A member of LIFE's Active Senior Center at Roma Berry pieces together a puzzle.
14
The Mind Diet
Combining the Mediterranean and DASH diets may be the key to improving brain health and slowing cognitive decline. Delicious and healthy!
BY JESSICA BARLOW AND KIT HINES
16
Stay Sharp
From movement to mindset, your daily choices matter. This guide shares expert insights and practical tools to help your brain thrive.
BY KAREN SZABO
24 Test Your Wits
Ready for a mental workout? This extra page of puzzles is packed with fun challenges to stretch your thinking and keep your mind sharp.
20 Therapies for Cognitive Conditions
Discover how occupational, physical, and speech therapy can help retrain the brain and improve daily function, especially for those with cognitive challenges.
BY LINDSAY MORRIS
From active aging and entertainment to legal and estate planning, there’s something for everyone at Oklahoma’s largest senior event. Check out the Event Guide starting on page 25.
Bonus Content
Get more from LIFE’s Vintage Magazine! Enjoy bonus content in your inbox twice a month — extra recipes, bonus puzzles, and more. Sign up with your email under the Resources tab at LIFEseniorservices.org.
Photo by Ace Cuervo
Eileen
eileen.bradshaw@LIFEseniorservices.org
Letter From Eileen
Dear Vintage Reader,
This month’s topic is “Boost Your Brain.” I think we all worry about our brains as we age. In recent years, I have had a front row seat to brain injury, the healing process, and how amazing the brain truly can be.
On a Wednesday night, a little over four years ago, my healthy 58-year-old husband took the dogs out before bed. Five minutes later, I went outside to find him with a single tear on his cheek, unable to speak.
The rest of that night was a blur, but I remember asking the emergency room staff, “He will be able to talk again, right?” None of them responded.
They discovered that Steve had a congenital hole in his heart, and it was repaired to help prevent another stroke. He benefited from physical, occupational, and speech therapies in the rehab unit, but speech was his primary challenge. He improved, and eventually, he hit a designated “percentage” of speech recovery, which deemed him recovered enough by insurance standards. No more speech therapy would be covered.
This was discouraging. He was not fully recovered; he wanted to resume work and enjoy full family and social interaction. He was working hard to achieve his pre-stroke speech capabilities but needed assistance to do that.
I began to research and discovered Carolyn, a phenomenal speech therapist in Oklahoma City, who did virtual therapy. She was fantastic as she got to know him and his recovery goals. The vocabulary they worked on consisted of business terminology rather than the names of zoo animals. It was all relevant to him. These sessions were hard work for Steve, but the progress was so evident.
Watching this process and the changes in his brain has been at times painful, but overall, incredibly inspiring. His perseverance and Carolyn’s tenacity have been a wondrous combination. Fast forward four years, and Steve is working again, but they still have sessions twice each week. He occasionally stumbles on a word, but he is also still making progress. The gains are subtler now than initially, but they are still definitely gains.
The brain is a wondrous thing, and I marvel at its resilience. Enjoy this issue and go off and boost your brain!
Eileen
Bradshaw, President and CEO
Vol. 40, No. 1
EILEEN BRADSHAW
President & CEO of LIFE Senior Services, LIFE PACE & Vintage Housing
DEE DUREN
Managing Editor dduren@LIFEseniorservices.org
BERNIE DORNBLASER
Advertising Director bdornblaser@LIFEseniorservices.org
LIFE’s Vintage Magazine accepts advertising to defray the cost of production and distribution, and appreciates the support of its advertisers. The publisher does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. LIFE’s Vintage Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising. Rates are available upon request by calling (918) 664-9000.
LIFE’s Vintage Magazine (ISSN 2168-8494) (USPS 18320) is published monthly by LIFE Senior Services. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LIFE’S VINTAGE MAGAZINE 5950 E. 31st St., Tulsa, OK 74135. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK.
Good to Know /
By Julie Alexander, Assistant Editor
Freedom Fest
Tulsa Folds of Honor Freedom Fest gets underway at 6 p.m. July 4, at Tulsa River Parks near Gathering Place, Dream Keepers Park at 18th Street and Boulder Avenue, and River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson St. Enjoy live music, activities for the kids, and Tulsa’s biggest fireworks display. There will be a BMX stunt show, food trucks, beer from Welltown Brewery, music from The Hi-Fi Hillbillies Band, a color guard presentation, and prizes from QuikTrip. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks will also be televised live on The Tulsa CW. An accompanying musical score will be played on KRMG 102.3 FM during the fireworks. Visit freedomfesttulsa.com for road closures and parking information.
Freedom Fest
June 4 • 6 p.m.
Dream Keepers Park and River West Festival Park, Tulsa freedomfesttulsa.com
Red, White, and Boom 2025!
Join the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate at 8:30 p.m. on July 3, at Scissortail Park, 300 S.W. 7th St., for the OKC Philharmonic’s annual Red, White, and Boom! The concert is free and filled with patriotic favorites, so bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and the whole family to enjoy a lovely evening outside with inspiring music, a salute to the armed forces, followed by fireworks. For the best view, you should sit on the west side of the park. It’s an exciting evening of music and magic celebrating our nation’s independence. Visit scissortailpark.org for information.
Tulsa’s Central Library is the place to spend your lunch hour if you work or hang out downtown. The Music Sandwiched In concerts are July 7 and July 21 in the Aaronson Auditorium from 12:10 – 12:50 p.m. On July 7, harpist Lorelei Barton will play and share insights into how the harp works, followed by audience questions. She has an extensive repertoire including classical, Latin, Broadway, pop, and jazz, and has performed with the Tulsa Symphony, Oklahoma City Symphony, and the Tulsa Philharmonic. On July 21, versatile performer and Tulsa mainstay Janet Rutland takes the stage. The concerts are free and open to all ages. Bring your lunch and enjoy free entertainment.
Music Sandwiched In July 7 & July 21
Central Library, 400 Civic Center, Tulsa tulsalibrary.org
Utica Square Fifth Night Concert Series
Tulsa’s favorite summer pastime returns to Utica Square with a lineup of local musical acts ready to entertain with everything from jazz to rock to country. Bring a picnic and your favorite beverages and enjoy this free, open-air concert every Thursday night in July. Country singer Braden Jamison is on July 10, Denise Hoey and the Boulevard bring their rock stylings to the stage July 17. Enjoy ’60s and ’70s rock with The Rogues Five on July 24, and the season finale is Grady Nichols celebrating 30 years of playing at the annual event. Concerts are from 7 – 9 p.m.
Summer’s Fifth Night
Utica Square
21st St. and Utica Ave., Tulsa Thursdays in July, 7 – 9 p.m. uticasquare.com/events
Fireworks light up the Tulsa skyline.
Photo courtesy of freedomfesttulsa.com
•
•
Connect With LIFE /
By Carrie Celevenger, Senior Center Director
LIFE EDU
LIFE Senior Services
Community Education
All classes are at Legacy Plaza East Conference Center, 5330 E. 31st St. in Tulsa, unless otherwise noted.
Community Education
Senior LIFEstyle & Wellness Expo
Tuesday, July 8, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Exchange Center at Expo Square
Plan now to attend the largest senior event in Oklahoma. There’s something for everyone!
Basics of Medicare
Wednesday, July 16 • 10 a.m. – Noon OR Thursday, July 17, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
This class is designed specifically for those newly eligible or soon-to-be eligible for Medicare. Reservations are required and can be made by calling LIFE’s Medicare Assistance Program at (918 )664-9000, ext. 1189.
Legal Essentials: Wills, Trusts, & Special Needs Trusts
Thursday, July 24 • 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Attorney Monica Maple will discuss the differences between wills and trusts and the advantages and disadvantages of each. She will also explain how a trust can protect benefits for individuals with special needs. Registration required; see information below.
"Living Well" With Dr. Germaine Odenheimer
Wednesday, July 30, 2 – 3 p.m.
Dr. Odenheimer, geriatric neurologist, is back! She’ll talk about handling life’s responsibilities as we age and how it can become challenging, especially if we (or our loved ones) face cognitive or physical impairments. What are the signs that it’s time to step back and let others help? She’ll address making those tough decisions as we look at capacity as well as the legal and ethical implications. We’ll cover driving, handling finances, and when to consider in-home services or assisted living, among other issues. Registration required; see information below.
All That's Missing is You!
Enjoy Summer at LIFE's Active Senior Center
Summer has arrived, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy new experiences. LIFE’s Active Senior Center offers a welcoming space to build new friendships through engaging fitness classes and a variety of ways to be creative. With a packed calendar of events, classes, and activities, there’s truly something for everyone at the Active Senior Center. We’re open every day, making it easy for those too busy during the week to join the fun on weekends.
Since launching our weekly pottery class last fall, members have been crafting one-of-akind pieces with the help and guidance of skilled clay artists. In May, we held our firstever art exhibition to celebrate and showcase the impressive talent and creativity of our community.
Members can easily enroll in the pottery classes by signing up in advance. To maintain a high-quality, hands-on experience, each weekly session is limited to just 10 participants. With a second art exhibit already planned for the upcoming holiday season, summer is the perfect time to start creating new pieces to showcase.
Get moving and have a great time while line dancing. It's a fun, energizing way to get your heart pumping. Classes are on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays, with a newly added session on Sundays. It’s a fantastic way to learn new steps, improve your skills, and enjoy yourself. Not a dancer? You don’t have to be, so don’t be intimidated! All skill levels are welcome, and instructors will walk you through steps to get you started.
For those with a sense of adventure, we offer at least two exciting outings each month. Our trips range from visits to art galleries and cultural festivals, to outdoor explorations and quirky local attractions. We even venture out of state on occasion!
Upcoming excursions include a tour of Tulsa’s iconic Cave House, the immersive art experience at Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City, and a guided exploration of Tulsa’s hidden tunnels with the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture.
LIFE’s Active Senior Center is a place to have fun, try new things, and even surprise yourself with what you can do. Every day, members come together to socialize, play, explore, and build meaningful connections. We’re having a fantastic time here at Roma Berry; now all that’s missing is you! Membership is $100 per year, and you can drop by for a tour or call (918) 744-6760 for more information.
Emergency Infant Services
Emergency Infant Services (EIS) believes that every child deserves a bright beginning — and you can help make that happen. They are seeking compassionate, dedicated volunteers to support infants and young children through a range of vital programs. Whether you have a few spare hours a week or a special skill to share, there’s a place for you at EIS. Cuddler program (playroom) volunteers can hold, read, and play with infants and children while their parents shop. Family support helpers can assist in the baby boutique or become family interviewers. Finally, warehouse warriors stock shelves, sort non-monetary donations, and perform other tasks. No experience? No problem! EIS provides training and support to help you feel confident and prepared.
Knittin' Kittens
Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting or sewing? Would you like to share some of your work with those in need? If so, joining LIFE’s Knittin’ Kittens volunteer group would be a great way to meet likeminded volunteers who enjoy spending quality time together while crafting blankets, hats, scarves, stuffed animals — you name it — for others. LIFE ensures that all items go to area nonprofits that truly need them. One Knittin’ Kittens group meets on Tuesdays at LIFE’s Active Senior Center at Roma Berry while the other meets on Fridays at LIFE’s Legacy Plaza location. You’re welcome to join us on one or both days and we’d love to have you!
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa provides nourishing meals and vital wellness checks to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities. Volunteers deliver meals, provide friendly visits, and ensure the safety of clients. Volunteers are especially needed in east and southeast areas of Tulsa. If you can share a few hours a week or serve as a substitute driver, your time makes a lasting impact. Join a compassionate team dedicated to supporting our most vulnerable neighbors.
To volunteer with these programs or to explore other volunteer options, contact Danielle at (918) 938-7635 or dhill@LIFEseniorservices.org.
Caregiver Tool Belt/
By Donna Mancini, Caregiver Support Specialist
now at LIFEseniorservices.org.
Caregiver Support Systems
Have you heard the sayings, “It takes a village to raise a child,” or “Two heads are better than one?” Their meaning can be applied to caregivers and their loved ones. Whether a caregiver is helping a child or an adult, they need a village or a support team to help with specific tasks, problems, and services. Several people working together often promote healthier outcomes. Caregiver support teams can consist of friends, family members, neighbors, organizations, medical professionals, health centers, support groups, and counselors.
The person with primary responsibilities for another should let others know what they can do to help. Family members can take an active role through financial management, shopping, cooking, doctor visits, medication management, and legal concerns. Even family members who live out of state can assist with online and mobile banking apps, online medical records like MyChart, and by using family caregiver mobile apps like Caring Village, Lotsa Helping Hands, and Medisafe. They can also visit their loved ones using video conferencing apps like Zoom and
By Allied
Google Meet. Friends can be a great support by assisting with specific tasks and offering respite care, a relief break for the caregiver. Caregivers rely on their friends for emotional and social support as well. Friends who will listen to them without judgment and comfort them in times of despair play a major role in the caregiver’s stability and well-being.
Caregivers don’t have to walk their path alone. Connect with resources, ask for help, and you’re your support team. Community resources offer great support to caregivers and family members. Listed below are a few to check out.
Bonus Content
Caring for someone with dementia? Find a list of helpful websites and resources in the digital edition of this issue. Look for it under the Resources tab at LIFEseniorservices.org.
Community Resources for Caregivers
1. Caregiver Support Groups
Offer emotional and practical support to caregivers in a group setting
2. Caregiver Counseling
Provides one-on-one emotional/practical support to caregivers
3. Adult Day Health Centers
Provide services for older adults and adults with disabilities
4. In-Home Care Agencies
Provide personal care and housekeeping services to help people live independently in their homes
5. State Plan Personal Care
A Medicaid program that helps Oklahoma residents with daily living activities
6. Caregiver Action Network
Provides education and resources
7. National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
Provides in-home respite
8. Family Caregiver Alliance
Offers education, services, and support
9. Area Agency on Aging (INCOG)
Provides local services to older adults living in a specific geographic area, including respite
10. AARP
Offers a variety of services to people 50 and older
11. ABLE Tech
Provides assistive technology devices and services to individuals with disabilities
12. Veteran Caregiver Programs
Offers financial assistance and support services to the primary family caregiver for a veteran who has a service-connected disability
13. Medicaid ADvantage Waiver
Helps adults age 65 and older maintain their independence in the home
14. PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
Provides coordinated services to eligible adults age 55+ who want to live in their community/home instead of going to a nursing facility
15. Respite Voucher Program at Oklahoma.gov
Funds respite vouchers to caregivers so they can pay someone to care for their loved one while they take a break
By Kathy Jones, Medicare & Tax Assistance Program Manager
Medicare Coverage for Durable Medical Equipment
Durable Medical Equipment, or DME, refers to medically necessary devices that can be used repeatedly in your home when you have an illness or injury that is expected to last, typically for at least three years.
Under Original/Traditional Medicare, DME is covered under Medicare Part B. It must be ordered by your physician, be medically necessary, and obtained through a Medicare-approved supplier. If your supplier does not take Medicare assignment, they may charge you more for your DME.
Under Medicare Advantage, you must follow the rules of your plan for getting DME. You may need to get prior approval from your plan and use a supplier that is contracted with your specific plan. Speak to your plan representatives to get additional information regarding coverage for DME.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
There are certain kinds of DME and supplies that Medicare does not cover. These include items that are mainly used outside the home, and most items intended only to make things more convenient or comfortable, such as stairway elevators, grab bars, air conditioners, and bathtub and toilet seats.
Items that get thrown away after use or that are not used with equipment, such as incontinence pads, catheters (unless the need is permanent), surgical facemasks, or compression leggings, are usually not covered. However, if you receive home healthcare,
Medicare pays for some disposable supplies, including those that cannot be covered separately, like gauze, as part of your home healthcare benefit.
Modifications to your home, such as ramps or widened doors for improving wheelchair access, are generally not covered, although some Medicare Advantage plans may provide coverage for minor home modifications and other items as a supplemental benefit. Finally, equipment that is not suitable for use in a private home isn’t covered, including some types of DME used in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, like paraffin bath units and oscillating beds.
WATCH FOR FRAUD
Be on the lookout for DME fraud, waste, abuse, and aggressive marketers who offer free supplies or equipment. Don’t give any personal information to someone who calls you offering to send DME that you do not want or need.
Check your Medicare statements often. If you see any suspicious charges or believe your provider could have billed your Medicare by accident, call your provider to follow up about the potential error. If you think it could have been DME fraud or abuse, contact your Senior Medicare Patrol at (800) 522-0071.
Durable Medical Equipment Devices Covered by Medicare
• Canes
• Crutches
• Wheelchairs
• Walkers
• Hospital beds
• Scooters
• Oxygen equipment and supplies
• Continuous passive motion devices
• Blood glucose monitors, lancets, and test strips
• Patient lifts
• Nebulizers and nebulizer solutions
• Infusion pumps and supplies
• Orthotics and prosthetics
– Prosthetics include devices that replace all or part of an internal bodily organ, including catheters for permanent conditions, artificial legs, arms, and eyes
– Orthotics include rigid or semi-rigid leg, arm, back, and neck braces
For additional questions, contact LIFE’s Medicare Assistance Program to speak with one of our Medicare specialists at (918) 938-7683.
Fabulous Flavors
The MIND Diet
A Delicious Way to Keep Your Mind Sharp
The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, but with a special focus on foods linked to better brain health and slower cognitive decline. It emphasizes choices that support a healthy brain while limiting those that may be harmful.
Recommended foods include at least two servings of vegetables daily, with one being a leafy green. Eat whole grains three times a week and berries at least twice a week. Include dried beans every other day or more often. Olive oil should be the primary cooking fat. Dine on fish at least once a week and poultry at least two times per week. Limit red meat, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries, sweets, and fried foods.
The nutrients in the recommended foods — such as Vitamin E, Omega-3 fatty acids, folate (a B vitamin), Vitamin C, and Vitamin D — have all been associated with brain health.
Adopting these dietary habits can support not only brain health but also the heart and overall wellness. Aim to make these changes a lasting part of your lifestyle.
Bonus Content
Hungry for more? Find bonus recipes to support your healthy lifestyle in the digital edition of Vintage Magazine under the Resources tab at LIFEseniorservices.org.
Cleaning & Preparing ...
JACKFRUIT
Versatile jackfruit is a nutritious source of carbohydrates, providing potassium, vitamens C and A, magnesium, and fiber. Select one that is not bruised and rinse under running water before cutting. When cutting the fruit, remove both core and rind. Once cut, it should be refrigerated where it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to five days. Jackfruit can be eaten raw or cooked.
2. Put a little water or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 – 7 minutes until tender. Add garlic; cook for another minute.
3. Add the jackfruit, BBQ sauce, and ½ cup water. Stir and cover; turn heat down to medium-low. Cook for 15 minutes, then stir again, adding more water if needed. Cover and cook for another 15 minutes.
4. Using a potato masher or a fork, shred the jackfruit until it resembles pulled meat. Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, liquid smoke, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Add more barbecue sauce if needed.
5. Dress the hamburger buns with desired optional toppings and BBQ mixture.
JICAMA
Jicama is a root vegetable and a good source of Vitamin C and carbohydrates, including fiber and minerals potassium, iron, and magnesium. Jicama should stay fresh in the refrigerator for about two weeks. Cover any exposed areas with plastic wrap to minimize air exposure. The outer rind should be removed before eating or cooking. Jicama has a crisp texture and nutty flavor.
Vegan Jicama Ceviche
Courtesy of Allrecipes• Makes 12 servings
Ingredients:
• 1 large jicama, peeled and grated
• 1 cup lime juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 pound plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1 white onion, chopped
• ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 pinch dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 tostada shells
• 2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and mashed
Instructions:
1. Combine jicama and lime juice in a large glass bowl and let stand for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to make sure that all jicama pieces are coated with lime Juice. Drain some of the lime juice, depending on your taste.
2. Mix olive oil and ketchup into the jicama. Stir in tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Serve ceviche on tostadas and garnish with avocado.
Learning something new every day, staying interested in life, and having people to talk to helps keep your mind alert.
Exercise, a healthy diet, and staying social are key factors in to preserve brain function.
Stay Sharp
Science-Based Habits for a Healthy Brain at Any Age
BY KAREN SZABO
We all have those moments — blanking on a name or retracing steps to find the car keys. For older adults, though, these everyday slips can lead to concerns about memory loss and cognitive health. Before making the assumption you’re developing a serious issue like dementia, it’s important to know: brains naturally change with age. The brain gradually shrinks in size, nerve cells may lose some ability to communicate, and these shifts can, and often do, affect how well the brain functions over time.
The good news? Aging isn’t the same as decline. Steps can be taken to preserve brain function even as these physical changes occur. Although there’s no miracle pill to maintain a razor-sharp mind, simple, proven strategies that are woven into daily routines can improve focus, protect memory, and promote a nimble mind well into your golden years.
WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE HEART IS GOOD FOR THE BRAIN
“There’s no magic formula of daily habits to help prevent cognitive decline,” said Dr. Germaine
Bonus Content
Listen to author and cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Therese Huston’s Ted Talk by checking out the digital version of this issue under the Resources tab at LIFEseniorservices.org.
Odenheimer, a geriatric neurologist and professor emeritus at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. “However, what is good for the heart is good for the brain. Exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension are all key.”
In fact, if she could recommend just one thing to support brain health, it’s blood pressure control. “High blood pressure increases the risk for stroke and cognitive decline. If diet and exercise don’t keep it in check, medication may be necessary,” she explained. “If you have hypertension, reduce your salt intake, and pay attention to your blood pressure. The same with sugar — if you’re diabetic or prediabetic, cut back on starches and sugars.”
The role of neuroinflammation is also gaining attention in Alzheimer’s research.
“There’s growing evidence that inflammation may play a role in the progression of dementia,” Dr. Odenheimer said.
To help reduce inflammation, she recommends eating less red meat and processed meats like bacon and sausage and focusing on a Mediterranean-style diet filled with fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, and healthy fats. Omega3s from salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines have the most, but fish with lower fat content can also contribute to your daily intake: tilapia, cod, bass, and even shellfish.
And — you knew it was coming — regular exercise is one of the most powerful tools to preserve cognition. “Exercise improves circulation, supports mental health, and helps with weight control, all of which protect the brain,” Dr. Odenheimer said.
But don’t force yourself into a gym if you hate it. The key is finding something enjoyable — dancing, walking, water aerobics — and finding people to share it with.
SHARPENING THE MIND THROUGH SOCIALIZING AND LEARNING
Mental sharpness depends on more than just diet and exercise, it’s also about engagement with the world.
“Socialization and staying curious are incredibly important,” Dr. Odenheimer said. “Learning something new every day, staying interested in life, having people to talk to — that keeps your mind alert.”
While crossword puzzles and Sudoku have long been billed as brain boosters, she’s cautious about overvaluing them. “They can help, but they’re not magic. I had a patient who loved Sudoku, but he still declined,” she recalled. “It’s more about engagement than any one activity.”
Higher education levels are associated with a lower prevalence of dementia, likely due to what researchers call cognitive reserve, or the brain’s ability to compensate for age-related changes.
Programs like the storytelling workshops at LIFE’s Active Senior Center can also support brain health. These programs combine memory, creativity, and connection, offering both stimulation and meaning — key ingredients in long-term well-being.
It’s never too late to learn something new, whether it’s picking up a second language, attending a class, or just diving into a new hobby.
STAY SHARP, continued on page 18.
Did You Know?
Genetics Play a Role in Brain Volume and Disease Risk
In one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers identified
254 Genetic Variants
associated with brain volume, particularly in regions linked to memory, motor skills, and disorders like Parkinson's and ADHD. These findings enhance our understanding of how genetics influence brain structure and susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases.
in the Age of Distraction FOCUS
Even healthy, active people may notice their ability to concentrate isn’t quite what it used to be. That is not their imagination.
“Our attention span shrinks with age,” said cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Therese Huston, author of the upcoming book, “Sharp: 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science.” “By the time we’re in our 60s, our attention span is about 12% shorter than it was in our 20s.”
That may not sound like much, but it’s enough to affect how we work, communicate, and stay focused. The culprit? Blame the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for attention and decision-making. It shrinks about 5% every decade after age 40. “It’s like the air traffic controller of the brain,” Dr. Huston said. “It prioritizes tasks and keeps distractions from crashing your focus.”
And today’s tech-heavy environment doesn’t help. “Phones are a distraction for all of us, but they’re especially distracting as we age,” she added. “Between 60 and 70, many people experience a sharp drop in their ability to focus, and things like text alerts can hijack your attention constantly.”
So, what can be done?
1. Meditate
Meditation, even just 10 minutes a day, has been shown to improve both immediate and long-term focus. Dr. Huston recommends the free Healthy Minds app, created by neuroscientists at the University of Wisconsin. She has no affiliation with the app, though — she just genuinely likes it.
2. Binaural Beats
Other tricks include listening to 40 Hz binaural beats (searchable on YouTube) during focused work sessions. Use headphones or ear buds to get the full effect. “At first, the tones won’t seem like they are doing much, but within 10 minutes, you’ll have laser focus on whatever you’re doing,” she explained.
3. Replace Coffee With Tea
Coffee drinkers should introduce tea to their morning routine. Tea contains caffeine plus L-theanine, an amino acid that, when combined with caffeine, improves the ability to multitask and ignore distractions. “Focus is a superpower in today’s world,” Dr. Huston said. “And it can be trained.”
PLANNING AHEAD: PROTECT YOUR INDEPENDENCE
It’s important to understand what happens when brain health and cognitive functioning begin to decline — not in a panicked way, but in a thoughtful, proactive one.
“The biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age,” Dr. Odenheimer said. “Most people aren’t going to get it because of genetics. Less than 5% of cases are due to inherited mutations.”
Scientists working in recent decades reported the association of the APOE-e4 gene to increased Alzheimer’s risk. “Having the gene doesn’t mean you’ll get the disease,” she explained. “I’ve seen studies of twins where one gets Alzheimer’s and the other doesn’t develop it until 14 years later.”
That said, noticing changes early — and talking about them — is crucial.
“Watch for things that used to be easy and are now harder, or … mistakes you wouldn’t normally make,” she said. “I’ve known professionals like architects and accountants who were still working but shouldn’t have been. Mistakes on
Living Well
Dr. Germaine Odenheimer, geriatric neurologist, will share guidance on navigating life’s changes and making thoughtful decisions about care and independence.
Wednesday, July 30 • 2 – 3 p.m. Legacy Plaza East Conference Center 5330 E. 31st St. TO REGISTER Call (918) 664-9000, ext. 1181
tax returns or bridge design can have devastating consequences.”
But talking with a loved one about safety without stripping their independence is easier said than done. “Some people know when it’s time to stop driving or working. But most don’t,” Dr. Odenheimer said. “That’s why I always recommend families talk about it early, before there’s a crisis.”
She also encourages clinicians to take a more active role, especially when it comes to driving safety. She points to resources like “The Clinician’s Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers," published by the American Geriatrics Society, which helps doctors have informed, supportive conversations with patients and families.
While there’s no single answer to staying sharp, there’s also no mystery. “It’s about buying into the philosophy of a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Odenheimer said. That means eating well, moving often, engaging with others, and staying curious about the world.
It also means paying attention to how you feel, talking with your doctor about concerns, and having those tough-but-important conversations early.
When distractions creep in or memory slips a little, don’t panic. Refocus, recenter, and remember: the brain is still capable of growth, joy, and brilliance at any age. Start by moving your body today, calling a friend, or signing up for that class you’ve been putting off.
6 HABITS FOR A STRONGER BRAIN
Keeping your brain strong isn’t just about luck or genetics — it’s about daily choices. Just like muscles, your brain benefits from regular care, movement, and nourishment. These six simple habits, grounded in science and everyday life, can help protect your mind, sharpen your thinking, and support long-term cognitive health.
1
Control Blood Pressure
If you only do one thing, do this. High blood pressure increases the risk for stroke and cognitive decline. Manage it with a healthy diet, regular activity, and medication if needed.
4 2 5 3 6
Stay Curious
It’s not about puzzles; it’s about curiosity. Read, take a class, learn a new skill, or just ask more questions. A more engaged brain is a stronger brain.
Move Your Body (YourWay)
Exercise supports circulation, weight, mental health, and the brain. If you like running, run, but exercise doesn’t have to be intense. Walking, dancing, or water aerobics all count. The key is consistency and enjoyment.
Eat Like a Mediterranean
Fill your plate with vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and Omega-3-rich fish. Cut back on red and processed meats. A colorful, plant-forward diet helps reduce inflammation in the brain.
Be Social
Conversation is good medicine. Spend time with people who make you laugh, challenge you, or just brighten your day. Even short, daily interactions support mental clarity.
Bonus Tip
Get Enough Sleep!
Plan Ahead –
Before It’s a
Crisis
Talk early about future needs, from driving to finances to home care. Having a plan in place reduces stress and protects your independence longer.
Brains need rest to reset. Quality sleep helps consolidate memories, flush out toxins, and restore mental clarity. Aim for seven to nine hours — and don’t underestimate the power of a good bedtime routine.
THEraPiEs ForCogniTivE CondiTions
REWIRING
THE BRAIN FOR RECOVERY
By Lindsay Morris
For older adults recovering from a stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or managing the progression of Parkinson’s disease, the journey to improved function often begins with a team of specialists who do more than rehabilitate — they help rewire the brain.
Physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathology (SLP) are cornerstones of neurological rehabilitation. Each discipline offers targeted support that taps into the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections, a concept known as neuroplasticity.
“Neuroplasticity is the concept of use it or lose it for the nervous system — trying to keep neural pathways or establish new brain patterns,” said Dr. David Jennings, physiatrist with Saint Francis Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. A physiatrist is a doctor who helps people recover movement and function after an injury, illness, or disability.
PHysiCaL and oCCUPaTionaL THEraPy STRENGTHENING THE
BODY AND BRAIN
Physical and occupational therapists are experts who incorporate exercises to challenge the brain as much as the body. Tasks involving balance, coordination, and sequencing — such as following a multi-step recipe or practicing a dressing routine — stimulate key brain regions tied to planning and executive function.
Cara Price, occupational therapist with Saint Francis Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, said OT focuses on the patient’s daily self-care — feeding, oral and grooming care, toileting, wiping, dressing, showering or bathing, meal prep, and laundry. For patients with a neurological condition or who are recovering from a neurological event, such as a traumatic brain injury or stroke, therapists work with the patient to establish their goals upfront.
“We encourage them to meet their goals that they have in mind, all while we’re strengthening their body for the ultimate performance,” Price said.
Jennings, Price, and the entire Saint Francis rehab team work with patients following a hospital stay, so their therapy plan is intensive, usually lasting from five days to one month, for three hours of combined therapies each day.
“Whether it’s someone with Parkinson’s, TBI, or stroke, on the acute side, the therapy treatments focus on the basics of gaining strength and increasing tone,” Jennings said.
Jennings added that it’s important for patients who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury to use the part of the body in which they lost function. For example, if patients had a stroke on the left side of the brain, they would demonstrate right-sided deficits. They may have brushed their hair with the right hand their entire life, but following the stroke, they will be tempted to use the left hand for everything.
“For the sake of neuroplasticity, we encourage them to use that right hand to make those pathways automatically,” Jennings said. “It helps keep pathways open, and it may even create new pathways.”
When it comes to OT exercises, handstrengthening is another surprising avenue for boosting brain function. Gripping therapy putty, squeezing stress balls, or manipulating small objects not only improves fine motor skills but also stimulates areas of the brain related to attention and focus, Price said. Handwriting using the arm affected during a stroke is also encouraged during OT.
LIFE PACE Speech Therapist Nikki Calvert, shown working with Napoleon Barragan, says technology has been a game changer in the field of speech-language pathology.
Parkinson’s disEasE and THEraPy
MANAGING A PROGRESSIVE CONDITION
Therapy can play an important role in slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease, a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time, affecting movement, muscles, balance, and more. Therapists’ approach to treating a patient with the disease is different than their approach to treating a patient with a brain injury or event.
“This disease isn’t going away, so we ask, ‘How can we make them function where they are?’” said Cara Price, OT. “How can we teach them or their caregiver functional ways to help them where they are?”
Dr. David Jennings, who was a physical therapist before going to medical school to become a physiatrist, said therapists work with Parkinson’s patients to improve mobility and stability. They accomplish this goal by working with reciprocal patterns. For example, the PT may use external cues like rhythmic music or a metronome to help the patient develop a gait pattern.
Other tools for Parkinson’s patients include a physical therapy exercise using lines on the floor as visual cues for progression of gait. Walkers can even be equipped with a laser pointer that helps them track their gait progression.
THAN WORDS
Best known for helping people with speech and swallowing difficulties, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a critical role in cognitive rehabilitation, especially for older adults. They also support memory, attention, problem-solving, and wordfinding — essential functions that often decline after neurological injury or disease.
Nikki Calvert is an SLP with 18 years of experience who works at LIFE PACE, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Communication skills are an important part of staying independent, and the goal of the program is to keep participants in their own homes as long as possible.
For individuals with Parkinson’s disease, speech therapy is often focused on helping participants improve their vocal volume and slurred speech, since the disease often causes these and other symptoms of voice loss.
“Their system wants to do everything more rigid or smaller,” Calvert said. “They think they’re yelling, but really they’re speaking at a normal volume.”
For someone with Parkinson’s, for example, speech therapy might include practicing loud vocal exercises to strengthen voice volume, along with games that challenge the brain’s working memory.
Calvert has a certification in Parkinson’s called Speak Out. The program encourages participants to speak loudly while practicing cognitive exercises. For example, they might be instructed to loudly say five things that could cause them to fall. “We’re targeting voice projection and problem solving/ reasoning,” Calvert said.
For stroke survivors, speech therapy might involve sequencing tasks or using visual aids to improve attention and recall. As with the other forms of therapy, finding a goal that the patient wants to work towards is key.
“I want it to be participant-driven,” Calvert said. “If I come up with a task that they don’t like doing, then we find a task they do like. How can I tailor it to their goals and what they enjoy doing?”
During her 18 years as a speech therapist, Calvert has had several success stories with patients. One patient who experienced a stroke was completely non-verbal when she started working with him. By the end of their time together, the patient was able to
tell his wife, “I love you,” and say the name of the therapy dog that Calvert was bringing to work.
Speech therapy has changed tremendously in the last two decades, and many of those changes are the result of technology. “I went from working with Yellow Pages and all paper tasks to working with ChatGPT and the internet,” Calvert said. “It’s amazing how much technology has changed my job.”
Technology was a game changer for one LIFE PACE participant who was isolated and unable to talk following multiple strokes. “We got him an adaptive communication device, and he was able to surf the internet and communicate,” Calvert said.
THEraPiEs Working TogETHEr
One of the strengths of PT, OT, and SLP is how these disciplines often overlap and reinforce one another. A person working with a physical therapist to improve balance may also need support from an occupational therapist to modify their home environment for safety or help from a speech therapist to manage attention challenges that make walking and talking difficult.
“We have weekly team meetings where the PT, OT, SLP, and physiatrist discuss the patient and their progress,” Dr. David Jennings said. “Patients tend to do well in the team approach setting.” Patients benefit from having multiple therapists who communicate closely, tailoring their strategies based on individual progress.
Whether recovering from a traumatic injury or managing a chronic condition, older adults can make meaningful gains in both physical and cognitive function through skilled therapy. The brain’s capacity to adapt doesn’t disappear with age — and therapy helps unlock that potential.
Word Search / Boost Your Brain
Word Clues
Each answer starts with the letter S.
To do this mental word game, read these clues; each answer refers to a word starting with the letter S. Answers on page 51.
Japanese rice wine.
More than two, but not very many.
Some insects might do this to you.
A valuable greyish white metal.
A person you have not met or do not know.
Not very often.
When you have a feeling of unhappiness you are.
In the place of the runner-up.
You might wear this on your foot.
Your name written in your handwriting.
Bamboozable
A bamboozable is a saying/phrase that is made up of a display of words in an interesting way. The goal is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, place, or thing that each bamboozable is meant to represent. There are six bamboozables below. Answers on page 51.
Crossword
Answers on page 51.
FREQUENCY DOUBT
Across
1 Speck released by fluffing cushions
5 Outfit
10 Phishing, e.g.
14 Talk Like a Pirate Day greeting
15 Friend in Oaxaca
16 Silicon Valley's __ Alto
17 "Go," to a driver
19 NBA and WNBA
20 Tile floor covering 21 Sworn statement 22 Go nuts for 24 Classic video game maker
26 Insurance company whose slogan begins "Like a good neighbor" 29 Garden shovel
31 Easily reached, in a way
32 Scattergories game piece with 20 sides
33 Frozen treats in Roma 36 Serum container 37 Trip of a lifetime 41 Hosted, for short
Basketball venues 43 Med. condition featured in the novel "Turtles All the Way Down" 44 "Bien sûr" 46 Garden statue with a pointy hat 49 Boost for a hockey team after a penalty
53 Disappear, as a puddle 55 Time-saving options for bakers 56 Post re-re-reshared on social media
58 Sign of B'way success
59 __ golf
60 People who share a living space, and what both parts of 17-, 26-, 37-, and 49-Across can be?
63 Blackjack cards 64 Fertile spots in a desert
See 40-Down
Furtive "Hey!"
Length of hair
Leave a mark
1 Lava, while underground 2 "Darn it!"
3 Keep a beat, digitally?
4 Organ on a dollar bill
5 Charity ball, say
6 Sends out
7 Like an inflated blood pressure cuff
8 "Yuck!"
9 Shepherd's pie topper
10 Parody
11 Dashboard feature
12 Native of Africa's largest country
13 Calendar divs.
18 "I'm stumped"
23 __ point: condensation temperature
25 Ranted and raved
27 Wonderland visitor
28 Filmmaker Brooks
30 Street in a horror franchise
34 To no __: unsuccessfully
35 Sticky stuff
36 Ski helmet part
37 Batman publisher
38 Merlot, Malbec, Montepulciano, etc.
39 "The Ice Storm" director Lee
40 With 65-Across, two-person vehicle
41 Bucket partner
44 Smelter input
45 Conclusion
47 Occult practitioner
48 "Aha!"
50 Live
51 Bring on a smile
52 Some RSVPs
54 Tough question
57 Clutter
59 Geography class display
61 Canoeist's need
62 Crunched muscles
Number Search Puzzle
WELCOME TO THE SENIOR LIFESTYLE & WELLNESS EXPO
Exchange Center at Expo Square • 4145 E. 21st St., Tulsa Tuesday, July 8, 2025 • 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
As Oklahoma’s premiere senior event, the Expo is designed especially for you! The primary focus is on active aging, senior lifestyles, and retirement interests. We hope that you will gain new insight into aging-in-place; take advantage of the free health screenings; explore community activities and volunteer organizations you might enjoy; and discover how to live safely and securely in your home and in the community. It’s all here to help you live your best life!
8:30 a.m.
Event Opens With 150 Exhibitors
You’ll find information about healthy aging, senior centers and lifelong learning; fitness, social, and volunteer opportunities; legal services, investments, and estate planning; medical services, LIFE PACE, wound care, and rehab options; adult day health services, caregiver support and in-home services; housing and senior living options, and much more.
• New This Year! Virtual Dementia Tour with the Alzheimer’s Association
The Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT®) builds sensitivity and awareness in individuals caring for those with dementia by temporarily altering participants’ physical and sensory abilities. This evidence-based program simulates changes associated with cognitive decline.Reserve your tour time at the Alzheimer’s Association booth.
• Rx Take Back with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) Bring in your unwanted or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for safe disposal.
* Please no liquids, inhalers or syringes.
• Seek, Find, WIN!
This popular game sends people searching out our top sponsors, getting their cards stamped, and then entering to win one of ten $100 Reasor’s gift cards! Special thanks to Memorial Park Cemetery for donating the gift cards.
• Free Health Screenings
There will be vision and blood pressure screenings compliments of Triad Eye Institute and the Indian Health Care Resource Center.
• ARF Rescue Pets
Come meet your new best friend! Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) will be here with several deserving pets looking for new homes.
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Expo Stage Education and Entertainment
Emceed by News on 6 Anchor Lori Fullbright, the Expo Stage offers free seminars and entertainment throughout the day. Highlights include Lori’s “Cons, Frauds, and Scams” presentation, the Assistance League Fashion Show, “Legal Essentials” with Oklahoma Senior Law, and more! Entertainment includes the Roma Berry Line Dancers, and the Silver Tones from LIFE’s Active Senior Center, Nashville recording artist James Robert Webb, and music trivia with Groovy 105.7. The day will end with the Seek, Find, WIN! drawings for the ten Reasor’s gift cards. See the complete schedule on page18 of this Event Guide.
9 a.m. – Noon
AARP Oklahoma Free Shredding Event
(East side of the Exchange Center)
NOTE: Event ends when the truck is full Drive through and drop off up to three boxes or bags of your old tax, medical, or banking records, prescription tags, or any paperwork with your personal information (residential only, no plastic will be accepted). Materials will be shredded on-site by Shredder’s, Inc.
Hot Off the Press!
The 2025-2026 edition of LIFE’s Vintage Guide to Housing & Services will be available at the Senior LIFEstyle & Wellness Expo! The Vintage Guide is northeast Oklahoma’s premiere guide to housing, home health agencies, and community resources for seniors. It also contains more than 20 articles on topics of interest for seniors, family caregivers, and anyone working with older adults.
CommunityCare Your Local Medicare Resource
CommunityCare is proud to be Oklahoma’s largest locally owned health insurance company. We are owned by two premier health systems in northeastern Oklahoma — Ascension St. John and Saint Francis Health System. We work together to provide the care our community deserves. Located in downtown Tulsa, we have been serving Oklahomans for more than 30 years.
Being a local plan makes a difference in our members’ experience. In fact, CommunityCare’s Senior Health Plan has the highest customer service satisfaction rating in northeast Oklahoma. We think that being local matters to our members — we’re here in the community with you.
Senior Health Plan serves more than 35,000 Oklahomans, offering plans that include all of your Medicare benefits, as well as many additional benefits that Medicare doesn’t cover. We have an excellent local sales team that works with you to help you not only enroll in a plan but also to make sure you understand your benefits.
So often, we hear from Medicare beneficiaries that they weren’t aware of the Medicare rules or insurance choices because they didn’t know what to ask. That’s what our team provides — answers to those questions you weren’t aware you should ask. We help you understand how to shop for insurance and how to avoid making mistakes or even being penalized for not taking actions you didn’t know you had to take. Once you enroll, the education continues. We offer new member orientation meetings to dive deeper into your benefit plan and show you where to look for more information.
We are your local resource for Medicare — let us help you discover what CommunityCare can do for you! Call us at (918) 594-5272 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or visit us online at ccokadvantage.com, and we’ll be ready to get you the answers you need.
AARP Oklahoma is proud to partner with LIFE Senior Services for a free drive-thru shred event.
Three-box limit
Tuesday, July 8
9:00 a.m. – Noon
Exchange Center at Expo Square
4145 E. 21st St. • Tulsa
The shred event will occur adjacent to the Senior LIFEstyle & Wellness Expo.
In addition to the free shred event, you can enter to win a $100 gift card and request free fraud prevention resources at AARP.org/fraudwatchdog.
Protect Yourself From Identity Fraud Essential Tips to Safeguard
Your Personal Information
In 2024, 40 million Americans reported $47 billion stolen through identity fraud and scams, according to a report cosponsored by AARP. This growing problem requires proactive steps to safeguard your personal information, even if your data has been exposed.
BY AARP FRAUD WATCH NETWORK VOLUNTEER JEFF MILLER
Along with creating stronger passwords, using multi-factor authentication, and periodically reviewing your credit report, here are three additional ways to protect yourself.
Enable Automatic Updates
• Regularly update your operating system and antivirus software, especially when new versions are released.
• Set up your devices and software to update automatically to fix known security vulnerabilities.
Just Say No to Unsolicited Communications
• Be wary of unsolicited calls, texts, emails, and social media messages. Criminals often spoof phone numbers and impersonate trusted sources.
• Avoid clicking on links in emails, texts, or online ads. Type web addresses into your browser to ensure you visit legitimate sites.
• Let your voicemail handle unfamiliar calls. Verify the number and information before calling back.
• Check with your phone carrier for ways to block or flag suspicious calls.
Sensitive Documents
You No Longer Need
• Shred anything containing sensitive information that you don’t need to keep, such as paid credit card statements, sales receipts, medical statements, and credit offers.
• Use a micro-cut shredder for added security
Fight fraud. Shred it!
AARP Fraud Watch Network can help you protect yourself against identity theft. Join us for a free document-shredding event in Tulsa. Reserve your spot for AARP Oklahoma’s shredding event. Your documents will be shredded on-site, free of charge.
July 8 | 9 a.m. - noon
Expo Exchange Center 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114
For more information and to request free fraud prevention resources and enter to win a $100 gift card, visit aarp.org/fraudwatchdog.
Preventative Care for Seniors
Importance of Regular Health Screenings and Check-Ups
As the golden years unfold, seniors often find themselves on a journey marked by wisdom, experiences, and the joys of retirement. Yet, amid this chapter of life, there’s an essential aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked: preventative care. While aging is a natural process, it’s crucial to maintain one’s health and well-being through regular screenings and check-ups.
Preventative care encompasses a spectrum of healthcare services aimed at forestalling illness and promoting overall wellness. For seniors, this proactive approach to health management is particularly vital. As bodies age, they become more susceptible to various ailments, ranging from chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension to degenerative diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis.
THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR HEALTH SCREENINGS
Regular health screenings serve as proactive measures to detect potential health issues before they become serious concerns. These screenings often include tests for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, and cancer screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and prostate exams.
Early detection through screenings empowers seniors and their healthcare providers to intervene promptly, mitigating the progression of diseases and improving treatment outcomes. Moreover, preventative screenings can often uncover conditions in their earliest stages when they’re most manageable, thus reducing the likelihood of complications while enhancing quality of life.
VIPcare: Embrace Routine Checkups
Beyond screenings, routine checkups with healthcare professionals are essential components of preventative care for seniors. During these visits, doctors assess various aspects of a patient’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They may conduct comprehensive physical examinations, review medication regimens, and discuss lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and sleep habits.
Regular checkups foster a collaborative relationship between patients and doctors, enabling personalized care plans tailored to individual needs and preferences. These appointments also provide opportunities for seniors to voice concerns, seek guidance on health-related matters, and actively participate in decision-making regarding their care.
Preventative care serves as a cornerstone of healthy aging.
By prioritizing preventative care, VIPcare empowers patients to lead fulfilling lives filled with health, happiness, and purpose. Take control of your health by scheduling your appointment with VIPcare today!
The Oklahoma Insurance Department is a state agency with a specialized Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) DEDICATED TO HELP OKLAHOMANS.
can help you: file an insurance claim find a life insurance policy file a request for assistance/complaint look up an insurance agent license and much more!
We provide free counseling about your
options and resources to help prevent fraud.
Get Ready for Scams in the Digital Age
By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready
Technology makes our lives more convenient by transforming pen-and-paper processes into simple, one-click tasks. These advancements have also created opportunities for fraudsters to exploit us, particularly older adults. Fraud and scams are not going away, but you don’t have to be a victim! Here are some ways you can prepare.
The first step in safeguarding against scams is knowing how to identify them. Some common scams include:
1. PHISHING
Scammers send fraudulent emails, texts, and social media messages to trick you into revealing personal information or downloading malicious software onto your device.
2. MEDICARE AND HEALTH INSURANCE FRAUD
Scammers obtain personal information, such as Social Security or Medicare numbers, and file fraudulent claims.
3. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FRAUD
Scammers may send you medical equipment you never ordered, offer fake telehealth services, or enroll you in care without your knowledge.
Avoid sharing personal information online. Never disclose your Social Security or insurance details on untrustworthy websites. Always review your Medicare statements, protect your Medicare number, and verify claims. Finally, monitor your finances for any unauthorized activities.
Report suspicious emails or messages and block scammers’ social media profiles and phone numbers. For financial fraud, contact your financial institutions immediately to report the activity. If you believe your identity has been compromised, contact the three major credit bureaus to freeze your credit and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. Report suspected Medicare fraud to the Medicare Assistance Program at (800) 763-2828 or map@oid.ok.gov. While the digital revolution has made our lives easier, it has also introduced various threats. Staying informed can help you prepare for them. If you have any questions about Medicare, please visit map.oid.ok.gov.
Estate Planning
An Important Step for Seniors
Planning for the future provides peace of mind and protection for seniors and their loved ones. Having a comprehensive estate plan is important to ensure your wishes are honored and your legacy is preserved.
Although every adult should have an estate plan, for seniors specifically, estate planning serves multiple purposes. First and foremost, it can allow for the easy transfer of assets to family, friends, and charities while avoiding probate complications, but only if the right estate planning tools are used! Wills and trusts are common planning tools, but you will need advice from an attorney on which is best for you.
Estate planning should include financial powers of attorney that designate trusted individuals to manage finances or property if you are
incapacitated or unable to take action for yourself. Appointing an agent can help protect your assets from predators, help you manage daily responsibilities, and keep you from needing guardianship.
A well-planned estate should also address your healthcare concerns and incapacity. Advanced directives, often called a “living will,” and healthcare powers of attorney ensure that healthcare decisions align with your personal values when you are unable to communicate your wishes. These documents are incredibly helpful for your family members and can help prevent potential conflicts.
For many seniors, preserving family harmony is paramount in their estate plan. Clear and complete planning can reduce the likelihood
of disagreements among beneficiaries by explicitly stating your wishes for distributing your assets. This transparency helps prevent misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and potential relationship damage during an already emotional time.
Additionally, thorough estate planning should address your concerns about the costs of long-term care. For some seniors, early planning can protect assets from nursing home and long-term care costs. With healthcare expenses continuing to rise, strategies like Medicaid planning may help protect your savings and home for future generations while ensuring quality care.
Simply put, estate planning provides seniors with control, protection, and peace of mind during life's later chapters, making it not just important but essential for those entering their golden years.
Now Hear This
The Importance of Hearing Aids
BY JULIE WENGER WATSON
According to the National Institutes of Health, one in three people over the age of 60 has age-related hearing loss. By age 74 and older, nearly half will have it. Remarkably — and unfortunately — only 20% of those who might benefit from treatment actually seek help. The consequences of untreated hearing loss can be substantial, including impaired job performance, damaged relationships, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and possibly even accelerated dementia. With so much at risk, it’s important to identify and treat the loss before it negatively impacts your health and well-being.
CONSEQUENCES OF UNTREATED HEARING LOSS
Age, genetics, noise exposure, and chronic illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease can all contribute to deafness in adults. When the issue is a slow, progressive process affecting both ears, many think it’s a normal sign of aging and may not readily acknowledge the changes or seek help. Consequently, millions of older adults struggle with the damage that poor hearing inflicts on their quality of life.
Whatever the source, the problem can have a profound effect on social relationships. Frustrated by their inability to communicate, individuals may withdraw socially, become less active and less connected with their friends and family, which can lead to loneliness and isolation.
Several studies have shown that untreated adults demonstrate significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other psychosocial disorders. Many of these factors are also associated with cognitive decline.
A study at Johns Hopkins University found a strong link between the degree of hearing loss and the risk of developing dementia. Those with mild symptoms were twice as likely to develop dementia as those with normal hearing. Those whose loss was moderate were three times more likely to develop dementia, and those with a severe loss had five times the risk.
When this essential sense is diminished, the brain works overtime to interpret the garbled message, using up brainpower that might otherwise be applied to thinking, memory, or other higher-level brain functions.
“It’s the mental load,” said Dr. Constance Rogers, a Family Medicine practitioner with a focus on geriatric care who works with LIFE PACE participants. “They miss parts of speech when people are talking. They spend a lot of their brain effort just trying to figure out what people said, even if they don’t realize they’re doing it because they’re missing little bits of words in ranges they cannot hear.”
HEARING AID HESITATION
On average, people who use aids wait over 10 years after their initial diagnosis to be fitted with their first set, and it’s estimated that only 14% of those who could benefit actually use them. It’s clear that the consequences of untreated hearing loss can be devastating, so why don’t people seek solutions?
Audiologists (healthcare professionals who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing hearing loss and balance disorders) cite several reasons, with denial and stigma as the most common. Many sufferers associate the decline with old age and simply aren’t ready to admit that they are affected. Those who acknowledge the problem often don’t want to wear devices that others might notice.
Cost can be a major barrier, too. Depending on the technology, the average price for a pair of adult prescription hearing aids is about $2,000 to $7,000, or more. Over-the-counter aids have a lower price point, but they aren’t suitable for everyone.
The technology itself can also be a barrier.
“Hearing aids are a lot better than they used to be, but sometimes it can be tricky for people to find something that is comfortable for them,” Dr. Rogers said. “If you’re new to the technology, it may be a little bit more difficult, and some people are more resistant.”
Clearly, left untreated, the problem can lead to a host of negative consequences, many of which can be lessened or even avoided through diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing and accepting the condition are the first steps to seeking solutions. If your hearing is a concern, consult with your primary care physician or an audiologist to determine your next steps. For more information, visit nidcd.nih.gov/health/ age-related-hearing-loss.
Choosing a Hearing Aid and Finding Assistance
Over-the-Counter and Prescription Devices
Prescription hearing aids are only available through a licensed audiologist who can program the device to your unique level of loss. Over-the-counter (OTC) products are meant to be less expensive (approximately $300 to $600) than those professionally fitted. These devices can be purchased in person at a store or through an online retailer without the need for a medical exam, prescription, or fitting adjustment by an audiologist. The OTC variety may be appropriate for many people with mild to moderate hearing loss, but for those whose conditions are severe to profound or complex, it’s best to see a healthcare provider for appropriate testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
Financial Assistance
Prescription hearing aids can run thousands of dollars and may not be covered by insurance. Check your policy to determine what coverage might be available for an exam, device, or other services. Original Medicare doesn't currently cover the devices. Diagnostic exams and tests may be covered with a referral. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage. Medicaid may offer some hearing aid coverage for adults, but guidelines vary by state. Veterans with service-related deafness may be eligible for hearing aids and other benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Oklahoma School for the Deaf’s Senior Citizen Hearing Aid Program provides financial assistance for qualified Oklahoma state residents 60 years of age or older. Visit osd.k12.ok.us for more information.
Explore a helpful hearing aid primer and learn how to protect your hearing. Practical tips, expert advice, and smart solutions, all in our latest digital edition.
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
Prostate Health in Older Men
BY STEVE CLEM
When former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer made headlines, it brought national attention to a disease many men avoid discussing. While prostate cancer is highly treatable when found early, it can be life-threatening if ignored or undetected for too long.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. STAY INFORMED. STAY PROACTIVE.
Common Prostate Conditions
2
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder that helps produce semen and regulate urine flow. As men age, problems with this gland become more common. Don’t ignore changes in urination or discomfort. PROSTATITIS
BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA
By age 60, half of all men will have an enlarged prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). By age 85, the proportion reaches 90%. With BPH, the prostate is enlarged but not cancerous. Effective treatments range from active surveillance to medications to surgery. While the condition does not increase the risk of getting prostate cancer or having sexual problems, it can affect quality of life by causing annoying and embarrassing urinary problems.
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS
Talk to your doctor if you experience:
Prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate gland, is also very common in men and can present with urinary and pelvic pain. This ailment can be caused by various factors, including bacterial infections that spread from the urethra or bladder to the prostate, and non-bacterial inflammation, including Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. Acute bacterial prostatitis typically clears up with antibiotic treatment.
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Blood in urine or semen
• Painful urination or ejaculation
• Persistent pain in the lower back or pelvis
• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
3
CANCER
Cancer of the prostate is the most common cancer among older men in the United States, most prevalent among Black men, followed by white, Hispanic, and Native American men. Asian men have the lowest rates of prostate cancer. Since symptoms can be silent early in the disease, regular checkups are important. If prostate cancer is detected early, it is easier to treat and more likely to be cured.
Learn about diagnostic tools that can save lives by finding prostate cancer early. See the digital version of this article under the Resources tab at LIFEseniorservices.org.
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE FOR OLDER ADULTS
Saint Francis Health System provides behavioral health services for adults aged 55 and older throughout eastern Oklahoma. Our compassionate team of mental health professionals provides inpatient care for depression, dementia, anxiety, and many other behavioral health issues that impact your daily life.
For more information, please call one of our locations listed below.
LAUREATE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AND HOSPITAL
Senior Behavioral Health Services
6655 South Yale Avenue | Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 918-502-5000
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL VINITA
Renaissance Program 735 North Foreman | Vinita, Oklahoma 74301 918-256-9201
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL MUSKOGEE
Senior Behavioral Health Services 211 South 36th Street | Muskogee, Oklahoma 74401 918-681-6835
Make Adult Day Health Your Partner in Caregiving Adult Day
Health Services
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA
Support for caregivers, connection for loved ones
–
“His whole attitude changes when we pull into the driveway. There’s just this light in him now."
BY JULIE ALEXANDER, ASSISTANT EDITOR
They are often called the silent workforce: people caring for a loved one because of illness, disability, or age, without training or pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 37 million people in the United States provide unpaid eldercare to a family member, friend, or even a neighbor.
Most caregivers still work, and most are women. Many juggle full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and caregiving duties, often with little support. That’s where support programs like Adult Day Health (ADH) can make all the difference. ADH can be a trusted partner in care, helping working caregivers stay on the job while ensuring their loved ones are safe, engaged, and well cared for during the day.
LIFE Senior Services operates two Adult Day Health centers that provide a safe, therapeutic setting for at-risk seniors and adults with disabilities, offering an alternative to full-time nursing care. Each center is staffed with healthcare professionals, including RNs and LPNs who administer medications and monitor health, along with a social worker, Family Assistance Coordinator, and caregiver support team.
Cheryl Harder-Missinne enrolled her husband, Ron, into LIFE’s ADH after his mild-to-moderate dementia began to progress. The couple moved to Tulsa five years ago when Cheryl, 69, became Associate Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church. Before Ron, 79, joined ADH, he either stayed home alone or accompanied Cheryl to work.
Cheryl Harder-Missinne, Wife of ADH Participant Ron
“It wasn’t until last fall that I realized he really couldn’t be left alone anymore,” Cheryl said. “I know Ron is in a place that’s safe. I know he’s taken care of. And I know he loves coming here. His whole attitude changes when we pull into the driveway. There’s just this light in him now. I think he’s made some friends. Otherwise, he was fairly isolated.”
Daniel Stout, Site Manager at LIFE’s Adult Day Center – Roma Berry Center for Seniors, says the program currently serves about 176 participants with a variety of health conditions, including dementia.
“ADH provides caregivers with much-needed respite,” Stout said. “It allows them to work, run errands, and tend to their own needs — all with peace of mind knowing their loved one is in a safe, welcoming environment.”
Participants enjoy social engagement, activities, and a strong sense of community. The Roma Berry Center features an art studio, a walking trail, gardens, enrichment activities, and field trips.
“I’ve seen people start out just coming once a week,” said Stout. “But once they experience the environment, many start coming five days a week. The benefits are real — for the participant and the caregiver.”
See the column to the right for a list of other adult day health centers in northeastern and central Oklahoma. For more information about LIFE’s Adult Day Health, call (918) 664-9000.
Elder Care Day Break 1223 Swan Dr. Bartlesville, OK 74006 (918) 336-8500 www.abouteldercare.org
Rogers County Adult Day Center 2223 N Hwy. 88 Claremore, OK 74017 (918) 341-7588 rogerscountyadultdaycarecenter.org
LIFE’s Adult Day Health * two locations LIFEseniorservices.org
• Adult Day Health – North 902 E. Pine St. Tulsa, OK 74106 (918) 664-9000
• Adult Day Center – Roma Berry Center for Seniors 4821 S. 72nd E. Ave. Tulsa, OK 74145 (918) 664-9000
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Goodwill Adult Day Services 205 S. Fifth St. Chickasha, OK 73018 goodwillsont.org
Full Circle Adult Day Center 4223 28th Ave. N.W. Norman, OK 73069 (405) 447-2955 fullcircleok.org
Daily Living Centers * three locations dlcok.org
• 3000 N. Rockwell Ave. Bethany, OK 73008 (405) 471-6867
• 2600 E. 2nd St. Edmond, OK 73034 (405) 471-6867
• 1681 S.W. 86th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73159 (405) 688-5388
Welcome Home Adult Day Care 11720 S. Western Ave., Suite A Oklahoma City, OK 73170 (405) 692-1800 welcomehoneadc.com
WovenLife Adult Day Center 701 N.E. 13th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405) 239-2525 wovenlifeok.org
Reliable Rides. Real Independence.
LIFE Senior Services is proud to offer a new non-emergency medical transportation program tailored specifically for older adults. This service provides safe, reliable rides to health-related appointments, including doctor visits, therapy, outpatient procedures, dialysis, and chemotherapy. Rides are offered at little or no cost, based on your income.
• Rides to medical appointments: doctor, therapy, dialysis, chemotherapy, and more
• Wheelchair-accessible vans available
• Affordable rates based on income — rides available at little to no cost
• Professional, courteous drivers you can trust
• Available Monday – Friday during regular business hours
• 48-hour advanced notice requested Have grocery prices been getting you down?
Then come play with us, and you might win $100 in free groceries! Special thanks to Memorial Park Cemetery and Ronnie Felts for making the game possible and providing the Reasor’s gift cards!
As you enter the Senior LIFEstyle & Wellness Expo, you’ll receive a Seek, Find, WIN! game card. Find as many of our top sponsors listed on the game card as you can. As you visit, each sponsor will stamp your card. After you collect all 32 stamps, turn your game card into the registration table. Your card will be entered to win one of ten Reasor’s gift cards. *You need not be present
Celebrating 90 Years of Social Security A Promise Kept
On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.
“We can never insure 100% of the population against 100% of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, but we have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age,” President Roosevelt said on the day he signed the act into law.
Since that time, Social Security has helped millions of Americans retire and live with dignity. The act has provided income for retired workers, people with disabilities, and surviving family members after the loss of a loved one. Today, more than 67 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, including about 838,000 Oklahomans.
“At LIFE Senior Services, we see every day how much Social Security matters,” said Eileen Bradshaw, CEO of LIFE Senior Services. “For many of the older adults we serve, it’s what keeps the lights on and food on the table.”
A MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY
LIFE Senior Services is partnering with AARP Oklahoma to celebrate the milestone anniversary with a themed party, “A Promise Kept for 90 Years.” Social Security is a promise earned through a lifetime of work, and in nine decades, not a single payment has been missed.
The All-American Social Security 90th Anniversary celebrations will be held in Tulsa and Shawnee. Enjoy games, prizes, and treats like
hot dogs and lemonade, all in honor of a program that has stood the test of time.
“This is more than a celebration. It’s a call to action,” said AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl. “Social Security is your money — you earned it. And AARP will never stop fighting to make sure it’s there when you need it.”
Tulsa’s anniversary party will start at 10 a.m. at LIFE’s Active Senior Center at Roma Berry, 4821 S. 72nd E. Ave., on August 14.
“We’d love for you to come celebrate with us,” Bradshaw said. “Whether Social Security has helped you, your parents, or someone you care about, this is a chance to recognize what it’s done for our country and how important it is to protect these benefits.”
Tulsa Celebration Thursday, August 14 • 10 a.m. LIFE Senior Services Active Senior Center at Roma Berry 4821 S. 72nd E. Ave.
Shawnee Celebration
Tuesday, August 12 • 10 a.m. Shawnee Recreation Senior Center 401 N. Bell Ave.
COME JOIN THE FUN!
Here’s just a sampling of the entertainment you’ll find at the 2025 Senior LIFEstyle & Wellness Expo
Roma Berry Line Dancers
9:00 a.m.
The line dancers from LIFE’s Active Senior Center at Roma Berry will get our day started on the right foot! You’ll even be invited to join them for an easy dance lesson.
Music Trivia with Groovy 105.7
10:05 a.m.
Rick Couri from Groovy 105.7 will challenge us with music trivia from the timeless hits of the ’60s and ’70s.
“Cons, Frauds and Scams”
11:00 a.m.
Beware of being lured into costly cons and scams. Lori Fullbright will shed some light on how scammers target older adults and how to protect yourselves and your personal information.
Assistance League Fashion Show
12:05 p.m.
KJRH-2 Anchor Sharon Phillips will emcee as volunteers from Assistance League Tulsa model some of the fashions available at their Bargains thrift store.
Roma Berry Improv Group
1:15 p.m.
This talented group of performers will create scenes, stories, and characters onthe-spot and without a script. It’s a fine mix of quick wit, storytelling, and comedy.
The Silver Tones
1:40 p.m.
These 15 skilled musicians from LIFE’s Active Senior Center at Roma Berry will have you tapping your toes and singing along with a variety of musical hits from the past.
Seek, Find, WIN! Drawing 2:15 p.m.
Eileen and Bernie will wrap up the day, drawing for the winners of the ten $100 grocery gift cards from Reasor’s. Play the Seek, Find, WIN! game and you could be a winner!
2025 Expo Stage Schedule
8:55 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
Eileen Bradshaw, LIFE Senior Services CEO, and Lori Fullbright, News On 6
9:00 a.m. Roma Berry Line Dancers LIFE’s Active Senior Center at Roma Berry
9:30 a.m. “Legal Essentials for Older Adults“ Jorjana Marx, Oklahoma Senior Law
10:05 a.m. Music Trivia With Groovy 105.7 Featuring music from the ’60s and ’70s
10:30 a.m. Salsa Making With Kit Kit Hines, LIFE PACE Dietitian
11:00 a.m. “Cons, Frauds, and Scams” Lori Fullbright, News On 6
12:05 p.m. Assistance League Fashion Show Sharon Phillips from KJRH-2 and volunteers from Assistance League Tulsa
12:40 p.m. “Freedom From Back Pain” Dr. James Webb, physician and Nashville recording artist
1:15 p.m. Roma Berry Improv Group LIFE’s Active Senior Center at Roma Berry
1:40 p.m. The Silver Tones LIFE’s Active Senior Center at Roma Berry
2:15 p.m. Seek, Find, WIN! Drawings for Ten $100 Reasor’s Gift Cards
Eileen Bradshaw and Bernie Dornblaser, LIFE Senior Services (Need not be present to win.)
Schedule subject to change without notice
EVENT SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS
Thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors who make this event possible.
• AARP
• AARP Driver Safety
• AARP Foundation Senior Employment
• Ability Resources
• Advanced Wound Therapy
• Alzheimer's Association
• Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)
• Archwell Health
• Assistance League Tulsa
• Atlas Homes Tulsa
• Autumn House Estate Planning by Maple Law
• BathPlanet of Oklahoma
• Bixby – South Tulsa Funeral Service
• BlueCross BlueShield
• Caption Call by Sorenson
• Carradini Health & Wealth
• Centenarians of Oklahoma
• Central States Research
• Chamber Music Tulsa
• Coffee Bunker
• CommunityCare
• Cornerstone Caregiving
• Country Club at Woodland Hills
• Cox Healthcare
• Craft Body Scan
• Crawford Insurance Advisors
• CREOKS Health Services
• DHS Adult Protective Services
• Domestic Violence Intervention Services – DVIS
• Dynamic Wound Care
• Eastern OK Donated Dental Services
• Edward Jones
• Elara Caring Hospice
• Emerald Care Center
• EyeCare Associates of South Tulsa
• Eyemart Express
• Family & Children's Services
• Fine Fellows Estate Sales
• Flawless Smile Dentistry
• Forest Hills
• Gentiva Hospice
• Good Shepherd Hospice
• Groovy 105.7
• Hallmark Homecare
• Heart for Seniors Home Healthcare
• Heartwood Commons
• Home Instead
• Hospice of Green Country
• INCOG Area Agency on Aging
• Indian Health Care Resource Center
• Inside Out Chiropractic
• Leaf Filter
• LifeMotion Physical Therapy
• LIFE’s Active Senior Center
• LIFE’s Adult Day Health
• LIFE’s Caregiver Support
• LIFE’s Medicare & Tax Assistance
• LIFE PACE
• LIFE’S SeniorLink
• LIFE’s Vintage Publications
• LIFE’s Volunteers
• Littleton Legal
• Local Insurance Advisors
• Medicare Prepare
• Memorial Park Cemetary
• Millennium Home Health
• Miller Hospice
• Moore – Fitzgerald Funeral Home
• Morton Comprehensive Health Services
• Mr. Handyman of Greater Tulsa
• Ms Oklahoma Senior America
• NanoPac
• Navigating Medicare
• Nerve Renewal Neuropathy Clinic
• NewView Oklahoma
• Northeast Oklahoma Quilts of Valor
• Oak Street Health
• OK Attorney General's Office –Consumer Protection
• OK Healthy Aging Initiative
• Oklahoma ABLE Tech
• Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative
• Oklahoma Human Services – MIPPA
• Oklahoma Insurance Dept.
• Oklahoma Natural Gas
• Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance
• Oklahoma Pulmonary Care
• Oklahoma Senior Games
• Oklahoma Senior Law
• Oklahoma Services for the Blind
• Oklahoma's Living Choice – OHCA
• Oxford Health Care
• PAM Health
• Pathways Adult Learning Center
• Paw Pals
• Photo Solutions Forever
• Pro Compare Medicare
• Renewal by Andersen
• Saint Francis Health System
• Saint Simeon's
• Schaudt Funeral Service
• Seasons Hospice
• Senior Helpers
• Southwest Dairy Farmers
• St. John Rehabilitation Hospital
• Strong Family Financial
• Tallgrass Estate Planning
• The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges
• The Courtyards Assisted Living
• Tinker Federal Credit Union
• Triad Eye Institute
• Tulsa & Creek County Senior Nutrition
• Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust
• Tulsa Area Arkansas River Advocates
• Tulsa CARES
• Tulsa Chiropractic Associates
• Tulsa City-County Library
• Tulsa County Assessor's Office
• Tulsa Parks, Culture & Recreation
• Tulsa Police Financial Crimes Unit
• United Healthcare
• University Village
• Valley View OHCE
• Village Travel
• Vintage Housing
• VIP Care
• Visiting Angels
• Dr. James Webb & Associates
• Wellcare
BY CONNIE CRONLEY
Book Club/
Two Dust Bowl Books
The Dust Bowl and the Depression combined to become an American tragedy, especially for people of the Plains. These two books, one a novel and the other a memoir, bring those hard times to vivid, enthralling life.
The Dust Bowl was the worst drought in U.S. history and lasted most of the 1930s. It drove 2.5 million people out of the states of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma in a massive migration. Nobody who lived through it ever forgot it.
“Antidote”
Karen Russell’s brilliant new novel “Antidote” tells how it affected the people of Uz, Nebraska. Uz is not a real town; it is a symbolic place and an allusion to the Biblical Land of the longsuffering Job. Yet, she writes so well, the more I read, the more real Uz and its inhabitants felt to me. She splashes the story with magic realism, and I started to believe those fantasies, too.
The characters are what anchor the book.
Asphodel “Dell” Oletsky, a 15-year-old orphan who plays basketball with a fierceness to mask her sorrow; her bachelor uncle Harp Oletsky, a dryland farmer whose wheat field seems to be miraculously spared the disaster of Black Sunday; Antidote, a prairie witch with her own sad story and who has the power to erase people’s bad memories (for a fee) until they want to reclaim them; and Cleo Allfrey, a New Deal photographer sent to document the famers’ suffering and ends up with a camera with mystical powers.
If all of this sounds too outlandish, and I agree that it does, the novel becomes mesmerizing by the author’s storytelling skills and her characters, who are completely believable with full back stories. Best of all, she writes with a style that is simple but sparkling.
When the girls’ basketball coach, a farmer “dusted out” by the drought, is ruined, they observed, “Coach did not look well at all. His voice was just a hiss today, as if his mind had sprung a leak.”
Harp, the lucky farmer who talks to his growing wheat, observes: “God invented a thousand clocks, and winter wheat is one of the most beautiful.”
Dell, who spends a lot of time listening in on the telephone party line, knows her strengths: “I’ve never once cheated at basketball … But I have excellent credentials as a liar. I lied to my teachers and my doctors … I lied to conceal my unhappiness from my mother and my happiness also. I made up my lies out of caring and spite, out of everything in me. I still can’t hem a pair of pants, but I can tailor a lie for anybody’s figure.”
Bonus Content
Discover additional book recommendations by flipping through the digital archives of LIFE’s Vintage Magazine at LIFEseniorservices.org.
“Red Dirt: Growing Up Okie”
For clarity and heart-rending candor of a hardscrabble life in rural Oklahoma during the Depression, I highly recommend poet Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s memoir “Red Dirt: Growing Up Okie,” published in 1997. Her desperately poor family didn’t emigrate, but bounced from Texas to rural Oklahoma, near Piedmont in Canadian County.
They had been sharecroppers; “We owned no farm equipment, not even a team of mules or a plow.” When her father fought with the landlord and they moved, “Everything [the family of six] owned fit in that pickup — two mattresses and metal bed frames and slats, a canvas army cot, the Singer sewing machine, a saddle and bridle, blankets and clothes, pots, pans, and dishes, the kitchen table and six unmatched chairs, the piano, a shotgun and a .22 rifle.” They went back to being tenant farmers.
Dunbar-Ortiz, who became a famous historian and social activist, remembers a bleak childhood with a poet’s eyes: “The air was soft and warm, the sky the color of the bluing Mama used in the wash and without a cloud. The roads were no longer muddy but ruby red from the rain.”
Threading through her memoir is the American dream of owning land and a reference to an Irish ballad that says when peasants have no fields to work, all that is left is the love of the land.
Karen Russell Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
A doctor and two nurses operate a mobile X-ray machine on a patient at the Oklahoma Hospital and School of Nursing circa 1920.
This Month in History Better Health
JULY 1, 1862
First Income Taxes Levied
To help fund the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the nation’s first income tax law in 1862, imposing a 3% tax on annual incomes between $600 and $10,000 and 5% on incomes above $10,000. Although these early income taxes were later repealed, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1913, granting Congress the authority to levy a federal income tax.
JULY 2, 1964
Civil Rights Act Signed
Joined by Martin Luther King, Jr., President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, publicly owned or operated facilities, employment in union membership, and voter registration. The Act allowed federal funds to be cut from discriminatory programs. Before passing the bill, Congress held the longest continuous debate about the legislation after southern members filibustered against the bill.
Museum of Tulsa History • 2445 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa
Museum of Tulsa History
A baby is immunized at the Variety Club Health Center in 1962.
JULY 5, 1946
The Bikini Makes Its Debut
Showgirl Micheline Bernardini modelled the first bikini, designed by Frenchman Louis Reard. The new item of swimwear was named the bikini for the Bikini Atoll, after the U.S. tested an atomic bomb near the island earlier in the week. Though two-piece swimsuits had been worn before the invention of the bikini, most were more modest. Reard’s design was made using only 30 inches of fabric.
JULY 6, 1885
Rabies Vaccine Proves Successful
After four years of intensive research on a rabies vaccine, Louis Pasteur, a French chemist and pharmacist, administered the first of 14 daily doses to a 9-year-old boy who had been severely mauled by a rabid dog. The immunization was successful, and the Pasteur method was quickly adopted worldwide. His work is credited with saving millions of lives through the rabies and anthrax vaccines.
JULY 27, 1974
Nixon Impeachment Begins in Congress
As a result of several scandals, including Watergate, the House Judiciary Committee recommended that President Richard Nixon be impeached and removed from office. Three articles of impeachment, for abuse of power and contempt of Congress, were approved. On August 8, Nixon announced his resignation, becoming the first president in U.S. history to leave office voluntarily. His successor, Gerald Ford, pardoned him, making it impossible for Nixon to be prosecuted for his crimes.
JULY 27, 1953
Korean War Ends
After three years of war, the U.S., China, and North Korea agreed to an armistice. The war began in 1950 when communist North Korea invaded South Korea. The U.S. and the United Nations entered the war a few days after it began. Threats of nuclear attacks by the U.S. helped resolve the conflict, and a new border between North and South Korea was drawn, creating the Demilitarized Zone.
A patient receives care from a nurse at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa.
CARPET CLEANING
ALL PRO Carpet Cleaning
Senior and caregiver discounts. Carpet, furniture, rug cleaning. Pet odor removed and Teflon protectant available. Emergency water extraction. Residential and commercial services. Professional truck mount steam cleaning. Carpet repairs and restretching. Prompt, professional, quality service at a fair price. Certified, insured. Veteran owned and operated. Call Thomas Fink, owner/technician, for free estimate (918) 636-6303.
CEMETERY LOTS
3 Plots in Memorial Park
3 plots for sale located in Memorial Park Cemetery. The lots were $2,850 each and are now $1,500 each O.B.O. Located in Section 35, Lot 119, Spaces 1,4,6. Call Don at (918) 506-8568.
Four Calvary Cemetery Lots
Four Calvary Cemetery lots (91st and Harvard) located in Mausoleum 1, Patio F, Level A #111. Worth $20,700 and reduced to $19,000. Call (918) 919-2020.
Lots in Floral Haven Memorial Gardens
Four lots in Garden of Everlasting Life. Very easy to locate within the oldest area of Floral Haven. Lot 115C, Spaces 1,2,3 and 4. Valued at $6,000 each and will sell for $2,500 each. Call (918) 798-4145. Please leave a message if no one answers.
Low Prices for Memorial Park Lots
Regular price
$1,870 each. Section 21, Lot 77A, spaces 1 & 6, both $1,800. Section 21, Lot 23A, spaces 3 & 4, Lot 24A, spaces 3 & 4, two for $3,000, all four $5,000. Seller pays transfer fee. Contact Steven (636) 575-1469 or email steven1912@charter.net.
Memorial Park Cemetery Tulsa Park Haven North, (Near Memorial). 6 Plots, Section 6 North, Lot 533, spaces 1-6. $2,000 each. Call or text (918) 694-9931.
Memorial Park Companion Crypt Memorial Park - Companion Crypt. Section 27, Unit 3, Row 23, Companion Crypt A. Current value - $10,925. Asking $8,000. Contact: johnholderman2@gmail.com
Memorial Park Area 4
Spaces 4, 5, 6 in sold out prime section 4, lot 76. $2,000 each plus interment fee. Text (918) 520-8237 for map.
Memorial Park Mausoleum Companion Crypt Companion crypt available in Memorial Park Cemetery. Crypt A located in Section 27-1, Row 57. Priced at $9,025. Call or text H.L. at (918) 284-0306 or email hlmoore_1@att.net
Memorial Park – 2 Spaces Available
Two spaces available in Memorial Park Cemetery. The spaces, located in Section 48 Lot 320 (spaces 3 & 4) in South Lawn section--one section over from the creek. Lots have been reduced in price to $2350 each from $2,850. Bronze only garden. Willing to negotiate price just call (918) 671-3152.
Memorial Park Garden of the Apostles
Four spaces in section 28, lot 111, spaces 1,2,7,8. Bronze only section. Current value $2,150 each. Will sell all four, or in pairs for $1,750 each. Call or text (918) 633-6138 with message ‘Memorial Park Lots’ and a call back number.
Memorial Park, Garden of the Christus
South of the chapel. Section 15, lot 260, plots 4, 5 and 6, in a row. Will sell separately or together. Note: this is a bronze-marker only section. $1,200 each. BTW Bob Wills is buried in this section! Call John (918) 446-1730.
Memorial Park – Garden of the Prophets
Available: Five adjoining spaces, including two full-sized coffin crypts, located in picturesque Section 57, Lot 398; Spaces 1-4 and Lot 399; Space 4 near the recently added Bronze Angel statue. EXCEPTIONAL SAVINGS! $1,395 ($1,850 value) for each space and $699 ($950 value) for each crypt. Call/Text (714) 313-7616; email paulbland2@yahoo.com
Memorial Park Plots.
Huge Savings!
Selling 4 burial plots at Memorial Park Cemetery in nice location. Will sell in pairs or all four. Spaces 1,2,7,8 in Lot 133 in Section 28. Only $1,250 each. Valued at $2,250 each. Call or text (918) 521-0869.
CLEANING
Live Beautifully! You Deserve It! Here at Moore Cleaning we are your trusted source for seniors needing assistance with home cleaning. You are our priority! We have over 23 years experience and references from our loyal customers. We customize our cleaning to meet your needs. Also offering window cleaning and organizing. Reasonable rates. Please call today to set up your appointment. Marybelle Moore (918) 671-5065. Marybellemoore111@gmail.com.
New Season Cleaning Service
New Season Cleaning Service offers residential housecleaning weekly or bi-weekly. Reasonable rates for a job well done. Accepting new customers!! Call Todd at (918) 630-0747 Visit www.newseasoncleaningservice. com or email newseasoncleaningservice@gmail.com.
Window Cleaning. Housecleaning. Window Cleaning – I make your windows shine no matter what condition they are in. Chandeliers, light fixtures and mirrors. House Cleaning – can do on regular basis, move-in or move-out, construction clean, also will do curio/china cabinets and special projects. Experienced in all areas including detail and organization. Reasonable rates and references. Call (539) 664-1986.
DAYTIME CARE
Daytime Care For Older Loved Ones
LIFE’s Adult Day Health offers convenient, affordable daytime care at three locations in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. For more information, call LIFE’s Adult Day Health at (918) 664-9000.
DRIVER SAFETY
AARP Smart Driver Course
Take the AARP Smart Driver Course and learn proven safe driving strategies plus possibly get a discount on your car insurance. Courses available in the Tulsa area. (866) 238-8355.aarp.org/drive. Interested in becoming a volunteer instructor? aarp.org/auto/driversafety/volunteer.
ESTATE SALES
2MS Estate Sales...Tulsa’s Finest! Downsizing? Estate Liquidation? Let us take the worry away and maximize your return. No out of pocket expense. We specialize in senior transitions, with over 20 years in the senior housing market. My team includes realtors, moving company, senior housing and attorneys if needed. Please contact Michelle Reed (918) 691-5893 or Atulsa@aol.com also Facebook 2MSestatesalestulsa for a free consultation.
Exquisite Estate Sales
A premier Tulsa estate sale company, Exquisite Estate Sales provides professional, trustworthy estate sale services for all sizes of sales, including luxury estates. We make each sale profitable and pleasant for our clients and our sale guests…an exquisite experience from start to finish! Free Consultations (918) 284-4061 or exquisite-estatesales.com.
FINANCIAL INSURANCE
A New Medicare Plan! Do you know about the new Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule? Each year, starting on your birthday, you have 60 days to shop and enroll into a different Medicare Supplement plan with no medical questions! Find out more by calling MedicarePrepare at (918) 420-9999. Our local agents can answer your questions and may be able to save you money on premiums.
Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) at LIFE Senior Services provides accurate information, counseling and assistance for Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives and persons soon to
be eligible for Medicare. Call MAP at LIFE Senior Services (918) 664-9000 or toll-free at (866) 664-9009.
FOR SALE
Church Bazaar Yard Sale July 12th Christ Gospel Church of Tulsa is raising funds for our youth group to travel to a Summer convention. We invite you to our yard sale on Saturday, July 12th, starting at 7:00am! Join us at 1203 West Archer Tulsa, OK 74127. For any questions, please contact Judy at cgcwesttulsa@gmail.com or (918) 625-8376.
Indoor/Outdoor
Scooter – Low Price
Brand new battery powered 4 wheel-Indoor/Outdoor scooter. BuzzaroundXL series. Purchased from Sooner Mobility in Tulsa. Owner passed away. Available for $1,200. (918) 406-1361.
GARDEN/LAWN CARE
AAA Lawns & More
Total tree and lawn care. Specializing in reasonably priced tree removal or trimming any size tree. Fence repair and installation. Insured, honest, experienced and dependable. Veteran-owned. We are a small company with personal service. References available. FREE ESTIMATES. Call Larry. (918) 361-1299.
Garden Services
Flowerbed Design. Garden Installation – specializing in Butterfly & Earthkind gardens. Schedule garden maintenance. Weeding, mulching, annual color, Spring & Fall cleanup, hedge & shrub trimming, tree trimming, tree removal, stone pathways. Call Charles (918) 636-0298.
J Kirby Tractor Service
Gardens tilled, Brush hogging and Front loader work. Call (918) 519-5203 or (918) 428-7990
Kimble Davis Tree Service
Specializing in large tree removal and trimming. We also perform preventative tree maintenance and trimming for the health of all your trees. Please call for free estimate. (55’ bucket truck, chipper truck, crane). Call Kimble (918) 853-5383.
Mower Repair / Maintenance
All brands – Riders, ZTRs, Walk-behinds, UTVs / ATVs. Top Quality work, ASE certified Mechanic. Pick-up and delivery available. Tulsa and surrounding counties. Maintenance specials include pick-up and delivery 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call Scott (918) 519-3869.
New Season Lawn & Tree
Summer clean-up available. Mowing, trimming, leaf removal, hedge trimming, flower beds. Small tree trimming. We offer weekly, bi-weekly & year-round services. Best rates, senior discounts.Free Estimates. Accepting new customers!! Call Todd (918) 639-2262. Email
CLASSIFIEDS
info@newseasonlawnandtree.com, and check us out at www.newseasonlawnandtree.com.
New Season Tree Masters
Specializing in tree removal and stump grinding. Tree trimming service available. Certified arborist on staff. Serving all of metro Tulsa with over 20 years’ experience. Fully insured. Free estimates Contact us at info@newseasontreemasters.com or call Todd at (918) 934-4868. www.newseasontreemasters.com.
HOME REPAIR/REMODELING
Allen’s Handyman Services of Tulsa
“Your Home Improvement and Repair Specialist.” 23 years serving Tulsa seniors. “One call can do it all.” 10% senior discount. Insured. All work guaranteed in writing. No pay until job is completed. Plumbing, drain cleaning, grab bars, electrical, carpentry, painting, seamless guttering installation/repair/cleaning. Dryer vent cleaning. Roof, tile and drywall repair. Wood siding/trim replacement. Deck repair, power washing, staining. Tree trimming. No job too small. Minimum charge for service. For free estimate, call Allen at (918) 630-0394.
Big C’s Plumbing Services
Your one-stop-plumbing shop! Call us and I guarantee you will never have to call another plumbing company. Licensed, bonded and insured for your protection...Call (918) 855-9216, tell us you saw us in the Vintage Newsmagazine and receive an automatic 10% discount. Call us now.
Bumgartner Plumbing
Licensed, with over 40 years of experience. Rates are low and based on the job, not the hour. No service call fee or travel time charge. Senior and caregiver discount. Plumbing service and repair our specialty. Honest, professional service you can count on. Lic. #82750. (918) 355-4747.
DRYWALL & PAINTING
New to the Tulsa area! I specialize in drywall repairs, wood repairs, matching textures, painting interior/ exterior. Insured and free estimates. Help us grow in the Tulsa community or in your community!! Call John at (918) 600-9129.
Eternal Way Construction
We can take your dreams and make them a reality. From foundation repair to roofing and EVERYTHING in between, we do remodeling, roofing, flooring, tile, carpet, drywall, painting, foundation repair, plumbing, electrical, and much more. Multiple crews for timely job starts. See our work on Facebook and Eternalwayconstruction.com. Edward (918) 819-7719.
HANDY-MAN SERVICES!!
Call Cory Thackeray at (918) 946-1209. 25 yearsexperience.
In a Jam? Services
Around the home repairs or replacements, inside and out.
Fence Repair/Replacement, Power Washing, Gutter Cleanout, Garage/ Attic Cleanout, Haul-off, Leaf/Snow Removal, Staining/Painting, Drywall Patching/Replacement, Tile/Flooring, Deck Repair, and much more! No job is too small. Have any questions, please give me a call. Joe Moody (918) 740-7209
INAJAMSERVICES77@gmail.com.
JC Restores Construction
Christ centered remodeling and construction service. Services include full home renovation, flooring, fence/deck, pavilions, bathroom and kitchen, drywall, interior/exterior paint, landscaping, wheelchair ramps, handyman services. Whatever you need we will take care of it. Including prayer! Call for free estimate (918) 509-5407
KMS Heating & Cooling
Locally owned since 1979, KMS is proud to be your new HVAC provider! Your comfort is our top priority, and our team of experienced technicians and staff are dedicated to providing you with prompt, reliable, and personalized service for all your residential and commercial HVAC needs. (918) 834-7000. www.kmshvac.com.
Same Day Services
Light Hauling or Moving – deliverypower washing-patio furniture-help you rearrange room furniture, lawn mowing/leaves/small paint jobs/ fence staining/fence repair/light construction/window cleaning. We are honest, dependable. References. Call (918) 313-5230 estimates free.
Scrap Metal Haul Off
Free haul off/pick up of appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, hot water tanks and any scrap metal. Call John at (918) 313-4405.
HOUSING
Searching for Rental Property in Tulsa
I am searching for a street level private rental property with walker access, possibly a mother-in-law suite or similar. The apartment or house needs to have doors wide enough for a walker and no stairs. Month-to-month or short-term leases are preferred. Call Denise at (918) 576-8678.
LEGAL
75 Years’ Experience/Oklahoma State & Federal Courts
Frasier Law Firm is a full-service Tulsa firm with decades of experience in all Oklahoma courts. We handle all matters, including probate, wills and trusts, personal injury and negligence cases. We have estate planning specialists. Reach us at (918) 584-4724 or info@frasierlaw.com.
Full-Service Estate Planning Law Firm
Trusts, Wills, Gift and Tax Planning, Powers of Attorneys, Probate and more! Discount to Veterans and
Retired Teachers. Willing to meet you in your place for no extra charge! Call Penni of the Skillern Law Firm at (918) 805-2511 or book appointment online at www.skillernlaw.com.
MOVERS
BISON MOVING TULSA
Family-owned local moving company, experienced with senior relocations. Packing, labor-only or full-service available, customized to your needs and budget. Competitive pricing; discounts available for veterans and first responders. Call us at (918) 800-4267 or visit our website at www.bisonmoving.com.
Tulsa Movers
Pianos, Office, Home. Load or Unload Rental Trucks. Low Rates. Free Estimates. 10% discount off every move! Dependable Movers! Call (918) 836-3225
NOTARY
Notary Services Available 24/7 Notary available. Never closed. Will come to your home. Will go to hospitals, nursing homes, private homes as needed. Call Joanne at (918) 282-8230.
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
AFFORDABLE ORGANIZING
Too busy to stay organized? Overwhelmed? Return harmony to your home and life. We help with: Downsizing, relocating (pack & unpack), setting up home offices, assisting with placing shelf paper. Organizing one room or an entire house. Monthly maintenance. Disperse unwanted possessions. Seasonal transitioning. Call Pat at Organize to Harmonize: (918) 200-5991.
Home Health Services
Tulsa’s Affordable Home Care offers compassionate, quality home care services to individuals. We provide the following services: personal care, bathing and dressing, companionship, exercise, grocery shopping, laundry, light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal planning and preparation, oral and personal hygiene, respite care for family caregivers. We are now partnered with Veteran Affairs and accept long-term care insurance. Please call (918) 622-7820 and schedule a free consultation!!!
Keep Your Independence
We will help you smooth out those little bumps in Life. Don’t know who to call? Senior Shenanigans-Flexible/ Reliable/Affordable/Creative. In a bind? Let’s work it out together! Stay Free and Safe! Misti (817) 559-3688/ Bill (918) 934-0999.
SENIOR RELOCATION
SPECIALIST
Jack(ie) of ALL Trades
Are you going, coming, or just staying put? As "Ms PAC Ma'am" I can pack, unpack, organize, declutter, or downsize a closet, room, garage, attic, or whole house. As "Ms Fixit" I can also assemble your
items, hang pictures, decorate, do small odd jobs, or minor repairs. Flexible hours. References available. AFFORDABLE! $25 hour/2 hour minimum. Jacki (918) 922-9558.
WARSHAW GROUP, LLC
We provide general administrative services with a recent emphasis on helping people organize getting their affairs in order. Our approach includes issues, such as, contacts, home, medical, personal, computer, and vital statistic documents, etc. For strictly confidential inquiries call Bobbi Warshaw, MPH at (918) 8525302; email bobbi.warshaw@att.net
PERSONAL SAFETY
Safety Grab Bar Supply and Installation
Including handicap accessories for Residential, Commercial, Decorative, Indoor/Outdoor, Stairways, Bathrooms, and more. Secure your space, whether existing, remodeling or new construction, we handle it all. Call before you fall! Free Estimates. Licensed & Insured with over 20 years experience. Grab Bars of Tulsa, (918) 619-7324.
PERSONAL SERVICES
Affordable Hairstyling – Accepting New Clients
With 37 years’ experience, I can help with all of your hairstyling needs. Men’s and women’s haircuts, specializing in seniors. I will come to your home or you can come to my shop. In-shop special: haircut $7 for first time customers only and perms for $50. Available Tuesday –Saturday. A Mane Event hairstyling, located near 11th and Yale at 937 South Canton. Call Mary Wilkinson at (918) 834-2686.
Salon Retro
Hair care for men and women, specializing in senior clients. First time customers receive one of the following $17. Haircut style not included, or perm and one cut $52. Long hair special wrap extra style not included. Manicures $15, pedicures $25. Experienced hairdressers and nail tech. In shop services only. Come and see us at Midtown at Highland Plaza, 5661 East 41 Street (corner of 41st and Hudson). (918) 742-3440.
PET CARE
Dog Walker
The Woof Pack Tulsa: Dependable dog walking services for your fourlegged family in Tulsa. Helping you take care of your furry friends when you’re out! We offer dog walking and pet pop-ins. Insured. Call or text us at (918) 770-6699. Visit our website at www.thewoofpacktulsa.com.
Home Veterinary Care
Experience Tulsa’s most convenient veterinary service in the comfort of your own home. Our goal is to develop a personal relationship with each of our clients and patients. Contact us today to schedule your house call appointment. Call (918) 892-9382 or email
DrFielstra@gmail.com or visit us at www.homevetcaretulsa.com.
REALTOR/REAL ESTATE
Mature Transitions of Tulsa
Certified Housing Professional (CSHP), Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and Senior Home Coach helping seniors age in the right place. I educate, empower, and equip seniors and/or their adult children to provide a one-source solution for their transition fears. When it is no longer safe to live at home, I help find the right place, downsize, declutter, pack, move, resettle, conduct the estate sale/ liquidation and sell the family home. Call (918) 605-1480 today for your FREE consultation. Overjoyed NOT Overwhelmed!!!
SOCIAL
Seniors (50+)
We are a fun-loving group of seniors over 50. We meet every Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Golden Corral, 8144 East 21st Street. We eat at 11:00, have a short meeting and then play cards. Join us for great fun and fellowship. Questions, call Linda at (918) 955-9180.
TRANSPORTATION
My Driver Transportation Service
Let me do the driving. To and from work, airport, shopping, errands, post office, appointments. Also, LIFT VAN transportation available. Able to assist getting to and from bed. Senior sitting. Also, small breed dog boarding. 20 years experience. CLEET certified and licensed. References. Member, Better Business Bureau. (918) 491-9929.
PREMIUM SENIOR TRANSPORT NOW AVAILABLE
Entrusted Transport provides non-emergency medical & senior transportation services throughout Oklahoma. Our drivers are courteous & highly professional. We assist riders all the way to check-in at your appointment OR to home, just like family would! Wheelchair vehicles available. Call (918) 290-3400, Schedule rides any date & time. EntrustedTransport.com.
VOLUNTEER
JUST DO IT!
If you've been looking for a way you can make a difference, consider joining the Millennium Hospice team as a volunteer. Caregiver relief is so important during this difficult time. Volunteers provide caregiver relief by sitting with patients for an hour or so. Training is provided. (918) 740-0244.
Volunteer for LIFE
Discover the variety of volunteer opportunities that LIFE Senior Services has to offer. Whether you want to volunteer within the organization or with one of our local non-profit or public agencies, we can find the best fit for you. (918) 664-9000.
William Bailie In Memory of Myrna Bailie
Norma Hollaway In Memory of Jerry
Margaret Petrilla In Memory of Paul and Genevieve Miller
Barbara Williams In Memory of Priscilla Medlock
CROSSWORD
Cartoon Answer: The humans found the aliens to be very sensible and –DOWN-TO-EARTH
1. Economic 2. Committed
— Gail
BONUS CONTENT
Ingredients:
2 cups frozen ripe jackfruit (can use canned or fresh)
1 cup frozen mango
1 cup frozen pineapple
1 ½ cup non-dairy milk of choice
1/3 cup Greek nonfat plain yogurt
Instructions:
1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Serve immediately.
3. If using canned jackfruit, drain the liquid.
Fabulous Flavors
Jicama Sticks
Ingredients:
1 jicama, peeled and cut into sticks
Lime juice
Chopped cilantro
Salt Sugar
Chili powder
Instructions:
1. Toss jicama with lime juice and sprinkle with cilantro and spices.
Fabulous Flavors
Ingredients:
• 1 20-ounce can jackfruit in brine
• enough oil for frying (ex: vegetable) doesn’t have to cover the whole chunk of jackfruit, but at least half
BREADING INGREDIENTS:
• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Chicken Fried Jackfruit
• 1½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon thyme
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, mix the buttermilk ingredients and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the breading ingredients and set aside
3. Add oil to a frying pan and heat on medium-low.
4. Drain and rinse the jackfruit. On a cutting board, trim away hard parts and seeds, keeping only the soft, stringy pieces for a chicken-like texture.
5. Dip each jackfruit piece in buttermilk, then breading, then repeat both steps once more
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 4-5 shakes of cayenne pepper to taste
• 4-5 shakes of oregano to taste
• red pepper flakes optional
BUTTERMILK:
• 1 cup almond milk or other non-dairy milk
• 1 ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
6. Add to the hot pan — either one at a time or a batch together
7. If oil doesn’t fully cover the jackfruit, rotate after 2 – 3 minutes. They’re ready when the breading is crispy and firm.
8. Repeat until all jackfruit is fried.
9. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Cool for 4 minutes.
10. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
By Donna Mancini, Caregiver Support Specialist /Caregiver
Caring for Someone With Dementia?
Caring for someone with dementia is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and access to accurate information. Whether you’re just beginning this path or have been a caregiver for some time, the right resources can offer valuable guidance, emotional support, and practical tips to help you navigate daily challenges.
Below is a curated list of reputable websites offering expert advice, caregiving strategies, and support for those caring for individuals with dementia. These organizations are dedicated to improving quality of life for caregivers and those living with dementia, including Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal degeneration.
my.clevelandclinic.org
The Cleveland Clinic has advice for managing dementia through diet, exercise, and cognitive stimulation.
teepasnow.com
Dementia expert Teepa Snow provides a positive approach to working with persons with dementia.
dementiaallianceinternational.org
Dementia Alliance International provides support for individuals with dementia and advocates for their rights.
nia.nih.gov
The National Institute on Aging has valuable resources, including educational materials.
lbda.org
Lewy Body Dementia Association offers outreach, education, and research of Lewy body dementias.
theaftd.org
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration provides resources for individuals affected by frontotemporal degeneration and their families.
beingpatient.com
Being Patient is a source of news and podcasts about brain health, Alzheimer’s, and dementia.
happyhealthycaregiver.com
Happy Healthy Caregiver is a community that helps family caregivers with self-care and support.
Prostate Screening Tools That Can Save Lives What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
BY STEVE CLEM
Early detection is key when it comes to prostate cancer, and these screening tools can truly save lives. From simple blood tests to advanced imaging, each tool plays a vital role in spotting cancer early. The PSA test and digital rectal exam are often first steps, while MRI and ultrasound provide more detailed views when needed. If abnormalities are found, a biopsy confirms the diagnosis.
Talk to your healthcare provider about which screenings are right for you based on age, risk factors, and family history.
Common Screening Methods
1
2 3 REGULAR SCREENINGS help identify potential issues before symptoms arise, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
A blood test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer.
A physical exam that checks for abnormalities in the rectum or the prostate.
A non-invasive imaging test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the prostate. It can help identify suspicious lesions and guide biopsy locations.
Hearing Aid Primer
Better Hearing Starts With the Right Fit
Hearing aids are essential tools for managing hearing loss, and choosing the right type can make a significant difference in comfort, sound quality, and ease of use. Modern hearing aids come in a range of styles, each designed to accommodate different levels of hearing loss and user preferences. Whether you’re dealing with mild hearing difficulty or profound hearing loss, there is likely a device suited to your needs.
BY JULIE WENGER WATSON
Key factors to consider when selecting a hearing aid include the severity of your hearing loss, the physical shape and size of your ear, manual dexterity, and your desire for discretion. Some devices are more powerful and visible, while others are small and discreet but require greater dexterity to manage. Technological advances also mean many models offer wireless connectivity, rechargeable batteries, and advanced noise reduction features.
It’s also important to think about your lifestyle. For example, someone active and frequently in social settings may prioritize a natural listening experience and speech clarity. Others may value ease of use or compatibility with other devices.
To help you navigate the options, here’s a quick overview of common hearing aid types and what makes each unique.
BEHIND-THE-EAR (BTE)
Appropriate for people with a wide range of deafness, from mild to profound.
IN-THE-EAR (ITE)
These fill part or all of the ear’s conchal bowl, making them easier to handle for those with dexterity issues; suited for moderate to severe loss.
IN-THE-CANAL (ITC)
Typically less visible, but because of their smaller size, they use smaller batteries and may be more difficult to handle.
RECEIVER-IN-THE-EAR (RITE)
Appropriate for mild to severe deafness, RITE offers a more natural sound, but the devices require manual dexterity.
CROS/BICROS
Often recommended for normal hearing or minimal loss in one ear, and little or no usable hearing in the other.
A commonym is a group of words that have a common trait in the three words/items listed. For example, the words Ice – Sugar – Rubik’s – are all cubes. Answers on page 62.
The Navy – A Deli – An Absent Teacher
A Person – A Watch – A Mountain
A Bowling Alley – A Roof – A Street
High – Uneven – Parallel
Goose – Theresa – Hubbard
Mare – Mustang – Bronco
Killer Whales – Referees – Old TVs
Music – Mail – Safe Deposit
Rail – Chain – Picket
Palm – Easter – Hot Fudge
A mumbo jumbo is a list of words/hints for you to unscramble. You then take designated letters from each word/hint to come up with the final word that is associated with each hint you have unscrambled.
Unscramble each of the clue words. Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them for the final word. Answers on page 62.
PUZZLE THEME: Learning
RIBLYRA
HOSLCO
OBOK
DYTSU NALRE
Number Search
This puzzle is similar to a word search, but instead you are finding numbers. For most of the numbers, you need to solve the problem first, to get the number you are looking for. Answers on page 62.
