senior lifestyles, spring 2013

Senior LifestylesPublication of the Addison Independent • April 8, 2013

Think it through when charities come calling

Dancing is a great way toexercise and to socialize

At nifty fifty you may findlosing weight gets harder

(See Weight control, Page 24)

By MARY CONLONThink no one uses regular mail or old-

fashioned landline telephones anymore? Think again. Especially when it comes to soliciting charitable contributions from senior citizens, a population known among fundraisers for three things: opening their mail, answering their phones and being generous and trusting with their money.

Sorting out the many organizations that call and send small gifts like labels, notepads and calendars with their requests for contributions can be challenging and very confusing. Many national organizations hire professional fundraisers who take a percentage of the contributions to cover their costs and profits. Many groups have similar names, then buy and sell lists of contributors

and others still may be nonprofit (even if their hired fundraisers are not) but do not qualify as charitable contributions for tax purposes.

Other solicitors are not nonprofit organizations at all, but businesses interested in getting at your bank account in order to sell you marked-up questionable products.

Combine this with recent research showing that as people age, they become less able to

discern suspicious behavior, including from telephone solicitors. Aging Americans simply become more trusting at a time in their lives when they also become more generous.

Just how confusing and difficult can giving be, especially in an age of aggressive mail and telephone campaigns? Veterans groups provide one example of running the

(See Contributions, 8)

(See Dancing, Page 21)

Contra dance lets you move at your own level

(MS) — Losing some weight is a goal for many people regardless of age. While youngsters and young adults might be able to get away with a few extra pounds without suffering any significant consequences, older adults carrying some extra weight might be putting their overall health at considerable risk.

Shedding weight after the age of 50 is not always easy. As a person ages, muscle mass tends to dwindle while body fat has a tendency to increase. Since fat burns fewer calories than muscle, weight gain as a person ages seems bound to happen. But that doesn’t mean such weight gain is inevitable. In fact, men and women willing

to make certain changes with regard to diet and exercise can shed pounds after 50 while preventing future weight gain.

Diet — Men and women need fewer calories as they age. For example, men and women in their 40s may need as many as 200 calories more per day than they will when they reach their 50s. Counting calories might seem difficult, so men and women in their 50s and older who don’t think they can count calories can try to eat more low-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Consuming fewer calories often requires changing dietary habits, not only with re-

By CHRISTY LYNNADDISON COUNTY — Dancing, a long-

celebrated source of socialization, exercise and simple fun, can be a great outlet for people of all ages.

In Addison County, opportunities to go out dancing may be more plentiful than you think. Community centers and town halls have for many decades offered public dances, often contra dances, swing dances or square dances.

One of the most wonderful qualities of dancing is that “you can come and engage at whatever energy level you feel is appropriate for you,” says Kristin Bolton, one of the organizers of a monthly contra dance series offered at the Cornwall Town Hall.

So even if you’re not up for the fast-paced salsa, or polka, you can wait a song or two and join back in for a waltz.

Many seniors have been dancing their whole lives, Bolton acknowledges, which allows them to celebrate an activity they have

enjoyed for many years. Bolton, who also works at Elderly Services,

has been organizing the contra dance series at Cornwall Town Hall for close to three years with her husband, Andrew Munkres, and their “old time” band, Red Dog Riley.

She says that part of the appeal for seniors (as well as young and middle-aged people), is the variety of participants at the events.

“There is often a core group of mature dancers,” Bolton says, “but there is always a surprising mix of people who show up.

“There aren’t a lot of events in the community where you get such a multi-generational mix of people.”

For seniors, the positive energy of live music, dancing and buzz of new people offers an easy way to stay optimistic about life.

Contra dancing events are usually informal and open to anyone who shows up. Dancing skills and a strong memory for all the steps and sequences are not required,

SHELLY HARE LEADS a senior fitness class at Vermont Sun last Thursday morning. The class puts seniors through stretch-ing, aerobic and small-weight workouts.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

— Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013

gamut from worthy use of donations to heavy use of donations for fundraising to outright scams. The confusion is understandable when one looks at the names of three out of many organizations: Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and Disabled Veterans of America (DVA).

Using Charity Navigator, an online tool that lists nonprofit organizations and how they spend their money on programs and fundraising, we learn that the DAV spends more than 90 percent of its money on its programs and less than 5 percent on fundraising — an admirable ratio. The PVA, according to Charity Navigator, spends nearly 60 percent of its money on fundraising and less than 35 percent on programs. And the Disabled Veterans of America does appear to exist, but in November, a Michigan man was sent to prison for using the name and soliciting donations by phone.

Another area of confusion is the professional associations that hire out-of-state telemarketers to do their fundraising by phone. These include, for example, the unions representing professional firefighters and police officers. While one can debate the merits of these Vermont organizations using paid fund-raisers, many people who receive the telemarketing calls do not readily realize that these organizations are unions and contributions to them are not tax-deductible, even though that is stated in the pitch for donations or follow-up

Contributions(Continued from Page 17)

(See Charities, Page 19)

Most caregivers will know what you’re talking about! The elder needing supervision often says, “My family can take care of me,” or “I’m fine by myself.” As the caregiving adult child you are prob-ably hesitant to insist that your parent accept new help. You might say, “I feel guilty leaving Mom with someone else, like I’m being selfish.”

The decision to begin “paid help” is a major one for a family. In our opinion, most families wait way too long. Adult children can be-come frustrated and irritable. Homebound elders can suffer bore-dom and loneliness.

“Getting out is good for you,” is one motto of our adult day center. Our social workers can meet with you to discuss Mom’s resistance and loving strategies to launch a new chapter for both of you.

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THE VERMONT SUN aqua arthritis class forms a circle in the pool during class last week. Exercising in a pool provides an excel-lent low-impact workout for seniors.


REACH THE COUNTY, PLACE YOUR AD HERE. CALL 388-4944

Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013 — PAGE 19

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mailings.What can a person do to keep

charitable giving from turning from a joy to a chore and to protect themselves from scams? Here are a few suggestions:• Focusonyourareasofinterestto

streamline your giving. Those areas could be a few local organizations you know well and just a couple national organizations in your interest area. Discard and decline solicitations from others.• Researchbeforedonating.There

are several guides available in print and online that rate charities for their use of donations. Online help can be found at charitynavigator.org or charitywatch.org. Each has a simple searchengineandratings.Forthosewithout online access, a printed “CharityRatingGuide” is includedwith membership in the American Institute of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 578460, Chicago, IL 60657.• Examine your mail carefully.

Many organizations try to look “official”and theyaresophisticatedin their marketing, sometimes even making an envelope look like a bill, a renewal or membership dues that you owe.• Get help. Ask a trusted friend

or relative to review charitable requests with you (they can even do the background checks online) or get together with friends to open the

envelopes together. Often a second setofeyescancatchthefineprint.• Keepalistofthegiftsyoumake.

Some national organizations will increase their requests the more you respond. It can be confusing and you may forget that you just made a gift last month. Never give a gift without checkingyourlistfirst.• Make an annual charitable

budget. Think about your interest areas, including geographic interest. Many national organizations inundate you with mail and phone calls and without intending to, you may end up giving more to them than to organizations in your local area.• Make it a rule never to give

financial information out overthe phone to someone soliciting money – not credit card numbers and especially not bank account information, most notably the numbers from the bottom of a check. Any reputable organization will respect your wishes to only receive information by mail.• If you do not wish to receive

phone calls, tell each caller to remove your name from their list. The government Do Not Call list made an exemption for charitable organizations, so the organizations must be told individually.

Editor’s note: Mary Conlon of Cornwall is a daily money manager and member of the American Asso-ciation of Daily Money Managers.

Charities(Continued from Page 18)

Cash in on the upsides of getting older

(See Upside, Page 20)

(MS) — The standard for people entering their golden years has long been to fib about their ages.Growing older hasn’t always beenseen as a positive. But increasing perks for seniors have made it more advantageous for older adults to be proud of their age.

It used to be that a senior discount

meant a reduced fare on the bus or a couple of cents saved on that morning cup of coffee. However, as more of the Baby Boomer generation enters retirement years, businessesarecateringtoBoomers’active lifestyles with discounts and perks in a variety of ways.

“It pays to do a little research,

especially at stores where you shop frequently,” says Albert, a retailstore manager in New York. “They don’toftenadvertisetheirdiscounts,but many stores do have a policy for seniorsavingsifyousimplyask.”

Discounts may vary by franchise or retailer, so it’s important to

STUDENTS IN A Champlain Valley Agency on Aging tai chi class practice the Sun style, which pro-motes the energy flow inside the body.



Upside(Continued from Page 19)

inquire with customer service or the manager about age requirements and the percentages off purchases. Stores like Kohl’s offer discounts on a certain day of the week. Other businesses may have a standard percentage that they take off regardless of the day or time the purchases are being made. Dunkin Donuts, KB Toys, Banana Republic, and many other retailers offer anywhere from 10 to 15 percent off on purchases. That can add up to considerable savings, especially for older adults living on fixed incomes.

And individuals need not be retirement age to reap store perks. Some businesses offer discounts for customers over the age of 62. Many others start the cutoff at 50 to 55. The earlier Boomers find out about discounts, the sooner they can start saving.

Stores aren’t the only ones offering perks to seniors, either. Discounts may be available on airline flights and other modes of transportation. Reduced rates on hotel rooms, car rentals and other travel industry items are also available.

Community services may be made possible for seniors as well, including low- or no-cost financial counseling. Health companies also may have discounted programs for seniors, including fitness clubs, prescription programs and therapy. Anyone age 50 and up is eligible for enrollment in AARP, which boasts its own collection of discounts and recommended businesses.

Let’s not forget senior housing, which has evolved way beyond the retirement communities of the past. Today’s senior living facilities often boast state-of-the-art fitness centers, theaters, pools, transportation for shopping, recreational activities, and much more in addition to the steeply reduced purchase price for a home. Retirement homes are often several thousand dollars cheaper than an on-par house of similar size sold to a younger buyer.

Before anyone 50 years or older pays full price when shopping, dining out or traveling, he or she should investigate whether there are discounts in place that can quickly add up to savings.

TAI CHI, ORIGINALLY a form of self-defense, is now used as a low-impact exercise that relieves stress and promotes other health benefits.


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RED DOG RILEY plays “old timey” music at one of its monthly contra dances at Cornwall Town Hall. Dancing can be a low-impact activity that lifts the spirit and gives people of various generations an opportunity to mingle.

Dancing(Continued from Page 17)

as the caller dictates each move throughout the dance.

The music is typical of old-time Appalachian music, featuring fiddles, banjos, guitars and sometimes a bass.

Popularity for contra dancing seems to be rebounding, after a few years of decreased interest, as described by Alison James, a musician and folk-music enthusiast who in the past has helped organize a contra dancing series at Holley Hall in Bristol. Now, after about a three-year hiatus, James is restarting the contra dance series at Holley Hall.

“It seems to be the right time to start up again,” James says, noting other dancing and folk music venues drawing crowds around the state.

James attributes this shift to a renewed interest in local folk music. “It used to be that you could see a local band play anywhere, anytime. Now that it’s less common, when they do play, people come.”

Despite age, dancing and enjoying live music at a contra dance, square dance, salsa dance or swing dance, can help keep spring in your step and a smile on your face.

“Dancing is an important thing for the senior crowd,” says John Danyew, a dance instructor who teaches at many venues around the state. “It is a physical activity that can be low impact if you pick the style of dance appropriately — and keeps you feeling young!”

Danyew says he dances with people of all ages, but many of them are retired and are finally getting the chance to learn how to dance. “You can probably waltz until you’re 90,” Danyew says. “As long as you’re not trying to breakdance to keep up with hip-hop, dancing can be an option for your whole life.”


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Understanding your financial needs is key

(MS) — Though many people are delaying retirement, the day will still come when they leave their jobs behind and retire. Retirement can be a difficult adjustment that takes some getting used to, but it can also prove an exciting time, especially for those who planned ahead to ensure their retirement was a time to be cherished and not feared.

Whether retirement is right around the corner or still a decade or so away, men and women should consider several factors to make sure their retirement years are an enjoyable time that allows them to live life to the fullest.

• Income: Just because you’re no longer working doesn’t mean you won’t have income. Government benefits, retirement accounts and perhaps even some light consulting work are just a few ways retirees can earn an income. Though your retirement income will likely pale in comparison to your income as an adult working full-time, estimate what that income will be so you can get at least an idea of how much will be coming in each month.

• Monthly expenses: Once you have an idea of what’s coming in, estimate how much will be going out each month. Certain costs associated with working, such as the cost of commuting and maintaining

a professional wardrobe, can be removed from the ledger. But other expenses, including utilities, car payments and possibly even a mortgage payment, will still need to be made. Once you have an idea of your projected income and your expenses during retirement, you can get to work on a prospective budget to show you what you will need to live on during retirement.

• E m p l o y m e n t : Many people now look at retirement as the end of one career and the beginning of another.

As retirement draws closer, men and women might want to consider turning an interest or passion into a second career. Such a move might make retirement more exciting while removing some of the fear of finding enough things to pass the time that many people have with regard to retirement.

• Relocation: Where to spend

your retirement years is another thing to consider before the big day arrives. Do you, like many retirees, prefer to stay in your own home? Do you want to relocate to a warmer climate or move to another country? Do you want to move closer to your children and grandchildren? Do you want to split your time in separate cities? Is a retirement village something you might be

amenable to? Each of these options is different, and each requires a different financial commitment, so carefully consider where you want to spend your retirement and then consider how you can make those wishes a reality.

• Medical costs: Private insurance or government-sponsored programs likely won’t cover all of your medical costs, which typically increase as a

person ages. There are various ways to prepare for the medical costs that might arise during retirement, and the earlier you start that preparation the less stressful paying for medical care as you age figures to be.

Retirement should be an exciting time for men and women, especially for those who have spent years planning their retirement to ensure it’s as enjoyable as possible.

Once you have an idea of your projected income and your expenses during retirement, you can get to work on a prospective budget to show you what you will need to live on during retirement.

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TAI CHI STUDENTS 50 and over enjoy a class at the Ilsley Library in Middlebury last week under the direction of teacher Ruth Barenbaum. The class is offered free through the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging.



gard to what you’re eating but also how you’re eating and even how you shop for food. Men and women used to dining out for lunch ev-ery day can start bringing their own lunches so they can gain greater control of their daily caloric intake. For those who find they’re fre-quently too exhausted to cook each night, they can prepare meals in advance to have healthy, homemade meals waiting instead of always or-dering takeout or delivery. When shopping for food, people should avoid doing so on an emp-ty stomach so they’re less inclined to buy un-healthy snacks.

Exercise — Exercise is another essential component to shedding pounds after 50, though men and women over 50 should always consult a physician before they begin a new exercise regimen. The Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention points out that regular exercise can help older men and women prevent the onset of a host of ail-ments, including heart disease and diabetes. In addition, the CDC notes that regular physical ac-tivity as one ages helps muscles grow stron-ger, which increases the chances that an individu-al will be able to perform necessary daily activities without the assistance of others. Maintaining that independence into older adulthood is a goal for

many men and women, and it’s a goal that’s far more realistic for men and women who exer-cise than it is for those who don’t.

When coupled with a healthy, low-calorie diet, routine exercise can help men and women over 50 shed extra weight and keep the weight off once it’s gone. According to the CDC, older adults need at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, every week and muscle-strength-ening activities on 2 more days a week. These

muscle-strengthening activities should work all the major muscle groups, including the legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders,

and arms. Muscle-strengthen-ing activities include lift-ing weights, working out with resistance bands, ex-ercise such as push-ups and sit-ups that use body weight for resistance, and

yoga. Even gardening that involves digging and shovel-

ing can be considered a muscle-strengthening ac-tivity.

Weight gain is often an expected side effect of aging. But men and women don’t have to gain weight as they get older. Some simple di-etary changes and a com-mitment to routine exer-cise is all it takes to shed weight after 50 and keep that weight off once it’s gone.

Weight control(Continued from Page 17)

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Going green helps the environmentand can also help with your wallet

(MS) — The senior demographic is quite possibly the best generation to emulate when trying to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle. That’s because so many of the guidelines for being green are concepts that have been a part of seniors’ lives for decades.

A portion of today’s seniors grew up during the Depression, when recycling and conservation weren’t the trends du jour, but survival strategies. In a time when money was scarce, many people made do with the resources they were dealt, stretching dollars just to stay afloat. Many of the concepts associated with today’s environmental movement are strikingly similar to the ones employed during the Depression.

The behaviors of an elderly parent or grandparent that may have seemed eccentric or odd at one time are now turning out to be what many people are embracing in order to live green. Concepts like relying on reusable handkerchiefs instead of disposable tissues; reusing lightly soiled napkins; collecting discarded items from the curb and repairing them for renewed use; saving cans or food jars and using them to store other items; buying local products from smaller vendors; and similar things are methods of living ingrained in the persona of many older people.

Frugality and awareness of what things cost and what constitutes waste are other concepts seniors know well. Many have never adapted

to the notion that products are disposable, preferring instead to hold onto appliances, electronics, clothing, and other items because they still have utility, not because the current season dictates they should be upgraded.

In 2008, Harris Interactive polled Baby Boomers ages 45 to 62 about their interest in the environment. Ninety-four percent of respondents said they took steps in the past 6 months to do something green. More than 80 percent were concerned about the environmental legacy that would be left for their grandchildren.

While many seniors are going green today for altruistic reasons, it also makes good financial sense. Recycling items, conserving utilities and fuel and making smart choices can stretch a fixed income even further. Choosing to walk or ride a bike instead of getting behind the wheel may be not only environmentally friendly, but it’s financially savvy as well.

Here are some ways of living straight out of the Great Depression that can be put to use today.

• Use the milkman. Although it may seem like the milkman is extinct, milk and other dairy products can still be delivered straight to a person’s home from a local dairy or farm. Adding reusable milk bottles reduces the reliance on disposable containers, while buying local cuts down on the fuel costs necessary to transport products.

• Pass down clothing. Clothing that is gently worn can be passed down to children or even donated.

• Walk. During the Depression, cars were a luxury many people could not afford. Walking or taking a bus or train were some popular modes of transportation, and such options are still available today.

• Use cloth diapers and linens. Reusable items, like cloth diapers, handkerchiefs and linens, are more environmentally responsible.

• Get outdoors. Instead of relying on television, which had yet to be invented during the Depression, children and adults went outdoors to socialize and have fun.

• Open the windows. Instead of relying heavily on air conditioning, try opening the windows on nice days and let some fresh air in.

• Use clotheslines. Clothes dryers use about 10 to 15 percent of domestic energy in the U.S. A clothesline can help reduce electric bills and energy consumption.

• Get into gardening. If you can grow what you eat, that reduces the dependence on commercially produced and harvested crops.

Many elements of the Go Green movement are similar to those employed during the Depression, when survival mandated people reuse and recycle items.

During the Depression, cars were a luxury many people could not afford. Walking or taking a bus or train were some popu-lar modes of transporta-tion, and such options are still available today.

RUTH BARENBAUM LEADS a free Champlain Valley Agency on Aging tai chi class for seniors at the Ilsley Library in Middlebury last week. Barenbaum is one of 10 CVAA volunteer tai chi teachers in the county.



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Will Social Security meet yourfinancial needs in the future?

(BPT) — Saving for retirement is a scary prospect for many Americans. In fact, just 14 percent feel confident they will have enough money to live on when they retire, according to the 2012 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. And 60 percent say they have less than $25,000 saved for retirement, the survey reveals.

Retirement planning and saving doesn’t have to be frighten-ing or fruitless. Knowl-edge is pow-er, and when it comes to prepar-ing financially for retirement, the more you know, the more likely you are to succeed — and feel secure about your future in your golden years.

How much is enough?Uncertainty over how much

they need to save is a big concern among workers. Thirty-four percent of Americans have no retirement savings at all, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. How much you need to save now in order to have a good life when you retire depends on many factors, in-cluding your current income and age, the age at which you plan to retire and the expenses you anticipate you’ll face during retirement.

Fortunately, retirement calcu-lators can help you get a better picture of how much you need to save. You’ll find plenty of calcu-lators and information about sav-ing for retirement from resourc-es like freecreditscore.com. The calculators can give you an idea of how much income you’ll need from investments to live on dur-ing retirement, and how much of your current income you need to save between now and retire-ment.

Another important consider-ation is how you will interact with credit when you retire. It’s important to manage credit wise-ly during retirement, just as it is throughout your adult life.

Studies show that many Americans don’t regularly monitor their credit, which can be a costly mistake. In fact, 65 percent of Ameri-cans have not ordered a copy of their cred-it report within the past year, and 31 percent don’t know their credit score, according to

the National Foundation for Credit Counsel-ing’s Financial Literacy Survey.

Your credit report and score are impor-tant during retirement for a number of rea-

sons. First, your score directly affects the cost of many im-portant financial needs, such as auto insurance and inter-

est rates. Also, while you should strive to minimize debt during retirement,

it may not be practi-cal — or even de-

sirable — to com-pletely eliminate credit use in your

golden years. Finally, not keeping an eye on your

credit report and score may mean you fail to quickly catch instances of fraud or identity theft. Senior citizens are often

targeted by identity thieves and scammers.

Understanding your credit — lead-ing up to retirement and during — should be a key part of your retirement planning. Web-sites like freecreditscore.com can help by of-fering enrolled members monthly statements, credit reports, credit score alerts, identity

protection alerts and fraud reso-lution support.

Too often, people planning for retirement either rely too much on Social Security or overlook it altogether. Neither route is best. It makes sense to incorporate Social Security as part of your overall retirement saving plan, as long as you understand what to expect from the program.

The Social Security Administration provides every taxpayer with statements about how much they can expect to receive when they retire. Your SSA statement is now available online. Simply log on to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount for an estimate of the amount of Social Security benefits you could receive upon retiring. Knowing how much you can

expect from Social Security can help you plan your retirement savings strategies.

Saving for retirement doesn’t have to be intimidating. It’s never too late — or too early — to take control of your retirement savings goals.

Another important consideration is how you will interact with credit when you retire. It’s important to manage credit wisely during retirement, just as it is throughout your adult life.


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Focus on Senior Vision: CataractsCataracts are a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye causing decreased visual clarity, glare, or problems with color vision. They usually occur with age but can also be caused by injuries or certain medications. The treatment for cataracts is surgical removal.

Cataract surgery is performed when vision starts to affect everyday activities and is a two-step procedure performed in the operating room under local anesthesia: First, the surgeon removes the cloudy lens by using an aspirating ultrasonic device through a tiny incision in the cornea. Second, a clear artificial lens implant is inserted into the eye. Stitches or patches are rarely needed.

Modern cataract surgery is highly successful outpatient procedure which can take as little as ten minutes to perform. Recovery time is usually only a few days. See your ophthalmologist (Eye MD) for a full exam if you feel cataracts may be affecting your vision.

• Complete Family Eye Care

• No-Stitch, No-Shot Cataract Surgery • Contact Lenses

• Glaucoma Management • Eyelid Surgery

• LOCAL SURGERY AT PORTER MEDICAL CENTER

senior lifestyles, spring 2013

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