mature lifestyles southwest april 2011

VOLUME 22, NUMBER 4 SOUTHWEST APRIL 2011

The Cupid in Your Computer

• Get A Job ... Your Age Can Help! • Parkinson’s Foundation Helps Families• Question About Social Security • Mom Always Loved You Best!

The Wild Side of Quebec

Join us at...

Mature Lifestyles • April 2011 • page 2


Presents the 16th Annual...

Hey Seniors!

Join Us For the Best Event of the Year!

Denise Looney

“The D.J. with a Twist”

Tues. April. 12, 2011 • 10am to 3pmCultural Center of Charlotte County

2280 Aaron Street• Port Charlotte, FL 33952

LIVE Entertainment! FREE Health Screenings!

Exhibitors! Free BINGO Games! For Prizes!

Antique Car Show presented by Veteran Motor

Car Club of America, SWF Chapter

For More Information Call: 239-823-3542 or 239-265-2141Toll Free: 1-888-670-0040 • For Directions: 941-625-4175 • www.srmagazine.com

Free Coffee

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BY JANICE DOYLE

Dear Readers,

Because of mod-ern technology,

we are tied to the rest of the world through instant visual images. As I observed the devastation caused by the tsunami in Japan, I couldn’t help thinking that thousands of those shown in shelters were my peers, people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s whose desire for the comforts of home are very much like mine. Now they are without food, water and their own homes. Most have lost family members. All are suffering greatly. I have lived in Japan. It is a unique country in all ways, from geography to architecture and from art to the customs and personal discipline which make it “work” in spite of the dense population in such a small geographical size. One day I entered a middle school gymnasium to be a part of a program. The entire student body was being seated as I arrived. As the several hundred students came in, class by class in order, they each stopped quickly and quietly to remove their shoes. They weren’t kicking them off into random piles, either. As the first classes entered, they turned so the heels of their shoes touched the wall, toes pointed forward, until the wall was lined. Subsequent classes created lines of shoes in front of that, finally reaching several feet out into the gym. All the shoes were black and similar in style, yet at the end of the program, each pair was quietly claimed without a single problem. Last week I read that in the shelters in Japan all the shoes are lined up inside the door. It was easy for me to imagine. It would not have occurred to them to have done otherwise. And no one would have argued. A picture in the March 19 Wall Street Journal shows a group of

seniors in a shelter lined up doing stretching exercises. It is an integral part of their society to take care of the little things (like shoes and daily stretching exercises) with self discipline and then look after the big things as they arise. Big things —like recovering from a tsunami. In 2004, Hurricane Charley wreaked havoc on communities here in Florida. Some of our readers could detail from that experience the immediate frustra-tions the Japanese seniors face (except that the Japanese are cold instead of hot). Many of you could walk them through the decisions they have to make as they rebuild their lives.

Nuclear threat What Floridians didn’t face is the ra-diation from the nuclear power plants. All Japanese people know family stories of health problems from radiation exposure after the WWII bombings. They know the diseases well. They know what might happen. I have visited both Nagasaki and Hiro-shima. I have seen the museums which tell the stories of August 1945 and the results of the bombs. The people of Japan made the transition then, quickly and boldly, from weapons of destruction to rebuilding their homes and communi-ties. They will do it again, going from this natural disaster to rebuilding. Sometimes now, years after living in Japan, a sight, a smell or a sound takes me back in my mind to the community in southern Japan which I knew best. Because of that familiar-ity, I can picture the communities destroyed by the tsunami—the shops, the signs, the children, the food. One afternoon, my friend and I stopped to watch some boys about 10 or 11 years old playing baseball in a small corner of a park. Soon

they offered to let us take a turn at bat, and so we became a part of an American-Japanese baseball game, laughing with them as we ran bases, caught fly balls and pitched to them. Children having fun, like many caught up in the tsunami. But as I write this, I also remember the Buddhist temple I passed every morning and evening on my way to and from work, with its huge iron bell just inside the door. As the months passed, I witnessed people making daily offerings, and I was also witness to occasional weddings and funerals. Although I didn’t understand the words at funerals, I often stopped to sit on the steps and listen to the chanting of the sutra and smell the incense. It was such a contrast to my familiar Christian traditions.

Rebuilding Life’s changes are often marked in cultures through religion. Although most Japanese claim no religion today, many of the living will help the country’s dead pass on to the afterlife in Buddhist temples. For the older generation of Japanese—my peers—the pain will be intense, the feeling of loss overwhelming. But they will find comfort in the familiar chants, in the burning of incense and in the deep, resonant ‘bong’ of the temple bell. Then they will begin to rebuild. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

Our Peers in Japan—Their Suffering and Comfort in the Tsunami Disaster

Janice Doyle, Editor

Lee, Collier & Charlotte Published monthly by

News Connection U.S.A., Inc.

Corporate Advertising Offi ce:P.O. Box 638

Seffner, Florida 33583-0638

Send press releases to [email protected]

News Connection U.S.A. Inc., is also the publisher of

ATTENTION READERS:The articles printed in Senior Connection and Mature Lifestyles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. The Senior Connection/ Mature Lifestyles endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Senior Connection/Mature Lifestyles reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the May 2011 issue is April 15, 2011.

Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

Hillsborough County:

Hillsborough Edition

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Suncoast Edition

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Through 24 “Miracle on South Division Street,” a comedy

where a deathbed confession changes everything. 8 p.m. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 Bay St. Visit flori-darep.org or call (239) 332-4488.

7 – May 14 RENT at Broad-way Palm Dinner Theater,

Ft. Myers. Call (239) 278-4422 or visit broadwaypalm.com.

8 Movie under the stars. “Disney’s Earth” shown on giant inflatable

screen. Alliance for the Arts. Bringchairs, blanket, picnic. For more information, call (239) 939-2787.

8 Polish Luncheon at the Charlotte County Cultural Center. 11 a.m. to

2 p.m. Info and tickets: (941) 625-4175.

10 “Amelia Earhart” performance by Florida’s Rep Theatre.

11 a.m. Tickets at (239) 332-4488.

16 Nautical Flea Market and Seafood Festival

at Charlotte County Fair-grounds, Port Charlotte. Boat auction. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. call (561) 844-0440.

16 Full Moon Walk at Six-mile Slough. $5/person. 7:45 to

9:15 p.m. Pre-registration required: call (239) 533-7440 or visit their website at leegov.com.

20 Florida Friendly Landscape/Garden Tour

with a Master Gardener. 10:30 a.m. Contact the Eco Living Center at Rutenberg Park. (239) 533-7515.

20 Nature Photography Class. Learn to apply your

camera to nature shots—should be familiar with basic camera operations. $60/person at Six-mile Cypress Slough Preserve. 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Pre-registration required: (239) 533-7440 or online.

21 Trip to Lion Country Safari African Adventure

(West Palm Beach) with Kennedy Kruisers, Lake Kennedy Center, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. $69/non-members. (239) 574-0575.

22 Earth Day at Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Special

programs. Phone: (239) 472-1100.

24 Easter tribute concert to Harry James & The Andrews Sisters

by Charly Raymond and his band. 1:15 and 7 p.m. shows. $47. Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Call (239) 278-4422 or visit broadwaypalm.com.

29 A Night at the Races Derby style dinner, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

(beer and wine included). Kentucky Derby Hat contest, horse racing. Cape Coral Yacht Club ballroom. Proceeds: CAMEO Grant Program. $30 perperson at (239) 574-0807.

30 Springtime Flowers Fashion Show and

Luncheon at Rotino Center. Catered lunch. 1 to 3 p.m.

$15/person. Pre-registration required at (239) 574-0807.

30 Turtle Trot 5K Race on shell path in

Lovers Key State Park. Run on a shell path, climb 38’ high

Calusa Indian Mound, cross two bridges and finish at the beach. To register: abooma.com/

EventManager/GetEventDetail or call (239) 473-4588.

Send Around Town news to Mature Lifestyles Magazine, 1602 S. Parsons Ave., Seffner,

FL 33584; fax (813) 651-1989. News must be received by the

10th of the month prior to event (i.e. April 10 for May event.)

Around TownW H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G A P R I L 2 0 1 1

See More Things To Do On Pg. 28!

NIGHT AT THE RACES

FRIDAY APRIL 29thCape Coral Yacht Club

5819 Driftwood Pkwy. • Cape Coral 33904

Doors Open at 5 p.m.

Buffet Dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Races start at 6 p.m.

Kentucky Derby Style Buffet Dinner • All Beverages included Horse Races • Silent and Chinese Auctions • Door Prizes

All proceeds go to help the seniors of Lee County

Presented by:

Admission $30 per person ($35 at the door)Sponsor and name a horse for $25

For tickets or more information call Marcy Roemer-Smith at 239-677-1367

100 Horses competing in 10 Races

Fundraiser


BY ANN THOMAS

Clowns are supposed to be funny, aren’t they? They work to en-

tertain us, often by silly antics that make us laugh. An unbelievable number of them emerge, center ring, from a tiny car. They squirt water from a flower in some unsuspect-ing person’s face. They trip and fall, although it appears nothing is in the way. This is the humor of the un-expected that we knew and loved from the time we were children. But the idea of clowns in Nursing Homes puzzled me. Surely, in that setting, those unexpected behaviors would be inappropriate, maybe even dangerous. Nursing home residents are at an entirely different stage of life, often preparing for death. It’s hard to see what’s funny about that. It turns out that therapeutic clowns behave differently from those who entertain in the circus. Shobi Dobi, a world-renowned caring clown, author and teacher, explains the difference this way: “The circus…clown directs and entertains…the (therapeutic) clown listens to the (person) and then acts accordingly. The focus is on the connection. (Clowns) can be found sitting, quietly listening to a patient…whatever is needed at the moment.” According to Clown Patty Wooten who is also a nurse, author and leader in the fi eld of therapeutic humor, clowns in nursing homes are there because people need to know

that someone cares about them. Everyone needs a safe space where they can relax and feel nurtured. Therapeutic clowns are able to provide this safe space

partly because they have no other agenda. They are

not responsible for medications, meals

or laundry. They are free of the “rush” and “fuss” that come with those other jobs. They are not there to “fi x” the person. They are there only to connect in a caring and loving way to wherever that person is at the moment. In this way their purpose seems to be similar to other caring visitors, including those of the four legged variety. So then, why are they in clown costume? Why go through the extensive training and expensive perfecting of costume when it seems it could be done in everyday clothes without training? The answer is that the costume changes things, both for the clown and the patient. The costume helps the clown move outside of their ego. They, like any actor, become someone else and are able to put aside personal needs and assume an open vulner-ability, an open heart. And, for the patient, there is an instant recognition that the clown is not part of the staff and therefore not someone who either requires something of them or is intending to do something to them. The visual recognition says, without words, that the clown is someone who understands play and therefore, like anyone who knows how to play, is able to

stay fully absorbed in the moment. With a clown by your side, you are no longer alone on your path. And, with a clown by your side you may, for the moment, step away from any regrets of the past, fears of the future and

pain in the moment. From the moment when

you nod yes, inviting into

your room that clown who is shyly peeking around the door, you are engaged in a “now-time” heart to heart connection

that might, perhaps, put a twinkle in

your eye or even a smile on your face.

So, please, Send In A Clown.

They, like any actor, become someone else and are able to put aside personal

that someone cares about them. Everyone needs a safe space where they can relax and feel nurtured. Therapeutic clowns are able to provide this safe space

partly because they have no other agenda. They are

not responsible for medications, meals

or laundry. They are free of the “rush” and “fuss” that come with those

stay fully absorbed in the moment. With a clown by your side, you are no longer alone on your path. And, with a clown by your side

your room that clown who is shyly peeking around the door, around the door, you are engaged in you are engaged in a “now-time” heart a “now-time” heart to heart connection to heart connection

that might, perhaps, that might, perhaps, that might, perhaps,

you are engaged in a “now-time” heart to heart connection

that might, perhaps,

He’s a clown, an actor, a

juggler and a friend who makes it his mission to bring

about the laughter that causes healing to the body, spirit and soul.

He’s Charlie Chaplin, a unicyclist and a four-legged man who keeps seniors laughing wherever he goes.

Fritzy, the one-man circus, is a regular at the Fun Fests and Senior Extravaganzas hosted by this publication. He says, “I’ve never met a senior I didn’t like. Seniors are never concerned about being the fi rst one to laugh, and they also love to be hugged!” Once at a Fun Fest, he said out loud, ‘Free hugs today!’ and seniors “actually started a hug line. Don’t tell any of them, but it’s me who really needs all the hugs! They love attention and I’m just

the guy to give it to them.”

“I love them all!” says Fritzy, the clown who creates laughter that “does the heart good like medicine.”

Visit Fritzy’s website at fritzybrothers.com.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSeeennnddd I I Innn a C a C a Clllooowwwnnn!!!

else and are able to put aside personal else and are able to put aside personal needs and assume an open vulner-ability, an open heart. And, for the patient, there is an instant recognition that the

The visual recognition says, without words, that

who understands play and therefore, like anyone who knows how to play, is able to

else and are able to put aside personal healing to the body, spirit and soul. healing to the body, spirit and soul. He’s Charlie Chaplin, a unicyclist and a four-legged man He’s Charlie Chaplin, a unicyclist and a four-legged man

who keeps seniors laughing wherever he goes.who keeps seniors laughing wherever he goes.

Fritzy, the one-man circus, is a regular at the Fun Fritzy, the one-man circus, is a regular at the Fun Fests and Senior Extravaganzas hosted by this publication. He says, “I’ve never met a senior I didn’t

the guy to give it to them.”the guy to give it to them.”

“I love them all!” says Fritzy, the clown who creates laughter that “does the heart good like medicine.”

Visit Fritzy’s website at fritzybrothers.com.

ENTE

RTAIN

ER LOVES M

AKIN

G PEO

PLE LAUGH

Luis Campaneria of A-1 Magic

has entertained with magic and balloons full time for

the past 22 years. “At last count, I can make about

1000 different balloon animals, not to mention how many balloon hats

and many other types of balloon creations,” Luis says. “The smiles on seniors’ faces makes it worth every balloon that popped while learning this art. When I meet a new event coordinator, I love to hear them

comment, ‘Balloons? Does he know there aren’t going to be

any kids here?’ All I have to say is, ‘watch!’”

Visit his website at A1magic.com.

Photos by Tina Brunner


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An extensive health library Discounts from national and local sources Invitations to hospital-sponsored activities An extensive calendar of events and activitiesto keep you active

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Senior Friends

The Senior Fun Fest Has It All!

Hey Seniors! Join us on April 12 for the 16th annual

Senior Fun Fest, held at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. The event and parking are free and includes great entertainment, education and information. Enjoy free coffee and muffins from our friends at Perkins.

Entertainment Denise Looney—“The D.J. with a Twist,” will get the place hopping. Our

favorite Fritzy “The One Man Circus” will amaze everyone with juggling, unicycling and globe walking. Free Bingo games for prizes will go on throughout the day. Senior Friendly exhibitors will provide giveaways and good information on wellness and senior lifestyles. The Classic Car Show will be presented by The Veteran Motor Car Club of America, SWF Chapter. Be sure to stop by Books are Fun to find your favorite book, gift or game.

Health Many of the exhibits include health information and free screenings. The Parkinson Research Founda-tion and the Macular Degeneration Association will provide educational seminars during the day. The AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour Bus will be parked in the front of the building and provide free screenings for cholesterol, bone density, blood pressure, glucose, waist circumference and body mass index.

Results will be available that day after the screenings are completed. Each year, Mature Lifestyles magazine presents the Senior Fun Fest to the Charlotte community as a way to provide information on services and businesses that help the senior community. For directions, call (941) 625-4175. For a calendar of Mature Lifestyles’ upcoming events, go to www.srma-gazine.com or call (239) 265-2141. See you there!

Pictures by Tina Brunner


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DJM Renovations Inc. also provided walk-in safety tubs with hydrotherapy for arthritis, back problems, lupus, muscular dystrophy, fibromyalgia and aches and pains. “We also provide wheelchair accessible showers, so you can roll into them and out with ease. Our customers are always surprised and pleased to learn how affordable our prices are and how much we save them compared to other companies. We are proud to be of service to our seniors across the state keeping them safe in their homes,” he said.

If you worry about falling every time you step into the bathtub you probably need to give David Murabito, owner of DJM Renovations Inc. a call. David will give you a free, no-obligation estimate on converting your bathroom into a safe envronment instead of a danger zone. For senior adults or those who have mobility challenges, David recommends a popular tub to shower conversion which allows you to enter and exit with ease. Since 60 percent of all household injuries are from getting in or out of the bathtub, David says this option is a wise choice for senior adults.

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The Cupid in Your Computer“When it

comes to dating, the internet has broadened and widened the playing field and deepened the pool,” says Dr. Joy Browne, author of Dating For Dummies®, 3rd Edition. Some of her “rules” for venturing online:

• Be precise. “Think about who you are and what makes you unusual, and list both your successes and your fail-ures,” says Dr. Browne. “Don’t allow yourself to wander into abstracts or use trite phrases. No moonlight strolls, walks in the park, or, ‘I’m a true ro-mantic’; these descriptions of yourself are meaningless, overused and silly. Remind yourself that a focused intent is time-saving, practical and useful, so be thoughtful and specific. You want your ad to be honest, compelling, eye catching, reflective of who you are.”

• Use a fairly recent picture and avoid flattering glam shots because you want very little discrepancy between the picture and what you really look like. It’s much smarter to elicit a comment such as, “My goodness, you’re much better looking in person!” instead of, “Oh my God, is this what you really look like?” • Don’t even think about using a picture of yourself with your arm around somebody of the op-posite sex (duh). A picture with a friend is also a mixed message. • Be careful about using props like a dog or a fancy car. This is about you, so it should be a good headshot of you alone. • Women, don’t be tempted to be too sexy in your picture or you’re going to send the wrong message. And guys; keep your shirt on. Watch for more of Dr. Browne’s tips in future issues.


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Retired Radio Host Returns for “Good News for Seniors”BY TRACIE SCHMIDT

On Nokomis resident Sally Hille’s radio

show, “Good News for Seniors,” she recently had a chance to interview Betty White. “People say ‘it’s good to have you back,’” Hille com-mented to her guest. “I never left!” replied Betty White. The same can be said of Hille. This vivacious 90-year-old got into radio just before college, working as a receptionist with ambitions of bringing her own ideas to the air. It was a concept that was often met with resistance in the ‘40s and ‘50s. “I was working at Ohio State WCOL; everything was going live back in those days, even the breaks, and I wanted to be on the air. The boss was gone one day so I talked to the supervisor. ‘Let me make the break,’ I asked. ‘He’ll

never know!’ So I went on the air and did the break, and a little bit later the boss came into the office, storming. He was so mad, he almost fired us both. ‘Don’t you know women’s voices are not wanted on the air!’ he shouted at me. We’ve come a long way since then,”

Hille laughed. Later on she worked as a junior writer in Columbus, Ohio for WHKC and later as a continuity director. “In those days it was done

by a man,” Hille commented. “I did his job but did not get his pay.” Despite the obstacles in her path, her dream of being on the air finally came true at WMOA when she started a show called “Sally’s Social Corner.” She was the first to have a women’s show in Ohio. “I also did this ‘sexy weather girl show’ at 11 o’clock at night,” Hille

smiled. “I even built my own studio at my house, but the only place they could put the wire in was my upstairs bathroom. So for awhile, I was work-ing out of my bathroom studio.” One of the highlights of her career was her own talk show on WBRJ. “It lasted six years,” Hille said. “I did interviews and six shows a week. I got to go to the Kenley Players and meet people like Dean Kelly, Cloris Leachman and Paul Lynde. I had a lot of fun!” Hille retired from radio about thirty years ago but couldn’t stay away. “When I reached 90, I realized that there isn’t a lot of programming out there for older seniors—those who are 70 and up,” she said. Hille decided to go back into radio when her son said, “You still got it!” She got in touch with her old station at WMOA and they decided to air her show, “Good News for Seniors,” which features celebrity guests, centegenarians, ways to celebrate your golden years and live a healthy, active lifestyle and more. “I felt the thrill of being in radio

again—the same stong feelings,” Hille said. “I felt young again—like my old self. I was amazed that I had the nerve to interview the people I did.” The most challenging part has been adjusting to the new technology. “I had a new recorder that I had to learn to use; I was so used to tape,” Hille said. She’s also been working with her son to learn Audacity—a program that enables her to turn her show into a podcast that can be downloaded online. She told me how she’d noticed radio change over the course of her career. “I think it’s absolutely amazing that someone my age can do all of this with a computer,” she said. “Radio was so big, and then television came along, and then movies and things like that. I think computers have completely changed the world. We can get news instantly on the computer; it’s just so fast.” You can find “Good News for Seniors” on jstyer.podomatic.com. As the host says at the end of her show, “This is Sally Hille, signing off. Life can be fun, no matter how old you are!”

got into radio just before college,

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Sally Hille and her

“bathroom studio.”


Mom Loves You Best: Siblings and Estrangement in Midlife

BY CATHY JO CRESS, MSW

We are all Shakespeare, and our family is our stage. Sisters

and brothers are characters on that stage, acting out their lives. As years go by we become playwrights recounting life events through family stories. Most sibling tales are good yarns, but in some stories bad things happen. Some of those unhappy memories become “I Hate You” stories for midlife siblings. Siblings can be divided into several types. By going through this list, you can both tell what kind of relationship you have with your sibling and whether you just might be the type to have a sibling with an “I Hate You” story.

Beloved Siblings care deeplyabout each other, see each otheroften and regularly and think of each other as best friends.

Buddy Siblings are like beloved siblings, but the caring between you is feet deep instead of yards deep. You don’t see them every day but you really like them. They are not your best friends.

Reliable Siblings are close but usually live far way. You do not see or make contact with each other frequently. You have strong family bonds, and this sibling connection can be clamped into place in a family crisis and then released when things go back to normal. Reliable siblings are like an air mattress. They can be blown up at any time.

Listless Siblings have little interaction with each other as adults and are indifferent to each other. If there were a traffic light for siblings, they would be the blinking yellow. You do not show much interest in each other and are not sure exactly how to feel. You suspect something happened in your past to make you so uninvolved.

Seething Siblings are full of anger. You have a childhood hurt from a sibling that you feel deeply. You ignore him or her and don’t have much contact except perhaps on required holiday visits. You are not physical or violent with your anger, but it sometimes seethes inside.

Irate Siblings have a bone to pick with a sibling about something that happened when you were younger. It may have involved aggression or violence. Cain and Abel come to mind. Brothers and sisters who experienced sibling rivalry can fall into this category if violence and aggression and even sexual violence may have come into play.

If you believe that you and one of your siblings are one of the last three types—Listless, Seething, or Irate—you probably have an “I Hate You” story. Even uninvolved or listless siblings can have extremely negative feelings toward a sister or brother. A listless sibling thinks about the sibling and feels something is the matter but can’t pinpoint the reason. If you have any of these last three sibling relationships, you can get to the bottom of your sibling story by forgiveness. Then, as you face the aging-parent-care stage in midlife, you’ll be able to field a family sibling team to solve a parent’s prob-lems. This is a critical family step. Plus, reuniting with an estranged sibling gives you the rest of your life to spend with the longest, deepest relationship of your life.


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Choose Healthy SnacksFoods with a high glycemic index

are digested more quickly than foods with a low glycemic index. Rapidly digested foods can flood your bloodstream with sugar. A quick surge of insulin to clear the sugar can leave your blood sugar too low after just a few hours, and when this happens you feel hungry; you’re apt to overeat and possibly gain weight. Fiber slows diges-tion and therefore lowers a food’s glycemic load. By increasing the bulk of foods and creating a feeling of fullness, fiber may also help you avoid overeating and becoming overweight. Snacking and eating healthfully needn’t be mutually exclusive. There are plenty of healthy foods that are quick and easy to eat such as fruits, veggie sticks and moderate amounts of nuts. Because typical snack foods like

chips, candy and crackers have a high glycemic load, these foods won’t keep

you feeling sated for very long. So you run the risk of overeating. Here are some tips for choosing foods with a low glycemic load:• Look for non-starchy, non-sugary foods like raw vegetable sticks, bean dips and fruits such as apples, pears, peaches and berries.• Low-fat yogurt is another good snack

choice, but avoid yogurt with “fruit on the bottom,” which is basically sugar syrup. Add your own fruit instead.• When choosing grain-based snacks, look for whole-wheat crackers and natural granola. Think before you choose a snack and stay healthy.

Improving MemoryHave you become more

forgetful over the years? Rest assured that the minor memory lapses that occur with age are not usually signs of a serious neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease, but rather the result of normal changes in the structure and function of the brain. Want to keep your brain sharp? Keep learning and stay physically and mentally active. Those strategies boost your “brain bank,” improving the brain’s capacity to withstand damage associated with disease or injury. Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. In people whose brains are being damaged by the disease, some continue to function normally while others suffer severe memory loss and other problems. Two components help explain the difference. The first, called brain reserve capac-ity, is the number of nerve cells and nerve-to-nerve connections (synapses) in the brain. In theory, a person who has

more brain “hardware” is able to maintain memory and thinking skills even when some of the hardware is damaged.

The second element, cognitive reserve, reflects the brain’s ability

to develop and use alternative nerve pathways or thinking strategies when disease or injury damage parts of the brain. People whose brains have alternate networks or cognitive strat-egies are less likely to experience disruption in their mental processes. Many things can reduce brain reserve capacity, including strokes, injury and toxins, and there is little you can do to rebuild this genetically determined brain feature. But you can influence cognitive reserve. The bottom line: Virtually any activity that stretches your brain can bolster your cognitive reserve. Engaging your brain with intellectually stimulating activities will afford your brain greater protection down the road.


Long-Term Care and the New Health Care LawBY RON POLLACK, Executive Director, Families USA

If you’re doing some financial planning, you will want to include

long-term care needs you or your spouse might have in the future. You also need to consider the new Af-fordable Care Act—the new health care law signed into law in 2010.

Long-term care is expensive and Medicare does not cover the costs. And there are other reasons to plan ahead, to learn about your options for care before you need help. That way, if you need care suddenly, you and your family won’t have to scramble. Equally important, you won’t end up in a nursing home just because no one knew alternatives were available.

Long-term care isn’t only about nursing homes. There are many options for care and support that can help you stay at home longer or even avoid a nursing home altogether. The “home- and community-based services” that can help you stay at home range from homemaker help, such as help preparing meals, to care provided by health professionals like nurses, and a lot in between: personal at-tendants can help you with daily activities and adult day services and respite ser-vices can give family caregivers a needed rest. You may want training to learn new skills if, for example, you start having vision trouble, or perhaps home modifica-tions can help you get around your house better so you can keep living at home. What services are available will depend on where you live. Many seniors rely on state programs, like Medicaid, for their care. In states whose Medicaid programs invest more on home- and community-based services, there are generally more of these services available

for everyone-even for people whodon’t use Medicaid.

The Affordable Care Act The good news is that the Affordable Care Act-the new health care law-in-cludes several new programs that will help people who need long-term care stay at home longer. New programs will give states financial incentives to expand the home- and community-based services they offer. Educational grants will ensure that there is an adequate, and adequately trained, workforce to provide home care as the population ages. Starting in 2014, the spouse of someone receiving care at home will be protected from having to spend all the couple’s assets in order for their husband or wife to qualify for Medicaid; today, that protection exists only if the person needing care is in a nursing home. The law also includes a new volun-tary federal long-term care insurance

program, Community Living Assis-tance Services and Supports (CLASS), that will help pay for care. CLASS will be available to working adults, regardless of age or health, probably in 2013. To be eligible for benefits, you’ll first need to be enrolled for five years. After that, if you need long-term care, the program will provide an average benefit of at least $50 a day ($18,250 a year), adjusted for inflation. You can use that money to pay for assistance or other things you need to help you stay in your home. The program pays as long as you need care. You still need to do your home-work – plan your finances and learn what’s available where you live. The Administration on Aging’s ElderCare Locator, at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.gov, can help you find services in your community. You can learn more about the new op-tions in the long-term services section of Families USA’s website, familiesusa.org.

Retirement Living

Florida Eye Health Offers Free Cataract Evaluations for New Patients Over 55

BY JONATHAN M. FRANTZ, MD, FACSCataract & LASIK Specialist

Cataracts are one of the most curable causes of vision loss,

yet thousands of area residents continue to live with diminished vision simply because they don’t get an eye exam that can detect the presence of a cataract. The doctors at Florida Eye Health are offering free cataract evaluations for NEW patients who are 55 and older to help debunk the myths about cataracts and remind people they don’t have to live with vision loss from cataracts. A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens, blocking the passage of light needed for vision. In cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens to give the eye proper focusing power. In most cases, the improvement in the patient’s vision is profound.

The best time to have a cataract removed is when it starts to interfere with the things you like to do. Free cataract evalu-ations are performed by our board-certified optometrists at all five Florida Eye Health locations. Sorry, but the free evaluation does not include a refraction or eyeglass prescription. For more information,

call the main office at (239) 418-0999 or visit www.bettervision.net. Florida Eye Health offers a broad spectrum of patient-focused care from eye exams and eyewear to cataract removal, glaucoma care, 100 percent blade-free iLASIK, hearing services and eyelid surgery with office locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, and Lehigh Acres.

Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS


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Quick Facts About AgingWalk Faster, Live Longer

The speed at which you walk

could determine how long you live, says a new study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh. Researchers looked at nine studies of 35,000 seniors and discovered that just 19 percent of the slowest 75-year-old male walkers lived 10 more years, compared to 87 percent of the fastest walkers. For women, the figure was 35 percent of the slowest walkers versus 91 percent of the quickest. The study results may lead some physicians to incorporate walking speed into a routine assess-ment since it can provide many clues about vitality. (“Your Walking Speed May Predict Your Life Span” The Boston Globe)

Working in Retirement As the New Normal Today, one in five workers age 50+ has retired from a previ-ous career and has what is aptly called a “retirement job.” A report released by the Families and Work Institute in 2010 found that work-ing in retirement is a new career stage. The majority of working retirees are full-time and enjoy what they do and 75 percent plan to keep working. The motivating factor was not necessarily the money, but rather making a contri-bution, being productive and keeping active. (“Working in Retirement: A 21st Century Phenomenon” Families and Work Institute)

An Aging Population Prefers to Age in Place Older adults who wish to remain in their homes as they age are getting help from senior “villages” which are cropping up around the country. With 55 existing and another 120 planned, these communities provide their mem-

bers with medical, shopping, social services and activities. These villages are aimed at keeping people in their homes into their 70s, 80s, and possibly 90s. By 2020, the 55+ age American households are expected to reach 45 percent. (“Senior Villages Take Root As Movement Matures” usnews.com)

Beatitudes Nursing Home: A Blessing for Alzheimer’s Patients There is no effec-tive medical treat-ment for dementia, but at the Beatitudes Nursing Home in Phoenix, Arizona, the Alzheimer’s patients receive a good dose of unconventional, non-pharmaceutical care that calms them and can even make them smile. This seemingly revolutionary caregiving solution is giving them what they want. New research suggests that positive emotional experiences can di-minish stress and behavior problems. The nursing home allows patients to eat what they want when they want it, take baths in the middle of the night and engage in activities that they did before they became ill. (“Giving Alzheimer’s Patients Their Way, Even Doses of Chocolate” The New York Times, Jan. 1, 2011)

Still Collecting a Paycheck in Her 90s Five hours a day, 98-year-old Rosa Finnegan reports for work on the production floor of a manufacturing company, Vita Needle in Needham, Massachusetts, where close to half of the employees are well past retirement age. Rosa says she didn’t expect she’d need a paycheck at this stage of life, but after becoming a widow in her 80s, she needed a new life plan. Along with her paycheck, working at Vita Needle has given her a new sense of community. (“In Their 90s, Working for More Than Just a Paycheck” NPR “Morning Edition)“Quick Facts About Aging” is from Met Life Mature Market Institute.

Quick Facts About Aging

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Veterans CornerTampa Woman Remembers Her Black Army Unit’s WWII Job: Sorting Mail

BY JANICE DOYLE

A Tampa WWII veteran became a staff sergeant sorting mail.

That’s right. In fact she helped sort out two and a half years’ worth of mail—millions of pieces—and get it where it belonged. Evelyn Johnson was part of the only unit of African Americans in the Wom-en’s Army Corps to serve overseas dur-ing World War II, the all-black 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. In March, Johnson was a special guest when the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg hosted “In the Mood,” a concert of music from the 40s. The 855 women of the 6888th were given the task of sorting through mil-lions of undelivered cards, letters and packages destined for the seven million American troops serving in Europe. The massive backlogs were piled from floor to ceiling in warehouses and airplane hangars. When they finished in Birmingham, England, they were sent to Rouen, France, where they found millions more pieces to sort. Led by Major Charity Adams Earley, the first African-American woman officer, the women worked around the clock in three shifts sorting mail. Problems they encountered included poorly labeled mail (things like “Buster Smith, Army, England”) and the constant mobility of the troops—soldiers often were on the way to another location by the time their mail caught up with them. Johnson said the biggest thing she learned in the military was “to listen!” Like others who have served in the military, training and service differed. She said, “When I crossed the ocean, I was a trained medical clerk. I didn’t know anything about the postal service. But I learned.” Dressed “to the nines” for her March outing to the Mahaffey, it was easy to believe Johnson when she talked about the uniforms in the 40s. “I love

fashion,” she said. “My mother saw to it that I wore the right kind of clothes and clothes that would make a statement. When military women came to our town (before she joined the WACs) in their uniforms, I was impressed. They were well tailored and well fitted. I liked them.” When she returned home to Buf-falo, New York, after the war, she found that she was treated well, unlike the experience of many black women from the South. “My mother had taken my letters to the NAACP, my church, my friends. So they knew what I’d been doing.” Johnson said, “I’m an honorary, charter, lifetime member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington.” She’s also a member of AmVets and the Tampa WAC Veterans group. After the war, Johnson used the GI Bill to train as a dental hygienist. In the 60s and 70s she was a professional model, at times posing with the Eiffel Tower and other French landmarks as a backdrop. Today, in her 90s, she is still very active. “I go wherever I’m invited. I exercise. I’m always plant-ing or digging in my yard. I do exer-cises in the house and dance to music on the radio. I’ve gotta keep moving.” The National Postal Museum offers a brief history of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion on its website: postalmuseum.si.edu.

Army Unit’s WWII Job: Sorting Mail

Womens Army Corps Veteran, Evelyn Johnson.


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Q: What is the difference between Social Security disability and

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability?

A: The Social Security Administra-tion runs two major programs that provide benefits based on disability: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI. SSDI is financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers and self-employed persons. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be “insured” for Social Security purposes. Dis-ability benefits are payable to blind or disabled workers, survivors or adults disabled since childhood who are otherwise eligible. The amount

of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earn-ings record of the insured worker. SSI is a needs-based program financed through general revenues. SSI disability benefits are payable to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living arrange-ment requirements and are otherwise eligible. The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supple-mented by the State or decreased by countable income and resources. To learn more about SSDI and SSI disability benefits, visit socialsecurity.gov and click the links along the top of the page for Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Type 2 Diabetes: From Old Dogmas to New Realities

BY HOPE WARSHAW

Many old dogmas about type 2 diabetes prevail even though

recent research has led to new understandings and treatment options. The new reality? Take action early and often. Don’t delay; don’t deny. Here are four old dogmas dispelled and the new realities explained:Old Dogma: Type 2 isn’t the serious kind of diabetes. Typically diagnosed later in life, people just need to follow a healthy eating plan, lose a few pounds and perhaps over the years, they’ll need a “diabetes pill.”New Reality: Recent research underscores that type 2 is a progressive disease and the pro-gression is typically kicked off nearly a decade before diagnosis. Insulin resis-tance due to excess weight mixed with a positive family history is the common culprit. By the time of diagnosis, most people have already lost half to three quarters of their insulin-making pancreatic beta cells. Expert guidelines now recommend starting individuals on a medication to treat the insulin resistance right out of the starting gate. It’s now known that insulin production will dwindle further over time. Most people will need a progression of blood glucose-lowering medicines over the years. The good news: research shows early, aggressive management to control blood glucose can slow this progression. Healthy eating, losing a few pounds and being physically active will always offer an assist.Old Dogma: Blood glucose control is goal number one.New Reality: Having type 2 diabetes, it is said, carries a risk factor equivalent to having had a heart attack or stroke. The most common complications of type 2 are heart and blood vessel diseases, not eye or kidney disease, as is often thought. Focus squarely on the ABCs: A for glucose control, B

for blood pressure and C for choles-terol. Three quarters of people with diabetes have high blood pressure.Old Dogma: Losing weight will always rapidly control blood glucose. The dogma people hear from their providers that, if you’d only lose weight, your blood glucose would be lower.New Reality: Research shows that the greatest im-pact of weight loss on blood glucose is in the first few years after diagnosis. In fact, the biggest bang per pound is in the prediabetes phase (when most people don’t know they have prediabe-tes). With loss of 5 – 7 percent of body weight and 150 minutes of physical activity, research has shown people can prevent or delay the progression to type 2. Once insulin production is on its dwindling course, weight loss will have less impact on glucose control. The reality is that if blood glucose is out of control, it’s time for medication.Old Dogma: People with type 2 diabetes must follow a low carbohydrate diet.New Reality: Nutrition recommendations for people with type 2 diabetes from the American Diabetes Association and other health authorities echo the recently unveiled U.S. 2010 Dietary Guidelines for carbohydrate consumption: about 45 to 65 percent of our daily calories should come from carbohydrates. To get and stay healthy with type 2 diabetes means facing the diagnosis promptly, taking action immediately and continu-ously tracking and controlling blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Don’t delay; don’t deny. Hope Warshaw, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, is the best-selling author of eight books in-cluding Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Real Life Guide to Diabetes and Guide to Healthy Restaurant Eating. Learn more at hopewarshaw.com.


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Foundation Supports Parkinson’s Disease Patients and FamiliesParkinson’s Disease is a chronic

and progressive brain disorder named after the British physician, James Parkinson, who first accurately described its symptoms in 1817. Very simply, Parkinson’s is caused by a lack of the chemical messenger do-pamine in the movement centers of the brain. Besides a lack of dopamine, PD can be aggravated by genetic factors, exposure to pesticides or industrial toxins and the process of aging itself.

The four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw and face; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slow-ness of movement; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. Patients may also have difficulty walking, talking or completing other simple tasks.

The disease is both chronic and progres-sive. Parkinson’s is not usually inherited. Early symptoms are subtle and occur gradually. Typically symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease begin on only one side of the body, although later they appear on both sides. Often the patient manifests slowness and difficulty of movement at first, then perhaps notices tremors in his hand when it is relaxed but which go away when he moves. Amanda Smith, Creative Director of the Parkinson Research Foundation in Sarasota, notes that there is no cure for the disease which affects as many as a million people in the U.S at this time. The newest method of treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s is DBS or Deep Brain Stimulation. This is a

surgically implanted, battery-operated medical device called a neuro-stimulator—similar to a heart pacemaker and approximately the size of a stopwatch—that delivers electrical stimu-lation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement, blocking the abnormal nerve signals that cause tremor

and PD symptoms. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Smith says, “What sets us apart from other Parkinson’s Disease organizations is that we provide tools and resources for our patients who live with the disease. Michael J. Fox gives the disease a lot of exposure, but we work to help the patients.” The Foundation sponsors two cruises a year for patients and their

families and/or caregivers. Smith says, “We take experts in the field like neurologists and we invite patients and families. The best part is to see patients who when they have a tremor in the grocery store might be looked at funny, but on our first cruise we had 125 patients so when they all had a tremor no one even noticed. We see them come alive.” Presentations at sea, classes like yoga and voice aerobics, caregiver sessions and doctor availability make it a unique experience. Smith says, “It’s a strictly physical disorder and the mind is not affected. So they have great spirits and are eager to learn. We love providing them with a unique way to have access.” One Parkinson’s patient who thought his traveling days were over, said, “This cruise has given me back hope for the future.” Parkinson Research Foundation in-formation at (941) 870-4438 or online at parkinsonresearchfoundation.org.

battery-operated medical device called a neuro-

of a stopwatch—that delivers electrical stimu-lation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement, blocking the abnormal nerve

Health


New Test Can Assess YourMacular Degeneration RiskAs most baby boomers know, the ag-

ing population of Americans only continues to increase—and rapidly. A large aging population proposes many implications for the state of healthcare in America, as more and more seniors begin to face the same health problems, including legal blindness. The leading cause of blindness in Americans over 55 years of age is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which currently affects over 9.1 million people in the U.S. alone. AMD is a degenerative eye disease that is caused when the retina, the interior of the eye, begins to deterio-rate, leading to a loss in detailed vision and often progressing to legal blindness. Overall life expectancy continues to rise and baby boomers con-tinue to age. As a result, the number of people with age-related macular degeneration is expected to increase from the current figure of 9.1 million to almost 20 million by 2020. The Macular Degeneration As-sociation (MDA), a non-profit health organization dedicated to providing AMD patient education, recognizes AMD’s potential to become a major health problem in the very near future. MDA is passionate about funding and developing sophisticated patient education programs designed to improve macular patients’ quality of life. In addition to educating current AMD patients, MDA is now committed to educating the senior population at large by providing access to cutting-edge genetic testing technology.

Until recently, no test existed to help determine a patient’s inherited risk for AMD. Macula Risk (Arc-ticDX, Toronto, Ontario) is a genetic test specifically designed to deter-mine genetic predisposition to AMD and vision loss attributed to the more advanced stage of the disease. Macula Risk genetic test separates individuals into one of five macula risk (MR) categories, with MR 3 through 5 representing an increased risk for the more advance stage of the disease. This accounts for approximately 20 percent of the general population. MDA’s recent partnership with Eye Solutions makes the genetic test available to seniors at any of the MDA patient education events. This test provides a genetic profile screening to help identify those at risk and aids in tailoring a distinct management approach for those with AMD. With various researchers devoted to advancing treatment options for AMD, genetic testing is at the frontier of macular science. The Macular Degeneration As-sociation recently partnered with Senior Connection and Mature Lifestyles Magazine to present a series of educational seminars in conjunction with ongoing Senior Fun Fests! For more information about these events, please contact Danielle Auger at (941) 870-4399 or e-mail [email protected].

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Help Centers and Support Groups

Featured Organizations

Support Groups

Dates and Times For Support Groups are Subject to Change: Call Ahead For Info

Senior Friendship Centers Provides: Meals on Wheels, No-Cost Lunches for seniors via 12 Congregate Dining Cafes, Case Management

and In Home services to seniors, Adult Day Care, Volunteer referral services, Health and Wellness Clinics, Community Engagement Programming and more. Call (239) 275-1881 or visit www.friendshipcenters.org.

Area Agency on Aging of SWFL Oversees the local Elder Help Line: 1-866-413-5337; offers the SHINE program, which helps seniors under-

stand Medicare from an unbiased, well-rounded point of view, and provides Elder Abuse Education. Call (239) 332-4233 or visit www.aaaswfl.org.

United Way 211 In Partnership with Area Agency on Aging, United Way 211 helps seniors easily access services such as where to get help

with in-home services, financial help, prescriptions, transportation, medical questions, and much more. Dial 211 from land line phones. Cell phones must call (239) 433-3900. Visit www.unitedwaylee.org/211.html for more info.

Coastal Behavioral Healthcare Educational and informative programs related to aging, healthy life choice, medication use and

misuse and substance abuse issues. (239) 656-3461.

Alzheimer’s Association Provides support groups, Safe Return ID program, talks about warning signs, diagnosis and steps to take regard-

ing Alzheimer’s. Provides Memory Screenings. (239) 418-1173.

First Mondays Charlotte County Diabetic Support Group. 2 – 4 p.m. at 222 Brown Street, Punta Gorda. (941) 916-9005.

Mondays NAMI Connections Support Group. For adults who have been diagnosed with any mental illness. Meets 6 -7:30 p.m. at 2776 Cleveland

Ave. Ft. Myers. Thurs. at Cape Coral United Way House 1105, Cultural Park Blvd. 3 – 4:30 p.m. (239) 931-9301.

Wednesdays Lee Memorial Loss and Grief Support Group. 10 – 11 a.m.at Gulf Coast Medical Center, 3rd Floor Conference Room. (239) 343-1126.

Second Wednesdays Caregiver Support Group. 4:30 - 6 p.m. at Regional Cancer Center - 1st Floor Lobby. (239) 343-1126.

Second Thursdays Parkinson’s Support Group 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.at Cape Coral Hospital Wellness Center. 636 Del Prado Blvd, Cape Coral. (239)

985-7727.

Fridays Seniors Lifeskills Group Merced Counseling, Inc., 1059 NE Pine Island Road, Suite 6, Cape Coral, Florida Every Friday at 11 a.m. Age 55+

to join. (239) 458-3117.

Featured Organizations


Staying at Home: The Preferred Choice for Long-Term Care

BY ROSEMARIE HURLEY, CSALong-Term Care Insurance Specialist

Let’s say you own a Long-Term Care policy; you have paid premiums

for a while and now you need to use it. After all the years I have worked with people helping them to create the right policy to suit their needs, when it comes time to go on claim, this is what obviously reinforces the purchase. The policies sold today allow for care to be given in many places. It depends on what happened and what your doctor says will work for your particular circumstances. Most people are interested in receiving care at home, naturally. This is always a fi rst choice. And if home care will be the best way to recover or sustain the patient, then that is what will happen. There are many types of home care. Sometimes therapy is necessary, for example, following a stroke or a broken hip. Sometimes people need help with simple tasks…things we take for granted like bathing, preparing meals, paying bills, etc. Sometimes all that is necessary is a companion—someone to “keep an eye on things.” All claims are different and require different levels of care to provide a solution. The policy provides the dollars needed to purchase the care. Policies don’t necessarily reduce the stress involved when someone you love needs help, but they do alleviate the potentially devastating expenses connected with providing the care. Simply loving a person is not enough. There are many circumstances where you would like

to be the “caregiver,” but it is not physically possible to do so or you are not trained to provide the care needed. That’s when the policies really help. Having a policy to provide the dol-lars actually helps family members stay involved in the caregiving as supervisors of the care rather than actual caregivers. This is vitally important so that the family member(s) stay healthy and free of injury. This is a point that oftentimes people forget. I have had many a family member become injured …hurting their back trying to lift the patient, or just simply “wear out” with the day in/day out requirements of care. Sometimes you just need a break. Please remember, staying at home is always preferred, and having a policy to pay for the professional caregiving is really the best solution. We never know what or when will be needed as we grow older, but as I am always saying, it is never too late to plan ahead. And the younger you are in the planning stage, the better. But if you didn’t plan ahead, provided you are insurable, it is not too late. Questions? Please call me. Rosemarie Hurley, President of Senior Insurance Solutions, has worked in the senior healthcare market for over 20 years. She is a Certifi ed Senior Advisor and has been a Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist for more than 17 years. She is the Past President of Health Underwriters, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Estero, Member of the Bonita and Estero Chambers of Commerce, and a graduate of Toastmaster’s Internation-al. She represents all of the fi nest insurance companies in the industry. Can be reached at (239) 274-6678 in Estero, or at her website: www.longtermcareinsurance-online.com.

Check Us Out Online!Mature Lifestyles Is Now OnMature Lifestyles

and !Visit www.twitter.com/MaturLifeStyles or Like “Senior Connection and Mature Lifestyles” on www.facebook.com for the latest news and fun events in your area. Get

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BY DR. JOHN DRAKE

Finding a job in today’s economy is tough; it’s even tougher for the

50+ crowd. While age discrimination is illegal, younger job competitors outnumber us and often are favored. Like it or not, age bias is prevalent in the job marketplace. The good news is that seniors have assets that younger job seekers often lack: broad work experience, maturity, strong work ethic and often a history of company loyalty. Seniors also bring stability to the job. “If seniors don’t let their age trip them up, most of them can make a good case for being hired,” says John Drake, co-author of Finding A Job When Jobs Are Hard To Find. Here are some actions you can take to reduce age bias:

1. Overtly display energy and vitality. You will need to back up statements about your energy level by mentioning (in cover letters, applications and resumes) your participation in activi-ties such as the sports you play, gym workouts, volunteer work. During job interviews, weave in comments about your activities and ability to work long hours (if that is true about you). Look vital. Sit erect and, without being “gushy,” express enthusiasm and excitement about the job in question and about the organization. For exam-ple: “I am really excited about the chal-lenges this job offers” or “I can’t wait to get started on a project like that.” Practice in front of a mirror creating a more positive image by smiling more often and emphasizing thoughts via use of hand gestures. 2. Become computer/electronics savvy. You should be at ease with MS Word and Excel. If not, take a few computer classes. If you don’t have one, get a smart phone. Be conversant

about popular apps and be skillful in using them. You don’t want to appear to be rooted in outdated technology.

3. Don’t draw attention to your age. Be careful about numbers used in resumes, applications and during job interviews. Specifically: Don’t provide the years of your graduations, list only jobs from the past 15 – 20 years and try to avoid providing your driver’s license number.

4. Capitalize on your contacts. By far, the biggest slice of your job searching time should be spent on networking.

5. Psychologically prepare for your in-terview. Your interviewers will often be significantly younger than you and may come across as disrespectful of your age and/or achievements. By expecting such behavior and gearing yourself to “go with the flow,” you will be able to minimize any defensive responses.

6. Overcoming the “generation gap.” An issue of concern for many interviewers is your ability to fit in

with a much younger work group. You can counter this concern by subtly weaving into the interview how you are in touch with current lifestyles via your high school/college age children, your participation in groups comprised of younger members—civic, church, etc. and situations in which you successfully adapted to a quickly changing job demand or environment. The bottom line is that by making your job search your full time job and by thinking positively about your age and maturity, you can get ahead of the pack. Keep in mind that your age is not a handicap but rather an asset that brings with it strengths that younger candidates cannot offer. Author John Drake was CEO of the world’s largest outplacement firm and is co-author of “Finding a Job When Jobs are Hard to Find.” Dr. Drake is also author of the best selling “The Perfect Interview: How to Win the Job You Really Want.” Copyrighted 2011 by John D. Drake. All rights reserved.

Senior Job Seekers…Your Age Is An Asset

Our Loving, Compassionate Caring Seniors Are There to Help.There’s a huge difference in the kind ofhome care you can receive from someonewho really understands what your life islike as a senior. The concerns you have.The need for independence. Someone who,like you, has a little living under his or her belt....a way to give and to receive*At Seniors Helping Seniors* services our in-home providersare carefully matched with you to provide the best comfort,companionship and safety so you can maintain your independenceand stay in your own home.• Meal preparation/cooking• Companion Care• Overnight and 24-hour Care• Doctor Appointments• Transportation

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Journey Through The Wild Side of Quebec

BY TRACIE SCHMIDT

Quebec is a province where culture and nature are inseparable.

Glacier-carved fjords, maple forests and arctic seas teeming with marine life coexist with cities powered by wind and water, where people delight in the arts and celebrate the connection between man and the environment. If you’re traveling by RV or only visiting for a week, Gaspe peninsula and the shores around the Gulf of St. Lawrence are great places to experi-ence the natural beauty of Quebec.

Perce I started my journey in the coastal town of Perce (French for “pierced”), which gets its name from an arched lime-stone formation just off of the mainland. Ferries make regu-lar trips around Perce Rock as well as stops on Bonaventure Island, home to the largest colony of gannets in the world. After about a 45-minute trek across the island up a gentle incline, I was met with a rau-cous sea of birds. White-col-ored gannets with black-tipped wings and patches of light orange on their heads swooped by, landing only a few feet away from me. When summer is over they head back to the Gulf of Mexico, where they can be seen fl ying solo off the coast of Florida. Stay: Hotel-Motel Le Mirage. Dine: Maison du Pecheur.

Exploramer Next, I headed northwest along the coast to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. This drive is part of the Quebec Light-house Trail, and I couldn’t resist stop-ping by the town of La Martre to see North America’s last working

non-automatic lighthouse. I felt like a kid again as I climbed the narrow stairs of the red wooden lighthouse, listening to the gears turn and seeing the town far below through faceted lenses. In Sainte-Anne-des-Monts you’ll fi nd Exploramer, an interactive aquarium and museum. Visitors can get hands-on with the marine life in the Gulf of St. Lawrence by taking a sea excursion or exploring touch tanks. Inside, I saw creatures uniquely adapted to life in the arctic, explored an undersea garden and lounged in a beanbag chair while ocean

images fl oated overhead. If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby Blue Fork—a res-taurant specializing in sustain-able seafood—offers creative dishes with ingredients like sea urchin and sea cucumber. Stay: La Maison William Wakeham, in Gaspe. Gaspe is a great base point for most of the destinations on the peninsula.

Dine: Brise Bise Restaurant.Matane Reserve A short drive from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is the Matane Wildlife Reserve, a 60 sq. kilometer conservation park that is famous for its moose. This is one of those rare places where you can travel

for miles without seeing another living soul. The cabins there are spacious and comfortable, and being so far from civilization meant zero noise and light pollution—nights were fi lled

with the stillness of the forest and countless stars. At dawn, I traveled by kayak down a nearby stream in hopes of spotting a moose, and later on I climbed an observation platform on one of the many trails and heard a female calling her calf a few feet away. Stay/tour packages offer a host of guided treks, programs and activities; plan to set aside a few days to truly explore this wonderful reserve.

Reford Gardens Continuing along the coast to the southwest will bring you to Grand Metis, home of the Reford Gardens. Created in the 1920s, the gardens are unique for their success in adapting rare species to Quebec’s climate. I visited in June and was treated to a rare sight: Blue Poppies in bloom—a fl ower that is usually only found in the Himalayas. At the Estevan Lodge Restaurant, Chef Pierre-Olivier Ferry uses fl ora from Reford Garden in his dishes. I tried a “Flowering Spoon”—a small salad of begonia, lemon basil, pansy and other fl owers and herbs with a touch of sea salt and honey. It was like a bite of Spring.

Whale Watching After taking the Rimouski-Forestville ferry across the St. Lawrence River, blue signs with white whales on them began appearing on the side of the road—clear markers that I was on the Whale Route. The town of Tadoussac, overlooking the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Conservation Area, is a famous desti-nation for whale watching. I stopped by the Marine Mammal Interpretation Center to get a better idea of what I’d be seeing. The plankton-rich waters of the estuary draw all types of wildlife, from grey seals and seabirds to hump-

back whales and dolphins. Dressed in warm layers, I climbed aboard one of Croisieres AML’s zodiacs and was amazed by what we were able to see in a single excur-sion. Minke whales breached beside our boat, rolling over to display their pink bellies before dipping back beneath the waves. A pod of white beluga whales followed in the wake of a nearby ship, and a

fi n whale—the second largest whale in the world—surfaced just beyond the zodiac to exhale a plume of air and sea-water before arching its long body into a dive. It was a sight I’ll never forget. Stay and Dine: Hotel Tadoussac.

Jardin Des Glaciers Northeast of Tadoussac in Baie Comeau was the last stop on my journey. Jardin Des Glaciers, a new state-of-the-art science and exploration center, tells the story of

the ancient geology and peoples of Quebec in an immersive multimedia presentation. It’s worth spending a couple days here—you can see how fossils are excavated from an ancient seabed or zipline through the Adrenalin Zone. A must-see for natural history and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Stay: Le Grand Hotel. Dine: Hotel Le Manoir dining room.

To learn about more outdoor experi-ences, visit quebecmaritime.ca./en.

tried a “Flowering Spoon”—a small

back whales and dolphins. Dressed in warm layers, I climbed aboard one of Croisieres AML’s zodiacs and was amazed by what we were

beside our boat, rolling over to display their pink bellies before dipping back beneath the waves. A pod of white beluga whales followed in the

Travelimages fl oated overhead. If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby Blue Fork—a res-taurant specializing in sustain-able seafood—offers creative dishes with ingredients like sea urchin and sea cucumber. Wakeham, in Gaspe. Gaspe is a great base point for most of the destinations on the peninsula.

Photo by Croisieres AML

Photo by quebecmaritime.ca


Orlando Attractions—Adventure Awaits!

BY DAVE KELLY

Does a visit to the Orlando area conjure

up visions of princesses, castles, and a mouse with big ears? Disney is a wonderful destination, but what if you are just a little more adventurous? What if you like a little more “zip” in your vacation?

As it turns out, Orlando and the Orange County area are STILL the best places to go! Over the past few years, a number of local attractions have arisen in the area, and they offer some great outdoor fun. So we packed our bags, laced up our tennis shoes and headed out to find adventure. We started with an experience that’s traditionally Florida. As we pulled in to Boggy Creek Airboat Rides in Kissim-mee, Lake Tohopekaliga gleamed in the summer sun like a beckoning jewel. After checking out the old-time Florida souvenirs in the unique gift shop, we loaded up with about a dozen other “Eco-Tourists” and headed out onto the lake. Pushing through tall grasses, we skirted the shoreline and were amazed at the teeming wildlife on display for us. There were snowy egrets wading in the shallows, deer hiding near the marshy shore and gators aplenty that gazed at us as we sped by. The time spent in the sunshine, digesting what it means to be one with the Florida wilderness, was time that will never be forgotten. From there, it was off to the hot air balloon ride! Aerophile Orlando’s Characters in Flight in Lake Buena Vista offers a ride in a giant tethered balloon that soars 400 feet into the sky. From there, you get a breathtaking 360-degree view of Walt Disney World Resort and the

Downtown Disney Area. The balloon itself is attached to a gondola that is 19 feet in diam-eter and holds up to 29 people and the pilot at a time. Guests board from a specially designed platform and then, once in the air, revel in a spectacular view of vistas up to 10 miles away! It’s a don’t-miss experience for the adventurous spirit. The highlight of the day was

our trip to Florida EcoSafaris for our Zipline Safari. Part of Florida Forever, which encompasses over 4700 acres of pristine wilderness (and a working cattle ranch!), the Zipline Safari is a nature tour like none other. Along our two and a half hour journey we soared through the treetops, sometimes as much as 55 feet above the ground below. While making our way across sky-bridges, we learned about Florida’s natural flora and fauna from our expert guide. Reaching speeds up to 25 miles per hour, we kept on the constant lookout for such native Florida wildlife as bears, deer, alligators and so much more. When we got back to the main cabin, we also found that Florida EcoSafaris offers hiking, camping and even a Coach Safari, where you can travel in comfort aboard special open-air safari coaches. So what are you waiting for? All of these unique outdoor experiences are only a short trip away. Check below for contact information and call to make your reservations today—you’ll enjoy Florida’s great outdoors!Boggy Creek Airboat Rides: 2001 E. Southport Rd., Kissimmee. (407)-344-9550. bcairboats.com.Aerophile Orlando: 1501 E. Lake Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista. (407) 938-9433.Florida EcoSafaris: 4755 N. Kenansville Rd., St. Cloud. (407) 433-5567. foreverflorida.com.

Fishermen’s Village Presents

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JP040 MatureLifestyle_qtrSQ.indd 1 12/21/10 5:30 PM


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Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped en-

velope and write the ad number on the bot-tom left hand side of the envelope. Place

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another envelope and address it to:News Connection USA, Inc.

Seniors Getting Together1602 S. Parsons Ave.,Seffner, FL. 33584

TO PLACE AN ADSend your ad, stating what category you

would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the News Connection USA, Inc. address listed above. Ads received

by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for

space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge.

3983 SEEKING COMPATIBLE GENTLEMAN 63 – 75 I am 69yo, 5’3”. 140 lbs. H, W, C, NS, SD, FF. Attractive, honest and loving, looking for someone to share life, travel, exercises, music, etc. Recent photo would be nice.3989 SWF RED HEADED “LEO SEEKING LEO” I’m 86 yrs, old. 5’6”, 140 lbs. Italian from Miami via Brooklyn, NY. Love crosswords, plants, NASCAR, horse races and the “Dolphins.” ISO good-looking gent, 70s, mustache a plus. Photo/phone.3995 SOUTH ON RIVER Look-ing for a Christian handyman for part time yard work, 65+. I have a furnished efficiency on property. No drugs or alcohol.

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Senior Connection • June 2005 • page 36

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Out and About in Lee County

7 Soprano Angela Brown will deliver the final performance in Shell Point’s 2010/2011 Fine and Performing Arts Concert Series. 7:30 p.m.

at the Village Church Auditorium on The Island at Shell Point. 15101 Shell Point Boulevard, Fort Myers. Tickets are $35 each. Call (239) 454-2067.

8 Disaster Planning for persons with disabilities, their caregivers and professionals. Learn what to do when a disaster occurs in your

community. The Florida Department of Financial Services will provide information on financial preparedness. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverside Community Center, 3061 E. Riverside Dr., Fort Myers. Call (239) 433-6700.

9 Free Tax Preparedness Day. IRS Trained Volunteers will help people making less than $50,000 do their tax returns and electronically file them

the same day. 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. at Joseph P. D’Alessandro Office Complex, 2295 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers. Details at (239) 461-4019.

9 – 10 Buckler Craft Fair. Arts and crafts, jewelry, goodies and more. Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lee Civic Center,

11831 Bayshore Rd., Ft. Myers. Admission: $6 per person. Free parking. Buy-one-get-one free admission with a canned good. (239) 543-8368.

15 Spring Into Wellness! Health Fair and Expo. A morning filled with information from more than thirty vendors and agencies to help you

stay healthy and fit. Free health tests and screenings, prize drawings and mini massages. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Cypress Cove, 10200 Cypress Cove Drive, Ft. Myers. More info at (239) 481-6605.

30 – May 1 Ft Myers Gun Show. Guns, accessories, and many hard to find items. You are permitted to bring unloaded gun(s) into the show

for the purpose of appraisal, sale, trade or for accessories. Must call or visit suncoastgunshows.com for safety policy before bringing weapons. Sat. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Rd. N., Ft. Myers. $8. Details at (239) 543-8368.

Oratorio in NaplesHear the Naples Orchestra and

Chorus concert in Naples in April. They will perform Theodore Dubois’ oratorio: “The Seven Last Words of Christ.” It will be presented free to the public at the following times and locations:

17 Palm Sunday, 7 p.m. at Wesley Methodist Church,

350 Barfield Dr., S. Marco Island.

19 Tuesday, 4 p.m. at St. William Catholic Church, 750 Seagate

Dr., Naples.

22 Good Friday, 2 p.m. at Moorings Presbyterian Church,

791 Harbour Dr., Naples.

For more information, please call (239) 641-9801 or visit their website online at newnoc.org.

There’s No One ThereBY ANN G. THOMAS

I don’t pretend to understand the logic of the business world, but

I’ve always counted on the fact that the people who worked for any company I did business with would be helpful if I needed help. Although that’s been my experience in the past, it seems it’s no longer true. One company after another appears to have replaced their Customer Service Department staff with disembodied voices. My most recent inter-action with a disem-bodied voice occurred when an unordered nationally known newspaper appeared at my door—well, actually it was thrown into my driveway. I assumed it must be a mistake, even though it came with an address sticker with my name. I told myself this must be a trial offer and after a ten-day-introduction the paper would go away. I was wrong. It was clear I had to do something. I found a phone number for their subscription desk. Their 800 number led to a disembodied voice offering a series of seven choices, one of which was for starting and/or stopping a subscription. I pushed that number, only to have eight new choices, which led me to another smorgasbord which finally led to instructions to enter my zip code followed by a number on the address label. Next I was instructed to push 2 if I wanted to cancel or suspend the subscription. I pushed the 2 although I’ve always understood the word ‘suspended’ to have a temporary flavor. I wanted the ‘cancel’ choice but there was no way to let them know, so I had to hope for the best. It took me 42 minutes to conduct this two-minute transaction, but I guess they felt they had handled the situation in an efficient and frugal manner. After all, the forty-two minutes were my time. My subscription did stop

but resumed after a week, letting me know that the voice had by-passed cancel in favor of suspend. I’m not really picking on this newspaper or their distributor, however, because the no-customer-service-employees rule appears to be widespread. It seems that everywhere, a message blocks access to a real person. Most of these mes-sages also give multiple options. The ones I like best are the ones

that instruct me to “listen carefully to the following

choices because they have been recently changed.” I always wonder how many callers memorized the previous list of nine options and would push a wrong button if they weren’t listening carefully. Since their options are all new to me, I pay close atten-tion, push the button that sounds closest to what I had in mind. I am frequently told,

“Please hold. We are experiencing a high volume of calls but will be with you shortly.” I hold, and hold and hold until a different recorded voice comes on to say, “If you would like to make a call, please hang up and try again.” I explore my other options and decide writing a letter may be a better idea. As I’m writing, the phone rings. A real person I’ve never met is on the line, calling me by my first name or asking to speak to my long deceased husband in order to sell us something I neither want nor need. I keep answering the phone, how-ever, hopeful that someone from that newspaper will give me a call. “No thank you,” I say to the caller, “but do you by any chance know who delivers The Wall Street Journal in my neigh-borhood?” No luck so far, but at least it’s good to know that some of those real people are employed somewhere. Ann Thomas can be contactedthrough her website online at: www.dr-annthomas.com.

mistake, even though it

I told myself this must be a trial offer and after a ten-day-introduction the

that instruct me to “listen carefully to the following

choices because they have been recently changed.” I always wonder how many callers memorized the previous list of nine options and would push a wrong button if they weren’t listening carefully. Since their options are all new to me, I pay close atten-tion, push the button that sounds closest to what I had in mind. I am frequently told,


Last Month’s Answers March SudokuDora Grober and Phyllis Frantz are last month’s

winners! Congratulations!

Apr. Sudoku Sudoku requires no arithmetic

skills.The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must

include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. Good luck! The first correct answers selected from

the drawing on April 21 will win.

Send your answers along with your name, address and

telephone number to: SENIOR CONNECTION

OR MATURE LIFESTYLES1602 S. PARSONS AVE.,

SEFFNER, FL 33584

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!SUDOKU MUST BE RECEIVED BY APR. 21, 2011

Win Great Prizes!New winner selected each month

Good Luck!

Word Search Apr. 2011In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally,

vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to:

SENIOR CONNECTION or MATURE LIFESTYLES

1602 S. PARSONS AVE. SEFFNER, FL 33584

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on April 21 will win.

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

(Puzzles must be received by Apr. 21, 2011.)

MYSTERY PRIZE!

MYSTERY PRIZE!

Word Search Answers

From March 2011

Wendell Strelesky is last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

&

Simple Steps to Staying SafeIf you are a woman

who travels alone frequently, there are a few simple steps you can take to help ensure your safety on the road and to protect yourself in a dangerous situation.

Selective parking: Whether it’s an outdoor parking lot or a covered garage, make sure the lot and space you are parking in are well lit. Avoid parking away from other cars and be aware of parking beside commercial vans without glass side panels, where potential attackers could be hiding. When you return to your car, quickly survey your surroundings.

Have your keys in hand: Before you leave the store, take the time to find your keys and have them in hand as you walk to your vehicle. Time spent rummaging in your purse when you

get to your car may leave you open to a potential attack. The keys in your hand can also be used as a weapon.

Avoid playing Good Samaritan: While your heart

might be in the right place, it’s not a good idea to stop to help someone when you are by yourself. Call 911 and let the dispatcher know the location of the person who is stranded.

Have a plan if trouble arises: If you are approached by a person in or around your car, drop any bags, run and make a lot of noise that will draw attention to you. Do not go with the person to another location regardless of promises that you won’t be hurt. If you feel you’re being followed by another car, call 911 and drive to a police station or hospital. (NAPSA)


The Joke’s On UsFor those of you who watch

what you eat, here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.Conclusion: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Need a New iRon?It all began with an iPhone...

March was when my grandson celebrated his 15th birthday and I got him an iPhone. He just loved it. Who wouldn’t? I celebrated my birthday in July and my wife made me very happy when she bought me the iPad I wanted.

My granddaughter’s birthday was in August, so I got her an iPod Touch.

September came, so for my wife’s birth-day I bought her an iRon. It was around then that the fight started. What my wife failed to recognize is that the iRon can be integrated into the home network with the iWash,

iCook and iClean. This unfortunately activated the iNag app. Which led me

to the iHospital and iGet out Thursday.

t all began with an iPhone...

bought me the iPad I wanted.

My granddaughter’s birthday was in August, so I got her an iPod Touch.

September came, so for my wife’s birth-day I bought her an iRon. It was

What my wife failed to recognize is that the iRon can be integrated into the home network with the iWash,

iCook and iClean. This unfortunately activated the iNag app. Which led me

to the iHospital and iGet out Thursday.

Taco Bell Creates NewHealthy Mexican ChoicesIn 2008 the Taco Bell Fresco

line (freshness) made the “run for the border” eating place a favorite for those wanting fast food without high calories. The book Eat This, Not That by David Zinczenko says, “After all these years, the Taco Bell warhorse, the hard-shell taco, is still the best option on the menu, especially now that it’s available Fresco-style.” The hard-shell variety weighs in at 450 calories for three tacos, 21g fat and 750 mg sodium. A close runner-up is the Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Tacos at 340 calories, 8g fat and 1,480 mg sodium. Running just a few more calories but less sodium is the half pound Beef Combo Burrito, and the lowest calorie menu item to fill you up is the Steak Gordito Supreme (just 290 calories, 13g fat and 55 mg sodium). Other good menu choices for those counting calories, fat and

sodium include the following: Nacho Cheese Chicken Gordita and a Soft Chicken Taco (500 calories); two Fresco Rachero Chicken Soft Tacos (340 calories); the Pintos ‘n Cheese (180 calories). The danger at any restaurant—fast food or not—are the sauces and dressings. Avoid them if you can. For example, at Taco Bell, the Zesty Dressing on the Border Bowl can be replaced by an extra dose of salsa to save a whopping 240 calories. Do it! At Taco Bell, the secret is to skip the nachos, which are deep-fried tortilla chips, taco meat and a covering of nacho cheese sauce. The problems lie in the fried chips, of course, but also in the fact that their cheese sauce is made with partially hydrogenated oil. Skip it! Taco Bell is quite a good place to enjoy fast food if you stick to the two-item combos, which are usually below 600 calories and 25 grams of fat.


Out and About in CharlotteFeatured Events

Fitness Programs

Just For Fun

8 – 9 Taste of Punta Gorda. Rotary Club’s 3rd Annual Event featuring music, food vendors, beer, soda, wine and entertainment.1 a.m. to 4 p.m.

at Laishley Park, Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda. (941) 740-0256.

8 – 10 Sharks Tooth Fest. Venice airport festival grounds. 19th annual BB&T Family Festival. Arts and crafts, fossil vendors, live

entertainment, kids games. Call (941) 412-0402 for more information.

22 Self Defense for Women. Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Free. Register before 4/15. Call Crime Prevention at (941) 258-3947.

Mondays Senior Volleyball. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the South County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda. $2 fee. (941) 505-8686.

Mondays and Wednesdays Senior Wii Bowling Sports League, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Harold Avenue Recreation Center, 23400 Harold

Avenue, Port Charlotte. (941) 627-1074.

Weekly Water exercise programs and lap swims available at Port Charlotte Beach Park: (941) 629-0170; or South County Regional Park:

(941) 505-8686. Call for times and fees.

Second Mondays RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) provides information about volunteering opportunities around the community.

10 a.m. at Mid-County Library, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd. (941) 613-3166.

Tuesdays H2U Crafts. 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fawcett Memorial Hospital Promenades Mall, 3280 Tamiami Trail, Suite 493, Port Charlotte. Must be

a member to attend. Call (941) 625-3164 to join.

Tuesdays Senior Activity Time. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friends, games and activities. $3 drop-in fee. Tringali Recreation Center, 3460 N. Access

Road, Englewood. Details at (941) 681-3742.

Fridays and Saturdays Live entertainment at Fishermen’s Village. 5 – 9 p.m. Center Court, Fishermen’s Village off Marion Ave., Punta

Gorda. Free. Call (941) 639-8721 for more information.

Thursdays Gallery Walk. Live music, food, drink samplings and art. Free parking. Marion Ave. and Taylor St., Punta Gorda. (941) 505-1915.

Saturdays Farmer’s Market. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Historic Court House on Taylor Road. Info at (941) 391-4856.

Second Thursdays Reader’s Advisory Book Club. 1 p.m. at the Punta Gorda Library, 424 W. Henry St. To learn more, call (941) 833-5460.

Local Communities Must Advocate For Frail Elders

With over 24 percent of South-west Florida’s population over

the age of 60, we all have family members, friends and neighbors who need assistance everyday to remain in their homes with their loved ones. Caregivers, who in many cases are frail themselves, provide 24-hour care so they can continue to be with those they love. Our state invited these same elders to retire here 40 years ago and Florida has benefited tremendously from the revenue they have poured into our economy. They are now in their 80s or beyond, have spent their savings and need our help in Florida’s troubled economic turmoil. Many of us understand the need to balance a budget shortfall of $3.6 billion. We understand that the growth of Medicaid is unsustain-able. What we need to do is to help legislators understand that the Aging Network in Florida has been managing their local state and federal allocations effectively and efficiently, saving dollars and serving elders in their homes for 40 years. Every frail senior served by Florida’s home and community based care programs through agencies like Senior Friendship Centers is screened for eligibility and assessed for frailty. A care plan is then developed authoriz-ing services and frequency and quality of care is consistently monitored by local care managers. All services must be authorized by individual care plans—unauthorized services are NOT

allowable and not paid. In all these years of being reviewed by the State office of government accountability there has not been a case of fraud. It’s up to us to educate our legislators in this time of need—call, write and visit. Let them know. Our elders deserve to enjoy their golden years—not struggle to receive the help that they deserve. Below is a list of our district’slegislators.

Senator Garrett Richter1039 S.E. 9th Place, Room 310,

Cape Coral, FL 33990(239) 338-2777

[email protected]

Rep. Paige Kreegel410 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950-4832

(941) [email protected].

Rep. Gary AubuchonSuite 305, 3501 Del Prado Boulevard,

Cape Coral, FL 33904-7223(239) 344-4900

[email protected].

Rep. Kathleen C. PassidomoSuite 304, 3299 Tamiami Trail East,

Naples, FL 34112-5746(239) 417-6200

[email protected].

Rep. Matthew H. “Matt” CaldwellSuite 208, 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901-3010

(239) [email protected].

Rep. Trudi K. WilliamsSuite 212, 12811 Kenwood Lane,

Ft. Myers, FL 33907-5648(239) 433-6775

[email protected].

Visit our website at:www.srmagazine.com

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mature lifestyles southwest april 2011

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