senior's guide to the good life 2012

An Echo Press Publication, September 2012

H e a l t hW e l l n e s s

A c t i v e L i v i n g

A S E N I O R ’ S G U I D ETO THE

G o o d L i f e

2 A Senior’s Guide to the Good Life Sept. 2012

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indexReap the rewards of a good night’s sleep...............................3Making your age pay off..........................................................4What is a grandparent?...........................................................5Learning is for every season of life ..........................................6Websites make computer use easier ......................................8Focus on healthy aging............................................................9Your brain never stops growing.............................................10A look at long-term care options...........................................11Non-adherence can be deadly...............................................12Is a clinical trial right for you?................................................14

Special projects editor: Tara BitzanCover design: Kelsey LangagerInside design: Nichole Roell

A publication of the Echo Press, September 2012Jody Hanson, Publisher

320-763-3133 • www.echopress.com

The ‘good life’ awaits you! Inside this publication you’ll find information about local

programs and resources, as well as money saving tips and ideas on how to improve your quality of life.

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A Senior’s Guide to the Good Life Sept. 2012 3

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We all know that a good night’s sleep isvital for good health and well-being.

Adequate sleep can reduce cortisol andstress levels, increase energy levels andsimply improve your quality of life.

There are numerous medications on themarket, both prescription and over-the-counter, that claim to help a person get thatmuch-needed sleep. But some peoplewould like to accomplish that without takingmedication.

Consumer Reports magazine surveyedmore than 26,000 readers about their sleephabits, and found that many use non-med-icated ways to get the sleep they need.Following are some options that may workfor you:

Darken your room. If too much light is filtering in, you may want to invest in room darkening shades or blinds. If you aren’t bothered by the feel of it, another option might be to try a sleep mask.

Drown out the sounds. Whether it’s yourspouse’s snoring, noisy neighbors or anolder house with lots of creaky noises, noise can impede getting to sleep. You can try ear plugs, but another option is to create some “white noise.” There are numerous noise machines on the market with a variety of options and price. Sounds range from ocean waves to raindrops to a waterfall to crickets chirping. You can purchase such a machine, or just try playing a CD of soothing nature sounds or calming music or try running a fan.

Create a routine. Remember when your kids were young and you learned about the importance of a regular bedtime routine? It isn’t any different when you are an adult. Following a regular routine prior to going to bed may be all you need to doze off more easily. Perhaps it’s a

warm bath, or a warm decaf drink or 15 minutes of reading. Keep in mind some things – such as watching TV or vigorously exercising before bed – can keep you awake!

Relax. Give meditation, yoga, relaxation and deep-breathing exercises a try as part of your bedtime routine.

Reap the rewards of a good night’ssleep

One of the perks of advancing age? Senior discounts!The recession has caused some businesses to cut back or discon-

tinue senior discount offerings, while other businesses have startedoffering or increased the discounts offered to seniors in the hopes ofdrumming up more business.

According to Joan Rattner Heilman, author of Unbelievably GoodDeals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can’t Get UnlessYou’re Over 50, senior discounts that used to be easily found at hotelsand eating establishments have gotten much smaller, while discountsnow are being offered to a larger variety of services, such as plumb-ing services.

There are still deals available – you just have to know where to look,and oftentimes all it takes is asking the question. Following are sometips to help you save a few bucks:

Ask! Don’t just assume that a business won’t offer a senior discount if it isn’t in writing somewhere. Many businesses may give discounts if they are requested, but don’t promote them.

Find out what local businesses offer and keep track in a notebook. Some offer discounts on certain days of the week or certain times of the day. For example, a grocery store, clothing store or other retail business might offer senior discount days midweek, a restaurant might offer senior specials between 2 and6 p.m. Tuesdays, a local movie theater might offer a special senior rate at a matinee, etc. It’s worth checking around

and making note of whatever is offered locally, so you can plan your schedule around those specials.

Do some research when planning to travel. Some companies may offer senior discounts for airfare,hotel stays, rental cars, train or bus fares, etc. Specials may centeraround certain times of the year, month or even week, so you maywant to plan your trip accordingly.

Don’t forget to check into special rates for your auto and home insurance or for special services such as tax preparation. Some banks offer special accounts for persons of a certain age.

Join AARP. A membership costs less than $20 a year. With discounts at more than 500 retailers plus price breaks on travel, financial services and health products, the membership will easily pay for itself.


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Making your age pay off

What is a GrandparentThat’s not such an easy question in today’s

world. Some grandparents are full-time caregiversto their grandchildren. Others serve as regular oroccasional babysitters, while others may be long-distance Skype grandparents.

Whatever your situation, the first step in devel-oping a relationship with your grandchild is toensure you are on the same page as the child’s par-ents when it comes to what your role is in thechild’s life.

Following are some tips to ensure you all thrivein those important family structures:

Decide what your role is.Does your son or daughter want you to be theirchildren’s caretaker while they work? How do youfeel about that kind of a commitment? While somegrandparents would be thrilled to have their grand-kids around 40 hours a week, that would be toomuch for others. In some instances, that arrange-ment could cause conflict between a parent andgrandparent. Establish guidelines – how often you’dlike to babysit, during what hours, etc. Do youexpect to be invited to school and extra-curricularfunctions? If so, let the child’s parents know this,and listen to their thoughts on that subject as well.

Respect the parents’ rules.and follow them. This time, you’re not the parent,so it’s not your place to make the rules. If a parentsays no pop with dinner or bedtime is at 8 p.m.,honor that. It’s important that children have consis-tency and that they see their parents and grandpar-ents respect each other. If they see Grandmabreaking Mom’s rules the second she’s out thedriveway, they may stop following Mom’s rulesas well.

Be wary of overindulgence.Grandparents are often pushovers with grand-kids, and saying no can be hard. But ifyou can’t afford something or feel itisn’t necessary, stand your ground.This is even more important if youhave several grandchildren. If youbuy one a gift, you better beready to do the same for theothers, or you could be causingresentment that could be theroot of some family discord later.

Memories of time spent togeth-er are more priceless than expen-sive gifts.


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Alexandria School District 206 is committedto a mission of creating lifelong learners.With the belief that “learning is for every sea-son of the year and every season of life,”District 206 Community Educationoffers programs, classes and otherlearning opportunities for residentsof all ages, interests and abilities. Following is a look at some of theclasses offered this fall throughthe “Everyone Has A Story series– a series of short coursesdesigned for persons age 50 andolder that explore story, identity andhistory. These courses are about engaging, inter-active learning on a variety of topics with arange of experts and enthusiasts. Each ses-sion provides an opportunity to connect withothers around shared interests.

Introduction to Film Studies – Lecture.Anthony Miltich will share his knowledge offilm in a seminar on the basic concepts offilm production. He has taught film studiesfor 18 years at Minnesota State Communityand Technical College in Fergus Falls. Thissession will enhance enjoyment of the for-eign film series offered through CommunityEducation. This class is Monday, September 10 from 4to 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Arbor Theatre,Alexandria. Cost is $5.

Masterpiece Art Tour. The halls ofAlexandria Technical and Community College(ATCC) present like a regular art museum,much to the efforts of Myron Sahlberg. He isresponsible for selecting and hanging thegrowing collection of more than 600 printswith an art history theme throughout thepublic halls at the college. Sahlberg will serveas docent for a walking tour. Sahlberg is ateacher of drawing, painting, illustration andeditorial design in the communication art anddesign department at the college He is anartist who specializes in oil portraits. The class is Monday, September 17 from 2 to4 p.m. at ATCC. Cost is $13.

The New Immigrants. Have you ever won-dered about the new people living and work-ing in your community? Would you like toknow more about the immigrants andrefugees who are becoming a part ofMinnesota’s cultural fabric? Are you inter-ested in their stories?In his book, The New Minnesotans: Storiesof Immigrants and Refugees, journalist andteacher Gregg Aamot provides a behind-thescenes look at the lives of these newcomers– Hispanics, Somalis and others – who areadapting to life in a culture vastly differentthan their own.The class will be held Monday, September24 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Grand ArborCommunity Room, Alexandria. Cost is $13.

Creative Writing Basics. This session ispart of the Writer’s Life Project series madepossible by a Minnesota State Arts Boardgrant. Storyteller and author Kevin Strausswill help you get started writing your storywith a “Crash Course in Creative Writing,Approaches and Genres” in the morning ses-sion. In the afternoon session, he will explain“What a Good Story Needs: Reviewing,Critiquing and Rewriting.” Participants areencouraged to work on their stories between

classes and come back in October andNovember to further develop them.

Strauss is the author of three books and astoryteller who uses his past experi-

ences as a naturalist to inspire hisstories.

The class is Wednesday,September 26 from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. at the Grand ArborCommunity Room, Alexandria.Cost is $25.

Like Water for Chocolate. This1992 foreign film from Mexico is a

magical romance that is a feast forthe senses. Passionate Tita is in love

with Pedro, but her controlling mother for-bids her from marrying him. So when Pedromarries her sister, Tita throws herself into hercooking and discovers she can transfer heremotions through the food she prepares. This movie is in Spanish with English subti-tles. The after-movie discussion will focus onsuch topics as food/culture/identity, borderissues and two-culture challenges, Latino(a)immigrant experiences and magic realism,among others. Discussion will be led byDavid Sunderland, retired Spanish professor. The class is Monday, October 1 from 4 to 7p.m. at the Grand Arbor Theatre, Alexandria.Cost is $5.

Storytelling Craft. Whether you alreadyhave an idea for a story or not, the activitiesin this two-part session will provide you withtips and techniques for forming, crafting andtelling your story. Story crafting is for anyone who has a storyto tell, whether it is to your grandchildren orin public, true or make-believe. Certified sto-ryteller, Paulette Friday, has been delightingaudiences with her oral stories and seeks tomake storytellers out of all of us. The class is Monday, October 8 and Monday,November 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at theGrand Arbor Community Room, Alexandria.Cost is $26.

Community Education offers a variety of classes to keep everyone learning

Learning is for


Genealogy 101. Learn the basics of gettingstarted with family research and gatheringinformation using various online genealogysites as you begin to research your familytree. This class will show you the resourcesyou can use and how to keep everythingorganized. You will also get a brief introduc-tion to Family Tree Maker software as youwork on the computer to do your research.The instructor is Sharon Bisson.The class is Tuesday, October 16 from 7 to 9p.m. at Discovery Middle School, Alexandria.Cost is $19.

A Good Question! This class is designed forthose who believe there is a need for mean-ingful, concentrated conversation aboutimportant issues. Participants need to bewilling to have an open mind, desire a searchfor truth and accept friendly give and take. Each of the five sessions will cover a “goodquestion” over the span of two hours. Thequestions to be considered are: 1. What

would a sensible immigration policy looklike? 2. Money, money, money in our politics– problem or no big deal? 3. Can religion anddemocracy co-exist? 4. We need “job cre-ators,” so where are they? 5. What willAlexandria and surrounding area look like in100 years? The five sessions will be held Wednesdaysfrom October 17 through November 14 at theGrand Arbor Chapel, Alexandria. Cost is $5.

Settlement of Douglas County. Take aclose-up look at local immigration history andtrends in Douglas County. See the patternsof settlement where immigrants claimedtheir place in the county’s early days andhow it has changed over the years. Gainnew perspectives on how our countycame to be. What events inDouglas County play a role inyour story? The instructor ishistorian Rachel Barduson.The class is Monday, October

22 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Grand ArborCommunity Room, Alexandria. Cost is $13.

Growing Up Amish. Welcome to the secre-tive world of the Amish. Anna Dee Olson willtalk about her life in an Amish community.Anna was raised along with her nine brothersand sisters in a rigorous Amish culture. Atage 24, she left the Amish community. Joinus and discover a whole new world. Olson isan author and public speaker. The class is Wednesday, October 24 from 7to 9 p.m. at Discovery Middle School,Alexandria. Cost is $15.

every season of life!

For more information on CommunityEducation or to register for classes, call

(320) 762-3310 or register online atwww.alexandria.thatscommunityed.com.

AlexandriaCommunity Ed:

Senior citizens are getting on board withcomputers and Internet technology, not onlyfor accessing information but also largelyfor staying connected to their loved ones.Taking the plunge to learn to use a comput-er or to get online can be difficult.

Many communities offer classes to help theolder population – and all ages for that mat-ter – grasp the concepts and skills for usingcomputers or online technology. But thereare some other options as well. Once you’velearned to start up your computer and getonline, you may want to check out one ofthe following sites to ease the learningprocess:

Skillful Seniorwww.skillfulsenior.comThis computer skills site for the elderlyfocuses on basic navigation skills. The sitehas interactive animated tutorials that teachindividuals how to use a mouse, keyboardarrow keys and touch typing. The site alsoteaches users about the importance of

ergonomics, which is a must for the agingpopulation.

Webwise www.bbc.co.uk/webwiseThis is a beginner’s guide to using theInternet, but it starts off with an introductionto the basics of using a computer. Theguides cover a lot of areas of computer use,explained simply and with the use of inter-active multimedia to make the learningprocess more fun.

Microsoft Accessibilitywww.microsoft.com/enableThis is a Windows resource that lists guidesthat focus on specific problems and impair-ments, especially among the elderly. Forinstance, people with visual impairments,dexterity/mobility impairments, hearingimpairments and so on can getspecific informationin those

areas on how to use your computer optionsin ways to best suit your needs, to makeusing a computer easier and more fun.


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Here are some interesting facts on agingin Douglas County.

By 2030, there are projected to be12,480 people in Douglas County who areolder than age 65. That will be 27.2 percentof the county’s population. About 3,060 ofthem will be living alone. Also, of those12,480 people, there will be 1,450 who willbe age 85 and older.

Our goal is to help these people learn howto focus on healthy aging.

Our life expectancy continues toincrease. However, how long you livedepends on many factors, including howyou take care of yourself in the years lead-ing to older age.

Let’s focus on these different areas ofhealthy aging:

SOCIAL WELLNESS• See the world/expand your mind. After

spending so much of your life raising children and working, travel to see new things and experience new cultures.

• Watch game shows. Keep your mind razor sharp.

• Laugh loud, laugh often. Start the day off by reading the comic section.

• Give of yourself. Volunteer – be generous with your time. Teach a youngster something you are good at. Spend time

helping at your church or local food shelf. • Keep the faith. Belief in a higher power is

of great importance to many. Read some spiritual books. A true relationship with a higher power keeps you from becoming self-centered and focuses your energy on the greater community.

• Socialize with friends. Make new friends. Join a club or church group. Play games.

PHYSICAL WELLNESSRegular exercise is even more important forseniors than other age groups since the riskof disease is greater and the positive effectsare realized more quickly. The hardest partis getting started.• Look for daily opportunities to exercise in

work and play. Park farther away from doors. Walk briskly.

• Choose an exercise you like and stick to it. Walk, run, do yoga, swim, climb, bicycle, dance, fish…

• Use the buddy system. Arrange for a friend or neighbor to meet you – it’s harder to say no to exercise when there is peer pressure.

• Join a walking group. Join a local fitness center.

PROMOTING WELLNESS• Don’t smoke and limit alcohol to

no more than one drink per day.• Get regular physical activity.• Maintain a healthy body weight

and see your doctor regularly.• Participate in hobbies, learn

new activities. Have your grandchildren teach you a new game.

• Spend time improving your relationships. Talk to your grandchildren often. Visit the neighbor children. Attend their sports events. Spend more time with the important people in your life. Speak gently and kindly.

• Become a giver. Happiness is all about how much you share. Deliver hot meals to young families or older adults. Just give up some of your time in front of the TV and you’ll soon find that it’s no sacrifice at all.

• Be more grateful. Open your eyes to the blessings you have. Be grateful for family and friends. When you are grateful for your talents, you will use them. When you are grateful for your health, you will maintain it. Be thankful for the food on your table.

Enjoy the rest of your life and age well.Contact me at (320) 762-3047 with anyquestions on healthy aging.

MaryKruegerDOUGLAS COUNTYSENIORCOORDINATOR

Focus on healthy aging


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It was once believed that people’s brain cells actually began todie as they aged, thus creating memory loss and other age-relat-ed problems.

But studies have now shown that this is simply not the case.Not only do the brain cells stay alive, you can actually keep grow-ing new ones to the end of your life.

Researchers have found that the brain is continually reshapingitself in response to what it learns. In a study published in TheJournal of Neuroscience, German researcher Janina Boyke andher colleagues taught 60-year-old adults how to juggle.Afterward, scans of the subjects' brains showed growth in a gray-matter region that processes complex visual information.

In another experiment, Swiss neuroscientist Lutz Jäncke stud-ied people who were learning to play a musical instrument. Afterthey had been practicing for five months, Jäncke noted significantchanges in the regions of the brain that control hearing, memoryand hand movements, even in participants who were 65 or older.

So if you want to stay sharp as you age, keep on learning. Takea class, practice an instrument, read, do puzzles, take up juggling- just find something you enjoy and keep those brain cells multi-plying!

n e v e r s t o p s g r o w i n g !

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Community based servicesMany communities provide services and pro-grams to help seniors, including Meals-on-Wheels, transportation services, personalcare, chore services, adult day care and avariety of activities in senior centers. Theseservices are usually free or low cost to indi-viduals who qualify. Area Agencies on Agingcoordinate these services. Call 1-800-677-1116 for information. Your State Medicaidprogram may pay for home health servicesincluding skilled nursing care, home healthcare, personal care, chore services and med-ical equipment for those who quality.

Home health careDepending on your needs, you may be ableto get help with personal activities (laundry,bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning) at homefrom family, friends or volunteers. Somehome care can only be given by licensedhealth workers. Skilled nursing care includesservices and care that can only be performedsafely and correctly by a licensed nurse ortherapist. Medicare only pays for home careif you meet certain conditions. You can hire ahome health care agency without Medicare.Costs vary depending on where you live,type of care, and how often you need care.

In-law apartmentAn in-law apartment is a separate housingarrangement within a single-family home oron your lot. It may also be referred to as asecond unit, accessory apartment, or acces-sory dwelling unit. It is a complete livingspace with a private kitchen and bath. Theremay be restrictions about the addition of asecond apartment on your property. Consultyour local city or county government.

Housing for aging and disabled individualsThe federal government and most stateshave programs that help pay for housing forolder people with low or moderate incomes,less than $46,000 if single or $53,000 if mar-ried. Some of these programs also help withmeals and activities like housekeeping, shop-ping and laundry. Residents usually live intheir own apartments in the complex. Rentpayments are usually a percentage of yourincome.

Board and care homesThis group living arrangement provides helpwith activities of daily living such as eating,bathing and using the bathroom for peoplewho cannot live on their own but do not neednursing home services. In some cases, pri-vate long-term care insurance and othertypes of assistance programs may help payfor this type of arrangement. Many of thesehomes do not receive payment fromMedicare or Medicaid and are not strictlymonitored. The monthly charge is usually apercentage of your income.

Assisted livingThis group living arrangement provides helpwith activities of daily living such as eating,bathing and using the bathroom, taking med-icine, and getting to appointments. Residentsoften live in their own room or apartmentwithin a building or group of buildings andhave some or all of their meals together.Social and recreational activities are usuallyprovided. Some assisted living facilities havehealth services on site. Costs vary dependingon size of the living areas, services provided,

type of help needed and where the building islocated. Residents usually pay a monthly rentand pay additional fees for the services theyneed.

Continuing care retirement communitiesThese housing communities have differentlevels of care based on needs. In the samecommunity, there may be individual homesor apartments for residents who still live ontheir own, an assisted living facility for peo-ple who need some help with daily care, anda nursing home for those who require higherlevels of care. Residents move from one levelof care to another based on their needs.CCRCs generally charge a large paymentbefore you move in (called an entry fee) andthen charge monthly fees.

Nursing homesThese facilities provide care to people whocan’t be cared for at home or in the commu-nity. Nursing homes provide a wide range ofpersonal care and health services. This caregenerally is to assist people with supportservices such as dressing, bathing and usingthe bathroom for people who can’t take careof themselves due to physical, emotional ormental problems. Medicare doesn’t pay forthis type of care and doesn’t pay for mostnursing home care. Some nursing homesmay provide skilled care after an injury orhospital stay. Medicare pays for skilled nurs-ing facility care for a limited period of time ifyou meet certain conditions.

Source: usa.gov/Topics/Seniors/Housing

A look at long-term care options

Help with Daily Living

Help with Add’l Services

Help with Care Needs

Range of Costs

Community-Based Services Lo-Med

Home Health Care Lo-High

In-Law Apartments Lo-High

Housing for Aging/Disabled Lo-High

Board and Care Homes Lo-High

Assisted Living Med-Hi

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

High

Nursing Homes High

The cost of long-term care may vary depending on what

kind of care you need, where you get the care, and where you live. This chart shows how these

costs generally compare with each

other.Source: Medicare.gov

L o n g - T e r m C a r e

(ARA) - Millions of Americans areplagued by chronic diseases such as heart

disease, cancer, diabetes andarthritis.

These are among themost common, costly, andpreventable of all existing

health problems in the U.S.,according to the Centers for

Disease Controland Prevention.

But there’sanother, less-e r - k n o w n

c o n d i t i o nthat’s taking a

huge toll onAmericans’ health:non-adherence, a

p r o b l e mc a u s e dw h e np a t i e n t sdon’t fol-

low their doctors’ orders. While it may be hard to believe, the sim-

ple act of forgetting to take a pill or not fill-ing a prescription at the pharmacy costs theU.S. as much as $317 billion each year onunnecessary medical expenses.

Beyond the financial cost is the healthimpact: Non-adherence can lead to addi-tional complications, which in turn lead tomore medical tests, emergency room visitsand hospitalizations – all avoidable by sim-ply taking medications as prescribed.

An Express Scripts survey found thatmore than 90 percent of the 40,000 adultspolled agree that taking their medication isimportant for their health, ranking higherthan avoiding smoking, eating healthy andgetting enough exercise.

Despite these findings, Express Scripts’2011 Drug Trend Report shows that formany diseases requiring drug treatments,less than half of patients take their medica-tion as prescribed.

So while Americans recognize the impor-


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tance of adherence, their inten-tions and behaviors are notalways aligned.

Surprisingly, the main reasonfor non-adherence has nothingto do with the cost of the med-icine or fear of its side effects.In fact, more than two-thirds ofpatients are non-adherent sim-ply because they forget or pro-crastinate, according to surveyresponses.

Following are some simplesolutions for treating the com-mon condition of non-adher-ence:

Visual or auditoryremindersKeep your medication in a loca-tion where it can be easilyfound. Tape a note to yourrefrigerator or set an alarm thatwill help make taking your pillspart of your daily routine.

Home deliveryHaving your prescriptions deliv-ered to your home in 90-daysupplies has been proven toincrease adherence. Talk toyour pharmacy to learn more.

Automatic refillremindersSome prescription insuranceplans provide automatic refillreminders to ensure you refillyour prescriptions on time.Check your pharmacy plan tosee if these alerts are availableand how you can sign up toreceive them.

On-time prescriptionrenewalsLong before you near the end ofyour final refill, it’s important toschedule an appointment withyour physician to renew theprescription. If you wait untilthe last minute, you may notget there in time to stay onyour medication therapy.

● ● ●No matter what method you

use to be adherent, it is impor-tant to remember that betterdecisions today lead to healthi-er results tomorrow.

For more information onExpress Scripts’ 2011 DrugTrend Report, visit the websitewww.drugtrendreport.com.


Wellness, Care& Recovery

Galeon invites you to enjoy • 5-Star Quality Rating • Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff • Skilled Nursing & Personal Care with PT, OT, Speech & IV Th erapies • Warm Water Pool & Spa • Campus-Wide Activity & Workshop Opportunities

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Agency for YouR001778715

In this moment . . .

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It doesn’t matter if your neighbor has the same insurance you do.

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A clinical trial is a research studyaimed at evaluating a medical, surgicalor behavioral intervention.

Most clinical trials test a new treat-ment, like a drug, diet or medicaldevice, as a method for treating ahealth problem. Other trials test waysto find a disease early, prevent a healthproblem or make life better for peopleliving with a life-threatening disease orchronic problem.

The National Institutes of Health(NIH) offers the following informationabout clinical trials:

Why participate?There are many reasons why people

join a clinical trial. Some join becausethe treatments they have tried did notwork. Others participate because thereis no treatment for their problem. Bybeing part of a trial, participants mayfind out about new treatments beforethey are widely available. Some studies

include people who are healthy butwant to help find ways to prevent a dis-ease that may be common in their fam-ily.

Whatever the motivation, when youchoose to participate in a clinical trial,you become a partner in scientific dis-covery. And, your contribution can helpfuture generations lead healthier lives.Major medical breakthroughs could nothappen without the generosity of clini-cal trial participants.

BenefitsYou may get a new treatment before

it is available to everyone.You play a more active role in your

own health care.Researchers may provide you with

medical care and more frequent healthcheck-ups as part of your treatment.

You may help others get a bettertreatment for their health problems inthe future.

RisksThe new treatment may cause seri-

ous side effects.The new treatment may not work or

may not be better than the standardtreatment.

You may not be part of the treatmentgroup that gets the new treatment.Instead you may be part of the controlgroup, which means you get the stan-dard treatment or no treatment (aplacebo).

The clinical trial could inconvenienceyou. Medical appointments could take alot of time or you might be required tostay overnight or a few days in the hos-pital.

For more informationTo search for clinical trials related to

all types of diseases and conditions,search the website www.clinicaltri-als.gov.

Is a clinical trial right for you?

Elbow Lake Dental CenterRestorativeCosmeticImplants

218-685-4710

Mon. - Thurs. 8am-5pm; Fri. 8am-Noon109 15th Ave. E, Alexandria • Ph: 320.762.5112 • Fax: 320.763.3297

�Treatment of all eye diseases

�Provider for most major insurance carriers

�Quality care with the latest eye instruments

�Best selection in frames

�Many lens choices, including the new digital lenses

Gess Eye Clinic, P.A. • John A. Gess, O.D.320.762.2122

www.deanthedentist.com

New Patients Welcome

DDS, PC

Midway Midway Medical ClinicMedical Clinic

Board Certifi ed Family PracticeCosmetic Laser Center

119 30th Ave. W.Alexandria, MN

320-763-6452Fax: 320-763-2971

[email protected]

Monday-Friday 8 am - Noon & 1-5 pm

Steven P. Radjenovich, D.O.

320-763-9084420 12th Ave. East, #32 • PO Box 232 • Alexandria

[email protected] • www.alexandriaeldernetwork.com

Our MissionTo meet the emotional, social, mental

health and respite care needs of older

adults in Douglas County by utilizing

the services of specifi cally trained

volunteer peer support and

respite care volunteers.

For a clinical appointment call (320) 763-5123www.alexclinic.com

MEDICAL 2012 DIRECTORY


Call today for a tour!

320-763-1120 | ecumenbethany.org

Some see Alzheimer’s.

We see a beautiful human being.Memory Care Now Open.

1020 Lark Street, Alexandria, Minnesota

R001778792


senior's guide to the good life 2012

Documents

good life

quality of life

good nights sleep isvital

adequate sleep

sleep mask

season of life

good health

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