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Eastern Edition | Vol. 45 | No. 8 | August 2019

Fishing with Warriors Nonprofit offers unique – and fun – way to help veterans

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Health advocate Activist honored for contributions in fight against HIV/AIDS

Fitness with focus PHOTO/ANDY WEIGL/WEIGL PHOTOGRAPHY

75-year-old powerlifter on record-breaking pace page 4 Westborough’s Harmesh Sharma has made the transition from distance running to powerlifting.

Art therapy Helping children work through grief with art

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Become a volunteer advocate for AARP MA By Mike Festa, State Director AARP Massachusetts

ARP Massachusetts has been hard at work building and training a special group of volunteers to join our effective advocacy team across Massachusetts. AARP held a volunteer advocacy workshop in mid-June for prospective volunteers. In the daylong session, volunteers learned about strategic Mike Festa planning and tactical organizing, identifying problems and solving issues and left with a deeper understanding of our priority legislative issues. Specifically, advocates heard more about the Caregiving Tax Credit and Secure Choice/Work and Save bills, and Stop RxGreed, our campaign to lower prescription drug prices. House Bill 2608/Senate Bill 702 - An Act to Establish the Family Caregiving Tax Credit

Sponsored by Representative David Rogers (D-24th Middlesex) and Senator Jason Lewis (D-5th Middlesex)

This bill, which made it to the end of the legislative process last year without a vote, would establish a tax credit that reimburses caregivers for a portion of what they spend to care for a loved one at home. A recent study by the AARP Public Policy Institute shows that the average family caregiver spends almost $7,000 a year out-of-pocket to help care for their loved ones, which amounts to, on average, 20 percent of their total income. An Act to Establish the Family Caregiver Tax Credit would establish a tax credit, capped at $1,500 per year, which reimburses family members for a portion of qualified expenses related to caring for adult family members who need assistance with activities of daily living. Massachusetts family caregivers provided 786 million hours of unpaid care, valued at about $11.6 billion, in 2015. Most people who receive assistance at home rely exclusively on unpaid family caregivers for help. Some 69 percent of Massachusetts adults report feeling stressed while trying to balance a job and their caregiving

responsibilities. More than half (55 percent) of family caregivers report being overwhelmed by the amount of care their family member needs. House Bill 1075/Senate Bill 602 - An Act to Establish the Massachusetts Secure Choice Retirement Program and Expand the Massachusetts CORE Plan to All Employers Sponsored by Representative Tram Nguyen (D-18th Essex) and Senator Pat Jehlen (D-2nd Middlesex)

Nearly half of workers in Massachusetts have no access to a retirement savings plan through their employers. A secure retirement is out of reach for over one million Massachusetts residents, especially those who work for themselves or small businesses. While Social Security is a critical piece of the puzzle, it is not enough to depend on. Many future retirees will not be able to handle the rising cost of basic needs and health care. An Act to Establish the Massachusetts Secure Choice Retirement Program and Expand the Massachusetts CORE Plan to All Employers would expand the existing “Connecting Organizations to Retirement”

(CORE) plan so that all employers could participate. The Act would also create the Massachusetts Secure Choice Retirement Program. Secure Choice makes it easier for businesses to offer employees a way to save for retirement out of their regular paycheck, and it is an easy, stress-free way to grow retirement savings so you can take control of your future. The advocacy volunteers also heard about Stop Rx Greed, an AARP campaign to lower prescription drug prices. Attendees learned about the issue and possible policy solutions, such as bulk purchasing of prescription drugs, state importation of prescription drugs from other countries, and setting caps on out-ofpocket costs. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer advocate for AARP Massachusetts and missed the training, you can still get involved! There are four steps to joining the AARP Advocacy Volunteer Team: Become an e-activist – Receive emails from AARP on national and state advocacy issues, and use our tools to contact your elected officials AARP | page 6

READY TO VOLUNTEER? WE ARE READY FOR YOU. Learn how you can put your time, knowledge and talent to use with volunteer opportunities through AARP in Massachusetts. Help make the communities in which we live, work and play the best they can be while engaging with others who share your passion for creating change. AARP is here to help you take on today—and every day with Real Possibilities. Get to know us at aarp.org/ma.

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Four strategies for your 401(k) By Joseph McManus, RICP® Financial Planner, Prudential Advisors

successful 401(k) is a tactical plan for long term investing. People are living longer, meaning that retirements are lasting longer -- sometimes 20 or 30 years. Smart people will invest in their 401(k) with the goal of having sufficient assets accumulated when retirement time comes. Joseph McManus If you have some type of 401(k) offering at work, it’s a great opportunity to take charge of your financial future. If your workplace offers any type of matching program, be sure to take advantage. Especially in this economy, don’t leave extra money on the table. Here are some tips that can help achieve 401(k) success. 1. Resist the urge to stop contributing to your work-

If your workplace offers any type of matching program, be sure to take advantage. Especially in this economy, don’t leave extra money on the table. place-provided retirement plan. Yes, times are tough, and money is tight. But an important driver of human behavior is “inertia.” Once you’re in the plan, you tend to stay in it, and once you leave it, it will be tough to restart. Do yourself a favor and stay the course and reap the benefits when the economy recovers. 2. Keep your focus on the long term. Retirement plans are long-term financial vehicles, so keep your eyes on the goals: investing as much as possible for your future retirement and investing for the long-term. Attempting to time the markets’ volatility may cause you to miss out on upturns you can’t predict. 3. Don’t take a loan or a withdrawal. While many workplace-sponsored retirement plans permit loans and

withdrawals, they are almost always a bad idea, primarily because you are reducing your assets and you may be jeopardizing your future financial health. Additionally, you might be subject to additional taxes and/or penalties. Withdrawals and distributions of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and, if made prior to age 59 ½, may be subject to an additional 10 percent federal income tax penalty. While loans are generally not taxable, if you leave your employer you could be faced with immediate taxation and penalties if you cannot raise the funds to pay off that loan. The best

plan is to look elsewhere for immediate sources of emergency cash. You will thank yourself during your retirement years. 4. Think about retirement income rather than a retirement nest egg. Many people forget that the whole point of a retirement funding strategy is to help create a stream of income to live on during retirement, when you will no longer receive a paycheck from your employer. So, take advantage of web-based tools that help you project how much retirement income your projected savings and investments will generate. For many people, it is much less than they imagine, which could suggest two solutions: working longer or saving more. Not completely enticing, of course, but probably better than not having enough money to survive during your retirement. Staying the course and planning strategically may be the best ways to help achieve 401(k) success. Take a step back and look at the big picture.

For more information, contact Joseph McManus, RICP®, a Financial Planner with The Prudential Insurance Company of America’s Greater New England Financial Group, located at 293 Boston Post Road West, Suite 110, Marlborough, Mass. McManus can be reached at Joseph.McManus@Prudential.com and 508- 382-4904.

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Fitness with focus 75-year-old powerlifter on record-breaking pace By David Bagdon Publisher

he word “warrior” is used a bit too lightly these days. In the world of fitness, it is currently fashionable to participate in a “Warrior Race” which is essentially an annual mud-soaked obstacle course run that is then often proudly posted on social media. But in some people’s world, the term warrior is reserved for those who push themselves to the brink of their body’s capabilities year in and year out, literally for decades. Harmesh Sharma is that kind of warrior. At 75 years of age and barely 130 pounds, the Westborough resident challenges his body to improve every single day. Although he had been an avid runner for many years, his passion for the last three years has been powerlifting.

And judging by his string of medals and records, his methods are proving successful. In early June Sharma competed in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island State Powerlifting championships setting five American records in the process. In light of his age and small frame, the amounts are amazing: squat 187 lbs., bench press 127 lbs. and a deadlift of 243 lbs. and a combined total of 557 lbs. Adding to that outstanding achievement is the fact the Sharma has been training with weights for just three years. Prior to that he was a hardcore runner having completed some 10 Boston Marathons (unofficial) and 16 half marathons. But somewhere along the line, the thrill of running was waning. “I realized that I was not improving and in fact, my muscle strength was decreasing,” he said. That is when Sharma packed his

Boston Marathon which required a time of 4 hours and 24 minutes. Always focused on a goal, he decided it was time for a change. After reviewing his training records, he observed that his ability to do pushups during the many years he was running had declined, so he decided the best course of action was to get away from running and to start building up his strength with weight training. He decided to join a gym in Westborough where he began training again with his trademark intensity. Before long, he caught the attention of fellow gym members, in particular established powerlifter Mark Harmesh Sharma with his powerlifting Knowles. mentor Mark Knowles “Right away I could see the intensity in his workouts workout gear and headed for a local but I knew he could use some guidgym, Crunch Fitness in Westborough. ance with his training. Harmesh’s level of focus is very high and many Striving for progress times he pushes himself harder A researcher by profession, than he should to make maximum Sharma has always maintained meprogress. We all need to modify our ticulous records of his training progtraining as we get older… that’s not ress. Whether is was miles logged, always an easy sell with Harmesh,” amount of rest, weights lifted or Knowles said. foods eaten, he has recorded it all In short order a friendship was diligently for some 45 years. After formed, and to date, Knowles has running avidly for so many years, mentored Sharma through several Sharma abruptly decided that he successful competitions with more was not making satisfactory progress to come. Sharma has his eyes fotowards his goal to qualify for the Fitness | 5 Sharma competes in the deadlift at a recent competition.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + AUGUST 2019 + fiftyplus advocate Fitness | from page 4

cused on an upcoming national meet in Chicago. Should that go well, he is hoping to qualify for the USA Powerlifting Championship to be held in South Africa in April 2020. A career scientist Although he recently retired in October 2018, Sharma had a distinguished career in the field of medical research. Holding a Ph.D. in biochemistry, he served on the faculty of SUNY Buffalo from 1974-1983. Following that he joined the diagnostic division at Bayer. He finished his career as the principal scientist

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for Massachusetts-based Genzyme. He noted he has always applied the same intensity to his professional life as he does to his training. “I’ve always been a hard worker whether it was in my work as a scientist or in my fitness. I want to work hard and earn everything I have,” he said. The value of support According to Sharma the camaraderie is one of the best things about powerlifting. “Running is a very solitary sport. It’s often difficult to find someone who runs at your pace so many times one ends up training alone,” he said.

Sharma works on his form during a recent training session.

Sharma prepares to compete in the squat at the Mass/R.I. State Championship.

“At Crunch Fitness, it seems people want to help and support each other, it’s like a community.” Sharma is also quick to credit his wife of 50 years, Kanta, for her many years of support; whether it was picking him up from far flung running destinations or helping him with juicing and nutrition, she has always been a big supporter of his fitness goals. He is rigid with his diet consuming mainly chicken, salmon, vegetables and beans. However he

does admit to a particular weakness for milk and cookies. So, what is next for Sharma in his lifelong pursuit of fitness? He says the overriding goal is to motivate others. “The competitions are wonderful, but my ultimate goal is to inspire others to reach for their fitness goals. If someone sees that an athlete of my size and age can reach their goals, then they should know, it’s possible for them as well.”

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Congenital heart defect survivor strives to raise awareness and funds By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

PHOTOS/SUBMITTED

Boston/North Grafton – Congenital heart defect (CHD) survivor Kim Edgren of North Grafton strives to raise awareness and funds for the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA). Founded in 1998, ACHA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the needs of 1.4 million adults who were born with CHDs. Edgren returned this year as chair of its major fundraiser with a new event name and venue. Now known as Walk for 1 in 100, the ACHA fundraiser will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, beginning at 9 a.m., at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. “Having survived CHD my whole life, I really want to give back to the community,” she said. “We need more awareness because a lot of people don’t know what CHD is.

It’s the number one birth defect and it’s a lifelong illness. We walk to provide support and empowerment for those one in 100 people affected.” Several years ago, Edgren attended a conference where she learned about the Congenital Heart Walk held in a number of cities nationwide since 2010. She chaired the walk at Boston Common since its inception in 2012 to 2017. Edgren took last year off from chairing duties to help organize ACHA’s 20th-anniversary gala with her mother Dolores of Southborough, who also captains the walk’s Team Wee Care for Kimmie. The gala will become an annual fundraiser, scheduled next for Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the VerveCrowne Plaza Hotel in Natick. The Boston walk raised nearly $400,000 in seven years with proceeds shared between ACHA and Children’s Heart Foundation

(CHF). In December 2018, the two organizations announced that each will plan a separate walk. CHF held its walk this past April at Boston Common. ACHA chose to explore a new venue. “It’s the first year that the walks are separate, so we felt it’s a good time for a different location,” Edgren explained. “These walks have been done successfulKim Edgren, right, and her mother Dolores Edgren ly at zoos in other cities across the country, so we’re excited. It will be a nice family event.” Over the years, Edgren has observed medical progress in treating CHDs as well as survivors’ acceptance of the need for ongoing treatEdgren | page 7

Become a volunteer advocate for AARP MA AARP | from page 2

Estate Planning Elder Law Long Term Care Planning Masshealth Applications Corporate & Business Planning ❖ Real Estate ❖ Powers of Attorney ❖ Guardian/Conservator Issues

on a wide variety of issues. Become an e-activist at www.aarp.org/getinvolved. Join our First Friday Calls– Get the latest news and updates out of Washington DC and the Massachusetts State House. Join AARP Staff and leadership volunteers as we discuss what’s happening right now, and what you can do to make a difference. Email ma@aarp.org for call information. Meet with your elected officials – AARP Massachusetts organizes visits with our Members of Congress

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

and state legislators multiple times a year. Become an E-Activist and join our monthly calls to learn about upcoming meetings and chances for you to interact with elected officials. Register as an AARP volunteer – AARP Activists who participate in meetings with elected officials and other volunteer activity are offered mileage reimbursement for their work with AARP. Volunteers also receive access to news updates, resources, and a national monthly call on volunteer activity across the states. To register as a volunteer, email ma@aarp.org, call 1-866-448-3621, or speak with a member of the AARP staff.

Mike Festa is the state director for AARP Massachusetts. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

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Edgren | from page 6

ment into adulthood. “ACHA empowers the CHD community to understand that it’s a lifelong journey,” she said. “Thanks to advancements, a lot of CDHs are now addressed within the first few weeks of birth, but there’s no fix and it’s a lifelong process. Transitioning from pediatric to adult congenital care is important.” Edgren was born cyanotic with blue lips and fingernails from lack of oxygen. At 13 months, she underwent palliative surgery, which was deemed unsuccessful after six weeks. She had a second palliative surgery at 22 months. At age 9, she underwent surgery to insert a new valve and restructure her heart. The conduit has been replaced four times throughout her life. She expects needing future procedures. “Other than needing to have the valve replaced, I’ve done very well,” she shared. “I know there needs to be continued medical interventions to keep me healthy. This will enable me to continue to thrive.” The walk’s proceeds will help beneficial programs that are supported by ACHA, Edgren noted. “Up until recently, most of us were treated by pediatric cardiologists who started seeing more and more adult patients,” she relayed. “It

Team Wee Care for Kimmie at a past Congenital Heart Walk in Boston Common

was just two years ago that an actual board certification for cardiologists with congenital training has been implemented. Money raised from the walk will help support these programs.”

On Sunday, Aug. 18, an informational event to learn more about the walk will be held at the Dorchester Brewing Company, 1250 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, from 6 to 9 p.m.

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Activist honored for contributions in fight against HIV/AIDS By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

– Gerald James

PHOTO/CRAIG BAILEY, PERSPECTIVE PHOTO

Gerald James

James particularly strives to share his story with people in communities of color. He has experienced significant progress with medical treatment since his diagnosis. “Some people in communities of color aren’t aware of the progress and not taking advantage of it,” he noted. “Look at the statistics: more people of color are getting infected; whereas, the infection rate is going down in Activist | 9

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Boston – The Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast marked its 30th anniversary this past March at Boston’s John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum to once again recognize contributions made by lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals from communities of color in their fight against HIV/AIDS. The 2019 Bayard Rustin Award for Courage was presented to Gerald James, director of operations of the Boston Public Health Commission. The breakfast commemorates Bayard Rustin, an unsung hero of the civil rights movement. James has volunteered for its planning committee since 1999. He acknowledged his surprise when accepting this year’s award of the event’s namesake. “Being a person who has HIV and relatively healthy, this is my opportunity to give back to help others,” James shared. “People who are HIV-positive need to take ownership and demand the care that they want. If you’re doing well, talk about it with people who may not be as educated about how they can be successful. They’ll be more apt to take a second look to better their health.”

If people with HIV take their medication as prescribed, they can become medically adherent and undetectable, meaning the virus is still in the body but so insignificant that you can’t transmit it

Gathered at the 30th annual Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast are (l to r) Kim Wilson, this year’s event chair; Gerald James, 2019 Bayard Rustin Award for Courage recipient; and Michael Downing, 2019 Belynda Dunn Award recipient.

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A 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Gerald James (far left, center row) sings with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall. Activist | from page 8

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the white community.” During a past breakfast, James entertained with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC), which he joined in 1989. He founded the Boston Rainbow Gospel Choir in 1997 to provide music at community events for several years. In 2001, he appeared as a soloist for the Pride Gospel Brunch presented by Men of Color Against AIDS at the House of Blues located at the time in Cambridge. Also in 2001, he soloed the gospel-style song “Celebrate” for a BGMC concert at New York City’s world-renowned Carnegie Hall. Included in the audience from his hometown of Brooklyn were his mother, godmother and best friend from elementary school, who’s straight. “They’ve all known for a long time that I’m gay, but that night they were actually seeing me as an openly gay man singing with a gay chorus,” he relayed. The breakfast was created by AIDS Action Committee (AAC). James had volunteered with AAC for several years and more recently collaborated with the nonprofit organization as a health professional. Beginning in 2012, he worked in various capacities at Boston Medical Center, ultimately as manager of its outreach and peer programs. James continues advocating advice that he and his staff conveyed to patients. “If people with HIV take their medication as prescribed, they can become medically adherent and undetectable, meaning the virus is still in the body but so insignificant that you can’t transmit it,” he explained. “People who are undetectable have the same life expectancy as a person who isn’t HIV-positive.” Decades after receiving a bachelor’s degree with a triple major in 1983 from Tufts University, James began studying toward a master’s degree in 2015 at Boston University School of Public Health. To allow time for studies while working, he

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Gerald James receives the 2019 Bayard Rustin Award for Courage.

took a hiatus from BGMC. The programs he managed at Boston Medical Center were funded by a five-year grant from the Department of Public Health. After its funding ended, James got hired as assistant director of operations for the Boston Public Health Commission. He returned to BGMC in its 2017-2018 season and participated in its South African tour in June 2018. Concert ticket sales’ with cash donations totaled $38,000. BGMC donated the funds to South African organizations serving LGBT people and those living with HIV. Upon returning home from the tour, James learned that his boss at the Boston Public Health Commission accepted another job. Soon afterward, James began his current position as its director of operations. Among the breakfast’s supportive guests observing him receive the award were his mother and sister visiting from New York, and staff of the Boston Public Health Commission. “It was a really nice moment having my family and work colleagues there for me,” he said. James took charge of updating guests who expressed interest in volunteering for next year’s 31st annual breakfast.

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Fishing with Warriors Nonprofit offers unique – and fun – way to help veterans By Matthew Dunn Contributing Writer

Fishing | 11

PHOTOS/SUBMITTED

Region – As the sun peaks through the horizon in Limon Provience, Costa Rica, a boat carrying three men slips off its dock and into the current of the Rio Colorado river. The men on this boat have two goals for their day spent drifting through the river; to catch one of the river’s storied Tarpon, and to continue healing from their wounds they received while serving in the military. The trip they are on is sponsored by Fishing with Warriors, a Westborough-based nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans enjoy fun ways to relax and de-stress, at no cost to them. Fishing with Warriors was founded in 2015 by three former service members, Alfred Lizotte, Denzil Drewry and Paul George. Lizotte, who serves as president, is a former member of the U.S. Na-

tional Guard. He noted the group wanted to give back to service members who fought for our country, by allowing them to participate in something fun, such as a trophy fishing trip or attending a major professional sporting event. Fishing with Warriors handles all costs of these veterans’ trips – transportation, lodging, meals and any entry fees. All donations made to the nonprofit organization are put towards trips for veterans. “As part of my bucket-list – I believed it was time to give back,” Lizotte said. “It’s always been my intent to give back to veterans and do as much as I can.” Lizotte is making good on those intentions – and 21-year U.S. Army veteran Dan Darroch has the memories of his excursion to Costa Rica to prove it. Darroch is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant and combat medic,

U.S. Army veteran Dan Darroch celebrates catching a Tarpon on the fishing trip to Costa Rica

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Honoring Our Heroes Veterans receive affordable health care at their local VA

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U.S. Army veteran Dan Darroch (center) enjoys a fishing trip to Costa Rica, courtesy of Fishing with Warriors.

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having served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Desert Storm. He also struggles with the effects of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He found his fishing trip through the Fishing with Warriors organization a reflective and productive experience in managing his symptoms. “The most obvious thing I noticed after being out on the water during the fishing trip to Costa Rica was a calmness that I haven’t felt in a very long time,” Darroch said when describing his trip. “My mind was clear of the chatter and I was completely immersed in the moment and the ‘hunt’ for the biggest fish I could catch… I was very pleasantly surprised to find that even after we docked for the day and spent the evening at the Lodge, I was still mostly free of the hyper-vigilant tendencies I typically have,” Darroch added. Whether the trip takes them to Silver King Lodge in Costa Rica to chase trophy Tarpon, or Venice, Louisiana, to find Yellowfin Tuna, the veterans truly enjoy the time spent with one another sharing stories, experiences, and even struggles. “There is an expedited bonding process that takes place between veterans when put in situations like this and often times it can turn out to be a strong and lasting bond,” Darroch said. He noted that unfamiliar places can often cause those struggling with PTSD to remain on edge and overly alert, but those feelings quickly dissipated at Silver King Lodge, allowing him to enjoy his time there. “I felt very relaxed, calm, and completely able to enjoy the fishing

with the company of my fellow veterans. It was an amazing feeling that I will fondly remember for the rest of my life,” Darroch said. It is clear that the well-being of our country’s veterans is something important to Lizotte, and something he wants to have an even larger impact on. Recently, Fishing with Warriors has implemented a new wellness program for sponsored veterans that provides each participant with a onehour yoga class each day, followed by a group session with a clinical psychologist to help discuss their lives as civilians, life with their families, and any PTSD struggles they may be facing, all done during their sponsored fishing getaway. In addition to the fishing trips, the organization shares tickets to local sporting events such as the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and even local PGA golf tournaments. “We pass along tickets to these events so they [veterans] can take their families,” said Lizotte. When asked how he knows these trips are making a difference in the lives of the veterans his organization sponsors, Lizotte answered, “You can see it in their face – you can hear it in their voice – they are refreshed.” Lizotte’s efforts, and every member of Fishing with Warriors, work to give back to our country’s veterans and help them overcome their own challenges as they return to civilian life – all while creating life long memories, friendships, and perhaps, even catching a few trophy fish. For more information on the Fishing with Warriors organization and its partners visit https://www. fishingwithwarriors.us.

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Author combines love of words with nature By Susan Olsen Orpilla Contributing Writer

Susan Edwards Richmond on Plein Air Poetry Walk at Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Stow – Local award-winning poet and author Susan Edwards Richmond encourages us all to remember that nature and our outdoor environment is for our enjoyment but also so much more. “We need to respect nature. It’s not there just for our use and convenience,” she said. “It is a part of human life.” Respecting nature will also help reveal our commonalities as well as developing more compassion for animals and the environment, she added. For Edwards Richmond, connecting with nature and animals is very

healing, revealing, and transforming. As such, she uses her writing to inspire others to experience the same emotions. Writing since childhood, most of her works are poetry with alluring imagery and detailed accounts of movement. Born in California, her family moved to upstate New York when she was quite young. Her love of nature and animals grew from exploring the woods of her backyard and catching crayfish in a local creek. Edwards Richmond first moved to Massachusetts to attend Williams College where she majored in English with a concentration in creative writing. She then attended the University of California at Davis and received a master of arts in Author | 13

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creative writing and poetry. Her career path has intertwined her love of nature and her writing journey. She began submitting her creative writing after college and has over 100 works published in journals and anthologies such as Appalachia, Birdwatcher’s Digest, Earthwise, Sanctuary, The Dire Elegies: 59 Poets on Endangered Species of North America and Runes: A Review of Poetry: Hearth. She said that she starts with a few thoughts and lets them run as far as they can. Her writing takes her down the path to where it wants to go; in fact, her first published book came about that way. While developing curriculum for the Jason Foundation for Education, she transcribed an interview with a Shaman about the myth of pink freshwater river dolphins in the Amazon which would take on human

We need to respect nature. It’s not there just for our use and convenience. It is a part of human life. – Susan Edwards Richmond form and were often used to explain mysterious happenings. Intrigued by this widely believed story, Edwards Richmond was inspired to write her first book, Boto in 2002. Her second book, Birding in Winter developed from her love of bird watching from the snowy landscapes of New England to the beaches of Florida. With a very different theme, her third book Purgatory Chasm (Adastra Press, 2007) is a collection featuring different aspects of the popular hiking site in Sutton, Mass., including rock

formations, modern hikers, ghosts of those who have died there, as well as the inner struggles and reflections of her own past. This October Peachtree Publishing Company Inc. will be releasing Edwards Richmond’s first children’s book. Bird Count was inspired by her own experience in in the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count. She looks forward to writing more books for children joining story with nature, science, and environmental concepts.

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In addition to freelance writing, proofing and editing, Edwards Richmond has taught creative writing at the Shirley Medium Correctional Facility and various universities. She is also a founding member of The Concord Poetry Center and oversees the Poem of the Month at Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio. She has a passion for inspiring other writers and artists by leading Plein Air (outdoor) walks connecting people with the community of nature. She loves the children’s excitement and openness to nature at her current position as a Preschool Teacher at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Community Preschool. Edwards Richmond had lived many years in Acton and recently moved to Stow where her yard is reminiscent of her childhood backyard full of green and trees. Her husband Jim and two grown daughters, Elana and Sonia, also share her love of nature.

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Former social worker succeeds as stand-up comedian and actor By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

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Boston – Stand-up comedian and actor Tony Viveiros of Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood redirected his career path from social worker to performing alongside Jay Leno, Dennis Miller, Steven Wright and Adam Sandler, as well as opening for The Beach Boys, Billy Ray Cyrus, Joan Jett, Kenny Rogers and The Temptations. Along the way, he became known as Tony V. After graduating from UMass Boston in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Viveiros studied toward earning a master’s degree while employed as a social worker for several years at Somerville Mental Health Association. “Having other people’s lives in your head is very stressful,”he noted.“I started going to comedy clubs as a relief.”

He first performed stand-up comedy in 1983 at Boston’s nowclosed Comedy Connection. The host couldn’t pronounce the debuting comedian’s last name, so Viveiros was introduced as his now-alias Tony V. In 1986, Showtime cable network named Viveiros “Funniest Person in Massachusetts.” “Showtime traveled to every state for contests in a Winnebago with a blowup Groucho Marx nose and glasses on the hood,” he explained. Viveiros landed a gig from 1987 through 1992 that afforded him to buy the Charlestown home where he still resides. A television ad campaign from the 1970s into mid-‘80s featured a gorilla abusing American Tourister luggage, a Samsonite-owned brand. After the com-

Tony Viveiros performs at Giggles Comedy Club in Saugus.

Viveiros | 15

Tony Viveiros entertains as Rudolph at the 2018 100.3 WHEB’s eighth annual Buzz Ball at Capital Center for the Arts in Concord, N.H.

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www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + AUGUST 2019 + fiftyplus advocate Viveiros | from page 14

ic serv

Below: Viveiros appeared on the “Seinfeld” umbrellatwirling episode.

Boston-area clubs, then lived and pursued work weekdays in NYC. Among his television gigs were multiple appearances on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and Comedy Central shows. A job for an FX Network show with Bobcat Goldthwait in 1998 relocated Viveiros to Los Angeles. There, he also performed on A&E’s “An Evening at the Improv” and guest roles on the sitcoms “Boston Common” and “The Single Guy.” Viveiros cherishes interacting with castmates on the “Seinfeld” umbrella-twirling episode.

“It was great working with Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus,” he recalled. “They laughed and offered me suggestions.” Although Viveiros consistently worked in LA, he chose to return home to Boston. “My kids started coming along in’98 and I didn’t want to raise them in filthy LA,” he noted. “Also, you’ve been there too long when someone tells you for the fifth time that they’re taking their dog to a psychiatrist.” From 2006 to 2008, he played a recurring role on Showtime’s “Brotherhood,” filmed in Rhode Island. Among his recent movie gigs filmed in Boston are “I Feel Pretty,” “Chappaquiddick,” “Stronger” and “Ghostbusters.” “I get to do what I love and live where I want,” he said. “I’m a Bostonian – always will be.” His most recent venture is the weekly podcast “Dueling Comedians.” It’s an opportunity for the former social worker to analyze his career choice. “I truly believe that stand-up comedy is one of the last truths,” he shared. Find information about Tony Viveiros at tonyvcomic.com, and “Dueling Comedians” at duelingcomedians.com.

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mercials stopped airing, a national search was conducted for a comedian to portray the gorilla-costumed “spokesperson” at public relations appearances. Viveiros and other finalists competed in California. “I did a show hosted by Phyllis Diller and won the contest to be spokesperson,” he recounted. “I was contractually obligated to appear on cable shows, at openings of luggage stores, and conventions for stores with a luggage department.” Wearing weighty gorilla garb, Viveiros trudged a vertical 5K up the stairs of the Prudential Building known as Climb to the Top Boston, benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He also appeared on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon via live feeds including one at an Atlanta mall. “The honored guests were me as the gorilla, Ronald McDonald, and the Bud Light beer dog Spuds MacKenzie, doing a traditional southern dance,” Viveiros relayed. “The guy in the Spuds costume passed out in front of about 2,000 people at this mall. Ronald took off because he was sweating so much. Shortly afterward I decided that I’d stop doing this.” In the mid- to late-1990s, Viveiros performed weekends at

Left: Augustus Viveiros, aka Gus V, guests with his father Tony Viveiros, aka Tony V, on the podcast “Dueling Comedians.”

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After the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: So what now? By Micha Shalev MHA CDP CDCM Co-owner of The Oasis at Dodge Park “Are you kidding me? I have what!!” It can’t be true. It has to be a mistake. You are really angry. It’s normal to have these feelings but the important thing is to find ways to cope, and continue to have fun and laugh. What you must understand first and foremost is that you or loved one will lose shortterm memory but retain some longterm memory. There are several methods and diagnostic tools to help determine fairly accurately whether an individual with memory problems has “possible Alzheimer’s disease,” “probable Alzheimer’s disease,” or

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While it is devastating to learn that your loved one has AD, it is frequently more stressful to be aware of the signs and symptoms and yet have no answer for the problem. some other memory or neurological problem. “Possible Alzheimer’s disease” is defined as a dementia that could be due to another condition. “Probable Alzheimer’s disease” means there are no other causes for the symptoms that can be found. Some individuals with memory problems have a condition called amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that often precedes Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Individuals with MCI have more memory problems than normal for individuals their age, but their symptoms are not as severe as those seen in AD. Importantly, not all individuals with MCI develop AD. At

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this time, a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can only be determined by an autopsy of the brain after death. However, at specialized centers, doctors can diagnose AD in a living person correctly up to 90 percent of the time. A physician will diagnose Alzheimer’s in a living person by: • Asking questions about an individual’s overall health, past medical history, ability to perform daily activities, and changes in behavior and personality; • Conducting memory tests, problem solving, attention, counting, language skills and other abilities related to brain functioning; • Carrying out medical tests of blood, urine, or spinal fluid; • Collecting information provided by family members or other caregivers about changes in a person’s day-to-day function and behavior which my help in diagnosis; and • Performing brain scans, such as magnetic resonance imaging

Micha Shalev MHA CDP CDCM CADDCT is the co-owner of The Oasis at Dodge Park, Dodge Park Rest Home and The Adult Day Club at Dodge Park located at 101 and 102 Randolph Road in Worcester. He is holding a master degree in health care management and a graduate of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners program, and well-known speaker covering Alzheimer’s and dementia training topics. He can be reached at 508-853-8180 or by email at m.shalev@ dodgepark.com. For more articles visit www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

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(MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan or a computed tomography (CT) scan. A complete diagnostic workup for AD is lengthy and costly and may take as long as a year or more before a final diagnosis is made. After the diagnosis is made, the family and patient may need considerable guidance and counseling. Family members often wonder whether they should tell their loved one of the diagnosis. While it is devastating to learn that your loved one has AD, it is frequently more stressful to be aware of the signs and symptoms and yet have no answer for the problem. The family and the patient should agree before the diagnosis is made so appropriate actions are taken. Not knowing always presents the risk of the person finding out accidentally. Open and honest communications are usually the best, but some families have their own reasons for choosing a different path. Families often look to healthcare professionals for guidance, and it is important to respect their decisions; however, physicians are advised to disclose the diagnosis to their patient. The American Psychiatric Association recommends advising Alzheimer’s disease patients and their families of the need for financial and legal planning due to the patient’s eventual incapacity (e.g., power of attorney for medical and financial decisions, an up-to-date will, and the cost of long-term care).

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Why worry? By Marianne Delorey, Ph.D. Executive Director, Colony Retirement Homes

hen I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.” – Winston Churchill I was talking to an elder recently who struggled to deal with her well intentioned, but very anxious family. They worry that she doesn’t get enough to eat. They worry that she shouldn’t be driving. They worry if she is taking her meds. They worry that she might fall and they worry that she is getting forgetful. We worry because we care. We don’t want our elder to get hurt. But if

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you are one of the worriers, you should know that your worrying can have a negative impact on your elder. Make sure you are considering their well-being by reality checking your concerns. 1. Ask, “What if?” Sometimes when people are worried, they envision the worst-case scenario. It helps to ask what will likely happen next. As an example, what happens when someone falls? Very often, the answer is nothing. Yes, people can break a hip or hit their heads, but often they are just a little shaken and bruised. 2. Identify smaller next steps. Research and present ideas that have small next steps to lessen your worry (removing cords and rugs to prevent falls) instead of moving to the extreme (you can’t live there anymore). 3. Practice empathy. Yes, maybe your elder is a bit forgetful. Have you ever lost your keys? Maybe it is ok if the keys go lost from time to time. 4. Experience teaches. Your elder will be more ready to take additional steps when their mistake becomes a problem for them. For instance, often it is not a big deal if meals are

skipped once in a while. If they get sick as a result, they will remember. 5. Own your worry. Call your elder every day if needed, but don’t nag them about the one time they forgot to do something. Tell them, “I know I am a worrier and you probably don’t need my call, but it helps me feel better to just check in. I hope you don’t mind.” And if you are one of the elders about whom a family is worried, you can help, too. You can resolve their concerns by addressing yourself, or by addressing your family. 1. First, own your mistake(s). Your family cannot expect perfection. But if you deny you made any mistake, they are going to think you need even more oversight because you can’t even see you made a mistake. 2. Ask for a metric. If you locked yourself out and your family member thinks this is the end of the world, ask them how many times in the past year they have lost their keys. 3. Make a plan. If you are starting to have problems, set a realistic expectation: “Ok, I hear your concern about my driving. The insurance

company said this accident was not my fault. I am willing to discuss this if I am in an accident that is more than 50 percent my fault.” 4. Define your goals. Your family member is worried that an accident or mistake is going to cost you your life. Set your parameters for what kind of life you find acceptable. “I would rather live in my house and fall and be on the floor for days rather than move. An acceptable life to me is one in which I get to live where I want.” 5. Allow some worry, but reality check them. “I know you are calling because you care, but please don’t call during my favorite show. You can call me any time after 5 p.m.” Most families are completely unprepared for how to parent the older generation. But the older generation needs to show them how they want to be cared for, too. Marianne Delorey, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of Colony Retirement Homes. She can be reached at 508755-0444 or mdelorey@colonyretirement.com and www.colonyretirementhomes.com. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

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The annual physical and financial housing check-ups By Alain Valles, CRMP, CSA, MS, MBA Nonprofit Charitable Managing Director The doctor visit Universal advice is to have a physical exam. This gives you the opportunity to discuss any physical changes or concerns. Your doctor will check your vital signs and make recommendations on what steps to take to maximize your quality of life. Sometimes we feel uncomfortable about the topics, mad at ourselves for not implementing prior suggestions, or even afraid to learn the results of a test. Hopefully it’s good news but unfortunately, we or a loved one must face

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and overcome a significant health event. The consensus is that regularly scheduled physical exams will give you time to adjust one’s lifestyle if necessary, detect and remedy anything early, and give you peace of mind that you are taking care of yourself. The financial housing check-up And the same is true regarding your financial housing health. As we age, we must also review our housing wellbeing on a regular basis. Unfortunately, for many people they think a financial review is only for the very wealthy. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, you must take every penny prisoner. If you are fortunate to own a home and are 62-years old or older, then you should examine your current housing situation, future financial needs, and learn if a reverse mortgage can help with your financial health. There may be stress regarding how you are going to be able to afford the next chapters of your life but, just like our health, ignoring current financial symp-

toms may lead to regret later when we didn’t take care today. There are hundreds of specific financial stresses and uncertainties we all face but most fall into the following three categories: 1. Move or be able to age in place and be financially independent 2. Immediate or anticipated cash needs 3. Peace of mind. Knowing cash is available if ever needed Reverse mortgage remedy A reverse mortgage, also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), is a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) government insured loan that allows eligible older homeowners to access the equity in their homes by receiving lump sum cash, a monthly check, and/or a line of credit. The key advantage of a reverse mortgage is you do not have make any monthly payments on the money you borrow. You are though, always obligated to pay your property insurance, real estate taxes, and abide by other loan

guidelines. Just like TV medicine commercials, there is a lot of fine print about a reverse mortgage and it’s not for everybody. But everybody should learn how a reverse mortgage works, whether for themselves or the possibility of helping a friend or family member have the best quality of life possible. The question is where should one turn to receive information about one’s current situation? Information you can trust As Managing Director of the self-funded nonprofit charitable mortgage company, Helping Hands Community Partners, our mission is to educate people about reverse mortgages and, when appropriate, arrange financing or help with other housing options. Just like doctors with different qualifications, not all mortgage companies and banks are able to arrange reverse mortgages. We are reverse mortgage specialists and have more designated Certified Reverse Mortgage Professionals (CRMP) than any other New England company.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Reverse mortgage | 20

“THAT’S MY CLUE” (answers on page 19)

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viewpoint

• 19

A moment of perfect harmony By Janice Lindsay

remember one moment when the world, at least my little world, rested in perfect harmony. This wasn’t my only such moment, but the earliest I remember of knowing the sweet contentment of everything in its proper place. When my sister and I were little, our parents played piano. They led a tiny orchestra, playing each summer for weekly dances at the village hall on the lake. Usually they were joined by a saxophone player, sometimes a fiddler, sometimes a banjo player. But the piano was the musical anchor, necessary for every set of three square dances followed by three ballroom dances. The work was too demand-

Inklings

Answers to Super Crossword (puzzle on page 18)

bed and the top of the lower front board. In trying to extricate herself, she was plucking one of the strings and playing my piano. As I freed Peanut, I pondered the loveliness of that round, sweet tone. I remembered how rich we were in piano music during those early years, while our father was still well enough to play. Even after he died, and our mother remarried, and we ultimately had four little brothers and a baby sister, wherever we lived, the house was full of music. I contributed, practicing through 10 years of piano lessons. But the music never held quite the same contentment as that one rich moment of my remembrance. Peanut’s one-note misadventure connected me again with that long-ago day. Since then, I’ve had my old piano tuned. I’m learning to play again. Every time I play, I relive that moment of perfect harmony, when all was well in our little world. Contact jlindsay@tidewater.net

Cheryl and I quietly played with our dolls at one end of the sunny room, as our parents seated themselves on the bench of our upright piano at the other. ing physically for one pianist, so our parents took turns. They practiced at home. Cheryl and I heard each of them play. But the true delight came when they played together. On this day of my memory, we were all in the sun porch, a long narrow front porch that had been converted to a year-round room with the addition of insulated, windowed walls. Cheryl and I quietly played with our dolls at one end of the sunny room, as our parents seated themselves on the bench of our upright piano at the other. They were about to practice a duet, our petite mother on the high notes, our tall, angular father at the low notes. A moment of preparation, hesitation, anticipation. Then the first lively notes of “Nola” burst forth. Even now, Cheryl and I can hear that tune being played in that moment. All became right. We were all together. Cheryl and I were at peace with each other, which we were usually but not always. Our parents sat close together, four hands dancing in perfect synchronicity, filling the air with music. All was harmonious and good, all pieces of our universe in their proper places. The music bound us together in a loving family circle. I was reminded of this moment

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not long ago as I sat at my computer. The house was quiet. Suddenly I heard a rich deep note being played repeatedly on my own little upright piano. I knew that the cover was closed over the keyboard. Much to my shame, I had not played my piano in months, and not regularly in years. It was just a piece of furniture, a place to display books and greeting cards. The mystery pianist was my energetic cat, Peanut. Engaged in some inventive moment of her own, she had apparently leaped up to reach for something below the keyboard. She had caught one paw in the one-inch gap between the bottom of the key

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Helping children work through grief with art By Lauren B. Schiffman Contributing Writer

– Laurie Moskowitz-Corrois

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Arlington - Decades ago, as a young mother, Laurie Moskowitz-Corrois, LMHC, REAT, was faced with a significant challenge. Her 10-year-old son suddenly became very ill with a diagnosis that sent them to children’s hospitals across the country for months at a time. During those difficult months, she encouraged her son to communicate through art, which was “the only medicine I had to offer at that time,” she said. “Many images he created emerged from the page with startling intensity, reflecting much more than he had the words to share. It gave me actual proof of the limitless power and necessity of the creative process.” This experience became the foundation for her understanding the value of expressive arts as a therapeutic process. “Art became a way for me to support my son, acknowledge what he was feeling and help him externalize it,” Moskowitz-Corrois said. “Inherently therapeutic, the creative process has value in supporting us in accessing an authentic voice inside ourselves that’s not necessarily verbal.” Prior to becoming a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), Moskowitz-Corrois spent much of her adult life as an entrepreneur in the fields of art, design and business. She went back to school at age 53 and earned an Expressive Arts Therapy degree. Today, Moskowitz-Corrois is Associate Program Director - Family & Expressive Arts at The Children’s Room in Arlington, Mass., a bereavement center for families with children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling.

Art became a way for me to support my son, acknowledge what he was feeling and help him externalize it Laurie Moskowitz-Corrois

Laurie Moskowitz-Corrois (standing) and colleague Nancy Frumer Styron (center) at a National Alliance for Grieving Children Symposium

While many may think that therapy begins the healing process, Moskowitz-Corrois and her colleagues do not use the words “heal” or “recover.” “Grief is a lifelong process. We continue to experience and integrate loss into our life as we move forward. Memories live on and become part

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of our story. The expressive arts music, movement, poetry, image and storytelling - serve to support feelings and the making of meaningful memories,” Moskowitz-Corrois said. In addition to her work at The Children’s Room, where she coordinates peer support groups for

families; co-facilitates an arts-based “Family Night” program and volunteer trainings; and supervises student interns, Moskowitz-Corrois served as an adjunct at Lesley University, where she taught Principles in Art Therapy. She has also presented at the National Alliance for Grieving Children Symposiums and facilitates The Value of Therapeutic Space Planning, an annual workshop with Tufts University. Moskowitz-Corrois applies her theory of “intentionality in the environment” at The Children’s Room. “The Therapeutic Space Planning concept is based on an understanding of valuing and respecting the environment, being aware of the space’s purpose and supporting it to its full potential with intention. In turn, the space reflects back the feeling of purpose, care and the relationship it offers to those using and experiencing it,” she explained. How does Moskowitz-Corrois measure the success of her work? She says that to go into the field of expressive art therapy, one must have actual proof of the power of creative self-expression. “You need to experience it for yourself. The knowing is in the doing,” she said. What’s next for this enthusiastic artist, creative thinker, therapist and entrepreneur? “When you have the incredible opportunity go back to school to learn more later in life, to allow yourself to be curious and vulnerable, to challenge something new, to embark on a whole new career that brings your past and present together, moving forward… I’m simply beginning and beginning again…it’s an exciting, youthful way to live,” she said. For more information call 781641-4741, email info@childrensroom.org or visit childrensroom.org or the organization’s Facebook page.

The annual physical and financial housing check-ups Reverse mortgage | from page 18

How do I obtain a free financial housing check-up? If you or a friend have questions about reverse mortgages, just give me a call or email and I’ll be happy to explain all the details and send you

the free “How to Use Your Home to Stay at Home” 36-page book. This is the official reverse mortgage consumer booklet approved by the HUD and published by the National Council on Aging. I look forward to speaking with you. It’s a good life.

Alain Valles is a Managing Director of Helping Hands Community Partners, Inc. and was the first designated Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional in New England. He obtained a Master of Science from the M.I.T. Center for Real Estate, an MBA from the Wharton School, and graduated summa cum laude from UMass Amherst. Valles can be reached directly at 781-724-6221 or by email at av@hhcp.org. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

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• 21

Worcester couple reflects on 50 years of love and laughter By Bonnie Adams Managing Editor

Celebrating 35 Years in Business

PHOTO/BONNIE ADAMS

Worcester – What is the secret to a long happy marriage? For Lillian and Donald Griffin, Sr., who have been married for 50 years, it is love of course, but also respect and a big helping of humor. The couple have lived in Worcester for most of their lives. Both were married before and when they wed in 1968, between them had eight sons. They now live at a Colony Retirement Home in Worcester. As a young man, Donald was a witness to one of the most tragic events in Boston’s history – the Cocoanut Grove Fire in 1942. The blaze was the deadliest nightclub fire in the history of the United States, claiming a total of 492 lives and injuring hundreds more. “It was after the Holy Cross versus Boston College football game,” Donald recalled. “Everyone was just marching through the city, having fun. Then we saw this huge fire, it was all smoke. It was really tragic.” Years later, after being discharged from the U.S. Army, he himself became a firefighter, serving the city of Worcester for 25 years. Although thankfully he did not have to fight a blaze like the Cocoanut Grove fire, he did see his share of tragedies, he said, including one fire that had claimed the lives of two children. Donald also worked for many years a company installing shades and awnings. Lillian was an inspector for Astra Pharma before staying home to take care of their big family. Six of the boys were still home when they wed, ranging in ages 11 to 17. “We had a lot of fun with the kids,” she said. “They played a lot of sports which we loved watching. We certainly also had a lot of laundry!” As much as the couple love to gently joke with each other, their faith is also an important part of their

Lillian and Donald Griffin, Sr.

life together. A number of years ago they became “born again” and started participating in services and activities through the Tribe of Life Church. “It’s still an important part of our lives,” Lillian said. That faith, the couple added, has helped keep them steady as they go through the aches and pains of aging as well as dealing with loss. “It helps put things on the right road,” Lillian noted. Lillian also loves to sing with the group “Jolly Jills,” which until her death in 2015, included her sister Dorothy Longtin. “We perform at local nursing homes,” Lillian said. “A lot of our songs are ones that were popular in the 1940s.” “I come from a very musical family. My mother had a beautiful soprano’s voice,” she added. Over the years, the Griffins also enjoyed traveling. On one trip they befriended a couple from New Jersey, who they continued to meet up with years afterwards. For his 80th birthday, Donald, his two sons and eight friends went to Ireland. While there, they visited Ennis, where his mother,

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one of 20 children had hailed from. “Half of them ended up in Worcester,” he said of the siblings. Until recently, the couple used to walk up to five miles a day. They still enjoy going on road trips throughout the region, going as Donald said, “North, south, or east of Worcester.” Living at the Colony Retirement Home has been a blessing for both Lillian and Donald, they said. And

We had a lot of fun with the kids. They played a lot of sports which we loved watching. We certainly also had a lot of laundry! – Lillian Griffin in a delightful twist, an old friend of Donald’s, Kevin Gallant, now also lives there. “I had not seen him for 57 years,” Donald marveled. But there is one reason in particular, he added, that he is most happy about their decision to move to Colony. “I know that Lillian will be safe and happy here if anything happens to me,” he said. “We have everything we need here. She will be all set. This [decision] was all about her.”

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Hospice volunteers brighten patients’ lives By Barbara Allen Contributing Writer Marlborough - As volunteer coordinator for MetroWest Hospice in Marlborough, Michael Del Vecchio is always on the lookout, always recruiting for that special person who has a true passion for giving of themselves and brightening the lives of others, especially those who are terminally ill. “I’m looking to build a compassionate, friendly team of volunteers who want to give back to their community,” he said. Del Vecchio is recruiting for the MetroWest and surrounding areas north to south, from Acton to Uxbridge; east to west, from Dover to Millbury. For those not familiar with hospice, there are often misconceptions, said Del Vecchio. The most common being that, once a patient agrees to receive hospice services, their life will come to a quick end. This, he noted, is not always the case. While the hospice patient must be in the later stages of their illness to receive Volunteers | 23

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I’m looking to build a compassionate, friendly team of volunteers who want to give back to their community. – Michael Del Vecchio

Volunteers | from page 22

services, their life is by no means over. Under hospice care, with their pain and anxiety under control, patients can have a better quality of life. Del Vecchio pointed out that there are studies which show that hospice patients often live longer at their lives’ end than those not receiving hospice care. The hospice volunteer supports the patient wherever they are on their journey toward life’s end. Even one hour a week can provide a meaningful experience for both the hospice patient and the volunteer. “We develop a relationship with the patient, with the family and the caregiver,” explained Del Vecchio. “We walk into their life and brighten their day.” Hospice volunteer Caitlin Ridgewell agreed. “These are some of the most

vulnerable people for us to help, to spend time brightening their day.” Prior to coming on board as a volunteer, potential candidates must go through same interview and screening process as do paid employees, which includes the provision of references, a thorough, two-step background check and a tuberculosis test. Once they have been approved for work, new volunteers are required to complete a comprehensive training program. There are three different levels of volunteering: direct, indirect and bereavement. Direct volunteers, as their name indicates, support the patient directly. Although they are not permitted to provide personal care, feed the patient or help with medications, direct volunteers offer support and companionship through pet or music therapy, reading, doing puzzles, crafts or simply with their

quiet presence. Indirect volunteers provide services which benefit the hospice patient, but without personal patient involvement, such as knitting or crocheting blankets or creating “Chart a Life” posters (personalized story boards which celebrate the life and interests of the hospice patient). Lastly, bereavement volunteers offer emotional support: attending funerals, participating in memorial services, responding to prayer calls, helping with bereavement mailings and providing a source of comfort and support to the bereaved family member.

• 23

Del Vecchio noted that volunteering is not only beneficial for the patient but for the volunteer as well. “It’s a two-way street,” he added. “You feel the goodness come back to you; you can’t wait to visit again.” MetroWest Hospice is part of Amedisys, a leading health care at home company, delivering personalized home health, hospice and personal care. To learn more about the company, visit www.amedisys.com. To learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator Michael Del Vecchio at 508-266-8290.

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