Generations October 2020

Generations Reflections by people 55 and over

October 2020

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D2 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Wednesday, October 14, 2020 D3

A little piece of Willmar in Canada

O

A little story of Willmar’s past and present Submitted photo

Willmar Eight apartment building, 25 Brucewood Crescent, North York, Ontario, Canada.

By Irene Wallin Willmar

nce upon a time, eight women who worked at Citizens National Bank in Willmar Minnesota, changed their lives forever by believing that women should be paid the same as men for doing the same job.

Officers and board members of Citizens National Bank were appalled by the very thought, and refused the womens’ request, saying, “We are not all equal, you know,” or “You’re not the chief breadwinner in your family.”

What ensued were months of negotiations, struggles, court hearings, labor board inquiries, and they were getting nowhere.

The eight women then formed a union, WBEA Local #1, Willmar Bank Employees Association, and continued their fight for womens’ rights,

not only for themselves, but it turned out that this problem was national, and indeed international.

Not being able to come to a contract agreement, the women went on strike, Dec. 16, 1977.

The women found themselves in the spotlight, speaking at colleges, union meetings, schools and womens’ groups. They papered the walls of the Willmar Labor Home with letters from all over the USA and abroad.

Now, you may think that was the end of the story, but far from it.

Before you knew it, an apartment building was built in Ontario, Canada, (named the Willmar Eight Housing Cooperative), a documentary was filmed, and an NBC Movie of the Week was made, and they found themselves on the Phil Donahue show.

I am one of the Willmar Eight, and even though people think that

through all these years we have been quiet, don’t you believe it.

We have worked with students, held workshops, participated in conventions, and continue working for the same cause.

Recently, while working with some students from St. Paul, it was decided to investigate the apartment building in Canada, you know, just to see if it was still there, with the same name, etc.

So I went to the faithful Internet, and sure enough, up came pictures of the building, and where to get rental information. By the way, as of April 2019, there were no vacancies.

What a hoot! The address is 25 Brucewood Crescent, North York, Ontario. It is a beautiful building, eight stories.

Glennis (another of the Willmar Eight) and I went there for the groundbreaking ceremony, and dug enough Canadian dirt to bring home, some for each of the eight women.

If you are interested, the Kandiyohi County Historical Society has

a display depicting some pictures, articles, snowmobile suits and boots worn by the women. We were also included in the MN150 exhibit in St. Paul which was made up of 150 historical events in the history of our great state of Minnesota.

The city of Willmar was very divided on their views on the strike, on womens’ rights, and we felt the wrath of many, but also the love and support of many, which won out in the end.

I am still grateful to all who supported us, who still support us and the womens’ rights cause and for still inviting us to speak to their groups, and also to the students we are able to help.

Our song on the picket line went like this: We’ll never stagger, we’ll never fall We’ll show the bank they can’t win’em all, Marching, marching, day by day, We’ll fight ‘til the bastions fall!!! la la la la la la la (repeat) Still fighting after 42 years, yup, still going, and going, and going

Submitted photo

A photo of the Willmar Eight hangs in the Willmar Eight apartment building at 25 Brucewood Crescent, North York, Ontario, Canada.

D4 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Photo by Rand Middleton

The Hong home near St. Olaf College in Northfield was built by Howard using locally mined limestone. It sat on a wooded bluff above Heath Creek as it tumbles toward the Cannon River.

Local boy attained academic heights but remained rooted Prof. Howard and Edna Hong achieved worldwide acclaim

W

By Rand Middleton Willmar

hat follows are several milestones and formative events in the life of Professor Howard Hong, who grew up in Willmar, son of a bank president. ○ 1929: At age 16, graduates from Willmar High School; attends a Minneapolis business college for one term. ○ 1930: Works briefly for father, Peter, president of Bank of Willmar, and at food wholesaler Gamble-Robinson. ○ 1934: Graduates from St. Olaf College in Northfield. ○ 1938: A day after her graduation from St. Olaf, Howard marries Edna Hatlestad, a self-described “farm girl” from near Wausau, Wisconsin.

That summer she types Howard’s

PhD dissertation at the University of Minnesota and the couple hitchhikes to New York and then sails to Copenhagen (Howard is on Fulbright Scholarship). They learn Danish and begin translating a work by Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and religious author. ○ 1943: Begins serving as field secretary for YMCA War Prisoners Aid. Travels to Midwest prison camps holding German and Japanese soldiers. ○ 1946: Becomes chair of the philosophy department at his alma mater but soon leaves for Europe. ○ 1946-48: In Germany with a growing family, he serves as director of the Lutheran World Federation Service to Refugees and senior field officer of the Refugee Division of the World Council of Churches.

HONG: Page D5

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Wednesday, October 14, 2020 D5

HONG From Page D4

○ 1950s: Howard and Edna are raising eight children at their home in Northfield, including adopted Latvian refugees. ○ 1967: The couple wins National Book Award for translation of “Soren Kierkegaard’s Journals and Papers”.

Working as co-translators over seven decades, they turn the Danish philospher’s often difficult sentences into English prose. ○ 1976: College establishes Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong Kierkegaard Library. ○ 1978: Howard retires after 40 years professorship. The couple’s translating intensifies, continuing for 22 years. The London Times Literary Supplement comments, “All honour to the Hongs: Kierkegaard’s Writings is one of the outstanding achievements in the history of philosophical translations.” ○ 1992-93: The University of Copenhagen names Howard an honorary Doctor of Theology. Edna receives the Wittneburg Award for Outstanding Service from the Lutheran Institute in Washington, D.C. ○ 2000: The complete Kierkegaard Writings is published by Princeton University Press. Howard is credited as lead editor of the 26-volume edition. ○ 2001: Commissioned bronze busts of Howard and Edna are unveiled and donated to St. Olaf for permanent display. ○ 2001: Howard is honored by Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Department of Natural Resources as the state’s “Outstanding Forest Steward.” The award cites the Hongs’ carefully managed tree-planting on their thousand acres of cut-over forest land at Hovland, near the point of the Arrowhead region. Their summer retreat is a cabin in a roadless area along the Brule River. In the northwoods, Howard found relief from the ragweed that annually tormented him at Northfield.

Howard and Bud

Howard Hong was born in Wolford, N.D., where his father, a North

Dakota native, had been sent under the sponsorship of the Willmar Commercial Club to start a bank close to the Great Northern railroad line. When Howard was still a child, the family moved back to Willmar first living on the north side before moving to a house at 510 Sixth Street Southwest and attending Vinje Church.

Randolph “Bud” Ellefson was raised on a farm on the south edge of Kandiyohi. He and Howard became friends at Sunday School. Both were born in 1912.

Precocious, Howard was advanced a year ahead in school. The 1928 Wihisean Yearbook listed Howard’s activities as follows: “Junior Class President, Glee Club, oration and choir,’’ plus this quip: “He looks solemn but appearances are often deceiving.”

Bud and Howard roomed together at Northfield the first two years of college, both graduating in 1934.

The chums looked uncanningly alike, both handsome with thick, dark hair and a knowing smile, not infrequently mistaken for one another on the St. Olaf campus.

Bud remembers a fun-loving but studious best friend, Bud told me during one of my frequent visits to his home on Rice Avenue, shared with his wife, Thelma.

“It wasn’t that Howard was so much brighter than other students.

Rather, he had a system. Most students, including myself, threw away our notes and discarded the textbook after the course finished. Not Howie. He was always reviewing his old notes. He’d told me, ‘I learned it once for a reason. I’m going to retain it.’”

After graduation, their paths diverged. Bud first worked for a Gambles store in Nebraska, but the soil drew him back to farming, his lifetime occupation.

Howard and Edna

Howard and Edna were a perfect match – deep thinkers with dirt beneath their nails. They were harmonious whether in academia’s Ivory Tower or on a jack pine hillside.

Twin Cities’ writer Marc Hequet noted in St. Olaf Magazine, the Hongs’ seven-decade bond: “Love and companionship and mutual respect have infused their shared life.”

HONG: Page D7

Howard and Edna Hong

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D6 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Short Term Care

Laundry days in the 1930s

By Dorothy Carter Libby, Montana, formerly of Grove City

T

he first consideration was soap.

Fat was saved when butchering a pig. It was boiled down. It congealed on the surface and was skimmed off.

I forget the procedure, but I think a bit of lye was added so it became laundry soap.

I was just a little kid watching this business. Mom kept a big layer of this in a pan in the cold outbuilding. She cut it in squares to use for laundry and washing the floor and dishes.

Money was scarce so this was another item that it was not necessary to buy.

Dad did buy hand soap for personal bathing. We even used it for our hair before we heard of shampoo.

Our three-room house got upset on laundry day. Mom took care of our two beds. Mom and Daddy slept in one bed and we three girls slept in the other. Since we had only one extra sheet for each bed, the top sheet became the bottom sheet and the bottom sheet of each went in the wash.

Mom had fresh embroidered pillowcases for all. We had homemade quilts lined with wool from Grandma Klegstad’s sheep. Our pillows were stuffed with soft feathers saved from butchering chickens.

My mother washed all of our clothes on a zinc-ribbed washboard leaned in a tub of hot water. Water was heated in a huge boiler on the stove. The same hot water was used over and over because it was a big chore to carry in water in buckets from the pump over the well.

So, white items were washed first, ending with overalls used for barn chores.

Then all items were rinsed in fresh water. It was nice when we got a washing machine with rollers to wring out water from the clothes, from there the clothes were carried outside to the clotheslines.

We three girls had to try to keep our dresses clean so we could wear the same one for days. Then we got a clean one for school. We changed into an “everyday” dress for after school.

After our clothes were dried they were all dampened to be ironed with irons heated on the stove.

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Wednesday, October 14, 2020 D7

About this section:

HONG From Page D5

Around Northfield, Howard planted groves of walnut trees. His first English paper was a study of the Big Woods, a stretch of hardwoods a hundred miles wide that once arched across southeast Minnesota. Just as brilliant as her husband at translation, Edna became a successful author/poet with 12 published books.

Howard traces his interest in planting trees to the Hong home on Sixth Street in Willmar, where he planted seedlings along the back line at age 12. In the backwoods and working with the DNR, Howard, Edna and their children planted pine and cedar and other native trees on the cutover hills above Lake Superior near Hovland. Together with hired crews, over a half-million trees were planted to create a sustainable forest.

“We were tree farmers,” the professor said in an interview at the time of receiving the forest award in 2002. He described himself most often as a “Forester.”

Several times early this century on assignment for the West Central Tribune to cover state cross-country tournaments at St. Olaf, I visited the couple at their home close to campus.

The house, built by Howard using locally mined limestone, sat on a wooded bluff above Heath Creek as it tumbles toward the Cannon River.

The walkout ground floor faces the gully.

The Kierkegaard Society board of directors held meetings in Hong’s dining room. The couple is credited widely with making the 19th-century deep thinker accessible to the average reader. Kierkegaard’s writings are viewed as a bridge linking Christianity and the predicaments of modern man.

In 1995 the Hong’s translation of “Works of Love” appeared. The original work, over 500 pages long, was first published in 1847. Above the first chapter heading - Love’s Hidden Life, and Its Recognizability by its Fruits- is a Bible verse from Luke 6:44: “Every tree is known by its own fruit, for figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.”

The fruits of Howard and Edna’s love were many and rich.

Howard returned to Willmar in September 2007 to attend Bud’s funeral at Vinje. Edna had died in April. They had been married 70 years.

Howard died on March 16, 2010, at age 97. His lengthy obituary noted he considered “Willmar his hometown” and that “he always recognized himself as a son of its Vinje Lutheran Church.”

The writer also described Howard as a “cosmopolitan” speaking German and Danish and equally at home in Northfield, Copenhagen or tiny Hovland. But he was also “local.” To the point, “He invested himself in a large family, in a house, in St. Olaf, in the Kierkegaard Library, in Northfield, in Hovland, and in two congregations; and he remained loyal to Willmar.”

Generations, formerly Prime Time, sections are published a couple of times throughout the year as a special section within the West Central Tribune.

People age 55 and older are invited to write stories and submit pictures or other artwork for publication in these sections.

We recognize that senior citizens have much knowledge and experience. What better way to share that with the community than by writing an article for publication?

We invite all interested senior citizens to contribute articles.

They may deal with serious issues, or tell human interest stories.

Photos or other graphics may be included with the submission of your article to help illustrate the piece.

If you need a photo returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Try to keep articles to within 500 words. Articles may be sent to: Generations, West Central Tribune, Box 839, Willmar, Minn.

56201; or emailed to news@ wctrib.com with Generations in the subject line.

Generations sections are currently published in October, January and April. For additional information, call 320-235-1150.

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D8 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

T

Pondering questions of legacy

By John Kellen Willmar

he average life expectancy in the United States is 78.69 years according to the World Bank.

Depending on where you’re at on your life’s journey that may seem a long way off or unnervingly close.

We humans tend to think in the short term most often and the concept of years is distant.

A friend suggested I try an experiment a few years ago and I was astonished. Take the average life expectancy number, subtract your current age to get an idea of how much longer you might have on this planet.

Then multiply that number of years by 365 to get a range of days you might expect to live.

In my case that’s approximately 6,570 days of life to experience the

joys and sorrows that most certainly will come my way.

Put in this context it doesn’t seem like much time.

It may sound cliché yet I dare you to ask yourself what is the meaning of life?

One of my mentors years ago asked me what will your “Dash” say about you? Confused, I asked him what he meant?

You know, you have a date you were born, there is a dash and then the day you die carved in your gravestone.

Your “Dash” symbolizes what your time on earth might mean in the greater scheme of things.

I’ll never forget how that made me feel at the time and what, if any, meaning my life might have.

This brings me back to legacy and what we might reasonably expect given that we are even interested in such concepts.

Legacy defined is: “An amount of money or property left to someone in a will” or “A thing handed down by a predecessor.”

Given my suggested 6,570 days of average life expectancy (or if you factor in that my father passed away at two months shy of his 91st birthday and my mother is currently 87 years old) genetically speaking I might be fortunate enough to add another 3,285 days to 4,745 days to my “Dash.”

I’m inclined to be optimistic and, given medical advances, here’s to 11,315 potential days.

Now doesn’t that sound much better?

Ok, enough of the math.

The point is that there is a finite number of days for me to leave my legacy and, likewise, for those of you reading these words.

“May you live in Interesting Times” is a saying often attributed to the Chinese yet, ultimately there is no evidence of its origin and only hearsay.

As the story goes this is actually a curse for, to live in “Interesting Times,” suggests there is much happening in your life and there is oftentimes turmoil, rather than living a quiet, nondescript or boring existence.

Our “new normal” due to the COVID-19 virus complicates our lives and is potentially lethal.

Not to dwell on this fact, but merely to state the obvious, my “Dash” might be affected and thereby my legacy may also be affected.

Now I’m not one to live my life in fear yet I’m taking seriously what the scientific and healthcare experts are advising.

LEGACY: Page D9

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Wednesday, October 14, 2020 D9 Photo courtesy of John Kellen

Mentoring “Social Entrepreneurs” for SeedSpot, a Social Entrepreneur Incubator, John Kellen posed with co-founders of GreenLight Solutions and students from Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability.

LEGACY From Page D8

My situation is complicated by the fact that I’m a full-time caregiver for my elderly mother who is at a higher risk. Had I only myself to account for, the equation would be different.

So what to do during these “Interesting Times?”

It occurs to me to get on it – meaning to focus on taking action on those things that will make a difference and leave a legacy going forward. Sure, there are numerous things that aren’t feasible at the current moment, yet there are things I can – and we all can – be doing.

The following is a list of just some of the things for consideration that I’ve been pondering and working on that perhaps just might spark an interest in others. I can only hope it might inspire folks to bring out their better angels.

For many people questions of legacy are very clear — their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are a big part of what they are passing down to the next generation.

While I never had any children of my own, progeny is not likely an option (although George Clooney had twins at age 57, so who knows?)

What options might there be for folks like me and/or other people looking to leave a legacy?

Steve Jobs wanted to “make a dent in the universe.” I suggest most people aren’t that ambitious and

many are just trying to get by.

Here are my Top 10 recommendations so far: 1) Volunteer — there is so much need out there. Pick a cause, use your expertise and make a positive Photo courtesy of John Kellen difference.

Here is a photo of my dad in Ghana when he went on a volunteer trip to bring 2) Create — I’m working on a grant to produce a photography exhibition. computers to a village there. He and my mom inspired me to volunteer from an Others have different skills such as early age. music and other art forms, submit work for Artists on Mainstreet Please join the Good Neighbor Club for our upcoming activities and have some fun!

3) Build — I’ve helped build three “Bottle Schools” in Guatemala and would like to participate with Habitat for Humanity.

4) Mentor — Young and old are hungry for your experience and attention.

5) Teach — Now more than ever ENJOYING LIFE AFTER 50! educators are needed.

Because of Covid19 many of our dates are pending for day trips: We are very anxious to resume our many activities and are monitoring 6) Donate — Time or treasure or Covid19 and watching the CDC Health department and adhering to their requirements.. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have during this time. My phone number: 320-214-3009 - and I am in the office daily if you would like to stop in. both.

7) Share your story — write arti3 DATES THAT ARE DETERMINED: EXTENDED TRIPS: cles for local publications or give Branson-Spring Shows-and Wildlife Tour April 15th -April 19th (providing Covid19 will allow it) presentations.

Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons June 5th -June 11th August 11th Minnesota Twins vs Chicago White Six Columbia and Snake Rive Cruise July 18th - July 26th August 12th Hamilton at the Orpheum Theatre 8) Bridge cultural and religious September 16th Come From Away Orpheum Theatre Greek Isles -Croatia and Italy September 20th divides.

October 4th 9) Be a caregiver.

Nashville Holiday Tour November 29th PENDING DATES: 10) Restore natural spaces.

December 2nd, Tootsie at the Orpheum Theatre The Greek have a saying: Plant 2022 Mystic Lake Casino - Prior Lake, Sunny Palm Springs, CA January 17th a tree knowing full well that they Gerten’s and Eden Prairie Center January 28th won’t be alive to see it fully mature Chanhassen - Music Man Hawaii Cruise March 10th yet knowing that others in the future Old Log Theatre - Million Dollar Quartet March 20th 2022 will benefit from it.

Sidekick Theatre - Men in Black Imperial Splendors with Oberammergau September 13th - 25th Like it or not we are living in and Travel show- Nashville November 29th - December 2nd 2022 (Limited Space) experiencing “interesting times.”

Activities That Enrich Your Lifestyle | Banking That Saves You Money My hope and wish is that the adversity we are about to experience will Need more information? bring out the best in our human Call Betty Marthaler nature and not the worst.

Time will tell.

Good Neighbor Club

320-214-3009

D10 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Writing your memories

By Kari Stadem Willmar One night Papa woke me in the middle of the night; my sister Alida needed to get to the hospital. Her baby wanted to be born, but our Model A Ford wouldn’t start.

I helped Papa harness the team of horses to pull the car to get it started for the 35-mile drive to the Watertown, South Dakota, hospital.

After they got about halfway there, the radiator boiled over. Now what? As they prayed for guidance, Papa thought of the Lutheran minister in Hayti, so he knocked on his door. He was glad to get up and take the three of them in his new car to the hospital.

They made it in time; a healthy baby girl was born.

Back at the farm, I unharnessed the horse, settled them in the warm barn, and gave them oats as a thank you for getting their special task accomplished without complaint on that cold December night.

This story was written by my father-in-law for a book I helped edit and publish about the old farm in South Dakota and the family that grew up there starting in about 1918.

These stories inspired me to call my “snowbird” dad when he returned home (that) spring. “Dad,

you’re 80 years old and I’d like to get some of your memories down on paper. Can we get together once a week and talk?”

He agreed, so throughout the summer we sat in his living room while he reminisced and I wrote furiously. Most days I covered several notebook pages and my hand was aching before we stopped, usually after about an hour.

In 1945, when I was 6 years old, our family took a trip to Miles City, Montana, to buy cattle. Ray and I froze in the back seat, as it was winter and there was no heater in the car. 850 head were bought in the winter, delivered by train in the spring to Renville, hauled by truck and kept on the southwest 80 acres.

The cattle were fed through the summer and then trucked to St. Paul to sell in the stockyards.

At age 6, I had the impression that Miles City was a big cattle-buying town, bustling and full of people.

Forty years later, I had my private pilot’s license and flew a little plane out west. I decided to take a detour and fly over Miles City. I could not believe it was the same town; it was just a little dump of a town, about two blocks wide and five blocks long.

Over the summer of 2019, Dad and I grew closer and thoroughly enjoyed our time together.

Generations

I’ve typed up his stories and clarified more details.

If you can write, encouraging the older folks in your life to share their stories with you will reward you with entertainment, education and improved relationships.

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Wednesday, October 14, 2020 D11

4 steps for developing a thoughtful estate plan

Flag flies high and brave

By Peg Janisch Spicer Was it worth saving?

Why do I care?

Just buy a new one, it’s such a bad tear But this flag had been flying So high and so brave It had spoken a message I wanted to save The tornado had come Unexpected and fast Twisting and tossing our dock and flag mast It was over so quick In the blink of an eye It looked for new victims and went to the sky As I stitched the next day Feeling like Betsy Ross I thought of the others who have suffered more loss Victims of riots Undeserving of hate Ones who have made this a country that’s great So much to repair And heartbreaking it’s true But united we stand under red, white and blue And I felt a new kinship That day in my heart With people who struggle yet still do their part

Peg Janisch wrote this poem after the August tornado in the Spicer area.

Many people may avoid estate planning because they think it can be put off until later in life. But experts agree that adults of any age should have a plan in place to make sure their financial affairs are in order after they pass on, or in case they are incapacitated. A complete and thoughtful estate plan covers more than who will get what — it helps to ease the burden on your family and beneficiaries by documenting your wishes and instructions.

Here are the four major steps involved in developing an estate plan: ► Inventory and determine asset value: Account for any and all items you can make decisions about – including financial assets, real estate and even intangible property such as patents or copyrights. Then, determine the financial value of each asset. Debt should also be considered. ► Choose your beneficiaries and decision makers: These designations are crucial to estate planning. Beneficiaries – the recipients of your funds, trusts or property – are typically a spouse, child, relative or friend. They can be decision makers, too. Choose someone responsible who can be charged with administering the assets of your estate, taking care of any remaining financial obligations, and ensuring your wishes are carried out. ► Consider setting up a revocable trust: Revocable trusts give you an added layer of control and privacy over your assets that is not possible when assets are left directly to beneficiaries. They let you continue managing your property and make changes to the trust terms during your lifetime, and they allow property to pass to your beneficiaries without a court proceeding. ► Write a will and end-of-life documents: Your will governs who will receive property not otherwise

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designated by titling, the terms of a trust, or by beneficiary designation (such as on retirement accounts or insurance policies). Other end-oflife documents might include a living will dictating what should or should not be done to keep you alive, or a simple letter regarding how you would like to be laid to rest. Keep all of your finalized, original estate planning documents in one location so they don’t get lost and make several copies to store in a different location, such as a safe deposit box.

Remember that keeping your estate plan up to date is necessary to preserve your future wishes and prevent your loved ones from experiencing unnecessary stress. Experts recommend that you review your estate plan annually or biannually to ensure it is current, and update it as major life events occur, such as marriage, divorce or the birth of a child.

You may want to consult a Certified Financial Planner professional to bring the different parts of your estate together into a plan that represents your wishes. To find a CFP professional near you, visit letsmakeaplan.org.

Estate planning may not be fun, but designing a plan now will help provide the best outcome for your family and friends when you are no longer with them.

StatePoint

D12 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Being a compassionate caregiver to someone living with dementia

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ementia can be devastating for the people who live with it and their family members, and it’s a diagnosis more Americans will face as the U.S. population ages.

In the next 20 years, the total number of those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia in the U.S. is expected to approximately double from 7.2 million to nearly 13 million, according to the Milken Institute.

“As the life a person always knew becomes increasingly unfamiliar, caregivers can play an important role in helping ease anxiety,” says Jennifer Sheets, president and chief executive officer of Interim HealthCare Inc., an in-home healthcare and assistance provider that takes a positive approach to caring for those with dementia. “With the right knowledge, a caregiver can help their loved one cope with the changes they are experiencing.”

Dementia is caused by physical changes in the brain and while there many kinds of dementia, Alzheimer’s is the most common.

To approach caregiving with greater compassion, Interim HealthCare recommends three practical tips: 1. Use the hand-under-hand technique: Hand-under-Hand is a technique that caregivers can use to reduce anxiety and calm a person with dementia. The base or heel of the hand is a highly sensitive area.

kali9 / Getty Images + Interim HealthCare

Put slight pressure on that area by clasping your loved one’s dominant hand. This technique works best if you put your hand underneath theirs.

That gives them a feeling of control as well as calms them.

2. Acknowledge evolving tastes: A person living with dementia experiences a range of sensory and cognitive changes that can affect their appetite and food preferences. Indeed, your loved one’s favorite foods may now have a negative smell or taste to them. While maintaining good nutrition is essential,

don’t force these foods or argue over them. Instead, offer a variety of balanced foods: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins, in small servings at first until you understand new preferences. Realize these preferences may change again.

3. Carve out time for art and music: Once a person is diagnosed with dementia, their ability to act independently greatly diminishes.

However, artwork and music allow for freedom of expression, which over time, can be quite impactful

in relieving anxiety. Remember, it’s about the creative process, not your loved one’s abilities. So, set aside 30-45 minutes weekly for art or music and consider participating alongside them.

Committed to helping caregivers find the strength and stamina needed to provide compassionate support, Interim HealthCare has based its care approach on the methodology of Teepa Snow, an international leader in the Positive Approach to Care (PAC) philosophy. To that end, many caregivers and clinicians in the Interim HealthCare network participate in PAC training rooted in learning care techniques that can ease anxiety, as well as in understanding what a person living with dementia can still do — even as the journey continues to become more difficult for them over time.

Interim HealthCare has created a free downloadable guide with more tips and guidance intended to provide the most supportive environment possible.

To download the free guide visit: Interimhealthcare.com/demen tia-caregiver-guide.aspx.

Caring for a person with dementia is a difficult journey. However, a greater understanding of the condition can help caregivers better cope and manage their role with compassion.

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Wednesday, October 14, 2020 D13

Foot care tips for those with diabetes F or those with diabetes, a seemingly insignificant foot problem can produce dangerous consequences. Experts say that managing this risk is an important part of diabetes care.

“Living with diabetes increases the risk of developing a wide range of foot problems, often because of two complications of the disease: nerve damage and poor circulation,” says Dr. Brett Sachs, DPM, FACFAS, a Denver foot and ankle surgeon and Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “However, you can play a vital role in prevention.”

To avoid serious foot problems that could result in losing a toe, foot or leg, follow these guidelines from ACFAS foot and ankle surgeons: ► Inspect feet daily. Diabetes may cause nerve damage, which takes away the feeling in your feet, so a daily visual inspection is important.

Check for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or nail problems. Use a magnifying hand mirror to look at the bottom of your feet. Call your foot and ankle surgeon if you notice any issues. ► Bathe feet gently. Wash your feet daily with a soft washcloth or sponge using only lukewarm water.

Dry by blotting carefully. ► Moisturize. Use a moisturizer daily to keep dry skin from itching or cracking. But don’t moisturize between the toes — that could encourage a fungal infection. ► Cut nails carefully. Cut nails straight across and file the edges.

Don’t cut too short, as this could lead to ingrown toenails. ► Never treat corns or calluses yourself. Don’t perform “bathroom surgery” or use medicated pads. Visit your doctor for appropriate treatment. ► Wear proper socks. Always wear clean, dry socks. You may want to consider those made specifically for patients living with diabetes, which have extra cushioning, no

elastic tops, are higher than the ankle and are made from moisture-wicking fibers. ► Shake out your shoes. Remember, your feet may not be able to feel a pebble or other foreign objects, so always inspect shoes before wearing them to help prevent blisters and sores that could lead to an infection or non-healing wound. ► Keep feet dry. Change your socks if they get wet. You may also consider using an antiperspirant on the soles of your feet. ► Never walk barefoot. It can be tempting to go barefoot in warmer weather. Never do so, not even at home. Always wear shoes or slippers to avoid getting scratched, cut or even burned from hot surfaces. ► Be active. Staying active is important. Just be extra careful, particularly if you play sports, to monitor your feet for related injuries. ► Treat your diabetes. Keep your blood sugar levels under control.

Untreated diabetes can result in other conditions affecting the feet, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and Charcot foot, a condition in which the bones of the foot are weakened enough to fracture. ► Don’t smoke. Smoking restricts blood flow in your feet. ► Get periodic foot exams. Your foot and ankle surgeon works with your other healthcare providers to prevent and treat complications from diabetes. See your foot and ankle surgeon regularly, or as soon as you notice any problems, to help prevent the foot complications of diabetes.

For more resources and tips regarding foot and ankle health and conditions, visit the ACFAS patient education website, FootHealthFacts.org.

“When it comes to diabetes care, don’t neglect your feet. Proper preventive care with the help of a foot and ankle surgeon can help keep your whole body healthy,” says Dr. Sachs.

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1604 S. 1st Street Suite 10 • Willmar, MN 56201 • 320-235-7244

D14 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

65th birthday brings key decisions regarding health care

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our 65th birthday is an important milestone. That’s when you become eligible for the federal Medicare health insurance program.

Medicare is a popular, affordable health insurance program for Americans 65 and older, and those under 65 with certain disabilities, providing hospital coverage (Part A) and physician visits (Part B) to those who qualify. But it can be complicated. To decide what coverage is best for you, take inventory of your current and future health, work and economic standing, including your personal preferences and goals.

Here are a few tips to consider from Cigna, which serves hundreds of thousands of Medicare customers nationwide.

1. Timing is important! Medicare has a seven-month window around your 65th birthday called the Initial Enrollment Period. It begins three months before your 65th birthday and extends three months past your birthday month. Enrolling outside this window could result in higher premiums on Medicare Part B for the rest of your life.

If you’re still working, your path forward depends on the size of your company. If you work for a company with fewer than 20 employees, generally, you must sign up for Medicare at 65. If you work for a larger company, you can keep your company’s plan and enroll in Medicare without penalty later – usually when you retire – or enroll in Medicare immediately. However, by switching, your spouse could lose coverage if they’re currently on your company’s insurance.

If you’re not working and you’ve already filed for Social Security, the process is much easier. You’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65.

Sometimes called Original Medicare, this doesn’t include prescription drug coverage.

2. Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything. Original Medicare covers hospital and physician expenses, but there are cost-shar-

ing requirements and limits on what’s covered. Consider how you’ll cover things like dental, vision, hearing and pharmacy. You can buy supplemental plans, or you can buy a Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Part C), which covers everything that Medicare does and provides additional benefits, including, in many cases, prescription drugs (also known as Part D).

3. You have many options.

With Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap), and Prescription Drug Plans, there are many choices to make. Understanding your budget, health needs, doctor preferences and lifestyle will be important in making the best choice for you.

4. Get help. For more information, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Or visit the Medicare Plan Finder website at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. Find local assistance through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at www.shiptacenter. org. You can also contact individual Medicare plans. For instance, you can learn more about Cigna plans at www.cigna.com/medicare. Consult your benefits administrator at work and talk with friends and family members who’ve been through the process.

5. Use it. Know your available benefits. Find out about wellness checks and preventive screenings needed for your age and health status, and get them. Take advantage of Medicare Advantage extras, like gym memberships, to actively engage in your health and well-being.

As you turn 65, it’s important to do your homework regarding health insurance. However, if you find out that the plan is not the right fit, all is not lost. You can make changes during Medicare’s Annual Election Period, which occurs every year from October 15 to December 7.

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Why weighing your Medicare Part D options is crucial this year You likely hear the same word of advice every fall: review your Medicare Part D plan. While you may be tempted to stick with what you have, it’s important to remember that plan specifics change annually, your health needs are always evolving, and as this year has shown, unexpected global events can impact your health and finances. For all these reasons, doing your homework is not only important, it has the power to substantially reduce your out-ofpocket costs.

“Reviewing your Medicare Part D options is the best way to ensure your prescription needs are met affordably in the coming year,” says Kelle Turner, Express Scripts Medicare Part D expert. “COVID-19 has highlighted how having the right coverage is critical to helping you stay safe and healthy.”

To help those turning 65 and older make sense of their options, Turner offers the following tips: ► Don’t procrastinate: Part D enrollment is taking place from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 this year. If you’re like most people, you may be inclined to delay your decision. Indeed, nine out of 10 people wait until the last minute to select a plan, according to Express Scripts. However, the selection process can be complicated, so don’t deprive yourself of the time needed to thoughtfully comparison shop.

Factor in how the COVID-19 landscape has potentially impacted your selection process. With many in-person resources (e.g., local Medicare workshops, working with a broker or agent, etc.) being conducted virtually or requiring advance scheduling this year, you can get ahead of the game by starting early.

One good resource to check out is RoadmapForMedicare.com, a free access website now offering short educational videos, recorded webinars and articles with tips to select the plan that’s best for you. The site

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also features FAQs and expert advice so you can better assess your options. ► Look beyond premiums: While reviewing your options, look at the multiple factors which can affect your overall costs over the course of the year. While a lower premium might save you money upfront, these plans can have much higher copayments, which over time can add up. ► Check coverage: Plans change annually, so don’t assume that because your medications were covered under a certain plan last year that they will be covered again this year. Before enrolling or re-enrolling, check that your current drugs will be covered. Likewise, check out each plan’s pharmacy network and what is covered to ensure that it meets your needs. For example, you may find that right now, your top priority is the safety and convenience of home delivery of prescription drugs in order to reduce your chances of exposure to coronavirus. ► Get savvy: Free expert advice can help you navigate the selection process and make informed decisions about your healthcare. Be sure to look for trusted sources who can provide the information you need to pick the plan that will work best for you and your budget.

Take a closer look at your Medicare Part D choices. In these uncertain times, it is particularly important to be prepared to weather whatever comes your way.

StatePoint

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Wednesday, October 14, 2020 D15

How to shop for a Medicare plan from home

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very year, eligible individuals can shop for a health plan during Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP), which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Doing so can potentially improve your coverage, lower your costs or both. The options are many, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Medicare Supplement plans and Prescription Drug Plans.

According to Aparna Abburi, president of the Medicare Advantage business at Cigna, one of the nation’s largest insurers, those concerned about COVID-19 exposure have a number of ways to shop.

If you’re computer savvy, visit plan websites like www.cigna.com/medicare or Medicare’s Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. You might even be able to attend a virtual educational session. If you prefer phone, call individual plans or independent brokers representing the health plan you’re considering. You can also request a face-to-face meeting, but be sure to follow the COVID-19 safety precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Abburi said you’ll want to think about the following when picking a plan: Review changes. In late September, health plans send their MA customers a document called the

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Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) with information about costs, benefits, available doctors and facilities for the upcoming year. Check this document to see if anything in your plan will change.

Weigh extras. Pay attention to extra benefits not available with Original Medicare but which may be built into an MA plan at no additional cost, such as dental, vision, transportation or even an allowance for purchasing certain over-the-counter items. In these times, you might be especially interested in

benefits that help you stay healthy while safe at home, such as telehealth, prescription drug delivery and in-home fitness programs.

Know your network. Beyond cost, make sure the plan’s network includes your favorite facilities and doctors. Are you okay seeking care within a network? These kinds of choices should be guided by your own personal goals and preferences.

Consider costs. To estimate total costs, first, know the plan’s premium or monthly cost. Second, check for out-of-pocket costs, including copays and deductibles on doctor and hospital visits and prescription drugs. Finally, check to see what the cost will be if you need to see a specialist. In some plans, you pay more for going outside your network.

Don’t forget prevention. Many MA plans cover preventive health screenings beyond those covered by Original Medicare. Talk to your doctor about which screenings are important for you given your age and health status. While it’s smart to minimize your risk to COVID-19, you still want to make sure you’re getting preventive and other necessary care. Your doctor will have proper safety protocols in place.

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D16 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

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