Prime Time Monthly February 2021

Printed on recycled paper Volume 31 | Issue 2

PRIME TIME February 2021

FOR NEW MEXICANS 50+ SINCE 1990

MONTHLY

Joint Tenancy: Friend Or Foe? pg 6

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February 2021

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February 2021

Table of Contents

FEATURES

3 Senior Olympics Healthy

Resolutions for 2021 4 Ask A Health Care Professional 13 Savvy Senior – Do I Need To Sign-Up For Medicare If I’m Still Working?

COLUMNS 8 Shannon Wagers 11 Bugman 12 Prescription For A Better Life – Dr. Barry Ramo 14 The Doc Is In – Dr. Muraida 15 Herb Doc

EVERY MONTH 10 Classifieds 11 Crossword

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Senior Olympics Healthy Resolutions For 2021

I

t’s not too late to make your 2021 resolutions. Try not to let the idea of committing to unrealistic objectives stress you out - most people give up their resolutions shortly after February. New Mexico Senior Olympics (NMSO) invite you to take part in some health promotion activities that may inspire you to set more practical and attainable goals that you can work toward and just maybe we will see you in the next Senior Games.

2021 just may be the perfect year to make some plans for the future that focus on your own health and wellness.

We have all seen the traditional list of resolutions to focus on setting health and wellness goals, make sure you throw some fun in the mix, too. Improving your physical and mental fitness doesn’t have to mean joining a gym or boot camp, although those are great options if they appeal to you. Choose several smaller goals for the year, and keep in mind that even small changes will improve your health. Even if you can’t stick to all of them, you will take small steps in creating a healthier lifestyle and may check some exciting things off your list along the way.

For many people, having to be accountable to someone gets us moving when we’d rather sit on the couch. This isn’t the case for everyone, but having a friend or family member join you in your resolutions could help you reach your goals and make your activities more enjoyable. If you already belong to a senior fitness group or a local senior center, you may find more than one likeminded friend who will join you as you set wellness goals for the year.

Five Health Promotion Activity Ideas: You don’t have to commit to running a triathlon in order to feel like you accomplished something great. Try out some of the following activities for this year. It is recommended to check with your physician before embarking on any new routines or activities. Once you get the green light from your physician, make a list of some reasonable goals you can accomplish.

NMSO has some ideas to help you create a list of resolutions you can feel good about. You may still work fulltime, volunteer regularly, or have hobbies and activities that take up your time.

Contact NMSO by email at nmso@ nmseniorolympics.org. or call our fitness team at 1-888-623-6676.

1. Walk thirty minutes a day, 5 days per week. This is a great introduction to moving if you aren’t very active. A brisk walk is easy to accomplish at home. Grab a friend or your dog, and enjoy some time outside. During the winter or inclement weather, pick an indoor location, like a mall or museum. For a walking club 12-week commitment check out the Walk4Fitness program on our website

at www.nmseniorolympics.org. Also, Senior Games offers many walking competitive events such as powerwalking, race walking and 400-800 estimated walk event.

2. Commit to drinking more water.

It’s recommended that we all drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, so set your goal and do your best to stick with it. Hydration is more important as we age when our body water content decreases.

Try filling a large water bottle at the beginning of a day that can stay cold and travel with you as you go about your day, run errands, or exercise.

3. Join a virtual online exercise session. Even though you may be over sixty, you may be techier savvy than you know. Choose a Zoom virtual exercise each week. Put your brain to work each week to help maintain your cognitive abilities and improve your computer skills.

Make it fun – choose a one hour class once or twice week. Check out NMSO website for virtual options from Yoga classes; chair exercise and Remote EnhanceFitness.

New Mexico Department of Health offers virtual fall prevention classes such as matter of balance and more. A group exercise class will give you an opportunity meet a new friend and give you something to look forward to. Seniors are sometimes more vulnerable to feeling isolated and lonely, so a scheduled exercise class could contribute to your mental wellness.

4. Consider volunteering Volunteerism can have positive effects on physical and mental health. Volunteering has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve heart health, and can also lower your risk of mental illness, including depression and anxiety. Choose days and times that work for you. Senior Olympics is seeking volunteers to be walk leaders for a 12-week walking program. When our Senior Centers open up again, post COVID, consider volunteering with what you like to do. You can choose activities that will promote physical health, like leading a low-impact exercise senior group; or coach a weekend instructions on a recreational sport with softball, volleyball, tennis or track/field. Local Games in 28 counties throughout the state are always looking for volunteers to assist with local game planning and implementation.

5. Healthy Eating for Better Health.

Commit to one less dessert per week.

The people who resolve to cut sugar entirely out of their diet or give up desserts altogether usually don’t last very long. Instead, try taking baby steps. If your routine includes a sweet treat after lunch or dinner, skip one day a week.

You may start to notice that you are more alert and have more energy that day, and you will likely feel encouraged to go for 2 days or more!

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February 2021

Ask A Health Care Professional Wei-Ann Bay, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico

M

y mother is 80 years old and my father is 82, and they’ve been married for

56 years. Just like most couples they engage in the back-and-forth banter that my siblings and I listen to and smile about. One of the most commonly bantered topics is about their hearing or lack of hearing. For the longest time they put off getting hearing evaluations despite complaints of ringing in the ears and selfadmission of not being able to hear conversations clearly when in a crowd.

Both have recently been diagnosed with agerelated hearing loss.

What are the different types of hearing loss?

The hearing system is broken into three parts: the outer ear, or the part of the ear you see that extends to the ear drum; the middle ear, which includes the ear drum and the tiny ear bones; and the inner ear, which includes the “canals” for

balancing and the nerves that go to the brain.

Three main types of hearing loss can result when any part of the hearing system does not work normally: 1. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there are problems in the outer or middle ear. Sounds cannot get to your inner ear.

This can happen when you have ear wax, fluid in the ear, an ear infection causing swelling, an object stuck in your ear or a hole in the ear drum.

2. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear structures and nerves.

This type of hearing loss can be a result of illnesses, drugs that are toxic to the nerves, brain injury, damage done by very loud noises, and age.

3. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

What is presbycusis?

Presbycusis, also known as age-related hearing loss, is very

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common around the world and in the U.S. About 30-35% of adults age 65 and older have hearing loss, and it is estimated that 50% of all adults have presbycusis by the time they reach 75 years old. This is most commonly a sensorineural hearing disorder.

Age-related hearing loss occurs over many years and affects both ears. Common complaints include not being able to hear highpitched sounds, having a hard time hearing in crowded places, or ringing in the ears, which is also called tinnitus. If you have age-related hearing loss, you may not hear the alarms and alerts on a timer, the ringing of a phone or birds chirping. Words from others can sound mumbled. Tinnitus may sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing or roaring.

What are the other risk factors associated with age-related hearing loss?

Besides age, several factors can

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(continued on next page)

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February 2021

Prime Time Publishing, LLC Home of

Prime Time Monthly News Family Caregivers Resource Guide 50+ EXPO

Publisher/Editor

David C. Rivord primetime@swcp.com

Sr. Advertising Executive Joe A. Herrera primesales@swcp.com

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Graphic Designer/ House Photographer Dana Benjamin

Copy Editor

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Calendar Editor Liz Otero

Contributing Writers Dr. Wei-Ann Bay Richard Fagerlund Jim Miller Lori L. Millet Dr. Gerard Muraida Liz Otero Dr. Barry Ramo Dr. Shellie Rosen Shannon Wagers

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Ask A Health Care Professional Cont. (continued from previous page)

affect the onset and severity of presbycusis. These include but are not limited to exposure to loud noises, use of drugs (e.g., antibiotics or cancer drugs) that are toxic to the hearing nerves, infections, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and genetics.

What should I do if I have hearing problems?

If you think you might have hearing loss or someone mentions you have a hearing problem, please make an appointment to get evaluated. Sudden hearing loss is especially concerning, so see your health care provider right away.

Your health care provider will do a physical exam to look in your ear, perform a quick hearing test and perhaps order other testing, such as blood tests. The test that confirms the diagnosis of hearing loss is called an audiogram. This test is performed in a soundproof room, and the audiologist tests hearing at different sound frequencies to determine if the patient can hear the sound. Other tests include testing

for word discrimination and testing of the ear drum’s response to changes in air pressure.

How is age-related hearing loss treated?

Restoring hearing can decrease isolation and improve quality of life, safety and mental health.

Hearing aids can treat agerelated hearing loss. There are many options today, and it may take time to find the right pair. Working closely with your ear doctor and audiologist will help you get the right type of hearing aid that is comfortable for you. Hearing aids can also help with tinnitus, but other therapies, such as biofeedback, retraining therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy may also be helpful.

If you have a health question that you would like to be considered in Ask a Health Care Professional, please email

AskHealthcareProfessional@ bcsbsnm.com. BCBSNM will select questions that may appear.

Questions will not be personally answered. The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of BCBSNM. This column is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.

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February 2021

Joint Tenancy: Friend Or Foe? Lori L. Millet, J.D., LL.M. ABQ Elder Law, PC

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ou may have heard that joint tenancy is a good way to avoid probate and simplify your estate plan. This is not always the case, and fixing the bad consequences of such poor planning is frequently not possible.

Joint tenancy is a way to hold title to land or financial accounts as a form of coownership. Upon the death of one of the joint owners, his ownership interest disappears and is automatically transferred to the surviving owner(s). Thus, if father and daughter own the property as joint tenants, when father dies, the daughter automatically owns the money or land.

Money in bank accounts is deemed to be held proportionately by each joint owner even if the other joint owner did not deposit his own money in the account.

In other words, a $10,000 bank account is deemed to be owned ½ and ½ by parent and child even if child did not deposit any of his own money in the account.

Joint tenancy is a good way to hold title between spouses. When one spouse dies, the other spouse does not have to do anything to own the property outright other than record the death certificate.

Similarly, for a bank or investment account, the survivor shows the banker the death certificate and all the money in the account is his or hers.

So, what can go wrong? The following are true stories I have encountered over the years: 1. In the father-daughter example above, father trusted daughter to let his second wife continue to live in the property. Unfortunately, daughter evicts stepmom from the marital residence.

2. Two sisters, both single and of very modest means, owned all of their respective bank accounts as joint tenants. Despite the joint tenancy ownership, each sister kept her money separate. One sister became ill had to go on Medicaid.

Medicaid counted both sisters’ bank accounts as available resources to pay for the ill sister’s care and imposed a penalty period. The money in all of the accounts was deemed to be available to the ill sister.

3. Mother put daughter on her bank accounts as a co-owner so daughter could write checks for her. Daughter got divorced. Half of the money in Mom’s bank accounts were deemed daughter’s assets in the divorce.

4. Similarly, in another case, daughter caused a car accident and the other driver obtained a judgment against daughter. Mom’s money was deemed an asset available to satisfy the judgment.

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5. Finally, another example is when daughter had to file bankruptcy. Mom’s money was considered an asset of daughter’s subject to daughter’s creditors.

6. Father put son on his investment account and trusted son to share the money in the account with his siblings. Son had no legal obligation to share the money when father died, and refused to do so. Even though father’s will directed his estate to be divided equally among his children, this did not happen because joint tenancy ownership (as well as payable on death beneficiary designations) overrides any directive in a will.

7. Grandmother put grandson on her savings account. Grandson withdrew most of the money and refused to return it. Grandmother was counting on that money to live on for the rest of her life.

8. Mom put son on her bank account as a way to avoid probate.

Two years later she had a stroke and had to go on Medicaid.

Medicaid would not approve the application because Mom was deemed to have transferred half of the money in the account to son as a “disallowable transfer”.

How do you avoid these issues?

• Have a well written power of attorney that a trusted child can use to write checks for you. Be sure the banker does not automatically make child a co-owner instead because this frequently happens.

An agent under a power of attorney is not deemed to have an ownership interest in the account.

• Name payable on death beneficiaries that match your estate plan instead of “trusting” one child to share the money or property with others.

• If avoiding probate is important to you, consider using beneficiary designations, a transfer on death deed, or trust. Be sure you know the pros and cons each option.

Every situation is different.

The internet has a lot of bad information and bad or outdated forms. Consultation with an attorney knowledgeable in estate planning and the consequences of your choices is critical to ensure your goals are met.

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February 2021

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February 2021

The Saga Of Blackdom

By Shannon Wagers

H

enry Boyer liked to tell stories about New Mexico.

In 1846, he had crossed the plains as a wagon driver with Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny’s Army of the West during the MexicanAmerican War. His tales of Natives and bison herds, vast grasslands and adobe towns where everyone spoke Spanish stirred the imagination of his children, especially his youngest son, Francis Marion Boyer. Francis, born about 1871, was better known as Frank.

Out there in the Southwest, Henry told him, “There’s nobody to help you and nobody to hinder you.

You can be your own man.” To a young Black boy growing up in Reconstruction-era Georgia, New Mexico must have sounded like the Promised Land.

Frank Boyer went on to graduate from Atlanta’s Morehouse College, which would later become the alma mater of Martin Luther King, Jr. He then took graduate courses in education at Fisk College in Nashville, Tenn., where he met Ella Louise McGruder, a fellow student. They were married in 1894, and Frank embarked on a teaching

career. But life in the Jim Crow South was difficult, even for a Black couple with college degrees, and Boyer had not forgotten his father’s vision of a better life in far-off New Mexico.

which proposed to establish a “Negro colony” where they could enjoy economic independence and raise their children far from the racial prejudices of the outside world.

In 1896 or ’97, Boyer and his friend Daniel Keys (sometimes spelled ‘Keyes’) left Georgia and set out on foot for New Mexico, working at odd jobs along the way.

Their 2,000-mile walk took them nearly a year. Arriving in the Pecos Valley, Boyer and Keys found jobs on farms and ranches in the area, and for a time Boyer even worked as a bellhop at a Roswell hotel. By 1901, they had accumulated enough capital to launch their own farming ventures, and Boyer’s wife and children came out to join them.

But development did not begin for several years, and most of their ambitious plans never came to fruition. A schoolhouse was built, which also served as a church and community center. There was one general store, and from 1912 to 1919 Blackdom had its own post office. At its height, Blackdom had a population of about 300 and encompassed nearly 15,000 acres. In all, 64 homesteaders — at least 12 of them women — “proved up” on their claims and gained full title to their land. They grew cash crops of alfalfa and corn, experimented with sugar beets and cotton, and planted fruit trees and vegetable gardens for their own use.

The Homestead Act of 1862 promised a 160-acre allotment of government land to anyone with enough grit and determination to live on it for five years, build a home, and make other improvements. And the United States Land Office didn’t care what color you were. Boyer and Keys learned that land was still available about 15 miles south of Roswell and eight miles west of Dexter and Greenfield. There they filed for homesteads, and soon they were joined by other Black families. They called their settlement “Blackdom,” and in 1903, formally incorporated the Blackdom Townsite Company,

Relations with their white neighbors were not always cordial.

One Roswell man, in a letter published in the Artesian Sun in 1903, wrote that while “there have been one or two good old-fashioned negroes here and they have had the respect and confidence of all the people,” the newcomers were “worthless . . . saucy and impudent.”

Roswell, it should be noted, was home to an active Ku Klux Klan chapter in the 1920s.

On the other hand, Greenfield resident W. E. Utterback, in a memoir published many years later, recalled a Juneteenth celebration to which the entire town of Greenfield was invited. After a sumptuous feast, the Blackdom men challenged the Greenfield men to game of baseball, which the Blackdom

team won. The Greenfield School Board also furnished the building materials for the Blackdom schoolhouse, although the schools of the two neighboring communities remained segregated, apparently by mutual consent.

After getting off to a somewhat shaky but promising start, things turned sour for Blackdom. Crop prices, which had been high during the First World War, plummeted after 1920. At the same time, drought set in. Dryland farming had been possible during the previous decade of above-average rainfall, but became unsustainable in the 1920s. Crops shriveled as irrigation wells ran dry. Deeper wells were needed, but that required drilling to a depth of 200 feet or more—an expense few could afford. Farmers who had mortgaged their farms to purchase equipment lost them when the banks foreclosed.

By 1929, Blackdom was abandoned. Many of the former residents, including the Boyers, moved on to the town of Vado, south of Las Cruces, where some of their descendants still live. Vado already had a thriving Black community, established by Black Union Army veterans who had settled there just after the Civil War. Today, Blackdom is gone, reclaimed by the desert. An archeological survey of the site in 1996 found only a few scattered trash mounds and crumbling foundations where the town’s buildings once stood. A historical marker by the roadside is all that remains to commemorate Frank Boyer’s utopian vision of a proud, self-sustaining Black community.

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Tech-Savvy Teens Helping Tech-Challenged Baby Boomers

By Liz Otero

T

eens and young adults seem to be naturally adept at navigating technology such as personal computers, smart devices, and software applications, while many older adults find much of it less than intuitive, if not baffling. But there’s help.

When mentioning Cash App, Venmo, Google Pay, Google Meet, Zoom, YouTube, TikTok, streaming, or virtual doctor appointments, many seniors look at you like you’re speaking another language. Through one-on-one personalized coaching, Teeniors helps people who feel as though their disenfranchisement from technology is preventing them from staying connected.

Trish Lopez, founder and CEO of the multi-award-winning Teeniors, was inspired to create a company that could help her mother and other digitally challenged older adults.

“The idea for the company was inspired by my mom, Lillian, who is 81,” Lopez said. She loves technology—from reading the news on her iPhone to checking out Facebook photos of our family. She also hates technology. Several times a month, when we kids get the call (saying), ‘Gmail “lost” her password or Microsoft lost her document…’ we can’t always be there to help.”

“Turns out, we’re not alone in this problem,” Lopez said. “There are millions of Lillians in the U.S. and many, many across New Mexico

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who are struggling to adapt to the digital world.”

Lopez launched the company soon after participating in a local startup pitch competition geared toward women with business ideas.

“I had no idea what I was doing,” Lopez said. “I had never created or run any organization before, but I had worked in leadership roles in the film industry.”

By addressing problems commonly overlooked for seniors, Lopez helped pave the way to help older adults with technology solutions. Teeniors celebrated its fifth anniversary in the fall, tutoring more than 4,000 adults along the way.

With personalized coaching from Albuquerque-based Teeniors, tech-savvy teens are working with tech-challenged Baby Boomers who need assistance with their online undertakings.

February 2021

Teeniors was created with a two-fold purpose: to empower older adults while providing paid, meaningful jobs for teens and young adults, ages 14-29. The organization also has a non-profit arm to support the countless hours of free coaching that it provides to seniors who can’t afford to pay.

“Through grants and tax-deductible donations, we have been able to continue this work while still paying our young team,” Lopez said.

Teeniors teaches everything from how to order groceries online and shop on Amazon; how to use apps such as Excel and Word, or change settings on an iPhone; how to participate in a Zoom video meeting, use social media platforms and stream movies; and even how to protect themselves online.

Amid it all, Lopez said, “the most common request is still how to use or better understand a client’s smartphone, tablet or computer.”

“Also, it’s important to note that not all of our clients are older adults,” Lopez said. “The average age of our clients is about 73 – but we have coached people as young as those in their 40s.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted social gathering, Teeniors worked through in-person coaching and community workshops. Today, Teeniors has shifted primarily to virtual assistance services. The pivot has also helped the company expand

to provide resources to seniors across the country – 23 states so far, including New Mexico.

Here’s how the program works: Clients call Teeniors – “they always get a live person,” Lopez said – and are given a choice of virtual coaching, in-person coaching, or the option to participate in monthly classes with a tutor or one of our team members. Every client has the opportunity to discuss during the initial call what they’d like to learn in their session. The call is followed by a personalized email confirmation, the name of their coach, and details of what the client hopes to

accomplish. Teeniors also provides free coaching opportunities every month for people who can’t afford to pay, and if you identify as lowincome, Teeniors’ non-profit may be able to help at little or no cost.

“The main service we provide is not tech support; it is human connection,” Lopez said. “And the level to which we recognize that, and stay true to that, is the level to which we will continue to succeed.”

For costs and more detailed information, contact Teeniors at (505) 600-1297 or at teeniors@gmail.com.

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VOLUNTEERS

The City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is recruiting volunteers 55 years of age and older for the following opportunities. For more information call 767-5225.

Senior Transportation Ride Coordinator: Answer phones, confirm ride requests and match rider and driver. (Coordinate rides). Enter information into the data base, complete rider intakes over the phone and mail packets.

Volunteer must have good phone etiquette, patient, and be familiar with data entry. You must take an Abuse Awareness training class. 2-3 volunteers are needed 2.5 hours per day, 5 days per week. For more information call 767-5225.

CASA (City of Albuquerque Senior Affairs) Kitchen Looking for volunteers to support a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen that prepares food for seniors in the community. Hours are anytime between 4:00a.m. – 12p.m, Monday through Friday.

Participate in preparation and distribution of food. Follow proper procedures in handling of food, portion control, sanitation, nutritional requirements and safety procedures. Some food handling experience is preferable; however volunteers will be trained for areas of help where are needed. Most volunteer activities will involve food prep (slicing, dicing, serving, and packaging) and kitchen sanitation (wiping, sweeping, mopping and dish washing). Call the RSVP office at 505-767-5225 for more information.

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) Advisory Council Needs members to join its efforts in promoting awareness and educating the community about FGP and senior issues. Council members advocate on behalf of FGP volunteers, evaluate the Program’s effectiveness, and assist in the recognition of Foster Grandparents by raising funds and in-kind resources. The

Council currently meets once a month at the Barelas Senior Center. For more information call 767-6412.

Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is looking for volunteers age 55 and older who are interested in making a difference in a child’s life.

Foster Grandparent volunteers must be willing to serve an average of 20 hours per week and must be able to pass a background check, physical, and tuberculosis test. Foster Grandparent volunteers serve one-on-one with children, working with them to build their social and emotional development as well as help improve their literacy skills. Volunteers receive mileage reimbursement, supplemental liability insurance, meals while on duty, pre-service and monthly trainings, and recognition throughout the year. Volunteers can also receive a small stipend if they meet the income guidelines.

Call 764-6412 for more information and to apply today.

Department of Senior Affairs Home Services is looking for volunteers to assist with yard work, minor home repairs, painting, building of wheel chair ramps and modified steps.

Experience in minor home repairs and yard cleaning the use of yard tools, shovels, rakes and painting preferred but not required. Days/hours are open depending on volunteer.

Time commitment: M-F 7:30-3:00. On the job training will be provided.

Mileage reimbursement is available to RSVP volunteers.

RSVP is part of Senior Corps and is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

The purpose of RSVP is to recruit senior volunteers into public, government and non-profit organizations to meet community needs. For information on these and more volunteer opportunities call 767-5225.

Landscapes of Enchantment ~ New Mexico Landscape Series ~ Limited Edition Giclées by Robert Benjamin

The Jemez Mountains are some of the most peaceful and friendliest places I know. It is always an enjoyable experience visiting the tall trees, deep canyons and the green valleys. My last trip, I decided to paint one of the most curious landmarks there. Battleship Rock stands like a proud sentinel of the forest, too important to be ignored.

For purchase information contact (505) 720-6541 or email primeart@swcp.com

“Battleship Rock” 24” x 18”, 125 s/n

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Monthly Magazine Pick up your copy at your local grocery store!

Free Publication!

PTPUBCO.com

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February 2021

Crossword CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Shade tree 4. Commonplace 9. Breathe with difficulty 13. Palm reader 15. Coeur d’__, Idaho 16. Chorale member 17. Remove potato skins 18. Main points 19. Space 20. Caucus attendees 22. Sow’s opposite 23. Drinks 24. Early apple eater 26. Synagogue soloist 29. Income tax deductible 34. Emigré 35. Burdened 36. Brazilian city, for short 37. Swamps 38. Subdued 39. Hay unit 40. Ace, sometimes 41. Phonies 42. Traveler’s stop 43. Those who dine on the house 45. Sharpeners 46. Suffix for assist or attend 47. Grouch’s problem 48. Deeds 51. Perform for 56. Underground growth 57. Public disturbances 58. Hair color 60. Horse’s feature 61. Habituate 62. Slacken 63. Suffix for mob or gang 64. Desert fruits 65. Snooze 1

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DOWN 1. Eerie sense, for short 2. Go first 3. One who has enfants 4. Grocery store employee 5. Otherwise known as 6. Treehouse?

7. Poker term 8. Ebbed 9. Upper room 10. Lotion ingredient 11. Greek portico 12. Splendor 14. Narrates 21. College in North Carolina 25. Mover’s need 26. Lodge’s middle name 27. Companionless 28. African country 29. British titles 30. Keats’ specialties 31. Fuming 32. Refueling ship 33. Seasonal songs 35. Fishing spot 38. Ragged 39. Slavery 41. $5 bill 42. Disapproving shout 44. Dog owner 45. Derby participants 47. 39.37 inches, in London 48. Weapons 49. Winter item 50. Sound 52. 15th-century vessel 53. Recommend highly 54. Oil exporter 55. Space flight agcy.

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(solutions on Page 14)

Ask The Bugman Email questions to AskTheBugman.com or call (505)385-2820

I

t is a new year, and pests have resolved to be active again.

Even so, pesticides are not necessary. There are safe and effective methods of controlling most pests, so you don’t have to be exposed to toxic pesticides and spend a lot of money. Today I will cover cockroaches.

You can help prevent cockroaches from coming into your home by inspecting all incoming food products, all boxes, and any used furniture or appliances for the presence of cockroaches or their egg capsules.

Do not store paper bags in the kitchen. Seal any holes or crevices around plumbing under sinks and behind toilets. Regularly vacuum and clean floors under the kitchen appliances. Keep drains closed at night to prevent roaches from coming up from the sewer system.

There are also a number of good baits available for controlling cockroaches. You can put equal amounts of baking soda and sugar out in flat containers, and roaches will take it. Niban Bait, made from boric acid, is a good commercial product for areas roaches are very common. Niban is available online. When using Niban, put it under and behind appliances, around hot water heaters, inside lower cabinets, in the garage and other places roaches will hide.

One of the best ways to control cockroaches outside is to put out several pie pans filled with beer.

Roaches love it and they do not check IDs for any interested in entering the pans. You can also put some duct tape down, sticky side up, in areas of the house or garage

11

where it won’t get stepped on.

Roaches are attracted to the glue and will get stuck. The tape will also catch crickets.

American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) This common roach feeds on a wide variety of plant and animal material, and it is commonly found in sewer systems. It will come up the drains at night and enter the living space of a home.

It also likes homes that have crawl spaces. This is the largest of the home-infesting roaches in the country. It will reach a little more than 1½ inches in length. It is a dark brown with yellowish band around its thorax (section behind head).

Oriental cockroaches (Blatta orientalis) Oriental cockroaches, or “waterbugs,” are found throughout the United States. They are about an inch long. These roaches are common in sewer systems and will come up the drains into the homes. They are also common debris outside and love stacks of firewood.

German cockroaches (Blatella germanica) The German cockroach is the most prolific of the roaches. It is small, dark brown, with two distinct black stripes on its thorax.

It will feed on almost anything edible and also a lot of things we wouldn’t consider edible. They

grow from egg to adult in as little as 45 days and, if left unchecked, can severely infest a home or business. Usually, they are found in kitchens and bathrooms. In addition to the control methods mentioned earlier, you can also use German Roach Pheromone Traps for these roaches.

If you have any pest questions, contact me at askthebugman2013@gmail.com.

12

PRIME TIME

February 2021

For A P X Healthy Life

Barry W. Ramo, MD, FACC • Director New Heart Fitness and Health • Cardiologist, New Mexico Heart Institute/Lovelace Medical Group

T

he year 2020 will go down as a terrible one for heart disease.

It will be a while before we can appreciate just how bad it was.

Weight gain, prolonged sitting, and unhealthy food choices top the list of co-conspirators harming heart health.

When cardiac symptoms come, people are ignoring them. So, more people are dying at home or delaying care. They are failing to receive therapy such as a stent to open a blocked coronary artery, which otherwise could lead to major heart damage. As we learned at the inauguration, we need to turn the page and go to the next chapter, which is about taking care of ourselves.

2021 Be Good To Your Hearts So, make 2021 a time to be good to your heart. To do that, you need to know your numbers. The numbers I would start with are weight, waist size, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and CRP (a marker of inflammation).

Step on your scale because you may have gained more weight than you think. Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Two objective tests for obesity are body mass index (BMI) and waist size. The BMI is the ratio between your height and weight. Normal BMI is 19-26; you are obese if your score is above 30. In fact, your waist size is a better predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

A big waist means a big belly, and that means metabolic syndrome with associated hypertension, prediabetes, and sleep apnea. The abdominal fat is associated with insulin resistance and inflammation. Ideally, your waist should be less than 40 inches around for men, and less than 35 inches for women. The fat on your hips is not linked to ASCVD.

NEW HEART NEW YOU Me d i c a l l y S u p e r v i s e d He a r t Di s e a s e P r e v e n t i o n 3 Mo n t h E x e r c i s e & Nu t r i t i o n Program

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You should know the numbers provided by three blood tests: a lipid panel, A1c and CRP. The lipid panel reports cholesterol numbers: HDL (H for happy) LDL (L for lousy), and triglycerides. The HDL cholesterol is important because it reduces the LDL cholesterol in the fatty plaques that line arteries. There is no specific treatment for HDL. No medication affects a change in risk for ASCVD. The LDL is the target that you attack with diet, exercise and sometimes medication to reduce heart disease risk. How aggressively LDL cholesterol is handled depends on your risk for ASCVD. The American Heart/ American College of Cardiology provides a risk score indicating your 10-year risk for developing ASCVD symptoms or signs such as a heart attack, stroke, or death from cardiovascular disease. If you are under age 60, you will receive an estimate of your lifetime risk. The score will help guide you about how low the LDL target should be and whether you are a candidate for a statin. A coronary artery calcium study, a low energy heart CT detects the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries. When calcium is present, coronary artery disease is present.

If the score is 0 calcium, a statin may not be warranted in low and intermediate risk individuals. When indicated, statin drugs do help prevent heart attacks and strokes, making it imperative that you know these numbers.

The A1C measures your average blood sugar during the previous 2-3 months. The A1C tells your risk for diabetes or if you already have it.

An A1C lower than 5.8 is considered normal, 5.8 to 6.5 is prediabetic, and above 6.5 is diabetic. Prediabetes increases the chance of becoming diabetic. If you are prediabetic, losing about 10% of your body weight can bring you into a normal range. It is imperative that you respond to a prediabetic state so that you possibly avoid diabetes.

Inflammation is a major mediator of ASCVD. Studies have now shown that reducing inflammation with medication reduces cardiovascular risk. As noted, abdominal obesity increases inflammation. High sensitivity CRP is a gross measure of inflammation in your body. The CRP level is reduced with weight loss, exercise and statin drugs.

High blood pressure is a silent killer. You don’t know you have it until you do. The first indication might be when you have a stroke or heart attack. Your home blood pressure is a more accurate way to determine if you have high blood pressure. Recording your blood pressure after sitting for five minutes in a quiet room is the suggested way to determine if you have high blood pressure and to follow the effects of treatment. A high reading in a provider’s office when you are nervous needs careful follow-up, of course, but home blood pressure monitoring is the best way to follow your progress. The numbers in your home are better predictors of future ASCVD events. You can get a good monitor for less than $50.

Take a measure of your diet: At New Heart, a medical gym where I am the medical director, I spend much of my time encouraging patients to follow a Mediterranean diet. This plant-based diet has been linked to lower risk for ASCVD, hypertension and diabetes. It is a very effective approach for weight management. In a previous edition of this magazine, I have discussed this diet in detail.

Sitting is the new smoking. The more you sit, the higher your risk for ASCVD. Covid-19 has meant a huge increase in time sitting. How much are you sitting? Numerous reports indicate you derive the greatest cardiovascular benefit from walking just 15-30 minutes a day and sitting less. If you are working at home, a standing desk, which is what I use, is worth the investment. One can be found for about $300. Count your steps, use your cell phone to monitor your activity, or buy an inexpensive pedometer. Try to walk at least 5,000 steps and work up to more if you can. Check our website at New Heart Fitness and Health for online exercises.

Zero is the number of cigarettes or e-cigarettes that are safe to smoke or vape. Cigarettes are the No. 1 preventable cause of death. If you are smoking, quit today. If you cannot quit on your own, try calling 1-800-Quit-Now (800-784-8669) for help.

Let’s make 2021 a year that is good for your heart. Check out your numbers and fix them.

PRIME TIME

February 2021

Do I Need To Sign-Up For Medicare If I’m Still Working?

D

ear Savvy Senior, I will turn 65 in a few months and plan to keep working for several more years. I have good health insurance from my employer now. Do I have to sign up for Medicare when I reach 65?

Looking Ahead

Dear Looking, Whether you need to enroll in Medicare at 65 if you continue to work and have health insurance through your job depends on how large your employer is. The same rules apply if your health insurance comes from your spouse’s job.

But first, let’s review the basics.

Remember that original Medicare has two parts: Part A, which provides hospital coverage and is free for most people. And Part B, which covers doctor’s bills, lab tests and outpatient care. Part B also has a monthly premium, which is $148.50 for most beneficiaries in 2021, but is higher for individuals earning above $88,000.

If you’re already receiving Social Security, you’ll automatically be enrolled in parts A and B when you turn 65, and you’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail. It will include instructions to return it if you have work coverage that qualifies you for late enrollment.

If you aren’t yet receiving Social Security, you will have to apply, which you can do online at SSA. gov/medicare.

If you plan to continue working past the age of 65 and have health insurance from your job, your first step is to ask your benefits manager or human resources department how your employer insurance works with Medicare.

In most cases, you should at least take Medicare Part A because it’s free. (Note: If you’re funding a health savings account you may not want to take Part A because you can’t make contributions after you enroll). But to decide whether to take Part B or not will depend on the size of your employer.

Small Employer If your current employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare will be your primary insurer and you should enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period. This is a seven-month period that includes the three months before, the month of, and the three months after your 65th birthday.

If you miss the seven-month sign-up window, you’ll have to wait until the next general enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 with benefits beginning the following July 1. You’ll also incur a 10 percent penalty for each year you wait beyond your initial enrollment period, which will be tacked on to your monthly Part B premium.

every month you don’t have coverage) if you enroll later.

If you have more questions or need help, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShiptaCenter. org), which offers free Medicare counseling.

Or call the Medicare Rights Center helpline at 800-333-4114.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Large Employer If your employer has 20 or more employees, your employer’s group health plan will be your primary insurer as long as you remain an active employee. If this is the case, you don’t need to enroll in Part B when you turn 65 if you’re satisfied with the coverage you are getting through your job. But if you do decide to enroll in Medicare, it will supplement your employer insurance by paying secondary on all of your claims.

Once your employment or group health coverage ends, you will then have eight months to sign up for Part B without a penalty.

This is known as the Special Enrollment Period.

Check Drug Coverage You also need to verify your prescription drug coverage.

Call your benefits manager or insurance company to find out if your employer’s prescription drug coverage is considered “creditable.”

If it is, you don’t need to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. If it isn’t, you should purchase a plan (see Medicare.gov/ plan-compare) during your initial enrollment period or you’ll incur a premium penalty (1 percent of the average national premium for

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13

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“MY FATHER’S CAREGIVERS CHANGED MY LIFE.”

Annual Subscription is $24

Family Services

“MY FATHER’S CAREGIVERS Editorial, Legal &YOUR Advertising: CHANGED MY LIFE.” WE TREAT FAMILY LIKE OURS

secivreS ylimaF

NÓICNETA

CONTACT Email: Legal@HealthCitySun.com

At Atención every client has a team of caregivers Atención Family Services was founded in 2007 assigned to them that ensure their continuity with the goal of assisting New Mexican families of care. Muller purchased the company after with their home healthcare needs. Albuquerque Business Owner, Jennifer Muller purchasedexperiencing Atención’s care giving services firsthand. the company in 2015 and has since grown the organization and sustained the company mission.

“Our caregiver loved my father when

HealthCitySun.com

she didn’t have to and this changed At Atención every client has a team of caregivers assigned to them that ensure their continuity everything for my family.” of care. Muller purchased the company after — Jennifer Muller. experiencing Atención’s care giving services firsthand.

Muller exemplifies Atención’s compassion through her individual care for every “Our caregiver loved my father whenclient— through home visits and constant she didn’t have to and this changed communication with caregivers. everything for my family.”

Family Services

Do you want a big agency, or a little ATENCIÓN?

Committed to agency, providing the highest quality, Do you want a big CONTACT client-centered and affordable home care services. or a little ATENCIÓN?

,ycnega gib a tnaw uoy oD ?NÓICNETA elttil a ro

(505) 242-3010 Fax: (505) 842-5464

Atención Family Services was founded in 2007 with the goal of assisting New Mexican families with their home healthcare needs. Albuquerque Business Owner, Jennifer Muller purchased the company in 2015 and has since grown the organization and sustained the company mission.

WE TREAT YOUR FAMILY LIKE OURS

ATENCIÓN

ATENCIÓN

— Jennifer Muller

— Jennifer Muller

What better way to show that you care for your fellow man and to celebrate American Heart Month than to give a gift of life? Donate a pint if you can. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to donating blood. Red is the true color of love. moc.secivresylimafnóicnetA@ofni m o c . s e c i v r e s y l i m a f n ó i c n e t A .w w w

Call To Order Your Subscription Today 52 issues for $24

If one has tested positive for the novel coronavirus recently, they should not only avoid donating blood but should also stay in isolation to avoid the spread of the virus. A waiting period of twenty-eight days after recovery is required prior to donating blood.

At all blood donation centers social distancing remains the norm, and of course face-coverings for

People who have been vaccinated can no longer donate plasma for COVID-19 patients. Regardless of the type of vaccine, all potential donors must be symptom free and feeling well at the time of donation.

0771-712-505

New Mexico’s Legal & Financial Weekly Newspaper

Those individuals who receive a vaccine that contains a weakened form of the virus, such as AstraZeneca’s or Johnson &Johnson ‘s vaccines, should wait at least 2 weeks before donation.

Those unsure about the type of vaccine they have received should wait 4 weeks to donate blood.

5783-943-505

Health City Sun

Let’s clear the air. As per the Red Cross Blood Foundation, there are no data or evidence that this coronavirus can be transmissible by blood transfusion. There is no requirement to be tested for COVID-19 if you donate blood during the pandemic, says Dr. Sanford, president- elect of the Society for Clinical Pathology.

However, the screening tests ask if you are well or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are unwell, have an elevated temperature or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, then you shouldn’t donate blood at that point.

The FDA’s blood donation eligibility policy states that those individuals who receive the COVID-19 vaccine can defer their blood donation. It, however, depends on the type of vaccine received by an individual. There is no deferral time if you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine – the two vaccines currently approved for emergency use by the FDA. noissapmoc s’nóicnetA sefiilpmexe relluM yreve rof erac laudividni reh hguorht tnatsnoc dna stisiv emoh hguorht —tneilc .srevigerac htiw noitacinummoc

The

Although anemia is not a common result of Covid -19 infections, the isolation and inability to gather have affected blood-bank supplies. Fewer blood drives have been held in the past year. People fearful of institutions and congregate facilities are not donating blood as before.

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Established in 1929

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In the last eleven months, safe signs of affection have been limited to email, letters and airhugs. Social distancing has no

Now that Covid vaccinations are underway, the question arises if one can donate after the receiving the vaccine.

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ANSWER TO #5148

everyone. Strict guideline for sterilizing, and sanitizing beds, and all equipment used during the process should be mandatory to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

nehw rehtaf ym devol revigerac ruO“ degnahc siht dna ot evah t’ndid ehs ”.ylimaf ym rof gnihtyreve

E

very February everything red emerges from closets, jewelry boxes, storage units, etc. Heart -shaped trinkets of all sorts adorn store shelves and Valentine candy/cards are sent to

There are so many shades of red dating back to the age of Neanderthals some 250,000 years ago. There are cave drawings of ancient buffalo in Altamira, Spain sketched in red that date back to 20,000 BC. While we often equate a healthy state with rosy red cheeks, it is ironic that the naturally occurring mercuric sulfide known as cinnabar was incredibly toxic.

The Greek and Roman goddesses, Aphrodite and Venus are often considered to be patronesses of love. Red roses were offered as signs of affection.

doubt dulled Cupid’s arrow.

The tremendous loss of life due to this pandemic and the strain on the health system continues to be problematic. With many states hovering at crisis mode, we hate to fathom the thought of rationing care.

srevigerac fo maet a sah tneilc yreve nóicnetA tA ytiunitnoc rieht erusne taht meht ot dengissa retfa ynapmoc eht desahcrup relluM .erac fo secivres gnivig erac s’nóicnetA gnicneirepxe .dnahtsrfi

Gerard Muraida MD is a Geriatrician and the Medical Director at InnovAge in Albuquerque.

loved ones. While many consider Red as the color of affection, it has so many other connotations. It is the color of fire and is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, as well as passion. In terms of authority the “power tie” or for dignitaries, the “red carpet” are symbolic.

7002 ni dednuof saw secivreS ylimaF nóicnetA seilimaf nacixeM weN gnitsissa fo laog eht htiw euqreuqublA .sdeen erachtlaeh emoh rieht htiw desahcrup relluM refinneJ ,renwO ssenisuB eht nworg ecnis sah dna 5102 ni ynapmoc eht .noissim ynapmoc eht deniatsus dna noitazinagro

The Doc Is In

Red: The True Color Of Love

T C AT N O C

Dr. Gerard Muraida

S R U O E K I L YL I M AF R U O Y TA E R T E W

February 2021

SREVIGERAC S’REHTAF YM“ ”.EFIL YM DEGNAHC

14

Dedicated to assigning exceptionally qualified, trustworthy and compassionate individuals to you and your loved ones.

TRANSPORTATION MEAL PREPARATION LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING

ASSISTANCE WITH PERSONAL CARE COMPANIONSHIP

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info.AtenciónFamilyServices.com • 505-217-1770 6300 Montano RD NW STE H Albuquerque, NM 87120

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Shellie Rosen, DOM

Herb Doc

Shellie Rosen is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She can be reached via her website at Bodyvolve.com

M

any cultural traditions consider water cleansing to be physically and ritually relevant in daily life. A few examples are the Muslim practices of “wudu” and “ghusi,” the Christian rites of “maundy” and “baptism,” the Jewish use of “mikveh” baths, and the Shinto Japanese body wash called a “misogi.” The therapeutic herbal soaks of East Asia are common in the West and easy to prepare at home.

Whether you are looking to create a ritual, invite a healing therapy, or connect deeply with yourself or another person, designing a soak might be of interest to you.

February 2021

Soaking Up Health And Connection Classical Asian texts mention soaks in the winter to nourish the body’s roots. With age, we begin to lose flexibility and nourishment in the hands and feet. Practices to increase circulation, nurture and moisturize skin, combat fungal and bacterial pathogens, and release the bones to allow for natural placement is necessary. Perhaps your valentine this year includes a homemade hand or foot soak. Below are just a few ingredient options. Feel free to add clippings of rosemary or pine and make it your creation.

Ingredients and their actions (mix and match): Epsom salt (or magnesium flakes): Topical absorption of magnesium is for chemical balancing of electrolytes, muscle cramps, pain, constipation, nervous system relaxation, sleep disorders, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, carpal tunnel, and inflammation.

• Lemon juice: Exfoliates dead skin and helps to treat stubborn calluses.

• Vinegar: (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) Helps with pathogenic conditions (fungal/bacterial), circulation, and odor.

• Apple cider vinegar: (1 cup) Exfoliates dead skin, fungus, bacteria, and odors.

• Baking soda: (3 Tbsp.) Helps with pathogenic conditions (fungal/ bacterial), circulation, and odor.

• Bentonite clay: (2 cups) Absorbs impurities (holds a negative charge to bond to toxins).

• Coconut oil: (1/2 Tbsp.)

Moisturizes, lubricates, and softens skin (See caution below).

• Coconut milk: (1 cup) Nourishes skin with minerals, vitamins, and lubricating fats.

15

circulation, invigoration, • Tea tree - Skin integrity, pathogenic conditions, disinfectant, inflammation, wound healing • Clove - Muscle spasms, cramps, pain, contractions • Geranium - Emotional health, mood, fatigue, inflammation • Chamomile - Calming, sleep disorders, inflammation, skin repair • Ginger - Warming, helps respiratory and gastrointestinal health • Green tea – Athlete’s foot, antimicrobial, proven effective in elderly patients Cautions: If you have a loss of sensitivity in the feet, avoid high heat. If you use oils in your recipe, thoroughly dry the feet and wear socks until the oil-based ingredient is fully absorbed. Do not soak for more than 20 minutes, and allow the skin to dry between soaks.

Essential oils (5-10 drops total) consider options not listed - Herbal (4 tea bags) • Lavender - Calming, relieving, stress reduction, sleep, inflammation • Peppermint - Invigorating, enhancing circulation, pain, odor • Eucalyptus - Respiratory system,

Abundant blessing and love to you!

Dr. Shellie L. Rosen, DOM, L.Ac.

• • • • • •

Wills • Wills Trusts • Trusts Probate Guardianship • Probate Real Estate Law • Guardianship Personal Injury • Personal Injury

Our personal injury attorneys charge a contingency rate of 25% without trial, as Our personal injury attorneys charge a contingency rate of 25% without trial, as opposed to the 33% charged by opposed to the 33% charged by most other attorneys. Please note that this most other attorneys. Please note that this doesn't include applicable costs, fees, and taxes. doesn’t include applicable costs, fees, and taxes.

S eeeesesneionr liiovirngliinving in

Sa whole new light. a whole new light.

To learn more about current openings in our senior living ity,ocarle l (5a0b5)o2u 56t-c 62u1r6r. ent To cloemamrnunm

openings in our senior living community, call (505) 256-6216.

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

(505) (505) 872-3022 872-3022

2201 Menaul Blvd NE 2201 Menaul Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87107 Serving Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87107

Serving Albuquerque, New Mexico robertaragon@aragonlawfirmpc.com Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your interest.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hours of Operation After-Hours Appointments Available for Clients by Request Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

After-Hours Appointments Available for Clients by Request

16

February 2021

SERVING NEW MEXICO’S SENIORS SINCE 1999

THE NEXT BEST PLACE TO HOME.

Quality Senior Living In A Residential Setting Call to schedule your free tour today.

505-221-6401 www.beehivenm.com

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