50plus Life York County – May 2024

Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

Savvy Senior

How to Tap Underutilized Burial Benefits for Veterans

What types of funeral benefits are available to old veterans? My 83-year-old father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s.

– Planning Ahead

Dear Planning,

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration actually offers a variety of underutilized burial benefits to veterans as well as their spouses and dependents.

Most U.S. veterans (both combat and noncombat) who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for burial benefits. To verify your dad’s discharge, you’ll need a copy of his DD Form 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.” If you don’t have it, you can request it from the National Archives online at archives.gov/veterans.

Here’s a rundown of some of the different benefits available to veterans who die a nonservice-related death.

Military Cemetery Benefits

If your dad is eligible and would like to be buried in one of the 155 national or 119 state, territorial, or tribal-operated cemeteries (see va.gov/find-locations), the VA provides a number of benefits at no cost to the family, including:

• A gravesite

• Opening and closing of the grave and perpetual gravesite care

• A government headstone or marker

• A United States burial flag that can be used to drape the casket or accompany the urn

• A Presidential Memorial Certificate

If your dad is cremated, his remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner as casketed remains.

But be aware that funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not taken care of by the VA. They are the responsibility of the veteran’s family, but some veterans’ survivors may be eligible for burial allowances.

The VA also offers a memorial webpage called the Veterans Legacy Memorial (vlm.cem.va.gov) for any veteran buried in a national, state, territorial, or tribal cemetery. This allows families to post pictures and stories of their loved one online as a way to remember and honor their service.

If you’re interested in this option, the VA has a pre-need burial eligibility determination program to help you plan ahead before your dad passes. See va.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility or call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117.

Private Cemetery Benefits

The VA also provides benefits to veterans buried in private cemeteries.

If your dad chooses this option, the VA benefits include:

• A free government headstone or grave marker or a medallion that can be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker

• A burial flag

• A Presidential Memorial Certificate

Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are again the responsibility of the family, and there are no benefits offered to spouses and dependents who are buried in private cemeteries.

Military Funeral Honors

Another popular benefit available to all eligible veterans buried in either a national or private cemetery is a military funeral honors ceremony.

This includes an honor guard detail of at least two uniformed military persons, folding and presenting the U.S. burial flag to the veteran’s survivors, and the playing of “Taps.”

The funeral provider you choose will be able to assist you with all VA burial requests. Depending on what you want, certain forms may need to be completed, which are always better done in advance.

For a complete rundown of burial and memorial benefits, eligibility details, and required forms, visit the National Cemetery Administration online at cem.va.gov.

Burial Allowances

In addition to the burial benefits, some veterans’ survivors may also qualify for a $948 burial allowance and $948 for a plot to those who choose to be buried in a private cemetery, as well as a $231 headstone or grave marker allowance.

To find out if your dad is eligible or to apply, see va.gov/burials-memorials/ veterans-burial-allowance.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Cover Story pressure pointers

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Awards

50 plus Life is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community.

On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature.

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. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc.

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By Sandra Gordon

You can’t see or feel high blood pressure (hypertension), which is why — unlike, say, nausea or fainting — it can be easy to ignore. A better tactic?

Learn more about it, starting with what high blood pressure is.

“Most people think blood pressure is the pressure in their arm, but in reality, it’s the pressure in every blood vessel in your body, including the pressure inside the chamber of the heart,” says cardiologist Dr. Anuj Shah, founder and director of Apex Heart and Vascular Care in Passaic, New Jersey.

Aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or jogging, has been shown to lower blood pressure by 5-7 mmHg in adults with hypertension, which is significant.

To maximize exercise’s blood-pressure-lowering potential, do even more than 90-150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise.

May is National High Blood pressure Education Month

Over time, unmanaged high blood pressure — blood pressure greater than 130/80 (stage 1) or greater than 140/90 (stage 2) — can lead to serious health problems, including kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke, the leading causes of death in the U.S.

An estimated 50% of the U.S. adult population has blood pressure greater than 130/80. Normal blood pressure of 120/80 or less is the goal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 1 in 4 adults with high blood pressure has it under control.

The good news? There’s a lot you can do to manage your blood pressure. We investigated the latest medical updates to narrow your to-do list to these three important steps.

1. Push yourself. If you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may suggest focusing on lifestyle changes first before prescribing medication. This approach could include losing weight, reducing caffeine to less than 300 mg per day (about two to three cups of coffee), limiting alcohol to no more than two drinks daily (men) or one (women), and exercising 90-150 minutes per week.

Of those lifestyle changes, “exercise gives you the most bang for your buck,” Shah says. “Even if you’re overweight, there’s a higher chance you’ll be able to maintain all of your cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure control, if you exercise regularly.”

A study in Current Hypertension Reports, which reviewed 33 studies on the blood pressure response to exercise, recommended aerobic exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week, and dynamic resistance training (strength training) on two to three days in that same week, which can lower blood pressure by 2-3 mmHg. According to the researchers, this combination could lower cardiovascular disease risk by 20-30%.

2. Do a mental reset. There’s an emotional component to high blood pressure that’s gaining ground. Ongoing stress can set off a hormonal cascade that triggers the autonomic nervous system: the fight-or-flight response.

“Your autonomic nervous system is a set of nerves that controls blood pressure,” Shah says.

It knows no bounds. The autonomic nervous system can be helpful if you’re running out of the way of an oncoming car. But it can chronically raise your blood pressure if it’s constantly activated because you’re worried about losing your job or paying the bills.

To gain better control of your blood pressure, train your mind to deactivate the autonomic nervous system in your daily life. Physical activity is one way to help calm your nerves and another reason to be active.

Consider adding meditation to the mix. A study in the International Journal of Hypertension found that meditation techniques may produce small yet meaningful reductions in blood pressure. And don’t skimp on rest.

“Getting enough sleep also plays a role in controlling blood pressure,” Shah says.

3. Double up on medication. Besides lifestyle, genetics plays a role in hypertension.

“You’re more likely to have high blood pressure if one or two of your parents has it,” says Dr. Daniel Devine, an internal and geriatric medicine physician in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Under those circumstances, you may need medication in addition to modifying your lifestyle to control your blood pressure.

There are four classes of blood-pressure-lowering medication: diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers.

“Any one of these four medications will help reduce blood pressure by 10-15 mmHg,” says Devine.

The trend now is to prescribe two of these medications at once in lower doses.

“We’ve found that summation of two medicines has a greater effect at reducing blood pressure. They have a synergistic effect,” Devine says.

Blood pressure Monitor Buying Tips

Do you really have high blood pressure, or is it just elevated in the doctor’s office, a phenomenon known as “white coat hypertension”?

To get a true assessment, check your blood pressure at home in the morning and evening; keep a log for one to two weeks or longer, and bring it to your doctor.

Blood pressure monitors come with cuffs in pediatric, small adult, regular adult, and large and extra-large adult, depending on the diameter of your arm.

Blood pressure monitors aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. To select a home monitor that’s clinically accurate, visit the American Medical Association’s validated device listing at validatebp.org before shopping.

For the most accurate home reading, buy an automatic home blood pressure monitor with an upper arm cuff, which measures blood pressure in the brachial artery, an artery close to the heart.

“There’s a bit of a Goldilocks fit. You want to make sure the cuff is the appropriate size for the size of your arm,” Devine says.

NursiNg & rehabiLitatioN CeNters

Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition. This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

Number of Beds: 69

Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes

Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical

Rehabilitation Unit: Yes

Short-Term Care: Yes

Long-Term Care: Yes

Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes

Private Rooms: Yes

Semi-Private Rooms: Yes

24-Hour Medical Care: Yes

Number of Beds: 95

Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes

BETHANy VILLAgE – THE OAk S 325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-0279 • www.bethanyvillage.org

Security System: Yes

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Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes

Accreditations/Affiliations: Eagle, LeadingAge PA Comments: Maplewood Assisted Living also available.

Number of Beds: 58

Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes

Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Rehabilitation Unit: Yes

Short-Term Care: Yes

Long-Term Care: Yes

Alzheimer’s Unit: No

Private Rooms: Yes

Semi-Private Rooms: Yes

24-Hour Medical Care: Yes

HOMELANd CENTER

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Security System: Yes

Staff Background Checks: Yes

Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical

Rehabilitation Unit: Yes

Short-Term Care: Yes

Long-Term Care: Yes

Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes

Private Rooms: Yes

Semi-Private Rooms: Yes

24-Hour Medical Care: Yes

CUMBERLANd CROSSINgS 1 Longsdorf Way • Carlisle, PA 17015 717-240-6013 • www.diakonseniorliving.org

Security System: Yes

Staff Background Checks: Yes

Internet Access: Yes

Recreational Activities: Yes

Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes

Accreditations/Affiliations: Leading Age

Comments: Offering a range of exceptional lifestyle options including independent living, personal care, and skilled nursing.

Internet Access: Yes

Recreational Activities: Yes

Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes

Accreditations/Affiliations: AAHSA, LeadingAge, NHPCO, PHPCN, PHA PA, HPNA, and CAPC

Comments: A beautiful, full-service continuing care retirement community with a history of more than 157 years of exemplary care.

if you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your marketing consultant or call (717) 285-1350.

Conversation Starters for Mother’s Day

If you’re trying to make conversation at Mother’s Day dinner this year, try sprinkling some of these facts into the discussion:

• One of the earliest celebrations of mothers in recorded history comes from ancient Greece, when a spring festival was dedicated to Rhea, the mother of the gods.

• A Russian woman in the 18th century is said to have given birth to the most children. She was the wife of Feodor Vassilyev, and she produced a total of 69 children, including 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets, and four sets of quadruplets. Of those, 67 are said to have survived infancy.

• The first woman to give birth in the White House was Martha Randolph, daughter of President Thomas Jefferson, on Jan. 17, 1806.

• The first woman to give birth in an airplane was Mrs. T.W. Evans on Oct. 28, 1929, over Miami.

• In 340 B.C., Aristotle observed that dolphins gave birth to live young that were attached to their mothers by umbilical cords. For this reason, he considered dolphins and related creatures to be mammals. Biologists agreed with him — 24 centuries later.

• Eileithyia was the Greek goddess of childbirth and the divine helper of women in labor (in other words, the goddess of labor pain).

Puzzle Page

Across 1. Stair part

Challenge

Relinquish 14. Pakistani tongue 15. Particular

16. Following 17. Common street name

18. Star Wars name 19. Refinement

20. Little feet do it

23. Letter before iota 24. Wine label info 25. Pouch 1. Water collector

Mannerism 3. Writer Wharton

Kicker 5. British P.M. before Gladstone

Crowning 7. Track event 8. Be theatrical

Type of grave, for the Titanic

Off in thedistance

“___ alive!”

Chow checker

Bard’s “before”

28. Wished undone

30. Go-getter

32. Morse E

35. Trojan War epic

38. Madame Bovary

39. Seed covering

41. Bullion unit

43. Feathery scarves

44. Give as an example

45. Salami choice

47. Aardvark’s morsel

48. Balloon filler

51. Goya’s Duchess of ___

21. Handbag

22. Small child

25. Apia locale

26. Jordan’s capital

27. Seashore

29. Minor damage

31. Colo. neighbor

32. Russian retreat

33. Bay window

34. Sir or madam

36. Epoch

37. Lady of Spain

40. Luau souvenir

42. It lifts for money

53. Draft choice

54. Plug away

57. Corporate department

60. Submarine part

63. Sick and tired

66. Eye layer

67. Four-star review

68. Cover story?

69. Sheet music symbol

70. Not docked

71. Skin problem

72. Limerick language

73. Tool building

46. Support, in a way

49. Promised land

50. Calendar abbr.

52. Greek public squares

55. Habituate

56. Giblets part

58. Flooded

59. Embankment

60. Die

61. Famed loch

62. Interpret

63. Portly plus

64. Biblical judge

65. Clamor

Unfrosted: The Pop-Tarts Story

In 1964, America was focused on the civil rights movement, Cassius Clay becoming Muhammed Ali, and the Beatles dominating the music world.

But none of these events resonated with young Jerry Seinfeld as much as a toasted breakfast treat called Pop-Tarts. Breakfast time for this New York kid could now mean a warm, gooey treat that trumped soggy cereal or bland oatmeal.

Highly processed? Non-nutritional? Who cared when you were a hungry 10-year-old?

Seinfeld so loved Pop-Tarts that he later worked them into his nightclub routine: “How did they know,” he would ask his audience, “that there would be a need for a frosted, fruit-filled heated rectangle in the same shape as the box it comes in? And with the same nutrition as the box it comes in?

“Once there were Pop-Tarts, I could not understand why other types of food needed to exist. My mom would continue to prepare meals, and I’d say, ‘Mom, what are you doing ?’”

Seinfeld claims that his inspiration for Unfrosted: The Pop-Tarts Story buzzed in his brain during the

COVID pandemic.

“Watching endless sad faces on TV, I thought this would be a good time to make something based on pure silliness,” he explains.

This tale, which Seinfeld wrote, directed, edited, and co-starred in, reflects his love for the absurd, small things in daily life.

Seinfeld’s story opens in 1963 and depicts the all-out food fight between cereal giants Kellogg and Post. His original work is essentially fiction, but he has woven some real-life elements into his script, including just how cutthroat the business world can be.

His unique-vision offering is replete with such well-established comic actors as Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, Fred Armisen, and Daniel Levy. There’s even a surprise appearance by Hugh Grant, who’s often hilarious in his own way. The script manages to showcase each performer and develop their character.

Seinfeld has always claimed to base his legendary career on “nothing,” and he says today, “There is no story, but there are a couple of elements that are true that we use to begin the story, which is that Post came up with this idea, Kellogg’s heard about it, and they said, ‘We have to do the same thing.’”

On Feb. 10, 2024, former Kellogg’s employee William Post (no relation to Kellogg’s business rival) died at age 96. He had been responsible for creating Pop-Tarts.

• Your focused message reaches its targeted audience. • Multi-venue promotion — online, in print, and through social media platforms. • Year-round distribution — annual Women’s Expos and 50 plus EXPOs, local offices of

“Godspeed, Bill Post,” Seinfeld posted on Instagram. “You bent pastry and fruit filling to your will and convinced parents to serve dessert for breakfast.”

The Netflix feature releases on May 3.

Randal C. Hill enjoys getting sneak peeks of forthcoming movies from his home on the Oregon coast. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

randal Hill

eLder Law attorNeys

bellomo & associates

3198 East Market Street York, PA 17402

717-845-5340

rdrotarcassidy@bellomoassociates.com www.bellomoassociates.com

Johnson Duffie

301 Market Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043

717-761-4540 • fax 717-761-3015 wpecht@johnsonduffie.com www.johnsonduffie.com

#elderlawattorneys#attorneystotalyearfounded

This

*nationalacademyofelder lawattorneys Member?

ssociation Member?

nikolaus & hohenadel, llP

212 North Queen Street Lancaster, PA 17603 717-299-3726 • fax 717-299-1811 www.n-hlaw.com

stock and leader

221 West Philadelphia Street, Suite 600 York, PA 17401-2994

717-846-9800 fax 717-843-6134 info@stockandleader.com www.stockandleader.com

services.

ssociation ofelderlawattorneys Member? *localbara ssociation Member? specific areas of elder law concentration or comments:

Estate planning, elder law, asset protection planning, Medicaid planning, crisis Medicaid planning, special needs planning, and lifecare planning.

Estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills/advanced healthcare directives, estate administration, guardianship, Medicaid planning, crisis Medicaid planning, veteran benefits, and special needs planning.

Estate planning, wills, financial powers of attorney, durable healthcare powers of attorney (living wills), guardianships, Medicaid planning, and estate administration. Offices in Lancaster, Columbia, Elizabethtown, and Quarryville.

Estate planning – wills, powers of attorney, financial, healthcare, and general; trusts; end-of-life issues; special needs planning – trusts, guardianship; asset protection – gift tax analysis, business succession planning, charitable giving; medical assistance and Medicaid planning; estate administration; and fiduciary litigation.

The Beauty in Nature Woodies and Hoodies

Wood ducks and hooded merganser ducks are not closely related but have characteristics in common because they share nesting habitats near creeks and ponds in woodlands in much of the eastern United States.

Their shared niches molded them into being somewhat similar species (called convergence), particularly in their similar nesting behaviors. Both kinds of ducks adapted similarly to take advantage of woods and water habitats to their benefit.

Woody and hoody females hatch ducklings in tree cavities caused by wind ripping limbs off larger sycamore, silver maple, and ash-leafed maple trees along, or near, creeks and impoundments. There, clutches of eggs and newly hatched young are relatively safe, although some of each might fall prey to raccoons or barred owls.

Some people erect large nesting boxes near water in woods on their properties, so that these duck species have additional nesting places. And both kinds readily use them and increase their numbers.

During March, in woods and tree-lined cow pastures near water, I’ve seen pairs of woodies and hoodies flying from tree to tree and searching for deserted tree hollows. Both genders of each kind are lithe for agility when landing on tree limbs to rest or look around for a cavity.

But the duck species have to compete with each other, and raccoons and barred owls, to get a hollow. Some female ducks are not successful and spend the summer as bachelorettes.

Each female of both kinds lays about 12 eggs in a hollow and sets on them when the clutch is complete. That way, all the ducklings hatch the same day.

One day after hatching, each mother duck calls to her brood from water or the ground below. In response, ducklings of both species climb up the rough inside of the tree cavity to its entrance.

After a brief “look-around,” each fluffy baby, in turn, jumps from its nursery entrance and lands on water or a dead-leaf cover on the ground, bounces a bit, gets upright, and follows its mother to feed on aquatic invertebrates.

Those camouflaged ducklings exiting their tree-hole cradles are a fascinating sight to see.

Interestingly, some hens of both species lay some of their eggs in other hens’ nests, whether those nurseries are of their own species or the other one. The adopted ducklings hatch with their stepsiblings. All ducklings of both kinds instinctively feed on protein-rich aquatic invertebrates.

Adult wood ducks are omnivorous, eating plant material and invertebrates. But adult mergansers feed on small fish mostly, as well as tadpoles, crayfish, and aquatic invertebrates.

Female woodies and hoodies are mostly brown — good camouflage while raising ducklings. But drakes of both kinds have gaudy feathering to attract hens for mating. Drake mergansers even raise and lower white crests on their heads to attract attention.

Wood ducks and hooded mergansers are attractive, interesting ducks that raise young here in southeastern Pennsylvania. Seeing pairs of them in spring, or families of ducklings in summer, is a treat. They are lovely additions to the local avifauna.

Clyde McMillan-Gamber

Wood duck

Hooded merganser duck

Bill Levine

Booming Voice

Hearing Losses and Gains

I heard the unfortunate words loud and clear from my audiologist: “Your hearing aids can’t make up your deficit in your word discrimination.”

In the just-completed hearing test, I recoiled each too-often time the monotone voice said, “Say [indistinctive word],” causing me to just wild guess. My only hope was that my hearing aids could mitigate the problem.

Learning that my high-tech hearing aids couldn’t help me distinguish “hate” from “ate” produced both anger and despair. I thought these mini-computers in my head were really “bionic ears.”

As I had just turned three-score and 10, I took my hearing loss as a depressing introduction to That 70s Life. Shortly after I flunked my hearing test, I figured that if I bit the bullet, closed captioning could reduce the impact of my word-recognition loss on TV.

But first I would have to get over my image of closed captioning as the staple of senior-living movie nights. Fortunately, it took me much less time to be comfortable with closed captioning than it did to accept hearing aids.

My wife first suggested I get a hearing test after “what?” started to be a toocommon household question. I was in my mid-50s and not crazy about getting a senior-citizen accoutrement.

My bad attitude was not abated by my choice of a hearing aid dispensary, staffed by a dispenser/salesman and not an audiologist. Only my left ear needed an aid, but it never, ever fit well and went on the blink too much, featuring an annoying buzz. My hearing back then was not compromised that much, so I gave up wearing this problematic device after a year or two.

The beginning of my acceptance of hearing aids began 10 years ago, when I decided to seek help from a very professional audiology practice in my hometown. This practice provided me with a state-of-the-art model that never buzzed in my ear, amplified sound well, and was almost invisible.

This microchip ear clip was expensive, but I still had a one-ear discount due to a relatively normal right ear. Over the next few years, my hearing aid, together with my glasses and my MasterCard, were items I gladly never left home without.

A hearing test in 2018, though, indicated I now needed a right ear aid. I feared I was entering the old-codger, two-hearing-aids existence.

But before I could really contemplate this ego dent, I got the double whammy of a $7,000 tab for my impaired hearing. I immediately asked my audiologist if there was a slightly cheaper set, as I was willing to give up hearing all the bells and dog whistles that $7,000 should provide.

My audiologist, though, with a modicum of sympathy, said there was nothing comparable at a lower price. Thus, I purchased the Cadillac of aural

enhancement, which immediately moved into third place as my most valuable possession, behind my house and my car.

Still, until two months ago, when I received my “lack of word discrimination” hearing test results, I had stopped dwelling on the cost and accepted my expensive hearing aids as comfortably essential for daily activity.

But now I feel stuck with these un-amazing hearing aids, which were more expensive than half the inventory on a used-car lot but can’t keep American movie audio from sounding as indiscernible as Scottish.

So I tried to ignore the shame in that stock saying: “Close captioning available for the hearing impaired.” Plus, I was surprised to find that some friends were turning on CC.

I have worked on setting CC on all the various venues I use to view movies. I still have not figured out Amazon Prime’s CC access. This was a problem on a recent movie, Tender Bar, which included extensive dialogue where the young protagonist’s uncle provided life lessons. I know I missed a few lessons that were profound because they were delivered by Ben Affleck.

Sure, I’m not happy that my hearing is now downgraded to CC. Thankfully, though, I have good internal hearing, so when that little voice says that at 70, I should feel grateful that hearing loss is my only age-related physical challenge, I hear the voice loud and clear.

Bill Levine is a retired IT professional and active freelance writer. Bill aspires to be a humorist because it is easier to be pithy than funny. He may be reached at wlevine0607@comcast.net

May is better heariNg & sPeeCh MoNth

Dear Pharmacist

identifying 8 Causes of Tinnitus and 5 Medications that intensify it

Tinnitus is a condition characterized by hearing some kind of noise or ringing in the ears, often described as buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or humming, when no external sound is present.

Tinnitus is not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying health issue, which could involve the ear, the auditory nerve, or other areas of the brain. Coping with it is very hard sometimes!

According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus affects approximately 1520% of the population in the United States, which equates to around 50 million people. Among these, 2 million have extreme and debilitating cases.

Let’s go through the eight most common reasons for tinnitus.

1. Pulsatile tinnitus: This type of tinnitus matches the heartbeat. It can be due to various causes including high blood pressure, changes in the blood vessels near the ear, or increased blood flow near the ears. See a doctor for this one.

2. Meniere’s disease: An inner ear disorder characterized by ringing in the ear, spinning sensation (vertigo), and some degree of hearing loss.

3. Eustachian tube dysfunction: This occurs when the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose, don’t open or close properly. This can cause a variety of symptoms including noises in the ear.

4. Medications: Certain medications, especially in high doses, can cause tinnitus as a side effect.

5. Earwax buildup: Sometimes, a simple buildup of earwax can cause tinnitus.

6. Blood vessel disorders: Conditions such as atherosclerosis or an arteriovenous malformation can sometimes cause tinnitus. Over-thinning the blood, usually through the use of anticoagulant or anti-platelet medications, can alter the flow of blood through the vessels.

7. Middle ear conditions: Problems with the bones in the middle ear can cause tinnitus.

8. High blood pressure: Hypertension can, in some cases, cause pulsatile tinnitus.

Now let’s talk about the medications that are commonly associated with tinnitus. It’s a misnomer to assume that you have to take these medications chronically to trigger an episode. It could happen faster than that.

Some of the most common drugs include:

• Aspirin or salicylates, especially in high doses

• NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen

• Certain antibiotics, which have been linked to tinnitus

• Antimalarials, such as chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine

• Some people report tinnitus as a side effect of certain antidepressants

If you suspect that a medication is causing tinnitus, speak to your doctor. Some natural remedies exist that could help. For example, ginkgo biloba may increase blood flow to the head and neck. It may also backfire, so use under the guidance of a doctor. Melatonin, B vitamins, and zinc are also potentially useful.

Magnesium is probably the most exciting natural option, and I have more about all of these natural treatments if you want to read the longer version of this article at my website, suzycohen.com

If you have symptoms, see an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an audiologist. There’s more information available at ata.org

This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit suzycohen.com.

Suzy Cohen

May is better heariNg &

Quick Statistics: Hearing Loss in the U.S.

• Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) ages 18 and over report some trouble hearing.

• Age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among adults ages 20-69, with the greatest amount of hearing loss in the 60-69 age group.

• Men are almost twice as likely as women to have hearing loss among adults ages 20-69.

• About 5% of adults ages 45-54 have disabling hearing loss. The rate increases to 10% for adults ages 55-64. 22% of those ages 65-74 and 55% of those who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.

• Roughly 10% of the U.S. adult population, or about 25 million Americans, has experienced tinnitus lasting at least 5 minutes in the past year.

• About 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.

• Among adults ages 70 and older with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids, fewer than 1 in 3 (30%) has ever used them. Even fewer adults ages 20-69 (approximately 16%) who could benefit from wearing hearing aids have ever used them.

Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

Collecting revival: record players and Vinyl records

The portable record player has reached middle age.

That’s right: Portable record players have reached 50 years old, and that means a collecting revival is on the horizon. The RCA record players were mid-century modern record players that have retained interest with today’s collectors.

The 1960s and 1970s marks the golden age of portable record players and turntables with built-in speakers. Teenagers would bring their box record player/stereos and handy vinyl record-carrying case to a friend’s house and listen to music after school until dinnertime.

Manufacturers that made turntables with stereo playback hi-fi sound sparked consumers’ interest and encouraged shoppers to buy turntables for the home. The hi-fi sound made them a mainstay in America’s living rooms and dens.

In the late 1800s, Regina tune sheet music boxes, Edison phonographs, and Victor Victrolas represented some of the early versions of record players.

The Regina music boxes were made in Rahway, New Jersey. Housed in a mahogany, oak, or cherry wood box, these music players used a comb mechanism to play 15-inch metal tune sheets of various songs of the day. They were portable and are often available at auctions and online.

In the early 1900s, the famous and highly recognizable Victor Victrola played music from a freestanding cabinet of solid hardwood. This piece of furniture hosted the turntable on the top beneath

Lori Verderame

“Victrola No 2 reproducer – i n box B,” by infrogmation, licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0.

Early turntables included the reproducer No. 2 phonograph by the Victor Talking Machine Company, circa 1917-1924.

“Babyphon phonograph turntable,” by Maksym Kozlenko, licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0.

Mid-1950s Babyphon phonograph turntable.

Tom Blake

On Life and Love after 50

The Benefits of Grief Groups

Seventeen months ago, Greta, my mate of 25 years, passed away. I wasn’t technically a widower — Greta and I were not married — but the hurt and loss were like what widowed people experience.

A month later, one of my widowed friends recommended I attend a grief group session near my home. At that session, I quickly learned there were lots of people who were dealing with the same sadness I felt.

Attending that grief group session turned out to be the best thing I’ve done to move on with my life since her passing.

At the first session, there were six women and two men: me and a guy named Jim, age 72, who had been married for 47 years.

Jim had also joined a different grief group where he became friends with five other women. I was pleased when they invited me to become a member of their tightknit group. With them, I’ve enjoyed outings that include dinners, parties, and concerts.

Being with people who have also suffered a loss, or losses, can be very helpful toward the recapturing of one’s life. When one person in the group feels down, which happens for numerous reasons, the other members of the group show empathy, encouragement, and support.

There are times when grieving people isolate themselves inside their homes. They want and need “alone time.”

However, too much isolation is detrimental to one’s health. When that happens to one of our members, other members reach out to that person and encourage him or her to get out of the house and socialize with people who care about them.

rECorD from facing page

a domed lid, speakers that were revealed by opening two panel doors, and a storage area at the bottom that was home to records.

One point of note is that Victrolas are of interest to collectors as long as they are in working condition. Today, certain antique or vintage record players command thousands of dollars with collectors.

Since 2015, there has been an increase in the value of vintage record players and stereo cabinets housing radio receivers, speakers, and turntables. During my video-call appraisal sessions, most clients are pleasantly surprised with the market retail value for such pieces.

On March 9, our group of seven, plus 10 friends of our group members, went together to see Super Diamond , a Neil Diamond tribute band, at a nearby club. The 17 of us had an enjoyable evening.

Based on the audience’s enthusiasm, the favorite Neil Diamond songs were “Sweet Caroline” (of course), “I Am ... I Said,” and “Forever in Blue Jeans.”

Grief groups are not only places for support, but also places to make new friends. A common bond that makes grief groups so valuable is that each person has encountered a devastating loss (or losses).

The loss could be caused from the death of a spouse, a divorce, the loss of a pet, or even the loss of a job. In our group, the members understand each other and have empathy toward one another.

After the formal grief sessions have ended, often an individual from within a group steps up and puts effort into planning events to ensure the new friends get together often. These friendships may go on forever.

For example, Gina from our group — in her 40s, the youngest — put the Neil Diamond tribute event together, and Katie had a pre-party gathering at her home.

Unlike in senior dating, an age difference in grief groups is a non-issue. Our group has an age range of 40s to 80s.

This group has helped me immensely in getting on with my life after my loss in 2022. And I know the others in my group feel the same way.

For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to findingloveafter50.com.

Digital music downloads have changed the way we listen to our favorite songs. Fortunately, convenience has not outpaced vintage style. Many of today’s collectors are adding to their contemporary music libraries with oldschool vinyl records, complete with artful album covers and vintage record players.

Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide and appears on Netflix’s King of Collectibles and History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Pawn Stars Do America. Visit drloriv. com, watch videos at youtube.com/drloriv, or call (888) 431-1010.

photo credit: Staff of drloriv.com portable turntable with built-in speakers, circa 1960s.

regina music boxes, with their metal tune sheets, were popular between 1890 and 1915.

‘Hooked on a feeling’

Ooga-chaka ooga ooga

Ooga-chaka ooga ooga

Ooga-chaka ooga ooga

Ooga-chaka ooga ooga

These nonsense syllables kicked off Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling.” As absurd as the “words” are, this opening chant proved to be a goldmine gimmick for grabbing music-listeners’ attention worldwide.

It’s a meandering path that leads to the “oogachaka” we heard so often in 1974, so let’s do a little time traveling.

In 1959, singer Johnny Preston topped the charts with “Running Bear,” a Big Bopper-composed tale of two Native Americans who love each other but are kept apart by their warring tribes. (Shades of Romeo and Juliet!)

Preston’s million-seller started with “ugga-ugga ugga-ugga ugga-ugga ugga-ugga,” a chant provided by both uncredited country superstar George Jones and the session’s recording engineer.

Let’s jump nearly a decade to 1968. Songwriter

“Hooked

Mark James has composed “Hooked on a Feeling,” a tune he wrote for his friend, singer B.J. Thomas. (James wrote the song about the thrills of being in love with his childhood sweetheart.)

Thomas took James’s work to No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

We come now to 1971 and Jonathan King, a U.K. music star who had scored a Top 20 American hit in 1965 with the quirky “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon.”

King, who realized the power of a “grabber” introduction on a record, took inspiration from the opening of “Running Bear” to create his own nonsense syllables — “ooha-chagga ooga ooga” — to open his cover version of “Hooked on a Feeling.”

His recording did well on the English charts but went unnoticed in the United States.

This brings us (finally) to 1974. In Stockholm, Sweden, the seven-member band Blue Swede, fronted by Bjorn Skifs, recorded the most popular version ever of “Hooked on a Feeling.” Released on EMI Records, it reached No. 1 in several countries, including ours.

Mark James’s lyrics had claimed that love is like a drug, that one can be “high on believin’” and that he wants to “stay addicted” to the girl who can turn him on. Pretty innocent stuff, really, but Blue Swede wanted to avoid any possible drug references, so they changed a few words:

B.J. Thomas had claimed:

I got it bad for you, girl

But I don’t need a cure

I’ll just stay addicted

If I can endure

But Blue Swede offered:

Got a bug from you, girl

But I don’t need no cure

I’ll just stay a victim

If I can for sure

That awkward change — which never made sense — didn’t hinder the song from becoming a worldwide winner.

P.S. Blue Swede is often dismissed as another “one-hit wonder,” having a lone high-charting disc but no successful follow-ups. Actually, Blue Swede did release a second Top 10 single here, a cover of the Association’s 1967 work “Never My Love.”

Peppy though it was, Blue Swede’s rendition lacked “legs,” as their version didn’t have the catchiness of the smash single that had made the Swedish guys a brief headliner in the world of popular music.

Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

randal Hill

Credit Capital records

Advertisement for the musical group Blue Swede.

on a feeling”

By Blue Swede May 1974

Women: protect Yourself from Stroke

Stroke is a danger to everyone, but women can face their own risks of suffering it during their lifetimes.

Pregnancy, preeclampsia, and long-term stress can increase your chances of stroke, so follow this advice from the Sierra News Online website for staying healthy:

Watch your blood pressure. High blood pressure is the top preventable cause of stroke, so keeping blood pressure under control is vital. Have it checked at least twice a year by your doctor, and more often at home when possible.

You can decrease your blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco.

Know your risk from past pregnancies. High blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and blood clots during pregnancy all increase stroke risk, both during pregnancy and after.

Women who have had preeclampsia have three to four times the risk of high blood pressure and double the risk for heart disease and stroke, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation. They also have an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Manage your mental health. Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure and unhealthy decisions, like overeating or drinking too much. Carve out some time to relax every day.

Exercise and meditations can help keep your stress levels low. A therapist can suggest strategies for coping with stress.

Recognize the warning signs. Remember the word FAST to respond quickly to a stroke:

• Face – Is one side of your face drooping? Do you have difficulty smiling evenly?

• Arms – A suddenly weak or numb arm is a symptom of stroke, along with difficulty raising both arms above the head.

• Speech – Are you slurring your words? Having trouble speaking or understanding other people? Try to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”

• Time to call 911 – Any of these symptoms means you should get to a hospital immediately, even if they go away. Keep track of the time so you can tell doctors exactly when the symptoms first appeared.

Nancy J. Schaaf

Nurse Nancy observing the National Moment of remembrance

Memorial Day sparks images of sizzling hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill along with sides of baked beans, potato salad, and flag-decorated desserts. This day marks the unofficial beginning of summer.

But Memorial Day also serves as an opportunity to reflect as we honor the brave Americans who fought for our freedom. The holiday is a sacred time of remembrance, and it is the day when we take the time to remember those who’ve died serving and protecting our country.

Most people in the United States celebrate the holiday, but only some are aware of the National Moment of Remembrance, an annual event in which Americans pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.

The National Moment of Remembrance, although voluntary, encourages everyone to participate by pausing for one minute of silent reflection. You only need to stop your activities for 60 seconds.

The National Moment of Remembrance idea occurred in May 1996 after a

• Year-round distribution — annual Women’s Expos and 50 plus EXPOs, local offices of aging, and other popular venues.

school field trip ignited a nationwide conversation. When a group of schoolchildren touring Washington, D.C., were asked what Memorial Day meant, the children answered that the holiday was “the day the pools open.”

Also, during same month, a Gallup poll showed that only 28% of Americans knew the meaning of Memorial Day.

These responses disheartened many people. Four years later, the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance came into existence. To establish the commission, Congress declared:

“It is essential to remember and renew the legacy of Memorial Day, which was established in 1828 to pay tribute to individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice to the United States and their families …”

The National Moment of Remembrance is a national act of unity and reflection. This moment of silence gives Americans the opportunity to express their gratitude. More importantly, the National Moment of Remembrance reminds us of the lives lost fighting for our nation.

please see NATioNAL on facing page

Memorial Day: Monday, May 27

The Healthy Geezer Treat TiAs Seriously

Q. Is a TIA dangerous?

TIA stands for “transient ischemic attack.” A TIA is an interruption in the flow of blood to a part of your brain. Its symptoms are the same as for a stroke.

A TIA lasts anywhere from minutes to many hours. It goes away and leaves no apparent permanent effects.

If you have a TIA, your chances of having a stroke are increased nine times. Treat a TIA like an early warning and get to your doctor immediately for a checkup.

A stroke, which is also called a “brain attack,” is caused by a blood problem in the brain. An “ischemic stroke” is caused by too little blood in the brain. A “hemorrhagic stroke” is caused by too much blood.

About 80% of strokes are ischemic strokes; they occur when blood clots or other particles block arteries to your brain. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or ruptures.

May is American Stroke Month

During a stroke, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients and begin to die. The earlier a stroke is treated, the better the results.

In the U.S., stroke is the third-leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. It is the leading cause of adult disability.

The most common stroke symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg — usually on one side of the body

NATioNAL from facing page

The National Moment of Remembrance doesn’t replace traditional Memorial Day festivities, such as parades and picnics. Instead, you can observe the moment wherever you are on that day. You can join your fellow Americans in 60 seconds of silent reflection, whether alone or with others.

How does the National Moment of Remembrance fit in with your Memorial Day celebrations?

Observing on Your Own

You can still join the National Moment of Remembrance if you’re not one for Memorial Day picnics, pool parties, and barbecues. Participation in the moment is entirely voluntary.

To join the Moment of Remembrance on your own, wait until the clock strikes 3 p.m. local time. Then stop what you are doing for one minute.

With Family and Friends

If you are with family and friends on Memorial Day, ask your group whether they’d like to observe the Moment of Remembrance with you. If they do not know about this, take the time to explain its meaning and purpose.

When 3 p.m. comes, ask your group to stop their actions for one full minute.

• Trouble talking or understanding

• Sudden blurred, double, or decreased vision

• Dizziness, loss of balance, or impaired coordination

• A sudden headache with a stiff neck, facial pain, pain between the eyes, vomiting, or altered consciousness

• Confusion or problems with memory, spatial orientation, or perception

The following can increase your risk of a stroke: a family history of stroke or TIA, aging, race (African Americans are at greater risk), high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, previous stroke or TIA, heavy alcohol drinking, and uncontrolled stress.

Your doctor has many diagnostic tools for stroke. Among these are: physical exam, blood tests, carotid ultrasonography to check the carotid arteries in your neck, arteriography to view arteries in your brain, a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the neck and brain, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, among others.

Treatments are varied and include drugs to fight clots, and medical procedures to keep blood vessels open.

Fred Cicetti is a senior and health writer with more than three decades of experience. The Healthy Geezer is devoted to the health questions of seniors who are wondering what is going on with these bodies of ours.

You don’t have to pray or think about anything specific; just remaining silent for one minute shows your gratitude.

Visit a Cemetery

If you live near a military cemetery, you can pay your respects during the National Moment of Remembrance by bringing flowers to the grave of a fallen soldier.

If you have a family member, friend, or loved one who died in the military, it is the perfect opportunity to visit their gravesite. Spending the National Moment of Remembrance at the grave of someone you miss dearly can make it much more meaningful.

When the clock strikes 3 p.m., fall silent for one minute to participate in the moment.

May this Memorial Day be a remembrance of those who sacrificed all for our freedom so that we can enjoy the traditional festivities.

Nancy J. Schaaf, a retired RN, worked as a school nurse, a nurse supervisor at a men’s prison, and a health educator. She earned her BSN at Edinboro University. She is a freelance writer whose health articles appear in magazines throughout the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at nancyjschaaf@gmail.com.

fred Cicetti

Countless people dream of visiting New York City’s Times Square, and many do. That’s one reason why the neighborhood is included on lists of “Most overrated places in the United States.”

I’m not saying that if you haven’t been to the celebrated enclave, or have dropped by in the past and long to do so again, you should remove it from your bucket list.

It does mean you should be aware reasons the area shows up on inventories of famous sites throughout the United States that fall short of their stellar reputation.

Willing to Wander overrated Destinations

Tripadvisor, TheTravel, and Far & Wide are among websites that list destinations and attractions that don’t always live up to their high repute. For those who wish to see them anyway, these sources suggest being aware of the drawbacks so you aren’t too disappointed when you arrive.

That advice has served me well over the years when I took my children, and first-time visitors, to New York to experience Times Square.

Forewarned about its downsides, we accepted them as the price pay to enjoy basking in the bright lights, taking a behind-the-scenes tour of Broadway theaters, and admiring the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and other renowned landmarks.

In addition, we also explored other Big Apple neighborhoods and Central Park, which have their own appeals with far fewer people.

Despite the familiar phrase “Remember the Alamo,” many visitors to that structure in San Antonio, Texas, find it to be easily forgotten.

Granted, the story of the small group of fighters for the independence of Texas from Mexico who died for their cause is inspiring, but given its fame, the 18th-century Franciscan mission building itself can be underwhelming. Furthermore, the surrounding area is tourist trappy, in contrast with other historic missionary posts located nearby.

Another structure, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, has a lot going for it. The largest such edifice in the world is 63 stories high and offers views stretching up to 30 miles away. Exhibits in the museum at its base cover various aspects of the nation’s westward expansion as well as information about construction of the arch.

However, lines to ride to the top can be very long, the pod that makes the journey is tiny, and, once there, crowds can make it challenging to peer out of the very narrow windows. Some sightseers prefer to take advantage of the city’s inviting list of museums, gardens, and parks.

Victor Block

Bison in Custer State park.

Central park

Gateway Arch

Tourists visiting the Alamo.

The glitzy casinos, mega-hotels, and lavish shopping malls that line the Strip in Las Vegas make it one of the most famous entertainment destinations in the country. They also attract hordes of out-ofstaters seeking fun in many forms.

In the words of one resident, “It can be fun for 21-year-olds, but that fades quickly when you encounter the heat, hordes of people, and go-go activity.”

A much more sedate alternative is the drive through nearby Red Rock Canyon, a conservation area of desert landscape; massive, flame-hued rock formations; and sandstone cliffs and peaks.

Some well-known rock formations don’t live up to their billings and may even have a dark side to their creation.

Granted, the 60-foot-tall sculpted heads of four presidents – Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt — on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota are an impressive memorial.

An often-overlooked part of the story is that it occupies land the U.S. government set aside for Native American tribes, but when gold was discovered in the area, the government reneged on that promise.

Once admirers have gazed at the carving, there’s little else to do at the site. The eroded buttes and pinnacles of Badlands National Park and Custer State Park, which is home to bison, elk, cougars, and other wildlife, are worth a look-see.

Plymouth Rock is much smaller than the Mount Rushmore sculpture but even larger in lore.

That is so despite the fact that no historical evidence exists to confirm the stone was the first place where the Pilgrims set foot in the New World. It wasn’t until 1741 – 121 years after the arrival of the Mayflower – that a boulder was pointed out as the precise spot where the wayfarers landed.

As one skeptical viewer reported after seeing the 40-pound stone that is on display today, inscribed with the year (1620) of the Pilgrims’ landing: “It’s just a rock.”

Close by in the Massachusetts town are the Mayflower II, a replica of the famous ship; Plimoth Plantation, a living history exhibit that recreates life in the original Plymouth Colony; and Pilgrim Hall Museum, which opened in 1824 and is the oldest continuously operating public collection in the country.

When thinking of visiting one of the iconic sites around the Uniters States, it’s wise to do a bit of research in advance. Check what others have said about long lines, suffocating crowds, and, in some cases, being let down when they finally saw the place.

If you decide the benefit is worth any negatives, consider including other nearby lesser-known, but no less interesting, attractions.

After gallivanting around the world, Victor Block still retains the travel bug. He believes that travel is the best possible education. A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Victor loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won a number of writing awards.

Times Square

red rock Canyon

Doris Montag

The History of Ordinary Things

Don’t ignore the rocking Chair

The words “rocking chair” appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1787. Benjamin Franklin was credited with the invention in 1710, but probably early American cabinetmakers or farmers are responsible.

Historians believe the first armless rockers were designed to allow enslaved mothers to rock, or nurse, their babies while doing other chores, like shucking peas, darning socks, and sewing.

Prior to the rocker, women stood, swaying side to side with their children in their arms, unable to get any other work done! The rockers allowed women to use their legs and back to create the rocking motion, thus leaving their hands free.

As utilitarian chairs, they were usually simple, made from pine, and were used outdoors.

Rockers progressed to full size with arms for the comfort of the aged and infirm. Rocking chairs moved from the fields to the front porch, where men would tend to relax.

know a

story

The rocking relieved aches and produced a calming movement for farmers and others doing heavy physical labor. Rocking chairs were comfortable, reasonably inexpensive, and readily available.

By the early 1800s, most American homes had at least one on the front porch, where families sat to enjoy the view and greet the neighbors. The padded, upholstered seats and back were added when the rocker moved into the house.

The rocking chair is strictly an American design. The first rocking chair concept was created in 1725 with skates tied to the bottom of an American Windsor chair.

The Shaker rocking chair was invented in New York in 1820. The Boston rocking chair arrived in 1825. The wicker and bentwood rocking chairs were introduced in 1860.

Platform rockers, 1876, have seats that rock while the base remains stationary. Springs allow the movement. In 1880, Thonet patented a bentwood rocking chair with a caned seat and back.

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president John f. Kennedy, right, sits in the handcarved rocking chair presented as a gift by Secretary of State for foreign Affairs of the Dominican republic Dr. José Bonilla Atiles, left, in April 1962.

By 1888, the glider rocker with a fixed base and a mechanical gliding seat was introduced. The Adirondack Rocker debuted in 1904, followed by the Mission rocking chair in 1905.

A woman’s rocker was held over from the past, now for sewing or needlework. It is smaller, armless, and typically has a drawer under the seat to hold sewing spools and other small items.

According to The New York Times, the rocking chair “is the most American of all furniture forms, and has been a favorite of statesmen since the 18th century. Benjamin Franklin added metal bends to the base of his outsized library chair to make it rock, and Abraham Lincoln was assassinated while sitting in a Victorian rocker that had been installed at Ford Theater especially for him that night.” It is known as the Lincoln Rocker.

In 1955, due to back pain from a military injury, John F. Kennedy’s physician recommended a rocking chair. Known as the Kennedy Rocker, this Appalachian-style rocker soon became a feature of many American homes. Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan owned Maloof rockers (Sam Maloof, designer).

The rocking chair aids in calming the body and mind. Under stress, the body naturally engages in a rocking motion to self-soothe. The movement creates a sense of nostalgia and relief, and the rocking motion releases endorphins in the brain that can improve one’s mood and reduce anxiety and tension.

Maybe we all should spend a little more time in a rocking chair!

Doris Montag is a homespun historian and an exhibit curator who researches and displays historical collections of ordinary things, such as can openers, crochet, toy sewing machines, hand corn planters, powder compacts, egg cartons, and more. Contact or follow her on Facebook, HistoryofOrdinaryThings.

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rocking chair used by president Lincoln in ford’s Theater.

photo courtesy Doris Montag Mission-style women’s sewing rocking chair by phoenix Chair Co., 1910-1920s, with storage drawer for supplies.

photo courtesy Doris Montag Glider rocker with rare attached footstool.