Lifestyles over 50 Fall 2022

LifeSTYLES L e h i g h Va l l ey

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Fall 2022 | FREE

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Back-to-Work Briefing

Loneliness: The Overlooked Epidemic

Things To Do With Grandkids

Enjoy Life at Lehigh Valley Active Life

Jokes, Puzzles, Health Tips, and More!

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestylesover50.com

From the Editor

Fall-Down Funny

Alan Al leg ra

Jokes that leave you laughing

Does your residence have a porch? Perhaps, you grew up in a neighborhood with front and even back porches. Front porches are for sitting and people-watching, and back porches are for entertaining barbecue buddies and mosquitoes.

I grew up in a tiny little pink house in a tiny little borough in New Jersey. We faced West Oakland Avenue. Across the street were a couple old houses with old couples, separated by woods leading up a mountain. We could sit and watch cars speed by, sometimes as many as three and four an hour!

We could also safely watch thunderstorms that made the green bamboo roll blinds shudder and the shutters shake.

One of the few pictures I have of my dad is of him mopping the marine gray concrete floor, looking up at me as if to say, “Put that camera down and help me, you lazy teenager!”

Porches are made for memories.

As affordable living is becoming a memory, many seniors are returning to work—some to make extra money, some to alleviate the “I thought retirement would be one kick after another” boredom. We have some ideas for fun and even “give back” jobs.

Medicare and medical interest articles as well as mental challenges round out this issue, along with other features you’ve come to expect. Cheers!

Why do lions move at the end of summer?

Because the pride goeth before a fall.

-----What kind of music did the Pilgrims listen to?

Plymouth Rock -----Who helps little pumpkins cross the street on their way to school?

The crossing gourd.

-----Why do trees hate going to school in the fall?

Because they are easily stumped.

-----What’s the ratio of a pumpkin’s circumference to its diameter? Pumpkin Pi -----How do leaves get from place to place?

With autumn-mobiles -----I usually say “Autumn” instead of “Fall.”

Sometimes it can be my downautumn.

-----Editor’s note: Don’t blame me for the quality of the jokes—you’d be barking up the wrong tree. It’s a releaf to know I am not the root of them. I just find them and print them, so don’t make me the fall guy!

A THRIVE Media publication 4847 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown PA 18106 855-233-7034 alan@lifestylesover50.com Li fest ylesover5 0.com

Copyright ©2022 by Thrive, LLC. 4847 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, PA 18106. The contents of this publication may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher. Thrive, LLC, assumes no responsibility for damages arising from errors or omissions.

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Loneliness: The Overlooked Epidemic

by Elissa Clausnitzer

How many people suffer from this overlooked epidemic? I never realized this until it affected me.

In as many ways as there are life situations, the COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected our lives. My husband died from COVID-19 and my whole life changed forever. Thank God that I am surrounded by family and friends. I feel compassion for people who do not have these connections.

you remember all the activities you used to do? Start reacquainting yourself with past acquaintances and activities, or step into new beginnings. Personally, I love to read, play piano, sing, and laugh! I look for opportunities to indulge these joys as much as possible. Watch something funny on the television. Laughter is good for the soul. Keep in touch with sincere friends, because it is hard to find new ones with such loyalty. Be careful and selective. Join some organizations, and if you don’t like them, go on and try others.

Staying connected to loved ones is vital and necessary.

People without friends and family need to connect to someone or some organization that can give them some Recall all the wonderful memories of your past. Life is forever changed and you must support. Organizations such find new avenues of interest. I as churches, senior groups and find that my spiritual life carThere is an epidemic in life, support groups, and commuries me through every day— nity organizations, could be which is loneliness. through tears, disappointments, helpful. They may help with and depression. Be optimistic easing the frustration of being alone. This magazine always writes about all the orga- and surround yourself with people who can be positive, nizations and groups that are available to people. I read care about you, and make you smile. Hobbies can be this magazine and get ideas and really enjoy the variety further developed and shared with others. I would also of articles that inform, amuse, and overall enlighten like to mention that it is alright to be quiet and alone at me about what is available in the Lehigh Valley. Loss of times. Read the Bible or a book that you like. Meditate freedom, emotional support, and positive social stimu- and be quiet at times. It is very healthy for you. This is your time to possibly fulfill a lifetime goal. lation need to be addressed.

It helps to remember all the good times that can bring Wouldn’t that be wonderful? a smile to you. Growing older sometimes makes us forget about all the dreams and goals we have always had but maybe didn’t complete. Now is your time to remember and start new beginnings.

Economic and financial situations will likely change and one has to adjust. Look for help from reputable people who can direct you to good choices that fulfill your needs. Accepting a loss is a daily reality and process. Sadness is a part of everyday life, especially if you had a good marriage, relationship, or friendship. Isolation isn’t good and you must become connected to new people, places, and achievements. Do LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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Things to Do with Grandkids Fall Aboard! Granted, some children will jump at the chance to help Grandpa and Grandma rake leaves. The temptation to jump into that neatly-compiled pile of leaves is irresistable.

Before fall foliage falls, wouldn’t it be fun for bored kids to board a train with you and immerse yourselves into the autumn beauty of Creation? There are several local passenger railroads that offer different excursions that let you lose track of time—for a while, anyway!

Colebrookdale Railroad offers multiple exciting excursions, and invites you to “Ride in our Deluxe-Coach, Dining, Garden Cafe, First-Class Parlor or First-Class Lounge and bask in the colors of the season or take in the crisp fall air on our open-air car, available to all passengers throughout the ride.” Station located in Boyertown. 610-367-0200 colebrookdalerailroad.com.

WK&S, The Hawk Mountain Line, Kempton, has many special themed excursions, but also runs regular trips through November 6.

Enjoy a beautiful 40-minute round trip aboard their vintage train through lush farmland and verdant forests as the train follows the Ontelaunee Creek on its journey. On most regular trip days, passengers may ride all day! 610-756-6469 kemptontrain.com.

The Allentown & Auburn Railroad is located at 232 Railroad St.,

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Kutztown. They offer unique Movie Trains and other specialty rides.

One family-friendly fall special is the Pumpkin Train. Ride the train through the colorful Kutztown area farmland in the peak of the autumn season! The train will stop by Sleepy Hollow Picnic Grove for a pumpkin for everyone and a treat for the kids all included with your ticket! 570-7787531 allentownandauburnrr.com.

built as early as 1917 pulled by diesel engines. The narrated round-trip follows the majestic Lehigh River over bridges, through Glen Onoko, and into the Lehigh Gorge State Park. High-rising cliffs, mountain scenery, and wildlife surround the train along the forested route to Old Penn Haven.” 1 Susquehanna Street, Jim Thorpe, PA | 570-3258485 lgsry.com.

Delaware River Railroad Excursion’s trains depart their station at Phillipsburg, NJ, for “trips for every season!”

There is a beautif ul, narrated 11/2hour ride along the scenic Delaware River.

But that’s not all! There are excursions with stops at gemstone mines, corn mazes, gardens, and pumpkin patches! Sign up for the Dino Days and Polar Express train rides, too!

877-872-4674 877trainride.com.

If you and your grandchildren would rather watch trains (and maybe even purchase one!), visit the Merchants Square Mall Model Train Exhibit at 1901 S. 12th St., Allentown. The Allentown Morning Call hails it as “the world’s most amazing model train extravaganza.”

There are over 40 trains, subways, els, and others, as well as an amusement park, skating pond, live thunderstorm, and miniature people and vehicles everywhere! (610) 797-7743

Jim Thorpe boasts the Reading & Northern Railroad Lehigh Gorge Scenic Train Rides. “Relax and ride comfortably in our vintage coaches

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Enjoy Life at Lehigh Valley Active Life!

What comes to mind when you hear the words, “senior center”? If you only think of a run-down building that smells like cabbage and is occupied by lifeless people with walkers—you have not been to Lehigh Valley Active Life (LVAL)!

I had the pleasure of touring the center with Executive Director Rick Daugherty. His pride and passion for working with seniors are infectious. When we finally sat down, I learned why LVAL is so popular.

The facility is more than just a place to drop off Grandma for the day. It’s a modern community meeting place that actively encourages participation in—well—anything you want.

Instead of a handshake (a big one came later), Rick handed me 15 pages of activities and information about LVAL. The building reminded me of a conference center, and that is what it is meant to be. Rick invites interested parties to participate in, and even initiate, games, programs, entertainment, and discussion groups that include anyone who is interested. Sharing, growing, and having fun are what LVAL is all about! With 15,000 square feet and a dedicated staff of seven, it is an ideal venue for just about anything that interests you.

In his 27 years of service, Rick has seen attendance and participation blossom. He is always looking for new ideas, such as more discussion groups, study groups, board games, activity and movement classes, and entertainers. There are opportunities to empower volunteers with leadership skills to take on new challenges.

The overarching goal for LVAL is “to leave you with something positive. We want the single person to get involved, meet new people or just play a round of pinball.

Above all, we want people to want to stay.”

We talked about how many seniors believe it’s time to hang up their gloves, running shoes, or playing cards because the calendar says so. LVAL wants you to “bring it back!” You might find a support group for “wannabes”

in running, photography, or whatever suits you. LVAL wants seniors to thrive in a supportive, accepting atmosphere.

COVID dealt a bit of a blow to the center, but also proved to be a boon. Thanks to a compensatory grant, the center, for whom safety is always a priority, was able to make improvements that make it easier to clean and sanitize the building. These include fresh paint, new flooring, tiled walls and floors in the restrooms, new easier-to-clean floors in gathering rooms, and plexiglass shields at the front desk. These materials make cleaning easier, saving time and costs. There is also a state-of-theart industrial air purification system for added comfort and safety.

Rick is always on the lookout for new things—new programs, discussion groups, games, and volunteers. Volunteers with dedication and leadership skills can lead groups and activities, and even work at the desk, in the kitchen, or take on other responsibilities. Volunteering at the center can renew a sense of purpose and bring joy to others.

Lehigh Valley Active Life is an expandable resource for just about anything you might like to do: play cards, do bible studies, dance, exercise, discuss, sit quietly, be entertained, win prizes, meet or make friends, and have lunch. It is also available to rent for ongoing gatherings, day or night. There are no geographical limits—people travel from all around the area, especially for the longer programs.

If you think life ends at 55, come to 1633 West Elm Street in Allentown and meet folks who will prove that saying wrong! Call 610-437-3700 for schedules, costs, directions, and other information. You can also visit LVActiveLife.org.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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Beware of Pressure Tactics During Medicare Annual Enrollment by Daniel Banks, Silver Crest Insurance Medicare Annual Enrollment is coming.

It officially begins on October 15th, but like Christmas ads, promos for annual enrollment seem to start earlier each year.

You will likely see the usual suspects: Joe Namath, JJ Walker, and even good ol’ Bill Shatner. They are pushing the Medicare Advantage program. It’s not that Advantage plans are bad—it’s the fact that the ads can be misleading, and the salespeople can be pushy, urging people to switch plans when switching plans may not be appropriate. There have been many complaints about these tactics, causing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enact new compliance regulations related to phone sales.

What can you do to avoid being targeted? Do not call or answer calls from 800 numbers. The people on the other end of the line are there for one reason, and one reason only: to sell you a plan! These are high-pressure sales tactics, and you are simply a number. Do NOT respond to tear-off mailers! Your response is sold to multiple agents as a lead. You are inviting solicitations from many agents and it’s difficult to sort the good from the bad. Be wary of submitting your personal information to online brokers with no physical address.

Again, your info is often sold as a lead, and you’ll get more calls and mail offers.

brand. But if you go to a firm like Silver Crest, their trained, independent agents will assess all your needs and place you in a plan with ABC Insurance, Capital Blue Cross, Aetna, Geisinger Gold, or whichever plan best fits your needs.

Independent agents will review your circumstances and current plans and make sure you are in the best plan for your needs and budget. Silver Crest Insurance, Inc., is a locally-owned, independent insurance agency that works with many different plans and plan options. We are not under any obligation to sell you a plan from a particular provider. Our obligation is to you! Ethics, Communication, and Service are three of our company’s core values. We encourage you to work with an agency that puts these values first, not a solicitor on the phone or TV or Google ad who you will likely never meet or hear from again!

Your best course is to work with a local, independently-owned agency with a solid reputation. Why? Some Medicare plans are sold by just one company, so for example, ABC Insurance will only offer you ABC Insurance plans. You will also have to shop around on your own or just settle for their

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Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Medicare Made Simple

“Great team at Silver Crest! They truly want what is best for people and are willing to help you understand your options..”

As an independent insurance agency we have great relationships with many well-known, reputable insurance companies, giving you the power of choice.

Our agents will help you sign up for Medicare, explain your coverage options, and sign you up for the best supplement to fit your needs and budget!

Call 610-868-5801 or visit Silvercrestins.com

The Style Guide for Writing Your Life’s Story

by Alan Allegra

When you see the acronym “CMOS,” what comes to mind? If you are into electronics, you may think of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. If plant science is your passion, you might picture what happens when you look at the north side of a tree. The former hippie thinks (If he can still think at all), “Cool, Man! Outta Sight!” The overworked mother may hear the refrain, “Come, Make Our Supper!” The weary reader may now be thinking, sans acronym, “Get to the point already!”

For the professional writer, CMOS stands for the Chicago Manual of Style. It may not be evident in this emailtext-billboard-Twitter world, but there are certain rules and styles to be kept to assure that written communication is consistently high-quality and easy to comprehend. Ironically, there are so many different manuals that there is a lack of consistency. Editors and writers can choose from Turabian, APA, MLS, AP, Lapsing Into a Comma, Grammar Girl, The Little Style Guide to Great Christian Writing and Publishing, Strunk and White, Dreyer’s English, and in-house guides (Yes, I have my own as well). That list merely skims the surface of the murky pool of correct guides to style and grammar. Just for fun, look up “Oxford comma” to get an idea of how rabid stylists can get over the tiniest jots and tittles of punctuation.

When it comes to life, there are a multitude of style guides to choose from, each with its distinct flavor and authority. In life, where you place your comma is insignificant compared to where you place your trust. With so many voices screaming at you from screens and earbuds, how do you know which ones to heed and which to heave?

There is a guide for life that will teach you how to live with style, and it’s the #1 bestseller of all time, with good reason—the Bible.

The Bible sets clear, reliable standards for life that anyone can follow. Solomon, speaking to his son, wrote, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt

you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown” (Proverbs 4:7–9). The same book, in chapter 31, pictures an “excellent wife,” concluding with, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (v. 30).

Just as a standard is needed to guide an author seeking to take us on a literary journey, a lifestyle guide is needed to help us journey through life. Psalm 119:105 tells us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Walking in spiritual darkness is like trying to read a novel in an unlit room—there is no benefit to either one.

There is a multitude of life guides available but only one true standard for life. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

As you seek to distinguish among the voices, listen to the words of the prophet: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this [God’s] word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). Make the Word of God your standard as you create the story of your life. Then, your life will be one of high quality, with a purpose and a message that are easy to comprehend.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease—Where To Find Expert Care

by Mary DeHaven, St. Luke's University Health Network Two years after citizens dismantled the Berlin Wall separating West Germany from Communist Germany, a Bulgarian exchange student faced a challenge that would change the direction of his life. It would lead him on a journey to St. Luke’s University Health Network, where he and his colleagues would provide the latest treatments to help patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with symptoms including frequent diarrhea, urgency, bleeding, and abdominal pain.

Today, Vesko Tomov, MD, PhD, is a researcher, gastroenterologist, and IBD specialist with St. Luke’s Gastroenterology Associates. But in 1991, he was an exchange student at a Connecticut high school. There, two teachers challenged him to think critically and question, which was discouraged during his childhood in then-communist Bulgaria. Dr. Tomov, a third-generation physician, received a medical degree from Harvard Medical School

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in Cambridge, and completed throughout their an internship and residency, lives,” Dr. Schneider as well as gastroenterology said. “I get to develop and IBD fellowships, at the long-term relationHospital of U Penn in Philaships, which I value.” delphia.

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MD a physician after witnessing the After completing positive impact physicians had on the his fellowship, Dr. Schneider life of his mother, who had a chronic joined St. Luke’s Gastroenterautoimmune lung disease. ology Specialists. Delighted “Because IBD has no cure, I have with the practice’s comradery the privilege of working with my paand commitment to serving tients to manage their conditions patients, he encouraged Dr. Tomov to join the practice.

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Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Bowel Disease continued

means addressing their individual concerns and needs.”

Dr. Schneider added, “We are at the forefront in providing IBD care and make sure everyone is getting the most up-to-date, evidence-based care. We love helping patients with IBD and we’re very patient-centered and patient-focused.”

A nurse navigator guides patients to ensure they receive coordinated and timely evaluations, tests, treatments, and follow-up care. Pre-authorization specialists work with insurance providers to coordinate necessary referrals and communication.

“Many patients with IBD assume their quality of life must be poor forever. They put up with a lot of unnecessary misery with diarrhea, pain, bleeding, etc.,” Dr. Tomov said. “It doesn’t have to be that way. My goal is to restore my patients’ quality of life and bowel function so they can live normally.”

IBD also increases the risk of cancer and can affect other areas of the body. Symptoms can include arthritis-like joint pain, skin rashes, eye inflammation, and blood clots. As a result, the IBD specialists work with other specialists, including St. Luke’s oncologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, and ophthalmologists.

Furthermore, they work closely with colorectal surgeons.

“One of my goals is to minimize the need for surgery,” Dr. Tomov said. “Conversely, there are situations where IBD is severe, and surgery can be lifesaving. Recognizing that and guiding the patients towards a good surgeon is essential.”

They see patients in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Coaldale. Dr. Schneider particularly enjoys providing care where it wasn’t available previously. “I like that we meet patients where they are instead of expecting them to come to us.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a St. Luke’s IBD Center physician, call 484-526-6545 or visit www.sluhn.org/ gastroenterology/make-an-appointment.

The Best Brains in the Memory Care Business by Legend Senior Living Your peace of mind depends on choosing the best Memory Care community for your loved one. Every detail at Legend—from the purposefully-designed environment that eases navigation, to the advanced programming—contributes to a higher quality of life.

Meeting residents at the exact point in their journey with the precise care they need is the basis of our Innovative Parallel Programming. From music therapy that awakens memories to art therapy that improves attention, we tailor activities to meet them at their level of interest, need, and ability.

Our exclusive robotic seal responds to your loved one, inspiring smiles and laughter. This Award-Winning Therapeutic Biofeedback Interactive Robot also reduces wandering, decreases loneliness, improves socialization, and increases vocabulary.

Residents realize more sensory experiences with the Indoor Sensory Garden for Therapeutic Horticulture. Evidence-based benefits of digging hands in dirt and tending a garden include improved motor skills, elevated mood, and reduced medications.

Although your loved one’s brain may have started to deteriorate, we can still open new neural pathways with these and other therapies, improving cognitive function. Some call this “neuroplasticity.” We call it our mission. Our stimulating life-enriching, brain-expanding therapies are just the beginning.

6043 Lower Macungie Rd Macungie, PA 18062 A Residence of Legend Senior Living®

LegendSeniorLiving.com

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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Get Your Tail on the Trail to Enjoy Fall’s Beauty and Reap the Benefits of Exercise by Mary DeHaven, St. Luke's University Health Network

Join St. Luke’s and D&L National Heritage Corridor in Trail-Blazing Initiative “Through the trees comes autumn with her serenade.

Melodies the sweetest music ever played.”

—“Autumn Serenade” Songwriters, poets, and novelists throughout the ages have extolled the virtues of autumn. And there’s no better way to enjoy the beauty of the season than by exploring the miles and miles of trails right here in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

To make it easier to harvest the health benefits these trails offer, St. Luke’s University Health Network (St. Luke’s) and Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L) have partnered to bring the community a family fun initiative: Get Your Tail on the Trail! The “trail” is the nearly continuous 165-mile multiuse D&L Trail that begins near Wilkes-Barre in the mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania and follows three historic transportation systems (the Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Lehigh Canal, and the Delaware Canal) en route to Bristol, PA, just outside Philadelphia. By linking St. Luke’s healthy lifestyle expertise with the recreational and heritage leadership of D&L, members of our community can log miles to achieve their personal goals of health, fitness, and fun.

Community members can participate in ongoing challenges by entering exercise miles in the online trail tracker and can attend special community events held

by Get Your Tail on the Trail. All challenges and special events are FREE for participants. Incentives can be earned along the way to help you stay motivated to maintain healthy lifestyle habits with exercise and nutrition. The Get Your Tail on the Trail website, www.

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tailonthetrail.org, is a great resource that provides trail maps and information about upcoming events, such as walks and runs. There’s also a Get Your Tail on the Trail web app and Facebook page.

There’s still time to participate in the 165-Mile Challenge held each year from May to November. The challenge encourages participants to log a combined total of 165 miles of exercise at any time during the challenge period; so run, walk, hike, bike, or paddle. Every mile logged during one of the challenges counts towards great prizes, too. And you can use many locations in addition to the D&L trail. You can log miles anywhere you exercise—your local park, the streets in your neighborhood, or even cardio equipment at the gym.

Research shows that exercising, especially outdoors, has numerous health benefits. Get Your Tail on the Trail aims to connect people to the outstanding views along the D&L Trail while increasing health awareness and improving the overall health status of the community. Our St. Luke’s and D&L partnership provides individuals and families with nutrition and exercise programs that create and promote a culture of personal wellness and a sense of community.

As part of our commitment to improving health in our community, St. Luke’s conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years. During this process, we gather data, conduct surveys, and meet with community leaders to identify our community’s significant health concerns. Promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing chronic disease is one of the top three health priority areas in the Lehigh Valley.

Log your miles and earn free gear! To register, go to Get Your Tail on the Trail.

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Age in Place with Grace by Frederick MacDougal The majority of Americans have spent decades turning their houses into homes—places of comfort, rest, and of course, wonderful memories. It is no surprise that so many are reluctant to abandon the familiar and the comfortable—the physical place that is the extension of their identity.

As many of us age and develop mobility challenges, we struggle with the decision to either move to a new location that is accommodating to our needs or remain in the familiar and comfortable dwelling that we have made our home.

Fortunately, new technologies are available to help seniors, boomers, and others with accessibility needs have the best of both worlds. Simple technologies, like lighting, motion detectors, call pendants, and cameras, can provide comfort and confidence in the home, and tethering the home devices together with Google or Alexa can facilitate caregiving responsibilities for caregivers.

Aging in place has never been this accommodating. Seniors now have the ability to command and control things with just their voice. Smart homes can be programmed to behave a certain way depending on various factors to create custom scenes based on rule-based actions. Lights turn on and off without any interaction. Heating and cooling zones regulate themselves based on zone activity. Fully-loaded smart homes can save consumers up to 35% on energy bills.

Smart home technology has made caregiving by loved ones or professionals more seamless with coded door access control, automated lighting, voice command and control, fall notification and alerting, activity alerting, video surveillance, and other innovations.

Homes can be made safer and more accessible with simple, low-tech upgrades, like adding grab bars, handrails, and railings. Other safety options include rearranging furniture, adding or upgrading lighting, and eliminating tripping hazards. “People don’t realize how dangerous bathrooms can be, with water and soap and maneuvering around obstacles in tight spaces. It is a recipe for disaster,”

says Bruce Montgomery, RN, owner of Grab Bar Pros, a company dedicated to installing home grab bars, handrails, and other safety products.

Another obstacle that can reduce one’s quality of life by confining them to one-floor living or force them to move is the staircase. “Over my career of working with seniors and their families, doing the stairs can cause a lot of anxiety for the loved one as well as the caregiver,” says Bob Pretopapa, owner and founder of Power Stair Lifts. “Whether they need to do laundry in the basement or access the second floor bathroom, we have seen stair lifts transform people’s lives and give them the confidence to remain safely in their home,” explains Pretopapa.

Stair lift options are plentiful, and the cost of a new straight stair lift is less than the cost of moving and a fraction of the cost of an institutional setting. Stair lifts are also available for stairs with landings and townhouses with multiple staircases that contain curves. There are also options for renting a stair lift for short-term cases, as well as used stair lift options.

While many studies have been done that say that a kitchen or bathroom renovation provides the best return-on-investment for homeowners, the best home investment for seniors can be found in any number of mobility products.

They can be much less expensive and burdensome than a trip to the hospital, a stay in rehab, the anxiety of decreased mobility, or being forced to move. Most certainly, mobility-assistance products provide peace-of-mind for loved ones that they otherwise would not have, and that itself is priceless.

If you are considering an investment in your home accessibility and safety, please reach out to the experts listed in our magazine. If you need a copy of the Lifestyles over 50 2022 Annual Directory, call us at 855-233-7034 or email editor@ lifestylesover50.com.

Need a Lift? Do you have trouble with stairs? POWER STAIR LIFTS

provide accessibility with many lift options for residential and commercial applications. Locally owned and operated.

Call 484-895-1188 for a free assessment.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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Seniors Lead the Unretirement Wave by Jeffrey Tintle, Jr. Did you know that the last full week in September is National Employ Older Workers Week, a time to celebrate and promote the value that our older adults bring to the workforce?

Now that the maelstrom of COVID unfurls into a meandering current of normalcy, boomers and seniors are wading back into the workforce.

Whether impelled by loneliness and boredom or propelled by financial need, many are seeking part-time employment opportunities.

In some cases, seniors desire to pick up a few extra bucks to offset inflation and supplement retirement income yet eschew a full-time commitment and heavy responsibilities. “I just want to get out of the house on a regular basis, have something to do that is meaningful or somewhat enjoyable, and help offset some of my living expenses now,” says Bethlehem resident Diane.

“I want to be available to help out my daughter and have time to visit my grandkids, that’s my priority, so I want something that is flexible for my life right now.”

When talking with boomers and seniors who have formally retired from their full-time professions, these sentiments are heard across the Lehigh Valley and the nation. We have listed at the end of this article a few resources that can help needy seniors with their job search.

Three main categories come to mind when surveying the job market: fun jobs, fulfilling jobs, and seasonal jobs. Of course, qualifications, compensation, and other considerations vary according to the employer’s needs, but a little research will help you find a fit. Or you can just cruise the highways and take note of the

billboards and road signs advertising openings in a variety of fields. Also, given the current employment situation, the advertisers that you see in our magazine are probably seeking part-time employees in numerous areas of their organizations!

Fun jobs are usually found at local attractions. These range from amusement parks to museums to historical organizations. Fun can be fun for fun’s sake, but fun can also be a vehicle for education.

Some work may be simple, some may require training. A few places to check are the Lehigh Valley Zoo, Crayola Factory, ArtsQuest, Symphony Hall, Dorney Park, State Theatre, indoor rec areas like Sky Zone, historical societies, parks and recreation areas, municipal sites, schools—whatever you can think of. It never hurts to inquire!

An example of what is out there comes from Stacy Ross, HR Manager for the Allentown Art Museum.

At the Museum, we are looking for a few part-time museum guards and thought it might be a match for those over 55 looking for a bit of money and a way to stay active in their community. We are a really interesting place to work and our visitor services usually work 5-hour shifts. Great for covering a dinner out or a full tank of gas!

Fulfilling jobs are generally found in the service, education, medical, ministry, and healthcare sectors, among others. Following are some local examples to give you a taste of what is available. Perhaps you have never thought of these!

Cetronia Ambulance has part-time Paratransit positions that entail providing non-emergency medical transportation for patients. This could be for litter or Unretirement continued on next page

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Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Unretirement continued

wheelchair-bound individuals. There are strict requirements for the position that can be found here: cetronia. org/jobs/paratransit-driver.

ComforCare Home Care says, “Live your best life possible by helping others live theirs.” Be a part of a certified Great Place To Work®! In brief, caregivers assist with daily activities to help clients stay independent and in their own homes. This can include personal care, mobility assistance and exercise, meal prep, companionship, and other caring activities. If you have a passion to serve and help others live their best lives possible, home care may be for you! tinyurl.com/yhsw4cxj Seniors Helping Seniors is unique in the home care field because their caregivers are exclusively seniors. Enjoy a flexible schedule, earn extra income, and lend a hand with a senior’s daily living needs. If you are an experienced caregiver or just love helping others, Seniors Helping Seniors may be for you! seniorcarelehighvalley.com

mind knowing your commitment will end after the holiday season.

Resources Following are some of the many resources that may help your job search.

AARP Foundation Senior Community Service Employment Program, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, #501 | 610-865-3002 | aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/income/scsep AARP Job Search Resources for 50+ | aarp.org/ work/job-search/resources-for-50-plus-workers Jobs for Seniors in Pennsylvania | retirementjobs. com/jobs-over-50/jobs-for-seniors/pennsylvania PA CareerLink Lehigh Valley | careerlinklehighvalley.org

The Vero at Bethlehem is putting the finishing touches on their construction and hoping to open their doors in February of 2023. If you want to be a part of something new, check their website for opportunities. They will be hiring a business office manager, memory care director, chef, caregivers, and receptionists. leisu rec a re.com /ou r-com mu nit ie s/vero-bethlehem

Happy Hunting!

Devonshire Park Apartments

Schools—trade and otherwise—and craft stores are looking for instructors with your experience and skills.

Seasonal jobs are good if you aren’t quite ready to commit to jumping back into the workforce on a permanent basis, you could test-drive some seasonal jobs from any number of local retailers, restaurants and diners, and other companies that gear up for the holiday season. The best part is that you may score some employee discounts to offset your holiday budget and you will have peace of

(2013-2021)

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610-797-1333 | DevonshireParkApts.com

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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1

All of these answers can be found in this issue!

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I own Power Stair Lifts 2 Another name for a train ride 4 Malcolm __________ 6 Providing non-medical transportation 7 A geneology company Gangsters who inspired a fashion trend 8 A pastoral care program for persons with 9 dementia 13 14 Fashionable First Lady 15 A local outdoor exercise program 14 Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034 1 3 5 8 10 11 12

Solution on Page 22

A word for widespread disease A comma named after a university Important people in a child's life A field of medicine specializing in the abdomen A place to sit and chat This "animal" brings smiles to memory care residents.

A psychedelic pattern for 60s clothing

If Only Our Porch Could TALK! One of the changes my family experiences in the fall is that we don’t hang out on the porch as much. Once in a while, when there is a warm winter day, we bundle up and head out to one of our favorite places. Our porch is a second-generation porch where many stories have been shared—some good, some not so good. It overlooks the Lehigh Valley with a gorgeous view of scenery ranging from balloons floating by to rainbows high in the sky.

We have glider rocking chairs and we rock and glide to the beat of spring, summer, and early fall.

When family and friends come over, they head right to the porch, anxious for a cup of hot chocolate at Grandma and Grandpa’s or a coffee seasoned with lots of love.

We eat meals on the porch with or without a tray while sharing personal news, politics, and everyday stories.

One night, we watched the trail from a rocket launch in Virginia! That is how far into the night sky we can see.

Both children and adults blow bubbles from the porch, and smile as they float through the magnificent sky.

We have several bird feeders in the front yard, and the birds are part of the events constantly happening. We see barn swallows, cardinals, blue birds, robins, and so many more. Here is a great website where you can “visit” many of the birds we see and hear: birdwatchinghq.com/ common-birds-in-new-jersey/. This site has taught us the ability to learn about each bird and their sounds as they chatter away. They are particularly loud and are raucous in their behavior when they are waiting for my husband to feed them. It always makes us laugh!

From our porch we see deer, groundhogs, rabbits, and fox. We watch the neighboring fields as the corn is planted, grows tall and green, turns brown, and is eventually harvested. We can experience the march of the seasons as the trees blossom and then turn vibrant autumn colors

by Judi and Dave Painter

before the leaves fall. In the spring, summer, and fall, we can look out over Easton and see the storm fronts approaching. In the winter, we can stand and watch the snowstorms develop.

One day, I walked out to the porch and there was a deer standing directly in front of the porch steps. We just stared at each other, then he ran off.

I looked it up on Google and found that when you see a deer staring at you in your front yard, it’s a sign that you can overcome challenging circumstances with a sense of calm and dignity. Deer will help us remember to be kind to ourselves and others. Interesting message, because shortly after my deer visit, I had a challenging issue that required me to act calmly and with dignity and especially be gentle with myself.

God willing, we hope to be able to continue sitting on our front porch for many years to come— waving to our neighbors; talking to the birds; blowing bubbles; having meals there; and rocking away the stresses of the day! If you are ever in the neighborhood, come ROCK with us!

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

15

Local Health and Wellness Events and Activities To register for classes and programs, visit our online event calendar at sluhn.org/calendar or call St. Luke’s InfoLink at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537), option 4.

WALK WITH A DOC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS Join St. Luke’s University Health Network and Walk with a Doc! Talk with one of a variety of doctors, other St. Luke’s health care professionals, and other community members. A short educational talk followed by a walk at your own pace and distance. Free but registration is required. Also, be sure to sign up for Get Your Tail on the Trail. Then every time you participate in a Walk with a Doc event you can log miles toward free prizes.

Walk with a Doc – South Whitehall Saturday, Oct. 1, 10–11 a.m., Covered Bridge Rd., 2465 Wehr Mill Rd., Allentown. Meet across the street from the house addressed 2503 Wehr Mill Rd. (Corner of Wehr Mill and River Rds).

Walk with a Doc at Park at 4th With Nicole Yoder, DO, Monday, Oct. 3, 4–5 p.m.

Park at 4th: 301 W. Mill Street, Quakertown. Meet at the amphitheater.

Walk with a Doc for Breast Cancer Awareness With Kristina Thornburg, DO, and Marylou Rainone, DO, of Geisinger St. Luke’s General Surgery, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Blue Mountain School District Walking Trail, 685 Red Dale Rd., Orwigsburg. Meet in front of the school district office by the underpass. Please wear pink.

Walk with a Doc – Upper Macungie Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m., Lone Lane Park, 30 Lone Lane, Allentown OTHER WALKS AND RUNS Recovery Is for Everyone Walk Saturday, Sept. 17, 8:30–10 a.m., St. Luke’s Penn Foundation, 807 Lawn Ave., Sellersville. Join St. Luke’s Penn Foundation staff, clients, alumni, and community allies

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in our first-ever recovery walk to honor those in recovery and their families and individuals lost along the way. Eliminate the stigma associated with addiction and mental health and raise awareness that recovery is possible. Following the walk is a separate event organized by Sweatshirt of Hope that will include linkage to non-profits, first responders, and faith communities.

Free food and resources for all.

ST. LUKE’S STOP THE BLEED TRAUMA & BLEEDING PREVENTION EDUCATION Friday, Sept. 16, 10 – 11 a.m., AND Thu., Nov. 10, 2–3 p.m., St. Luke’s Hospital–Anderson Campus, Medical Office Building, 1700 St. Luke’s Blvd., Easton, Conference Rms. A&B, Medical Office Bldg, St. Luke’s Anderson Campus, AND Tuesday, Oct. 25, 10–11 a.m., St. Luke’s University Hospital–Bethlehem Campus, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, Trauma Conference Room, Ground Floor, East Wing. Part of a national trauma initiative to train first responders and the public on how to control bleeding in the event of an accident or injury to improve the injured patient’s chance of survival. This one-hour trauma and bleeding prevention education program is provided free of charge to individuals, police departments, school groups, and community groups.

COMMUNITY TALKS AND OTHER EVENTS FREE TALK! The Most Common Injuries of the Weekend Warrior, Tyler Smith, DO, Monday, Sept. 19, 5–6 p.m., AND Thursday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m.–noon, Upper Perkiomen YMCA, 1399 Quakertown Rd., Pennsburg Join this free community talk with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tyler Smith of St. Luke’s Orthopedic Care. Dr. Smith diagnoses and treats the full spectrum of sports-related injuries, offering conservative and surgical options.

FREE TALK! Wounds…How Do I Manage?, Diedra McCafferty, DO, Thursday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m.–noon, Upper Perkiomen YMCA, 1399 Quakertown Rd., Pennsburg. Free community talk with medical director Dr. Diedra McCafferty of St. Luke’s Wound Management.

Dr. McCafferty treats and manages patients with non-

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

healing wounds to help them heal as quickly and safely as possible and improve their quality of life.

One-Year Anniversary Celebration at St. Luke’s Carbon Campus, Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 500 St. Luke’s Dr., Lehighton. Free health and wellness screenings, kid-friendly activities, Wildlands Conservancy wildlife demonstrations, food, giveaways, and a special performance from the Lehighton High School Band!

Children are encouraged to come dressed in costumes for safe trick-or-treating at festival booths.

Older Adult Meal A Healthy Meal & A Healthy Lifestyle For Adults age 65 and older

FREE TALK! Understanding Osteoarthritis and Its Effects on Hips and Knees, Gregory Gilson, DO, Monday, Oct. 3, 5–6 p.m., Upper Perkiomen YMCA, 1399 Quakertown Rd., Pennsburg. Free community talk with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Gilson of St. Luke’s Orthopedic Care. Dr. Gilson specializes in joint replacement, reconstruction, and joint-preserving treatments.

Autumn Hope-A-Thon, Thursday, Nov. 3, 6:30–8:30 p.m., St. Luke’s Penn Foundation, 807 Lawn Ave., Sellersville. Celebrate with us as we shine a light on healing, recovery, and family. Hear firsthand how your support can change the lives of individuals and families struggling with mental health and addiction issues. Whether you join us at our sponsor dinner or watch from the comfort of your home, you are sure to be inspired. Together, we can instill hope, inspire change, and build community! For more information and to become a sponsor, visit https://www.pennfoundation.org/how-you-can-help/autumn-hope-a-thon/.

St. Luke’s Caregiver Support Group Sometimes, You Just Need To Share with Someone Who Understands Thursdays, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27, 10–11:15 a.m. or 5:45–7 p.m. Meets virtually until further notice. This is an open group. Members welcome to join any time, no registration required. Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are safe places for caregivers and family and friends of persons with dementia. For more information, contact Erica Coyne or Robyn Burton at 484-526-5706 or 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).

St. Luke’s Anderson Campus weekdays from 4 – 6 pm St. Luke’s Monroe Campus 7 days from 4 – 6 pm $3.99 dinner includes entree, salad, side, vegetable, dessert, and 12 oz. drink.

Please indicate you are ordering the older adult meal to the dietary staff

For more information please contact 1-866-STLUKES.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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Fall Word Finder Look for the words listed below the puzzle and circle the letters or outline the words as you find them. Words can go up, down, across, backwards, and diagonally.

All the words are from this issue, so see if you can find them where they live.

BOROUGH ETHICS GRANDPA ORTHOPEDIC PUMPKINS STAIRLIFT UNRETIREMENT 18

CAMBRIDGE GRANDKIDS GROUNDHOGS OXYGEN RECORDS TURABIAN

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Solution on Page 26

DEER GRANDMA HERITAGE PLEXIGLASS RECOVERY TWISTING

A Grandparent’s Most Important Job

by Jeffrey Tintle, Jr.

One of the peculiar sins of the twentieth century which we’ve developed to a very high level is the sin of credulity.

It has been said that when human beings stop believing in God they believe in nothing. The truth is much worse: they believe in anything.—Malcolm Muggeridge.

an invitation to attend a workshop to equip and encourage you to leave a rich spiritual legacy with your grandchildren.

It is acknowledged that many grandparents are challenged with distance—either relational or geographic, and sometimes both. Grandparents are special people and can find special little ways to connect with grandchildren, whethGrandparents are said to be willing to do anything for their er by a video call or a letter. beloved grandchildren. While showering them with gifts, At the end of a popular podcast series segment, there is one shuttling them to activities, and shielding them from unpowerful question: “What is the most courageous thing that pleasantries, grandparents need to prioritize the relational you’ve ever done?” The answers have never been about any above the transactional. What does that mean? physical feat but rather working up the courage to confront As American society devolves one’s own emotional and psyinto hyperindividualism, baby chological strongholds, almost boomers need to work to restore “Intelligence alone is not nearly enough when it always some manifestation of the institutions and cultural founpride. It could be a grudge or comes to acting wisely” dations they sought to dismantle: forgiveness, arrogance, narcisFyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment the traditional family, objective sism, or even apathy. We have truth, transcendent morality, and all made missteps in our lives, healthy social structures. The seeds sown in the ‘60s are now but it is always in our humility and transparency that we find being harvested in a crop of mental health issues, depression, restoration and hope. Authenticity with children and grandloneliness, suicide, and addiction—the byproducts of a postchildren brings restoration where it is needed and inspires intruth world. credible hope for all. Our world needs more hope, and grandThe good news is that there is truth and that one of the parents are the ones to communicate it. Or, to paraphrase most influential voices in a child’s life is that of their grandthe apostle Peter, to share the hope that is within you. This parent(s). The rich experiences, wisdom, love, and empathy should be the legacy of every grandparent. that a grandparent brings into a child’s life are priceless.

In March 2022, a survey commissioned by Ancestry, the Workshop: Grandparenting Matters genealogy company, found that 53% of Americans could not Saturday, November 12, 2022 | 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. name all of their grandparents. Despite that, the majority of $15 per person or $25 per couple. All participants receive a respondents had a high level of interest in knowing their grandworkbook. Light lunch provided. Additional information parents’ stories and wanted to learn more about their elders. and registration at cedarcrest.church/seasoned-citizens.

As parents to three young boys, my wife and I cherish not Registration deadline is Sep. 30! Cedar Crest Bible Felonly the practical assistance from our in-laws and parents, lowship, 1151 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, PA 18103 but also the intergenerational exchange that enriches our Wheelchairs * Scooters * Stairlifts * More! boys’ lives. There is no one better equipped or better positioned to reinforce our family values to our boys, which are a Sales * Service * Rental personal relationship with Jesus, perseverance through challenges, and loving and serving others. This is especially true because I cannot measure up to the virtues that I espouse; it is not about perfect execution but complete commitment, even in failure.

Thank you to all of you grandparents who faithfully invest in your grandchildrens’ lives. Whether or not you believe you deserve these accolades, we can all agree that as parents and grandparents, we must invest in the lives of those closest 610-433-8797 l MobilityUnlimitedInc.com to us. This is a call to action to Christian grandparents and 515 N. 12th Street, Allentown, PA 18102 LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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Election Day 2022 Is November 8 Primary and general elections are important times to exercise our unique freedom to choose the men and women who will govern us and to affect the future of those issues that concern and inspire us.

Some states have changed policies and procedures for voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so if you have not voted in a while, you should check up on times, dates, procedures, and candidates in your state.

Here are some links to sites where you can find Pennsylvania election information so you can be an informed voter.

How to Vote in Pennsylvania’s 2022 Elections is AARP’s guide to Pennsylvania’s races, ballots, registration, and voting requirements and procedures. states.aarp.org/pennsylvania/electionvoting-guide Ballotpedia is a unique site that allows you to see sample ballots, learn terms like “trifecta,” find municipal and national election information, find information about the current administration, and other very helpful, current information. ballotpedia.org/Main_Page

Do you have old classic records that you want to sell?

OpenSecrets lets you “follow the money,” tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy, plus other data sets and news. | opensecrets.org/ Vote Smart is where you can put in your address of the name of any politician and find their bio, votes, positions, ratings, speeches, and funding sources. Their new “Side by Side” feature lets you compare and contrast candidates in fields like voting records, biographies, special interest group ratings, and public statements.justfacts.votesmart.org “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”—Franklin D. Roosevelt

| SENIOR LIVING | MEMORY CARE

AT BETHLEHEM

Opening This Winter Scheduled to open this winter, excitement is building for the area’s newest senior community – The Vero at Bethlehem. Managed by Leisure Care, The Vero is backed by more than 50 years of excellence in hospitality-focused senior living, bringing a unique and refreshing approach to retirement.

The Vero at Bethlehem is maintenance-free and worry-free, giving you more time to focus on what brings you joy. Our residents will enjoy premier dining, exercise, travel, education, relaxation, social opportunities, and more – you name it, we’ve got it.

Our caring and compassionate staff are your partners in senior living. We can’t wait to welcome you home to The Vero at Bethlehem. Call (610) 936-9848 to learn more today!

Call Julius Vitali of VINYLALLY HEAR at

610-217-1629 (cell) 610-966-6202 (phone)

Buying classical records and collections

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Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

4700 BATH PIKE , BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 (610) 936-9848 | THEVEROATBETHLEHEM.COM

Considering a new career opportunity?

Here are 6 reasons to continue working...

1

Extra Income. 33% of people who rejoin the workforce say the best part about it is making money.

2

Remedy for boredom. Some people don’t anticipate the isolation they feel when they leave the workforce.

3

Antidote for brain drain. According to a study done in France, people who are employed have less risk of developing dementia.

4

A longer life. Research tells us that working longer correlates to living longer.

5

Increased energy. Finding a new employment opportunity can give you a reason to jump out of bed and start anew.

6

Socialization with others. Many people meet their closest friends on the job. Working with others is key to healthy aging.

If any of these reasons sparks an interest, consider becoming a caregiver with Senior Solutions!

We help seniors remain independent at home or within their community! What better way to make a difference in someone’s life and earn some extra money! Hourly rate of pay is based on the number of hours you want to work.

Call 610-258-0700 for an interview.

NEW Senior Solutions Office...

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Seniors Solutions is wholly owned and operated by Morningstar Senior Living, Inc.

175 W. North Street Nazareth, 18064 Lehigh Valley PA Fall 2022

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(on the Moravian Hall Square campus)

Solution:

Solution to Crossword Puzzle from Page 14 The word “deadhead” may be familiar to us boomers. Does Jerry Garcia spring to mind? It’s also a theater term from a person riding a railroad train without paying a fare. A person admitted without paying admission is a “deadhead” because he can’t be counted when the revenue is figured. Dead men can’t pay.

In some places, a corpse must have a ticket to ride (Beatles reference?) a train as well as a live companion or else the corpse pays a double fare. Guess those dead are not grateful.

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B O B P R E T O P A P E X C U R S I O N D E M M U G G E R I D G E C R R A N S I T A N C N N I E A N D C L Y D E P S P I R I T A L I R E L I N E K E N N E D Y N O U R T A I L O N T H E S

Sudokus

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O X G F A O E S T R Y T D R O V E P N A T I E S T R A I L O E L Y O G Y

Each row, column, and square, must be filled out with the numbers 1 through 9. Numbers cannot be repeated within any row, column, or square. Use a pen — only if you dare!

Sudoku solutions can be found on Page 26.

Puzzle 2 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.61) Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.50) Puzzle 2 — Hard Puzzle 1 — Medium 6 6 5

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Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Fri Sep 2 18:24:21 2022 GMT. Enjoy!

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Fri Sep 2 18:24:21 2022 GMT. Enjoy!

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Fallen Phrase

We've Fallen and We Can't Get Up! The letters of the sentence on the board fell on the ground, and you have to help them back on the board in the correct order. Happily, the letters fell directly under the columns where they were on the board. HINT: The sentence can be found somewhere in this issue!

The answer can be found at the bottom of Page 26, under the Fall Word Finder answers.

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L U L T I N Y O O

W A M T U P H Y O

O G A R A Y D M R

P O

H

F D T P A WA GM S R E M S N D T A T I T D T T E A T T O E I Y A A A L H M P

L O R H Y I F O E M Y

Medicare has changed.

Find out how it can affect you.

Important changes to the federal Medicare program became effective at the beginning of the year.

As a result, retirees in your state may be eligible for coverage with new options. Find out if you qualify for Medicare Supplement insurance that can help limit your out-of-pocket expenses.

Get the facts that matter to you: • Critical dates for Medicare eligibility • Options that can help keep more money in your pocket

For FREE information, call:

1-877-699-2469 or visit MedSupBenefit.com/over50 There is absolutely no cost or obligation.

Information will be provided by Physicians

Life Insurance Company

We are not connected with, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. I understand I have no obligation. A licensed agent may contact you.

Policy form number L030PA, L031PA, L035PA, L036PA, L037PA, L038PA, F001PA, F002PA. 6277_E

fallen-phrase

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

www.edu-games.org 23 Fall 2022

Happenings: Events, Groups, Activities, and More

Submit your Happenings and corrections to editor@lifestylesover50.com.

Please note: As of our research at press time, the following information was deemed accurate. In the aftermath of COVID, things change rapidly. Please use the contact information to verify event details.

Volunteers Needed Meals on Wheels Volunteers needed to deliver meals to homebound seniors in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

610-691-1030 | mowglv.org Sights for Hope seeks volunteers to assist people with visual impairments as companions and drivers. Office assistants and vision screeners also needed. Training provided. 610-433-6018 x231 rita@sightsforhope.org Compeer of LV Volunteer 4 hrs. a month with a person with mental illness. Listen, go for a walk, watch a movie, enjoy a cup of coffee, etc.

Main duty: Have fun!

610-432-3919 x2261 Heartland Hospice seeks volunteers to offer bedside support and presence to those facing terminal illness. Training, flex. hours. Robin Trexler, 610-266-0134 Compassionate Care seeks volunteers to help others with companionship, doula, endof-life, biography writers. Call Elena at 610-770-6500.

Social Support Spirit Alive is a pastoral care program for individuals in mid-to-late stages of dementia. Addresses spiritual needs of residents with cognitive impairment. Incorporates best practices in dementia care, Godly Play methods, and Montessori concepts to create an interactive, faithbased experience. 610-7945119 | Emily Southerton 610-927-8553

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ENCORE women’s cancer support and exercise group Tues. 6:30–8 p.m., Fri. 9:15–10:30 a.m. Allentown YMCA, 425 S. 15th St. 610-351-9622 | allentownymcaywca.org AARP #5415 1st Thurs., St. Timothy’s Church, 140 S. Ott St., Allentown. Social hour, refreshments noon, business meeting 1:00.

Guests welcome. Bring non-perishable food for Allentown Food Bank. 610437-4265 Jordan United Church of Christ 2nd Sat., 10:30 a.m.

Like gardening? Rt. 309 and Walbert Ave., Allentown, Peace Garden, custom peace sculpture, peace pole, worship areas, biblical plants, children’s bed, gazebo, swing, trails. 610-395-2218 Men of Retirement Age club (MORA), 11:00 a.m. every Wednesday, Advent Moravian Church, 3730 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem Salvation Army Senior Program Varied social programs every Thur. 10:45, lunch at noon. 521 Pembroke Rd., Bethlehem. Seniors 50 and over. 610-867-4681 LVMAC Third Wednesday of the month. Saucon Manor, Hellertown, noon – 1:30. info@lvmac.org | www. lvmac.org | 484-788-0196 Palmer Senior Group 1:00–4:00 p.m., Charles Chrin Community Center, Palmer Township Prayer & Share Together for Emotional Wholeness via Zoom, 2nd Tues. of the

month, 7–8:30 p.m. Interested women call 610-395-8756.

Email linda3bart@gmail.com for Zoom link.

Healthy Living / Exercise

Bethlehem YMCA For information, call 518-439-4394 | ymcabethlehem.org Allentown YMCA For information, call 610-351-9622 | allentownymcaywca.org Third Street Alliance, Easton YMCA | thirdstreetalliance.org | familyYMCA.org | 610-258-6158

Culture and Exhibits Allentown Art Museum Seniors free on Sundays.

Rotating exhibits. Eclectic Collecting is a romp through lesser-known areas of their collection, wonderful and unusual artworks that don’t often make it on display. allentownartmuseum.org 31 N. Fifth St., Allentown 610-432-4333 Caregiver Support Groups

St. Luke’s Caregiver Support Virtual Group Sometimes You Just Need To Share with Someone Who Understands. Informal groups meet virtually until further notice. These are open groups. Members can join any time, no registration needed. Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups with trained facilitators, a safe place for caregivers, family, friends of persons with dementia.

Develop a support system, exchange information, talk

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

through issues and coping, feelings, needs, concerns, learn about community resources. Erica Coyne 484-526-5706 or 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).

Allentown First Thurs. of the month at Lehigh Valley Active Life, 11:00 a.m.

Second Wed. of the month at Parkland Community Library, 3:30 p.m.

Memory Cafe Join us for coffee and conversation, specifically for people with dementia and caregivers.

Advent Moravian Church, 2nd and 4th Thursday, 10:00 – noon. 3730 Jacksonville Rd., Hanover Township, Bethlehem.

Miscellaneous St. Luke’s Walk with a Doc Program Virtual walks include St. Luke’s providers explaining healthy living topics to educate and promote wellness. See pages 16–17 of this issue for details!

Lehigh County Aging PA MEDI health insurance counselors answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid. Get unbiased information about plans. lehighcounty.org | 610-782-3200 Lower Macungie Senior Citizens meet first and third Tuesdays at noon. Community Center, 3450 Brookside Rd., Macungie. Speakers, entertainment, food for LMT residents 60 and older. johncramsey2002@yahoo. com

Former Fall Fashions, Food, FALL What does “fall” mean to you? We know, at this age, that word has medical connotations. But we mean “fall” as in “autumn,” the only season with two names. For homeowners, it can mean raking leaves. For seniors moving into retirement villages, it means leaving rakes.

Fall is a time of change. Leaves change colors, kids change grades, governments change during election years, menus change with the harvest, and people change clothes with the weather. Remember when TV stations changed programming with the “new fall schedule”?

Let’s take a look back to see what befell us in autumns gone by.

FASHIONS

In the 1950s, the focus was on summer attire (and those who wore them). Ladies liked the feel of wearing summer clothing all year long, so halter tops and fitted waists were popular. Remember those rompers and high-waisted pants that complemented swimwear?

The 1960s brought a chaos of fast-moving change in culture that was reflected in the clothing of the moment.

The decade began with loose-fitting coats over matching dresses with coordinating hats, gloves, and short heels.

When First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy came on the scene, so did tailored coats, strapless gowns, and elbow-length gloves. As women entered the workforce, bow collars were their answer to the masculine shirt and tie.

In the mid-60s, coordination went down the drain as the British Mod Movement crossed the ocean. Fitted clothing gave way to looser tailoring and bright colors in sheer fabrics.

Mod men donned tailored suits and sophisticated ensembles while women enjoyed polka dots, paneled dresses, and boots.

Mini skirts, and tight, colored hosiery followed by men’s pinstripe “Bonnie and Clyde” suit and solid hats. Women’s kneehigh boots stepped in, and paisleys, tie-dyes, broad collars, beads, and whatever else you could throw together made an anti-establishment statement.

The 1970s was the decade of Me. People dressed however they liked, and bell-bottom pants, leisure lounge suits, and platform shoes were a mercifully-short trend. Open shirts, jumpsuits, traditional suits, torn punk jeans, and leather closed out the decade.

FOOD Remember automats, those machines where you dropped in some coins and were rewarded with dry sandwiches and cold soup? No wait, no waiter, no guarantee that the food was fresh.

With the space craze of the 60s came Space Food Sticks, forerunners of today’s energy bars. They crash-landed in the 80s. The FizzNik was an ice cream soda in a straw.

You put ice cream in it and used it like a straw, with the soda blending with the ice cream and fizzing all over the floor. Screaming Yellow Zonkers, Fiddle Faddle, and Poppycock were popcorn treats as crazy and mod as the 60s. Spam® (SPiced hAM)was introduced in 1937 and is still around. If you have a can from your youth, it’s probably still good.

FUN Boomer kids and TV heavily influenced fun in the 50s and 60s. Kids had money to spend and plenty of places to spend it. Eating at those new diners was not complete without playing your favorite hits on the jukebox. There was one at each table! Music was measured in RPMs before gigabytes. You could go home in your station wagon or banana bike and watch TV shows (some in color!) for juveniles, like Batman and The Monkees, while playing with your troll and Barbie dolls. Collecting baseball cards was “Topps” then, and selling them can be profitable now! Wham-O made up to 170,000 Super Balls a day.

Did you have one or more? What about an Etch A Sketch?

Could you make circles on it?

Dancing cheek-to-cheek gave way to twisting the night away and disco fever. Who needed partners?

Before the age of cell phones, people sat on the porch or stoop and held actual conversations, looking at each other face-to-face, for hours. World problems were solved, relationships strengthened, “likes” were genuine, and the only cost might be a home-cooked meal.

If you’re hungry for nostalgic foods, toys, and other old-timey items, check out Cracker Barrel (shop.crackerbarrel.com) and Vermont Country Store (vermontcountrystore.com).

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Fall 2022

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Take a Tour

Fall Word Finder Solution from Page 18

Hosted by Arden Courts

JOIN US TO TAKE A PEEK INSIDE ARDEN COURTS! We invite you to schedule your tour and discover what makes Arden Courts unique.

5151 Hamilton Boulevard Allentown, PA 18106

610-366-9010

4098 Freemansburg Avenue Easton, PA 18045

484-373-5170

arden-courts.org

hewordsearch.com © 2021 ProMedica Health System, Inc., or its affiliates

26

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path

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