MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019
Senior moment How to help your pets during their later years Page
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dating rehab
Tips to get back in the game pg. 4
FORMERLY NORTHWEST BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS
2 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019
Welcome to
Northwest
50 Plus
VOLUME 22 | NUMBER 2
OREGON’S OLDEST & LARGEST 50+ PUBLICATION 3 Editions serving adults aged 50 and older Portland-Metro-Vancouver, Marion-Polk-Coast, South Valley: Linn-Benton Lane P.O. Box 12008, Salem, OR 97309 4923 Indian School Rd. NE, Salem, OR 97305 503-304-1323 | 1-877-357-2430 | FAX 503-304-5394 info@northwest50plus.com Northwest50Plus.com Subscriptions $26/year | $49/2 years
MICHELLE TE General Manager & Managing Editor mte@northwest50plus.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maggi White, Mary Owen, Vanessa Salvia, Barry Finnemore, Pat Snider, Grace Peterson, B. Lee Coyne and Anne Richardson EAGLE MEDIA LAB Design production@eaglemedialab.com DOREEN HARROLD Bookkeeper dharrold@northwest50plus.com CLARK SEELEY Advertising Sales Manager Marion-Polk-Coast | South Valley cseeley@northwest50plus.com JOAN RILEY Advertising Sales, Portland-Metro-Vancouver joan4freedom@comcast.net
D
EAR READERS, BY NOW, MANY OF YOU have had an opportunity to look through our new magazine. What did you think? Overall, we were very happy with the first issue. It’s colorful, interesting and easy to hold. But getting here has been a process, even at times a struggle. Isn’t that a little bit like our lives? Along the way, we experience good times and bad times, highs and lows, successes and failures. It’s through all these that we find our true selves — at least that’s how it should be. A quote I’ve recently adopted (even pinning it to the wall next to my computer screen) is this, “Empower yourself by strengthening your ability to tolerate uncertainty and change. Instead of clinging to how you want things to be or how you think they are ‘supposed’ to be, learn how to be present, lean into what is, adapt, and overcome.” I equally love and loathe this statement. I crave stability and certainty, even though life has been anything but that. Each stage of our lives brings about a certain amount of uncertainty and change. How do you deal with it? Do you feel more able to handle the changes that come with being an older adult? I’ve decided to make 2019 a year where I “empower myself ” to adapt better to changes in life, whether that’s sending our oldest daughter off to college, trying out a new hobby or putting out a successful print publication. It’s all an adventure! To that end, inside this issue you’ll find articles about local individuals who are leaning into uncertainty, whether that’s learning how to date in today’s culture, keeping warm during the winter months, or how to care for your pets in their later years. Happy reading! MICHELLE TE General Manager/Editor
SUSAN CICCARONE Advertising Sales, Marion-Polk-Coast sciccarone@northwest50plus.com REUBEN PACHITO Advertising Sales, Lane | South Valley rpachito@northwest50plus.com Printed by Eagle Web Press, Salem, OR Northwest 50 Plus is published monthly and locally owned and operated by Eagle Newspapers, Inc. The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted by Northwest 50 Plus. Any use of all or any part of this publication is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.
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YOUR HEALTH | RELATIONSHIPS
Dating rehab By M AG G I W H I T E
A LOCAL RELATIONSHIP EXPERT OFFERS 7 TIPS TO UPDATE YOUR SKILLS
I
F LIFE HAS FOUND you back in the dating game, Kelly Marie Hoffman has some tips for success.
First, says this relationship expert, is to find someone who’s authentic, responsible and commitment-worthy. Do you want someone who knocks your socks off, or someone who “shows up?” Hoffman casts her vote for the one who shows up. “What’s sexier than loving someone who wants to spend their life with you?” she says. Unfortunately, for the over-45 single folks, the dating game — online and otherwise — can be confusing and challenging. You’re fighting cultural traditions, past relationships and future expectations. Update your skills with these tips from Hoffman, a marriage and family therapist and frequent contributor to AM Northwest. While she’s speaking directly to women, these tips also apply to men.
1. Let go of the past
Past generations of women were taught to be subservient to men,
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growing up in a “’50s paradigm,” she says. They settled for feeling alone in their marriages and, in many cases, raised their children alone. This time around, seek a partner with whom you can have emotional, intellectual and physical intimacy. “Date a man who appreciates you and wants a relationship,” Hoffman says, “even if you haven’t dated in years or haven’t ever dated a man who treated you right.” Additionally, avoid badmouthing other relationships and negative attitudes.
2. Know what you want
Who do you want to partner with? Know your needs and keep it real, Hoffman says. “It’s important to think out who you are and tell your story without embellishment,” she says. “Men want authentic women.” Know what you enjoy and say it. “Don’t say things like, ‘I’m not looking for a one-night stand,’” she says. “Men will take it you’ve had a few.” If you’re building an online profile, point out the life you have built. The lure, Hoffman says, “is who you really are, such as ‘I want a man with whom I can share a glass of wine and enjoy a sunset.’ You are not looking for a skydiver, but a man capable of giving and receiving love, someone who adores you.” The key, she adds, is whether he’s a
fit for you. “Don’t build stories in your head about a man. Stick to the facts.”
3. Date with knowledge
Going without it is like putting on a wet suit and heading into the ocean with no training on how to navigate the waves, Hoffman says. Stop thinking “it’ll just happen. That is not true. The important things in life need a skill set, like the skills to see you are only attracting narcissists, for instance.” Many women ask Hoffman when and where to find the man for them. “I say the short answer is ‘when you are the person skilled in dating’ and the ‘where’ is everywhere and anywhere,” she says. “Get confident. Chose your own ‘where.’ The perfect partner could be right under your eyes. Two people should like each other.”
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4. Avoid scammers
Navigating online dating can be especially tricky. There are good people everywhere — and scammers as well. Be wary, Hoffman says, of those who come on too strong, use too much flattery and then begin asking for small sums of money. Too many women build a story about the man instead of listening to the facts. These men prey on women who are emotionally vulnerable. “They know how to say a kind word to a woman starving for kindness her whole life,” she says. “Be Sherlock,” Hoffman says. “Watch out for someone who says something and then contradicts himself in other ways. Watch out for the man who says he will call you on Friday and you don’t hear from him in seven days. He’s not your guy.”
5. Keep it real
It’s not about dressing sexy or growing your hair long when you like it short. “Yes, you should try to be attractive but there is no dating look,” Hoffman says. “It’s important you are clear about what you want. Let the man see you as a gift to their life, to feel lucky they met
Willamette Lutheran Retirement Community MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS 5
you. Both sides need to show up and not take anything for granted. An authentic person is as close as they can be to who they want to be.” Additionally, there is no “too old” in the quest for companionship.
6. Date from a place of strength
Don’t approach dating as a need. Ask yourself if this man you’re dating is the kind of person you want to have in your life and whether you are a person someone wants to be with. “You don’t want a person who shows up as a little boy,” Hoffman says. “If he says he likes children, observe whether
that is true. You think he could be a great dad, but he shows up totally different.”
7. Don’t get discouraged
“If you’ve met 10 men and nine were not interested, it’s about finding the one who is,” she says. “You are not looking for 10 men who want to date you. You are looking for a good fit with one.” Relationships should be real and based on trust and integrity. “Nobody can keep a shallow relationship,” Hoffman says. “You end up bitter or spiritually dead. Be clear about what you don’t like and have two or three
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character traits you won’t compromise on.” Stay away from negative people, concentrate on your vision for the future, don’t badmouth yourself or others, and give out the same messages you would like in return. ☸
Of note More tips for dating success
▶ Ask a lot of questions. ▶ Have a real phone call as soon as possible. ▶ Never send money. ▶ Never give out your contact information until you have verified the other person via skype, Facetime, etc. ▶ Schedule a get-together as soon as possible and always have a plan.
For your online profile, you must:
▶ Be yourself. Even if you get fewer contacts, you’ve not wasted your time on people who will not stick around anyway. ▶ Focus your conversations on what you want (rather than what you don’t want). ▶ Don’t try to be nice to everyone. Move quickly past people you’re not interested in. ▶ Keep sex and religion out of it. Religion attracts scammers, and sex is a turn off if it comes up in the first few contacts.
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YOUR HEALTH | PREVENTION
5 tips to quit smokinG The American Lung Association has a few tips for the more than 490,000 smokers in Oregon looking to quit smoking this year:
and enlisting their support will help ease the process. Friends who also smoke may even join you in trying to quit.
1. It’s never too late to quit
4. Talk to a doctor about quit smoking medications
While it’s best to quit smoking as early as possible, quitting smoking at any age will enhance the length and quality of your life. You’ll also save money and avoid the hassle of going outside in the cold to smoke. You can even inspire those around you to quit smoking.
2. Learn from past experiences
Nearly 60 percent of all smokers in Oregon have tried to quit before, and sometimes people get discouraged thinking about previous attempts. Instead, treat those experiences as steps on the road to future success. Think about what helped you during those tries and what you’ll do differently in your next quit attempt.
3. You don’t have to quit alone
The first seven to 10 days of a quit attempt are the toughest and telling friends and family that you’re trying to quit
Talking to a doctor can double your chances of quitting successfully. There are seven FDA-approved quit smoking medications that can help you quit. Just make sure to follow the directions and use them for the full duration they are prescribed.
5. Every smoker can quit
Find the right combination of techniques for you and above all, keep trying. Slip-ups — having a puff or smoking one or two cigarettes — are common but don’t mean that a quitter has failed. The important thing is to keep trying to quit. For more information about quitting smoking and how to access Freedom from Smoking, visit the American Lung Association at Lung.org/ffs or call the free Lung HelpLine, 800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872). ☸
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NORTHWEST LIVING | YARD & GARDEN
winter reading By G RAC E P E T E R S O N
CURL UP WITH A GOOD BOOK FROM THE GARDEN
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EBRUARY IS THE SHORTest month of the year, so why does it always feel like it’s the longest?
There are telltale signs of life out in the garden, verifying that spring is right around the corner, but winter’s chill reminds us that we must be patient. I do most of my reading during the winter months. A stack of gardening books collect dust during summer and fall, but once the holidays are over, I finally sit down and indulge. Here are some of my new favorite books.
If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting Marietta and Ernie O’Bryne’s Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene, you know what a beautiful place it is. Imagine having a book that details the making of this fantastic plant-filled oasis. “A Tapestry Garden: The Art of Weaving Plants and Place” takes us back to 1972, when Marietta first acquired 70 acres west of Salem. At that time, the
land sported an aging farmhouse and unkempt fruit trees, but it was the billowing maples and Douglas fir trees that won Marietta over. And the journey began. “Neither I nor Ernie is interested in ‘low-maintenance gardening’ (the kind) with orderly shrubs surrounded by chipped mulch and plants that don’t touch,” Marietta writes. “I have heard these words so often, ‘Oh that must be so much work.’ But we love what we are doing and get enormous satisfaction from an accomplished task and the pleasing result.”
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You will see those pleasing results on page after page of drool-worthy photos and, if you’re like me, you’ll be taking notes on what to amend in your own garden when the weather is conducive. The prose is a delightful, conversational read that takes us on a journey of paradise in the making. Another useful and educational book for gardeners is “Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide, Plant Picks, Growing Advice, Style Tips.” In the first half of the book, Paul Bonine, co-owner of Xera Nursery, and Amy Campion share their years of gardening knowledge. This includes understanding and amending the soil to assure healthy plants, being mindful of climate change and employing intelligent watering methods. Because this book is geared to this region, there is a section dealing with local weather, including our infrequent but damaging ice storms. The rest of the book features many of the plants that thrive in our climate. From gardenia to agave, you’ll learn about many heat-loving, winter-hardy plants that do surprisingly well here in the
RECOMMENDED READING “P.G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters” EDITED BY SOPHIE RATCLIFFE (WW NORTON)
This is a comprehensive collection of correspondence by the creator of the irrepressible Jeeves and Bertie Wooster. It reveals Wodehouse (l881-1975) to be a cheerful chap.
“The Family Guide to Mental Health Care” BY LLOYD I SEDERER, MD. (WW NORTON)
Mental disorders left untreated can devastate our families and communities, as recent tragic events in our country have only too painfully shown us. The families and friends of the more than 50 million people a year diagnosed with a mental illness seemingly have no place to turn for advice. This book aims to help. REVIEWED BY MAGGI WHITE
Pacific Northwest, especially valuable for us plant geeks who are always looking for the unique. Fall and winter seem to be when I am most likely to hear our resident great horned owl. On winter evenings when all is quiet, my husband and I will catch the telltale “hoo, hoohoo-hoo” emanating from a nearby dark treetop. “Birds of the Pacific Northwest” by birding enthusiasts and photographers John Shewey and Tm Blount states that this is a mating call which makes sense given that occasionally we’ll be especially honored to hear two owls hooting back and forth. This delightful, full-color book provides general information on the birds of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. I’ve enjoyed learning about the many birds that visit my garden, including some that stay year-round such as the spotted towhee and the Anna’s hummingbird. With hundreds of fabulous photos this is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys our feathered friends. All three of these books are available from Timber Press. ☸
“Prosperous Friends” BY CHRISTINE SCHUTT (GROVE PRESS)
This book follows the evolution of a young couple’s marriage as it is challenged by the quandaries of longing and sexual self-discovery. The glamorous and gifted Ned Bourne and his pretty wife, Isabel, travel to London, New York, and Maine in hopes of realizing their artistic promise. Their quest for emotional and sexual fulfillment is less assured. Schutt is a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
“A Book of Voyages” EDITED BY PATRICK O’BRIAN (WW NORTON)
This is a collection of this writer’s favorite travel pieces. Previously published only in England, this collection presents writing by various travelers, annotated and introduced by O’Brian. The aim of this book is to give the reader pleasure. Most are taken from the 17th and 18th centuries because O’Brian felt that, unlike Elizabethan or Victorian accounts, these writings were relatively unknown in our time. The stories range across empires and continents.
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Keep out the By VA N ESSA SA LV I A
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE TIPS TO KEEP YOURSELF WARM AND DRY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS
T
HERE IS AN ART TO KEEPing yourself warm in various weather conditions, from wet and windy to cold and snowy. The way you dress, whether you’re inside your house or going on an outing, is key to maintaining a comfortable body temperature. We lose heat through evaporation (sweating), radiation (heat moves away from the body), conduction (such as sitting on the cold ground) and convection (having the wind blow on you). The body loses 65 percent of its heat through radiation, so preventing heat from escaping is the simplest way to stay warm. John Fischer, 65, knows a thing or two about dressing for the weather. He forecasted the weather for KEZI for 25 years, while also volunteering for a number of years on a ski patrol and search and rescue. “You also need to know how to dress
based on what you’re doing,” he says. “If you’re doing something active and you get sweaty and your clothes get wet, you’re going to get cold.” For instance, if you’re digging a hole or shoveling snow off the driveway, your body heats up from the activity. Then you get sweaty, and your clothing may trap the sweat, which can start to wick away your body heat, making you colder even though you’re being physically active. It’s natural to want to take off your coat, but put it back on as soon as your activity is finished. Wear a base layer that wicks moisture away from your skin and moves it to an outer layer, Fischer says. The second layer should be breathable so that the moisture escapes rather than builds up. Fleece is a good choice for a breathable layer because air can permeate it easily. The materials you choose to wear when you’re outdoors makes a huge difference in comfort and safety. “Blue jeans when they get wet are horribly cold,” he says. “Wool and polar fleece on the other hand, stay warm when they’re wet. But most importantly, of course, you don’t want to get wet.” Fleece is a synthetic fabric meant to mimic wool. In general, wool retains heat well even when wet, and is more water-repellent. Fleece absorbs
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water more readily than wool does, but also dries out faster. Wearing wool in your coat, hat and scarf will protect you from rain and wind better than anything cotton or polar fleece. If you’re just walking to the grocery store, though, go ahead and wear that cotton shirt or polar fleece hat, as you’re not trying to dress for a survival situation in that case. Fischer says many of us get confused
The materials you choose to wear when you’re outdoors makes a huge difference in comfort and safety.
by wind chill, which means the body loses heat faster when the wind is blowing. “To a rock that’s placed outside in 30-degree weather or when the wind is blowing 100 miles an hour, it’s always 30 degrees,” he says. “But a human will lose heat as the wind increases, so you’ll feel like it’s colder.” Layering is important because if you’re intermittently active you need something easy to take on and off. Wear something thin and comfortable next to the skin. Ideally this will be a thin, soft layer that helps hold heat in. “Most people wear pants and then a giant down jacket to try to stay warm, but they don’t wear long underwear
chill under their pants,” Fischer says. “You can only wear so many jackets so then you have nothing more to put on or take off.” Jeff Fan of Backcountry Gear outdoor gear store in Eugene says there are usually different weights of fabrics for layering, such as lightweight, midweight and heavyweight. “And then every single company has their own version of that,” he says. “So, I believe a smart rule is to use a lightweight or microlayer for the base layer and have three or four different layers of thicknesses.” Fan likes to have a base layer, followed by fleece and another layer of insulation, like a jacket. The type of outer layer you choose depends a lot on the environment you’re in or the environment you’re going into. For instance, a Gore-Tex outer layer is great protection against rain and wind. A down jacket offers superior warmth, but down is not ideal to wear in rain. “A Gore-Tex tends to be a little bit more expensive initially, but it’s much easier to take care of and it works much better than your more generic, lower price point jackets,” he says. Down has always been the go-to outer layer for warmth, and a lot of modern down jackets have fabric treatments that help them stay drier in the rain. But in a downpour, even these treated
jackets will get wet and lose their thermal properties. Your outer layer should fit easily over your other layers, without being so loose that all your warmth escapes. And it should still allow you to move freely. It’s harder to stay warm as we age because our metabolism slows and we often lose subcutaneous (under the skin) fat. Both contribute to bodies not generating enough heat to feel warm. Other medical conditions such as anemia, diabetes and hypothyroidism can contribute to a feeling of coldness. While Fischer has been able to grow a long, thick beard since he left television, he’s not got as much hair on the top of his head as he used to. For older folks with hair loss or thin hair, wearing a hat is especially important. There’s a common saying that people lose most of their body heat through the top of their head. Fischer says this isn’t true. “What it means when people say you lose 50 percent of your body heat through your
head is that the rest of your body is covered up and your head is the only part that’s not protected,” he says. In reality, we lose about 7 to 10 percent of body heat through our heads, no different than any other part of the body that remains uncovered. Don’t forget about wearing good shoes. In western Oregon, we deal
mostly with wet weather, so avoid water-absorbent shoes. “Don’t wear tennis shoes,” Fischer says. Rubber boots with comfortable wool socks help keep our feet warm. Look for ones with good grips on the bottom. “Sometimes when you’re walking along a trail or even a sidewalk, when there’s leaves on the ground and it’s raining, the leaves can be pretty slippery,” Fischer says. “Leather-bottom and flat-bottom shoes are more inclined to slip.” ☸
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PETS | CARE
your pet’s senior years By M A RY OW E N
HELP YOUR ANIMALS GET THROUGH THEIR FINAL YEARS WITH LOVE AND ATTENTION
L
OVE YOUR PETS — NO matter what. And when they get old, slow down and have problems, be sure you know what they need. Mark Dorn recently lost two of his dogs to age-related conditions. While one died suddenly, the other gradually lost vigor and had mobility issues. “As pals, Bob and Bandit more than filled their part,” Dorn says of his dogs. “I’m glad they were my buddies.” Dogs and cats are considered “senior” sometime between 7 and 10 years old, says Dr. Susan Omstead of Aumsville Animal Clinic. “Big dogs are considered senior earlier, around 7,” she says. “The smaller the dog, the later they become
seniors. Pet rabbits are considered senior around 6 to 8 years old. Pocket pets such as rodents, about 2.5 years. Horses, around 20 years old.” Signs of aging include slowing down, losing interest in playing, sleeping more, weight gain, arthritis or other pain, decreased vision and hearing, dental problems and bad breath, behavior changes, and urine or stool accidents in the house. “Aging problems can include internal or metabolic problems, such as liver or kidney problems, thyroid issues, diabetes and cancer,” Omstead says. Pets may need pain management and/ or diet changes necessary for weight management or dental problems. “They may experience behavior changes and crankiness that may come with pain, mental issues, vision and hearing loss,” Omstead says. “They may also experience less tolerance to weather. Outdoor animals need extra protection against cold and heat.”
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Sweaters can be useful, but be sure the animal’s fur is aired out to prevent yeast infections on the skin, she says. To give them the care they need, she recommends providing a good, quality diet in appropriate amounts; helping them maintain a healthy weight; offering daily exercise; controlling flea and internal parasites; and providing mental stimulation and interaction with their owners.
Finding Meko
In 2002, Sue Benjamin rescued a three-legged cat found by firefighters and named him Meko. “He was a very playful kitten, despite missing a leg,” she says. “Having his own disability, he became a companion pet to my daughter Ashley, who had been diagnosed with severe fibromyalgia.” Now at age 17, Meko suffers from urinary tract infections and is less mobile. “He doesn’t move so fast anymore as
he has arthritis and his shoulder doesn’t hold him up as well as it did in his youth,” Benjamin says. “He had gotten lazier about making it to the litter box due to his decline in mobility, and thus would piddle when he thought he’d gone as far as he could hold it.” Recently, Benjamin turned a bathroom into Meko’s sanctuary by adding a bed, toys, food and water. “We bring him out in the mornings to spend the day basking in the coolness of the deck where he can make it up and down our large slanted steps to the yard and back,” she says. “At night we hold him while watching TV and when we go to bed, we put him back in his bed in the bathroom, and he likes it there now. So much so, that he asks to go in there often.” To help her Chihuahua during his senior years, Terri Ellen, owner of Salem Bed and Biscuit dog care, lets him chew on raw meaty bones and uses PetzLife oral spray to keep his teeth healthy. “He is 14 years old with Cushings and lymphoma,” she says. “In spite of this, he is doing well.” Her dog’s diet is raw venison or rabbit mixed with some cruciferous veggies. His supplements are Chinese herbs prescribed by her holistic vet; shark, krill and CBD oils; green lipped muscle; digestive enzymes; and herbal
Inflapotion by Glacier Peak. “I know this sounds like a lot, but it’s so much better than processed food and drugs because his immune system is weakened,” Ellen says. “I definitely would not allow any more vaccinations. Older dogs who have had multiple vaccinations don’t need more.” To help pets age gracefully and safely, Ellen says pet owners need to be observant. “Notice when they are limping or slowing down or using the litter box too often or having more accidents,” she says. “Visit the vet for regular checkups. And, of course, feed them a good healthy diet. Feed a good quality high
meat food, the less processed the better. Raw or freeze-dried is best. Don’t bother with senior foods because there are not enough senior supplements in them to make a difference.” Provide lots of exercise opportunities and a warm place to cuddle up, she says.
Remembering Holly
Chuck Larsen gave his wife Anjia their first dog for her birthday just before Christmas in 1984. “She lived to be 16 years old,” Anjia Larsen says of Holly. “We had to put her down when she could hardly see anymore and had a really hard time with stairs.
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Terri Ellen cares for her pets, even through their senior years when their needs change.
“I don’t think there is anyway way you can prepare for aging pets,” she says. “We all know it just happens. Every pet is different, so every situation is different.” ☸
Of note Dr. Susan Omstead says a pet’s death is a very individual, personal event. “Every animal has different manifestations and progressions of their issues, and owners cope with the issues differently,” she says. “Talk to your veterinarian about all concerns.” Consider this: Do you want to be present for euthanization, and what do you want to do with the remains? “Some people do and some don’t,” she says of euthanization. “Either way is totally OK.” As for burial, “many jurisdictions allow burial of animals,” Omstead says. “Check with local city or county officials. There are cremation services where you can opt to get the cremains back.”
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¹ Guaranteed not to clog for as long as you own your home, or we will clean your gutters for free.² Does not include cost of material. Expires 2/28/2019 ³All participants who attend an estimated 60-90-minute in-home product consultation will receive a $50 gift certificate. Visit https://www.restaurant.com/about/terms for complete terms and conditions and https://www.restaurant.com for participating restaurants. Retail value is $50. Offer sponsored by LeafGuard Holdings Inc. Limit one per household. Company procures, sells, and installs seamless gutter protection. This offer is valid for homeowners over 18 years of age. If married or involved with a life partner, both cohabitating persons must attend and complete presentation together. Participants must have a photo ID, be able to understand English, and be legally able to enter into a contract. The following persons are not eligible for this offer: employees of Company or affiliated companies or entities, their immediate family members, previous participants in a Company in-home consultation within the past 12 months and all current and former Company customers. Gift may not be extended, transferred, or substituted except that Company may substitute a gift of equal or greater value if it deems it necessary. Gift card will be mailed to the participant via first class United States Mail within 10 days of receipt of the promotion form. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion or discount of any kind. Offer is subject to change without notice prior to reservation. Expires 2/28/19. LeafGuard operates as LeafGuard of Oregon in Oregon under OR LIC # 223377
14 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019
NORTHWEST LIVING | FOOD FOR THOUGHT
My perpetual valentine
Schedule Your FREE Inspection and Estimate and receive
$100 OFF
By B . L E E COY N E
T
Call
HIS PAST CHRISTMAS DAY, MY BEAUTIFUL bride of 35 years passed into eternity. Carmela Valentina Coyne had a bubbly persona and loved to encourage others.
When Valentine’s Day rolled around each year, we would recast it as “Valentina’s Day” and eat at an ethnic restaurant. Since we had no kids to care for, we would travel the world. Along this journey we took in some 30 nations abroad and 49 of the 50 states. Our passion for concerts began with attending New York’s Carnegie Hall. Now the angels in heaven must be doing a choral rendition. When Carmela died I felt a calling to foster her legacy. Below is the formula I applied, and feel free to borrow any of these ingredients. CLOTHING: All of her attire was donated to the Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store. As a onetime nun her heart was always with the poor. DOLLS: She collected costumed dolls from around the globe. These are being given to the Salem Multicultural Institute to do an exhibit on diverse cultures. TALK SHOW: Carmela was an accomplished Toastmaster and reveled in public speaking. Hence, we did a January show on CCTV which honored her verbal skills. BIRTHDAY PLANS: Her birthday was July 25, and on that day we will prepare a Filipino dish to honor her life presence. We will display a photo album that recalls her feats and footnotes. We will rekindle her flame. No person’s death need be an episode shrouded in selfpity. Let the “Carmela Legacy” be duly absorbed so that every reader can draw sufficient strength to go on. ☸ (Carmela and Lee met in 1979 as co- workers for a social agency. Lee’s columns appear regularly.)
503-739-8878 Call soon - offer ends soon! Kayla@johnswaterproofing.com
INFORMATION FAIR FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 2-4 PM
Center 50+, 2615 Portland Road NE, Salem Knowledge is power! With so many opportunities to advertise your business, it may be difficult to know which way to turn. Join us to learn more about advertising with Northwest 50 Plus. Our advertising and production experts will be available to talk about what we offer, as well as answer any questions you may have about today’s digital marketing options, direct mail marketing and meeting your high-volume printing needs.
CCB #15830
Mini-sessions include: How we help you craft your advertising message — Why you need to advertise to the 50+ population — Sponsored content options — Digital marketing strategies
Free prizes every 15 minutes!
MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS 15
NORTHWEST LIVING | GIVING
IMPACT INVESTING By C RA I G C L I N E
A ‘CHARITIES CHART’ CAN TRACK PLANNED GIVING
I
USED TO TAKE THE PROBAbility that I’d always have at least one more day of life for granted. Now that I’m older, I don’t. With this heightened sense of mortality I’ve become an advocate for helping our community right now — while I’m still alive and kicking. While many of us take the time to directly help those in need, there are ways we can do it indirectly by investing our personal resources in our local nonprofit organizations. I want to specifically ask that older adults who, either by choice or good
Craig Cline
fortune, no longer must work for a living, to make “impact investing” one of your hobbies. In making such investments, we act as catalysts for a higher quality of life in our
local community. Those of us fortunate enough to choose vocational unemployment may now be able to choose avocational employment. But while we may have the ability to make that choice, why should we? Because we get pleasure from “a hobby of helping.” It’s a generally accepted principle that when we help others, we help ourselves, too. We feel a sense of fulfillment and joy. Nonprofits need a continuous flow of funding and must ask for our support several times per year. With so many organizations asking for help, it can be difficult to remember how much and when we’ve donated to a particular one. If we don’t keep good track of our donations, we’ll likely be taking precious time to search through our checkbook, credit card records, and hastily scratched notes on small pieces of paper thrown into a haphazard
16 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019
record-keeping system. Sound familiar? My wife Cherie and I suggest creating a “charities chart” like we’ve done to help track your giving. Having your own personal charities chart is a simple and time-saving way to keep accurate, easily accessible records, whether you keep them online or as a hard copy. Your charities’ names are put in alphabetical order in the left column. Add contact information if you wish — we keep a separate “NPOs file” that contains the outreach material we get from our selected nonprofits. Leave some blank lines in your chart so you can easily insert additions to the list of charities when you decide to support them. The chart has four identical columns, each headed by amount/date/check number/credit card number. The fifth column shows the total amount you’ve given each charity for the calendar year. We like to consider donation requests on a monthly basis. That way, they don’t pile up. Having four columns is helpful because we may give as many as four quarterly donations to any of our chosen charities. Most charities, if you ask them, would like more consistent and sustained giving. As tradition would have it, much of our giving is done in the last two months of the year. Pamela Grow, a nationally-known expert on nonprofits, recently observed that some organizations raise as much as 70 percent of their donations during the last six weeks of the year, with a full third of the donations made on Dec. 31. What if most of our own personal income came that way — in the last two
months of the year? How would we handle our expenses during the other 10 months? We surely wouldn’t want to have to operate that way. Our local nonprofits don’t either. In fact, they’d prefer that we donate monthly, on an automatic deduction basis, a method that’s convenient for us and much better for them in terms of both consistency and sustainability. Such a method helps them plan better Essentially, they ask, “Give more, more often.” From the research I’ve done over the course of this past year, I’m convinced that the thousands of high net-worth donors in our area could afford to rather dramatically increase their largesse levels. Using a charities chart should help with your strategic giving plan. ☸ (Craig Cline is a nonprofit advocate. He lives in Salem.)
Boucher Jeweler’s Valentines Storwide Sale
You’ll LOVE our selection & prices! Jewelry & Watch Repair Clock Repair, Appraisals Custom Designs
We Gol buy d Silv & er
503.393.0701 | 4965 River Rd N. Keizer | Mon-Fri 9-6 | Sat 9-5
Of note To read the full article on impact investing and others in this series on nonprofit giving, as well as an example of a charities chart, visit salembusinessjournal.com/ pastissues.
MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS 17
February 2019 FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE LOCAL EVENTS 1 — (THROUGH FEB. 9) “DISTRACTED,” 7:30 p.m., Pentacle Theater, Salem. Pentacletheatre.org. SPRING CONCERT SERIES: THE DOUBLECLICKS, 7 p.m., Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. 2 — PRUNING DWARF FRUIT TREES, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Michael Johnson Garden, Salem. DRIP IRRIGATION FOR THE HOME GARDENER, 9 to 11 a.m., Marion County Health Services, 3180 Center St. NE, Salem. ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT PANCAKE BREAKFAST, 8 to 10 a.m., Keizer/ Salem Area Seniors, 930 Plymouth Dr. NE, Keizer. $4.50. 3 — WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY FACULTY CHAMBER MUSIC FOR STRINGS AND PIANO CONCERT, 3 p.m., Hudson Hall, Salem. Suggested donation: $8/$5. 503-370-6255. SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE AND POTLUCK, 7 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, Keizer/Salem Area Seniors, 930 Plymouth Dr. NE, Keizer. $5. 5 — SALEM READS: “THE RELUCTANT RADICAL,” a documentary film, 7 p.m., Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. 6 — STAYTON RED HAT STRUTTERS LUNCHEON, noon, Moxieberry’s, 429 N. 3rd Ave., Stayton. 503-859-3119. FRUIT TREE PRUNING BASICS, 3 to 5 p.m., Pringle Creek CommunityPainters Hall, 3911 Village Center Dr. SE, Salem. BRIAN REGAN, 7:30 p.m., Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE, Salem. $49.50. elsinoretheatre.com.
AND DEBATE,” 7:30 p.m., Rice Auditorium, Western Oregon University, Monmouth. $14/$10. 503838-8462.
KEIZER 48TH ANNUAL LASAGNA LUNCH, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE, Salem. $30. Als-k.org.
8 — OREGON SYMPHONY: DVORAK’S EIGHTH SYMPHONY, 7:30 p.m., Smith Auditorium, 900 State St., Salem. Orsymphonysalem. org.
14 — SINGLES DINE OUT CLUB, 6 p.m., Silverton. 503-873-3093.
CONVERSATION PROJECT: WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?, 7 p.m., Dallas Public Library. Free. ROBERT CRAY BAND, 8 p.m., Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE, Salem. $38+. Elsinoretheatre.com
THE EVERLY BROTHERS EXPERIENCE FEATURING THE ZMED BROTHERS, 7:30 p.m., Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE, Salem. $25+. Elsinoretheatre.com. 16 — FRUIT TREE PRUNING BASICS, 1 to 3 p.m., Marion Garden, Salem.
9 — WINTER CLEANING PARTY, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tillamook Forest Center. For ages 12 and older. 503-815-6803. WILLAMETTE VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, “NatGeo DNA and Prehistoric Migrations,” noon to 1 p.m., Anderson Room A, Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE, Salem. 503-363-0880. SONS OF NORWAY THOR LODGE 2-042 VALENTINE POTLUCK HONORING PAST LODGE PRESIDENTS, 3 p.m., Masonic Temple, 1625 Brush College Road NW, Salem. 503-302-7973. PRUNING BASICS: FRUIT TREES AND BLUEBERRIES, 1 to 3 p.m., Taylor Farm, 10985 Bean Alley SE, Aumsville. 10 — PAINT ‘N’ PARTYSWEETHEART GLASSES, 2 to 4 p.m., Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. $35. 503-873-3093. 11 — LIFELINE SCREENINGS, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. 866-229-0469.
SALEM READS: WHAT MAKES LIFE MEANINGFUL?, 7 p.m., Anderson Rooms A/B, Salem Public Library.
13 — LYONS GARDEN CLUB, “Seeds and plants for our area,” 1 p.m., Lyons Fire Department Conference Room. 503-508-5913.
7 — (THROUGH FEB. 9) “SPEECH
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SALEM-
18 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019
16
SATURDAY
“LUCINDA PARKER ON SCREEN” 2 p.m., Paulus Lecture Hall, Willamette University College of Law, Salem. Part of a Lucinda Parker exhibit at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art. 19 — OREGON’S 160TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE, Salem. Oregoncapitol.com. 20 — CONVERSATION PROJECT: THE MEANING OF CLIMATE CHANGE, 7 p.m., Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE. 20TH ANNUAL CLAY BALL: POP OF COLOR!, 5:30 to 10 p.m., Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial
St. SE. $85. Salemart.org. 21 — (THROUGH MARCH 2) “SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS,” 7:30 p.m., Pelton Theater, 900 State St., Salem. $12/$10. Willamette.edu.
Looking for an affordable activity with the GRAND-KIDS?
22 — 62ND ANNUAL COMMUNITY AWARDS BANQUET, 6 p.m., Colonel Nesmith Readiness Center, 730 Oak Villa Road, Dallas. $50. Dallasoregon.org. 23 — PRUNING ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS, 9 a.m., Marion County Health Services, 3180 Center St. NE, Salem. 24 — PANCAKE BREAKFAST, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. $5. 26 — MARION COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, 7 p.m., Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. 27 — FILM SERIES: “ALL ABOUT EVE,” 2 and 7 p.m., Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE, Salem.
Travel to Italy September 28 - October 10, 2019
Visit Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Pompeii, Experience a scenic boat ride to the Isle of Capri! You’re invited to a special travel presentation Tuesday, February 26 at 6:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 3737 Liberty Rd S.
✩ All regular movies only $4 ✩ Kids Meals $6.25
✩ Full Menu including: Salads ✩ Wraps ✩ Burritos ✩ Beer ✩ Wine www.northernlightstheatrepub.com
Tour by Collette Travel
Follow us on
3893 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR
APPLY NOW! Get your name on our waiting list today
St. Vincent de Paul
HUD Marion County Senior & Disabled Housing
Four Oaks LP
For more information contact Barbara Wolfe
(Includes drink and candy)
Salem: 24 Units Studio & One Bedroom
Wallerwood LP Salem: 22 Units One & Two Bedroom
503-508-5508
Apartments are for Seniors 62 and over and Disabled Individuals. Income limits apply. Rents are based on 30% of your adjusted income. Some utilities included. Pets allowed with a deposit.
Sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church Travelers. All are Welcome!
Contact the Waitlist Department at 541-743-7164
barbarawolfe6O@gmail.com
Seniors Save 10% Every Tuesday!
Grow • Enjoy • Live MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS 19
NORTHWEST LIVING | SHOP LOCAL
Safer driving and you may be eligible for an insurance discount!
AARP Smart Driver courses in a classroom near you. HANDYMAN SERVICES $15 members • $20 non-members
1-877-846-3299 aarp.org/driveOR
• All types of repairs • Property clean up • Fence & Deck work Call Alex
503-400-2508 Licensed • Bonded • Insured • CCB# 192119
Jenny Johnson Sue Scully Licensed Oregon Real Estate Broker
Client and peer chosen award winning
Thinking of downsizing?
5-Star Realtor
Call me to experience this great service too!
Licensed Real Estate Broker in Oregon
Give me a call.
503-860-6480 503-580-9543 5StarJenny@gmail.com
SueScully@CBOregon.com 235 Union Street NE Salem, OR 97301
RN On Call Professional Nursing Care
Do You Have Questions About Do You Have Questions Medicare?
Call Today
541-602-1065
Roof Cleaning & Moss Removal Call for Estimates
503-446-0918 CCB# 212238
www.Anytimeroofingllc.com
Live Your Best Life Possible!
ComForCare
HOME CARE
• Dementia care • Bathing • Medication administration • Housekeeping • Meal prep • Now Hiring Caregivers
503-400-6637 Blinds4You
Direct
About Medicare? I can help you
get answers • Blinds Hope Crump and find the • Shutters Licensed Independent Agent best plan to • Drapes 503-551-5475 fit your health care needs. hopecrumpagent@gmail.com
Nadine Grzeskowiak • Health & Medication Management RN BSN CEN • Advocacy, Support & Compassion • Over 26 years of nursing experience • One-time family consultations • Long-term private nurse management
Shingle, Composition & Metal Roofing
www.ComForCare.com/Oregon/Salem
in Your Home since 2007
TM
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Hope Crump
FREE ESTIMATES Repair Services Available
I can help you get answers and find the Licensed Independent Agent best plan to fit your health care needs.
Nadine@RNonCall.com
20 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019
503-551-5475 hopecrumpagent@gmail.com
Call Today & Save
971-719-7119 www.Blinds4YouDirect.com
Jack’s Hair Designs When experience and talent really make a di�ference!
NW Financial Insurance
Donna R. Green
503-581-9982 Cold weather tune up reg. $129 With your SENIOR DISCOUNT only $99
New Clients mention this ad and receive 25%off a haircut.
Jack Simmons Stylist/Previous Salon Owner.
No Risk Guarantee 24 Hour emergency Service Call Today!
CCB# 123023
310 NW 7th St., Corvallis
Come Share the Adventure with us! Be pampered!
Not just Tires.... servicing all your Automotive Needs! 1820 12th Street SE Salem, Oregon
503-581-2203
Call about our Senior Specials
FREE Estimates
503-588-9230 → 866-588-9230 P.O. Box 3936, Salem, OR 97302
www.QuestTreks.com
Let us Tip your yard into Top shape! Hedge trimming Debris removal Yard maintenance General clean-up Bark and rock placement Much more!
→ Day Tours → Extended Journeys → Wedding Transportation → Celebration of Life → ANY other Celebrations! For Reservations or Information:
541-286-6443 donna@nw-financial.com
Tune up includes identifying existing or potential problems that can cause an unexpected breakdown For in Salon Appointment call 503-507-4587 today.
Licensed Insurance Agent
tip-topyard.com
503-930-9922 seanbennet622@gmail.com
Health Insurance Medicare Questions? 24/7 Service, Deliveries for food and Prescriptions!
10% off for Seniors 55+
503-362-2411
Michael Bredimus 780 Commercial SE Suite 201 Salem, OR 97301
CALL TODAY for a FREE policy review! Serving Marion, Polk & Lincoln Counties
503-540-0042 MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS 21
Classifieds UNITS FOR RENT HUD SUBSIDIZED UNITS for senior citizens 62 or older, disabled and/or handicapped is currently accepting applications for our one bedroom waiting list. We are committed to providing equal housing opportunities. All utilities paid. Briarwood Manor, 643 Manbrin, Keizer, OR 97303, 541928-2545.
JOB WANTED NW SENIOR SERVICES CAREGIVER. Provider #820911. 15 years experience. Call Annie at 971-218-1955.
MISCELLANEOUS NEED A WILL? CALL Sal Catalano, “The Lawyer That Makes House Calls,” for an appointment in your home. 541-525-2884. Powers of Attorney-Advance DirectivesTrusts. www.CatalanoLawPC.com.
FOR SALE KIMBALL PIANO & PLAYER PIANO. Good condition $500. Rolls included. Call Sunny 503-851-8628.
CEMETERY PLOTS BEAUTIFUL VIEW BURIAL LOT at Belcrest Cemetery. Asking $3000 or best offer. 503871-3380.
WANTED WANTED: MOTORHOME OR TRAILER for a family member displaced from their home. Must be 1995 or newer. I have CASH. If needs work, that’s ok. 503-269-2947. CASH FOR GOOD CONDITION reloading equipment & supplies. 541-905-5453. DIABETIC TEST STRIPS WANTED. Paying top dollar! Free local pickup. Call Sharon, 503-679-3605.
CLASSIFIED AD RATES PRIVATE PARTY
25
$
Up to 20 words. $1.75 per extra word.
COMMERCIAL, REAL ESTATE
50
$
Up to 20 words. $2.50 per extra word.
CEMETERY PLOTS
60
$
Up to 20 words. $2.50 per extra word.
FRIENDSHIP ADS
40
$
Up to 30 words.
HOW TO SUBMIT AN AD: Mail your verbiage with payment to: Northwest50Plus, P.O. Box 12008, Salem, OR 97309 or email to classifieds@Northwest50Plus.com or call 1-877-357-2430.
*Punctuation not included in word count. Phone numbers count as 1 word. Ad must be in our office by the 6th of the month PRIOR to publication. Ads cover Vancouver, WA to Lane County.
BASEBALL & SPORTS MEMORABILIA wanted. Buying old cards, pennants, autographs, photographs, tickets, programs, Pacific Coast League, etc. Alan, 503-481-0719. CASH FOR PRE 1980 sport & non-sport cards, model kits, comic books, pre 1960’s magazines. Private collector. 503-3137538.
55+ Community
Candalaria Plaza Apartments
• 1 bedroom/1 bath apartment $695/mo with 1 yr. lease CO R R ECT I O N
An article about the Owyhee Canyonlands in the January issue of Northwest50Plus indicated that Donald McKenzie explored the area for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Although he did work for Hudson’s Bay at one time, McKenzie was employed by Northwest Fur Trading Company at the time he explored the Owyhee. Additionally, the article misstated the population of Boise, which is approximately 224,000. We strive for accuracy in our all reporting and apologize for the errors.
Western Village Apartments • 1 Bedroom, 1 bath apartment $695 per mo/with 1 yr. lease • 2 Bedroom, 1 bath apartment $795 per mo/with 1 yr. lease • On-site laundry • Off-street parking • Non-smoking within unit • 55+ community CALL NOW
503-585-6176
22 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019
• 2 bedroom/1 bath apartment $795/mo with 1 yr. lease • 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment $825/mo with 1 yr. lease Private patios • Pet friendly w/restrictions On-site laundry • Close to all shopping Water/sewer/garbage Paid
For preview call:
503-585-6176
Visions
“O SUNLIGHT! THE MOST PRECIOUS GOLD TO BE FOUND ON EARTH” ROMAN PAYNE Photographer Jake Egbert relates: I stopped on my way to work in the west Portland hills. I pulled up to a spot where I could overlook the city and sat in my car staring at the gray clouds and listening to the wind, feeling it shake the car. It took an hour for my fingers to thaw after I left, but it was well worth it for one of the premier sunrises I have ever witnessed.” See more at jakeegbertphotography.com. MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS 23
ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT
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Eye Doctor Helps Portland Legally Blind to See
High Technology For Low Vision Patients Allows Many To Drive Again
F
or many patients with macular degeneration and other vision related conditions, the loss of central visual detail also signals the end to one of the last bastion of independence: driving. A Kirkland optometrist, Dr. Ross Cusic, is using miniaturized telescopes that are mounted in glasses to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration and other eye conditions. “Some of my patients consider me the last stop for people who have vision loss,” said Dr. Cusic, one of only a few doctors in the world who specialize in fitting bioptic telescopes to help those who have lost vision due to macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other debilitating eye diseases. Imagine a pair of glasses that can improve your vision enough to change your life. If you’re a low vision patient, you’ve probably not only imagined them, but have been searching for them. Bioptic telescopes may be the breakthrough in optical technology that will give you the independence you’ve been looking for. Patients with vision in the 20/200 range can many times be improved to 20/50 or better. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in people over 50. Despite this, most adults are not familiar with the condition. As many as 25% of those over the age of 50 have some degree of macular degeneration. The macula is
only one small part of the retina; however, it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp central vision. When it degenerates, macular degeneration leaves a blind spot right in the center of vision, making it difficult or impossible to recognize faces, read a book, or pass the driver’s vision test. Nine out of 10 people who have macular degeneration have the dry form. New research suggests vitamins can help. The British medical journal BMC Ophthalmology recently reported that
was prescribed bioptic telescopic glasses to read signs and see traffic lights farther away. Dr. Cusic also prescribed microsope glasses for reading newspapers and menus in restaurants. As the patient puts it, “My regular glasses didn’t help too much – it was like looking through a fog. These new telescopic glasses not only allow me to read signs from a farther distance, but make driving much easier. I’ve also used them to watch television so I don’t have to sit so close. I don’t know why I waited to do this; I should have come sooner.” “Bioptic telescopes can cost over $2,000,” said Dr. Cusic, “especially if we build them with an automatic sunglass.” “The major benefit of the bioptic telescope is seeing faces better and possibly regaining driving privileges as they are legal for passing the driving test for Oregon and Washington.”
A scene as it might be viewed by a person with age-related macular degeneration.
To learn more about bioptic telescopes or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cusic, give us a call at 1-877-823-2020. You can also visit our website at:
56% of patients treated with a high-dose combination of vitamins experienced improved vision after six months. TOZAL Comprehensive Eye Health Formula is now available by prescription from eye doctors. While age is the most significant risk factor for developing the disease, heredity, smoking, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure have also been identified as risk factors. Macular degeneration accounts for 90% of new legal blindness in the U.S. While there is currently no cure, promising research is being done on many fronts. “My job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning, especially driving,” says Dr. Cusic. A patient came to see Dr. Cusic; she wanted to keep her driver’s license and
24 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS MARION-POLK | FEBRUARY 2019
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www.seattlelowvision.com For more information and a FREE telephone consultation, call us today: Offices in Vancouver, WA & Kirkland, WA Ross Cusic, O.D. Low Vision Optometrist, IALVS Member