The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Local senior centers offer numerous activities and services

The following is the contact information for local Council on Aging programs and Senior Centers and a sampling of their programs and services. For a full list of activities that are offered, contact your local Council on Aging office.

S2

SALISBURY

NEWBURYPORT

40 Water St., P.O. Box 550 978-462-8650 Council on Aging director: Roseann Robillard Lunch: Served at 11:30 a.m. every weekday. Reservations are required and should be called in at least two days in advance. Programs: Quarterly financial planning seminars, S.H.I.N.E. counseling, legal assistance, Meals on Wheels Medical Services: nurse visits, medical counseling, blood pressure readings, monthly podiatrist appointments and hearing checks, quarterly dental cleanings (fee applies) Classes and Clubs: Exercise to Music fitness program, monthly book club, knitting group, Drop In Tuesday mornings, Low Vision Support Group

43 Lafayette Road 978-462-2412 Senior Center hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon Director: Elizabeth Pettis Lunch: Served each weekday at 11:20 a.m. at the Hilton Center. Suggested donation is $2 per meal for a person 60 and older. Reservations are a must and should be made two working days in advance. Call 978-4622412 to register. Services: Transportation to medical appointments, therapy and shopping; friendly visitors; telephone reassurance; home-delivered meals available to housebound seniors; social and education programs, such as crafts, bingo, computer classes, health insurance counseling, blood pressure screening and blood sugar clinic every Monday; podiatrist services; entertainment, exercise and educational classes

NEWBURY

AMESBURY

68 Elm St. 978-388-8138 Senior Center hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Director: Annmary I. Connor, LICSW Lunch: Served daily at 11:20 a.m., Contact Deb at 978-388-8138 ext. 549 two days in advance to reserve a seat. Programs: S.H.I.N.E. counseling, tax assistance, senior tax work off program, intergenerational programs, monthly dinner, monthly coffee with the police and fire chiefs, educational seminars and Amesbury Caregiver Essentials (ACE). Medical Services: Outreach/case management, low vision group, mens group, caregiver support group, public health nurse clinics and podiatry (fee applies). Classes and Clubs: exercise, Monday and Wednesday, 2 p.m.; Zumba, Thursday, 10 a.m.; line dancing, Thursday, 1 p.m.; aquatic therapy, Thursday, noon (minimal fees apply); Yoga, Thursday, 8:30 a.m., access cable TV shows, bridge, cribbage, watercolor, knitting, art classes, computer instruction (minimal fee), movies, social gatherings and new programing added each month.

F. Ryeburn Lynch Senior Center (at Newbury Elementary School) 63 Hanover St. 978-462-8114 Senior Center hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Director: Martie Smith-Joe Programs: health insurance counseling, File photo legal counseling, income tax counselSalisbury police chief Thomas Fowler meets senior citizens at the Hilton Center at the TRIAD meeting. The ing, monthly Mens Breakfast; monthly meetings are once a month where police give tips to seniors on safety, such as internet scams. Birthday and Bingo; monthly Guest Chef Luncheon; monthly Ham and Bean Supper (fee applies) Programs: Breakfast with the Chiefs, Meals Classes and Clubs: quilting, Mah-Jong, Monday movie afternoons, scrapbooking, Medical Services: monthly health clinics; on Wheels, S.H.I.N.E. counseling, tax prepa- gentle yoga, Zumba, trips, drawing and Wednesday game day, S.H.I.N.E. counselmonthly podiatry clinic (fee applies); supration assistance, food pantry painting, TRIAD, rug hooking ing, van trips also go out regularly to port groups Medical Services: Low Vision Support museums/cultural locations and one-day Classes and Clubs: Tai Chi, Fridays, 9 a.m. Group, TRIAD, medical equipment lending ROWLEY and longer-stay motor coach trips are also at Newbury Town Library; book club, walkprogram, blood pressure clinic, podiatry 39 Central St. available ing club, computer classes, bridge/cribbage clinic P.O. Box 523 games, knitting group Classes and Clubs: exercise, line dance, 978-948-7637 GEORGETOWN yoga, board games, Tai Chi, Merrimac Red COA Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 Council on Aging Hatters, quilting, Zumba, drawing and a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 1 Library St. painting, Wii, gift shop Director: Mary Ellen Mighill 978-352-5726 Programs: S.H.I.N.E counseling, legal aid, TRIAD COA Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 WEST NEWBURY Medical Services: wellness clinic, podiaa.m.to 4 p.m. 381 Main St. trist clinic Director: Colleen Ranshaw-Fiorello 978-363-1104 Classes and Clubs: knitting, yoga, card Lunch: Served Monday through WednesSenior Center hours: Monday, Wednesday games and board games, Reminisce Group, day, 11:15 a.m. at the Council on Aging meal and Thursday, 8:30 am to 3 p.m.; Tuesday, Ladies Club site at First Congregational Church. Reser8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m. to noon vations are required three days in advance. Director: Theresa Poore GROVELAND Suggested donation, $2. MERRIMAC Lunch: Served each weekday at 11:30 a.m. COA offices are located at Town Hall, Programs: S.H.I.N.E counseling, Meals on 100 East Main St. Suggested donation $2. Reservations 183 Main St., Groveland Wheels, support groups, weekly grocery 978-346-9549 are required at least two days in advance 978-372-1101 shopping, brown bag program Senior Center hours: Monday through by 11: 30 a.m. COA hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 Medical Services: blood pressure clinic, Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday: 8:30 Programs: monthly lunch series, Meals on a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. wellness education programs, monthly a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Wheels, monthly Early Bird, monthly groDirector: Lynne Stanton visiting nurse sessions, medical equipment Director: Laura Dillingham-Mailman cery shopping, transportation to doctors Programs and services: caregiver/ lending program, medical transportation Lunch: Served each weekday; must be appointments through NEET and van. Medi- family support, daily noon meals, Meals Classes and Clubs: yoga, strength trainordered by Friday of the preceding week cal: S.H.I.N.E counseling, medical equipment On Wheels, weekly shopping, AARP tax ing, walking program, mens breakfast no later than 1 p.m. Call 978-346-9549. lending program, pedicures, blood presassistance, weekly art and exercise classes, series, crafts, games, discussion groups, Requested donation: $3.50 sure, health fair food pantry, ladies teas, mens breakfast, van outings

Elder Services of Merrimack Valley provides range of support

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. (ESMV) services the areas of Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill and Newburyport for a total of 23 communities in northeast Massachusetts where 88,000 older adults, over the age of 60 reside. Among the programs and services offered by ESMV are: Age Information Center: Caring, friendly experts help people of all ages and answers to questions about services and resources in the Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts and US. Care Management: All elders, regardless of income, are eligible for an assessment, at no cost, in their home or in a recuperative or long term care facility for those who want to return safely to the community. Licensed social workers and nurses arrange visits to assess needs, discuss service options, plan for care, coordinate service delivery and offer follow-up. Crisis Intervention Services: Provides services for older adults who are physically or emotionally abused, neglected or financially exploited and to those at risk. Community Services: Elder Services receives funds to build the capacity of local organizations and communities to serve the diverse and changing needs of elders in the Merrimack Valley. These funds provide congregate and home delivered meals, legal assistance, minority outreach, health promotion clinics, Senior Center activities; and other services. Elder Care Advice: One-to-one professional help for elders, their families and/or caregivers to identify a variety of choices to meet the challenges of care giving. Service is offered at no cost and without regard to income privately at home or in the workplace. Ongoing phone consultation is offered up to six months. Elder Care Fund: Provides emergency financial help and in-home services for local elders when no other available resources can be found. The fund is solely supported through fundraising events, foundations and individual donations. Family Caregiver Support Program: Elder Services can link caregivers to many affordable or no cost community services, which in turn eases the stress of care giving. Educational programs and family consultation offered. Health Benefits Counseling: Trained certified volunteers provide information and assistance to elders, their family and caregivers regarding health insurance and benefits. Home Care Program: Funded with federal and state dollars, it offers a variety of choices to help older adults who meet income and need guidelines to remain safe and independent at home. Medical Advocates: Trained volunteers provide transportation to medical appointments; accompany elders to the visit; assist in speaking to the doctor to ask questions and gather information. Money Management: Helps older adults no longer able to manage their personal finances. Services include: bill paying, checkbook balancing, budgeting by trained, insured volunteers; and Representative Payee by a professional when other options are not enough. Nursing Home Ombudsman: Trained certified volunteers help nursing and rest home residents resolve complaints about personal care, residents rights or any type of concern affecting their life as a resident in a long term care facility. Personal Care Attendant: Elder consumers may recruit, hire, schedule and, if needed, discharge their own worker who assists with personal care. Elders must be on MassHealth and have a permanent disability or chronic illness. Respite Care: Offers families relief from care giving tasks and time to care for themselves. Supportive Services Coordination in Housing: Provides help and service coordination for residents of public and private elder housing.

S3 The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Dozens showed up for an Appreciation Gala at the Amesbury Senior Center when it opened its doors. Elder Services of Merrimack Valley receives funds to help local organizations serve the needs of seniors in the community, including helping to sponsor Senior Center activities.

BRYAN EATON/staff photo

Merrimac Council on Aging & Senior Center

100 East Main Street Merrimac, MA 01860 Tel: 978-346-9549

Join us for Events and Adventures: From Aerobics to Zumba

The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Seniors increasingly putting off retirement

By Rick ARmon
aKRON BeaCON JOURNal (MCT)

S4

Even at age 70, Ron Hustwit has no itch to retire. He has taught philosophy full time at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio for 46 years and, unlike many friends and colleagues who chose to retire long ago, he still enjoys going to work. I dont have any days when I say I have to put in another day at the office, he said. Hustwit, who lives across the street from the college campus, is one of a growing number of seniors who are opting to remain in the workforce. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the percentage of people 65 or older still working rose from 12.1 percent in 1990 to 16.1 percent in 2010, driven largely by women. And the bureaus latest American Community

Survey report shows even higher numbers. The figure was 19 percent nationwide. The reasons are varied. Some seniors are doing it strictly for the money, knowing they dont have enough saved to retire or they are worried that theyll outlive their savings. Others like Hustwit know they would miss the social interaction at work or they have no burning desire to take up a hobby such as golf or traveling. Then theres a less obvious reason: A growth in service and office jobs doesnt require major physical labor, allowing seniors to work longer or even enter the workforce later in life. People are living longer, and they are healthier, said Paul Magnus, vice president for workforce development at Mature Services, Inc., an Akron, Ohio nonprofit that helps older workers find jobs. To look at age 65 and

think you have two decades left of active lifestyle, work is part of it.

Why work?

Make the sale

Retiring at a younger age is a relatively new concept, experienced only by about the last two generations, he said. Before, most people worked until they died. Sterns, who is 70 and still works full time, grew up in a family that owned a department store. We used to say in the Sterns family: You die in the aisle making the sale. But you first finish the sale, he said. While the trend of more seniors working is expected to continue, Sterns noted that many people have no intention of working longer than they have to. We have to remember that a lot of people dont like their work, he said. Work is only there to get money to do the things you really want to do.

During a recent jobs program at Mature Services, the Beacon Journal asked people not all were over 65 why they wanted to return to the workforce. The No. 1 answer involved money. Some said they or their friends didnt plan well enough for retirement. Or, because of the recession, they started raising their grandchildren and needed the income. Another popular reason was social. They dont want to sit at home alone. Some said people who live longer seem to have two things in common: They work as long as they can, and they eat oatmeal every day. I like to keep working because its good for my brain, said Victoria Anania of Akron. Anania, who would only say that shes over 65, worked for years as a nurse and now wants to

return to the workforce. Age is just a number anyway. Its how you feel inside, she said. Rose Schaffer, 85, of Norton, works part time at Akron Monument & Granite Co. Each Monday, she comes into the office for several hours to keep the books, prepare invoices and answer the phone. On other days, she works at home, spending an hour or so reading newspaper obituaries and sending condolence letters to potential customers. Work is good therapy, she said. I think thats what has kept me young. Schaffer retired once, in 2000. I stayed home for about six months, and I couldnt stand it, she said. Women make up a rising percentage of seniors who work, according to the census. Sterns, the gerontology professor, isnt surprised. Women

often enjoy the social interaction at work more than men, or they are forced to re-enter the workforce after a divorce or staying home to raise a family, he said. They also live longer than men. The life expectancy for women in the U.S. is 81, compared with 76 for men.

Why change it?

Hustwit, the Wooster college professor, admitted hes afraid to retire. He fears he would miss the intellectual stimulation, friendships and reason to get out of the house each day. He also has no plan for what to do next. Hustwit knows he wont be able to work forever. He cant imagine walking into the classroom at 80, but as long as his good health remains, hell keep teaching. My life is flourishing, and as good as it is, why change it? he said.

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Dalton helps seniors plan ahead and protect their savings

is a nursing home in your future. Without prior preparation, that surprise will An important first step likely cost every penny you in protecting the financial ever saved. assets accumulated durHowever, all need not be ing a lifetime of work and lost. By taking the proper accomplishment is to make steps well in advance of sure your savings are the need for a nursing legally protected. home, your home and other Each year, thousands assets can be protected, but of people are needlessly advance planning is the key. impoverished, losing everyFortunately, there are thing they have saved when attorneys who can help prothey enter a nursing home. tect your life savings from With the average cost of the high cost of elder care. a private room at a MassaOne such expert is Elaine chusetts nursing home now Dalton, who has built a succosting more than $120,000 cessful career out of helpper year, ones life savings ing people plan ahead for are soon exhausted. Even the possibility of spending assisted living facilities in time in a nursing home, as this state now average more well as designing effective than $53,000 per year. strategies for dealing with Although very few people Medicaid. plan on or expect to ever live I like to create continuin a nursing home, statistics ing relationships with my offer an unpleasant surprise: clients, no matter what age If you are older than 65 they are, said Dalton, an years old today, there is a 43 attorney in Groveland. percent chance that there Dalton emphasizes that
CORResPONDeNT

S5 The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

ByWARRen P. Russo

simply preparing a few legal documents and sending people on their way is not an effective way to deal with the vagaries of life. Our situations change as we go through life, and by keeping in contact with my clients, I can modify their strategies, continually tailoring them to their current conditions to best protect what they have earned. I create individual strategies based on how my clients want to live the rest of their lives, Dalton said, not just a stack of legal documents. I need to know whats going on in their lives, not just see them once and forget them. We have to look at the big picture as we grow older, she said, and if a nursing home is in the offing, we need to prepare for that, as well as for Medicaid. Advance planning is essential, she reiterates to clients, emphasizing that

for Medicaid, the magic number is age 60 or older. Often someone in their 50s will come in to speak about their parent who is heading for a nursing home, and they have no plan, she said. According to Dalton, people are often unaware of the five-year look-back period for Medicare, which can reach back through time, taking away cash and other valuable assets given to loved ones years earlier. It all comes down to trust and taking the proper steps before the need arises, according to Dalton. You have to trust your attorney. Some people dont trust their attorney and wont disclose all their assets. But if they dont, I cant protect them. And if theyre in a crisis, its much more difficult to protect their assets. I cant tell you how many people do not even have a power of attorney, a will or

a healthcare proxy. The decision is simple, she said. You can either prolong the agony and make things much more difficult than they need to be, or you can get some good advice early enough to make a difference. For example, when people do not even have a will and their assets are not jointly held, said Dalton, everything they owned has to be probated and split up according to the law, and it wont necessarily be distributed the way you might want. Daltons basic advice to anyone with assets they hope to protect is relatively straightforward: Get your affairs in order, write down all of your account information, including the names and telephone numbers of your brokerage advisors and anyone who manages any of your assets, and put it all in one place. This would be a

tremendous help to your children if and when youre headed to a nursing home, she said. The essential problem, according to Dalton, is that if you wait until that day comes, then its too late to do anything about it, and without a plan set up at least five years earlier, your home and every penny you have will all be gone. Its never too early, but it could be too late, she said. A 1991 graduate of the New England School of Law, Dalton keeps her practice at 8 Federal Way, Groveland. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), as well as the Massachusetts chapter of NAELA. Call her at 978-373-1120 or email her at Elaine@ elainedalton.com to arrange a complimentary half-hour consultation, or visit her website at elainedaltonlaw.com.

eLaine M. DaLtOn
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The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The cold and snowy winter months can be challenging for many people. A trip outside, even for a brief errand, can be both difficult and dangerous. The winter can be especially treacherous for the elderly, who are at risk for broken bones from falls on ice, breathing problems caused by cold air, hypothermia and frostbite. Many hold less body heat due to a slower metabolism and reduced physical activity, so they feel the cold more severely. And, as people age, the ability to feel changes in temperature decreases, making it important for elders to monitor the house temperature and to dress in layers. For the elderly, the winter months can also be long and lonely. Cold

Socializing, reading can help Keep taking precautions reduce winter loneliness against the flu
Gil Emery swings the handheld device which simulates a bowling alley on a television screen at the Amesbury Senior Center.
Flu season isnt over yet. While the worst may be through, flu viruses can continue to strike until the spring. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued reminders of what seniors should know and do to stay healthy this flu winter. People 65 years and older are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu compared with young, healthy adults. Its estimated that 90 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths and more than 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations in the United States each year occur in people 65 years and older. This is because human immune defenses become weaker with age.

S6

Get your flu shot

File photo

temperatures and severe weather conditions can force seniors indoors more, resulting in fewer social activities and outside

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contact. So what can you do to reduce the isolation and loneliness of winter, and help others do the same? Contact your local senior center or community center to check for opportunities for group meals and social programs and outings. Several also offer friendly visitor programs. Buy, fill and hang a bird feeder in a backyard or attach it directly on a window. Birding activity can be very entertaining. Check the local library for a mobile book loaning

program. Plan an occasional outing with a friend or family member for lunch, a trip to the barber or hairdresser, or for some shopping. Watch for signs of depression. The elderly are at increased risk for depression due to life changes, medication and illness. Information provided by Wendy Drastal, RN, is Vice President, HomeCare, Inc., the leader in home care in the Merrimack Valley, Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

Take everyday precautions

This includes covering coughs, washing hands often, and avoiding people who are sick.Seek medical advice quickly if you develop flu symptoms to see whether you might need medical evaluation or treatment with antiviral drugs. Its very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat flu in people who are very sick with flu. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

The best way to prevent the flu is with a flu vaccine. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in your community. Vaccination is especially important for people 65 years and older because they are at increased risk for complications from flu. People 65 years and older have two flu shots available to choose from: a regular dose flu vaccine and a newer flu vaccine designed for people 65 and older with a higher dose. The high dose vaccine is associated with a stronger immune response to vaccination. However, whether the stronger immune response results in greater protection against influenza illness in older adults is not yet known.

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Most people who get influenza will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu, some of which can be life-threatening. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may have worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu.

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Geoffrey Mullis, left, of Amesbury and Maria Vinciguerra of West Newbury get a workout at the Anna Jaques Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitaion Center.
BRYAN EATON/ Staff Photo

Tips for staying healthy during winter months

As winter continues, there is the possibility forextremely low temperatures and wind chills. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has released a list ofprecautions that should be taken to minimize the dangers presented by this weather. These cold weather safety tips include: Continue to be aware of extreme weather conditions by monitoring media reports. Make sure you always have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply Kit that includes flashlights, portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener and extra blankets. Minimize outside activities. Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately. Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases. The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If the persons temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care. Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. Remember that unvented kerosene heaters are illegal in Massachusetts.

S7 The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

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The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Help at hand when health fails

By Jim FitzgeRAld
assOCiaTeD PRess

S8

Marnie Schwartz was in California, a lawyer raising two toddlers. She was in no position to move across the country to care for her mother, who was living alone in New York and whose health was beginning to decline. Schwartzs dilemma was similar to that faced by more and more Americans as the population spreads out, people live longer and giving up a job is out of the question. I needed eyes and ears closer to my mother, said Schwartz, an only child living in Malibu. I needed someone to handle the medical, the insurance, the financial, stay on top of the daily caregiving, so the emotional strain wouldnt be overwhelming. Those needs have fostered a niche that a variety of enterprises have been filling in recent years. Companies and individuals calling themselves advocates, care managers and advisers are willing to stand in for the family and deal with the maze of responsibilities that comes with the care of an elderly loved one. With the aging of the baby boom generation, the 78 million Americans born

between 1946 and 1964, calls for such businesses are expected to increase over the next 20 years. Their service doesnt come cheap and its generally not covered by insurance. But some customers have found its worth the peace of mind. Schwartz found her eyes and ears when a childhood friend told her about A Dignified Life, a small company in White Plains, N.Y., that specializes in elder care. I dont know what I would have done without them, Schwartz said. They knew where to go with all these questions I had that would have taken me 500 phone calls. They deciphered what the doctors were saying. They got a ramp built at the house. They dealt with the plumber. They remembered everything, and they did it in a really human, caring way. In about a year and a half, as my mothers situation got worse, they became part of our daily life, Schwartz said. And in October, as her mothers health failed, they told me it was time to get on a plane. She was at her mothers deathbed, she said, because A Dignified Life knew when to call. Barbara Newman Mannix, who runs the company, said experience and

Barbara Newman Mannix, founder of A Dignified Life, poses for a photo outside her office in White Plains, N.Y. The company is among a growing field of companies and individuals who act as advocates, care managers and advisers by standing in for family members who live far away from an elderly relative whose health is declining.
empathy are required to do the job well. She vets, hires and monitors in-home caregivers, attorneys, nursing homes and more, guides a family through the financial tangles and makes sure an elderly persons wishes are respected. She can help arrange the sale of a house and pre-plan a funeral. For an initial, $625 fourhour consultation, her company will evaluate a familys needs and come up with an action plan. The family can then hire the company to implement the plan on an hourly or retainer basis. Mannix started the company after navigating the maze during her husbands fatal illness. Youre suddenly in crisis and the normal reaction is, What do I do, where do I go, who do I call first? she said. People are lost. But we tell them there is a way to cope, there is crisis management, there are people that will help you who do what they do all day every day. She said many people just dont have the personality for dealing with doctors and caregivers and insurance companies. Its time, its energy, its stress, its consternation among members of the family, she said. Theres emotional baggage, and if you have children yourself youre being pulled in both directions. Judy Rappaport, who runs Preferred Lifestyle Services in Jupiter, Fla., said most elderly people resist moving to a son or daughters home. Everybody wants to stay home, Rappaport said. Now we do what we can to make it possible for people to stay in their homes. Most of her companys staffers are nurses. When were hired, we go in and count the pills, check the food in the refrigerator, we talk to the doctors, she said. We

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get a complete picture and we write up a report in lay language. The family knows what well do and what it will cost right up front. The services can get very specific. We had one lady who wanted to play bingo and we said, No problem, we can get you to bingo. But she was a German lady and she wanted to play bingo in German, Rappaport said. We found a place. Jullie Gray, incoming president of the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers, said membership is now near 2,000, up from fewer than 1,600 a decade ago. Rappaport said the average fee for her clients is between $1,500 and $2,500 a month, not including the inhome caretakers pay. David Cutner, an elder law attorney in Manhattan, said he worries about elderly people exhausting their assets, but added, People who have a substantial net worth and are not thinking about government benefit programs might well want to hire this type of service. A much less comprehensive and less costly alternative is offered by CareFamily, which prescreens in-home caregivers and matches them to customers over the Internet. The company recently announced a variety of online tools through which a family can remotely monitor a caregivers attendance, provide reminders about medications and appointments and exchange care plans and notes via email, texting or phone. The service would be included in the average $15 an hour fee paid for the caregiver, said CareFamily CEO Tom Knox. He said it can cut costs while ensuring that the elderly can be well taken care of without the need to uproot seniors and disrupt families.

S.H.I.N.E. serves the health information needs of seniors

What is S.H.I.N.E.? The S.H.I.N.E. program (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) is a state health insurance assistance program that provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers. The S.H.I.N.E. program is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with elder service agencies, social service and community based agencies and Councils on Aging. The program is partially funded by the federal agency Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What is a S.H.I.N.E. counselor? A committed volunteer who is trained and certified by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs in many areas of health insurance, including Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D; Medigap insurance, Medicare HMOs, retiree insurance plans, prescription drug programs, Medicaid, Medicare assistance programs (QMB, SLMB and QI), and other programs for people with limited resources. How can a counselor help me? The S.H.I.N.E. program assists elders and individuals with disabilities in understanding their Medicare and MassHealth benefits and other health insurance options. The program ensures that Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers have access to accurate, unbiased and up-to-date information about their health care options. Where can I find a S.H.I.N.E. counselor? Counselors are available throughout the state at local Councils on Aging, senior centers, elder service agencies, hospitals and other community based agencies. SHINE counselors are available to meet with individuals in person through one-on-one counseling, via telephone, email and through public education presentations. To schedule an appointment with a counselor call: 1-800-AGEINFO (1-800-243-4636) and press 3 or contact your local/regional S.H.I.N.E. program. How can I become a S.H.I.N.E. counselor or have a counselor work at my agency? If you would like to volunteer for the S.H.I.N.E. program, or are interested in recruiting a counselor for your site, contact your local program director at1-800AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636). information provided by MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs

S9 The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Social Security Q&A: Getting retirement benefits

mcclAtchy-tRiBune neWs seRvice (mct) Q: Whats the easiest way to apply for retirement benefits? A: The easiest way to apply for retirement benefits is online at www. socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. Its easy and secure. You can complete it in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, youre done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if we need more information. You also can apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-7721213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our representatives will make an appointment to take your application over the telephone or at a local Social Security office. Q: How can I get an estimate of my retirement benefits? A: Use our online Retirement Estimator at www. socialsecurity.gov/estimator. There, you can enter certain identifying information about yourself, including your name, date of birth, Social Security number, place of birth, and mothers maiden name. If the personal information you provide matches our records, you can enter your expected retirement age and future wages. The online application will combine your earnings data Social Security has and provide you a quick and reliable online benefit estimate. You can even enter different what if scenarios to find out what your benefits will be in different situations. A Spanish-language Retirement Estimator is available at www.segurosocial.gov/ calculador. In addition, you can obtain your online Social Security statement, which provides estimates of future benefits as well as a record of your earnings to make sure your past earnings are reported correctly. Find the online statement at www.socialsecurity.gov/statement. (This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For fast answers to specific Social Security questions, contact Social Security toll-free at 800-772-1213.)

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The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Caring for the caregiver: Maintaining your mental and physical health
The Massachusetts family caregiver support program offers caregivers assistance and support to ease the strain and reduce the challenges of caregiving. Caring for a loved one can often be difficult and frustrating. Regardless of whether you are just starting out in a caregiving role or continuing to care for an older person whose needs are increasing, you first need to care for yourself. Below are some tips forpreserving your physical and emotional health. For more information and links to advice, tools and newsletters, visithttp://www.mass.gov/elders/ caregiver-support/caregivers/. Take care of your physical and mental health Healthcare professionals recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day. If you dont have time for an exercise class, make exercise part of your daily routine:Exercise while watching television ormake a habit of taking your wheelchairbound elder for a walk around the neighborhood. Park the car farther away from your destination. Take the stairs, instead of the elevator or escalator. Take fitness breaks walking or doing desk exercises instead of coffee breaks. Plant a garden you can weed; your elder can water. Make a Saturday morning walk a group, or family, habit. When shopping, walk up and down each aisle. Most malls and large department stores loan wheelchairs to shoppers at no charge. Call ahead to reserve one, then spend some time window shopping with your elder. For stress relief try the following: Practice relaxation techniques breathing exercises, meditation, aromatherapy. Make a schedule practicing good time management lowers stress. You need time for yourself. Put that high on your list. Spend time talking with a friend each week. Have coffee together or meet after church. If you are unable to leave the house, invite a friend to come by and visit with you. Keep a gratitude journal. Each day write down three things for which you are grateful. Youll be making an inventory of all that you have, instead of what you dont have. Smile when you answer the phone, and at random times throughout the day. Each time a person smiles, the pleasure receptors in the brain release endorphins, which promote a sensation of well-being and contentment. R.E.C.H.A.R.G.E. Recharging your batteries is something you wont want to overlook. REST. One of the most important things you can do for the person you are caring for is to take care of yourself. If you wear yourself out, going 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you risk burnout. EAT RIGHT. Eat healthy and as often as possible. You dont have to adhere to a strict diet, but eating a well-balanced diet keeps you healthy and increases your energy level. COMMUNICATE YOUR NEEDS TO OTHERS. Dont expect anyone, even other family members, to read your mind about what you need or what your loved one needs. Let people around you know the things that need to be done, and that occasionally you can use a hand. HYDRATE. Drink lots of water. Water hydrates your body and keeps you energized. Take vitamins if you dont get enough nutrition from your food. ACCEPT HELP. This can be one of the hardest things to do, but its one of the best things you can do for your loved one and for yourself. When people offer to help,caregivers often turn them down because they dont want to burden them. You dont have to do everything yourself. When you have a few moments, really think about what kind of help you need. Then youll be ready to accept the next offer! When you tell someone something very specific, theyre more comfortable doing it, and youll get the help you need. Helping makes people feel good about themselves. Dont deprive anyone of that joy. RESPITE. Make a point of getting away for mini-respites. A movie, lunch out, window shopping or just walking along the beach or through a park can be enough to get some distance, and come back with a fresh perspective on things. GET ENOUGH SLEEP. This is often the hardest one to manage because youre on someone elses schedule. Sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Eight hours are ideal, but getting eight uninterrupted hours of sleep might be impossible. Get what you can in one shot, but take a nap during the day. A short nap can be very refreshing and just the thing you need to get you through the day. EXERCISE. Anything will help. Walk around the block a few times a day when you have a few spare minutes. Try yoga, something that will exercise your muscles, yet relax your mind. Meditate. Spend a few minutes alone and quiet. Information provided by the Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs

S10

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E Exercise to Music Tuesdays 9:00 10:00 E Gentle Stretching / Yoga Tuesdays 10:15-11:15 E Zumba Wednesdays 9:00 E Senior Fitness Wednesdays 10:15-11:00 E Line Dancing Thursdays 9:30 10:30 a.m. E Zumba Intergenerational Thursdays 5:30 6:30 E Walking Group Thursdays call for info E Zumba Toning Fridays at 9:30 E Computer Training, Art Classes E Knitting, Quilting, Crafts, Mah Jongg, Cribbage, Wii E Weekly health clinics, Podiatrist, SHINE counseling E Telephone Reassurance, Friendly Visitors E Intergenerational Programming E Tax Assistance, Medical Lending Library E Nutrition Meals on Wheels, Congregate Meals E TRIAD, Notary services, Volunteer Opportunities

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Lifetime jobs arent always for life

BymARilynn mARchione
AP CHIEF MEDICAL WRITER

S11 The Daily News Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The world seemed surprised that an 85-year-old globe-trotting pope who just started tweeting wants to resign, but should it be? Maybe what should be surprising is that more leaders his age do not, considering the toll aging takes on bodies and minds amid a culture of constant communication and change. There may be more behind the story of why Pope Benedict XVI decided to leave a job normally held for life. But the pontiff made it about age. He said the job called for both strength of mind and body and said his was deteriorating. He spoke of todays world, subject to so many rapid changes, implying a difficulty keeping up despite his recent debut on Twitter. This seemed to me a very brave, courageous decision, especially because older people often dont recognize their own decline, said Dr. Seth Landefeld, an expert on aging and chairman of medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Age has driven many leaders from jobs that used to be for life Supreme Court justices, monarchs and other heads of state. As lifetimes expand, the woes of old age are catching up with more in seats of power. Some are choosing to step down rather than suffer long declines and disabilities as the popes last predecessor did. Since 1955, only one U.S. Supreme Court justice Chief Justice William Rehnquist has died in office. Twenty-one others chose to retire, the most recent being John Paul Stevens, who stepped down in 2010 at age 90. When Thurgood Marshall stepped down in 1991 at

the age of 82, citing health reasons, the Supreme Court justices answer was blunt: Whats wrong with me? Im old. Im getting old and falling apart. One in 5 U.S. senators is 70 or older, and some have retired rather than seek new terms, such as Hawaiis Daniel Akaka, who left office in January at age 88. The Netherlands Queen Beatrix, who just turned 75, recently said she will pass the crown to a son and put the country in the hands of a new generation. In Germany, where the pope was born, Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is 58, Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges a cheering crowd of faithful said the popes decision and pilgrims. The pope has announced he is resigning at the that he was no longer fit end of the month, citing his age and declining health. for the job earns my very highest respect. director of the New EngArizona Sen. John In our time of everland Centenarians Study. McCain turned 71 while lengthening life, many people will be able to Usually a man who is running for president in understand how the pope entirely healthy in his early 2007. Had he won, he would have been the oldest peras well has to deal with the 80s has demonstrated his survival prowess and can son elected to a first term burdens of aging, she told reporters in Berlin. live much longer, he said. as president. Ronald ReaExperts on aging agreed. People of privilege have gan was days away from better odds because they turning 70 when he started Peoples mental capacihave access to good food his first term as president ties in their 80s and 90s arent what they were in and health care, and tend to in 1981; he won re-election their 40s and 50s. Their lead clean lives. in 1984. Vice President Joe short-term memory is Even in the 1500s and Biden just turned 70. 1600s, there were popes in In the U.S. Senate, where often not as good, their their 80s. Its remarkable. seniority is rewarded and ability to think quickly on their feet, to execute deciThat would be todays cenrevered, South Carolinas sions is often not as good, tenarians, Perls said. Strom Thurmond didnt Landefeld said. Change is tougher to handle with age, and leaders like popes and presidents face extraordinary demands that would N.E.E.T. tax anybodys physical and Helping Seniors Maintain Healthy and Productive Lives mental stamina. Dr. Barbara MessingerRapport, geriatrics chief at the Cleveland Clinic, noted that half of people 85 and older in developed counOur volunteer drivers provide door-to-door tries have some dementia, transportation for the elderly to local and usually Alzheimers. Even out of town medical appointments, without such a disease, it shopping and social commitments. takes longer to make decisions, it takes longer to Call NEET Office at learn new things, she said. But thats far from universal, said Dr. Thomas or Call your local Council on Aging for information. Perls, an expert on aging Serving fourteen communities of the Merrimack Valley at Boston University and

retire until age 100 in 2002. Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia was the longestserving senator when he died in office at 92 in 2010. Now the oldest U.S. senator is 89-year-old Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. The oldest congressman is Ralph Hall of Texas, who turns 90 in May. The legendary Alan Greenspan was about to turn 80 when he retired as chairman of the Federal Reserve in 2006; he still works as a consultant. Elsewhere around the world, Cubas Fidel Castro one of the worlds longest serving heads of state stepped down in 2006 at age 79 due to an intestinal illness that nearly killed him, handing power to his younger brother Raul. But the island is an example of aged leaders pushing on well into their dotage. Raul

Castro now is 81 and his two top lieutenants are also octogenarians. Later this month, he is expected to be named to a new, five-year term as president. Other leaders who are still working: Englands Queen Elizabeth, 86 Abdullah bin Abd alAziz al-Saud, king of Saudi Arabia, 88 Sabah al-Ahmad alJaber al-Sabah, emir of Kuwait, 83 Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, 79

Associated Press writers Paul Haven in Havana, Cuba; David Rising in Berlin; Seth Borenstein, Mark Sherman and Matt Yancey in Washington, and researcher Judy Ausuebel in New York contributed to this report.

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