Aging Well: For the Young at Heart - Fall 2018

AGING WELL

S AGING

WELL

for the Young at Heart

for the Young at Heart

outh Orange County is a great place for an individual to approach their golden years with its sunny skies, ocean breezes and myriad of recreational opportunities. In this edition of our biannual guide for seniors, Aging Well, we’ve assembled a litany of stories on what the tri-city area of San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano has to offer as well as important and vital information needed on financial planning, insurance and staying healthy.

Our readers will be able to learn about each city’s senior center and what that senior center has to offer in terms of amenities and programs; they’ll learn about the sport of pickleball and why it’s become so popular among some South County residents; and they’ll learn about seniors that use the card game bridge to stay sharp.

This special section also seeks to answer questions on some of life’s complicated issues, including what to eat (or eat less of), how to utilize tax breaks when buying another home and how to make sense of Medicare and supplemental insurance.

Most people don’t relish the thought of growing older, but South Orange County offers many senior-specific activities that will leave a person feeling fulfilled and happy. There’s also more information than ever on how seniors can live their best life.

We hope this edition of Aging Well can help readers learn something new and also help them make the most of living in beautiful, sunny South Orange County.

Ask an Expert

5 Steps to Ensure your Legacy

I

BY JAN ALCIDE

ncapacity is unpredictable and often cannot be anticipated. A drunk person does not have capacity while drunk but will regain capacity, albeit with a nasty hangover, in the morning. In the world of trusts and estates, we plan for moments of sudden or unexpected incapacity, such as a person being on life-support following illness or a terrible accident as well as the incapacity that can nebulously creep up on someone. Many of us have watched the mental decline of a family member or a close friend. Uncertainty abounds as to whether this person has everyday forgetfulness or is showing signs of something more sinister, the beginning decline of his/her mental health.

Diagnoses aren’t exact science and can come when capacity is gone, at which point it is too late to be proactive. Of course, families still have options; conservatorships for example, but none as attractive as a well thought out plan that your family can follow.

Here are 5 tips to help make things easier.

1 / Make Your Medical Wishes Known.

Have the conversation with your friends

5 / Leave Instructions for Your Personal Care.

and family; decide how you want your care to proceed such as “removal from life-support,” “doing everything medically necessary” or “designating you as DNR.” Appoint the right agent to execute your wishes. And remember, when it comes to healthcare decisions, the power is in the writing, so get a properly executed Advance Health Care Directive.

2 / Ensure That Your Financial “House” Can Continue to Run.

You currently manage all the money coming in and going out of your home. Think about it; meetings with your financial advisor, getting your taxes filed, paying your grandchildren’s college tuition, or making your annual charitable gifts. You want this to continue and unless your savings account is stuffed beneath your mat-

tress, your agent needs to have access to your accounts so that these financial obligations can continue to be met.

3 / Get an Estate Plan and If You Already Have One, Have It Reviewed and Make Any Necessary Amendments.

A properly executed estate plan can serve a variety of purposes. It can keep an estate out of probate, provide a successor to manage your affairs and ensure that your heirs are cared for in the manner you choose.

4 / When It Comes to Organ Donations-Make A Decision.

Donation choices are legally binding and cannot be overturned by anyone else, not even your family.

How you want to be treated or cared for is important. Also important is where you want to live as you enter the last stages of your life.

No one knows you better than yourself, not even your spouse. And unfortunately for most, the conversations held at the breakfast table or whispered in bed do not hold weight against competing ideas when you can no longer speak for yourself. When your loved ones cannot agree or when access is barred to your financial resources, a third party, often the court, steps in as the final arbiter. Documenting your wishes not only helps to avoid conflict between family members, it also empowers your decision maker with the necessary tools to execute those wishes but also the confidence that he/ she is making YOUR right decision.

Jan Alcide is the proprietor at the Law Office of Jan A. Meyer, a boutique estate planning practice. Her planning philosophy is to help people protect that which matters most to them, their families. Jan works, lives and is raising her family in Dana Point. She can be reached at 949.607.9412.

AGING WELL

for the Young at Heart

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

A few things to determine before becoming a Road Scholar Where Do You Want to Learn?

We offer adventures in all 50 states and 150 countries. Is there a part of the world you’ve always wanted to see? We’ve done all the legwork for you, just search our roster of programs by region.

What Do You Love?

ON THE GOLDEN ROAD

O

BY DANIEL RITZ

Move your body and your mind by becoming a Road Scholar

lder adults interested in checking off their bucket list as well as continuing their education may be excited to learn there are services to allow them to flex their muscles as well as their minds.

For instance, Road Scholar, founded in 1975 as “Elderhostel” by friends Marty Knowlton and David Bianco in New Hampshire, is a not-for-profit education organization that has guided generations of knowledge seekers on transformative learning adventures from Alberta to Zimbabwe and nearly every destination in between.

Road Scholar says their participants are most often life-long learners typically over the age of 50 from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Students of the world, they describe their guests as the type of company you might hope to sit next to at a dinner party. “(Road Scholars) have led interesting lives because they’re interested in everything. And they are exactly the kind of people you want to be learning with as you explore the globe,” a spokesperson for Road Scholars said when asked to describe their usual participants.

“Road Scholar inspires adults to learn, discover and travel. Our learning adventures open minds to new ideas and deepen understanding of oneself and of the world’s peoples, places, cultures, history and environments. A true university of the world, not-for-profit Road Scholar’s meaningful – often transformational – educational adventures engage people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime,” the spokesperson read from Road Scholar’s mission statement.

Although aimed at those older than 50-years-old, Road Scholar assuredly has a program for everyone. Whether you are a baby-boomer wanting to have a deeper understanding of their own backyard, a retiree wanting to fulfill that life-long dream of gallivanting through the streets of a Moroccan bazaar or a grandparent that wants to paddle the Central California coast with their grandchild, one of Road Scholars more than 5,500 educational travel programs will likely hit the mark.

For each one of their listed trips, which can viewed on their interactive online calendar, usually up

to a year in advance, interested parties are able to see their qualified group/travel leader. Group leaders are generally highly qualified with verifiable transparent resumes that help to ease the mind of a first time user.

“Pack less things, and more money,” is a common phrase amongst seasoned travelers. For short multiple-day trips to extended international trips, Road Scholar is adamant to encompass all costs of their trips in the initially advertised price. There are trips for those for a wide range of budgets, with a variety of offerings for under $2,000. The Road Scholar website makes enrolling a snap. All the information you could ask for is right there. Once you’ve picked the date of the program you want, they will ask for all the necessary details — whether you want airfare or a single room or have special meal requests. For what they call “Intergenerational” and “family” adventures and other special types of programs, they ask that you call to enroll.

In addition to financial transparency, Road Scholar assists its participants in the necessary step-by-step process to ensure they have a smooth trip. A wide variety of resources are

Maybe your passion for certain interests, hobbies, or activities is what drives you around the globe. Do you love art museums, language study, film festivals, train treks, riverboats, biking, birding, beer? Explore our learning adventures by interest.

Don’t Want to Climb a Mountain?

Every Road Scholar learning adventure is rated for level of activity. If you’re not interested in physical challenges, we offer a broad selection of “easy pace” experiences. If you live for hiking, biking, or kayaking, we offer a wide range of “high activity” adventures, too. Search our trips by activity level. These include: Easy Going, On Your Feet , Keep the Pace , Let’s Go , Outdoor: No Sweat, Outdoor: Spirited, Outdoor: Challenging and much more.

available on their website, as well as processing of Visa’s needed for travel and assisting patrons in meeting their future fellow travelers.

In case their comprehensive package presentation still seems like a financial hurdle, Road Scholars offers a variety of financial assistance programs and grants. Road Scholar offers enrichment grants to those who otherwise could not afford a Road Scholar trip, bestowing 300 such grants every year. Included in these are Caregiver Grants which provide a much-needed respite from the emotional and physical demands inherent in caregiver service.

Road Scholar has committed for those that have grants awarded, to helping offset the costs of arranging substitute care while you attend a Road Scholar learning adventure.

In addition to various grants, another 300 scholarships are offered to life-long learners without the financial means to participate in Road Scholar learning adventures. Each year, more than 300 scholarships are made possible through the generosity of Road Scholar donors.

For more information, call 800.454.5768 or visit www.roadscholar.org.

AGING WELL

for the Young at Heart

A BALANCED DIET FOR AGING

Protein-rich foods and balanced diet help keep body in shape

A

BY ALEX GROVES

s people age, it’s important for them to stay active—by exercising, meeting with friends or learning new things, which have all been shown to have positive effects on their health and longevity.

Possibly just as important is the everyday fuel a person puts in their body. Eating the right kinds of food can provide necessary energy and protection from chronic illnesses.

Lisa Gibson, a dietician for Age Well Senior Services, said that as people get older they want to eat foods that will give them more “bang for their buck.”

“One of the things I emphasize for seniors is to choose nutrient-dense foods,” Gibson said.

“That’s food that gives you a lot of nutrition for the calories you’re eating, because as we age we need fewer calories (but) we need the same amount of nutrients.”

Gibson recommends foods that are high in protein including lean cuts of chicken, fish, red meat and pork; dairy; eggs; and tofu, beans and nuts.

She says she sees seniors who often don’t get enough of these high-protein foods for a variety of reasons—they take extra time to prepare and cook, and can also be hard to swallow.

Gibson said high-protein foods can help slow muscle mass loss that occurs as a person ages. Having that muscle mass can make a big difference in the person’s welfare.

“If you lose your muscle mass you’re at risk for a fall,” Gibson said. “And if you fall, sometimes a broken hip can lead to consequences like death.”

Fruits and veggies should be an integral part

of any diet, including a senior’s, she said.

Gibson said she frequently refers people to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Choose My Plate” chart, which shows people should dedicate half of a plate to fruits and vegetables when they’re eating a meal. She encourages eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

“Go for all the different colors of fruits and vegetables because each color represents a different type of an antioxidant or a phytochemical that’s going to be beneficial in fighting chronic diseases,” she said.

Gibson said it’s important not to buy into fads that advocate cutting something out of a diet completely.

“I really believe that there’s such a fear of food these days,” she said. “There’s so much negative press about ‘don’t eat this or don’t eat that’. And I think that is not helpful in a senior’s diet.”

For example, she said some seniors have cut out real milk in favor of alternatives such as almond milk.

According to nutritional labels, a roughly 8-ounce cup of milk has about 8 grams of protein, whereas the same size cup of almond milk only has 1 gram.

Gibson said that as people get older, their sweet tooth tends to intensify, but it’s important to be cognizant of just how much sugar they’re consuming. Excess amounts of sugar have not only been linked to weight gain, but also negative impacts to heart health.

But that doesn’t mean that a person should give up that piece of cake, slice of pie or scoop of ice cream; they just shouldn’t eat those things in excess.

“Life is too short to not enjoy some sweets,” Gibson said.

AGING WELL

for the Young at Heart

BRIDGE TO A BETTER BRAIN Living a healthy lifestyle, learning and interacting a have positive impacts on the brain

A

BY ALEX GROVES

lmost every day of the week, dozens of people pack a room in a business park off Ortega Highway; a look of concentration is etched on most of their faces and their voices

are low.

This group, mostly retirees, are playing bridge at the South Orange County Bridge Center. It’s a card game that has four players pair up in partnerships against each other and try to score points by making bids or defeating the other team’s bid.

If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that bridge is a mentally challenging game and that’s just what the players in attendance are looking for.

“The lion’s share of our people are retired but they’re very, very sharp retirees because this is not an easy game,” said Janie Matlaf, who’s in charge of publicity for the center. “This is a game that’s very challenging so people that are playing bridge are really staving off all the different mental challenges that we face as we age.”

Matlaf may be right on that point.

Kim Bailey, Program and Education Specialist for Alzheimer’s Orange County, said her organization emphasizes four pillars for successful aging and those are cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, a healthy diet and social engagement.

Bailey said that there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that those four pillars together not only help to keep a person healthy, but could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Ask an Expert

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BY STEPHANIE FRISCH

She said that cognitive stimulation can be something like attending classes, doing computer games or learning a new language. She said that’s because those things stimulate new connections in the brain that might not have previously been there.

Physical exercise, another pillar, is something that doesn’t need to necessarily be strenuous to have an impact, Bailey said. She noted that even small adjustments like walking around the block a couple times a week or doing chair exercises can be enough to make an impact.

Food is another important component, with Bailey noting that heart-healthy diets are ultimately brain-healthy diets. She recommends that seniors make sure they’re eating adequate amounts of fruits, vegetable and healthy proteins.

Bailey said social engagement is also a key to health but it’s not something that a lot of seniors think about as they age.

“With some seniors they become isolated over time and that’s not good and there are a lot of negative outcomes that come with being isolated,” she said.

Bailey said that something like bridge is exactly the kind of thing that can help keep a senior sharp.

“That’s an excellent way for well seniors to prevent Alzheimer’s because that’s a complex game so they’re really going to use their brains in ways that they haven’t and the added plus is there’s going to be social engagement as well,” she said.

Visitors pack the South Orange County Bridge Center during a weekday. The game is not only fun, but also educational and a good brain exercise, a spokeswoman says. Photo: Alex Groves

Bailey cautioned that taking these actions don’t necessarily prevent a person from getting Alzheimer’s. It’s entirely possible that a person can do everything right and still end up with the condition.

However, she said that taking those steps are still important for a person’s physical and emotional well-being.

Matlaf said she’s still getting a lot of value out of playing bridge and plans to make that one of her learning activities of choice for the forseeable future.

“I learn something new every single day,” she said. “It’s just so challenging. You never get over dealing with challenges and there are so many different styles of playing.”

The company of other people counts for a lot as well, she said.

“People that are beginning level players are having a wonderful time even though they don’t know a whole lot of things,” she said.

The center recently started two new classes for beginners, one on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and one on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. People who would like to participate should sign up by contacting martimoss43@gmail.com for Tuesday classes and fleurpdlur@cox.net for Wednesday classes.

The South Orange County Bridge Center is located at 34161 Rancho Viejo Road. For more information, call 949.248.1268 or visit www.southorangecountybridge.center.

Medicare Open Enrollment Returns

What You Need to Know About Insurance after 65

he Medicare Open Enrollment Period is back.

Not to be confused with the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), Open Enrollment Period (OEP) was shelved a decade ago. Now, not only will Medicare beneficiaries have the AEP to make Medicare plan choices, but they will also have an additional timeframe from January through March to make changes to their coverage.

On April 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final ruling that will result in some updates for Medicare Advantage (also known as MAPD) plans, as well as to the Medicare Part D prescription drug (also known as PDP) program.

Today, AEP is open from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. During this timeframe, those who are enrolled in Medicare are allowed to make

changes to their plans, which include switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare or making a move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.

The new rules include the introduction of a revised open enrollment period (OEP). This means, in 2019, the enrollment period will run from Jan. 1 to March 31, and during this timeframe, Medicare Advantage enrollees will be allowed to dis-enroll from their current plan and move to a different Medicare Advantage plan. Or, they can move back over to Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and B) essentially dropping their MAPD plan by enrolling in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP).

So what is the difference between AEP and OEP? The OEP is not an extension of the AEP, which will still occur between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 each year. Additionally, the OEP does not provide the same flexibility as the AEP where you can make any changes you want.

The new regulations will provide Medicare enrollees an additional timeframe to decide how and where to obtain their benefits. Under these new rules, however, enrollees may only move to a differing Medicare Advantage plan one time.

Confused? To clarify, during the 2019 OEP, you’re able to make “like-plan” changes between Jan. 1 and March 31 (The same plan change you made during AEP): • MAPD to MAPD • MAPD to Original Medicare and a Part D • Original Medicare and a Part D to MAPD The OEP limits people to just one change during the three-month window. Policy effective dates will be first of the following month after you sign.

Keep in mind that every year your prescription drug coverage can change. Insurance companies can raise your monthly premium, change the price of your medications, or stop

covering them all together.

Also, look for a notice in the mail every year in late September. That notice is referred to as the, “Annual Notice of Change”. If there are changes to your premium or coverage, the ANOC shows what the 2018 cost was, and then it shows you the 2019 cost. The same process happens with Medicare Advantage plans. Using the help of a licensed insurance professional helps you make your way through the Medicare “maze” and make the right decision for your needs for the New Year.

Stephanie Frisch is the owner of Insurance 101 Services and is an independent Insurance broker dedicated to helping others make “educated decisions” about their insurance choices when it comes to Medicare. For answers to your questions, or an in-home, no-fee consultation, call (949) 351-2443.

AGING WELL

for the Young at Heart

Ask an Expert

How Can Your Home Lower Your Tax Liability?

BY SCOTT KIDD

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CAPITAL-GAINS EXEMPTION Thinking of selling your home, perhaps to downsize, move closer to family, or retire to that vacation spot you’ve always loved? Once you’ve sold it, you can avoid paying 2018 federal taxes on the profits by using the capitalgains exemption.

This is a nice bonus if you sell your principal residence after living in it two out of the last five years. It lets you make up to $250,000 in non-taxable profit if you’re a single owner, and $500,000 if you’re married. These proceeds don’t have to be reinvested into real estate and there’s no limit on the number of times this exemption can be used. For any profits that exceed the ceiling for your filing status, you will typically pay the capital gains tax rate, generally 0, 15, or 20 percent depending on your tax bracket as of 2018.

DON’T FORGET TO ITEMIZE AT TAX TIME For most people, home improvements—even major ones—won’t help their tax situation until after the home is sold. Nevertheless, keep track of what you paid in home improvements over the years for potential tax savings and to help justify your selling price.

If you’ve held on to your receipts and know where to access them, itemizing can be a breeze, especially if you’re using a program like TurboTax, which will walk you through the entire process.

The following items are usually eligible for a tax deduction: • Annual property taxes you paid on the home, such as county or city taxes.

• Deduction on interest for qualifying mortgages up to $750,000 ($375,000 if married/filing separately); homes under agreement before 12/15/17 for purchase prior to 1/1/18 (provided purchase occurs by 4/1/18) grandfathered under previous $1,000,000 ($500,000 if married/filing separately) limits.

• Interest on home equity lines of credit (HELOC) deductible in certain cases where proceeds are utilized to acquire or improve a property.

• Loan fees you paid when you bought the house, or any you convinced the seller to pay for you.

• Home improvements required for medical care.

If you have questions about the capital-gains exemption or deductions, consult with a tax professional.

Scott Kidd, a real estate agent in the Coastal Orange County market for over 30 years, is known for his intuition and easygoing demeanor. Scott is well-versed in real estate law, negotiations and client confidentiality. Scott is based in the San Clemente office of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties. 949.498.0487, skidd@ bhhscal.com, www.ScottKidd.net. Lic#: 01011063.

AGING WELL

for the Young at Heart

A water fitness class recently taught at the San Clemente Aquatics Center. Photo: Eric Heinz

TWO ACTIVITIES TO HELP KEEP YOU AGING WELL

S

Water aerobics, pickleba a eal to more than just seniors

BY ERIC HEINZ

taying active is key to living a longer and more fruitful life. Many activities that are beneficial not just to seniors but to all ages can be found around the local areas.

Pickleball

Making rapid expansion throughout the United States and internationally, pickleball has become one of the most popular and fastestgrowing sports, according to Manny Romero, the San Clemente representative for the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA).

Pickleball is a smaller version of tennis that typically involves using lighter paddles and a hardened whiffle ball.

“It’s a good way to get exercise without exacerbating a lot of physical injuries,” said Romero, who was an avid tennis player for decades until his knees wore out. “Most of the seniors play doubles, and the good thing of the sport is you don’t have to move far.”

Romero said as long as you’re mobile, the key is to work on hand-eye coordination. He said that he’s seen people ages 13 to 82 play against one another, and they’ve had competitive games.

The time it takes to complete a match of pickleball can be significantly shorter than tennis matches or other sports, depending on how it’s played. The courts are also smaller, so you don’t have to exert quite as much energy, especially when playing doubles.

Romero said the sport is likely to have 12 million people playing by the year 2020. The USAPA has recently teamed up with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and has competitive divisions for all ages and skills.

Water Fitness

Peggy Hall, a water fitness instructor at the San Clemente Aquatics Center, said there are many health benefits to water aerobics.

“The water creates an environmental and constant resistance on your body, unlike weightlifting or exercise classes,” Hall said, adding that this is beneficial for all ages, but especially older people who may experience joint pain from dry-land exercises. “There’s something called hydrostatic pressure, and this has been measured at a constant 12.5 pounds of resistance on your body when you’re working out.”

Hall said because you’re in the water, perspiration is minimal and keeps you cool, which helps those who have high blood pressure and other ailments. It also reduces the risk of over-exertion or heatstroke.

“Your joints are being cushioned by the water itself, and the pressure on your joints is minimized,” she said. “Most people who are recovering from injury, the wear and tear on their body in the water is low-impact. That same pressure is gently massaging the pressure on your joints.”

Hall said there are also benefits to the circulatory system. The lungs and heart function at a more efficient level in the water.

“You have oxygenated every cell of your body,” she said.

Working out in the water can stimulate the mind, because of the effort to keep yourself afloat or at least above the waterline.

“You’re constantly being challenged to use your mind.”

Regardless of confidence or lack thereof, a lifeguard is always on duty during the classes at the Aquatics Center.

“You don’t need to be a swimmer, non-swimmers are welcome,” Hall said.

AGING WELL

for the Young at Heart

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Accessing Equity: It’s a new issue older Americans are facing today!

Housing wealth grew to nearly 7 trillion dollars for U.S. homeowners age 62 and older in the first quarter of 2018.

It would seem like a great time to access some of that equity to pay off stubborn debt, or do some home improvements. Sounds so easy, right? Just head on down to your friendly bank.

Hold your horse’s right there though! The old days of having good credit and home equity is no longer the norm; you now need to income qualify. Thousands of loan applications have been denied recently and banks are not making that known. To explore these new requirements, the first step is to go down to the bank and apply for a HELOC (home equity line of credit) or a cash out refinance (applying is normally free). The results could be eye opening and disappointing. The government passed the Ability to Repay Act in July 2010 that stopped certain Liar Loans but it came with unintended consequences on millions of older Americans in the process. You can no longer be approved for loans unless you can income qualify. Sadly, most American seniors are on a fixed income, typically Social Security and it is not enough.

Good news! There is hope and it can be found in the form of a government-insured program called a Reverse Mortgage. This senior American program has been upgraded and improved with many new safeguards and consumer protections. There are new choices including brand new Jumbo Loans that are helping many to enjoy retirement more

comfortably. “Safety, Security and Peace of Mind” are at the top of the list for retirement planning and we are here to help.

William Penn once famously wrote that “Truth never lost ground by inquiry.” In evaluating your retirement status, you will need to know all of the options and alternatives.

Although it may not be for everybody, it does call for your attention! It might be the vehicle you need to save money, extend the life of your investments and prepare you for a more secure retirement.

We encourage everyone to come to our free seminar and get the facts. We will be having a “straight talk” discussion about today’s needs and how you can retire with confidence.

We welcome everybody to bring their questions, thoughts or concerns. Let’s have a discussion and turn public opinion into life changing knowledge.

Come join us at our next “Learn While You Lunch Seminar” being held in San Clemente on October 24 at noon at the Community Center (Ole Hansen Fireside Room) located at 100 N Calle Seville, San Clemente.

Call Loretta to RSVP at 949.266.0900...

It’s Free!

Green Monarch Mortgage San Clemente, www.GreenMonarch.com PCorp NMLS 305906

A Smile That Lasts a Lifetime the first step in building a beautiful smile. In Gone are the days of three sets of teeth. many ways our gums and bone are much like Often in the past, many have the expectation the foundation of our homes. We can have the that they will have baby teeth, adult teeth and most beautiful home in the neighborhood but finally a set of fake teeth. However, as life if the foundation of our house is crumbling, expectancy has increased, and dental technolthen often the walls begin to crack and the ogy has evolved, we’ve seen a shift away from home takes on signs of wear and tear. the ideals of old to a new, healthier, long term, At Ocean View Dental Care, we treat our permanent adult smile. patients who are diagnosed with gum disease It is estimated by the year 2030, twenty with both traditional therapies and laser denpercent of the population in the United States tistry. Laser therapy has a numwill be 65 or older. This growing ber of benefits when fighting off age group is one of many that this chronic condition, including can benefit from the advances reducing the number of bacteria within the field of dentistry, in the gingival pockets, stimulatwhich helps preserve not just ing new blood vessels, collagen a healthy, esthetic smile, but and gum attachment, and contributes to a better overall reducing the amount of bacteria health for our patients.

Dr. Andrew Higgins, that travels into the bloodstream Implant dentistry is one area DDS which may affect patients with of treatment that serves to heart complications or artificial joints. replace single teeth or multiple teeth, comDentistry is an ever-changing field with plete arch restorations, and increased denture continued advances that are making treatment retention. This is a great solution for patients more predictable and comfortable for patients. who wish to have something permanently With longer life spans, it is our job to help placed and stay away from prosthetics such maintain and care for patients in a way that imas dentures and partials. proves the quality of life in their later decades.

A single or multi-tooth implant not only has Everyone deserves the smile they desire a lifespan that can last for decades, they look and a level of health that only adds to their and function just like our natural teeth. quality of life.

For those patients that already have existing denture, many times implants can be added to existing prosthetics to help retain these devices, thus reducing the need for messy adhesives or liners. This increased retention can give many patients more confidence in their prosthesis and help them function at a higher level.

Ocean View Dental Care Another area of concern for many patients 905 Calle Amanecer, Suite 265, San Clemente, is their gingiva or gums. I always explain to 949.388.0780, oceanviewdentist.com my patients that maintaining healthy gums is

Allergic to Everything I was an ER crasher. My throat would close and no Epipen would last long enough. Panic filled my eyes as the anaphylaxis kicked in.

Would I get to the ER in time?

Never was I considered an “allergic” person until then. I was too busy with my buddies, bicycling from my home near the San Clemente pier, past Trestles, through Camp Pendleton to Oceanside and back.

My health was slip slidin’ away. My wife was on chemo at Saddleback, so nothing I had seemed that significant until too many close calls.

Pipelining Starbucks kept me awake. My muscles ached in ways biking didn’t explain. I went from raconteur to withdrawing from my buddies. My eyes would swell shut. More and more classic allergic symptoms crept up.

Off I went to a top local allergist. Filling out his 20-page multiple choice questionnaire,

startled me. I had way too many checkmarks. I met him, and he reviewed it. He was clear that my case was very complex. Too many symptoms. Too many ER visits. Having to stay in hotels when my allergies were crippling at home.

He told me to come back in 3 weeks for skin testing and prescribed more Epipens.

I got to the parking lot of his office. Three weeks? I’d never make it. I had already waited way too long. I sat in my car desperately Googling away.

When I read Dr. Calabrese’s patient reviews, I related because these were patients who are more extreme. They were allergic to many foods, molds, pollens, chemicals. They had failed top academic allergists.

It was late. I drove directly to her office

anyway. She had just left five minutes before.

I scratched out a rather desperate note. We met the next morning. Dr. Calabrese explained more science than I could understand with my contractor background. T helper cells.

Cytokines. Interleukins.

I knew she was spot on in describing how I felt in ways that you would have had to have this problem yourself to understand.

Indeed she had become a terminal asthmatic shortly after completing her seven years of medical training at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Calabrese explained the specialized immunotherapy (shots) that she prepared for each unique patient, which reverses the underlying illness. I stood and thanked her.

She sat me down and said “I need to explain

that coming here is hard work and tedious.” I said, “But you can get me well.” She nodded. I said: “What else matters?”

Dr. Calabrese got me well. My memory and other symptoms are better now than before I ever was sick. I can now eat foods I had been severely allergic to. I’m biking, swimming, BBQing and socializing with the best neighbors ever. And my wife, Robin, is cancer-free.

Gratefully, Roger Blackler Dorothy Calabrese M.D. Allergy & Immunology 2449 South El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.369.6679 enviromed@msn.com Member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology MEDICARE ASSIGNMENT PROVIDER

AGING WELL

for the Young at Heart

MOVING, GROOVING AND LEARNING

South County Senior Centers Provide Wide Variety of Programs, Cla es

G

BY ALEX GROVES

etting older can sometimes be tough—it can often mean increased doctor’s office visits, notable financial hurdles and feelings of loneliness. South Orange County’s senior centers can be a great resource for aging. They not only give elders a chance to be part of a community but also give them the opportunity to get great nutrition, exercise and educational opportunities. Here’s a look at the senior centers in San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano and some of the programs they offer.

DOROTHY VISSER SENIOR CENTER IN SAN CLEMENTE The Dorothy Visser Senior Center in San Clemente offers educational and assistance programs on Medicare, Social Security, taxes, technology and even genealogy.

In addition to educational programs, the center has activities designed to benefit visitors’ physical and emotional health.

The center has a gym, the Gary and Mary West Wellness Fitness Gym. Beth Apodaca, director of the Dorothy Visser Senior Center, said the gym is always monitored to make sure people are exercising properly and no one is injured. Membership for the gym is $100 a year.

The center offers bingo games at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with a $12 buy-in for 12 rounds.

There are four cards played for each round.

Apodaca said the senior center is always looking for volunteers for its programs.

She said she encourages anyone who would like to volunteer or learn more about the programs to call the senior center at 949.498.3322.

The Dorothy Visser Senior Center is located at 117 Avenida Victoria in San Clemente.

DANA POINT SENIOR CENTER The Dana Point Senior Center offers Medicare counseling, legal consultations, visual consultations, flu shots and also provides transportation to and from the center for residents.

The center provides regular food distribution around 10 a.m. on Mondays through the organization Helping Hands Worldwide.

Site director Vana Murphy said seniors can pick up vegetables, fruits, bread and other ingredients that are donated to the organization from local supermarkets.

The items usually expire that day, so while the stores themselves may not be able to sell them, they can still be used by senior center visitors.

On Fridays around 10:30 a.m., the senior center also receives goods for distribution from Trader Joe’s, Costco and Panera.

“It really helps the seniors supplement their income because a lot of their money goes to housing and medicine,” Murphy said.

Dana Point’s Senior Center is also always looking for volunteers, Murphy said. She encouraged people who would like to visit the senior center to pick up an application, then turn it in.

The Dana Point Senior Center is located at 34052 Del Obispo in Dana Point.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SENIOR CENTER San Jan Capistrano’s Senior Center offers many of the same programs to older adults that the other senior centers do, including computer and technology classes, insurance counseling, tax assistance, free health and safety presentations and a support group for people suffering a loss. The center offers transportation to and from the center for residents.

They also offer many free classes such as hula dancing for beginners, stretch and tone exercises, card games and a “sit & fit” chair exercise class.

Heidi Ivanoff, Community Services Coordinator for the San Juan Capistrano Senior Center, said that sit and fit classes are becoming increasingly popular with aging people because they can do beneficial exercises without undertaking the sometimes difficult tasks of standing or getting up from a seated position.

The center will also be partnering with MemorialCare to purchase a ping pong table as another avenue to keep people active.

The senior center also partners with Costco and Trader Joe’s to receive surplus baked goods, including breads, cookies, pastries, bagels and other items.

Food from Trader Joe’s arrives every Monday, beginning at 8 a.m. and Costco items are distributed every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. while supplies last. Seniors are asked to take only two packaged items.

The center also receives food for distribution from the federal government’s surplus food program every third Thursday of each month. It receives pallets with vegetables and fruit, peanut butter, pastas, cereals and other staples.

People interested in volunteering for the center can call 949.443.6358.

The San Juan Capistrano Senior Center is located 25925 Camino Del Avion.

CONGREGATE MEALS The senior centers in San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano all offer lunches as part of congregate meal program put together by Lisa Gibson, a dietician with Age Well Senior Services.

The lunches are served daily Monday through Friday, except for certain holidays.

They usually come with an entrée as well as servings of fruit and vegetables.

For example, one October menu lunch consists of Salisbury steak with onion gravy, a baked potato, Brussels sprouts, rye bread, and a mandarin, strawberry and banana dessert.

The meals are available to seniors 60 and older; a $4.50 donation is suggested. However, those who are unable to pay are not turned away.

The meals are not only a way for seniors to get some great nutrition but also a chance for socialization.

Ivanoff said she’s seen many seniors who live at home with younger family members have a chance to interact with people from their own age group.

Sometimes that can take some coaxing.

“Their kids are the ones that are pushing them to get outside the home and have some experiences during the day,” she said.

MEALS ON WHEELS Age Well also coordinates Meals on Wheels through the area senior centers. The program has volunteers bring food to the homes of seniors with limited mobility or a lack of transportation.

Deliveries consist of three meals: one hot and ready-to-eat meal, a cold meal to eat later in the day and a breakfast meal for the next morning.

There’s a suggested $7.50 suggested donation associated with the Meals on

Wheels programs at each of the three senior centers.

Murphy said bringing the meals to the seniors is not just a great way to make sure they get necessary nutrition, but also make sure they are doing okay.

She noted that there are times when a Meals on Wheels volunteer might be the only person a senior sees all day “They go out to the home and they are able to see how that client is, and if there are any problems they can notify us,” she said. “We can call the police, or we can call a family member and let them know what is happening with that client.”

EDUCATIONAL CLASSES All three senior centers offer free educational classes through Saddleback College’s Emeritus Institute. The classes vary at each of the locations.

For fall 2018, the San Clemente Senior Center is offering classes in intermediate oil and acrylic painting, beginning watercolor painting, balance and mobility, intermediate chair exercises, yoga fitness and a class on current issues in government.

The Dana Point Senior Center is offering classes in aerobics, art appreciation and issues in government.

The San Juan Capistrano Community Center offers classes in beginning sketching and a health and wellness class specializing in yoga.

People can take classes at any of the senior centers and are not restricted to the senior center where they live. However, Apodaca notes that there’s an expectation that people take the class for the whole semester.