b magazine Winter 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

Orthopedics & Pain

RECIPE: Holiday Wassail Reaching baby boomers 1946 – 1964

Please, Join Us! Third Annual

Premiere

Lancaster County

omen’s Expo

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Hershey Lodge 325 University Dr. Hershey

May 17, 2014 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Spooky Nook Sports 2913 Spooky Nook Rd. Manheim

The premiere Dauphin County women’s expo and the third annual Lancaster County women’s expo will be held in spring 2014. These fun-filled and information-packed events bring together a community of women to connect, chat, relax, and rejuvenate, and feature a wide variety of exhibitors.

Beauty Home Health Shopping Fashion Finance Technology Nutrition

aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com FREE Online Guest Registration! ($5 at the door)

717.285.1350

PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson EDITORIAL V.P. & Managing Editor Christianne Rupp Editor Megan Joyce CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph Anderson Leslie Feldman Lynda Hudzick Kelly James-Enger John Johnston Stephanie Kalina-Metzger Civia Katz Stephen Kopfinger Rod Labbe Dr. Ellen Marmur Dr. William T. Monacci Lori M. Myers Gina Napoli Lisa M. Petsche Maria V. Snyder Christine Techky ART DEPARTMENT Production Coordinator Janys Cuffe Production Artist Renee McWilliams Production Assistant Jessica Johns Web Development Kahla Livelsberger

Five-time recipient Mercedes-Benz BEST OF THE BEST Dealer Recognition Award 2008/2009/2010/2011/2012 Courtesy pickup and delivery & car wash for service customers.

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mercedes.sunmotorcars.com 2

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SALES Account Executives Karla Back Angie McComsey Jacoby Valerie Kissinger Doug Kline Susan Krieger Ranee Shaub Miller Lori Peck Sue Rugh ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Elizabeth Duvall Project Coordinator Loren Gochnauer Sales & Event Coordinator Eileen Culp Copyright © 2013 On-Line Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. b magazine is published quarterly. Single copy price $2.95.

Four-issue subscriptions are $6.00. Reproduction or use without permission of editorial or graphic content in any manner is strictly prohibited. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The Publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising.

On-Line Publishers, Inc. b magazine 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 717.285.1350 • fax 717.285.1360 www.bmagazinepa.com

photograph by Revelation Photography, Carlisle

We have two classic-performer interviews in this issue of b magazine. It’s fun catching up with some of our favorite entertainers from the ’60s and ’70s and finding out what they’re up to these days. People often ask me if we actually interview for our lead stories. I am happy to say yes, we do!

Jay and the Americans originally formed back in the ’60s.

Their lead singer has changed over the years. In fact, they aren’t shy about calling it as it is – Jay No. 1, Jay No. 2, and Jay No. 3. Jay No.1 was John Traynor, whose nickname was Jay; Jay No. 2 was David Blatt; and fortunately, the current Jay No. 3 is Jay Reincke, who fits right in with a great voice and the perfect first name.

I’m sure you know who Kirk Hammett is, right? Get to know “the other side” of him. You’ll be amazed to learn that he is not only a member of the popular band Metallica, but he’s also written a book. And the focus of the book will astound you! It’s a strange side of him that you’ll find surprising.

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh, what a relief it is. Many baby boomers have tummy troubles, and the season that can exacerbate those problems is quickly approaching. Find out what you can do to reduce acid buildup. It could be as simple as a little change to your diet.

Do you have a special holiday tradition? Most of us do.

One of our writers shares the story of her British family’s tradition that has taken off in the U.S. Another baby boomer tells us how she and her husband started the tradition of collecting Christmas ornaments. It is something she and her family have enjoyed for many years, and they are delighted to see their children begin the tradition with their children.

Caregiving is a part of many boomers’ lives. It is vital that we include constructive and worthwhile information to help them make important decisions. Caregiving is not the focus of

this publication ... but it is an essential component because caregiving is an integral part of so many of our lives.

It is only fitting that we recognize veterans in this issue of b magazine. Veterans Day is Nov. 11 and we thank all of our veteran readers for their service. Read the story of this issue’s veteran and thank a vet.

Vice president and managing editor

bmagazinepa

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www.bmagazinepa.com winter 2013 volume 6, issue 4

features 10

MONSTER MEMORIES FROM METALLICA’S MONSTER KID Since 1983, you’ve known Kirk Hammett as the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica. But did you know that he’s a huge collector of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy memorabilia? And you’d be even more amazed to learn that he’s written a book called Too Much Horror Business.

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FINANCES, ESTATE PLANNING, AND SECOND MARRIAGES Second marriages are a reality for many baby boomers. After the “Yes, I will marry you,” and before the “I do,” give thought to your financial future as a couple. Learn practical tips so that all preexisting assets or debts are taken into consideration before the final union.

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SPECIAL FEATURE 26 ORTHOPEDICS AND PAIN Boomers are becoming aware of more aches and pains as we try to remain active, stay healthy, and stave off feeling old.

Learn about some common boomer conditions and what you can do about them.

anniversary 68

JONESTOWN A promised heaven but a living hell.

beverage 55

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TO YOUR HEALTH Enjoy holiday wassail.

cover story 6 JAY AND THE AMERICANS

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Jay and the Americans may be coming to a stage near you! Most of the band members go back to the “good ol’ days,” with the exception of the lead singer, Jay No. 3, Jay Reincke. “Only in America,” “Come a Little Bit Closer,” and “Cara Mia” were a few of their big hits.

The group not only performs your favorites, but is also working on new material to thrill their audiences.

caregiving 58

SERVING SENIORS LIVING AT HOME Seniors living and thriving at home.

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MOM AND DAD, CAN WE TALK? Tough questions boomers need to ask our parents.

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MAKE SURE AN EMPTY HOME IS SECURE When your loved is away from home.

financial 52

HOW WORKING AFFECTS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY Weigh the facts carefully.

general 72

GOOD VIBRATIONS Meet a fellow boomer.

health 14

GET RID OF YOUR GLASSES FOR GOOD Maybe it’s time for LASIK.

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GOUT

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“The disease of kings.”

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DON’T PUT UP WITH A PAIN IN THE BACK The second most common reason for doctor visits.

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TUMMY TROUBLES Too common with the baby boomer generation.

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THE SUNSPOT BOOM Preventing skin cancer year round.

home 18

UPDATING YOUR SEATING AND BEDDING Comfortable options for the boomer in you.

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ENERGIZING YOUR HOME Reducing your home-energy costs.

nostalgia 56

GOING CRACKERS FOR CHRISTMAS

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A baby boomer remembers a family tradition.

people 42

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT SANTA A local collector shares the story of her treasures.

travel 36

THINK SNOW, THINK VERMONT A snow-lover’s destination.

veteran 46

KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN …

The not-so-luxury cruise.

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sandy deanne – only in america WRITTEN BY Lori M. Myers

LISTENING BY PHONE TO SANDY DEANNE, FOUNDING MEMBER OF Jay and the Americans, is like getting a rock ’n’ roll education from a master. He loves to reminisce, and the stories he tells me are like a who’s-who and a what’s-what of American music in the ’60s.

He names people, places, and things that became the heart and soul of a generation. And this New York native remembers all the details because he was there.

“There were hundreds of groups snapping their fingers and singing songs on the streets of Brooklyn when we were kids,” Deanne says. “We would go to school, play ball, and sing.”

There were television influences for these kids, too, and imitations of their idols—such as Dion and The Belmonts, The Del Vikings, and Frankie Lymon— which fueled the idea that perhaps a musical career might not be out of the question.

Deanne’s interest in music began when he was only 5 years old when he’d watch his sister taking singing lessons and sing harmony with her. In his childhood Brooklyn home, the music of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and The Four Freshmen drifted from room to room.

He put his first singing group

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Above: The first Jay and the Americans promotional picture, 1966.

Above: Jay and the Americans practicing in the basement.

Right: The Jay and the Americans appearing on the Red Skelton Show, 1966.

together while in high school. Called The Harborlites, they recorded several records that played locally on the radio.

After many long rehearsals, The Harborlites felt they were ready to make the big time. They took a train from Brooklyn to Manhattan to audition for well-known producers/songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller inside the famous Brill Building, where songwriting teams like

Goffin and King, Greenfield and Sedaka, and Mann and Weil wrote the songs of the day focusing on teenage experiences and angst.

Deanne remembers Brill Building’s big golden doors and elevators and sightings of Carole King, The Drifters, The Coasters, Burt Bacharach, and other idols. They saw gold records for “Hound Dog” and “Runaround Sue” on the walls.

“We’d sneak into the building and

cover story ) ) ) jay and the americans

Above: “Livin’ Above Your Head” album cover, 1966.

Above: Jay and the Americans sporting their American flag shirts.

Left: Jay and the Americans on the beach.

barge into Leiber and Stoller’s waiting room,” Deanne says. “I was so in awe of the work they had already accomplished. Howie (Kane) flirted with Bonnie, the girl at the desk.”

These young guys would try anything to get a break.

The group finally got their audition and were viewed by Leiber and Stoller as a “novelty” because of the group’s doo-wop harmonies and John Traynor’s pop-flavored lead vocals. The producers wanted to rename the group Binky Jones and the Americans, but that didn’t sit well with Deanne and company. The compromise became using Traynor’s nickname, Jay. Thus, The Harborlites evolved into Jay and the Americans with members Deanne, Traynor, Kenny Vance, and

Howie Kane, who was Deanne’s childhood friend.

“The guy who signed The Harborlites passed on the guy who auditioned right before us,” Deanne says. “That guy went across the street to Columbia Records and got signed that day. His name was Johnny Mathis.”

Jay and the Americans’ first recording was the song “Tonight” from West Side Story, but two other acts also had recorded it with most of the promotion money going to them. Jay and the Americans’ second record was “Dawning,” and on the flip side was the song “She Cried.”

It was “Dawning” that was supposed to be the hit, but the record was out for six months with little

happening to it. But then luck struck.

A disc jockey had flipped the record over and played “She Cried” over and over again for six hours. The phones at the station lit up, and the record became a hit.

Deanne’s father, however, didn’t feel there was stability in the music business and wanted his son to make a real living, to study and become a veterinarian.

“When I was 9 years old, I had said, ‘There are more good animals than people,’” Deanne recalls. “In school, I didn’t open a book and got good grades.” So Deanne enrolled in college, much to his father’s satisfaction.

By the time Deanne began attending Hofstra University, “She Cried” was

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Above: Jay and the Americans at Coney Island, 2013.

Pictured are, from left: Sandy Deanne, Jay Reincke (Jay #3), Marty Sanders, and Howie Kane.

climbing the charts. Deanne recalls being in the college cafeteria as the song sounded from the speakers.

“I got up from the table, dumped my textbooks into the trash, and walked out,” he says. “Once my parents saw us on The Mike Douglas Show and The Tonight Show, they were OK with that.

As my father said, ‘It’s better to be lucky than smart.’”

The success of “She Cried” changed everything for Jay and the Americans.

They performed, they traveled, the group was known, but their next three singles were failures and the first “Jay” left the group.

He was replaced by David Blatt—

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cover story

Leiber and Stoller thought the record would be good social commentary, but Atlantic disagreed.

And that’s how Jay and the Americans ended up with the song that would further their popularity.

Jay and the Americans disbanded in 1974, but most of the members continued to perform or be involved in the business. Deanne went on to direct Beatlemania on Broadway and in Los Angeles while Kane became a social worker and headed a drug and alcohol program.

Enter the third “Jay”—Jay Reincke,

whose real first name is actually Jay, a coincidence that Deanne says is “a happy accident.”

Today, the group performs as Jay and the Americans and is made up of Deanne, Reincke, Kane, and Marty Sanders. They sing all of their beloved hits and have delighted audiences from New York to Arizona, from Nevada to New Jersey, with their great harmonies and melodies.

“All three Jays and all four Americans are alive and healthy and still performing,” Deanne says. “We’re very blessed.” ) ) )

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now the second “Jay.” They came out with the hits “Cara Mia” and “Only in America”—a song originally given to The Drifters to record because they were given all the choice material.

But luck came to Jay and the Americans once again. Atlantic Records would not release The Drifters’ version of “Only in America.” The first reason was that they felt it was outrageous for a black group to be singing about becoming president and, second, because a bomb had blown up a church in Selma, Ala., and three little girls had been killed.

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The beginning of a collection, circa 1987.

monster memories from metallica’s monster kid – kirk hammett WRITTEN BY Rod Labbe

IMAGINE THIS SCENARIO: AUGUST 1987. I’M RUNNING A COMIC BOOK store in little, old Waterville, Maine. The phone rings, and I answer, reciting my usual: “Good afternoon. This is The Comic Vault. May I help you?”

“Hey, man,” says the laidback voice. “Where’s Maine? Anywhere near Rhode Island? My band just finished up a tour, and we played Rhode Island.”

“Well, if you’re looking at a map, then yeah, Maine’s near Rhode Island.

We’re actually at the tip of the northeast. What’s the name of your band?

“Metallica. Ever hear of us?”

“Heh-heh, Metallica. OK, this is a joke, right?”

Nope, no joke. The caller turned out to be Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist for rock’s groundbreaking heavy metal group, Metallica. He’d seen an advertisement I’d placed in The Comic Buyer’s Guide (a weekly newspaper then circulated to comic shops and subscribers everywhere) and was intrigued.

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“Nice vintage Aurora models you’re selling,” he remarked. “Wanna negotiate?”

“For what?”

“How about a trade? I’ve got some cool comics you might like.”

We did indeed negotiate, and our shared interest in baby boomer collectibles kept the connection going.

Now, almost three decades after that initial phone conversation, he and I are discussing Too Much Horror Business, Hammett’s deluxe “coffee table” book (224 profusely illustrated pages, cowritten with Steffan Chirazi) devoted to an astonishing assemblage of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy memorabilia.

There’s everything here, from movie posters, toys, and Aurora model kits, to film costumes, masks, comic books, original art, and beyond, all with a

baby boomer bent and each presented in breathtaking color.

Appreciating Too Much Horror Business is easy when you’ve lived a childhood made magical by the likes of Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Adam West, and Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine. Just ask Hammett!

“The book chronicles my journey as a collector and a baby boomer,” he told me. “Anyone who grew up during that wonderful time will relate. Really, it’s about keeping the kid within happy and young.”

What gave you the idea for Too Much Horror Business (TMHB)?

KH: Well, one day I was walking through my immense collection, and it is rather immense (laughs), and suddenly, I realized: I’m on the brink of

TMHB not only showcases a pop culture collection anyone would give their fangs for, but each glorious pagee also allows us an intimate peek at the man himself.

KH: Cool, you got that! One of my intentions in putting a book together was to reveal the side of me most people are unaware of: my big-monster kid side. I’d been threatening to do this for 10 years, and no one believed me.

Now, I can prove the naysayers wrong!

Why the interest in baby boomer collectiibles?

KH: I’m 50 and right on the fringes of the baby boom. At age 5, I became aware of my surroundings and the cultural explosion around me. Ah, the late ’60s and early ’70s, we had all those TV horror hosts and programs, like Creature Feature and Shock Theater, and the whole Aurora monster model craze was in full swing. So many wonders to explore!

And there was plenty to fuel our twisted imaginations: Planet of the Apes, Dark Shadows, Vincent Price, Ray Harryhausen …

KH: The Planet of the Apes movies and monster creator Harryhausen?

Fantastic! I was lucky to catch the tail end of everything. It slacked off in the late ’70s. Baby boomers were busy shaking their booties at discos and putting quarters into video game

machines. I’d also moved on; I started playing guitar at 15, and music was my primary focus. But once I had some disposable income, I jumped right back into the fray!

Must’ve been a heady time for you, affording to buy what you could only dream about before.

KH:: Totally. I can still remember looking at the ads in Famous Monsters for Don Post monster masks.

When you’re 6 and seeing those masks, it’s an out-of-body experience. Each one cost $36.95, but it might have well been $500!

What other baubles dazzled your youthful eye?

KH: Comic books! I loved EC comics and pre-code horror, but those were way out of my price league. I lived in San Francisco, and when I was 6, I found a comic book shop and practically made it my second home.

Every day, I’d be there reading comics and monster mags, whatever I could lay my hands on.

Was there an active collectors’ network, backk in the day?

KH: Oh, yeah (laughs)! No eBay or Internet, so I networked like crazy. I’d track down a dealer and ask, ‘What do you have? Can you get this, can you get that?’ He’d say, ‘Yeah, I know a guy who knows a guy.’ He’d either give you a phone number or act as middleman.

After a while, I’d attend comic book

) ) ) monster memories

Photo by Mishka Gaikin

feature

accomplishing my collecting goals! This might be a good opportunity to share what I’ve amassed with the world.

Hence, Too Much Horror Business !

London’s Earl’s Court, December 2003.

Left to right: Robert Trujillo, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, and James Hetfield

conventions, which aren’t at all like the ones now. Exclusively male, and everyone was armed with pocket protectors and calculators. Nerd central (laughs)! And then there were those rare instances where you’d walk into a secondhand or antique store and stumble across a priceless collectible in some dusty corner.

You mentioned Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine ( FM ). The monster kid bible!

KH: Absolutely. My mom would give me a quarter a day—10 cents for donuts, and the other 15 would go for a carton of milk. They’d sell milk and donuts in the morning at school. After about a week or so, I discovered FM. My first issue was No. 58 (1969), the Karloff mummy cover. What I’d do is save up my quarters, and then, in four days, I had a whole dollar to spend.

You display these treasures, correct? In the optimum fashion?

KH: I try. My available wall space is limited, which means circulating, putting up stuff while taking other

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things down, and storing them. It’s also important to use archival materials, like special acid-free backing and mats, and glass that won’t produce glare.

Moisture’s a real problem here in San Francisco. I temperature-control my place at a steady 65-68 dry degrees. The most fragile are props and masks made out of latex; they degrade and turn into powder over time. Some are in hermetically sealed cases.

When you stand back and look at everything, are you instantly transported to your childhood?

KH:: I undergo a whole range of

emotions, including reliving good kid times. I’m also struck by the monster characters, their pathos, how they look and acted. Iconic imagery. Hey, ask me about my posters!

OK, tell us about your posters!

KH: To me, the beauty of horror movie posters from the ’20s and ’30s is their approach: Artists put as much effort into them as they did romance or cowboy films. I’ve one from Frankenstein that proclaims, ‘The monster is loose!’ and it looks almost like an Andy Warhol print. There’s a particular Mummy poster that’s also fascinating—made up of these gorgeous colors and washes.

The earlier pieces remind me of art deco. So ’30s!

KH: They’re slices of postmodern history. Honestly, Rod, to me, the true magic of all these collectibles is how they make me feel.

Define Too Much Horror Business for us. What does the book mean to you, down deep?

KH: On the surface and down deep, it captures the charming, horrific things that color my life. No intellectual or philosophical statement intended ... instead, I want to emphasize the intense satisfaction of collecting as a hobby or lifelong pursuit. It’s thrilling!

Check out Hammett’s website at www.kirk-hammett.com. You can even order your own copy of Too Much Horror Business ! ) ) )

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health

get rid of your glasses for good Enger WRITTEN BY Kelly James-E

TIRED OF WEARING INCONVENIENT GLASSES OR DEALING WITH THE HASSLE OF contact lenses? Maybe it’s time for LASIK. A reasonable investment and a few hours of time can pay off with better eyesight sans specs or contacts.

LASIK: What is it?

LASIK (which stands for laserassisted in situ keratomileusis) is the most popular type of refractive surgery.

“There are two lenses in the eye, just like there are two lenses in a camera; there’s an outer fixedfocus lens and then there’s a zoom lens,” says Kerry Assil, medical director and CEO of The Assil Sinskey Eye Institute in Santa Monica, Calif. “LASIK takes the fixed-focus lens on the outside of the eye and reshapes it … so the focus of the camera is basically made perfect.”

Imagine your lens as having hundreds of layers, like a 500page textbook.

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“We lift up about 100 of those pages, in the form of what’s called a flap … and we peel them back,” says Assil. “The surface of the remaining 400 deeper layers gets reshaped with a laser, and the initial layers get placed back into position.”

After a few minutes, your cornea naturally seals the top “flap” back into position. Within a couple of hours, you’re able to drive—without your glasses or contacts.

What to expect While the surgery itself has been around for more than 50 years, now that lasers are involved, it’s safer and more effective than ever before. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect: 1. You’ll have an initial eye exam.

When you call to make the appointment, ask whether you

health ) ) ) glasses

should stop wearing contact lenses for a period before the exam, as the lenses can change the shape of your corneas.

2. During or after the exam, the doctor should explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives of LASIK and what your experience will be like. He or she will also tell you what to do before and after the surgery.

3. Have a friend drive you to the surgery appointment. If you’re given a drug to help you relax, you won’t be able to drive afterward.

(Besides, it’s nice to have someone with you if you’re a little nervous.)

During the surgery, you’ll lie on your back; your eye will be numbed, and an instrument will hold your eyelids open; then, the doctor will perform the surgery. You may feel some discomfort and pressure during the procedure, but it should take less than 30 minutes. Afterward, your doctor will place a shield over your eye to keep you from rubbing or poking it.

Your doctor will have you come back within a day or two to examine your eyes and may give you eye drops to help prevent infection. You should contact him if you have severe pain or your vision gets worse instead of better.

You’ll probably have another followup appointment or two. Let your doctor know about any problems. You will likely notice an improvement in your vision right away, but it can take

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Out of all the patients that we come across, about 75 percent do best with LASIK, and 25 percent do best with other treatments.

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three to six months after surgery for your vision to stabilize. In some cases, you may need to be retreated and have the surgery performed again.

Is it for you?

While most healthy people are good candidates for LASIK, there are medical conditions that may prevent you from having it. For example, if you have a condition called keratoconus, or severely misshapen corneas, LASIK is unlikely to solve your vision problems.

If you have cataracts, severe glaucoma, or severe diabetic eye disease, LASIK isn’t for you.

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Depending on your vision problems, your doctor may recommend a more involved surgery than LASIK. “Out of all the patients that we come across, about 75 percent do best with LASIK, and 25 percent do best with other treatments,” explains Assil.

For example, if you have misshapen or thin corneas, he’d recommend a procedure called Epilasik that involves working directly through the dead skin of the eye rather than creating a flap.

If your vision is really bad, your doctor may recommend corneal inserts.

In that case, rather than reshaping the outer eye lens, the doctor adds a third lens that neutralizes the out-of-balance

prescription of the eye.

Choosing a vision center So, how much will you spend? For vision correction at a reputable center, the price usually ranges from $2,000 to $5,500 per eye, depending on what procedure is done, says Assil.

Don’t be taken in by vision centers that make offers that sound too good to be true.

Before you choose a vision center, make sure you ask questions, including how many patients have been treated there; how many legal claims or lawsuits have been brought against the doctor or center; what the complication rate is;

Look into Your Options Concerning Cataract Surgery

Call for an appointment today:

800.731.EYES

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and what the retreatment rate (when a second procedure is necessary) is or the number of times a patient has the procedure again because it didn’t work the first time.

You can also check with your state’s medical board to see if there have been complaints filed against the doctor. And look for a doctor who has had a yearlong fellowship specializing in corneal surgery to ensure that he or she is experienced.

The bottom line? Don’t just consider the cost, but also the experience and reputation of the doctor who treats you.

After all, you want the best for your baby blues—or browns, greens, or hazels. ) ) )

“Live your life and forget your age.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

home

Lancer chaise full reclining sectional, on display at La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery in Harrisburg, offers a power recline feature so individuals can adjust to their favorite position.

updating your seating and bedding— for comfort’s sake Metzger WRITTEN BY Stephanie Kalina-M

AGING ISN’T ALWAYS FUN. YOU MIGHT NOTICE THAT GETTING UP from a seated position isn’t as easy as it once was. Or maybe you’re having a hard time emerging from the recliner and kicking down the leg rest without what seems like a herculean effort.

Perhaps you’re waking up in the morning nursing some aches and pains.

If you are suffering from some of these issues, you might want to think about purchasing a new sofa, chair, or loveseat. While you’re at it, replacing that well-worn mattress might cure what ails you as well.

If you haven’t shopped around for a while, you might be pleasantly surprised at the selection available to the mature consumer. During the course of the past decade, businesses have expanded their

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offerings to cater to the “grown-up” demographic. It just makes good business sense as this segment of the population continues to grow.

Many baby boomers have had their furniture for 20 or more years and would like to replace that sometimes worn but definitely outdated furniture and bedding.

Choosing New Seating Options Gone are the days when recliners came in three colors or fewer. Donna

Wagner, manager of La-Z-Boy in Lancaster, said that the customer can now select from an array of designer choices.

“If they have a particular color or print in mind, we have hundreds of fabrics available to them that they can choose from our catalog,” she said.

And there’s no longer a need to wrestle with the leg rest. Many new power sofas and loveseats make it easy to recline without forcing the user to stretch down and struggle to

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recline with a push of a button on the supplied remote control.

“Lift chairs are quiet, easy to use, come with a long cord to plug into the wall, and are supplied with battery backup in case of a power outage,” she said.

Upgrading to a Better Night’s Sleep Gone are the days when people kept the same mattress for 15-20 years, and if yours is more than 10 years old, it may be the cause of your back problems.

The mattress industry used to recommend a change every eight to 10 years but recently reduced that from five to seven years. Dr. Bill Puglisi, author of Finally, the Truth about Health: The Five Keys to Health that Promote a Longer, Happier and Healthier Life, suggests that even the best mattresses will only support you properly for a period of seven to 10 years.

La-Z-Boy Greyson Reclina-Rocker® chaise recliner has an easy-to-use remote that raises and lowers the back and leg rest independently or together in any combination of relaxing positions.

Bill Ream, sales manager at Smith Village Home Furnishings in Jacobus, said, “As our body ages, it becomes more sensitive to pressure, so the comfort level of a mattress can vary for an individual as they age.”

According to WebMD, our calcium levels deplete as we grow older, so this could account for the increased sensitivity to pressure points.

Regardless of the speculation as to why a mattress no longer meets a person’s needs, it’s important to know when to replace it. According to Ream, if you wake up sore, or discover the mattress sagging or lumpy in spots, it’s time to begin shopping around.

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throw a lever.

“Often, there’s a button on the side within easy reach,” said Wagner.

In addition, many of the new and improved sofas and sectionals offer lumbar support, with options to recline the foot rest, the back rest, or both, with the mere push of a button from a remote control. Many come equipped with head tilts, which bring the head forward so users can watch television while in the reclining position, instead of staring up at the ceiling or craning their neck.

Lift chairs are also available in a variety of styles, sizes, and options and are a great choice for those who struggle with back problems, according to Wagner.

“The base stays on the ground and the chair lifts the person up very slowly as the back tilts, easing the individual out of their seat,” said Wagner, who added that many lift chairs also provide lumber support, head tilt, and even heat massage. Within seconds, the user can

Choosing the Perfect Mattress Below are a few of the mattresses now available on the market, along with some of their characteristics to help you choose what’s right for you.

Innerspring mattress. This type of mattress is comprised of steel coils and

From left to right: La-Z-Boy Liberty, Clayton, and Rialto Luxury-Lift® chaise power recliners. These not only let you kick back, but also help you up. Special features such as heat are offered.

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Dallas Smith, president of Smith Village Home Furnishings, is testing the comfort of the newest iComfort Directions mattress made by Serta.

The mattress is featured on the Motion Custom adjustable base for a personalized sleep experience.

layers of upholstery and is the one most people are familiar with, according to Ream. They range from very soft to extra firm.

stomach sleeper because it would tend to pull your spine more out of alignment, but for other individuals it’s a good choice,” said Ream.

Pillow-ttop mattress. An extra layer of cushioning is attached to the surface of this mattress. Ream suggests avoiding this type if you sleep on your stomach.

“I wouldn’t recommend if for a

Gel mattress. The gel mattress is one of the newer technologies and varies in density.

“Gel-infused memory foam decreases heat buildup and results in a cooler sleep,” said Ream.

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Memory foam mattress. “The memory foam mattress contours to the individual’s body, varies in density, and helps reduce pressure points and absorb movement,” said Ream.

Latex mattress. According to the Better Sleep Council, the latex mattress is made from natural or synthetic rubber; offers firm, bouncy, uniform support; is naturally resistant to bacteria, mildew,

home ) ) ) seating and bedding

The Serta Perfect Sleeper Super Pillow Top mattress set is one of a large selection of bedding sets available at Smith Village.

It is shown with the American Made bedroom collection by Vaughan Bassett.

mold, and dust mites; and is great for relieving back pain.

When making your selection, be aware that size matters, according to Ream.

“Going with the largest-size bedding that your room will accommodate is important. It’s easier to relax without disturbance from your partner. If your body senses pressure, your brain tells

you to move, and the larger mattresses give you more space to move,” he said.

One of the most important pieces of advice Ream offers is to get out to the brick-and-mortar store to test drive the mattresses.

“Visiting a showroom allows the individual to lie down and test the mattress so they can gauge it according to their needs. If the salesperson isn’t asking you questions to help you

determine what is right for you, then it might be time to visit another business,” said Ream.

So don’t take those aches and pains lying down—and be sure to choose wisely for a good night’s sleep. A mattress is one of those products that you will use for a long time, so be sure to splurge on a good one. After all, you’ve earned it. ) ) )

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WRITTEN BY Lori M. Myers

PENNY PINCHING SEEMS TO BE WHAT THE CURRENT ECONOMY demands of families across the country. Ways to save include anything from clothing clearance sales to hotel deals in Fiji.

But you don’t have to look any further than your own home when you want to place more bucks into your pocket. There are more and more ways that homeowners can reduce dollar amounts on heating and cooling energy bills.

First, know what’s between your walls. Insulation has always been the tried-and-true way to keep the cool air out and the heat in. Insulations that were used years ago are still available, but Elmer Beiler Jr., president and owner of Pencroft Insulation in Peach Bottom, says that fiberglass insulations

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are not as efficient as the spray foams and/or the blown-in cellulose products, due to the fact that they are not as dense a product.

“The current products we use are mainly the polyurethane spray foams as well as the blown-in cellulose insulation,” he says. “We also offer a cotton denim product, which is very comfortable to work with. The cotton product is made from old jeans and jackets.”

All products used by Beiler’s company are green-based and environmentally friendly; they are made

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from a bad duct system. Eighty-five to 90 percent of duct systems in homes today need to be balanced for the home to be comfortable.”

For the past 15 years, Groff says, the trend has been to have units operating at higher efficiencies and to take our dependence off of fossil fuels. Efficiency levels have increased during this time and the SEER (season energy efficiency ratio) has continued to increase, resulting in more energy savings.

Because most baby boomers have lived in their homes for many years, their heating and cooling systems may be wearing out and need to be replaced. Heat pumps and other energy equipment require a knowledgeable contractor who knows the whys and wherefores of proper installation.

There is a lot of good equipment to choose from, and you may decide to go with an altogether different type of system than you first thought of. The decision as to who installs it and which make of equipment to choose is a long-term decision as well as a family decision.

“It pays to take your time and trust who you get to install it,” Groff says. “Plus, not everybody can afford state-ofthe-art systems. People wanting to invest have to have that in mind.”

Energy-efficient lighting is another way to lower bills and the choices are numerous—from low-voltage lighting that illuminates small spaces to remote-control lighting that can go from simple to elaborate to high tech.

“The biggest advantage to low-voltage lighting is its versatility and ability to accent and light only what you want to light,” says Bob Hess, vice president of production for Lapp Electrical Service in Lancaster. “In the past with

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from recycled plastics, recycled newspapers and cardboards, and recycled jeans and cotton. The newer insulations have been around for 30-plus years, he says, and when installed, blower machines are used and, in some cases, products come in the form of batts or rolls that could be installed by hand.

Older homes tend to be more insulation challenged, incurring drafts and cold spots. So probably your first stop in your plan of attack is the attic—the most common area in the home where insulation is either inadequate or nonexistent.

“The under-insulated houses normally don’t have proper depths blown into the attics as well as no air sealant around windows, doors, and electrical wire holes,” Beiler says. “All these plus the plumbing between floors should have foam in them to stop air flow as well as rodents.”

In new homes, Beiler asserts that insulation should be done right the first time rather than years later when the walls would have to be opened up, old insulation taken out, and new insulation put in.

“They wish that they had done it right in the first place,” Beiler says. “For a few dollars more they could have had something better.”

Rick Groff, president of Neffsville Plumbing and Heating Service in Lancaster, a residential plumbing, heating, and cooling service contractor, says that good insulation is one of the major items to have in order to get the most out of energy-efficient heat pumps and other equipment. In other words, it’s not enough to just install a machine and expect to start saving on energy bills.

“Homeowners also have to consider the integrity of the structure and the thermal integrity of the duct system,” he says. “You could have upwards of 20 percent energy loss

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With the help of properly installed energy-efficient products, you’ll save a lot more than just pocket change.

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traditional lighting, you had to flood areas you were trying to light, either with a post light or flood fixture on the building.

With low-voltage lighting you can place lower-wattage lamps and much smaller fixtures along sidewalks, steps, shrubbery, porches, and dark areas without flooding the whole area with light.”

According to Hess, the result is less light pollution and more energy efficiency because you’re only lighting the areas needed. The lower voltage also makes the lighting safer and easier to install and gives an overall better appearance.

One type of lighting everybody is talking about is LED lighting that uses a fraction of the electricity a standard incandescent bulb uses and can produce the same amount of light. LED lights are generally much more expensive than the traditional incandescent lamps, but the savings are in the life expectancy and energy consumption.

“A typical incandescent lamp has a life expectancy of 1,000 to 2,000 hours,” Hess says. “When you talk to manufacturers of LED lamps, they are talking 25,000 to 50,000 hours. As far as energy consumption, a 6- to 8-watt LED can put off as much light as a 60-watt incandescent.”

Another way to reduce energy consumption is programmable thermostats. These give you the luxury of being able to turn up your air conditioning or turn down your heat when you’re away or sleeping.

“This translates into a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree on energy costs if the set-back time is eight hours,” Hess says.

You may not quit your penny-pinching ways, but with the help of properly installed energy-efficient products, you’ll save a lot more than just pocket change. ) ) )

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gout – ‘the disease of kings’ WRITTEN BY Gina Napoli

“GOUT CAUSES PAIN THAT IS SHARP, SHOOTING, BURNING, AND constant,” said George Kopp, Harrisburg resident, age 50. “I’ve had kidney stones.

I’ve had pinched nerves. Gout is worse than both of those combined. It feels like my ankle is caught in a vise grip.”

A chronic condition, gout is caused by excessive buildup of uric acid in the blood, called hyperuricemia. Either the body produces too much uric acid, or it cannot effectively process excess it.

When uric acid builds up in the blood to 6 mg/dL or more, it deposits itself in joints and crystallizes. The inflamed crystals cause intense pain and swelling. Affected joints are visibly swollen and can sometimes be discolored or disfigured.

Painful gout attacks usually occur without warning and mostly at night.

(Sometimes sufferers are warned by dark-yellow, smelly urine.)

Statistically, the most affected joints are big toes, ankles, and feet. Also commonly affected are knees, fingers, elbows, and wrists.

About 10 percent of sufferers have more than one joint chronically affected. Crystals can also settle on cartilage.

Although it is often referred to as “the disease of kings,” gout does not affect only wealthy men who eat rich

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foods. Gout most commonly affects men aged 40-50. In fact, it is the most common form of arthritis in men over 40. The women who suffer from gout usually contract it after menopause.

Related conditions include those in which blood flow is compromised, including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and kidney issues.

Obesity links to gout because larger amounts of body tissue lead to higher uric-acid production. A strong genetic link has also been identified.

Some medications also contribute to gout. These include salicylates (the active component of aspirin), vitamin B3 (niacin), excess vitamin C, diuretics, cyclosporine (prescribed to prevent rejection of transplanted organs), and levodopa (for Parkinson’s disease).

Kopp suffers from a triple whammy, with age, genetics, and diabetes working against him as contributing factors. In cases such as

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Some root causes for gout flare-ups are surgery, crash dieting (Atkins), joint injuries, infections, dehydration, eating highpurine foods, drinking alcohol, certain medications, or rapidly lowering your uric acid levels with medication.

themselves, but yeast in bread will aggravate symptoms.”

Speaking of yeast, when it comes to fluids, beer and alcohol have been identified on the must-avoid list.

Caffeine is on that list because it tends to dehydrate the body and irritate the urinary tract.

If you were to adopt a low-purine diet without making other lifestyle adjustments, it may lower your uric acid by only about 1 mg/dL. Two-thirds of the body’s uric acid is produced by the body; one-third is derived from food and drink.

Gout severely limits mobility and causes progressive damage. If not well managed, later in life, gout attacks can become more frequent, severe, and longer in duration. Long term, this can lead to the disintegration of other joints.

Some root causes for gout flare-ups are surgery, crash dieting (Atkins), joint injuries, infections, dehydration, eating high-purine foods, drinking alcohol, certain medications, or rapidly lowering your uric-acid levels with medication.

When there are no painful symptoms or inflammation in the joints between gout flare-ups, there is still excessive uric acid in the body that can deposit itself in both affected joints and in other joints. This is called “intercritical gout.” So even when you aren’t suffering from gout symptoms, you do still have gout as a chronic condition.

When it comes to managing gout, “I can’t eat or drink everything I used to,” Kopp said. “Being on my best behavior at all times is key. It’s a new way of life.” ) ) )

orthopedics & pain

his, it is critical to keep uric levels normal (less than 6 mg/dL) by implementing a comprehensive plan to attack gout during and between flareups and to adopt an overall healthy lifestyle.

An important part of any healthy lifestyle is proper hydration, with a minimum of 64 ounces of water per day. Exercise aids in flushing toxins from the body, although that can be difficult during flare-ups.

Over-the-counter and prescribed anti-inflammatory medications are available to manage pain. There is also prescription medication available to reduce excessive uric-acid production and to aid the kidneys in flushing uric acid. Tart cherry juice is a popular homeopathic supplement, as is bromelain, a compound of digestive enzymes and other compounds extracted from pineapple stems.

Foods high in purines raise uric-acid levels, so limiting or eliminating certain foods may help control symptoms.

Foods especially high in purines include red meats, seafood, dried legumes, spinach, cauliflower, mushrooms, and asparagus. Low-purine foods include low-fat dairy products, tomatoes, fruits, chocolate, and eggs.

There are certain foods, such as soda, olives, and whole grains, that fall on both the high- and low-purine list, depending on whose recommendations you follow.

“Mixed advice from different experts makes diet control confusing,” Kopp said. “Olives may be low in purines, but the salt will dehydrate. And maybe whole grains aren’t bad in

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WRITTEN BY William T. Monacci, M.D., F.A.C.S.

ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED HEALTH SURVEYS, LOW BACK pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. Half of all working Americans admit to having back pain, and it is one of the most common reasons for missed work.

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According to published health surveys, low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide.

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Additionally, back pain is the second most common reason for doctor visits.

Most cases of back pain are mechanical or nonorganic, meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture, or cancer.

Fifty billion dollars are spent on back pain for directed treatment each year in America alone. Experts estimate that as many as 80 percent of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives.

There are number of causes of back pain. The nature category consists of a musculoligamentous strain-type injury.

A lumbar strain is a stretch injury to the ligaments, tendons, and/or muscles of the low back. This results in microscopic tears of varying degrees in these “soft” tissues. Soft-tissue injury that has been present for a few days to several weeks is typically classified as “acute.”

Injury lasting longer than three months is referred to as “chronic.”

orthopedics & pain ) ) ) back pain

Lumbar strain most often occurs in people in their 40s and 50s but can occur at any age. The condition is characterized by localized discomfort in the lower back area with onset after an event that mechanically stressed the lumbar tissues.

Severity ranges from mild to severe, depending on the degree of strain and resulting spasm of the muscles in the low back. The diagnosis of lumbar strain is based on the history of injury, location of pain, and physical exam findings, such as tenderness and rangeof-motion loss.

Treatment of lumbar strain includes rest, anti-inflammatory medications, local heat applications, and massage.

When symptoms resolve, reconditioning exercises are employed to strengthen core muscles that support the lower back.

Long periods of inactivity are no longer recommended, as it may cause deconditioning and slow recovery.

Continued conditioning exercises, as well as good biomechanics during physical activity, help to prevent recurrent episodes.

Lumbar strain is one of the most common causes of low back pain.

Injury can occur due to overuse, improper use, or trauma. Risk of lumbar strain can be increased by being overweight, deconditioning, and/or poor posture.

Lumbar radiculopathy describes irritated nerves in the lumbar spine.

Pain is caused by pressure on the nerves by conditions such as a herniated disc, overgrown bone, or irritated muscle. Disc herniation occurs

when degradation of the outer disc allows the “shock absorber” portion of the disc to leak and compress the nerves.

This event causes the commonly recognized sciatica pain that shoots from the low back and buttock down the leg. Sciatica can be preceded by low-back aching, or it can follow a “popping” sensation accompanied by numbness and tingling. The pain commonly increases with movements at the waist and even coughing or sneezing. Disc herniation can be

detected with imaging studies such as an MRI. Treatment of lumbar radiculopathy ranges from medical management to surgery. Medical management includes patient education, medications, cortisone injections, and physical therapy.

With severe pain, marked impairment of function or neurologic deficit surgery may be necessary. The operation performed depends on the overall status of the spine and the age and health of the patient. Most

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William T. Monacci, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a neurosurgeon at Lancaster NeuroScience & Spine Associates.

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procedures are performed with a small incision and typically on an outpatient basis.

Recovery usually takes four to six weeks and is followed by physical therapy.

Low-back pain is common, and the majority of occurrences are self-limited and do not require specialized medical attention.

Prevention typically takes the form of aggressive strengthening and use of good biomechanics when performing activities that stress the lumbar spine, such as lifting or bending.

Efforts at improving overall health— including good nutrition, regular exercise, and refraining from smoking—are important in preventing this common malady. ) ) )

Bone and Joint

Surgery It’s too important to go anywhere else.

A bone or joint replacement can improve your life in many ways. Finding the right surgeon, one with skill and extensive experience, is an important part of successful orthopedic surgery.

At the PinnacleHealth Bone and Joint Institute, you’ll experience: t 5PQ QFSDFOU JO FYQFSJFODF TUBUFXJEF t 0OF PG POMZ UXP IPTQJUBMT JO 1FOOTZMWBOJB DFSUJÜFE JO TQJOF TVSHFSZ CZ 5IF +PJOU $PNNJTTJPO t " GSJFOEMZ DPNGPSUBCMF FOWJSPONFOU UP QSPNPUF healing and recovery with private rooms t 5IF NPTU PSUIPQFEJD TVSHFSJFT QFSGPSNFE JO UIF region It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, and

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health

Tanya M. McCausland, nutrition and culinary coach.

tummy troubles too common with the baby boomer generation

WRITTEN BY Leslie Feldman

STRESS, OVEREATING, TOO MUCH alcohol, poor food choices … these are all issues that affect digestive health no matter what our age. The baby boomer generation is getting older, and that’s wonderful. But, with longer lifespans, some problems are becoming all too common regarding gastrointestinal health and quality of life.

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Gastrointestinal issues include a variety of symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, indigestion, and heartburn. These can be symptoms of or lead to more serious conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

These conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent amongst the baby boomer generation. As we age, our digestive capacity begins to weaken, resulting in some of the symptoms mentioned above. However, this is not the only reason baby boomers are suffering. The foods we eat have the

ability to hurt or heal us, and unfortunately, the quality of our diets is causing us to suffer unnecessarily.

Get Your Colon Checked As our awareness of colon cancer and prevention continues to grow, it is the baby boomer generation that stands to benefit the most from colorectal cancer screening.

“The incidence of both colon cancer and colonic polyps increases steadily as people advance beyond 50 years of age,” explains Christopher Shih, M.D., FACG, Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster (RGAL). “We now have evidence that demonstrates vigilant screening with colonoscopy and

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Christopher Shih, M.D., F.A.C.G., Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster (RGAL).

Is it a Stomachache or IBS? Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is common enough that it affects people of all age, gender, and race in relatively equal proportions, baby boomers included. This syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, and constipation and/or diarrhea.

“IBS tends to be responsive to lifestyle habits as well, especially diet and exercise, although in refractory cases medicines are available,” says Shih. “If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek the advice of a gastroenterologist to get properly evaluated, diagnosed, and treated.”

prone to experiencing GI distress due to hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, and pelvic conditions.

“These gastrointestinal problems can cause poor absorption of nutrients necessary for good health,” says Tanya M. McCausland, nutrition and culinary coach. “This lack in nutrients can result in serious nutritional deficiencies linked to a myriad of other diseases.

Addressing immediate gastrointestinal issues will not only improve your quality of life, but will support your long-term health.”

McCausland believes there are three root causes of gastrointestinal problems, and each can be supported through simple changes in diet and lifestyle:

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz We all can remember that commercial for Alka Seltzer, a quick fix for what we used to call acid indigestion, now known mostly as acid reflux.

The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) reports that health professionals at the American Gastroenterological Association estimate that 33 percent of people in the United States have acid reflux disease. The prevalence of this condition makes acid reflux disease the most expensive chronic gastrointestinal disorder in the U.S., with cumulative costs approaching $10 billion each year.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI), drugs often used to manage acid reflux and heartburn symptoms, are now the third highest-selling class of drugs in the United States. Women are particularly

Low Stomach Acid: As the name tells us, hydrochloric acid (Hcl) is a highly acidic liquid in our stomachs that helps to break down our food. As we age, our Hcl production begins to decrease, leading to slowed digestion and GI symptoms.

When food is not properly broken down by Hcl, it can sit in the stomach and begin to ferment, producing gas.

This can result in uncomfortable gas, bloating, indigestion, and heartburn.

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polyp removal can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and dying from it.”

Risk factors for developing polyps (which are the precursors to colon cancer) as well as colon cancer itself include age, family history, obesity, smoking, and lifestyle issues, such as high-fat diet and lack of exercise.

However, even people with none of these risk factors can develop polyps and even cancer, so it is critical that everyone over the age of 50 get checked, preferably with a colonoscopy, which is currently the most effective screening test for colon cancer and polyp detection.

Stress-G Gut Connection: It may seem surprising, but stress can have a direct effect on your digestive system. When you become stressed enough to elicit the fight-or-flight response, your digestion will slow down or even stop completely so your body can redirect all its energy at the perceived threat. Even small amounts of stress can disrupt the digestive system, causing stomach pain

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and other GI symptoms.

Of course, it can work the other way around. Many GI symptoms can become so painful and uncomfortable that they cause stress and anxiety.

Rise in Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that is becoming increasingly more common.

People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. When gluten-containing foods are consumed, the immune system responds by damaging the lining of the small intestines, leading to serious GI distress.

People who are not officially diagnosed with celiac can still be sensitive to gluten and experience mild symptoms. If you think you may be sensitive, removing gluten from your diet for at least six weeks can be very helpful. Working with a nutrition professional can make this transition much easier for you.

Don’t Let Holiday Celebrations Keep You from Eating Healthy A healthy lifestyle applies all year round, whether or not it’s holiday season.

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“Of course, it’s especially tempting to eat rich, fatty foods during the holidays, and by no means should you not indulge once in a while,” adds Shih. “But the key is moderation and balance, and to not overdo those types of foods.

“In general, fad diets are not the solution. One should focus on eating as much and as many varieties of fruits and vegetables as possible, followed by whole, complex grains and starches, and lastly, low-fat meats (especially fish) in modest quantities. Excess amounts of fats and refined sugars should be avoided. Olive or canola oil should be used instead of butter if possible.”

During the holidays, explains McCausland, your digestive system takes a beating, leaving you feeling gassy, bloated, exhausted, and totally miserable. McCausland has developed four tasty tips to enjoying delicious food during the holidays and keeping your tummy on track:

some neutral liquid for your stomach.

Water supports the digestive system and can help prevent constipation.

Chew, Chew, Chew: Digestion begins in the mouth as soon as you take a bite of your food. Not chewing properly causes large food particles to enter the stomach and seriously burden our digestive systems. When eating, be sure to chew each bite eight to 10 times so that your stomach has an easier time digesting and absorbing nutrients.

Reduce Your Sugar Load: Processed sugar in these products can be burdensome for the digestive system as well as lead us down a path of making poor overall food choices. When going to a party, choose one sweet treat and fully enjoy it. To beat sugar cravings, load your plate up with sweet veggies like sweet potatoes and winter squash, which are also loaded in tummy-loving fiber.

Lighten Your Load: Overeating slows downs your digestive system, leading to stomach pain and pressure on your esophageal sphincter, the muscle that keeps digested food down.

When at a party or event, fill your plate with goodies and then step away from the buffet.

Wet Your Whistle: While a glass of wine, beer, or cocktail is part of many holiday festivities, they can lead to a seriously sour stomach. Drink a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated and provide

Get Off the Couch and Exercise Your Way to Good Health Digestive disorders can arise from lack of exercise. While exercising, your heart rate and breathing rate are increased and thereby the muscles that

Research Confirms Use of CO2 During Colonoscopies Reduces Pain support the digestive tract also get toned and result in good bowel movements.

Several exercise regimes like yoga, aerobics, and boot-camp workouts demand changes in your eating habits as well.

Moderate exercise should be attempted two to three times a week. Even if you’re unable to do vigorous exercise, any little bit helps, such as taking walks, riding a bike, or just staying active in general.

The use of CO2 has been proven to reduce discomfort and bloating after a colonoscopy, as well as, decrease recovery time and improve patient satisfaction.

RGAL is the only gastroenterology practice in Lancaster that uses CO2 in its procedure centers. CO2 is a safe and recommended alternative to using room air for a colonoscopy.

With less discomfort, and no additional cost to you, wouldn’t you prefer CO2?

Ask your family physician or contact RGAL at 717 544-3400 to learn more.

Not Feeling Yourself? See Your Gastroenterologist Shih advises everyone to see a gastroenterologist to make sure the appropriate evaluation and testing are done, so that the correct diagnosis is made and the right treatment is prescribed.

“We as gastroenterologists use a combination of history taking, physical exam, laboratory, radiologic testing, and endoscopic procedures (including colonoscopy) to ensure that this happens,” he said. ) ) )

Four Convenient Locations • Lancaster Health Campus • Oregon Pike-Brownstown • Women’s Digestive Health Center • Elizabethtown www.RGAL.com • 717.544.3400

Voted Lancaster County’s #1 GI practice 6 years in a row winter 2013 |

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WRITTEN BY Maria V. Snyder

FOR THOSE WINTER ENTHUSIASTS WHO PREFER THE SNOW TO THE sunshine, the last couple of Pennsylvania winters have been a disappointment. Low snowfall totals combined with warm (i.e., above freezing) temperatures resulted in a shortened ski and snowboard season.

So what’s a snow bunny to do? You could head north to Vermont’s Green Mountains and take your pick of resorts from a wide variety of locations and terrains over a season that extends from mid-November to late April.

Deciding which resort to visit will be the hardest part of your trip. With an average annual snowfall of 15 feet, there is plenty of snow for everyone and, if it doesn’t snow, the resorts all have snow-making equipment.

The highest snowfall total for last winter was recorded at Jay Peak, coming in at 29.6 feet! Jay Peak is close to the Canadian border and is about an eight-hour drive from Central Pennsylvania. However, Burlington is the closest town with an airport, and many skiers stay in Burlington and venture out to a number of resorts in the area. Of course, all the resorts have housing on site, and many offer ski and

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stay packages as well as rentals and lessons.

Jay Peak is a great resort for more advanced skiers, since 80 percent of the trails are marked for expert and intermediate skill levels. The mountain has 76 trails and nine lifts, including a tram. This resort is also known for its extensive backcountry and tree skiing.

Tree skiing is exactly how it sounds—a tight path that zigs and zags through the trees and, in some cases, you create your own path. Just don’t fall over, or you’ll sink down into the deep powder below your skis, and getting back up is difficult without help. Yes, this advice is from experience.

When the conditions are prime and the weather is cooperating, Jay Peak is hard to beat; however, when the winds blow and the temperature drops, it can be terrible. Conditions down at the

base are deceptive when it’s windy.

During my trip up the Flyer Express Quad, I quickly discovered why the chair lift is called the Freezer Express by the locals. Once the lift crested the first of many humps, the air blasted straight into me, cutting through all my layers of clothing. I huddled on the lift in misery, thinking I had to be near the summit, but after another hump, I discovered I was only halfway up the mountain.

After that, I used the 60-passenger aerial tram to get to the peak. Good thing I didn’t have to take many trips up as the longest trail at Jay Peak is 3 miles.

If you’re thinking of visiting Jay Peak, just be warned the main base lodge is small, and there isn’t much room to store gear or to eat lunch. As with all ski resorts, the food is very expensive. A bowl of New England

travel ) ) ) think snow, think vermont

clam chowder costs $8, but it was the best clam chowder I’d eaten and worth every dollar. If you bring along your own bottled water and lunch, you can avoid overspending.

Jay Peak uses the new RFID lift ticket—it’s the size of a credit card and goes inside your pocket. When you approach the lift, the gates read the card using radio frequencies and then open for you. It’s wonderfully convenient.

There are a couple of other popular resorts east and southeast of Burlington that are worth a visit. Stowe Mountain, Smuggler’s Notch, Sugarbush, and Killington are the most popular and are within driving distance.

Stowe Mountain also uses the RFID passes. The mountain had 27.8 feet of snow last year, covering 116 trails. It operates 13 lifts, including an eightperson gondola. With 59 percent of the trails marked intermediate, it’s ideal for us Pennsylvania “expert” skiers, since in Vermont an intermediate slope is equal to a black diamond.

There are three main skiing areas at Stowe. Toll House is for beginners and is a lovely place to start out. The Mansfield Base Lodge is small and in need of some renovations, but the new base lodge over at Spruce Peak has plenty of space for gear.

Like most of the Vermont resorts, Stowe has a number of terrain parks for those wishing to do stunts. In fact, Stowe is known for its “original four” double-black diamond slopes— National, Goat, Starr, and Upper Nose Dive.

I love all the creative and scary trail

Gondolas on Stowe Mountain.

Stowe Mountain chapel.

Trail markers on Stowe Mountain.

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Sugarbush Resort.

Left: Stowe Mountain upper trail.

Above: Nosedive trail marker on Stowe Mountain.

names that I’ve encountered. Aside from Nose Dive, there’s Gulch, Duck Walk, Rimrock, and Lord. When I was there in February, I heard a skier call to his friend, “If you get lost, just follow the Lord!”

Along with the amazing views, there’s a mountain chapel at Stowe open to all. As far as iconic Vermont ski resorts, Stowe has a long history in the area. The local town is the ultimate ski town.

And for those staying in Burlington, don’t forget to stop at Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury on the trip back to your hotel. The original factory site offers tours, a gift shop, free samples, and a scoop shop. The best part is seeing the graveyard with tombstones marked

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with all the “retired” flavors.

I’ve skied six different resorts in Vermont, and my favorite, so far, is Killington. Nicknamed the “Beast of the East,” it lives up to that moniker.

With five base lodges and six peaks, you need more than one day to sample all that Killington has to offer.

Being farther south, Killington had 20.8 feet of snow last year, falling on 140 trails with 32 lifts, including two gondolas. This resort also has an almost equal percentage of easy (28 percent), intermediate (33 percent), and expert (39 percent) slopes, so there are more than enough trails for all skill levels.

The lodges are generally modern with plenty of space. Snowshed and

K-1 lodges even offer free bag checks.

There are also a number of Waffle Cabins located at various spots around the resort. The divine smell of freshbaked waffles entices the skier to stop and recharge with waffles covered with authentic maple syrup and/or ice cream.

For snow lovers, Vermont is a prime location because the state receives the most snow on the East Coast. And for those craving sunshine, many of the ski resorts transform into water parks and offer zip lines, bike/hiking trails, fishing, and climbing adventures during the summer and fall months. Which, I admit, are all nice distractions while I’m waiting impatiently for it to snow. ) ) )

Cliff House Restaurant on Stowe Mountain.

Top of Killington Peak.

Creative Elegance Boutique, Helpful Websites:

because it’s your special day, too!

• www.skiernet.com/ski_vt.html – Info on all the Vermont resorts • http://skicentral.com/vermont-m map.html – Map of Vermont resort locations

Carrying Gowns, Dresses, and Dinner Suits by

• www.jaypeakresort.com – Jay Peak Mountain

Daymor Couture Cameron Blake Damianou

• www..stowe.com – Stowe Mountain • www.sugarbush.com – Sugarbush Resort

Montage Terani Ursula of Switzerland

• www.smuggs.com/pages/winter – Smuggler’s Notch • www.killington.com/winter – Killington, Vt. • www.erh.nooaa.gov/ctp/features/snowmaps – 30-year average snowfall amounts for Pennsylvania

Now g Carr yin Prom Gowns!

2129 Market Street, Camp Hill, PA 717.737.5400 www.creativeeleganceboutique.com Follow us on FACEBOOK!

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health the sunspot boom — preventing skin cancer year round WRITTEN BY Dr. Ellen Marmur

PEOPLE OFTEN AVOID SEEING A DERMATOLOGIST DURING THE SUMMER months, making the fall and winter a very busy time for dermatology practices.

And, after yet another summer of sun exposure, it's a time of year when older patients (like baby boomers) might begin to grow concerned about those dry, scaly spots that won't seem to go away. They could be AKs (actinic keratoses). However, unlike typical dry skin spots, AKs will not eventually heal with the application of lotion.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is one of the most common and least recognized precancerous skin conditions and is the result of years of sun exposure and damage. AKs affect more than 58

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million Americans each year, yet many people don't know what AKs are until they are diagnosed by their doctor.

Most often they are mistaken for sunspots, sometimes putting patients at risk.

AKs are easily diagnosed and easily treatable, removing the risk of a more serious progression in just one visit to your dermatologist.

As a dermatologist, I am proud of and happy about all of the education we have seen around melanoma and skin cancer protection. However, one

area where we have not seen enough education is the treatment of precancers such as AK. It is important because, despite the fact that most AKs remain benign, approximately 5-10 percent develop into squamous cell carcinoma, a far more serious skin cancer, within an average of two years.

So what are AKs? Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition that is often mistaken for sunspots and is typically diagnosed in older adults. AKs are the result of years of cumulative sun damage and are most prevalent in

health ) ) ) sunspots

older adults who have spent a lot of time in the sun over the course of their lives.

AKs most often appear on parts of the body that are regularly exposed to sunlight such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands, and arms. They are also more common in people with fair skin.

AKs are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin that can range in color and vary in size. It is not typical for the sun to affect only small patches of the skin; therefore, people who are diagnosed with an AK will typically develop more AKs. So while there may be one AK on the surface, there may be more nascent AKs that will present over time.

Since there is no way to know ahead of time which AKs will become cancerous, it is very important to seek a dermatologist's care. Frequent skin examinations are the key to early detection and prevention. If you think you have AKs, you should see your dermatologist and talk about the best treatment options. Don't ignore your sunspots!

There are many treatment options available, and you should discuss which is best for you with your dermatologist. These treatments include: Photodynamic Therapy This treatment involves the application of a photosensitizing agent to the AKs. The treated area is exposed to a light that activates the agent. The period between application and exposure will vary and depends on the photosensitizing agent that is used.

This treatment targets just the AKs and causes little damage to the surrounding normal tissue. Some redness, swelling, and a burning sensation during therapy often occur.

Cryotherapy (freezing) This treatment involves freezing the AKs with an extremely cold substance, such as liquid nitrogen. There is no cutting or anesthesia required. This method causes the lesion(s) to shrink or become crusted and then fall off.

After treatment, there may be temporary redness and swelling. In some patients this treatment can cause permanent white spots on the skin.

Topical Medication This treatment involves the application of a topical medication to the affected skin. The course of treatment can range from days to weeks, depending on the topical medication that is used. Redness, swelling, and ulceration may occur during treatment.

Curettage (scraping) This procedure involves the use of a curette to scrape off cells that are damaged. A local anesthetic is required for this procedure. Scarring and skin discoloration may occur at the site of the treatment.

Chemical Peel Chemicals are applied directly to the AKs. The chemical causes the top layer of skin to slough off. This layer of skin is usually replaced within seven days.

Anesthesia is necessary for this

procedure and temporary discoloration and irritation can occur.

Dermabrasion This procedure involves using a rapidly moving brush to remove the affected skin. Local anesthesia is used.

Following the procedure, the skin appears red and raw-looking. It can take as long as several months for the treated area to heal.

Surgical Excision With surgical excision, the entire lesion with some healthy tissue is removed. Scarring is possible with this procedure.

Lasers This treatment involves focusing a laser on the lesion. The laser cuts through the skin tissue without causing bleeding. Local anesthesia may be required. This treatment can cause pigment loss in the skin.

As always, it is imperative to talk to your dermatologist if you think you have AKs, but if you'd like to learn more, please visit www.spotsigns.com.

This site has a variety of educational tools, including a list of signs, prevention advice, and treatment options. ) ) ) Dr. Ellen Marmur is an associate clinical professor in both the Department of Dermatology and the Department of Genetics & Genomic Research at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. She is the author of Simple

Skin Beauty: Every Woman's Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin. www.marmurmedical.com

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people

Mari Shorb, above, shown with some of her favorite ornaments.

Below, her great-niece, Megan, gazes at an ornament.

there’s something about santa WRITTEN BY Lynda Hudzick

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT Christmas trees that charm York resident Mari Shorb unlike anything else during the holiday season.

“I love the bright colors, the sparkling lights—it’s just my favorite part of Christmas decorating,” she said.

Since she and her husband were married in 1977, they’ve been collecting hand-blown, hand-painted Christmas ornaments, displaying them every year on two very large and very full Christmas trees.

“We bought our first one in 1977, when we were first married, and it has become our tradition to choose new ornaments every year since then,”

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Left: A sampling of Mari’s treasured finials and ornaments.

Below: Some of Mari’s cherished finials festively adorn the family room mantel.

Also, Santa always hangs front and center above the mantel.

Shorb said. “We often shop together for them, which is fun. My husband gets as excited as I do when looking for new ones to buy.”

She also has among her collection some vintage ornaments passed down to her from her mother, an avid collector herself.

“Some of them I remember from my childhood, and I feel very blessed to now have them in our collection.”

It was in 1983 that the Shorbs discovered the work of Christopher Radko and ever since then, his ornaments have been the ones they choose most often.

“I love his story, how it tells of his family collecting these beautiful glass ornaments from all over the world, passed down through generations, and how one Christmas the family tree fell over, destroying many of the ornaments,” Shorb said.

“He said that his grandmother was devastated because they had been so special to her, and of course, many irreplaceable. So he went to Poland to find glassblowers who could replicate

the vintage mouth-blown glass ornaments that she so loved, and that is how his collection began.”

Sadly, Shorb recalls that the same thing happened to her family once when their tree toppled over during the night, before her husband had had time to tie it back before going to bed.

“We got up the next morning and found the tree had fallen, but luckily, the top had landed on the coffee table, keeping the middle and bottom from hitting the floor so the ornaments there

were saved. But we did lose the ones on the top of the tree, and a lot of them were not replaceable.”

What attracts the Shorbs to a particular ornament?

“I love the colors and the shape and detail. The Radko ones in particular are also a heavy, high-quality ornament that we know we can pass on to our children and grandchildren. Plus, I am very attracted to sparkly stuff!”

Shorb is thrilled that her grown children have been bitten by the

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Ornaments, from left: LUCKY 101 DALMATIAN, LEPRECHAUN POT O GOLD, and Kermit CHECKING IT TWICE.

“

Every year, unpacking the ornaments and sharing the memories we have as we unwrap each one, it has brought us a lot of joy and our family has grown.

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collecting bug as well, carrying on the tradition of choosing—and allowing their own children to choose—ornaments each year that are special to them.

“We have a wonderful family tradition where our kids and grandkids come over on Thanksgiving night, we put on the Christmas music, and we starting putting up the trees together. We let the grandkids handle the ornaments too; although I know they’re valuable, it’s important to me that they feel like they’re a part of the celebration,” Shorb said.

“I’ve always just loved decorating the whole house for Christmas, to be honest.

And my kids notice if I forget to put out even one decoration that they remember from their childhood. They notice it and they fuss about it!”

When this couple travels, they always look for Christmas shops where they can pick up new and unique glass ornaments, especially ones that will remind them of their trip when they return home. But Shorb’s particular favorites are Santa ornaments, especially the Radko versions, because of the beautiful colors and attention to detail.

“And I really like the old-fashioned look of them,” she said.

“There’s just something about Santa.

Those are my favorites because when I look at them, they really mean Christmas

to me and so I tend to choose those first,” she continued.

“But so many memories are attached to all of these ornaments for us. I remember when my husband and I were first married, we lived in Philadelphia and we would go to Lord & Taylor and just stare at the beautiful Christmas displays. And I remember there was a store named Altman’s where we chose some of our first ornaments together.”

Shorb also enjoys collecting something called a finial, many of which are made by the Radko Company as well.

They’re usually tall and narrow, and sometimes in three sections where the bottom portion is largest, the middle is medium sized, and the top is smaller.

Finials often finish off at the top in an ornate way.

“You can display them in candleholders,” she explained. “They’re very beautiful, but we don’t have nearly so many of those as we do the ornaments.”

So how does Shorb remember what she already has and thus avoid adding duplicates to her 200+ collection? You might assume she has a detailed list somewhere to refer to, but that isn’t the case.

“I just know what I have, and so far, I’ve never bought a duplicate. I think because they’re all so special to me, and

something that is giving them a lot of joy.

“This is something that has always brought us great pleasure, something we did together as a couple, and then as parents, and now as grandparents,” Shorb said.

“Every year, unpacking the

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each one has an individual meaning or memory that goes with it, that helps me to be able to remember them all!”

Last Christmas was the first year that the Shorbs only put up and filled one tree in their home. They’ve decided to begin dispersing the collection to their children and grandchildren,

people

Mari Shorb, her daughter, and husband at an event where they met Christopher Radko and had him autograph one of their ornaments.

ornaments and sharing the memories we have as we unwrap each one, it has brought us a lot of joy and our family has grown. And seeing now that our children are doing it too, and that they are sharing this tradition with their children, is incredibly special to us both.” ) ) )

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Call 443-997-1820 or visit hopkinsmedicine.org/breastcenter Johns Hopkins breast cancer services are available across the region, from Lutherville, Maryland (conveniently located off I-83) to Baltimore City and Washington, D.C.

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veteran

keep your head down and your eyes open WRITTEN BY Stephen Kopfinger

WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF THE Vietnam War, they think of rice paddies, jungles, and underground tunnels that hid the dreaded Viet Cong.

But there was another front to the conflict, one that backed up American fighters from a place at sea.

Thomas “Scrappy” Scarpato can tell you all about that. During the course of the war, he served aboard the USS America, a Kitty-Hawk class aircraft carrier.

It was a floating city, but time aboard was no luxury cruise. The flight deck of the ship was a place where you had to keep your head down and your eyes open, and anything could happen.

“My scariest moment was when a plane came in carrying a special kind of missile,” recalls Scapato, 65, of Thomasville, York County. “They

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Scrappy standing with a memorial table set up at VFW Club 7374 in York to pay tribute to those who gave their lives.

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usually didn’t bring back bombs. In order for this missile to explode, one chemical reaches another.”

Luckily, all ended well. But the men of the America were aware of what could go wrong on a carrier. In 1967, a devastating fire aboard the carrier USS Forrestal killed 134 sailors.

“I was in boot camp when that happened,” Scarpato remembers. “They’ve had some bad fires [on carriers].”

Scarpato served 3.5 years aboard the America. He did “just about everything,” he says, including making sure the landing gear of aircraft aboard was in order.

“Eventually, I worked in flight deck control,” Scarpato says. Ultimately, he served 10 years in the Navy, from 1967 to 1977.

In his stay aboard the America, there were good times and bad times on the big ship.

“We were in Cuba. We were in Rio de Janeiro twice,” Scarpato remembers.

From top: Onboard USS America; overlooking Red China; deck of USS America.

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Sam Wilson, left, and Scrappy on the USS America, a Kitty-Hawk class aircraft carrier.

“

We had a great white shark follow us for three days.

He got a free meal.

”

“And of course, Subic Bay, in the Philippines.” Hong Kong was another port of call.

He smiles at the memory of a fearsome fan of the America.

“We had a great white shark follow us for three days. He got a free meal,” Scarpato says of the scraps thrown overboard.

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Scarpato also looks back on when and a Phantom F-4 fighter jet dropped a pot of flares on the ship. It could have been a deadly situation. One man paid a terrible price.

“The chief warrant officer—he picked up one of those flares and threw it overboard. He lost both of his hands.

We learned so much from those

experiences.”

There were difficult days on American soil as well. Proud of his service, Scarpato was dismayed to find the negative reception he received when he came home from an unpopular conflict. In 1971, he picked up two women who were hitchhiking near the airbase at Willow Grove, Pa. “They saw my uniform,” he recalls.

The women accused him of being a baby killer and physically assaulted him.

“I was in sick bay for two days.”

Another time, Scarpato got off a plane in Philadelphia and suffered an unexpected attack of vertigo. His stride became unsteady and “people were calling me a drunk [and] spitting on me.”

veteran

uniform!”

His own father parachuted into Sainte-Mère-Église, the French town that earned its place in history during the D-Day invasion of World War II. “He never talked about it,” Scarpato says.

When Scarpato visits VFW Post 7374 in York, he pays tribute to the American flag, friends say. But he’s not a solemn kind of guy.

“I always try to think of the funny stuff” he says of his service years, which included an encounter with an outsized cockroach on the USS

Lexington, a carrier that was considerably older than the immaculately maintained America.

Scarpato misses the ship, which was scuttled off the North Carolina coast in 2005 after just 40 years of service. He was not pleased to hear the news when it happened.

Scarpato also has deep feelings for the men and women who are stationed in dangerous places overseas these days, places as unpredictable as Vietnam used to be.

“I know I respect them,” Scarpato says. “They’re keeping the crazy out of the country.” ) ) )

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Such things haven’t soured Scarpato, though he finds one Vietnam-era memory hard to take. A few years ago, he visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC, a black wall engraved with more than 50,000 names of those who perished in the war.

“My godson took me. I’ll never go back. It was too much for me.”

Scarpato doesn’t regret his service, and he has family connections to serving the country.

“I enlisted,” he says of what drew him to the Navy. “I had some cousins who were older than me. I liked the

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feature finances, estate planning, and second marriages — what you should know Metzger WRITTEN BY Stephanie Kalina-M

STATISTICS SHOW THAT 40 PERCENT OF MARRIAGES WILL INVOLVE AT least one person who has been married before. Those who are entering into the union for the second time often have to deal with trickier financial issues than those who have been married merely once.

Regardless of age or marital history, financial planning is usually low on the list of most couples’ priorities, so the issue is often neglected. This can be due to a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it’s just not all that romantic.

Tackling a delicate topic like finances can be difficult, but it is necessary, especially in second marriages or marriages that are entered into later in life when preexisting assets or debts enter into the equation.

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Area experts suggest a few “best practices” for ensuring both parties are educated on their respective roles in ensuring their financial future is a bright one.

Establish Full Disclosure Although the topic might be difficult to confront, financial experts suggest that couples learn each other’s credit history before they say “I do” by contacting a company like Experian— just so there are no surprises after the fact. If problems are discovered, then

the pair can work together as a team to rectify issues as quickly as possible.

Creating a debt list, complete with payoff figures and monthly minimum payments, is a good first step. In areas like child support, this is likely to change throughout the years, but it’s helpful for the couple to at least have the ability to view a snapshot of how much money is owed on a monthly basis.

Creating a list of assets is also recommended.

“Developing a spreadsheet is a good

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Create a Will Sean Shultz, attorney at Carlislebased Saidis, Sullivan and Rogers, said, “There can be unintended consequences of not having a will. If you pass away without one, the intestate statute comes into play, which basically allows a government law to decide how your estate will be divided.”

He tells a story of a client who had been married a short time and her husband passed away within the year before any property was retitled. The couple had no children, but the spouse was forced to share the estate with the parents of the deceased, after collecting the first $30,000.

Consider a Pre-Nuptial Agreement “The pre-nup is important if you come into the marriage with separate property,” said Shultz. “It’s important in an estate-planning context. Say you’re married and for some reason, you don’t want your spouse to get a dime from your estate. In this case, it’s important that you have a ‘waiver of the spousal right of election.’

“Without this specific waiver, which is a typical part of a pre-nuptial agreement, the spouse can still get up

to a third of that estate. People sometimes set this up to protect children from the first marriage and ensure they won’t get hung out to dry as things are passed on to the second spouse,” he said.

Take Advantage of a QTIP A QTIP, or qualified terminable interest property trust, allows your spouse to get a life estate in property.

“If someone enters into the marriage with property and doesn’t

“

Financial planning is usually low on the list of most couples’ priorities.

”

want to consider switching the deed to joint ownership, then they should consider the QTIP,” said Shultz.

The QTIP will allow the living spouse to reside on that property until death, upon which time it can be transferred to the children or grandchildren.

“You don’t want the kids thinking they can come in and get the house immediately,” said Shultz.

Setting Up Trusts Couples can care for both heirs and spouses by setting up a bypass trust.

“This is also called an A/B trust because trust A is the one you put the

property into that would be accessible to the spouse after death. Trust B is the property accessible to the children or grandchildren,” said Shultz.

Some couples, confident in the financial viability of their children, may opt to pass their wealth to their grandchildren. By setting up a generation-skipping, or dynasty, trust, they can also save those grandchildren the headache of paying the whopping 35 percent federal estate tax.

“Dynasty trusts were popular when the limits were lower. Today it’s not as prevalent since estates must be worth at least $5.25 million before one can take advantage of it,” said Shultz.

Scheib said nursing-home expenses often prove to be a challenge.

“We witness a lot of folks’ assets being chewed up when going into a nursing home. I advise clients to evaluate long-term care insurance.

When you’re younger, it’s not too bad, but when you retire, the premium can be a little burdensome, and that’s when we advise them to look into a Medicaid protector trust. You put assets into the trust, which can include your house, as long as you do it five years prior to entering a nursing home,” he said.

Both Scheib and Shultz suggest using counsel to work out the details on all the financial options available.

“A lot of people just fail to do the real basics. They don’t get around to doing the will and the estate planning right off the bat. It doesn’t take a lot of time or investment, and most attorneys don’t charge a lot for a will,” said Shultz. “It’s worth it to get those things in place.” ) ) )

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idea,” said Richard Scheib, attorney at Scheib Law in Lewisburg and Harrisburg. “Each party should indicate whether they have a mutual fund, a life insurance policy, a 401(k), stocks, cash, whatever investments they may have, and the approximate values of what they’re worth.”

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rking affects yo o w ur how

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WRITTEN BY John Johnston

YOU CAN RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND WORK at the same time. But, if you are younger than full retirement age and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced.

It is important to note, though, that these benefit reductions are not truly lost. Your benefit will be increased at your full retirement age to account for benefits withheld due to earlier earnings.

How much can you earn and still get benefits?

If you were born Jan. 2, 1943, through Jan. 1, 1955, then your full retirement age for retirement insurance benefits is 66. If you work and are full retirement age or older, you may keep all of your benefits, no matter how much you earn.

If you are younger than full retirement age, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full

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Social Security benefits.

If you are younger than full retirement age during all of 2013, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earned above $15,120.

If you reach full retirement age during 2013, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $3 you earn above $40,080 until the month you reach full retirement age.

These examples show how the rules would afffect you.

Let us say that you file for Social Security benefits at age 62 in January 2013 and your payment will be $600 per month ($7,200 for the year).

During 2013, you plan to work and earn $20,800 ($5,680 above the

$15,120 limit). We would withhold $2,840 of your Social Security benefits ($1 for every $2 you earn over the limit).

To do this, we would withhold all benefit payments from January 2013 to May 2013. Beginning in June 2013, you would receive your $600 benefit and this amount would be paid to you each month for the remainder of the year. In 2014, we will pay you the additional $160 we withheld in May 2013.

Or, let us say you were not yet full retirement age at the beginning of the year but reach it in November 2013.

You earned $41,580 in the 10 months from January through October. During this period, we would withhold $500

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Will you receive higher monthly benefits later if benefits are withheld because of work?

Yes. If some of your retirement benefits are withheld because of your

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We hope you will weigh all the facts carefully before making the important decision about when to begin receiving Social Security benefits.

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earnings, your benefits will be increased starting at your full retirement age to take into account those months in which benefits were withheld.

Aree there other ways that work can increase your benefits?

Yes. Each year we review the records for all Social Security recipients who work. If your latest year of earnings turns out to be one of your highest years, we refigure your benefit and pay you any increase due.

This is an automatic process and benefits are paid in December of the following year.

For example, in December 2013, you should get an increase for your 2012 earnings if those earnings raised your benefit. The increase would be retroactive to January 2013.

Your decision on when to start receiviing benefits is a personal one.

Would it be better for you to begin receiving benefits early with a smaller monthly amount or wait for a larger monthly payment later that you may not receive as long? The answer is highly personal and depends on a number of factors, such as your current cash needs, your health and family longevity, whether you plan to work in retirement, whether you have other retirement income sources, your anticipated future financial needs and obligations, and, of course, the amount of your future Social Security benefit.

We hope you will weigh all the facts carefully and consider your own circumstances before making the

important decision about when to begin receiving Social Security benefits.

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($1 for every $3 you earn above the $40,080 limit).

To do this, we would withhold your first check of the year. Beginning in February 2013, you will receive your $600 benefit, and this amount will be paid to you each month for the remainder of the year. We would pay you the remaining $100 in January 2014.

Your decision could affect your family.

Your spouse may be eligible for a benefit based on your work record (spouse benefits are reduced if claimed before the spouse’s full retirement age).

If you die before your spouse, he or she may be eligible for a survivor benefit based on your work record, particularly if you have earned more than your spouse over your lifetime. If you begin receiving Social Security benefits early, we cannot pay your surviving spouse a full benefit from your record.

Also, if you wait until after the full retirement age to get benefits, your surviving spouse—if he or she is at least full retirement age—generally will receive the same benefit amount that you would have received.

Retirement may be longer than you think.

When thinking about retirement, be sure to plan for the long term. Many of us will live much longer than the “average” retiree, and, generally, women tend to live longer than men.

About one out of every four 65-yearolds today will live past age 90, and one out of 10 will live past age 95.

Social Security benefits, which last as long as you live, provide valuable protection against outliving savings and other sources of retirement income.

Again, you will want to choose a retirement age based on your circumstances so you will have sufficient income when you need it.

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Don’t forget Medicare.

If you plan to delay receiving benefits because you are working, you should sign up for Medicare three months before reaching age 65, regardless of when you reach full retirement age.

Otherwise, your Medicare medical insurance, as well as prescription drug coverage, could be delayed, and you could be charged higher premiums.

Additional resources You can estimate benefit amounts and find more information to help you

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decide when to start receiving retirement benefits by using our Benefits Planners online at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners.

You also can use our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/ estimator or create an account and get your Social Security statement at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

Both provide retirement benefit estimates based on your actual earnings record.

When you are ready for benefits, you also can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ applyforbenefits. Many people can

continue to work and still receive retirement benefits. If you want more information on how earnings affect your retirement benefits, ask for How Work Affects Your Benefits (publication No. 05-10069), which has current annual and monthly earnings limits.

A wealth of other information— including copies of our publications— is available on our website at www.socialsecurity.gov. ) ) )

John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.

to your health Holiday Wassail YOU’VE NO DOUBT HEARD THE SONG “HERE WE Come A-wassailing” and wondered how someone could not only come a-wassailing, but also drink wassail.

Wassail is an Old English term that means “to your health.” As far back as the 14th century, when a group would gather, its leader would raise a bowl of the seasonal beverage and shout “wassail.” Today, many families gather around a bowl of eggnog, mulled cider, or wassail, enjoying each other’s company and wishing for a healthy and happy coming year.

A variation of lifting a cup or bowl and saying “wassail” was to take the bowl to individual houses in the area to share as friends. Hence, “Here we go awassailing.”

This year, wish your friends and family good health with this delicious wassail.

RECIPE BY Joseph Anderson

1 bottle red wine (shiraz or red zinfandel recommended) 1/3 cup brandy 1 cup sugar 6 cinnamon sticks 12 cloves, whole 1/8 tsp. allspice 1/8 tsp. mace 2 tbsp. mulling spice 2 oranges, sliced 1 lemon, sliced

Cloves, allspice, mace, and mulling spice in a bouquet-garnis

In a large stockpot, bring wine and brandy to a simmer. Do not boil.

Add sugar and stir to dissolve, 2 minutes.

Add cinnamon sticks and bouquet of other spices and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.

Add sliced fruit and simmer for 1 hour.

Remove from heat and take out cinnamon sticks, sliced fruit, and bouquet.

Garnish with a cinnamon stick and fresh fruit if desired.

If serving in a punch bowl, place a metal spoon in the bowl to absorb the heat in case your drink is a little too warm.

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nostalgia

WRITTEN BY Christine Techky

I GREW UP IN POSTWAR BRITAIN WHERE RATIONING LASTED UNTIL the summer of 1954. My mother carefully used all our food throughout the year and carried on the practice even when provisions became plentiful again and long lines at the local grocery stores were a thing of the past.

After 14 years of ration books, though, it took Mum a long time to break the thrifty habits of the war years. There was one day of the year, however, when she pulled out all the stops to guarantee the family had a day to remember. Each Christmas Day, she prepared a table fit for a king.

Mum set the dining table with the best china, and the table overflowed with plates of turkey, sage and onion stuffing, bread sauce, Brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes, lashings of gravy, and homemade bread.

The excitement of sitting down to such a feast was heightened only by the sight of the Christmas crackers that she had placed next to everyone’s dinner plate. The brightly colored, shiny paper of the cracker added the finishing touch to that special day.

After the austerity of the war years, Mum was going to make our holidays

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as memorable as possible.

The family gathered at the dining table, said grace, and then it was time to pull the crackers. A Christmas cracker is not, as many people outside Britain may think, an edible treat, but a 12-inch cardboard tube covered in a brightly colored twist of foil paper.

Two people, usually sitting next to each other at the dinner table, each grab an end of a cracker. As they pull, the cracker tears apart, creating a snap or cracking sound caused by a narrow strip of chemically impregnated paper inside the cracker.

Out of the cracker tumbles a folded, brightly colored paper hat in the shape of a crown, a small gift (such as a spinning top, a whistle, a miniature pack of playing cards, or a puzzle), and a corny joke or riddle. Traditionally, the person who ends up with the larger part of the cracker wears the paper

crown throughout Christmas dinner, keeps the gift, and reads the joke out loud.

Confectioner Tom Smith invented Christmas crackers in 1847 after a trip to Paris, where he saw sugared almonds wrapped in wax paper and twisted at each end. Inspired by this French sweet treat, he returned home to London and began experimenting with ways of marketing a similar product.

He replaced the almonds with trinkets and added a love motto, but it was not until he discovered a “cracking mechanism,” which caused friction when pulled, that the cracker was born.

Victorians loved gatherings and games and Smith’s crackers soon became popular with the middle classes. With Christmas being the height of the party season, Smith decorated his crackers with festive

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Family and cultural traditions are important, particularly when you live in a different country than the one you grew up in.

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Joyce Shott, the writer’s aunt, is shown wearing a “prize” crown from inside a Christmas cracker.

designs and sold them in equally attractive, festive boxes. His crackers soon became a staple at Victorian Christmas party celebrations.

Tom Smith’s enterprising company went on to create crackers to mark various British events. It made commemorative crackers to celebrate the heroes of World War I, the Red Cross, the Empire, suffragettes, and royalty. The manufacturer of crackers ceased during World War II when workers were needed for the trenches or to work in war-related factories.

When production resumed in 1953, the company became more and more successful, even supplying the Christmas treats to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her family (although the trinkets included in their crackers were a little more substantial than the usual novelties).

Some customs die off as new generations make their own traditions, but Christmas cracker sales show no sign of slowing down. Last year, the Tom Smith Company sold 65 million crackers worldwide, exporting them mainly to Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada.

When I arrived in the United States more than 30 years ago, I could not imagine preparing a Christmas Day table without the crackers that I had loved as a child. Luckily I was able to buy them through the mail from British specialty shops advertised in ex-patriot newspapers.

In the past seven or eight years, the tradition has taken off here, and crackers imported from Britain are

becoming more readily available. My Christmas shopping trips now always include a visit to Marshalls or T.J. Maxx to look for Christmas crackers, and I am always surprised at the large selection that is available.

Family and cultural traditions are important, particularly when you live in a different country than the one you grew up in. I am so happy to be able to carry on this Christmas custom, not only with my own family, but also with my American friends who are now making this British custom a part of their own families’ holiday traditions. ) ) )

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caregiving serving seniors living at home

WRITTEN BY Gina Napoli

WITH NURSING HOMES COSTING ANYWHERE FROM $300 TO $350 per day, lower-cost alternatives for elder care have become critical. Fortunately, there are some innovative and attractive options to allow seniors to live and thrive at home while still delivering the care they need: PACE/LIFE and adult daycare.

PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a nationally administered managed-care program that delivers all necessary medical and personal services to eligible elderly while they remain in their homes.

Currently, 93 PACE programs exist nationally across 31 states. (All of the PACE providers in Pennsylvania are called Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) because PACE was already in use.)

Gina Astorino, director of business

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development for Pace Consulting Solutions, said, “The state [of Pennsylvania] realizes the need to care for program participants in the lowest cost setting, which is also the preferred setting, of their home.”

LIFE serves approximately 4,000 [people] statewide, with 5 to 7 percent residing in a nursing home and the rest living at home.

Regardless of residence, LIFE providers support participants with a wide range of services that include:

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Acute care Adult daycare Ambulance Appointment scheduling Dental care Hygiene assistance In-home supportive care Meals and meal preparation Medical equipment Medication home delivery Medication monitoring Nutritional counseling Occupational therapy Optometry Personal services Physical therapy Prescription drugs Primary medical care Rehabilitation Social services Speech therapy Transportation X-rays

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Above: The day room at Albright LIFE.

Right and below: Clients working with rehabilitation machines, alone and with an aide.

“It’s common to see many seniors who neglected their healthcare for too long,” said Astorino. “Lots of seniors miss appointments because they’re concerned about their [adult] kids taking off work to drive them.”

Because LIFE offers appointment scheduling, transportation, and respite care, it helps prevent caregiver burnout.

“We try to keep everything preventative to keep issues from [escalating] down the road,” Astorino said.

The program boasts very low disenrollment rates, high enrollee satisfaction, and members who live longer than average.

“Program administrators partner

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Participants at Messiah Lifeways adult daycare enjoy many indoor and outdoor activities as well as socialization.

with families to keep seniors living at home as long as possible,” said Astorino.

To be eligible for LIFE, an applicant must be 55 or older, live within a service area, be certified by the state as requiring care, and be able to live safely within the community. The program also serves frail elderly, seniors with chronic medical conditions or complexities, and those who have difficulty with daily living.

There is also a need to serve mentally and physically disabled adults who are aged 55-65 and ineligible for Medicare. The typical LIFE participant age is 75-85 years old.

Financial eligibility is determined by state guidelines and the county assistance office. Those receiving medical assistance from ACCESS or Medicaid pay nothing. Gross income must be $2,130/month or less, with

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individual assets (not including home or vehicle) limited to $8,000. For those who don’t meet these requirements, there is also the option of paying privately.

Funding for LIFE comes from multiple sources, which include private and organizational sponsorship, fundraising, federal funding, and state reimbursements.

“More dollars and [participant] slots are expected and needed in this year’s proposed state budget because of a significant increase in the aging population,” said Astorino.

As with any program, LIFE’s initial costs are higher than the annual sustainment costs, which are approximately $170 million per year.

“In addition to benefiting its participants, the LIFE program also boosts the local economy by providing jobs to those providing care,” said

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We try to keep everything preventative to keep issues from [escalating] down the road.

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integrate with a children’s daycare. Our clients light up when they see kids.

Some become a whole new person,” said Stedjan. They also respond positively during pet therapy.

“It’s as much a service for the caregiver as for the client,” said Kristen Heisey, vice president of marketing and communications, Messiah Lifeways.

“It’s a cost-effective way for families to manage multiple priorities and still work outside the home.”

Seniors have an opportunity to “run errands” and take care of some health needs while on site—barbershop, medical center, nutritionist, therapies,

etc.—saving caregivers time.

In choosing a facility, caregivers typically look for cleanliness, friendliness, and a place where they feel most comfortable. Families need assurance that this is the right thing.

Sometimes getting past those initial, guilty emotions can be difficult. There may be reluctance for seniors to try it.

However, once they make the leap and choose the right facility, many families report an improvement in mood when their senior returns home each day.

Visit www.padsa.org to find adult daycare centers in your area. ) ) )

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Astorino. “We build an entire network of partners who become a life support system. Having physicians dedicated to participants is a key part of the program.”

Service areas are mostly rural. With a wider geographical dispersement of participants and network providers, challenges increase, such as housing and finding qualified staff.

Reaching the eligible senior population is the biggest challenge. In rural areas, many are shut-ins living remotely, and senior centers are not as accessible. Outreach and education efforts rely on the Department of Aging, the Salvation Army, churches, civic organizations, senior housing, healthcare providers, and senior community centers.

Visit www.pace4you.org for more information.

Another lower-cost alternative for allowing seniors to live at home is utilizing adult daycare services.

Adult daycare is like child daycare, except for seniors.

“Seniors with cognitive or physical impairments receive socialization and safety during the day,” said Megan Stedjan, director of community support services, Messiah Lifeways.

Adult daycare offers an array of amenities. Seniors can flex themselves physically while being outdoors or in the athletic center with fitness classes, gardening, and swimming. There are also plenty of indoor offerings, such as cooking, cognitive trivia, or problem solving.

“Something that sets us apart is our intergenerational program focus. We

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mom and dad, can we talk?

WRITTEN BY Civia Katz

THE QUESTION ADULT CHILDREN SHOULD ASK THEIR AGING PARENTS is this: “Where do you want to live out your years?”

Most want to remain in their home, but there is a lot of preparation involved in making that happen, from ensuring that the home is safe, to knowing what your loved one’s finances are as well as your own (in case you need to contribute), to readying yourself emotionally.

“Start any kind of conversation before you think you need to,” said Lori Wengerd, owner of Home Care Assistance, which has a location in Harrisburg. “There’s a lot that needs to be discussed and it generally can’t all be [resolved] in one sitting.”

Include all family members in the

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process. Set a date but try not to schedule it over the holidays.

“That’s not when people want to think about [stressful] things,” said Wengerd. “Don’t hurry. Takes things one day at a time and be respectful.”

Many older people aren’t able to do day-to-day tasks, such as housecleaning and laundry, or drive to appointments or to the store for groceries or medications. Some just need a little companionship to make life more meaningful. There are a number of agencies that can help aging loved ones live independently longer.

Home care agencies can provide

non-skilled assistance to seniors, allowing them to remain in their homes rather than enter a care facility.

“We can pretty much do anything [nonmedical] that you need. It’s providing a hand so people can live healthily and safely at home,” said Wengerd.

As our parents age, they become vulnerable to falls, memory loss, or Alzheimer’s. If a parent isn’t taking their medication or is unsure of themselves, talk about it. Closing your eyes to what is happening won’t make it go away and could be dangerous for them.

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(HHAs). These are services and care that can only be performed safely and effectively by a licensed nurse, which includes injections, tube feedings, catheter changes, observation and assessment of a patient’s condition, management and evaluation of a patient’s care plan, and wound care.

Home health agencies must be licensed in Pennsylvania. Medicare may cover this care.

As of 2009, home care agencies (HCAs) and home care registries (HCRs) must also be licensed. Look for home aides that are certified by the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC). Nonmedical home care is not covered by Medicare.

Finances need to be looked at realistically as well.

Robert Clofine, a nationally recognized specialist in elder law and certified as an elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, said there are three basic documents that your loved one needs to have in place: a will, a healthcare power of attorney, and a financial power of attorney.

The healthcare power of attorney is in place in case the aging parent is unable to communicate with physicians but your loved one’s health is not so dire that their living will becomes effective. The designated person will be able to make medical decisions on their behalf.

The healthcare POA gives the appointed guardian the right to do whatever he thinks the incapacitated person would do and to act in that person’s best interest.

“The other part [of the healthcare issue] is a living will. This document expresses a wish that [your loved one] be kept comfortable but not given lifesaving treatment,” said Clofine.

The living will indicates which treatments you do or do not want applied in the event they either suffer from a terminal illness or are in a permanent vegetative state.

If Dad becomes incapacitated and does not have a living will, you would have to go to court and have Dad determined incapacitated, and the court would appoint a guardian for him, Clofine said. And it might not be

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“We work really hard to allow the older adult to do the things that they want to do. If staying in their home is important, we want to do everything possible to help make that happen,” said Wengerd. “But it only makes sense to be proactive.”

A sudden illness can place a family in crisis. Little things in life become harder to navigate, and bigger decisions become overwhelming. A crisis point often starts this cycle, and staying in the home may not be possible. Wengerd said bringing in help early on can go a long way toward keeping your loved one in their home.

Wengerd said they are often called in during a crisis situation.

“Most are [patients] coming from a rehabilitation facility and need 24hour care, and caregivers don’t know how they are going to do that. It’s a very dangerous time, that transition time recovering from a fall or illness,” says Wengerd.

Sometimes there is a need for medical home health services, which are provided by home health agencies

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the person Dad intended it to be, especially if you have family members that are in disagreement.

“To avoid that guardianship proceeding is why you have a power of attorney,” said Clofine.

There are two types of guardianships: one is for the estate of the parent and the other is for the health of the parent. Clofine said many times the same person serves both roles.

“You are not sure what’s going to come down the pike, so you want the power of attorney very broad, all encompassing,” Clofine said. “It’s a very powerful piece of paper.”

The financial power of attorney must include the power for the agent to grant gifts of assets. With the cost of care, whether the parent remains at home with help or in a nursing home, financial issues can take center stage.

Clofine said early planning can protect the parent’s home. The home can always be transferred to a spouse, a child under 21, or a child who is blind or disabled. The home can be transferred to brothers and sisters that lived with them and held equity in the home or to a child who lived with them for two years before entering the nursing home and who provided care.

If a parent goes into a nursing home, they may still be eligible for medical assistance and retain their home as long as they state in writing that they intend to return to it.

“It’s an important thing to understand different care options and how those options are paid for,” said Clofine. “Everyone’s circumstances are different. Getting good advice about this is really, really challenging.

It’s important for the public to be aware that there are specialists [who can help].” ) ) )

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make sure an empty home is secure WRITTEN BY Lisa M. Petsche

IT MAY HAPPEN UNEXPECTEDLY: YOUR PARENT OR OTHER SENIOR relative who lives alone must spend a period of time in a hospital or a rehabilitation center or convalescing in a care facility.

If he’s a house dweller, looking after his home and its contents can be a complex task. Read on for valuable tips on how to keep his property safe during his absence.

Indoor Security Measures Remove any keys hanging by the door or stashed in a drawer.

Ensure all points of entry are secured. Place a snug-fitting piece of wood in the bottom of sliding-window and glass-door tracks to increase security. Disconnect the automatic

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garage-door opener and manually lock garage doors.

Arrange for mail to be redirected and suspend or cancel newspaper delivery.

Notify a trusted neighbor that your relative is away and ask him or her to watch for suspicious activity and call police if necessary. Ensure this person knows how to reach you should any problems arise.

Also ask him to do one or more of the following to make the house appear occupied: remove flyers from the

mailbox and porch, park a vehicle in the driveway, stand up blown-over lawn ornaments or make footprints to the door after a snowfall, and place a bag of garbage at the curb on waste-pickup day.

Keep some blinds open, and put indoor lights on timers.

Disconnect the answering machine.

Unplug electrical items that are susceptible to power surges.

Catalog, photograph, or videotape room contents. Record the serial numbers of valuable items, such as

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Outdoors Remove spare keys hidden under mats or elsewhere outside.

Lock tools and ladders in the garage or a shed so they’re not accessible to thieves.

Install timers or put photosensitive bulbs in outdoor lights.

Perform regular perimeter checks for signs of forced entry.

If you’re not able to perform outdoor maintenance tasks, enlist the help of a reliable neighbor or contract with a reputable yard-maintenance service. Another option is to hire a property manager to regularly inspect the place inside and out and arrange groundskeeping.

Vehicle Security Ensure windows are closed tight and doors are locked.

Remove registration and insurance information, as well as hidden keys.

Also remove anything of value.

Record the license number as well as the color, year, make, and model of

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televisions, stereos, and DVD players.

Remove smaller valuables and store them in a bank safe-deposit box.

Review your relative’s homeowner’s insurance policy to determine whether his policy provides coverage while the home is unoccupied for an extended time, and if so, under what conditions.

Ensure any conditions are met.

Perform regular checks for pests, ruptured pipes, water leakage, and other problems. Checks are especially important after storms and during extreme weather.

the vehicle and any visible damage.

Lock the vehicle in the garage. If it must remain in the driveway or on the street, get a security device such as an electronic alarm, kill switch, or steering-wheel lock.

Further Considerations Remove refrigerator contents that can spoil and any other perishable foods in the kitchen.

Store opened dry goods, such as sugar and flour, in sealed containers or place them in the fridge. Ensure kitchen and dining areas are free of food residue.

If your relative has a pet and you’re unable to care for it, find a friend or neighbor who will take it in. Otherwise, ask the local Humane Society if there’s a volunteer pet-fostering program in the area; arrange for a boarding facility; or hire a pet sitter to either make daily visits or stay in the house.

Take home plants or distribute them among family and friends if your relative has an abundance of them.

Turn off the water supply to the house if regular lawn and garden watering is not part of the maintenance plan.

Close chimney flues, which can be a point of entry for birds and small animals.

Notify the local police that the house will be vacant for the specified period of time. ) ) )

Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior issues.

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anniversary JIM JONES HAD A VISION TO CHANGE THE WORLD. HOWEVER, unbeknownst to his thousands of followers, his inspiring message was secretly cloaked in both deceit and evil. His promise of creating a heaven on Earth fell to waste, and in its wake left 900 people dead and an entire world reeling in disbelief.

Because of his poor upbringing in rural Indiana, Jones grew into an adult with a heart for reaching out to the rejected. He desired to take care of people, even those exiled to the outskirts of decent society in the 1960s—the poor, the blacks, and the elderly.

Jones began his pursuit for societal change when he and his wife became the first white parents to adopt a black child in the state of Indiana. This lit the fuse of Jones’s quest for collective revolution. In 1956, he opened his radical church, eventually known as The People’s Temple.

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The People’s Temple claimed to have a place for everyone, young and old, black and white, even the rich and poor.

Within a country suffering from a culture of segregation, Jones provided a venue where everyone was received and accepted. Jones created a place where people worked as a team “for something bigger than themselves.”

The church gained members quickly

and soon outgrew its home in Indiana.

Following promises of rural paradise, Jones and The People’s Temple uprooted themselves and transplanted into Ukaya, Calif. Although Ukaya fulfilled Jones and the community’s desire for lush greenery and open spaces, Jones was unable to continue to expand his

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members he had invited into his bedroom, men and women alike.

Jones was panicked.

Surviving church members have recounted the horrific punishment that was doled out to rule-breakers.

Questioning Jones or the church practices often resulted in public floggings and humiliation. Members were slapped, spanked, stripped naked, or made to box one another as means of “internal discipline.”

Stepping out of line in The People’s Temple was not accepted.

In 1975, Jones set out to create the physical utopia that he had always dreamed of but had never been able to actualize in the United States. The People’s Temple purchased a plot of land in Guyana and began to build their future headquarters and “heaven on Earth,” Jonestown.

Jones’s initial plan was to transplant the community when construction on Jonestown was finished. However, this arrangement was thwarted by an expository article written by a San Francisco journalist and a group of escaped People’s Temple members. He knew the article would cause irreparable damage.

Almost overnight, the majority of the People’s Temple members migrated to South America. Jones made it out of the United States six hours before the article hit newsstands.

Once in Guyana, Jones’ dreams started to slip through his fingers.

He tightened his grip of control over

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Photos courtesy of J.W. Ocker, OddThingsIveSeen.com

following in such a rustic setting.

And so, with continued hopes for grandeur, in the mid-1970s, The People’s Temple relocated its headquarters to San Francisco.

Members of the church, and believers in Jones’s saving powers, were called to give sacrificially to the church of their time and money to further their common mission.

This allowed food, housing, and other assistance to be offered to those who were in need.

Many members worked full-time jobs, only to spend their evenings and wee hours of the morning working for The People’s Temple. Most gave their entire paychecks to Jones each week. They were then allotted an allowance to live on. The People’s Temple was all about “the greater good” and not about self-fulfillment.

For years, the church continued to grow and flourish beyond expectation. But as time passed, cracks in the façade started to show.

At this point, people within the church were beginning to get restless. Jones’s practices were getting more and more extreme. He made it known to his followers that he believed the government was monitoring and trying to overthrow their efforts for social equality.

Two men accompanied Jones everywhere as human shields, ready to take a bullet at any time. He often smelled of alcohol and was believed to be taking illegal pain medication.

Jones preached celibacy from the pulpit, but rumors were swirling of the increasing number of church

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his people. As a means of continuous indoctrination, Jones’s voice was broadcast throughout Jonestown 24 hours a day, largely detailing fictitious U.S. government plans to attack and overthrow Jonestown. His people were terrified and clinging to Jones for survival.

Back in the United States, family members of the Jonestown residents were pressuring the government to intervene in the religious colony. An investigative team, led by Congressman Leo Ryan of California, was appointed to fly to Guyana to inspect the group.

The congressman arrived in Jonestown accompanied by a news team from NBC to document the trip. Ryan stated on camera that he couldn’t believe the vibrant community in front of him. The visit seemed to go off without a hitch … until a Jonestown member tried to slip a note to the news team.

The note contained a desperate plea begging to be rescued from the clutches of Jones. Once the news broke that one member wanted out of Jonestown, one after another desiring to leave came forward. The NBC news team found the story they had been searching for. Jim Jones’ vision was starting to crumble.

On the fateful day of Nov. 18, 1978, Congressman Ryan, the NBC crew, and the members of Jonestown leaving the colony headed toward an airstrip to board their plane back to the United States. As they pulled onto the tarmac, however, something went terribly wrong.

Documented by the cameras of the NBC team, an unidentified dump truck pulled up to the runway. Without

warning, members of Jonestown popped out of the bed of the truck and opened fire on the unsuspecting visitors. The congressman and many others were killed before the shooting ceased.

Back in Jonestown, Jones had summoned the entire colony to the meetinghouse. It was there that he informed them of the congressman’s murder. He told his people that there was now no way that the government would ever let them live in peace.

“If we can’t live in peace, let us die in peace,” Jones is heard proclaiming on the eerie vocal recording of the mass suicide.

“Bring the Kool-Aid,” he is heard saying.

With armed guards surrounding the pavilion, Jones called forth the children.

The children, or parents of those who were too small to drink autonomously, grabbed cups of the Flavor Aid/cyanide cocktail created by Jones.

One by one, they drank. Their bodies seized as the poison shut down their organs. Agonized cries of the dying and their families ring out on the recording for what seems like hours before Jones calls for the adults to drink. The women did, and finally the men.

Armed guards gunned down those who tried to run away into the jungle. In total, it is estimated between 909-918 people perished from an orchestrated, mass suicide that day. It is the largest event of its kind ever recorded.

Jones was found on the scene with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Few survived, by running or hiding, to share the final details of the real Jonestown, the promised “heaven” that turned into a very real hell. ) ) )

good vibrations ( meet a fellow boomer )))

((

Joan Miller ))) Age: 65 ))) Resides in: Lititz, Pa.

Joan, age 3, and her mother, Mary.

))) Profession: Office manager/medical assistant at Lancaster Cardiology Group, LLC, in Lancaster, Pa. ))) Hobby: I love to read, crochet, and do counted cross stitch.

Joan at age 8.

WHAT IS THE BEST MEMORY YOU HAVE FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD? My best childhood memory is coming home from school and seeing my mother and then smelling homemade bread that she just took out of the oven.

WHO WAS YOUR BEST CHILDHOOD FRIEND? DO YOU STILL KEEP IN TOUCH? My best childhood friend was Cathy and, yes, after almost 60 years we still keep in touch.

WHERE WAS THE BEST VACATION SPOT YOU REMEMBER GOING TO AS A KID? Niagara Falls with my parents, brother, aunt, and uncle and seeing the falls at nighttime.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE OUTDOOR CHILDHOOD GAME? Red light – Green light WHAT DID YOU DO ON A HOT SUMMER DAY? On hot summer days we went to the local pool in Holtwood.

WHAT WAS THE THRIFTIEST MEAL YOUR MOTHER SERVED FOR SUPPER? The thriftiest meal I remember is creamed asparagus over toast.

Left to right: Friends Nancy and Phil Wagner along with Joan and Denny on their wedding day.

)))

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? I am most proud of going back to school at the age of 58 and getting better grades than I did in high school.

What memories would you share? To be considered for a future good vibrations column, please visit www.bmagazinepa.com.

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