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It’s A Grand Life

November 2017

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From Me To You...

Welcome! to the

November edition of It’s A Grand Life magazine.

I am by no means what you would consider overweight, however if I put myself on the recommended weight chart, you all know the one, I come out right at the top edge of normal. To look at me you would probably not guess that. I am 6 feet tall and 173lbs. True stats. I maintain that I am ‘big boned’ but that apparently does not fly medically. In fact my doctor even told me that I need to lose some weight to improve my health.

So I was bound and determined to lose a few pounds. And I did. Want to know my secret? Eat less and move more. It is that simple, and that hard. I always want to choose desert and soda, so now I try to eat them less frequently and in smaller quantities. Then there is the exercise. I am not a fan. So walking is my go to and I do try to get those elusive 10,000 steps every day.

issue. I used to eat anything and everything and never gain a pound. I actually ate chocolate cake for breakfast most mornings before school and again when I got home later that day. Now however, things are certainly not the same. I look at a piece of cake and gain a pound or more.

I had a terrible bout of stomach flu a couple of years ago. I mean it was terrible. I actually googled ‘Dysentery” at one point it was that heinous. Anyway, I lost a good 6 pounds over a couple of days and decided that on balance I would take the weight loss as payment earned. Still feeling a little delicate I decided that a bowl of chicken noodle soup would be a good entrance back into the world of solid food.

I was in the bathroom after eating the soup (don’t worry the flu was long gone) and stepped on the scale out of curiosity. 5lbs! 5lbs!!! How is it possible to eat less than a pound of food and gain 5?

Good grief!

Maintaining a healthy weight is very important to ensure you have a long, happy life.

As long as that includes the occasional piece of chocolate cake, count me in!

Catherine Uretsky

Editor, It’s A Grand Life Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283 Don’t forget to visit our website for puzzle solutions, restaurant reviews, coupons and business directories! www.EstrellaPublishing.com

Did you know that according to Web MD the average American is 23 pounds heavier that his or her ideal body weight? Also a loss of only 5 percent of your weight lowers your risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease? Both good reasons to try.

If you were anything like me as a teenager and young adult, weight was not an

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Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies and article reproductions can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

Anne Yost (623) 692-9563 Joe Wristen (480) 369-5804 Full Time REALTORS® and Residents

Home Warranty with a Sale or Purchase. www.yostrealtyteam.com

All contents © 2010-present day Estrella Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission from Estrella Publishing LLC is prohibited. Estrella Publishing accepts freelance contributions, there is no guarantee that materials will be used or returned. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within.

Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers. Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion.

Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.

Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor

It’s A Grand Life

Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec

November 2017

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November 2017

Charity Begins at Home

Valley View Community Food Bank (VVFCB) is celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary with a Gala at Briarwood Country Club on October 28, 2017.

VVCFB served a record number of clients in 2016. Over 5,000,000 lbs of food were distributed. Five thousand families received holiday boxes between Thanksgiving and

Christmas. VVCFB also supplied families and foster children with toys for Christmas and gave special gifts to grandmothers raising grandchildren. Over 500 children received Easter baskets.

Almost 600 children got back to school hair cuts and backpacks from VVCFB. Fifteen thousands seniors participated in a special weekly food distribution program at the El Mirage location.

VVCFB counts on food drives, donations from numerous organizations and churches, and a multitude of volunteers to keep its doors open. To get tickets for the Gala, call Mary at 314-322-

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7033. Donations for general operating expenses and for the special projects can be sent to 12321 W. Grand Ave., El Mirage.

VVCFB is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization(FEIN#77-0696933).

Donations are tax deductible under federal IRS laws. Gifts to VVCFB qualify for the Arizona tax credit.

Submitted by Marge Clark Sun City Grand Resident

November 2017

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Senior Health Giving Thanks

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:1618) Give thanks in all circumstances.

That is a tall order and quite a challenge. The book, The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom, gave me a whole new understanding of this scripture.

Corrie’s family were Christians who sheltered Jews during Hitler’s reign. They were caught and placed in labor camps along with the Jewish people. Corrie and her sister shared space in a dorm room with many other women.

As they laid down on their bunk, they discovered the bedding was infested with fleas. As they prayed before bed, Corrie’s sister gave thanks for the fleas. Corrie refused even when her sister told her that it was God’s will for them to give thanks for everything.

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The sisters had managed to smuggle a Bible into the camp, something for which Corrie did give thanks, and they, together with the other women, read from the Bible and shared each evening. They were amazed that the guards never came in to break up the group or to confiscate the Bible. Later, Corrie’s sister was sick and Corrie tried to get the guard to enter the room to help, but the guard would not enter because of the fleas. The fleas had protected the women and their secret! Corrie finally gave thanks for the fleas.

We often consider those things for which we are thankful during the Thanksgiving season. This year we are particularly aware of people within our own nation who have lost everything in the hurricanes and or through senseless violent acts. We gain perspective and realize just how blessed we are. And when we compare our ‘stuff’ with people around the world, we realized we live in abundance.

These perspectives help each of us to really consider what is truly important in our lives. May we give thanks for our families, our friends, our places of worship, God’s grace and love, our health, jobs, and our freedoms and rights. Let’s give thanks for these before listing our belongings and homes. This perspective can eliminate our constant desire to covet what others have.

May we take joy in the beauty of creation and the laughter of shared fun and the ability to speak and hear. May we give thanks for those things we’ve taken for granted. May we not overlook our blessings. And in all of that, may our thankfulness spill out in our giving to help others. Our blessings are not our own. They are for sharing. Let’s be intentional about sharing this season.

Submitted by Valerie Fairchild, pastor of Spirit Song church in Vistancia

November 2017

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It’s A Grand Life

November 2017

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Brain Health Make the most of your brain as you age

It is important to remember the health of our most complex organ: our brain. While the brain constantly changes throughout our lives, it’s critical that we take steps to help us stay on top of our game as we age.

Help give your brain a boost in the right direction by implementing these 10 brainhealthy habits.

Get moving Studies show that being physically active may help reduce some risks to your brain health.

It doesn’t matter what activity you do as long as you get your heart pumping for 30 minutes most days.

Eat up By watching your diet, you may be able to help increase your chances of staying engaged as you age. Try eating a healthy, low solid-fat diet - one that is low in saturated and trans fats - with lots of veggies and fruits.

Know your blood pressure High blood pressure in midlife can have serious effects on your brain

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health down the road. If your blood pressure is high, talk to your doctor about how to get it under control.

Drink moderately, if at all Alcohol may affect older adults differently than it had previously and even make them feel “high” without increasing the amount they drink. This can make you more likely to become confused or have accidents.

Get some shuteye Poor sleep can not only have serious physical effects but can impact memory and thinking, too.

Seven to eight hours of sleep a night may help you keep your brain healthy.

Discover a new talent When you learn new things, you engage your brain and help reduce some risks to it. Challenge your brain on a regular basis by trying something you haven’t done before.

Stay connected Regular engagement in social activities may be good for your brain. Stay connected and make it a point to keep in touch with your family and friends.

Talk to your doctor As you age, changes in brain function, including short-term memory loss, are expected. If you have questions or concerns, ask your doctor at your next appointment.

Mind your meds A medication that didn’t trigger side effects in the past can cause an abnormal reaction and even change your cognitive function as you age. Talk to your doctor about all of your medications.

Maintain your balance Regular balancing and strengthening exercises may help reduce your chances of a fall-related head injury. Work to improve your balance and talk to your doctor if you fall.

To learn more about steps that may help keep your brain healthy, visit BrainHealth.gov.

November 2017

Medication Information

Understanding how medications interact with vitamins

Technology, science and research are offering a personalization powerhouse at our fingertips, including products made specifically for us delivered to our doorsteps. We wear personal fitness trackers to track our steps, sleep and heart rates.

Personal trainers design fitness routines made just for us. We understand that our family history, lifestyle choices and even genetics are predictive of our health needs and this information is integrated into our health care plans. But with all of this personalization, nutritional supplement options still deliver the same cookie-cutter solutions.

According to New Nutrition Business and its report “10 Key Trends in Food, Nutrition and Health 2017,” personalized nutrition is the next big nutrition movement, as people want individually tailored diets. When creating a personalized nutrition

plan, it’s important to take into account holistic well-being; however, deciding what is truly right for you can be confusing.

“Personalized nutrition shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s not a catchy-named pack of vitamins or nutrition plans curated from a few questions about how you want to feel; it needs to include everything that makes you unique, down to the medications prescribed by your doctor,” said Dr. Michael Roizen, original chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic, co-author of the new book “Age-Proof: Living Longer without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip” and Vitamin Packs science advisory board member. “Technology is creating amazing advances in personalized nutrition, but it’s only as good as the data it can collect and the information you are willing to share.”

Medication and nutrition interactions Nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population is taking prescription medications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 68 percent of Americans are taking dietary supplements, based on Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) estimates.

With several new personalized vitamin subscription services launching, it’s important to select one that takes into account your diet, physical fitness, sleep patterns, lifestyle habits and family health history as well as medication use. Some drugs can deplete nutrients while others add nutrients to the body. One subscription service, Vitamin Packs, delivers customized vitamins and nutritional

It’s A Grand Life

supplements in daily packs based on what it learns during a free nutritional assessment. Its technology cross-examines more than 650 possible medication interactions and recommends only what an individual’s body needs.

Mixing meds and nutritional supplements

* Taking a statin? You will want to add Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) because the average blood concentration of CoQ10 in blood plasma decreases within 30 days by an average of 50 percent. * Taking a medication for allergies or inflammation?

Consider adding vitamin D and calcium. These types of medications may reduce calcium absorption, which can lead to unnecessary bone loss.

Supplementing with vitamin D and calcium together may support bone health and calcium absorption. * Taking a blood pressure medication? You should know that taking an iron supplement two hours before or after taking this type of medication can decrease its absorption rate. * Taking a synthetic thyroid hormone? Look at your supplement facts to be sure you’re avoiding soy, iron and calcium. Soy, iron and calcium, if taken within four hours of a synthetic thyroid hormone, may reduce the absorption rate.

Personalized nutrition should be focused on the whole person. Be sure to consult your health care practitioner before starting any dietary supplement regimen.

November 2017

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Depression The Myths and Facts About Depression There are some myths about major depressive disorder (MDD, depression) that may make it difficult for people experiencing symptoms to reach out for help.

It’s time to learn the facts.

MYTH: Depression only affects mood.FACT: Many people think of depression as simply being sad. But depression is more than sadness. Other symptoms include loss of interest, tiredness or insomnia, difficulty concentrating, change in appetite or weight, noticeably moving or speaking slowly, or feeling a lot of guilt.

People with depression do not all experience the same symptoms.

MYTH: Most people with depression seek professional help.

FACT: Based on an epidemiology

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survey, only 50 percent of adults who met the criteria for a depression diagnosis for one year actually receive some form of treatment for their condition.

MYTH: Depression is not that common.FACT: There are approximately 14 million Americans ages 18 and older who live with depression annually.

That’s more than 6 percent of U.S. adults.

MYTH: Depression is purely psychological.FACT: Depression is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Major depressive disorder (MDD, depression) is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States and nearly 35 million Americans over

the age of 18 will experience depression in their lifetime. Many people think depression is just sadness and it’s important people understand all of the symptoms of this complex medical condition.

“Symptoms of depression may affect people differently, including the way they think, feel and act, contributing to the complexity of the disorder,” said Dr. Gregory Mattingly, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine. “It’s important that people talk to their doctor about their symptoms and find a treatment plan that works for them.”

People who may be experiencing symptoms of depression should talk to their doctor.

November 2017

Living With Faith Who would have imagined?

In George Orwell’s Book 1984, written in 1949, he depicts a time when things will certainly be unrecognizable or even possible. “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten……every statute and street building has been renamed……” Could anyone have imagined what was penned 68 years ago would become reality?

Listen to the laughter as people then read the words. Listen to the pundits on radio as they proclaimed then the insanity of such prophecies.

Today, 2017 we are living these pronouncements. Today, 2017 we are watching on our television screens scenes that indicate our nation seems to be imploding from the hate and venom uttered by the few to the many. Today, 2017 we are reminded very vividly of the prophetic words of George Santayana, “Those who do not learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it.” Perhaps the year 2017 will surely be remembered as the year of infamy, and it is not even over yet.

We ask ourselves, “Why are these things happening?” We search for answers. The right tells us it is because we are to liberal, and the left screams that we are too conservative.

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Everyone is determined to label our difficulties, but nowhere do we hear or see solutions, just recriminations. The darkness we experience during a solar eclipse will never sufficiently engender the darkness that will permeate our lives for the foreseeable future.

In 1776 we proclaimed that our lives should be determined by us, not by others. We gathered numerous times to create a document that would declare our independence, and at the same time, our dependence on each other and our creator.

Painstakingly we debated and argued, and even screamed at each other, the results of which produced the envy of the world to be emulated time and again by so many craving for their right to live in peace and harmony.

The one issue that would have destroyed the concept of nationhood lay within the framework of slavery. Economics was the motivation for the disagreement. The concept of slavery was not brought to the forefront, rather the benefit of individual states to determine their future for themselves.

Finally, to reach a consensus, the assembly of representatives decided to sweep this one issue under the rug for the greater good, the formation of a nation.

Finally, 85 years later, the rug was lifted and the dust brought to the surface. This time, however, no longer could it be ignored (slavery) and a bitter, destructive, Civil War ensued, or as it was referred – the War

between-the-states. We seem to have embarked on a new civil war, not for territory or economic gain, but for the heart and soul of a nation dedicated to the human spirit. The struggle that has lasted for these many years has now become an obsession.

Civility and reason are no longer visible. We now resort to destroying the very essence of our existence, our history, with all its faults are in fragments. Our understanding of nationhood, which could not be destroyed from without, is now witnessing a new attempt at destruction from within. All the blood soaked battlefields in the world will pale in comparison to the destruction that will result if this country, the United States of America, will no longer remain a beacon to the world because the flame of our message and mission will have been extinguished.

Is this the legacy we want to leave those that follow? Is this what will become of the “light unto the nations?” Are we prepared to ensure that George Orwell’s predictions will become reality? NO, a thousand times NO. We need to stand for the values we inherited. We need to right the wrongs, not with slugfests, but with steadfastness.

We need to send a message to our leaders, and the world, that America is alive and well. In the words of the American General, Christopher Gadsden during the American Revolutionary War, “Don’t tread on me” is the message we send to all, domestic and foreign.

Let us all pray that God, who, in the past, delivered us from the hands of the tyrants, will deliver us to a brighter new day together.

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation National Chaplain, Jewish War Veterans, USA November 2017

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November 2017

Password Please!

Don’t get hacked! Time to get serious about password safety We all know hiding your house key under the doormat is a terrible idea, but we do it anyway because it’s a convenient backup.

When it comes to safeguarding passwords, especially in a family setting, people often choose convenience over safety.

As families manage their digital information and online accounts, many end up opting for that less secure key-under-the-doormat solution. People are already sharing passwords, and their methods of sharing are not always the best.

Consider the number of security breaches that continue to make national news: * In 2016, we learned the Yahoo data breach compromised 1 billion accounts. * In that same month, we learned 167 million email addresses and passwords were stolen from LinkedIn. * In September 2017, a security breach at Equifax was reported, exposing Social Security numbers and other personal data of 143 million users, which is nearly half the U.S. population.

Now more than ever, it’s clear how important it is to protect our personal information online.

According to a Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report, 81 percent of data breaches involve weak, reused or stolen credentials.

“If you were to dig into the reasons behind these repeated, overly simple, shared passwords, it’s actually pretty understandable as to how this happens,” according to LastPass Senior Director of Product, Steve Schult.

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“The average person has some 200-plus logins. If you were to give each its own strong, unique password, that’s way too many for one person to keep track of and remember, let alone all the other family members that might also use some of those accounts.”

But there’s no need to trade security for the convenience of digital access. With a password manager designed for individual or family use, you can create those strong passwords for all the accounts you and your family use, and store them within a secure vault that’s accessed by a single master password only you know. These digital lockboxes protect your information under multiple layers of security, making it impossible for digital thieves to hack and access.

If you’re debating whether to make the switch to a digital password manager, here’s a few ways it can improve your family’s online security and help stop the struggle with passwords.

Create rock-solid passwords: Most password managers offer a secure password generator that allows you to set and create a long, strong and unique password for every online account. You can create a password up to 100 characters long, including numbers and symbols. Another way to do it is by using the “passphrase” approach, meaning string together words that create a phrase. Be sure to steer clear of birthdays, anniversaries, street names and other specific personal details that can be found through a simple social media search.

Secure more than just passwords: There’s an endless number of passwords and

sensitive information you can store in your password manager, including banking logins, passport and license numbers, shopping accounts, email and social media passwords and more.

Safely share passwords with family members: One benefit of a password manager that’s designed for family use is that it lets you safely and conveniently store passwords and valuable documents in folders for flexible sharing with others in the family.

Use it as a teaching moment: Have a talk with your kids about how passwords are the keys to our digital lives, and how good password habits help protect everything from personal details to finances. Show them how to build a good password, and how tools like a password manager can create a safe way to access and share accounts. It’s an important life skill that will help them protect themselves for years to come.

Plan for the digital afterlife: When there’s a death or serious emergency, it turns out that state and federal laws, along with service agreements, can block your family from getting access to your online accounts.

With a password manager that allows emergency access, family members can get into your password vault and have access to whatever they need.

November 2017

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Flu Tips Don’t let the flu bug you this year

Flu season is upon us, and many healthcare facilities are urging you to start preparing now with vaccines. Ironically, one of the places where you need to be careful is at the doctor’s office or healthcare clinic.

The number of people in and out of clinics this time of year increases the chance that someone will leave behind a harmful pathogen. Being in close proximity with people who may already have the flu can put you and your family at risk. You can reduce this risk by following some simple instructions from healthcare cleaning experts.

“Healthcare-acquired infections can be a threat to everyone, especially the elderly and young children,” said Steve Zimmerman, director of healthcare services for ServiceMaster Clean, one of the nation’s leading cleaning and janitorial service providers.

“Most facilities do a good job of sanitizing their waiting areas, but sick people can spread their illnesses through the touch of a door, magazine or pen - leaving you vulnerable to pick up germs you can’t see.”

What are high-touch areas? In a healthcare setting, Zimmerman defines high-touch surfaces as anything that multiple people will likely touch during their visit. Some high-touch surfaces are hard to avoid, such as door handles and chair armrests. That’s why it’s wise to wash hands often and use hand sanitizer when necessary.

But there are other high-touch areas you can avoid, such as: * Magazines. These are nearly impossible to disinfect once they have been contaminated.

Don’t pick them up while you’re waiting. * Toys. Bring your own toys to help prevent your child from picking up an illness from another child.

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 9 million to 35 million people will get the flu each year, 140,000 to 710,000 will be hospitalized because of it, and 12,000 to 56,000 will die from the illness. The CDC recommends a vaccination each year for those six months of age and older.

* Restrooms. They can harbor lots of pathogens unless cleaned often. If you must go, limit touching surfaces in the restroom, wash your hands thoroughly and use hand sanitizer if it’s available.

While the vaccine may help protect you from the flu, cleaning experts urge everyone to avoid high-touch areas as much as possible.

* Ink pens.

Think about how many hands touch the ink pens in

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facilities - whether signing in or filling out paperwork, bring your own and eliminate the possibility of sharing germs. * Coffee urns. For many Americans, coffee is a must. If you pick up a coffee pot or stop in your favorite coffee shop, take hand sanitizer with you and use immediately after you pour a cup.

Zimmerman also points out that if you schedule visits for the early morning, you are less likely to contract the germs that typically accumulate, since cleaning crews often perform a deep clean at the end of each day.

November 2017

Money Matters Five tips for staying on budget and keeping the holidays jolly Candy cane cache: Maintain your holiday budget through these 5 tips If you’re one of those savvy consumers already strategizing how to best fund gifts and other expenses this holiday season, you’re not alone. Sixty-five percent of U.S. adults who give holiday presents establish a budget for these purchases, according to a recent Coinstar survey. Yet 85 percent admit they still tend to go over budget when it comes to gift buying, entertainment, travel, decorating and other holiday expenses.

and special events to gain a realistic idea of your projected cash output. If the total is out of reach, consciously decide where to cut back so you’re less likely to spend impulsively. You may have to acknowledge that you’re not able to host a lavish party or buy generous presents for everyone on your list.

Fortunately, planning ahead can reduce the risk of overspending.

Consider how implementing the following ideas can help you stay on task and on budget when it comes to this year’s holiday expenses.

2. Reduce your stress by starting your shopping early and taking advantage of sales throughout the year. These strategies will help spread your costs so they don’t all hit at once and reduce your overall holiday spending budget. A full one-third of U.S. adults shop throughout the year, according to Coinstar’s survey, and 27 percent buy the majority of their presents on sale. Only 14 percent are last-minute shoppers.

Looking for bargains and unique gift items at stores, at special events and on websites can even be fun when you’re not in a panic.

1. Estimate all of your anticipated holiday expenses, not just gift purchases. Consider costs for decorations, food/alcohol, travel

3. Think of ways to boost your spending power. One method is turning to the spare change you’ve stashed away in a coin

jar, in vehicles and around your home. It’s easy to take your change to one of about 20,000 Coinstar kiosks located at grocery stores throughout the country.

For many, that’s found money that can be converted into cash or transformed (at no fee) into e-gift cards from popular vendors such as Amazon, Best Buy, Sephora, Lowe’s and Starbucks.

4. Draw names and set gift spending limits for family gift exchanges. As families grow through marriage or children added to the brood, it’s easy to allow spending and gift giving to get out of control. White elephant exchanges can be great for the kids in the family. Have them gift one of their toys or possessions to another child in the family.

That will not only be softer on the wallet, but will teach them the power of gifting and reusing.

5. Consider gifts big on thoughtfulness and small in cost.

Perhaps a handcrafted work of art, homemade baked goods or a meaningful service such as childcare would mean more to some recipients than a storebought knickknack, electronic gadget or sweater.

Finally, don’t be too hard on yourself if you go over budget despite your best efforts. You can always make up for it by cutting expenses outside the holiday season when you may face less temptation and pressure to buy.

For more information on how Coinstar works, visit www. coinstar.com.

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November 2017

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Life As A Caregiver Caregiver “Rules” They say (“they” being some of the experts) there are about “10 Absolutes” of communicating with an Alzheimer’s patient. I read these “absolutes” when our journey first began and felt that they seemed ‘one-size-fits-all’, but decided I would try to abide by them as best I could anyway.

Now I have come to learn that all Alzheimer’s patients are NOT the same…at least in the beginning.

My mom and I had a discussion about (and still discuss) some of those “absolutes”. And the one thing we both agreed on (as I mentioned in an earlier article) was that I would ALWAYS tell her the truth…even if it meant it was something she didn’t quite believe or want to hear.

It will be the truth, but I would (and do) work very hard on the manner in which I deliver the truth. For example: One of the ‘absolutes’ is: “Never argue; agree instead”. Well, we DO argue from time to time….because I am telling her something that is different from what she believes is true. I have learned to speak calmly, but sternly, about what that truth is….and she accepts, and trusts, that I am telling her the truth.

Two of the “absolutes” I totally agree with: “Never say “remember”; reminisce instead.”

And “Never say “I told you”; repeat instead.” I was very guilty of these two missteps in the beginning, as most people are.

Then it occurred to me….if they remembered in the first place, they wouldn’t be asking again or doing something and reacting like they never heard of it before.

One of the books I read early-on, was entitled “Learning to Speak

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Alzheimer’s”, by Joanne Koenig Coste. It is clearly a roadmap through this journey and it helps people like me understand and prepare for what is coming. One of the best pieces of advice the book gave me was the following: ‘In talking to a person with Alzheimer’s, the goal is to stimulate conversation and win trust on a personal level before expecting them to open up, because they often stay quiet.

The particular subject isn’t all that important; talking about movies we’ve seen (or ones I am going to see), or parties I’ve been to (or are going to) are good. (Sports, weddings, gardening and certainly animals are also good subjects that seem to have impact). Maintain eye contact to assure them you are truly listening. Be aware of the expression your face is conveying. Every chance you have to nod or pat their arm in affirmation will encourage confidence and help them not be as tentative about speaking.’

“I can no longer make apple strudel, but I can chop pecans or roll the dough or peel the fruit. I am here. I’ve not yet gone.”

“I am seeking. I am not lost. I am forgetful. I am not gone!

I know my mom gets scared.

And sometimes sad. I know she wonders what is happening to her. I try and tell her, but it is not from truly understanding what is inside her or what she’s feeling.

She thinks and talks about her mother (my Nana) a lot. More about her mother than my father. Her face lights up when she sees me. And Buddy. And her caregiver, Rose. We are her world; her tribe. She trusts me implicitly! And so I try my best!

Each day. That’s all I can do.

Submitted by Kathy Linton, West Valley Resident

She also shares various quotes which I still read as a reminder: “I’ve danced; I’ve sung; I’ve given birth; I’ve laughed; I’ve succeeded. Why is everyone so sad?

“Thank you for hanging a picture of a toilet on the bathroom door.

Thank you for not mentioning it.”

November 2017

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November 2017

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Puzzles & Games Sudoku for November

Thanksgiving Cryptogram

Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck!

Solution is on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com

8 3 9

5

5

7

6

2

7

6

7

9 8

6

5 4

6 3

Break the code to solve the list of Thanksgiving words.

Two letters have been provided for you. Solution is on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com

9

2 7

6

7

8

5

3

2

9 4

18 It’s A Grand Life

5 4 6

November 2017

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Thank You for 35 Years as Your Residential and Commerical Roofing Contractor!

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623.247.9252 It’s A Grand Life

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November 2017

19

20 It’s A Grand Life

November 2017