Forward Focus Sept. 2018 edition

FiftyForward supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older.

174 Rains Avenue Nashville, TN 37203

Forever young ...

Forever FiftyForward FiftyForward Executive Director Janet Jernigan to step down after 28 years at the helm (page 3)

Phone: (615) 743-3400 FAX: (615) 743-3480 Connect with us ďŹ ftyforward.org Facebook.com/FiftyForward @FiftyForward

FiftyForward Center Locations Davidson County Bordeaux Donelson Station Knowles Madison Station J. L. Turner Center Williamson County College Grove Martin Center FiftyForward Volunteer Programs Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Friends Learning In Pairs (FLIP) Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) FiftyForward Supportive Care Services Adult Day Services Care Management Care Team Conservatorship Meals on Wheels Victory Over Crime FiftyForward Endowment Forward Focus FiftyForward Travel The Larry Keeton Theatre (Senior Center for the Arts)

FiftyForward Board of Directors 2018-2019 Board Officers

Dr. Beth Woodard, President Jennifer Joyce, Secretary Pete Stringer, Treasurer Forward Focus is published quarterly by FiftyForward. An annual subscription is included with yearly dues to FiftyForward. We welcome annual subscriptions from non-members at $15.

To subscribe, contact Misa Acox, editor, macox@fiftyforward.org.

Advertisements appearing in Forward Focus do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the newspaper, but the staff will not knowingly accept ads which are misleading, fraudulent, objectionable, unethical or illegal.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Janet Jernigan COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Susan W. Sizemore (615) 743-3411 ssizemore@fiftyforward.org GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PUBLICATIONS MANAGER ADVERTISING SALES Misa Acox (615) 743-3430 macox@fiftyforward.org

FiftyForward 174 Rains Ave. Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 743-3400 fiftyforward.org Our Mission: FiftyForward supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older.

The inclusion of submitted articles does not imply an endorsement of FiftyForward.

Funding sources for programs and services include the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, the United Way of Williamson County, Metro Nashville Government, City of Brentwood, Williamson County Commission, Metro Arts Commission, Victims of Crimes Act, DHS, TDMHDD, GNRCAAA, Corp. for National and Community Service, private foundations, individuals, organizations/corporations, and FiftyForward special events and campaigns. FiftyForward is committed to fair and equitable treatment and protection of all employees, volunteers, and beneficiaries of our services.

A profile of FiftyForward may be found at www.givingmatters.com.

With your generous contributions, FiftyForward continues to support older adults in the community through our comprehensive programming. To support our mission, please visit www.fiftyforward.org/donate.

2 | Forward Focus

Board Members

Jimmy Allen Mike Alleyne Michelle Baron Michael Bradley Newtonia Coleman Debbie Crigger Sondra Cruikshanks Cullen Earnest Dr. Mike Edgeworth Tracy Evers Vanessa Hickman Erin Johnson Mary Herbert Kelly

Lifetime Members Charlie Cardwell Patricia Hart

Dr. Jim Lancaster Scott Lenz, Jr Sally McKay Lamar Moore Becky Nergenah Sanders William Scarborough Paige Thompson Andrea Turner Karen Williams Dr. Meera Wright Allyson Young Donna Yurdin Theresa Zuckowsky

FiftyForward Advisory Council 2018 Bill LaFollette, Chair Brenda Albright Clay Bailey Ed Birthright Seawell Brandau Laurel Buntin Charlie Cardwell John W. (Wally) Dant III Betty Dunn Carolyn Ermey Brenda Gilmore Don Greene Irma Kaplan Aileen Katcher Mary Herbert Kelly

Heloise W. Kuhn Kim Harvey Looney Tara MacDougall Hilda McGregor Barbara Moss Carla Nelson Randall W. Parham Emily Plotkin Tracy Rode Anne Roos Lisa Small Laura Smith Denine Torr Sally Wolfe

ON THE COVER Featured on the cover is our “steadfast and true” Executive Director Janet Jernigan who has given more than 28 years to the agency.

She is stepping down to pursue other interests, most of which include spending time with family, biking, running and triathalons. And riding her horses. And of course, dessert.

Photo: FiftyForward/Misa Acox

FiftyForward Directory General information and FiftyForward administration FiftyForward Centers

FiftyForward Bordeaux 3315 John Mallette Drive, Nashville 37218

(615) 248-2272

FiftyForward College Grove 8607 Horton Hwy, College Grove 37046

(615) 368-7093

FiftyForward Donelson Station 108 Donelson Pike, Nashville 37214

(615) 883-8375

FiftyForward Knowles 174 Rains Ave., Nashville 37203

(615) 743-3433

FiftyForward Madison Station 301 Madison St., Madison 37115

(615) 860-7180

FiftyForward Martin Center 960 Heritage Way, Brentwood 37027

(615) 376-0102

FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center 8101 Highway 100, Nashville 37221

(615) 622-3040

Supportive Care Services FiftyForward Endowment Board Mary Herbert Kelly, President Don Greene, Secretary Ed Carter, Treasurer Stephen Boles Seawell Brandau Carolyn Ermey Tony Hoffman Jeremy Kath Mercedes Lytle James McGregor Jana Lisle Parham

(615) 743-3400

FiftyForward Adult Day Services

(615) 463-2266

FiftyForward Living at Home Care Management (Davidson County) (615) 743-3416 FiftyForward Living at Home Care Management (Williamson County) (615) 376-0102

Greer Redden Patti St. Clair Alex Tolbert Honorary Members Joe Chickey Tony Hoffman Scott McKean

Connect with us:

Calendars, events, program information are available at www.FiftyForward.org

FiftyForward Conservatorship FiftyForward Care Team FiftyForward Victory Over Crime FiftyForward Meals on Wheels

(615) 743-3436 (615) 743-3436 (615) 743-3417 (615) 463-2264

Community Volunteer Opportunities

FiftyForward Foster Grandparent Program (615) 743-3420 FiftyForward Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) (615) 743-3424 FiftyForward Friends Learning In Pairs (615) 743-3422

Additional programs FiftyForward Travel The Larry Keeton Theatre (The Senior Center for the Arts) All of Us Research Program

(615) 231-1235 (615) 883-8375

Forward Focus

(615) 743-3430

(615) 743-3431

FiftyForward Executive Director Janet Jernigan to retire after nearly 50 years in the Nashville nonprofit community

By Susan Sizemore Communications Director, FiftyForward

Community advocate. Nonprofit nurturer. Triathlete. Senior Olympian.

That’s Janet Jernigan. After a 52-plus-year career in nonprofit leadership positions in Middle Tennessee — including almost three decades of developing innovative, high-quality programs and services for older adults — Jernigan, executive director of FiftyForward, will be retiring from the 62-year-old nonprofit at the end of the calendar year.

As the executive director of FiftyForward for 28 plus years, Jernigan has, without a doubt, demonstrated her commitment to the FiftyForward mission to support, champion and enhance life for those 50 and older.

A little known fact regarding Jernigan is that she was one of the founders of the Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM). At the time (mid-1980s)

Honor Janet’s Legacy The Janet Jernigan Legacy Fund, a part of FiftyForward Endowment, will kick off in October 2018 through June 2019. All funds raised for this endowment will be preserved and the earnings will annually support the good work of FiftyForward forever.

Donors may designate which parts of FiftyForward their gifts will support: general operations, specific programs, or centers. We welcome gifts of cash, check, credit card, stock, or pledges over three years. For planned gifts, we invite you to include FiftyForward in your will or other means, and we will be glad to discuss those opportunities confidentially.

Let’s use this opportunity to thank Janet and provide for the future of FiftyForward!

If you’d like more information on how to give, we would love to help.

Please contact us: Jim McGregor, Campaign Chair 615-579-8760; jameslmcgregor@comcast.net Karin Weaver FiftyForward Development Director 615-743-3434; kweaver@fiftyforward.org

executive directors of nonprofit organizations were looking for guidance on a variety of nonprofit leadership issues including strategic planning, board development, policies and procedures as well as fundraising. Jernigan, who was serving in a volunteer capacity as chair of the training committee of the Council of United Way Agencies, learned of the Management Assistance Program that was operated by United Ways in several communities across the country. One day she was sharing her perception of the need for a similar program in our community with then Executive Director of the HCA Foundation Ida Cooney who said she was aware of the programs in other communities and that the HCA Foundation would be interested in providing some of the funding to start a program in Middle Tennessee. Realizing that the United Way of America’s Volunteer Leadership Conference would be held in Nashville shortly thereafter, the duo developed a plan to talk with the president of the United Way of America when he was in town. During the conference Jernigan and Cooney set up a meeting with the national president and the president of the United Way of Middle Tennessee that launched a task force to develop a program to meet the training needs of nonprofit leaders in our community. Today, CNM is the hub of nonprofit training and resources in Nashville. In 1999, Jernigan was awarded the first Bank of America CEO of the Year award at the Center for Nonprofit Management’s Salute to Excellence.

Paying it forward When Jernigan graduated from Vanderbilt she reached out to a few key community leaders to gain insight on working in Nashville. The kindness and open doors offered by a number of individuals including: Bill Moynihan, former executive director of Family and Children’s Services and the Council of Community Services; Dr. Leonard Morgan, a psychologist with the Department of Mental Health; Rachel Touchton, assistant commissioner, Tennessee Department of Human Services; and Dr. Murphy Thomas, then CEO, Rutherford County Guidance Center, did not go unnoticed. At that point, Jernigan committed herself to offering the same kindness to others in her professional circle.

To date, Jernigan estimates that she has met with and given advice to 400-500 individuals, averaging one a month. It’s no doubt that these individuals are moving the needle of influence and goodness around us well beyond our community.

What’s in Jernigan’s future?

One might ask, now what will Jernigan do with her time? She is committed to giving back to the greater community and to staying active. She and

her husband French have a farm with opportunities that are endless. In her continue quest to “do good,” — and after nearly five decades of doing good in the community — one might say that doing good is simply part of Jernigan’s DNA. To that point and following a great deal of investigation, the Jernigans have signed an option for a conservation easement to restore, create and/ or enhance wetlands and streams along 14,000 feet of their property. It’s no surprise Janet and her husband are now looking at giving back to Mother Earth by dedicating some of their property back to nature. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow Janet Jernigan continues to be an advocate to make the world a better place.

“

I am proud of the many achievements FiftyForward has had over the years as we worked together with staff, volunteers, donors and community partners to develop resources and new opportunities for adults 50 and older. Every day, our magnificent teammates and I see the significant difference our organization makes in the lives of thousands of older adults, their families and children served through our intergenerational programs.

FiftyForward has led the way in bringing direct services, lifelong learning and volunteer opportunities to support one of the most rapidly growing segments of the population. By living true to our mission to support, champion and enhance lives of those 50 and older, we are strengthening our entire community.”

–Janet Jernigan

As Middle Tennessee continues to evolve in many ways, one thing remains constant and that is the care and nurturing we have for one another especially centered in doing for others. To gain more insight on Jernigan’s impact on the nonprofit community, we reached out to a number of community leaders for insight. Please see page 15 for testimonials.

Fall 2018 | 3

Special feature

Special feature

Supportive Care Services

Caregiving

How to have those difficult conversations

By Gretchen Funk, Associate Executive Director FiftyForward Supportive Care Services

is suffering, but, everyone’s feelings matter. Talk about what concerns you and what you want for the person you care about - health, independence, happiness.

In time of test, family is best. –Burmese Proverb This wise saying is layered with meaning. Family (the one we are born into or the one we create) is often the best place to turn for help in a time of need, and difficult times can bring out the best in families.

While issues like depression and substance abuse can become a problem at any stage in life, families often feel unprepared and overwhelmed in difficult circumstances. It is tempting to think that if we don’t talk about problems, they will go away; however, that is seldom the case. Opioid overuse, for instance, is likely to get worse rather than go away on its own.

Based on work with our families, here are pointers on how best to engage in difficult, but necessary conversations: 1. Carefully set the stage. Engage when both parties are most likely to be at their best. If addiction is an issue, talk when your loved one is sober. Think about yourself - don’t engage when you are tired, hungry or angry. Talk in private without distractions. Plan who will be with you. “Interventions” in the movies with a big group dramatically confronting the person with the “problem” are seldom the way to go.

4. Be clear – don’t sandwich your concerns in among other things. Keep the discussion focused. Don’t talk about the weather, the soccer game, Aunt Sally’s health and mention your concern in the middle of everything else. You risk leaving your loved one wondering – “what was that all about?”

5. Expect denials. Your loved one is likely to offer denials and excuses. Don’t engage in a back and forth. Lay out your concerns and then move on.

6. Plan for next steps. Agree to talk about the problem again at another set time, accompany your loved one to the doctor, or engage a professional to explore options.

The FiftyForward Care Team is a resource to help families address these and other aging-related needs. Contact Kristen Maloney for more information or to schedule a care assessment: 615-743-3436; kmaloney@fiftyforward.org.

Photo: Dan Heller (DZH Photo)

2. Offer facts. Speak respectfully and avoid saying things like “You are a mess.

Your life is a disaster.” Instead use facts such as Sometimes you’re a superwoman “Yesterday you did not get out of and sometimes you could bed.” “It has been use some help. a month since you came over to our Learn how FiftyForward® can support you house for dinner.”

Tremendous with our experience as you help your loved stigma and shame ones find the resources they need. accompany mental illness Established in 1956, FiftyForward supports, and addiction. champions and enhances life for those 50 and older.

Plan your words carefully to be non-judgmental.

These difficulties are terrible, but they can happen to www.FiftyForward.org anyone at any time.

Caregiver. Daughter. Wife. Sister. Mom.

3. Talk about your feelings. “Mom, I am really worried about you.” Loved ones worry that they should not add to the burden of someone who 4 | Forward Focus

(615) 743-3400 Follow us on:

Centers

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Resources

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Programs

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Volunteer Opportunities

FiftyForward Victory Over Crime advocates for older adult crime victims every day

Government Imposter Scams Government imposter scammers target older adults in the United States every day. In this type of scam, perpetrators may pose as representatives from government agencies like the police department or IRS and contact individuals saying that the person is in some sort of trouble and the only way out of it is to pay a fee. Scammers posing as police officers might tell you there is a warrant out for your arrest. Criminals posing as IRS officials might tell you that you owe thousands of dollars in back taxes. Scammers may present themselves as government officials and can be very convincing. Sometimes they will provide you with a fake badge number or even know the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. They can even fake what name shows up on your caller ID. Do not be fooled!

If someone from a government agency contacts you demanding money: •

Do not give out your personal or financial information. This includes over the phone, by text, or email.

•

Never send money. Be especially suspicious if someone asks for money in the form of gift cards. A government agency will never ask for money in this form.

•

If you do get scammed by a scammer posing as a government official, contact the company you used to send the money and tell them it was fraudulent. You might be able to recover some of the money.

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Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/submitconsumer-complaint-ftc

FiftyForward

Adult Day Services Come have fun with us!

At Adult Day Services, adults 50 and older who may have cognitive, memory, health or physical needs can continue to thrive and enjoy an active social life. At this social model day program, we offer senior enrichment by engaging in both mental and physical learning opportunities in a safe, fun and enjoyable environment. Caregivers know their loved one is well cared for and engaged in meaningful activities.

Visit us today!

Second Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd.

Open Monday – Friday , 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. fiftyforward.org

For more information, call FiftyForward Adult Day Services

(615) 463-2266

Service is provided on a sliding fee scale based on income, assets and expenses. Subsidized slots are available for certain income levels for Davidson County residents. For information, or to schedule a visit, contact Courtney Robinson, crobinson@fiftyforward.org

Home Delivered Meals for those 50+ Home delivered meals are a way to stay independent and to enjoy a better quality of life in your own home.

Now serving the following areas: Bellevue, Belmont, Green Hills, Vanderbilt, Fairgrounds, 12 South, West Nashville and Woodbine.

Better meals = more energy Delivered 5 days = feel secure Volunteer visit = caring connection

If you are age 50 and older, live in Davidson County and feel that you have been victimized, please call FiftyForward Victory Over Crime at 615-743-3417 to get assistance.

For more information on FiftyForward Victory Over Crime, visit https:// fiftyforward.org/supportive-care/victory-over-crime/

Ashley Hunter, FiftyForward Victory Over Crime director, is a Licensed Master Level Social Worker who has devoted her career to advocating for the wellbeing of the older adult population. With the Victory Over Crime program she works to provide assistance to adults 50+ who have been affected by crime.

Call and receive a free assessment! FiftyForward Meals on Wheels

(615) 463-2264; sloik@fiftyforward.org Fall 2018 | 5

Supportive Care Services

FiftyForward Supportive Care Services

Volunteer opportunities

FiftyForward Partners with Jump In! Nashville to Raise Reading Levels FiftyForward is partnering with Jump In! Nashville to help achieve our citywide goal of doubling the number of third grade students reading on grade level by 2025. Everyone in Nashville has a role to play if we are going to meet this ambitious, but achievable, target.

Older adults are uniquely positioned to have an influence on a youngster and their pre-reading and reading experiences. An older adult’s lifetime of experience and wisdom can be put to use engaging a child’s imagination, introducing them to new books and stories and helping them to build pre-reading skills through observation and communication.

Jump In! Nashville shared the following tips for those who want to help: •

Explore the library and ask a librarian to help you discover new books.

Children like to read about what interests them. Going to the library can help you find new books about related topics that will help stretch a child’s interests even further.

•

Become pen pals. This is a great way for adults and children to keep in touch, especially when living in different parts of the country. This also allows kids to practice their writing skills — including handwriting and spelling — in a fun activity.

•

Take walks and talk about what you see. Fall is a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the weather! Play “I Spy” together, or ask questions like “what kind of plants do you see?” Notice things together, saying things such as, “The leaves on the tree are so bright and colorful.

How many colors can you find?” These types of conversations help build vocabulary and model excellent observation and verbal skills for children.

Physical activity and spending time together will help a child develop reading skills without them even realizing they are doing so.

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Bring books with you wherever you go. Whether you are at the doctor’s office, the park, the store or restaurant. Any downtime can quickly be turned into fun reading time.

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Make the most of story time. When reading a book with a child, make sure to ask questions such as, “What do you see in this picture?” or “What do you think is going to happen next?” and “What would you do if you were the main character?” These types of “active reading” strategies help ensure children are thinking critically about the story and drawing connections between the story, the pictures and their own experiences.

Jump In! Nashville is working to put all students on a path to success. Three key points are being emphasized to help achieve the city’s overall reading goals: • Jump In! Early by enrolling children in high quality pre-K • Jump In! Often by reading 20 minutes each day • Jump In! Always by making daily school attendance a family priority To learn more about the Jump In! Nashville initiative visit jumpinnashville.com.

6 | Forward Focus

Jump In! By Joining FiftyForward Friends Learning in Pairs (FLIP) For volunteers age 55+ who are interested in “jumping in” with both feet, as Nashville addresses childhood literacy, FiftyForward Friends Learning in Pairs (FLIP) offers an opportunity to be part of an outstanding tutoring program.

FLIP provides volunteers with training, materials, support and placement at a Williamson or Davidson County elementary school. Tutors serve approximately two hours once or twice a week throughout the school year and each tutor is assigned four children with whom they spend 30 minutes for one-on-one tutoring. Tutor/student pairs remain consistent throughout the school year, leading to a beneficial and supportive relationship that has proven to result in positive academic and social-emotional outcomes.

FLIP tutors are dedicated retired professionals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of children in our community. For more information about how you can be part of the FiftyForward outstanding team of volunteer tutors, contact Sandra Thomas, 615-743-3422 or email sthomas@fiftyforward.org.

volunteer engagement

Peer Ambassadors in Action!

We are excited to welcome our newest crop of peer ambassadors for the All of Us Research Program and to thank our friends at Vanderbilt Health for once again sponsoring our presentations.

For more information on the All of Us Research Program, please call: (615) 743-3431 or visit joinallofus.org/fiftyforward.

Want more joy in your life?

(L-R) Royce Sisk and Vera Coleman help hand out All of Us information at the Matthew Walker Wellness Fair.

(L-R): Dr. Kelsey Mayo, lead project manager with the All of Us Research Program Data and Research Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Peer Ambassador Vera Coleman.

Become an All of Us Peer Ambassador!

Foster Grandparent volunteers fill an important role in the lives of at-risk children. Through tutoring and mentoring, you can share your time and knowledge with children who need you.

Grannies and Grandpas Needed!

Do You Meet These Qualifications?

• Receive a small hourly stipend – • 55 or older and live in Davidson does not count as income; County; • Mileage reimbursement up to • Available 4 days/wk for 5 hours 21 miles each day; each day; • Free lunch while volunteering; • No longer in the work force; • Income at or below $23,760/yr.

• Feel loved and appreciated for a single person. every day.

Share your time with Nashville’s children; help them succeed!

FiftyForward Foster Grandparent Program Penny Gammons, Director pgammons@fiftyforward.org

Call 615-743-3420 FiftyForward Foster Grandparent Program is a division of Senior Corps, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

CNCS is a federal agency engaging millions of Americans in volunteer service; leading the nation’s volunteer and service efforts.

FiftyForward needs peer ambassadors to help spread the word about precision medicine and the All of Us Research Program. We need enthusiastic individuals to join our journey to educate and excite others about this program.

If you want to help change healthcare for generations to come, we would love for you to become an All of Us peer ambassador.

Peer ambassadors will work alongside the All of Us team to help manage marketing materials at FiftyForward centers, attend health fairs and community events to educate and engage older adults, and assist in facilitating enrollment in the All of Us Research Program, among other duties.

The Peer Ambassadors are required to join the All of Us Research Program as participants. They must also be at least 50-years-old, be able to assist in answering basic technology questions with phones and tablets, and be able to demonstrate a knowledge and appreciation of precision medicine and the All of Us Research Program. We will provide training and support to help you feel confident about your understanding of All of Us and about the technology used in the program.

To learn how you become an All of Us Peer Ambassador, please call Barbara Hunt, 615-743-3415 or email bhunt@fiftyforward.org.

Fall 2018 | 7

Special feature: Opioid Crisis

The pain of it all is numbing our society

By Susan Sizemore Communications Director, FiftyForward The faces of opioid addiction and dependence do not discriminate.

They vary and are not isolated to certain age groups or geographic regions. Unfortunately, the impact can be felt everywhere in our communities. Sadly we are just now having to acknowledge this tragic reality.

According to new a new report from the Centers for Disease Control, drug overdoses killed about 72,000 Americans last year. That number is an approximate ten percent increase from the previous year and surpasses the number who died from car crashes, gun violence and HIV/AIDS combined.

A number of contributors to these overdoses include the widespread misuse of both prescription painkillers and illicit street drugs like heroin and fentanyl.

Below are three snippets from conversations with friends, family members and co-workers regarding real life situations involving opioids and other pain medication. These underscore how poorly educated we as a community are on finding proper pain management and in understanding the repercussions of use and abuse.

• We had no idea what was happening when our 88-year-old father was feeling so sick that he suggested we immediately rush to the emergency room. An evaluation revealed that when he took himself off of his medication (Tramadol), he unknowingly forced himself into withdrawal.

Feather credits First Lady of the United States Betty Ford for sharing her story in the 1970s of her long-running battle with alcoholism and substance abuse. Encouraged by intervention from her family, Ford openly shared her story to showcase that addiction is real and can be treated.

This was a very important step in helping others learn to battle the stigma and to seek treatment.

Today, as in the past, there is still a stigma tied to dependence.

Feather cautions that there also is more to this story than addiction.

It’s a societal issue impacting everyone from those who are battling addiction to society as a whole. He cited researched indicating that 40 to 50-year-olds represent the largest age group currently struggling with addition. However, the devastating circle of community impact continued on page 9

• My husband is addicted to painkillers that were intended for the older adults he was tending to as a caregiver ... now he is seven days into his battle of fighting addiction.

• A support group in which I participate has numerous parents seeking counseling and coping skills after losing children to addiction, suicide or death due to drugs purchased on the street that were laced with fentanyl.

These real world examples underscore how fragile pain management can be and illustrate the slippery slope in finding solutions for those with acute pain.

The use, misuse and abuse of medications, specifically opioids, continues to resonate throughout our community. The problem impacts the older adult population in many unique ways even if individuals have never used the medication. The opioid crisis is causing ripple effects in our community.

John Feather, CEO, of Grantmakers in Aging, spoke with us about the nonprofit’s research over the last 5-10 years. In their publication, Heartache, Pain, and Hope: Rural Communities, Older People and the Opioid Crisis (https://www.giaging.org/initiatives/rural-aging/), much of what they are seeing was first manifested among older adults in rural communities.

“It’s remarkable looking back to see how we have not really talked about addiction to legitimate medications,” said Feather.

8 | Forward Focus

I’m a senior.

My kids are worried about my health declining. I’m anxious too, but I want to stay home. There's nowhere else I'd rather be.

What can I do?

Call today to book your FREE Caring Consult!™

615-815-1348 www.nursenextdoor.com

Special feature: Opioid Crisis

Membership fees to increase Jan. 1; members can participate in all seven centers

continued from page 8

grows exponentially as parents may have to become caregivers to their children or grandchildren.

The Council on Aging in Middle Tennessee in its publication Empowering Grandparents: A Guide for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren© states that in Tennessee nearly 70,000 grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren living with them. Nationwide more than 2.6 million people are raising grandkids. That number is rising rapidly as more parents are jailed, are forced into treatment centers or die from overdose.

Complexities are plentiful in these situations as grandparents don’t have the same rights as parents and cannot readily access resources at the state and federal levels. Older adult caregivers cite health issues, financial and physical abuse among the stressors they face when facing their “second chapter” in parenting.

Feather shared a scenario where a small town had tapped its entire ambulance budget for the year in January due to the number of critical overdose situations they were handling. This leaves communities in a lurch with no money to care for anyone else in the community the rest of the year.

Effective January 2019, FiftyForward center membership fees will increase to $12* a month. Our centers offer lifelong learning and engaging programs (arts, exercise and education) and access to resources to live true to the FiftyForward mission: to support, champion and enhance life for those 50 and older.

Five of the seven FiftyForward lifelong learning centers are among the elite 1% of centers in the United States, recognized by the National Institute of Senior Centers, for quality and effectiveness.

As a nonprofit agency, we rely on proceeds from annual membership and program fees, special events, local government grants and funders, active volunteers and other thoughtful and generous community supporters to provide engagement opportunities for older adults.

FiftyForward has not raised membership rates in eight years.

This increase will offset the costs we are seeing to maintain our lifelong learning centers and programs. *FiftyForward College Grove rates (due to a community partnership with the Williamson County Department of Recreation) will increase to $9 a month.

What can we do to stop this growing and alarming trend? Awareness is key to understanding the complexities and impact throughout our society. Ask questions of medical professionals to learn about the risks of prescribed medications. Try alternative means of pain relief. Watch for an update on this story in future editions of this publication. We are all in this together.

FREE

FREE Care Counseling 800-955-8510

Spotlight on Business: Amada Senior Care 15

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(See pages 8-9)

®

Fall 2018 • 30th Edition

Greater Nashville

Cheatham • Davidson • Dickson • Maury • Robertson • Rutherford • Sumner • Williamson • Wilson Counties www.SeniorDirectory.com/Nashville

Fall 2018 | 9

Events Across FiftyForward

Join us for a class, seminar or event at a center near you!

Since Forward Focus is a quarterly publication, below is a sampling of new fall programs, old favorites and ongoing classes at each of the FiftyForward centers. FiftyForward membership allows members to take full advantage of any of these offerings. Commit to explore innovative classes, take in a few seminars, make new friends, get inspired or start a challenging exercise regimen – all at FiftyForward!

To see a more extensive list of all the classes at each center, visit www.FiftyForward.org and explore the calendar listed under each center’s page.

FiftyForward Bordeaux Quilting By Hand Club First class starts Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-noon; Free This club will meet each Tuesday. Instructors are Jimmie Esmon and Maranda McCord. Be as creative as possible; you may bring your own sewing tools if you like.

Community Fish Fry Saturday, Sept. 14; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Join us for our annual community fish fry and relax with family and friends. All proceeds benfit FiftyForward Bordeaux. For more information, call the center, 615-248-2272.

Fitness w/Jen Third Wednesday of each month Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Fitness with Jen is a program designed to help members stay physically active. Jen is available to give one-on-one counseling to members who request it.

Cost: Free to members FiftyForward College Grove Storytelling with Mark Stewart Thursday, Sept. 13; Lunch at 11:30 a.m., Program at noon.

Center member and FiftyForward College Grove Advisory Council President Mark Stewart will spin a few yarns and maybe tell some tall tales for our afternoon enjoyment. Mark was a winner in the “Mule Tales Tall Tale” contest at Mule Day this year. Be prepared to have your funny bone tickled!

Cost: Lunch is $5; reservations by Sept. 11.

Medicare Seminar with Tennessee SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Thursday, Sept. 27; Lunch at 11:30 a.m., Program at noon.

The coordinator from TN SHIP will discuss Medicare benefits in general, along with specific changes coming up in 2019 including the new Medicare cards. Bring your questions!

Cost: Lunch is $5; reservations by Sept. 25.

Country Music with Billy and Mary Ross Tarkington Birthday potluck: Wednesday, Oct. 17; Lunch at 11:30 a.m., Program at noon.

Join us for some toe-tapping traditional country music.

Mary has been singing since she was a four-years -old, and 10 | Forward Focus

Billy is a veteran performer who has worked with Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Merle Haggard and others. Mary and Billy have played for us before, so we’re familiar with them, but this year there’s a difference: They are newlyweds!

Reservations are not necessary, but attendees are expected to bring a dish to share.

Veterans Tribute with Jimmy Gentry Thurs., Nov. 8; Lunch at 11:30 a.m., Program at noon.

Hometown hero and WWII veteran Jimmy Gentry will be the guest speaker for our Veterans Tribute.

Gentry joined the U.S. Army immediately after graduating high school in 1944. He set out on foot with the 42nd Infantry, walking through France and eventually into Czechoslovakia. After the war, Gentry married his high school sweetheart and earned a college degree on the G.I. bill. He has taught biology in Franklin schools, but is also known to many in the area as “Coach Gentry” following his 66-year career as a football coach at Franklin High School, Battle Ground Academy and Brentwood Academy. Today, at 92, Gentry remains a sought after speaker, and we are honored to host him at our center.

Cost: Lunch is free to veterans and $6 to all others; reservations by Nov. 6.

FiftyForward Donelson Station General Medicare Presentation Thursday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m., FREE Learn the ABCs of Medicare with Dee Stoffer from American Republic Insurance Services. Come with questions! Everyone is welcome.

Bargain Basement Grand Reopening Saturday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Check out all of the goodies available for purchase in our newly painted and overhauled bargain basement. This is open to the public.

Center Luncheon Wednesday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.

Join us for our monthly center luncheon that includes entertainment by David Erwin. David has been playing guitar since he was 14-years-old and has traveled the world recording with many artists including the Drifters, Marvin Gaye, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Tiny Tim, the Judds, Charly McClain and many more. The cost for the entertainment and lunch is $8. Call 615-883-8375 to reserve a spot!

Casino Night Thursday, Sept. 20, 6-10 p.m.

Join us for our festive and fun signature fundraiser. The cost is $75 per person and includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic refreshments. Win big prizes playing Craps, Blackjack, Poker, Roulette and the slot machines. Proceeds benefit center programs and services. (See ad on next page.)

Senior Symposium Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2-4 p.m.

Visit with the following vendors as they share information about their businesses and how they help older adults: Middle Tennessee Pharmacy; Kindred at Home; Verble Estate Preservation and Advisors (VA benefits); Life Care of Hickory Woods; BlueSky House Calls; The Bridge at Hickory Woods; Senior Ride Nashville. Free and open to the public. Call for a spot today, 615-883-8375.

FiftyForward center events and happenings continued from page 10

Flu Shots from Affordable Pharmacy Thursdays, Sept.

27/Oct. 18/Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-noon. Sign up for a flu shot with Affordable Pharmacy. The shots are FREE with insurance and $29 without insurance. Sign up for an appointment today by calling the center, 615-8838375.

FiftyForward Donelson Station presents

Transportation Day Thursday, Oct. 11 Throughout the day we will host CarFit to look at your personal car to inform you if you are seated properly in it; Tennesee Road Team will educate us on how to safely share the road with trucks and Yello Dot will present safe driving tips. Call for more information, 615-743-3433.

Live music!

Craps BlackJack Poker Roulette Slot machines

Don’t know how to play?

Dealer will teach!

Don’t want to play?

You can still win!

2018 Sept. 20

6-10 p.m.

Tickets $75

Two drink tickets with admission

108 Donelson Pike Nashville 37214 For tickets and info, call:

(615) 883-8375

Pet Community Heavy hors d’oeuvres Center Wine, mixed drinks, Saturday, Oct. 6, 9 non-alcoholic refreshments a.m.-1 p.m.

The Pet Community Center’s mobile unit will be in our upper parking lot offering low cost vaccinations, microchips, heartworm testing and flea tick prevention. No appointment necessary; just show up!

Alzheimer’s Lunch & Learn with Willowbrook Hospice Tuesday, Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m., FREE. Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 3 million people each year.

Learn about the disease and management strategies that can improve symptoms.

AARP Safe Driving Course Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 5 and 6, 1-5 p.m.

You must attend both days of this 2-day class to receive credit to qualify for insurance rate discounts (make sure you contact your insurance company to see if you are eligible). Learn new rules of the road and brush up on safety while driving. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Call 615-883-8375 to reserve a spot today.

Veteran’s Center Luncheon Friday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.

Join us in celebrating our veterans. Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by The Donelson Café as well as entertainment. The cost is $8/person. Make a reservation today by calling 615-883-8375. Let us know if you or any of your guests are veterans when making your reservation.

Middle Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society sign up day for fall classes Saturday, Sept. 15 beginning at 8 a.m.

Sign up day for fall quarter classes. (No phone calls are accepted that day.) Classes range from silversmithing, lapidary, faceting and more. The list of fall classes will be available by Sept. 10 on www.mtgms.org. Classes fill up quickly! Breakfast will be served that morning in The Donelson Café.

Exercise Health Fair Thursday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Visit with various vendors and see demonstrations of our different exercise classes here at FiftyForward Knowles. Lunch will be served. Free and open to the public.

For more information, call 615-743-3433.

FiftyForward Madison Station MadTown Music Show Tuesday, Sept. 11, Dinner at 6 p.m.; show at 7 p.m.

Join us for an evening of rockin’ tunes from the 50s, 60s and 70s by the band Blue Suede Shoes with a dose of ballads and songs that will have you swaying to the music. Sponsored by Creekside Center for Rehabilitation and Healing, tickets are $20 for dinner and a show; $12 for show only. Purchase tickets by Sept. 7.

Fall Fashion Show Wednesday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.

Enjoy a fashion show featuring clothing by Bon Worth as well as styles from our Red Hat Pearls modeled by our members as guests enjoy lunch. Before and after the show, enjoy perusing a variety of vendors. Special thanks to sponsor Creekside Center for Health and Rehabilitation.

Tickets $7. Call 615-860-7180 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Homecoming Dance Friday, Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m.

Come ‘Home’ to FiftyForward Madison Station on for a nostalgic Homecoming Dance. Past, present and even future members are invited to a 50s and 60s ‘blast from the past’ where there is no need to have a partner to dance. We’ll have line dancing, couples dancing, plus plenty of room for those who like to sit back and enjoy the music. Heavy appetizers will be served. A king and queen of the dance will be crowned! Tickets $10. Call 615-860-7180 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Veterans Day Big Bingo Thursday, Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m.

Join us for BIG Bingo, chili and sandwiches, big prizes, and a chance at the $50 coverall grand prize. The center is offering a free tickets to all our veterans. Call 615-860-7180 to reserve your ticket or purchase ticket by Monday, Nov. 12.

FiftyForward Martin Center Martin Masters Fine Art Show and Sale featuring guest artists Michael Damico and John Fisher Opens Friday, Oct. 19 at noon with a reception 5-8 p.m.

Show continues on Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Free and open to the community. For more information, call 615-376-0102.

FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center Art Show Tuesday, Sept. 11, Community Room, time TBD. Come see the art that has been created by center members in our summer series of art classes. Refreshments will be served. continued on page 13 Fall 2018 | 11

Events Across FiftyForward

FiftyForward Knowles First Monday Lunch Mondays, Sept. 10, Oct. 1 and Nov. 5.

Join us for fellowship and entertainment. Cost $6 Call 615-743-3433 to reserve a seat!

Events Across FiftyForward

FiftyForward and Barry Coggins present the

Join us for the sixth annual

Fall for FiftyForward Fundraising, friendraising, and breakfast!

Benefiting FiftyForward Meals on Wheels

Sept. 29, 2018

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018

Program 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Check-in at 10 a.m.

Shotgun start 11 a.m.

Nashboro Golf Club 1101 Nashboro Blvd., Nashville 37217

Food Drinks Prizes Fun

Overcoming Isolation

Four person scramble $100/person or $300/team

Team Prizes (in gift cards)

Championship flight $500 First flight $300 Second flight $200

FiftyForward Patricia Hart Building 174 Rains Avenue Nashville 37203 RSVP: awhitson@fiftyforward.org Breakfast Co-Chairs: Theresa Zuckowsky and Tracy Evers

To register, contact Barry Coggins, barrycoggins@comcast.net;

615-481-1050

Special thanks to Bobby Hite for prize sponsorship

12 | Forward Focus

For more than 22 years, Nashville singer and songwriter and golf enthusiast Barry Coggins has given time and talent to a cause dear to his heart — feeding the elders of our community. Coggins volunteers once a week to deliver meals with FiftyForward Meals on Wheels (MOW). MOW provides a tasty, nutritious meal for those who are unable to prepare meals on their own due to health and/or physical limitations. Those who receive meals also enjoy friendly visits from volunteers who assure they are doing well.

Join us to support FiftyForward Meals on Wheels so no one goes hungry.

FiftyForward supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older.

For the second year in a row, the Bellevue Brain Brawlers, representing FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center, won the Greater Nashville District Regional Brain Games!

Seven teams competed, including a team from FiftyForward Donelson Station (a FiftyForward First!). The winner goes on to compete in September at the Grand Middle Region competition.

Good luck Brain Brawlers!

FiftyForward center events and happenings continued from page 11

FiftyForward J.L. Turner Center “An Evening in Old Hollywood” Fundraiser Friday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m.; to be held at FiftyForward Martin Center (960 Heritage Way, Brentwood 37027) Join us for an evening in Old Hollywood! The event will include a catered dinner, live music, dancing, a silent auction, red carpet photo booth and more.

Tickets are $75 per person, $50 FiftyForward members. For more information or to purchase tickets, please see a FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center Ambassador or call 615-622-3040. (See ad below.)

Walmart Flu Clinic Tuesday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-noon. in the Brown/Davis Room Walmart Pharmacy will be here to distribute flu, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines before flu season hits.

Retro Rhythms Concert Friday, Oct. 19; Time TBD in the Community Room Come join the “Islands in Our Dreams” tour scheduled for Oct. 19.

This year’s winning team: (L-R) Joe Edwards, Allen Dunkerly, and Hudson Clark. In front, Alternate Gay Hutson.

Annual Halloween Chili Cook-off Wednesday, Oct. 31; noon in the Activity Room Join us on Halloween for a costume contest and chili cook-off. Prizes will be awarded for both the winner of the chili cook-off and the costume contest.

FiftyForward Knowles Office Assistant Lee Young took computer classes with Nashville Public Library and that gave her the confidence to apply for a position with FiftyForward which she has been working at for two months! She’s so grateful for teaching her “when life gives you lemons, simply make lemonade.”

Young is the smiling face that will greet you at FiftyForward headquarters when you come by for a visit or to take a class. Be sure to say hello!

Fall 2018 | 13

FiftyForward Special Events

Member CORNER

FiftyForward Special Events

Hats Off

to Bordeaux!

FiftyForward Bordeaux welcomed a capacity crowd for its 9th annual Hats Off to Bordeaux! held on Friday, June 29 at FiftyForward Patricia Hart Building. The event featured a silent auction, luncheon and rousing hat fashion show. Hosted

by Tennessee Rep. Brenda Gilmore, the event proceeds benefit the programs, services and activities at FiftyForward Bordeaux which serves older adults in the Bordeaux community. Known for its fun hat fashion show, Hats Off to Bordeaux! brings community and fashion together.

This year Tennessee Rep. Brenda Gilmore walked the runway along with other Metro Nashville elected officials including crowd favorite Metro Trustee Charlie Cardwell, newly elected Juvenile Court Clerk Lonnell Matthews, Metro Council Member Erica Gilmore and several FiftyForward Bordeaux members and past FiftyForward board members. The hat fashion show is a crowd-pleaser with many models crowd has come to know and love as well as a few newcomers including Yolanda Statom, wife of Lelan Statom who has been our guest emcee seven out of 9 years. It’s become a “family affair.”

In addition, FiftyForward Executive Director Janet Jernigan presented Lelan Statom with a special award to commemorate his 25 years at NewsChannel5 and to thank him for all he does for FiftyForward.

Whistlestop 2018 All Aboard! FiftyForward Madison Station held its 19th annual Whistlestop Dinner and Fundraiser on May 31. The event raised over $20,000 to help fund the many programs, services, and activities offered at the center.

Guests enjoyed an extensive silent auction and reception, followed by a fabulous meal by CRAVE Catering.

Emceed by Lelan Statom of NewsChannel 5, some highlights of the evening were the announcement of Juanita Frable as the Senior of the Year, and Ruth Woodall, representing the Kiwanis Club of Madison, as the Conductor of the Year.

The other candidates in the running for conductor this year were Metro Council Member Nancy VanReece, who represented the Madison Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce, and Jonathan Wickersheim who was representing the Madison Goodlettsville Rotary Club. Together these candidates raised over $850 for the center.

The entertainment for the evening was provided by several singer/songwriters from Green Hills Guitar Studio.

Local government officials lend their support to the event: (L-R) Bill Pridemore, Bill Beck, Brenda Gilmore and Judge Amanda McClendon.

Cigna-HealthSpring staff joined in the festivities.

The hat models have some fun in their final lap on the runway.

Metro Council Member Erica Gilmore (R) walked the runway with a friend along the runway, Red Hatter and FiftyForward Bordeaux member Lois Winston (L).

Frederick Johnson shows off his stylish fedora.

14 | Forward Focus

Juanita Frable was honored as Senior of the Year and was surprised by the attendence of her son Jim Frable who traveled miles to be at the event.

Ruth Woodall (L) was honored as Conductor of the Year; seen here with FiftyForward Madison Station Director Brandy Lamb.

continued from page 3

I can’t believe that Janet is retiring. Actually, I wonder what the nonprofit community is going to do without her.

Janet, thank you for getting the early version of Center for Nonprofit Management off the ground. That is a wonderful part of your rich legacy in our sector.

I can remember very early on when I took this job she provided me with such wisdom. Janet has been a good coach and has been a dear friend and I am really excited that she’s going to now have the opportunity to spend more time preparing for all of those triathlons that she loves to compete in. We are all fortunate that she has vision and understood the importance of leading FiftyForward into the future. I am looking forward to taking advantage of more of those services.

Tari Hughes President and CEO Center for Nonprofit Management

Janet, congratulations on your retirement. No one could be more excited for you. We love you.

It’s been a real pleasure to know Janet for many decades.

Her impact on the nonprofit community has been extraordinary. She is always available. She’s always ready. She always wants to make life better for people and her impact especially with vulnerable older individuals is unmatched.

Agenia Clark President and CEO, Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee

Janet, congratulations on a stellar career of service and community outreach!

Andre Conte former First Lady of Tennessee; founder of You Have the Power

Janet has been a champion for an often unheard and underserved group and she has really raised the standard for this population ... and changed the standard for how we care for people as they age.

Dianne Oliver Executive Director The West End Foundation

I have worked with Janet for 25+ years. She is very well respected, very qualified and plugged into this community as no other person that heads up a nonprofit.

Rebecca Kelly AARP Tennessee State Director

Janet Jernigan has been a star in the nonprofit community for as long as I have known her which is now over 30 years. I think most people outside of this agency would agree with me. That she’s been the best at what she does... and only too eager to help other people which is what has impressed me as well as her efficiency for her love for this organization.

Charlie Cardwell Metro Nashville Davidson Co. Trustee

Janet has made such a significant impact ... She does it with such skill.

She makes it fun.

It’s hard work ... but you don’t recognize you are working hard ... you know you are doing it for a good cause. Who can say “no” to Janet?

Mary Herbert Kelly community volunteer

Brenda Gilmore Tennessee Representative

Janet Jernigan has lead FiftyForward for almost 3 decades and set a standard of leadership excellence that is immeasurable. The impact FiftyForward has had is significant and it’s all because of her strong leadership and the support that she has gotten from her staff. When you look Janet is an obvious leader. She is very organized. She’s very thoughtful, very strategic, very focused and personable and I have seen her over the years be a fierce advocate for senior citizens and for FiftyForward.

The good news is that Janet has raised us right. We are a more accepting community. We are a more aware community. The vision she has brought, the commitment that she has brought to all people especially people like me who were growing up ... has penetrated deeply into all of our organizations and ultimately into our community.

We are simply a much better and more welcoming place for everybody ... and that is especially important for those of us who are 50 and forward.

Janet has spent more than five decades and has been a pillar in the nonprofit community. She’s worked tirelessly overseeing staff and volunteers at FiftyForward and helped recruit and maintain community relationships. Her guidance and leadership will be greatly missed.

Scott Perry President, The Memorial Foundation

Bill Purcell Mayor of Nashville (1999-2007), currently private practice attorney & adjunct professor, Vanderbilt University

Jim Cooper U.S. Representative

Fall 2018 | 15

Special feature

Janet Jernigan

News you can use

The Sycamores Terrace Difference

FiftyForward and National Council on Aging

Flexible Affordability

to offer employment fair for older adults

Friends and activities: enjoy planned activities, day trips and excursions.

Employment Fair for Older Adults Wednesday, Oct. 10; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FiftyForward Madison station

A variety of services: We offer delicious home-cooked meals, housekeeping, transportation, medication monitoring and more.

Independent and Assisted Living Services Veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible for financial benefits from the Veterans Administration

Call Pamela Leptic to arrange a visit 1427 Lebanon Pike Nashville, TN 37210

(615) 242-2412 sycamoresterrace.com

The Perfect Venue for Your Next

Event

FiftyForward and National Council on Aging (NCOA) are partnering to present an employment fair for older adults to be held Wednesday, Oct. 10 at FiftyForward Madison Station, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. This is an opportune time for older adults to seek employment in Davidson County. According to The Tennessean (May 31, 2018), Middle Tennessee has continued to have the lowest unemployment in the state which is under 5%. Davidson County is currently at 2.2 percent.

Many older adults either want or need to continue working.

Furthermore, “Low unemployment rates are good news to the labor force itself,” said Bill Fox, an economist at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. “When you get a rate that low, it means everyone who has skills and wants a job, has one or can find one easily.” We are trying to bring older adults together with employers so that they can take advantage of the booming market.

A part of the employment fair will also feature the Mobile American Job Center mobile unit, a bus sponsored by Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Participants can bring their resume for review and recommendations or simply begin a new resume. Ten workstations and 3–5 individuals will provide support to those who need assistance. Response for these services have been positive. Kelli from St. Luke’s Community House commented, “We had a résumé class attendee today who said she did the career coaching and LOVED it. Everyone who attended was given information on the coaches and were all interested. Thank you for providing this amazing service!”

ANY one of our FiftyForward locations is the perfect venue to meet your one-time or ongoing event needs. No matter your function – business or group events, weddings, showers, parties or retreats – we provide great customer service, accommodations and a price that is competitive.

Call FiftyForward at (615) 743-3400 to inquire about space and prices.

16 | Forward Focus

NCOA’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) was created in 1965 and is the nation’s oldest program to help low-income, unemployed older individuals aged 55+ find work. SCSEP matches eligible older adults with part-time jobs for community service organizations. Participants build skills and self-confidence, while earning a modest income. For most, their SCSEP experience leads to permanent employment.

What a perfect partnership between the two organizations to ensure employment opportunities for older adults!

Do you want to make a dierence in the lives of older adults?

Check out our employment listings at https://fiftyforward.org/ employment/ We might just have the perfect opportunity!

Music for Seniors presents September

Geary Moore Quartet Monday, Sept. 10 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Nashville Jazz Workshop 1319 Adams St., Nashville 37208

October

Rodeo & Juliet Wednesday Oct. 3, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Williamson Co. Enrichment Center 110 Everbright Ave., Franklin 37064

November

Steve Stern & The Stacy’s Thursday, Nov. 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Washington Theatre at Patterson Park 521 Mercury Blvd., Murfreesboro 37130

To RSVP: Go to www.Eventbrite.com to register

Or call (615) 330-1937

Fall 2018 | 17

FiftyForward Travel

See the world in 2019 with FiftyForward Travel Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel abroad, but were afraid to go? FiftyForward Travel makes travel easy and affordable. It’s time to pack your bags, dust off your passport and visit interesting locales near and afar. Make new friends and see the world.

Your #FiftyForwardFirst is waiting.

2018 Trips Dec. 3–7: Branson Holiday Show Extravaganza Travel by motor coach, four nights lodging, eight meals, admission to seven shows — The Blackwoods, Ayo-Voices of Glory, Down Home Country, Samson, Million Dollar Quartet Show, The Duttons, and The Showboat Branson Belle.

We will also visit downtown Branson and the Branson Mill Craft Village.

Cost: $619 pp/dbl; $739 single occupancy. Nonmembers pay an additional 10%. $75 is the deposit. The balance is due Sept. 26, 2018.

Join us for these exciting 2019 trips!

Jan. 21-26, 2019: Orlando and Cocoa Beach Visit the Morse Museum which is the chapel designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in Winter Park, the Holly Land Experience, the Exploration Tower where you learn about Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Pier, Gatorland (with an alligator show), the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. Eight meals are included. For more pictures, video and information visit www. grouptrips.com/fiftyforwardtravel.

Cost: $610 pp/members. Nonmembers pay an additional 10%.

Feb. 9-16, 2019: Hawaii We will sail with Norwegian Cruise Line on the Pride of America. Ports of call include Honolulu, Maui, Hilo, Kona, and Kauai.

Cost: depends on cabin choice, but all include airfare. Inside Cabin Category IA is $3,833pp/dbl; Balcony Cabin Category BA is $4,383pp/dbl.

March 27-April 6: Greece: in the footsteps of Paul the Apostle Includes Athens, a 3-night cruise, Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Santorini, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Philippi, Meteora, Delphi, Corinth, Acropolis.

Cost: Inside double: $3,999; Inside single: $4,449; outside double: $4,149; outside single; $4,749. These prices are good until Sept. 28, after which there will be an increase. A passport is required for this trip.

April 23-May 1, 2019: Texas Tour includes visits to Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston.

We’ll have dinner at Southfork Ranch, learn about the John F. Kennedy assassination, and tour AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys), Billy Bob’s, Stockyards Rodeo, San Antonio Riverwalk and the Alamo, Space Center in Houston and so much more.

Cost: $1,199pp/dbl. A deposit of $100 holds your spot. Final payment is due Jan. 23, 2019.

May 6-16, 2019: Ireland, Iceland, Scotland cruise Ports of call include Dublin, Ireland; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Akureyri, Iceland; Lerwick/Shetland; and Scotland Cost: Inside cabin $4,931/double, $6,660 single; Balcony cabin: $5,651 double, $8,100 single 18 | Forward Focus

Deposit of $55 pp/dbl or $1,100 single is due upon signing. Balance due by Jan. 5, 2019. A passport is required for this trip.

June 6-11, 2019: Oregon Trails and the Portland Rose Festival Tour includes the Portland Rose Festival, a tour of Portland, Mt. St. Helens National Monument, Johnston Ridge Observatory, Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler Cruise, Bonneville Dam, Oregon’s Pacific Coast, Tillamook Cheese Factory, winery visit and tasting, Pittock Mansion, Washington Park, International Rose Test Garden, Astoria, Fort Clatsop National Memorial, Multnomah Falls Cost: $2,350 pp/dbl; Single is $675 more.

Make your final payment prior to the final payment due date and receive $200 per couple/$100 pp booking discount. Final payment due March 15, 2019.

July 5-17, 2019: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick The first stop on this 13-day tour is to the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Other stops include Acadia National Park, Halifax, Peggy’s Cove (home of Canada’s most famous lighthouse), and Lunenburg, which retains 70 percent of the original colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. We will also visit Prince Edward Island and Hopewell Rocks. Finishing the tour with a visit to the Boott Cotton Mills Museum in Lowell, MA and Hershey’s Chocolate World.

Cost: $1,599 pp/dbl. A $75 deposit holds your spot, with final payment due April 28, 2019. A passport is required for this trip.

Aug. 25-31, 2019: Mackinac Island This Northern Michigan vacation spot is beautiful. We will visit Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and cruise through the Soo Locks. The Fort de Buade Museum is included, and you will enjoy free time in Saint Ignace. A ferryboat ride takes us to Mackinac Island where the only form of transportation is by horse and carriage or bicycle. In Mackinaw City, you will see the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, dating back to 1892. Day six takes us to “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth.

Cost: $689 p/dbl. The $75 deposit holds your spot, with final payment due June 18, 2019.

Oct. 7-17, 2019: Panama Canal We will travel on the Princess Cruise Line, Island Princess, with ports of call in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Cartagena, Columbia; Cristobal, Panama; Limon, Costa Rica; and Falmouth, Jamaica.

Cost: Inside cabin is $2,734 pp/dbl, outside cabin is $2,984, and balcony cabin is $3,334. These are all per person, double continued on page 19

FiftyForward Travel

continued from page 18

occupancy, and include airfare. Initial deposit is $470 pp/dbl. Final balance is due June 9, 2019. A passport is required for this trip.

Nov. 3-9, 2019: National Parks & Canyons of the Southwest Highlights include: Grand Canyon West, Grand Canyon Skywalk, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion Park Tram Tour, Las Vegas, St. George, Utah, Valley of Fire State Park. Hoover Dam is an optional tour.

Cost: $2,095 pp/dbl. Deposit is $300 per person.

FiftyForward Travel Coordinator Janice Judd is ready and waiting to book your next travel adventure. Call Janice at (615) 883-8375 or email her at jjudd@fiftyforward.org.

For more information, visit www.fiftyforward.org/travel/ Call to reserve your spot today!

Trevecca Towers

adding life to years and years to life

On the Road with FiftyForward Join Joan for exciting adventures to popular local and regional destinations.

Trips fill up quickly, so make your reservations now!

Homestead Apple Festival, Crossville, Tenn.

Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 Enjoy live music (country, bluegrass, and gospel), more than 100 vendors, homemade fried apple pies, cider, other apple treats. Visit the Tower Museum and quilt show.

Cost: $33 for FiftyForward members; $10 more for nonmembers plus $5 entrance fee which covers museum and quilt show; lunch on your own.

Bus pick-up: FiftyForward J. L Turner Center at 7:45 a.m.; FiftyForward Donelson Station at 8:30 a.m.

Goats, Music and More, Lewisburg, Tenn.

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 One of top 20 events honored by Southeastern Tourist Society. Enjoy a goat show featuring fainting goats and Boer goats, foods, arts and crafts, live music.

Cost: $33 for FiftyForward members, $10 more for nonmembers, lunch on your own.

Bus pick-up: FiftyForward Donelson Station at 8:30 a.m.; FiftyForward J .L. Turner Center at 9:15 a.m.

Christmas in the Country, Dickson, Tenn.

Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 Shop for some handmade holiday gifts at local vendor booths located in the Dickson County High School.

Food available for lunch on your own while you shop at this annual event.

Cost: $33 for FiftyForward members, $10 more for nonmembers, plus $2 admission.

Bus pick-up: FiftyForward Donelson Station at 8:45 a.m.; FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center at 9:30 a.m.

Thomas House Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018 Enjoy a Christmas lunch served family style with all of the trimmings: turkey and dressing, country ham, red-eye gravy & biscuits, sweet potatoes, vegetables, dessert, coffee & tea served in the hotel dining room. The Thomas House Hotel owner will tell us all about the history of the hotel and why Ghost Hunters now classifies it as a paranormal hotel with an on-going investigation. She will answer all of your questions. Step back in time, re-visit the past, take a reminiscent stroll through the museum settings, and visit the gift shop.

Cost: $47; $10 more for nonmembers.

Bus pick-up: FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center at 8:30 a.m.; FiftyForward Donelson Station at 9:15 a.m.

For more information or to make reservations, contact Joan Sincerbox at (615) 646-0059; email joan.sincerbox@comcast.net; or visit www.fiftyforward.org/travel.

Fall 2018 | 19

Special feature

Falling Forward

Shop, Spend, Swipe and Support FiftyForward Kroger Community Rewards offers shoppers the opportunity to link their Kroger Plus card to a nonprofit organization of their choice so that each time they spend, the greater Nashville community also reaps the benefit!

Begin by visiting www.krogercommunityrewards.com Follow the instructions to register your Kroger Plus Card online and link your card to FiftyForward for community rewards.

By Bernie Sheahan Fall Quiz: “Autumn of My Life” is: a) Oh no, another Baby Boomer’s reflection on this “special time” in our leaf-dropping years;

REMEMBER, purchases will not count for FiftyForward until you register your card. Members must swipe their Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.

Thank you for supporting FiftyForward!

b) Good grief, another Baby Boomer pep talk on how to “change our colors” and start over; c) The title of a 1968 pop/country hit by Bobby Goldsboro that made a certain 11-year-old future columnist feel age-inappropriately melancholic; d) All of the above, maybe.

I have trouble with autumn. I resent its early intrusion into summer with back-to-school sales on July 4 and I stubbornly insist on wearing white shorts after Labor Day. I grew up in California where we didn’t have much of a fall and later lived most of my adult life in Tennessee where fall is heaven, according to many. So I learned to embrace the golden leaves and hayrides and by gosh, it’s pretty good -- that is, once I’ve let go of summer’s hand like a lover on the deck of a sinking ship.

So what do I do? Besides count the days until the first crocus? I scruff through leaves, rake, then jump in piles, with the grandkids. Or I would, if I had any.

Grandkids. Or leaves. (I’m back in California, just so you know.) If you have leaves and grandkids, I’d suggest you rake, pile, and jump. And sniff, deeply.

For me. Both the leaves and the grandkids. Because the leaves may always fall, but the grandkids won’t always jump. And you’ll have to find something else to do. Are we ever too old to do that?

Well, I told you I don’t like the back-to-school part of late summer. Truth is, I do like the school part. Because in the autumn of my life, I changed my colors. I turned a new leaf. Life did it for me. At 61, I’m in my 10th year coaching middle school runners and last year, our 7th-grade boys won the county meet by ONE POINT. How? Long story, but ... I was a runner, and someone needed a coach.

I said yes. Maybe you can’t shake up your life that much. By saying yes, maybe you can shake off a leaf. Or turn one. It’s bound to be prettier than you think.

P.S. About that 1968 song: as it turns out, “Autumn of My Life” had nothing to do with dying. Now they tell me.

Bernie Sheahan’s career includes public relations, radio promotions and a longstanding and well-loved column called “Hot Homes” in the Nashville Scene. Contact Bernie about her column at berniesheahan@gmail.com.

20 | Forward Focus

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Tips to Maintain Good Health Throughout Your Golden Years You are never too old to enrich your physical and emotional well-being; and staying active and engaged in life can help you maintain wellness over time.

To encourage happy, healthy and productive golden years when older adults are able to pursue their hobbies and passions, consider these tips from Cigna-HealthSpring, one of the nation’s largest providers of Medicare plans.

• Get an annual exam. Annual visits are critical for identifying potential health issues early, as well as maintaining a relationship with your primary care physician. During this visit, your doctor can establish a plan based on your age, gender and health status for the vaccinations and health screenings you need, such as mammograms, cholesterol screenings and colorectal cancer screenings. Medicare and Medicare Advantage cover certain types of annual exams at no extra cost. Check with your plan for details.

• Take medications as prescribed. Your drugs were prescribed for a reason. It is important

to adhere to your medication regime and take medications as prescribed. Some drugs can cause harmful interactions, so make sure your doctor knows everything you take, including over-the-counter drugs.

• If you smoke, stop. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S. It’s never too late to quit, and the benefits of doing so are almost immediate, according to the American Cancer Society.

Keep in mind that parts of Medicare cover smoking cessation counseling and prescription medications.

• Get some exercise. Regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems that come with age. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer exercise programs designed specifically for older adults at no extra cost. If your plan has a program like this, make sure to take advantage of it.

• Have some fun! Be sure to make time for activities you enjoy and seek out others who

also enjoy them. The social interaction is good for you.

“We are constantly inspired by stories of older adults reinventing themselves later in life in meaningful ways, from running marathons to mentoring young people to painting for the very first time,” said Brian Evanko, president of CignaHealthSpring. “The key that unlocks all of this is maintaining your physical and emotional health and well-being through the years.”

All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation. The Cigna name, logos, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. Cigna-HealthSpring is contracted with Medicare for PDP plans, HMO and PPO plans in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in CignaHealthSpring depends on contract renewal. Cigna-HealthSpring complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Cigna-HealthSpring does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. English: ATTENTION:If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-800668-3813 (TTY 711). Spanish: ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711).

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It’s Just Stuff! by Connie Sue Davenport

Collectors still cherish dolls and doll clothes Dear Connie Sue,

Dear Connie Sue,

I hope you can help. I have two handmade wooden dolls my mom bought in the 60s. She said they were a Hallmark special edition. I would like any information you can provide. If you can tell me their value I would greatly appreciate it. There is a male and female and they are about 10” tall. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Sonja

I have been trying to find information on two Shirley Temple dolls. I am looking for the name, year and value of the dolls.

Dear Sonja, Your mother’s wooden, jointed peg dolls were most likely made by Dutch or German craftspeople. They used soft wood that was easy to carve. Jointed shoulders, elbows, legs and knees allowed children to pose the dolls easily. The hair and face were very simply painted and the doll’s feet and hands were often shaded clubs without much detail. They were sold without clothing to encourage children to create their fashion and stories.

Similar dolls with slight damage, no clothes or markings sell from $35$85. Dolls with period, original clothing, expressive facial features, maker’s marks and hair can sell into the thousands.

Although I found a line of colorful peg dolls made with clothespins by Hallmark, I didn’t find anything like your simply carved, jointed dolls.

I also have a Barbie wedding dress set and a prom dress set. Any information you can give me is appreciated. The wedding set includes two dresses, a bridal veil, one set of shoes, two necklaces, long dress gloves, a fur wrap and two sets of flowers.

Rose, Portland, Tenn.

Dear Rose, Ideal Toys made your Shirley Temple doll in the red dress with the sailor collar and blue stars. Similar dolls sell for around $35. I don’t think the larger fashion doll in the grey dress is Shirley. She’s pretty, though and might sell a bit higher, around $50. Typically the maker’s mark is on the back of the dolls head, under the hair.

Barbie’s pink satin gown came out in 1961. It’s called Enchanted Evening and originally cost $4. The complete outfit which sells online for around $70 had a white rabbit stole, gold shoes, and a three-strand pearl choker with matching earrings. People will pay a lot to complete a clothing set.

The three strand necklace, missing from your grouping, recently sold on eBay for $56! The pieces of your Enchanted Evening ensemble might bring $60.

This Barbie wedding gown is her first, made in 1959, the year Barbie was introduced. It came with white shoes (use the ones with the pink gown) wrist length white gloves, and a blue garter. You have the correct veil and silver speckled upper tier of the skirt. Add the shoes and find some gloves and you may get $80 for the ensemble. I think the bouquet of white flowers go with this wedding dress.

Fashion dolls, especially Barbie, sell as an “objet d’art”—an object of art. Her clothing is a snapshot of fashion beginning in 1959. I’ve seen shadowbox framed outfits and dressed Barbie dolls in display shelves. Online sales for early Barbie is not as brisk as it was in the 1980s, but the visual treat of her outfits is still appealing.

Connie Sue Davenport is an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers and offers antique appraisal events, private appraisals, and estate sale consulting services to individuals, businesses and organizations.

Send questions to: 4064 Highway 31W, Cottontown, TN 37048 Office: 615-672-1992; Email: ConnieSue@ConnieSue.com

22 | Forward Focus

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Forward Focus is a quarterly publication of FiftyForward. With a circulation of approximately 30,000 it is distributed in Davidson and Williamson counties and is mailed to members of FiftyForward, as well as key donors and select community and business leaders.

Forward Focus has an estimated readership of 216,000 across Metropolitan Nashville. Copies are available at all FiftyForward centers, Davidson County public libraries, senior community living centers and at select area Kroger and Whole Foods stores.

We accept camera-ready ads, but design services are available.

The deadline is the first of the month preceding publication. For more information or to place an ad, contact Misa Acox, graphic design & publications manager, at 615-743-3430 or email macox@fiftyforward.org.

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