OCTOBER 2012
HILLSBOROUGH/PASCO
Includes
Special 2013 Medicare
Open Enrollment Section
TM
SINCE 1980 — VolUME 32 • NUMBER 10
The Art of Caregiving: The Most Difficult Decision You’ll Make By Eric Pfeiffer, M.D. The Art of Caregiving is an occasional column that appears in this publication. While Dr. Pfeiffer’s experience is primarily with caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, the principles he discusses apply to caregivers of many other chronic conditions.
BE AWARE OF UNLICENSED SERVICE PROVIDERS
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5 TIME SAVING LAUNDRY TIPS
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Caregiving is a very challenging activity, filled with many difficult and unexpected problems. That’s why we recommend that caregivers get help as early as possible in their caregiving journey -- from caregiver support groups, health professionals, family members and friends. The decision is yours. But there is one decision that is more difficult to face and harder to accept than any other. The time will come when placement into a special care facility, rather than care at home, must be considered and implemented. Here are some facts to consider, which will make this decision less stressful, both for the caregiver and for the patient. 1. During the late stages of the disease, when the patient has become extremely dependent, can no longer cooperate with the caregiver, or has developed unmanageable behaviors, care in a specially-designed and specially-staffed facility will be the best place for the patient to receive care. 2. Since placement in a care facility is a possibility for many Alzheimer’s patients in the late stages of their disease, caregivers need to prepare for such an eventuality. Caregivers observing worsening dependency or increasingly unmanageable behaviors in their patient should check out facilities available in their community. They should
personally (but without the patient) visit several such facilities, meet with staff members, and talk to other caregivers who have patients in that facility. 3. Caregivers should not try to make this decision entirely alone, but should involve the patient’s doctor and/or other healthcare professionals. In that way, the timing of this transition will be based on objective observations, not on emotional factors of the caregiver or of other family members. Discussion in a caregiver support group of specific facilities or of other troublesome issues can be most informative and reassuring, since other group members may have gone through similar situations. 4. Caregivers need not fear that they will be shut out of further caregiving for the patient. They can continue to play a vital role in the overall care of the patient by visiting the patient regularly and conferring with facility staff on a regular basis, so that the best possible care can be provided in an ongoing way. 5. Finally, caregivers need to remember that when they undertook the caregiver role, no one “ever promised them a rose garden.” Placing a loved one in a special care facility is certainly one of life’s thorniest issues. It is at such a time that it is most important that caregivers allow themselves to accept help from those who care for and about them. Dr. Pfeiffer is the author of “The Art of Caregiving in Alzheimer’s Disease.” It is an A to Z Guide to the Caregiver Experience. To purchase a copy of his book, go to his website: http://eric pfeiffermd.com. Or you can go to Amazon.com where both the e-book and print copy of the book are available for purchase. Dr. Pfeiffer welcomes comments or reactions to his articles, and you can e-mail him at epfeiffe@health.usf.edu.
My Amazing Father at 100 By Carl Zayas
SEXY SENIORS
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My father’s name is Salvador V. Zayas. He was born in Ybor City on October 25th, 1912, two years before World War I. His parents were of Spanish descent. They had family in Tampa and came to live here with one son who was born in Cuba. Then, four more children were born in Tampa -- two boys and two girls. My paternal grandparents were cigar makers. They were here for a while, but they missed their own country. Eventually, the family of seven, which included my father Salvador, who was the youngest, left Tampa on a passenger cargo boat. My dad tells me that his Godfather gave them a house in Cuba near Guantanamo. He was two or three years old. Later, the family moved to Casa Blanca in Havana where my dad worked in the shipyards, but his heart’s desire was to be a barber, so he began to barber in his Cuban home.
Carl and Salvador
Senior Voice America…in print, on the web and on the air with Health, Wealth & Wisdom. Tune in to AM 1250 WHNZ Monday thru Friday, from 4 to 5 p.m. as Publisher Evan Gold brings you the information to live an active mature lifestyle. Visit our new website, Tampa Bay’s leading news source for seniors, www.seniorvoiceamerica.com.
See AMAZING, Page 3.
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
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Senior Voice America
AMAZING, Continued from Page 1. My dad says he came back to “his beautiful Tampa” at the age of 33, and within a few days he started working at Pino’s Barbershop. His clients included many famous people, such as well- known composer Ernesto Lecuona, boxing promoter Lu Viscusi, Daniel Santos, who was a great singer, boxing legend Tommy Gomez and many more. He married my mom Emily and had two sons, my brother Albert and myself. Growing up, I remember how my dad would visit the sick and shut-ins all over the bay area and beyond to cut their hair. He has always been a giver, a friend to many and a wonderful family-minded man. Once, my father went to Miami for a while when Albert and I were kids, but he missed his family and came back to open a shop of his own in Ybor City, Dad with Willie Nelson Nebraska Barber Shop. Later, he had other shops and even continued working through his early 90s at Figaro’s Barbershop in West Tampa. He is happy and proud that my brother Albert became a barber, while I steered toward the music industry. Dad and Pino In 1992, Salvador came to visit me in Branson, Missouri, where he met such music legends as Johnny Cash, Debbie Reynolds, Willie Nelson and Andy Williams. He will be 100 years old in October and is still active, sometimes working out in the yard. He tells me that, “Faith in the Lord is important and exercise is good for my health and energy. It’s as good as eating and sleeping.”
Carl and his father, Sal, recorded a song together. You can view the video and see Sal in action by searching on YouTube under: Zayas “Tampa” (tu eres perfecta para mi).
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
FROM THE PUBLISHER TM
Senior Voice America, Inc. 8406 Benjamin Rd., Ste. G Tampa, FL 33634 Phone (813) 444-1011 • Fax (813) 422-7966 www.seniorvoiceamerica.com Staff Publisher: Evan Gold evan@seniorvoiceamerica.com Associate Publisher: Timm Harmon timm@seniorvoiceamerica.com Managing Editor/Broadcast Producer: Deb Goldman deb@seniorvoiceamerica.com Editor: Julie Heidelberg julie@seniorvoiceamerica.com Creative Director: Ed Luiso ed@seniorvoiceamerica.com Circulation Manager: Sharon Altman sharon@seniorvoiceamerica.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES • (813) 444-1011 Timm Harmon timm@seniorvoiceamerica.com Glenn Bornemann glenn@seniorvoiceamerica.com Ricardo Rincon ricardo@seniorvoiceamerica.com Join our sales team. For information about opportunities throughout Florida and North America, email timm@seniorvoiceamerica.com.
Contributors Abne M. Eisenberg • Ruth Fanovich Diane Houser • Barbara LoFrisco • Jon Lynn Eric Pfeiffer • Joe Pippen • Bonnie Sanchez Denise Seaman • Nancy M. Wong June Hurley Young • Carl Zayas Would you like to write for Senior Voice America? Please email editor@seniorvoiceamerica.com
Senior Voice is a Proud Member of Better Living for Seniors The Guardian Association of Pinellas County The Florida Assisted Living Association Senior Voice America is published monthly and is distributed free of charge, courtesy of its advertisers. Distribution area includes Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee counties. Articles and advertising contained in this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinion or endorsement of the publisher, who does not verify advertiser claims and reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertising.
Tune in to 1250am WHNZ. Monday – Friday From 4-5pm
I STAND FOR AMERICA! I am asked regularly who I would vote for in this election. Friends, family, colleagues, readers and listeners want to know “which side” I am for. Being a registered Democrat since age 18, I have leaned more towards the Democrats. But I am not your normal Democrat. I am a very conservative Democrat. I do not believe in endless social welfare programs, nor do I believe in endless handouts to those that do not want to work or have no intention to even look for it. And, while I believe the forefathers were correct about the problem of a standing army, I do not believe they could envision the unscrupulous enemies America currently has. I do believe that there needs to be some sort of social welfare programs to give a “hand up.” However, there needs to be an end to it. It cannot be a hand out with no end in sight. With nearly 50 percent of Americans on some sort of public assistance, it is time we ask a few straight forward questions: Is this the path we want America to take? Is redistribution of wealth going to incentivize those who currently don’t work or have no intention of working? There is no doubt that ALL Americans will have to bite the bullet to some extent over the next decade or so to help rebuild America. The time for blame is over; it is now time to get down to the work at hand. It is time for leadership and foresight. It is time for someone that has leadership qualities and a record of success to drive America and Americans forward. We have entered a time where the Democratic Party wants to regulate every aspect of American life. I do not believe anyone stated it better than Thomas Jefferson when he said, The care of every man’s soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglects the care of it? Well what if he neglects the care of his health or his estate, which would more nearly relate to the state? Will the magistrate make a law that he not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills. I believe one of the fundamentals of our government is for it to be there when we are in need of assistance on an emergency basis or in times of calamity. But it is not there to support us on a daily basis, it is not there to raise our children, and it is not there to direct or regulate our every movement. Like I said earlier, I Stand for America. There is only one candidate for the Oval Office, I believe, who really stands for American values and traditions. There is only one candidate who has a true work ethic, there is only one candidate who has truly succeeded time and time again in his endeavors and there is only one candidate who has proved he can work with the opposing party. And, I have to tell you there is one statement from both conventions that I remember more than the others: When Ann Romney said “This man will not fail,” I believed her.
Evan Gold
PS: I have gotten letters and emails from both sides over the past few months. I want every one of you to understand that we love your letters and respect your right to your opinion and who you may vote for. That is your right as Americans. I hope, whichever candidate wins, that all Americans can come together, including Congress, and work to the common goal of making America a better place. And most importantly, we should all look at the records of the incumbent Congressmen and Senators and really examine whether they should be re-elected.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Evan: I read your articles each and every time I get Senior Voice. I also wrote an article/letter you published a while back. I have one for you, the subject word, FORWARD. You need to write up an article on FOWARD, the true meaning. I have attached a copy of the definition from my Webster Dictionary, which is as old as me. Under 5. it is stated: extreme, radical. OK, all those waving signs at DNC, they just do not exactly mean “let’s move forward”. I do believe they mean that he is an extremist along with being a radical. Let me know what your beliefs are. I am not trying to make something out of nothing, but in 2008 it was HOPE & CHANGE, now it is FORWARD. You see, he has done nothing but run/fly around the country during those past four (4) years; golfed; partied; heck he even has made his own brew called: Honey Brew.....While we both worked as a middle man for the Federal Government in Washington, the rule of thumb was you did not drink on the job, let alone make one’s own brew to drink on the job. All seniors in FL need to know the true meaning of his campaign this time around. Seriously, it is Hello, I am an extremist and a radical, and I am not done destroying America as yet, I need another four (4) years. Respectfully submitted: UJ Dear Mr. Gold, I read your Sept. 2012 “From the Publisher” column. It is right on the point. I gave up watching the T.V. several years ago due to the political bias of the so called “news networks.” At the present time, America’s problems run much deeper than many of the public realize.
Please See LETTERS, Page 18.
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
PRESIDENTIAL POLL Please take a moment to complete and mail in this survey. All submissions will be counted and combined with all other submissions and the results will be posted in our November issue. PLEASE NOTE: ALL submissions must be received by October 24th to be included in the final results.
1. If the 2012 presidential election were held today, whom would you vote for?
o Mitt Romney o Barack Obama o Someone else o No one o Not sure 2. Who do you agree with more about what the government should and should not do? Republicans, Democrats, Independents, or somebody else?
o Republicans o Democrats o Independents o Somebody else 3. Did you vote in the 2008 presidential election, or not?
o Yes, I did o No, I did not o Not sure 4. In the 2008 Presidential Election did you vote for John McCain or Barack Obama?
o Senator John McCain o Senator Barack Obama 5. Do you approve, disapprove, or neither approve nor disapprove of the way President Barack Obama is handling foreign policy issues?
o Approve a great deal o Approve a moderate amount o Approve a little o Neither approve nor disapprove o Disapprove a little o Disapprove a moderate amount o Disapprove a great deal 6. Compared to 2008, is the economy in the United States better, worse, or about the same?
o Much better o Somewhat better o Slightly better o About the same o Slightly worse o Somewhat worse o Much worse 7. Do you approve, disapprove, or neither approve nor disapprove of the way President Barack Obama is handling the economy?
o Approve a great deal o Approve a moderate amount o Approve a little o Neither approve nor disapprove o Disapprove a little o Disapprove a moderate amount o Disapprove a great deal PLEASE SEND YOUR COMPLETED SURVEY TO: Senior Voice America 8406 Benjamin Rd. Suite G Tampa FL 33634
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
LET’S TALK
Beware of Unlicensed Service Providers
©bigstockphoto.com
By Nurse Ruth An attorney asked me for help with one of his clients. The client, we will call him Mike, hired a girl to clean his house. The person Mike hired (and paid under the table) was a referral from the cashier at the pharmacy where Mike shopped. As you might guess, the girl not only cleaned house, she cleaned Mike out...as in, stole his belongings. This situation happens frequently and can be prevented. Unfortunately, in this case it wasn’t. To make matters worse, Mike became so upset that he threatened her. Then, the sheriff got involved and Mike spent a lot of money for an attorney to get him out of the mess he had created. In another situation, I met with a trust officer who asked me to provide case management services for his client. His concern was the client lived alone and the only family was a niece who lived out-of-state. The niece was very attentive and became concerned because every time she called her uncle, a woman answered the phone and he was always unavailable. This woman presented herself as the uncle’s girlfriend. The uncle was 92 and, while I am not opposed to love at any age, his age group is highly vulnerable to exploitation. After visiting with the uncle, I instructed the niece to immediately come to Florida to visit her uncle and meet with him in person. During my visit, I found that all signs of the uncle’s family had been removed and replaced with pictures of the “girlfriend’s” family. The uncle was in the process of purchasing a car for the “girlfriend” and she had already set up a meeting with a notary to have the paperwork signed. How did
this woman meet this man? At the bank. She overheard him telling someone he wished he had a companion. I think you get the idea. The woman was prosecuted for exploitation of the elderly. Unfortunately, no money was recovered. Recently, I received a call from a physician. His patient was an elderly gentleman who had multiple medical problems. The patient hired a neighbor to care for him. Although well-meaning, the neighbor had no medical training or knowledge and failed to recognize the wound on his friend’s leg was infected. If someone with the appropriate training had been involved, they would have understood how serious this was; as a diabetic, the man needed medical attention. Consequently, he had the lower portion of his leg amputated. Again, this case was sad because it was preventable. When looking for care in your home, you may pay a little more for the services of a professional; however, your safety and peace of mind are priceless. Caregivers that work with licensed agencies are trained, certified, bonded, insured, required to undergo a background screening to ensure they have no criminal history, and you can rest assured that you have a legitimate business protecting your interests. So, think about it, when hiring anyone…a handy man, a plumber, an electrician, a caregiver, always hire a licensed company. If you have a concern, viewpoint or comment with regard to this subject matter, Let’s Talk! Ruth Fanovich, RN, LHRM, is the Owner of Care Placement Home Health Agency, Inc. and RMF Care Management, Inc. www.CarePlacementHH.com
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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DID YOU KNOW
Over 80 years of Fish and Fun Support Beach Schools The 82nd annual Fish and the silent auction. Broil and Mullet Festival Mullet dinners are $8 will be held Oct. 20, 2012 each, and wrist bands for at Hurley Park, located the Kid’s Zone are $5 between 15th Ave. & 16th each. Additional chilAve. in Pass-A-Grille, Fla. dren’s activities are offrom 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. fered at varied small Based on 2011 event fees. attendance, a crowd of approximately 1,500 is History of the Fish expected for the 2012 Broil event. The Fish Broil began According to Nicole as a fundraiser for the Wilson, director of the Sunshine School in the Frances Humphreys, picevent’s primary benefit- tured enjoyed many chil- 1930’s during The Great ting organization, Mon- dren’s activities at the fam- Depression. The fundtessori by the Sea, this is ily-oriented Fish Broil & raiser has continued the school’s most attend- Mullet Festival in Nov., 2011. from one beach school to ed fundraiser of the year. another as schools have “Every year, the community grows opened and closed over the years. more enthusiastic about the festival, When the Sunshine School closed in and the outpouring of support never the 1950s, they passed the Fish Broil on ceases to amaze me,” Wilson said. to Gulf Beaches Elementary. Then, when “We’re very appreciative because our Gulf Beaches closed in 2009, Montesfundraisers allow us to grant financial sori by the Sea assumed the mantle of aid to some of our families and help en- maintaining the tradition, which is wellhance our programs.” attended by the community. Event chair, Karla Hollan, agrees. This year’s event proceeds will also “We have been fortunate over the years, help support the Gulf Beaches Historiand local businesses do not hesitate to cal Museum, St. Pete Beach Support sponsor the event at some level,” she Our Troops, Inc., Save Our Seabirds, said. “We are really grateful to have Inc., The St. Pete Beach Public Library many return supporters participating in and beautification projects on Pass-Athis year’s event.” Grille. In addition to the Fish Broil, festiviThis year’s event sponsors include ties will include live music, a Kid’s Zone Senior Voice America, Black Palm, with bounce houses, face painting, a si- Boardwalk and Bert Smith Porsche. lent auction, raffles and much more. For more information, visit www. Admission is free and includes access fishbroil.com or like the event on Faceto the park, the vendor area for food and book at “The Historical Fish Broil and merchandise, the entertainment area Mullet Festival.”
About Montessori by the Sea Montessori by the Sea is dedicated to the Montessori philosophy and method of education through the senses. The school implements a child-centered curriculum that includes movement, manipulation and guided discovery with a mixed-age community of children. For more information, call 727-360-7621 or visit www.montessori-by-sea.org.
Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
Health Roundup
CANCER ANSWERS Radiology And Radiation Oncology – The Differences Although the names are similar, “radiology” and “radiation oncology” are separate medical fields. At Moffitt Cancer Center, the Department of Radiology provides conventional X-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (sonography), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) services, nuclear medicine (radioisotope studies), image-guided biopsies, and both vascular and nonvascular interventional services for diagnosis and observation. Meanwhile, doctors and technicians working in Moffitt’s Radiation Oncology Program use radiation treatments to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors in a great variety of cancers. Radiation oncologists are specialists in the planning and delivery of radiation therapy treating all parts of the body and involving all biological systems. With the advanced radiation technology offered at Moffitt, patients can be treated with IMRT (intensity-modulated radiation therapy), IGRT (image-guided radiation therapy) and SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy). Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) is the medical use of ionizing radiation that is released in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy can be delivered externally or internally. While radiology is a diagnostic science and radiation oncology is a therapeutic science, they have one goal in common: quality of care of all patients.
High-Tech, High-Care Radiation Treatments – Offered At An Additional Location The same high-tech imaging and diagnostic radiology offered by the Department
of Radiology, and the radiation oncology treatments offered by the Radiation Oncology Program at Moffitt’s main facility on the University of South Florida campus, also are offered at the Moffitt Cancer Center at International Plaza location. “IMRT breaks the radiation beam into smaller ‘beamlets’ so that doctors can paint the dose of radiation precisely where they want it,” explains Sarah Hoffe, M.D., director of Physician Services. “Because patients have to be positioned to receive radiation on a daily basis, we use image-guided radiation therapy to make sure the dose is delivered to the right location. I tell patients that it is more than just the machine we use to treat them that matters, it is the team. Our team of specialists work together to design the best course of treatment that we can.” Frameless Radiosurgery Enhances Patient Comfort Wielding high-dose ra-
courtesy of moffitt cancer center
diation beams like a scalpel, neurosurgeons can narrow in and destroy brain tumor cells without making a single incision. This procedure, called stereotactic radiosurgery, takes radiation therapy to the next level and is part of Moffitt’s standard of care. Traditionally, the accuracy of the procedure has depended on a metal halo that is locked into place in the patient’s skull. The halo reduces the slightest move- Advanced radiation technology treatments kill cancer ment of the head or neck. cells and shrink tumors in many different types of But drawbacks to the halo cancers. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) include patient discomfort. delivers pinpoint radiation to tumors, reducing treatFortunately, that is changing. ment time. Moffitt doctors have been working with a radically different alternative to the halo – a mesh-like mask made of rigid plastic that is individually fabricated to each patient’s head. The mask immobilizes the head and allows the patient to see through it, but without the need to place screws on the head for radiosurgery. “The ‘frameless immobilization’ dramatically improves patient comfort and offers greater flexibility during complicated treatment planning,” says Prakash Chinnaiyan, M.D., a radiation oncologist in Moffitt’s Neuro-Oncology Department. With the halo, doctors try to accomplish planning and treatment within a few hours, which may be challenging for complicated cases. By using the mask, the planning can be broken into multiple steps, either on the same day or over a couple of days, and thorough effort is devoted to optimizing the treatment plan. This is particularly helpful for the treatment of multiple tumors in the brain. There are other benefits. “Because the mask is plastic rather than the halo’s metal material, X-rays can be used during treatment to verify that the beam is correctly lined up with the bony landmarks on the head,” says Dr. Chinnaiyan. “This step helps minimize harm to healthy tissue surrounding the tumor cells.”
Visit MOFFITT.org to learn more about cancer treatment.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth and Gums
©bigstockphoto.com
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Whether you’re taking a sip of your hot morning coffee, or having a bite of a delicious ice cream sundae, nothing is more irritating than having to refrain from savoring your guilty pleasure due to a shooting pain in your teeth. This sensation – known as tooth sensitivity – is triggered by hot, cold, sweet or sour foods and drinks, or by breathing in cold air. The pain can be sharp and sudden, and shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth. The discomfort you’re feeling is an indication that the dentin in your teeth is exposed. When the dentin loses its protective covering, heat, cold and acidic or sticky foods stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing hypersensitivity and discomfort. The sensation felt in these circumstances is uncomfortable; however, once you understand what causes the sensitivity, there are simple ways to ease the pain.
What causes tooth sensitivity? • Brushing too hard – Over time, brushing too strenuously or using a hardbristled toothbrush can wear down enamel and cause the dentin to be exposed. • Recession of the gums – When the gums move away from a tooth and the root surface becomes exposed, teeth become more sensitive. • Teeth and tooth enamel – Cavities and fractured teeth can cause sensitivity, as can worn down tooth enamel and cracked teeth. • Teeth whitening products – Teeth whitening products can be major contributors to sensitive teeth. • Plaque – Teeth become more susceptible to sensitivity when plaque is present on the root surfaces. • Acidic foods and beverages – Regular consumption of foods with a high acid content, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles and tea, can cause enamel erosion. Sports drinks, energy drinks and colas can also cause a higher risk of cavities and erosion due to their acidity and sugar content.
What are some solutions? • Maintain oral hygiene – Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing the pain associated with sensitive teeth and receding gums. Follow proper brushing and flossing techniques to thoroughly clean all parts of your teeth and mouth. • Use a sensitive toothbrush – ARM & HAMMER™ Spinbrush™ Pro Sensitive is the first battery-powered toothbrush specifically designed for sensitive teeth and gums. Exclusive “Soft Flex Bristles” are longer and more flexible to access hard to reach areas for a thorough clean and the “Gum Guard” is a specially designed motor for a gentler clean. The Pro Sensitive toothbrush provides a great option for sensitive teeth and gums at a sensible price. • Use a sensitive toothpaste – Certain toothpastes help reduce painful tooth sensitivity and can be up to 40 percent gentler to exposed roots. Adopting good oral hygiene habits and selecting products that can help prevent the pain associated with tooth sensitivity will allow you to indulge in that cup of coffee or ice cream sundae without discomfort in your teeth or gums. Learn more about products to help with sensitivity at www.armandhammer.com and www.spinbrush.com.
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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ASK OUR ATTORNEY
Living Trust: Answer To Archaic Probate System By Joseph F. Pippen, Jr., Law Offices of Joseph F. Pippen, Jr. & Associates
Trust prices vary and are inexpensive compared to the high cost of probate. A living trust has absolutely no disadvantages. However, the advantages of a trust are the following: 1) Income from the trust will continue upon death without delay and expense of probate. 2) Life insurance may be payable to the trust. 3) Assets upon death may immediately be distributed in a trust as opposed to six months to one year or longer in a will. 4) Trusts can be terminated without cost. 5) Successor trustees may be given powers to pay doctor and hospital bills, whereas nothing happens in a will until death. 6) Investments and financial decisions can be decided while you are alive to save loved ones from making unwise and untimely decisions after your death. 7) Guardianship problems are avoided. 8) You may save federal estate and income taxes through the use of a trust. 9) Trust provisions can be changed at any time. 10) Payments out of the principal of your estate may be made at any time.
Q. I have recently attended several financial planning seminars and have developed a great deal of interest in “living trusts.” Why don’t more attorneys explain to people the advantages of a living trust vs. a will? A. You have asked a very good question that is difficult to answer. One attorney cannot speak for other attorneys; however, generally speaking, attorneys who primarily prepare wills for their clients can develop a large probate practice. Probate is very distasteful to me, primarily because it takes a long time before beneficiaries (other than the husband or wife) can receive any distribution of the estate, and attorney fees and personal representative’s fees take up a portion of the estate. Plus, wills do nothing to avoid guardianship problems, and wills become a part Estate planning is not complete without a very thorough discussion with your of the county’s public records disclosing the testator’s assets to anyone who has attorney about a living trust. It is, indeed, a very modern instrument that is an an interest. All of this can be avoided with a living trust. answer to the somewhat archaic probate system. The most common reasons people avoid living trusts are common misconcepFor more information on trusts and other estate planning matters, call tions and fears such as: Joseph F. Pippin, Jr. & Associates at 727-586-3306 x216 1) losing control of assets in trusts; 2) improper management of assets; 3) expense of trust; 4) additional tax ID number for trust.
Ask Our Attorney!
This is a Regular Feature in Senior Voice America.
The good news is that none of these concerns are valid for the following reasons: 1) the trustee (you) has complete control of all of the assets in trust; 2) you manage the assets in the trust the very same way you do individually; 3) the tax ID numbers are no longer required.
Do you have a legal question or concern? We are here to help. Attorney Joe Pippen will answer your questions right here every month.
You can send your questions to us two different ways. Email: editor@seniorvoiceamerica.com or mail to Senior Voice, 8406 Benjamin Rd., Suite G, Tampa, FL 33634
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
BEING PREPARED
Make Special Hurricane Plans for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is reminding families and caregivers of the special emergency concerns associated with people suffering from memory disorders. In addition to normal hurricane preparation, caregivers should incorporate these emergency preparedness guidelines to assist families and caregivers coping with Alzheimer’s.
Advance preparations Consult with your physician and pharmacy about what mechanisms they have in place for continuity of care and prescription needs in the event standard communications lines are down. If your loved one lives in a residential facility, find out about its disaster and evacuation plans. Ask if you will be responsible for evacuating your loved one. Prepare an emergency kit (see below for suggestions). Enroll in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. Call toll-free at 1-888-5728566 or visit www.alz.org. If you are already enrolled in MedicAlert + Safe Return, make sure your information is up to date. • Keep all medications organized, in a safe and accessible place. • If you have a cell phone, store your emergency contact numbers including your local Alzheimer’s Association (800-272-3900). Have an additional pre-charged battery. • If you do not have a cell phone, keep an emergency call list with your medicines. • Pre-register at your county’s special needs shelter in case you need to evacuate to a shelter. • Know your evacuation route.
Emergency kit Consider preparing an emergency kit in advance. Keep it in a watertight container and store it in an easily accessible location. Your emergency kit might include • Easy on/off clothes (a couple of sets). • Supplies of medication (or minimally, a list of medications with dosages). • Velcro shoes/sneakers. • Back-up pair of eyeglasses. • Incontinence products. • Extra identification items for the person, such as an ID bracelet and clothing tags. • Copies of legal documents (such as power of attorney), medical documents that indicate the individual’s condition and current medications, insurance cards, and Social Security cards. • Use waterproof bags to hold medications and documents. • Physician’s name, address and phone numbers (including cell phone). • Recent picture of the person with dementia. • Lotion (good for soothing person). • Flashlights and batteries • Battery-operated radio. • Earphones for calming music since loud areas may increase agitation of our loved one • Simple activities - photo album, scrapbooks.
If a hurricane is coming your way • Get yourself and the person with Alzheimer’s to a safe place. • If the need to evacuate is likely, do not delay. Try to leave as early as possible to minimize long delays in heavy traffic. • Alert others (family, friends, and medical personnel) that you are changing locations, and give them your contact information. Contact them regularly as you move. • Be sure there are people other than the primary caregiver who have copies of the person with dementia’s medical history, medications, and physician information and family contacts. • Purchase extra medications. • Stock up on bottled water, non-perishable foods.
• Locate a pillow, toy, or something else to hug. • Have the Alzheimer’s Association and MedicAlert + Safe Return phone numbers.
During an evacuation Persons with dementia are especially vulnerable to chaos and emotional trauma. They have a limited ability to understand what is happening and they may forget what they have been told about the disaster. Be alert to potential reactions that may result from changes in routine, traveling or new environments including agitation, pacing, wandering and delusions or hallucinations. When appropriate, inform others (hotel or shelter staff, family members, airline attendants) that your loved one has dementia and may not understand what is happening. Do not leave the person alone. It only takes a few minutes to wander away and get lost. Do your best to remain calm. The person with dementia will respond to the emotional tone you set.
Tips for preventing agitation • Reassure the person. Hold hands or put your arm on his or her shoulder. Say things are going to be fine. • Find outlets for anxious energy. Take a walk together or engage the person in simple tasks. • Redirect the person’s attention if he or she becomes upset. • Move the person to a safer or quieter place, if possible. Limit stimulation. • Make sure the person takes medications as scheduled. • Schedule regular meals and maintain a regular sleep schedule. • Avoid detailed explanations. • Provide additional assistance with all activities of daily living. • Pay attention to cues that the person may be overwhelmed (fidgeting, pacing). • Remind the person that he or she is in the right place.
Helpful hints during an episode of agitation • Approach the person from the front and use his or her name. • Use calm, positive statements and a patient, low-pitched voice. Reassure. • Respond to the emotions being expressed rather than the content of the words. For example, say, “You’re frightened and want to go home. It’s ok. I’m right here with you.” • Don’t argue with the person or try to correct. Instead, affirm his or her experience, reassure and try to divert attention. For example, “The noise in this shelter is frightening. Let’s see if we can find a quieter spot. Let’s look at your photo book together.”
Take care of yourself Now more than ever caregivers need help managing their stress and handling some of the behaviors their loved ones may be experiencing during a hurricane. • Take care of yourself by finding a good listener to hear your thoughts and feel-ings about the event. • Find moments to breathe, meditate and reflect. The Alzheimer’s Association-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter can help you cope. The staff can provide counseling and support, and assist displaced families in finding care for their loved ones. Call 1-800-272-3900 for details, or visit the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter website at www.alz.org/FlGulfCoast/, click on “Hurricane Preparedness and Information” for links to • Updated evacuation information • Shelters including special-need shelters and pet-friendly shelters • Useful guides • Storm updates The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter serves 17 Florida counties (from Citrus County down to Collier) where there are an estimated 172,229 persons living with Alzheimer’s. There are only eight states in the United States with more cases of Alzheimer’s disease than in the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter’s service region.
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
Health Roundup
New Digital Technology Helps You Hear Better By Dr. Nancy M. Wong, Au.D. Hearing loss often has complex consequences. Many facets of everyday life become increasingly more difficult. Conversations with loved ones, meetings, phone calls and watching TV can be particularly challenging. In many cases, people with hearing loss will withdraw and become socially isolated. Their quality of life diminishes noticeably. Studies have shown that people with hearing loss who do not use hearing aids experience more sadness, fear and anxiety than hearing aid users. They reduce their social activities, become emotionally unstable and have trouble concentrating. On the other hand, studies also show that hearing aid users experience a dramatically increased quality of life as soon as they start using a hearing aid. They maintain better family relationships, have more self-confidence and experience more independence and security. If hearing loss is not corrected, it can result in physical issues such as tiredness or fatigue, headaches, vertigo and stress. The described symptoms are not always caused by untreated hearing loss, but they are observed in many cases. The newest digital hearing aid technology uses advanced algorithms to improve speech understanding in noisy environments, as well as directionality features to focus on the person you are interested in listening to. In addition to these improved speech enhancement qualities, the modern hearing aid technology also helps make life more convenient by offering Bluetooth capabilities for a cell phone, mp3 player and TV streaming, as well as an automatic T-coil for talking on a landline telephone. Some even have a voice indicator that tells you that your battery is going out, or allow you to use your cell phone as a remote control to change the settings on your hearing aids. Technology has certainly come a long way in providing convenient ways of improved hearing, and thus an improved quality of life. Dr. Nancy M. Wong, Au.D., is the director of Audiology & Hearing Center of Tampa.
SELF HELP
Open or Closed Mind By Professor Abne M. Eisenberg It isn’t so much what you don’t know that can hurt you. It’s the thousand and one things you “know” that aren’t actually so. The mind is semi-permeable. It lets certain information in and keeps other information out. The problem is, once a thought gets in, it is almost impossible to get it out. Try not thinking of an elephant. It is impossible unless you first think of an elephant. There is no such thing as a closed mind. We must first take an unacceptable thought in, then consciously or unconsciously reject it. As we enter the Space age, the information highway conjures up a predictable set of high-tech images. A limitless amount of information will become available that we may or may not be able to handle. Today, six or seven year old children sit in front of a computer exposed to all kinds of information with which they are emotionally unable to cope. Despite parental efforts to screen unacceptable material, they are only marginally successful. Upwards of 10 million people around the world are connected via the Internet. It is virtually impossible to escape this informational deluge. Believing our minds can consciously close a door to an unacceptable thought is an exercise in futility. Once something is thought, it can never be erased. It is simply repressed and relocated to the subconscious mind. Your mind cannot consciously be turned off or on like a light-switch. Your nervous system is a gatekeeper that monitors your inner and outer world. Unless someone is on a mind-altering medication, this biological radar never sleeps -- making the notion of an open or closed mind a mere figure of speech. To read more, you can order Professor Eisenberg’s book, “Perscriptive Communication for the Healthcare Provider,” by calling Trafford Publications at 1-888-232-4444.or reactions to his articles, and you can e-mail him at epfeiffe@health.usf.edu.
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
DID YOU KNOW
Lucky Dill’s New Location Sure to Please Wishing you had $400 to fly to New York City this fall? That’s about how much you need for a plane ticket these days. If you’re in a New York state of mind and you’d rather not take out a second mortgage just to get there, we’ve got the cure for you. We don’t like to brag, but you really have to stop by the new Palm Harbor Lucky Dill and get your NYC fix. Seriously, we’ll win you over with our Reuben sandwich – or our pastrami – or our hot corned beef. We’ve got fresh baked bread right from our Brooklyn Bakery, homemade soups, salad and great kid’s menu choices. There are over 280 menu items to choose from. It doesn’t really matter when you pop in – we’re at 33180 U.S. 19 N – we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. And we’ll even go you one round further at our NYC Bar, where we have live entertainment, food and drinks until at least midnight. Need some extra privacy for your group? You can rent our Tribeca Lounge for private parties, birthdays, events – even small weddings (it holds 60 people, no problem). Oh. And by the way … if you didn’t catch that new address the first time -- we moved! That’s right. We’re at 33180 U.S. 19 N., right between Tampa Rd. and Nebraska Rd., where we’ve been able to expand considerably. First, we have more parking! But there’s more room inside, too, and we added our swanky new NYC bar as well. Our 2500 customers per day think we’ve done a great job of bringing a slice of New York right to Palm Harbor – but you be the judge. We’re certain our authentic food, décor and atmosphere will be just the cure you’ve been looking for – and you can save some of that airfare money for something else you enjoy. Now don’t you feel Lucky? The Lucky Dill is open at 7 a.m. for breakfast (but we have a Breakfast All Day option on our menu, just in case you need to sleep in). We offer daily specials and combos, and if you join our mailing list on www.luckydilldeli.com, we’ll send you a $5 coupon. Come on in!
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
Health Roundup
You Can Walk Pain Free By Bonnie Sanchez, DPM, Fit Feet for Life Do you wince when you first step out of bed in the morning? Pain in your arches and heels can keep you from walking at all because every step hurts. Chances are, you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis or heel spur syndrome, which is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the heel bone. The condition is usually caused by lifestyle change. Common triggers include increased or different exercises, gait abnormality, improper footwear, aging, weight gain or even a change in flooring. At Fit Feet for Life, after a complete analysis of all of the common causes of foot pain, we start with a conservative care system we like to refer to as RICE: Rest – stay off your feet as much as possible to avoid aggravating the injury Ice – ice your foot daily to reduce swelling Compression – wear an Ace bandage or similar wrap to reduce swelling Elevation – keep your feet up to reduce swelling If the RICE approach does not help, you may find relief through other conservative measures; such as use of anti-inflammatory medications, stretching exercises, custom orthotic devices and physical therapy. Foot pain as well as hip pain, knee pain, and back pain can be caused by gait abnormalities. This can originate from poor foot alignment, different leg lengths and even improper foot wear. Obtaining the proper footwear and possibly using custom orthotic devices can be particularly effective in helping patients walk pain free. You should seek out a physicians who can evaluate all of the possible factors causing your pain. Your doctor should make sure you are walking properly with appropriate footwear and, if needed, ensure you are properly casted for custom orthotics, which keeps the foot in an ideal position while walking or standing. For more information about heel pain and common foot problems, visit www.fitfeetflorida.com or call Dr. Bonnie Sanchez at 813-645-1993 Hillsborough or 727824-5100 Pinellas.
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
Senior Happenings
OCTOBER 1-31
Cracker Country Volunteers Museum Operations at Cracker Country Mildred W. and Doyle E. Carlton, Jr. Cracker Country, a rural Florida living history museum located on the Florida State Fairgrounds, is seeking volunteers to help interpret rural Florida history. Volunteers will learn about 1890’s rural Florida, educate Tampa Bay area kids and adults about the time period, and participate in the 2013 Florida State Fair in February. For information call Jennifer at (813) 627-4225. The Museum Operations at Cracker Country is located at 4800 US Hwy 19 N, Tampa 33610. OCTOBER 12, 19, 26
Bachelors & Bells Friday Night Dances Zendah Grotto Hall Come enjoy our fabulous DJs on the Largest Wooden Floor in Tampa. Bring a friend or meet someone new!! 7:30-11:30pm. $7 for members, $9 for non-members, snacks & drinks available. For information contact Bud Collins (813) 971-0817. Zendah Grotto Hall is located at 4450 W. Ohio Ave., Tampa 33614. OCTOBER 11
Hair, Nails & Tongue Diagnosis Nature’s Food Patch
Please join us each Friday evening as the SSCD presents some live and extraordinary dance music. Come alone or bring a friend! 8-11pm, members $5 non members $7. For information call Ken Miller at (863) 409-7714. The Stardust Dance Center is located at 1405 S. Collins St., Plant City 33566.
com. Carol has been living Gluten-free for 20 yrs, produced over 700 recipes & 2 cookbooks; Carol is America’s foremost Gluten Free TV chef! 3:00pm Menu: Pignoli Cookies & Amaretto Cookies. FREE. For information call (727) 443-6703. Nature’s Food Patch is located at 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater 33755.
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OCTOBER 13
Elves for Elders Sunshine Center
Upper Pinellas Singles Picnic Dunedin Causeway
Tis almost the time to put up the trees, make the tags, gather all the gifts, put all the bags together and make sure the Christmas presents get delivered. So if you can give an hour or two here and there from November 1st to December 15th to collect the gifts and monitor the trees, help organize the work shop, put the bags together, and help in any other way this Christmas season, please join us at the “Season Kick-off of Elves for Elders.” We will put our teams together and go over all the ways that you can be a part of this very heart-warming event. Stacy and I will need all the help we can get. 9am. For information call Carol Radin (727) 8937102wk, (727) 580-0028 or Stacy Geier (727) 2101414wk, (727) 641-1244. The Sunshine Center is located at 330 5th Street N., St. Petersburg 33701.
Come join the UPS for their monthly Picnic (50+ nondemonational) Dunedin Causeway at 6 p.m. East side of restrooms. Bring food and a chair. For information go to upssingles@yahoo.com or call (727) 943-0276 or (727) 446-1619. The Dunedin Causeway is located at 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin 34698.
OCTOBER 13
Caladesi Memories Weedon Island Preserve The true island story of Myrtle Scharrer Betz (18951992) and her experience of growing up on her family’s 156-acre homestead on Caladesi Island will be shared. Told with compelling honesty and humanity, this tale by the only child ever born on Caladesi Island captures the natural wonders, discomforts, challenges and joys of pioneer life on a Florida West Coast barrier island. Myrtle’s granddaughter, Terry Fortner, will present Caladesi Memories. 2-3:00pm, Free; advance registration required. For information call (727) 453-6500. Weedon Island Preserve is located at 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg 33702.
What does your body say about your health? From OCTOBER 13 hidden allergies, vitamin deficiencies, hormone imbalances and more; attend this workshop with Chris DziMonster Mash Zumba Bash ubinski, A.P., and D.O.M. to unlock the secrets your Highland Recreation Complex body is holding about your health. 6:30pm, FREE. Come out for an evening of non-stop dancing with a For information call (727) 443-6703. Nature’s Food haunting twist, healthy snacks and raffle prizes. At Patch is located at 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater 33755. 6pm, join a team of Zumba instructors as they lead an OCTOBER 12 exciting, fun and easy-to-follow dance class set to Latin and international music. All adults and children 8 Yard Sale and up are encouraged to come experience this great Delaney Creek Lodge mix of music, fitness and fun. Comfortable clothing or Furniture, clothes, books, knick knacks and much costumes and dance shoes or sneakers are recommore. Come and see what treasures you can find. Great mended. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. bargins! All proceeds go to The American Cancer Soci- $10 in advance or $15 at the door. ety, Relay for Life. 9-2pm, lunch special $2.00 for a For information visit PlayLargo.com or call (727) Hotdog and drink, cookies $.75. 518-3016. The Highland Recreation Complex is locatFor information call (813) 655-8858. Delaney ed at 400 Highland Ave, Largo 33770. Creek Lodge is located at 320 S. Lakewood Dr., BranOCTOBER 13 don 33511. OCTOBER 12 19 25
Strawberry Singles Club Dance Stardust Dance Center
Gluten Free Cookies! Nature’s Food Patch Come meet Carol Kicinski with simplygluten-free.
OCTOBER 16
Grief Support Group St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay Join us the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 2 – 3 pm for a time to come together and share experiences regarding loss, gain support and learn about the grief process. For information call Briana at (813) 632-2443 or Linda at (813) 632-2396. St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay is located at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33613. OCTOBER 17
Autumn Abundance Cooking Class Nature’s Food Patch Come meet Chef Debby DeGraaff and experience the many flavors & aromas of autumn! Vegan & Gluten Free! 6:30pm, FREE. Harvest Menu: Hearty Five Bean Stew with Herbal Bread. For information call (727) 443-6703. Nature’s Food Patch is located at 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater 33755. OCTOBER 17
Talent Show Auditions (All Ages) Gulfport Senior Center If you are selected by the judges there will be a rehearsal at the Senior Center 1:30 PM October 24. Show will be in the Catherine Hickman Theater at 1:30PM Oct 31st and will benefit the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center Foundation. Join your hosts The Toonsters, Jay & Lolita. For information call (727) 547 5243, or e-mail jandlolita@toonsters.us. The Gulfport Senior Center is located at 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport 33707. OCTOBER 20
Clearwater Singles 50+ Dance Colreavy Hall Live music at 7pm by the popular “Alley Cats” band. Dress code: “dressy casual” attire. (No shorts, jeans, beach wear). Join SCIPS for a fun evening, meeting new singles, listening to entertaining music and socializing. Admission: $5 members, $7 non-members. Door prizes will be awarded. Couples welcome. No reservations are necessary. You may bring your own snacks and beverages. Cups and ice are furnished, and sodas
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT M1
TM
Special 2013 Medicare Open Enrollment Section
Preparation Leads to Proper Medicare Coverage By Hilary Zaragoza, Insurance Advisor, American Senior Benefits, Palm Harbor As an insurance advisor, I hear it all the time … “I can’t afford my medications.” “I wish I had dental coverage under Medicare.” “My neighbor recommended this plan but it’s terrible.” “Which plan is right for me?” The mysteries surrounding Medicare coverage are many and varied, and it’s no surprise since Medicare is not a “one size fits all” program, nor is it something you can take care of once and then forget about it. Realistically, you must review your plan every year. Many things impact the appropriateness of your plan and how it best works for you. For example, the cost and coverage may have changed, or maybe your health or finances changed. Maybe you moved, or your physician moved, or they stopped accepting your Medicare plan. For most people, the time for plan changes is during Open Enrollment, which is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 this year (starting earlier to provide time for better
decision making). Typically, research, preparation and decision making begin in the summer in anticipation of Open Enrollment in the fall. But don’t panic. If you are behind, here are a few tips to ready yourself for this important annual decision. Step 1: Take advantage of the resources available to everyone. As a starting point, take advantage of all the materials available to you online and via mail order. Reading these materials will get you thinking about the coverage elements you want or need. It will also help you identify areas of confusion or questions you might need answers to. Write them down! At this stage, it’s also important to remember that each Medicare plan is different. Your needs will not necessarily match your spouse’s so your selections may not be identical, and that is OK. In fact, the more customized you make this, the better off you will be. See PREPARATION, Page 3.
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Should I Purchase a Medicare Supplement Policy? By Hilary Zaragoza & David Demus, Insurance Advisors, American Senior Benefits, Palm Harbor Medicare. Part A. Part B. Part C. Part D. And then a supplement policy? If you’re feeling overwhelmed when you think about your Medicare options, you certainly are not alone. But if you’re approaching age 65 or are currently enrolled in Medicare, you’ll need to arm yourself with some fast facts before you can make good choices during the 2012 Open Enrollment period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. As part of this process, you should understand your choices regarding Medicare supplement policies, also known as Medigap coverage. But what is Medigap coverage? The Florida Department of Financial Services describes it best: A Medicare Supplement insurance policy (aka Medigap) is private health insurance designed to supplement Original Medicare. It pays some of the health care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copayments and deductibles. Medigap policies may also cover some services not covered by Medicare. If you are enrolled in Medicare and you have a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of their approved amount for a covered heath care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share.
surance. Two that we like, based on their accuracy, thoroughness and readability, are The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare, www.medicare. gov and The Florida Department of Financial Services, www.myfloridacfo. com/consumers/guides/health/overviewmedicare.htm. As always, we recommend working closely with a licensed insurance agent who can assist you in determining if a supplement policy is right for you. However, in our experience, many clients like supplement insurance because, in addition to providing more coverage, it regulates their medical expenses and helps them budget throughout the year. Remember, you have from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 to educate yourself, make a decision and secure supplement coverage that complements your other Medicare policies. There are many choices, price points and coverage options. A qualified insurance agent is the key to making this an easy, satisfactory process. David Demus, Hilary Zaragoza and their team of licensed insurance agents at America Senior Benefits, Palm Harbor can be can be reached at 1-877864-0263.
As the name implies, Medigap policies are different from the Medicare Advantage Plan, and they supplement your Medicare benefits with additional coverage. There are many online resources available to educate you on supplement in-
Tips for Purchasing Medicare Supplement Insurance • Verify before you buy! Contact us to verify the license of the agent and the insurance company before you sign the application for a policy. • Medicare Supplement Insurance Guide: This guide is located under the Health Guides area [of our web site] and is an excellent tool if you are shopping for an insurance policy. It will help you understand the coverage and your rights and responsibilities. • Medicare Supplement Sample Rate Search: The Office of Insurance Regulation has established this Web site to assist you in purchasing a Medicare Supplement policy. • Review your policy carefully! Understand your deductible and coinsurance provisions. Understand your responsibility if you need a referral to see a specialist. Also, understand your rights to file an appeal or grievance if a claim is denied that you feel should be paid. • Individuals have a 30-day free look provision. You have the right to take up to 30 days to review your policy and decide if you want to keep it or return it for a full refund. • A Medicare Supplement policy must include a grace period provision. The grace period is 30 days for a Medicare Supplement insurance policy. • You do not need more than one Medicare Supplement policy. Taken from the website of Jeff Atwood, CFO Florida Department of Financial Services http://www.myfloridacfo.com/consumers/guides/health/overviewmedicare.htm
OCTOBER 2012 PREPARATION, from Page M1.
Senior Voice America MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT M3
Going forward, please be advised that not all insurance agents are created equal. In the state of Florida, agents selling Medicare are trained and tested Educate yourself first by tapping into these resources: annually on their Medicare product knowledge and accuracy as part of their • Visit Medicare’s web site, www.medicare.gov. You will find a lot of in- licensing. With licensing comes personal accountability, because all licensed formation presented in relatively clear language. agents are registered with the state of Florida and each individual insurance • Review the “Medicare and You” guidebook that comes in the mail. company. It’s also available at www.medicare.gov. Then there are those, like the agents at America Senior Benefits, who go a This booklet addresses changes in Medicare each year and outlines step further and conduct weekly training classes on Medicare to ensure evvarious options and important details you should know about. It’s ery agent is knowledgeable and up to date on changes and nuances related to yours. Use a highlighter. Have a pen handy. Use tabs to mark pages. Do each Medicare product. anything it takes to make sure you’ve identified key questions or con- You also want to make sure that you choose an insurance professional who cerns for follow up. represents many insurance companies, not just one or two. That way, you get the benefit of learning about all the choices and prices available to you and Step 2: Collect your personal health data. you will avoid being pigeon-holed into a select set of recommendations. Af Your Medicare coverage is for you, and only you. But to get the best cover- ter all, the more educated you become, the more confident you can be in the age available, you must do a little more homework on your own. After you options you choose. read the resources referenced in Step 1 above, take charge of collecting your After you find your qualified agent, they will review the health data you’ve own health data. collected, answer questions and concerns you’ve identified, and help you navigate through the various Medicare options to create the combination • Sit down with your doctor(s) and make a list of anticipated or planned that best suits you. procedures, diagnostic tests or surgeries you might require in 2013. Following these steps will take you a long way in designing your ideal • Make a list of your current medications. Medicare benefits package. But I’d like to leave you with one final thought. • Make a list of all of your doctors and confirm if they plan on staying on Designing your Medicare coverage is pretty big deal. Some things in life your current plan. were designed as “do it yourself” – like self-serve ice cream and self-service gasoline. Medicare selection is NOT one of these things. There are many Step 3: Talk to a licensed, well-trained insurance professional. variables, pitfalls and choices, and it only makes sense to have a guide lead This final step is really quite critical to ensuring you have what you need to ing you through the maze. stay healthy throughout the next year. If you make the wrong choice, you will not only be limited in your health care options. You may very well incur Hilary Zaragoza and her team of licensed insurance agents at America extreme expenses in doctor, drug and hospital bills that can destroy you fi- Senior Benefits, Palm Harbor can be reached at 1-877-864-0263. nancially. Do not skip this step!
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OCTOBER 2012
People with Medicare save more than $4.1 billion on prescription drugs 18 million with Medicare also receive free preventive services in the first seven months of 2012 Nearly 5.4 million seniors and people with disabilities have saved more than $4.1 billion on prescription drugs as a result of the Affordable Care Act, according to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Seniors in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” have saved an average of $768. During the first seven months of 2012, the new health care law has helped nearly 18 million people with original Medicare get at least one preventive service at no cost to them. “The health care law has saved people with Medicare over $4.1 billion on prescription drugs, and given millions of beneficiaries access to cancer screenings, mammograms and other preventive services for free,” said Secretary Sebelius. “Medicare is stronger thanks to the health care law, saving people money and offering new benefits at no cost to seniors.” The health care law includes benefits to make Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable. In 2010, anyone with Medicare who hit the
prescription drug donut hole received a $250 rebate. In 2011, people with Medicare who hit the donut hole began receiving a 50 percent discount on covered brand-name drugs and a discount on generic drugs. These discounts and Medicare coverage gradually increase until 2020 when the donut hole is fully closed. The health care law also makes it easier for people with Medicare to stay healthy. Prior to 2011,
people with Medicare had to pay extra for many preventive health services. These costs made it difficult for people to get the health care they needed. For example, before the health care law passed, a person with Medicare could pay as much as $160 for a colorectal cancer screening. Now, many preventive services are offered free of charge to beneficiaries, with no deductible or co-pay, so that cost is no longer a barrier for seniors who want to stay healthy and treat problems early. In 2012 alone, 18 million people with traditional Medicare have re©bigstockphoto.com ceived at least one preventive service at no cost to them. This includes 1.65 million who have taken advantage of the Annual Wellness Visit provided by the Affordable Care Act – over 500,000 more than had used this service by this point in the year in 2011. In 2011, an estimated 32.5 million people with traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage received one or more preventive benefits free of charge.
Enrollment Periods that Happen Each Year for Part C and Part D Each year, you have a chance to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year. There are two separate enrollment periods each year. See the following charts for specific dates.
Enrollment Period October 15–December 7, 2012 Medicare Open Enrollment Period (Changes will take effect on January 1.)
What You Can Do • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. • Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare. • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage. • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage. • Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. • Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. • Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT M5
Enrollment Periods that Happen Each Year for Part C and Part D Enrollment Period January 1–February 14, 2013
What You Can Do • If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare. Your Original Medicare coverage will begin the first day of the following month. • If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you will have until February 14 to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Your prescription drug coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form. Note: During this period, you can’t do the following: • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another. • Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another. • Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan.
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Senior Voice America MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT
OCTOBER 2012
Do you need to change your Medicare Plan? By David Demus, Insurance Advisor, American Senior Benefits, Palm Harbor As we approach Medicare Open Enrollment this year, beginning Oct. 15 and running through Dec. 7, there are two frequently asked questions I’d like to address. The first is “Do I have to change my plan every year?” The short answer is “no,” you are not required to make a change, but the long answer is “possibly.” Each year, changes are made to almost every plan, but they should be reviewed to make sure each individual is receiving the best plan available to them. Each enrollee should assess their individual health status, review their medication needs, and also check to see if their doctors will be participating in the plan for the upcoming year. While it is not required, the best course of action would be to consult with a professional licensed agent first before making any decisions during the Open Enrollment period.
Here are some smart steps to take: 1st: Review your current plan. How has the coverage worked for you over the past year? 2nd: How has your health changed since last year? Have you discussed your future health needs with your doctor or doctors? Do you know what tests, surgeries and medications you might need in the next year? Plus, be proactive; confirm your physician isn’t defecting from Medicare and what plans they will be using in the coming year. 3rd: Always make an appointment with an educated, licensed Medicare insurance agent to assist you. A good agent will help review your individual health needs, explain the changes being made to the plans for the upcoming year and either confirm that no change is necessary, or if need be, recommend a plan that will benefit your needs. The second question I will cover constitutes why Open Enrollment so important in terms of proper plan
selection: “Can I change my mind once I’ve chosen a plan?” The answer is “It depends.” Here are some scenarios. Let’s say you chose a Medicare Advantage plan. Once your application is signed, submitted and accepted by an insurance company, your application is complete until next year. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, like if you move out of your current service plan area. Under these select circumstances, you could be in a special election period. Another would be if you are enrolling into a 5-star rated plan. Then, you can dis-enroll from a Medicare advantage plan and go back to just Medicare Part A, B and D. However, it’s important to note that this can only be done during the disenrollment period, Jan. 1 through Feb. 14, and you might be subject to underwriting. Also, modifying Medicare Supplement plans works differently. If you are enrolled in a Medicare supplement, you can switch to another supplement any time, and the same goes with Medicare/Medicaid plans where you can make changes monthly. But Medicare part D plans can only change once a year, not to be confused with Medicaid part D, which can be changed monthly. Just to review, there are many contingencies and deadlines factoring into plan changes, and I’ve just highlighted a few here. You have to be very careful when making changes because it is actually possible to reduce or even lose your coverage completely if you do not handle this properly. As previously stated, the best advice is to seek help from a licensed agent who can educate you before you make any changes. David Demus and his team of licensed insurance agents at America Senior Benefits, Palm Harbor can be reached at 1-877-864-0263.
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT M7
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Senior Voice America MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT
OCTOBER 2012
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
Page 15
Senior Happenings are available. Other fun activities include dining out, theater, movies, picnics, sporting events, visits to museums. For information call (727) 446-1619 or (727) 461-7104. Colreavy Hall is located at 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater 33756.
be determined based on the fresh produce available. For information call (727) 443-6703. Nature’s Food Patch is located at 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater 33755.
OCTOBER 20
5 Secrets to Permanent Weight Loss Nature’s Food Patch
Bats, Myth and Reality
Please join Dr. Champ for this free seminar. Improve your Energy, think clearer & get a slimmer figure in the process. Discover the Solutions to the most common blockages to weight loss. Bring a Friend & bring your Questions. Dr Champ will hand-out a list of foods at Natures Food Patch that aid digestion. 6:30pm. For information call (727) 443-6703. Nature’s Food Patch is located at 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater 33755.
OCTOBER 20
Country Jubilee Heritage Village
Stop by Hurley Park on Oct. 20 from 3 – 8 p.m. for a traditional broiled fish dinner cooked right on bed springs – just like they did in the Depression era. Entertainment, a crafter expo, food vendors, Kid’s Zone, silent auction and more. Event admission is free; fish dinner is $8. For information, visit www.fishbroil.com. To volunteer, call 727-687-3730. Sponsored by Senior Voice America, Black Palm, Boardwalk and Bert Smith Porsche. Hurley Park is located at 1500 Pass a Grille Way, St Pete Beach, 33706. OCTOBER 21
Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Bilmar Beach Resort The Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society presents the Dixie Juice band. The band will play from 1 to 4:00pm. Admission: Members $10, guests $15. For information and reservations (727) 5967142. The Bilmar Beach Resort is located at 10650 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Is. 33706. OCTOBER 21
Strawberry Singles Club Dance Stardust Dance Center Please join us Sunday from 2-3pm as the SSCD presents the sounds of Mike Laine. Come alone or bring a friend! Everyone $5. Please bring a covered dish to share! For information call Ken Miller at (863) 4097714. The Stardust Dance Center is located at 1405 S. Collins St., Plant City 33566. OCTOBER 24
Energetics of Food Cooking Class Nature’s Food Patch Come meet Dr. Paul & Cara Reynolds from thereynoldskitchen.com. The Energetics of Food combines the principles of Chinese Medicine with seasonal cooking. 6:30pm, FREE. Menu to
OTHER FOOT PROBLEMS? YES, YOU CAN FEEL GREAT ABOUT YOUR FEET AGAIN! WE HAVE YOUR TREATMENT PLAN
OCTOBER 25
This program debunks bat myths and introduces guests to the many important contributions these mammals make to ecosystems and human health. Discussion points include lifestyle, diet, disease and conservation efforts. The program is concluded with an introduction to live Florida bats. Learn the facts and protect bats. 10-11:30 a.m. Free; advance registration required For information call (727)453-6800. Brooker Creek Preserve is located at 3940 Keystone Rd, Tarpon Springs 34688.
82nd Annual Fish Broil & Mullet Festival Pass-A-Grille
NEUROPATHY &
OCTOBER 27
The 34th Heritage Village Country Jubilee is the first place to search for gifts for the upcoming holiday season. A giant flea market and book sale are special features. Handmade holiday crafts, paintings, jewelry, stained glass and wooden treasures are among the offerings as well as musical entertainment, tours of historical homes and demonstrations of traditional crafts. 10- 4 p.m. Free, but donations are accepted to support Heritage Village operations. Free event parking and shuttle at 119th St. between Ulmerton and Walsingham Roads in Largo. For information call (727) 582-2123. Heritage Village is located at 11909 125th St., Largo 33774. OCTOBER 31
St. Joseph’s John Knox Caregiver Support Group St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay If you are caring for a spouse, close friend or sibling, please join us each last Wednesday of the month from 6 – 7 pm for a support group to help cope with the stress and receive support from other caregivers. For information call Michele at (813) 6322306. St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay is located at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33613. NOVEMBER 7
Email Your Senior Happenings to:
St. Joseph’s John Knox Parkinson’s Support Group St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay Join us on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 1 – 2 pm for educational, emotional and social support for those living with Parkinson’s. Family, friends & caregivers are welcome. For information call Briana at (813) 6322443 or Linda at (813) 632-2396. St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay is located at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33613.
Happenings@ Seniorvoiceamerica.com The Deadline for the Nov. Issue is Oct. 15th
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Why suffer any longer? Come see us, your gentle touch Doctor of Podiatry.
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
PHOTO courtesy getty images
HOUSEHOLD
5 Time-Saving Laundry Tips Spot, Treat, and Check – If you spill on a garment, immediately rinse or blot away the stain using cool water to prevent it from setting. Make sure to read fabric care labels and wash accordingly to help clothing last. And before you toss garments into the wash, be sure to double-check the pockets, as well as zip zippers and fasten buttons – this helps cut down on snags, holes, etc.
©bigstockphoto.com
Sort, Sort, Sort – Sort laundry by color, wash cycle and water temperature required. Make it easier on yourself and your family by placing bins marked for whites, darks, mediums and delicates in your laundry room.
From messy meals to remnants of craft time creations, adults know that life is full of all kinds of stain-inducing – yet magical – adventures. But the great times should live on through cherished memories, not through permanently stained clothing. When it comes to removing those stains – from mud to markers and everything in between – knowing how to care for a child’s garments means you can get out of the laundry room more quickly and focus on the activities your family enjoys. Aside from letting your washer and dryer do the heavy lifting, there are a few tricks of the trade worth keeping in mind when it comes to protecting clothing items, according to laundry expert Tara Aronson. “There’s more to prolonging the life of your garments than simply checking pockets and choosing the right cycle,” offers Aronson. Put these five tips from Aronson to the test to help better care for your garments, so you can spend less time sorting and treating stains, and more time with the family.
Choose the Right Cycle – High efficiency appliances, such as the line of Affinity washers and dryers from Frigidaire, can wash clothing on various cycles. This means you can launder sturdy items such as jeans on the permanent press cycle using warm water, causing less agitation, while washing swimsuits, fine knits and undergarments on the delicates cycle with cold water. Double-duty – If your clothing is heavily soiled, extra-large, or you want to use the cold water setting, add extra laundry detergent when you start the cycle. Some high efficiency washers feature a sanitize setting, which uses the hottest water available to thoroughly get rid of germs and grime. Quick Dry – Dry only full loads – drying only a handful of garments prolongs the drying time by reducing the tumbling. If you have to dry a smaller load, add a few bath towels to help with tumbling. “Remember that properly caring for your garments can help sustain your favorite clothing,” says Aronson. To learn more about the Energy Star rated line of Affinity washers and dryers from Frigidaire, visit www.frigidaire. com.
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
Page 17
Health Roundup
Stay out of the Hospital! By Denise Seaman, CareMinders® Home Care The Medicare Spending per Beneficiary measure is a game changer for hospital reimbursements because they have shifted from the “reward for volume of service” to “reward for effectiveness of care.” What does this mean for you, the healthcare consumer? It means there will be an increased effort by our healthcare providers to improve patient care that results in better outcomes. Post-acute care is an increasingly important driver to making these improvements. For example, hospitals must reduce re-hospitalizations, and if they don’t, it’ll hurt them financially to the tune of a one percent reduction in reimbursements. That’s potentially millions of dollars, so you bet they will be looking for every way to avoid a hospital readmission within 30 days of a discharge. Medicare spending is estimated to be $555 billion, with $15 billion being spent on avoidable hospital readmissions. Avoidable! Who really wants to make those repeated visits to the hospital, where there is an increased risk of infection, contracting other diseases from germs, medication errors and other healthcare provider mistakes? Some of the reasons people do end up back in the hospital? • Medication errors • Lack of follow up with Primary Care Physician • Complications related to diagnosis • Non-compliance with discharge care plan • Non-compliance with diet restrictions • Non-compliance with therapies and exercise programs You may be asking why there is such a high rate of non-compliance when the ramifications could mean heading back to the hospital within days or a few weeks from your discharge. There are many reasons for this, and some are not
always to be blamed on the patient. Limited or no availability of a family or friend to provide the assistance needed, lack of training or understanding of the discharge instructions, or no appropriate plan to transition the patient to the home safely are frequently cited as primary causes. To help reign in healthcare costs, optimizing the dual mission of improved quality and decreased costs of providing medical care, home health outcomes are a critical player in making this happen. Providers that can provide the best patient outcomes that keep the patient from returning to the hospital within 30 days of their discharge will stand above the rest. Remember, $15 billion is at stake when we are all questioning the long term viability of Medicare. To reach this optimization goal, our hospitals, their case managers, the families and the patients should consider home health care as a solution to the problem. Every area of risk related to hospital readmissions can be minimized by utilizing a home health agency’s trained professional and para-professional staff that can ensure patient compliance in a home setting. The cost for this level of care may or may not be covered by Medicare or other insurances, so some may have to pay for this care privately. Given that the benefits the patients receive in improved health and staying out of the hospital, isn’t it a worthy cost? Until our hospitals are willing to invest in this care to improve patient outcomes and minimize their financial risk from readmissions, it will be up to the patients and their families to make this investment in home health care so they can reap the benefits of better health. CareMinders® Home Care is a licensed Home Health Agency serving Pinellas and Pasco counties. We are locally owned and operated, and accredited by the Joint Commission. We provide home health care to people of all ages so they can remain in their own homes. We believe “Life at Home is the Key to Independence!” For more information, call 727-330-7804 or visit www.careminders.com/northpinellas.
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
LETTERS, Continued from Page 4. The issue of the biased T.V. is just the tip of the iceberg. Almost all of the current news media, as well as what were left of the Blue Dog Democrats have been subjugated by radical extreme Progressive elites. It is no longer just “conspiracy theories” about what has been really taking place for many years in the United States of America. It is well documented fact that there are many so called “philanthropic” organizations that have been taken over by a class of people that, through stealth maneuvering within the system and lies, are determined to annihilate the American way of life in general and United States of America as a whole. Just a few examples of these progressive “philanthropic” organizations include the Woods fund, The Pew Charitable Trust, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fund. There are also many so called “foundations” like the Joan B. Kroc, Heinz Endowments, Ford Foundation, etc. etc. that were originally set up to actually help mankind, but have been transformed into the Progressive money machine. It is estimated that these stealth progressive elitist funds, foundations and philanthropic operations currently have at their disposal assets of $100 billion to be used for the destruction of the American identity, as well as Socialism by stealthy means. All of the aforementioned groups as well as many others not mentioned fall under the auspice of The One World Government movement. These include: The Council on Foreign Relations, The Bilderberg Group, and the Trilateral Commission (of which Bill Clinton is a member of all three.) “We the People” are now much closer to the brink of losing it ALL than at any other time in American History since it’s founding. This up-coming election is just the tip of the iceberg. May God bless America, the country that I love, and pray that it can be saved….. Sincerely, Pedro Padilla I so enjoy reading Senior Voice! I definitely will keep on reading. Your articles are very informative. I am a former journalist, and I think your magazine provides an excellent avenue for senior views and news. Thanks again for a very readable and enjoyable magazine! Keep up the good work! From Jean Mlincek, Senior Voice reader
Health Roundup
ASK THE VEIN LADY Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to common vein abnormalities. Q - My legs look okay but they feel heavy. Is something wrong? A - Legs can have that heavy feeling from edema (swelling). There are multiple reasons for
swollen legs, but one of the common reasons is venous insufficiency. This is where the valves in the veins no longer function.
Q - Does exercise cause varicose veins? A - While weight lifting could increase the pressure in the leg veins, activities like walking,
jogging and zumba are not a problem. In fact, these activities cause the calf muscle pump to develop, which in turn helps to avoid leg vein problems. Swimming is also great.
Q - Does sunlight cause vein disease? A - It is unlikely that the sun or tanning booths cause varicose veins in the legs; however,
they can be a contributing factor of facial spider veins.
Q - Is there anything that can be done about these facial veins? A - Yes, there is a procedure called Veinwave. A tiny needle is used to emit radiofrequency
energy into the vein causing it to close.
Q - Is this painful? A - While uncomfortable, it is certainly tolerable. And, Veinwave is performed in short
time segments, since usually spider veins on the face are minimal.
Q - Should I see a dermatologist or a vein doctor? A - I suggest you see a Board Certified Vascular Surgeon. They are skilled in all types of
vascular and vein procedures.
Q - Who should I see for these problems? A - I have had great experience at Advanced Vein and Vascular Solutions. They are all over
the Bay area. In fact, they have four locations. Give them a call at either at 813-258-CARE (2273) or at 727-871-VEIN (8346).
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
DID YOU KNOW
Sexy Seniors
©bigstockphoto.com
By Barbara LoFrisco Sexuality does not stop after a certain age. In fact, seniors are enjoying intimate acts all the way into their 80s! According to a recent study done in the United States, one quarter of people 57 – 85 years of age had sex in the past year (see “Sexed-up Senior Study” reference at end of article). What stops them? Health concerns and lack of partner. Certainly not lack of interest. It’s time to correct the myth that seniors aren’t having sex. They are. And there’s no reason they shouldn’t. Sex has many benefits, both for physical and relational health. Here are some things for seniors to keep in mind: 1. There are some unavoidable physiological changes that occur with aging that can change the sexual experience for seniors. Sexual drive can diminish, women may require extra lubrication, and men may require more manual stimulation to reach the same levels of sexual excitement. 2. The incidence of sexual dysfunction increases with age, especially for men. Therefore, it is much more likely that your senior partner will eventually have some type of sexual dysfunction. The good news is that a sexual dysfunction does not mean you cannot be sexual. It just means that you may need to rely on sexual activities other than intercourse. This is not a bad thing. There are many ways other than intercourse to show your partner how much you love them. So, stretch things out! Be creative! And if you are having sexual difficulty, please tell your doctor. Sexual issues are often the side effects of health problems, such as poor circulation. Sometimes these problems manifest sexually before they are noticed elsewhere. If your doctor is uncomfortable discussing sex, find another one. Doctors aren’t always comfortable discussing sexual concerns, but they should be. 3. Because of their maturity, seniors are generally more comfortable and more relaxed with themselves and their bodies. They know what they want from a partner, both physically and emotionally. Because they are more likely to be comfortable in their intimate relationships, more creativity and mental energy can be focused sexually. 4. With children grown and work slowing down, seniors have more free time and less stress than their younger counterparts. What does this mean? Since stress and lack of time are both sex drive killers, it stands to reason that seniors can be sexier! Plus, they don’t have to worry about little Johnny or Susie bursting through their bedroom door at any moment! Just because you are older doesn’t mean you should give up being sexual. You have a right to your sexuality and don’t let anyone talk you out of it! Sexual intimacy is good for our physiological, psychological and relational health. And these benefits don’t have an expiration date. To learn more about the Sexed-up Senior Study, visit http://www.msnbc.msn. com/id/20395061/ns/health-sexual_health/t/sexed-up-seniors-do-it-more-youdthink
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
DID YOU KNOW
It’s a Wrap: Seniors as Movie Extras By Diane Houser I have always been fascinated with the movie industry, but I was not able to pursue it until later in life due to other obligations. I recently appeared in movies as an extra after responding to casting calls. For those interested in the opportunity, I hope the following information helps if you have a flexible schedule and are looking for a unique experience. There are several web sites that you can go to on the internet, such as www.onlocationvacation.com or www.extras411.com, which inform you of upcoming film locations as well as other valuable information. There is no fee to find out about movies being filmed in your area. You may be asked to submit a photograph but it does not have to be a professional headshot. It is important, though, to provide contact information. When you are selected as an extra, it is very crucial that you follow all instructions provided. For example, for technical reasons, most sets may ask that you not wear clothes that are red, green or that have busy patterns or logos. If it is a period piece, they may be even more specific regarding your wardrobe. If you are not sure what to wear, bring several changes of clothes so you will not be sent home disappointed. You should plan to be at the location longer than the designated time stated because there are always variables out of the director’s control, such as a change in weather. Please be sure to
bring a folding chair, bottled water, snacks, books, quiet games and a flashlight if it is an evening shoot. It is very important that you remain quiet during the filming and respect the privacy of the actors. Cameras are not permitted. Be sure to bring medications or anything else that you may need to make the experience a positive one. One of the perks of being an extra on an all day shoot is having catered meals.
Recently, I had the good fortune of being asked to play a part as a barista in a coffee shop scene in a made-for-TV movie even though I had originally been selected to be an extra. The secret was that I arrived on time, was dressed appropriately and acted professionally. The shoot took approximately 9 hours and was a wonderful experience. Good luck!
POETRY CORNER “Rules For Living”
By Carole Bernson
Now that I’ve been on this old Earth for awhile
I try to start each day with a smile
A spoon full of “positive” Sure beats a cup of “negative”
I’ve found that it is the very best sedative
There’s joy to your day
If you make it that way
Don’t sit in your chair and throw life away
A drop of courage goes a very long way
Father time moves pretty fast
Embrace every moment while it lasts
When we turn the corner on that street called life
So dear friends listen to me
Live each minute happily!
What will we find, joy or strife?
OCTOBER 2012
Senior Voice America
Page 21
EDUCATION
It’s Never Too Late To Learn Something New By June Hurley Young The secret to staying young is to constantly try new things. If you are retired, you can pursue a new career or a new hobby. Learning something new stirs up your brain. It’s true that a new beginning is the path to a healthier you. Name your goal, and then get the guidance and help you need to reach it. For example, consider exploring St. Petersburg College. SPC President Bill Law has a special concern for students of all ages, and his mission is to help ev-
ery student find his or her roadmap to success. With seven campuses, there’s definitely something for everyone. Since the 1930s, as a junior college and now as a
four year college, SPC has made higher education readily accessible. Age is no barrier. In fact, mature students can often receive credit for work experience. President Law believes every student should receive help in creating an individualized instruction roadmap, taking only the credits needed for their selected new career. He wants each student to know what it takes and how much it will cost. This caring, compassionate man welcomes you to find new interests and new competencies through education. Regardless of your age, there’s a new and exciting future for you. Why don’t you try it?
Village Square Launches at SPC Fostering civil dialog on matters of local, state and national importance Former Governor Bob Graham recently joined the SPC Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions to launch the Village Square initiative. In a keynote address, Graham said “Institutions like St. Petersburg College have the potential to be the cauldron for renewed citizenship. State colleges represent a bright star in restoring civic health.” The non-partisan Village Square was co-founded by SPC President Bill Law in 2006 as a public educational forum dedicated to fostering civil discourse on matters
of local and national importance as well as promoting accuracy in civic and political debate. Graham, who served two terms as governor and three terms in the United States Senate, is regarded as one of Florida’s and the nation’s senior statesmen. “The challenge for the Village Square and other entities is a state of citizenship,” he said. “Citizenship is the only antidote we have to a dysfunctional democracy.”
Close to 200 area residents attended the May 22 event, held at St. Petersburg College’s Seminole Campus.
If you’re interested in learning more: www.spcollege.edu/solutions or call David Klement at 727-3946933.
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
Entertainment
When It Comes to Entertaining
Sarasota 34236. For information call 1 (866) 508-0611. ZOMBIE TOWN “A Documentary Play”
Back Stage October 11-21 A small Texas town rocked by sudden eruptions at the local Cemetery. Re-animated Corpes roam the streets. Now a sympathetic Theater company arrives to document the terrible invasion and to tell the world the painful tale. The perfect show for the Halloween season! Zombie Town: A Documentary Play by Tim Bauer. Doors open at 7pm, show time 8pm. Tickets $15. Back Stage is located at The Players Theatre 838 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 365-2494. THE BLUES BROTHERS
Get out from behind your mask and list your Event for Free right here on the Senior Voice ENTERTAINMENT PAGES! Email your event information no later than the 15th of the month for the following month listings to: entertainment@ seniorvoiceamerica.com STOMPIN AT THE SAVOY
Sarasota Orchestra October 10-13 We’ll make you feel like dancing in this concert of swinging jazz music. Enjoy Benny Goodman’s Stompin’ at the Savoy, a medley of hits including It Don’t Mean a Thing, ‘Round Midnight and selections by George Gershwin. Call for show times, tickets $26-$71. The Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center is located at 709 N. Tamiami Tr.,
South Florida Museum October 12 In one of the great comedy classics from John Landis, ex-con Jake Blues (John Belushi) and his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd), put the old band together to try to save the Catholic home in Chicago where they were raised… and the blues ensues. 6pm, tickets $3-$5. The South Florida Museum is located at 201 10th St. W., Bradenton 34205. For information call (941) 746-4131. JOURNEY
1-800 Ask Gary Amphitheatre October 12 JOURNEY is one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, creating some of the best-known songs in modern music. They have continued to tour and record into the 21st century, and have never stopped creating vital music. Since the group’s formation in 1973, the band has earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 Gold and Platinum albums. The band’s Greatest Hits album is certified 15 times platinum, bringing Journey into the elite club of Diamondcertified album holders. 7:30pm, tickets $32-$136. 1-800 Ask Gary Amphitheatre is located at 4802 US Highway 301 N., Tampa 33610. For information call (813) 740-2446. PAUL GALBRAITH
Tarpon Springs Performing Art Theatre October 13 Internationally renowned as a brilliant innovator of the classical guitar for over 30 years, Paul Galbraith has expanded the technical limits of his instrument, and built his stunning repertoire. His critically acclaimed re-
cordings of works by Bach, Haydn and Brahms, along with his own arrangements of folk tunes demonstrate the originality of his musical personality. By exchanging the traditional guitar for the eight-string Brahms guitar, which he helped develop, Galbraith found the ideal instrument with which to interpret challenging classical transcriptions from his highly personal repertoire. 7:30pm, tkts $20-$24. The Tarpon Springs Performing Art Center is located at 324 Pine St. For information call. (727) 942-5605. FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: BEETHOVEN to BERNSTIEN
Mahaffey Theatre October 13 Pianist Sara Davis Buechner explores a kaleidoscope of moods from pensive to spirited jazz-laced motifs in Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2, The Age of Anxiety. The concert also includes Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Schumann’s stately yet joyous Symphony No. 3, Rhenish. Stuart Malina conducts. 8pm, tickets $15-$45. The Mahaffey Theater is located at 400 1st St. So., St. Petersburg 33701. For information call (727) 892-5798. JOHN LEGEND
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall October 19 Recording artist, concert performer and philanthropist John Legend has won nine Grammy awards and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. John launched his career as a session player and vocalist, contributing to best-selling recordings by Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Kanye West before recording his own unbroken chain of Top 10 albums. Show time 8pm, tickets $70-$125. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676. FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: SOUNDS of SIMON & GARFUNKEL
Mahaffey Theatre October 19 It’s a celebration of one of the most popular folk-rock duos of the 60s that set the tone for the times with such signature sounds as...Feeling Groovy, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, I Am a Rock, Mrs. Robinson, Scarborough Fair and The Sounds of Silence, among many more favorites...all with a magical intertwining of Simon & Garfunkel style vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar and your Florida Orchestra. Part of The Florida Orchestra’s new 3-concert Rock series. 8pm,
tickets $35-$75. The Mahaffey Theater is located at 400 1st St. So., St. Petersburg 33701. For information call (727) 892-5798. O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU
South Florida Museum October 19 The Coen Brothers’ loose interpretation of Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ set in the Depression-era south, three escapees from a chain-gang attempt to make their way back home. Featuring a Grammy Award winning soundtrack filled with music from American roots, folk and the blues. 6pm, tickets $3-$5. The South Florida Museum is located at 201 10th St. W., Bradenton 34205. For information call (941)746-4131. THE ORANGE BELT RAILROAD
The Black Box Theatre October 19 20 21 26 27 28 In 1885, when land was $25 an acre and Point Pinellas was declared the world’s healthiest place to live, Peter Demens created a railroad worth millions out of nothing, just to get here. Be a part of his heroic struggle at the premiere performance of this authentic, live and entertaining play with music! 8pm, tickets $15. The Black Box Theatre is located at the Largo Community Center at 400 Alt. Keene Rd. Largo 33771. *This is the 1st play to be offered at the new “Black Box Theatre”. For information call (727) 518-3131. NUNSENSE
The Players Theatre October 24-November 4 The surviving Little Sisters of Hoboken (the ones who survived the vicious bout with tainted vichyssoise) are at it again! Join the crazy antics as these star struck Nuns sing, act and dance their way into your hearts. There’s a reason this wacky musical comedy has become the 2nd longest running Off Broadway show in History. With book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin, this original Nunsense is a sure fire audience pleaser with solo star turns, madcap dance routines, a foul mouthed puppet and an audience participation quiz! Doors open at 6:30pm, show time 7:30pm. Tickets $25. The Players Theatre is located at 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 365-2494. RASCAL FLATTS with LITTLE BIG TOWN
1-800 Ask Gary Amphitheatre October 26 That hunger for excellence has borne
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Entertainment fruit in every aspect of their phenomenal career. They have now sold more than 21 million albums and 25 million digital downloads. They have seen 13 singles hit the top of the charts, spending more than eight months collectively at #1. They have won more than 40 major awards, including seven ACM trophies for “Vocal Group of the Year” and six trophies for CMA “Vocal Group of the Year.” Recently they added a Grand Ole Opry membership, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (which is still yet to be officially put in place) and the prestigious Country Radio Seminar 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award to their list of accomplishments. 7pm, tickets $33-$175. 1-800 Ask Gary Amphitheatre is located at 4802 US Highway 301 North, Tampa 33610. For information call (813) 740-2446. CROSSROADS
South Florida Museum October 26 A brilliant guitar player makes a deal to take an aging blues musician on the lam from the minimum security hospital where he is being held – IF the old man will teach the kid the secrets of the blues. Featuring the music of Ry Cooder and Steve Vai. 6pm, tickets $3-$5. The South Florida Museum is located at 201 10th St. W., Bradenton 34205. For information call (941) 746-4131. OPERA- RIGOLETTO
Sarasota Opera House October 26 28/Nov 1 3 7 12 The 2012 Fall Sarasota Opera Season will open with Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto [rih-go-leht-to], based on Victor Hugo’s play Le Roi s’Amuse and the opera chosen to be the first performed in the newly renovated opera house when it reopened in 2008. The story follows a hunchbacked jester as he tries to shield his daughter Gilda from the evils of the world only to have it unveiled that she is in love with the lascivious Duke of Mantua who has deceived her to win her heart. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Show time 8pm with Matinees at 1:30pm, tickets $20-$130. The Sarasota Opera House is located at 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 366-8450. HALLOWEEN
Ruth Eckerd Hall October 31 A psychotic murderer institutionalized since childhood for the murder of his sister, escapes and stalks a bookish
teenage girl and her friends while his doctor chases him through the streets. 8pm, tickets $5. Ruth Eckerd Hall is located at 1111 McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater 33759. For information call (727) 791-7400. CELTIC THUNDER “Voyage”
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall November 1 Surpassing sales of one million units combined, the musical phenomenon that is Celtic Thunder were hailed as Billboard’s Top World Music Artist, along with Top World Music Imprint and Top World Album of 2011 for their recent, Heritage. Celtic Thunder’s new production Voyage continues to pay homage to the Musical culture of Ireland! Show time 7:30pm, tickets $40-$80. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676. CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE TRIO
Mahaffey Theatre November 1 For his Mack Avenue recording debut, the 36-year-old bassist / bandleader / educator / artistic director / Grammy Award winner Christian McBride delivered the remarkable Kind Of Brown, a 10-track album featuring his new acoustic jazz quintet Inside Straight, comprised of old friends, pianist Eric Reed, alto saxophonist Steve Wilson and drummer Carl Allen, as well as newcomer vibraphonist Warren Wolf, one of McBride’s former students. 8pm, tickets $29-$49. The Mahaffey Theater is located at 400 1st St. So., St. Petersburg 33701. For information call (727) 892-5798. CAPITAL STEPS “Political Comedy”
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall November 3 This performance can proudly claim to be the only place in America where you will find the two candidates running for President onstage singing show tunes. Founded by Congressional staffers, the group is currently celebrating its 30th year and has recorded 31 albums. If this performance influences your decision for whom to vote for President… yikes, we’re in worse shape than we thought. Not for the faint of heart nor for those considering a run for office. The Capitol Steps- They put the “MOCK” in Democracy! Show time 8pm, tickets $25-$40. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota 34236. For information call (941)
955-7676. RUSH
1-800 Ask Gary Amphitheatre November 3 Rush has won a number of Juno Awards, and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994. Over their careers, the members of Rush have been acknowledged as some of the most proficient players on their respective instruments, with each band member winning numerous awards in magazine readers’ polls. As a group, Rush possesses 24 gold records and 14 platinum (3 multi-platinum) records. Rush’s sales statistics place them third behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums by a rock band. 7:30pm, tickets $63-$125. 1-800 Ask Gary Amphitheatre is located at 4802 US Highway 301 No., Tampa 33610. For information call (813) 740-2446. GLEN CAMPELL
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall November 4
GRAMMYs®, three ACM Awards, a CMA, an ABC American Music Award and 12 Billboard Music Awards, has sold more than 37 million albums, and landed more than 40 singles on American and international charts, including Blue and How Do I Live. Billboard ranked her 17th artist of the 1990-2000 decade. 8pm, tickets $45-$75. Ruth Eckerd Hall is located at 1111 McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater 33759. For information call (727) 791-7400. THE FOUR SEASONS + 7
Sarasota Orchestra November 9-11 Rossini’s Overture is the perfect opening to this season of popular works as the piece stealthily builds to a bubbling finale. In Vivaldi’s beloved violin concerto, you will experience the birds of spring, the heat of summer, the harvest celebrations of autumn and the bitter winds of winter. Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun 2:30pm, tickets $30-$84. The Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center is located at 709 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota 34236. For information call 1 (866) 508-0611.
Penned as the Rhinestone Cowboy, American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor, Glen Campbell will grace the Van Wezel stage once more. Best known for a series of hits in the 60s & 70s, accumulating no less than 12 Gold albums, 4 Platinum albums and 1 Double-Platinum album, this Grammy-winning, legendary performer will bring some of his favorite songs including, “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “Southern Nights,” and many more. Show time 7:30pm, tickets $40-$65. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676. LADY SINGS THE BLUES
South Florida Museum November 9 Diana Ross offers a stunning performance as the legendary blues singer, Billie Holiday. Chronicling Holiday’s rise and fall – the film depicts her childhood, early life of prostitution, marriages, career, and drug use. 6pm, tickets $3-$5. The South Florida Museum is located at 201 10th St. W., Bradenton 34205. For information call (941)746-4131. LEANN RIMES
Ruth Eckerd Hall November 9 LeAnn Rimes has garnered two
EVERY MON-FRI 4 to 5 PM
On 1250 am WHNZ
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
FITNESS
The Right Finds Its Center as Yogis Move into the RNC
The Huffington Post, Off the Mat, Into the World™ and LYFE Kitchen teamed up to bring an “Oasis” to the national conventions in 2012. Harried, sleep-deprived conventioneers at the RNC in Tampa and the DNC in Charlotte were invited to escape the convention chaos for a little while and take refuge in a unique space -- just steps from convention halls -- where they could unplug and recharge with yoga, massages, facials, reflexology and healthy food.
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FINANCIAL MATTERS Annuities Can Be Your Retirement P.A.L. (PROTECTION AGAINST LOSS) By Jon Lynn Once you reach retirement, the most important key to success is protecting your assets from devastating losses. To that end, annuities can be considered as a protection against loss. Unlike stocks and real estate investments that have seen major losses during the past decade, annuities protect assets from loss in many ways. Also, unlike bank money market accounts and CDs, they can offer stock market-like gains and contractually shelter the achieved gains from unexpected market losses. Realistically, when you retire, you can only withdraw 5 percent to 6 percent of your retirement annually to guarantee you do not outlive your retirement income. The major concern with annuities is that they have declining back-end surrender charges. Much like a multi-year CD, the surrender charges decline over a set number of years. However, I’d like to point out that I’ve been advising clients since 1983, and despite accessibility concerns, not one of my clients has ended up needing money early. To offset these concerns, most annuity companies offer features that no other investment offers. Issued by insurance companies, annuities are regulated by insurance regulators in all fifty states. These regulators require that debt obligations must be a priority to protect the clients. In the state of Florida, annuities are guaranteed not only by the issuing company but also by the state for up to $300,000.00 in distribution. Annuities are also creditor protected against lawsuits in the event of a personal suit. So, if your grandchild borrows your car and inflicts damage resulting in a lawsuit against you, your annuity assets are typically off limits and protected. As an incentive, many annuity companies offer rollover bonuses that are immediately credited to the account at issuance. Annuities come in many varieties. For example, fixed rate annuities are tied to a specific interest rate while indexed annuities offer various stock indices as alternatives, such as the S&P 500, the NASDAQ 100 and the FTSE. Your choices are locked in for one year and may be changed on the annual anniversary date. They can also be invested proportionally based on your risk tolerance. Other options allow for annual point to point, monthly point to point or monthly average calculations. These options may also be apportioned according to your investment strategy. Another significant feature of annuities is that they can be accessed over time according to your needs or, when
the time is right, they can guarantee a lifetime income. Just be careful about choosing the lifetime income option, as some contracts are considered paid up at the death of the annuitant. I seldom recommend the life only option unless there is no person or charity that the client wishes to leave the balance of unused funds to. As the annuity passes via a named beneficiary, there is no long, drawn out probate court distribution of assets to contend with regard-
ing the annuity at the annuitant’s death. All that is required is the submission of a death claim beneficiary form to the annuity company. Lastly, for non-qualified investments which are not income tax deductible, annuities offer income tax-free asset growth that is not taxed until distribution. As it is treated as LIFO (last in first out), taxes are due only on the interest earned when it is withdrawn by the annuitant or distributed at death.
If annuitized, the payments will be part interest and part principal, but only the part that is interest will be taxable. After careful consideration, it is up to you decide if an annuity can truly be your P.A.L. Jon Lynn is a Florida resident and is a veteran of the US Navy. He worked in social services for 10 years and began his career in financial services in 1983. He has conducted numerous seminars for retiree organizations.
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012
Senior to Senior
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Place your classified ad in the Senior Voice America today. Clean out your garage, sell that car, advertise your services. Ads are priced from $25 for up to 20 words, plus a phone number. Additional words are $5. To place your ad, call (813) 444-1011, or complete the form below and mail with a check payable to Senior Voice America, 8406 Benjamin Rd, Ste G, Tampa FL 33634. You can also email your ad to sharon@seniorvoiceamerica.com Deadline: 20th of the month for the next monthly issue. NAME _________________________________________________ ADDRESS _______________________________________________ CITY ______________________________ STATE ____ ZIP __________ PHONE __________________________________________________ EMAIL___________________________________________________ Heading______________________________________________ AD_________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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Senior Voice America OCTOBER 2012