LIVING SENIOR Spring 2021

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In addition to competing in a variety of events – including cross country skiing, mountain biking and running – Don Howell (right) enjoys recreational rides with family members.

Ageless wonder SUBMITTED PHOTO Living Senior

Howell, 80, defies his age with no plans to slow down

By Mike Ramczyk

D

CORRESPONDENT

on Howell is running out of space for all of his awards.

The Burlington resident turned 80 years old on Dec. 31, and he has no plans to act his age and stop running, biking and skiing.

His finished basement is littered with bib numbers from decades of competing in the American Birkebeiner, an acclaimed cross country ski race, along with trophies, skis and ribbons.

Down the hall is Don’s “man cave,” where the walls are covered with more bib numbers and awards, and there are literally bowls filled with ribbons from all of the years of competition.

Howell says he skis three times a week in winter, and he owns several heavy-duty mountain bikes for warmer weather.

He hits the water, too, as three large kayaks hang up in his backyard.

For Howell age is a state of mind and staying active helps his bones and makes him feel great.

“I skied about 55 days last year, and I put in many days of skiing this year up at Lapham Peak,” Howell said. “I feel so good after I ski. I’m not as fast, but I’m still OK. I’m an inspiration for other skiers. They come all around for the Birkebeiner. I’ve done 32 of them, the full Birkie, which is 31 miles, up and down.”

Howell competed in the Birkie in late February, 2020, and he posted his best finish for any competitor over the age of 65 in the

2020 Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Day run in Burlington.

Howell won the 75+ age group several years ago, and he is planning on winning the 80 to 84 age group this year.

Also, Howell will race in his 32nd Chequamegon Fat Tire bicycle challenge after having won his age class at 70 and 75.

To train for these events, Howell skies nine miles a day, three or four times a week. He started cross country skiing at the age of 41.

It’s not just walking on skies, it’s more like skating, Howell says, and speed is the goal.

Howell says the younger guys in the skiing community are inspired that he’s still doing it at age 80.

Guys in their early 50s see him, and they believe they will be

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The walls of Don Howell’s home are decorated with the mementos of his athletic achievements, including these big numbers from previous American Birkebeiner ski races.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Living Senior

doing it forever.

“There’s a lot of good skiers that can’t ski anymore,” Howell said. “Either they died, or they quit. If you stop doing this, you can easily quit.”

“I run, I bike a lot, I’m a better biker than I am a skier, I won a national mountain biking race at 70 and 75. My principle is I want to stay in the pleasure zone. When I was young, I would push as hard as I could.”

“I want to stay vertical, and I want to enjoy it.”

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Comfort over competition

At his age, Howell knows of the danger spots, and he isn’t afraid to take it easy. He wants to be comfortable and not get hurt.

He has lost a tooth and separated a shoulder while competing.

The pandemic has prevented him from doing as many races in 2020.

But he still enjoyed the Turkey Trot, something he’s done all 10 years.

“I’ve slowed down,” Howell said of the Trot. “When I was 69, I ran an 8-anda-half minute mile pace. Now, I’m running 11 minutes, and I’m enjoying it more. I finished in the middle. I don’t like to finish last.”

Mostly, Howell has avoided major injury.

But one time, he crashed hard on his bike eight years ago while traveling as fast as 35 miles per hour.

“I could see the finish line, and guys were saying I had a separated shoulder,” Howell said. “And I hurt my ribs. This is common to a lot of bikers.”

Howell also paddled his kayak nearly 50 days last year. He goes far up north and is joined by friends.

“You don’t hear anything about politics or what’s going on or anything. You can’t get a cell phone signal. I love doing that with my friends,” Howell added.

Howell also plays tennis.

Athletic beginnings

The Iowa native retired at age 67 as a plant manager at a factory in Elkhorn.

He moved to Burlington in 1974 after taking a job in Delavan. He graduated with an MBA from Iowa State University.

When he’s not staying active, Howell is around the local sports scene, as he enjoys attending Burlington High School games.

The love of sports started in high school, when he didn’t lose a game on the pitching mound.

“When I was young, I was scouted by the Chicago Cubs because I was undefeated in high school,” Howell said.

“My first game in college was a no-hitter.

It was the 1960s, and I threw wicked stuff. They asked me if I ever threw a fastball. Why should I?” Howell always strived to be the best in any sport he tackled.

He is meticulous with his records, as he keeps a log for how far he travels each day. Also, he frequents the Aurora Wellness Center, where he plays pickup basketball.

Howell says you have to have stress on your bones, or you can break something.

That’s part of the reason why he pushes himself at age 80.

“You can be prone to broken bones if you don’t exercise your bones,” Howell said. “After a recent ski, I went out and hiked because I felt so good.”

Mountain biking is among the preferred athletic activities of Burlington resident Don Howell. The octogenarian says activity is key to staying healthy in old age.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Living Senior

“Exercise builds up your immune system, too.”

Howell said he’s cut down on his sugars and he’s avoided any major illness.

“My cholesterol is good, I go to sleep at 10:30 and wake up at 7,” he said. “Every other day, I eat whole wheat blueberry pancakes with lots of blueberries. Also, I’ll eat cereal with blueberries. I like to snack on dry roasted peanuts. I try not to eat after 7 p.m., and anything is either whole wheat or nutritious, not fat.”

Howell says he weighs a healthy 167 pounds.

He says 40 years ago, he weighed 225 pounds, and his daughter noticed how he was out of shape playing basketball.

“I was feeling a little sluggish, and that’s when I decided to change,” Howell said.

Family first

Howell has been married to LaVonne for 56 years.

They met at Iowa State.

“My wife must’ve been desperate,” Howell joked. “I met her during the last week, when I didn’t have any finals left, and I was just having a good time. I met her in June, and we got married in December.”

Don and LaVonne have a daughter, Becky, 51, who lives in Gurnee, Ill. Also, a son, Brian,

Howell has competed in 32 American Birkebeiner cross country ski races – a 30mile endurance test in Northern Wisconsin that attracts the best skiers in the world.

MIKE RAMCZYK Living Senior

53, has done Birkies with dad.

“My son has done the Fat Tire race with me and beat me,” Don said.

Don has five grandchildren, and he is proud to be a grandpa. He was gone on runs and races with the kids.

The family did a Zoom hangout for Thanksgiving.

For Christmas, Becky came home on Christmas Eve, and everyone wore masks.

LaVonne is now two years cancerfree after surviving breast cancer, which entailed three surgeries.

“She had a PET scan to tell her she was completely free, so we’re kind of blessed,” Howell added.

For now and in the future, Don isn’t going to stop.

He wants to keep enjoying himself, and it isn’t necessarily about winning anymore.

“It’s an addiction, and I love it,” Don said about his love of athletic activity.

“I want to enjoy it. I’m not trying to beat anybody. It’s my passion, and I feel so good. I feel great. If you’re going to exercise, do something that you love to do.”

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Senior communities offering lifestyles Living life to the fullest does not need to stop when adults near or reach retirement age. Age-restricted housing communities once bore the stereotype of having limited recreational options and dated surroundings. But modern senior homes and facilities are all about catering to active lifestyles – with some communities offering resort-like amenities and pristine properties. Furthermore, certain communities provide niche offerings for people who are looking for something even a little more different.

Eligibility to live in these communities varies, but generally speaking one resident in the home must be age 55 or older.

According to research by TRI Pointe Homes, of the 75 million people who comprise the Baby Boomer generation who are eligible for age-qualified communities, more than 32 million would consider living in such a community.

The website 55places.com, which specializes in promoting age-restricted communities, indicates Florida has the most age-restricted communities in the country, followed by New Jersey. Arbutus Ridge Seaside Community for Active

Adults was the first comprehensive retirement community built in Canada.

Choosing an age-restricted community requires consideration of a host of factors, including the amenities residents most desire and the cost of a facility. The following factors can help people decide which community is most suitable for them.

Style of home Homes built in retirement communities are designed to be comfortable and convenient for aging residents. Many are single-floor units. Certain communities may be comprised of apartments, condos or townhouses, while others may be single, detached residences.

Amenities When comparing age-restricted communities, consider the amenities available. Do they include on-site dining, transportation, travel assistance, pools, fitness centers, walking trails, or outdoor sports facilities? Some communities have “aging in place” amenities, which means residents can move from independent

living to assisted living to skilled nursing care as their needs change. Make a list of interests and then match them to a community that can fit your needs.

Costs Investopedia advises seniors to consider the community’s location and what is being offered, as these factors will affect costs. In addition to rent or mortgages, most communities also have monthly maintenance or homeowners association fees that need to be compared and considered. Read contracts carefully to see which other costs are included.

Specialized features Unique men and women call for unique communities. If standard age-restricted communities do not fit the bill, 55places. com says there are specialized offerings for people who spend retirement in an RV; desire homes that align with their heritage; communities just for postal workers; or communities tied to a local college to continue lifelong learning.

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Cycling Without Age program rolling into the area

By Heather Ruenz

C

STAFF WRITER

ycling Without Age aims to bring joy and vitality to nondriving, older adults and those with differing abilities via a trishaw, a three-wheel, pedalassist cargo bike.

The Dementia Friendly Community Initiative is bringing the program to this area.

Eric Russow, who leads the DFCI with his wife, Bernadette, said when they learned about the program, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“It will benefit so many people, from pilots to riders, but also the community as a whole,” he said.

Cycling Without Age was started in 2012 in Denmark by Ole Kassow, who wanted to help the elderly get back on their bicycles but needed to find a solution to their limited mobility. The answer was the trishaw and he began offering free bike rides to local nursing home residents.

As of early 2020, there were 2,200 locations around the world and more than 3,000 trishaws. In the United States, there are 24 states with programs and Wisconsin currently has

We dream of creating a world together, in which the access to active citizenship creates happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity remain an active part of society and the local community.

We do that by giving them the right to wind in their hair, the right to experience the city and nature up close from the bicycle and by giving them an opportunity to tell their story…

That way we build bridges between generations and we reinforce trust, respect and the social glue in our society.

~ Cycling Without Age

The Dementia Friendly Community Initiative is leading the charge to bring Cycling Without Age to the area. The program aims to bring joy and vitality to non-driving, older adults and those with differing abilities via a trishaw – a three-wheel, pedal-assist cargo bike.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Living Senior

14 chapters, according to the website cyclingwihoutage.org.

Each bike costs $10,400 and the accompanying blanket that attaches to it is an additional $300. The program recently got a big push start.

“We’ve been awarded a $25,000 grant out of Bader Philanthropies, which is a big supporter of Alzheimer’s-related issues all over the world,” Eric Russow said.

He said the program has also been awarded grants from United Way of Walworth County and Advia Credit Union in addition to several other donations that have been received.

The grant from Bader will be used to purchase two bikes but the ultimate goal for the program is to have six bikes in all.

The first two bikes should be ordered soon – they’ll be coming from Denmark – and if all goes according to plan, they’ll be in service in spring.

“We’ll also need a trailer, a place to store the bikes and electricity to charge the bikes with,” Eric said.

Bernadette said the program will be suitable for a wide variety of people who

are disabled, isolated or have mobility issues.

“It’s all about getting them out so they can enjoy the fresh air,” she said.

And it’s about getting younger people involved.

“Not only to drive the bikes, but to have conversations – and the elderly will have someone to listen to them. It’s a way of bringing the community together,” Bernadette said.

Eric said they’re reaching out to several groups about becoming involved, including two local bike clubs.

“We have a goal of getting high school students involved. Other ideas are getting businesses to donate gift certificates and there might be opportunities down the road for groups to reserve the bikes and pay a fee, which would help pay for maintenance or help buy more bikes,” he said.

Different approach

While many of the Cycling Without CYCLING • CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

LIVING SENIOR • SPRING 2021

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LIVING SENIOR • SPRING 2021

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CYCLING • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Age programs are run through United Way or local parks and recreation departments, the DFCI will be a different approach.

“Currently, there are no public-type uses in Walworth County. Lakeland Health Care Center and Fairhaven Senior Services have similar programs but are restricted to their residents,” Bernadette said.

“We don’t know how it’ll all play out but foresee this being something we can get in place and have operating seven days a week, at least at times,” Eric said.

There are many ways to support the program including the following: • Be a volunteer pilot after going through training and becoming certified.

• Be an event host by allowing program volunteers to pedal trishaws for a specific organization.

• Be a sponsor by making a donation to help support the purchase of trishaws for the program.

• Be a passenger.

Safety first The vehicle used for the program is a trishaw – a pedal-assist cargo bike on three wheels that can fit one to two passengers.

The bikes are safe, equipped with a seatbelt and driven by a trained and certified volunteer pilot. Pilots pedal slowly and obey the rules of the road.

Typical rides will be 30, 45 or 60 minutes depending on the location, comfort and destination.

About the DFCI The Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, which was founded in 2016, continues to grow.

The organization provides free training to businesses, agencies, churches and others to create dementiafriendly spaces and promote awareness. More than 65 groups have been trained by the DFCI thus far.

Recent trainees include Geneva Town Hall, Old World Wisconsin, Open Arms Free Clinic, Delavan Town Hall, Someplace Else Restaurant, Calvary Community Church, The Boutique Closet, Lovey’s Gift Boutique, Walworth County Corporation Counsel, and the Egert Law office.

Volunteers are needed, Bernadette said, adding that helping people understand dementia is important.

“A recent survey in USA Today reported that 80% of Americans want to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s but only 35% know the symptoms,” she said.

Eric agreed.

“This training is becoming more and more important as the county population grows older. By helping people understand what dementia is and how it affects families, we can make a difference,” he said.

For more information about the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, or the Cycling Without Age program, visit dfcwalworth.org, send an email to dfcwalworth@gmail.com or call 262-320-7325.

Top: The Cycling Without Age program was started in 2012 in Denmark as a way to get the elderly back on a bicycles while taking limited mobility into consideration. The bikes will be used to help get non-driving, older adults and those with differing abilities out in the fresh air. At right: Cycling Without Age requires pilots who are trained to safely operate the threewheel bikes, which can hold one or two passengers. Volunteers are being sought to train as pilots for the local program.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Living Senior

LIVING SENIOR • SPRING 2021

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Making friends is not just for the young. Men and women in their golden years also can find ways to build new friendships.

STOCK PHOTO Living Senior

Never to old to make friends How to build relationships in your golden years

Making friends as a child or even as a parent to school-aged children is relatively easy. Classrooms and school functions facilitate the building of friendships. Even as one gets older and enters the workforce, it’s not uncommon for people to become friends with their coworkers.

As people near retirement age, their situations may have changed considerably.

Children have moved out, careers are coming to an end and friendships may be hard to maintain due to people relocating or traveling. Older adults may aspire to make new friends, but they may not know how.

According to Irene S Levine, Ph.D., The Friendship Doctor and contributor to Psychology Today, it is not unique for seniors to want to make new friends.

Age can be a barrier because there are stereotypes that pigeonhole people of certain ages. But Levine notes that state of mind and physical ability is not directly tied to chronological age. Making friends is possible at any age. These guidelines can

help along the way.

Explore online connections A 2016 study published in the Journal of Gerontology found seniors (even those in their 80s) who stay connected with friends and family using social media report feeling less lonely and better overall.

Connected seniors also demonstrated higher executive reasoning skills.

There are plenty of ways to meet new people online by joining social media groups that cater to your interests. In person meetings in particular cities or regions of the country also can make for great ways to make new friends. Exercise caution when meeting people in person after contacting them online. Bring another person along, whether it’s a spouse or an adult child, to ensure that you are safe.

Volunteer your time One way to meet new people is to get involved with causes or activities you love.

This serves the double benefit of getting you outside and active and puts you in touch with people who share your passions and interests.

Attend alumni events If you have an interest getting in touch with someone from your past and reconnecting, make the time to attend school reunions and other alumni activities.

It can be fun to reconnect with friends from high school or college.

Join a gym The local gym isn’t just a great place to get physically fit. Group exercise classes also can be ideal places to meet other people who enjoy working out. Strike up a conversation with another class participant you see on a regular basis. Once you develop a rapport, schedule lunch dates so your friendship grows outside of the gym.

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Ways to help your loved one age in place In what seemed like an instant, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. In addition to completely changing the way we work, shop and interact with others – just to name a few – it’s also forcing seniors to rethink their living arrangements and plans for the future, and changing the way we care for our elderly parents.

Given the recommendations around social distancing and documented outbreaks in nursing homes and other care facilities, more and more seniors are opting to age in place or, in other words, remain in their homes. But that’s easier said than done.

Whether we’re in a pandemic or not, adjustments need to be made to ensure they have the support to do so safely.

Medication management According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of Americans take at least one prescription drug, and one in four take three or more.

However, studies have consistently shown that 20% to 30% of prescriptions are never filled and about 50% of medications for chronic disease are not taken as prescribed.

“Medication compliance is one of the most frequent reasons for decompensation with chronic medical illnesses,” said Mitchell Hyatt McClure, M.D., Chief, Hospital Medicine at Hartford Hospital.

To help your loved one stay on track with their medication regimen, consider an automatic medicine dispenser like Pria by Black+Decker. Pria is a smart pill dispenser and home healthcare assistant designed to empower seniors to maintain their independence at home. Not only does it dispense the right dose at the right time, but it also allows caregivers to stay connected through two-way video calls, reminders and check-ins.

When using Pria for more than 90 days, users’ average adherence rate was 82% – up from 39% when used for fewer than 45 days. Caregiver presence also positively influences medication adherence when using Pria. Users with one caregiver had an average adherence rate of 79.4%, users with two caregivers were at 80.9% and users with three caregivers were up to 88.2%.

“An electronic pill dispenser like Pria can be invaluable for patients in promoting better health by improving medication compliance and reinforcing good health habits. The ability to additionally use Pria as a tool to communicate is an added benefit to combat social isolation, a problem that

By utilizing available technology and making modifications where necessary, most seniors can remain happy, healthy and independent in their own homes.

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already existed in our elderly patients, but has been made increasingly worse by the COVID pandemic,” said McClure.

should they need it.

Remote monitoring

Most homes aren’t designed for long-term care. However, simple home modifications can make it easier – and safer – for seniors to age in place. And when it comes to home modifications, the possibilities are endless.

When deciding which modifications to make, walk around the house with your loved one and identify their specific pain points. If they fear slipping in the shower, add a shower chair; if the front steps lack support, install railings; if their hardwood floors are slippery, lay down no-slip mats for traction. There are a number of options, both temporary and permanent, that can help your loved one stay in their home safely and comfortably.

The coronavirus pandemic has put our aging population at great risk, so it should come as no surprise that many seniors have opted to age in place. While it may be uncomfortable for family caregivers to accept this decision, it can be incredibly fulfilling and liberating for seniors when planned for properly.

According to the National Council on Aging, an older adult dies from a fall every 19 minutes. In fact, falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.

Furthermore, falls – with or without injury – can greatly impact seniors’ quality of life. A fear of falling creates a sense of uneasiness that often leads to a decrease in activity, which can, in turn, lead to physical decline, depression, social isolation and feelings of helplessness.

But caregivers can provide active loved ones with confident mobility simply by investing in a remote monitoring device.

Whether it’s a necklace equipped with GPS, a smartwatch that can detect a fall and automatically alert emergency services, an in-home device that connects directly to emergency response operators or a combination of the three, your loved one will be able to age in place with the peace of mind that they have access to help

Home modifications

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