Boomers Today - December 2020

ILLINOIS VALLEY

Boomers TODAY December 2020

RUNNING FOR A CAUSE Boomers run for charities, health, and fun

Also:

End-of-the-year financial wellness tips it’s not too late for a flu shot n Start drinking tea for health benefits n

n Why

publication

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2 December 2020 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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Finding a diversion With the pandemic continuing to rage on, it’s more important than ever to have hobbies. Having a fun outlet to explore can help keep you sane, happier, and less focused on all the negativity out there.

For some people, their hobby is some kind of craft.

For instance, my mom is happiest when she’s holed up in her sewing room, piecing together cutouts for the newest quilt she’s dreamed up. She can knit, crochet, and can spend hours at her favorite fabric and sewing store. That whole crafting gene passed me by, big time. I have no talent for crafts and no interest in sewing, knitting, or anything that truly takes patience.

When my kids were young, I had little time to explore my hobbies or find one that I loved. Between work and raising them, I didn’t have enough free time to get much sleep, let alone think

Boomers Today 426 Second Street La Salle, Illinois 61301 (815) 223-3200 (800) 892-6452 www.newstrib.com

about “me” time. But now that both my children are self-sufficient teenagers, I have much more time to spend on what I want to do.

My favorite hobbies are anything I can do outside, like kayaking, metal detecting, and running. Almost six years ago, I hated running. I didn’t see the point in doing it unless I was being chased.

Then, some of my friends and family decided they were going to run a 5k. After watching them succeed, I thought I would give it a whirl just to see if it was physically possible for me to run a full 3.1 miles without stopping. I was certain the answer was no.

I began the Couch to 5k training program I found for free online and did my first run. I use the word “run” loosely here. The first workout only called for a few seconds of running at a time, followed by minutes of walking. When I heard my breathing start sounding like Darth Vader 20 seconds into that light jog, I realized how badly out of shape I truly was.

I stuck with it, though. Ten weeks later, I made it through that first 5k,

running every step of the way. To get to that point, I only had to commit to doing three 30-minute workouts each week.

I decided not to stop after that initial race. I’ve been running ever since. Sometimes, I hate it, and occasionally, I love it. I might take a week or two off here and there, but no longer than that. I’ve run many 5ks, 10ks, and two half marathons since then. I learned that you can begin to love something you once hated. You might find your favorite hobby in the unlikeliest of places. It all starts with giving it a real effort.

If you’ve never given running a try, check out our article about local runners in this issue. Illinois Valley runners share some of the reasons they love this hobby so much. Maybe it’ll inspire you to lace up your sneakers and give it a try. Maybe it won’t. But if running isn’t your thing, I hope you keep looking for a hobby you enjoy – it’s a diversion we can all benefit from right about now.

If you have an unusual hobby you’d like to introduce others to, contact me at sserpette@shawmedia.com. We’d love to showcase unique hobbies in future issues.

Shannon Serpette, niche editor

Contents Illinois Valley Animal Rescue 6

Adopting a pet or volunteering could help you and a furry friend.

Running: Tips, Tricks & Benefits 8

Publisher Dan Goetz

A hobby for your health.

Niche Editor Shannon Serpette

sserpette@shawmedia.com

Advertising Director Jeanette Smith

Stay Fit at Home 11

Keep in shape with these exercises.

jmsmith@shawmedia.com

Financial Wellness Check 14

Writers Ali Braboy Shannon Serpette

Drink Tea for Better Health 16

Photographers Scott Anderson Shannon Serpette

Dodge the Flu 18

The end of the year is a good time to review your finances.

Local dietitian recommends incorporating tea into daily diet.

Avoid fighting COVID-19 and the flu simultaneously by getting a flu shot.

Designer Liz Klein Published by:

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON

est. 1851

On the cover: Runners race to the finish line of the Santas on the Run 5k in Spring Valley.

The race had a staggered start time for runners to allow for more social distancing.

4 December 2020 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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Dogs such as Sampson are available for adoption at Illinois Valley Animal Rescue in LaSalle.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON

Adopting a pet or volunteering could help you and a furry friend

By Ali Braboy

O

ne thing that hasn’t changed during the worldwide pandemic is the need to find animals homes. The work that Debbie Weber of LaSalle puts into helping animals leaves her

with a rewarding feeling.

Weber, 61, volunteers at the Illinois Valley Animal Rescue in LaSalle and currently is fostering two cats from there.

She has also fostered two cats in the past from IVAR, and she ended up adopting them.

“The people that work

there are all very nice,” Weber said. “They do as much as they can, and they go above and beyond.”

Since the pandemic started, the shelter has been getting many Boomer-aged people interested in volunteering, said Sue Jacobsen, president

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Health benefits of having a pet: Decreased blood pressure Decreased cholesterol levels Decreased triglyceride levels Decreased feelings of loneliness Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities Increased opportunities for socialization Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON

Debbie Weber and Joanne Sabotta, both of LaSalle, interact with cats in the cat house at Illinois Valley Animal Rescue in LaSalle. of IVAR. Jacobsen described these volunteers as “the best volunteers ever” who have a “great work ethic.”

Some volunteers also choose to adopt from the shelter. Joanne Sabotta, 65, of LaSalle, is currently fostering two cats from IVAR. “I wanted to get involved because I love cats, and I love dogs,” she said.

The cats have a lot of room at her home to run and play.

“That’s my way of giving back,” she said. “I can’t do a lot of things physically, but I can do that.”

Dog adoption numbers from IVAR has been steady since before and during the pandemic.

“Nothing has skipped a beat with the dogs,” said Chris Tomsha, executive director of IVAR. IVAR’s mission is to rescue and provide care and comfort for abused, neglected, and homeless animals in the Illinois Valley area. In addition to finding a furry friend a good home, adopting a pet could also help those in the Boomer age range.

Studies show that the bond between pets and their owners can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There have not been any changes in the number of Boomer adults adopting dogs since the pandemic started, she said. Those interested in adopting dogs range in age, she said.

“We can usually fit an animal for their needs,” she said.

The adoption of cats, though, has been down

since the pandemic started, Jacobsen said.

She said one of the biggest reasons is because their cats are no longer able to be shown at PetSmart in Peru.

Before the pandemic, IVAR used to bring their cats (around 10 at a time) to PetSmart on a regular basis. People from the public could see the cats and decide if they were interested in adopting them.

But the March pandemic shutdown changed that availability. When it comes to those adopting cats, she said she’s seeing many younger adults interested in adopting.

IVAR continues to accept donations, as they need to pay for utilities, trash, the phone, insurance, payroll, and more. Those interested in contributing can mail monetary donations to PO Box 284, Peru, Il 61354, or go to www.IllinoisValleyAnimalRescue.net.

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | December 2020 7

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Runners get in a workout at the out-and-back course of the Santas on the Run 5k race on Nov. 28. Local runners enjoy their sport for the exercise, social connections, and the opportunity running gives them to do something good for others.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON

Hit the ground running for better health

By Shannon Serpette

H

ealth challenges can come on fast after you’ve hit the big 5-0. The weight can creep on, depression can hit, and cholesterol levels can soar, leaving people with a greater risk of heart attacks and stroke. Some people begin to develop high blood pressure and diabetes, and are at a greater risk of being diagnosed with cancer.

The good news, though, is that it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes for improving health, mood, and outlook on life. Those looking to improve their health should consider taking up running for the exercise and mental boost

it gives. Any runner will say it’s an excellent exercise for people who want to stay socially distanced while getting a fantastic workout.

Area runners who have seen the perks of running firsthand in their own lives have weighed in on some of the top reasons non-runners may want to lace up their shoes and start hitting the pavement or trails.

RUNNING IMPROVES HEALTH Looking to lose a few pounds, decrease blood pressure, or lower blood sugar levels? Running can help with all those health challenges and more.

Varna resident Carol Pratt started running decades ago and hasn’t stopped since. She said the physical benefits of running are some of her main incentives to continue year after year.

“I am extremely healthy, and in 34 years of teaching, I only missed three days for normal sickness.

After recovering from surgery to remove cancer, my doctor told me that I was the poster child for beating cancer,” she said. “He said my healthy lifestyle, primarily my running and good eating habits, allowed me to come in with a positive attitude and a healthy body,

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and my recovery was much faster than projected.”

Spring Valley resident Bob Zeglis is an officer of Starved Rock Runners, a highly-active running group in the Illinois Valley.

Zeglis, who is 66, has been running for approximately 15 years, after taking 20 years off.

He runs three days per week, and that’s enough to give him enormous benefits.

“It has become a habit, and I feel it has kept me in better physical shape and much healthier,” Zeglis said.

RUNNING CAN LEAD TO A POSITIVE ATTITUDE People who gravitate toward negativity or those who have self-confidence issues may get a big boost from running.

Running releases feel-good endorphins in the body, which leads to the phenomenon known as a runner’s high.

For those who haven’t experienced it, it’s best described as feelings of elation or extreme happiness.

“Something as simple as setting a goal of running a mile without stopping, and then doing it, gives you confidence in all areas of your life,” Pratt said. “The runner’s high is a real thing, but to be honest, for me, running makes my soul happy and my life better.”

For nearly 30 years, Pratt has coached distance runners at Fieldcrest High School.

She’s seen firsthand the confidence booster running can be to people of all ages.

“As a coach, nothing is better than having a young athlete run and give you a hug after the race, thanking you for helping them do something that they never thought they could,” Pratt said. “I especially think this is important for the young ladies that I coach. It’s so important not only teaching them to set goals and to work towards them, but to also appreciate their inner strength, particularly in this time of social media and its pitfalls.”

Some parents and grandparents take up running as a way to do something with their children or grandchildren.

They can sign up for races together, make memories, and know that they are inspiring their younger loved ones to do

Angie Forbeck and Tom Marquis, both of Princeton, and Brenda Roggy of Wyanet, stretch after running the Santas on the Run 5k on Nov. 28 in Spring Valley.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON

something that will give them confidence and better health.

RUNNING LEADS TO NEW FRIENDSHIPS Those who start running soon find they’re joining a brotherhood or sisterhood of other people who are quite literally cheering for them to succeed. Some runners count the new friends they’ve made at races or in running clubs as one of the best benefits of taking up the sport.

“If you get involved with a group like Starved Rock Runners, you will meet a lot of great people who will share your soon-to-be passion and encourage you every step of the way,” Zeglis said.

RUNNING CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DOING GOOD The sport known for its sense of inclusiveness, friendliness, and camaraderie takes that “We’re all in this together” attitude one step further by offering endless chances to help others.

Many 5k or 10k races are fundraisers for a variety of charities. They can benefit any good cause, from cancer research funding to arthritis research. Santas on the Run, a popular annual Spring Valley 5k race, benefits the Hall Township Food Pantry, an organization that serves 300 to 500 families every month and is one of the programs developed by Project Success of Eastern Bureau County.

“We are so blessed to be the recipients of Santas on the Run’s efforts. Our first run was in 2016,” Jan Martin, Project Success director, said.

“In total, we have received over 7,300 pounds of food and $10,900.”

The 2019 Santas on the Run event brought in 1,428 pounds of food and was able to raise nearly $3,000, which was spent on food for those in need.

“Hall Township Food Pantry is unique in the fact that all of the food we give to our over 1,000 clients is purchased by us or donated through community and individual donations. The more donations we receive, the less we have to purchase, making food drives like Santas on the Run a true blessing,” Martin said.

Zeglis, who serves as the event chair, had to face the challenges of organizing a race in the midst of a pandemic for the 2020 event.

But because so many families rely on the food pantry – and with so many facing increased financial issues because of coronavirus – the decision was made to continue with the race this year. The event was revamped to make it safer for everyone’s health, with less potential for coronavirus exposure.

Events like these attract runners who want their hobby to result in something good See Running page 10

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New to running?

These experienced runners are offering their hard-earned wisdom and advice.

BOB ZEGLIS, 66, OF SPRING VALLEY: “Be patient – it takes time. Don’t overdo it when you first start. You will be sore the day or two afterwards, but that will eventually go away. No matter how far you run (even if it is a block to start), each time out, run 10 steps further.”

RICK MANGOLD, 66, OF OTTAWA: “Be realistic about how much and how fast you can go. We naturally slow down. Keep stretching to remain flexible and maintain mobility, and use cross-training to supplement or substitute for running some days. It’s tough sometimes to do this because runners like running and sometimes can be compulsive about it. Sometimes, alternatives to running keep you fresh and motivated to hit the road.

I would also recommend less treadmill running because that leads to bad running habits and form breakdown. Running outside, even in bad weather, is so much more fun anyway.”

CAROL PRATT, 61, OF VARNA: “A check-in with the doctor should be the first step. Start with small goals and remember that walking is a good choice to mix in with your running. Setting a specific goal that is measurable will make following the plan much easier. Don’t be afraid that you will be in the back of the pack because you’ll find the people there are a wealth of knowledge for a beginning runner, and you will be surprised at the new friends you will make if you sign up and do a local race.”

Up to the minute coverage for the Illinois Valley and Starved Rock Country Listen at

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Rod

Jeremy

FRAN BROLLEY, 60, OF OTTAWA: “Ease into it, set modest goals, and push yourself a little harder each week. Run an occasional race for motivation and to gauge your progress.”

Running

nity to clear my head. I actually do a lot of thinking while running,” Zeglis said.

FROM PAGE 9 Rick Mangold of Ottawa is another runner who enjoys for other people, not just the mental break of running. themselves.

“Running makes me feel “The excitement of the better. I enjoy the quiet ususeason and the energy of the ally, I enjoy the competition, runners make this event one and it allows me time to of the highlights of our year. think through problems, or, We are so grateful to Bob and conversely, to get away from Marsha Zeglis, the Starved problems and then get back Rock Runners, and all who to them with fresh solutions,” volunteer – and especially all he said. who run,” Martin said.

Other runners are aware that the mental break runRUNNING PROVIDES ning provides extends to A MENTAL BREAK more than just the joggers on Even though it can take a the road or the trail. few weeks to appreciate this While he’s running, Fran benefit, many new runners Brolley of Ottawa thinks begin to look forward to their about the good he’s doing for runs as a way to mull over his health, but also other peotheir thoughts, process every- ple’s mental health. thing that happened that day, “It helps balance a horrible or just go on autopilot and diet and provides my wife, enjoy being outside.

Mary, some much-needed “Running is my opportupeace.”

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Kelly Campbell shows how to do bicep curls using a light dumbbell.

Bicep curls can help strengthen your arm muscles and improve the overall look of your arms.

Exercises for staying fit at home Keep in shape with these exercises shared by a certified personal trainer at Peru’s YMCA Story and photos by Shannon Serpette

I

t can be a scary time to venture outside the home for those who are immunocompromised or at high risk of coronavirus complications.

People who are working from home anyway may be hesitant to go to businesses and risk the possibility of exposure.

If you’re unable to go to a gym right now, there are easy and inexpensive ways to stay fit at home, according to certified personal trainer Kelly Campbell, who works at the YMCA in Peru. When you’re able to return to the gym,

you’ll enjoy a wider variety of exercises. But for now, these can help you maintain a basic level of fitness.

For those who want to do more than walking or running outside, Campbell has shared nine exercises in three different categories that can be easily done at home with minimal equipment.

DUMBBELL EXERCISES

Dumbbells help with an important component of fitness – strength training.

“Most people have access to

them at home,” Campbell said.

Those who don’t have dumbbells can buy them at several Illinois Valley businesses for a small cost. If you are only using extremely light weights, such as one or two pounds, you may be able to use cans of food or water bottles that you already have at home instead of purchasing dumbbells. They can be trickier to hold for the exercise, but they will work in a pinch.

Here are three dumbbell See Exercises page 12

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Exercises FROM PAGE 11

exercises Campbell recommends doing at home.

BICEP CURLS Keeping elbows under the shoulder, hold the weight down next to the sides of your legs, with an underhanded grip on the weights, Campbell said.

Curl the weight up to your shoulders, making sure to inhale on the way back down.

Keep going until you feel you’ve had a good workout, which might be somewhere around three sets of 10 repetitions.

OVERHEAD TRICEP EXTENSION For this exercise, you’ll put two hands on one weight. Hold it overhead with straight arms. Then you’ll bend your arms at the elbows, bringing the weight back behind the neck.

Remember to exhale as the arms straighten back to the top, Campbell said.

Top: Certified personal trainer Kelly Campbell demonstrates how to do a leg lift using resistance bands at the YMCA in Peru.

LATERAL RAISES Holding one weight in each hand at your sides with your palms facing in, exhale and lift with straight arms.

It should be your goal to reach your hands to shoulder height, not higher, according to Campbell.

Left: Kelly Campbell demonstrates the proper form to use while doing a plank. Planks are a great way to work your body’s core at home, and they don’t require any special equipment.

RESISTANCE BANDS

Resistance bands may seem intimidating at first to use, but they are simple. The bands you’ll need are widely available.

“These are so easy to find online,” Campbell said.

LEG LIFTS Place a resistance band just above the knee. Laying on your side with your legs stacked, lift the top leg while keeping it straight.

The number of leg lifts is up to you, but strive for at least 10 repetitions before switching legs. After completing both legs, you may want to do one or two more sets.

HINGE Place a band around your foot and grab it with the op-

posite hand. Stand upright and then tip at the hips, keeping core engaged and back flat. Then stand back up, pushing heels into the floor, Campbell said.

BICYCLES For this exercise, you’ll place the bands over the feet so they are across the middle of the feet. Laying on your back, bring one knee in, bringing the opposite elbow in to meet it, and then alternate sides.

NO EQUIPMENT

Those who don’t have any equipment can still do these three exercises. These are clas-

sics that strengthen the body.

PLANKS Get onto a mat, belly down. Place your forearms on the mat, pushing yourself off the ground. You can either be on your knees in a modified plank or in a traditional style on your toes.

You’ll keep your back straight while in the plank, pulling the navel up towards the spine. Shift forward slightly so that your shoulders are directly above your elbows. If you’re doing the traditional style of plank on your toes, pull your heels away from you to lengthen.

PUSHUPS You can do pushups on your knees in a modified version, or on your toes, Campbell said. Put your hands even with your shoulders and outside of your shoulders, with your core engaged.

Lower your chest to elbow height, and then exhale as you push to straighten your arms.

WALL SITS Standing against a sturdy wall, lower yourself down to a seated position and hold.

Your thighs should be parallel with the floor. Record your time when you do it and try to improve on the length of time you can hold it.

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New Year, New Neck: Non-surgical Options for Neck Rejuvenation When we think about doing procedures or using products to look younger, most often we focus on treating our face, but the neck is becoming more and more of a priority for men and women in search of looking as young as they feel. There are many issues to address of an aging neck and they seem to start even before signs of facial aging. Dr. Nicole Norris of Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, IL is here to answer all our questions on non-surgical options for neck rejuvenation.

Why does the neck seem to age sooner than the face? “The skin of the neck is the thinnest of our entire body which makes it more prone to signs of aging. We often apply sunscreen and other anti-aging products to our face daily but forget to include the neck. Also, the skin of our neck is more affected by gravity because it is so thin. Some people are also burdened by a genetic fat pad under the chin where they store fat which becomes larger as they get older. Tech Neck is a condition that causes pre-mature deep creases in the neck which is caused by looking down at smartphones, tablets, and laptops. A defined jaw line supported by a smooth lineless neck is a common request by my patients, young and old!”

What do you tell patients who want a younger looking neck?

“First we have to discuss what it is that they don’t like about their neck. Usually, the issue is either loose skin, fat along the jaw line or deep lines. I tell my patients that no matter what procedure we decide is best for their neck, they must treat their neck at home with the same care as their face. When patients come for a neck consult, we often start a topical neck cream. Medical-grade neck creams are made specifically for the thin skin of the neck and include a moisturizer and serums to improve the skin. Daily sunscreen SPF 30 or above is also key in rejuvenating the neck.”

What non-surgical procedures treat loose skin of the neck?

“Mild to moderate loose skin of the neck is treated best with Radiofrequency heat energy. The device we use is called TempSure and is the most powerful available. The treatment is not painful and there is no downtime. It does require multiple treatments, on average 3-4 approximately one month apart. Moderate loose skin may also require

a PDO Thread neck lift. This is a non-surgical procedure done in my office that involves putting sutures under the skin to physically lift the skin while the polydioxanone (PDO) further smooths the skin. This is a procedure that can by done when you are not quite ready for a surgical neck lift.

When fat along the jaw line is a patient’s main problem, what can you offer them? “Warmsculpting with our SculpSure Laser is the best treatment for this. This is a 25-minute treatment with no down-time that will permanently destroy an average of 25% of the fat in the treated area. The main focus of the treatment is usually a “double chin” (fat pad directly under the chin) but the heat diffuses along the entire jaw line making it more defined. On average, most patients see the results they want after two treatments about six weeks apart.”

How do you treat horizontal lines of the neck? “I call these “necklace lines”. They are most often caused but chronic flexion of the neck to look at our beloved electronic devices which is why some refer to this condition as Tech Neck!

They can safely be softened with Botox or Filler depending how deep they are. These are both procedures that I inject medication (Botox or Filler) along the lines with a small needle. There is minimal discomfort and no downtime.

Botox may need to be repeated in 3-6 months and dermal Filler will last about a year.

Come in for your NEW YEAR, NEW NECK Consultation with Dr. Norris at Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in January 2021 and your consultation fee will go toward your procedure. If the procedure you choose to treat your neck concern is over $500, save 20% in January!

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Do an end-of-the-year financial wellness check Story and photos by Shannon Serpette

T

he end of the year is a good time to take stock of your life and plans any changes you’d like to implement in the coming year. For Boomers, this can be an excellent time to review finances and figure out what steps you should take to improve your financial situation in 2021.

Christian Cyr, CPA, of Cyr Financial, located in Hennepin, offered some free money advice for Boomers. Here are his best tips for how to get your financial house in order.

CONSULT AN INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARY Just as Boomers head to the doctor when they want a physical wellness check, it’s a good idea to see a financial professional to understand how your overall financial picture is holding up. But all financial planners and advisors aren’t the same.

Cyr recommends visiting an independent fiduciary, who is bound by law to put your best interests over their own.

“If he (the fiduciary) doesn’t do what’s best for you, he’s going to jail,” Cyr said.

A fiduciary will look at every aspect of your finances and come up with a plan to address any weaknesses or shortcomings. You and your fiduciary are on the same team – they make money when you do.

“Our fees are based on how well your investment performs,” Cyr said.

Seeing a professional for a complete review of your finances is so important that Cyr named it as his number one tip.

Christian Cyr, CPA, of Cyr Financial in Hennepin, offered some tips for Boomers who want to do an end-of-the-year check of their overall financial wellness.

LOOK AT YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION This is one key area where a finance professional can help.

It’s an area where a lot of people are failing because they have the wrong asset allocation for their circumstances or their age, according to Andrea Brannon, who handles advisor services at Cyr Financial.

For instance, they might have a higher percentage of stocks versus bonds or cash than they should.

Brannon said the majority of people who walk through Cyr Financial’s doors for financial assistance do not have the proper asset allocation.

Having the proper allocation is crucial for those nearing retirement because if they are too heavily invested in stocks, they might see their

overall portfolio go down 30 percent during a bad year, which might sideline their retirement plans. If they don’t hold enough in stocks, though, because they are focusing too much on cash or bonds, they are losing out on valuable potential growth and might not outpace inflation, Cyr said.

Finding the correct asset allocation is a balancing act, and it’s one of the most important decisions you can make to optimize your financial future.

HAVE A PLAN FOR RETIREMENT Most people think they have a plan for retirement because they’ve decided at what age they’d like to retire. They might also be saving enough money to make their retire-

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ment a possibility. But those two steps are only part of having a plan for retirement.

A full retirement plan will also include plans for what the retiree hopes to do during retirement.

Before quitting their job, they should consider how they’ll fill that time, Cyr said. Going from working 40 hours or more per week to not working at all is a big move emotionally. Knowing how a person is going to fill their time can help them know if they’re truly ready to take the plunge or if they might want to consider working part-time.

“You need to be active doing something in retirement,” Cyr said.

In addition, those nearing retirement age should understand how much money they expect to have coming in during retirement. That will be a big part of their retirement plan.

“Many times, they don’t know their Social Security situation,” Brannon said.

HAVE A MONEY CONVERSATION WITH YOUR SPOUSE Those who are married need

to openly communicate about money, Cyr said. A couple can plan on having an annual conversation about how much money they have, where it is located, and discuss their future plans and hopes for those savings.

Sometimes one partner doesn’t have any interest in handling the household finances, but they still need to know what’s going on with them, Cyr said.

DON’T SQUANDER ANY EXTRA MONEY COMING IN Cyr said some people have been hurt financially from the pandemic, but other people are in a better financial position right now because of the stimulus money they received earlier in the year. Some people are saving on gas money and other costs from working at home.

“Personal savings rates are at an all-time high,” Cyr said.

Those who have extra money right now should put it to work for them by paying down credit card debt, throwing extra toward a car payment, or buying stocks right now while many of them are still recovering, Cyr said.

If you received a raise this year at your job, Cyr said you should put it into your retirement account rather than spending it.

“That’s the difference between retiring at age 65 or not for some people,” Cyr said.

REVIEW YOUR BENEFICIARIES People often forget to change their beneficiaries on their accounts as their life circumstances change. If you’ve recently been married or divorced, you may need to alter who you’ve designated as your beneficiaries.

“It’s a big deal,” Brannon said.

REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS This is another category in which an expert’s eye and advice can come in handy. An independent fiduciary will be able to review your insurance needs.

Insurance needs vary on a case-by-case basis, and a person’s needs can change annually, Cyr said. For instance, those who are nearing retirement and are carrying no debt may realize they don’t need as much life insurance as they did when they were younger.

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Peru HyVee dietitian Haleigh Kneebone Augspols said Boomers might want to consider drinking tea daily for the health benefits.

Move over, coffee: Drink tea for better health

Local dietitian recommends incorporating tea into daily diet Story and photos by Shannon Serpette

W

hether you’re in your retirement years or counting down until you can live the life you’ve always envisioned, you’ll need your health to hold up so you can make the most of those days of freedom.

Chances are, you’re already visiting the doctor for checkups, trying to sneak in some exercise, and limiting the unhealthy foods in your diet.

But have you paid close attention to what you’re drinking?

One of the healthiest drinks on the planet is also one of the most affordable

and readily available. It’s tea, and HyVee dietitian Haleigh Kneebone Augspols said it’s a beverage more Boomers should be drinking regularly.

“Natural substances, called polyphenols, are found in both caffeinated and herbal teas. These substances are antioxidants – compounds that may help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases,” she said.

The best way to benefit from tea is by drinking loose leaf tea or by using tea bags.

People looking for health benefits should avoid the bottled

tea drinks, many of which contain a lot of sugar or other unhealthy additives, she said.

And since the processing involved with bottled teas, tea powders, and decaffeinated teas destroys some of the polyphenols in tea, steeping your own or picking up a freshly steeped cup at a shop or specialty store is your best bet.

Those who stop at their local grocery store or visit a specialty shop to stock up on tea can be overwhelmed by the choices. Here are the main categories of tea that

consumers will encounter: White tea: White tea isn’t processed, so there has been no oxidizing or heating involved with its production.

Green tea: This type of tea makes a drink that is yellow or green in color, and it pairs beautifully with other flavors, such as lemon, other fruits, and chamomile. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants.

Oolong tea: These teas are known for their complex flavor. Many experts recommend starting with an oolong tea if you’re new to tea drinking.

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Black tea: Black tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world. It is more heavily processed than green tea and generally has more caffeine than other tea types.

Pu-erh tea: This is a fermented type of tea. The drink isn’t fermented; instead, the leaves are allowed to ferment during processing.

Herbal tea: While the other types of tea are made from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, herbal teas are made from a variety of different plants. This category includes popular teas such as chamomile and peppermint, Augspols said.

Teas are nutritional superstars. They give people an option when they’re tired of drinking water all day, but know they shouldn’t reach for sugar-laden sodas or chemically-enhanced diet sodas.

But if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you might want to limit how much black tea you drink as it has the highest caffeine levels out of all tea types.

“Black, green, and oolong

Caffeine Scoreboard

A warm cup of tea can be relaxing and soothing. Two cups a day may be enough to be beneficial to a person’s health. tea all contain caffeine,” Augspols said. “Caffeinated teas typically have less caffeine than coffee.”

If you leave your teabag in your cup as you drink it, it will also have a higher

Need a breakdown of the amount of caffeine in eight ounces of various tea varieties compared to coffee? Peru HyVee dietitian Haleigh Kneebone Augspols breaks it down for you.

• Coffee contains 95 milligrams of caffeine.

• Black tea has approximately 48 milligrams.

• Oolong has approximately 38 milligrams of caffeine.

• Green tea only contains 29 milligrams of caffeine.

• Most herbal teas have no caffeine.

caffeine content than if you quickly steeped it and removed the bag.

“The longer the tea steeps, the greater the caffeine content,” she said.

Those who want to drink

tea strictly for the health benefits may want to drink two to four cups daily.

Augspols said it is believed that having at least two cups daily will offer protection against the development of chronic diseases. That doesn’t mean a tea drinker is guaranteed not to get cancer, heart disease, or any other chronic condition.

Evidence of tea’s protective effect against cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis, and osteoporosis are still being studied. But based on large observational studies that have been conducted, tea drinking can safely be added to a daily diet in hopes of preventing chronic diseases.

Of course, tea drinkers should continue with all their other healthy habits, such as regular doctor appointments, exercise, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet.

Augspols reminds everyone that tea drinking isn’t a magic bullet. It can’t counteract other bad habits.

“A poor diet with tea is still a poor diet,” Augspols said.

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Local health departments and pharmacies are stocked with the flu vaccine for any people who haven’t received their vaccination yet this season.

Since Boomers are at higher risk than younger people are from COVID-19 complications, it’s especially important to strongly consider getting the flu vaccination this year, according to health officials.

Dodge the Flu People might avoid fighting COVID-19 and the flu simultaneously by getting a flu shot Story and photo by Shannon Serpette

B

efore the 2020-2021 flu season began, health experts advised the general public to consider getting a flu shot this year, even if they never had in the past.

They cautioned people that it would be dangerous, and potentially deadly, if they contracted both the flu

and COVID-19 at the same time. Additionally, believing a surge in COVID-19 cases would hit later in the year, they didn’t want hospital beds occupied by flu patients when a vaccine was available to prevent those illnesses from happening.

As the COVID cases

around the country and in the Illinois Valley continue to soar, health officials continue to strongly recommend that people receive the flu vaccine this year.

“This year, it is more important than ever to get a flu shot. Getting a flu vaccine can help you avoid coinfec-

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tion with COVID-19 and flu,” Leslie Dougherty, health educator/public information officer at LaSalle County Health Department, said. “It takes the body several weeks after receiving the vaccine to build up antibodies that will help protect you from flu, so get it now to help protect you and others.”

The common side effects of getting the flu shot are mild.

“Common side effects from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache, low-grade fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. The flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting,” Dougherty said.

While the flu shot can be beneficial for everyone, it’s especially highly recommended for those most at risk.

“Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people,

young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk of serious flu complications. If you are at high risk of developing serious flu complications, vaccination is especially important,” she said.

People may see personal benefits from being vaccinated while also doing their part to help the community and health care workers.

“When you get vaccinated, you reduce your risk of getting sick with flu and possibly being hospitalized or dying from flu,” Dougherty said.

“This season, getting a flu vaccine has the added benefit of reducing the overall burden on the health care system and saving medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, get vaccinated now.”

It appears some Illinois Valley residents have taken the advice to heart, based on

the number of first-time flu vaccinations the health department has given out.

“We have seen an increase in people who have never received a flu shot before this year getting one. We have seen a steady amount of people coming in to receive them. Because of the pandemic, we weren’t able to hold flu clinics like we normally do and are doing more flu shots by appointment to promote social distancing,” she said.

Those who haven’t received their flu shots yet for this season still have time to get them, according to Dougherty.

“The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October.

Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May,” she said. “It’s never too late to get a flu shot.”

Flu shots by the numbers Wondering how many flu shots have been given this season compared to prior years? Here are the doses administered in past years, compared to how many had been administered as of Nov. 13 for the 2020-2021 flu season, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2011-2012: 132 million doses 2012-2013: 134.9 million doses 2013-2014: 134.5 million doses 2014-2015: 147.8 million doses 2015-2016: 146.4 million doses 2016-2017: 145.9 million doses 2017-2018: 155.3 million doses 2018-2019: 169.1 million doses 2019-2020: 174.5 million doses As of Nov. 13 for the 2020-2021 flu season: 183 million A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | December 2020 19

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