West/Northwest Senior Living

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Inside Home Empty nest? Put out the welcome mat for guests PAGE 3

Health & Care Skin care benefits PAGE 4 Pain won’t go away PAGE 5 Good foot health PAGE 9

Travel

Finances & Work

Secrets of budget travelers

Prepare for your financial future

PAGE 10

PAGE 14

Funeral Planning

Self

PAGE 11

Boomers putting resources, experience to good use

Relationships Support groups help patients cope PAGE 13

PAGE 15

Shopping PAGE 16

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Home

Have an empty nest?

Put out the welcome mat for guests When your youngest child packs up his room, loads all his belongings into the car, and drives away – to college, a new job or his first apartment – the quiet in the house can be unsettling at first.

Then it hits you, your “empty nest” is a remodeling opportunity. You now have the time to redo that guest bathroom and design the ultimate bath retreat for the friends and family you are eager to invite over and renew old ties with.

Yes, you may miss your children, but this is a great time to turn your home into the showplace you want to spend years enjoying.

And by renovating your guest bathroom now, you can upgrade the space to meet your new hosting expectations.

With this remodeling project, you can easily target the green living lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about.

Incorporating features that save water and money are hot trends across the country right now.

Keep in mind that well designed bathrooms should be flexible and easy to use for guests of all ages and abilities.

Socially sustainable design merges

these two trends – sustainability and universal design – providing your guests with a bathroom that is not only beautiful, but also environmentally friendly, easy to use and overall a relaxing space to enjoy.

From the start of your redesign project, be on the lookout for products that offer socially sustainable design.

There is a wide selection of watersaving toilets, faucets and showerheads that will meet your needs and style.

Redesigning and upgrading your bathroom space for yourself and your guests will help you enjoy the vibrant new “empty nest” that you will fill with friends and family for years to come.

And with a beautiful bathroom retreat that is stylish and easy to use – not to mention environmentally and budget friendly – you will find that your children, too, will be clamoring for an invitation.

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Health & Care Skin care benefits, overall health for seniors Taking care of your skin undoubtedly has its cosmetic benefits, but more significantly, it also plays a large role in overall health – particularly for seniors.

When there is dry skin, discoloration, wounds, rashes, bruises or other injuries, people are immediately aware something is wrong on the outside and maybe even on the inside.

Keeping aging skin healthy allows it to offer protection from environmental harms and infections as well as produce important vitamins.

“Age brings a number of changes that can compromise the skin’s ability to protect us,” said Cynthia Fleck, a registered nurse and vice president of clinical marketing for Advanced Skin and Wound Care at Medline, which manufactures and distributes skin care products and educational resources for seniors.

These changes stem from the inability to retain water, sun damage, smoking, reduced collagen, some medicines and illnesses. Any or all of these factors can lead to skin deterioration.

“When skin ages, it becomes thinner and less resilient,” Fleck said. “The layers of skin can easily separate, tearing the paper-like upper-most area called the epidermis.

“The skin cells do not ‘turn over,’ or replenish themselves as quickly as when we are young. Therefore, the old skin cells become clumped and do not function as efficiently as young, healthy skin cells do,” she said.

In addition, as age increases, people are more prone to dry and/or itchy skin, bruises in odd places, wrinkles, age spots, skin tags and abnormal moles.

While aging cannot be reversed, maintaining proper care equals healthy skin and more importantly, healthy people.

Fleck offers the following advice on how to care for aging skin:

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• Avoid a daily shower or bath, which can contribute to dry skin. Instead, opt for gentle cleansing with moisturizing soap and detergent-free cleansers that do not need to be rinsed.

These cleansers do the job of removing dirt and natural oils, but do not impact the natural acid balance of mature skin.

• Moisturizing on a daily basis is essential, especially since older skin fails to retain moisture as well as younger skin.

Look for advanced skin care products that actually nourish the skin from the outside in, delivering amino acids (proteins), vitamins, antioxidants and ingredients that are gentle and soothing, making the skin more resilient and strengthening it.

• Take care to avoid injuries that can tear the skin or caustic substances that can disrupt the skin’s ability to protect. If the skin is broken, small wounds can be covered with band aids designed to be gentle to skin.

Immobile seniors who must use adult diapers should have special care taken to keep them clean and free of irritants.

Barrier products that contain protectants like dimethicone and other silicones, as well as zinc oxide, can help protect the skin from these issues.

• Protect your skin from the sun. Since melanocytes, the skin cells that protect us from the sun, do not work as well when we age, older skin burns easily.

Stay out of the sun as much as possible, and when out, wear protective clothing, widebrimmed hats and sun screen.

• Be aware of special skin care needs that often accompany some common diseases, such as diabetes. For example, diabetics are more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections and itchy skin.

Therefore, they need to take particular care in protecting their skin, especially on extremities.

• Avoid strong antibacterial soaps that may have high pH level, which can dry aging skin.

Astringents and products that contain alcohol can also be too harsh and damaging for older skin. Moisturizing your hands after using a sanitizer or soap becomes especially important for these cases.

For specific advice on how to care for your skin, contact your health care professional.

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When the pain just won't go away: Tips for talking to your doctor and coping with fibromyalgia Do you have pain and tenderness all over your body, with no obvious cause? Do you have trouble completing chores and everyday activities?

For millions of Americans, these issues are a daily reality.

An estimated 6 to 12 million Americans, mostly women, suffer from fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, decreased physical func-

tion, and other non pain symptoms.

David Edelberg, M.D., founder of WholeHealth Chicago and author of the bestselling “The Triple Whammy Cure,” sees patients with fibromyalgia every day, most of whom have struggled at some point to find help.

Dr. Edelberg has the following tips for those who may suffer from fibromyalgia: • Describe your symptoms in detail. The way you explain your symptoms can be a critical factor in diagnosing and treating fibromyalgia, so try to be as detailed as possible.

Be sure to explain the type of pain, where it occurs, when and how often you feel it, what triggers it, and how intense it is. Also describe your non pain symptoms as best as you can.

Finally, tell your doctor

Although no specific diet has been shown to relieve symptoms, eating a healthy and balanced diet can give you more energy and help prevent other health problems.

Fibromyalgia sufferers may also benefit from moderate exercise, such as aerobics or daily stretching.

Swimming and water aerobics are also two excellent low-impact exercises.

David Edelberg, M.D., founder of Before starting any exercise program, ask your healthWholeHealth care provider about safe how these symptoms affect ways to exercise, and start your ability to perform slowly. basic daily activities such • Ask about FDAas lifting groceries, walkapproved treatment ing short distances, and options. Your healthcare climbing stairs. provider may prescribe a • Consider lifestyle medication specifically changes. Changes in med- approved for fibromyalgia. ication, diet, and exercise • Find support from are also factors you and loved ones and others. your healthcare provider Your family and friends may consider changing to are a vital support network help you manage your for you, so it’s important to fibromyalgia. open up and be honest

about how you feel and what you need.

Make it clear what you can and can’t do, and talk about your pain - how it feels and what makes it worse. Ask for their understanding – and be sure to let them know how much it means to you.

Also, try to find support outside your circle of loved ones. It may be helpful to join a fibromyalgia support group so you can share everything from frustrations to future hopes and goals with fellow sufferers.

• Above all, try to stay positive. If you have fibromyalgia, the best thing to do is educate yourself about the condition, find a doctor you feel comfortable with, and talk to other people who have been diagnosed with the condition.

To learn more about fibromyalgia, visit www. fibrotogether.com.

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Quality nursing care, rehabilitation Clovernook provides quality nursing care and rehabilitation, as well as one of the most progressive, effective wound care centers in the Tristate.

Clovernook is nestled into six park-like acres in the residential neighborhood of North College Hill.

Happy Tails mean happy pets They’ve been your friend for years – a loyal companion. Don’t you think it’s time to give your pet the pampering it deserves.

Look to the comfort and convenience of the West Side’s premier mobile pet groomer, Happy Tails to You Mobile Pet Spaw.

Call 300-1080 to schedule an appointment for a visit from one of the stateof-the-art, fully equipped and customized mobile pet grooming vans.

Call for yourself or a loved one.

This makes a special gift for older family members who love their pets and need a convenient,

Its caring professional staff is dedicated to serving the needs of the residents and their families.

The Progressive Wound Centre was opened in 2004, due to Clovernook’s successes in healing vascular, venous, diabetic, surgical, pressure and complex wounds.

The Progressive Wound Centre team uses state of the art products and innovative treatments.

With quality care, careful monitoring, and a unified team approach, the professionals at The

Progressive Wound Centre advance healing in dramatic ways.

The Progressive Wound Centre is like no other in the region!

All rehabilitation therapies – physical, occupational, speech, respiratory, and recreational – are available to their residents.

Clovernook is Medicaid and Medicare certified and provides private pay, as well as some private insurance.

They provide longterm and short-term care, and skilled and intermediate care.

because they’ll never leave their own driveway or front yard. There’s no stressful car ride and there’s no usual noise and interruptions faced in a busy salon.

Regular good grooming is important in the promotion of good health for your pet and family, it helps Your pet looks and feels its best after a good grooming. keep your home safe way to keep them and furniture clean. groomed.

Happy Tails chooses Happy Tails provides only the best products complete grooming servavailable to leave your pet ices for your pet, saving looking and feeling its you valuable time and best. They don’t charge trouble. This special Spaw more for what the others exists to bring a stresscall “extras,” the approfree, positive grooming priate products for each experience to pets and pet will be used. their families.

Happy Tails is a family Happy Tails brings the owned and operated West style and flair of a fine, Side business. up-scale pet grooming Their clients become salon to the privacy and like family and are treated convenience of your home as such. or office, where your pet Karen Smith, a profeswill receive professional, sionally trained and certipersonalized and uninter- fied pet stylist and groomrupted attention. ing instructor, prides herYou won’t have to self in styling all dogs to worry about your pet’s separation anxiety HAPPY TAILS see page 7

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Robert Wallingford (left) and Scott Woolwine (right).

Oak Hil s introduces new sous chef Oak Hills Nursing and Rehab Center would like to introduce the newest addition to their family, Scott Woolwine. He is a sous chef in the Dietary Department.

Scott’s first inspiration

for cooking was while serving in the U.S. Navy in Sicily. He has also worked in many local restaurants such as Market Street Grille in Harrison where he was the lead cook.

He has worked as the executive chef at the Dingle House Irish Pub in West Chester.

As sous chef, it is Scott’s responsibility for the day to day kitchen operations and food preparation with a focus on quality assurance.

His goal is to create the best possible food while maintaining the dietary guidelines set forth by the facility.

Residents have spoken and Oak Hills Nursing

and Rehab Center has listened to what they are requesting.

As a result, they have begun transiting to a new restaurant style service complete with tableside menus and servers to tend to residents’ every need.

Oak Hills will have menu items such as homemade soups to sirloin steak. Finish your meal with some of their homemade desserts such as crème brûlée or a Brownie Lover’s Brownie with carmel drizzle topping.

So come on over to Oak Hills Nursing and Rehab Center for an experience unlike any other long-term care facility on the West Side.

CreativeLiving

HAPPY TAILS from page 6 their correct and proper breed profile as well as creating unique styles for the everyday pet.

Her daughter, Sarah, has been working professionally with Happy Tails since 2005, and is experienced in grooming all breeds of dogs with gentle compassion as well as an eye for detail.

Sarah’s fiancé, Jacob has been with the Happy Tails family since 2007 and is noted for his wonderful handling skills and attention.

Karen’s son, Chris, joined his family’s business in 2007 and is dedicated to caring for pets and bringing out their natural beauty.

Call 648-4614 to advertise in

They have all grown and lived with pets all of our lives and understand the important role pets have in families.

Your pet’s safety and comfort are their top priorities.

For more information on Happy Tails visit www.happytailstoyougrooming.com.

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All supplies available at Bernens Pharmacy www.communitypress.com

Bernens Pharmacy on Glenway Avenue in Covedale has been serving the community in Greater Cincinnati since 1938.

Owned by Mary Engelhardt, the full-service pharmacy also has a wide variety of hospital and medical supplies, which they provide for delivery or for retail pick-up.

The website, at www.bernens.com shows some of the products that are available through the store, as well as the prices.

“We have many employees who are expe-

Call 648-4614 to advertise in the yearly publication

rienced in assessing the needs of the customer, and accurately recommending the correct equipment,” said Ann Marie Engelhardt, Mary’s daughter and one of the managers.

“We also have overthe-counter retail items, as well as our pharmaceutical medicines, and we can compound certain medicines. Call us at 471-7575 and see if we have exactly what you’re looking for.

“Whether it’s a wheelchair, or a hospital bed, or just a knee or arm brace, we can help.”3

Senior Living

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Tips to keep people with diabetes in step with good foot health It makes sense to take care of your feet at any age and any health level – after all, they’re the foundation on which we walk through our daily lives.

For people with diabetes,

9 however, caring for their feet takes on a new importance, as diabetes-related complications prompt the amputation of more than 1.5 million feet and legs every year.

In fact, more than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in the U.S. are performed on people with diabetes, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

If you or someone you love lives with the disease, knowing how to take care of your feet, and how to recognize signs of diabetes-related complications, is an important element of successfully managing the disease.

“Research has shown that up to 25 percent of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime,” said Dr. Kathleen Stone, president of the APMA. “Foot ulcers and infections are the most common reason for hospitalization of those with the condition. However, these problems are largely preventable.”

Common foot problems relat-

ed to diabetes include neuropathy, skin changes, calluses, foot ulcers, poor circulation and infections.

Because diabetes can cause nerve damage in extremities, a person with the disease may not immediately be aware of, or feel pain from, an injury or ulcer.

Small wounds or cuts on the

foot that are slow to heal can develop into ulcers, which, if left untreated, can become infected and lead to partial or full amputation of the foot or lower leg, according to the APMA. However, regular care from a podiatrist can reduce amputation rates 45 to 85 percent.

People with diabetes should inspect their feet daily and be vigilant for these warning signs of ulcers, the most common type of diabetes-related foot complication: • Irritation • Redness • Cracked or dry skin (especially around the heels) • Drainage on socks Ulcers can appear anywhere on the foot or ankle, but are typically found on pressure points on the foot, like the ball of the foot or bottom of the big toe.

If you discover an ulcer or have any symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

In many cases, the foot can be Diabetes see page 16

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Travel

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Secrets of budget travelers that everyone should know Budget travelers are a unique breed – they have a tireless dedication to finding the best deals, a keen sense for sniffing out hidden surprises and, usually, a mental database of ways to save money when they’re doing what they love most: traveling.

In light of the economy, almost every American traveler has become a budget traveler.

Prices in many destinations are going up and airfares are hitting new highs, but it’s still important to many people to get in a family vacation or a friends’ getaway.

For those who are new to the budget travel game, a few tips can come in hand: • Become your own watchdog. In the past, people went to travel agents who would do all the booking for them.

For budget travelers, the cost of going to an agency is often prohibitive and doesn’t always make sense when you can book everything online yourself.

Enter different dates and destinations into travel search engines and

you can get an idea of how rates vary by season.

If you have a specific destination in mind, set up fare alerts that will let you know when ticket prices drop, but keep checking the sites on your own so that you can find the best deals.

• Plan activities ahead of

time. If you want to go to a concert or theater performance in a particular destination, start looking early by visiting sites dedicated to that chosen destination.

For instance, if you’re headed to Myrtle Beach, the events SECRETS see page 11

For those who want a budget-friendly beach vacation with all the amenities, searching for Myrtle Beach coupons on the destination’s CVB website will turn up coupons for everything from restaurants to shopping to golf.

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Funeral & Estate Planning

BJ Meyer and Sons takes worry away The BJ Meyer Funeral Home on Bridgetown Road is a full-service funeral home which strives to take some of the worry from families in their time of need.

In business since 1884, Gregory Meyer and his son, Keith, are fourth and

fifth generations of the Meyer family, and their goal is to continue the fine tradition of quality service offered through the years.

“We are proud that we are a family-owned and operated facility,” said Gregory Meyer. “We opened this location on Bridgetown Road in 2002, after we did some renovation and added two visitation rooms onto the back.”

The building itself is an old English Tudor family residence, and it is located just east of St Jude’s Church.

Parking is plentiful, with over 100 spaces for family members during visitation. In addition to the visitation rooms, there are offices where people can go when they want to pre-arrange their funeral arrangements, a practice

which is gaining in popularity.

“I think pre-arrangement is something the parents like to do for a few reasons,” said Meyer.

“First, they know what they want, and would like their choices documented now. Secondly, they want to take the burden off their children.”

Whatever the choices, BJ Meyer Sons Funeral home is well versed in taking care of all the arrangements.

Since they have been in business so long, they know all the cemeteries, hospitals, and churches, and families can leave the details totally to them.

For more information, visit their website, at www.bjmeyersons.com, or call them at 921-0117 to set up an appointment.

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SECRETS from page 10 calendar at www.visitmyrtlebeach.com has a full listing of events and festivals.

And while you’re there, you can often find deals on tickets that will let you see the show for a fraction of the price.

• Don’t pay full price.

You can often find some of your biggest savings by using coupons – the trick is knowing where to find them.

Again, destinationspecific websites, like those of convention and visitor’s bureaus (CVB), are particularly useful.

For those who want a budget-friendly beach vacation with all the amenities, searching for Myrtle Beach coupons on

Call 648-4614 to advertise in

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the destination’s CVB website will turn up coupons for everything from restaurants to shopping to golf.

• Don’t delay. It’s true that you can occasionally find last-minute deals but the early bird really does get the worm when it comes to budget travel.

Since it’s often more convenient to travel during high season to popular destinations - there’s a reason it’s high season, after all – getting things organized ahead of time will save you money.

What’s more, you won’t be disappointed by your favorite hotel being booked up.

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What matters is how we live, love in our ‘dash’ “What matters is how we live and love – and how we spend our dash.”

This is a quote from a popular poem called The Dash. The dash refers to the line in between your date of birth and your date of death on your tombstone.

Cincinnati Catholic Cemetery Society, which is made up of three local cemeteries, provides a final resting place because

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They are committed to preserving the memory of your loved ones.

Remembrance is a big part of the grieving process, and those at the Cincinnati Catholic Cemetery Society and Baltimore Pike Cemetery Association recognize that preserving a loved one’s memories is very important to those left behind.

That is why they work so hard with families to memorialize the deceased and pay tribute to their entire life – their dash.

Keeping those memories close to their hearts is a great tribute to their loved ones.

Knowing that selecting a memorial can be a daunting experience, memorial specialists understand this, and with professionalism and sensi-

tivity, help customers find the most fitting memorial.

They offer custom and personalized memorials, specialized vaults such as their breast cancer and school theme colors.

Founded in 1834, the Society ensures that every Catholic in the Cincinnati area, when religious considerations are of the utmost importance, has the opportunity for burial in consecrated grounds in a Catholic cemetery.

Loved ones need not worry about perpetual care and maintenance of the burial space. The

grounds staff and office personnel at each cemetery are dedicated to providing respect to all who enter their cemetery gates.

The original cemetery,

St. Joseph, is located in Price Hill.

They maintain a rich tradition of dedicated service to all Catholics and have made preparations to assure that ade-

quate space will be available on their 128 acres of land for future burials.

St. John’s Cemetery, founded in 1849 after a sad summer of cholera, is located on Vine Street in St. Bernard and now has less than two dozen burials a year.

Their grounds are meticulously maintained and visitors can view several extraordinary examples of monument sculpture.

St. Mary Cemetery, centrally located in St. Bernard on East Ross Avenue, celebrates a histoCEMETERY see page 13

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Relationships

Support groups help patients cope For many patients, receiving a medical diagnosis can cause a mix of emotions – from relief that their symptoms are no longer a mystery, to fear about how to cope with the disease.

To manage the range of emotions and live well after a diagnosis, it is important to establish a strong support network.

In fact, Dr. John Klippel, CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, believes patients who do so are often in better control of their disease.

Chronic, debilitating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune form of arthritis, can be especially humbling for people who want to be independent, leaving them feeling embarrassed or reluctant to engage those closest to them.

But, creating a network of friends and family who are willing to offer assistance can help ensure a better quality of life.

For example, support partners can help patients recall important medical instructions, as well as help guide the discus-

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sion with health care providers.

In fact, studies have shown that 20 to 50 percent of what is said in the doctor’s office is forgotten.

In addition to engaging friends and family, patients can interact with health professionals and peers though in-person or online support groups.

Studies show arthritis support groups can improve mood, provide better coping skills, decrease pain and provide relief from negative emotions, such as fear, resentment and hopelessness, according to Dr. Vicki Helgeson, of Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Patients with a chronic disease such as RA should consider the following when selecting a support group: • Do your homework: Find support groups where you can talk, share and interact with others.

• Check with your doctor or health professional about community volunteer groups in your area that can provide additional input and assistance.

• Find what works for you:

There are various types of support groups, and you may want to experiment with several to find the right fit: • Closed – requires registration and a commitment to a set number of sessions.

• Group therapy – directed by a mental health professional with a time-limited purpose for specific therapeutic goals.

• Peer-led by a fellow patient, this group’s casual format focuses on sharing experiences and learning from others.

• Educational – features an expert’s presentation, with a question-and-answer session.

• Online – support found on Internet chat sites or social media channels.

There are programs that help patients and medical professionals work together to manage health conditions by sharing experiences and knowledge.

The Arthritis Foundation’s Let’s Talk RA program, sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb, offers national town hall meetings and roundtable discussions to help people with RA and their caregivers connect and find resources to help manage their condition.

The program also features

ing personalized funerals that will help loved ones in their time of grief.

The words to The Dash poem are very meaningful to the staff at the Cincinnati Catholic Cemetery Society and Baltimore Pike Cemetery Association. They believe that the dates on a tombstone represent from birth to death but what matters most of all is the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

All four cemeteries offer products and services to make

each funeral special and to ensure that loved ones are surrounded by the memories of the deceased. Remembrance and holding on to beautiful memories of our loved ones is not only healing but a great way to honor our family member or friend.

The Cincinnati Catholic Cemetery Society and Baltimore Pike Cemetery Association are committed to Care, Concern, Cooperation and Service.

For more about their long, rich history or the services they provide visit the website at www. cccsohio.org or call 557-2306 to schedule an appointment.

SUPPORT see page 14

CEMETERY from page 12 ry dating back to 1873, yet has also assured room for future use.

The cemetery recently opened section 36 and section 37 in the Holy Cross Gardens area and additional graves in Garden of Peace, and has a wide selection of crypts in, the Christ Our Saviour Chapel.

Cincinnati Catholic Cemetery Society also manages the Baltimore Pike Cemetery Association.

Located at 3200 Costello Ave., the 150-year old cemetery offers a magnificent view of the Clifton area and through the valley into downtown Cincinnati. The re-

dedicated World War I and II memorials are a feature of Baltimore Pike Cemetery worth viewing.

Like the Society’s other three cemeteries, the grounds and these impressive memorials are beautifully landscaped and meticulously maintained.

The Society’s and the Association’s founding partners envisioned a peaceful, beautiful resting place for Catholics and religious families in our communities.

The leadership today at the Society wants to preserve that vision and build on it by provid-

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Finances & Work Five vital questions to prepare for your financial future Have you ever wondered if you’ll be able to afford retirement?

Do you question if your finances will keep you afloat if your family were to experience a medical emergency or another expensive and unplanned event?

“Financial awareness and education are extremely important, which is why people need to take a moment and think about their areas of need and risk and determine which steps are the best ones to take to develop a strong financial future,” says Michael R. Fanning, executive vice president, U.S. Insurance Group, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual).

Take one hour to review your finances and discover if there are areas where your plans can be stronger.

Here are five questions created by financial experts to ask yourself:

1. What are my goals?

Before you get started, determine what you need to finance, especially in the future. Some typical goals to consider include home ownership, starting a family, paying for college tuition and financial independence.

2. Who depends on me?

Part two of determining your goals is assessing who depends on you financially, including a spouse, children and parents or in-laws.

These dependents can change – for example your children may leave the house when they graduate – so you might want to take that into consideration and reevaluate your plan during the course of your life.

3. What are my risks?

Assessing gaps in your coverage is a vital step in the planning process because it allows you to create a plan B. Common risks include dying too soon or living too long, getting hurt, being unable to work due to a job layoff or illness, being retired on a fixed income but facing increasing health care costs or owning your own business and not being able to sell it when you need to retire.

4. What do I need?

When you have your risks and goals all lined up, set out to answer the question: What do I need to make my finances stronger?

For example, whole life insurance can help provide security to

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your family if you were to die at a young age.

It is also a product that accumulates cash value, a component that can help at home in the face of unexpected emergencies or to supplement retirement income.

If you’re a small business owner, you could take a loan from your whole life policy to help with payroll until receivables come in, for example.

While the above options are valid solutions for many, keep in mind that access to cash values through borrowing or partial surrenders will reduce the policy’s cash value and death benefit.

It can also increase the chance the policy will lapse, and may result in a tax liability if the policy terminates before the insured dies.

Consulting a trained financial professional is recommended.

Disability income insurance insures a portion of your income against an unexpected injury or illness that leaves a person unable to work and provide for family.

Some carriers also offer retirement contribution protection, in the event of a disabling illness or injury.

5. Who should I talk to?

If you feel you need assistance in strengthening your finances, consider involving a financial professional to help guide you through the process.

This person can give you an outside opinion, which is helpful when dealing with emotional issues involving the people you love.

A financial services professional can also suggest sound strategies you might not know about.

SUPPORT from page 13 educational podcasts, an educational e-newsletter and a communication kit that includes step-by-step discussion tips and a symptom tracker that RA

patients can use with their rheumatologists – all at no cost.

The Let’s Talk RA town hall meeting and roundtable discussion schedule, as well as the

communication kit order form can be found at www.arthritis.org/letstalkra.

Connect with the Arthritis Foundation on Facebook, Twitter

or YouTube to share experiences with a portion of the more than 40 million Americans living with arthritis, and learn about programs and events in your area.

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Self

Baby boomers putting experience and resources to good use as entrepreneurs A new career is often replacing the choice of retirement for many baby boomers, who have plenty of experience and resources to make entrepreneurship very successful.

With baby boomers living healthier and longer lives, they are no longer following traditional retirement paths and instead are seeking second and third careers.

There’s been a shift away from lifetime jobs with long-term employment – with a noticeable drop among people ages 35 to 64 years old during the past 50 years, according to the 2009 Sherpa Executive Coaching Study.

One of the most popular endeavors for those in this age bracket is that of a professional business or life coach.

Boomers are well suited to this professional calling based on their vast business and life experience.

Coaching is the practice of focusing existing talents and channeling them to create true significance and empowerment to change in the lives of others.

Even before the entrepreneurial boomers took to the profession, the coaching industry has seen tremendous growth, with revenues topping $1 billion in 2008.

The International Coach Federation, because of the demand for coaches, has

seen an explosion in its membership since its creation in 1995.

Between 25 to 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies use executive coaches, as reported in a recent survey by The Hay Group, an International Human Resources consultancy.

“Baby boomers comprise the largest segment of our student and graduate base,” said D. Luke Lorio, president of iPEC’s coach training division.

“The baby boom generation brings with it the experience, skills, contacts, drive and other resources to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities such as coaching,” he said.

“They reached a point in their careers where they want to capitalize on their experience and

often give back to others.

Coaching has provided them an outlet to help others while also earning substantial incomes,” said Lorio.

On average, experienced life coaches are earning an average of $77,000 per year, and experienced corporate/business coaches are earning an average of $134,800 per year, according to the study.

Jim Kelly, president of Real Leaders Lead Executive Coaching (RealLeadersLead.com), is a baby boomer success story.

The 63-year-old certified professional coach was attracted to coaching because it was a career that was truly aligned with his values of giving back and empowering others to live their

dreams.

“My 35 years of real world leadership and life experience, including a tenure as CEO of a multimillion dollar company, is the ideal foundation for a coaching business. I went through the ups and downs of every career and the struggles of building successful businesses,” said Kelly.

“It is that experience that allows me to help leaders navigate similar experiences much more quickly than if they go it alone,” he said. “My coaching business is strong because clients are investing in the one thing they know will produce a return: themselves.”

Here are six ways to know if a career in coaching is for you: • People usually come to you for advice and you have a positive impact on them.

• You value personal growth and seek a career that will utilize your strengths.

• You see great potential in people and are frustrated when they don’t exercise that potential.

• You emphasize strong relationships and a balanced life with many interests, including vitality in health and career.

• You’re not afraid of hard work to create more personal and financial freedom.

• You know you have a gift - and you want to share it to help yourself and others live a more powerful and fulfilling life.

To find out more about careers in coaching, contact www.iPEC coaching.com.

16

Entertainment & Shopping Say ‘I love you:’ help from A Sweet Life

West

A Sweet Life celebrates Valentine’s Day with some sweet deals for you.

Pick the package that fits your budget, call 741-7800 to place your order and A Sweet Life will have your Valentine Package ready for pick up on Feb. 14.

Package 1 1

⁄2 dozen cupcakes Dozen wood roses 8 oz. soy candle A $24 value for only $20

Package 2 1

⁄2 dozen cupcakes Dozen wood roses 8 oz. soy candle I (heart) U letter art A $38 value for only $30

Package 3 1

Package 2.

⁄2 dozen cupcakes Dozen wood roses 8 oz. soy candle Love letter art Hand Stamped Heartstrings necklace A $63 value for only $50

Diabetes from page 9 Call 578-5501 to advertise in

CreativeLiving

Need smaller gifts? Don't worry, they have you covered there as well.

Many items on our Valentine table are priced under $10! Stop in or call A Sweet Life today for more details.