Living Senior for Spring 2023

living SENIOR

Strength training for seniors

A balanced diet and exercise, which includes a combination of aerobic activities and strength training, is necessary to maintain long-term health.

According to the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is one of the most important things older adults can do to protect their overall health. Exercise helps to delay or prevent many of the conditions that come with age. Adults ages 65 and older should aim for the recommended 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, and at least two days of activities that strengthen muscles.

When it comes to muscle strengthening, seniors can follow these safety guidelines as they embark on their strength-training journeys.

• Speak with a healthcare provider first. Get the green light to proceed with an exercise regimen before beginning by

having a discussion with your general practitioner about your fitness goals. Your doctor can recommend strategies that are safe and point out any exercises that may compromise your overall health.

• Master basic exercises first. Anyone new to strength training, which is sometimes known as resistance training, can start out slowly, even using just body weight, to provide resistance. Resistance exercises can include squats, crunches, modified pushups, planks, and lunges.

• Graduate to resistance bands. When you’re ready to move on to something else, consider resistance bands as an alternative

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EDITOR: Melanie Bradley

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Heather Ruenz

SECTION DESIGNER: Jen DeGroot ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Vicki Vanderwerff

Three fun, effective outdoor exercises for seniors

The benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are significant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors may improve mental health and help to reduce stress, and the vitamin D the body absorbs while outside can have a positive effect on blood cells and the immune system.

Seniors can benefit from the great outdoors as much as anyone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which strengthens bones.

That’s especially beneficial for seniors, as the National Council on Aging notes that bone density often decreases after age 50, which can increase the risk of fractures.

That’s especially so in women over the age of 50, as a 2021 report from Amgen, Inc., indicated women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone density within five to seven years of menopause.

Spending time in the great outdoors also provides a social benefit, encouraging individuals from all walks of life, including seniors, to get out of their homes and spend time with other people.

With so much to gain from spending time

outside, seniors can consider these three outdoor exercises as they seek to maintain or improve their overall health.

1. Walking: Walking is free and effective. In fact, WebMD notes that a brisk 30-minute walk can improve blood flow, contribute to a stronger heart, strengthen bones, and even help people sleep better at night.

In addition, a 2022 study published in the journal JAMA Neurology found that people between the ages of 40 and 79 who walked about 9,800 steps per day were 51 percent less likely to develop dementia than people who didn’t walk much at all.

2. Cycling: Riding a bike is both fun and a great form of outdoor exercise. Though many studies regarding the health effects of cycling have looked at the value of riding a bike to work, a scenario that does not apply to retirees, the results of such studies still offer insight into just how valuable it can be to ride a bike.

For example, a 2020 study published in the journal The Lancet found that people who cycled to work were 24 percent less likely to die of heart disease and 11 percent less likely to develop cancer. Seniors,

whether they are still working or retired, can incorporate cycling into their daily routines and enjoy all the fun and health benefits that riding a bike provides.

3. Hiking: Hiking is a bit more strenuous than walking, particularly when individuals choose to traverse steep and/or rocky terrain.

WebMD notes that hiking after age 60 can help people reduce their risk of falls and fractures; lower their risk for a host of ailments, including coronary heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes; reduce blood pressure, even in adults who have already been diagnosed with hypertension; and maintain healthy bones and joints.

Hiking is not a one-size-fits-all activity, so seniors, especially those who would characterize themselves as novice hikers, are urged to speak with their physicians prior to hiking trails that are not flat.

Seniors can consider these three fun activities and others as they answer the call of the great outdoors.

Walking, cycling and hiking offer a great reason to get out of the house and reap the health-related benefits of spending time outside.

Great part-time jobs for retirees

Many adults nearing retirement age count down the days until they can bid adieu to the daily tasks of commuting and working so they can enjoy much more time for recreation, travel or whatever is they aspire to do.

As enticing as unending free time may seem, some retirees find it is not ideal to be entirely free from the responsibility of working.

As current seniors can attest, inflation can drive up the costs of living, meaning that seniors who were once able to afford a certain retirement lifestyle may no longer enjoy that hard-earned luxury.

Others may miss the daily opportunities to socialize that working provides, or the way problem-solving on the job stimulates the brain.

But even retirees who miss working may not be ready to return to the workforce fulltime. That can make part-time employment an ideal fit for mature workers.

Here’s a look at some part-time positions that could be a good fit for older adults reentering the workforce.

Retail sales associate

Working in retail opens seniors up

to a wide array of responsibilities and scenarios. Jobs may include greeting customers, making sales, putting out inventory, and helping customers select merchandise.

Being personable and having good customer service skills are necessary traits to have when working in retail. Many stores offer part-time employees flexible hours so schedules can be customized.

Consultant

Retirees who loved their job but wanted to spend less time doing it can return as consultants. According to The Balance: Money, individuals often find they earn more per hour working as consultants than they did as full-time staff members. Consulting is a way to share expertise and experience without making a full-time commitment.

Customer service representative

A customer service representative is tasked with helping customers solve problems and ensuring customer satisfaction. He or she may work a in a traditional office or store location, or

answer calls and resolve issues from home.

School positions

Retirees may want to consider jobs working in schools or in related capacities. Driving a school bus is an option if people are willing to undergo the proper training and licensing to operate this type of vehicle. Seniors also may consider working as lunchroom aides or lunch service providers, crossing guards, substitute teachers, and paraprofessionals. School employees will only work a few hours during the day. They’ll also enjoy many holidays off as well as summer vacations.

Receptionist

Receptionists greet patients or customers in office settings. According to AARP, they are the welcoming faces of organizations. Answering phones and light clerical work also may be required of receptionists. Those who want to work off-peak hours can think about working nights and weekends in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.

Seniors have many different options if they decide they want to return to the workforce in a part-time capacity.

Retiree honored

Happy Birthday!

to free weights. The bands can help you develop good form before introducing weight. Good form is key to avoiding injury.

• Work with a trainer. Working with a certified personal trainer can help you learn how to use free weights and strength-training machines correctly. A trainer also can create a routine that includes the right number of sets and repetitions to gradually build and maintain muscle mass. If you decide against hiring a trainer, gym staff members may guide you through equipment and demonstrate proper form.

• Exercise with a friend. Strength training with a friend or family member can provide

motivation and keep you on target to meet your goals.

• Build up gradually. Your first strength session should only last 10 to 15 minutes, according to Tiffany Chag, C.S.C.S., a strength coach at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. This enables you to gauge soreness. Wait until soreness abates before beginning your next session if you are new to strength training.

Strength exercises are a vital part of maintaining health as a senior. Such exercises help maintain muscle mass and also improve balance and bone health.

Kim Brandt (pictured right) has retired from Harlem High School after over 28 years of dedicated service to the district. Her commitment and hard work has made Harlem a better place. We wish Kim the best, and we will miss her dearly. The quilt was donated by Christy Saunders, pictured left, with help from HHS staff members.

Preworkout tips for seniors

As physically active individuals age, they typically must change how they approach exercise. For example, rather than jumping two feet first into new activities like they might have done when they were younger, seniors may have to think about injury prevention and ways to improve their endurance prior to lacing up their sneakers. For most, that may boil down to taking various pre-workout steps.

• Get enough rest. The body requires adequate sleep and other rest during the day to stimulate muscle growth and repair. Exercise may not be as effective and it may be more dangerous if seniors are engaging without enough sleep. In addition, sleep deprivation can reduce reaction times, which can adversely affect workouts.

• Emphasize stretching. Stretching can improve flexibility and reduce the risk of muscle injuries. It also can improve range of motion in the joints. Stretching before and after a workout prepares the body for exercise and helps it recover.

• Wear the proper footwear and clothing. Sturdy, supportive athletic shoes and well-fitting workout wear can make working out more comfortable and safer. The National Institute on Aging recommends finding footwear designed for the specific activity you’ll be engaging in. Footwear that offers sufficient heel support and nonslip soles is beneficial as well.

• Warm up. Give the body an opportunity to acclimate during a warm-up period that will facilitate healthy breathing. Warming up also loosens up the joints and muscles for the exercise ahead. After a workout, seniors should cool down to reduce their heart rates and prepare for recovery.

• Carefully consider pre-workout supplements. Pre-workout powders and pills have become quite popular for exercise enthusiasts. Manufacturers may advertise that their products are loaded with vitamins and minerals that will help energize the body for a workout. However, they also may be fortified with caffeine.

Do not take a pre-workout supplement without first consulting your physician, as certain products may adversely interact with medications you’re taking for preexisting conditions.

Pre-workout steps can keep seniors safe and reduce injury risk from exercise.

The link between physical activity, mortality risk in older adults

A 2022 study led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute found that recreational pursuits that incorporate physical activity, including walking, swimming and playing tennis, may lower older adults’ risk of death from any cause. That includes cardiovascular disease and cancer, which the World Health Organization notes are two of the leading causes of death across the globe. Running, cycling, swimming, other aerobic exercise, racquet sports, golf, and walking for exercise encompassed the seven different exercise and recreational activities researchers examined as

part of the study, which utilized data from more than 272,000 adults between the ages of 59 and 82. The researchers found that achieving the recommended weekly amount of physical activity through any combination of these activities was associated with a 13 percent lower risk of death from any cause compared to people who did not participate in such activities. Though all activities were associated with lower risks of death, racquet sports seemingly provided the most bang for seniors’ proverbial bucks, as those activities were associated with a 16 percent lower risk of death.

Tips to help seniors travel safely

Travel was once a key component of the picture working professionals created of their ideal retirements.

While the COVID-19 pandemic put many retirement travel plans on hold in recent years, jetting off to distant locales is once again on retirees’ radars.

A 2022 survey from AARP found that individuals 50 and over were poised to not only get back on the road, but also spend significantly more money on travel.

Prior to the pandemic, Americans 50 and over spent $7,314 annually on travel, according to data from AARP. By spring 2022, individuals in that same age bracket indicated a readiness to spend $8,369 on travel.

Eagerness to get back on the road, in the air or on the high seas could make it easy to overlook some principles of safe travel.

However, such an oversight could lead to complications that could make it hard to enjoy time away from home. The following tips can reduce the likelihood that seniors encounter trouble while traveling.

• Determine if any health issues are affecting your desired destinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a website devoted to travel vaccines

(cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-vaccines), and that page can be an invaluable resource for individuals planning a vacation.

What’s more, the CDC even provides a specific list of destinations and the latest travel health notices for each of those nations. That list, accessible at cdc.gov/ travel/destinations/list can help seniors determine if there are any health-related safety issues in countries they hope to visit.

• Speak to your physician. A pretrip consultation with a physician can uncover any issues that might arise while you’re away. Such issues may be easily managed for domestic travelers who are not planning to visit any especially remote locations, but they will not necessarily be as easily navigated when traveling overseas.

Physicians can recommend certain vaccinations or measures to ensure your health while away. In addition, a pretrip doctor visit is a great time to refill prescriptions that you will need while you’re away.

• Take financial precautions as well. Of course, not all travel-related concerns are medical. Finances also require some pretrip attention. Inflation has caused a sharp

spike in the price of various commodities since the start of 2022, so travelers should study up on the cost of food and attractions at their destination to ensure they have enough money to enjoy themselves.

Baggage costs have risen significantly in recent years, so seniors traveling on a budget may want to pack less and do laundry while traveling in an effort to save money.

In addition, the unpredictable nature of travel since the onset of the pandemic has underscored the utility of travel insurance. Seniors can look into travel insurance that could reimburse them in the case of delays or cancellations.

• Privately share your itinerary. Prior to departing, share your itinerary with friends and family. Avoid sharing the itinerary on social media platforms, which can make you a target for criminals at home and at your destination. The itinerary should include where you’re staying, the dates you’re visiting certain locations and the dates of activities you’ll be engaging in on your trip.

Seniors rediscovering the joy of traveling can take various measures to make their trips more safe.

Financial strategies that can help seniors grow their money

Investing is often portrayed as something people need not worry about after retirement. The theory that people should avoid risk as they approach and reach retirement age makes sense, as the unknown of investing can expose aging individuals to losses that compromise their ability to live comfortably on fixed incomes.

Though conventional wisdom regarding financial risk and aging still makes sense, the effects of inflation over the last yearplus have highlighted how important it can be for seniors to keep growing their money even after they retire. Fortunately, various strategies can help seniors grow their money without exposing them to considerable risk.

• Look into high-yield savings accounts. Interest on savings accounts was once a great way for individuals to grow their money. But interest rates on standard, no-minimum-balance accounts are now so low that the growth in interest is negligible. However, individuals with sizable savings, such as seniors, can

explore high-yield savings accounts. Highyield savings accounts offer much higher interest rates than standard accounts.

The rules governing eligibility to open such accounts differ between financial institutions, but many mandate that account holders have high minimum balances, typically in the neighborhood of $250,000. So long as account holders maintain that minimum balance, they can accrue penalty-free interest without exposing their money to the risks of the market.

• Consider other exclusive bank accounts. High-yield savings accounts are not the only way seniors’ banks may be able to help grow their money without necessarily taking on market-related risk. Products such as Chase Private Client CheckingSM offer exclusive perks, including a dedicated client advisor who can work with seniors as they navigate life changes, including retirement.

• Consider low-risk investments. Risk aversion is not the same thing as risk avoidance. It’s wise for seniors to be

averse to risk, but they can still consider low-risk investments like short-term bonds as a means to growing their money in retirement.

Low-risk investments can be vulnerable to inflation, not unlike money sitting in a savings account. However, certain shortterm bonds, such as Treasury InflationProtected Securities, are designed to mirror inflation, which makes them an option worthy of consideration for seniors who have been concerned by the ways inflation has affected their financial status in recent years.

According to the Department of the Treasury, the principal of a TIPS can go up or down over its term. When the bond reaches maturity, if the principal is higher than the original amount, bond holders get the increased amount. If the principal is lower at maturity, bond holders still get the original amount.

Seniors looking to grow their money after retirement can consider a host of options that can make them less vulnerable to inflation.

Dating later in life

People are living longer, a reality that can be traced to a number of factors, including advancements in medicine and greater dissemination of information regarding preventive health care.

According to data from the United Nations Population Division, the average life expectancy in the United States is 81.65 for women and 76.61 for men. Canada has even higher life expectancies, at 84.74 for women and 81.15 for men.

As people live longer, some may outlive their significant others and ultimately find themselves once again interested in sharing experiences with a special someone.

Seniors ready to re-enter the dating pool may find that things are quite different from what they experienced as naïve teenagers or young adults.

Dating used to be about hanging out

with friends and meeting people at shared events, such as school dances or work parties or even while enjoying a night out with friends.

Nowadays, dating often begins in cyberspace. This can be confusing and anxiety-inducing for adults who didn’t grow up with technology guiding their every move.

According to a report in The Atlantic, more than one-third of baby boomers are not currently married, and this generation has had higher rates of separation and divorce and lower rates of marriage than the generations that preceded them.

Many boomers have years ahead of them to devote to new relationships. Here’s what they may want to know before navigating twenty-first century dating waters.

You’re not in this alone

While online dating may be portrayed as a young person’s game, plenty of older adults are now finding connections online. In fact, many different dating apps are geared toward the senior set, including SeniorMatch, eHarmony, Singles50, OKCupid, and Silver Singles,

among others.

You have more time for fun

As a senior, you may have more time to devote to recreation and leisure. This can be a great opportunity to get out and meet someone who shares your passions and interests.

Online dating has its advantages

While online dating apps and websites may have certain things working against them, particularly if their algorithms for pairing people are not fine-tuned, they also can be helpful. Online dating can expand social circles beyond local neighborhoods or even states, provinces or countries. You’re casting your net over a much larger body of water. Furthermore, dating app profiles typically spell out exactly what another person is seeking, which can save seniors from having to revisit awkward dating moments from years past.

Seniors may have to navigate new waters in modern dating. But with a good mindset and a little persistence, it is possible for seniors to find a special someone in cyberspace.

Fun ways for seniors to

stay active

The value of hobbies is undeniable. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who engaged in creative hobbies outside of work were more creative on work projects and had a better attitude on the job, while a separate study published in Psychosomatic Medicine in 2009 reported that individuals who engaged in enjoyable leisure activities had lower blood pressure and a smaller waist circumference.

The myriad benefits of hobbies is good news for seniors, many of whom have ample time for leisure activities. Whether seniors are retired or still working but free from the responsibilities of parenting, the following are some fun and engaging hobbies to fill that free time.

COOKING

Years spent hustling and bustling through the daily grind of personal and professional obligations might have forced individuals to embrace cooking that emphasized convenience over culinary skill.

Now that there’s more time to embrace one’s inner Emeril, seniors can look to cooking classes or take the self-taught route and purchase a new cookbook filled with delicious recipes. A well-cooked homemade meal can provide a sense of accomplishment

and affords seniors an opportunity to control the ingredients in the foods they eat, which can be important for individuals with healthrelated dietary restrictions.

WRITING

Many successful individuals have penned their memoirs after long, notable careers and lives. While individuals needn’t follow suit with the goal of making their memoirs public, writing can be a great way for seniors to document their own lives and the lives of their families. Interest in genealogy has risen considerably in recent years, as easily accessible websites like Ancestry. com and 23andMe.com have made it easier than ever for individuals to learn where they came from.

Seniors can contextualize the information provided by genealogy websites by writing about their personal experiences and sharing what they know about the lives of their parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members.

GARDENING

Seniors looking for hobbies that get them out in the great outdoors need look no further than their own backyards. Gardening can benefit the body in myriad ways. According to the Mayo Clinic Health

System, gardening can burn as many calories as working out in the gym.

In addition, the MCHS notes that individuals who grow their own fruits and vegetables are more likely to include those foods in their own diets, thus saving them money at the grocery store and also increasing their intake of nutrient-rich foods.

SWIMMING

Swimming is an ideal exercise for seniors, as it’s low-impact but still a great way to utilize the entire body.

A 2007 study published in the journal Quality of Life Research found that waterbased exercise improves older adults’ quality of life and decreases disability.

A separate study published in 2008 in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that water-based exercise can improve or help to maintain bone health in post-menopausal women.

These are just a few of the many hobbies seniors can pursue as they look for positive and fun ways to spend their free time.

Physical activity is important at any age. Seniors can explore fun ways to stay in shape and be active to reap all the benefits of exercise.

No one is immune to issues that can adversely affect their mental health, including men and women nearing retirement age and those who are already retired.

Though the term “golden years” suggests life in retirement is one sunny day after another, many individuals 60 and older are dealing with mental health issues.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15 percent of the world’s adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder.

What makes that statistic even more troubling is that the WHO acknowledges it likely doesn’t paint the most accurate picture of seniors and mental health, as depression is often undiagnosed among older men and women and untreated because it co-occurs with other issues affecting seniors.

In the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has acknowledged that late-life anxiety was not readily understood. However, much progress has been made in recent years thanks to a heightened awareness of the problem of seniors and mental health.

That means seniors now have ample resources they can look to as they seek to learn what they can do to safeguard their mental health.

Recognizing warning signs

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that recognizing the signs of mental

health issues is the first step to getting treatment. Mental health issues vary, and individuals with anxiety will likely experience different symptoms than those with depression.

But the NIMH notes that the following are some of the warning signs of mental health issues.

• Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite

• Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions

• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

• Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge

• Increased worry or feeling stressed

• Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness

• Ongoing headaches, digestive issues, or pain

• Misuse of alcohol or drugs

• Sadness or hopelessness

• Suicidal thoughts

• Engaging in high-risk activities

• Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior

• Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life

• Engaging in thinking or behavior that is concerning to others

• Seeing, hearing, and feeling things that other people do not see, hear, or feel

Seeking help

As noted, a growing awareness of mental health issues and how they affect seniors has translated to more available resources for aging men and women who need

help. Within the United States, seniors can visit the NIMH Help for Mental Illnesses webpage (https://www.nimh.nih. gov/health/find-help) to access contact information for various groups that help people in times of mental health crises. In Canada, individuals can visit the Canadian Mental Health Association at https://cmha. ca/find-help/find-cmha-in-your-area/ for contact information for various groups across the country.

Behaviors that can be beneficial

The National Institute on Aging notes that most cases of depression cannot be prevented. However, the NIA also notes that healthy lifestyle changes can have long-term benefits of seniors’ mental health. Such changes include:

• Being physically active

• Eating a healthy diet that can reduce risk for diseases that can bring on disability and depression

• Getting adequate sleep, which for seniors is between seven to nine hours per night

• Remaining socially active, including regular contact with friends and family

• Participating in activities you enjoy

• Sharing mental issues or concerns with friends, family members and your physician

Research indicates that seniors are vulnerable to mental health issues. More information about how to combat and overcome such issues is available at nimh. nih.gov.

What seniors can do to safeguard their mental health

How to protect long-term cognitive health

Cognitive health is not something to take for granted. Although a certain level of memory loss can be expected as people age, when the ability to clearly think, learn and remember is compromised, those changes can affect an individual’s ability to perform daily activities and should serve as a cause for concern.

Brain health should be a priority for everyone. The National Institute on Aging says brain health is an umbrella term that encompasses a host of factors, including:

• cognitive health, which is how well you think, learn and remember

• motor function, or how you make and control movements

• tactile function, which is how you feel sensations; and

• emotional function, or how emotions are interpreted and responded to.

Individuals can safeguard brain health — particularly cognitive health — by taking these steps.

Be more health-conscious

Working with doctors, individuals can put their health first. This includes getting routine screenings, managing chronic

health problems, limiting or avoiding alcohol and nicotine products, and getting the recommended amount of sleep each night.

Manage high blood pressure

All chronic conditions cause long-term repercussions, but the NIA indicates that observational studies show having high blood pressure in mid-life increases the risk of cognitive decline later in life. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk for mild cognitive impairment and possibly dementia.

Challenge your brain

Harvard Medical School says nurturing social contacts, engaging in stimulating mental activities like reading and doing puzzles, seeing new places, and learning new things can help keep the brain in top form.

Manage stress

Stress can take its toll on the body, and there is reason to believe that it may adversely affect cognitive health as well. Make every stride to reduce stress, whether that involves taking vacations, meditating, laughing with friends and

family, or engaging in relaxing activities that relieve stress.

Get enough vitamin D

Vitamin D is linked to a host health benefits, including its potential to promote a healthy brain. Individuals can get more time outdoors to get vitamin D naturally from the sun and eat foods rich in vitamin D. If doctors find that vitamin D levels are exceptionally low, supplementation can help.

Pay attention to hearing loss

Certain hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline, says Healthline. Researchers in Italy concluded that people with central hearing loss had a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment than those with no hearing loss or peripheral hearing loss.

Individuals with central hearing loss are urged to speak to their physicians to determine if they can take preventive action to stave off further decline.

Cognitive health should be a priority. Adults can employ various strategies to reduce their risk of cognitive decline as they age.

Local family owned, run business is dedicated to its clients

By Margaret Downing REPORTER

After a stint serving in Germany with the Army, Raul Cardenas decided to follow in his father’s insurance business footsteps.

Raul’s wife was knowledgeable in the tax business and the two paired up to form Affordable Insurance and Tax, Inc. (AIT) in 1999, located at 4121 Newburg Road in Rockford…a one stop insurance shop!

The company has recently opened an office at 11712 Main St., Roscoe, in order to better serve clients in the stateline area.

Today there are five full time staff members and 35 independent insurance agents working for the company. AIT serves customers in the following states: IL, WI, IN, TX, AZ, FL, NV, NM, MI, NC, and IA

A number of Cardenas family members

are employed through AIT, all totally dedicated to giving area residents the service they deserve, be it Medicare insurance, superior quality home insurance or car insurance plans.

They are all expert in their fields through training and experience, be it home and auto insurance, long term care insurance or tax preparation and filing.

As Raul noted, “We are dedicated to offering personalized plans and policies geared to each specific client…and we are located locally.”

Raul also explained, for example, if a client is moving out of state and wants to maintain coverage, they can be taken care of. It is not a problem, such as on the Medicare side due to “National” coverage availability through AIT.

Medicare is not always something that people can understand totally and

knowing there is someone who can lead them in the right direction when turning 65 is a huge plus.

Raul noted one interesting bit of information concerning turning 65. “There are currently over 10,000 Americans turning 65 years old each day!”

Raul stressed, “We take care of our clients for the right reasons. We want to offer what is best for them.”

The majority of clientele come through word-of-mouth referrals and Raul explained, “We are not prospecting. We care.”

This is obvious based on the fact that many customers are third or fourth generation clients.

More information can also be found on the company’s website, https://www. insurance-tax.com/. Call AIT at (815) 3941800 or toll free at 1-888-685-0286 for a free consultation.

Pictured are five members of the Cardenas family owned Affordable Insurance & Tax business (AIT) at 4121 Newburg Road in Rockford. From left are: David Cardenas, Christine and Raul Cardenas, Victor Cardenas, and Armando Cardenas.

MARGARET DOWNING PHOTOS Living Senior

Valuable service of SMTD still ‘Here to get you there’

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER

SMTD (Stateline Mass Transit District) bus service has been providing safe, affordable transportation for the past 14 years. SMTD stands firm in the motto, “We’re here to get you there.”

Service areas covered by SMTD are Roscoe, Roscoe Twp. Rockton, Rockton Twp., and South Beloit. To further help those who need a safe, reliable mode of transportation SMTD expands into different towns with a special service for medical needs provided in Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Beloit and the Town of Beloit. Additionally they go to 173 and Shirland Ave to hook up with RMTD and BTS.

Under the direction of SMTD Executive Director Sharon Hecox seven Board members are appointed by local municipalities in Roscoe and Rockton each have two members and South Beloit has three.

Each bus is handicap accessible, making it possible for easier transport. “We offer transportation with a smile,” Hecox says.

“We have become a very large part of the communities that we serve,” said Hecox. “Our start-up money came from both the communities and organizations who generously gave us seed money. Some were municipalities and others were non-profits.”

“Initially when we first started SMTD people would ask, “Will people ride?”

“Our ridership has grown from 207 rides in the first month; this past May alone we provided 2,158 rides, which does not include free shuttles for this year’s OSD Festival. In its first year SMTD and the Rockton Lions Club formed a partnership which today equals thousands of shuttle rides during four-day festival.

“We started with four busses which were received under a grant with the help of Congressman Don Manzullo,” Hecox shares. “We currently have seven in our fleet and our anticipating the delivery of two Super Medium Duty buses this fall, which were awarded under State of Illinois, Capital Vehicle Procurement Grant; Grant CVP.

“Over the years, we have retired buses (salvaged) and have received nine new buses, besides the original four,” Hecox said.

“Formerly each of these municipalities contracted with an independent contractor to provide transportation for their senior and disabled populations only. With the formation of the Stateline Mass Transit District service was expanded to include anyone in the community,” Hecox said.

Also behind launching the SMTD was strong support from RMTD on behalf of what was at that time an unformed SMTD for the benefit of three local communities. “Rockford Mass Transit District has been a mentor and a friend of SMTD. Without their years of shared expertise and knowledge SMTD could

Service areas covered by Stateline Mass Transit District (SMTD) are Roscoe, Roscoe Twp., Rockton, Rockton Twp., and South Beloit. To further help those who need a safe, reliable mode of transportation SMTD expands into different towns with a special service for medical needs provided in Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Beloit and the Town of Beloit. Additionally they go to 173 and Shirland Ave to hook up with RMTD and BTS.

not keep the busses rolling,”

Hecox said.

Another supportive hub of SMTD is the Rockton Township. “The Township has been integral in the success by working with the SMTD through IGA for Executive Director Services,” Hecox said. “They have always believed in the Regional necessity for the transportation in the area.

“A lot of people do not know that the Township covers most of Rockton and a good portion of South Beloit Communities in addition to unincorporated areas. Involvement from the very beginning was not only to provide transportation to unincorporated Township residents but to participate in the Regional need.”

With affordable ride pricing seniors can feel comfortable getting where they need to go weather shopping or to a Doctor’s appointment. Young adults can grab a ride to work, or anywhere else they may want to go. Teenagers or middle to grade school age children may be picked up at home and taken to Boys and Girls Clubs, to a swimming pool, to the library or to any number of activities.

“These days more kids are not getting their license right at 16 and this provides a safe and

reliable transportation option,” said Hecox.

“Anyone can be picked up at any specific location. SMTD changes the lives of students and those who cannot get jobs or may have no transportation because of disabilities; some are able to work and to lead productive lives,” Special Education teacher; Vocational Internship Program instructor at Hononegah High School Justin Wieman said.

The Vocational Internship Program provides work space experience.

“We have a partnership with Sharon at the SMTD. She does and instruction and answers questions and every student get signed up,” Wieman said. “Once they realize the independence that SMTD offers to be able to travel for work, leisure, and to get out more on their own it makes a huge difference in their lives. Hundreds of students and graduates of the Vocational Internship Program who have made the transition into the work force have used the service every year and it has been life changing; it is so important to what it does for a culture.”

“We feel so fortunate and the cost is amazing and it helps those who are 18-21 who have intellectual disabilities,” Wieman adds.

SMTD PHOTO Living Senior