Lifestyles over 50 — Spring 2022

LifeSTYLES Lehigh Valley

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SPRING 2022 FREE

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Things to do with grandkids Reconnecting after COVID Documenting family history Jokes, games, puzzles and more!

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

From the Editor

Springtime Silliness

Many of us are familiar with the popular TV show, "Finding Your Roots," where a team of experts uses paper trails, photos, and DNA to trace the ancestry of famous persons, often with surprising and emotional results. Even when we don't know the person, the family stories can be deeply fascinating. Personally, I know nothing about my family history, and only vaguely remember my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather. I wish I knew more. Don't leave your family in the dark; take steps to record your family history so future generations can laugh and cry and honor your story!

If you wrack your brain trying to find that bottle of cardamon seeds, spring cleaning may be the time to consider a spice rack, plus other spring cleaning tips in our article on "Spring Cleaning Fever."

If you and your friends and family are beginning to get back together in person, and you're bored, try some board games or card games. We have suggestions to help you "deal" with down times.

Of course, we also have health-related articles to help you keep a spring in your step and make sure you get the best emergency care.

Keep on the sunny side!

Ahhh, spring! When a young man's fancy turns to — what the girl's been thinking of all winter!

-----I hate spring cleaning! The crazy things bounce all over the place!

-----A teacher told her first-grade class, "A single dolphin can have two hundred off-spring!"

A little girl gasped, "How about the married ones?"

-----Before I get into Spring Break traffic, I cover my car in Mucinex. It really thins out the congestion.

-----So a prisoner is about to be executed and the guards ask him, "What do you want your last meal to be?"

"Strawberries" he responds.

"But it's winter. We can't get strawberries until spring."

"Eh. I'll wait."

-----We know you've been lying awake nights, wondering why one of last issue's jokes didn't make sense.

It's because someone goofed and cut off the last line.

You can go back to sleep — Here's the entire joke: My mother once gave me two sweaters for Hanukkah. The next time we visited, I made sure to wear one. As we entered her home, instead of the expected smile, she said, “Aaron, what’s the matter? You didn’t like the other one?”

Alan Al leg ra

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

Bloomin' Bad Jokes

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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Why You Should Record Your Family History

by Art Villafane

First, it was Alex Haley's Roots. Then, it was Ancestry. com. Currently, Henty Louis Gates's Finding Your Roots PBS show is sparking the latest trend in geneology. For centuries, some religions and cultures have placed great emphasis on family history and ancestry. There is something special about discovering that your great-x5 grandfather was King Farquhar the Wiener or your maternal great-grandmother handed Betsy Ross the needle and thread.

Often, our ancestor's stories are cloaked in mystery due to lost records and improbable myths. Why not vow that this won't happen to your progeny by recording your family history, using the latest technology and your little gray cells?

First person narratives and family histories are important historical documents. Instead of having just an oral history, printed and digital documents can provide proof of your family history.

You and your immediate family are important to many people. Your extended family will appreciate the history, and this will also encourage them to do likewise.

Family trees are abstract. Stories add content. Besides the picture of a tree, your history puts the events and people in context and gives substance and life to the tree.

Over time, memories become fragmented and distorted. People may not remember the things you told them but did not write down. (By the way, it would be good to write down where the documents are stored, too!)

You will be encouraged to archive and preserve the documents on which your family history research is based: certificates, letters, diaries, etc. Having visible proof of your family’s history is very powerful and satisfying.

Ways to record family history Capture oral history with a smart phone or other aural recording device.

Take photos of documents and family members.

Record the reading of family documents, like letters and diaries.

Video record as many members as possible, especially your most advanced member. Nothing is more powerful than watching a family member recall his or her life and the memories of their family and ancestors.

If you have images from older technologies (photos, 8mm, VHS, camcorder, slides), it is a good idea to convert them to more modern, usable, durable media, like DVDs. These preserve your images and make sharing them with other family members easier.

Your family history may never make it to the big screen, but that knowledge will give them a living picture of the past and hope for the future.

Writing your family history gives you the chance to depict your ancestors as you see fit. This can dispel myths and pre-conceived notions about your ancestors.

It will help you build or solidify a sense of family. This can bring members closer together, especially those you have not seen for a while.

It will have a wider impact than you might imagine.

As your tree expands, you learn more and more about family and friends.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

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Things to Do with Grandkids Go outside? Where is that? The combination of a cold winter and a continuing wariness about health have kept many of us indoors for so long that we can't wait to burst the bonds of our front door. This is especially true of kids who may have been schooling inside. Now that restrictions are easing and temperatures are rising, a lot of events and venues in the Lehigh Valley are back in action. Shouldn't you and the kids be, too?

Uncover the science of how things work at Allentown’s Da Vinci Science Center, where families can make T-Rexroth, the center’s robotic dinosaur move with a joystick, experience a Category 1 hurricane with wind forces up to 78 mph, and crawl through Tunnel Vision, a 72-foot maze-like tunnel that shows how you can adapt when you cannot see. They also offer lots of programs, camps, and events that make learning fun and fun learning. A great way to spend a rainy day.

3145 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown | 484-664-1002 | davincisciencecenter. org/ Feeling like getting outside and running around? How about just watching your grandkids run in a marathon?

This year's St. Luke's Youth Run takes place April 23 at 2:00. Check-in is 12:30 – 1:45. Participation is free, and all children (ages 3 through 14) must register on online. Location is Lehigh Parkway, 1600 Park Drive, Allentown. For more complete information, visit stlukeshalfmarathon. com/youth-run/.

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Are the kids "bacon" you to take them to a ball game? Ferrous and FeFe are back in action and ready to welcome the family to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs at Coca-Cola Park, 1050 IronPigs Way, Allentown. IronPigs is more than baseball — there are fireworks, bobblehead giveaways, Star Wars days, and other events. So have a ball and check out their schedule at milb. com/lehigh-valley or call 610-841PIGS (7447).

How would you like to meet Hank and George? Who are they? Hank and George are the mules who would like to introduce you to Josiah White II at the National Canal Museum in Easton. The Josiah White II is a canal boat that plies the waters of old Section 8 of the Lehigh Canal in Hugh Moore Park. A trained and authentically-dressed crew interprets the story of the anthracite canals and the people who worked and lived on them.

Hank and George tow the boat on a leisurely trip from the Museum to the Locktender’s House and back. There are exhibits, trails, bike rentals, and more. National Canal Museum, 2750

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton | 610923-3548 | canals.org Train rides don't have to be "plain" rides! Delaware River Railroad Excursions offers seasonal train rides with varied themes for all ages. You can get lost in a corn maze, get lucky in a real gem mine, or get laughing at Scott Wagstaff and his zany animals! There is so much more that we don't want to get off-track and list all the fun excursions. 100 Elizabeth St., Phillipsburg, NJ | 877-872-4674 | 877trainride.com/index.htm Do you remember leaving your crayons out on the sidewalk in the summer so they would melt? Do something more constructive with the kids and take them to the Crayola Experience in Easton. Discover the magic of color at Crayola’s one-of-a-kind family attraction! Dozens of colorful and creative activities and a full day of fun await families. Bigger, brighter and bolder than ever, the colorful adventures of Crayola Experience help kids and adults alike explore art and technology, express their creativity and experience color in a whole new way.

30 Centre Square, Easton | 610-5158000 | crayolaexperience.com/easton

Senior Golf Discount List For the golfer, the game becomes less expensive as you mature. We compiled a list of local golf courses, the age that they consider you officially to be a “senior,” and the senior greens fees. Please note that rates were taken from the courses’ websites (weekday, walk only, some may include cart). Rates are subject to change, so we included phone numbers and

recommend that you call and confirm pricing and details. At publication time, these were 2-season rates.

Golf Course

Address

Fee

Allentown Municipal Course senior rate

3400 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104 allentowngolf.org 610-395-9926

$18-27 to walk, $28-41 to ride

The Club at Morgan Hill senior rate

100 Clubhouse Drive, Easton, PA 18042 610-923-8480 theclubatmorganhill.com

$35 ride only Mon-Thurs only

Bethlehem Golf Club 62+ senior rate

400 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017 bethlehemgc.com 610-691-9393

Green Pond Country Club senior rate

3604 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020 greenpondcc.com 610-691-9453

$22 to walk $42 to ride M-F $29 to walk, M-F $39 to ride, M-F 4/1/2022

Iron Lakes Country Club regular rate

3625 Shankweiler Road, Allentown, PA 18104 ironlakescountryclub.com 610-395-3369

$25 to walk, M-F $40 to ride, M-F

Olde Homestead Golf Club 62+ senior rate

6598 Route 309, New Tripoli, PA 18066 oldehomesteadgolfclub.com 610-298-4653

$41 to ride M-Th 62+

Riverview Country Club 60+ senior rate

1 Riverview Place, Easton, PA 18040 riverviewcountryclub.com 610-559-9700 235 Moorestown Drive, Bath, PA 18014 southmooregolf.com 610-837-7200

$35 to ride M-F 60+ till 3/31/2022

Southmoore Golf Course senior rate

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

$39 weekday $62 weekend Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

5

My Journey Into, and My Rescue From, Type 2 Diabetes

by Art Villafane

About 30 years ago, after a routine blood test, my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic. I was not sure what she meant, so she explained that my blood sugar level was hovering around the lower end of the mark that is considered Type 2 Diabetes.

At the time, I did not worry much because, of course, I felt I was invincible. Well, I was not invincible. Not long after the initial diagnosis, I was officially a Type 2 diabetic.

What is the difference between Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes leaves the individual without the ability to make insulin. Without insulin we cannot live, which is why individuals with type 1 diabetes must be on insulin treatment.

Type 2 diabetes This form of diabetes has a stronger genetic component than Type 1 diabetes and is commonly associated with overweight and obese adults. It can be treated with prescribed medications.

Although I was about 30 pounds over my optimum weight, I did not think it was that bad. Unfortunately, my condition meant that I would be taking medications for the rest of my life unless I made significant changes to my food choices. The long-term repercussions were frightening but I did not take them too seriously.

I had to watch my sugar intake. Having a sweet tooth did not help, so I wavered from high sugar to not-sohigh sugar in my blood.

Present day As the years wore on, I did see the subtle signs of diabetes. Regular blood tests showed varying levels of sugar.

If you are familiar with the counts, I hovered anywhere from 120 to as high as 190 (danger level). On top of the

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long-term effects of Type 2 diabetes, there was always the danger of getting full-blown Type 1 diabetes, which meant having to give myself insulin injections at least once per day for the rest of my life (not a happy thought).

Several months ago, my blood test showed an A1c count of 9.0 which is very high. Normal range is 5.7 and below.

I knew food was the secret to better health. Fortunately, I found a woman (Raymi at Ceiber Root Wellness, ceibarootwellness.com) who was especially knowledgeable about good nutrition. After chatting for a bit, she suggested a food plan that would help. I was not so stupid nor so stubborn as to ignore her advice. I followed her plan. Three months later, my A1c count was 7.0. My doctor was astounded that I could improve in so short a time.

I had to cut back the amount of sugar I take in — whether that was candy, sweets, or carbohydrates in their many forms. I lost more than 20 pounds. I look even more beautiful than ever (at least in my opinion [sigh]) — all kidding aside, I feel much better.

Although I am better, I am not out of the woods.

I still fight the long-term effects, like early-onset neurotherapy (where I have less feeling in my feet). Diabetes affects your eyesight and so far I am good in that area thanks to regular visits to my eye doctor. My long-term prognosis is quite bright if I maintain my vigilance.

We all know that, as a group, Americans are overweight. This means the prevalence of diabetes in its forms is higher than need be. You should protect yourself from this insidious disease. Speak to your doctor and help you and your family. It is never too late, but the sooner you change the better.

Modern medicine has the equipment to monitor your blood sugar level and the medication to help mitigate the disease. Your best protection is to avoid it to begin with or reduce its effects through proper nutrition.

Lastly, I am not a doctor (much to my mother’s regret), so nothing I say in this article should be considered medical advice. I just want to share my own experience in the hope that I might help others.

I wish you good health now and in the future.

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Daylight Save-Us Time

by Alan Allegra

As I write this (or, technically, type this — the constant use of the keyboard has rendered my penmanship [Remember pens?] illegible), daylight saving time is fast approaching.

Daylight saving time (DST) was suggested in different ways for centuries, but was not officially observed in the modern world until World War I in order to save fuel by cutting down on the use of artificial light. It is sometimes more accurately called “Summer Time,” because it covers the summer months. DST doesn’t actually save daylight — it just moves it around. The idea is to “add” more light to the end of the day. This helps with energy use and allows more time for late afternoon and evening activities. As with many broad attempts to mess with things, there are drawbacks as well. Probably the most well-known detrimental effect of spring-forward-clockchange day is, “WE LOSE AN HOUR OF SLEEP!”

meaning in life (“All is vanity,” Ecclesiastes 1:1), God has a purpose for everything, even bad things: “The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble” (Proverbs 16:4). Sometimes, a little light needs to shine into a dark place to reveal what is really there.

God is not only the source of light — He is light: “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Because God is light, He expects us to walk in His light so we may have an intimate relationship with Him and with other Christians: “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

There are enough things to lose sleep over as it is. The “extra” day- Your word is a lamp to my feet and But if we walk in the light, as he light hour is tied to lower lighting a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of energy use, fewer traffic accidents, Jesus his Son cleanses us from all and less crime due to the change in time. The time change also has negative effects on our sin” (I John 1:6 – 7). The advantages of walking in the natural rhythms and feelings, not to mention our televi- light are good relations with other Christians and forsion schedules! It’s amazing what effect light has on our giveness from sin. lifestyle.

Light is healthy in many ways, and light therapy is often used to treat mood disorders. Light helps us find our way when shone in the darkest places. It will illuminate our path as well as provide a beacon to lead us to safety, much like a lighthouse. Without light, there would be no colors — peacocks, pansies, and paintings would all look alike. There would be no rainbows or reflections.

Life would be pretty bland; in fact, there would be no life.

God knew what He was doing when He created light on the first day (Genesis 1:3). Without light, the rest of Creation would have been meaningless, and with God, nothing is ever meaningless. Although man may find little

Speaking of Jesus, John said, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Following Jesus gives light. How do we know the path Jesus is leading on? The Bible shows the path: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

The same man who described life as vanity also said, “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclessiastes 3:11). The light of life in Christ and in the Word give us a new perspective on life in all its facets. It does not throw off our rhythms, but synchronizes our hearts and minds with Jesus. The heavenly light awakens us, and that is a good thing — “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14).

Add color, energy, and meaning to your life!

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

7

Not Your Father’s Colonoscopy: Latest Methods Ease Procedure, Prep by Mary DeHaven, St. Luke's University Health Network If it’s time for another colonoscopy, and it’s been more than five years since your last one, you might be in for a pleasant surprise, said Sarina Kapoor, MD, of St. Luke’s Gastroenterology. Advances in preparation products and the procedure have improved effectiveness and patient comfort.

The rates of colorectal cancer have been falling for people 50 and older over the past 20 years, primarily because of efforts to encourage screening tests, especially colonoscopy. Today, the average age of diagnosis is 66 and falling, she said. Meanwhile, rates have been increasing for people under 50. Generally, screening is recommended until age 75 or 80.

Colorectal cancer is the third-most-prevalent cancer for men and women in the United States and the third leading cause of cancer death. Fortunately, the cure rate exceeds 80%, and is even higher when caught early. Colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera to enable physicians to see inside the colon. This allows them to find and remove small clumps of cells called “polyps” that could develop into cancer. The gastroenterologist also identifies and collects any abnormal-looking tissue that could be cancerous for further study.

“It’s important for people hesitant to get a colonoscopy to understand some of the huge scientific advancements we've made in the last couple of years,” Dr. Kapoor said. “We try to avoid giving anybody those big seawater-tasting four-liter gallon bowel preps.”

Instead, Dr. Kapoor offers patients low-volume bowel preparations — laxatives — that are virtually tasteless and can be mixed with the Gatorade flavor of the patient’s choice. It is split between night and morning for a better night’s sleep and an improved cleanout. In addition, pill preparations are available for patients who cannot tolerate drinking large volumes of liquid.

“I’ll be honest,” Dr. Kapoor said. “It’s still a night of hanging out in your bathroom, but at least it’s a lot more palatable.” In addition to laxatives, patients must have a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure.

Another advancement is using carbon dioxide to open the colon for the procedure. St. Luke’s hospitals and outpatient endoscopy centers use carbon dioxide rather than air because it is easier and more comfortably passed. Another innovation is Endocuff Vision, a device placed on the end of the scope that flattens the folds in the colon, enabling physicians to find hidden polyps.

Because of these innovations and excellent physicians, St. Luke’s exceeds national quality benchmarks related to colonoscopy. St. Luke’s has much higher polyp detection rates and much lower complication rates than other hospitals nationally.

Other colorectal screening tests are available, Dr. Kapoor said. The most popular ones are FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test), that screens for blood in the stool, and Cologuard, which tests for blood and DNA markers. With these methods, patients receiving positive results must then have a coloColonoscopy continued on next page

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Colonoscopy continued from previous page noscopy to confirm the presence of cancer, she explained.

“Colonoscopy is a very unique test,” she said. “You’re not only diagnosing cancer, you're also treating it. By removing growths that could become cancerous, you’re preventing disease, too. It just goes to show that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I hate to use clichés, but it’s true in this case.”

“I enjoy listening to my patients to hear their personal stories about how gut health affects their daily lives,” she said. “I am honored that they trust me to help them improve their lives. That is what drives me — each and every patient encounter.”

In addition, Dr. Kapoor is interested in the role of the gut microbiome in one’s health. The microbiome is the collection of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, found within the gut.

“GI has had an explosion of scientific data that is coming our way regarding the microbiome and our ability to diagnose and prevent disorders,” she said. “We think the microbiome is kind of like your second DNA. Gut bacteria may be the reason that one person can eat whatever they want and not gain weight and the other person gets diabetes, and another has coronary artery disease.”

Have your adult children ever encouraged you to get a colonoscopy?

If yes, and they are now 45 or older, it’s time to turn the tables, said Dr. Kapoor.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force in May 2021 revised its colorectal screening cancer guidelines, now requiring insurers to cover colorectal screening beginning at age 45, five years younger than prior recommendations. Statistics showing increased numbers of younger people diagnosed with colorectal cancer drove the change.

“Someone born in 1990 has twice the risk of colon cancer in their lifetime than someone born in 1950, and a four-time increased risk of developing rectal cancer,” added Shannon Tosounian, DO, of St. Luke's Gastroenterology. “That's a pretty staggering statistic.”

According to the American Cancer Society, about 12% of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in people under 50.

Rates have been increasing since the mid-1980s in adults 20 – 39 years, and since the mid-1990s in adults ages 40 – 54, with the younger age groups experiencing the steepest increase.

Experts speculate today's more sedentary lifestyles and increased consumption of processed food may be causing the increase in colorectal cancer in younger people, she said.

However, there’s another theory. The guidelines also recommend that the first-degree relatives — children, siblings, and parents — of someone diagnosed with colorectal cancer should begin screening 10 years earlier than their relative’s age at diagnosis. For instance, if your father was diagnosed at 50, you should start screening at 40. Some believe earlier detection may also contribute to the rising number of people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a younger age.

When do you need colorectal cancer screening?

If you’re not sure, Dr. Kapoor suggests you confer with your gastroenterologist or primary care physician to determine the best timing and type of screening for you. She offers the following general guidelines.

All screening methods • Everyone should have their first colonoscopy at age 45.

• If you have a first-degree relative — parent, sibling, child — begin colorectal cancer screening when you are 10 years younger than the age your relative was diagnosed.

• You have any of the colorectal cancer warnings signs: • Anemia • Rectal bleeding • Blood in the stool • Abdominal pain without another cause • Unintentional weight loss Colonoscopy • Whether polyps were found during your last colonoscopy determines when you should have your next one.

• No polyps, you're good for 10 years.

• One or two polyps, 5 – 7 years • Three or more polyps, three years • If you're under age 75 and you've never had one, it's not too late to schedule your first colonoscopy.

• Generally, you should stop getting colonoscopies between age 75 and 80.

FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) • Once a year • If the test is positive, you will need a colonoscopy.

Cologuard • Every three years, if normal • If the test is positive, you will need a colonoscopy.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kapoor, contact St. Luke’s Gastroenterology at 484-526-6545.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

9

Now to Determine Which ERs Provide Best Geriatric Care

by Mary DeHaven, St. Luke's University Health Network Few people give much thought to emergency care.

But unless your life is in imminent danger, you might benefit from a bit of research to determine which nearby emergency department is best prepared to meet the specialized needs of older adults.

Justin Binstead, DO, Medical Director, Department of Emergency Medicine at St. Luke’s Miners Campus, said illness and injury can present very differently in older adults compared to the younger population. Patients should seek emergency rooms staffed with health care professionals who understand these differences and more effectively evaluate, diagnose, and treat older patients.

“It’s not just a one-size-fits-all mentality in our ER,” he said.

“Just having the awareness that certain medications interact differently might affect your evaluation and treatment recommendations. Also, the injury pattern of someone who has a fall in their 80s is a lot different from someone in their 30s.”

One way to determine if an emergency department is sensitive to the needs of older patients is whether they have geriatric accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). To attain accreditation, the emergency departments must demonstrate that they have integrated best practices for emergency care of older adults. St. Luke’s Miner’s Campus became geriatric accredited in October 2021. St. Luke’s Monroe Campus also has achieved this accreditation.

Geriatric patients account for a large percentage of ER patients. According to data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey, adults aged 65 and over had an emergency department (ED) visit rate of 12 per 100 persons for injury and 36 per 100 persons for illness during 2012 – 13.

To meet ACEP geriatric accreditation requirements, emergency departments must demonstrate that they provide geriatric-focused staff education and apply standardized best-practice approaches to addressing common geriatric issues. They must ensure optimal care transitions from the emergency department to their home or care facility and engage in geriatric-focused quality improvement projects.

Dr. Binstead led the St. Luke’s Miners Campus accreditation pursuit process with Brittany Garris, RN, BSN, Clinical Coordinator of the Emergency Department. Both Garris and Dr. Binstead have received additional education in caring for geriatric patients. Furthermore, the charge nurses on each shift became NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) certified. NICHE provides educational tools to help nurses meet older adults’ unique health care needs through

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evidence-based geriatric care. Dr. Binstead continually educates physicians on geriatric medicine during monthly departmental meetings.

In addition, the accreditation process requires applicants to complete a geriatric-specific quality improvement initiative to elevate the level of eldercare. Dr. Binstead worked with the St. Luke’s pharmacy, geriatrics, psychiatry, and toxicology departments to develop a stepwise plan for proper medication usage. The program aims to reduce chemical restraints, thereby avoiding oversedation, drug-to-drug interactions, and other side effects.

“The first subject we approached was implementing non-pharmacological interventions to treat agitation and anxiety,” he said. “This included such things as lavender patches that are supposed to be calming and soothing. We also implemented the use of special vests with buttons to keep older adults with cognitive impairments occupied. This not only helps with manual dexterity but can also prevent them from becoming agitated.”

Also, the staff emphasizes placing older patients at risk of falling within sight of the nurses’ station or in the room with a private bathroom, Garris said. The fall-risk patients wear yellow non-skid socks. Moreover, the staff provides hearing amplifiers for heard-of-hearing patients and urinal holders for men who have manual dexterity challenges.

“We’ve also worked with our volunteers to have them visit the rooms of older patients and keep them company,” he said.

Regarding medications, Dr. Binstead and colleagues developed stepwise guidelines on the best pharmaceutical treatment for patients from mild- to moderate- to severe-agitation.

The protocols include when to use certain medications and in what dosage. Besides St. Luke’s professionals, Dr. Binstead worked with the ACEP Geriatric Committee Chairman, a published author and expert on pharmaceutical intervention.

The accreditation application required six months of data showing baseline performance compared to performance post-geriatric guideline implementation. Data demonstrated a marked improvement in falls and patient safety.

A recent patient demonstrates the importance of understanding how illness can present differently in an elderly patient. A nursing home had sent a patient to the ER with a possible urinary tract infection that can be very serious for older adults and can cause the person to become confused. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the physician determined the

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Geriatric continued on next page

Geriatric continued from previous page cause of the pain was critical. The patient had a volvulus of the intestine, a life-threatening condition in which the bowel twists on itself. Surgeons operated that night.

“A young patient would be jumping off of the bed screaming in pain,” he said. “In this older patient, there was some abdominal tenderness, but it wasn’t dramatic. If the physician hadn’t been thorough in the exam, and aware of the differences in physical exam findings in older patients, it would have been catastrophic. She probably wouldn’t have made it through the night.”

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

Tips for Older Adults Visiting the ER Whether you’re an older adult visiting the Emergency Department or taking an elderly loved one to the ER, it’s important to prepare. St. Luke’s offers these suggestions.

Be sure to bring • a list of medications, including over-the-counters, vitamins, and other supplements. Include the doses or bring the bottles.

• a list of allergies. Include medication allergies, such as penicillin. They recommend you list the reaction to the medication (i.e., rash, hives, anaphylaxis, etc.).

• insurance cards: Private, Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans. If the patient has supplemental or secondary insurance, bring those cards, too.

• picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

• a list of the patient’s physicians, including the primary care doctor and any specialists, such as a cardiologist, oncologist, endocrinologist, or psychiatrist.

• advance directives, such as medical power of attorney or do-not-resuscitate orders.

St. Luke’s Anderson Campus weekdays from 4 – 6 pm St. Luke’s Monroe Campus 7 days from 4 – 6 pm

Be sure to tell the ER staff about $3.99 dinner includes Injuries entree, salad, side, vegetable, • falls and accidents. Share any details you can. Mention if dessert, and 12 oz. drink. the patient hit their head, or could have, and on what: a table, the floor, the wall, the car’s dashboard. Head injuries can cause bleeding in the brain that requires immePlease indicate you are ordering the diate treatment. older adult meal to the dietary staff • any blood thinners that could result in more bleeding.

• past injuries, e.g., if the patient falls often and has broken bones during prior falls. Also, mention treatment for osteoporosis or brittle bones.

Illnesses • symptoms, when they began, and became worse.

• if the patient has had a fever.

For more information • similar illness in the past, how it was treated, and the paplease contact 1-866-STLUKES. tient’s reaction to treatment.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50 Lehigh Valley Spring 2022

11

Did You Know?

April’s birthstone is the diamond.

April’s flower is the daisy.

April’s color is aquamarine.

Monthly Observances: Emotional Overeating Awareness Month; Couple Appreciation Month; Celebrate Diversity Month; Holy Humor Month; Home Improvement Time Month; National Kite Month; National Knuckles Down Month; Straw Hat Month; Southern Belles Month.

Weekly Observances: Laugh at Work Week (1-7); Golden Rule Week (1-7); Innovation Week (20-26); Fish Fry Week (21-26); National Scoop the Poop Week (24-30).

Daily Observances: April Fools Day (1); Boomer Bonus Day (1); Sorry Charlie Day (1); Kick Butts Day (2); Mule Day (3); No Housework Day (7); National Sibling Day (10); Licorice Day (12); Walk on Your Wild Side Day (12); World Cow Chip Day (19); National Hairball Awareness Day (29).

April in History April 1: The recently-elected Nazis under Julius Streicher organize a one-day boycott of all Jewish-owned businesses in Germany, ushering in anti-Semitic acts that will be known as the Holocaust (1933); President Richard Nixon signs the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act, requiring surgeon general’s warnings on tobacco products and banning cigarette ads on television and radio in the United States (1970).

April 2: Actor Charlie Chaplin returns to the United States for the first time since being labeled a communist in the early 1950s during the Red Scare (1972).

April 3: Bruno Richard Hauptmann is executed for the kidnapping and death of Charles Augustus Lindbergh II, baby son of world-famous pilot Charles Lindbergh (1936); The first portable cell phone call is placed in New York City (1974).

April 4: The Beatles occupy the top 5 positions on the Billboard Top 40 Mainstream (1964); Martin Luther King, Jr., is assassinated

by James Earl Ray in Memphis, TN (1968).

April 5: Winston Churchill resigns as Prime Minister of the U.K. amid indications of failing health (1955); Fidel Castro declares himself at war with the president of Cuba (1956).

April 7: Booker T. Washington becomes the first African American depicted on a U. S. postage stamp (1940).

April 8: The first World’s Fair opens in Paris (1867); The Works Progress Administration is formed when the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935 becomes law (1935).

April 10: The RMS Titanic leaves port in Southampton, En-

12

gland, for her first and only voyage (1912); The Great Gatsby

by F. Scott Fitzgerald is first published in New York, New York, by Charles Scribner’s Sons (1925).

April 11: President Ronald Reagan returns to the White House from the hospital, 12 days after he was wounded in an assassination attempt (1981).

April 15: Jackie Robinson debuts for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team, breaking that sport’s color line (1947); Ray Kroc opens his first franchise of McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois (1955).

April 16: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., pens his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” while incarcerated in Birmingham, AL, for protesting against segregation (1963).

April 17: The Ford Motor Company unveils the Ford Mustang at the New York World’s Fair (1964); Federal Express delivers its first package (1973).

April 19: Gen. Douglas MacArthur retires from the military (1951).

April 20: Western Electric and Warner Bros. announce Vitaphone, a process to add sound to film (1926).

April 22: World War II: After learning that Soviet forces have taken Eberswalde without a fight, Adolf Hitler admits defeat in his underground bunker and states that suicide is his only recourse (1945); The Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, is dedicated (1993).

April 23: Coca-Cola changes its formula and releases New Coke. The response is overwhelmingly negative, and the original formula is back on the market in less than 3 months (1985).

April 25: American schoolgirl Samantha Smith is invited to visit the Soviet Union by Yuri Andropov after he read her letter in which she expressed fears about nuclear war (1983).

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Past April Fools Pranks • Alabama changes the value of “pi”: The April 1998 newsletter of New Mexicans for Science and Reason contained an article written by physicist Mark Boslough claiming that the Alabama Legislature had voted to change the value of the mathematical constant pi to the “Biblical value” of 3.0.

This claim originally appeared as a news story in the 1961 science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein.

contacted the BBC to report the trial’s success. This hoax was also conducted by the Seven Network in Australia in 2005. In 2007, the BBC website repeated an online version of the hoax.

• Spaghetti trees: The BBC television program Panorama ran a famous hoax in 1957, showing the Swiss harvesting spaghetti from trees. They had claimed that the despised pest, the spaghetti weevil, had been eradicated. A large number of people contacted the BBC wanting to know how to cultivate their own spaghetti trees.

• In 1989, two Utah police officers placed invisible dye in the county courthouse building restrooms and mayor’s office.

(This is the same dye used to catch criminals, and is usually put on money.) The colorless powder turns into a dark purple stain when it comes in contact with skin. While it is harmless, it takes a while to wear off, as the mayor found out after becoming a “marked man.” The police officers decided it wasn’t so funny when they were suspended a few days without pay.

• Left-Handed Whoppers: In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side.

Not only did customers order the new burgers, but some specifically requested the “old” right-handed burger.

• Taco Liberty Bell: In 1996, Taco Bell took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times announcing that they had purchased the Liberty Bell to “reduce the country’s debt” and renamed it the “Taco Liberty Bell.” When asked about the sale, White House press secretary Mike McCurry replied tongue-in-cheek that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would henceforth be known as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

• Smell-o-Vision: In 1965, the BBC purported to conduct a trial of a new technology allowing the transmission of odor over the airwaves to all viewers. Many viewers reportedly

• The Canadian news site bourque.org announced in 2002 that Finance Minister Paul Martin had resigned “in order to breed prize Charolais cattle and handsome Fawn Runner ducks.”

• In 1981, the Daily Mail ran a story about an unfortunate Japanese long-distance runner, Kimo Nakajimi, who had entered the London Marathon, but on account of a translation error, thought that he had to run for 26 days, not 26 miles. The Daily Mail reported that Nakajimi was now somewhere out on the roads of England, still running, determined to finish the race. Supposedly, various people had spotted him, though they were unable to flag him down.

The translation error was attributed to Timothy Bryant, an import director, who said, “I translated the rules and sent them off to him. But I have only been learning Japanese for two years, and I must have made a mistake. He seems to be taking this marathon to be something like the very long races they have over there.”

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

13

Springtime Crossword Puzzle All of these answers can be found in this issue!

1 2 3 4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Solution on Page 22

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS 2 4 6 7 10 11 12 13

14

A game that is NOT a vegetable Uncomfortable but helpful in the end A slice of geometry A federal agency Keeps you on track Sweet fruit with outer seeds God is _____ Many Americans are unhealthy and __________

DOWN 1 Things we can lose as we age (besides keys) 2 What your nose and traffic have in common 3 This can help with the ups and downs of life 5 Where your ancestors branch out 8 A place no one likes to end up in 9 A game that is NOT a PA Dutch food staple

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Spring Cleaning Fever

by J. Painter

Spring can represent a new day; some say it is dawn in the wheel of the year. For me, I always have a feeling of restlessness and excitement, an urgency to get outside. I look around and see what I want to accomplish to prepare my home for spring. Please note I used the word “want,” not “need.”

Before my husband and I move our focus to the yard and outside activities, I have a “fever” to get prepared. Typically, spring cleaning can mean decluttering, throwing clothes out, organizing, cleaning the baseboards, and opening windows to let the fresh air in. I can almost smell the fresh air pouring in with the sunlight shining in. Rome was not built in a day, so creating a checklist really helps me to stay focused. There are some things that can be done quickly, and other things that can be done on the “fly” throughout the day.

Some things to explore in your spring cleaning fever Check all the labels on your medicines, both over-the-counter and prescriptions and vitamins. To dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, call your city or county government’s household trash and recycling service and ask if a drug take-back program is available in your community. Another source is Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know | FDA. Evaluate your bathroom for safety. Are there grab rails strategically located to be used when bathing or using the toilet? Are toiletries and towels located conveniently? Senior services for aging are available where experts will walk around your house inside and out to look for fall risks. For example, if there are steps going outside, railings should be installed (double railings are extra-safe).

At the same time, check your balance with your healthcare team to see if there is a risk for a fall, especially before going outside and walking in the yard. Wear safe shoes! Check your sneakers and outside shoes and make sure they have good support. Throw away those old comfy shoes that do not have good support!

Check sunscreen bottles for expiration dates and make sure you use the sunscreen if it is still okay. If you do not have sunscreen, purchase some. Next, dig out your sun hats and sunglasses for fit and facial coverage. This is a good time to visit the dermatologist to check any worrisome areas on the face and neck for skin cancer.

Purge beauty products. If you have not used a product for six months, get rid of it. Yes — lipstick, mascara, all make up. This is a great time to buy new exciting colors and maybe create a new look!

Organize spices. When my husband and I began our spring cleaning this year, we decided to organize our spices (see pictures below). The goal was to keep only the spices we need and fit them into the spice rack below on the right.

Stay tuned for this accomplishment! During this spice cleanup, we discovered spices from 2009 and 2012. Spices are safe even if they are expired, but we chose to discard them since flavor and potency are affected. For you who are creative, making potpourri by heating the spices may be appealing.

In closing, SPRING is a reminder that God is all about making things new. A new sun rising. A new shoot coming out of the ground. A new hatchling in the nest. As daylight increases, we sometimes experience fresh new energy and a desire to do more. This spring can be about a new beginning, new life, and light. Blessings to all!

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

15

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50% off Fall Detection Promotion valid when Fall Detection Service is added to your monitoring system and MobileHelp Connect Premium service is included with the order. Offer is valid for the first year of service only. This offer is for new customers only and cannot be combined with any other offers. Promotion available for select plans only and for a limited time.

During the promotional term, you will receive $5 off the $10 full retail price of Fall Detection service. After first year, Fall Detect pricing reverts to discounted price of $7.50/month when combined with MobileHelp Connect Premium. Fall Button does not detect 100% of falls. If able, users should always push their help button when they need assistance. Fall Button is not intended to replace a caregiver for users dealing with serious health issues. Service availability and access/coverage on the AT&T network is not available everywhere and at all times.

Current GPS location may not always be available in every situation. MobileHelp is a registered trademark. Patented technology. MobileHelp is an FDA registered company. MHPN00939 Rev. 1

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

17

Name:

Class:

Date:

word search

Springtime Word Finder Springtime Word Finder Solution on Page 26 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.

s d d t i o g e m e r g e n c y

t o y o z c o l o n o s c o p y

g s x r s n o y a r c l m a i o

t w e y e r e t i r e m e n t y

ANCESTRY BOBBLEHEAD CLUBHOUSE Ecclesiastes CRAYONS ancestry aquamarine INSTALLATION bacon NUTRITION bobblehead STRAWBERRIES camcorder Word Search

18

o s h r g c t e e m u y s c s o

d l t s o e a d r n o t n e a l

n a i r p f n m i c a h t s o r

u q e f a e e c c l s s s t e y

t u d h v w a n l o a n r r g i

r a n a e t b a a i r o u y o i

AQUAMARINE CAMCORDER COLONOSCOPY ECCLESIASTES LAVENDER OXYGEN SUNSCREEN

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i m l s i l t e s c a d e s i n

t a c o l i b e r t y b e l l n

i r n a o r l b g r i d t r h s

o i h n o c a b o v i e n a h g

n n g p c r z l d b e e p a h m

l e u E n c l u b h o u s e c r

BACON CANDYCANEFOREST COMMUNICATION EMERGENCY MYTHS RETIREMENT TACOLIBERTYBELL www.edu-games.org

Fallen Phrase Name:

Class:

Date:

PhraseCan't Get Up! We've Fallen Fallen and We

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 Springtime Word Finder answers.

P O H L O A WP AO G M H GD M T N LA OU PA TW IA T D T A Y ND AMURP LT OI RT H Y I A Y D M R

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fallen-phrase

fallen-phrase

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LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

www.edu-games.org 19

Spring 2022

Games People Play by the Editor

Long before there were cell phones, telephones, and even saxophones, there were other methods of play and competition that required in-person interaction. As people begin to get out and enjoy each other's company, they are rediscovering simple pleasures that are easily shared.

Senior centers and related venues offer games as comforting distractions and opportunities for gentle competition.

Some of my earliest memories include images of the menfolk in our family sitting around a table, smoking cigars and moving round colored chips around the table while discussing world events. The word "poker" was one of those "adult" words that children didn’t connect with, like "mortgage" and "The War." Unlike the chess game with Death in memories, or any number of poker games with "cheatin' varmints" in westerns, a friendly card or board game can put people at ease and make you think, plan, and laugh, without leaving your seat (or recharging your phone).

There are games different levels of intellectual ability and concentration. Let's look at some games people play.

Board Games Checkers may trigger images of men in plaid flannel shirts and suspenders having a leisurely game around the pickle barrel. However, being responsible for 12 game pieces, although easy to learn, can still generate excitement as you capture pieces on the way to being crowned!

Chinese Checkers is a bit hairier than “regular” checkers, and requires more strategy. In this game, you compete with up to 5 other players to move your 10 pieces from your star point to the point opposite yours. You can even move multiple spaces at once if you’re tricky!

Chess has endured for about 1,500 years, and it looks to outsiders like it takes that long to play. It takes a lot of concentration and strategy to move your pawns, bishops, rooks, knights, king, and queen around the board in different directions to get the chance to say, “Checkmate!”

Back ga mmon has been around for centuries and is easily recognized by its alternating colored triangles, checkers, and dice. A bit of strategy will help you “cast off” all your pieces from the game. Moves are dictated by the roll of the dice.

While not exactly a board game, Chronology challenges your memory and grasp of history as you decide if ice cream cones were invented before or after silver dollars, among other events.

The idea is to guess where in your timeline the cards fall. You have to keep 10 cards to win, with the possibility of losing them along the way.

Monopoly is a safe way to experience the risky world of real estate. As you go around the board at the toss of the dice, you can buy property, pay rent on someone else’s property, buy and sell, and try not to land in jail. Sometimes, you have to pick a card that can either benefit you or bite you in the wallet. It’s a classic, and there are even companies that make local Monopoly games featuring local streets and businesses!

These can often be found in larger bookstores.

For fun with words, try Scrabble. Players are given a number of wooden letters of various points, and must lay them down on a special board to make point-rich words. The words must include an already-played letter or add to an existing word.

It’s kind of like building your own crossword, so it takes some tactical prowess to use up all your tiles and win.

For the young and wistfully-young, Candy Land players join the hunt to find King Kandy, drawing cards as they travel through Gumdrop Mountain and Candy Cane Forest, meeting Queen Frostine and Mr. Mint, among others. One million games are purchased each year, so they must be doing something right!

There are dozens of other board games to choose from, including Life, Trivial Pursuit (which may seem a lot like life), and Cribbage, as well as action games like Twister and Charades.

One of the most popular action games of generations is Pictionary, a game where teams simultaneously draw pictures Games continued on next page

20

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Games continued from previous page to illustrate the answer for their teammate(s) — a paper version of Charades.

There are different versions of the above games available, but the basics are the same, the bottom line being: Have fun!

Card Games The equipment needed to play a good game of cards is simple: a simple deck of cards. What could be easier? A smart phone? Cards don’t need to be charged.

Just make sure you’re playing with a full deck! (Side note: Remember when gas stations and hardware stores handed out free decks?) Here are some ideas using a standard deck.

Rummy is a game in which players draw and discard cards, trying to get “melds” that typically consist of sets of the same values or runs of consecutive values. It is one of the simplest games and requires little strategy.

A favorite game for youngsters is Go Fish. The object is to make “books” of 4 of a kind by asking other players for the card(s) you need to make a book. If a player does not have the asked-for card, they say, “Go fish,” and the asker draws from the “ocean” pile. Game ends when all 13 books are laid down.

Notice we did not mention Solitaire, the classic one-person card game. That’s because the whole point of this article is to get our readers out and back into socializing in a fun, comfortable way! If you play your cards right, you can have a lot of fun and rejuvenate friendships and make new ones!

We cannot leave out Poker, the ultimate bluffing game, and Hearts and Pinochle, trick-taking games, all of which we may have seen our elders play around the kitchen table while solving the problems of the world. Poker is usually considered a betting game, with three basic variations: stud, draw, and community cards. Texas Hold ’Em is the current favorite.

Blitz is a popular and casual social card game. By drawing and discarding a card each turn, the aim is to improve your three-card hand to have the closest to 31 points in one suit.

Canasta is a game that became extremely popular in the 1950s. Canasta uses two standard decks, and is best in two-player partnerships. It is a rummy-style game in which the aim is to make melds of seven cards of the same value, and “go out” by playing your entire hand.

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Call 484-895-1188 for a free assessment.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

21

Springtime Crossword Puzzle All of these answers can be found in this issue!

Solution:

Solution to Springtime Crossword Puzzle from Page 14

James Thurber’s Crossword Puzzle Laid up in the hospital, James Thurber passed the time doing crossword puzzles.

One day he asked a nurse, “What sevenletter word has three u’s in it?”

She said, “I don’t know, but it must be unusual.”

C R I B B O N C O L G E F S A T M I I O L N Y S T R R E E O V E R W

Sudokus

M A G E M P O N O S C O R W P I F E F E R U S S N T E R A R I A W B E R R L L H L I O F M T E I G H T

P Y M A

S C R I L R O A D B I E S B L G H T E

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 (Very hard, difficulty rating 0.79) Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.52) Puzzle 2 — Very hard Puzzle 1 — Medium 6

8

1

6

7

5

6

3

9

2

8

5 1

1

7

9 3

1

6

1

3

5

1 5

3

9

2 6

1

7

8

9

3

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

5 4

3

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Mar 1 19:42:05 2022 GMT. Enjoy!

22

3

1

2 1

3 7

9

7 1

4

5

8

4

2

8

4

9

5 2

9

8

7 4

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Mar 1 19:42:05 2022 GMT. Enjoy!

1

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LIFESTYLES OVER 50

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Spring 2022

23

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. As the area reopens from COVID, things change rapidly. Please use the contact information to verify event details.

Volunteers Needed Meals on Wheels of Greater Lehigh Valley 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. 610433-6018 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! 610432-3919 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 specialized pastoral care program for individuals in the mid-tolate stages of dementia.

Addresses the spiritual needs of residents with cognitive impairment. Spirit Alive incorporates best practices in dementia care, Godly Play methods, and Montessori concepts to create an interactive, faith-based

24

experience. 610-794-5119 | Emily Southerton 610-9278553 ENCORE women’s cancer support and exercise group meets Tues. 6:30 – 8 PM, and Fri. 9:15 – 10:30 AM. Allentown YMCA, 425 S. 15th St. 610-351-9622 | allentownymcaywca.org AARP #5415 First Thurs., Noon, St. Timothy’s Church, 140 S. Ott St., Allentown.

Social hour with refreshments at noon, business meeting at 1:00. Guests welcome.

Bring non-perishable food for Allentown Food Bank. 610437-4265 Jordan United Church of Christ 2nd Sat. of the month.

Like gardening? Rt. 309 and Walbert Ave., Allentown, Peace Garden, custom peace sculpture, peace pole, worship areas, biblical plants, children’s bed, gazebo, trails.

610-395-2218 Men of Retirement Age club (MORA), 11:00 AM 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 PM. info@lvmac.org | www. lvmac.org | 484-788-0196 Palmer Senior Group 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the Charles Chrin Community Center, Palmer Township

Prayer & Share Together for Emotional Wholeness via Zoom, 2nd Tues. of the month, 7 – 8:30 PM. Interested women call 610-395-8756 or email linda3bart@gmail.com for Zoom link.

Healthy Living / Exercise

Bethlehem YMCA For information, call 518-4394394 | ymcabethlehem.org Allentown YMCA For information, call 610-3519622 | allentownymcaywca. org Third Street Alliance, Easton YMCA. thirdstreetalliance.org. | familyYMCA.org | 610-2586158

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 | 610432-4333 Senior Science Mondays at the Da Vinci Science Center provide a unique opportunity to explore health topics with experts from St. Luke’s University Health Network.

Each session includes a 1-hour presentation and light snacks and refreshments.

Seniors 55 and up. Select Mondays from 1 – 2 PM. Free for members or included with special $5 admission.

Explore the Science Center while you’re there. Call Jen

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

Pors at 484-664-1002 x118 | davincisciencecenter.org/ senior-science-mondays Caregiver Support Groups

St. Luke’s Caregiver Support Virtual Group Informal group meets virtually (for now) to share tips, resources, and support.

Call Erica Coyne at (607) 744-1831 to register. You will receive a link to join the meeting on 4th Thursdays.

Allentown First Thurs. of the month at Lehigh Valley Active Life, 11:00 AM. Second Wed. of the month at Parkland Community Library, 3:30 PM

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

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

St. Luke’s Walk with a Doc Program The virtual walks include St. Luke’s providers explaining healthy living topics to educate and promote wellness. After you watch the video, get outdoors for a walk! Every day from March 3rd until July 2nd, 2022. Join via Zoom at 10:00 AM or 5L45 PM. Like us on Facebook so you don’t miss a walk: facebook.com/ slhhn | 1-866-STLUKES | infolink@slhn.org

Financial Assistance for Funeral Expenses to Families of COVID Victims by Elissa Clausnitzer I am writing this article to share with others who have lost a loved one to COVID. This is information that I personally have used and I want to help others to secure finances if needed.

Last spring, my husband and I were tested for the COVID and were told that I needed to go to the hospital for more tests. My son admitted me to Lehigh Valley Hospital, and there were some other complications but I was released after five days. My husband didn’t feel well and he was admitted to the hospital for the same thing.

Ten days later, my husband expired and I was not able to visit him. This was a heartbreak to me since we were married for 55 years and were together all the time. Funeral plans needed to be made and it was quite hectic.

My cousin did tell me that a friend of hers mentioned that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) had an assistance program to help families with funeral expenses. Since I was aware of this, I asked the funeral director if he had a form for me, and he submitted it to me. I proceeded to complete it since funeral expenses were over $10,000.00. A telephone call got the process going, and since my husband didn’t have adequate life insurance, this was very helpful. The check was sent directly, but did take some time and following up. I have listed what is necessary to file for the insurance.

FEMA will pay up to $9,000.00 for funeral expenses if the person has passed away from COVID. The form is long, but when you answer all the questions and speak with them, they are very helpful.

Call this number: 844-684-6333 / TTY800-462-7585.

This is the FEMA Pre-Call checklist that you will need to fill out. There are multiple questions to answer. Go through this list carefully and provide what they request.

You will need the death certificate that gives proof of cause of death. FEMA hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Eastern Time. After you call them and receive the check list, the FEMA hot line number is 844-684-6333 to get started. You will probably experience that there is a high volume of calls.

Don't give up — keep calling! If you have an account

at disasterassistance.gov, you may upload documents to your account. Otherwise, write or fax documentations to FEMA, P.O. Box 10001, Hyattsville, MD 20782. You can also fax documents to 855-261-3452, Attn: FEMA at the top.

I sincerely hope that this is helpful to someone. Please, let me know if it has assisted you and if you need help.

Contact me, Elissa, at 610-573-0386.

FEMA Answers to Some Frequently Asked Questions Who can apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance? You may qualify if: • You are a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses on or after Jan. 20, 2020, and • the funeral expenses were for an individual whose death in the U.S., U.S. territories or the District of Columbia, may have been caused by, or was likely the result of, COVID-19.

Can I apply for more than one death? Is there a limit? If you incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses for more than one individual, you may receive a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual and a maximum of $35,500 per application, if you incurred funeral expenses for multiple deceased individuals per state, territory, or D.C. Funeral homes are not eligible to apply on your behalf or be a co-applicant. The person applying must be an individual who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses.

Eligible expenses typically include, but are not limited to: • funeral services • cremation • interment • transportation for up to 2 individuals to identify the deceased • transfer of remains • Casket or urn • burial plot or cremation niche • marker or headstone • clergy or officiant services • arrangement of the funeral ceremony • use of funeral home equipment or staff • producing and certifying multiple death certificates • additional expenses mandated by applicable local or state government laws or ordinances You are encouraged to provide documentation verifying the death was attributed to COVID-19, along with proof of funeral expenses and proof of other funeral assistance received, as soon as possible.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Spring 2022

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Take a Tour

Springtime 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.

Holiday Word Finder Solution from Page 18 s d d t i o g e m e r g e n c y

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

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

26

Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034 Word Search

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FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

If you think oxygen therapy means slowing down, it’s time for a welcome breath of fresh air.

Introducing the Inogen One family of portable oxygen systems. With no need for bulky tanks, each concentrator is designed to keep you active via Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology.® Hours of quiet and consistent oxygen flow on a long-lasting battery charge enabling freedom of movement, whether at home or on the road. Every Inogen One meets FAA requirements for travel ensuring the freedom to be you.

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