209 Senior Living #25

AUGUST 2020 - ISSUE #25

A lasting legacy Senior discounts

AUGUST 2020 - ISSUE #25

PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

NOW accepting new residents!

Call to book your visit TODAY!

COGIR OF MANTECA, YOUR NEW HOME AWAITS

EDITOR Kristina Hacker ART DIRECTOR Harold L. George DESIGNER Sharon R. Hoffman

With our Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care services, as well as three chef-prepared meals, engaging activities, and weekly housekeeping and free transportation to appointments, Cogir of Manteca has everything you need to find your new home. Prices start at $2395.

SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Corey Rogers Beth Flanagan Rich Matheson Karen Olsen

Melody Wann Charles Webber

To advertise in the next Senior Living, call Manteca • 209.249.3500 Oakdale • 209.847.3021 Turlock • 209.634.9141 121 S. Center St., 2nd Floor • Turlock, CA 95380

©Copyright 2016. Senior Living All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of Senior Living is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in Senior Living are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of Senior Living management or owner.

Senior Living assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

430 N Union Rd., Manteca, CA 95337 Lic # 392700473

(209) 823-0164 CogirSeniorLiving.com AUGUST 2020 2

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C O N T E N T S WARNING SIGNS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 WHAT CAUSES CATARACTS?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 COVID RISK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 A LASTING LEGACY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 NEW TREATMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SENIOR DISCOUNTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

209-707-0400

IVORY DENTAL WE ARE NOW OPEN!!!

OTHER DENTIST -VS- IVORY DENTAL PRICES

Exam & Cleaning Implants Crown Root Canal(RCT) Deep Cleaning

others $399 $4999 $1450 $1100-$1500 $1200

ours $59 $1999 $699 $499-$799 $499

1148 S Main St. Manteca, CA 95337

25% OFF FOR CASH PATIENTS WALK-INSE! WELCOM Implant Special $1999

(INCLUDES IMPLANT, ABUTMENT, & CROWN) REGULAR VALUE $4950, OFFER EXPIRES 9/30/2020

*prices valid for non insured patients

Why Choose our Office?

• • • •

www.ivorydentalmanteca.com

Can us anytime MON - SAT 7am - 7pm We accept all major dental insurance plans In Office payment plans and 0% financing available!

Late evening and Saturday appointments available AUGUST 2020 3

New Patient Special $59

(INCLUDES X-RAYS, EXAM & CLEANING) REGULAR VALUE $430 FOR CASH PAYMENTS, OFFER EXPIRES 9/30/2020

Free Second Opinion

(when you bring X-Rays and Treatment Plan from previous dentist) OFFER EXPIRES 9/30/2020

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Don’t Delay Care A COMMUNITY BUILT ON SAFETY Taking care of your health is as important as ever. Don’t ignore your symptoms or downplay your pain.

Taking care of your health now may prevent greater health risks in the future.

Our doctors and staff are equipped to take care of all patients safely. We’re here to care for you and your loved ones. Here’s what to expect- everyone in the hospital wears face masks and practices physical distancing, spaces are frequently cleaned and there are COVID SAFE care pathways.

For more information, visit: EmanuelMedicalCenter.org or call 209-667-4200 | DoctorsManteca.com or call 209-823-3111

Your Safe Care is Our #1 Priority

AUGUST 2020 4

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209 SENIOR LIVING | WARNING SIGNS

Common warning signs of arthritis

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rthritis has name recognition, even among people who are not suffering from it. But despite that recognition, arthritis is not as well understood as one might think.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is not a single disease, but rather an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. In fact, the term “arthritis” is so wideranging that it actually refers to more than 100 types of conditions.

Despite that complexity, arthritis often produces four important warning signs, regardless of which type of arthritis a person may have.

PAIN

The Arthritis Foundation notes that arthritis-related pain may be constant or intermittent. One common

misconception about arthritis pain is that it only occurs during or shortly after a body is at rest. However, arthritis-related pain can occur while the body is at rest and is not always triggered by an activity that incorporates a part of the body affected by arthritis.

In addition, pain from arthritis can be isolated to one area of the body or affect various parts of the body.

SWELLING

Skin over the joints affected by arthritis may become red and swollen.

This skin also may feel warm to the touch. The Arthritis Foundation advises AUGUST 2020 5

anyone who experiences this swelling for three days or longer or more than three times per month to contact a physician.

STIFFNESS

This warning sign is, along with pain, the one that is most often associated with arthritis, even by people who don’t suffer from the condition. Stiffness when waking up in the morning or after long periods of being sedentary, such as sitting at a desk during the workday or taking a long car ride, can be symptomatic of arthritis, especially if the stiffness lasts an hour or longer.

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DIFFICULTY MOVING A JOINT The Arthritis Foundation notes that people should not experience difficulty moving, such as when getting out of bed. People who experience such difficulty may have arthritis.

People who recognize any of these warning signs should report them to their physicians immediately. Be as specific as possible when describing these symptoms, as specificity can help physicians design the most effective course of treatment.

Your community’s nonprofit hospice, embracing individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all since 1979.

• Hospice • Palliative Care

We feel a bit like super heros as we fight this virus. So far, the good guys are winning!

Keep up the fight!

• Independent Living • In-Home Care • Adult Day Services • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing

• Pediatric Care • Alexander Cohen Hospice House

• Grief Support • Admissions 7 Days a Week • Crisis Response • Camp Erin® of the Central Valley

4368 Spyres Way Modesto, CA 95356 209.578.6300

2431 W. March Lane • Suite 100 Stockton, CA 95207 209.477.6300

hospiceheart.org

CA100000783 | CA100000613

209-599-4221 • bethanyripon.org • 930 W. Main Street, Ripon

• Educational Classes and Resources • Hope Chest Thrift Stores

CommunityHospiceCV HospiceHeart Chi_CommunityHospice Community Hospice

www.amadorda.org

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FRAUD Health care scams cost Americans billions of dollars each year.

Medical Provider Fraud is anytime a medical provider is involved in fraudulent conduct for the purpose of their own enrichment.

Examples include: > Billing for services or treatment never performed; > Billing the workers’ compensation insurer and the workers’ health insurer for the same services; > Performing medically unnecessary treatment, examinations or diagnostic procedures in order to bill for them; > Miscoding or Up-coding treatment charges; > Billing for durable medical equipment that is never dispensed or selling used equipment as new.

The District Attorney’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit pursues an aggressive approach to identify, investigate and prosecute workers’compensation fraud throughout Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Stanislaus & Mariposa Counties.

If you know of a medical provider involved in fraudulent activity, contact the Insurance Fraud Unit of the District Attorney’s Office through our website at www.a amadorda.org or call (209) 223-6444.

AUGUST 2020 6

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209 SENIOR LIVING | CATARACTS

What causes cataracts?

W

hen a brand new car is driven off a dealership lot, its plastic headlight lenses are clear and pristine. Over time, due to contaminants in the environment and oxidation from ultraviolet rays, those same lenses can become cloudy, yellow and opaque. Cloudy headlights can decrease visibility and potentially put drivers at risk.

Similar scenarios sometimes unfold involving the human eye. Starting around age 40, proteins in the eye may begin to break down and cause lenses to become cloudy. UV rays can be damaging to the eyes and contribute to this natural protein degradation. While pronounced vision problems may not occur immediately, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says vision can be impaired later in life. The organization All About Vision states cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and also are the principal cause of blindness in the world.

Unprotected exposure to the sun is just one contributor to cataracts.

Certain medical problems, such as diabetes, also can cause cataracts. An eye injury, eye surgery or radiation treatments on the upper body also can cause cataracts, as can corticosteroids, advises the AAO. Congenital cataracts, which occur when infants are born with cataracts, may be caused by infection, injury or poor development in the womb; otherwise, they can form in childhood.

Cataracts form in various regions depending on the cause, according to AAV. • Subcapsular cataract: A subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens. People with diabetes or those

who take high doses of steroid medications have a greater risk of developing this type of cataract.

• Nuclear cataract: This cataract forms in the central zone of the lens and is often associated with aging.

• Cortical cataract: This cataract is characterized by opacities that are white and wedge-like, which form on the periphery of the lens. Eventually they work to the center in a spokelike fashion. Cortical cataracts can result from aging.

Symptoms of cataracts often can be slow to form, so people may not even notice they have cataracts until they start to block light, while others may learn of their presence during vision exams. Cataracts may cause vision that is filmy, blurry or foggy, indicates WebMD. In older adults, nearsightedness may be attributed to cataracts.

Glare, both during the day and at night, also may affect vision due to cataracts. Double vision or changes in the way one sees color can be symptoms of cataracts as well.

Eye professionals can diagnose cataracts and make recommendations on the course of treatment. Cataract removal surgery is highly effective.

More than 95 percent of people who have undergone the surgery experience improvements. Such surgeries are often performed on an outpatient basis.

AUGUST 2020 7

We’re empowering you to take a positive step to minimize your family’s financial and emotional burdens by pre-planning.

Ashley Vella, Managing Partner, FDR 3639, Jack and Joanne Deegan, Ambassadors

Ripon (FD987) 111 S. Palm Ave. 209-599-3413

Escalon (FD932) 1441 San Joaquin St. 209-838-7321

www.deeganfuneralchapels.com SENIORLIVING

Have You Had Your Annual Skin Check?

It is recommended that all adults have regular skin cancer screenings by a board certified dermatologist once a year.

Full-body exams are best performed in our clinics where stringent COVID-19 protocols are followed. Telehealth appointments are available for preliminary skin screenings and for routine follow ups for acne, eczema, and more from the safety of home.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is now performed in our Modesto clinic for nonmelanoma skin cancer in high-risk areas. Traditional treatments are also offered for lesions in non-high risk areas and for melanoma.

Our group offers a wide range of cosmetic services as well such as Botox and fillers.

Book Your Appointment Online or Call Today!

Manteca: 209.924.4086 • Modesto: 209.524.9481 • Tracy: 209.836.2220 Turlock: 209.226.4644 • Oakdale: 209.848.0916

GoldenStateDermatology.com AUGUST 2020 8

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209 SENIOR LIVING | COMMUNICATION

When communication becomes difficult

T

rouble communicating with others can be a symptom of various disorders. Difficulty conveying words or emotions can be a condition of autism spectrum disorder, but quite frequently it occurs when a neurological injury affects the portion of the brain responsible for language.

The National Aphasia Association states that aphasia is an impairment of language that affects the comprehension or the production of speech as well as the ability to read and write. Aphasia results from an injury to the brain, including head trauma, brain tumors, infections, and stroke.

The Cleveland Clinic notes a person with aphasia may experience difficulty speaking, writing, reading, and understanding language. Impairments can range from mild to very severe (nearly impossible to communicate).

While aphasia may only affect one area of communication, usually limitations occur across many areas.

One of the more common symptoms of aphasia is word-finding issues. This can be characterized by challenges remembering the names of people, events or things. Sometimes an individual may not be able to think of the word he or she wants to say. In other instances, that person may say the wrong word entirely, such as using “rope” for the word “ball.” The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association also states that it is common for someone with aphasia to switch sounds in words, like “wishdasher” for “dishwasher.” Often sentences are difficult to come by, and single words may be easier.

AUGUST 2020 9

Trouble communicating also extends to a person with aphasia having challenges understanding what others are saying, particularly when they speak fast or in long sentences. The situation may be exacerbated when it is noisy or a person is in a group setting.

Aphasia can affect anyone. However, it is more common in those who are middle-aged and older. The NAA says roughly 180,000 people are diagnosed with aphasia each year. Even though brain injury is a primary cause of aphasia, it also can create other language-related issues, such as weakness in the muscles that control the face or mouth or an inability to move SENIORLIVING

the lips or tongue in the right way to make sounds.

People with aphasia can benefit from working with a speech-language pathologist as early as possible. This professional can present many strategies to help manage deficits or potentially return some measure of communication.

Augmentative and alternative communication, such as using images or a computer to tell what a person wants, may be options in more severe cases of aphasia.

Aphasia affects many people and can rob them of the ability to communicate effectively without intervention.

ST. JUDE CARE CENTER

Premier Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology Services

Announcing the Opening of the Gladstone Clinic

Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

Your Answer for Skin Cancer

“Care with Dignity”

Meridian Professional Center 1660 West Yosemite #4 Manteca, CA • 209-665-3202 www.GladstoneClinic.com

Hayes B. Gladstone, MD

Ron Bedford, NP-C

Board Certified Dermatologist; Fellowship trained Mohs & Reconstructive Surgeon Former Director, Dermatologic Surgery & Professor, Stanford University Skin Cancer, Mohs Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery

Twelve Years Experience Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology Specializing in all types of rashes and skin conditions

LIVE CLEAR.LIVE FREE.

WHEN THE DIAGNOSIS IS PSORIASIS OR VITILIGO. THE TREATMENT IS CLEAR. XTRAC.

• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy • Skilled Nursing Services • Secure Memory Care Unit

If you, or someone you know, has psoriasis or vitiligo, you can now enjoy long lasting, effective relief. In our on-going efforts to bring cutting-edge technologies to our patients, XTRAC Laser Therapy treatments are now available in our office. Get effective relief from the painful symptoms of psoriasis in just a few short treatments, including in hard to treat areas, such as the scalp, hands and feet.

• Pain free, safe, and treats only affected areas,sparing healthy tissue • Noticeable improvement after a few short treatments • Long lasting relief; some patients remain in remission for one year or longer • Covered by MOST major insurance plans, including Medicare

5 out of 5 Stars Rated Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Call and schedule a tour Today! 209-823-1788

START NOW to LIVE CLEAR

If you are interested in learning more, please call our office TODAY. We will set up an appointment to determine if the XTRAC is right for you. We look forward to helping you live clear with XTRAC!

Welcoming New Patients | Same Week Appointments | Some Same Day Appointments

Call Now for an Appointment and Enjoy Healthier Skin!

Open Monday through Friday 8 am - 5 pm, Most insurances accepted.

469 E. North St., Manteca, CA 95336 • stjudecarecenter.com

Serving the community since 1979 General Dentistry Dr. Bonnie Morehead Dr. Ron Joseph Dr. Rudy Ciccareli

Dr. Daman Saini Dr. Harneet (Neeti) Saini Dr. Elizabeth Grecco

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. Mark Grecco

Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Mohammad El Farra

Valley Oak Dental Group is a multi-specialty group practice committed to excellence. Our Pediatric Department provides a comfortable, caring atmosphere for your children. We provide the latest General Dentistry procedures in a state-of-the-art dental suite. Our Oral Surgery Department provides general anethesia and I.V. sedation in a safe, professional environment.

Members of • California Dental Association • American Dental Association • San Joaquin P.P.A.

1507 W. Yosemite, Manteca • Between Airport and Union AUGUST 2020 10

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209 SENIOR LIVING | COVID RISKS

Who is at elevated risk for COVID-19?

COVID-19 continues to dominate headlines across the globe. This novel coronavirus first made headlines in late 2019 after an outbreak in Wuhan, the sprawling capital city in China’s Hubei province. The virus has since spread beyond China’s borders, leading to school closures and changes in public life, such as the shutting down of professional sports leagues, that many might never have thought they would see in their lifetimes.

Despite the relative infancy of COVID-19, doctors have learned much about it, including who might be most at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early information out of China revealed that some groups are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 than others.

Older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions are at the greatest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. Heart disease, diabetes and lung disease are the chronic medical conditions that appear to make people especially vulnerable to sickness from COVID-19.

How people in at-risk groups can reduce their risk of getting sick It’s important that elderly people and people with chronic medical conditions take their risk for getting sick from COVID-19 seriously, as the virus had already contributed to thousands of deaths by early March 2020. The CDC notes that it is especially important that people at elevated risk take actions to reduce their risk of getting sick with the

disease. The following strategies can be part of a proactive approach that may help at-risk people lower their risk of getting sick from COVID-19.

• Stock up on health supplies.

Contact your physician and arrange to obtain extra necessary medications so you do not have to leave your home should an outbreak occur in your area. If that’s not plausible, the CDC recommends signing up for mailorder medications. Stock up on over-the-counter medications and medical supplies, including everyday items like tissues, so you don’t have to leave the house if an outbreak occurs.

• Stock up on groceries.

Make sure you have enough groceries on hand so you can stay at home if restrictions on leaving home are put in place

during an outbreak.

• Embrace the basics. Basic strategies like avoiding people who are sick; washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or spending time in public; avoiding touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.; and avoiding crowds can help to reduce your risk of getting sick from COVID-19.

Since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China in lateDecember 2019, doctors have learned that certain people are especially vulnerable to getting sick from the virus. Such people can take certain steps that may reduce their risk of getting sick.

More information about COVID-19 is available at www. cdc.gov.

Live in the

PRESENT

Plan for your

FUTURE

Call us today for information on:

• Planning your legacy • Approaching End of Life conversations • Hospice of San Joaquin programs and services

Call us at (209) 957-3888 Visit us at www.hospicesj.org |

3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204 • 179 W. North St., Manteca, CA 95336 AUGUST 2020 11

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209 SENIOR LIVING | LASTING LEGACY

5 ways to leave a lasting legacy It is customary for people to take inventory of their lives as they grow older, wondering about their impact on the world and the people closest to them. A legacy is often the story of one’s life and the things he or she did through the years.

The good thing about a legacy is it is never too early to begin planning. The following are some guidelines that can help people establish lasting legacies.

• Keep track of your story. Grab a journal and start jotting down events that occur in your life. Mention particular achievements or notable things that occur from day to day.

Pepper these accounts with stories of your family and childhood to start establishing an autobiography of sorts.

• Consider your daily actions. Even though people may imagine it is the grand gestures that are remembered most, quite often it’s the simplest acts that make the most impact. Think about

the way you treat others each and every day. Smile at people, compliment others and offer positive advice when it is sought.

• Research investments that are profitable. If the goal is to make money to leave for future generations, investigate your options. These include assets that can retain their value.

According to NewRetirement.com and Stepping Stone Financial, Inc., vacation homes mean a lot to families and they also can be a source of future revenue should they be rented or sold. Speaking with a financial advisor also can be a sound way to invest the right way to accumulate assets that can be passed down as a legacy.

• Name children or other relatives as beneficiaries on Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). With Roth IRAs, distributions are tax-free as long as the person who set up the IRA met the fiveyear holding period for contributions

and conversions. Beneficiaries can have five years to take out money from the account; otherwise, they can convert the plan to an Inherited IRA, which stretches out distributions over their life expectancy, according to Investopedia, an online financial resource.

• Write a legacy letter. A legacy letter is a way to speak directly to loved ones and say all those things that you had

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

wished you told them earlier but maybe didn’t find the words or perhaps never had the time, according to Forbes. The letter ensures others know just how much joy they brought to your life and the pride you had in knowing them.

Leaving a legacy is something people start to think about as they grow older, but it’s easy to start planning a legacy regardless of your age.

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY AWAITS YOU AT O’CONNOR WOODS

We are here to help you and your loved ones navigate these unusual times.

Our communities follow rigorous CDC guidelines, creating living environments where your loved ones are supported by our healthcare heroes.

A limited time offer! You can save up to $15,000* For more details, contact us today. *Additional restrictions may apply.

We are here for you, call today!

An

Life Plan Community: Independent Living with Services, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing

Managed Community

RCFE #390314809 COA #283

3400 Wagner Heights Rd. Stockton, CA 95209

oconnorwoods.org | 209-273-3118 AUGUST 2020 12

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209 SENIOR LIVING | NEW TREATMENT

New medications help with Parkinson’s treatment

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that primarily affects movement. In the earliest stages of Parkinson’s, an affected person’s face also may show little or no expression and speech may become soft and slurred.

According to Parkinson’s News Today, Parkinson’s is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, Parkinson’s affects more people than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and ALS combined, and an estimated 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s disease.

The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that nearly one million people in the United States live with Parkinson’s disease in 2020. Age is a risk factor for Parkinson’s, but an estimated 4 percent of people with the disease are diagnosed before age 50.

Many people are familiar with the symptoms of Parkinson’s, like tremors in the limbs. Slowed movement, or bradykinesia, also occurs over time. Rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, and loss of automatic movements like blinking and swinging arms

while walking also can occur, advises the Mayo Clinic.

Like other neurodegenerative conditions, Parkinson’s is linked to changes in cells in the brain, which may gradually break down or die.

Environmental triggers or genetics may also contribute to Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s also may be caused by shifting levels of the chemical messenger dopamine in the brain. When neurons break down, they produce less dopamine, and this causes abnormal brain activity.

Parkinson’s has no cure, and treatment of the disease is designed to slow progression and treat certain symptoms.

Parkinson’s patients and their families may be excited to learn that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a new medication known as Nourianz (istradefylline). It is recommended for “off ” time, when symptoms return between other medication doses. Nourianz belongs to a class of medications known as adenosine A2A antagonists, which work differently from all currently available Parkinson’s drugs. This drug blocks the brain chemical adenosine, which boosts the signaling of dopamine, the brain

chemical that decreases in Parkinson’s patients. The medication can be added to a regimen consisting of levodopa/carbidopa to decrease off times. Four placebo-controlled clinical trials, which included more than 1,000 participants, demonstrated a significant decrease in “off ” time when Nourianz was added to levodopa/ carbidopa. Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect.

Parkinson’s patients can work with their doctors to find a regimen of drugs, therapy and support that may lessen their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Assisted Living • Fine Dining & Inroom Dining • Fitness Programs • Activity Programs • Transportation Assistance with Daily Living • Person Centered Memory Care • Customized Personal Care Plans and So much More!

Come for a visit to tour our beautiful community spaces and to learn more about senior living, including Connections for Living by MBK, our memory care program.

2241 N. Union Road, Manteca, CA • WWW.MBKseniorliving.com • 209.463.9100 RCFE#392700366 AUGUST 2020 13

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209 SENIOR LIVING | SENIOR DISCOUNTS

Senior perks and discounts

Growing older may come with some added laugh lines or a few extra aches and pains, but many will attest to the benefits and wisdom earned from a life well-lived. And if that’s not enough, the discounts and other perks afforded seniors can make reaching one’s golden years a bit easier to embrace.

Every day the list of companies offering special deals for people of a certain age continues to grow. Individuals willing to do the research or simply ask retailers and other businesses about their senior discount policies can be well on their way to saving serious money. Keep in mind that the starting points for age-based discounts vary, with some offering deals to those age 50 and up, and others kicking in at 55 or 60-plus.

The following is a list of some of the discounts that may be available. Confirm eligibility as companies change their policies from time to time. Also, the editors of Consumer World say that the senior discount might not always be the lowest price, so comparison shopping is a must to find out which discount or coupon is the best deal.

• Amtrak: Travelers age 65 and older can enjoy a 10 percent discount on rail fares on most Amtrak trains. For

those who prefer ground travel but want to leave the car at home, this can be a great way to get around.

• Fast-food/sit-down restaurants: Establishments like Wendy’s, Arby’s, Burger King, Denny’s, Applebee’s, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Friendly’s offer various senior discounts. Most are 10 to 15 percent off the meal. Others offer free beverages or an extra perk with purchase.

• Kohl’s: This popular department store provides a 15 percent discount every Wednesday to shoppers ages 60-plus. Other stores like Modell’s, Belk, Bon-Ton, and SteinMart offer similar discounts.

• Marriott: Travelers age 62 and older are privy to a 15-percent discount on room rates at Marriott brand hotels, subject to availability.

• Roto-Rooter: Plumbing problems can get expensive, but online sources cite a 10 to 15 percent discount depending on location for this drain cleaning service provider in North America.

• National Parks: The U.S. National Parks Service offers steep discounts on the annual pass, which provides entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

• Grocery store: Food shopping gets a little easier with discounts at Bi-Lo, Fred Meyer, Gristedes, Harris Teeter,

A community of professionals dedicated to helping you and the ones you love.

209.846.9488 | www.sevahospice.com locally owned & operated

AUGUST 2020 14

Piggly-Wiggly, and Publix. Be sure to check with local supermarkets about senior discounts, as they vary, particularly as to what day of the week and for what age they kick in.

• AARP membership: It is important to note that many companies require enrollment in AARP for people to get senior discounts. AARP also has its own AARP Prescription Discount Card so that members and families can save around 61 percent on FDA-approved drugs that prescription insurance or Medicare Part D plans fail to cover.

• T-Mobile: This carrier offers two lines with unlimited talk, text and LTE data for $35 with AutoPay for seniors age 55-plus. Only the primary account holder has to be 55.

With a little digging, seniors can find scores of discounts to help them save money while enjoying their golden years.

P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home

Katie Clemons

Advanced Funeral Planner

(209) 244-5283 #FD637

katieclemons92@gmail.com

QUALITY FUNERAL SERVICE SINCE 1932

"Planning ahead for the future gives us peace of mind in the present."

209-239-1242 290 N. Union Rd., Manteca, CA 95336 # FD637 • www.plfryandson.com SENIORLIVING

‘‘They were wonderful.’’

We hear kind words consistently. We’re proud that people feel comfortable enough to openly tell us how much they appreciate what we did for them.

In fact, it’s this appreciation that drives us to offer the very best in comfort, compassion and service.

Thank you Turlock for choosing us!

247 N. Broadway • Turlock 634-5829 www.allenmortuary.com

AUGUST 2020 15

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Get back your vision.

Get back your life.

CATARACT SURGERY • GLAUCOMA CARE • RETINAL SERVICES EYELID SURGERY • LASIK • VISION EXAMS • GLASSES • CONTACTS

Joseph Zeiter, M.D.

John Zeiter, M.D.

Richard Wong, M.D.

John Canzano, M.D.

Joseph Zeiter, Jr., M.D.

Mohammad Pathan. M.D.

Robert Pedersen, O.D.

Robert Dupree, O.D.

Jennifer Pham, O. D.

STOCKTON

Ralph Miranda, O.D.

LODI

Krishna Patel. O.D.

Tejpal Sohal O.D.

MANTECA TRACY

SONORA

209-239-3880 www.zeitereye.com

Over 55 years of Vision Care

Your Vision is Our Passion AUGUST 2020 16

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Larry Simpfenderfer O.D.