June 2020 OutreachNC

JUNE 2020 - 1

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Feature Intro: The Healing Power of Animal Companions Something very special happens when we interact with our animal companions, either for an hour or a lifetime; we understand that the emotional attachment between two living beings is undeniable.

Universal feelings of trust, companionship and unconditional love can be easily evoked when we are fortunate enough to know the love and friendship of animals, as pets, domesticated farm animals, guide or therapy animals, and even wild birds, squirrels or deer, which regularly visit our yard each day. It’s believed that 50% of households have an animal with whom they choose to share their lives, for companionship, protection and support, and with whom we naturally form bonds, enriching our lives and comforting our hearts and minds.

As we grow older, our lives may have fewer people in them, our world becomes smaller and our social circle may diminish.

Children are grown and have moved away; grand children may be far away, and spouses may have passed on.

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CONTENTS ASK THE EXPERT: A HELPING HAND THE HEALING POWER OF ANIMAL COMPANIONS EAT RIGHT: HEALTHY HYDRATION ONC’S 2ND ANNUAL PET PIC CONTEST – WINNERS! FAITH: COVID FROM THE ELDERLY POINT OF VIEW EYE HEALTH: WHAT IS DIABETIC EYE DISEASE? VETERANS CORNER: SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

JUNE 2020 - 2 Happy June, AOS and ONC friends!

We are basking in some sunshine after a few days of nonstop rain. We’re not complaining, though. That rain makes our trees, fields, yards and roadsides lush and green, something we’re appreciating right now as we are reminded that life renews, even as the world seems a bit off kilter.

This month, we are reminded of how much we rely upon and appreciate the love and companionship of our animal friends. We highlight the winners of this year’s Pet Pics Contest and hear the story of one special feline friend who endured his own natural disaster.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted photos and stories, bringing smiles to our faces and more than a little warmth to the heart.

In our feature article, Madison Hall explores this human/animal connection even more, with the science behind why animals offer such comfort for their human counterparts.

Carolina Eye Associates’ Dr. Arghavan Almony explains diabetic eye disease including treatment options and suggestions for keeping eyes healthy while living with diabetes.

Penick Village’s Rev. Colette Bachand sheds light on how the COVID19 pandemic affects the aging and elderly community, sharing with us a poem she wrote from her experiences and perspective during this time.

Callie Yakubisin, with the Dairy Alliance, shares with us a recipe for an energy-boosting summer smoothie and tips on hydration during the summer months, when hot, muggy summer days put us at increased risk for dehydration. We’re pulling our blenders out and hunting down fresh berries for this healthy treat.

Jim Pedersen of the Moore County Veterans Service Office offers guidance on a topic relevant to many veteran’s now: scholarship funds and opportunities for veterans and dependents.

Finally, we dig into yet another book on our list: It All Comes Back to You. Be sure to check our Facebook and Instagram pages for more information and updates. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on all things ONC, from your own twist on the smoothie recipe to how you felt after finishing Duke’s novel.

Happy reading…

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910.692.0683 www.AOSNC.com

Kate Pomplun, LMSW, CMC | kate@agingcaresolutionsnc.com

ASK THE EXPERT: A HELPING HAND

My widowed mother is living alone in her home of 25 years. She needs some assistance with daily tasks as she no longer drives, and we’ve noticed some cognitive decline. My brother and I both live hours away but try to be helpful and involved. We are both employed and either still have children at home or help care for grandchildren. We hired, through an agency, some private duty caregivers to help her, but our mother doesn’t think she needs them, nor does she know how to direct or manage their tasks. She sometimes needs more than they can offer, but we can’t really afford to take time off from work to go there. How can we help?

You may have heard of the term the Sandwich Generation. These are people who are providing support (physical care, emotional and/or economic) to both an older parent(s) as well as children, even adult children. According to a Pew Research Study nearly half (47%) of adults in their 40s and 50s have a parent age 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child. It can be even more difficult when you do not live nearby.

It sounds like your family is on the right track hiring help for your mom to live as safely and independently in her home as possible. Nonmedical, private duty caregivers are a great way to support this, as they can assist with hands on care as well as tasks like providing her with transportation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, medication reminders, meal planning and preparation, companionship and more.

The agency, or registry, as some are structured, will likely have provided an individualized care plan for your mom detailing the tasks your mom needs help with. Importantly, they provide assistance with scheduling the various caregivers and do the billing, tax requirements, background checks and ensure proper liability insurance is in place. But did you know you can

JUNE 2020 - 3 hire a trained professional to assist with the overall management of this and other care for your mom?

These professionals have traditionally been called care managers and often, specifically, geriatric care managers.

These experts can work with your family, helping facilitate good communication about what preferences with care and assistance are desired. Many older adults are used to doing things for themselves; it is difficult to allow someone else to help. The care manager can be a bridge to discuss creative ways to facilitate help or supervise help. An example of this might be if your mom still likes to cook, but it’s difficult for her to safely do so. The care manager can work with her and the caregiver(s) to set up a more detailed plan about cooking together, finding her favorite recipes, making the grocery list, etc.

A care manager can also be an advocate for your mom at medical appointments, ensuring the right questions are asked and answered, factual health patterns are reported, and doctor’s follow up instructions are clearly explained, understood and carried out properly once your mom returns home, especially with changes in medication, required therapies, communication to other specialists, etc.

A care manager can also save you time and money by making visits to see your mom, either for assistance with medication management, reviewing important mail/bills with her, assessing for any changes, reading caregiver notes, health tracking documents and simply being a local physical presence to ensure quality of care. This has been especially important for families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent years the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers has changed its name to Aging Life Care Professionals®. You can learn more about all the services they provide and find a certified professional by zip code: www.aginglifecare. org.

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Call us today for a complimentary initial consultation: 910.692.5917 Send an email to Nathan.a.cherry@ampf.com You can also find us online at www.hicks-associates.com We have offices in Southern Pines and Cary.

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JUNE 2020 - 4 continued from page 1 We may be married, widowed, divorced or single, feeling somehow isolated or more alone than ever before in our lives. While having a life well lived creates many wonderful memories, it doesn’t always guarantee we will never feel lonely. As a result, many people at this stage in life find themselves increasingly alone and solitary, with limited resources to create a new meaningful community of friends. Feelings of depression are not uncommon.

Indeed, the healthiest of the elderly are often the oldest, having already borne painful witness to the passing of many of their family and friends, leaving them also vulnerable to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

THE HEALING POWER OF ANIMAL COMPANIONS

By Madison H.V. Hall

This is when the unconditional love of an animal can offer much needed emotional companionship and social support, something we can all benefit from at any age.

A great deal of research in recent years explores the positive mental and physical health connections between older people and their animal companions, illuminating the myriad ways in which just petting a visiting animal can bring immediate benefits. From reducing blood pressure and stress, to improving heart rate, animal companions can relieve symptoms of depression and social isolation, while increasing physical activity and psychological health. Even improvements in patients with memory loss have been documented after interactions with therapy animals. The love and companionship of a pet fills a deep need humans have for connection. We are a social species, craving the interconnectedness of community and our beloved animal companions, which keep our heart strings humming each day.

Ongoing research from Harvard Medical School stresses the benefits of dog ownership, from companionship to improved health outcomes. Additionally, in 2013, the Journal of the American Heart Association published a scientific statement on cardiovascular risk and pet

JUNE 2020 - 5 ownership. In a critical assessment of the data involving pet ownership and health, it was found that some studies (but not all) showed lowered blood pressure in pet owners. In other studies, it appears dog owners achieve more regular walking exercise than those who don’t own a dog and have a lower incidence of obesity. Studies have also shown that people with cats or dogs have lower baseline blood pressure and heart rates. Every week, 2 ½ hours of moderate-intensity exercise is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as a foundational part of a brain-healthy lifestyle to increase cardiorespiratory fitness, and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Here’s where walking a dog can really bring benefits!

According to Marwan Sabbagh, MD, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health,

“Simply petting an animal can decrease the level of the stress hormone cortisol and boost release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, resulting in lowered blood pressure and heart rate and, possibly, in elevated mood.”

The range of species fulfilling these important roles is inspiring. While cats and dogs are the most common, they are joined by horses, chickens, goats, pigs (the smartest!) and fish, among others.

By bringing these animals into your own home, or into retirement communities as visitors or permanent residents, a dimension of happy connections may be created and an emotional void filled. Where once a beloved pet may have held a special place in our hearts, an avenue of health benefits for mind, body and soul is opened with a visit from a companion animal. That special feeling when an animal looks into your eyes with trust is timeless and unconditional.

So, too, the purring of a cat, the happy wag of a dog’s furry tail and soft muzzle, the contented sweet cluck of a hen snuggled into the crook of your arm, can heal parts of us that may be mystifying to science but are no mystery to those who love animals.

And the benefits are measurable, scientific fact.

Many retirement communities and long term care facilities are now integrating animal therapy into daily visits among the able bodied and those who are more confined physically. Now imagine a friendly visit by a sweet tempered horse, whose nose and mane you may pet, or a happy, loving dog, and you’re certain to feel a warm glow inside.

The immediacy of the moment when interacting with an animal may feel timeless as you take the measure of one another, in an experience which may feel very much like the equality of different species on a heart level is unfolding. Certainly, there is something profound in the heartfelt interspecies connections between our animal companions and the lucky humans who connect and care for them.

In the UK, the care of hens by residents of a long term care facility continues to receive praise for its empowerment and positive outcomes. Residents collect eggs, feeding and caring for the hens, which are also happy to be held, reducing depression and, in some cases, resulting in a lessening of prescribed medications.

In a research survey of Ohio nursing homes, it was found that 71% had animal socialization programs and 59% incorporated animals into their physical therapy programs. Along with a host of animal companions giving therapeutic support, stuffed companion animals and robotic pets also have a place in assisted living facilities.

JUNE 2020 - 6

Mia Lorenz is an experienced attorney whose 25-year record of service in the law demonstrates her commitment to her clients and community.

She is passionate about assisting clients in their quest to maintain control and dignity as they age and/or experience illness, as well as plan to preserve assets while maintaining care.

Active in the community as legal advisor to NAMI Moore County, AOS & Friends Care, Inc. and Linden Lodge.

Older people may decide that adopting a pet would meet their desire for an animal companion. However, it’s important to consider the person’s ability to care for an animal. Are there mobility issues? What is the size of the pet? What is its temperament? Is there a high potential the animal will accidently get underfoot and create a tripping hazard? Does the breed bark incessantly disturbing neighbors, or pull on the leash too hard? Can it fit into your car? Can you lift the animal? Has the person cared for a pet like this before? Often an older pet is adopted from a shelter, rather than being purchased from a reputable breeder, creating a positive outcome for the lucky pet and loving home. Keep in mind that pets come with a financial responsibility for their care whether you are home or traveling. Check your finances to ascertain if you can really take on a pet and all the attendant expenses of feeding, veterinarian bills, boarding and grooming, among other considerations. Finally, what will happen to your beloved pet if you can no longer care for it? All of these questions must be answered before you decide to adopt a pet.

Some people with limitations of vision, hearing or mobility issues may qualify for a guide dog who has been specially trained to assist. Others may require a pet, which qualifies as a therapy pet. Guidelines are available for both. Many airlines are narrowing their definition of what constitutes a therapy pet, so its best to carefully check the airline policies surrounding the transportation of any animals ahead of time.

For people already in retirement communities or nursing homes, there may be an animal companion program in place. If not, you could spearhead its initiation wherever you may be, bringing healing, joy and companionship to many who desperately need and long for this sort of heartfelt connection. If you live near a retirement community or are planning a visit, inquire if you may bring your pet along. Chances are you’ll make friends the moment you arrive.

JUNE 2020 - 7

GRAY MATTER GAMES ACROSS

1. ___ bear 6. Change states, in a way 10. Brother 14. Like some walls 15. Product of protein metabolism 16. “I had no ___!”

17. Not given to a common fund 20. The America’s Cup trophy, e.g.

21. “Absolutely!”

22. Cook too long 23. “Desire Under the ___” 25. Part of BYO 26. Proper maintenance or repair 29. Luminescence from Victorian lamppost 33. “My man!”

34. “Yeah” 36. Bother 37. “One of ___” (Willa Cather novel) 39. Parlor 41. Have a sudden inspiration?

42. Monroe’s successor 44. Fore-and-aft-rigged vessel 46. ___ bit 47. Stick-to-it-iveness 49. One’s regular course or circuit 51. When repeated, like some shows 52. Intensifies, with “up” 53. Stables 56. “Dilbert” cartoonist Scott Adams has one: Abbr.

57. Early pulpit 61. Oversized publication for display 64. Biology lab supply 65. Flimsy, as an excuse 66. ___ Bowl 67. Bloody 68. Donnybrook 69. Have another go at

DOWN

1. Durable wood 2. Acknowledge 3. Opening time, maybe 4. Dictate 5. “Much ___ About Nothing” 6. Muffles 7. Blows it 8. “Fantasy Island” prop 9. No-nos 10. Beveling the ends to form a joint 11. Aroma 12. Doofus 13. Send to the canvas 18. The young of an insect (pl.)

19. Throat dangler 24. Romanian coin 25. “Hurray!”

26. Depth charge target 27. Victorian, maybe 28. Holy text 29. Small ravine 30. Worn away 31. Bamboozled 32. Varieties 35. Dispatch 38. Children 40. Everyday 43. Bathroom item 45. Appear, with “up” 48. Reflexive third person singular 50. Functional 52. Monastery or convent 53. Heroin, slangily 54. Like some orders 55. Way, way off 56. “Oh, ___!”

58. Debatable 59. 1922 Physics Nobelist 60. “Comme ci, comme ca” 62. Toni Morrison’s “___ Baby” 63. Ring bearer, maybe

Callie Yakubisin, RD, LDN | cyakubisin@thedairyalliance.com

Eat Right: Healthy Hydration

JUNE 2020 - 8 Summer plans may look different this year, but the good news is the sun will still shine and the weather will be warm. Long hot summer days create wonderful memories, but they can also put us at increased risk for dehydration.

Did you know that energy and exercise performance can be negatively impacted when you are not properly hydrated? When choosing every day fluids, the goal is to limit “empty calories” that are found in sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda and lemonade, and as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend, choose beverages that are caloriefree or that contribute beneficial nutrients.

When quenching your thirst, in addition to water consider beverages that both hydrate and support your health in other ways. June is National Dairy Month, the perfect time to talk about real cow’s milk and its often-overlooked multi-tasking capabilities. Not only does milk provide calcium and vitamin D for bone health, but a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed it may be a better hydrator than water due to the naturaloccurring combination of sugar, fat, protein and sodium. If exercise is your passion, consider the benefits of low-fat chocolate milk. This post-workout drink provides carbohydrates to replenish muscles, protein to build and repair muscles, and electrolytes that are lost in sweat.

Existing in limbo between a beverage and a meal, smoothies have the power of versatility and can be a good replacement for other less nutritious beverages. The key to making smoothies a healthy choice is to use nutrientrich ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Try the Blues Buster smoothie for a nutritious breakfast or snack that will hydrate and nourish your body.

Multi-tasking beverages can contribute to every day healthy hydration, while replacing sources of empty calories with beneficial nutrients. You can find more information on healthy hydration at eatright.org and additional delicious smoothie recipes at thedairyalliance.com.

Blues Buster Blueberry Peach Smoothie This fruity, protein-packed blueberry peach smoothie is sure to help you recharge and boost energy levels.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Servings: 3 Serving size: 8 ounces INGREDIENTS • 8 ounces vanilla Greek yogurt • 3⁄4 cup frozen blueberries • 3⁄4 cup frozen peaches • 1⁄2 cup milk • 2 tablespoons honey • 1 cup ice cubes INSTRUCTIONS 1. Combine yogurt, fruit, milk, honey and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and frothy. Serve in a chilled glass immediately.

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JUNE 2020 - 9

ONC’s 2nd Annual Pet Pic Contest – Winners!

We especially loved receiving all of your pet pics this year, as we not only sheltered at home but also relied more than ever on the love, companionship and support of our animal families during these unique times. The past few months have highlighted how much we depend upon and benefit from the relationships we have with not only our human friendships but our communities as a whole and, of course, our furry, feathered and even scaled companions.

This year’s winner reminds us of how much we can endure and the fact that coming out the other side of disaster is not only possible but probable.

Without further ado:

Mr. Maybelline!

Then, on the very last day we were at the house cleaning up, we decided to call for him one last time, hoping and praying he had survived. Miraculously, and through God’s grace, Maybelline came out from under a shed in the neighbor’s yard that had been left standing. I grabbed him and hugged him and didn’t let him go until he was safe in the car on the way to where we were staying. I will never forget that moment. Maybelline got asthma from staying under the shed with all the dust and debris, but he now spends his days with his rescued brothers and sisters being fed, doted upon and treated like the king he is. He is living his best life and he deserves it.

I am so lucky to have Maybelline and he is a constant reminder to be grateful for each moment and each day we have on this beautiful planet and also to not sweat the small stuff!

Thank you, Holly, for sharing Mr. Maybelline and his incredible story with ONC and our readers!

2nd place is Rocky, who personifies the dignity and grace we all wish for but may not always feel.

What a face!

Mr. Maybelline’s owner, Holly Hight, gives us some background and insight into what makes this feline friend so special: This is Mr. Maybelline. Maybelline is so named because when he was a baby it looked like he was wearing eyeliner, so obviously maybe he was born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline! His mother, a feisty little Tortie named Sadie, brought him and his brother to us when they were around a month old. Unfortunately, his brother, Divinity Fudge, passed away. Maybelline has been my baby since day one. We have been though a lot together. Maybelline was in the tornado in Sanford in 2011, and we thought we had lost him for good. We searched and searched every day for 2 weeks amongst the wreckage of our home and called his name for hours – but nothing.

3rd place is Trixie, a girl who appreciates her hometown roots as much as we do, waiting for First Friday in Southern Pines to come shuttling back to town and summer to officially begin again.

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos, stories and the details of how and why your pets claim such big pieces of your hearts.

JUNE 2020 - 10

Music

can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.

- LEONARD BERNSTEIN

It has always been universally understood that listening to favorites is enjoyable and can lift one’s mood.

However, during the past few years we’ve come to better understand the therapeutic value music can have on those with dementia.

For qualified individuals, AOS & Friends Care offers a program which provides a music player loaded with personalized songs.

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To learn more about the Personal Music Player and other AOS & Friends Care programs/services:

o W E Do T

910.585.6757 info@aosfcare.org www.aosfcare.org www.facebook.com/AOSFriendsCare

Gray Matter Games Solutions

The Rev. Colette Bachand | cwood@penickvillage1964.org

Faith: COVID from the Elderly Point of View

11 - JUNE 2020 Colette Bachand shares with ONC readers her thoughts and perspective of experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic alongside seniors, many of whom are elderly. As the pastor at Penick Village in Southern Pines, Bachand sees daily how this unique time and the concept of sheltering-in-place affects the population it attempts to protect.

When a friend was going through cancer treatments years ago, there was a sign outside his doctor’s office that read, “HOPE: How Ordinary People Exist.”

I’ve been thinking about that sign lately as I watch everyone wrestle with finding hope and meaning in COVID-19 reality.

Hanging on to hope is now a new spiritual practice, because without hope, us ordinary people will be lost.

Living in pandemic times hits everyone differently. The news tells us nightly that elderly are the most vulnerable to the virus. While that is true, the elderly are also the most vulnerable to a pandemic of loneliness. At 54, I have the gift of time to see this through, help create the world post virus, and hang on to hope for better times.

For the elderly, it feels different.

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COVID from the Elderly Point of View

By Colette Bachand They say it’s the same storm just different boats we are in… this storm pandemic, COVID-19 They say… self-isolate, but my world was already so lonely.

They say… just read a good book or watch a movie, but my eyes don’t work anymore, I’ve not been able to read in years or see the TV right either.

They say… go for walks in nature, it will refresh your soul, but it’s hard to roll a walker over tree stumps and rocks They say… write cards to people you love, but my arthritic fingers can’t hold a pen.

They say… this is teaching us to slow down … really?

Haven’t seen fast in decades.

They say… just be grateful you can talk to grandchildren on your computer or phone, but I can’t figure out my phone and have never had a computer They say… wear a mask, but I can’t wear a mask and my hearing aids at the same time, so now I can’t hear… and now I can’t breath, and the steam from my breath fills my glasses and now I can’t see where I am going and am afraid to fall, so I don’t… go… anywhere.

They say… just enjoy the quiet time, but in the silence the ghosts have found me again and I am afraid.

They say… just give it time… but mine is running out.

Same storm, different boats… sure.

But others can mend their boats, or swim to shore or wait out the storm.

My boat is disappearing over the horizon and there is no one to see me off

JUNE 2020 - 12

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CALL 910-695-0011 TO EXPERIENCE AN EXCEPTIONAL SUMMER. www.FoxHollowSeniorLiving.com ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE RESPITE/SHORT-TERM STAYS ©2019 Five Star Senior Living

Pet Friendly

By Arghavan Almony, M.D., Diabetic Eye and Retina Specialist, Carolina Eye Associates | 910-295-2100

Eye Health: What is Diabetic Eye Disease?

JUNE 2020 - 13 Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans? Diabetes affects nearly 30 million Americans, and the National Eye Institute estimates that 45 percent (13.5 million) of Americans living with diabetes have some form of diabetic eye disease.

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes and may lead to blindness. Eye problems that affect those who have diabetes include cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

• Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding condition in which the blood vessels inside the retina become damaged from high blood sugar levels.

This damage prevents the eye from receiving the blood and oxygen it requires and may lead to severe vision loss. It is the most common vision complication associated with diabetes.

• A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. Cataracts tend to develop at a younger age in people with diabetes, especially if the blood sugar levels are not controlled.

• Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve—the bundle of nerve fibers that connect the eye to the brain. Some types of glaucoma are associated with elevated pressure inside the eye. Diabetes can double the chance of developing glaucoma.

All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness.

To maintain healthy vision with diabetes, eye doctors recommend the following: • Get a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year (more often if recommended by your doctor).

• Work with your medical doctor to control your blood sugar.

• Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

• Exercise regularly.

• Quit smoking, or never start.

Diabetics can live with diabetic eye disease for a long time before noticing any symptoms or changes in their vision.

Typically, noticeable symptoms do not appear until significant damage to the eye has already occurred.

Early diagnosis and management of diabetes significantly reduces the risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Because the symptoms of diabetic eye disease do not typically present until the condition is severe, it is crucial to schedule a dilated comprehensive eye exam at least annually (and sometimes more often). Early detection of diabetic eye disease and treatment may prevent blindness.

Treatment options depend on the type of diabetic eye disease, but include injections, laser, and surgical procedures to stop the progression of the disease.

2020

2020-2021

Sept. 15.

Ryley Osentoski, at 919-708-1639

JUNE 2020 - 14

ONC BOOK CLUB

Beth Duke’s It All Comes Back to You left us wanting more.

That’s saying a lot.

In what appears to be a relatively simple story, Duke deceives the reader into falling in love with the characters and plotline even before all the twists and turns plunge us into a rollercoaster of lies, deceit, abuse and abandonment – all the realities of life when the curtain is pulled back on even the most glamorous façade.

Jeeves was, at first, skeptical that a storyline jumping from the 1940s and present day might be confusing or distracting; however, he’s pleased to report Duke pulled off this literary feat with no problem at all. We never felt confused, disappointed or disinterested in either Duke’s plot or her characters. For this alone, Jeeves gives It All Comes Back to You 4 solid stars.

It All Comes Back to You – a story of one modern woman’s exploration into another woman’s past and history – is warm, tender, sad and ultimately uplifting. We love Ronnie’s wit and dry humor. We love Violet’s ability to help others even in the face of her own less-than-perfect circumstances. Most of all, we were able to relate to all of it – the characters, the story, the reality of life.

We’re eager to hear how you all felt, if you enjoyed the novel and how you’d rate Duke’s part fiction, part mystery, part romance. Drop us a line on our Facebook page or email editor@outreachnc.com with comments, opinions, analysis or simple star ratings!

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155 Blake Blvd. | PINEHURST A PART OF THE LIBERTY FAMILY OF SERVICES

Jim Pedersen, VSO & Director of Moore County Veterans Service Office | 910-947-3257

Veterans Corner: Scholarships for Military Families

JUNE 2020 - 15 As the school year draws to a close, military family graduates are seeking scholarship money for college. Here’s a rundown of what’s available.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance, or Chapter 35, is for dependent children ages 14 to 31, and spouses/surviving spouses of qualifying veterans. Qualified veterans are those who died; who are permanently and totally disabled or who died from a serviceconnected disability; who are missing in action or captured in the line of duty; or who were forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty.

The student applies for Chapter 35 benefits online through the www.va.gov website using VA Form 22-5490. Alternately, applicants may mail the completed form to the VA Regional office that corresponds to the school’s physical address. The regional offices and their jurisdictions appear on the application.

Dependent children of soldiers who died in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001 may be eligible for the Post 9/11 Bill Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship. Students whose parent died before Aug. 1, 2011 may be eligible for both Chapter 35 and the Fry scholarship. Students whose parent died after August 1, 2011 must select one or the other. Information on how to select the scholarship you want is on the Chapter 35 scholarship application form.

Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlements may be transferred to a spouse and/or child. At the time of transfer, the family member must be on active duty, enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and eligible for benefits. For information, visit www.benefits.

va.gov/gibill/post911transfer.asp.

The NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NCDMVA) maintains a four-year scholarship program for qualifying children of deceased, disabled, combat or POW/MIA veterans. Applicants must be under age 25 and have been born (or adopted before age 15) and lived in North Carolina continuously; or their veteran parent must have legally lived in NC at the time they entered the period of service that established their eligibility.

The student’s veteran parent must meet one of these conditions: • 100% totally VA-service-connected due to a wartime disability • 20-90% disabled from a service-connected condition or received a Purple Heart due to wartime disability • Died during wartime service or from a serviceconnected issue • Receiving a non-service-connected pension • Received a campaign medal • Was a former POW/MIA For information about the NCDMVA Scholarship, go to www.milvets.nc.gov/services/scholarship or call 844-624-8387, option 2.

Most college and university financial aid offices employ one staff member who specializes in VA educational benefits. This staff member can answer questions, help students assemble the correct paperwork and determine scholarships appropriate for their situation.

To learn more about additional scholarships, veteran benefits and community resources, contact the Moore County Veterans Service Office, 707 Pinehurst Ave., Carthage, or call 910-947-3257 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Be sure to check our Facebook page for weekly updates!

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