March 2017 Issue
Social Security: Now There’s Online Access Cover Story: “You Don’t Know What You Can Do Unless You Try”
Pg. 5 - Cooking for Two Simple Yumminess
Cover: “You Don’t Know What You Can Do Until You Try”
Pg. 25 Social Security: Receiving Housing Benefits? A Trip To Social Security May Not Be Necessary.
EASILY GET REPLACEMENT SOCIAL SECURITY TAX FORMS ONLINE By Chris Churchill Social Security Area Director Tax time is fast approaching. Preparing your documents can seem overwhelming. Some forms and paperwork might be difficult to track down. Social Security has made it easy to track down your annual Benefit Statement. An SSA-1099, or your annual Benefit Statement, is a tax form Social Security mails each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits received from Social Security in the previous year so people know how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on their tax return. You should receive your SSA1099 by January 31, 2017.
For noncitizens who live outside of the United States and received or repaid Social Security benefits last year, we’ll send form SSA-1042S instead. The forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S are not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you currently live in the United States and need a replacement form SSA-1099 or SSA1042S, we have a way for you to get an instant replacement quickly and easily. Go online and request an instant replacement form with a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. The online replacement form is available beginning February 1, 2017. Every working person in the U.S. should create a my Social Security account. The secure and personalized features of my Social Security are invaluable in securing a comfortable retirement — for today and tomorrow.
Easy Cooking for Two Off the Skewer Chicken Kabobs Ingredients 1 large onion, cut into wedges 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (8-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained 1/4 cup pineapple preserves
Preparation Coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over high heat. Add the onion and red pepper.
Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned, stirring occasionally. Season the chicken with the garlic powder, ginger, and salt. Add to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the chicken is browned, stirring occasionally. Add the pineapple chunks and preserves; mix well. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through and the chicken is no longer pink inside. Serve immediately.
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Beef Stromboli Ingredients 1/2 pound bulk hot or sweet Italian sausage 1/4 pound ground beef 1 (7-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained 1 pound frozen bread dough, thawed 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Is a type of turnover usually filed with various cheeses and Italian meats or vegetables. The dough used is typically Italian bread or pizza dough
Preparation Preheat oven to 425 degree F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. In a large skillet, brown the sausage and ground beef 8 to 10 minutes over medium-high heat, until no pink remains, crumbling to break up the meat while cooking. Drain off excess liquid and add the mushrooms; cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 6- x 12-inch rectangle. Spread meat mixture onto the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle with remaining ingredients and fold the dough over the filling, forming a 12-inch roll. With your fingers or a fork, pinch the edges together firmly to seal. Place the stromboli on prepared baking sheet.
Bake15 to 18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Slice and serve.
Mashed Potatoes for 2! Ingredients 1 1/4 pounds Idaho baking potatoes, peeled, cut into chunks 2 tablespoons butter, softened 2 tablespoons milk 1/2 teaspoon salt Pinch of black pepper
Preparation Place potato chunks in a large saucepan and add just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender; drain well and place in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
Until you try, you don’t know what you can do! By Susan Arnholt
PARENTS: Thomas J. and Joanne L. Horan BIRTH DATE: May 16, 1953 BIRTH PLACE: Peoria, IL SIBLINGS: 6 kids ORDER: 3rd Child, Oldest Daug hter FAVORITE HOBBIES GROWING UP: Boating, racquetball, tennis, reading EDUCATION: Holy Family Catholic Grade k‐7, St V incent de Paul Catholic Grade 8 Bergan Catholic High School Illinois Central College – Associates Degree University of Tom Horan – BS Degree University of Hard Knocks – Master Degree MARRIED: John Arnholt in September, 1972 FAMILY: We have 2 wonderful daughters, 2 great sons‐in‐law, and 5 of the best grandkids in the world (my opinion ). Our oldest daughter, Kelley helps with the rental property and runs Arnholt Snow Removal. She is married to Craig Lundy a policeman in Decatur and they have three children, the oldest, Dusty is going into the Marines after graduating high school in May the second child is Brittany who loves to read and debate and the youngest Katie, is in Sound System and softball at her school. Our second daughter, Katie Kim is a real estate developer and is CEO of The Kim Group
and is married to Charles, a Project Manager at River City Construction and they have two little guys Aidan 6 and Declan 4, who love to play hockey and swim. Declan told me there were 2 rules in hockey: try hard and have fun! I think that sums up life’s rules pretty well also!
“Until you try, you don’t know what you can do!” JOBS: Project Sweeper: At 12, I started working s ummers for my Dad cleaning the homes he had under construction. I learned that that a clean construction site allows work to progress faster and is much safer for the workers. I discussed child labor laws with my Dad and he just smiled and laughed. I loved going to work with my Dad. Elementary Entrepreneurial Editor: At 13, I realized that you need to look around and find a service that isn’t available and become that source. So, I started the first school newspaper at St Vincent de Paul.
As editor I had to find someone to type and run copies of the paper for distribution, set the purch ase price (5 cents), and find articles of interest to publish. I ran an editorial on our 8th grade class trip went to Springfield to a Convent and the Lincoln monument, instead of going to St. Louis Six Flags like all of the public schools. I learned about censoring when I got in trouble for publishing the article without getting prior approval from the Principal.
Apt Trainee: At 15, I started showing apartments for rent and painting them in between tenants. This is when I became interested in being a landlord. Boutique Babes: At 17 I bought a dress shop wit h my Mother and sister, Diane, which we ran toge ther for 3 years. I was taking French at school an d named the shop, “La Petite Boutique” meaning the small, small shop. I learned it was important to carefully select your Company name ‐ as most of our customers originally thought the shop was for short people instead of it being a small shop! NASCAR Prerequisite: At 18 I bought my first car a brand new red Ford Maverick and named it the “Lil Red Devil”. Later at the Richard Petty Racing Experience in Orlando, I got the highest allowed speed for a first time driver of 120 MPH!
Time Out: At 19 I married my high school sweeth eart, spent our whole savings of $200 on a 3 day weekend honeymoon to Six Flag and were back to work on Tuesday. I learned how much fun it was to spend time alone with my “big Guy”. Moving on up (to Chicago): At 20, my husband and I went to Chicago to run a 12 story, 134 unit apartment house for my Dad and his partners. The building’s tenant mix was about 50% white and 50% black. At the same time, it was 50% senior citizens and 50% college students.
Enjoying the well deserved good life!!!
It was the perfect mix! The college students helped the older tenants fixing or carrying things for them. The older people would then fix them a home cooked meal to thank them. It helped them both to overcome loneliness and to just be there for each other. I learned we can all get along by focusing on helping others instead of focusing only on ourselves. Real Life Courses: I had wanted to become an architect but after 2 years at ICC, I did not have the money to go on to University of Illinois. So I began reading and studying anything I could get my hands on about architecture and drafting. I also researched passive solar heating and used it in the second home we built. Our propane gas bill was always between $200 ‐$280 per year, at a time when many people were paying that amount per month! And though I never was licensed, I spent a lifetime planning and drawing the art we live and work in ‐ called buildings and homes.
“Until you try, you don’t know what you can do! ”
Moving on down (to Peoria): After 3 years, we decided to returned to Peoria and build a new home. We continued working in Chicago 4 - 10 hours days and then drive to Peoria to build our new home the other 3 days. When we finished the house, we moved back and John became a union carpenter and I worked in my Dad’s office doing architectural drawings, project management a nd became a licensed Realtor. When my Dad passed away I began running the construction division of Horan & Company for my mother. In 1991, I bought the construction division and started Horan Construction, Inc. I named it after my Dad.
We were award the Diversity Business Awar ds numerous years and Forbes 5000 three ye ars. We were part of the Jack Miller Netwo rk of top 500 contractors in the United State s, belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, B etter Business Bureau and were featured in a national trade magazine as a leading wom anowned business. Our biggest award was “ 80% of our work came from repeat customer s.” The best assets in my Company were the pe ople who worked for me. They were craftsm en of quality and integrity and I could not h ave done it without each of them. Also, my husband and I are Landlords for a n umber of buildings and have a Snow Remova l Business. After having shingles 5 times, my body decid ed it was time to retire. Two years ago, I dec ided to close down the Company. All of the employees had other jobs and we finished al l our contracts first. I am still working on be ing retired but haven’t gotten it right yet. Bu t until you try, you don’t know what you can do!! VOLUNTEERING:
Life is better when you spend your time with the right people. I designed and built commercial property including the Wells Fargo building on Knoxville, Widmer on Allan Road, and Golf Creek Center at the corner of Radnor and Willow Knolls Roads, to name a few. We developed, custom designed and built single family homes and duplex condos. We also performed a lot of construction work for retailers, various school districts, a hotel, utility companies and offices.
Girl’s 4th Grade Soccer coach – small parochial league where I had to recruit 2nd , 3rd , and 4th graders to play because we didn’t have enough 4th graders for a team. There is a lot of size difference between a 2nd and 4th grader. Before each game, we would say a prayer that everyone would have fun and no one would get hurt. Then they would rush out onto the field and ….lose! The playoffs started and we were running late. I gathered my team, gave them their positions to play and said, “Go”! They stood there. I said again “GO”! They said, ” We can’t, …we haven’t prayed!” That was our greatest victory not the game, but realizing we needed to pray.
Girl’s 6th Grade Basketball – a public school intramural league. We w ere practicing before a game by doing lay ups. One girl pouted, “This is a waste of t ime! I can’t do a layup.” I said, “You can’t do a layup yet.” She did a layup and mis sed. She said, “This is a waste of time! I c an’t do a layup.” And I said, “You can’t d o a layup yet.” Well this went on and on until she finally added “yet” to her whini ng, but she continued to miss every layu p. At last the game started, and she grab bed the jump ball, ran down the court do ing a layup and made the basket!! She w as so excited, she came running over to me yelling, “I did it, I did it!!!” I had to r emind here the game was still in progress and she needed to get going! You don’t know what you can do until you try! Snowball (high school) and Snow Flake (middle school) – Programs to keep kids off drugs and alco hol, by showing them that they could ha ve fun without using either! Habitats for Humanity ‐ I worked at a co uple of homes being built and then helpe d organize the First Women’s Build for Ha bitat in Peoria. CHURCH INVOLVEMENT – I am a Eucharistic Minister in my Church. Also work on Feeding the Poor, one Sunday every quarter. I started an ecumenical bible study 8 years ago and it is still meeting. All of the people in this Bible study are dedicated servants of the Lord and I am blessed by each and every one of them. Cursillo I made my Cursillo (#299) in Peoria in 1987. Cursillo is a short course in Christianity and it changed my life. We started doing volunteer work, sometimes as a family.
Helping the Poor - My family helped moved a poor family of 6. We put up shades and bro ught in food and furniture. I was amazed tha t the children each had a small box with every thing they owned in it. The next day, I share d that with my 6th grade Sunday school class. The following week, they brought in a van f ull of clothes, jackets, books and toys. And I d idn’t suggest anything! Prison Ministry ‐ I start doing Prison Ministry 25 years ago. I thought I was going inside to help others get closer to Jesus and found out that I received many more blessings then I pr obably ever gave. The incarcerated residents are just like me and you, only they made som e bad choices and got caught. Many of them admit that they would probably not still be ali ve, if they were on the streets. Many have pl ans to help others on the outside and we’ve watched them do just that and stay clean. M ost were amazing people who came to our w eekend retreat to make a change in their life and get closer to Jesus. Please pray for them there is a lot of temptation on the outside.
Quilting at Prison – Three ladies and I from Cursillo wanted to t each the women inmates at Pekin to quilt. So fabric was donated and precut (no scisso rs in prison) and the women were taught st ep by step to quilt by hand over an 8 week period. Since the inmates had not purchas ed the fabric they were not allowed to kee p them, which they knew upfront. But they were allowed to vote on whom to donate them to. They selected,” Wounded Warrior s”. I couldn’t believe how beautiful those q uilts were and how proud they were to pro vide them to a great cause. HOBBIES NOW: Family, volunteering, travel ing, boating, Sailing, Kayaking, Biking, Quilti ng, puzzles, pickle ball, and entertaining fri ends. These things I never had time for bef ore. Who knows, I might even master this retired thing yet. You never know what you can do until you try!!!!
Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway.
Affordable Rates Well Equipped Rooms Warm Community Pets Allowed for a small one time fee • Walking Grounds • Beautiful Landscape • Low Income Housing Tax Credit Property • • • •
Featured Advertiser – page 5
Enjoy Your Retirement in Comfort Located in a lush, wooded setting, Woodridge Manor is a 96-unit senior living community that you can call home. Our retirement facility in Peoria, IL is just a short drive from Kroger, Northwoods Mall, and I-74, offering easy accessibility while maintaining the tranquility of country life. What makes us different from other retirement homes is that our accommodations are designed with your comfort in mind. Our units are set back from the road throughout our spacious, beautiful grounds, providing you with a relaxing living atmosphere. Aside from your comfort, we prioritize your safety. For your peace of mind, all of our homes consist of only a single story, with 2 wheelchair-accessible units per building. In addition, all of our units are handicapped accessible. Reach out to us today to find out more about life at Woodridge Manor. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Woodridge Manor 3900 N. Marybelle Ave. Peoria, IL 61615
309 688-0095 Business Hours Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Roasted Spring Vegetables Ingredients 1/4 cup olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 12 ounces asparagus, washed, trimmed, and cut into 2-inch pieces 8 radishes, washed, trimmed, and cut in half 3 ears fresh corn, cut into 1-inch chunks 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Irish Coffee Irish coffee was created in 1942 in a Limerick Ireland airport terminal that passengers passed through to and from North America.
Ingredients 1 teaspoon brown sugar 6 ounces freshly brewed coffee 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey Lightly whipped heavy cream
Preparation Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper; mix well. Add vegetables to mixture and toss until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until veggies start to brown. Sprinkle with dill and serve.
Preparation Place brown sugar in a coffee mug or heatproof glass. Fill mug 3/4-full with hot coffee; stir well to melt sugar. Stir in whiskey. Carefully pour the cream over coffee so it floats on top. Do not stir after adding cream, as the true flavor is obtained by drinking the hot coffee and Irish whiskey through the cream.
Apple Crisp for Two Ingredients 2 apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided 1 teaspoon sugar Pinch of ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons quick-cooking rolled oats 2 tablespoons brown sugar Coupons 2 tablespoons butter Preparation Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 2-cup microwave-safe baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine apples, 1 teaspoon flour, sugar, and cinnamon; mix well. Spoon into baking dish and cover with wax paper. Microwave on high power 3 to 4 minutes, or until apples are soft. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine remaining flour with oats and brown sugar; mix well. With a fork, blend in butter until crumbly; sprinkle mixture over apples. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Serve warm.
Microwave Cookies Ingredients 3/4 cup light brown sugar 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 tablespoon milk 1 egg 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
Preparation Place all ingredients in a a medium bowl and mix with a spoon until well combined. Coat a large microwavable plate with cooking spray and place 4 heaping teaspoonfuls of batter on plate. Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds or until firm. Repeat with remaining batter. Let cool slightly.
Broccoli and Cheese Manicotti
Ingredients 8 ounces manicotti shells 1 (32-ounce) container ricotta cheese 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded mozzarella chesse, divided 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Coupons 1 egg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well drained 2 cups spaghetti sauce
Preparation Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook manicotti shells according to package directions; drain, rinse, and drain again. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Add broccoli; mix well. Fill each manicotti shell with about 1/3 cup cheese mixture (see Notes) and place in prepared baking dish. Pour spaghetti sauce over stuffed shells and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until hot and bubbling.
For an easy way to fill manicotti shells, place cheese mixture in a easy seal storage bag. Snip off a corner of bag and squeeze cheese mixture into shells. For an extra burst of flavor, add 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg to the cheese mixture.
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March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month What are the symptoms of Colorectal Cancer? Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don't always cause symptoms, especially at first. Someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important. If you have symptoms, they may include— • Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement). • Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away. • Losing weight and you don’t know why. If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They may be caused by something other than cancer. The only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.
Downsizing Made Easy
• Avoid tackling the whole house in one go, one room at a time. • Frame questions to result yes or no answers. • Use the new space as a guide. • Eliminate the "maybe" pile. • Focus on most-used items and get rid of the rest. • Keep pieces that carry strong memories, no need to take every single thing. • Don’t hang on to things you are planning to give away eventually, there is no time like the present for giving. • If you have items of value to sell, don’t take a chance doing it alone, have an appraisal done. • Understand how charities operate and target specific organizations for those special items. • If its chipped, broken or stained, toss it. • Toss replaceable items without hesitation. • Call in help if you think you won’t be the most effective in actually discarding.
RECEIVING HOUSING BENEFITS? A TRIP TO SOCIAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE NECESSARY
By Gregory A. Bieller Social Security District Manager Social Security is constantly evolving to make your life easier. If you are currently receiving benefits from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and are reapplying for benefits, or are assisting someone with their application, a trip to the Social Security office is probably not necessary even if verification of Social Security benefits is needed. Because of a data exchange established between Social Security and HUD, most people do not need to contact Social Security for a benefit verification letter. HUD administrators processing a Recertification Application for Housing Assistance can use their Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System to verify Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Public housing agencies, private owners, and management agents administering HUD rental assistance programs may get registration information about EIV by logging onto the following websites: go.usa.gov/x97mH or go.usa.gov/x97m6 If you are a new applicant for housing assistance, you can provide your HUD administrator with your Social Security award letter, Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) notice, SSA-1099, or other SSA benefit document you should have received at the beginning of the calendar year or when you began receiving benefits, whichever is later. We created these data exchange agreements to help you get the support you need at the first point of contact, even if that’s not with Social Security. If you do need to provide proof of Social Security benefits yourself, we have another way to save you a trip to Social Security. You can get an instant benefit verification letter with a personal my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Great Travel Destinations to Consider When Starting Retirement Miami For many heading south towards the consistently balmy climes of Florida and other places below the Frost Belt makes perfect vacation sense. Miami Beach is a coastal resort city located between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay and has much to offer mature travelers, including some great beachfront resorts like Loews South Beach and hotels like Park Central.
Miami Beach is home to the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world and guided tours are plentiful. You can also take a water tour around Biscayne Bay, getting a good look at Biscayne Marina and Marketplace on your way. There are some great museums in Miami including the Wolfsonian-FIU Museum and Lincoln Road is great for shopping. Of course, you’re going to want to spend some time enjoying the sea, surf and magnificent views at South Beach. Head down later in the day for an early seafood dinner. Miami Beach is not just for the Spring breakers, there is beauty for everyone of all ages to enjoy!
Big Sur Road Trip You’re never too old for a road trip and, actually, taking your own car and exploring a patch of the U.S. you’ve never seen before can be an extremely rewarding and pocket-friendly way of spending your vacation. The stretch of Californian coastline between San Simeon and Carmel was once so rugged and badly-maintained that few vacationers dared tackle it but now the Big Sur as it is known is one of the most adored segments of California’s highway 1. It only takes a few hours to speed along the roughly 85 miles of the Big Sur but it is the surrounding regions, off the main road, that offer the most magical experience. There are some beautiful coastal inns and hotels all along the stretch to choose your overnight spot wisely. When you’re done with the Big Sur continue on north to San Francisco or south through Carmel and keep going until you reach San Diego!
Alaska You haven’t lived until you’ve taken an Alaskan cruise. The largest U.S. state but also the most sparsely populated, Alaska offers an experience that cannot be replicated by anywhere else in the world. Alaska’s dramatic terrain is best and most safely negotiated by cruise ship. There are many, many companies offering cruise ship tours of Alaska so it’s easy to find one to fit into your budget and schedule. For seniors a cruise is a great way to see Alaska in comfort and style without feeling like you’re missing out. For the adventurous there are opportunities to go skiing, mountain biking, ice-fishing and kayaking. Trips to pretty little Alaskan towns are also on most cruise ship itineraries but for the most part visitors just love the feeling of being surrounded by wide-open space, walking through Alaskan forests and, if they’re lucky, spotting some of the abundant Alaskan wildlife.
Santa Fe, New Mexico New Mexico is known as the land of enchantment and Santa Fe is one of the most cultural destinations in the state, if not the whole of the United States. There is a higher concentration of art galleries and museums in Santa Fe than almost anywhere else in the world, all within reasonable walking distance or a short drive from the town square. Located over 7000 feet up in the Rocky Mountains, Santa Fe’s climate is perfect for older people and the scenery in the surrounding areas is breath-taking, with endless vistas of mountains, canyons and gorges.
If you want to get out amongst it there are plenty of opportunities to take easy hikes in the summer months and enjoy good skiing with the whole family in the winter. Santa Fe’s rich Spanish history has led not only to a vibrant cultural scene but to a delicious cuisine that’s worth the trip alone. Receive Life After 50 – Peoria Area at your home every month! For more information: Email: footprintsmedia72@gmail.com
Great Travel Destinations to Consider When Starting Retirement
The Island of St. John, US Virgin Islands The Island of St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands is as close as you can get to a true tropical escape in North America. Over 60% of the land area on the Island of St John is secluded and perfectly conserved as part of the Virgin Islands National Park. The economy on St John is entirely based on tourism so you can be sure you’ll receive impeccable service during your stay. The beachfront bungalows and villas are plentiful and when beach life gets too much you can spend some of your vacation funds at the nearby upscale jewelry stores and boutiques. An hourly ferry service runs from The Island of St John to nearby Tortola and regular ferries also operate to and from Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke creating ample opportunity for you to take a day trip. St John is an unbeatable destination for pleasureseekers looking for peace, quiet and a bit of indulgence.
Las Vegas, Nevada Everyone should experience Vegas at some point in their life. Located in Nevada’s Mojave Desert, Las Vegas is known for its 24hour casino, riot of live entertainment and reputation for all-round decadence. Although it’s extremely hot in the summer and it’s not advisable to go out walking during the day, the majority of the must-see destinations within Las Vegas are accessible indoors with long air conditioned walkways taking you from casino to casino and hotel to hotel. The extravagant theme hotels such as the Luxor, the Venetian and the Bellagio are a feast for the eyes while the exciting shows and non-stop casinos offer endless stimulation for all of the senses. It’s impossible not to eat and drink well in Las Vegas as it’s completely service-orientated and there always competition for your custom. Caesar’s Palace is thought to be one of the best hotels for seniors as it offers everything you might need under one roof.
Hawaii Big Island Hawaii Island, commonly known as Big Island, is the youngest but also the largest of the Hawaiian islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. Not only is it huge, Hawaii Island is also incredibly diverse. You might spend one day of your vacation soaking up the rays on one of the unbelievably beautiful beaches that span in color range from yellow to green to black, one day visiting one of the island’s two very active volcanoes and one day exploring what lies beyond the shore, snorkeling and taking part in exhilarating water sports. The cultural history of the island permeates daily life and you can enjoy a cultural show at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau, a historic park that was once used by locals as a place of refuge. Hapuna and Kahaluu Beach Parks are must-sees as is Waimea, an area that offers horse-back riding amongst the island’s lush greenery.
San Antonio River Walk The San Antonio Riverwalk, also known as Paseo del Río or simply as the River Walk) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of San Antonio, Texas, USA. Lined by bars, shops, restaurants, nature, and public art, the River Walk is an important part of the city's urban fabric and a tourist attraction in its own right. The River Walk is a successful specialcase pedestrian street, one level down from the automobile street. The River Walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting the major tourist draws from the Shops at Rivercenter, to the Arneson River Theatre, to Marriage Island, to La Villita, to Hemis Fair Park, to the Tower Life Building, to the San Antonio Museum of Art, to the Pearl and the city's five Spanish colonial missions, which have been named a World Heritage Site, including The Alamo. During the annual springtime Fiesta San Antonio, the River Parade features flowery floats that float down the river.
15 Things Caregivers Should Know After a Loved One Has Had a Stroke
1.It’s better to find out than miss out. Be aware of the medications that have been prescribed to your loved one and their side effects. Ask if your home should be modified to meet the specific needs of the stroke survivor. Ask a doctor, nurse or therapist to clarify any unanswered questions or to provide written information that explains what occurs after the stroke and during recovery or rehabilitation. 2.Reduce risks, or stroke may strike again. Survivors who have had one stroke are at high risk of having another one if the treatment recommendations are not followed. Make sure your loved one eats a healthy diet, exercises (taking walks is great exercise), takes medications as prescribed, and has regular visits with their physician to help prevent a second stroke. 3.Many factors influence recovery. Recovery depends on many different factors: where in the brain the stroke occurred, how much of the brain was affected, the patient’s motivation, caregiver support, the quantity and quality of rehabilitation, and how healthy the survivor was before the stroke. Because every stroke and stroke survivor is unique, avoid comparisons. 4.Gains can happen quickly or over time. The most rapid recovery usually occurs during the first three to four months after a stroke, but some stroke survivors continue to recover well into the first and second year post-stroke. 5.Some signs point to physical therapy. Caregivers should consider seeking assistance from a physical or occupational therapist if their loved one has any of these complaints: dizziness; imbalance that results in falls, difficulty walking or moving around in daily life; inability to walk six minutes without stopping to rest; inability to do things that he/she enjoys like recreational activities or outings with family or increased need for help to engage in daily activities. 6.Don’t ignore falls. Falls after stroke are common. If a fall is serious and results in severe pain, bruising or bleeding, go the Emergency Department for treatment. If a loved one experiences minor falls (with no injury) that occur more than two times within six months, see your physician or the physical therapist for treatment. 7.Measuring progress matters. How much acute rehabilitation therapy your loved one receives depends partly on his/her rate of improvement. Stroke survivors on an acute rehabilitation unit are expected to make measurable functional gains every week as measured by the Functional Independence Measure Score (FIMS). Functional improvements include activities of daily living skills, mobility skills and communication skills. The typical rehabilitation expectation is improving 1 to 2 FIM points per day.
8. A change in abilities can trigger a change in services. Medicare coverage for rehabilitation therapies may be available if your loved one’s physical function has changed. It there appears to be improvement or a decline in motor skills, speech or selfcare since the last time the patient was in therapy, he/she may be eligible for more services. 9.Monitor changes in attitude and behavior. Evaluate whether your loved one is showing signs of emotional lability (when a person has difficulty controlling their emotions). Consult a physician to develop a plan of action. 10. Stop depression before it hinders recovery. Post-stroke depression is common, with as many as 30–50 percent of stroke survivors developing depression in the early or later phases post stroke. Post-stroke depression can significantly affect your loved one’s recovery and rehabilitation. Consult a physician to develop a plan of action. 11. Seek out support. Community resources, such as stroke survivor and caregiver support groups, are available for you and your loved one. Stay in touch with a case manager, social worker or discharge planner who can help you find resources in your community. 12. Learn the ins and outs of insurance coverage. Be sure to consult with your lovedone’s doctor, case manager or social worker to find how much and how long insurance will pay for rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation services can vary substantially from one case to another. Clarify what medical and rehabilitation services are available for hospital and outpatient care. Determine the length of coverage provided from your insurance (private or government supported) and what out-of-pocket expenses you can expect. 13. Know when to enlist help. If rehabilitation services are denied due to lack of “medical necessity,” ask your loved one’s physician to intervene on his or her behalf. Ask the physician to provide records to the insurance carrier and, if needed, follow up yourself by calling the insurance company.
14. Know your rights. You have rights to access your loved-one’s medical and rehabilitation records. You are entitled to copies of the medical records, including written notes and brain imaging films. 15. Take care of you. Take a break from caregiving by asking another family member, friend or neighbor to help while you take time for yourself. Keep balance in your life by eating right, exercising or walking daily, and getting adequate rest.