Northwest Prime Time November/December 2020 by Northwest Prime Time

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Ten Years of Creative Aging ...page 2

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VOL. 20

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Novem b Decem er/ ber 2020

Local Seniors Make the Hollywood Scene Star-Studded calendar earns national attention and raises money for the Alzheimer’s Association

eniors at a local retirement community are dressing up like Hollywood stars. For the last three years, residents at Issaquah’s Spiritwood at Pine Lake have had the full Hollywood treatment—including elaborate makeup and costumes—all for the sake of gracing the pages of best-selling calendars to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

“The project came about because I was looking for a way to earn more for the organization,” says Jennifer Angell, community relations director at Spiritwood. “We’ve had many benefits at the community to support that cause and I am always on the lookout for something unique.” Jennifer Angell is the mastermind of the calendar project that gives local seniors the full Hollywood treatment. Jennifer is the mastermind behind the project. “I She does all the make-up, costuming and takes the photos. This 2020 takeoff on the movie “Elf” features Bill as Will Ferrell’s title character. Bill is one of dozens of residents at Spiritwood at Pine Lake retirement costume, photograph and provide the makeup for the community to pose for the calendar project that benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. residents,” she explains. The seniors are delighted to participate people. We Award for in the major are featuring Kindness” and a makeovers that Salvador check for $1,000 to make them look Dali, Winston go toward the cost like celebrities. Churchill, of more costumes. Over the Eleanor The start of years, star turns Roosevelt, all this attention have included Colonel was a bit of an Marilyn Sanders, accident. Monroe, Tom Jennifer recast Jack as Tom Cruise’s Willie Nelson, Jennifer, who is Cruise in Top character in “Top Gun” Mary Tyler always looking for Gun, Queen Moore, the Bride of uplifting stories— Elizabeth, Alfred Hitchcock, Liza Minelli in especially since Cabaret, the crew of Star Trek, the famous candy Frankenstein, John Lennon, Elton John, COVID upended factory scene from I Love Lucy, Marlon Brando W.C. Fields, Andy everyone’s lives— from The Godfather, and so many more. Warhol and Charlie Spiritwood residents were transformed into iconic characters from the sent the Good The original inspiration for this unique original “Star Trek” for the 2020 calendar, photo by Jennifer Angell Chaplin.” News Network a project came when Jennifer noticed a strong Jennifer had video of residents resemblance between one of the residents and singing the national anthem at a “virtual Katharine Hepburn. She thought to herself how no idea the project would take off like it has, garnering attention from around the country. ballpark visit” and she accidentally attached a fun it would be to dress her up like the iconic The calendar has been covered picture of the calendar. The news outlet skipped movie star. on CNN, the Good News over the video and instead wanted the calendar. And then, why not Network, The Kelly Clarkson After that, calls from other news programs dress up even more Show and Access Hollywood, to and entertainment shows came pouring in. residents like Hollywood name only a few of the media “This project has been heartwarming, and celebrities? Taking their stories. Jennifer it’s created an even photos, creating calendars remembers how closer bond between and selling them to earn the residents us,” says Jennifer of the money for the Alzheimer’s “went crazy” special relationship she Association was the when Access has with the residents. logical next step for Hollywood’s host, “Posing as the stars and Jennifer. The theme of the 2021 calendar is “Famous Faces,” featuring residents who Mario Lopez, then autographing glossy The project started are look-alikes to famous individuals. In said the name of photos of themselves in 2018, resulting in this photo by Jennifer Angell, Carla poses their community makes the seniors feel like 2019’s calendar with as Eleanor Roosevelt. on TV. “The stars themselves.” its recreation of famous reaction has been fantastic,” she After the photo movie posters. Other photos have reinvented exclaims. “We’ve been getting shoots, the ‘stars’ would scenes from TV series. letters from all over the country.” parade through the dining “In wake of the pandemic, I am only doing During Jennifer’s recent hall in their costumes to single photos this year instead group shots like Jennifer’s makeup, costuming and photo appearance on The Kelly the clapping and cheers years past,” explained Jennifer. transforms Dale into W.C. Fields. Dale Clarkson Show, she was of their fellow residents. She describes 2021’s calendar as Famous has appeared in all three calendars. presented with a “National Faces. “It focuses on look-alikes of famous continued on page 22

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Active Aging

Journey to the Hall of Fame ...by Mark Bryant

In addition to being a powerlifting champion, Mark Bryant is a Certified Senior Fitness Instructor and columnist providing fitness tips for seniors in Northwest Prime Time. Remarkably, Mark has earned many powerlifting championships since having had a total hip replacement in 2008.

November/December 2020

Art on the Mind

Ten Years of Creative Aging ...by Keri Pollock

“Arts can both reshape how people think about aging and also foster growth and meaning in late life,” Anne Basting, Ph.D., author “Creative Care: A Revolutionary Approach to Dementia and Elder Care”

Since 2010, Seattle’s Frye Art Museum has Seattle’s own Mark Bryant shows off his Hall of Fame developed and ring. He is a two-time Hall of Famer and an eight-time led creative aging My years of dedication to Powerlifting World Champion. Photo by Preston Rick programs that range fitness, including the world of from small group powerlifting, culminated in quite some time, but I was ultimately experiences in the one of the greatest moments of my inducted into the Strength and Power galleries and art career—my induction into the AAU Hall of Fame in 2019. studio to one-onWashington State Strength Sport Hall Prior to my induction, Washington one art-making of Fame in 2016. Although I hadn’t had not been on the organization’s in residential care sought validation, I was honored to be radar as they primarily focused on communities, to recognized for my commitment and athletes from the east coast. To bridge perseverance to the sport. Little did I the gap between coasts, I was appointed conferences and workshops on know this was only the beginning. two substantial positions—West creativity, dementia While scrolling through social Coast Director and Chairman of the and healthy aging. media, in 2018 I came across the east Washington State Strength and Power Opening coast-based Strength and Power Hall Hall of Fame. November 17, of Fame. After reading their mission My role as Chairman (and probably Art on the Mind: statement and aligning with their my favorite part of the position) is to These images are from the Frye Art Museum’s Creative Ten Years of principles of recognizing drug-free nominate athletes who have qualified Aging program, and include a participant in an art-making athletes for their accomplishments in for induction into the Washington State Creative Aging class (photo by Jonathan Vanderweit), a Creative Aging strength sports, I knew I wanted to be gallery discussion at the museum (photo by Katherine Lamar) Strength and Power Hall of Fame. Thus is an exhibition and a watercolor by program participant Kay Grant Powers celebrating and a member of that organization. So, I far, I have nominated nine people, all sharing stories reached out to inquire about the process of whom are now Hall of Famers. I am and works of art that highlight the especially focused on the present,” and received positive feedback. It took continued on page 22 experiences of people living with says Mary Jane Knecht, Manager dementia and their care partners— of Creative Aging Programs at the along with those who help make Frye. “We’ve created a positive the programs happen, including and safe environment where teaching artists, volunteers and participants are able to engage in a the Creative Aging Advisory way that, perhaps, out in the world Committee. Their experiences are they’re feeling less comfortable THE WOODS ARE testimony to the success of arts with. Here, participants determine engagement programs in bringing the pace, and everyone listens WAITING FOR YOU joy, respect and dignity to people closely, without judgment or living with dementia while deimpatience.” stigmatizing the disease. The The Frye Art Museum is a exhibition runs at the Frye Art living legacy of visionary patronage Museum from November 17, 2020 and civic responsibility, committed through November 14, 2021. to artistic inquiry and a rich visitor The Frye’s Creative Aging experience. A catalyst for our programs have offered arts engagement with contemporary engagement for people living art and artists is the Founding with dementia and their care Collection of Charles and Emma partners who may be experiencing Frye, access to which shall always a unique shift in their roles. With be free. an emphasis on present-moment Visit fryemuseum.org or call awareness and a strengths206-622-9250 for more information There’s a place a short ferry ride from based approach, these programs about the Museum and the Creative downtown Seattle where you can reconnect encourage creative exploration, with nature and yourself. Bloedel Reserve Aging programs. While the museum on Bainbridge Island—150 acres of gardens, experimentation and playfulness to has reopened, the Creative Aging meadows, forests, water, wildlife, and bring a renewed sense of purpose, program is not able to gather in comfortable walking trails designed for well-being and connection with person for now. But visitors can slowing down and breathing deep. others. explore virtual artwork discussions, Use our online Timed Tickets system to A person living with dementia art-making activities, singalongs book tickets for your next visit. You’ll find details about our new health and safety experiences a shift in their and more on fryemuseum.blog. ❖ protocols online too. Come discover what perception of the world due to a walk in the woods can do. changes in the brain. Most of us Keri Pollock directs marketing and Get Your Tickets know or have known someone communications for Aging Wisdom, At bloedelreserve.org/tickets living with dementia. While a care management and consultation Alzheimer’s disease is the most practice based in Seattle. She has served common type, there are different on the Frye Art Museum’s Creative forms and each individual Aging Programs Advisory Committee living with dementia possesses since 2010 and helps co-facilitate the a wide spectrum of abilities and Frye’s quarterly Meet Me at the Movies 206-842-7631 | bloedelreserve.org experiences. program, currently on hiatus during “We tap into strengths and are COVID-19.

November/December 2020

INDEX ARTFUL AGING

Seniors Make the Hollywood Scene.. 1 Art on the Mind.............................. 2 A Look Back: Ella McBride.............. 3 A Hollywood Side Story................ 16 Writing & Poetry Corners.............. 20 Library Corner.............................. 23

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COMMUNITY

Journey to the Hall of Fame............. 2 Maude’s Awards..........................12

HEALTH MATTERS

Medical Minutes............................. 6 The Holidays During COVID........... 6 National Hospice Month................. 8 Constructing a Memory Box.......... 10 The Science of Alzheimer’s............11 Your Brain Health..........................11 All-Inclusive Care.................... 16

HUMOR & PUZZLES

The Funny Side of Life...................18 Rose & Dawn...............................18 Puzzles and Comics......................19

LIFE PERSPECTIVES

Coping with Evaporative Intentionitis....4 Christmas Cookie Caper................. 4 Misconceptions about Widowhood.. 8 The Last Laugh..............................13 Christmas Lights/Memories Bright...21

MONEY MATTERS

My Foremost Wish.......................... 8 Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund...13 Crucial Year-End Tips....................14 GoodRx.......................................14

OUT & ABOUT

Where in the Northwest.................. 3 Flying Your Own Drone.................17 LET’S GO! Calendar.....................21

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Can you identify this photo? Photos are taken from or adjacent to Washington State highways in our readership area: King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties—or they may be a notable landmark. Mail your answer to Northwest Prime Time, PO Box 13647, Seattle WA 98198 or email editor@ northwestprimetime.com. Answers should include enough of a description so that it is clear you know the spot. The winner will be drawn at random from the correct answers submitted by the deadline. If no correct answer is received, the $25 prize will transfer to the following contest. Submissions for the current contest must be postmarked December 1, or received via email by the same date: editor@northwestprimetime.com. Congratulations to Debra Lyles-Mobley. She was the winner of the September/October contest. Her name was drawn at random from the many correct answers we received. Debra identified the historic photo as “the Alaskan Way Viaduct, heading north, with Ivar’s Fish and Chips to the West, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct to the East. Oh the memories....”

Ella McBride was an internationally noted fine-art photographer. Here is her portrait, with her camera as a shadow on the wall. Ella McBride was a member of the Seattle Camera Club, a world famous group of mainly Japanese American photographers in the 1920s. McBride was one of the few non-Japanese members. Edward Curtis, who met her on a mountain climbing expedition, was so impressed with her that he asked her to come work for him (even though she was not a photographer at the time). In 1917, she opened her own studio, the McBride Studio. She was most likely taught photography by Wayne Albee, Frank Kunishige and Soichi Sunami (Kunishige and Sunami worked in the Curtis Studio with her). All three later came to work in her studio. Ella’s first recorded exhibition was in 1921 when she was 59 years old. The next year, she entered a competition sponsored by the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain. There were thousands of international entries submitted with 154 selected. Only twelve photographs were by American photographers and three of them were flower studies by McBride. “During her nearly 103 years, she maintained successful professions in the fields of art, education and business. She was an adventurous, creative woman who embodied the pioneering spirit associated with the American West,” (from HistoryLink.org). Courtesy of the University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, submitted by Nicolette Bromberg, Special Collections Visual Materials Curator

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Life Perspectives

Coping with Evaporative Intentionitis

November/December 2020

Christmas Cookie Caper Baking Banishes Generation Gap ...by Marjorie Kruger Gordon

Since our grandson Darrel ...by Marianne North married Hannah a year ago, she I marched and I had seen remembered the pill not taken. I had into my bedroom a similar outcome with the fungicide I little of each full of intention was to spray in the ears of Princess, my other. Now we had to do something the opportunity Scottish Terrier. very important. to spend time Driving to a gathering on the While standing together without perfect route I had mapped out to in the doorway, avoid heavy traffic, I was distracted by any male company. I wondered if While our a rogue bicyclist. I then discovered I Marianne North our presidents husbands planned was 10 blocks past my turn—another entered the intention evaporated into the memory to attend a hockey Oval Office this way, full of a sense game, we looked cloud. of purpose. As I stood at the doorway forward to an I began to worry about this of the bedroom, I found myself in evening of cookieproblem I call “evaporative the same quandary I imagine some making. intentionitis” and what could happen presidents have been in, wondering In preparation for the to me. If I noticed the garbage can what the heck they were doing in event, I did a “favorite cookie” overflowing, would I rush it out to there. survey. Darrel requested Peanut the bin without remembering to put Try as I might, I could not Butter Blossoms—the cookie on my clothes? Or worse, with my remember why I came in the bedroom. front teeth still on the bathroom sink? topped with a Hershey kiss. Through my life, I had occasional Hannah and Grandpa Darrel Would I find I had left my keys in memory lapses, such as forgetting wanted cinnamon and sugarthe car and locked the door because where I parked my car or finding I coated Snickerdoodles. Our I was thinking about something else? forgot to put the milk back in the family version of Pfeffernüsse, I imagined all kinds of awful things fridge last night. However, lately, my the recipe from my German happening. intentions just seem to evaporate on a Grandma Kruger, is a must at And they did. One day I forgot daily basis, and sometimes more than Christmas. The hard, coin-sized to avoid a neighbor walking her once a day. I would intend to take cookie is flavored with star anise snarling little ankle biter and got in my 9am medication, go to the sink (a hint of licorice). “They taste an argument about her dog, named to get a glass of water, set it down and like Christmas,” is a grandchild’s something like Poo Poo, growling at make some toast. Two hours later, I continued on page 10 frequent comment. I added a recipe I requested from the Mayor’s wife after tasting them at their open house. Her Peanut Butter Bon-Bons are dipped in chocolate or butterscotch. We’d make all the favorites. My much-loved, stained and worn Betty Crocker’s Cookie Book, ©1963, was falling apart. I searched my favorite website for inexpensive used books, www.thriftbooks.com, and found two like-new copies of Betty Crocker’s Ultimate Cookie

Book, ©1992. I ordered one for each of us. The “new” ones were only twentyseven years old. I checked all the ingredients and made sure my shopping trip provided everything we needed for our baking adventure. When the evening of our big cookie caper arrived, I introduced Hannah to the art of personalizing a cookbook. I showed her notes in my ancient book and how these made each future process simpler. Notes like: These are hard to handle while warm— refrigerate first. I like to freeze these in long rolls—makes them easier to cut. Time for action. Hannah was in charge of the liquid ingredients. I assembled the dry ingredients. When it was time to roll spoonfuls of dough, we made short work of this laborintensive step. While one batch of cookies baked, we assembled the next. The mixer hummed. We kneaded dough and dipped balls of peanut butter and Rice Crispies into melted chocolate. We giggled together as we made taste tests. The aroma of spices and baking cookies filled the kitchen. Best of all, we had time to get better acquainted. Hannah and I decided that when we do this again, we will continued on page 10

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November/December 2020

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Redesigning the Holidays During COVID

Health Matters

Medical Minutes ...by John Schieszer

At-Home Testing for COVID Infection Researchers have developed a new type of multiplexed test. It has a low-cost sensor that may John Schieszer enable at-home diagnosis of a COVID-19 infection through rapid analysis of small volumes of saliva or blood, without the involvement of a medical professional, in less than 10 minutes. One feature of the COVID-19 virus that makes it so difficult to contain is that it can be easily spread to others by a person who has yet to show any signs of infection. The carrier of the virus might feel perfectly well and go about their daily business. A crucial part of the global effort to stem the spread of the pandemic, therefore, is the development of tests that can rapidly identify infections in people who are not yet symptomatic. Now Caltech researchers have developed a new athome 10-minute test that, in as little as a few minutes can give a full picture about the infection, including early infection, immunity and severity. Established COVID-testing technologies usually take hours or even days to produce results. Those technologies also require expensive, complicated equipment. This new system is simple and compact. So far, the device has been tested only in the lab with a small number of blood and saliva samples obtained for medical research purposes from individuals who have tested positive or negative for COVID-19. Though preliminary results indicate that the sensor is highly accurate, larger-scale testing with realworld patients will now be required to determine its full accuracy. Why Wearing a Mask Really Matters New research from the University of Georgia dramatically highlights how important it is to wear a mask in enclosed indoor spaces. You could say in

...by John Schieszer

this case, getting on the wrong bus really mattered. Researchers were able to link a community outbreak of COVID-19 to a source patient who likely spread the virus to fellow bus riders through the busâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s air conditioning system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The possibility of airborne transmission has long been suspected, but with limited empirical evidence. Our study provided epidemiologic evidence of transmission over long distances, which was likely airborne,â&#x20AC;? said lead study author Ye Shen, who is an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College of Public Health. Shen and his co-authors worked with epidemiologists to trace infections following a large outdoor worship event. Some of the attendees took two buses to the event, creating a unique natural experiment for the researchers. Both buses had closed windows and air conditioning running, but one bus carried a patient infected with the virus and the other did not. Of the passengers who later got sick, the majority of them rode on the same bus as the source patient. Even though the two groups later mixed in with the larger crowd at the worship event, the number of new cases attributed to the event were much lower, suggesting that the bus was the major point of transmission, including those who were not sitting close to the infected passenger. These findings highlight scenarios where COVID-19 could be spread through fine aerosol particles being circulated in an enclosed space. It is hoped that these new findings will persuade more people to wear face masks in public areas, particularly in indoor spaces. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Understanding the transmission routes of COVID-19 is critical to contain the pandemic, so that effective prevention strategies can be developed targeting all potential transmission routes,â&#x20AC;? said Shen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our findings provide solid support for wearing face coverings in enclosed environments with poor ventilation.â&#x20AC;? Boosting Vitamin Intake to Combat Illness A new study suggests that boosting

On NBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meet the Press, Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy, provided a quote for everyone to consider during the holiday season and beyond: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you really love your family, you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas and end up infecting Mom or Dad or Grandma or Grandpa... This is our COVID year. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accept it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not like last year and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hopefully not going to be like next year. But I have seen far too many situations where, at family get-togethers, someone brings the virus into the householdâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;unknowinglyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and then four weeks later at least one or more of the family members are dead. No one wants to be responsible for that. So, if you really love your family...think through this and give them the greatest gift at all. That is, distance yourself this year and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expose them. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not ideal and we know that.â&#x20AC;? Dr. Osterholm went on to say that he believes next year things will be greatly improved.

Medical advances worldwide will hopefully in the next few months lead to multidrug treatments that can stop severe cases of COVID-19 from becoming fatal. However, we are not quite there yet and so this year you may want to break with tradition and plan something different to insure you and your loved ones have a safe holiday season. Bernard Davidson, a psychologist at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, said this is the year to have a serious talk with your loved ones in advance of Thanksgiving and Christmas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adjusting expectations of what we are able to do this year... shows how much we care about each other,â&#x20AC;? said Davidson, who suggests you tell your loved ones that you do not want to risk any unintended exposure to the coronavirus. Many older adults, who may have hosted Thanksgiving dinners in the past, now have to reconsider. He recommends scheduling a phone or video call, or dropping off a special treat or meal as part of celebrating the holiday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more we expect this to be like other Thanksgivings, the more likely we are to be disappointed. If we set our expectations in line with what is occurring, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more likely to enjoy ourselves. Prepare Zoom meetings with family, maybe set up some online games or discussions of fond memories. We can even share pictures from past times together.â&#x20AC;? Conversations may need to be handled delicately with some friends and relatives, added Davidson, but being continued on page 22 honest and open with family members may lead to a better holiday experience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be upfront that you are concerned about their health as well as your own... Be prepared for some to have differing Retirement Living at Its Best opinions than you do about staying safe at this time in the pandemic. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t argue with them. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be invested in converting them to your point of view. â&#x20AC;˘ No community or move in fees Rather, explain that this is how you â&#x20AC;˘ Full kitchens, washer/dryer and balcony feel, and that it is also so hard for you â&#x20AC;˘ 60 day move in period not to see them either, but your interest â&#x20AC;˘ Independent and Assisted for everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health is your greatest Living 65+ concern.â&#x20AC;? You can use this as a time to get f back in touch with those you have been Apt onth: o M e l meaning to call. Completing a project th 95 al $2,9 sive!* you have been delaying can provide inclu a great sense of accomplishment. In 206-361-2758 | 11301 3rd Ave NE, Seattle addition, helping others who are less FoundationHouseNG.com fortunate can significantly help boost TM

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November/December 2020

your mood and change your outlook. Most importantly, he said, is to have a discussion with extended family members about the things you are thankful for. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After all, this is a holiday time to express gratitude and thankfulness for what you do have,â&#x20AC;? concluded Davidson. Salene Jones, a psychologist and assistant professor in the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, said everyone needs to look at what their own public health guidelines are in their community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You might have to change what you do, such as FaceTiming orâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;weather permittingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;meeting outside with physical distancing. But staying connected is important. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overdo it on the FaceTime and Zoom. Being on camera can feel more draining than in-person interactions. So, pace yourself and set realistic expectations,â&#x20AC;? said Jones. The pandemic means a lot of the ways we connect over the holidays will be virtual and physically distanced. So, it is time to be creative and to also make some exceptions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You might have to give yourself extra time and mental space to plan visits with others. The most important advice I can give is to be gentle with yourself. This year may be hard and things will likely not be perfect and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay. People might need to spend more time in self-care and in whatever activities help them personally feel better,â&#x20AC;? said Jones. Still, prioritize making time to be social with loved ones. Studies abound showing socializing is important for your physical and mental health. Social distancing is a misnomer, according to Dr. Alan Teo, Associate Professor, Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can be social but distanced. If you have an outdoor space that allows that, even better. Socializing doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be in a big group. In fact, having a social-but-distanced holiday meal with just one other person can be incredibly meaningful,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Teo. COVID-19 Risk to Older Adults from Kids Dr. Ken Haller, professor of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, confirmed that the older you are, the more you are at risk for contracting COVID-19. On the other hand, the younger a kid is, the less likely they are to either get sick or even infected with the novel coronavirus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again, there is a lot we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t continued on page 22

November/December 2020

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November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a serious or life-limiting illness or injury, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach with expert medical care, pain management, emotional and spiritual support tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient’s loved ones as well. The hospice philosophy of care focuses on quality of life. When a cure is no longer possible, hospice care is designed to treat the whole person— not just the disease. Hospice provides care provided by an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals. The team works with the patient and family to design and implement a plan of care unique to the patient’s diagnosis. The patient’s wishes are always a priority. In addition, hospice provides all medications, services and equipment related to the terminal illness. Hospice care does not end with the patient’s death; it continues with up to 13 months of bereavement counseling for the family and loved ones.

Hospice cares for people where they live. Although some hospice care is provided in hospitals, in-patient hospice facilities or nursing homes, the vast majority of patients are cared for in the place they call home— which is where the majority of Americans would prefer to receive care at life’s end. For that reason, hospice is not a place; it is high-quality care that enables patients and families to focus on living as fully as possible. Palliative care has its own distinct mission: to relieve suffering and improve quality of life for people with serious illnesses. Together, hospice and palliative care offer a lifeline to patients and their families. “Every year, nearly 1.4 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospices in this country,” said Edo Banach, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “These highly trained professionals ensure that patients and families find dignity, respect and love during life’s most difficult journey.” ❖ This article is courtesy of NHPCO

A labor of love Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care Our hospice team is there for you with expert, compassionate care when it’s needed most. We help people with life-limiting illness live each day with dignity and comfort— wherever they call home. To learn more about or to inquire about volunteering, call (253) 534-7000 or visit chifranciscan.org/hospice. We honor and thank our team during National Hospice Month.

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November/December 2020

My Foremost Wish Misconceptions Getting Your Final Papers about Widowhood in Order ...by Patricia Thomas

As one charged with the responsibility of caring for aging relatives, I can say without compunction that my fondest wish is that Patricia Thomas all people take the time to get their final papers in order, and review them as circumstances change—preferably while they are of sound mind. Regardless of age, life happens. I have handled three estates in Washington State including my spouse’s. I learned that three documents are essential to making life easier for those who are left behind to handle those affairs. If married, a community property agreement may supersede a will if spouses bequeath all of their belongings to each other and one is left. A durable power of attorney to handle affairs while still living, and a will with an assigned executor or executrix to handle all the final expenses and requests. A fourth significant document, a directive, in the event someone needs to make a serious decision about life support for their loved one. It is one of the hardest decisions a person may be required to make. It is made less so by having the patient’s wishes on forms. All these documents can be filled out online and then notarized. For some who prefer to have counsel, these essential documents can be handled in one visit to a competent estate attorney. He or she can also advise on setting up the other portions of your estate to relieve undo stress on the person in charge of your final wishes. Your designated person will be eternally thankful. It is likely that person will be suffering grief simultaneously to dealing with the legal affairs. The job is difficult at best. Emotions often run high. Do what you can while you are living to show your appreciation for those who will be caring for you and your beneficiaries once you can no longer care for yourself. Having those documents where those left in charge can find them is an invaluable gift to everyone involved in your estate. Do it to ensure your wishes will be honored and there is a clear vision of your end-of-life desires. Remember, you are giving a sacred trust to someone you believe will perform to the best of their ability. It may be their first and only time to handle an estate. Help them while you still can. Your family will bless you many times over. ❖

...by Sally Breslin

I anticipated a lot of things when I became a widow. I expected to receive an outpouring of sympathy, prayers, offers of help and invitations to meals— all of which I did receive and appreciate. But the one thing I could never have anticipated was how, the moment my husband passed way, some people’s perception of me suddenly changed so dramatically. For some reason, several of my friends thought I was instantly going to transform into some desperately lonely, love-starved man-stealer who was going to lust after their husbands because I no longer had one of my own. I’ll never forget when, about two months after my husband died, I called one of my closest friends and invited her to lunch. She hesitated before answering. “Um...I don’t know how to say this, but my husband doesn’t want me to hang around with you anymore because you’re single now and he said we no longer have anything in common.” I was shocked. “Nothing in common? We’ve been friends for over 40 years, ever since high school! We practically have our whole lives in common!” “Sorry,” she said, sounding extremely ill-at-ease. As soon as we hung up, I called my cousin—who’d been widowed for years—to tell her about the conversation. I fully expected her to gasp in horror. “Oh, that doesn’t surprise me,” she said matter-of-factly. “It’s happened to me more than once. When my husband passed away, I apparently transformed overnight into some man-hungry femme fatale in everyone’s eyes. So, until the day you get a new man in your life, expect some of your married friends to treat you as if you have the plague.” I laughed at the absurdity of her words. “That’s crazy! It’s not like I’m 21! I’m a senior citizen, old enough to be a great-grandmother! My dog is more of a femme fatale than I am!” I figured if I resembled someone like Cher, who’s even older than I am, then maybe I could understand women worrying about me attracting their husbands. But the only thing I have in common with Cher is we’re both female. And when I looked at myself in the mirror shortly after my conversation with my cousin, I realized that if my body were a map, the parts that used to be up near Maine had migrated to somewhere down around Georgia, and rapidly were heading toward Florida. No, make that Cuba. continued on page 13

November/December 2020

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1Free with no obligation to enroll. 2Excludes Basic Plan. 3Online access to make appointments, view test results, have phone and video appointments, and email your care team for non-urgent issues; when appropriate and available. 4Excludes Key and Anchor Plans. 5Excludes Key, Vital, and Anchor Plans. 6For our Key Plan in Island, King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties, our Anchor Plan in Skagit and Whatcom counties, and our Centennial Plan in Spokane County. Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal. You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-877-218-9485 (TTY 711). Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington, 1300 SW 27th St. Renton, WA 98057.

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them from their past, what their career path was, what they enjoyed doing,” said Kelly. “I know even when I was at home, I was picking up things to incorporate into the box, and I thought to myself, Oh yeah, so and so liked to golf back in the day.” The students ran the activity in two separate groups, one for clients with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and one for clients with dementia. Participants selected meaningful items, and shared a memory with the group, prompting a discussion. In the dementia group, sometimes participants required extra support and prompting before they engaged with the activities. It can sometimes be hard to get all to participate in the activities since everyone has different cognitive and physical abilities,

so the fact that everyone engaged with the memory box marked it a success. One participant who didn’t typically interact with people and was non-verbal, picked up a Sound of Music DVD and started singing the Sound of Music. “One of the women in the memory care group picked up the cabbage patch doll and was singing to it and talking to it as if it was her baby,” said Alyssa. The best part of it, said the students, was not only seeing how much clients enjoyed it, but also how one person sharing a story could cause another to remember one of their own. “One client talked about how ‘my little sister used to steal my doll,’” said John, “And another client had the same experience with her sister.” Overall, John said, the experience at Full Life and creating the memory box taught them “all the non-verbal ways you can communicate and how important that is. Being positive and happy, acts of kindness here and there go a long way.” ❖

Coping with Evaporative Intentionitis

Christmas Cookie Caper Baking Banishes Generation Gap

...continued from page 4

my Princess. We parted on angry terms and I could feel a deep grudge forming, like a corn on my little toe. Suddenly a squirrel raced by, my Princess and Poo Poo yanked their leashes out of our hands and joined together to chase that pesky rodent. My neighbor and I had a good laugh. I didn’t remember the grudge until the next day and, try as I might, I couldn’t get it back. It had just evaporated. So, I guess evaporative intentionitis is not all bad. I told my doctor about these memory lapses. He attributed them to a new medication he had prescribed and was adamant that I continue the drug. “But I keep forgetting so much!” I said. “Do what I do. Make lists! How do you think I remember everything about my patients?” he asked. To myself I thought, “By standing there at your computer ignoring me while you type away.” I had to concede that I was glad he made lists about his patients, so I vowed to start list-making. Two days later I remembered my vow. Then I forgot where I put the list. My son showed me how to use the Notes function on my phone to make a nice list. Later, when I looked at it to check off some tasks, I saw an unfamiliar entry: “Cook dinner Wednesday nights for your son.” He had turned on the “Share notes” function so he could add to my list any time from his phone. I thought this was taking list-making too far. At least my doctor doesn’t have access to my list. At least, I don’t recall that he does. ❖

start earlier in the day. We were weary by clean-up time at ten o’clock. The cookie tins I had assembled overflowed. Our hockey-going husbands welcomed the red Christmas plate filled with samples of our effort—a few of the twelve dozen cookies we produced. And Hannah and I have a special evening stored in our memory bank. ❖

Healthy Aging

Constructing a Memory Box ...by Paige Bartlett, Public Information Specialist, UW School of Nursing de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging

The concept build with behind a memory a caregiver, box is simple: tailored a collection to that of objects that individual. people can pick While there up to spark isn’t a lot a memory. of scientific Even though research Nursing students at the University of it’s relatively on memory Washington—Alyssa Hoke, John Fitzpatrick straightforward, boxes, one and Kelly Carroll—put together a memory memory boxes paper in box to help spark memories for residents at can be powerful Life Care Center Geriatric tools to trigger Nursing happy memories, especially for found they could be useful to help people with memory loss. agitated patients with dementia to A group of Accelerated calm down. Bachelor of Science in Nursing The students filled the box students—Alyssa Hoke, John with items that had the potential Fitzpatrick and Kelly Carroll— to inspire participants to think completing their community about their past. The items clinical at Full Life Care’s adult included things like a cabbage day health center were tasked with patch doll, a Monty Python creating a memory box for a group VHS, a Mariner’s cap, a Frank activity where participants could Sinatra record, a Slinkey and an share and discuss the memories it American flag. brought up in the group. While for the purposes of the In researching, the students group activity they couldn’t tailor found that construction of memory the box to each participant, they boxes can vary, from online still added a hint of personalization “boxes” that include items like where they could. “We were able music to a collection of personal to communicate with a lot of the memorabilia that someone may clients and see what interested

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November/December 2020

The following recipe for No Bake Peanut Butter Bonbons requires minimal kitchen equipment.

Peanut Butter Bonbons 1 c smooth peanut butter ¼ c margarine or butter Melt these together 2 ¼ c sifted powdered sugar 1 ½ c Rice Crispies Mix these together, then pour melted mix over. Mix the combination thoroughly. Cool slightly for easier handling. Form small walnut-sized balls. Chill. Prepare dipping mix for coating each ball: ¾ c chocolate chips OR butterscotch chips 2 T solid shortening (or vegan shortening for the vegetarians out there) Melt together, dip the balls. Place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet to cool. Enjoy.

November/December 2020

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NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS MONTH

Advancing the Science:

The Latest Discoveries in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research ...by Keri Pollock

Over Biomarkers 120,000 can assist people age with early 65+ in detection and Washington diagnosis. State, and This in turn more than can help 5.8 million individuals nationally, prioritize are living their health, with possibly delay Alzheimer’s or slow disease disease. progression, Without plan ahead, effective and become treatment eligible for a or cure, the wider variety impact of of clinical Alzheimer’s trials to help will advance Dr. Maria Carrillo, Chief Science Officer at the continue research. Alzheimer’s Association to rise. Bill This drives Gates has the Alzheimer’s Association’s joined fellow philanthropist investments in research to Mikey Hoag to help fund understand the basic biology the Alzheimer’s Association underlying Alzheimer’s and “Part the Cloud” global other dementias. research program. This Dr. Maria Carrillo, partnership is funding sixteen Chief Science Officer at the neuroinflammation research Association, recently gave studies. You can learn more at a virtual presentation— alz.org/speed “Advancing the Science: The Risk and Lifestyle Latest Discoveries in Alzheimer’s While age, family history and Dementia Research”— and heredity are risk factors we through Town Hall Seattle. can’t change, research reveals “This is such a hopeful clues to other risk factors we time. Research is getting us may be able to modify: lifestyle, the answers we are looking for, cardiovascular health, physical though we are confronting a very activity, diet, sleep, social/ complex set of diseases under cognitive engagement, education the umbrella of dementia,” said and traumatic brain injury. Carrillo, providing an overview A two-year clinical trial, of the latest research advances the U.S. POINTER study, is in prevention, detection, currently underway. This study diagnostics and therapeutic evaluates whether lifestyle interventions. Carrillo’s interventions—specifically presentation came on the heels physical activity, cognitive of the Alzheimer’s Association and social stimulation, healthy International Conference 2020 diet and health coaching, that (AAIC®), the largest and most simultaneously target many influential international meeting risk factors—protect cognitive dedicated to advancing dementia function in older adults who are science. at increased risk for cognitive Here are some highlights: decline. Early Detection, Diagnosis Drug Trials and Approvals and Finding a Cure In 2020, the largest number Biological markers, or of drugs in the Alzheimer’s biomarkers, help researchers clinical trials pipeline are measure change in the body treatments that prevent or and are accelerating the speed slow down the loss of function. of research. Two biomarker The developer of an antihallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease amyloid therapy to treat mild are amyloid plaques and tau cognitive impairment (MCI) tangles. A promising blood test in due to Alzheimer’s and mild development detects p-Tau217, Alzheimer’s is seeking FDA the tau specific to Alzheimer’s, at approval. Researchers reported a low cost and possibly up to 20 a reduction in clinical decline, years before symptoms occur. benefits on cognition and

function, and a reduction of amyloid/tau biomarkers. FDA approval is anticipated March 2021. Flu and Pneumonia Vaccination New research presented at AAIC 2020 suggests flu and pneumonia vaccines may be associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s. One study found a single flu shot was associated with a 17% lower prevalence of Alzheimer’s, while another study reported that for people between 65 and 75, a pneumonia vaccine reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s by 40%. More frequent flu and pneumonia vaccinations were associated with an even greater risk reduction. “These new findings make an even stronger case for the potential of behavioral interventions throughout life to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Carrillo. The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Their mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality of care and support. Learn more about local programs and services by visiting alzwa.org or calling 1-800-272-3900. Keri Pollock is director of marketing & communications for Aging Wisdom, a care management practice based in Seattle. She serves on the Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter Conference Advisory Council, keri@ agingwisdom.com

Be Proactive About Your Brain Health Alzheimer’s disease is an epidemic issue. There are more than 5.8 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease. That number is expected to nearly triple by 2060. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only one in the top 10 without a cure or effective treatment. Earlier this year, tremendous progress was made in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease as Congress increased federal funding by $350 million, bringing the total to a recordbreaking $2.82 billion. While there is innovative research being conducted, it is vital that we all do what we can to keep our minds active and healthy. You are never too young to take a proactive approach to your brain health. “If you really want to make a change in your life and improve your health, you need to focus not only on your physical health, but your mental health as well,” said Alan D. Snow, PhD. “As we get older, it is important to take proactive steps for better aging.” A healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Maintaining physical and mental health is based on factors such as a nutritious diet, exercise, an active social life and getting enough sleep. Dr. Snow, who has been researching dementia, brain aging, memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease for three decades, says there are new guidelines to this common-sense advice—especially when it comes to keeping our brain healthy as we get older. Dr. Snow has made it his mission to promote and help maintain a healthy brain after seeing the effects of Alzheimer’s on his own mother, who is suffering from the late stages of the disease today. Dr. Snow founded Cognitive Clarity Inc. with friend and colleague, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, where they developed nutraceutical products that target brain plaques and tangles in the normal aging brain. Dr. Tanzi came up with the SHIELD Program aimed at safeguarding your brain. It is a multifaceted approach, with six components. It is not guaranteed to help you avoid continued on page 13

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia isn’t easy. Reaching us is. You’re not alone. We’re here day or night — whenever you need us — offering reliable information and support.

1.800.272.3900 | alzwa.org

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November/December 2020

Maude’s Awards

Recognizing Innovation in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Maude Ferry is Connections, described as loyal, Cultivating Health, thoughtful and wise; Treating By Design she is someone who and Supporting inspires joy and Care Partners. purpose in others. This Fall, When Maude three local was diagnosed organizations with dementia in each received 2013, her husband, $25,000 and Richard Ferry, five individuals continued their received $5,000 shared journey as a each. loving caregiver and Here is the tireless advocate. list of recipients: Throughout • Momentia the years, Richard Richard and Maude Ferry empowers those and Maude have with memory loss been passionately engaged in their and their loved ones to remain active community and have supported and connected in the community. The numerous civic and charitable causes. Momentia movement and its outreach Richard created the Seattle-based tools provide a one-stop source for Maude’s Awards for Innovation people with memory loss and families in Alzheimer’s Care to carry their to access engaging, inclusive, no- or commitment forward, encouraging low-cost community activities provided and sharing innovations to enrich the by a variety of organizations. quality of life for those with dementia • Dementia-Friendly Recreation and their caregivers. is a free program of Seattle Parks The 1st Annual Maude’s Award and Recreation (SPR) . It provides winners were announced in October. recreation opportunities to people The program provides monetary living with memory loss and their awards to organizations and individuals care partners. SPR was the first parks for innovations excelling in one of the department in the nation to offer categories of care, including Making Dementia-Friendly Recreation.

Activities include walking groups, fitness classes, intergenerational theater and dance, horticultural therapy and “arts in the park” watercolor, ceramics, print making and poetry. Annual special events include a talent show, summer camp and happy hour celebrations. • Edmonds Center for the Arts offers the Dementia-Inclusive Series (DIS), a program that creates opportunities for individuals with memory loss and their care partners to connect and experience joy through music, theatre, dance and film. The program offers arts engagement workshops, special events and community partnerships. All onsite DIS programs are free-of-charge. • Nicole Chilivis was recognized for the Immersive Virtual Reality project. “As a spiritual care provider, I conducted a pilot research study using virtual reality to bring compelling worlds to participants with indications of early stage dementia. I offered participants a VR experience... to show a captivating, deeply immersive underwater coral reef habitat. When the participants were in headsets, I viewed the same content mirrored on a computer screen. Participants then provide descriptions of the experience indicating their level of engagement

and connection to positive feelings, beauty and past memories that elicited profound feelings of love and happiness.” • Trang Tu “I created a culturally-based care approach for my mother that blends Western dementia care practices with Vietnamese culture... With me, I adapted aspects of her care to find creative ways to foster independence, and using a cultural lens to understand psychoses triggers, such as war trauma. With Vietnamese family and friends, who knew little about dementia, I provided information and coaching, enabling them to apply dementia best practices to interactions with my mom. With health providers, I have educated them on how to meet cultural needs.” These include educating health providers on culturally-appropriate communication, interpreting pain reporting through a cultural lens, managing policies on interpreters and providing awareness of a lack of cultural sensitivity in dementia diagnostic assessments. • Allyson Schrier for the “Thriving with Dementia program.” Thriving with Dementia teaches family, friends and professional care partners how to create a safe and welcoming world for people living with dementia.

November/December 2020 There are resources, events, book lists and online discussions to keep people busy and socially connected, especially during COVID-19. • Judith Levy “As an Occupational Therapist, I wrote the book Activities to Do with Your Parent Who Has Alzheimer’s Dementia as a response to my mom’s illness. It provides care partners/family members more than 50 activities with suggested ways to individualize and adapt them. Each activity is followed by an Assessment Form, where the care partner can write about what happened, or not, and how they altered it. This form offers a way that helps ensure continuity that benefits both the individual as well as the care partner/worker.” • Dr. Lama Sibai “I founded the Cognitive Health and Memory Patient (CHAMP) clinic at UWValley Medical Center using my vision of practicing care to enhance patients’ quality of life. Though many patients carry similar diagnoses, the manifestation of symptoms and impact on lives varies drastically. I believe treating illnesses requires a holistic and tailored approach, which needs a group of specialized minds who pay attention to psychosocial needs not usually considered in traditional appointments.” ❖ For more information, visit maudesawards.org or call 206-931-9939.

Misconceptions about Widowhood ...continued from page 8

So I felt pretty confident there was no threat whatsoever I’d attract anyone’s husband, not unless the guy had severe vision problems or was a cosmetic surgeon. Another one of my friends, whose husband had been doing handyman work for my husband and me for several years, called to tell me her husband wouldn’t be coming over to help out any more. “Why not?” I asked, concerned. “Is he all right?” “He’s fine,” she said. “It’s just that I don’t think it’s proper for him to be going over there and working at your house anymore, now that you’re all alone.” For a very rare moment in my life, I was speechless. On one of my Facebook posts I happened to mention my cousin’s statement about how some people automatically perceive widows to be love-starved, husband/boyfriend stealers, and how such a misconception was offensive to me. One of my longtime friends, Carole, responded with, “Heck, if you want my husband, you can have him!” Now that’s what I call a true friend. ❖ Sally Breslin is an award-winning humor columnist and the author of There’s a Tick in my Underwear! Contact her at: sillysally@att.net.

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 13 The Last Laugh

F.Y.I.

...by Pat D’Amico

Disabilities Endowment Trust The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund was created by the state legislature as a way for people to save money for the future while protecting the public benefits that they are entitled to use. This fund can be an important estate planning tool for people with children or grandchildren with disabilities. “The program is cheap to join and the paperwork is easy to fill out,” says Peter Tassoni, Manager of the Disability Workshop for the Washington State Department of Commerce. “There is no need to use an attorney or incur that expense.” The Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund Be Proactive About Your Brain Health ...continued from page 11

Alzheimer’s disease, but it can help delay cognitive symptoms. Dr. Snow and Dr. Tanzi offer the following advice from the SHIELD Program for having a healthier brain: S- Sleep. More amyloid plaques, which develop in the brain as you age, are produced when you are awake. The plaques become one of the culprits contributing to memory loss. During deep sleep, amyloid plaques tend to be cleared out from the brain. While not always possible, aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night to ensure your brain has the chance to carry out this cleanup process. Sleep enhances concentration, reduces depression, lowers inflammation and is also believed to help with weight management and heart health. H- Handle Stress. Experts agree that reducing stress benefits the entire body, especially the brain. Adopt a short and regular meditation practice to help relieve stress. You can try this quick meditation practice: Keep your eyes open but soft, without focusing on anything. Inhale for four seconds, pause, and then exhale. Repeat the four-second inhalation again and let your awareness float upwards toward the sky. Let your body relax and take a moment to rest before continuing on with your day. Also, being more taskdriven can help you handle your stress. I – Interaction with Others. Loneliness can lead to additional stress and may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Prioritize social engagement and stay in touch with family members and friends. If you’re physically separated from loved ones, call and speak to them regularly. As COVID restrictions allow, seek out a social support network to stay healthy. Social interaction and

Fund (DDETF) is a special needs trust that allows individuals with developmental disabilities or their families to set aside funds for future use without affecting their eligibility for government services and benefits. Funds can be used for a wide range of life-enhancing services and needs that are not provided by government services or benefits. These may include things like assistive equipment or technology, a trip, or even instructional classes on painting or swimming. Funds may also be used to pay for tuition or training and other services that assist with employment.

Pat’s husband Jack was known for his laugh and lively sense of humor

My late husband, Jack, had a lively, slightly wicked sense of humor and an uproarious laugh. I relate this incident only because he would have loved it and, who knows, he may have arranged it. When Jack passed away, my children and I met with the funeral director. He was a man of great kindness, compassion and dignity.

continued on page 20

maintaining an active social life are very important for brain health, cognitive stimulation and mood. Engage in your community and participate in group activities. Even “virtual” activities through video help with socialization. E – Exercise. Keeping your heart rate up not only helps prevent cardiovascular disease, it can also fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Even if you are not a gym-goer, you can go for a power walk at least once a week. Work your way up to three times a week for 30-45 minutes. If you aren’t motivated to exercise, switch up your workouts and try new ones that may interest you. Exercise allows new brain cells to be born. Many years ago, the dogma was that new brain cells are not born in the adult brain— that turned out to be wrong. Exercise also increases blood flow to the brain and can help improve mood and overall well-being. L – Learn New Things. Along with physical exercise, mental exercise is just as important in preventing and delaying the onset of cognitive decline. Studying and learning new skills can build new nerve connections that

maintain optimal brain health. Try adopting a new hobby, learning a new language or playing a new musical instrument. Force the brain to think outside of its normal routine. D – Diet. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to benefit your brain the most. On the diet, you’ll eat more fruits and vegetables, nuts and olive oil, and cut back on red meat. If you have high blood pressure, the similar DASH diet offers similar benefits and is designed to improve heart-health. Other studies have suggested that diet soda increases brain aging. Avoid artificially sweetened drinks to lower your risk of stroke and dementia. The danger is highest for those drinking diet soda every day. Following the SHIELD Program can help keep your brain healthy by reducing the inflammation in your nervous tissue. Inflammation is damaging to the brain and many systems in the body. In addition to following the SHIELD program, Dr. Snow says his approach to healthy aging is: “My advice would be to keep going... Keep your body moving and keep your brain learning and doing new things. It is never too late.” ❖

Call 888-754-8798 ext. 1 Visit us online at https://ddetf.wa.gov

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Money Matters

Crucial Year-End Financial Tips ...by Karen Telleen-Lawton

2020: a year destined for hyperbole. Few of us will be sorry to see it pass. We may be tempted to just allow this time to drift into history, but there’s a better way. You can improve your 2021 by making plans for the areas of your life under your control. It takes our collective action to affect the pandemic, the climate and our political system but individual actions are still an important factor in your personal financial picture. A bit of planning now will not only enhance your financial prospects next year but improve your mindset for having jumped into the driver’s seat. Here is a compact checklist for action. RMD (Required Minimum Distribution). Any time after age 59-½, your retirement savings are available for withdrawal without penalty, but treated as income and taxed as such. There are even some circumstances where you can start withdrawals earlier. If you are stretched thin or have a foreshortened life expectancy, by all means start drawing on the money you’ve saved. Otherwise, your best bet financially is to wait until you must start removing the funds, which now is age 72. At the magic age, a formula determines how much you must withdraw each year (your Required Minimum Distribution). The CARES act waived RMDs for 2020 but check your situation carefully: the penalty for under-withdrawing is 50%! HSA (Health Savings Account). Working seniors may still have a Health Savings Account, as long as they are not already signed up for Medicare. Max out your contribution. If your employer contributes to your HSA but that contribution zeros out at the end of the year, consider whether

non-emergency medical procedures can be scheduled sooner rather than later. The pandemic adds another wrinkle to this equation: doctors may not be scheduling anything that can be delayed. But it’s worth asking. FSA (Flexile Spending Account). Your Flexible Spending Account deserves review as well. FSAs are another option for establishing a reserve for medical expenses. Any pretax dollars remaining in your account at year-end will be taxed, so determine if you have an upcoming medical expense that can be pulled forward, such as prescriptions, eyewear and so forth. Understand your FSA’s rules, especially concerning details on rolling over funds into the next year. W-4. Year end is a good time for workers to review their W-4, the document that instructs employers how much of your paycheck to withhold for income taxes. The Government Accountability Office says about 21 percent of taxpayers don’t withhold enough, causing them bigger tax bills in April. You can use the IRS withholding calculator to help estimate the right number of allowances to claim. Another alternative is to choose “0” allowances, which will result in your paying a larger chunk of taxes early on. Late each year you can file a new W-4 if the calculator suggests you’ve withheld too much. Siphon that “raise” into retirement savings. Part D. That is, Medicare Part D. The Open Enrollment period for switching drug coverage plans is October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can log on to the Medicare site, enter your complete list of prescriptions, and find the drug plan that best meets your needs. This same time-period serves as Open Enrollment for various ACA and Medicare plans, with differing rules.

IRA. For those still working, delay paying taxes on more of your paycheck by contributing more to your IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457s and so on. If you’re confused by the rules, contact your Human Resources department to review how this applies to you. If you find yourself cash-strapped but wishing you’d set aside more, establish a 2021 budget that allows you to put your best foot forward in the new year. Roth. Another tip for folks still in the earning category. Your goal when you reach retirement is to have a mixture of retirement assets: tax-deferred accounts, non-taxable Roth accounts and individual savings (gains are taxed). That way, as the tax weather changes throughout retirement, you can draw differently from each retirement asset to minimize your annual taxes. If you have an existing Roth account and earned less this year than typical, you may want to consider moving savings from a taxdeferred to a Roth account. Note: the amount you move will be added to your taxable income. Losses. The pandemic can be blamed for many types of losses. If you sold stocks at a loss this year, remember that you can deduct up to $3,000 in losses beyond your realized gains each year. Additional losses are pushed to future years. Giving. Year-end—and particularly this year-end—is the time to take a look at how you can help others with your largesse. For those able to make or even increase charitable donations amidst the difficulties of this era, give gratefully. Here are some websites to help you locate charities that fit your priorities: www.givewell.org; www.charitywatch. org; www.charitynavigator.org. Giving smarter. You may also be able to do it tax-efficiently. For one, you can donate your RMD to a 501(c)3 of your choice, lowering your taxable income. Another possibility is taking advantage of tax code changes in the last couple of years. One change increased the standard deduction while instituting a limit on the total deductions allowed on an itemized return. Some folks now bunch their charitable giving into every other year. That is, one year they double up their contributions and the next year they take the standard deduction. However, this strategy may be more troublesome and awkward than its value. Finally, a tip that isn’t strictly financial but definitely could boost your well-being. The pandemic has isolated many of us and reduced our active lives to a fraction of their former selves. That can wreak havoc on our psyches. Think about how you would like next year to be different and plan for it. Reach out, whether it be to help or to be helped. ❖ Karen Telleen-Lawton helps seniors help themselves by providing bias-free financial advice. She is a CFP professional. You can reach her with your questions or comments at ktl@ DecisivePath.com.

November/December 2020

Finding the Best Price for Prescriptions How does GoodRx work? ...by Maddie Smith

We’ve all seen the commercials for GoodRx while flipping through the television channels or magazine pages. If you haven’t heard, GoodRx is a discount card with a website and mobile application that promises to deliver the best deals on prescription drugs. Doug Hirsch, co-CEO of the company, says GoodRx works with nearly every pharmacy in the United States. The question is, how exactly does it work? Prices of prescription drugs vary depending on the pharmacy. The GoodRx website (www. goodrx.com) has a large search bar where you can type in the name of your pharmaceutical drug. Once the results of the search formulate, you can enter your location to find the pharmacies in your area and compare the prices. The results of the search will offer customers transparency as far as pharmacy prices of the drug. There are often free coupons available to present to specific pharmacies by printing them or downloading them on your device. Having health insurance, including Medicare, does not disqualify individuals from using GoodRx. It cannot be combined with insurance, although certain discounts might end up being cheaper than a copay. Comparing GoodRx savings with insurance copays allows patients to weigh all options before deciding the best route of paying for their prescription. The service is also available for those who do not have health insurance. GoodRx is a great tool for people who are forced to pay for their prescriptions outof-pocket or who do not have a very inclusive health insurance plan, according to Dr. Jeffrey Paup, pharmacist and professor at University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy. GoodRx works with pharmacy benefit managers to keep drug costs down. If pharmacies want to work with benefit managers, who act as liaisons between the insurance companies and the pharmacies, they must accept discount cards. GoodRx makes money by charging pharmacies a fee whenever a customer uses their discount card and splitting that money with the pharmacy benefit managers they partner with. This allows the company to keep the service free to customers. “They charge the pharmacy a fee for giving you a low price,” said Dr. Paup. Sometimes the pharmacy makes less money by selling the continued on page 16

November/December 2020

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New Low-Income Senior Housing

Northaven Senior Living broke ground in October for a new 82-unit affordable senior housing project, which will be located on Northaven’s existing campus at 11045 8th Avenue NE in Seattle. Councilmember Debora Juarez said of the project, “...Our elders should be enjoying their retirement...not worried about how they’re going to pay rent.” Soon, another building is planned to break ground that will create a multi-generational community with seniors and working parents so that all generations can enrich each other’s lives. “Our community is primarily made up of seniors of modest means. We are unpretentious, caring and full of life.” For more information, call 206-365-3020 or visit northavenseniorliving.org.

All-Inclusive Care ...by Cynthia Flash

ElderPlace— “Some with its allseniors who inclusive adult need assistance day health center, don’t want to medical and inconvenience social services— their family offers significant members by assistance by asking for help. allowing seniors Others don’t to continue have families to live in the living close community enough to and avoid support their institutionalized medical needs,” care. The goal Leon said. of Providence “Providence ElderPlace ElderPlace offers is to keep a one-stopProvidence ElderPlace participant Gerald participants as Aguiling, taken at the new Providence ElderPlace shop to care for independent and Kent South site. Photo by Janet Abel. individuals who stable in their fall into both communities for as long as possible. of these categories. By scheduling all Providence ElderPlace participants medical and social appointments—as traditionally attend an adult day well as providing transportation—we health center for social activities and not only serve the seniors but give their to receive medical care. But ElderPlace families support and peace of mind as was able to immediately pivot to serve well.” its clients at home when Washington Now, the organization serves Governor Jay Inslee issued his stay at most seniors in their homes with the home order in March. following services: The program has expanded in King • Telehealth therapy, psychiatric County and branched out to Spokane and medical appointments. to help some of the most medically • Virtual activities using special complex seniors in the community stay Grandpad tablets designed for seniors. out of skilled nursing facilities. Even ElderPlace caregivers and therapists use during COVID, Providence ElderPlace, Zoom to provide at least four activities which is part of the national Programs each day from virtual travel tours to of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly games to helping participants call and (PACE), has grown to serve 976 “see” their family members from afar. participants. This is an 11 percent • At-home visits from nurses, increase since December 2019—a physicians and social workers when testament to the need for this type of necessary. service in the community. • At-home visits from other “Many of these individuals likely caregivers who check on participants would be living in skilled nursing and prepare meals. facilities if not for this program,” said • Enrollments are also being Providence ElderPlace Marketing and done virtually, with virtual tours and Outreach Specialist Jill Leon. “Most appointments. Centers for Medicare & of our participants have complex Medicaid Services is allowing PACE health challenges. But because they are programs to do verbal enrollments if monitored closely and seen regularly by necessary. our interdisciplinary team, we’re able to Providence ElderPlace serves keep them in the community, improve individuals age 55 and over who are their life and minimize trips to the eligible for Medicaid, or able to pay hospital or a skilled nursing facility.” privately, in need of support services Providence ElderPlace clinicians as defined by the state of Washington act together to provide these services, and living in zip codes approved by the which include visits with doctors, state. personal care assistants, social workers, For more information visit www. physical and occupational therapists, providence.org/elderplace or call 1-844and other health care professionals. 901-0094 or TTY 800-855-2880. ❖

November/December 2020

A Hollywood Side Story ...by Pat D’Amicot

My airplanes. husband’s Ralph old flying conducted a buddy and flight school my good and Hank friend, Ralph manned the Williamson, shop. recently The two moved into became aware a retirement of the Waco community biplane in at age 90. 1950 and He will immediately thrive there wanted to buy because he it, but it was is an affable not for sale. It man and was used as a has lived an cross-country interesting instructional life. Plus, he aircraft. has a remote Sometime connection later they to Harrison received an Ford. unexpected The author’s friend, localite Ralph Ralph call from the Williamson, was instrumental in restoring the 1930 open cockpit Waco biplane that was owner saying and his used in the filming of the movie, “Raiders of business they could the Lost Ark” with Harrison Ford partner, buy it for Hank six hundred Strauch, were the owners of the dollars... The only catch was 1930 open cockpit Waco biplane that it had been crashed and was used in the filming of the movie, at the bottom of the Willamette Raiders of the Lost Ark. River. They jumped at the offer, Ralph and Hank operated retrieved it and rebuilt it (but a flight service at Snohomish that is another story). Airport where they repaired, In 1964, Ralph and rebuilt, bought and sold Hank sold their business in Finding the Best Price for Prescriptions ...continued from page 14

drug for a discounted rate than the fee they have to pay to GoodRx. Discount cards can be bothersome for pharmacies because they lower the price of the drug on top of charging the pharmacy a fee, but in order to work with pharmacy benefit managers, they must accept GoodRx coupons. Some pharmacists work around the system by simply matching the price offered by GoodRx to avoid the fee. Another downside for pharmacies is the high transfer rate of customers. GoodRx users need to call their pharmacists to transfer their prescription each time they want greater savings at another pharmacy, which is a headache for pharmacists. GoodRx is not subject to the same audits that pharmacies are. Though GoodRx does not carry drugs, it does handle the health information of their customers. “It’s a little ambiguous on how they use it,” said Dr. Paup. Despite these downsides, GoodRx helped customers save a total of over $10 billion as of last year. ❖

“I PROMISE TO REMEMBER” I Promise To Remember, The Soldier who served us well, With sacrifice and devotion, Into the depths of Hell; His, was a journey, Shielded by a song and prayer, He answered the patriot’s call With the trumpet flare; I Promise To Remember, For all I hold so dear, The precious price of Freedom, A hope for peace, not fear, I Promise To Remember, As I close my eyes each night, The assurance of brave sentinels Ready to defend and fight; I Promise To Remember, As I breathe and live, The fallen heroes everywhere, For they gave, ALL-there-was, to give. --Robert J. Darrigan of Federal Way

November/December 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 17

Snohomish. Ralph became an The Great Outdoors independent insurance broker, but Hank continued working on airplanes from his home— complete with a hangar and grass strip—in Junction City, Oregon. …by Roger Urbaniak The Waco was based there. Then, in the late 1970s, Hank got another call. This time When it was from a movie producer someone in Hollywood. He had heard mentioned that there was a 1930’s Waco the word in the Pacific Northwest and drone in he wanted to use it in a movie. the past, Ralph and Hank flew the Waco my initial to Los Angeles, where it was image disassembled for shipping to was: large, the movie set in Hawaii. The expensive contract required that Hank and difficult accompany it so he could put to operate, it back together and be sure it but perhaps was in flying condition. It was something painted to the specifications I might of the producers for its movie enjoy in debut. the future. The pilot, who doubled I recently for Harrison Ford, crashed it took a once again in the filming of closer look Roger shows off his drone the movie. Thankfully, no one at drones was hurt, but the airplane was and found that day was already crumpled. One can only imagine here. They are affordable and the chaos on the movie set useful to an average person, with where minutes are clocked in prices starting less than $20, dollars. Hank announced that including a camera. if they could get a certain list With encouragement and the of parts, he could repair it in help of friends, I stepped up and four days. The parts arrived, the purchased my first drone over mission was accomplished, the the internet, a compact model Harrison Ford double soared into weighing roughly one pound, the sky once again and the rest for about $100. Controls for my is movie history. ❖ drone consist of two joy sticks

Enjoy Flying Your Own Drone which control position and orientation independently. The drone can be operated using the joy sticks located on its handheld remote or by similar controls displayed on a typical smart phone. It also included two high-quality cameras that can record to an onboard memory card or stream to a smart phone via WiFi. My drone has four rotating propellers (a.k.a. a “quadcopter”), each driven by its own brushless motor. It has GPS, which, among other things, allows it to easily return to the position it started from for that flying session. Its battery power allows it to remain aloft for roughly 20 minutes, while simultaneously capturing

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imagery. It can reach a height of roughly 150 feet and be operated anywhere within in a line of sight distance of nearly 200 feet. One of my drone’s cameras points forward, the other down. The drone and cameras allow me to “see” areas that I cannot easily reach physically, like the top of my home or the far side of a stream. Drones have already shown themselves to be indispensable in a huge number of applications. Even more uses continue to materialize as drone features and sizes use modern technology to become more versatile in solving problems. The military uses them for reconnaissance, warfare, plus surveillance. Planners use drones for surveying. Farmers use them to check crop health. Highway traffic is monitored, disaster relief is delivered—all with technology that started as a toy! Real estate people use drones as a sales tool. Drones have a number of recreational uses that are evolving every day. Cinematographers use them to photograph areas that would be too difficult or too expensive to access with normal camera equipment. Areas polluted with toxic gases or other hazardous conditions are ideal to navigate with drones. Drone ownership requires you to register your device with the FAA. Recreational drone registration costs $5 and is valid for three years. To operate your drone, you must obey local laws, not exceed 400 feet altitude, be at least 13 years old, fly only where you can maintain visual contact with your drone, and not fly in commercial air space. Larger and commercial drones have more detailed operating requirements. I am relatively new to drone ownership and still learning all the ways I can use its amazing technology. It can be a little noisy, plus my dog Sparky feels it needs to be caught and done away with, but overall it is doing the tasks that I purchased it for and I am looking forward to using it for new applications. I need to practice using the joy stick controls: crash landings are relatively frequent. Fortunately, my drone seems pretty sturdy. It comes with extra propellers; other spare parts are available for purchase at reasonable prices. I hope that you find your new drone as fun and useful as I find mine to be. Give one a try and you will likely get hooked. ❖

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The Funny Side of Life

Things I Want to Do …by Sy Rosen

I’ve been sitting at home during the pandemic thinking about things I would like to do once this whole mess is over, hopefully with a vaccine. Sure, I could have done some of these things now, but I have a good excuse… I just didn’t. Anyway, here are some of the things I want to do: I will join a book club. I know I could probably join a Zoom group now, but I Sy Rosen think the joy of sitting face to face with people and debating the merits of a good book is very exciting. The plot, the construction, the character development… it’s all very exhilarating to discuss (even though I may not have actually finished the book). After the pandemic I want to have lunch with 30 of my best friends and talk and laugh. All 30 of us will call each other by our nicknames and tell stories. They may be stories that we’ve told before, but so what, we’re having a good time. We will toast each other with beer, wine and soda and promise we will do this every week. I want to make 30 friends so I can do the above. I want to get good at something I’m not good at now. I have goals like restoring furniture, painting with watercolors, auto mechanics. I think I’ll start off small and learn how to choose the best watermelon. I read an article about the importance of shape, color, weight and sounds. When the pandemic is over, I will increase my trips to the supermarket and the watermelon quest will be mine. I want to learn a foreign language—French or Spanish or maybe Japanese. Then I want to go to family gatherings and with a big smile on my face use this foreign language to insult my cousins. I want to do something heroic—maybe it’s because I have spent all these months living in fear and I want to get back in the world and take charge. I fantasize about what I would do: I’d be driving along the highway and see a car that was in an accident. It’s burning and about to explode so I quickly stop, break their car window and drag to safety an entire family, including two young children. I then go back and rescue their dog. And when I’m finished one of the young children, a three-year-old girl, says that her dolly is still in the car. I don’t want to get the doll, but the little girl says that it’s her best friend. Okay maybe the little girl needs to see a psychologist and find a real best friend but there’s no time to think this over, so I rush back and get the doll before the car explodes. Okay, I probably won’t have the opportunity to do this heroic act. So, after the pandemic is over, I will have to settle for something a little less dramatic. Maybe I can help my neighbor carry in her groceries. Yes, I think I can do that even though I have a bad back. I will travel. Okay, I admit it I’m not a great traveler and the pandemic has given me a good reason to stay at home. However, my wife Wanda loves to travel. It started when she was in the Peace Corps and spent two years in Bolivia. I now realize I should give into Wanda’s bold spirit and we will go to faraway places and have exciting adventures. I can’t wait… I guess. ❖

November/December 2020

The ongoing life-affirming adventures of Rose and Dawn

Nothing is as it Seems …by Diana Couture NOTE – this adventure takes place in a non-COVID world

Rose opened the drapes in her living room that led to the patio. The filtered, winter light cast a slightly gray tint to the pale yellow walls. Rose had painted the walls a light color just for these dreary winter months. And it seemed to work, most of the time. But sometimes the gray of the Pacific Northwest just could not be disguised. There were a few things that Rose needed to get done today, but for the most part it would be a quiet time. Dawnie was away with her granddaughter and her family for a weekend at the ocean. There were other friends in Rose’s life, but she preferred the company of Dawn. They were truly simpatico. Just then, the phone rang and Rose trotted off to the kitchen to grab the Slimline wall telephone. “Hellooo,” cooed Rose into the sleekly designed telephone. Margaret, a friend from the Senior Center, was on the other end of the line. “Hi, darling friend. What are you doing today? I heard that Dawn went to lands end with her grands. How about us getting together for some shopping?” Rose thought quickly about a way to say no thanks to her friend Margaret without hurting her feelings. She knew that sweet, innocent Margaret had sticky fingers in the department stores and couldn’t resist a heist of small, leather goods and perfumes while she was shopping. She claimed it was her meds that made her forget that she needed to pay for things. Either way, it was always an embarrassment when Margaret was inevitably nabbed and the goods were confiscated or apologetically paid for. Whatever friend was accompanying her had to vouch for her honesty and the fact that this sweet little old lady wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone try to lift some merchandize from Macy’s. “Uhm, I’m…uhm quite busy with household chores today, Margaret. I hate to say no, but I’ll probably be at it all day.” Rose exhaled and felt that this lie sounded plausible. Margaret was not tricked. “Rosie, Rosie, you forget how long I’ve known you. If anyone can get things done around the house in record

time, it’s you. I’ll take an Uber and meet you at Northgate at 2.” A stunned silence on Rose’s part and a quick hang up on Margaret’s part ended this conversation. Rose sighed and accepted her fate. Margaret was a good egg when she wasn’t palming goods. She was a well-traveled and interesting story-teller. It was just that darn kleptomania that got in the way. As Margaret had predicted, Rose finished her chores in record time and drove her car to the shopping mall where she found Margaret already milling around the purse section of Nordstrom’s. Her fight-orflight syndrome kicked in and she instinctively turned to run before being eyed by Marge and bayed at to come and join her. “Roooosie. Hi. So good to see you. Come over for a hug and a quick look around.” Rose approached cautiously and tried to see if Margaret was hiding anything under her voluminous coat and scarf. Nothing seemed amiss. “Hi Marge. Let’s skip the shopping and just walk the length of the mall for exercise and people-watching,” Rose suggested hopefully. “Oh, I’m all for the exercise, Rose…exercise of my credit cards. Haha. Oh, I’m so funny, aren’t I?” Rose smiled nervously and noticed that the louder Margaret’s voice got the more attention they were getting from the clerks in the handbag section. “Ooooh. Look at this beauty, darling Rose. It’s only $149. And I could use this bag for everyday. I think I just have to have this cute little thing.” Rose swallowed hard. “Are you sure you want to spend that much, Marge? Maybe we should look around before you make a final buying decision.” “Now, Rose you know that money isn’t any object for me. If I like it, I buy it. Well, sort of buy it.” Margaret winked and started to wrap her scarf around the tiny black bag. Thankfully, just then one of the nice young clerks came over and asked if she could help and ring up the purse that was right there under the scarf of one of her favorite patrons. Margaret smiled and demurred but wasn’t the least bit happy about the whole thing. “Hmmph. Well, let’s stop off at the perfume counter. OK, Rose?” Rose sighed reluctantly, stealing herself for the battle ahead. ❖

Plan your day, your way. Voted G Living ig Harbor Loc 2020 F al’s – Custom inest in er Serv ice

November/December 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 19

Threes of a Kind ...by Len Elliott

Across 1. It’s true 5. O. Henry’s “The Gift of the ____” 9. Greek resort isle 14. Away from the wind 15. Graduate, shortly 16. Radio station sign: 2 wds. 17. Home of the Pac-12 Bruins: abbr. 18. Footlocker fastener 19. Stair post 20. “Feline” stage force performs? 23. “Open mouth, ____ foot.” 24. Fib 25. Actor Jude 28. Order to Iditarod participant with disorderly dogs? 32. Canine registry: abbr. 35. Roseanne or William 36. Playwright Eugene 37. “Tune ____ 11.”: 2 wds. 39. Be unwell 41. Happy 42. The World ____ (Fall Classic) 45. Goals 48. Beast of burden 49. Story about a dilatory duck? 52. Sullivan and McMahon 53. Opposite of WSW 54. Rain draining from an area 58. Popularly creative dynast? 61. Pitcher Ryan with seven no-hitters

64. Oil cartel: abbr. 65. Indian music 66. Scarlett of “Gone with the Wind” 67. Prefix for legal or medic 68. Not fer 69. Painter’s poser 70. Ladies of Spain: abbr. 71. Hog homes Down 1. Dr. Anthony ____ (corona virus expert) 2. Highway through Whitehorse: abbr. 3. Boston’s NBA team, familiarly 4. Service with pot, cups and saucers: two wds. 5. Gandhi’s honorific 6. Verbal sigh 7. Burst of wind 8. Pierce through 9. Regard with scorn 10. Jar tips, usually 11. Uncooked 12. Shakespearean cry of disgust 13. Browser address: abbr. 21. Sidling seaside creature 22. Casual “Good bye” 25. Undefeated boxer Ali 26. Charles of bodybuilding fame 27. Fuses metals 29. Stage of history 30. Court proceeding 31. Actress Ryan 32. Grocery pathway

21 24 28 33

39 43

40 45

54 59

33. Work dough, in a way 34. Grocery vehicles 38. Cause of overtime 40. Ignited 43. Everlasting 44. Mailed 46. Gourd rattles 47. A slighting remark 50. ____ Fables 51. Snare

53 58

solution on page 22

55. Missouri River tributary 56. Dickensean pickpocket 57. Tarkenton and Leibowitz 58. It burbles through Bern 59. Practice pugilism 60. Billion : giga :: trillion : ____ 61. ____ de plume (pen name) 62. Word of surprise 63. Young man

Fill in the Thanks ...by Len Elliott

This year the holidays that involve family gatherings may have to be celebrated in ways we never thought of at the start of the year. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t give thanks for many reasons. Fill in the blanks beginning with each letter of HOLIDAYS for the people and things you cherish. My list is printed on page 22.

H_______________ O_______________ L_______________ I________________ D_______________ A_______________ Y_______________ S_______________

Happy Holidays!

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Writing Corner

Scenes from Childhood

Of Christmas Lights and Memories Bright:

Advice …by Ariele M. Huff

Hot Sox and Smoking Dogs ...by Sharon Love Cook

Twenty years ago, my father died on Christmas morning. He was 100 years old. For a long time, my feelings about the holiday were tinged with sadness. Yet time, mercifully, has a way of easing pain. Moreover, my dad, who enjoyed a good laugh, wouldn’t want his family to be solemn. And while I couldn’t work myself up to being “joyous,” I could appreciate the warm generosity inherent in this family holiday. As a toddler, my son was not only joyous at Christmas, he was delirious. Very early Christmas morning he’d race into our room. “Mom! Dad! It’s Christmas!” Like many other parents, we’d been up late wrapping presents and attempting to assemble toys. Thus, when our son didn’t get a response he went to his father’s side of the bed. “Dad, it’s Christmas,” he repeated into his ear. When that got no results, he grabbed the cordless phone receiver and clunked him on the head with it. Needless to say, my husband did not awaken with joy in his heart. Two years later, this same boy and his best friend, Nicky, took it upon themselves to open all the presents under our tree. More than a dozen gifts from friends and relatives lay exposed, the wrapping paper scattered. By process of elimination, we identified many of the givers. Yet whoever bestowed the battery-powered socks (“Hot Sox”) remains a mystery to this day. However, those socks came in handy the following December. Four days before Christmas, I took our son to the local animal shelter. I intended to make a donation and at the same time teach a lesson about giving. What was I thinking? We walked out with an eight week-old lab-husky puppy. I had plenty of time to think about that lesson while staring up at a January moon, waiting for Tubbs to “go toity.” At least my feet were warm. Tubbs wasn’t the only dog that enjoyed Christmas. Gaylord Farquhar, our basset hound, was always looking Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund ...continued from page 13

The DDETF provides incentives in the form of state matching funds on fees for the individual trust accounts. DDETF is the only special needs trust backed by Washington State’s financial and organizational support. Current incentives to participate include credits that put back into the trust the initial

Advice of one type or another frequently makes its way into life stories to score holiday treats. He found them and other writing everywhere, even on the Christmas done in our elder tree. One year we did traditional years as legacies for homemade decorations: strings of family or “the world.” cranberries and popcorn along with Ariele M. Huff I once heard ornaments made of dough. Gaylord that advice is the ate it all. Every time he raided gift everyone wants to give…and no the tree, it crashed to the floor, sometimes pinning him underneath. one wants to receive. That is both true Although it scared him silly, he was and not true, of course. Most people appreciate, even seek out reliable back the next day, sniffing out any remaining popcorn kernels or bits of guidance delivered in an unpretentious way. Also, most people don’t like moldy bread dough. The denuded questionable sources or care much for tree was a pitiful sight. preachy lectures on their flaws. My husband, meanwhile, When I attempt sharing embraced a family tradition: displaying information, I strive to avoid being strings of lights that originally shone in an annoying smarty pants, a vengeful his grandmother’s house. “They don’t blamer or an out-of-touch idealist. make lights like these anymore,” he (Though they all make superb boasted. Every year he got them out, Halloween costumes.) each chipped bulb carefully wrapped Here are some methods I’ve learned in newspaper. When he finally (some from an annoying smarty pants attached all the strings and plugged them in, he created showers of sparks. or two but most from the wise words of This resulted in trips to the fuse box in humble people). 1. Be specific and concrete. The the cellar. message is clearer with examples and He couldn’t accept that the even steps to follow. ancient lights were hazardous. The 2. Share your process, especially felt material covering the cord was threadbare, ravaged by time and mice. include your mistakes and trial-anderror experiences. I actually titled a The lights snapped, crackled and book Learn from My Mistakes, about the popped as sparks flew everywhere. miscalculations I made adopting a litter Once, they even fell on a sleeping of three kittens. I’ve often thought that Gaylord. Soon we smelled something acrid—Gaylord’s fur was smoking! My most of my work could have that title with a subtitle of which particular goofs husband grabbed the watering can will be covered this time. under the tree and doused him. Only then did Gaylord wake up. Eventually, my husband retired his grandmother’s lights. Whether it was the blown fuses, the mini-shocks he received or the smoking dog, he reluctantly packed them away. “You don’t see lights “A Christmas Story in 100 like this,” he said, shaking his head. Words or Less” Amen to that, I thought. In any event, the lights live on It was October, and I was seven in our treasure trove of family holiday years old. stories. Like the memories of my dad, I was starting to worry about they glow a little brighter with each Christmas. retelling. ❖ Would I get enough presents? What if people forget me. Sharon Love Cook is the author of the Suddenly I got a great idea. Granite Cove Mysteries (Come for the It was perfect. Chowder, Stay for the Murder). Contact Finally, Christmas arrived.

Poetry Corner

her at: sharonlovecook@comcast.net.

enrollment fee ($600), a credit to cover the annual tax preparation and filing fees, and other credits. Families can tailor contributions and disbursements to meet the needs of the beneficiary. Eligibility requirements: the beneficiary must reside in the state of Washington; be under age 65 at the time of enrollment; and meet the program’s definition of development disability. To learn more about this program, call 1-888-754-8798 ext. 1 or visit ddetf.wa.gov. ❖

The Last Laugh ...continued from page 13

However, as the details of internment progressed, we detected a few hints that a dry sense of humor might lurk below the trappings of his profession. On the day of the funeral, the director stood in the vestibule of the church observing the mourners filing into their pews. I was alone for a minute, so I rested in a chair facing him. His assistant approached him to have a quiet word. The director replied solemnly. I could not hear the

November/December 2020 3. Admit to the likelihood of imperfection in all areas: work, money, relationships, health…your advice. If we weren’t put here to learn, then why do we keep having to do so much of it? 4. Keep the mood light, funny to hilarious if possible. (Even sad or scary topics can profit from uplifting humor.) For example, when my mother was scared she wasn’t pooping often enough, her doctor said, “Well, some is better than none.” Comforting wisdom and a lighthearted bedside manner. 5. Love your audience…whether it’s friends and family or “the world.” I guarantee it—people can feel your intentions and views in your written work. On some level, we can always sense respect or disrespect. Do NOT write for those you disrespect or dislike. A gentle reminder: When you are gone, your words live on. If you leave a life story outlining all the ways people have mistreated you, that is how you will be remembered. No matter how true your critique is, blaming is not going to win hearts. I don’t mean that you have to strike out the sergeant who made you double-time a mile to the dentist with a bleeding extraction site so that your heart stopped when you were given Novocain to repair the wound. That’s part of you that family will want to know. (It happened to my first husband.) I recommend with topics like these to follow the great example of Frederick Douglas when asked to speak to abolitionists about the horrors of slavery. He shared those with his legendary booming voice, but he left the emotional reactions and judgments to his audience. Powerful. A simple rule: When in doubt, leave it out. Words shared can’t be taken back. ❖ Connect with Ariele at ariele@comcast.net.

My family started to unwrap presents. I had 10 presents! When I’d been so worried, in October, I’d wrapped some of my old trucks and stuff. I used newspaper. Who cares. It was 10 presents! What a great Christmas. (Actually, I got six more presents from my family.) --Free form poem by Tom Sherfinski Send poems to ariele@comcast.net

response but that’s when it happened: The assistant turned away and, for one hundredth of a second, every molecule in the man’s body rallied to stifle an explosive laugh—then it was gone. Just like that, his former demeanor was restored. I was the only one who saw it. I will never cease to be amazed at that instantaneous battle between levity and propriety. For me, it was a gift and the reassurance that life goes on beyond grief and darkness. In my mind, I heard the uproarious laugh that I know so well. ❖

November/December 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 21

LET’S GO! A Calendar of Places to Go, Do or See… from Northwest Prime Time

SENIOR EVENTS

Alzheimer’s & Driving Nov 7, 10am & Nov 10, 7pm: When to set aside the keys? Safety tips and how to have the conversation, No RSVP required. Join online or by phone 253-215-8782. Bringing Parents Home Nov 12, 7pm & Nov 14 at 10am, questions to ask before making this decision, online or by phone 253-215-8782. Crone of Puget Sound Nov 14 & Nov 21 at 1pm (both are Zoom events – can join with telephone or smart device) join this age 60+ group of older women of power, passion and purpose. Nov 14 focus is Elder Health Care; on Nov 21 share your favorite family stories, CroneofPugetSound.org or call Moreah at 206-300-1657.

See our full calendar at northwestprimetime.com/calendar

Estate Planning Nov 17, 4-5:30pm, presented by attorney and estate planning specialist. Covers probate, needed documents. Free and open to public (virtual) hosted by Kingsgate Library, register at kcls.org or call 425-462-9600. Teaching Kitchen Nov 18 at 1pm (register by Nov 9) online event, learn to make spiced cranberry relish – first 100 receive free kitchen gift, 1-866-937-5390.

Free Dementia Webinars Throughout November, free webinars on a variety of topics, each workshop includes Q&A, www.alzwa.org/education. Get Your Flu Shot Local advocate Lisa Rasmussen urges everyone to get your flu shot. Her 57-year-old husband died after a month-long battle with the flu and now she works with the national organization www.familiesfightingflu.org.

HEALTH

ARTS/THEATER/MUSIC

Free Memory Screenings Alzheimer’s Foundation offers free one-on-one virtual memory screenings,1-866-232-8484. Alzheimer’s Town Halls Hour-long events to learn about federal and state policies affecting people impacted by dementia, presentation and Q&A. Visit alzwa.org/ townhalls or call Brad Forbes, 206-529-3867 (1st Dist Nov 10,11am; 7th Dist Nov 18,1pm; 8th Dist Nov 19, 1pm; 9th Dist Nov 20,11am).

Seattle Symphony Nine livestreaming performances in Nov & Dec, www.seattlesymphony.org Book-It “Childfinder” by Octavia Butler opens audio season, 206-216-0833, www.book-it.org Art on the Mind Nov 17, stories and art highlighting experiences of people living with dementia and their care partners, 206-622-9250 www.fryemuseum.org.

hashtag

Best of the NW Arts Nov 18-Dec 3, virtual art show featuring 78 NW artists with homemade artwork and gift items, www.nwartalliance.org Digital Beethoven Festival Dec 16-19, Seattle-based organizations present www.thisisbeethoven.org.

OUTDOORS

NW Adventures Northwest-based organization re-launces a comprehensive online guide to NW adventures and destinations, gardening and lifestyles, also features artists, photographers and more. Visit www.ActiveLifestylesNW.com or call 360-3424050 for info. Markers and Monuments The Historical Museum seeks your help in identifying monuments, markers and plaques across the state that are imprinted with the Historical Society’s name in order to develop a full inventory. www.washingtonhistory.org

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Local Seniors Make the Hollywood Scene

November/December 2020

classifieds... classifieds... classifieds...

...continued from page 1

estate planning For nearly 70 years, Marian Shipley’s artistic spirit has been fueled by her love of crochet. Not just any crochet, though – three-dimensional characters, animals and scenes. A wizard with a needle hook and yarn, her creations are limited only by her imagination. “I see something, and my mind just goes crazy,” she laughs. She estimates a single theme can require more than 1,000 yards of yarn. Since childhood, art has always been her refuge. She credits her lifelong hobby with keeping her mind active and engaged during the pandemic. Marian is a resident of Judson Park Senior Living in Des Moines, Wash.

Medical Minutes ...continued from page 6

Inga and Sylvia pose as the wild and crazy guys from "Wayne’s World" – photo courtesy Jennifer Angell

“Everyone would go nuts!” says Jennifer. “Seniors have something amazing to offer,” she adds. “They feel wonderful, plus it all benefits a good cause.” Even during COVID, community members were still able to observe the photo shoots. “Having the calendar has been a lifeline for many of our seniors, even those not in the calendar itself,” says Jennifer. “It’s been so much fun for everyone,” she adds. CNN interviewed Kip Steele who, with his best friend Jack Guptil, posed as the Blues Brothers. The wheelchair-bound Kip told CNN that his experiences give him the confidence to try new things, like art class or “popping wheelies over curbs.” His big goal, he said, is to get out of the wheelchair and walk on his own. But in the meantime, he’s working on a final goal, reported CNN. “You know what the last thing on my bucket list is?” asked Kip with a laugh. “Don’t kick it.” Jennifer reflects on what the project has meant to her. “The calendar has been the most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my life. Working on it makes me want to give more time to the community. I tear up when I think of it. It has changed my life.” ❖

More Information • Village Concepts, the parent company of Spiritwood at Pine Lake, covers the entire cost of producing the calendars, and so all proceeds go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. • You can purchase the calendars the old-fashioned way—by sending a check for $41 (which covers shipping and handling) to Spiritwood at Pine Lake, 3607 228th Ave SE Issaquah, WA 98029. Attention Jennifer • For more information, call Jennifer at 425-313-9100 or visit Spiritwood’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/commerce/ products/4070041856404409

vitamin intake may help older adults in unexpected ways. Older adults who took a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with zinc and high amounts of vitamin C in a 12-week study experienced sickness for shorter periods and with less severe symptoms than counterparts in a control group receiving a placebo. Researchers at Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute studied 42 healthy individuals between the ages 55 and 75. They measured the supplement’s effects on certain immune system indicators. They also looked at bloodstream levels of zinc and vitamins C and D while taking the supplement because these micronutrients are known to be important for proper immune function. The immune indicators, including white blood cells’ ability to kill incoming pathogens, were unaltered in the group receiving the multivitamin supplement. However, the multivitamin group did show improved vitamin C and zinc status in the blood. Most intriguingly, illness symptoms reported by this group were less severe and went away faster than those experienced by the group not receiving the supplement. The same percentage of participants in each group reported symptoms, but days of sickness in the supplement group averaged fewer than three compared to more than six for the placebo group. As people get older, the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to age-related immune system deficiencies rises. In the United States, it is estimated that more than one-third of older adults are deficient in at least one micronutrient. “That likely contributes to a decline in the immune system, most often characterized by increased levels of inflammation, reduced innate immune function and reduced T-cell function,” reported the lead investigator. “Since multiple nutrients support immune function, older adults often benefit from multivitamin and mineral supplements. These are readily available, inexpensive and generally regarded as safe.” The multivitamin supplement used in the study focused on vitamins and minerals typically thought to help immunity. It contained 700 micrograms of vitamin A; 400 international units of vitamin D; 45 milligrams of vitamin E; 6.6 milligrams of vitamin B6; 400 micrograms of folate; 9.6 micrograms of vitamin B12; 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C; 5 milligrams of iron; 0.9 milligrams of copper; 10 milligrams of zinc; and 110 micrograms of selenium. It is important not to take any multivitamin supplements without checking with your healthcare provider. These types of supplements can interact with medicines and can have adverse effects. In recent years, it has becoming increasingly important to discuss your vitamin D status with your physician. This is even more important for older adults living in the Pacific Northwest. A good vitamin D status is beneficial both in cancer prevention and in the prognosis of several cancers, according to a recent research review. The anti-cancer effects of vitamin D are especially pronounced in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer and blood cancers. In addition, high vitamin D responsiveness can be linked to a smaller cancer risk. Vitamin D responsiveness varies between individuals, affecting their need for vitamin D supplementation. Seminars in Cancer Biology published the study providing an update on the molecular basis of vitamin D signaling and its role in cancer prevention and therapy. Vitamin D is commonly known for its crucial role in bone health, but the authors point out it also regulates the immune system. ❖

LAST WILL, POWER OF ATTORNEY, AND LIVING WILL. $375/person or $575/couple for complete services. Mar tin Sjolie, Attorney at Law (Northgate office), (206)-841-1373.

vacation rentals MAUI CONDO 1Bedroom/1Bath, Sleeps 4. Discount for extended stays. Rental by Owner. Phone: 253-839-6705 email: rijvrj827@MSN. com. Get a full description, pictures, rates and availability from our web site: www. AlohaDreamsCondo.com PUZZLE ANSWERS Answers to questions on page 19

My list Health Obamacare Linda Inspirational people Doctors and nurses Authors Yellow-breasted sapsuckers Scientists Crossword Answers Solution for the puzzle on page 19 F A U C I

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Journey to the Hall of Fame ...continued from page 2

grateful and honored to be in this role and to have the ability to give athletes the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication. There will be more athletes from Washington that I will nominate for the Hall of Fame. I am so proud that Washington is on the map, that with our accomplishments we are now nationallyrecognized. I have powerlifted for decades, my time in the sport spanning from 1998 to present day, and I continue to marvel at having made it a career. Over the years, I have won more titles than I can count, John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The all accompanied by certificates, plaques, Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com. medals and trophies that I proudly display throughout my home. With my Redesigning the Holidays During COVID induction into the Washington State ...continued from page 6 Strength and Power Hall of Fame, I was given something new to commemorate know about this. It does seem that the younger a child is, the fewer receptors for coronavirus that child has in the membranes in their nose and throat and lungs,” said such an accolade—a Hall of Fame ring! The ring is masterfully crafted and Dr. Haller. “Subsequently, when the virus enters the respiratory tract of the young has my name, year of induction and child, it simply doesn’t attach. Therefore, it doesn’t replicate, and it can’t be passed Washington State inscribed. Moreover, on to other people.” But as kids get older, they have more receptors. “These kids are more likely to have the virus to replicate and then be passed on to other people,” said its weight will never let me forget the Dr. Haller. Dr. Haller said every family has to look at their own individual risk factors magnitude of my long career and my role and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. “Everyone has to make their own decisions.” to highlight the work of so many others in the years to come. ❖ He advises all to wear facemasks for their own and other’s protection. ❖

November/December 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 23

Library Corner

National Novel Writing Month ...by Wendy Pender

Each November, libraries celebrate “National Novel Writing Month,” cleverly shortened to “NaNoWriMo.” Even if you’re not Wendy Pender interested in writing a novel, this is surely a moment in history to record your thoughts and feelings as well as current events—the pandemic, the November 3 election,

climate change, Black Lives Matter… the list goes on. There’s even an interdisciplinary online phenomenon called “Pandemic Journaling,” which is endeavoring to capture people’s experiences during the COVID-19 quarantine. Or perhaps you want a break from the stress of it all and prefer to lose yourself in a wonderful story, or simply focus your attention on hearth and home. So many possibilities! Here are some library resources to explore as you write your story:

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee. This collection of essays is less of a “how-to” book than a memoir showing how Chee has taken the events of his life, both personal and cultural, and incorporated them into his writing. Poignant, arresting and deftly illustrating the intersection of the personal and political, this is a book to dip into when events prove overwhelming. The following two favorites give practical strategies on overcoming procrastination and stumbling blocks to simply “git ‘er done!” If you’re stuck and want suggestions on how to get over the hump, check out one of these titles!

The Story Cure: A Book Doctor’s Pain-free Guide to Finishing your Novel or Memoir by Dinty W. Moore, or Good Naked by Joni B. Cole. One reviewer referred to Good Naked this way: “If you have ever experienced a sense of dread or intimidation at any stage of the creative process, or even if you simply want to write more, write better and be happier, this intelligent, funny and generous guide will not only inspire you to head over to your desk, but will also cheer you on once you’re there.” Who doesn’t want and need that type of encouragement? Write on! We’re here for you! ❖ Wendy Pender is the Older Adults Program Coordinator for KCLS. She can be reached at wgpender@kcls.org

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