Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
July 2018
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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 All contents Š 2010-2018 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. Some content is provided by Brandpointe. 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
Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec
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July 2018
From Me To You... I pulled a crumpled lottery ticket from the bottom of my purse the other day and thought to myself, “I really should have won this by now.”
I have been plunking down $10 or so a week for the last quarter of a century and have very little to show for it. I follow all the rules, buying a ticket for all the big jackpots, I am ‘in it to win it’. And yet, no money. I take that back. There was that one time when we got 5 numbers. You would think that would get at least a few thousand dollars. Sadly our big payout was a mere $121. I know that if I had taken that $10 a week and deposited it at a rate of 5% I would have saved around $40,000. That is using my remedial math skills so I could be off by a few thousand. In fact the more I try to do the math the bigger my headache is getting. So if anyone out there wants to figure it out and let me know, go ahead. However you look at it, that is a big chunk of change. So why do I do it? Well for me it is not really about the payout. Sure the money would be wonderful, but I am not crazy enough to believe I would actually win. No, what I get out of this game is a dream. For the whole 3 or 4 days between buying the ticket and finding out that I am yet again not a millionaire, I have a world of COVER AD
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wonderful possibilities. I could fund my kids college anywhere they wanted to go, pay off their debts, pay off my debts, buy everyone a car, travel, travel some more, and live a life of freedom from the day to day drudgery. I would, of course, also save a large percentage so I would not join the ranks of lottery winning bankruptees. That ending is not part of my dream. I could spend time with my parents, make their lives as stress free as possible. I would be able to make a difference in other people’s lives too, donating to charities and worthwhile causes. So for a while my life is bright and shiny. Then I come back down to earth, turn on my computer and get back to work. I glance around my office and see pictures of my children graduating from college. My daughter’s wedding photo and information for my son’s wedding later this year. I see my dog curled up at my feet, legs twitching as he chases rabbits in his sleep. I remember that I need to take my son to football practice and plan for a date night with my husband. I have a pretty wonderful life right now. The thing we need to remember is that while it is wonderful to dream and build castles in the sky, there is a real world right here in front of us. It can be bright and shiny too. I have great kids who are growing and achieving their goals, a husband who loves me and is always by my side, a roof over my head and clothes on my back. Not to mention a devoted, smelly dog. Not too shabby. What playing the lottery actually does for me is make me appreciate all the wonderful things that exist in my life right now. My advice to you is to keep your eyes open and follow your dreams for sure, but it doesn’t hurt to buy a ticket occasionally. Someone’s got to win it, right? Catherine Uretsky
Editor, The Hamlet magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623-594-9283 July 2018
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Summer On The Go From barbecues to sporting events and family vacations, summer can be the busiest time of year for families - but, there are some easy tips and tricks you can use to stay on top of a busy routine. Take it from busy mom, entrepreneur, philanthropist and lifestyle blogger Samantha Busch, who manages to juggle it all while traveling around the country with her husband, stock car driver Kyle Busch, and their 3-year-old son, Brexton. Here are five tips from Samantha to manage a busy routine this summer: 1. Plan ahead: If I know we have a busy week ahead, I do as much as I can to prepare in advance. If it’s before a trip, that might mean researching fun places to explore with my son. Now that we have Brexton, things have changed in many ways with how we travel, including where we choose to stay and what we do during our downtime on the road.
4. Stay connected: Over the years, I’ve learned that communication is key when juggling a busy schedule and keeping in touch with family and friends on the road. Thankfully smartphones make it easy to keep loved ones in the loop by sending a group text or using photo sharing apps to share new memories together. 5. Take a family break: Summers are so jam packed that it’s hard to find time to spend as a family. Take a break from your daily to-dos and plan an activity or trip that allows you to stop and spend quality time together. Whether it’s one day or an entire weekend, try not to think about any responsibilities, just focus on relaxing and making special memories as a family. This summer, focus your energy on adventures, making memories and sharing time with those you love most.
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2. Multitask during downtime: If you’ve ever seen me at a race, you know that I am usually on my phone - I love to watch Kyle’s races, but I also use that time to get things done - from updating my blog, to responding to emails and interacting with fans on social media no matter where I’m at. Just because I’m not home doesn’t mean my business or charitable foundations stop running. .
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3. Say no sometimes: Do you ever feel like you’re constantly on the move and there’s never enough time to get it all done? We’ve all been there. We get caught up in various activities and suddenly we look up and the summer is halfway over. Remember that it’s OK to say no. Whether it’s an event you’ve been invited to or a nagging chore on your list, give yourself permission to say no and don’t give it a second thought.
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July 2018
Positive Parenting This year, some 15.2 million students are slated for enrollment in America’s public and private post-secondary institutions, up from 15 million last year. If you’re a student or parent, that means it may be time to transport key belongings to a new living space. That process can be emotionally bittersweet. Fortunately, forewarned is forearmed, and there’s much you can do to make the process easier for everyone involved. Consider the following suggestions for making a move to college efficient and friction-free. 1. Be selective. When packing, use your collegeprovided checklist as a guide, setting aside the essential items needed to make your first term at school convenient and comfortable. Remember that college dorm rooms and apartments tend to be small, so avoid bringing unnecessary clothing, knickknacks or valuables.
inadvertently packing away important papers, identification, credit cards, medications, glasses or contacts and other important items, set aside a “carry-on” bag you’ll keep in your car during your travels. 5. Pack your truck strategically. Use your space well by positioning heavier items in the back of your vehicle before proceeding with lighter items. That optimizes the vehicle’s power and allows you to fit smaller items into smaller spaces. 6. Stay secure. Unfortunately, students are often targeted for theft during the hectic moving process. Protect your belongings by parking only in well-lit and well-attended areas when you stop, and padlocking the back doors of your vehicle when it’s not in use. Back-to-college time can be ultra-busy while filled with anticipation and hope for what lies ahead.
2. Assemble your tools. Secure cardboard boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, moving blankets and/ or markers well before your move, and make sure you call at least two weeks ahead to reserve your moving vehicle. 3. Identify everything. Mark the outside of packed boxes with descriptions so contents are will be easy to find. 4. Keep crucial items separate. Instead of
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July 2018
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Money Matters How big is your retirement nest egg? Is there a chance you could outlive it? Even if you’re socking money into your 401(k) every paycheck like clockwork, that’s a question worth pondering. Americans are living longer, more active, younger lives. They say that 60 is the new 40, and if you look around at who we used to call “senior citizens,” you’ll see people in their prime. That’s the good news. It also presents a problem. We’re all facing a silent, growing crisis. Study after study, shows that many Americans underestimate their retirement expenses. Today, retirement isn’t the end of your life, it’s a transition point. It’s about enjoying the fruits of your labors without the stress of your 9-to-5. Will you have enough money to do that for the rest of your life?
One way to get a regular “paycheck” during retirement, Sluyter says, is with annuities. But they’re not top of mind for many people, and misinformation and confusion is floating around out there, even in financial advisors’ offices.
What are annuities, exactly, and how do they differ from other retirement savings? Here’s a short course in Annuity 101. An annuity is an insurance product that guarantees income. Just like an insurance policy, you pay into it, often in a lump sum, and it guarantees you monthly, quarterly or yearly payouts for the rest of your life. There are three different types: Fixed annuity. These allow you to lock in a rate of earning that, even over lengthy periods of time, remain unaffected by market ups and downs. Indexed annuity. This is tied to a stock index, giving the annuity the potential to grow if the index goes up. If it goes down, you still get any minimum rate of return you agreed to when you bought it. Variable annuity. If you’ve got high risk tolerance, this may be the best choice for you. Your lump sum is invested, there’s no minimum interest rate guarantee and you may lose money. Talk to your financial advisor for more information and see if annuities are right for you.
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July 2018
Senior Living It’s a conversation no family wants to have, but one that can be vitally important - talking to a loved one about memory loss or cognitive decline.
Mary Foss of Eagan, Minnesota, said she knew it was time to broach this sensitive topic with her husband Darrell when she noticed he was having difficulty doing the home improvement projects he had enjoyed all his life.
director of Information and Support Services at the Alzheimer’s Association. “Family members are typically the first to notice when something is not quite right and it’s important to discuss these concerns and follow up with your doctor.” During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month the Alzheimer’s Association is offering these six tips to help families facilitate conversations about Alzheimer’s and other dementias: 1. Have the conversation as early as possible Addressing memory or cognition problems early offers an opportunity to identify the cause and take action before a crisis situation occurs.
As Darrell’s retreat from activities he once loved grew, so did Mary’s concern. Eventually, Mary and the couple’s adult daughter, Michele, decided to share their concerns.
2. Think about who’s best suited to initiate the conversation - If there is a family member, close friend or trusted adviser who holds sway, include them in the conversation.
“We just told him that something is not right and you need to see a doctor and figure out what it is,” Foss said. “I thought maybe he had a mini-stroke or a brain tumor. We were shocked when the diagnosis came back as mild cognitive impairment, possibly Alzheimer’s.”
3. Practice conversation starters - Be thoughtful in your approach. For example, consider an open-ended question such as, “I’ve noticed a few changes in your behavior lately, and I wanted to see if you’ve noticed these changes as well?”
The Fosses’ story is not uncommon. Talking about memory or cognition problems with a family member can be daunting for many families. Denial, fear and difficulty initiating conversations about this sensitive subject are common barriers. “Alzheimer’s disease is challenging, but talking about it doesn’t have to be,” said Ruth Drew, Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
4. Offer your support and companionship - Let your family member know that you’re willing to accompany them to the doctor and offer your continuous support throughout the diagnosis process. 5. Anticipate gaps in self-awareness - Someone experiencing cognitive decline may be unaware of problems. Be prepared to navigate confusion, denial and withdrawal, as people may not want to acknowledge their mental functioning is declining. 6. Recognize the conversation may not go as planned - A family member may not be open to discussion. Unless it’s a crisis situation, don’t force the conversation. Take a step back, regroup and revisit the subject in a week or two. For more information, visit alz.org/6Tips or www. alz.org.
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July 2018
Getting Crafty Crafting is a wonderful way to relieve stress and express your creative side - and fortunately, you don’t have to be a master craftsman - or spend a fortune on materials - to have fun and enjoy the benefits. “A great way to get into crafting is by ‘upcycling’ - bringing new life into items you already have,” said Dinah Wulf, author and blogger of the website DIY Inspired. “Some of my favorite projects can be done with ordinary household items and just a dab of glue.” Here are four easy upcycled projects to get your creative juices flowing. A cork cell phone stand? Wine-not? Wine corks make excellent crafting material, so instead of throwing the cork away once the bottle is empty, put it to use by creating a stand for your smartphone. All that you need for this cute project are 24 corks and a sturdy, quick-drying glue. Start by stacking the corks in a pyramid shape, applying just a thin layer of glue to where the corks meet. Press each bond together for 30 seconds to ensure a strong hold. Next, just add one extra row of corks at the bottom for the phone to rest on, and repeat with the adhesive. Allow to cure for 30 minutes. In less than five minutes, you’ve created a unique resting place for your phone that keeps it handy while you work at your desk or look up recipes in the kitchen.
rhinestones or old figurines - even old decorative salt or pepper shakers. Simply dab a bit of adhesive on the item, then press into the box for 30 seconds to seal. It’s the perfect gift for the little princess in your life.
A bird feeder to tweet about One of Wulf’s favorite projects is creating an eyecatching bird feeder made from an old saucer and teacup. It’s a way to repurpose old dishes that you no longer use, while also bringing some whimsy to the backyard. Simply lay the cup on its side on top of the saucer, and check to see where the cup and saucer touch. Next, apply the adhesive to these two areas to set and press together for 30 seconds. To keep the cup from rolling as it sets, place two small items on either side. After it cures for 30 minutes, it will be ready to fill with bird seed and hang. Beyond crafting for fun, use your newfound crafting skills to repair other household items such as flower pots and picture frames. Your first instinct may be to trash the pieces and shop for replacements, but by repairing your items instead of replacing, you can save significant amounts of money, as well as hang on to irreplaceable heirlooms and items with sentimental value.
A dazzling jewelry box for hidden treasures For an easy, budget-friendly crafting project, Wulf recommends scouring flea markets and garage sales for old ceramic boxes. With a little dressing up, they make the perfect jewelry box for you or a young one. Start by spray-painting the box in your desired color. Once dry, embellish with Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
July 2018
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July 2018
DIY Painting
Nothing transforms a home quite like a fresh coat of paint. In fact, painting your own house is one of the smartest and easiest DIY upgrades a homeowner can accomplish on their own. Before reaching for a paintbrush, follow these paint preparation tips from the experts at DAP. Clean Up Your Act - Paint adheres better to a smooth, clean surface. While living room walls may only need a dry dusting, kitchens and bathrooms, where dirt, grease, oil or mildew can build up, need extra attention. Wash surfaces with soap and water, rinse well and allow them to fully dry. For bathrooms, remove mildew by applying a solution of one-part bleach to threeparts water and allow the solution to sit for 20 minutes. Then scrub the mildew with a soft-bristle brush, rinse the surface and allow it to dry. Be sure to wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when working with this bleach-and-water solution.
loose or cracked caulking from windows, doors and trim, and apply a fresh bead of sealant for a smooth, sealed surface. Fill It Up - Now it’s time to tackle the main surface. Cracks, holes and dents will mar the finished project, so apply spackle to fill in these areas. Paint with Precision - Make the job go easier and faster by having a variety of brushes and rollers on hand. Rollers are great for covering large, wide surfaces, but for a professional look around edges and corners, you’ll need smaller brushes for the right amount of detailed work. Moisten rollers and brushes in water beforehand, as this will help the paint glide more smoothly onto the surface. Allow the first coat of paint to completely dry, and then apply a second coat to ensure smooth, even coverage. Once the second coat is dry, carefully pull up any painter’s tape and voila! Your space is transformed!
Scrape and Sand - Now that the surface is dry, smooth down the surface with a bit of finegrit sandpaper. This is particularly important if painting over a glossy finish, as paint applies more evenly to dull surfaces. In addition, going over the area with sandpaper will help uncover any cracks, holes or dents that could diminish the final look of your project. Another pro tip is to shine a bright light at a low angle across the surface to spot any problem areas. After you have sanded or scraped the area, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue. Don’t Forget the Details - Anyone can paint over a wide, smooth surface, but it’s the attention to detail around windows and doors that truly separates a mediocre job from the pros. Use painter’s tape to protect window sills, molding, baseboards, door hinges and the ceiling perimeter, taking your time to ensure that every corner is properly protected. These areas are also prone to gaps and cracks. Remove any Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
July 2018
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Yum Yum!
Summer is upon us and that means one thing ... grilling. Gather your friends and family for a barbecue with your favorite recipes, including fresh pork! Chef Ernest Servantes officially kicked-off Grilling Season in Miami doing what he does best: cooking up something special on the grill. Chef Servantes has all of the tips and secrets to help you become the hero of your grill this summer! Costillas de Tejas - Texas Ribs 2 racks Spareribs, membrane removed 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons ancho chile powder 1 tablespoon smoked or sweet paprika 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt Pinch cayenne or chipotle powder Freshly ground black pepper Barbecue sauce 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 small sweet yellow onion, coarsely chopped 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 1 cup ketchup 1/3 cup cold water 1 chipotle chile, chopped (from can of chipotle chiles in adobo) 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1 heaping tablespoon, Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon molasses 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or sherry vinegar) 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder 1 tablespoon sweet Spanish paprika
Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. 3. Scrape the barbecue sauce into bowl of food processor or blender; puree until smooth or desired consistency. Let cool to room temperature. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Can be used immediately, however flavors will be more complex if kept overnight. Extra sauce can be stored in refrigerator for up to one week. 4. Heat oven to 200F. Place wire rack on aluminum foil covered baking sheet. Combine brown sugar, ancho chile powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, cayenne and black pepper in small bowl; mix well. 5. Place 2 sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil on counter. Place each rib rack on a piece of foil; sprinkle generous amount of spice rub over meaty side and massage into the meat. Turn over ribs and repeat on bone side. Seal ribs in foil and place, meaty side down, on rack on baking sheet. 6. Bake ribs at 200F for 4 hours; reduce oven temperature to 175F and bake an additional 2 hours, until ribs are very tender and just about falling off the bone. 7. Brush barbecue sauce over ribs; cut and serve. Makes: 4 to 6 servings
1. To make barbecue sauce, heat oil in saucepan over medium-high until warm and shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in ketchup and water; bring to boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. 2. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a simmer. 12 Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
July 2018
Looking Good
As environmentally aware Americans join the movement to reduce, reuse and recycle, many are turning to the past to find unique, well-made vintage pieces to complement their wardrobes.
The hunt for great vintage wear has become so popular that we’re spending some $4 billion annually on such fun finds, reports the Huffington Post. “For many it offers individuality, affordability, and that feel-good moment of rescuing an item from the landfill and reducing the environmental footprint,” writes Kate Black in that article. “This also makes it the retail unicorn, that rare occasion when a single store can appeal to stylish fashionistas, value-conscious consumers and passionate environmentalists.”
4. Narrow wire hangers can create wrinkles, bumps and bulges in aged, delicate fabrics. Instead, choose wider and/or padded hanger styles that better distribute the weight of each garment. Vintage fashionistas often prefer heavyduty wooden hangers, while others swear by the velvet-covered varieties that keep silky fabrics from slipping off. For pants and skirts, seek out specially designed hangers that ward off unnecessary creases. 5. Care for your treasured vintage items between wearings by folding sweaters onto shelves or in drawers, storing handbags and shoes in dust bags, then freshening items up between cleanings. Vintage clothing can be a unique, environmentally friendly and cost-efficient means to add flair to your wardrobe. Know how to care for your vintage pieces so you will continue to enjoy the past far into the future.
Building a distinctive, one-of-a-kind vintage wardrobe can be fun and easy once you learn a few guidelines for finding and caring for your collection. Co-founder and chief creative officer at What Goes Around Comes Around, Gerard Maione, shares these tips to best maintain your vintage and hard-to-care-for pieces so you can keep festival style season going all year round:
MS sat me down.
I will
dance
at my daughters’ weddings.
1. Aim for versatility with fabrics such as cashmere and silk that can be easily layered to work well through every season. Look for well-cut pieces that can transition from day to night with simple shifts in accessories.
Jim
Dad. Podcaster. Diagnosed in 1998. Explore powerful stories of people doing whatever it takes at nationalMSsociety.org/jim
2. Choose quality over quantity. Whether you’re opting for vintage or new clothing, pieces featuring high-quality fabrics and construction will stand the test of time - as long as they’re well treated. 3. Read and carefully follow cleaning recommendations, ensuring that you’re using appropriately gentle wash cycle or steam options. msaw_ad_jim.indd 1
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The Bug Guy Monsoon season is here!
Hello neighbors its July and its time for some rain, and maybe a Haboob. Here a few things to think about during our monsoon season. With an increase in relative humidity we will see more insect activity, like termites, mosquitoes, bees, ants, roaches, and a whole lot of other bugs. Its common after a heavy rain to find the occasional bug in your house as they too are trying to get out of the rain. Termite activity generally picks up during periods of higher than normal humidity, and we can see termite swarms during this time too. This is also the time when the Sonoran Desert Scorpions are more active, the larger ones, 3-6 inches in length are very active through the end of September.
Keep an eye on the weather as we can get some high winds and very heavy rain, these storms can be dangerous if you’re caught out in them. Watch out for flash flooding and stay out of low water areas. Never drive through flowing water on the road. You can mitigate damage to your trees by making sure that they are trimmed and maintained. Make sure your patio umbrellas are contained and your patio furniture is secure as these items can be carried away by a strong wind. Several years ago, after a storm there was a trampoline on the side of the flag hill. Imagine a trampoline flying halfway up a mountainside. Haboob, stay inside, avoid being outside during a dust storm as much as possible. Valley Fever can become airborne during a dust storm, and you don’t want to get it. If you are driving and the visibility decreases pull off the road and turn off all lights, and don’t use your hazard lights either. Wait for the conditions to improve and continue your trip. Information provided by Larry Cash Estrella Mountain Pest Control
Small bugs like earwigs and sow bugs that live in the ground along your foundation will also attempt to get in your home during or after a good rain.
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July 2018
Life as a Caregiver It has been six months since I placed my mother in a group home care facility for Alzheimer’s patients. The care she receives there is very good. She always looks clean, she is well-fed, and they make her as comfortable as possible. But I am losing her.
I used to visit her about every other day. Then it was more like three times-a-week. Now it is oncea-week. Why? Well, it’s certainly not because I’m too busy to go there or that it’s too far away or that I don’t love my mother enough! The reason for that is it makes me sad to see her there…. even on a good day. By a “good day”, I mean, a day that she knows it’s me; a day that means she is not combative or in head pain; a day that we have a small amount of conversation. The people who care for her are nice and converse with her the best they can. But, mom is in a place where she is unable to retain an attention-span or care much about the things around her. When she knows it’s me, I suspect she knows I’m someone special, but I doubt that she truly knows I’m her daughter or what a daughter really means. About a month ago, Hospice contacted me after talking with mom’s care staff. Their call scared me at first because I only knew Hospice as providing end-of-life care. However, I learned that they offer specialized care services, as well, as an extra step to stabilize mom and keep her as healthy as possible. Such services are covered
under Medicare and include a nurse who comes every- otherday to check her vitals and administer any meds she may need, a social worker to make sure she’s being cared-for properly by the group home, and a spiritual advisor who will pray with her should she want that. The nurse calls me once-a-week to keep me updated on her condition and to offer me any suggestions. One of the things plaguing mom recently is several UTI’s, something quite common in Alzheimer’s patients. They are common because patients often ‘forget’ to drink water (which is where the care staff helps out) and don’t urinate as frequently as healthy people do because they aren’t as active as they once were. But these UTI’s can be dangerous if they are not caught and cleared up quickly. The woman I see laying in the bed or reclined in the family room chair each time I come to visit isn’t the woman I once knew. She is alive, but not living. She is my mother, but she doesn’t mother. She is fading and moving through the last stages of this horrible disease. And all I can do is watch. And pray (to whomever represents my spiritual strength) to take her and give her the peace she deserves. That is my preparation for the inevitable that is coming soon. The take-away here is that there ARE people and organizations around who can help with this inevitability. It is NOT in our best interest to hide our heads in the sand, no matter how much we’d like to. Hospice is a Heaven-sent. Use them. Let them help you and your loved one as they are helping my mom and me. Believe me, it is the best thing you can do…and one of the only things!!
Submitted by Kathy Linton, West Valley Resident
Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
July 2018
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Sudoku Solution
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Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solution is on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
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Sudoku for July
Puzzles & Games
5 Color your best 4th of July Flag!
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Fourth of July Word Scramble Unscramble the words, then use the highlighted letters to write out the scrambled secret message. Solution is on our website www.estrellapublishing.com
Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
July 2018
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Carer’s Needs When David Bowen’s father fell taking out the trash in 2016, it set in motion a series of health challenges the family is still battling together. Bowen, 62, hired a part-time professional caregiver to assist his father along with his mother, who was battling Alzheimer’s, but he found himself serving as a caregiver much of the time, too.
“I’d go by [their home] after work three days a week; we called it the ‘40-mile triangle’ - 40 miles to work, 40 miles to their house, then 40 miles back home,” Bowen said. “I’d stop and get dinner on the way, sit and visit, redress dad’s wounds and humor mom, then head for home.” Caregivers are the unsung heroes of the health care system. The responsibility can mean increased stress and anxiety, which can affect family dynamics, nutrition habits, physical fitness and overall well-being. Many people take unpaid leave from their jobs, reduce work hours, change careers or quit altogether to care for an aging loved one. The 2018 Northwestern Mutual C.A.R.E. Study revealed that two of three caregivers reduce their living expenses to pay for the medical and practical needs of their loved ones, yet nearly half of future caregivers said they have made no financial plans to prepare. While this can be challenging, caregivers take immense pride in this important role, and most wouldn’t trade the opportunity. In fact, a recent Merrill Lynch-Age Wave study found that 91 percent of caregivers feel grateful to care for someone and 77 percent would do it again.
and critical responsibility. The good news is there are resources and services that can help make life as a caregiver a bit easier.
* The National Family Caregiver Support Program offers medical, emotional, financial and legal advice and training to adult family members who provide in-home and community care for people aged 60 or older and to people older than 55 who care for children under 18. * AARP’s Caregiver Resource Center offers guides for first-time caregivers, families and those who care for a loved one at home. These include financial and legal considerations and advice on how to maintain caregiver-life balance. * The Administration for Community Living doesn’t work directly with individuals, it is a good place for a caregiver to start on the circuitous path to financial support. The organization provides funds to help older adults and people with disabilities live where they choose to for as long as they can, and has provided billions of dollars to programs in every state. “Dad and I, we’re trying to put a new life together for him, and it’s tough,” said Bowen. “But support from all over has kept me on my feet and moving forward.”
Regardless of what leads someone to assume the role of caregiver, and whether they do so willingly, out of a sense of obligation or both, one thing is certain: Caregivers need and deserve support as they navigate a demanding, emotional 18 Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
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