September 2010
Complimentary
to your health...
How to remain Close with the kids
Cowboys and Horses
Have the Time of Your Life
Hickory's 1st Annual
t Viewmon Street Strut Saturday
September 25 9:00am-? Food & Drinks Wine & Beer Tasting
Games and Prizes
In Store Special Events
Entertainment face painting
Local Artists
Sidewalk Sales
Live Artist Demonstrations
Antique Car Show
business promotions On-site Health Care Professionals
...and much much more
Over 80 local Businesses!
From Salsaritas to BumbleBee Interiors on N. Center Street in Hickory
For the times in this issue they are a changing! stayin alive
W
e don’t act like our parents or grandparents did when they were 50 or 60! No grandma shoes or belts under our armpits for us! Back in the day, we were singing “Gimme a head with hair, long beautiful hair…” Today, we’re discovering hair, especially gray hair!... in places we never had hair before, and wishing it would return to places it used to occupy. We watched doctors Kildare and Welby on TV’s with rabbit ears. Today, our physicians look like they are Doogie Howser’s age. We lined up with trepidation for our vaccinations from a nurse wearing a uniquely strange white hat. But now, we welcome the approach of needle-wielding professionals to help erase the effects of aging. Botox party anyone? While some of us lift weights and Zumba with the best of them, others find tying their shoes or picking up dropped change enough of a challenge. Like Howdy Doody, our joints seem to have become more wooden and we hear them snap, crackle and pop as we move. Instead of Captain Crunch and Coco Puffs, cereal boxes touting high fiber ingredients are what we put in our shopping cart. We used to wear our Mickey Mouse “ears” as we sang the Mouseketeers Club song. Now, our significant other suggests we don our “Magic Ears” when we watch Hi-Def TV (wonder if Hi-Def actually describes our need for hearing aids?) Commercials have become personalized as the litany of “our symptoms” are described in 60-second sound bytes. Flatulence has become a fact of life! At sleepovers, we’d giggle and laugh until we cried. Now when we laugh with our girlfriends, one of us is sure to make a mad dash to the nearest restroom. We attended charm school to learn deportment and “behavior befitting a young lady” - now we can buy our Poise™ at the drugstore. We used to dance the night away – today shaking our booty might end up with a visit to our Chiropractor. In the 70’s, we asked our doctor for “The Pill” and today when they hear that same request they know we mean Viagra! We women used to rush the stage to throw our unmentionables at the feet of our idols! Today, those same entertainers can hardly bend over to pick up the occasional Depends we lob their way!
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Will you still feed me? When I’m sixty-four…. Yes, our times they are a changing!
Mary Ann and Marsha
Tips to Prevent High Cholesterol
9
Protect Your Back & Prevent Injury Checklist for your Annual Check-Up Should I Participate in a Research Study?
boomer Humor 6 Absentmindedness pay it Forward 10 Fort Dobbs, A Vision of State History on the road AGAIN 12 Have the Time of Your LifeDirty Dancing Festival, Mayberry Days, Blue Ridge Heritage Days, Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Fest.
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10
Will you still need me?
Memory Matters
Viewmont Street Strut
boomer pets 16 What Do You Mean, I’m Not Insured? 18 Natural Therapies for Better Health boomer essay 20 The Last Rite of Passage
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boomer generation 21 How to Remain Close with the Kids the way we were 22 Cowboys and Horses money, money
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The Three Legged Stool of Longevity
on the Cover: We wonder how many medical careers were launched by trying to remove the “Bread Basket” or “Funny Bone” from “Sam, The Patient” in Milton Bradley’s The Operation® Game, introduced by in 1965. With steady nerves and great handeye coordination, players used tweezers to remove the parts with funny names without touching the sides of the openings. If they did, a buzzer sounded and Sam’s red nose lit up. Cover photography – Kevin Cole Photography
Volume 2 | September 2010
is your business redhot?
Publishers Mary Ann Dore maryann@thebbnews.com
redhot
Marsha L. Opritza marsha@thebbnews.com
MARKETING
Magazine Design & Layout Advertisement Design Tammy Rojas / redhot marketing & design tammyrojas@mac.com 704.274.9978 Virtual Assistant The Baby Boomer News, LLCHilton Tina P.O. Box 5326 Mooresville, NC 28117
Contributing writers: Volume 1 | June 2010
Linda S. Amstutz , Roy Atkins, Dr. Jane Barber,
Publishers Piedmont Health Care, Larry Johnson, Mary Ann Dore maryann@thebbnews.com Dr. Scott McCloskey, Jeffrey R. Karp, Marsha L. Celeste Opritza McNeill, Dr. Peter Miller Unifourmarsha@thebbnews.com Medical Research -Dr. John Earl and Dr.
John Kessel Dr. Thomas Sherman, Dr. Robert Yapundich MagazineSchell, Design &Amy Layout
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Contributors
For a complete listing of our distribution locations: Linda S. Amstutuz, Dr. Jane Barber. Andrew Buchbinder, Tammy Cox, Jane Ernest, Dr. Gary Hinrichs, Fran Iwanicki, Jeff Karp, Dr. Rita Katz, http://www.thebbnews.com/distributionsites.html Lou Mintzer, Jason Purgason, Dr. Keith Tillman
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NC Small Business & Technology Development Center has moved to 1990 Main Ave SE, Hickory, NC 28602 • 828-345-1110
The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
stayin’ ALIVE
A
Memory Matters
lthough it may appear simple and effortless, memory is very complex at its core and closely tied to our ability to perceive, imagine, reason, and dream. In many ways it is a precious gift that is our crutch through life, but may become a puff of smoke as we end our journey. Memory, in its purest sense, refers to our ability to store, retain, and recall information.
The complexities of memory lie in its many components: • “Sensory memory” refers to the ability to remember items at a glance and typically has a capacity of only 12 items. • “Short-term” memory is also very limited and refers to the ability to recall items after seconds to minutes, with a typical limit of only 4-5 items.
The three pillars of brain hygiene include: 1: staying physically active 2: mentally active 3: maintaining a good diet
It has been said . . .
“Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose”
• Finally, “Long Term memory” is much more capable of storing larger pieces of information, for longer periods of time; for example, being able to remember your first date or your childhood street address. The anatomy of the brain allows for storage of multiple types of information in different regions that intercommunicate. As a result, certain disorders can affect specific components of memory, but leave others relatively untouched. For example, the person with Alzheimer’s disease may, early on, have selective loss of short-term memory, but very intact long-term memory. As the disease progresses, an inevitable decline in both short and long term memory ensues. Other disorders that can adversely affect memory include anxiety, depression, stress, poor sleep, medications, strokes, seizures, and much more. As we age, a very common concern is the experience of memory loss, whether transient or sustained. There are certainly “normal” degrees of age-related memory loss that may include intermittently forgetting a person’s name, occasional trouble finding the right word, or even misplacing objects. The important point to remember is that these more “benign” types of memory loss usually do not affect the ability to carry out essential daily activities such as driving, bathing, dressing, or eating. On the other hand, more serious memory loss may be heralded by the onset of impairments in these daily activities. Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. But can we really prevent memory loss? Currently, there are four FDA approved medications to treat Alzheimer’s dementia, but evidence has also shown that good brain hygiene can go a long way with prevention.
By Robert Yapundich, M.D.
In fact, recent research has touted the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and exercise as a powerful combination in preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s disease. Ultimately, to be truly effective, preventive efforts need to start when we are young, and continue through life. Targeting harmful disorders such as concussions, strokes, hypertension, and others are pivotal in maintaining our brains. Like many things in life, the simple measures can ultimately make the biggest difference.
Dr. Robert Yapundich, M.D. is with Neurology Associates, P.A., 1985 Tate Blvd., Hickory, North Carolina - www.noggindocs.com 828-328-5500
SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
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stayin’ ALIVE
Many people have a difficult time remembering the difference between LDL and HDL . . .
“‘L stands for LOUSY’ and ‘H stands for HAPPY’, therefore you want your LDL to be LOW and your HDL to be HIGH.”
W
Tips to Prevent High Cholesterol
hat do cholesterol, basketball and golf have in common? In some sports, the team with the higher score wins, such as basketball. But in others, the low score wins, such as golf. If you want to have a winning cholesterol score, you’ll need to have both high and low numbers – a high number of high density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol, but lower levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad”, cholesterol. “Many people have a difficult time remembering the difference between LDL and HDL,” says Celeste McNeill, RD, LDN, CDE, dietitian and diabetes program coordinator at Frye Regional Medical Center. “I tell them that ‘L stands for lousy’ and ‘H stands for happy’ and therefore you want your LDL to be low and your HDL to be high.” Why are these different levels of cholesterol important? Because high total cholesterol and LDL levels can cause heart disease or even a heart attack. The best way to prevent high cholesterol is to develop a winning game strategy that includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not being overweight and taking medications as necessary.
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from Frye regional medical center
How High Is Too High? High cholesterol typically does not cause any symptoms. The only way you will know if you have high cholesterol is to have a simple blood test called a lipoprotein test. Healthy adults should have this test about every five years. It will tell you your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). Desirable levels for total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/ dL (milligrams per deciliter); for LDL, less than 100 mg/dL; for HDL, 40 mg/dL or higher; and for triglycerides, less than 150 mg/dL.
Too Many Players on the Field Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs to produce hormones, vitamin D and substances to help digest foods. But cholesterol is found many of the foods we eat, especially those such as egg yolks, liver and whole milk. Eating foods high in cholesterol can increase cholesterol levels. Other causes of high cholesterol include having a family history of the condition, age, diabetes, obesity, genetic diseases or a thyroid that does not work properly.
Prevention Is the Best Medicine You can’t change your genetics,
The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
but you can make lifestyle changes to prevent high cholesterol. Stick to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can actually lower blood cholesterol and avoid other types of fats – including saturated fat, trans fat and dietary cholesterol – that tend to raise cholesterol levels. Increase the amount of soluble fiber, such as oatmeal, kidney beans and apples, and add cholesterollowering foods such as margarine. “Also consider soy products,” says McNeill. “Soy contains a compound called ‘isoflavones’ that helps regulate cholesterol levels. Eating soy proteins can reduce your total cholesterol levels,
LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising your HDL cholesterol.”
Exercise on a regular basis. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderateintensity activity, such as brisk walking, on most days of the week. Do not smoke and maintain a healthy weight. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, prevent it from going higher and try to bring it down by taking medications as directed by your physician. Drugs that can help lower LDL cholesterol levels include statins, bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid and ezetimibe. Fibrates can help reduce triglycerides and may increase HDL levels.
Score! Having a winning cholesterol score will take practice, but you’ll come out ahead in the long run by keeping your heart healthy.
Celeste McNeill, RD, LDN, CDE is the
Diabetes Program Coordinator at Frye Regional Medical Center and has over 12 years of experience in her field.
For more information about high cholesterol, talk with your doctor or call 828-315-3391 for a free referral to a cardiologist on staff at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Let the Sun Shine In! Vitamin D is important to Boomer Health
Researchers have found that Vitamin D deficiency may negatively impact immune function and cardiovascular health and increase cancer risk. The Institute of Medicine’s recommended DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) for vitamin D is 400 IU for people 50 to 70 years old.
• Vitamin D aids calcium absorption which helps maintain healthy bones • Boosts the immune system and its function • Reduces inflammation for osteoporosis patients. • Decreases the risk of colorectal cancer, hip fractures and tooth loss. • A study by a team of Harvard scientists suggested that men with the highest levels of Vitamin D in their bloodstream, were least like to have heart attacks. • Vitamin D may help reduce the risk of some autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Doctors recommend 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine, a few times weekly as a way to increase Vitamin-D levels, and the following foods are great sources of Vitamin D:
• 3.5 oz wild fresh salmon has 600 to 1,000 I.U.’s of vitamin D • Milk – 3 servings of low fat or fat-free milk provides
300 IU of vitamin D • 1 Cup of Vitamin D fortified Orange Juice 100 IU
Behind arthritis and hypertension, hearing loss is the third most prevalent but treatable condition. But only 22 percent of those who need hearing aids use them.
SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
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stayin’ ALIVE
Provided by Catawba Valley Medical Center
Protect Your Back & Prevent Injury
B
ack pain is the second most frequent reason for visits to a family physician, just behind the common cold. The American Medical Association (AMA) estimates that approximately 85 percent of adults will experience some form of back pain during their lifetimes. What causes back pain? According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), back pain can be caused by a wide range of factors. The NIH cites certain lifestylerelated issues, such as obesity, smoking, weight gain during pregnancy, stress, poor physical condition, poor posture and poor sleeping position, as contributors to back pain. It also attributes back pain to the following physiological and medical conditions:
• Muscle sprains, strains or spasms • Ruptured discs • Nerve or muscle irritation • Bone lesions • Injury or trauma to the back • Arthritis • Congenital abnormalities of the spine • Osteoporosis • Viral infections • Pinched nerves • Diabetic neuropathy One of the most common – and frequent – causes of back pain is muscle strain. Learning proper lifting and weight-bearing techniques is an important step toward reducing risk. Both Drs. Miller and McCloskey specialize in back and spine
surgery, which can be treatment options for severe back problems. Their commitment to excellence played a big role Catawba Valley Medical Center’s recent ranking of fourth in the state for spine surgery and sixth in the state for overall orthopedic services by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare rating organization. HealthGrades also gave Catawba Valley Medical Center its third consecutive 5-star rating for back and neck surgery (except spinal fusion). For more information about treating back pain or injury, please contact Catawba Valley Neurosurgical & Spine Services at 828/327-6433 in Hickory and 704/871-2949 in Statesville.
To help eliminate the possibility of back strain when lifting or moving heavy objects, consider the following tips: • Don’t rush. • Spread your feet shoulder-width apart to give yourself a solid base of support. • Bend your knees and tighten your stomach muscles. • Position the person or object you are lifting close to your body. • Lift with your leg muscles. Never lift an object by bending over at the waist and keeping your legs straight. • Avoid twisting your body. Instead, point your toes in the direction you want to move and pivot your feet in that direction.
• When placing an object on a high shelf, move close to the shelf. Do not stand far away and extend your arms with the object in your hands. • Maintain the natural curve of your spine; don’t bend at your waist. • When appropriate, use an assistive device, such as a transfer belt, sliding board or draw sheet, to move a person. • Do not try to lift an object by yourself that is too heavy or an awkward shape. Get help. Tips courtesy of Dr. Peter Miller and Dr. Scott McCloskey of Catawba Valley Neurosurgical & Spine Services in Hickory and Statesville.
Shine the light
on your Non-Profit
E
ach month, we feature a local non-profit in the “Pay It Forward” section of The Baby Boomer News. The articles showcase the non-profit’s mission, vision, passion and call our readers to action. Share your non-profit organization’s story with our 40,000+ readers. Send an email with “Pay It Forward” in the subject line to maryann@thebbnews.com.
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
ey
SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
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boomer HUMOR
By Roy Atkins
Absentmindedness
T
hey say that a man’s (BLANK) is always the first thing to go. You may now take a moment to fill in your own word, depending on what you used to have that is now gone, working poorly, or otherwise not as good as new. If you are a male of the species and over the age of thirty or so, I guarantee you have been on the receiving end of this comment. The only way you may have escaped hearing it is if it was your eardrums that were the first to go. Then you didn’t hear it, obviously, but it was still said. The long list of things that I have overheard as first-to-goers includes eyesight, teeth, hair (a perennial favorite), complexion, sense of humor, gall bladder, snow tires, waistline (another recurrent choice), golf swing, knees, bowling arm, feet, wife, cholesterol, blood pressure, money, and a few others of an indelicate nature that I would rather not mention here. Usually it is somebody you know who makes the remark, like your brother-in-law or your neighbor. Other times the observations might be made by a sweet little lady down at the church or your own grandmother. So you have to smile ruefully, shrug your shoulders, and let it pass, even though the temptation is strong to mention to your brother-inlaw that you have more pieces left in working order than he does. You can’t win in these situations, and you’ll end up looking like the bad guy every time you try. In case you are wondering, it really doesn’t matter what your specific affliction is, or whether it has ever happened before during the entire history of the human race. If you were walking down the street and your left arm just fell off, at least one bystander would lean over and whisper to her shopping partner, “I’ve seen it a hundred times. A man’s left arm is always the first to fall off.” And the shopping companion would nod sagely, as if she, too, had stepped over her share of unclaimed left
6
My mind is still up there somewhere holding my ears apart, but I am afraid that I am hopelessly absentminded.
arms. Similarly, if you were jogging in the park and the ground opened in front of you, causing you to tumble all the way to the center of the earth, some knowing soul in the crowd would look over the edge of the chasm and murmur, “A man’s ability to spontaneously levitate when the earth tries to swallow him up is always the first to go.” And the rest of the group would agree that they couldn’t remember when they had last seen a man float on air. In my own case, however, you don’t have to look in deep holes or step over surplus limbs to identify what flew the coop. My mindedness was the first to go, and it has been absent for quite some time. No, not my mind. My mindedness. My mind is still up there somewhere holding my ears apart, but I am afraid that I am hopelessly absentminded. Other words that describe my condition include inattentive, distracted, and preoccupied. Ever since I had more than one child’s name to remember, I would have to recite the entire list to find the name I was looking for. Sometimes the pets or a neighbor or two would get mixed up in there, as well. As the family grew, I would often have to enumerate five or six names before I found the right one. My great grandfather had this same condition, which he resolved by calling all males Dave and all females That Girl. I have to admit that as I get older and my lists of names get longer, his system is starting to have some appeal for me. Word choice can be an issue when you are absentminded. I think I have an adequate vocabulary for most purposes, but periodically I will draw a complete blank while in the middle of a sentence, before I finally recall what…. Places can bring their own set of problems for me. I remember once sitting in my car at one of the local cinemas. It was about one a.m., and I was listening to a talk show from Cleveland while vaguely wondering when the movie that the kids were watching was going to let out. This was back before cellular communication was common, and I couldn’t
The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
My bright 8-year old grandson, DJ, excitedly came running to me exclaiming…
“Pop-Pop, I just found out that I was born on my Birthday!”
boomer reinvention
find a pay phone, so I just decided to wait, enjoying commentary from Ohio while idly watching the sweeper truck drive back and forth over the lot. Presently, a police car cruised onto the asphalt and pulled in beside me. He rolled down his window.
Policeman: Mr. Atkins? Me: Yes? Policeman: Your Missus had a neighbor pick up the kids out at the other theater about two hours ago. She wants you to come home now. Me: Right. My wife was quite upset when I arrived at the house, which is how women sometimes get when they can’t find their children for two hours or their husbands for four.
Have you re-invented yourself?
M
any Boomers across the country have re-invented themselves, from pursuing a passion that may have lain dormant, to trading their house for a motor home to travel the U.S, from working in corporate America to starting their own business, from a life as a couch potato to running a marathon. Whether you’ve charted a new course to improve your health, pursue your passion, or started a new career, we invite you to share your story with our readers. Send an email with “Boomer Re-Invention” in the subject line and a couple of paragraphs describing your re-invention journey to maryann@thebbnews.com.
Wife: How could you go to the wrong theater to pick them up? Me: Like I am the only one who has ever done that. I’m sure it happens all the time. Wife: But you dropped them off at the right theater. She had me there. And now that she had mentioned it, it did seem like the scenery on the way to drop the kids off had been somewhat different than the view had been on the way to pick them up. You know what they say. A man’s sense of direction is always among the first ten or twelve things to go.
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Botox® helps stroke victims & more… The FDA has approved the use of Botox® for treatment of upper limb spasticity – excessive muscle tightness. Henry Winkler (“The Fonz”) has joined The Open Arms Educational Campaign (www. openarmscampaign.com)and Allergan, the maker of Botox®, as the education campaign ambassador. The campaign’s goal is to increase public awareness of the treatments now available for stroke victims, spinal cord and traumatic brain injury and adults with multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. According to Aesthetic Medicine News, not only is Botox being used for the treatment of stroke victims, it is also being used on children with cerebral palsy. For these patients, It works by cutting down involuntary muscle contractions and improving movement; for migraine headache suffers by reducing inflammation and decreasing pain receptor activity; and for men with enlarged prostates, enabling them to urinate easier.
Studies have found an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder. One population-based clinical study found that men who drink green tea are more likely to have lower total cholesterol than those who do not drink green tea. Clinical studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn fat
Green Tea Benefits
Source: University of Maryland Medical Center
vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for “anAunhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. ”
Paul Dudley White
Who knew?
Hula Hoops were Healthy
next time...
stay on Sugar Mountain! Golf • Tennis • Whitewater Rafting Blue Ridge Parkway • Hiking • Biking
Any type of Hula Hooping–regular or weighted hoops can be a great way to add variety to your workout. And the great news is that the best way to use Hula Hoops is in short bursts of 2 minutes (think commercial time!) several times a day. So grab a Hula Hoop and start swaying those hips!
Sugar Mountain Resort Accommodations www.staysugarmountain.com Book online 24/7 • 1.800.438.4555 Located at the time temperature sign at the base of Sugar Mountain
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
stayin’ ALIVE Reprinted with permission by Piedmont HealthCare
Checklist for your annual checkup Going to the doctor for a yearly checkup is an important part of your health routine. It’s easy to rush through and forget questions or concerns when life gets busy with work and family obligations. Try to focus and clear your mind of everything else. Your health deserves your full attention – at least once a year! Coming prepared for a checkup helps you organize your thoughts so your doctor can make better use of limited time. Chances are you’ll be more satisfied with the visit as well. Here’s how to make the most of your annual exam: Ask about general screenings or vaccinations. When making your appointment, find out if it’s time for any shots or tests. For example, you may be due for a tetanus shot, Pap test, mammogram, prostate cancer screening. Knowing in advance helps so that you’re mentally and physically prepared – especially if there are any special instructions to follow such as fasting before a cholesterol test.
Write down a list of questions. Take this list with you and bring a pen to jot down notes as the doctor answers them. When you’re in the doctor’s office, it can be hard to remember everything. If you or a loved one struggles with hearing, understanding or remembering what is said, ask for help. It’s a good idea to bring a friend or family member to your appointment to take notes for you. Think ahead. Now is the time to set your expectations for the next year, whether that includes losing weight, trying to get pregnant, starting an exercise routine, quitting smoking or other goals. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor. He or she may make recommendations or refer you to helpful resources and specialists.
Review your family tree. Think about your family health history. Have any new diseases or conditions occurred in your close relatives since your last visit? Make notes if you need to, and share these with your doctor. If you have a family history of heart disease, stroke, diabetes or cancer, your doctor may emphasize ways to prevent disease and/or recommend using screening tests to help detect disease early. Note any changes to your health. Have you noticed any body changes, including lumps, skin changes, dizziness, pain, menstrual cycle changes or other problems? Are you experiencing depression, anxiety or sleeping problems? If possible, write down when you first noticed the change. This helps your doctor better diagnose and treat you.
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pay it forward
Fort Dobbs a Vision of State History statesville, NC
Fort Dobbs is one of only a few places in the country that visitors can come face-to-face with live demonstrations of 18th century life within the context of a military settlement and Native American history.
N
orth Carolina’s only French and Indian War historic site is making history again. In June, Fort Dobbs State Historic Site unveiled plans to reconstruct the Fort and dramatically enhance its ability to bring 250-year-old history to life and appeal to visitors from around the country. Fort Dobbs is one of only a few places in the country that visitors can come face-to-face with live demonstrations of 18th century life within the context of a military settlement
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
and Native American history. The organization, nationally recognized for its authentic historical interpretations of Cherokee and British frontier military and civilian life, hosts battle re-enactments and educational programs throughout the year. As the only government military installation between Southern Virginia and South Carolina in the mid-18th century during the French and Indian War era, it served as an important defense center for frontier settlers and soldiers living at the very edges of the British Empire. Armed with plans to reconstruct the 18thcentury Fort, Visitor Center and progressive interactive experiences, the Friends of Fort Dobbs Board of Trustees is calling on North Carolinians to help bring this piece of state history to life, by building what promises to be a destination of national proportions. “Visitors will stand on the same spot people stood 250 years ago and see what has not been seen since the 18th century,” exclaimed Comprehensive Interpretive Plan designer, Bill Haley. The Friends of Fort Dobbs commissioned Haley, of UKbased Haley Sharpe Design, with a $150,000 federal grant awarded by the Institute of Library and Museum Services. Haley is internationally renowned for developing interactive
pay it forward visitor experiences for other distinctive historical destinations including Stonehenge, Historic Jamestowne, Valley Forge and the Smithsonian. “Bill Haley has brought a vision for Fort Dobbs that creates environments and interactive exhibits to transport and enlighten visitors in a way that will be unlike any that exist for this specific French and Indian War history,” said Friends of Fort Dobbs Board Member and Capital Campaign Chairman, Dave Grogan. Grogan was one of 125 supporters who gathered to celebrate the unveiling of Fort Dobbs’ future. Presentations included artist renderings and an animated flythrough of the two-story fort that will feature rooms from sleeping quarters to cooking and eating areas where Witness a reenactment of a skirmish interpreters will guide visitors through between Cherokee Indians and colonial stories and history of North Carolina’s militia and experience the Carolina ancestry. The event was also the kickoff frontier. Throughout acres of activities, of a $2.6 million capital campaign to hundreds of costumed interpreters fund the first phase of construction will welcome visitors into their camp focused on rebuilding the fort and for hands-on demonstrations of 18th associated infrastructure. century trades and camp life. A Fort Dobbs event would not
Eighteenth Century
Trade Faire october 2-3, 2010
be complete without the fanfare of marching frontier soldiers and period music mingling with the buzzing imaginations of history enthusiasts. Such was the scene when state and local dignitaries joined media and Fort Dobbs supporters for what may be the most significant event in the historic site’s anthology since the battle of Fort Dobbs in 1760. “The reconstruction will be a big draw for visitors to come and not just see the building, but also its inner-workings and daily life of the soldiers. They’ll be able to smell the fires cooking and see the beds upon which the soldiers would sleep. It’s going to be a very powerful experience,” said Scott Douglas, Fort Dobbs site interpreter. Fort Dobbs covers 31 acres of verdant, rolling hills and stands of trees. It already welcomes about 27,000 visitors a year. Reconstruction projects over the next seven to ten years
are estimated to attract more than 125,000 visitors, support more than 400 jobs and generating $21 million in economic impact. As one of the 27 state historic sites in North Carolina, the project holds a significant spot on the horizon for the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. An enthusiastic Linda Carlisle, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, expressed support for the site’s promising future in her rallying
keynote speech. “I am confident that the Fort Dobbs you envision today will be the Fort Dobbs of tomorrow,” said Secretary Carlisle, “We are in this with you.” Volunteer leaders have begun the heavy lifting to get funding in place before breaking ground on the first construction project. Fort Dobbs wants you to be a part of making history by getting involved in reconstructing the fort. To learn more, visit www. fortdobbs.org and follow the “Support Fort Dobbs” prompt for information on becoming a member. Have questions? Call Fort Dobbs at 704.873.5882.
SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
11
Dirty Dancing W
Festival at Lake Lure
Sept. 17 and18
hether you have two left feet or can dance circles around the best of us, the inaugural “Dirty Dancing Festival” on September 17-18th relives memories of Baby’s first dance in the film’s original, breathtaking backdrop of Lake Lure, NC. From lessons and games to competitions and entertainers, the family-friendly weekend is dance-packed. Tickets for the Dirty Dancing Festival are on sale now at www.DirtyDancingFestival.com.
The full weekend schedule includes: Lakeside Film Screening - Friday Evening, Sept. 17: Guests will remember the magic of Dirty Dancing while watching the movie against the waterfront site of “the lift” on the original location of Johnny’s cabin. The Dirty Dancing Festival - Saturday Afternoon, Sept. 18: This outdoor festival will showcase live music by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs (singer and writer of the platinum hit, Stay from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack), dance performances by the “A-Lure” Dirty Dancing Review Dancers, Dirty Dancing storytellers, family-friendly games, dance lessons, a dance competition & more. The Time of Your Life Gala - Saturday Evening, Sept. 18: Have the time of your life and complete the weekend with an elegant 1960s-inspired gala featuring surprise dance performances from the film, a silent auction of movie memorabilia, a live 1950s/1960s band, and a professional and amateur shag competition.
Visit www.DirtyDancingFestival.com for complete festival details, times and additional information
Sept. 23 –26
Mayberry Days Relive memories of growing up watching Andy, Aunt Bee, Barney and Opie at the 21st Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy September 23-26. This year’s event marks the 50th anniversary of the popular show! Carolina Beach Music and Dance, Gospel, Classic Bluegrass and Mayberry Trivia contests with a side of barbeque make this a perfect weekend to take a step back in time with other fans of “The Any Griffith Show”
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
www.mayberrydays.org/ for complete details or call 336-786-7998 for more information
mation
y sary
and a of
on
Blue Ridge
Heritage Days
The Blue Ridge Heritage Days in Blowing Rock, September 11-18, is the perfect place to participate in the celebration. A parade of antique cars will kick off music, exhibits of traditional crafting and end with a street dance. Storytelling and lectures will take place recounting the many and varied stories of the Parkway’s development around Blowing Rock. Stores will feature artifacts and vignettes representing milestones on the Parkway. On Saturday, September 18, Appreciation Ceremonies will be help at Memorial Park and include local, state, and federal dignitaries leading up to the grand parade.
Sept. 11 –18
The Blue Ridge Parkway is 75!
All Aboard!
Sept. 17 –19
E
very year railroad enthusiasts and history buffs from around the world gather in Bryson City for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s Railfest. This year, the 9th Annual weekend railroading event takes place September 17, 18 and 19 in Bryson City, NC. The fun begins Friday night with a special “Wet Your Whistle” kick-off celebration train reception. The weekend long festival offers guests a taste of railroad food, memorabilia, storytelling, dance, music, special excursions and events that happen only once a year. On Saturday, a Mountain Craft Fair will open with nearly 50 area crafters’ work on display, including pottery and artwork. Local entertainment will feature singing, dancing and mountain folk music. On Sunday there will be a Nantahala Gorge “Photo Special” rail excursion. This eight-hour roundtrip ride will take guests from Bryson City to Andrews and includes two photo run-by opportunities, a picnic lunch and complimentary wine tasting from Calaboose Cellars. www.gsmr.com for more details. SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
13
t Viewmon Street Strut
shop LOCAL Saturday
September 25 9:00am-?
Hello, Neighbors! Let me introduce myself… my name is Velma, and I’m from the Viewmont area of Hickory. That’s right, Viewmont Velma, and you may have seen me around town lately. I’m really looking forward to getting to know you all a little better. I have not lived here very long, but already feel right at home. I was drawn to this neighborhood by the diverse nature of the restaurants and shops right here in my own backyard. I am also really impressed with how many extremely talented artists and musicians live and work here. That is why I’m excited to tell you about something that is happening in our neighborhood on Saturday, September 25. Many of the businesses, artists, and restaurants in the area are participating in the 1st annual Viewmont Street Strut. It’s going to be a full day of entertainment, food, games, art and special sales in the stores. So many terrific businesses are participating! In fact, the list keeps growing every day. I do know, though, that I’m definitely going to visit some of my favorite stores that day, including Bumblebee Interiors, Café Gouda, England Brothers Detailing, Mountain First Bank, Paw Tales, Razzberries, Village Kitchen, Warehouse 2120, and Youssef 242. I just love the idea of being able to meet my neighbors, and am so glad that my good friends, Debra
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
Whitson and Pamela Lee of Warehouse 2120, came up with this idea. Debra said “This is going to be a great way for our friends and customers to sample the variety of talent, food, and diverse shopping that we have in Viewmont.” Debra’s enthusiasm for sharing life and fun with friends is contagious, which made it easy to unite others to create this event for all of us to enjoy. Donna Price, from Bumblebee Interiors, shared with me that she is looking forward to the Street Strut. “This is an excellent opportunity for area businesses to bond with each other, and give the community a chance to support our local economy”, she said. Every company is going to be doing something different to celebrate that day; I plan to start early, and finish late! There are going to be wine tastings, decorating demonstrations, live entertainment, free food, special sale discounts, fun activities for the kids, Sparky the Fire Dalmatian, and so much more! Margie Rapp, at Café Gouda, told me that she’s even going to have local artists displaying their handiwork and having a special tasting event of her gourmet beers for us to enjoy. So, let’s all get together for the Street Strut. Look for me as you are out around town, and stop to say hello. I am definitely telling all of my friends to join me, and invite you to do the same. Be sure to tell everyone that Velma sent you! Velma would like to thank a few people for their help in sending you this invitation. Thanks go to Naomi Mich, a senior at Hickory High School, for creating the perfectly lifelike portrait of Velma. Thanks, also, go to LeAnna Graves for helping with the typing, as Velma’s hands were absolutely too full of shopping bags to do it herself.
Street Strut Businesses! Ace Hardware American Upper Cervical Spine Clinic Backstreets Bar & Grill Benjamin’s and Libba’s of Hickory Bistro 127 Bumblebee Interiors Café Gouda Copperbean Coffee CrossFit Deborah’s Gracious Gifts England Brothers Platinum Detailing Firehouse Subs Frankie Bruno Salon Harrisburg Music and Trading Co., Inc. Health Hut of Hickory Hen & Chicken Papers Hickory Acupuncture Hickory Fireplace & Patio Java Journey Lazy Dog Saloon Lisa’s Hallmark
Mountain 1st Bank & Trust Need A Tan Paw Tales Razzberries Reflection Church Residence Partners Richard Anthony Hair Rita’s Italian Ice Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina Social Butterflz & Gifts Jagged Edge Salon Unique World Gifts Viewmont Auto Center Viewmont Eye Associates Viewmont Service Center Village Kitchen Violets & Martinis Warehouse 2120 Wild Birds Unlimited Windy City Grill (Homer’s) Youssef’s 242 and Many More!
46 Years of Exceptional Music!
Masterworks I “Things that go Bump in the Night” Saturday, October 9, 2010 8 PM J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, Lenoir NC Guest Artist: Gregory Knight, Piano For more info: (828)324-8603 www. wpsymphony.org
SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
15
boomer pets Jane Barber, DVM, ms, dact
What do you mean,
I’m not insured?
Y
ou’re a Baby Boomer - you’re financially secure, your kids are grown, you have property/home owner’s insurance, life insurance, medical and dental insurance, not to mention long-term care insurance. You even have your funeral paid for. Believe it or not, over 98% of you are not insured - for your pet’s health care, that is. Let me introduce you to Winnie. Winnie is the cutest, best tempered English bulldog on the face of the earth. She never met a stranger and loves everyone at first sight. Winnie lives with her “parents,” Jana and Chaz, a young newlywed couple. Winnie is their first “child.” Since bringing home their little bundle of joy, Jana and Chaz have had to deal with an endless number of problems related to owning a “high maintenance” breed: allergies, mange, dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, lameness, hip dysplasia, eyelid surgery, to name but a few. Winnie’s veterinary bills to date exceed $4,000 and she is just three years old. Even if you don’t have one of the high maintenance breeds, illness can strike your pet. Consider Sophie, a 5-year-old Labrador retriever who enjoyed perfect health until she got into “something” that affected the ability of her blood to clot properly. Multiple blood transfusions, medications, diagnostic testing and critical care brought her bill to over $18,000. Fortunately, both Winnie’s and Sophie’s bills were covered by pet health insurance. Their owners were among the 1.5% of pet owners that are insured. Today, diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for our furry children parallel those available for our human children. In fact, advances in veterinary technology often precede advances on the human side of things. Research in companion animals on new diagnostic tools, medications and surgical procedures pioneers the way for innovations in human medicine. So it just makes sense that high tech procedures such as CT scans or total hip replacement surgery are available to our four-legged family members.
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
With state-of-the-art technology and extensive veterinary offerings, costly medical bills are fairly common. Equally common is an owner’s inability to pay unexpected bills. This can mean euthanasia for many pets that may otherwise be “fixable.” As a veterinarian, nothing is sadder than seeing a client who can’t afford to pay for a pet’s treatment. Economic euthanasia is emotionally debilitating for everyone involved- the pet’s family, the veterinary hospital staff and the doctor. According a recent (2009-2010) survey, U.S. households spend $12.8 billion annually on veterinary care. Although it is a cost that caring pet owners willingly pay, bills can run to hundreds even thousands of dollars. If you think you aren’t likely to be burdened with a big vet bill this year, think again - one in three pets will require unexpected veterinary care this year. And every six seconds a U.S. pet owner is faced with a $1,000 vet bill. As a veterinarian, I struggle with the PROS and CONS of pet health insurance. For me, the first CON - having to deal with the paperwork generated when a client files a claim. A second CON - I have absolutely no desire to be an insurance salesperson. A third CON - I have a genuine fear that pet insurance companies may someday become the “big brother” of veterinary medicine as have their human counterparts. We veterinarians are very independent, and as a group would not take lightly to some 18-year-old sitting behind a desk
at the insurance office dictating to us what diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures we could and could not do for a pet entrusted into our care. The PROS to pet health insurance are more straightforward. For me, it’s all about being able practice quality medicine unfettered by economic constraints. My patient, when insured, benefits from access to the best diagnostic and treatment modalities. With pet health insurance, the unacceptable option of an economic euthanasia is eliminated. This is a huge PRO. owe it to my patients to educate their owners about health insurance options. The learning curve can be pretty steep. Pet insurance coverage is more closely modeled after car insurance than human health insurance. It is a fee-for-service indemnity insurance, offering compensation for unexpected health bills. Plans typically require a deductible, pay a portion of the total bill and have an annual reimbursement cap. The average plan for animals under six years of age costs $30 to $40 a month. Many insurance companies include pet insurance in their portfolios, and at least a dozen specialize in it. Visit the websites AAHAhealthypet.com and PetInsuranceReview.com to get started with the basics of pet insurance.
I
Dr. Barber invites you to call her office at 828-478-3500 to schedule a pet insurance consultation.
Pet insurance providers EMBRACE PET INSURANCE HARTVILLE GROUP INC PET FIRST HEALTH CARE PET PARTNERS INC. (AKC) PETPLAN USA PETS BEST INSURANCE PURINACARE PET HEALTH INSURANCE VETERINARY PET INSURANCE (VPI) TRUPANION 24PETWATCH INSURANCE
www.embracepetinsurance.com www.hartvillegroup.com www.petfirsthealthcare.com www.akcpethealthcare.com/BHIA www.gopetplan.com www.petsbest.com www.purinacare.com www.petinsurance.com www.trupanionpetinsurance.com www.24petwatch.com/petinsurance
6 TIPS
FOR RESEARCHING PET HEALTH INSURANCE 1: How well established is the company? Over 60 pet insurance companies have gone out of business in the US. Make sure that the company you select is well-established with a solid track record of covering pets and paying claims.
2: Who can provide veterinary care to your pet? Does the plan allow your pet to visit your chosen family veterinarian or will you be required to be seen by an innetwork provider? Does the policy cover emergency care and referral to specialists?
3: Does the policy cover hereditary conditions? Some insurance companies automatically exclude hereditary conditions or offer very limited coverage. If you have a pet with a hereditary condition, the best plan for you will cover such conditions with no condition-specific time or dollar limits. You can expect an annual limit, but hopefully this can be chosen by you, to fit your budget.
4: Is there a time limit for treatment per condition? Some pet insurance companies only pay for an illness for a finite time period, and then upon policy renewal will classify the condition as pre-existing. If your pet develops a chronic disease or condition such as diabetes or osteoarthritis, treatment may be life-long. In such cases, will your pet be covered in subsequent years provided that you renew your policy each year?
5: Is there a dollar limit per condition? Be aware of some policies that offer illness- or injury- specific coverage limits. Check the maximum benefit for veterinary fees and whether this amount is reinstated yearly, or whether there is a running total per condition.
6: What do I need to know about MY pet when it comes to pet insurance? It will be well worth your time and money to schedule a visit with a professional who can provide counsel as to your pet’s high risk breed predispositions. Your veterinarian is the logical choice for this consultation.
SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
17
By Thomas Schell, D.V.M, DABVP, Nouvelle Veterinary, Inc., Timbercreek Veterinary Hospital PC
boomer pets
Part One Natural Therapies
for Better Health…
For our Pets and Their Owners
I
n last month’s issue, I discussed the topic of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. This article is one in a series that will focus on our exploring the various components and building blocks of health and well-being in humans and animals. An apple a day keeps the doctor away…right? The fact is, there is truth in this statement, maybe not strictly pertaining to an apple, but more so to nutrition itself. Look at the average human diet of today versus 40 years ago or even just 20 years ago. Today, fast food is the rule more so than the exception. As a parent, our children have friends that have never had corn on the cob let alone a home cooked meal. As a child, I remember eating McDonald’s as a “special occasion” treat once a month. Look at the today’s average human diet and its possible correlation to the rise in disease that we are seeing. How many diabetics do you know? How many with asthma, poor circulation to their legs, allergies and even cancer? Back in the 1970’s, cancer was around, but it was a rarity to actually know someone that suffered from it. Now, most can name at least two people that they know that have cancer. The National Institute of Health claims that 45% of humans will contract cancer in their lifetime. The National Canine
Is running a thing of the past?
Cancer Foundation claims that 35% of canines will contract cancer as well. It is hard to find stats over the past several decades for comparison, but I know based on recent articles that the overall incidence has increased. However, one can also raise the issue that the “early detection” factor has increased the number of cases that are diagnosed. The unfortunate side of the coin is that the overall survival term for cancer victims has barely moved over the past few decades despite recent medical advances. As a practicing veterinarian, I encounter dogs, cats and even horses with cancer on a daily basis. Maybe you own a dog or cat with allergies, asthma, arthritis or even cancer. Or, a friend’s dog has diabetes? Why are these diseases becoming commonplace? The answer, I believe, comes back to the nutrition in our diet and the lack thereof. In order to understand the development of disease, let’s view the body (animal or human) as a machine - essentially. What goes in is what comes out! The body is dependent on various nutrients, vitamins and minerals to perform its daily functions, one of which is maintaining a healthy immune response system. Of course, there are other vital functions of the body such as bone strength, muscle tone, cardiovascular function, liver function, kidney function, digestion and even mental acuity. All of which are vital to ensuring the healthy movement of
™
may be the answer! An all natural veterinarian formulated antioxidant based herbal supplement used in clinical practice for over 3 years with tremendous success!
For more information call 336.428.7857 or visit 18
The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
Cur-OST
www.cur-ost.com
blood and removal of toxins from the body which in turn contribute to our overall well-being. In recent scientific literature, the focus is shifting to concerns of the immune system because of the proliferation of poor immune response conditions suffered by growing numbers of both humans and animals. The immune system itself is composed of various white blood cells called lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils as well as the production of various antibodies. Its main function is to protect the body from external invaders such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. The immune system is present externally at the skin and internally in the bloodstream and intestinal tract. Basically, it covers and guards against invasion at all possible sources of entrance into the body. The body’s immune response to invaders is activated by signaling proteins when free radicals or toxins are detected. The strength of this system dictates both human and animal levels of health by protecting against invading organisms, identifying abnormal cells that may become cancerous or not over-reacting to external stimulants such as pollen. All of this is impacted by our diet, which we will discuss in more detail in next month’s article.
Is Your Longevity Plan up to Date? Your personal Longevity Plan will help you stay independent, keep your dignity and not be a burden on your family during your later years.
Tom Schell, D.V.M is affiliated with Timbercreek Veterinary Hospital, PC and Nouvelle Veterinary Research, both located in Jonesville, NC. Through research and clinical experience, they have released two nutraceutical products for use in dogs and horses afflicted with inflammatory conditions. www.cur-ost.com, www.timbercreekvet.com.
For help developing a personal Longevity Plan for your Boomer Years, let us help! Jeffrey R. Karp, CLU, ChFC, CASL™ Jeffrey P. Kendall, CFP® Karp Financial Strategies 139 W. McNeely Ave. Mooresville, NC 28115 704-658-1929 www.karpfinancial.com Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor – Member FINRA, SIPC. Karp Financial Strategies is not affiliated with LPL Financial.
Skip the Salt
The American Heart Association suggests healthy adults limit salt intake to 2,300 mg a day, less than 1,500 a day for those with high blood pressure. Some of our favorite fast foods sodium content: Chic-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich 1290 mg McDonald’s Quarter Pounder 770 mg Arby’s Super Roast Beef Sandwich 1130 mg Panera Tuna Salad on Multigrain 1790 mg Hardee’s “Baked from scratch” Biscuit 890 mg Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Donut 95 mg Starbucks Grande Mocha Frapp-no whip 250 mg Source: Fast Food Facts
SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
19
boomer ESSAY
by Linda S. Amtutz
The Last Rite of Passage
W
e Baby Boomers have zipped through most of our rites of passage with hardly a moment’s hesitation (our first bifocals, our last cigarette, our first grey hair, our first senior discount, our first Early Bird dinner, that first social security check), so then why, oh why, do we struggle with that last rite of passage? You know the one I’m talking about. Your doctor started nagging you about it around the time of your 50th, or 55th birthday. That’s right -- the dreaded colonoscopy. Forget that it saves lives. Forget that the colonoscopy should be heralded as the one true super power we can all harness to help us avoid – yes avoid! – colon cancer. We are still afraid of it. But, why? It’s not painful. As a matter of fact, you sleep right through it, which is more than I can say for my last mammogram. Not only do you sleep right through it, but there are no consequences. No hangover, no bar tab, no spousal recriminations. So why do boomers balk at the idea of a colonoscopy? I’ll tell you why: It’s the prep that has us scared to death. But, why? The prep doesn’t hurt; it’s not painful at all, but it scares the poop out of us. Literally. The doctors claim they must have a clean palette (so to speak) in which to stick their little camera. All those years of medical school and they still can’t tell the difference between poop and a polyp. Can you believe that? So, anyway, that means your bowels and colon must be squeaky clean. And, evidently, the only way to do that is with
They call it Go Lightly, Co-Clean, Fleet and a bunch of other nice, clean names. Take my word for it, there’s nothing clean or lightly about this prep.
laxatives and colon cleansers. We’re not talking about some Activia yogurt here; we’re talking about something that would send Jamie Lee Curtis screaming into the woods. They call it Go Lightly, Co-Clean, Fleet and a bunch of other nice, clean names. Take my word for it, there’s nothing clean or lightly about this prep. You take a pill, or two, you drink some salty drink (which mixes quite nicely with Crystal Light Lemonade Mix to make an almost-margarita) and then you lay claim to a bathroom in the house, marking it Off-Limits to anyone but yourself. And really, why would anyone else even want to use that bathroom once you’ve been in there? And in there you’ll be. For what seems like hours. Going and going and going. And then drinking and drinking and drinking. And then going and going and going. All night long. If you’re lucky, you’ll make it to the commode in time. If you’re not lucky, you will shake your head, curse your doctor and swear to never do this again. The next morning, you will pray that you can make it to the doctor’s office without any more special deliveries. The nurses will give you an IV and you will sleep. When you wake up, you will be rested and refreshed. You will not have to go to the bathroom anymore, thank goodness. You might need to push some air from your body; you might not, depending on what method your doctor uses to take his tour of your Netherlands. Does that really sound so bad? Doesn’t it sound a heck of a lot better than colon cancer? So, if you haven’t had your first colonoscopy, do it now. And if you’ve already had yours, spread the word: Colonoscopies save lives. They really do. They save lives …. but they sure as heck mess up a perfectly nice evening. And a pretty bathroom.
©2010 Linda S Amstutz. You can read more humor from Ms Amstutz at www.anotherlinda.com and you can contact her at anotherlinda@earthlink.net
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
boomer generations By Amy Sherman, LMHC
How to Remain Close with the Kids
O
ne of the most important relationships you’ll ever have is with your children. Now that they’re older, with their own lives and interests apart from you, how can you keep the relationship and bond strong and healthy? Here are several effective principles that will enhance your relationship and keep you close:
1
Be willing to listen first, and then offer opinions, rather than turning the dialogue into a lecture. Anybody will shut down if what you say sounds like a sermon. Therefore, be a good listener, using reflective listening skills. You may say something like, “I understand what you’re saying. You feel… However, I would like to assure you that…”
2
Improve your understanding by using good body language. Be sure that your facial expression and words are in alignment because body language reveals an overall emotional tone.
3
Encourage a free expression of feelings, thoughts and ideas. This would keep the conversation open and maintain an awareness of the child’s perspective.
4
Allow “special together time”. In other words, save time in your day or week to go shopping with your 12 year old, a movie with your 15 year old or out to dinner with your 22 year old. Be generous
d! t ite tru v In t S 0 n e t re e 2 0 1 o y t S 5, er Ev mon er 2 w mb Vie pte Se
with your love, hugs and complements. This encourages a sense of trust and closeness, which is essential for security and well-being.
5
Be empathetic. By putting yourself in your teen’s or young adult’s shoes you begin to remember what it was like to be that age—what you were afraid of, what your most important concerns were, what you needed from others. Remember that all feelings they experience are real and should never be discounted.
6
Practice being a good role model. Therefore, express the traits you want your children to copy, such as respect, fairness, friendliness, honesty, kindness and tolerance of others. How you handle your anger, for instance, is the behavior you pass on to your children. If you don’t like what you see, take a look at yourself.
7
Be a strong support system for your children. As a support, you are available when they need to talk. You are there to help and encourage them. Seize every available moment to make a connection. Help your children identify other supportive people in their lives with whom they can also talk.
8
Make flexibility a priority. Try not to base your expectations on “shoulds”. Every child is different and his/her response to a situation will be unique. For instance, you’re getting a divorce after 30 years of marriage. Some children will react with anger, sadness, or guilt. Others will react with complete silence. Adjust your handling of each child according to the personality and needs of the individual. Understand that you have an enormous responsibility as a parent, but be patient and tolerant. In addition, be aware of your own special needs and limitations. You have strengths and weaknesses and with an awareness of both, you need to be kinder and gentler with yourself. If you take care of yourself and your own wellbeing, you are modeling an important value for your children, as well.
Amy Sherman, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice. Amy is the author of the eBook, “Distress-Free Aging: A Boomer’s Guide to Creating a Fulfilled and Purposeful Life” and “The Joy of Optimism 10-Lesson eCourse. Visit www.bummedoutboomer.com to learn more about boomer issues and to receive a Special Report on Overcoming Adversity when you sign up for her FREE newsletter. Contact her by email at amy@bummedoutboomer.com or by phone at 561-281-2975.
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om
sc ue d Ho m e Go od s! An Ar ti s ti c T wi s t on Re et , Hi ck or y NC 21 20 No r th Ce nt er St re 82 8- 85 5- 04 07 SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
21
remembering the way we were
By Larry Johnson
Cowboys and Horses
I
t’s an impulse item I realize, but I want it. Actually, it’s two impulse items. There’s a new consignment store just up the street from us. We wandered through there one day last week, just to see what they had. There wasn’t any intent to buy anything; we were looking more to see what we owned that we could send down there. Then I saw it. Sometimes, an item is so unique and perfect that you just have to have it, regardless of the practicality or cost. There it was, staring at me. A piece of my heritage. A stuffed adult American Bison. In great shape. When you see these come up for sale, they tend to be a bit “shopworn”. Apparently stuffed bison have a relatively short life expectancy. This one, however, is in fantastic shape. I have no idea where it came from or how it happened to be in store, just down the street from me. But this Master of the Plains was right there just waiting to find a new home. Our home! Live bison are a pain in the butt. They’re as big as a Toyota and about as bright as a houseplant. These are not relatives of
KEVIN COLE
P H O T O G R A P H Y 704.699.2290 www.kevincolephoto.com
22
kevin@kevincolephoto.com
The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
Bessie the Cow, gently chewing her cud while you massage their mammary glands to retrieve the milk. At the Wichita Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, Oklahoma, they lose a couple of tourists a year because some moron decides to “pet” the buffalo. People who live in the area tend to think of it as Darwin’s theory in action. A stuffed one, though, is a glorious thing. Just the conversation piece that a large house like ours needs. Guests couldn’t help but talk about it. I’d talked myself out of it, though, because it’s really not practical. And it’s big and just not practical. It’s just something else to dust. Did I mention that it’s not very practical? We are downsizing, not acquiring. Then fate stepped in with the perfect complement to a stuffed bison and I had to reconsider my decision. It’s as if the stars lined up and said “buy these things.” Last month on the radio, they announced that Trigger was for sale. For those not in the know, Trigger is Roy Roger’s horse, the bookend to Dale Evan’s mount, Buttercup. When Trigger made that last ride into the sunset, Roy had him stuffed and mounted. The Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, Missouri is apparently a victim of the economic crisis. All of the contents went to auction through Christie’s Auction House
– including Trigger. It’s kind of sad that the museum won’t be around any more, although the generations that ran around the back yard with a plan to “. . . head ‘em off at the pass and then string ‘em up for rustlin’ cattle,” is also on the downhill slide. Roy’s not in syndication anywhere that I can find, and even his DVD’s are on the $1 rack most of the time. The market for used cowboys is pretty slim these days. The original Trigger was destined for fame in the movies. He was born on Bing Crosby’s ranch in 1934, acquired by Roy Rogers in 1938 and renamed from “Golden Cloud” to “Trigger”. He went on to be in all of Roy Roger’s movies – 188 of them – as well as on the Roy Roger’s TV show between 1951 and 1957. Trigger had his own fan club during that time. One has to wonder if Dale ever got that much screen time or attention. She just got buried when she passed, and there’s no mention made of whatever happened to Buttercup. Of course, Roy didn’t have any say in what happened to Dale since he went first. She presumably had enough sense not to try to stuff him to go along with Trigger. I got to see him once (Trigger, not Roy), when I was in the 3rd grade. Trigger was part of a travelling display that went to the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, and our class went on a field trip there. You couldn’t pet him (Trigger, not Roy), but you could see him up close. As I recall, holsters and firearms that were along on the trip by the third graders -- and there were more than a few -- were allowed in those pre-metal detector days. It’s kind of a sad comment on our culture that there’s no longer enough interest in a cowboy icon – or his horse – to maintain a museum in Branson, Missouri, of all places. So the chance to get THE Trigger – along with a buffalo, to boot – well, these opportunities come across but once in a lifetime. I’m trying to talk myself out of it, though. I probably won’t buy the buffalo or bid on Trigger. Practicality
will dictate over the heart and we’ll let this opportunity slide. Did I mention that Trigger isn’t any more practical than the Buffalo? So, guess I’ll have to say “Happy Trails” to Trigger and let him ride off into the sunset alongside the buffalo.
Editor’s Note: Trigger sold at auction for $266,500 to a Nebraska cable TV Network
Larry Johnson is an attorney and overeducated late-40’s guy who seeks validation as a stained glass artisan, accordion player and “Master Gardener”. Read his blog at www.cornerat8th.blogspot.com. He invites comments, even snarky ones, on his life observations.
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SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
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The three legged stool of longevity
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise By Jeffrey R. Karp CLU, ChFC, CASL™
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n the spring of 2005, I wrote an article titled “The Boomers Are Coming - Facing the Dilemma of Long Term Care.” Well, Paul Revere, the boomers are here! The fact is that baby boomers start turning 65 in 2011 and the number of older people will increase dramatically during the 2010 to 2030 period. The older population in 2030 is projected to be twice as large as in 2000, growing from 35 million to 71.5 million. [Source: 2009 Long Term Care Insurance Sourcebook, American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance]. The average lifespan for a 65 year old, today is 82.7 years old and 25% of this group is expected to live to age 90.1 The conclusion to be reached from all these statistics is that the longevity revolution is upon us. What concept is a better example of “change as the law of life”, than the inevitable process of aging? As for the past – Planning for retirement used to be easy. People worked until age 65, retired and lived on a pension, traveled for a few years and than passed away. Now the issues focus on healthcare, running out of money and support care for non-medical needs and the possibility of living too long. We are seeing it in our parents’ generation but struggle to imagine these challenges in our own futures. in the present – Uncertainty in the healthcare delivery system, social security, job security and the financial stresses of supporting children and aging parents makes it difficult to find the time and energy to build the blueprint for our own retirement. for the future – The good news is that the trend for baby boomers awareness is improving. As a group, we are eating better, exercising more and seeking more help to plan to maximize the gift of a long life. Psychologically, it may be difficult to acknowledge the actual age number, but in general, boomers are embracing aging, whether crossing the 50 line (and the first AARP letter), hitting the 60 mark
or landing on 65 (the opportunity to apply for Medicare). Shining examples of what the future can be include the likes of George Bush, Sr., as he parachutes from a plane in his 80’s, Tina Turner, as she rocks another concert in her 60’s or John Glenn, after his last trip to space at age 77. Unfortunately, no one knows whether they will be blessed with a long life free of any medical issues, or a life challenged by medical and long term care issues. Even those blessed with the gift of good health and long life may have to deal with the effects of the natural wear and tear on the human body and the potential need for assistance in basic life activities. As we have seen over the past year, our country has been focused on the healthcare delivery system, but little conversation about the need for long term care for the aging population has taken place. -John F. Kennedy While the percent of Americans who are expected to need long-tem care is about 50%-60%, the percentage of Americans who have ever purchased a long-term care policy sits at only about 6%. By 2050, the number of individuals using paid long-term care services in any setting (e.g., at home, residential care such as assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities) will likely double from the 13 million using services in 2000, to 27 million people.2 This estimate is influenced by growth in the population of older people in need of care. ore that two-fifths (42%) of people age 65 and over reported some sort of functional limitation. Eighteen percent had difficulty with one to two Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Five percent had difficulty with three or four ADLs. And three percent had difficulty with five to six ADLs. [Source: 2009 Long Term Care Insurance Sourcebook, American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance] So, what is long term care and where does it fit in the comprehensive longevity plan you are building? By definition, long term care is provided to individuals who,
money money
Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
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due to medical, physical or cognitive impairment, have functional limitations and cannot perform two of six Activities of Daily Living without assistance. These activities include: eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring and continence. Nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, adult day care centers and home health care are all options for long term care delivery. It is important to plan for the possible need for long term care support to alleviate the financial and emotional drain on the surrounding family. In the current market, the average annual cost of a nursing home nationwide is approximately $51,000/year or ($140/ day) and in urban areas even higher, at an average annual cost of approximately $73,000 per year ($200/day).1 These numbers will only get bigger as a larger group of people will compete for a limited amount of resources. ow that we have defined what it is and what it may cost, how do we pay for it? Again, studies show that over 50% of nursing home residents exhaust their resources to pay for care.1 Some of this may be by plan, but most is due to a lack of plan.
I have a saying, “Expect the best, but, plan for the worst.”
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hile this may sound pessimistic, the philosophy actually provides the peace and security we all seek in our future lives. Build your longevity plan with all the best assumptions but be sure to include strategies to handle the obstacles that may occur. The addition of a long term care insurance policy may help deal with the inevitable process of aging.
Here are some common solutions:
Please contact Jeff Karp at Karp Financial Strategies to assist in the design of your longevity plan at 704-658-1929 or visitwww.karpfinancial.com. Jeffrey R. Karp is President and Founder of Karp Financial Strategies. Karp Financial Strategies specializes in helping clients manage wealth for today, financial security for tomorrow, enjoyment for a lifetime. Visit us at www.karpfinancial.com or 704-658-1929. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.
Self funding any long term care needs out of the existing retirement accounts. This strategy uses $1 of cash for every dollar of need but if no need ever arises, then no money was spent on premiums.
This information in the material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, please consult a qualified advisor. Investing involves risk including loss of principal.
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using the medicare/medicaid system.
Medicare is a federally funded system designed to pay for medical expenses, not non-medical expenses. Medicare’s skilled nursing facility benefit will pay the cost of some skilled care in an approved nursing home or in your home but only in specific situations and only to a maximum of 100 days. Then there are Medicare supplement policies but they follow the rules of Medicare and focus on offsetting the deductibles and coinsurance provisions within the Medicare system. They do not cover long term care needs. Medicaid is a public health program designed to provide benefits to the poor. Individuals who qualify must meet set income poverty levels defined by the state of residence. For this strategy to work you must, in essence, bankrupt yourself in order to qualify.
1) U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, Health Insurance Association of America, and New England Journal of Medicine 2) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Department of Labor
relying on family care. Families can take responsibility for providing care and support for their aging parents. Family dynamics, geography and financial capabilities determine the viability of this option. The term “sandwich generation” defines a group of people who have to deal with both child support and parent support issues. This additional stress can be difficult to manage in an already complicated world. Purchasing Long Term Care Insurance.
This risk sharing strategy with an insurance company may provide a level of care otherwise not easily affordable, or serve as a tool to help preserve assets for other financial goals like leaving an inheritance for children or grandchildren. The design of the policy should be customized to your personal situation. Typically, policies will pay benefits for nursing home, community facilities and inhome care. It is very important to select a company with experience in this particular field and stable financial ratings. Keep in mind that Long Term Care Insurance is not for everyone. An individual should only consider purchasing a policy if there are assets to protect, they can afford to pay the premium and it provides the right solution to the issue. SEPTEMBER 2010 thebbnews.com
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stayin’ ALIVE
Should I Participate in a Research Study?
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ach year, pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars developing novel medications for the treatment and prevention of human disease. Before a new medication can be approved for use in the general population, each medication must first undergo a rigorous and intensive evaluation process to assess its safety and effectiveness. These companies, through clinical research trials, depend on experienced researchers to safely and accurately evaluate these medications in a select group of research patients. Dr. John Earl, Medical Director at Unifour Medical Research in Hickory recently commented that, “Medications and overall medical care is a continuous and evolving process. A patient’s participation and involvement is critical to furthering the knowledge and understanding of illnesses.” Each clinical study has a unique and detailed protocol that the research center follows for evaluating the medication and condition under study. During an initial study visit, called a screening visit, a medical doctor and study coordinator will review a detailed consent form so that each patient can make an informed decision about his/her participation. Dr. John Kessel, another investigator for Unifour Medical Research, says “Prior to participating, study patients are presented with all the information that they will need to make an informed decision. Study volunteers are just that – volunteers – and are not required to participate. We make sure that our volunteers know about other medical care options available to them if they do not take part in the study.”
Got Type 2 Diabetes? Frustrated with your blood sugar levels? You may want to consider participating in a research study of an investigational medication for Type II Diabetes. Eligible participants must be 18 to 80 years of age and not using insulin for their diabetes. Study participants will receive all study-related care including study medication, laboratory testing, electrocardiogram and diabetic testing supplies at no charge. Financial compensation for travel-related expenses will be provided to qualified participants. Health insurance is not needed to participate.
Please contact: 828-345-5060 www.pmg-research.com/unifour
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The Baby Boomer NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
research studies allow patients to take a proactive approach to their healthcare
After the consent process, a patient’s medical history and medications are reviewed. Several additional tests, like a physical exam, blood and urine samples, and an EKG may also be performed at no charge to help the physician assess a patient’s overall health to determine if he/she qualifies per the criteria set by the protocol. Qualified study participants will be provided with study medication with thorough instructions on how to take it, as well as specific instructions to follow throughout the course of the study. Regular follow up visits are then periodically conducted to ensure each patients safety throughout the course of the trial. Dr. Kessel stated that “Patients in our studies are consistently and carefully monitored. Safety is our number one priority.” So, you may be asking yourself, why should I participate in a research study? Aside from any potential benefits you may receive from the study itself, research studies allow patients to take a proactive approach to their healthcare. Since all medications must go through this thorough process, patients participating in clinical trials actually aid in the understanding of various conditions which in turn helps improve the health of others. Finally, patient volunteers may also be compensated for their time and travel for participating. How Can I Get Involved? Visit us on the web at www.pmg-research.com/unifour for more information about our clinical trials. You can also call 828-345-5060 to speak to someone about participating.
Has smoking left you coughing and breathless? If so, men and women who are at least 40 years old may be eligible for a research study of an investigational inhaled medication for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD) symptoms. All study related care and study medication will be provided to study participants at no cost. For each completed study visit, qualified participants will receive $35 in financial compensation for time and travel.
Please contact: 828-345-5060 www.pmg-research.com/unifour
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