Kaiser Health News
As Fiscal Cliff Looms, Medicare and Medicaid Face Uncertainity Julie Rovner, NPR No matter who wins the presidential election, official Washington will have to deal with something called the “fiscal cliff ” before the end of the year. What’s coming is a perfect storm of expiring tax cuts, scheduled budget cuts, and various other spending changes scheduled to take place Jan. 1, unless Congress and the President agree on a way to avert them. As two of the largest spending items in the federal budget, the Medicare and Medicaid health programs are expected to play a role in how the deal gets done. Under the provisions of the law that created the budget deal Congress will attempt to undo, Medicare is subject to a two percent cut in provider payments, while Medicaid is exempt. But two new studies and a proposed class action lawsuit settlement suggest a lot of dollar signs could change as lawmakers start to think about how to address the impending mess. The first, the proposed settlement in a long-running dispute between advocates for Medicare patients and the federal government, is actually likely to increase Medicare spending, although how much remains unclear. The suit was brought by the Center for Medicare Advocacy on behalf of a class of patients with chronic conditions who had been denied Medicare coverage for home care, nursing home care or other services on the grounds that the patients’ conditions were not expected to “improve” with care. The settlement, assuming it is approved by the judge in the case, means that “the
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Will be revised to correct any suggestion that continued coverage is dependent on the beneficiary improving.” The change is expected to affect as many as tens of thousands of beneficiaries with conditions ranging from multiple sclerosis to Parkinson’s to diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. But while it will boost spending for Medicare by preventing many of those patients from spending themselves into poverty, it could well page 27 - Crossword This Issue end up saving money for page 28 - Eydie Scher - Excerpts page 3 - Fiscal Cliff Looms Medicaid, which is jointly page 5 - Opinion: Open Enrollment page 30 - this ‘n that - Anne Vargas financed by the federal govpage 6 - Cost of Living Adjustment page 31 - Eclectic Observer ernment and the states. Janet Ross page 12 - Medicare: What to A new survey from the page 32 Seniors 4 Travel Expect in 2013 Kaiser Family Foundation Robert Boyd & Carolyn Prusa page 14 - Insurance companies finds that after one of the fastest growing years for that withdraw Medicare Advantage plans Health program, Medicaid spending page 15 - Pickles Creator Speaks page 10 - CMS: David Sayen growth slowed dramatically at AARP Volunteer Celebration Take Advantage of in 2012. Total state Medicaid page 16 - Social Security Card & Open Enrollment spending grew by an average Number Lesson of two percent in fiscal 2012, page 21 - Health Prevention page 17 - Retirees Telling Their Life “among the lowest rates of Dr. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. Story in Family Connections growth ever recorded.” Center for Healthy Aging Part of the slowdown was page 23 - Alzheimer’s Disease: page 25 - Ophthalmology: due to a recovering economy, Falling Through the Cracks Dr. Michael Fischer, M.D. which made fewer additional Every Issue people eligible for the proFinancial page 26 - Biggest Little City gram. Part was also due to page 7 - The Problem with Harry Spencer states imposing their own Joint Tenancy cost controls on the program, page 27 - Calender Bradley B. Anderson in part stemming from the Wealth Advisors end of additional temporary federal funding that came as part of the 2009 stimulus law. This study looked at the Senior Spectrum Newspaper potential impact of impleP.O. Box 7124 • Reno, NV 89510 menting the plan approved by the Republican-led House. (775) 348-0717 The study found that the e-mai l : S eni orspectrumnv@aol . com combination of repealing the S eni orspectrumnewspaper. com Affordable Care Act (which Publishers: Chris & Connie McMullen calls for a major expansion of Senior Spectrum is a monthly publication dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain. Medicaid) and limiting federPublication of advertising contained does not constitute endorsement. Signed columns al payments for Medicaid are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers. Copyrighted publication. All rights reserved. could together reduce federal Medicaid spending by $1.7 trillion from 2013 to 2022.
November 2012
November • 2012 • 3
4 • 2012 • November
Opinion:
U.S. Senator Harry Reid
Open Enrollment Offers New Opportunities for Nevada Seniors Starting this month, President Lyndon Johnson's vision of a more Sen. Harry Reid affordable health care system for seniors is becoming more of a reality. Nearly 50 million Americans receiving health care through Medicare as well as new enrollees can sign up for 2013 health benefits which they might not have been able to afford otherwise. As seniors throughout Nevada and across the United States take advantage of these services, it will become increasingly clear that Medicare is stronger than ever and that the Republicans' plan, led by Congressman Paul Ryan, to end guaranteed health benefits for seniors is the wrong prescription for America. President Johnson believed as I do that no senior should have to "crush and destroy the savings that they have so carefully put away over a lifetime so that they might enjoy dignity in their later years." Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, savings from cutting wasteful spending and fraud will extend the solvency of the Medicare trust fund by an additional eight years. Since the Affordable Care
Act passed in 2010, Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 10 percent and enrollment has increased by 28 percent. Until December 7, during a period called Open Enrollment, Americans 65 and older, those with disabilities and some with diseases, can choose new coverage options or update old plan choices for 2013. Beneficiaries who want to switch coverage plans can mix and match options. Seniors who choose Medicare Advantage over fee for service can quickly pinpoint the highest quality plans. This year, Medicare offers 21 more "four or five-star" Advantage plans than last, and 13 more "four or five star" prescription drug plans. The star rating system helps seniors assess the quality of private insurance providers. However, Medicare is under siege; the Republicans' plan led by Congressman Paul Ryan, would increase premiums for seniors and could potentially force beneficiaries to pay an extra $6,400 for health care. Nevada seniors cannot afford to have these important benefits weakened and I will continue to fight so Medicare remains strong for future generations.
November • 2012 • 5
Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Increased for 2013 Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 62 million Americans will increase 1.7 percent in 2013. The 1.7 percent COLA will begin with benefits that more than 56 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2013. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2012. The purpose of the COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security and SSI benefits is not eroded by inflation. It is
6 • 2012 • November
based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year a COLA was determined, to the third quarter of the current year. If there is no increase, there can be no COLA. Based on the increase in average wages, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $113,700 from $110,100. Source: www.ssa.gov/cola/
The Problem With Joint Tenancy
Brought to you by Bradley B. Anderson Anderson, Dorn, & Rader, Ltd.
Joint tenancy is a popular way for two or more individuals to hold title to real estate or other property. When one joint tenant dies, that person’s interest in the property automatically re-vests in the surviving owners. People often use joint tenancy as a shortcut for avoiding probate, without realizing that this method of property ownership can create more problems than it solves. Lack of Flexibility One of the biggest drawbacks of using joint tenancy for probate avoidance is that this strategy takes away your flexibility as a property
The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys www.probatebusters.com • blog.wealth-counselors.com
owner. Consider this: once you sign a real estate deed adding an owner, you can’t remove that person from your deed unless you have their signature. If you want to sell or refinance, you need your co-owner’s consent. While joint tenancy might simplify the transfer of your property at your death, it can complicate things during your lifetime. Creditors In most states, the creditors of one joint tenant can reach the full value of the property, regardless of how much that person paid into the property. For example,
let’s say you add your daughter as a joint tenant to the deed to your home. Your goal is for her to inherit the home at your death, and using joint tenancy, the property would avoid probate. But what happens if she loses her job and can’t pay her bills – or if she gets in a car accident and is sued for more than her insurance policy will cover? Whether it’s her fault or not, any bill your daughter can’t pay now becomes your problem, because she became a part-owner of your home. In most states, her creditors can look to the full value of your home to collect what she
owes them. Gift Tax When you add someone to your real estate deed as a joint tenant, and that person does not contribute money toward the value of the property, the IRS deems this transaction a gift. In many circumstances, this means that at the very least you’d need to file a gift tax return. Depending on the value of the gift, you might also have to pay gift tax. The rules are a little different for joint bank and brokerage accounts. Simply adding the name of a child or (Joint Tenancy page 8)
November • 2012 • 7
Joint Tenancy / page 7 another person to your account does not constitute a completed gift. Instead, you might need to file a gift tax return when the non-contributing account holder withdraws assets from the account. Family Tension Parents often unwittingly create family tension when
8 • 2012 • November
they add their children as joint tenants to their deeds or bank accounts. If a parent has several children, but only chooses one to serve as joint tenant, this means when the parent passes away, the asset in question automatically belongs solely to that child. Whether intentional or not, this unequal treatment can cause enormous friction
among siblings. On the other hand, some parents choose to include all their children as joint tenants. Unless the children are extremely cooperative, the task of working together to manage a single asset as joint owners can cause an incredible amount of conflict after the parent’s death. Temporary Probate Avoidance Finally, joint tenancy is only a temporary probate avoidance measure. Eventually, the asset in question will need to be probated, or another estate planning tool will need to be used. When the last joint tenant dies, there will be no coowner left for ownership to transfer to. At this point, title to the asset will transfer to the decedent’s heirs or beneficiaries through the probate
process, unless further estate planning arrangements have been made. There are a number of estate planning tools that offer the benefit of probate avoidance without all the drawbacks that accompany joint tenancy. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you find the strategy that works best for you. The Law Firm of ANDERSON, DORN & RADER, LTD is devoted exclusively to estate planning. We are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and offer guidance and advice to our clients in every area of estate planning. For more information or attend an upcoming seminar, please contact us at (775) 823-9455 or visit us online at www.probatebusters.com .
November • 2012 • 9
Take Advantage of Medicare Open Enrollment By David Sayen Medicare is stronger than ever, with more David Sayen benefits, better choices, and lower costs to beneficiaries. Expanded Medicare benefits under the health care law (the Affordable Care Act) continue to be available – including certain free preventive benefits, cancer screenings, and an annual wellness visit. Whether you choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, take advantage of Medicare’s
10 • 2012 • November
Open Enrollment Period to review cost, coverage, or both for next year (2013). Open Enrollment began Oct. 15 and will run through Dec. 7, 2012. • More Benefits: Certain preventive benefits – including cancer screenings – are available at no cost to patients when furnished by qualified and participating health professionals. The annual wellness visit allows people to sit down and discuss with their doctor their healthcare needs and the best ways to stay healthy. • Better Choices: Medicare
will notify beneficiaries about plan performance and use its online Plan Finder to encourage enrollment in quality plans. • Lower Costs: Average premiums for 2013 for prescription drug coverage and Medicare health plans will remain stable. People who are in the “donut hole” in Medicare’s prescription drug benefit will enjoy 53 percent discounts on covered brandname drugs and 21 percent discounts on generic drugs. Your health needs change from year-to-year, and your health plan may change the
benefits and costs each year, too. That's why it’s important to evaluate your Medicare choices regularly. Open Enrollment is the one time of year when all people with Medicare can see what new benefits Medicare has to offer and make changes to their coverage. It’s worth it to take the time to review and compare, but you don’t have to do it alone. Medicare is available to help. • Visit: www.medicare.gov/find-aplan to compare your current coverage with all of the options that are available in
Medicare / page 10
your area, and enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change. • Call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to find out more about your coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. • Review: the Medicare & You 2013 handbook. It was mailed to people with Medicare in September. • Get one-on-one help: from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit www.medicare.gov/contacts or call 1-800MEDICARE to get the phone number for your state. In Northern Nevada, call 1-877-358-2345. • If you have limited income and resources: you may be able to get Extra Help paying your prescription drug coverage costs. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020 or call Social Security at 1-800-7721213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. If you qualify, you might pay no more than $2.60 for each generic drug and $6.50 for each brand-name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that more than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for the subsidy, but are not currently enrolled to take advantage of these savings. Even if you were previously turned down for Extra
Help due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you qualify, you will get help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments, and deductibles. To qualify, you must make less than $16,755 a year (or $22,695 for married couples). Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some extra help. Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds,
but not your house or car. There’s no cost or obligation to apply for Extra Help. Having trouble paying your bills? Get a free BenefitsCheckUp® to see if you qualify for benefits to help you pay for medicine, health care, food, utilities, and more. Need Help? Struggling to make ends meet? There are thousands of programs that could help you pay for daily
expenses. Download a free Guide to Benefits for Seniors to see what's available in your community. Visit the National Council On Aging Sites: www.benefitscheckup.org/ David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1800-633-4227).
“Come in!”
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Call 775-786-8853 for a personal guided tour! November • 2012 • 11
National Council on Aging
Medicare: What to Expect in 2013 Medicare Parts A and/or B
and revised MSN.
o help people better understand their benefits and coverage under Medicare, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have revamped the Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs). People with Original
• Lower Costs for Outpatient Mental Health Treatment: In 2013, the coinsurance amount for people with Original Medicare is 35 percent (versus 40% in 2012); Medicare pays the remaining 65 percent (versus 60% in 2012). This change in coinsurance amount applies only to treatment such as psychotherapy. For diagnosis, the coinsurance for beneficiaries continues to be 20 percent, with Medicare paying the remaining 80 percent, like most other services under Part B.
T
Medicare who get paper versions of these quarterly notices will see a new, improved look and more consumerfriendly language starting January 1, 2013. Those who receive the MSN electronically saw this change starting in the summer of 2012. There will also be a side-by-side comparison of the old
12 • 2012 • November
Medicare Parts C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D • New to the Special Enrollment Period for People in Certain Low-
Performing Plans: In an effort to promote better plan quality and better choice, Medicare will be sending notices to those who are in a Part D drug plan or Medicare Advantage health plan that fails to get at least a 3-star quality rating for three straight years. The notice lets them know about a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a 4- or 5-star plan. • Low-Performing Plans and the Medicare Plan Finder: In a similar effort to promote informed and better choice of high-performing plans, Medicare is disabling the online enrollment feature in the Medicare Plan Finder (MPF) tool for plans that are low-performing (3 or fewer stars for three consecutive years). These plans will have a lowperforming icon, along with a message warning consumers of the plan’s poorly
New to Medicare / page 12
rated performance. Beneficiaries still interested in enrolling will get another message letting them know they will need to call the plan directly to enroll. • Coverage of benzos and certain barbs: Starting in 2013, Part D plans are allowed to cover benzodiazepines and certain barbiturates such as those used in the treatment of epilepsy, cancer, or a chronic mental disorder. Benzos are drugs typically used to treat anxiety and insomnia, such as Diazepam (Valium). With barbs, plans may require “prior authorization” (meaning your client’s doctor must submit a request to the plan and get approval before the plan will provide coverage) to verify treatment. Previously, benzos and barbs were considered “excluded drugs” from Part D coverage lists.
made available.
Related to 2014 • October 1, 2013-March 31, 2014 − Initial Open Enrollment Period for Health Insurance Exchanges: Millions of people and small employers can comparison-shop from qualified health plans during this time, with coverage taking effect as soon as January 1, 2014. To learn more, find out the status of the Exchange in Nevada. Information on the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange can be found at http://exchange.nv.gov/
• Expansion of Medicaid program: States have the option to expand their Medicaid program to people between the ages of 19-65 with income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, and with no resource test. Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has not made a decision on Medicaid expansion in the state. Look for a decision from the Governor’s Office before the start of the next Legislative Session beginning February 4, 2013. To learn more on Medicaid, visit www.Medicaid.gov. To read more from the NCOA visit www.ncoa.org/
• Part D Coverage Gap discounts: Beneficiaries who reach the coverage gap will continue to see discounts on certain drugs in 2013. While in the coverage gap, seniors will get a 21 percent discount on all generics covered by the plan, and a 52.5 percent discount on all brand-name drugs covered by the plan. These discounts are automatically applied at the pharmacy, and already calculated into the online Medicare Plan Finder tool. • Additional benefits to D-SNP members: Beneficiaries who are dual (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid coverage), and who are enrolled in Special Needs Plans for duals (known as Dual SNPs, or DSNPs) may see additional benefits starting in 2013. D-SNPs may offer certain long-term care services and supports, such as non-skilled nursing services and personal care services to help them remain at home. D-SNPs are not required to offer these new supplemental benefits, but if so, they must be provided at no cost. Most people enrolled in SNPs are dual SNPs. As with all other plan comparison, duals should consider all factors when deciding on a D-SNP. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) will share more information as it’s November • 2012 • 13
Insurance companies have withdrawn Medicare Advantage health plans
Enrolled more than 7,800 Medicare beneficiaries in Clark County Two insurance companies have withdrawn Medicare Advantage health plans in Clark County affecting more than 7,800 Medicare beneficiaries. The insurers that withdrew plans are Wellpoint Inc. (affecting approximately 4,430 Medicare beneficiaries), and UnitedHealth Group Inc. (impacting about 3,464 Medicare beneficiaries). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is working to ensure that the
14 • 2012 • November
affected beneficiaries know they’re losing their Medicare Advantage plans for 2013. People with Medicare in Clark County still have 12 Medicare Advantage plans to choose from in 2013. The insurers that are withdrawing plans still may be offering other plans next year in Clark County. Beneficiaries are advised to contact the companies to see if this is the case. Local Medicare beneficiaries may be interested in finding out what is different about the new plan, in terms of costs
(premiums, co-pays, and deductibles) and coverage. Sierra Nevada Spectrum in Northern Nevada Sierra Nevada Spectrum, (Regional PPO), will not be renewing its Medicare contract effective January 1, 2013. Beneficiaries can enroll in the new plan offered, but coverage will automatically end on December 31, 2012. Beneficiaries are entitled to enroll in a new MA plan or PDP beginning December 8, 2012 through February 29, 2013. However, if beneficiaries want their enrollment in
the new plan to take effect on January 1, 2013, the new plan must receive an application by December 31st. People on Medicare can see which Medicare health and prescription drug plans are available in Nevada communities via the Medicare Plan Finder found online at www.Medicare.gov/find-aplan. Medicare beneficiaries can also get information about signing up for or switching plans at the tollfree number, 1-800MEDICARE (1-800-6334227).
“Pickles” Creator Brian Crane Speaks at AARP Volunteer Celebration “Old people are works of art…”
C
omic strip creator Brian Crane was the keynote speaker at the annual AARP 2012 Andrus Award volunteer celebration in Reno, October 2. Speaking about his syndicated comic strip “Pickles”,
Crane told about 70 AARP volunteers that the Earl and Opal characters he has created are based on real life personal experiences, mostly his own! The humorous comic strip that appears in about 800 newspapers around the world has kept Crane busy over 22 years. Along the way, Crane has been awarded Best Comic Strip by the National
Cartoonist Society in 2001 and was nominated for Cartoonist of the Year in 2005 and 2011 by the same group. Crane resides in Sparks with his wife Diane. The Andrus Award is the highest honor acknowledging volunteers who are dedicated to service. Much of the volunteer service includes free tax assistance, safe driving courses, information and referral services and many tasks in the community. The 2012 Nevada Andrus Award recipient is Sherman Conley, of Las Vegas, who
Sherman Conley
has volunteered teaching AARP Driver Safety courses, and at Three Square food bank. He also works with Veterans organizations.
3 ER and 9 Urgent Care Locations AN D 2 E A S Y WAYS TO F I N D TH E B E ST LO C AT I O N F O R YO U. When you need emergency or urgent care, Renown Health offers many choices. Visit renown.org on your smartphone or computer to check how fast you can see a healthcare provider at any of our ER and Urgent Care locations. Scan the QR code to find the location near you or visit renown.org
SKILL. EXPERTISE. TECHNOLOGY.
November • 2012 • 15
Social Security Administration
A Social Security Card And Number Lesson Rita Meier Public Affairs Specialist Are you looking to replace your Social Security card just because you don’t have it? Then rest assured:
16 • 2012 • November
you really don’t need to replace it. What’s most important is that you remember your Social
Security number. Knowing your Social Security number is important when it comes to work, taxes, banking, and other business. Memorizing your number means you don’t need to carry your card with you. Keep it in a safe place with your other important papers. If you really do need to get a replacement card, it’s easy to apply for a new one. Simply complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) and show us original documents proving your U.S. citizenship or immigration sta-
tus, age, and identity. The application includes examples of documents you may need; you can find the application at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. Then, take or mail your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office. We will mail your Social Security card to you. If your card is lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement for free. However, with some exceptions, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/
Retirees
Telling Their Life Story in Family Connections Program
Connie McMullen
A
growing trend is taking hold nationwide that has retirees recalling personal life stories on video to share with family and friends on DVD. Documenting life history and experiences offers a new opportunity to pass on to the next generation what life was like growing up. People can learn what the price of milk was, what school was like, what it was like to serve in the war. “People can tell their life story and pass it on to their kids, grandchildren, and loved ones,” explained Ashley Ruppert, Executive Director, Lakeside Manor. “They can share special memories or words of wisdom.” Leaving a personal legacy, or even a will, has become very popular especially for those who may be writing their memoir. Locally, seniors can learn how to write about life experiences in the Lifescapes writing class, offered through the Washoe County Library. Family Connections, offered at Lakeside Manor in Reno, gives people an opportunity to tell their experiences on a taped DVD to give to family and loved ones at no charge. Marge Cutler, 85, moved to the retirement community to downsize and make new friends. Cutler is excited about the concept. Having moved to Reno in 1935, she has seen a lot of changes, sto-
Marge Cutler
ries she is eager to share. “It was a different place then. It was a little town.” Relocating to Northern Nevada from Montana, Culter says her uncle owned a ranch in Fallon and offered her father a job. “After moving from Fallon to Reno we lived in a two story house on the block owned by my aunt. It turns out that the property she had was the same location I live now! Moana Lane was a trail, and Lakeside Drive was a dirt road. Virginia Lake was not there,” Culter said. “I remember when they started to dig the lake. My mother had to dust 15 times a day. They finally got the dirt out and put it someplace, and then brought some back to put the island in.” Culter remembers a humorous story of when she attended a one room school in first grade in Montana. Her mother used to curl her hair every morning by (Connections page 20) November • 2012 • 17
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For convenient meeting locations in your area, please call (775) 982-3158 or (888) 775-7003. Call to reserve your spot: 775-982-3191 or 888-775-7003. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call (775) 982-3158 or (888) 775-7003, TTY Relay Service 711. *Based on 2012/2013 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Health Plan ratings and Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study - Medicare & You Handbook. Senior Care Plus is a 4-Star Rated Plan. Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next. Senior Care Plus is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract, available to anyone with both Medicare Parts A and B. A member must be a resident of Carson City County, Churchill County, Douglas County, Lyon County, Storey County or Washoe County and continue to pay his or her Medicare Part B premium. John Tyson is a paid spokesperson for Senior Care Plus. Material ID: Y0039_2013_SeniorSpectrumNov CMS Approved
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Adding Life to Years
Death: How do you deal with it? What do you do? Dr. Larry Weiss Center for Healthy Aging
O
ur society is Larry Weiss death denying! We don’t talk about it. We don’t plan for it. We have a very difficult time dealing with it. We don’t even use the word –death or died. We pass away, pass on, or expire. When we deny it, what happens when death of a loved one hits you over the head? Well, that happened to me this past week with my mother’s death. She was almost 91, died with hospice
at home in her sleep. She had a good death. Only 20 percent of us have a good death, the majority of us have a long, painful slow death. Is that what you want? Mom planned her dying and her death. She accepted it, and in fact at a certain point when she became so dysfunctional, she embraced it. We had many family discussions about what her living and dying wishes were through her advanced directives, durable power of attorney, and wills and
estate planning. My mom was a planner and organizer so her funeral service desires were written out and very specific; down to what songs she wanted to have played at her service. As a survivor and only child, I had the responsibility of making all the plans for the service and knowing what she wanted made it so much easier for me and the family. I knew what she wanted because we discussed it and she wrote down her choices. If you look up death, it is
defined as “the permanent cessation of all biological functions that sustain the living organism.� Since the dawn of man, the nature of death has been a concern of the world's religious traditions and philosophers. These beliefs range from resurrection or reincarnation to the belief that consciousness just ceases to exist. Whatever you religious or philosophical beliefs, we need to acknowledge that it exists and that it is inevitable to (Adding years page 22)
A fresh, respectful voice for Reno
Make Reno the most business-friendlyy cityy in the West A ttract new new businesses businesses too North ern Ne vada whil p porting th Attract Northern Nevada whilee sup supporting thee llocal ocal businesses businesses tha thatt ha have ve been crea creating ting jo jobs bs in R Reno eno ffor oor ddecades ecades Honored Ho onored onor ed to be sup supported upp pportted and endo endorsed dors rsed by by: y
Sheriff Mike Haley
Senator S enator Bernice Bernice Martin Mar tin Mathews Mathews
Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce | Reno Gazette Gazette-Journal e-Journal REMSA | Re Reno eno Police Protective Association | Renoo Police Supervisory Superviso ory Administrative Employees Associat Association tion Reno Sparkss Association of Realtors | Congr Congressman essman n Mark Amodei | United U Nevada | Retail Association of Nevada N Builders Asso Association ociation of Northern Nevada | Senator Thomas “Spike� Wi W Wilson iilson | Councilman Dwight Dortch | Gr Granite ranite Construction Constructio on | Jim DeV DeVolld Volld o | Chris Ault | Rick Rick Reviglio Reviglio Sparks Sp parks City Councilman Ed Lawson Major General Gen neral Ron J. Bath (Ret.) | John Frank Frankovich ovich
Support pp critical services for seniors and children Makee funding Mak fundinng of of police police an andd fire servic services es a priori ppriority ty Protect Pro tect th thee quali qquality ty ooff lilife fe tha thatt w wee enjoy enjooy here herre in Northern Northern Nevada Nevada
ELECT E LECT
NEOMA District Attorney District Attorney Dick Dick Gammic Gammick k
Reno City Council Ward 5 B D B D r 5LVTH 9LUV JVT r 5LVTH 9LUV JVT T Paid for and authorize authorized ed by the Committee to Elect Neoma Jardo Jardon on
Councilman Councilman Dan Gustin Gustin
November • 2012 • 21
Adding years / page 21
all living beings. Death is a part of life. Planning and communicating one’s wishes are essential in a good death. Acceptance of death, not denial, is another critical element. Combined, you increase your probability of having a good quality life and death. In past articles I have talked about death because when I was at the University of Nevada - Reno I studied and developed programs for end of life care, and I was one of the founders of the Nevada Center for Ethics and Health Policy. Currently, I am helping in the development of a website, www.theroyl.com, that is a one-stop place to plan for the ‘Rest Of Your Life’ (ROYL), especially end of life. No experience that I have had or course of study
has been more powerful to drive home the importance of planning, communication, and programs that deal with death than my recent experience with my mother’s death. My mom died in her own home, where she wanted to be. No hospitals, nursing homes, or grand measures in her last days. She planned and chose this along the way. This method of death is not the norm. It was around the 1930s that people started to die in hospitals, and not at home with their family where they would be comforted by clergy, neighbors, and even doctors. According to S. Nuland (1994) in “How we die: Reflections on life's final chapter,” by the mid-20th century, half of all Americans died in a hospital. By the start of the 21st
century, only about 20 to 25 percent of people died outside of a medical institution. The shift away from dying at home, towards dying in a professionalized medical environment, has been termed the "Invisible Death". Doesn’t this support our culture of denial? What is your desire? Where do you want to die? How do you want to die? My recommendation is to accept its inevitability, assume responsibility and control, and plan for it. Then once you decide how you want to die and how you want your life to be celebrated, share it and communicate your desires with your family, friends, and medical professionals so it is known and enacted. Hospice, a benefit of Medicare which was established in the 1980s helped
my mom to a good death. They provide comfort care, not curative care. Hospice was originally established in the 1960s by a British physician. They organized a team approach to professional caregiving, and established modern pain management techniques to compassionately care for the dying. The first hospice in the United States was established in New Haven, Connecticut in 1974 and in 1986 it became a Medicare benefit. Today there are more than 4,700 hospice programs in the United States and in 2007 they provided care for nearly 1.4 million people. The hospice that served my mom was excellent. They provided everything my mom needed for comfort a hospital bed, health aides to help bathe and message her, pain medication, counseling and other social services. Death is painful, both for the patient and the family. Hospice provides services to deal with that pain for both. In short, take control of your life like my mother did. Plan for your death and share your desires about dying and death. Planning for the rest of your life will be adding life to your years! Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. is CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weiss welcomes your comments on this column. Write to him at larry@addinglifetoyears.com or c/o Center for Healthy Aging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV 89519.
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Alzheimer’s Disease Falling Through the Cracks, and Still Needing Care Connie McMullen
L
uella "Lue" Olthoff is a vibrant, loving, caring lady but her life is filled with heartbreak and anxiety. Lue is caring for her husband Nathan, who has been living the past seven-years with Alzheimer’s disease. A Korean War veteran, Nathan has progressed in his illness to the point that he cannot be left alone. A regular client at Washoe County Senior Services Daybreak program, he receives adult day healthcare in a secured environment. At 80-years of age, “he has the mind of a 2-year-old,” she said. “He hides things under the coach, then he can’t find anything. He puts things away, then doesn’t know where they are.” The first time Lue realized Nathan was developing Alzheimer’s disease was while he was driving the car, not knowing where he was going. “The Sheriff had to stop him.” Family Caregiving on the Rise In 2011, AARP released a report on family caregiving called Valuing the Invaluable, which reported that “as many of 61 million Americans provided family members with caregiving services in 2010, for an estimated economic value of $450 billion.” AARP has commissioned the report in the past, and each survey has showed a significant increase in the number of caregivers. Family caregiving is increasing with the graying
Luella "Lue" Olthoff
of America. Daybreak has been the best resource in the community providing respite and care. “He is happy when he’s busy, and he’s only busy at Daybreak.” Lue confides, “Those people are so wonderful. They thought him to dance. He never dances. Now he wants to dance with every (Needing Care page 24)
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(Needing Care / page 23
Lue, hopeful, explains her journey to get assistance for husband Nathan at the Alzheimer’s office.
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clerk in the grocery stores.” Lue and Nathan have been married 50-years. Nathan has been a client of Daybreak for a year and a half. The Veterans Administration pays $70 a day for his care. “That was a real break for me. I cannot afford anything anymore,” she said. Finding resources to assist in his care have been a challenge. Lue found help at the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern Nevada and has attended a caregiver class. “I learned a lot. And I learned a lot about myself.” She has also applied for Medicaid assistance. “We lost $90,000 in the stock market 5-years ago. That was our retirement.” After loosing their life savings, Lue who just turned 86-years-old, was forced to give up her home. A veteran, Nathan qualifies for the VA Aids and Assistance program, but because he wanders he needs special care in a secure environment. Lue is trying to find him a place in a memory care facility but cannot afford the costs.
They are falling through the cracks, unable to receive assistance. Their story is not uncommon. Caregivers Don’t Know About Available Resources The AARP report showed that even though more than “53 percent of family caregivers admit that they need support and help; 59 percent have not sought out any caregiver resources to deal with their responsibilities. Many confess they aren’t sure where to go.” The AARP Caregiver Resource Center offers an array of tips to get started in addition to online support groups, care locators, and other valuable tools. AARP also produces a downloadable booklet, Prepare to Care, which helps new caregivers understand how to manage their new role. In Nevada, there are a number of services which can help caregivers and the people they care for. The Alzheimer's Association of Northern Nevada can help. They are located at: 1301 Cordone Avenue, Ste. 180, Reno, Nevada 89502. Phone: 1-800-272-3900 or Local: 775-786-8061 Contact: Angie Pratt, Dir. e-mail: Angie.Pratt@alz.or Recognize Northern Nevada Caregivers The Nevada Caregiver’s Coalition’s 7th Annual Caregiver Recognition Luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 15th. The Coalition is looking for exceptional caregivers to be nominated for this award. For more information contact Laura Coger 1-877-7864999 or infonv@consumerdirectonline.net .
Ophthalmology
Having Second Thoughts? Michael J. Fischer, M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon
When Patients report being able to see better close-up as they age, the “improvement” is most likely due to changing eye lens power influenced by a worsening cataract. if so, socalled “second sight” is really a sign that the clouding of the eye lens has grown acute. It is also important to point out that cataract is not a growth, but simply increasing opacity of the eye’s normally transparent lens. With today’s advanced methods of breaking up the
cataract with ultrasound and removing it through a small incision that requires no sutures, there is no reason to put off cataract surgery. If cataracts are interfering with a person’s ability to conduct daily activities, cataract surgery should be an easy decision. It should be noted that cataract surgery has one of the highest success rates of any type of surgery. We are located at 3839 N. Carson Street, Carson City. Call 775-882-2988.
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BIGGESTlittle City
A “Golden” Find in Dayton
A
ficionados of Nevada history who have an affinity for fine dining can satisfy both proclivities at one place. It would be the Gold Canyon Steak House in Dayton, Nevada. The gold leaf date on the door of this establishment says it was founded in 1887, but the owners think it was actually built in 1885 or earlier. The original structure sits on a two- and-ahalf acre plot on Main Street just east of Highway 50. It is a building of Victorian elegance that has been added onto several times. The current owners are Mark Padgett and General Manager Bruce Willis. The two reopened the Gold Canyon on June 1st of this year. During the past summer many local events were held at the Gold Canyon which is 4600 sq. ft. indoors with outdoor seating on the two-anda-half acre plot. The facility is closed Monday and open the following six days from 11 a.m. till 9:30 p.m. In addition to the spacious bar and cocktail lounge which greets visitors entering the front door there are several separate dining rooms where lunch and dinner are served. The structure has provided many varieties of use over the years. At one time it featured tiny sleeping rooms for Basque sheepherders who used the facility during their mountain jaunts. Historical memorabilia, portraits and trophy animals adorn the walls of the building. One of the portrait fea26 • 2012 • November
tures is a large painting of Julia Bulette, Virginia City’s most famous courtesan. Unobtrusively tucked in the corner of the bar is a rather small black and white photo of Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. The pair visited the Gold Canyon during the 1960 filming of the Misfits. In fact the entire Rodeo sequence in the film was shot in Dayton. A salient feature of the establishment is that there is no charge for space for groups or parties utilizing the building. Many private parties and a number of weddings were held over the summer months. The thrust of the new owners is to offer a headquarter spot for the entire Dayton community. Owner Padgett has other restaurant locations in Maui, Hawaii and Sparks, Nevada. For his part Willis was with the Chrystal Cruise Line for some 13 years ending his tenure as Cruise Director. Willis’ mother is the bookkeeper for the Gold Canyon which reinforces the “family” feeling that permeates the entire staff. In fact owner Padgett noted that everyone has the ability to step in and do any one of the jobs required. This attitude has created a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the Gold Canyon. The emphasis is on excellent customer service at this largest eatery in the town of Dayton. A feature of the new bar will be the addition of slot machines for those who desire to gamble while they drink. (Biggest page 29)
November November 7 - Lifescapes, writing class for seniors, Northwest Library, 1-3 p.m., (775) 7874100.
the Performing Arts, Reno.
November 27 Orthopedic Surgeon Rowlin L. Lichter, MD, discuss back pain, 1-2 p.m., Teglia’s
Paradise Park Activity Center, (775) 356-3176. December 1 - Randy Travis, 8 p.m., Silver Legacy Grande Exposition Hall, $59.50/$39.50, (775) 325-7401.
December 1 & 2 - Spirit of the Season, Reno Philharmonic, Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno. December 3 - Bonanza Casino’s Duckhorn Vineyards, Winemaker Dinner, (775) 323-2724, ex. 134.
November 8 - The Crochet Connection, Spanish Springs Library, 4-5:45 p.m., (775) 424-1800. November 8 - Reno Little Theater, Cash on Delivery, 7:30 p.m., 147 E. Pueblo St., Reno; Nov. 9, 15, 16, 17; Nov. 11, 18, at 2 p.m., $16/$13 for seniors, (775) 813-8900. November 9 - eBook Help, South Valleys Library, 3-4 p.m., (775) 851-5190. November 9 - BB King, 8 p.m., Silver Legacy Grande Exposition Hall, $80/$65, (775) 325-7401. November 10 - Knitting Club, Northwest Reno Library, 1-3 p.m., (775) 7874100. November 11 - Eric Church, Blood, Sweat, & Beers Tours, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, (800) 723-6500. November 11 - Veterans Day Parade, downtown Reno, 11 a.m., City of Reno, (775) 334-2262. November 11 & 13 - Reno Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Russ Dickman, Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno. November 11 & 25, Senior Dance Club, $5, Neil Road Recreation Center, (775) 689-8484. November 15 - Caregiver Coalition Awards, Atlantis, noon, (877) 786-4999. November 20 - January 1 Aladdin, Eldorado Hotel Casino, 1-800-879-8879. November 25 - Straight No Chaser, Broadway Comes to Reno, Pioneer Center for
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Eydie Excepts This holiday is big for our family. The planning begins in earnest in
28 • 2012 • November
September when the talk turns to Thanksgiving . It rotates between my two kids who live in the Bay Area and us. Just to let you know, if someone were to write a eulogy for me, the words excellent cook would be omitted. However, I’m taking a pat on the back, a hug and some well-deserved admiration for my one-day a year to shine. Thanksgiving is my Holiday. My turkeys live up to all expectations. Unlike days of old, they are never dried out, always juicy and tender and come alive with my special gravy. Even my kids and grandkids relegate me to a high status for my one-day wonder cooking ability. My own made up gravy recipe is passed around but I am
always the one who prepares it even at an away Feast. Only one year, when I Eydie Scher chose a bad turkey did my reputation take a hit. My daughter traveled all the way to Las Vegas for the fantastic leftovers and guess what, there were none. The turkey didn’t live up to expectations and leftovers were trashed, but that never happened before or after. Stuffing is smothered in gravy. Am I making you drool? Other dishes are delegated to sit by my turkey. Who can resist my apple crisp smothered in vanilla ice cream? Oh, I can’t wait. Turkeys lurking around before the holiday better take note. You may wind up on our table! I hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving! Comments always appreciated: eydies@aol.com
Biggest page 26
Also Karaoke is held on Friday nights. The new 580 freeway between Reno and Carson City which opened this year has proved to be a boon for business at the restaurant, which is located 11 miles east of the state Capital building. The traffic count on Highway 50 at the Main Street stoplight is listed at 50,000 vehicles per day. When questioned about the décor of the Gold Canyon, the owners said that they are trying to maintain “historical elegance”. Many of the furnishings are antiques with lace curtains and drapes over the large windows. Outside the building is a small gulch in which gold was first found in the area. Across the street are the remnants of an early day Pony Express Station. One of the most famous personalities to visit the building in the old days was author Mark Twain. It was said that he and Julia Bulette would rendezvous here. Both owners were very delighted that the Dayton community has embraced them and in return they have pledged to be a focal point for Dayton activities. Although there are very few visitor accommodations in the town of Dayton, Padgett noted that they have bookings for groups staying in outlying Carson City motels and utilizing shuttle service to visit the Gold Canyon. On the culinary side the kitchen is headed by Executive Chef Randy Bryant whose resume includes a stint at the famous Gold Hill Hotel a few miles up the canyon. Serving Chef Randy’s delectable victuals is the purview of head waiter Vic and his staff. One of the major promotions being considered by Chef Randy is a crawdad cook off to be held in Dayton sometime in the near future. Tableside specialties for dinner and desert are a feature of the dining room. Recently I attended a special event at the Gold Canyon that was hosted by Comstock Mining of Virginia City. The door-to-door trip from Reno to the Gold Canyon took exactly 32 minutes traveling at posted speeds. So if you are looking for a unique spot and a special dining experience, I would recommend the Gold Canyon in Dayton. Gold Canyon Steakhouse 160 Main Street Dayton, Nevada 89403 Reservations: 775-246-7331
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this ‘n that
by Anne Vargas
annevargas3@gmail.com
…that’s what the Trip Advisor website said about the place we had chosen on the California coast to celebrate our year-after-thebig-one anniversary. (Actually, I think any year after the 50th qualifies as a big one… and I hope there will be lots more.) Some of our friends tactfully asked how we had made this decision while others bluntly said, “Why in the world would you want to do that?” Instead of an exotic trip, or even a romantic dinner at a lovely restaurant, we
30 • 2012 • November
“Maybe not for everyone…” had opted to get ourselves to a nunnery or---more specifically, to a Catholic monastery at Big Sur where we would be housed separately and spend a weekend in silence. Where we would get our meals from the kitchen and carry them in tin mess kits to our private abodes to eat in solitude, using our one plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon. Why, indeed, were we doing this? We are still happily married and we still enjoy being together but last spring we had the opportunity to hear an extraordinarily memorable talk given by a
Benedictine monk. On this particular weekend he would be conducting a retreat at the New Camodoli Hermitage and we wanted to hear more from him. Accommodations are primarily single. My husband had one of the nine rooms in the central building while I had a trailer unit down the hill. I had a porch, he had a garden but both overlooked the ocean. The only sounds I heard were from the chirping of birds and a deer wandering by.
There were about twenty of us congregating several times a day to listen to Fr. Michael talk to us about Journey. Having twice walked the century’s old Camino de Santiago pilgrimage from the French side of the Pyrenees to the Spanish coast, he told us about that (this ‘n that page 33)
ECLECTIC OBSERVER Janet Ross
S
erendipity has sent three terrific travel guides my way over the past few months. Alaska isn’t on my bucket list, nor are motorcycles, but The Adventurous Motorcyclist’s Guide to Alaska - Routes, Road Food, Dive Bars and Gearhead Destinations is one of the best travel guides I have reviewed. Not only is the soft-cover book hefty in hand, but it’s loaded with every bit of information a biker in our 50th state could require. There are lots of color photos, useful maps, and practical suggestions for riders. Icons throughout advise the reader about hotels, fuel, dirt roads and trails, photo opportunities, restaurants, campgrounds, local color and (best of all?) a skull and crossbones to denote “danger!” (Published by Octane Press, 2012, authors Lee Klancher and Phil Freeman, available from Amazon.com.) For trips closer to home, A Traveller’s Wine Guide to California, is another hefty-inhand soft cover book with lots of photos and an abundance of information. Organized by wine regions that range from the over-popular Napa Valley to the nearby Sierra Foothills, the guide also covers brandy, sake, artisan foods, websites, wine events, grape varieties, accommodation, restaurants, and local history. The book’s regional maps, I found, are bare-bones, so one would do well to bring along a real area map (or, if you trust your GPS, that might work). This time of year you might want to combine a trip to Apple Hill with visits to three Placerville wineries - Boeger, Sierra Vista and Lava Cap. (Published by Interlink Books, 2012, author
& photographer Robert Holmes, available from Barnes & Noble.) Perfect Places for Afternoon Tea from Great Britain’s Automobile Association might just have you planning a visit to England asap. Produced by
The Tea Guild (“a prestigious organization that encourages excellence in tea brewing, reflects the importance of taking tea as an enjoyable social ritual, and recognizes and rewards tea rooms, tea shops and hotels that offer the highest standards of tea service.”) this is one more hefty-in-hand soft cover book, loaded with lovely photos, and hundreds of
charming spots for a traditional afternoon tea. The book is organized alphabetically by county, from Bedfordshire to Yorkshire, plus sections on Wales and Scotland. Each listing includes what to eat, open hours, getting there, what to see in the region. (Published by AA Media Ltd., 2011, available from Washoe County Library.)
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Seniors4Travel
Robert Boyd & Carolyn Prusa
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -St. Augustine
N
ovember is none too soon to begin thinking about vacations for 2013. And so we are. We’ve learned to try to avoid depending too heavily on a single travel idea. On more than one occasion, a last-minute discount travel offer or our spontaneous decision to explore somewhere off the beaten track
has resulted in a trip as enjoyable as those we’d planned for months. Do the Homework Naturally, it is important to research the travel location as much as possible, and we consider the internet a good place to begin. If possible, talk to folks who’ve been there. Don’t overlook the public library as a resource. Travel Guides Fodors and Frommers and Lonely Planet have the market pretty well covered when it comes to travel guides. All have informative websites. Foders.com, frommers.com, lonelyplanet.com Travel Magazines Among the many travel magazines, we subscribe to Author Frommer’s Budget
Travel, National Geographic Travel, Afar and Travel & Leisure. From our perspective, Travel and Leisure is one of the more useful. Travel 50 & Beyond This magazine is a recent discovery for us, although it has been published for 20 years and claims to be the only one written and designed specifically for people 50 and older. On the website, we discovered a listing of senior travel discounts and last minute cruise offers (up to 75% off ). Travel50andbeyond.com Travel Agencies There are any number of travel agencies listed in the local directory. AAA has served as a valuable resource for us when planning vacations in the country and abroad. The AAA website is excellent, and the staff at the Reno office is friendly, knowledgeable and more than happy to assist. AAA.com Tour Companies Another of our personal recommendations is for Go Ahead Tours. We have been on several European group tours with this company, and never been disappointed. Goaheadtours.com
32 • 2012 • November
Passports On the subject of travel outside the county, don’t forget about a passport. No matter where you go, and remember this includes Canada and Mexico, you need one. If you don’t have a passport or it’s time to renew, allow at least six weeks to get it. Some countries, including Australia, Brazil and China, also require Visas. For the most comprehensive Visa information, call PVS International
in Arlington, Virginia (1-800-556-9990). Practical Travel Tips: • Carry copies of all necessary documents; store birth certificates, traveler’s checks, Visas, etc., in safe places. • Buy traveler’s checks in U.S. dollar denominations. • Never carry all your money in one place. • Know the currency of your chosen destination and find out if the overseas city takes ATM and/or credit cards. The best exchange rate is usually more favorable to U.S. dollars at local banks or exchange shops. • Make major purchases by credit card but carry some local money for small purchases and tips. • If you have particular health issues, travel with your medical history. Be sure to include your blood type and list of current medications. • Get appropriate vaccinations before leaving. • Take two of everything “medical” such as contact lenses and dentures. Learn where you can get medical help should you need it where you will be. • Unexperienced travelers would be wise to work with a local travel agent. • Always read the fine print on anything you sign relating to travel. • Leave an itinerary with family members and/or friends, in the event of an emergency. And, finally, as someone once said…When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. That is one of the more valuable lessons we’ve learned from experience. Bon Voyage.
this ‘n that page 30
particular journey and how it could parallel the journey through life. His backpack and hiking boots were in the center of the room. Although he had planned ahead and rigorously trained for the 800 KM, many week trek, things didn’t turn out quite as he expected. His boots let him down, his feet were badly blistered, the waterproof backpack leaked and he had to abandon much of the contents due to weight. There were so many weather elements and challenging trails to be dealt with, food and rest were eagerly anticipated at the end of each day. Accommodations varied widely, ranging from hostels to retrofitted cargo containers to the occasional hotel room with a shower. The people he met along the way also varied widely so there were fascinating tales to hear, each with a life lesson metaphor; a lot to think about. So that’s why we were there instead of in Paris. Our weekend was spent listening, walking, reading, attending some of the services with and delighting in the sheer beauty of the spectacular Cliffside setting. The fog rolled in so heavily one morning it seemed as if we were suspended above a gossamer cloud. “…truly, just being here is so much…” Rainer Maria Rilke Visitors of every faith--or no faith at all--come throughout the year to experience the serenity or to simply get away from whatever one might care to get away from for awhile. There are no yoga classes or meditative workshops but there is the
opportunity to immerse yourself in silent reflection and contemplation. Others come just to stay there as a base while hiking or visiting nearby coastal towns. Travel writer Pico Iyer has long extolled the virtues of this special place. He makes several sojourns a year from his home in Japan to stay at the monastery. Now that I have been there, I can easily understand why one would want to return. Silence is requested, a
policy explained when making a reservation. Guests are welcome to attend any of the daily services with the monks but that is optional. It’s an “unplugged” existence; there is no television, internet or cell phone capability. The food (quite wonderful) is vegetarian, all prepared by the monks, the produce grown in their garden. It is very affordable; $110-$120 a night includes three meals a day, which is why Trip Advisor lists it on their travel
website along with those cautionary words, “Maybe not for everyone.” Maybe not. But it was definitely for me. The New Camodoli Hermitage is located at 62475 Highway 1 (Lucia) Big Sur, CA For more information: www.comtemplation.com The movie “The Way” with Martin Sheen, available on Netflix, effectively explains Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
November • 2012 • 33
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34 • 2012 • November
November • 2012 • 35