FPA JAN 23

Cambridge author Donna Gordon drew inspiration from unique sources in her debut novel

What Ben Franklin would have told me

By Sharon Longo ContriButing Writer

CAMBRIDGE - The experiences of our past often affect the decisions we make in our present and future. For Donna Gordon, two past experiences became the basis for her debut novel released in 2022, “What Ben Franklin Would Have Told Me.” The book has received favorable reviews from the Boston Globe, Martha’s Vineyard Times, and Vermont Standard. It also recently Cambridge author | page 6

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Changing the narrative of victim blaming when it comes to fraud

By Mike FeSta, State DireCtor aarP MaSSaChuSettS

Billions

Mike Festa

of dollars are scammed from unsuspecting consumers every year; the majority of victims are older Americans. The impact can be financially and emotionally devastating. Sometimes, it seems, all crime victims are not alike. Our language blames people who lose money to a scam; “She fell for it.” Or “He was duped.” Or “You got scammed.” Yet the reality is that people who fall victim to scams and fraud are just that, victims, as with other crimes in our society.

We need to change the narrative on how those who experience scams and fraud are talked about. And AARP is paving the way. The Fraud Watch Network is working with law enforcement, journalists and community leaders to change the way scam victims are talked about. Victims of scams frequently don’t experience empathy and consolation. Many times, they are confronted with disbelief and derision from others. A report from the AARP Fraud Watch Network and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, found headlines about victims of fraud contained language that subtly blames the victims and therefore downplays the severity of the crime.

The report found that while 85 percent of Americans believe fraud can happen to anyone, 53 percent identify victims as culpable and blameworthy. Thirty-two percent of survey respondents agreed with the statement,

“Honestly, if you fall victim ... a lot of that is on you.” Disassociating shame and blame from fraud might make victims more likely to report financial fraud—and law enforcement more likely to view it as a criminal rather than just a civil matter.

Creating meaningful change

Changing the victim blaming narrative isn’t simply a game of semantics. The effect could be enormous, ranging from the individual to society in general. If fraud victims were treated with empathy and respect rather than scorn and humiliation, they would likely:

• Feel empowered to take action and report these crimes rather than hide in shame.

• Prosecutors could see the magnitude of the impact of financial crimes on older adults and might take on more cases.

• Policymakers might acknowledge that fraud victims are crime victims, and they’d do more to address this epidemic—and perhaps even legislate restitution.

• Billions of dollars would be kept in our economy.

We have the power to change the way we talk and think about victims of financial crimes, and to bring needed attention and action to end this scourge.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Sign up for free Watchdog Alerts, review our scam-tracking map, or call our toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim.

Mike Festa is the State Director for AARP Massachusetts. For more articles visit www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

By CaroLine gorDon ContriButing Writer

WESTBOROUGH - Irma Aronson recently came back to town to revisit her alma mater, Westborough High School, but to her surprise the school looked nothing like she remembered.

The building that used to serve as the high school is now the police station and the land that the current high school sits on used to be the home of the Aronson family.

“I am fortunate to have come back to see how my town grew up,” Aronson said. “One of the interesting things about growing up is that you realize that every decade there is a change. I still can’t believe I’m 95.”

In the early 1920s, the family bought the property, which served as their home and a farm where they held cattle auctions.

Aronson recalled the deadly tornado that swept through the town in 1953.

Her family had moved out before the tornado struck the farm. However, her uncle, Charlie Aronson, was still working on the farm and was killed by the tornado, along with two other family members and a farmhand.

She said Charlie used to travel west to purchase cattle for the farm. He had seen plenty of tornados and knew the signs when one was approaching.

Her uncle had noticed the changing weather patterns. When he saw a tornado, he alerted the farmhands to take shelter in the barn, Aronson re-

called.

One of the farmhands fled into the barn, while Charlie and the other farmhand ran into the house to alert the family. Once they gathered the family and opened the door of the house to run into the barn, they were blown away.

The farmhand who remained in

the barn lived to tell the story.

“I adored Uncle Charlie, so I was so upset; it was pretty bad,” Aronson said.

Growing up in Westborough

Aronson reminisced about her time growing up in Westborough. She remembered the town to be much smaller at that time with a population of about 5,000 residents.

While attending Westborough High School, Aronson always looked forward to the dancing lessons that were provided on Friday nights.

“We learned how to do ballroom dancing. It was very formal, none of that rock and roll stuff. It was very special,” she said.

After a night of dancing with her classmates, she said they would head downtown to the Grange Hall, which was a place for farmers and other residents to socialize, dance and enjoy other activities together.

Once the teenagers entered the hall, instead of continuing to practice ballroom dancing, they let loose and squared danced with each other.

“We loved it. We were there so late,” she said.

often pretend to understand what people say. Even when my surroundings are quiet, it can be hard to My wife says that our relationship would be so much if she didn’t have to repeat herself so often. is our year. I’m doing it for us.

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Irma Aronson smiles for a photo at the picnic tables in front of Westborough High School.

PHOTO/CAROLINE GORDON

By DeBorah Burke henDerSon ContriButing Writer

ASHLAND - “Don’t wait until you experience a fall to see your healthcare provider about a referral for balance exercises,” said Elaine Hays, a physical therapist with Platinum Physical Therapy in Ashland. “Good balance and a strong core go hand in hand to maintain one’s quality of life.”

According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, research shows that in the U.S., falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in every age stratum except 15-to-24year-olds, and the third-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among those aged 45 to 64 years old. It is also well documented that exercise has a protective effect against falls, especially among older adults.

In her 34 years of professional experience, Hays typically sees balance issues begin to show between the ages of 40 and 50.

“One in three people over age 65 experience falls each year,” Hays added. “Many times, the falls can cause injuries that might limit mobility for the rest of their lives.”

Hays finds her job most rewarding because she helps people get back to life, work, and play.

The balance triad

Maintaining balance involves a complex interaction among the body’s sensory, vestibular (sense of balance),

and visual systems.

Hays performs several tests in her initial evaluation of a new client. These include range of motion (ROM), strength, flexibility, vestibular, and specific balance tests. She knows that aging reduces muscle strength, and it also impacts reaction time. Physical therapy and strength training improve the strength of bones, muscles, and connective tissue.

“Muscle strength of the lower extremities—the hips and thighs—is one of the most important factors in risk estimation for falls,” Hays stated. “Balance and stability can be improved by performing lower extremity strength exercises and core exercises that will address the legs and trunk muscles.”

Over a series of weeks, clients receive increasingly challenging exercises with the expectation they will perform the sequences twice a day. If time is limited, Hays is eager to remind clients to “focus on the exercises most disliked as those will probably be the most beneficial.”

At-home exercises

In a 2019 Canadian study of 344 older adults, those who did an at-home strength and balance routine for one year went on to have 74 percent fewer falls the following year, compared to those who did not receive the training.

In addition to exercises prescribed by a physical therapist, Hays recommends incorporating easy exercises into your everyday routine. Prolonged, 30-second balance exercises that could be conducted by the kitchen counter (for stability, as needed) include: standing tandem, standing on one foot and then the other, doing heel lifts, or marching in place while preparing or cooking food, or waiting for the microwave to finish.

Fun activities that help

Averse to exercise? There are plenty of fun activities to engage in regularly that would also assist in establishing and enhancing balance. These include walking, yoga, dance, tai chi, ping pong, and tennis or pickle ball with friends.

“Having an active lifestyle is paramount in maintaining and improving balance,” Hays added.

Strength training reduces blood pressure and improves blood flow along with the additional benefits of increasing one’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and overall quality of life. Balance | 13

Ashland physical therapist

Elaine Hays conducts an initial foot flexibility assessment to determine a patient’s range of motion.

Cambridge author drew inspiration from unique sources

author | from page 1 received the Whirling Prize for Prose.

Inspiration from other projects

While taking photographs at Camp Sunshine, a supportive retreat in Maine for children and their families suffering from serious illness, she noticed a young boy suffering from the rare genetic disorder progeria. The disease, which causes children to age rapidly, beginning during their first two years of life, gives sufferers a life expectancy of only about 13 years. “I didn’t know his name, but his eyes, his face, his spirit; they stayed with me in a haunting way.”

Additionally, after hearing someone in Harvard Square talking about Amnesty International and what they did, Gordon reached out to the director of the former Northeast office. She initiated a project called “Putting Faces on the Unimaginable: Portraits and Interviews with Former Prisoners of Conscience.” She contacted 15 people who had been political prisoners around the world and were now living in the U.S. from as far north as Maine down to Washington, D.C.

Gordon photographed and inter-

viewed the subjects who experienced punishment ranging from house detention to torture. Her powerful project was on display at Harvard’s Fogg Museum, Boston’s French Library, and Tufts University’s Wessell Library. “I learned so much and was so humbled to hear the first-person accounts of how they managed to get

through it,” said Gordon.

Both experiences moved her to create two characters: Lee, a 13-yearold boy with progeria and a penchant for American history, and Tomas, his caretaker and a survivor of Argentina’s Dirty War, a forced military takeover which led to the death and forced disappearance of

about 30,000 people under dictator Jorge Videla. The novel takes the reader on a journey to find Tomas’s wife and child with Lee, whose inspiration is Ben Franklin, often asking what the Founding Father would do or say. Lee lives with his single mom, an off-Broadway makeup artist, and the story explores the ideas of accelerated time for Lee and lost time for Tomas. It is a story about history, friendship, life and death.

Raising awareness

“I want people to become aware of and know about human rights and progeria and be open-minded and tolerant of all people,” Gordon explained. “The world is changing all the time and we need to be sensitive to those changes. We need to take action when we see someone who needs help.”

“Thinking about taking action isn’t enough,” she emphasized. “I learned through meeting the political prisoners that it makes a difference to speak up and speak out. Keeping quiet isn’t enough.”

“It was vitally important for them to survive and to have other people hear their stories,” Gordon noted. “I felt it was important that I did as much

Cambridge

Author Donna Gordon

as I could to tell their stories.”

Gordon’s 13-year-old character is a bit of a composite, looking to her own two sons for inspiration, while also writing about her own curiosity and resiliency in life. “There’s a lot of me in Lee’s character.”

A deep background as a writer

The 65-year-old Gordon has been active as a writer for many years. Having started with poetry, she then moved on to prose. A graduate of Brown University, she became a Stegner Fellow at Stanford, a Ploughshares and PEN Discovery, and also received the New Letters literary journal’s Publication Prize. Her work has been published in Tin House, Ploughshares, the Boston Globe Magazine, Post Road, the Quarterly, Poetry Northwest, Solstice and other periodicals.

After her children were born, she

had stopped writing fiction, and freelanced for the Boston Globe and some business magazines, but after a while she began to miss the creativity. “The music of language is inside me and doesn’t want to stop,” Gordon said. “I need to write descriptively with things that are moving and emotional.”

In 2012 she began writing her debut novel. After meeting with two other women in a monthly workshop, she found the structure of the writing group to be beneficial in the process. “It was helpful to try to create a complete section for each of those meetings so I could get the first part of the book written and move on,” Gordon noted. “The women each brought something interesting, and they were open-minded enough to support me through the process. They were always very thoughtful, and everyone had something interesting to offer. It was a great experience.”

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

A prolific writer, Gordon was a 2016 finalist for the New Letters Alexander Cappon Prize in Fiction, received honorable mention from the literary journal Glimmer Train and was a 2017 Tennessee Williams Scholar at the Sewanee Writers Conference. After receiving the 2018 New Letters Journal Publication Award for one of her stories, an agent reached out to represent her, wanting to make a certain number of changes to her novel. “I didn’t feel that making those changes would see it through to publication.”

She went on to be a finalist for the 2019 Black Lawrence Press Big Moose Award, a semi-finalist for the 2019 Dzanc Books publication award, and a semi-finalist for the 2019 Eludia Award. She also became a semi-finalist at YesYes Books for her novel.

Also a visual artist

In addition to writing, Gordon is a visual artist, represented by Galatea Fine Art, a contemporary gallery in Boston’s SoWa (South of Washington Street) neighborhood. Her solo member show was called Double Vision and was on display at the Concord Art Association in 2022. She also had her lithograph called “The Two Faces of Carol” on exhibit at the Danforth Art Museum’s 2022 juried exhibit.

“I drew when I was in high school but hadn’t done it since then,” Gordon

explained. In 2016 she started going to life-drawing sessions, and that led to drawing and painting. “My imagery and words overlap, and I feel lucky to be able to pursue both.”

Trusting others and believing in yourself

“I think the worst thing for me would have been to get to the end of my life and not have published my book,” said Gordon. “I would have had a lot of regret. It made a big difference going from being a writer to being an author and to have my book out in the world.”

“Rely on the kindness and goodwill of other people in your life. It’s important to ask for help,” she advised. “While writing is mostly solitary, I’ve learned that the process of writing, publishing, and promoting a book is a collaborative effort. I’m grateful for the good will of my readers, friends, editor, publicists, and reviewers who’ve taken the time to contribute ideas and opportunities.”

Finally, she added, “Believe in yourself. You can find your way past obstacles. It’s never too late to follow the things that are important to you, and sometimes it takes a while to get where you’re going, but it’s worth getting there.”

More information: www.donnasgordon.com

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Serving the fifty-plus community since 1975

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Fifty Plus Advocate is published monthly, 12 times annually by Bagdon Advertising, 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581.

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Unsolicited letters to the editor become the property of this newspaper and can be reprinted in part or in whole unless otherwise stated. Fifty Plus Advocate columnists writing under a byline are expressing their personal opinions and not necessarily those of the newspaper.

For advertising or editorial inquiries, contact us at 508.366.5500 32 South St., Westborough, MA 01581

It’s never too late to follow the things that are important to

sometimes it takes a while to get where you’re going, but it’s worth getting there.

— Donna Gordon

By DaviD WiLkening ContriButing Writer

REGION - New Year’s resolutions are a popular way for people to make positive changes in their lives. And it’s something people have been doing for perhaps longer than you think.

A long history

The concept of a new year as a renewed chance for people to make desired changes is an ancient practice going back 4,000 years, to the Babylonians.

Historians say it was part of a 12day ceremony that often promised to honor the new year by paying off debts, a practice that led to the reward of a favorable response to do better. It was not originally called that but it is believed to have acquired its term “resolution” for the first time in the January 1, 1813, issue of a Boston newspaper when an unknown writer gave it the term.

If you ask about it, most people will admit―sometimes reluctantly― that they have made New Year’s resolutions. Even the city of Boston has gotten into the resolution game over

the years. “For many, maintaining yourself through essential self-care (sleep, food, hydration, and scheduled rest) may be the most helpful and attainable goal, and it is okay for it to be the primary focus,” the city said through the mayor’s office.

Reasons for being skeptical

While Americans have taken warmly to the ancient habit, their response is a lot colder. Most routinely fail at it. Year after year, being healthier is consistently the most popular New Year’s resolution, whether that’s eating healthier, exercising more, or losing weight.

Up to 40 percent of Americans in a recent year committed to changing something in the new year, like losing a few pounds, or simply enjoying life more. In one recent survey, more than half the resolutions made in January faded by February. Older people are no different: They had the same record for failure. Many individuals failed because they simply forgot what they had promised.

But there were also successful resolutions: 16 percent in one study. Here’s a secret to that success.

Limiting them is the key, suggests

Boston Evening Therapy Associates of Brookline in an article on its website. “If you set a small number of goals, rather than a long list, you can focus more of your energy toward them and are more likely to be effective,” it said.

What doesn’t work? “One common mistake is to have too many goals,” said Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates.

There’s more, of course. But that’s a start.

Surveys regularly backed up those findings. Too many resolutions were among the most frequently cited reasons for their failure, according to survey respondents.

Value in failure

But no matter. It’s not the improved performance promise but the actual attempt itself―particularly for older people. Setting resolutions has practical value when you’re over 50 as it can have an important impact on your overall health. Resolutions provide us with goals and purpose in everyday life―important goals on their own.

Rush University has conducted major studies that show people who view life with a sense of purpose are two to four times less likely to get Alzheimer’s Disease. And a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that older adults with a solid sense of purpose tend to retain strong hand grips and walking speeds―positive indicators of how rapidly people are aging. If you’re still skeptical that failure here is perhaps as important as success, consider the Columbia University study showing that people who are enthusiastic and content are less likely to develop heart disease.

As you might imagine, some of the most successful resolutions are often the simplest practices. For one exam-

New Year’s resolutions have been a popular way for people to make positive changes in their lives for thousands of years.

ple: staying hydrated or simply drinking several glasses of water every day, with eight glasses usually the ideal. “It is essential for overall health and brain function,” said Matt Browne, owner of Boston-based MB Fitness and Training. It also can contribute to keeping dietary goals on the right track. “Drinking water throughout the day will help prevent you from eating high calorie snacks or drinking high calorie beverages,” he said.

Other resolutions might be classified as simple physical changes and often don’t require a lot of effort; some can be traced back to Babylonian times. Why? They seem to be universal self-help human desires with the ideal time to begin anew: the new year.

Boston Evening Therapy Associates said up to 50 percent of resolutions fail. But there are some things that can be done, however. Some experts included these suggestions to increase chances for success. Many of them are simple efforts you might never have thought about because of their obvious nature.

Some resolutions are easy

The start of a fresh new year makes an ideal time for older people to schedule medical check-ups and a hearing test. Contact your doctor’s office to find out which appointments

you’re due to make.

Go to bed an hour earlier than normal. This helps keep your body on track even though your normal working hours may have changed. This will also help in reducing your TV watching and snack cravings. It might also ensure you get enough sleep, a separate goal in itself.

Set aside more time for reading. Again, the benefits are obvious. On average, readers enjoy better physical health, greater empathy, and better overall mental health than non-readers, according to various studies.

Try something new that is outside your usual scope. If you are not wellknown for having a “green thumb,” take up a new hobby such as planting a vegetable garden. If you’re not in any way an athlete, try a new sport. Increasingly popular pickleball has quickly become a popular sport that is easy to learn.

Decide to spread kindness to strangers, stay in touch with friends or vow to find ways of being a better neighbor.

Don’t be discouraged

And remember, even if you don’t keep all of your New Year’s resolutions, just making the effort has value as well. Forgive yourself for not being perfect. Any positive activity is almost always better than doing nothing.

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Planned Boston Common renovations incorporate input from public

By DaviD WiLkening ContriButing Writer

BOSTON - The “People’s Park,” as Boston Common has been dubbed, has certainly aged enough for a facelift these days but one of the improvements is definitely based on popular demand.

“One of our comments heard most often for improvements was more restrooms across the site,” said Cheri Ruane, principal-in-charge at the Boston-based design firm Weston and Sampson, which is overseeing the renovation. “So we’re adding them, and making sure there is access, and that they’re easy to use.”

The 50-plus-acre Boston Common, founded in 1634, is the oldest public park in America. It recently released a master plan for the next decade. The plan calls for upgrades, changes and, hopefully, many improvements that will make it easier to use for the various age groups of visitors and residents who make the park among the most popular places to visit in the city.

Public input into the plan

Roughly 10,000 people shared their hopes and priorities for the park at a series of public meetings, as well as surveys and other events. “We listened to the people,” said Liz Vizza, president of the Friends of the Public Garden, the nonprofit that worked with the Bos-

ton Parks and Recreation Department to create the Common Master Plan. Many of the proposed changes were included in the plan, she said.

“This really is a park for the entire city, not just a neighborhood park,” Vizza told The Boston Globe. “Which is why we need it to be the best ver-

sion, the most resilient version, of itself in order for it to play this role into the future, and be the highest quality it can be.”

A specific timetable was not set but Vizza said the completion of projects will start with improving accessibility. The lack of restrooms may seem mundane but it was among the top complaints. Public restrooms in the past have been provided in the summer time regularly by the Friends.

A long history

Many visitors know the Common name came from its original use: “common land” for the grazing of livestock. But its long history goes far beyond that. It served as a site for Puritanical punishments way back in its early days. It was a camp during the British occupation in 1775. In the 1860s, the Common was used for Civil War recruitment and hosted anti-slavery meetings.

From Colonial times to the present day, the Common has been at the center stage of American history. It has

An emphasis on improved navigation within Boston Common will also help direct visitors, through maps, signage, and sidewalk markers.

PHOTO/COURTESY OF WESTON AND SIMPSON DESIGN STUDIO

witnessed executions, sermons, protests, and celebrations. It has hosted famous visitors from Generals Washington and Lafayette to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Pope John Paul II. In Colonial times, it served as a meeting place, pasture, and military training field. Bostonians in the nineteenth century added tree-lined malls and paths and following the Civil War, monuments, and fountains. The twentieth century saw victory gardens, troop entertainment, rallies for civil rights and against the Vietnam War, and the first papal mass in North America.

Frederick Law Olmsted never touched Boston Common, but his sons did. About 1913, their firm supervised the paving of walkways, the replenishment of the soil, and the moving of 15ton trees.

From a utilitarian common ground for activities like grazing, militia formations and public hangings, the Common evolved. Cows were banned in 1830 as the Common gravitated away from agrarian to more recreational and cultural uses. Today, the Common is the scene of a wide variety of activities, ranging from government protests to athletic events.

A variety of amenities

In a statement, Mayor Michelle Wu celebrated the proposed improvement, which she said, “honors the Common’s history, reflects the community’s vision, and creates a space that will be more accessible, more resilient, and more inclusive for generations to come.”

The proposal comes three years after former mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the city would take a fresh look at how to improve the Common after dedicating $28 million to the park from the sale of a city-owned downtown parking garage.

Some of the changes will be geared towards children. For example, the popular playground that draws youngsters of all ages, will be tripled in size. A revamp of the equally popu-

lar Frog Pond would include multiple fountains, while a soccer pitch would be added to the athletic fields.

The series of new restrooms will be located throughout the park, including near the athletic complex, inside an expanded Visitor Information Center, at Frog Pond, and by a new public plaza.

New initiatives

While added restrooms will certainly be particularly attractive to older visitors, there are also new initiatives that will be to their tastes.

Two other more dramatic changes for older citizens will certainly be adding benches to sit and take a breather, and improved signage that will make for easier and more efficient walks.

An emphasis on improved navigation would also help direct visitors, and a “Landmark Loop”―an ovalshaped network of pathways modeled after the Freedom Trail that lead to major destinations in the park― would be established through maps, signage, and sidewalk markers.

Many visitors may also find to their taste the addition of a venue serving beer and wine. And dog-owners of all ages will certainly appreciate a new 15,000-square-foot enclosed space to make their lives easier. Once the dog park is operational, the city would phase out the current practice of letting people’s pets roam off-leash elsewhere on the Common.

The Common would also see a number of long-sought improvements for visitors with disabilities, including a wheelchair ramp located by the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial on Beacon Street. Another ramp would lead up to the platform on the Parkman Bandstand.

While the highly researched proposal is extensive, the new additions are hardly set in stone. Vizza said it may be tweaked over the next decade to meet the city’s needs.

So if you have other suggestions, there’s still a chance for you to make the park a better place.

Happy Healthy New Year

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PHOTO/COURTESY OF WESTON AND SIMPSON DESIGN STUDIO

The 50-plus-acre Boston Common, the oldest public park in America, will undergo a series of renovations over the next decade.

Mr. Handyman provides in-home solutions for those aging-in-place business spotlight:

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ASHLAND - Mr. Handyman Central MetroWest is not just about fixing things and maintenance. The team there has made extra efforts to recognize the physical needs of aging homeowners and identify modifications customers may need in order to stay in their homes longer.

Mr. Handyman Central MetroWest has been a Certified Aging in Place Specialist for several years. They earned this by meeting the criteria set by the National Association of Home Builders.

“Many seniors may need to go to assisted living, which can be very costly. By employing some reasonable changes, there is a good chance we can help them safely stay in their homes comfortably and for much longer,” said Campbell. “The training not only helps us to recognize issues common with aging, but also for temporary situations. For example, we can help homeowners who have a broken

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leg or other short-term challenges.”

Mobility and balance issues are a primary concern among older adults. The team at Mr. Handyman is trained to identify tripping hazards as well as other areas where they can improve the ease of walking for homeowners.

“We know that the transition between rooms can be an area where older adults frequently trip, so we can easily improve the thresholds used in those cases. We can also install decorative handrails that look much like wainscoting, which adults can use to help steady themselves as they walk throughout the home,” said Campbell.

In addition to the Aging in Place certification, Mr. Handyman is licensed and experienced in installing fixtures that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. One area where Campbell sees a need is helping people who have suffered loss of hearing or vision.

“It’s not too hard to install a doorbell with a light for someone whose hearing may be impaired, or simply relocating the speaker,” said Campbell.

Grab bars and improved lighting are areas where Campbell feels his company can make a quick and inexpensive impact. Replacing older, yellow lighting to a brighter white in some cases can make a big difference in a homeowners’ visibility throughout the house.

Computer technology also plays a significant role in helping homeowners stay safe. Mr. Handyman can install video doorbells which use the ex-

isting doorbell wiring and WiFi, so the homeowner can monitor visitors remotely. And in the case of snowbirds, people can be away and still keep an eye on their home.

Campbell became more interested in the challenges of aging adults after learning first-hand what his parents needed.

“I saw what my parents went through when they moved to Florida,” said Campbell. “The challenges of transitioning from tile to carpet and even simply getting in and out of the shower. I obtained the certification so that all of my staff would be able to recognize how to help our clients whose needs are changing. We can offer solutions that they may have not thought of, such as simply adding an egress or a ramp where needed.”

The team at Mr. Handyman consists of highly-skilled, background checked and bonded workers, and they are known for their care of each customer. Mr. Handyman was just awarded the Angi Super Service Award for 2022, the seventh consecutive year.

“Anytime we go into a home to complete a project, we make shortterm and long-term recommendations to the homeowner. Before winter, our primary recommendation is preparing for the season & winterizing the home. Cleaning gutters and installing quality leaf guards, which we always carry in stock, is important,” said Campbell. “These and other simple maintenance steps help with peace of mind in the winter and saves the homeowners money because they don’t have to call us to clean their gutters multiple times during the year.”

With winter soon in full swing, Mr. Handyman advises that homeowners turn off outdoor water spigots, check and add insulation and ventilation in attics to help prevent ice dams, and install caulking around windows and doors to decrease heat loss.

Mr. Handyman offers an extensive list of services, and for projects that are beyond the scope of their work, they can direct you to other qualified companies in the area.

“If there is a service that we don’t offer, we’ll refer out to a contractor who has the same standards as us. We want our customers to feel cared for and receive the best possible service in the industry, said Campbell.

Contact Mr. Handyman Central MetroWest at (508) 366-3690 or visit their website for more tips and information at mrhandyman.com.

Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about FPA advertisers.

Katie Burke, Marketing Representative, and Michael Campbell, Owner of Mr. Handyman Central-MetroWest.

PHOTO/KATHRYN ACCIARI

Owner Michael Campbell has been certified as an aging-in-place specialist to help customers safely stay in their homes comfortably and for much longer.

By Marianne DeLorey, Ph.D.

It is a new year. Instead of making resolutions for the upcoming year, I am going to suggest we all make restitution for the previous years. This does not necessarily mean you have to pay back that $5 loan you borrowed from that coworker whose name you don’t remember, but rather start considering yourself worthy of your own forgiveness. You have failed yourself. It doesn’t really matter how or why. We cannot live into our 50s and beyond without having failed our own goals or moral code at some point. I know we hate admitting our own hypocrisy, but let’s start by admitting we are all human and we cannot be perfect. Maybe you don’t listen to your doctor, and you eat too much junk food. Maybe you let your temper get the better of you and you snapped at your

children. Maybe you judge your neighbor by the condition of their house, but your housekeeping isn’t perfect. Maybe you choose convenience over conviction.

Lately, it seems the deck is stacked against us. Since COVID, getting coffee in a takeout cup instead of a reusable mug has been so much more justifiable. Since the pandemic, it seems everything has changed and I, for one, feel guilty all the time about what I could do better but just don’t. And it also seems that once you make one bad decision, it is easier to just coast than to start righting the ship.

But the new year is now and now is the time to make meaningful changes. But the changes cannot be prioritized. The first step is to actually forgive yourself for your role in not meeting your goals for the past. Pandemic or not, none of us need to carry that weight into the new year. Guilt bogs you down and

Balance exercises

Balance | from page 4

In a 2015 Harvard study of more than 340,000 people aged 45 and older, those who did things like gardening or playing golf had a lower risk of nasty falls compared to those who did not.

Susan Jarrell of Norwood has recently been under the care of a physical therapist to strengthen her core and help with balance issues.

“For the strength and energy to do the everyday things that bring me joy, like playing with my grandchildren, having a strong sense of balance is essential,” Jarrell stated.

Check with your doctor first Carolyn L. Siegal, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist and surgeon with Dedham Atrius Health in Norwood, underscores the importance of checking with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine if you have fallen, are worried about falling due to balance problems or dizziness, or have chronic health problems.

“Foot mobility is an important base for balancing,” Siegal added, stating, “flexibility of your ankles, knees, and other joints is also critical. Overall, maintaining and improving your balance is essential for preventing falls and injuries.”

As part of an at-home balance exercise regime, Susan Jarrell of Norwood positions a band around her ankles for a side-step workout to strengthen her leg muscles.

Siegal stated that exercise will help improve a person’s cardio and mental health and challenges the brain. All these contribute to and improve one’s quality of life.

prevents you from moving forward.

It is important to remember that we are not done living at 50, 70, or even 90. We all have life left in us and we can all continue to live our best lives if we decide to move forward without the anchor of the past holding us in place or worse, dragging us down.

Once you decide to live, you are facing forward instead of looking backward. That is the time to set new goals, whatever they may be. And keep in mind it is never too late to be the person you want to be. Remember all the people who have achieved the extraordinary later in life.

• Grandma Moses started painting in her 70s.

• Ina Garten wrote the Barefoot Contessa cookbook after 50.

• Julia Child started cooking on her TV show in her 50s.

• At the age of 74, Norman Maclean published his first and only novel, the

1976 best-selling book, “A River Runs Through It.”

• Laura Ingalls Wilder published the Little House series of children’s books in her 60s.

And maybe none of us are going to be as famous as these people, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be the best version of yourself. You are not done living and it is not too late for some fantastic new goals. Consider my two most recent heroes:

Maggie, who decided at 53 she would run a marathon. She trained hard for months and met her goal this past October.

And Debra, who decided with her wife to step up her fitness in their late forties and who recently was able to deadlift 195 pounds.

These two cases are extraordinary because they are not. Maggie and Debra are people like you and me. They just decided to set a goal and reached it. You may not see them in the history books, but they are my personal heroes — great examples of later-life ladies whom I can aspire to be more like.

For 2023, make your resolution to forgive yourself so that you can start being your best you.

Now

SENIORS

The greatest hero is not he who subdues nations, but he who conquers himself.

— John Jeffrey

viewpoint My new hat

By JaniCe LinDSay ContriButing Writer

Our letter carrier rang the doorbell. Would I sign for a package from Poland?

I didn’t know whether I would or not. Who’d send me something from Poland? Being an astute observer, I quickly perceived that this battered white shipping envelope probably did not hail from Poland, Maine, or even from Poland, Ohio.

The return address read “Mlynska 20A, Radom, Poland.” The postmark said things like “oplata poerana.” These would not pass any computer’s American English spell-check.

I took a chance and signed.

The package contained my new winter hat. I had ordered a hat from Amazon on the basis of a photograph and a brief description. It did not occur to me that a Cossack hat might actually come from a Cossack-ish part of the world.

The shipping papers said I had ordered a “Faux Fur Cossack Russian Style Hat for Ladies Winter, Winter Hat for Women (S. Silver).”

This hat was not my usual style. But my husband had grown tired of looking at my battered old turquoise fleece hat, stretched during so many winters that it would cover my whole head should I choose to hide my face. He suggested a furry Cossack hat. He thought it would look nice.

I was not convinced. But ever willing to try a sartorial adventure, I went online. So many colors, representing so many faux animals! And every one looked lovely on the mannequin, with her young perfect features and sloping jaw line that complemented the large fluffy dome atop her head. I chose a silver-gray faux fur, each hair tipped with black.

Sitting somewhere other than on my head, the new headwear could be mistaken for a fluffy furry mammal curled up to sleep. It definitely caught the attention of our two cats, until they detected no animal smell and perceived that this new arrival had no plans to move.

Sitting on my head, the hat looked

as if it belongs on somebody else’s. It did not feel appropriate on a middle-aged practical-Yankee head. It should reside on the pate of a lovely young lady of the Russian persuasion, cavorting on the steppes with her Dr. Zhivago.

I made up a name for the faux fur, in case anybody asked, which nobody did, perhaps because they didn’t wish to draw rude attention to the fact that, compared with hats of those around me, mine might be considered, well, different. Perhaps they didn’t want to embarrass the hat, which seemed to feel

self-consciously foreign among its homey New England knitted colleagues.

I named it “silver gray European fox” only to discover that there really are such animals, none of whom made the supreme sacrifice to keep my ears warm, though my hat could pass for one of their cousins. Generations of such foxes warmed the heads of Russian nobles.

I got used to wearing my new headgear. It was toasty warm, with its black fleece lining, even as warm as my old floppy fleece.

Dick thought it looked nice. When I wore my big hat and my big sunglasses, he said, I could be mistaken for a visiting Hollywood star. Nobody asked for my autograph.

Maybe the reason my new winter chapeau felt out of place was that it did not seem compatible with my old winter coat, my gray-blue, extremely utilitarian, very Yankee, L. L. Bean down jacket with its water-repellant outer layer.

So I considered—though ultimately decided this would be a steppe too far—searching for a “Faux Fur Cossack Russian Style Coat for Ladies Winter, Winter Coat for Women (S. Silver).”

I’ll bet they make those in Poland. Contact jlindsay@tidewater.net

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ZERO CHECKING

Answers on page 19

Walking benefits emotional wellbeing as well as physical health

By nanCe eBert ContriButing Writer

REGION - Walking is an activity that people of all ages can enjoy and benefit from with very little investment in clothing or equipment.

There are numerous benefits to walking that include improving sleep, strengthening muscles, weight loss, improving circulation and cardiovascular health, a sense of wellbeing, socialization, and companionship.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 10,000 steps per day, which is about five miles. While many people are very mindful to try to achieve that goal on a daily basis, any activity is beneficial.

Social aspect very appealing

“Especially during COVID, I realized while working at home, just how little I was walking. I was getting very few steps in each day. My dog is a good excuse to get outside and walk, and being mindful of the steps was motivating; it was also great to see another human,” said Kerry Kilroy of Bolton.

“I walk for the companionship. I do not like to walk by myself and when any of my neighbors will text and ask if I want to join them on a walk, it doesn’t

matter what I’m doing. I will stop and head outside. When you walk with a friend, you get to have a ‘visit’ while getting in some activity. It also helps me sleep better,” said Alison DiGeronimo of Bolton.

Walking can be done anywhere at any time. Weather and topography play a role in what to wear and the level of difficulty but, in general, one can simply put on a comfortable pair of sneakers or

walking shoes and an appropriate outer layer and off you go. Walking is free for all to enjoy.

Health benefits also a key motivator

A track, trail, neighborhood, city, park and more are all great places to walk. Those starting an exercise program for the first time should always consult their doctor and get their approval to begin. Many people also find it helpful to have a walking buddy or a group to help stay motivated. This also helps to keep you accountable, and you might be more inclined to continue if you have others joining you.

In the 1960s, after the Tokyo Olympic Games, the number of steps became popular because of a mass-produced pedometer. The name translated as “10,000 steps meter” and today, this measurement still holds.

“Harvard published a report called ‘Walking for Health’ that says only twenty-two minutes a day or two and a half hours per week of walking can reduce heart disease by thirty percent,” said Melissa Mahr, a primary care physician in Hopkinton. “Other studies show that 7500 steps daily is a useful target. Current reports also confirm that walking decreases mortality, stress, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and

reduces your risk for cancer, heart disease and diabetes,” she noted. “Some physicians, during a physical, will even write a prescription for exercise for one hundred and fifty minutes each week. This can include walking.”

In states where the winters are snowy and cold, walking outside is not an option at times. Many walkers have to be resourceful in finding a place where they can safely walk. Gym memberships can be cost prohibitive for some so walkers get creative. The malls have become a popular destination for walkers. In the early morning hours, it is not uncommon to find people in the mall walking laps while the stores are closed.

Local couple are dedicated walkers

Louise and Bill Landen of Westborough enjoy getting outside in the fresh air and taking a walk. They like to visit Northborough’s Ellsworth McAfee Park. Bill is ninety-three and Louise is eightyeight. They attribute their longevity to daily walks and being involved in social and community activities.

“Two things are very important as you age. One is exercise, like walking and the other is remaining social and engaged in activities,” said Louise Landen.

Subsidized senior housing with a meal program option that makes us different!

Colony Retirement Home III is congregate housing for seniors. Enjoy nutritious “Home Cooked Meals,” served in our attractive dining room with your neighbors and friends.

At Colony we let you choose!

All apartments at Colony Retirement Homes receive rental assistance through the HUD section 8 program. Rent is 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Rent includes all utilities except phone and cable TV.

Call Monday thru Friday, 9am to 5 pm for more information.

Colony Retirement Homes I are garden style studio apartments, located in a country-like setting. A short walk takes you to shopping centers, banks, restaurants and the bus line. A little bit of the country adjacent to the city.

Eighty-eight-year-old Louise and 93-year-old Bill Landen of Westborough partially attribute their longevity to daily walks they take together.

PHOTO/NANCE

EBERT

By nanCe eBert ContriButing Writer

REGION - The flavor profile of food varies based on the spices and seasonings that are used. But there are also major health benefits to many spices that have been used for thousands of years to combat inflammation, fatigue, respiratory problems, reduce the risk of heart disease, parasites, bad breath and more.

While there are many spices that contain health properties, here are five common ones that are easy to integrate into your diet.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is known as a spice that is high in antioxidants. It can be used as a natural preservative and has high anti-inflammatory properties. It has been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease, can help fight bad breath, has been shown to increase sensitivity to the hormone insulin and decrease the amount of glucose that enters your bloodstream after a meal. Some scientists believe that the compound cinnamaldehyde is responsible for its health benefits.

There are two types of cinnamon commonly used today. The first is called cassia cinnamon and this is the one

that we typically will find in our local grocery stores. The other is Ceylon cinnamon, otherwise known as true cinnamon. Cassia contains a compound called coumarin, and that can be toxic if consumed in high quantities. Ceylon, while not as common and more expensive, is a much safer choice.

This spice is delicious brewed in coffee, added to cake mixes and brownies, sprinkled on yogurt or oatmeal and more. It’s a warm spice also used in Middle Eastern cooking as well as in other cultures.

Garlic

Garlic has many health benefits that can be found when eaten raw or cooked. It has been used for centuries medicinally and extensively incorporated in cooking throughout the world.

Garlic is a member of the allium family and is a relative to chives, onions, leeks and shallots.

This spice has been used to treat ailments ranging from respiratory issues, parasites, fatigue and more. Long ago, it was also believed to be an aphrodisiac. Today, a common bone broth is made with garlic and ginger.

“What we can control is what we choose to eat. I love to steer my clients to use many of the anti-inflammatory spices, including garlic, turmeric, cinnamon and more,” said Tina Gillaspie, an AADP Board Certified Health Coach, Nutritious Life Certified Nutrition and Wellness Coach and owner of Live Well With Tina, LLC, of Rutland. “I encourage them to opt for clean eating, and these spices help make their food taste delicious while offering so many health

benefits. Adding them is so easy and truly helps to make a difference with the way they feel,” she explained. “My clients with arthritis attest to the fact that incorporating these spices has resulted in them feeling better and moving easier.”

Ginger

Ginger has been called one of the healthiest spices there is. It is sometimes referred to as a superfood. The underground part of the stem, the rhizome, is used as a spice known as ginger root or ginger.

Research supports that it can help with digestion, act as an anti-inflammatory, has antioxidant properties, helps fight the flu, and nausea. It is delicious added to chicken, fish, meat, tofu and more while cooking. It can also be steeped in tea to get its benefits. It is not the most attractive spice but once peeled and chopped, it is easy to use.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow spice that has been used in Indian cooking for thousands of years. The main ingredient found in turmeric is curcumin. There are many health benefits associated Spices | 19

Research supports that ginger can help with digestion, act as an antiinflammatory, has antioxidant properties, helps fight the flu, and nausea.

By Peg LoPata ContriButing Writer

REGION - Some dog breeds are hyper and shy, some laid back and friendly. Others hard to train, others easy. Right? Maybe not. New research says differences between breeds is very minor. So what’s a good dog for older adults?

Nevertheless, “There are certain tendencies for certain breeds,” said Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, DVM, medical director of Behavior Vets of New York and resident of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

But luckily, a dog’s genes don’t rule how they’ll behave. If you raise a dog from puppyhood, you’re in charge of which behaviors you want to encourage and which you want to discourage.

“Dogs can learn things inconsistent with what their instincts are telling them to do,” explained Tu.

Influence of breed

Recent research by dog geneticist Kathleen Morrill of the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester and her colleagues shows that breed is generally not a good predictor of any individual dog’s behaviors.

But Dr. Christopher Pachel, DVM and a certified animal behavior consultant in Portland, Oregon, tempered this belief. “Every dog is an individual, but there are certain traits that may be more likely to show up when selecting a specific breed of dog,” he noted.

Size matters

Little dogs have the advantage of being able to be picked up so long as you are physically able to bend down to reach them. Dr. Katherine A. Houpt, VMD and professor emeritus at Cornell University, and diplomate at the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, recommended for less active elders a Bichon Frisé, Maltese, Pomeranian, or Pekinese. Dr. Tu added to that list greyhounds (though not small, she said they’re couch potatoes), toy poodles, and for those prepared to pay for probable health issues, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. “Cavaliers make excellent lap dogs because they’re sweet and dumb as logs,” she said.

On the other hand, as Dr. Tu explained, very intelligent dogs, such as poodles, can be challenging.

“Do you want to raise another child?” she asked. “If you don’t have the time to dedicate to giving it the level of enrichment that they need, you may have a problem child on your hands.”

Grooming needs

Many of those on the recommended list from Drs. Tu and Houpt do have long hair. That can be a downside.

“Every dog is an individual, but there are certain traits that may be more likely to show up when selecting a specific breed of dog,” says Dr. Christopher Pachel, a veterinarian and certified animal behavior consultant.

“A dog whose coat requires extensive hands-on grooming could be a challenge for someone with arthritis,” warned Pachel.

Using a professional groomer is expensive, but necessary for some breeds. That means getting the dog to and from the groomer. Yes, you can teach yourself how to cut your dog’s hair, but it’s not easy to learn and means buying expensive special tools to do it right.

Health problems

As we age, we may develop our own health problems. Do you want a dog prone to health problems too?

Dachshunds or other breeds with very long backs often develop back problems. Dogs with short snouts, such as pugs, often have breathing problems.

“No dog with no noses,” advised Dr. Houpt.

But there’s dozens of health issues that can crop up in any breed, so do your research. Or ask the breeder. Any reputable breeder will offer this information up willingly. If they don’t? Find another breeder.

We have a great deal to do with the ways our dogs behave. It’s up to how much time we devote to training. Pomeranians may bark a lot, but you can control that. Terriers can be trained to be less tenacious and poodles less bothersome because they’re bored.

Further advice

The best predictor for personality is the dog’s parents said Dr. Tu. “Go to the breeder and meet the parents. A puppy’s parent’s personalities are important,” she explained. “Also, get your puppy when they’re around sev-

For less active elders, small dogs such as a Bichon Frisé, Maltese, Pomeranian, or Pekinese can be a good choice, says veterinarian and professor emeritus Dr. Katherine Houpt.

en or eight weeks old.”

With attentive training, added Dr. Tu, “This can give you the chance to create the personality you’re hoping for.”

Veterinarian Dr. Andrea Tu notes that anyone indecisive about what breed of dog to get, or not up to raising a puppy, may be better off with a cat as a pet.

Still confused as to which breed is best for you? Don’t know if you’re up to training a puppy?

Maybe Dr. Tu has the answer: “You want a cat!”

By nanCe eBert ContriButing Writer

REGION - Whether you are downsizing, helping a friend or aging parent clean out their home or just want to get rid of unwanted items, there are many tips to help with decluttering and organizing.

Have a plan

To begin this daunting task, you have to create some sort of a plan. Trying to tackle every room in a home is just not feasible. Breaking down this job into smaller, more manageable chores can be helpful and alleviate some of the stress associated with the assignment.

Starting with one closet, for example, can set the stage for success throughout the rest of the home. First, empty out all the contents within the space. Hangers, clothing, shoes, bags, belts, sweaters, jackets and more all must be removed. It’s important to look at each item carefully to determine if this is something that fits, is in wearable condition, is still in style and will be kept.

You might also find that if you sort through items in the same cate-

gory, you might be able to tackle larger areas throughout the home at the same time. For example, all clothing is mounded in one area to then go through. This same exercise can be done for all papers, books, athletic equipment, pocketbooks, etc.

Clutter happens when things do not get put back where they belong. If you designate a place for every single

item in your home, this will not occur. The environment in which you live will feel more peaceful.

Getting rid of what you don’t need

There are many local organizations that accept donated clothing in good condition. You can search in your area for those available. These range

from large donation bin receptacles, local churches and synagogues, charities, clothing drives and more. Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, Facebook Marketplace and Salvation Army are also great established resources for other household goods and furniture.

Some of the resale clothing online sites include ThredUp, The RealReal, Poshmark and more.

By designating items into piles, you can start the sorting process. One pile should be to donate, another for disposing and another for keeping. Only items that you truly love and that you will actually wear/use should be kept.

Thin hangers with a non-stick surface should be purchased. Buy several packages in a single color. These hangers enable the clothing to stay hung and they take up less closet space than a traditional chunky plastic or wooden hanger. In kitchen cabinets and pantries, clear, see-through containers help to easily identify the contents within. Many storage sets come in shapes and sizes to accommodate most areas.

Clothing items to keep should be organized in your closet by color. It is easy to see what you have or what you

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Having a plan, including sorting items into piles to keep, donate, or throw out, can help simplify and speed up the decluttering and organization of your home.

— Marie Kondo

might need if you store your clothing in this manner. It is amazing to see that once this method is implemented, you will eliminate the need to shop for items that you forgot you had, as they were hidden among the clutter of your closet.

Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant, television personality and author of four books, is known as the guru of tidying and organizing. She has sold millions of copies of books around the world and has trademarked the Kon Mari philosophy. Her belief is that the goal of tidying is to clear away the clutter which then frees you to live the life you want. She also believes in beginning the tidying process by imagining your ideal lifestyle.

“When you reassess your belongings and organize your home, you set the stage for a huge transformation.

Pick up each item and determine if it sparks joy,” said Kondo.

Living in an environment that is cluttered and disorganized can be chaotic. Your environment should be calm and soothing to enable you to feel peaceful. Approaching any decluttering or organizing project can seem very overwhelming but, once this task is accomplished, you can enjoy your surroundings.

“I want my clients to have peace of mind once I help them declutter and organize,” said Kira Coopersmith, owner of Sensible Sort Professional Organizer in Greenfield. “To live in a space that is curated to support them in their current state of existence. The needs of young parents are very different from the needs of downsized empty nesters,” she observed. “Our homes should not only be an outward reflection of who we are but a supportive sanctuary for us and our current needs.”

Five spices that can help keep you healthy

with this spice. Scientists believe that curcumin may be useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease, some cancers, depression, relieving pain from rheumatoid arthritis, and lowering the risk of heart disease.

It can be added to recipes like lentil soup, turmeric chicken, and turmeric-roasted cauliflower. One recipe that is popular and is derived from Ayurvedic medicine is golden milk. This is a beverage made with almond milk and turmeric and sweetened with honey. Black pepper and ginger are sometimes added for additional spice.

Ellen Role, a Brookline resident, added, “I use turmeric daily as an antioxidant and for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research supports decreasing inflammation in the body, as it can contribute to and exacerbate chronic diseases like cancer. Research also supports cinnamon for reducing blood sugar levels, supporting healthy blood pressure and cognitive abilities.”

Cayenne

Peppers are part of the nightshade family. Cayenne peppers are spicy and much hotter than a jalapeno pepper. They are rich in vitamin C, A, B6 and K and can help to play a role in your immune health.

The natural compound that gives peppers their ‘bite’ is called capsaicin. This compound helps fight inflammation. Cayenne is known as an antioxidant, helps improve digestion and has been linked in helping to maintain a healthy weight. One recipe that many love is known as a Mexican Hot Chocolate. It incorporates cayenne and has a spicy warmth along with a rich hot chocolate beverage.

Whatever spices you choose to add to your foods, with these five you can reap the health benefits while enjoying tasty meals and snacks.

Answers to Super Crossword Puzzle on page 14

Dr. Keith N. Darrow, PhD, CCC-A Harvard Medical & M.I.T. Trained Neuroscientist Certified Dementia Practitioner

When you reassess your belongings and organize your home, you set the stage for a huge transformation.