enjoy travel and writing about it. Check out tips at www.SimplySmartTravel.com. October 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com