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agazine ww
w.bm
agazinepa.com fall 2015 volum
e 8 issue 3
GRANDPARENTS’RIGHTS inCustody Matters
Reaching baby boomers 1946 – 1964
lee majorsliving thegood life
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PUBLISHER
Donna K. Anderson
EDITORIAL
VV.P. & Managing EditorChristianne Rupp
EditorMegan Joyce
Editorial InternPete Wisniewski
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ART DEPARTMENT
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Production ArtistsRenee McWilliamsLauren McNallen
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Copyright © 2015 On-Line Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.b magazine is published quarterly. Single copy price $2.95. Four-issuesubscriptions are $6.00. Reproduction or use without permission ofeditorial or graphic content in any manner is strictly prohibited. Viewsexpressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are notnecessarily the views of the Publisher. The appearance ofadvertisements for products or services does not constitute anendorsement of the particular product or service. The Publisher will notbe responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within fivedays of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to reviseor reject any and all advertising.
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Jason AldermanRich Bimler, Ph.D.
Claire Yezbak FaddenLeslie FeldmanRebecca HanlonJeff Hoenshell
Wilson Jackson, M.D.Carmen Kitts
Stephen Kopfinger
Stephanie Kalina MetzgerLori M. Myers
Mary Jo PetersonJason TaborAllen Taylor
Steven J. Triantafyllou, M.D.Robert D. Wilcox
Sylvester E. Williams, IV
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 3
bmagazinepa
Many of you know someone who is either a veteran or isactively serving in the military. It is through their selfsacrifice that we enjoy the freedoms we have in the UnitedStates. We consider it a privilege to feature a Vietnamveteran in each issue of b magazine.
However, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of theending of World War II, we thought it appropriate to alsorecognize area veterans who served in the global war thatlasted from 1939 to 1945. We are proud of them and theirgreat sacrifices.
I know you don’t want to think about it, but cold weatherwill soon be creeping into our homes. Want to save money onhome energy costs? Consider new windows and/or doors.Learn what’s new and what you should know before you goshopping.
September is National Prostate Awareness Month.Gentlemen, about 1 man in 7 will be diagnosed with prostatecancer. It’s beatable, so don’t delay in getting tested if youexperience any of the symptoms talked about in the articleincluded in this issue.
I have always had a fascination with castles, and ourtravel article features Germany, which is famous for itscastles. Within the pages of the article, you’ll see theNeuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. I would absolutely love totake a tour of that! How in the world was it even built?
Check out the Checkpoint Charlie photo in that samearticle. See anything very American?
Caregiving is a hot topic with many baby boomers, andrightly so. Each issue of b magazine offers importantinformation you should be aware of. Please take time to readthese articles even if you aren’t currently a caregiver. Younever know when the information may be helpful to you or tosomeone you know.
There is a lot more within these pages and many of yourfriends and neighbors are featured. Recognize anybody?
Happy reading!
VVice president and managing editor
from the editor ...
4 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
20 55
www.bmagazinepa.comfall 2015 volume 8, issue 3
36
features 14 A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR II
World War II was the most widespread war the world has ever seen.Just about every baby boomer has a family member or relative whoserved, and many of them did not return. It is fitting that weremember the ending of that horrendous nightmare and the formalsigning of the surrender of the Empire of Japan 70 years ago. Thearticle is written by Col. Robert D. Wilcox, USAFR (Ret.), a localWorld War II veteran, writer, and regular columnist in 50plus SeniorNews.
24 PSST … WE’RE TALKING PSAS AND PROSTATESeptember is National Prostate Health Month. Prostate cancer is amajor health issue for all baby boomer men. With proper screeningsand early detection, 90 percent of prostate cancer is detected in itsearly stage before it has a chance to spread to other areas of the body.Men, do you have some of the warning symptoms? Make anappointment today!
58 MEDICARE’S ‘OBSERVATION’ REGULATIONSMedicare patients should know how they are “labeled” when takingup a bed in a hospital. It may seem like you are actually an admittedpatient, but you may have been classified as “under observation.”Medicare pays “under observation” patients through their Part Bcoverage, which covers doctors’ services, not as Part A coverage,which covers hospital costs. The cost difference may be yourresponsibility. This article is not intended to alarm you but to makeyou aware enough to ask questions.
62
cover story6 LEE MAJORSWe girls loved watching Lee Majors,whether it was with his cowboy hatand sitting on top of a horse in TheBig Valley, as a secret agent with abionic right arm, legs, and left eyeon The Six Million Dollar Man, or asthe rough-and-tumble stunt man onThe Fall Guy. Fortunately for us, heis still starring on TV and in films.You can catch him in his recentlyreleased comedy, Almosting It, or seehim in person at the Mid-AtlanticNostalgia Convention (see page 9). cover photo property of Lee Majors
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 5
caregiving55 GETTING THE BEST CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONE
Determining an appropriate venue and how to pay for it.
62 MASTERING THE MAZE OF HOUSING CHOICESThe first step is assessing your loved one’s needs.
financial 30 INVESTING IN A VOLATILE MARKET
Looking at the market from a short- and long-term perspective.
health26 FACT OR FICTION
Common beliefs (or wives’ tales) clarified by the experts.
46 MEDICARE PART D, ADVANTAGE PLANSWeigh your choices carefully.
48 THE TORTOISE AND THE HARELocal Parkinson’s disease sufferer talks about his therapeutic implant.
home20 WINDOWS, DOORS, AND MORE
This not-so-old house needs a facelift.
housing52 TOP 10 TRENDS FOR AGING IN PLACE
What to consider when moving or remodeling.
lifestyle32 GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS IN CUSTODY MATTERS
Yes, you do have some.
70 AGING IS THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE!We’re just finally “coming of age.”
people42 DISCIPLINED, ENTHUSIASTIC, AND EAGER
Local retired teacher scales new heights.
66 INSPIRED BY THE SIMPLE THINGSA passion for art helped her navigate through a challenging time.
travel36 GERMANY
Where to go and how to get there.
veteran11 HE TYPED THE WORDS OF WAR
A local veteran tells his story.
18 WE ARE A GRATEFUL NATIONA special thanks to local World War II veterans.
14
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His wife, Faith, had warned mebeforehand that I’d be interviewingMajors on his birthday, so when I calledhim, I was all set to blurt out “Happybirthday, Lee!” But just like thecharacters he’s portrayed, he beat me to
the punch.“It’s my birthday today,” he says,
even before I could say hello. “I’m 67!”Well, that was a surprise to me as
I’d done my research about Majors’ lifeand career beforehand and knew his
real age. “Last year, I was 57,” he continues
with some mischief in his voice. “Nextyear I’ll be 77.”
Was this the new math and no onetold me?
life –it’s all good
life –it’s all good
Written by
LLORI M. MYERS
AFTER DECADES OF SERIOUS ROLES IN SUCH ICONIC SERIES ASThe Big Valley and The Six Million Dollar Man, it’s hard to believe that Lee Majorscan be such a kidder.
Majorsand his
wife, Faith,at their
home inHouston.
6 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5 photo by Sacred Heart Photography
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))))lee m
ajors
“I just inverted the numbers,” heexplains with a laugh.
“Ah, OK,” I say, now in on the joke.“I see what you did there.”
No matter what sort of arithmeticyou choose, Majors’ life and career alladd up to success and being able to workalongside some of the best actors in thebusiness: Joan Crawford, RobertMitchum, and the unequaled BarbaraStanwyck, who was a mentor to himduring the show The Big Valley, whichran from 1965–69.
“She taught me the discipline ofacting,” Majors recalls. “She was smallyet strong.”
Stanwyck’s strength and feistinesscame to the surface one day when sheand Majors disagreed on a scene. Thescene included an earthquake; CharlesBronson was a guest star on thatepisode, and Majors remembers thatStanwyck insisted she’d drive a buggyaway after the quake.
Majors told her it didn’t make sense;that her character, under thosecircumstances, would have someone elsehandling the buggy. Majors’ agent toldhim he was wrong to insist such a thingwith Stanwyck.
“I apologized,” Majors says. “Fortwo or three days she hardly spoke to
me. Finally, I heard her say, ‘Heath,come here’—she always called meHeath—and she asked me: ‘Have youlearned your lesson?’ She taught me tobe on time, learn my lines, and keepyour mouth shut.”
About two years after the seriesended, Majors and Linda Evans—whoplayed Audra on the show—metStanwyck for lunch at the BeverlyWilshire Hotel. When Evans showed uplate, Stanwyck’s first remark was,“Audra, you’re late!”
“The Big Valley was my first series,”Majors says. “We had so many greatguest stars that came through—Richard
Majors in The SixMillion Dollar Man.
Majors inThe Fall Guy (left)and The Big Valley
(right).
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 7
Dreyfus was 18 years old at the time.Ellen Burstyn was a guest star, and Ikilled Bruce Dern three or four times.”
Majors is hard-pressed to pick onefavorite series or film he’s done in his52 years in the industry. He calls them“his children” and loves them all. TheBig Valley was one of his choices, but sowas the 1980s show The Fall Guy,where Majors portrayed a Hollywoodstuntman who moonlights as a bountyhunter.
“That role was the closest to me,” hesays. “It was the most fun. Everyone—the actors, the crew—got along sowell.”
Another favorite was The Six MillionDollar Man, where he starred as Col.Steve Austin, an ex-astronaut with
bionic implants. “It was a tough show to do,” Majors
recalls. “We shot in secluded places.”Born Harvey Lee Yeary in
Wyandotte, Mich., Majors playedfootball while attending EasternKentucky University, but a serious backinjury forced him to the sidelines. Hethen took an interest in acting andperformed in plays.
After graduation, he moved to LosAngeles, where he went to acting schooland began his professional careerplaying against Joan Crawford,appearing in a Gunsmoke episode, andon The Alfred Hitchcock Hour beforeseries television found him.
Along with his popular televisioncharacters, Majors was also known for
his nine-year marriage to actress FarrahFawcett. In 1976, the couple madetelevision history as a husband and wifeeach starring in separate top-ratedshows: he in The Six Million Dollar Manand Fawcett in Charlie’s Angels.
Majors admits that the way theindustry was in the 1970s and ’80s isvastly different from how it is today, afact that is troubling to him.
“I’ve noticed how corporate it’sbecome,” he says. “Back then,everything was done on a handshake. Itused to be one-on-one. I was so pleasedwith my career. Now there are so manyreality shows. I’m glad I’m not startingout today.”
Most of my workhas been family fare.
I could sit down with mydad and watch and there was
no violence, no bloodshed.”“
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ors
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(continued on page 10)
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He may not be starting out, but Majorscontinues appearing in films and episodictelevision. In 1988, he had a cameo in theholiday classic Scrooged and continued to bebusy through the 2000s in television series suchas According to Jim, Weeds, and Community.His latest film, the faith-based Do You Believe?was released in 2015.
“They’d asked me to do the film,” he said. “Igot on a plane on Sunday and filmed it onMonday. I loved the part.”
Along with Majors, Do You Believe? starsMira Sorvino, Sean Astin, and Ted McGinley.
Majors also recently appeared in the low-budget film Almosting It, where he plays aretired playboy in a retirement community.
Majors attributes his longevity in showbusiness to another lesson taught to him byStanwyck.
“Her advice was that your reputationprecedes you,” he says. “Most of my work hasbeen family fare. I could sit down with my dadand watch and there was no violence, nobloodshed. Superman was good because he didgood things. Roy Rogers was a boyhood idol ofmine and he did a Fall Guy episode.”
At the pinnacle of his career, Majors lived inLos Angeles where the studio work was, but inhis words he “got tired of it and the cost ofliving was high.” Nowadays, he calls Houston,Texas, home, where he does a lot of reading andgoes fishing once in awhile.
Majors will be making an appearance at theMid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention(www.midatlanticnostalgiaconvention.com)Sept. 17–19 in Hunt Valley, Md., and greetingfans—of which there will be many, I’m sure.
Before we finish up our phone conversation, Iask Majors about celebration plans for his 76th(or is it 67th?) birthday today.
“We’re just going out for a nice dinner with afew friends,” he says. “I don’t like birthdays.But I have a wonderful life and a wonderfulwife. It’s all good.” )) ) )
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f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 11
“Thank God, no time in the ricepaddies,” says Snyder, saluting hisfellow soldiers.
But the Lancaster native saw morethan enough death and destruction as ateletype operator with the 335th RadioResearch Company of the UnitedStates Army. Stationed at Dong Tam, athen-new Army-Navy base Snyderhelped to build in 1968, it wasSnyder’s job to type and relaytranslated information regarding themovements of the dreaded Viet Congenemy.
“I could type so fast, the keys wouldjam!” Snyder says of his duties.
But where Snyder worked and livedwas within walking distance of wheremilitary dead were flown in byhelicopter. It was a place that cameunder fire and where Snyderexperienced a close call with a mortar.It was where an ammunition base wasdestroyed.
And Snyder’s time at Dong Tamcoincided with a time when both Northand South Vietnam were reeling fromthe effects of the 1968 Tet Offensive inwhich North Vietnamese and Viet Congforces swarmed into South Vietnam ina series of surprise attacks.
CCLYDE SNYDER WAS FORTUNATEto not experience field combat duringhis 13 months and three days inVietnam.
he typed the words of war,and saw his share of it
Written by STEPHEN KOPFINGER
Clyde Snyder founded the Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard in 2010, an organization thatprovides military honor rifle salutes for veterans of all branches, year round.
veteran
12 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
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All this was a world away for the1966 graduate of McCaskey HighSchool, where Snyder admits hepreferred sports to schoolwork. Upongraduation, the draft beckoned.
“My mom said, ‘It would be a goodidea if you joined,’” as it offered Snydera chance of landing a better occupationduring his tour, even it if meant anextra year of service. It also meant achance of avoiding field combat, though“it doesn’t mean 100 percent,” Snydersays.
Snyder soon found himself assigned ascore through Military OccupationSpecialty, which determined what jobwas best suited to which man. His ownscore directed him to teletypecommunications specialist; he trainedfor that at Fort Gordon, Ga.
Before that came basic training inFort Knox in Kentucky, where “you hadhand-to-hand combat [training] and allof that crazy stuff.”
Snyder then spent a year and a halfat Fort Lewis in Washington state,“waiting for my clearance to comethrough.” There, he saw “guys cominghome from ’Nam and guys leaving for’Nam.”
In May 1968, Snyder finally receivedhis overseas orders: Vietnam.
“I didn’t like that at all,” heremembers.
But his introduction to Vietnaminvolved more muscle power thanmilitary.
Dong Tam was built on the My ThoRiver branch of the Mekong River Deltain South Vietnam. It served as aheadquarters base camp of the Army’s9th Infantry Division and it was a huge
place, with a heliport, a landing strip,and all kinds of amenities for Americanforces.
That included barracks. Lots ofthem. Snyder, who had learnedconstruction and carpentry skills fromhis father, was pressed into helping tobuild them.
“‘They say you know a little aboutconstruction,’” Snyder rememberssomebody telling him.
As it turned out, a constructionaccident resulted in both of Snyder’sthumbs being broken—not a good thingfor someone who was supposed tobecome a teletype operator.
But teletype work did have anadvantage. You didn’t really need yourthumbs. Snyder says he could type“three rows, everything with yourfingers.”
Snyder received translatedinformation on such matters as VietCong movements, and it was up toSnyder and his fellow teletype operatorsto relay that to superiors.
“We supported the 9th InfantryDivision in communications,” he says.
Though the job did not involve directcombat, it wasn’t cushy. At hisLancaster home, Snyder points to abackyard tree, noting that was about asfar as he was from the helipad wherecopters landed bearing the bodies ofthose who died.
A close brush with death cameduring the aftereffects of Tet, whichtechnically took place in January andFebruary 1968, though there wererepercussions that lasted into the year.
Snyder remembers sleeping in “thislittle sandbag bunker.” One night, a
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clyde snydermortar landed directly overhead.“It never went off, thank God,”
Snyder says. Another time, the enemy struck an
ammunition base. “That was maybe two blocks away,”
Snyder recalls. “It sounded like the endof the world.”
Uncertainty was always in the air atDong Tam. One never knew who wasfriend and who was foe.
“We had civilians working on ourbase,” Snyder says. He jokes that somewere “best friends during the day and atnight they would turn into VC. But themajority were OK.” He has high praisefor the Vietnamese women who carriedout work at the base without complaint.
Snyder remembers other lightermoments, such as Bob Hope’s shows forthe troops, often starring Hollywoodbeauty Ann-Margret.
But he then recalls fallen comrades,such as Tom Jennings, another Lancasterboy. He fell in battle.
“We played baseball together,”Snyder says soberly. “He was a Marine.”
In the years after Vietnam, Snyderran a construction company, Snyder &Snyder Construction. He spent “29 yearsand three months” with the LancasterCity Bureau of Fire, serving as “firstdriver, truck one,” Snyder says.
Yet the link with Vietnam remained.In 2010, Snyder founded Vet 21 SaluteHonor Guard. Along with a largesquadron of supporters, it providesmilitary honor rifle salutes in Lancasterand Berks counties and at FortIndiantown Gap National Cemetery,Lebanon County, for veterans of allbranches, year round.
That can include anyone from World
War II to Vietnam to America’s presentconflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Lastyear, Snyder, who today serves aspresident of the group, notes that Vet 21presided over 380 military ceremonyfunerals at Indiantown Gap and 177 inLancaster County alone. Snyder pointsout that “90 percent of our veterans donot get full military honors.”
Vietnam maintains a personalconnection for Snyder. In 2014, he lost acousin, Walter Hudson, due to the effectsof Agent Orange, a chemical defoliantused to clear out Vietnamese junglesthat caused illness among manyAmerican servicemen.
“Vietnam veterans are dying at therate of Korean War veterans”—a mucholder generation—“due to AgentOrange,” Snyder says.
Several Vietnam veterans, includingSen. John McCain, a prisoner of war,have revisited that country as a way toconnect with their time of service.Snyder has no desire to go back. Heprefers to honor those who served in allconflicts with his involvement in Vet 21(www.vet21salute.org) and a simplemessage:
“Thank all of your veterans,” heencourages Americans.
“And welcome home.” ) ))
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 13
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feat
ure
It had begun in 1939 when Germantroops attacked Poland. But we werenot to formally enter that war until Dec.8, 1945, the day after Japanese carrieraircraft attacked us at Pearl Harbor,Hawaii.
The sneak attack sank four of ourbattleships and damaged four others.Also sunk or damaged were threecruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and oneminelayer. One hundred eighty-eightU.S. aircraft were destroyed, 2,403
Americans were killed, and 1,178others were wounded. It was anunbelievable disaster.
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who wasthen appointed admiral of the PacificFleet, told in his memoirs, however, ofthree great blunders the Japanese hadcommitted in their attack: First, theyhad attacked on a Sunday, while nineout of every 10 crewmen were ashore onleave.
Second, they didn’t bomb the drydocks that we would later use to quickly
repair three of the four battleships thathad been sunk. And third, they failed toattack the storage tanks that held thePacific Navy’s entire fuel supply.
That permitted our rebuilding ournaval strength until the epic Battle ofMidway, which many consider theturning point of the war in the Pacific.
Unknown to the Japanese, we hadcracked their code; thus, we knew oftheir plan to attack our fleet at MidwayAtoll, and we were ready for them. Wesank four Japanese aircraft carriers—
a tribute to those who served inworld war II
Written by CCOL. ROBERT D. WILCOX
SEVENTY YEARS AGO, ON SEPT. 2, 1945, WORLD WAR II, THE MOSTwidespread war the world has ever seen, came to an end with the formal signing ofsurrender by the Empire of Japan. World War II was a global war that involved mostof the world’s nations, including all of the world’s great powers. It resulted in anestimated 50 to 85 million fatalities, making it the deadliest conflict in human history.
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 15
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all part of the six-carrier force that hadattacked Pearl Harbor only six monthsearlier—and a heavy cruiser, while welost the carrier Yorktown and a destroyer.
Another key battle of the Pacific Warwas the Battle of Leyte Gulf, thought ofby many as the greatest sea battle inhistory. It was fought in waters of theLeyte Gulf, near the Philippine islands ofLeyte, Samar, and Luzon, from Oct.23–26, 1944. The Imperial Japanesesuffered very heavy losses and neversailed to battle in comparable forcethereafter.
We suffered the loss of one lightcarrier, two escort carriers, twodestroyers, and one destroyer escort. TheJapanese lost one fleet aircraft carrier,three light aircraft carriers, threebattleships, six heavy cruisers, four light
cruisers, and nine destroyers. Themajority of their surviving heavy ships,deprived of fuel, remained in their basesfor the rest of the Pacific War.
Meawhile, on the other side of theworld, our troops were massing to engagethe German war machine. Germany andItaly had declared war against us on Dec.11, 1941, and only hours later, we haddeclared war on them, as well.
Our Air Forces pounded them withraids of up to 1,000 planes at a time.And on D-Day, June 6, 1944, more than160,000 Allied troops landed along a50-mile stretch of the beaches ofNormandy, France. More than 5,000ships and 13,000 aircraft supported theD-Day invasion, gaining a foothold on thecontinent in the largest seaborne invasionin history.
The cost in lives on D-Day was high.More than 9,000 Allied soldiers werekilled or wounded, but their sacrificepermitted other soldiers to continue thefight that carried them across Europe asthey pushed back the retreating Germantroops.
On Dec. 16, the Germans caught ourforces in near-complete surprise with amajor offensive against the weakest partof our lines. It became known as theBattle of the Bulge, where the Germanforce of 200,000 men and 340 tanksattacked through the densely forestedArdennes region of Belgium in an effortto recapture the important harbor ofAntwerp.
In order to reach it, Germanmechanized forces had to seize theroadways through eastern Belgium.
Clockwise, from top left:Japanese surrender;Submarines at Midway Atollbase in May 1945; USSIntrepid during the Battle ofLeyte Gulf, 1944; BenitoMussolini and Adolf Hitler.
Because all seven main roads in theArdennes mountain range converged onthe small town of Bastogne, control ofits crossroads was vital to the Germanattack.
When they had the town surrounded,they sent a team to accept the surrenderof our forces, and they instead got ourGeneral McAuliffe’s curt reply, “Nuts.”
When the weather cleared, ouraircraft were able to attack their tanks,and our forces were relieved by elementsof General George Patton’s Third Army.However, our forces incurred theirhighest casualties for any operationduring the war.
The battle also had severely depletedGermany’s armored forces on thewestern front, which Germany waslargely unable to replace. Survivors hadlived through the biggest land battle ofthe war. By war’s end, we had won theunconditional surrender of Italy,
Germany, and Japan. And what hadhappened to those who had started thewar?
Benito Mussolini was executed byItalian partisans on April 28, 1945.
Adolph Hitler committed suicide inhis Berlin bunker on April 30, 1945.
Hideki Tojo was the army generaland prime minister who led Japanthrough much of World War II. He wasconvicted of war crimes after the warand was hanged.
World War II was truly the warwhere everyone was involved. Scarcewere the persons who had not had aloved one who served in our ArmedForces. And those who remained behindknew well that a war was going on.
Everyday life across the country wasdramatically altered. Food, gas, andclothing were rationed. Communitiesconducted scrap-metal drives. Womenhelped to build the weapons of war,finding jobs as electricians, welders, andriveters in defense plants. People wereasked by the government to plant
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Scarce were thepersons who had nothad a loved one whoserved in our ArmedForces. And thosewho remained behindknew well that a warwas going on.
“
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“victory gardens” to grow more food.The nation had gone to war, and thatmeant the folks at home, too.
As a result, the quantities of rifles,tanks, ships, planes, and other warmaterial that the U.S. produced werestaggering. But in the end, it was thebrave men who used them that broughtabout the successful end of the massivewar effort.
We see pictures now and then of themany cemeteries in our country andthroughout the world that hold theremains of our warriors. The survivorsare now in their late 80s or 90s. Howlucky we are to be able to say “thankyou” as we extend to them the honorthey so richly deserve. )) ) )
About the author:Col. Wilcox flew his B-17 crew to
England in World War II and was shotdown in combat. Wilcox returned toEurope after the war and flew the firsttwo weeks of the Berlin Airlift. He stayedin the Air Force Reserve and, at thePentagon, his mobilization assignmentwas director, internal information, USAF.
Wilcox retired as a colonel in 1974. As membership chairman for his
Lancaster, Pa., Military Officers Chapter,he grew membership from 73 to 597.He has written for a local newspaper(50plus Senior News) for 15 years,during which time he has written thestories of 187 veterans from all servicesin World War II and in later wars.
Col. Robert D. Wilcox, USAFR (Ret.)
www.veteransexpo.com
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9 a.m. – 2 p.m.Spooky Nook Sports
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At the ExpoVeterans Benefits & ServicesCommunity ServicesProducts and Services AvailableSupport/Assistance ProgramsEducation/Training Services
At the Job FairEmployersJob CounselingWorkshops/SeminarsResume Writing Assistance
FREEResumé
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fea
ture
)))w
orld war II
we are a grateful nationve
tera
nAAS WE CELEBRATE THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENDING OF WORLD WAR II, IT IS FITTING thatwe thank all of the men and women who served in any branch of service during that time. It is also an opportunityto recognize some brave local service persons, including members of the Central Pennsylvania WWII Roundtablewho fought to preserve the freedom we enjoy today. We are a grateful nation.
For more information about the Central Pennsylvania WWII Roundtable, visit www.centralpaww2roundtable.org.
U.S. ArmyWWII – Korea – Vietnam
Camp Hill, Pa.
StevenBosan
R.A.F. Lancaster bomber pilotU.S.A.A.C. Flight Instructor
Europe – Texas – WWIIWillow Street, Pa.
RichardE. Boyd
U.S. Army 8th Infantry – 121st Regiment
Rifleman – Europe – WWIIHarrisburg, Pa.
JacobDowney
U.S. Third Army – 10th Armored Division
Europe – WWIIHarrisburg, Pa.
FloydDemmy
U.S. Third Army Military Policeman
Africa – Italy – Europe – WWIIPalmyra, Pa.
RussellGrubb
U.S. Navy New Guinea – South Pacific
WWIIPalmyra, Pa.
FredGunn
U.S. Navy – Sub Chaser 1372V-12 Program – South Pacific
WWIIPalmyra, Pa.
WalterHauser
U.S. Navy – Armed guard merchant ship torpedoed by
U-boat; spent 34 days in lifeboatNorth Atlantic – WWII
Harrisburg, Pa.
AlvinKemble
U.S. Army Air Forces Troop Carrier
Europe – WWIIPalmyra, Pa.
CharlieKercher
18 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
Thank you!v
ete
ran
))))grateful nation
U.S. Navy Base personnel
Norfolk, Va. – WWIIHarrisburg, Pa.
DavidKlinepeter
U.S. Navy Electrical engineer
WWII – KoreaCamp Hill, Pa.
DonaldKnadler
U.S.A.A.F. 5th Air ForceRecon
Asia – Alaska – WWIIHarrisburg, Pa.
CliffKreiser
U.S. Army – 49th Field ArtilleryOkinawa – South Pacific
WWIIHarrisburg, Pa.
CharlesLapinsky
U.S.A.A.F – 15th A.F. 454th Bomb Group
B-24 Tail Gunner – Shot down –Captured – Flew out of Italy – WWII
Cornwall, Pa.
FrankLashinsky
U.S. Navy – USS Saratoga – CV-3Battle of Iwo Jima – 8 Battle StarsServed on destroyer during Korea
WWII – KoreaHershey, Pa.
BobLorenz
U.S. Navy – CVL 28USS Cabot – Light Carrier
WWIIHarrisburg, Pa.
CharlieMicelli
U.S.A.A.F. – 5th Air Force Headquarters Squadron
New Guinea – South Pacific – WWIIPalmyra, Pa.
AlRichwine
U.S.M.C. – 2nd Marine DivisionSouth Pacific island landings
WWIIHarrisburg, Pa.
CarrolSmith
WWII re-enactor, age 10Attends meetings regularly
Palmyra, Pa.
DylanKriner
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 19
20 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
Or maybe you’re just losing toomuch darn energy efficiency thanks tosomething you take for granted: yourdoors and windows. Products arealways changing, so maybe your
current windows and doors could bebetter energy savers.
According to the United Statesgovernment website www.energy.gov,windows alone account for 30 percent
of an average household’s heatinglosses. Your front door—we open andclose it every day!—can leak interiorair, even when shut.
That’s where home improvement
what to do when a loved one diesWritten by JJASON ALDERMAN
WHETHER IT’S EXPECTED ORaccidental, the death of a loved one canshake you to the core. when it comes to your home,
it’s windows, doors, and moreWritten by STEPHEN KOPFINGER
IT MIGHT BE A CASE OF THIS OLD HOUSE, TO QUOTE THE TITLE OF THEiconic Public Television show. Or it might be a case of “this not-so-old house needs afacelift.”
hom
e
Provia Signetfiberglassdoor withdirect setsidelites andcustomtransitions.
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 21
comes in handy. You can get a newlook, and, although you have to spendmoney, you could end up saving somecash. But be warned: There is somescience involved.
Do you know what a U-factor is? Assummed up by the NationalFenestration Rating Council (yes, thereis such a thing; fenestration meansanything applied to windows anddoors), U-factor is the rate at which awindow, door, or skylight conducts non-solar heat flow. For windows and glassdoors, a U-factor may refer to just theglass or glazing alone, says the NFRC.
NFRC U-factor ratings, however,represent the entire windowperformance, including frame andspacer material. The lower the U-factor, the more energy-efficient thewindow or door.
OK, too much science here. This iswhere guys like Ralph Thomas,president/owner of Better View, which
sells windows, doors, and sunroomsfrom its headquarters in Carlisle,comes in handy. He explains that theU.S. Department of Energy divides thenation into several climate zones and“we’re set up in the northern zone,” hesays.
That means be ready for anythingfrom extreme heat in summer to snowywinters—remember last year?—andanything in between. Thomasrecommends looking for a .30 U-factor,or even below.
If you are shopping for windows,you might be familiar with such termsas single pane, double pane, and triplepane. These terms indicate how manypanes of glass come between you andthe world outside your windows.
“Nobody uses single paneanymore—maybe once in a bluemoon,” Thomas says.
Single-pane windows are mostlyfound in old homes, but energyefficiency can be gained by stormwindows, which don’t hide vintagelooks in historic district neighborhoods.
“Mostly, we pushed for double panefor years and years,” Thomas notes.“You can get triple pane, if you wantit, but that might be a bit of overkill.”
What’s in between those panes ofglass? It’s not air but gas, usuallyargon or krypton. Don’t worry; kryptonis not to be confused with kryptonite,the stuff that disables Superman.
“It’s like insulation between thepanes, but you can see through it,”says Thomas.
Both argon and krypton occurnaturally in our environment, though ifyou opt for a krypton gas fill in your
ho
me
))))replacem
ent window
s and doors
The composite window uses a framemade of synthetic and natural
materials, held together by epoxy resin.
Aluminum clad windows are lowmaintenance, energy efficient, and
thermally stable.
This triple-pane window combines Low-Eglass with two chambers of argon gas fill
and spacer options to meet specificheating and cooling needs.
Elegant bay window featuresgolden oak woodgrain and brass-beveled leaded glass.
22 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
windows, it might be a little moreexpensive, according to the Departmentof Energy. Krypton is more expensiveto produce, according to the DOE.
Well, now that we have dispensedwith window science—and before wemove on to doors—what style offenestration (design and usage) appealsto customers at places such as BetterView? Double-hung, the kind you slideup and down, remains an Americanclassic, Thomas notes.
Casement windows, the version youcrank open, are popular as well. Theyhave sort of a European look, andBetter View offers a “European In-Swing Sliding Window,” which, asdescribed in its name, both slides andswings open.
When people think of the termreplacement window, they think ofwhite vinyl. They are still around, buttoday’s vinyl can come in colored woodfinishes that give a classic look butoffer tilt-in sashes for easy cleaning.
If you are feeling artistic, windowscan come with a leaded-glass look,where the “lead” is between the dualpanes, Thomas says.
Let’s open the front door, or eventhe back door. Even the mundane taskof coming and going can be upgradedwith a portal that literally serves as thegateway to your house.
And if you are a traditionalist, youneed not shudder at the thought ofsomething made of synthetic materials.Doors not made of wood have come along way, notes Bob Schmidt, salesmanager at West Shore Window &Door, Mechanicsburg.
“Some [buyers] are looking for afacelift, or more light, or securitysometimes,” Schmidt says of hisclients.
These days, fiberglass doors arepopular and look anything but plastic.Instead, they are now produced withthe appearance of wood graining andpaneling. Round it off with a brass kick
According to theUnited Statesgovernment websitewww.energy.gov,windows alone accountfor 30 percent of anaverage household’sheating losses. ”
“
An insulated door with thresholdand sweep. Bulb and blade sweepsvirtually eliminate drafts.
This is the core of a fiberglass door.Stiles and rails are dovetailed andglued at each corner creating astructurally solid integrated frame.
Craftsman Style fiberglass door withSanta Fe leaded glass.
ho
me
)) ))
repl
acem
ent
win
dow
s an
d do
ors
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 23
plate and handle, and your home wouldnot be out of place in ColonialWilliamsburg, despite the material.
The Craftsman style, which takes itsinspiration from the architect FrankLloyd Wright and the Scottish designerCharles Rennie Mackintosh, is alsopopular, Schmidt says. The early 20th-century design, with its geometricforms in the sidelights (the verticalwindows that flank a door), looksparticularly handsome in houses ofrough-hewn wood or stone.
Most people have patios, whichmeans they also have sliding doors.These doors have also changed since
those Brady Bunch suburban days. “Now you can [have] a mini-blind
between the glass panes,” Schmidtnotes. “And energy efficiency haschanged quite a bit.”
Even a classic French door can beefficient, with one half being the dooryou use every day and the other halflocked with a pin until you need tomove a big piece of furniture in or outof the house, Schmidt says.
As with windows, the leaded-glasslook is popular with some customerswho want an artsy touch to theirsidelights or overhead transoms, thewindow above the door.
Whatever your decision, “do yourhomework,” advises Thomas. He evenencourages potential patrons to shoparound for second and third and evenfourth opinions.
Home renovation projects are notcheap, ranging anywhere from $2,500to five figures. And Thomas warnspeople not to be fooled by those TVcommercials offering so many windowsfor such-and-such a price; they oftencome with high-pressure salestechniques, he says.
“Shop! Get three or four estimates.We encourage it,” Thomas says. “Andnever sign a contract the first time, no
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24 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
Prostate cancer is one of the mostcommon forms of cancer afflictingAmerican men, second only to lungcancer. The statistics are stark:According to the American CancerSociety, one in seven men will bediagnosed with prostate cancer duringtheir lifetimes; in 2015 alone, there willbe approximately 221,000 new casesdiagnosed and 28,000 men will diefrom it.
There is some good news, however:The survival rates for prostate cancerare excellent with early detection, andwith proper screening, 90 percent ofprostate cancer is detected in its earlystages before it has a chance to spreadto other areas of the body.
So what is the prostate, anyway? Theprostate is a small, walnut-shaped glandlocated near the urinary bladder thatproduces seminal fluid. As a man ages,the prostate may become enlarged—acommon problem that may result in anincreased need for urination, a weak orslow urinary stream, or a feeling ofincomplete bladder emptying. There isno link between prostate enlargementand cancer, however.
Like most cancers, prostate cancerstarts when cells in the prostate become
abnormal, growing anddividing more rapidlythan normal cells. Theycontinue living afternormal cells would havedied, accumulating intotumors and invading nearbytissue.
The cancer may metastasizeinto nearby organs or the bladder, orit may travel through the bloodstreamor lymphatic system to other parts ofthe body. Once the cancer spreadsbeyond the prostate, it can be treatedand controlled but it can’t be cured,which is why early detection is so vital.
It is not clear what causes prostatecancer, although the chance of diagnosisincreases with age. Men over 65 with afamily history of prostate or breastcancer are most susceptible, whileAfrican-American men are at a higherrisk for more aggressive and advancedforms of the disease. Obesity, smoking,and a diet deficient in lycopene andvitamin D all appear to increase risks aswell.
In its early stages, prostate canceroften shows no signs or symptoms,which is why the American CancerSociety recommends men go for
screeningsand checkups asthey reach age 50. As the cancerbecomes more advanced, it may exhibitthe following symptoms:
• Trouble urinating
• Blood in urine or semen
• Decreased force in stream of urine
• Pain in lower back, hips, thighs, andpelvic area
• Erectile dysfunction
If you’re over 50 and suffering fromthese symptoms, it’s a good idea to seeyour family doctor or generalpractitioner.
FFOR MOST MEN ENTERING THEIR BOOMER YEARS, it is atime of looking forward to planning their retirements and ensuringthat their financial houses are in order. During this period oftransition, men should also be aware of a major health issue thatthey could soon be facing: prostate cancer.
feat
ure psst ... we’re
talking PSAs andprostate!
Written by JASON TABOR
Many times men resist the “dreaded”prostate exam for a variety of reasons.They may find the exam uncomfortableor embarrassing. In fact, prostatescreenings are brief and may includemild discomfort, but they may alsoprevent a lifetime of bad health anddisease.
There is also a less invasive screeningtechnique available called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, in whichprotein levels in the blood are analyzedto detect abnormal prostate function.
A PSA test isn’t foolproof, and theresults can read as a “false positive” insome cases if a person’s PSA level ishigh but is due to other conditions notrelated to prostate cancer. But the PSAtest is deemed a good tool in determiningif other screenings should be considered.
There are pros and cons to both typesof screenings, and you should discusswith your doctor which option might beright for you.
When visiting your doctor, it’s a goodidea to write down a list of anysymptoms you have, how long thesymptoms have been present, and a listof questions for your doctor, including:
• Do I have prostate cancer?
• Has it spread beyond my prostate?
• What are my treatment options?
• Is there one treatment you think maybe best for me?
• Do I need treatment right away andwhat are the side effects?
Your doctor may also have questionsfor you that you should be prepared toanswer, including:
• When did your symptoms begin?
• Are they continuous or occasional?
• Are you dealing with any new stressesor life changes?
• What medicines, vitamins, orsupplements are you currently taking?
Make sure to take any informationalmaterials your doctor may provide, andreview them again at home. It’s also agood idea to bring a friend or familymember to your appointment. Yourdoctor may present you with a lot ofinformation, and sometimes it’s helpfulhaving two sets of ears to remember allof the details.
Your doctor may refer you to a cancer
specialist(oncologist) fortreatment options, whichmay include active surveillance,radiation, hormone therapy,chemotherapy, or surgery, depending onyour general health and the stage of thecancer if present.
It’s important to remember thatprostate cancer has a favorable survivalrate due to its slow-growing and slow-to-spread nature. Early detection is the keyto recovery, so when making plans forthe future, don’t forget to pencil inregular visits with your doctor. )) ))
A less invasive screening technique is available calledthe prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, in which protein
levels in the blood are analyzed to detect abnormalprostate function.
fea
ture
)))psa’s and prostate
Remind your loved ones: Screening Saves Lives!
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DEDUCTIBLE MET?Schedule your colonoscopy
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Colon cancer is the third leading cancer killer in the United States, yet preventable and treatable with early detection. Contact your primary care physician or call RGAL at 717-544-3400 to discuss a screening colonoscopy.
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 25
26 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
EEating spicy foods will give you anulcer. Is that true?
Highly seasoned foods in and ofthemselves do not cause ulcers. Ulcersare most often caused by certainmedications such as anti-inflammatorydrugs (ibuprofen) or a bacterialinfection called H. pylori.
However, spicy foods can causeindigestion in some people. In these
circumstances, it may be the total fatof the meal and not the spice thatprovokes the symptoms.
For example, it is not the Tabascosauce on chicken wings but rather thefat content in the wings that causes theindigestion.
Treatment for stomach ulcersconsists of eliminating any medicationthat may have caused the ulcer and
reducing the acid productionto enable the body to heal
the ulcer. There are anumber of antacidmedications calledproton pump inhibitorsthat effectively reduceproduction. These are
usually taken for
anywhere from two to eight weeks. If the ulcer is caused by the
infection H. pylori, then antibiotics aretypically given. It is important to takethese as prescribed. Sometimes arepeat exam is done to confirm fullhealing of the ulcer.
fact or fiction:common beliefs
clarified by the experts
hea
lth
Ginger ale settles an upset stomach.But what might the upset stomach be,and when should they contact theirgastroenterologist?
Yes, ginger can settle one’sstomach. Ginger root is an old homeremedy for spasms in the intestinaltract. Everyone gets occasional crampsin the abdomen, and ginger in the formof ginger ale can help.
If these symptoms persist, worsen,or are new, then they should beevaluated by a physician to be certainthere is no more serious problem.
Other causes of an upset stomach
that last for more than a week can beinflammation or ulcers of the stomach,food allergies such as gluten (Celiac)disease, and gallstones.
An endoscopy procedure where ascope is inserted through the mouthand into the stomach while a patient issedated is sometimes done. Yourphysician and help sort out thesevarious possibilities.
WILSON JACKSON, M.D., FACP,FACG, AGAFhas particular interest in Crohn’sdisease, ulcerative colitis, andeosinophilic esophagitisJackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 27
““Liver spots.” What are they really?It is common for the majority of
patients to be confused about differenttypes of pigment that appear on theirskin.
The term liver spots is a familiarname for light to dark-brown raised skinlesions associated with changes in skincolor that occur in older skin.
Increased sun exposure or ultravioletlight are known to cause otherdiscolorations such as solar lentigines,seborrheic keratosis, and freckles. Theseareas lie closer to the surface of the skinand tend to be less challenging to treat.
Medical laser technology is veryeffective at breaking down the pigment
associated with sun damage with little tono down time.
Melasma is caused by pigmentationgenerated in response to hormonalfluctuations such as pregnancy,menopause, and oral contraceptives.Considered a chronic condition, melasma
will need to be managed more than cured. Treatment regimens may include
lightening agents as well as exfoliatingtreatments like glycolic acid chemicalpeels.
With even the most mindfulprevention, the appearance of anyincreased pigment can greatly affect one’sself-esteem. The good news is there aremany treatments available today.
Keep in mind that the best preventionfor excessive pigmentation is to diligentlyapply a medical-grade sunscreen. Be sureto seek out a skin-care professional whobelieves in a results-driven approach tohelp you achieve a beautiful, even skintone!
Smiling causes wrinkles. Does it? Since we are animated human beings,
repetitive motions such as squinting andsmiling could be considered responsiblefor the fine lines and wrinkles around oureyes, more commonly known as “crow’sfeet.”
Botox® and Dysport®
are the treatmentsof choice for
prevention andcorrection ofthe nagginglines at ourdelicate eyearea.
As weage, wenaturally
lose collagen and hyaluronic acid in ourface. This volume loss includes areas suchas under the eyes, cheeks, the lines fromthe corner of our nostril to the corner ofour mouth (smile lines), and jowls.
Rather than smiling, these lines aremore often caused by sleeping on oursides and habits detrimental to our skin’selasticity such as smoking.
Dermal fillers such as Juvederm®,Restylane®, and Radiesse® provide ayouthful appearance by adding naturalcontours back to the face with immediateresults. These treatments are clinicallyproven to last a year or more in somepatients with little to no down time.
Be sure to seek out a qualified injectorsuch as a registered nurse or medicaldoctor. Your skin-care professional may
review additional services like chemicalpeels, fractional laser, and preventativemeasures for healthy skin regimens.
he
alth
)))fact or fiction
CARMEN KITTSSpecializing in custom facial aesthetics and advanced skin care technologies TRU’ Identity Skin Aesthetics
We believe that each face is different and should be treated as such.Together, we will customize a treatment plan to meet each individual clientsneeds. Our expert staff will educate you on the most current and advancedskin care techniques available on the market.
• Micro-Needling• DYSPORT®
• Vein Therapy• Laser Hair Removal
• Permanent Makeup• Botox®
• Juvederm® XC• RADIESSE®
• Microdermabrasion• Chemical Peels• Custom Skin Care• Latisse®
Our services include:
28 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
KKnuckle cracking will give youarthritis. Really?
Our joints can snap, crack, and popwith different motions. There are threereasons why our joints do this.
Joints contain synovial fluid, whichacts as a lubricant to allow for smoothmovements. Synovial fluid also containsnutrients for the cartilage, the smooth
portion of joint. There are a number of gases also
dissolved within this fluid, includingnitrogen.
When one begins to “crack” a joint,the capsule that contains the synovialfluid is stretched, resulting in thelowering of the hydrostatic pressureinside the joint.
This creates a vacuum within thejoint that is temporarily filled with gasbubbles. These bubbles can either quietlydissolve back into the fluid when thejoint relaxes, or some of these bubblescan burst and make the familiar poppingsound one hears when one cracks theirknuckles.
There is no evidence that crackingyour joints will result in arthritis.Repetitive, voluntary cracking of thejoints can stretch the ligaments,however, and make the joint looser.
The second reason joints make noisehappens when tendons and ligamentsthat span joints move abnormally andmake a snapping noise.
The third reason joints make noise isdue to “worn out” arthritic joints. Whenjoints become arthritic with aging, thenormally smooth surfaces of the jointsbecome irregular, and the joint spacealso narrows. With movement of anarthritic joint, cracking, grinding, andpopping can be felt or heard.
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STEVEN J. TRIANTAFYLLOU, M.D.Specializes in surgical and non-surgicaltreatment of back and neck problems Orthopedic & Spine Specialists
Everybody shrinks as they get older.Is that true?
There are a number of reasons whywe “shrink,” or lose height, as we age.
Some of the height loss occurs aspart of the normal aging process andsome because of disease (e.g.,osteoporosis or thinning of bone).
People typically lose 1 centimeter(0.4 inches) every 10 years after age 40and more rapidly after the age of 70.
The loss of a total of 1 to 3 inches iscommon.
Our spine is a major area of heightloss. The spine is made up of two majorcomponents: 24 bones called thevertebrae (seven in the neck, 12 in themid-back, and five in the low back) andour discs, the “cushions” sandwichedbetween the bones.
With aging, our discs deteriorate andlose height. Even a 1-millimeter loss ineach disc can result in significant heightloss since we have so many discs.
Also as we age, our bones thin outand become brittle. Some people losemore significant bone strength anddevelop the disease osteoporosis.
Compression fractures (collapse) ofthe vertebrae are common in peoplewith osteoporosis and are another majorreason for loss of height. With eachcompression fracture, significant heightloss occurs.
Furthermore, as we age our posturechanges and we become more hunchedover (kyphosis), which results in more
height loss. This condition may be dueto either weak bones with compressionfractures and/or due to weak muscles.
People can minimize height loss byeating a healthy, balanced diet rich incalcium and vitamin D, which helpmaintain strong muscles and bones.Maintaining an active lifestyle(exercising regularly) also helps keepmuscles and bones strong.
Avoidance of smoking and drinkingalcohol (only in moderation) also helps.
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Among 4,600 hospitals in the U.S. rated by U.S. News & World Report,
PinnacleHealth was one of only 34—less than 1%—that were rated high-performing in these five areas. As the only Pennsylvania hospital to make the list, PinnacleHealth assures our patients of the highest quality and safest care.
Sticking to your plan can bedifficult when the market becomesunstable. In the short term, theinvestor has to look for opportunities toexploit shifts in various investinginstruments based upon the currentmarket conditions.
For example, if the economy is notdoing well and stock prices drop, thatmight be a good time to invest moneyin firms.
However, this is a short-termapproach to managing investments. Itis always smart to pay very closeattention to leading indicators in themarket to stay on top of shifts that canimpact investing decisions.
Additionally, your strategy mightchange somewhat depending uponwhere you are keeping cash. Try tomaintain at least 12 to 18 months ofliquid cash in a money market or inshort-term bonds. Use that cash toaddress anything that arises, and stayaway from liquidating long-term assets.This is true especially during volatilemarket changes.
When considering a morefundamental or disciplined approach toinvesting, many investors turn to whatis commonly known as growth investingor value investing. Growth investors arepeople that invest in companies that
have consistently beat their earningsestimates in previous quarters.
The expectation is that thosecompanies will continue to outperformin the future. Everything is tied directlyto the performance of the firm andwhether it can meet or exceed marketexpectations. This information can beobtained online or through one of themany news services.
Conversely, value investors are moreinterested in the fundamentals ofcompanies. They are more likely toidentify companies that have a lowprice-to-book ratio, little if any debt, alow price-to-earnings ratio, andpossibly high-dividend yields.
In most instances, people arelooking for these firms to deliverpotential income through the consistentdividend payout. Purchasing stock incompanies that are currently underpublic scrutiny and are out of favor buthave good fundamentals is typical for avalue investor. Once the company is nolonger under scrutiny, the value of thefirm should increase.
Likewise, make sure that balance ispart of your long-term plan. Don’t beoverly confident in the approach youchoose. There is no magic strategy thatworks every time and in everyeconomic environment.
Therefore, spreading your cashbetween stocks, bonds, real assets, andmutual funds is a great way to diversifyrisk and maximize returns over thelong term. Also, spreading cashamongst these various forms of
investing in a volatile marketWritten by SSYLVESTER E. WILLIAMS, IV
INVESTING MONEY REQUIRES Astrategy, and the investor should belooking at the market from a short- andlong-term perspective. Investing for thelong haul always means waiting outperiods of violent price swings andfluctuations in the market.
fin
anci
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30 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
investing can reduce the noise thatcomes from short-term volatility in themarkets.
In some scenarios, stocks are down,while bonds are up. Conversely, withinthe stock market, consumer staples aredown, but the financial sector is up. Incommodities, energy is down, butindustrial metals are up. The key factorwith using a diversified portfolio is tobalance the uncertainty that comesfrom the markets.
Although the United States makesup 5 percent of the world’s population,much of the world’s economic growth iscoming from countries outside of theUnited States. Consider investing ininternational funds and markets for thelong term.
There are several international bondfunds that perform nicely over the longterm. Think about including some ofthose funds in your investmentportfolio. Furthermore, considerinvesting in assets that are not dollardenominated, such as commodities,including but not limited to oil, gas,gold, silver, copper, etc.
Seeking assets that have stablegrowth over the long term is prudent.Being overly risk-sensitive to the U.S.market can hurt you in the long term.Diversification even with U.S. assets iswise in the long term.
As you look at the global market toinvest in long term, don’t forget aboutthe global equity markets. Theperformance to date is still better thanthe 2009 levels. In fact, average indexreturns are up significantly from their2009 lows.
The draw down from the 2009 sell-
off has made global equities anattractive valuation to accompanystrong fundamentals. Certainly, thiswill benefit investors once the marketsare restored to original levels.
It is still a good time to adddomestic large-cap stocks to yourportfolio. With the news of continuedeconomic growth in the United States,large-cap stocks are regaining groundand appreciating in value. Also, thereare several firms in this category thatoffer attractive dividend income for aninvestor.
As an investor, it is always smart todiversify your income stream as muchas possible. In fact, look for firms that
both pay dividend and are seen to begrowing their dividend.
As for bonds, one might considerhigh-yield bonds, global high-gradecorporate bonds, or dollar-denominatedcurrency for lower volatility. Again, thefocus is on growth and minimizing riskat the same time.
The key to addressing volatilemarkets for investing centers aroundyour investment strategy. You have todetermine what your goals are forinvesting, and then build yourfundamentals around those goals.
The information provided herein willhelp you think about what your goalsmight be and consider certaininvestment fundamentals. Consult aninvestment counselor to help you builda long-term plan of action. It neverhurts to have someone rebalance yourportfolio every so often to takeadvantage of changes in the market.
This is an important part of your lifeplan, so don’t delay seeking assistancein getting your investing strategy inplace. Every day you delay is a dollarmissed from being added to yourportfolio. )) ))
fina
nc
ial
)))volatile m
arket
As aninvestor, it isalways smart todiversify yourincome streamas much aspossible.
“”
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 31
life
styl
e
The law in Pennsylvania states thatparents (and even grandparents, incertain circumstances) can develop acustody plan together, throughmediation, or through their attorneys. Ifa plan can’t be developed voluntarilybetween the parties, the court will thenstep in to set up the plan for you.
To begin the custody process inPennsylvania, a parent must file acustody complaint in the state andcounty where the child has lived for thepast six months.
In Pennsylvania, there are 67counties and each has its own rules.Therefore, before scheduling courtdates, it is important to understand thetechnical guidelines for the county thatyou will be using to initiate a custodyproceeding.
OONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULTthings to do is figuring out the bestcustody arrangement for children whenparents are contemplating divorce orparents are already involved in a custodydispute.
grandparents’rights in custody
mattersWritten by SYLVESTER E. WILLIAMS, IV
32 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 33
lifesty
le))))
grandparents’ rights
Some counties in Pennsylvaniarequire that both parents attend court,sometimes with the child, to attend aseminar that explains the court processwith extreme emphasis on protectingyour child’s emotional health duringthe process.
In most counties in Pennsylvania,parents can expect to be part of amediation session with a court-appointed mediator. This process isused to expedite finding a resolutionthat both parties can agree to as partof the custody plan.
Conversely, if the parties are unableto reach an amicable solution throughthe mediator, then the parties wouldhave to move to a formal hearingbefore a judge.
If the parties still have not arrivedat an amicable solution for custodyusing the hearing, then the court mayorder home studies and psychologicalevaluations of the parents and children.The court will review the evaluationreports and then hold a trial todetermine the custodial arrangementthat would be in the best interests ofthe child.
Of particular interest is howgrandparents are treated in thesecustody proceedings. More specifically,
a court may grant visitation if at leastone of the child’s parents is deceased,the parents are divorced or separatedfor more than six months, or the childhas lived with the grandparent formore than 12 months.
Determination of grandparentvisitation must include consideration ofthe best interest of the child, potentialinterference with the parent-childrelationship, and the contact betweenthe grandparent and grandchild.
Adoption cuts off visitation rights ofgrandparents unless adoption is
granted to a stepparent or grandparent.In Pennsylvania, grandparents can
request physical or legal custody of achild if they already have legal statusthat allows them to act as the child’sparent (loco parentis) or underspecified other circumstances.
Legal custody, which can be sole orshared, gives the right to makedecisions affecting the child, includingmedical, religious, and educationaldecisions.
The law defines physical custody asthe actual physical possession and
The good news is that grandparentscan have rights of both visitation andguardianship depending on thecircumstances with the parents.
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34 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
life
sty
le)) )
)gr
andp
aren
ts’ r
ight
s
control of a minor child. There are five
types—primary, shared, partial, sole,
and supervised—and below are the
details for each:
• Shared physical custody, also called
joint physical custody, gives both
parents significant periods of
custodial time with the child,
including overnights.
• Primary physical custody means the
child lives with you a majority of the
time.
• On the other hand, partial physical
custody means you spend less than
50 percent of the time with your
child. Partial custody may include
the right to have overnight custody.
• Sole physical custody means you do
not share physical custody with the
other parent. It is your right alone.
• Visitation is the right to spend time
with a minor child, but not the right
to remove the child from the
custodial parent’s control.
The specific circumstances in these
delicate situations involve the
grandparent-child relationship
beginning with a parent’s consent or
order or under a court order, the
grandparent’s willingness to assume
responsibility for the child, and one of
the following conditions exists:
• The child is a dependent child
• The child is substantially at risk due
to parental abuse, neglect, drug or
alcohol abuse, or incapacity
• The child has resided with the
grandparent for at least 12
consecutive months, excluding brief
temporary absences of the child
from the home, and is removed from
the home by the parents, in which
case the grandparents’ action must
be filed within six months
Additionally, in Pennsylvania
grandparents may request partial
physical custody or supervised physical
custody where the parent who is your
child is deceased, the parents have
either been separated for at least six
months or initiated petition for divorce,
or the child has lived with the
grandparent for a minimum of 12
months.
In this unique setting, the court maydecide a grandparent’s right to custodybased on the level of personalengagement between the child andgrandparents and whether custody tothe grandparent would interfere withan existing parent-child relationship.Ultimately, the court will determinewhat is in the child’s best interest.
So in Pennsylvania, grandparents dohave some limited right to custody, butthe rights are triggered by the parents.
It is safe to say that any rightsafforded the grandparents arepredetermined by the circumstancessurrounding the parents.
Become familiar with your county’srules and what options might beavailable to you as grandparents.
The good news is, however, thatgrandparents can have rights of bothvisitation and guardianship dependingon those circumstances with theparents.
In these situations, consult with alawyer to get the best advice in puttinga custodial plan together. This is not atask that you will want to try to handleon your own. ) ) )
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 35
36 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
germany: where to goand how to get there
Written by AALLEN TAYLOR
Before the first century, Romanrulers had conquered Germany andmade it a part of its empire.Charlemagne united Germany withFrance in his conquest to subdue theSaxons. The Protestant Reformationrose up from its soil. And Germany wasa key player in both world wars.
All of this history is documented
within the archives of the nation’scities and museums, which you cancatalog in your own memory with aself-directed tour by rail.
Traveling in Germany by TrainOne of the greatest joys of European
tourism is being free from ridingaround on four wheels. Germany has
one of the most efficient rail systems inthe world. All the trains arrive on timeand rarely are down due to prolongedmaintenance. If you’re not driving, youcan focus on the beautiful scenery andon seeing the sights.
Before leaving the States, purchasea rail pass. You can get a pass for upto 15 consecutive days of travel, and it
trav
el
GERMANY IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES IN EUROPE.Its history is rich, with many cultural and historical developments taking root there.
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 37
will save a bundle on fares. You’ll wantto get them before leaving the Statesbecause they’re hard to find once youarrive in a country, but you’ll need toallow up to 30 days for your passes tobe mailed.
Another benefit to traveling by trainwhile touring Germany: All the trainsare equipped with free Wi-Fi. Takeyour laptop or tablet because you’ll bebooking your nightly accommodationson the run. It’s actually a part of thefun.
Besides incredible views of historiccastles and awe-inspiring mountainscenery, you can spend your travelingtime doing something useful likesearching for places to go and things tosee at your next stop.
HHow to Book a Train for YourGermanic Travels
The best way to buy a rail ticket forEuropean trains is online. However, youshould be aware that there aredifferent types of rail tickets. If you areplanning to travel only within Germany,then you’ll want a German rail pass. Ifyou want to travel between countries,you’ll need a Eurail pass.
There are two types of German railpasses. The first type of pass is onewhere you plan to move about daily.You can choose between five, 10, or 15consecutive days of travel.
The other type of pass allows you totravel three, four, five, seven, or 10days within one month, consecutively ornot. If you are planning on extendedstays over several days in some cities,then opt for the second type of pass soyou can do your sightseeing and travel
when it suits you.If you’ll be traveling by regional
train, you won’t need reservations. Ifyou’re traveling on high-speed ICEtrains, however, you should plan onreserving your seats in advance even ifyou do have rail passes. They tend tofill up quickly.
As I mentioned, be sure to orderyour rail passes far enough in advancethat they can be mailed to you prior toleaving for Europe.
How to Book Accommodations on theFly
Travel in the 21st century is a snapsince most businesses now havewebsites. In Germany, you can stay inhostels, hotels, or bed and breakfasts,which can be a lot of fun. And the bestpart is, you can book youraccommodations on the fly.
Deutsche Bahn trains have free Wi-Fi access on most intercity trains.When booking your travel, be sure tolook for those trains with Internethotspots so you can search for the typeof accommodations you want at yournext destination in transit.
You can search for hospitalityservices, book them online, and haveyour room keys waiting for you whenyou arrive—all from the comfort of thetrain seat.
Search Google.de for the city andthe type of accommodations you arelooking for (hotel, bed and breakfast,hostel), and when prompted, allow thesearch engine (or company websites) totranslate into English for you. ManyGerman websites offer an Englishalternative as a service.
trav
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)))germ
any
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
38 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
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)ge
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Clockwise, from top left: Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin;Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany’s medieval walled city;
Heidelberg Castle near the Black Forest region;Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
Then again, book a night train andforego overnight accommodations bysleeping on the train.
TTop Places to Visit in GermanyGermany consists of six primary
regional states. These are Bavaria,home of the German Alps; Black Forest;Eastern Germany; Rhine Valley; RuhrValley; and Northern Germany. Eachregion is unique with stunning sightsand a rich cultural history.
Bavaria – Your trip to Bavaria mustinclude a tour of NeuschwansteinCastle. Its spectacular artwork andhistory is a memory you’ll want to keep.Bavaria is also home to Germany’stallest mountain, Zugspitze.
Another historic site you won’t wantto miss is Rothenburg ob der Tauber,Germany’s medieval walled city. Be sureto take a walk with the NightWatchman.
And, of course, the beer. Try thelocal beer.
Black Forest – The Black Forestregion borders France and Switzerland.Known for its woodlands, there aresome interesting museums andmagnificent historic sites in the area.
You’ll want to stop in to the FolkCostume Museum in Haslach, whichfeatures the world-famous Bollunhuthat, and the Clock Museum inFurtwangen. The Triberg waterfalls arethe highest waterfalls in Germany.
While Heidelberg Castle isn’ttechnically in the Black Forest, it’s justa hop and a skip away, and you’ll get akick out of walking the same groundAmerican author Mark Twain wroteabout after his visit.
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any
The Holocaust Memorial, Berlin.
• Exclusive Insider Experiences as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary.
• First Class hotel accommodations with all hotel servicecharges and tips, baggage handling fees and localtaxes.
• Welcome Reception, 14 Breakfasts and 6 Dinnersincluding Be My Guest in Budapest and FarewellDinner in Frankfurt.
• Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with recliningseats and restroom on board.
• Round-trip transfers between airports and hotels(conditions apply).
• The services of one of Trafalgar’s expert Travel Directors.
Your vacation includes:
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 39
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Finally, take an excursion to Baden-Baden, Germany’s luxurious naturalspa.
East Germany – Berlin, Dresden,and Leipzig are all located in EastGermany. You’ll want to see theBrandenburg Gate and Checkpoint
Charlie in Berlin, both of which aresome of the most visited attractions inthe country.
The Holocaust Memorial is alsolocated in Berlin.
Rhine Valley – There’s nothing moreromantic than a riverboat ride on the
river Rhine. There are so many storiesto tell there’s no good place to begin.
The mountaintops are crested withhistoric castles and gorgeouslandscapes. Incredible cities to visitinclude Koblenz, Trier, Worms, andMainz.
Ruhr Valley – The Ruhrpott is thelocation of one of the most intriguinganthropological finds in history.Nineteenth-century scientistsdiscovered a prehistoric man in theNeandertal Valley.
One of the most historic cities inGermany, Cologne, is located here. Thecity was established in the first centuryand is home to the famed CologneCathedral with its incredible Gothicspires.
Northern Germany – Germany’scoastlines bordering the North Sea andBaltic Sea are lovely sights on theirown.
Hamburg is also a huge aerospaceindustry hub and a media center, withhalf of Germany’s newspapers andmagazines rooted there.
All along Germany’s coasts arebeautiful beaches and gorgeous cliffs.Bremen and Hanover are two othergreat cities to visit in this region, butyou won’t want to miss Germany’sisland resort destination, Rügen.
The best thing about traveling inGermany in the fall is the season. It’ssimply stunning, and touring thecountry by train is itself a leisurepursuit you’ll enjoy. ) ))
Helpful websites:www.bahn.comwww.eurail.com/eurail-passes
40 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
City of Koblenz, situated on both banks of the Rhine in Ruhr Valley.
ROME ANDTHE AMALFI COASTApril 28 - May 7, 2016
INCLUDED FEATURES:
» Free parking with roundtrip transfers to Philadelphia Int’l Airport
» Roundtrip airfare Philadelphia to Rome, Italy
» Eight nights hotel accommodations
» Sightseeing as stated in itinerary by luxury coach
» Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners
» AAA Group Leader
$4,629 pp dbl.*STARTING AT
For more information please visit your local AAA Central Penn office or call 800-253-6238.
* Rates are subject to availability at time of booking and include taxes, fees and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. All pricing and included features are based on a minimum of 25 passengers.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Rome, Ravello, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Paestum, Pompeii, Naples
42 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
peo
ple
“I don’t know many high schoolteachers, but a friend introduced me tohim at his retirement party. He’s thekind of baby boomer that is really intogoals. He’s a high achiever,” she said.
“I grew up in the ’50s with abrother and a sister and as thefirstborn, my mom and dad gave methat little extra push,” said Beckerich,reflecting back on his early years andwhy it’s always been important for himto excel.
“Mom and Dad told me thatteachers are important people,” saidBeckerich, who enjoyed school. “Itwas more than just the education; itwas having fun in the classroom.”
Beckerich, who played bass clarinetin school, says a highlight of his high
school years was having theopportunity to play in the 1961Tournament of Roses parade.
“Every family had to kick in $100for the trip, and when I told my dad itwas like I said a million. I have noidea where we got the money,” he said.
He tells of taking the train to NewMexico the day after Christmas.
“We practiced down the mainstreet of an old town and visited theGrand Canyon and Disneyland alongthe way. It gave me this wanderlust.We received complimentary tickets tothe end zone to see the Rose BowlGame. The trip was eye opening andmind bending,” he said.
Beckerich went on to continue hiseducation at Juniata College, where he
played baseball and studied to be amath teacher. By age 22, he foundhimself teaching high school studentsnot much younger than himself.
“My first year was not easy; I madea lot of mistakes. After that, I cameback, tweaked my weaknesses, andbecame pretty much the teacher Iwould be for the next 35 years,” hesaid.
He spent the final 26 years of hiscareer at West Chester East HighSchool, where he viewed his studentsand colleagues as family.
“I did homework every night of mycareer. I am my own toughest criticand came to class over-prepared, whileat the same time giving theappearance of spontaneity. The rapport
JJAMES BECKERICH IS A RETIRED TEACHER, VOLUNTEER, MOUNTAIN-climbing adventurer, and raconteur. Catherine Quillman, a neighbor of Beckerich,marvels at his energy and discipline.
disciplined, enthusiastic, andeager to scale new heights
Written by STEPHANIE KALINA-METZGER
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 43
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james beckerich
among students, colleagues, andadministration was very important,” hesaid.
After retirement, Beckerich lookedforward to spending more timehiking—a pastime he enjoyed duringhis summer vacations throughout theyears starting in the mid-’70s, when hehad the opportunity to hitchhike aroundthe United States.
“I left the day after school [ended]and traveled to Philly, Miami, NewOrleans, and Denver. At each one ofthose places, I got a job lasting a fewweeks. It could have been scary, but Ihad this cockiness about me thatnothing was going to go wrong. I metsome weird people, but I stayed true tomy moral compass,” he said.
The year Beckerich visited Denver,he saw the Rockies and was smitten.He reports spending the next twosummers doing as he pleased—hiking,
climbing, and meeting stray people, butthings changed when he had a daughternamed Sarah.
“For 20 years, I didn’t leave theEast Coast,” he said.
By 1993, with Sarah grown,Beckerich felt it was time to go backand visit his beloved Rockies, which hehas done every summer since.
“Every year I pack my vehicle anddrive out to the mountains of the Westto backpack, climb peaks, and seeAmerica.”
After tackling Mt. Whitney, Mt.Shasta, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, and 40summits in Colorado, Beckerich wasready to expand his horizons beyondthe U.S., taking an Inca Trail trek toMachu Picchu in Peru, journeys to Mt.Kilimanjaro and Mt. Everest basecamps, and an expedition to high campof Aconcagua Peak, Argentina.
“When I retired, I never thought I’d
Beckerich climbing Aconcagua,the highest mountain outside of
Asia and the highest point in theSouthern Hemisphere.
You reacha certain agewhere you startlooking backand seeingwhat you’vedone, assesswhere you are,and look aheadto where youwant to be.”
“
44 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
leave the country, but I met somepeople who were talking about the ‘TopSeven Summits on the Planet,’ and Ithought summiting Mt. Kilimanjarowould be the perfect way to celebratemy new lifestyle—a five-day climb to19,000 feet, the roof of Africa,” saidthe intrepid traveler.
His success during his expeditionsjust fuels his thirst for more.
“My spirit and my confidencecontinue to expand and grow. Rightnow in my apartment, I can view 20collages of summits and trips I’ve takenaround the world, and I get to relive allthese magic moments and add to them.It’s quite an empowering feeling,” hesaid.
Beckerich spends his spare momentsenjoying time with his daughter,addressing groups about his adventures,and volunteering for organizations like
Safe Harbor and Communities thatCare, while training in between hikes.
“I eat well, make good decisions,and every day I power walk an hour tothe gym and back and work out 45minutes when I’m there. I practiceBikram Yoga and guided meditation toachieve the necessary stillness neededto remain focused.
“You reach a certain age where youstart looking back and seeing whatyou’ve done, assess where you are, andlook ahead to where you want to be.I’m a lucky man to have the opportunityto do a lot of stuff and meet a lot ofpeople and try to make myself a betterperson. Enriching my soul and spirit isa reward in itself,” he said.
Beckerich is available for grouppresentations on his many adventuresand can be contacted [email protected]. )) ))
Above: Aconcagua campwith a beautiful full moonin the sky.
Right: Beckerichacknowledges his
supporters.
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46 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
Here’s why:
Medicare Part D prescription plans
frequently change premiums, drug
formularies, deductibles, and copayment
amounts for specific drugs from year to
year. Medicare Advantage plans often
make similar changes; plus, doctors,
hospitals, and pharmacies may drop out
of their preferred provider networks.
Thus, by simply choosing the same
options for 2016 without investigating
alternatives, you could wind up paying
hundreds or thousands of dollars more for
similar healthcare services.
Medicare’s annual election period
(a.k.a., Open Enrollment) to make
coverage changes for 2016 runs from
Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2015. For most people,
this is the best—and sometimes only—
opportunity to make coverage changes.
(Exceptions are made for people who
qualify for a special enrollment period;
see “Medicare & You” at
www.medicare.gov for details.)
If you already have traditional
Medicare Parts A and B, you needn’t
make any changes; however, if you also
have Part D, you must either reenroll in
your current plan or choose another.
During open enrollment you can:
• Switch from Medicare Parts A, B, and
D to Medicare Advantage or vice versa
• Switch from one Advantage plan to
another
• Switch from an Advantage plan
offering drug coverage to one that
doesn’t or vice versa
• Join a Part D plan, switch from one
plan to another, or drop coverage
altogether
Current Advantage plan enrollees can
also use the Medicare Advantage
disenrollment period (Jan. 1 to Feb. 14,
2016) to switch back to Medicare Parts
A, B, and D, but they cannot:
• Switch from original Medicare toMedicare Advantage
• Switch from one Advantage plan toanother
• Switch from one Part D plan toanother
When choosing next year’s Part Dplan:
• Carefully review your plan’s “AnnualNotice of Change” for substantivechanges to premiums, deductibles,copayments, covered drugs,participating pharmacies, etc.
• Notice whether they’ve changedcopayments/coinsurance for yourmedications or possibly dropped somealtogether. Ask your doctor whethercomparable, covered drugs will work;otherwise, you could pay much morenext year.
weigh2016 medicare
part d,advantage plan
choicescarefully
Written by JJASON ALDERMAN
IF YOU’RE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN MEDICARE, WHAT YOU DO OR DON’Tdo over the next few weeks could determine whether you can secure the best, mostaffordable coverage next year.
hea
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f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 47
• Even if your plan hasn’t changed
substantially, it’s still wise to use the
Medicare Plan Finder at
www.medicare.gov to compare all
available plans. You’ll be prompted
to enter your medications and
dosages. The calculator then ranks
plans by “star rating” and overall
cost.
• Note: The lowest premium may not
be your best bet—sometimes plans
with higher monthly premiums have
a lower overall cost due to their
more favorable deductible,
copayment, and coinsurance
amounts.
Medicare Advantage plans are HMO-
or PPO-type alternatives to Medicare
Parts A and B. Most cover drugs and
some include extra benefits like vision
and dental coverage at additional cost.
They usually have lower deductibles and
copayments but require you to use the
plan’s provider network. A few tips:
• If your Advantage plan includes drug
coverage, you don’t need Part D.
• Carefully review the “Annual Notice
of Change” from your plan for any
substantive changes.
• Even if your plan hasn’t changed
substantially, you can use the same
Medicare Plan Finder as above to
review available plans. As with PartD plans, an Advantage plan with alower premium might have a higheroverall cost, due to variousrestrictions.
Bottom line: Reviewing yourMedicare options each year iscomplicated and time consuming. But ifyou don’t and your plans changesignificantly, it could cost you a bundlenext year. )) ) )
Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financialeducation programs. To Follow JasonAlderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney
he
alth
)))m
edicare choices
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48 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
In my youthful enthusiasm, that wasmy satisfyingly wise perspective onthings. If you gotta do something, atleast do it fast. So I walked fast. Iworked fast. I ate fast. I slept fast.Fast meant accomplishment. Fastmeant impact. OK, so it didn’t alwaysmean accurate. But what I couldn’t dowell, I at least got through in a hurry.
And so I was just breezing—fast—through life, when along came age 49.Really? 49? Most people sail right past49 without even noticing. I thought Iwould.
Generally, 49 means you’re stillactive, still busy as ever. For me,though, it was about to meansomething entirely different.
Middle age may have already beenquietly decelerating the general pace ofthings, which was bothersome enough.But a few months into age 49 adoctor’s perspective was about to makea huge impact on mine. And whether Iliked it or not, his diagnosis was aboutto throw me into low gear for good.
Parkinson’s disease. Like I said, lowgear. That degenerative disease thateventually saps all strength from eventhe most physically fit was now todefine me, Mr. Happier-if-it’s-Faster.Deep groan.
Oh, I knew a number of folks who’dhad Parkinson’s “for 20 years.” And ifit now had to be true of me, I wascounting on it not to surface for atleast that long.
But it’s funny how things slap youback to reality. I happened to be
working where I constantly crossedpaths with many older adults, and ofcourse, among them many well-seasoned PD sufferers. At first, Iintentionally ignored the obvious. But Icouldn’t help noticing how slowly somemoved. How rigid some were. How theyshook as they shuffled along.
Low gear clearly meant slow gear. Isecretly determined that I wasn’t going
to be like that. I wasn’t going to slowdown. At least not for a very long time.
Now, to be fair, Parkinson’s wasn’texactly a death sentence for me. Infact, I had already been there. Age 34.Malignant melanoma. “Stage 4,” a labtechnician quietly gasped.
But, whatever that meant, I wasstill young. It really never hurt, andbarely any time had passed betweenreceiving the diagnosis and beingtossed onto a surgical table. Irecovered amazingly well—and fast!—well, some days I almost barelyremember it.
Those were still my high-speed days.Everything was happening fast.Cancer—wham! Surgery—bam! Nochemo or radiation—zing! Get outtahere, kid. Go get healthy again. And so,by the kindness of the Great Physician,I got back into enjoying my fast-pacedlife.
But like I said, when age 50 was insight, and with a seriousness I wasn’tquite ready for, Parkinson’s forced meto properly slow down and take thingsmore carefully. To consider things morefully.
At least PD was the explanation fora few unknowns—the twitching andtrembling in my left arm and hand; the
the tortoise and the hareWritten by JJEFF HOENSHELL
ASK ANY KID WHO HASN’T YET READ OF THE LEGENDARY TORTOISE ANDhare, “Who should win?” and they’ll pick the hare every time. I know I did. Speed iscool. Faster is always better.
hea
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Parkinson’sdisease. Thatdegenerative diseasethat eventually sapsall strength from eventhe most physicallyfit was now to defineme, Mr. Happier-if-it’s-Faster.
“
”
loss of some dexterity in my fingers;and eventually the trembling andcramping in my legs and feet.Thankfully, it was all minimal at first.
However, pills were suddenly comingat me. Disappointingly and annoyinglyfast, I might add. And the only thingworse than having pills slow down yourdaily routine is having to remember totake them at specified intervals.Impossible, I still contend.
But if nothing else, my vocabularywas increasing. Words that don’t evenshow up on spell-check (try dopamine-agonist, dyskenesia, and dystonia, forexample) made me sound like ascholar! And along with them came afew recognizable words, specifically“deep brain stimulation.”
I had learned early on that PDbasically meant stuff was diminishingin the brain. Important stuff. (Mychildren had long been accusing me oflosing plenty of brain cells over theyears. But that’s for anotherdiscussion.)
Anyway, I learned of a type oftherapy that involved putting electricalleads deep into the brain. Somethingthat would stimulate the brain and helpit deal with the deterioration of PD andpossibly lessen the number of pills.
Now, that I was eager to consider.In my imagination, I could readily seehow this therapy might help me keepon moving and remain tremor-less foryears to come. OK, so maybe five. Butfive years, I reasoned, would at leastput me closer to retirement. And then,I begrudged, I might be ready to slowdown.
Well, to qualify for this device, ithad to be shown that my medicationswere really not working well. Notgiving sufficient relief. If that didn’tdefine my experience, I don’t knowwhat else could.
The very first pills I took didvirtually nothing for me except producetroublesome side effects. Whoa! Weresome of those nasty! Those werereplaced with another type ofmedication, which did actually diminishthe tremors for quite a while.
But remember that part abouttaking them several times a day, atspecific intervals? Yeah. That wasn’t areal successful time for me. Along theway, I even tried a patch version of
meds. However, I’m convinced I canstill show you faint shadows from allthe red spots they left on my skin.More than two years ago, now!
All right. So that was probably anunfair, if not hasty, summation. But thepartial bottles of pills that remain inour cupboard stand as testament to thefact that while this disease definitely
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f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 49
50 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
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slowed me down, I had been oneactively busy man, working hard tryingto figure this all out.
Finally I underwent “The BrainSurgery,” as we call it, in the spring of2014. And to everyone’s immediatesurprise, there was instant relief fromthe tremors. Like flipping a lightswitch, I went from shaking to calm.
However, I was reminded that to getthe settings just right for me wouldrequire time. And, in short, theyweren’t kidding. “Nine months atleast,” echoed in my head when, aftera few months, the tremors returned andsystematic visits to the neurologist
became my new normal, as they say. At this writing, nine months are in
the rear-view mirror and have resultedin plenty of visits, but fewer pills! Andfor that I remain grateful and hopeful.So the adventure continues. Just notquite as quickly.
I’ve picked up on a few things,though. Fast-paced people are alsooften impatient people. We wantcompletion. Instant results. I mean,Creation took a week. Why can’t weproduce the same?
The cane I occasionally use tomaintain balance answers that one,rather graphically. I can also see that
hurrying to a destination pretty muchleads to just hurrying on to the nextone. And the next. And the next. Andso far, there’s never been anyonestanding at the end handing outawards. Not yet, anyway.
So, high speed is basically now justa setting on our blender—and speakingof blenders, did I mention how much ofa mess I can make with a cup ofcoffee? You might as well laugh. I do.Otherwise, the tortoise continues toremind me of important lessons I’mfinally slowing down enough to learn.
Although, I still pick the hare towin. ) ) )
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52 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
1. First off, although the link tothe kitchen and bath is more globalthan specific, it seems worthmentioning that people are looking atways to create a level entry andgenerally more open plans with clearerfloor space for easier maneuvering.
The newest international residentialcode allows for the change in levelfrom garage to home to occur withouta step, so in many cases this can bethe level entry. In a current project,my office is working on a renovationthat includes installation of a rampfrom garage to kitchen to maketransport of groceries easier, asrequested by the client.
It’s worth noting that while currentaccess standards allow a 1:12 gradientfor a slope on a ramp, there is amovement to decrease that slope, andif you wonder why, try propellingyourself up or down that pitch safelyon wheels.
2. The ability to live on one floor isfrequently cited as a reason to movefrom an existing home or to remodel.While many regional vernaculars includetwo-story designs, people are asking forplans that include a master suite on themain floor, so “upstairs” becomes guestor other flex space.
This does impact the space availablefor and the orientation of the kitchen andthe master bath when all of this is beingfitted onto one floor.
3. Easy maintenance is cited as atop priority, which is no surprise as weall know easy is good. However, itbecomes a stronger trend when cited as amain reason for moving from an existinghome (57 percent, according to an ASIDAging in Place Survey).
After outdoor upkeep, the kitchen andthe bath are the two areas mostmentioned when looking forimprovements. As designers of these
spaces, we need to take this into account.
Antibacterial materials and finishes,
cleaner lines, appliances that report
trouble back to the manufacturer, self-
regulating ventilation or lighting—all the
ways we can streamline the care of our
spaces—become tipping points for our
clients.
4. In the kitchen, fewer wall
cabinets is key. Fortunately, design trends
toward more open spaces and generous
daylight have forced us to use fewer wall
cabinets, and the response is tremendous.
At 5 feet, 5 inches, I can reach no
farther than the front of the second shelf
on a typical-height wall cabinet.
With today’s accessories for drawer
storage of those items traditionally
stored in wall cabinets, plus the use of
furniture pieces in the kitchen, people
are beginning to let go of wall cabinets
in exchange for storage within easy
reach.
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TTOP CLIENT REQUESTS
top 10trends tofollow foraging in
placeWritten by MARY JO PETERSON,
CKD, CBD, CAPS
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 53
5. We are placing appliances atcomfortable heights. I used to be alonely voice encouraging splitting doubleovens so each might be placed at a moreaccessible height, but today, clients areasking for them.
It’s interesting to note that while theoriginal reasoning behind a raiseddishwasher or right-height oven was foruse by a person in a wheelchair, today itis more often a benefit to a standingperson who would choose not to bend.
Another caution: This is one of thoseuniversal design concepts that onlyworks when it fits into the design. Araised dishwasher at the end of agenerous counter stretch separating thekitchen views from the adjoining spacemight be great, but that same raisedunit in the middle of a U-shaped kitchenwould be all wrong.
6. Drawers could becalled the great
equalizer. All ofus benefit frombringing thingscloser to uswithoutstraining. Even
most moderatelypriced cabinetry
offers drawers.
Today’s drawer appliances, dishwashers,microwave ovens, and refrigerators, toname a few, are in demand andparticularly from those in the boomersegment.
7. In both the kitchen and the bath,not only drawers, but doors that also goaway are a strong trend. Whether theyfold to the side, swing up, recess in, orotherwise open, getting them out of theway while one is accessing what’sbehind them is good. Hardware hasbeen created andimproved sothat therehave neverbeen moreoptions.
8. Inthe bath,let’s start withthe vanity areaand talk knee spaces. Peopleare requesting designs that include theoption of sitting for at least some ofthe tasks at hand. Today’s lavatorydesigns invite an open knee space andthey are, at last, a strong trend.
9. Have you ever seen morechoices in toilets? The trend is
definitely toward comfort or right-height seats and, given the choice, Iplan more than one height toaccommodate changing needs andvaried user heights when doing a wholehouse.
Although this trend is still designer-instigated, clients are respondingstrongly to the many additional optionsbecoming available, including heatedand self-closing seats, personalhygiene, dual-flush, etc.
10. No-threshold showers havebegun to take hold with not just
designers, but with builders andconsumers as well. Whencontainment of water is plannedcarefully based on the size,position, direction, and amount of
water flowing; the extent of thewaterproof layer; the slope of the
floor; type and location of drains; andthe plan for doors, curtains, or openentries, this is a wonderful choice. )) ))
Mary Jo Peterson, president of Mary JoPeterson, Inc., is a designer, consultant,speaker, and writer. She employs theuniversal design concept and has helpedmany clients, with and withoutdisabilities, improve the access to space intheir homes. www.mjpdesign.com
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DDetermining the Appropriate Venue forCare
While it is understandable that aperson wouldn’t want to leave thecomforts of his or her home, there aremany factors to consider when decidingif a nursing facility or if in-home careis the best choice.
Continuing care retirementcommunities (CCRCs) offer a full range
of housing services—independent,personal care, assisted living,nursing/rehab, and memoryimpairment—most often on onecampus. Residents move between levelsof care as their mobility and healthchange. Some innovative communitiesallow residents to age in place, withoutrequiring incremental moves.
There are also freestanding
nursing/rehabilitation facilities thatprovide nursing care and relatedmedical or personal health services24/7. Nursing facilities offer skilledmedical care under the supervision oflicensed nurses, and at least oneregistered nurse must be on duty duringthe day.
It is important to consider howmuch assistance the patient really
MANY OF YOU LIKELY HAVE ELDERLY PARENTS WHO ARE IN NEED OFphysical care or assistance in their daily lives. If you are not already dealing with theintricacies of providing this support (both from financial and logistical standpoints),you may be preparing for your own future.
getting the best carefor your loved one and paying for it
Written by LESLIE FELDMAN
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f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 55
56 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
needs. Attorney Clayton Lingg ofMooney and Associates, LLP, points outthat “skilled nursing care is onlyadvantageous when the person’smedical needs reach such a level asdetermined by a qualified physician.”
Attorney Craig Hatch of Halbruner,Hatch & Guise, LLP, stresses “theprincipal consideration for looking tocare in the home versus care in afacility is the safety and care of thepatient.”
He notes that in-home care is agreat choice if family members arearound to provide support, but hepoints out that if the caregiver isunavailable or an emergency occurs,problems can arise.
Hatch explains that “withinstitutional care, there are supportsystems and the availability of trainedmedical personnel if there is a suddenhealth crisis.” Lingg explained thatinstitutional-based nursing facilities aredesigned to tackle health needs andreduce the burden on family membersto provide medical care. It allows thefamily to concentrate, instead, onproviding emotional support andpatient advocacy.
CCovering the CostsAs you might guess, utilizing skilled
nursing care comes at a cost(approximately $8,600 to $10,000 permonth in a facility, according toLingg). While the family or patientmay choose to pay privately, therecould be other options. Thesealternatives, predominantly Medicareand Medicaid, carry strict legalguidelines in determining who qualifies.
Medicare is a federal program thatprovides funds for patients requiringcare in order to maintain their conditionor prevent further deterioration.Medicare typically pays for nursing careimmediately following a three-dayhospital stay and only for a limitednumber of days.
Medicare does not come withoutsome costs, though. Hatch shares thatthe patient may be responsible for acoinsurance payment of up to $157.50per day. Medicare’s webpage on skilled
nursing care (www.medicare.gov/coverage/skilled-nursing-facility-care.html) provides more informationabout coverage.
Although there is no “new” law, dueto a class action lawsuit in Jimmo v.Sebelius, the federal governmentmodified Medicare coverage for skillednursing and therapy services.
“Prior to the settlement, Medicareimplemented an ‘improvementstandard,’ which required a patient’shealth to continually improve forMedicare to cover the costs,” saysLingg. “Those patients whose healthremained static or deteriorated wereforced to find alternative means ofpaying for the costs of care.”
The new interpretation of the lawrequires the federal government toprovide Medicare coverage to patientsregardless of their “potential forimprovement, but rather on thebeneficiary’s need for skilled care.”
For individuals with fewer financialresources, Medicaid may be an option.Medical Assistance (MA) isPennsylvania’s version of the federalprogram. MA will cover skilled-careexpenses for those deemed medicallyand financially eligible.
While there are clear guidelines usedto determine financial eligibility,medical eligibility is determined viacertification from a physician who is notemployed by the facility. This is outlinedin detail via Title 55 of thePennsylvania Code.
Eligibility precludes facilities andagencies from charging children foradditional costs. It is only when thepatient does not meet MA requirementsor in other unusual circumstancesrelated to money previously spent thatthey are allowed to pursue familymembers financially.
Lingg stresses the importance ofpatients and family members workingwith an attorney experienced withMedicaid in order to avoid mistakesrelated to applications and filing. Errors
The principalconsideration forlooking to care inthe home versuscare in a facility isthe safety and careof the patient.
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get the best care
in the enrollment processthat can lead to delays,
denials, and discontinuation ofbenefits, which could ultimately makethe patient or family liable for costs.
The Aging Waiver Program isanother means through which in-homecare can be provided to eligibleindividuals (again, those meetingcertain age, financial, and medical orphysical requirements). Visitwww.portal.state.pa.us for moreinformation about the program.
Wartime veterans and spousesmeeting particular guidelines (serving90 days and needing assistance with
three of their daily living activities)may be eligible to receive funds tomanage with non-service relateddisabilities.
Lingg shares that veterans canreceive as much as $25,000 annually intax-free income to pay caregivers toprovide home care for non-service-connected disabilities. There arestipulations, though, related to assetsand how medical expenses compare tomonthly income.
Additionally, Lingg cautions that thepension benefits often conflict withMedicaid, so individuals mustunderstand, and perhaps work with a
professional, when planning andenrolling.
Final WordsIt can be over whelming to determine
the appropriate level of and venue forcare for a loved one. The high costs ofthat care can create even more confusionand difficulty in the process. Fortunately,there are many programs designed tofinancially help people obtain thenecessary care.
Likewise, there are many resourcesavailable to help navigate the course formaking arrangements and covering thecosts. )))
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58 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
But when observation patients aredischarged, they can end up with out-of-pocket bills that can cost thousandsof dollars.
The high-cost consequences arecommon for Medicare patients who
might not know the difference betweenbeing labeled “under observation”versus “being admitted.”
“If we go back to around 2010, wecan trace the root of the problem,”said Joanna Kim, vice president of
payment policy at American HospitalAssociation. “No one was disputing ifthese treatments were medicallynecessary; they were just disputing if itcould be done outpatient or not.”
The changes began with the
feat
ure patients foot the bill
under medicare’s‘observation’ regulations
Written by RREBECCA HANLON
MANY HOSPITAL PATIENTS UNDER“observation” look the same as anyother patients. They wear hospitalgowns, eat hospital food, and receivetreatments just like numerous otherpatients.
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 59
recovery audit contractorsprogram, which givesMedicare a financialincentive to deny as much aspossible, Kim said. Theprogram went after patientstatus reviews and startedaggressively second-guessingphysician recommendationsto admit patients, she said.
Observation status isusually used to assess orevaluate a patient, such as ifsomeone comes in with chest pains. Inthat case, the patient could beexperiencing a heart attack or justheartburn from a spicy meal, Kim said.
A provider might place that patientunder observation to run the necessarytests, such as an EKG, to find outwhat’s going on. Observation allowsdoctors to determine the next step andif a patient needs to be admitted.
In the past few years, the Centersfor Medicare & Medicaid Services havedenied reimbursement for cases inwhich it doesn’t see admission asnecessary.
Recently filed lawsuits arguepatients should at least be reimbursedfor treatments received underobservation status. Patients listed asobservation don’t fall under Medicare’s
Part A coverage, which covers hospitalcosts, but under Part B, which usuallycovers doctors’ services. This meanspatients can end up paying a lot moreout of pocket.
Medicare also will only pay forskilled nursing care if a patient was ahospital inpatient for at least threedays. Those in the hospital underobservation don’t qualify for the samereimbursement.
Many hospitals also are inclined tolist patients as under observationversus admitting them because ofMedicare’s plan to crack down onhospitals that readmit patients in 30days, Kim said. It’s a system that’smeant to ensure better patient care butis causing more of a problem than asolution for some hospitals.
“We hear a lot from our hospitals
that they are really concernedabout this trend on behalf oftheir patients,” Kim said. “Thehospitals are really caughtbetween a rock and a hardplace. If Medicare says thepatient isn’t appropriate foradmission, then denying theentirety of a reimbursementisn’t sustainable either.”
Despite the struggles withthe system, hospitals arestriving every day to provide
the right care, Kim said. Additionaladministrative work has been addedbecause of the increase in observationstatuses, but doctors are veryconcerned about still providing the bestcare, she said.
Many patients don’t even know theyare under observation status in thehospital, Kim said. Doctors andhospital administrators are workinghard to make sure Medicarebeneficiaries are told within 24 hours ifthey have been admitted or are underobservation status, and some states,including Pennsylvania, have lawsenforcing that timeline.
“Communication with patients isreally key,” Kim said. “Patients shouldnever hesitate to ask what their statusis, and we encourage more hospitals to
fea
ture
))))observation regulations“
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Informing
patients of
their status
would bring
transparency
to patients and
their families.
60 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
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be proactive about starting theconversation. Patients can be informedby talking to the clinician, the hospitalstaff, and their own physician to makethe best decision for their care.”
Pennsylvania Act 169, introduced byRep. Stan Saylor and enacted this year,requires a hospital to provide thatstatus information to a patient.
The legislation requires “thehospital to provide oral and writtennotice to the patient of their outpatientstatus after they have spent a full dayin the hospital outside the emergencydepartment,” Saylor said in a news
release. “Informing patients of thisstatus would bring transparency topatients and their families. Consideringour rapidly aging population, thiswould greatly assist patients and theirfamilies with critical healthcaredecisions.”
In the long run, though, you need tobe aware of the difference andimportance between being underobservation and being admitted.
Kim said she believes the underlyingproblems could be solved if Medicarerealigned the overwhelming financialincentives to deny claims. Because of
contingency-fee structures, she said,Medicare has become a “bountyhunter” and goes after hospitalsimpudently. A backlog of denied claimsforces hospitals to go through theappeal system, she said. WhileMedicare tries to reduce the backlog,many believe the real answer is inreform.
“We hope something is done soon,”Kim said. “Hospitals can’t provide thenecessary care if questions like thiscontinue. It’s been a problem that’sgone on long enough and relief shouldbe coming.” ) ))
Your guide to choosing the right livingand care options for you or a loved one.
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62 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
Before you start your walk throughthis labyrinth of housing, your first stepshould be to assess your parent’scurrent needs. Don’t focus solely onwhat she may need today. Keep an eyeon the future and to what level of careshe may need in the future months andyears.
BBefore You Move Dad and MomAny lifestyle change is difficult. It is
especially hard for older adults whohave spent years and possibly decadesin the same home in the sameneighborhood.
For many, there is a fear of losingtheir independence—of not being incontrol of their lives anymore. Butstarting early on and visiting varioustypes of communities before the actualneed presents itself is the best course ofaction.
Taking time to familiarize yourselfwith housing options before a crisis willminimize some of the stress and helpyou to avoid making a “hurried-up”decision.
mastering the maze of housingchoices for seniors
Written by CLAIRE YEZBAK FADDEN
OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS,while caring for my aging mother, I’velearned a lot about in-home services forseniors, assisted living residences, aswell as board and care homes. Thismaze of housing options for the elderlyis an enigma at best. The alternativesare varied. They range from minimalhelp at your parent’s home to full-timenursing-home care.
care
giv
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f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 63
WWhat Are the Housing Options?
This region is rich in housing options.
The better you and your siblings are
informed, the easier it will be when the
time comes to talk with Mom and Dad.
Residential Living is for individuals
who are responsible for their own basic
needs. Nursing services are not
available on site nor are residential
communities affiliated with nursing care
providers. No meal service or activity
programs are offered.
CCRCs (Continuing Care RetirementCommunities) are facilities offering a
variety of residential living options in
addition to comprehensive medical and
nursing services. Many CCRCs are self-
contained communities offering
educational and recreational activities,
dining accommodations, banking
facilities, transportation services, etc.
Residents move between independent
living, personal care, assisted living,
and nursing care based on changing
needs.
Retirement Communities are planned
for those who are able to care for their
own basic needs (or almost so) and who
choose to live in a community with other
seniors. Organized social programs,
meal service, transportation,
recreational activities, and access to
health and shopping are typical
amenities.
Nursing care is not usually provided.
Some do offer personal care designed
for individuals who function on their
own most of the time but may require
assistance with medications, bathing, or
dressing.
Retirement communities can be
freestanding or affiliated with acomplex offering nursing care services.
Personal Care Homes offer food,shelter, and personal assistance orsupervision. They are ideal for peoplewho do not want to forfeit independenceand do not require the services in or ofa licensed long-term care facility but dorequire assistance or supervision inactivities of daily living (ADL).
Some ADL provided are transferringin and out of a bed or chair, toileting,bladder and bowel management,personal hygiene, securing andmanaging healthcare, self-administeringmedication, and proper turning andpositioning in a bed or chair.
Assisted Living Residences aredesigned to provide an environment thatcombines housing and supportiveservices to allow residents to “age inplace” without having to move to alicensed long-term care facility whentheir care needs increase.
ALRs will have living units withkitchen capacity and private bathrooms
and only one person per unit. An ALRmay provide services that otherwisewould be provided in a long-term carefacility (Personal Care Homes may not).As of January 2011, changedregulations regarding licensure forassisted living communities becameeffective.
Nursing/Rehab Facilities providenursing care and related medical orother personal health services 24 hoursa day, seven days a week, to individualswho require full-time care orsupervision but do not need moreintensive, hospital-based care.
Nursing/rehab facilities may beindependent or part of anothercommunity. Individuals may betemporarily placed for rehabilitationfollowing an illness, injury, or surgeryor reside long term due to illness oraging. Nursing facilities offer skilledmedical care under the supervision oflicensed nurses, and at least oneregistered nurse must be on duty duringthe day.
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housing choices
Before you startyour walk throughthis labyrinth ofhousing, your firststep should be toassess your parent’scurrent needs.
“”
64 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
PPoints to Ponder Before You GoShopping
Keep an Eye to the Future – Don’tchoose a facility for your parent basedsolely on their care needs today.Consider how your parent’s needs maychange in six months, a year, or more.
Take a Tour – Call first and arrangea tour of the facility. You’ll get all theinformation from the administrator. Ifthat facility is in the running, plan todrop by unannounced later, to get a lessformal look at the residence.
How Does It Feel – Not Look? Youwant your parent cared for in anattractive, clean, and safeenvironment. Remember, however, thatyour ultimate goal is to provideexcellent care for your parent. Theplace with the fanciest décor may notemploy the most attentive, competentstaff.
Speak to the Staff – Pay attentionto how the staff interacts with otherresidents. Note how residents interactwith each other. Ask about staff levels.
Speak to some of the residences andget a feel about how they like livingthere. The quality of life your parentwill enjoy is determined largely onhow the staff members treat eachresident.
Doing the Best You Can – Becauseof the wide range of housing choicesfor seniors, the more you understandabout what each option offers, thebetter prepared you will be to make aneducated choice—one that will helpyou sleep easier at night.
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Caring for the Caregiver
No matter how much you love your parents and your children, being a full-time caretaker will take its toll. Here
are some ways to take care of yourself, so that you can take care of everyone else!
Acknowledge your feelings. If you’re feeling resentful, overburdened, and stressed, maybe you’re trying to do too
much. Reassess the “musts” in your day. Can any of them wait for another day or be done by someone else? Will
anyone notice if they’re not done altogether?
Ask for help. It may be something as simple as asking your teen to defrost the chicken for dinner or having your
parent keep a written list of items he needs to have picked up at the store. Simple requests can add up to big
solutions.
Take time for your spouse. You’re not the only one being sandwiched between generations. Your mate is
shouldering some of the load. There’s always going to be something that needs to get done. Make a weekly date with
your spouse, even if it’s just a 20-minute walk around the block. It’s important and good for you to take time to do
things the two of you enjoy.
Learn, learn, learn. There are more than 7 million people in the U.S. currently providing some type of elder care
to a loved one. The wealth of information available to make elder caregiving easier is overwhelming. Investigate all
these resources and take advantage of what others have learned the hard way.
Make time to enjoy your life. Realize that, no matter how organized you are, you’ll never get it all done. There’s
always going to be something else to do.
Love yourself. Take comfort in the fact that what you are doing is from a loving and giving place in your heart.
You can’t do it all, but what you do accomplish is done with affection, devotion, and caring. Accept yourself by giving
yourself a break. It’s the best gift you can give to your spouse, your kids, and your parents.
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 65
IIn the MeantimeIf you’re not quite ready to make the
move, you and your siblings might trysome of these accommodations toextend your parent’s time in theircurrent home.
Home modifications: Survey hishome to determine if somemodifications may improve thesituation.
Get involved: Are you able to do hisgrocery shopping? Is there a neighborwho can take out the trash or a teenwho can mow the lawn? Consider howmuch involvement on your part it wouldtake to keep Dad safely in his home.
Home care: Maybe Dad just needssome help with showering and cooking.There are many programs that provideservices to seniors in their homes. InPennsylvania, both medical andnonmedical agencies require licensure.
Adult day centers/LIFE care:Investigate centers that offer socialactivities, supervision, and assistancewith daily-living activities. LIFE care(referred to as PACE nationally) offersassistance to allow your loved one tocontinue to live at home. This includesmedical care, rehabilitation, assistancewith medications, personal care, socialinteraction, and transportation. Theyalso provide a wonderful respite for acaregiver. ) ))
Freelance writer Claire Yezbak Fadden is aPennsylvania native. Follow her on Twitter@claireflaire.
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66 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
““I BELIEVE THERE ARE AS MANYreasons to create art as there are waysto make art,” says Central PA-basedartist Susan Darling. “Many peoplecreate to tell a story, or invite us to lookat social injustice, or want us to stopand feel wonder at the landscape.”
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Darling, who is the manager of mailservices at Elizabethtown College inElizabethtown, Pa., resides inMarietta, Pa., with her husband,George, and Jack Russell terrier,Buddy. She enjoys spending time withfriends and family, gardening, knitting,and walking on trails by the river nearher home.
Art remains one of her greatpassions, however. She has beencreating it for most of her life.
As a child growing up in Warwick,R.I., she learned about compositionand design from her father, aprofessional photographer. Sheremembers him teaching her to takepictures with her Kodak Browniecamera and developing them in herfamily’s basement darkroom.
“I will always love photography, butmy current focus is on painting andcollage,” says Darling, who attendedPennsylvania School of Art & Design(now PCAD) and graduated from
inspiredby thesimplethings
Written by JASON TABOR
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 67
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susan darling
Millersville University with a degree incommercial art in 1991.
Having concentrated on realism inwatercolor painting for a number ofyears, she now focuses on collage andmixed-media painting.
“Most of my art now is veryabstract, and that is how I woulddescribe it to anyone who has not seenmy work before,” she says. “I do nothave a scene or person or still life infront of me to rely on information. Iam forced to work from within.”
Darling feels there is an underlyingtheme of joy imbued in most of herwork, and much of her art is inspiredfrom enjoyment of the simple things inlife.
“Little things like dinner with myfamily and friends, and taking a walkand feeling the sun on my face” allinspire her to pick up a brush or penciland begin to create.
“I think that the most exciting wayto paint is intuitively. The paintingitself can inform and direct me,” shesays.
Her passion for art eventually cameto help her navigate the period of herlife marked by unforeseen illness—Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of thelymphatic system (part of the immune
system) that originates in the whiteblood cells and compromises the body’sability to fight infections.
It is considered a curablemalignancy, but therapies for thisdisease can have significant long-termtoxicity, making recovery difficult.
She was diagnosed in 1983,coinciding with her family moving toHarrisburg for her husband’s new joband her pregnancy with her daughter,Casey.
“Most of the symptoms of thecancer were masked by the pregnancy.Two weeks after our daughter’s birth, Istarted chemotherapy,” says Darling.During this time she found comfort andstrength by continuing to be active withher art while caring for her newbornchild.
“Art definitely saved me, along withmy daughter. I was creative during mytreatments. Focusing on my daughterkept me on my toes. I painted, stitched,and quilted my way into recovery.”
After her treatment and recovery,Darling decided to take classes to studyart, enrolled at PSA&D, and latergraduated from Millersville.
After graduation, Darling worked atthe United States Postal Service as arelief postmaster.
Susan Darling surroundsherself with her art, evenat work
68 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
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“It was very part-time and easy tohave time to make art and be home formy daughter.”
Darling was then hired byElizabethtown College, where she stillmanages to find time for her art whilerunning a busy college mailroom withthe help of “an amazing staff.”
She has had the opportunity toexhibit some of her art on theElizabethtown campus, and two of herpieces are in the college’s permanentcollection.
“My process for making art is to gointo my studio and play,” says Darling.“I think that dry spells are best dealtwith by taking time to look at art ortrying a new medium. I have dabbled inmosaics and tried my hand at potteryand papermaking.”
Because she works full time, shekeeps a notebook where she recordspainting and collage ideas that shewould eventually like to try.
Local wine enthusiasts may haveseen Darling’s artwork adorning thelabels on bottles for six of NissleyVineyards’ wines, including their latest,“Masquerade.” Her work is featured atLynden Gallery in Elizabethtown and
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Right: Mixed media of discarded CDs, beads, buttons,checker pieces, and feathers that have been painted,
drawn, and stamped. Far right: Watercolor of iris.
Below: Darling in her home studio. The canvas she iscurrently working on sits atop a stool also brightlypainted by her.
f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 69
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susan darling
Garth Gallery in Columbia and has alsobeen published by Syracuse CulturalWorkers in calendars, datebooks, andgreeting cards.
Darling’s advice for aspiring artistsis to join local art associations and
meet other artists. She belongs to theArt Association of Harrisburg and theYork Art Association, where she hastaken classes and taught as well.
“There are group shows toparticipate in and the opportunity to be
around others that share your love ofart,” she says. “I think the biggestlesson that I have learned is stay openand keep learning, and that all there iswork. In other words, the journey is thereward.” ) ))
Darling’s artwork, in a range of media, graces her studio walls. She designed the shirt she is wearing for a local winery.
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70 (((b))) magazine | f a l l 2 0 1 5
The good news about aging is thatwe’re all doing it together!
It is a gift to be celebrated, and itprovides more opportunities to serve, tobe served, and to be encouraged tocelebrate life. In reality, it’s the onlyway to live.
So, in this “age of aging,” I suggestthat we join together and show theworld that life is indeed worth living—especially now that we’ve experiencedit at its best and at its worst!
AA Blessing, Not a BurdenRegardless of what greeting cards
proclaim about the aging process, it’simportant that we let others know thataging is a blessing, not a burden. Onegreat way to do this is by laughing outloud and even laughing at ourselves.Sure, there are many challenges foreach of us as we age, but there areobstacles for people of every age!
Do not approach life like W.C.Fields suggested long ago. He said,
“The first thing you should do in themorning is laugh … and get it overwith!” Instead, look at life throughlaughter all day long.
A New AttitudeMy goal in life is to live forever—
and so far, so good! I call that outlook“joyfully aging” because I stronglybelieve that we can age joyfully eachday; in the midst of our worries, woes,and wars, we know that life is a gift
IT OFTEN SEEMS THAT IN TODAY’S SOCIETY, PEOPLE TEND TO “LOSEtheir significance” as they age because they are perceived as “over the hill.”However, in reality, we aging adults are finally “coming of age.”
aging is the only way to live!WRITTEN BY Dr. Rich Bimler
life
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f a l l 2 0 1 5 | (((b))) magazine 71
given to us to be shared andcelebrated with others.
It is all about attitude. If we seeourselves as victims in life, then lifewill never be as good as it “shouldbe.” If we see life as a gift to beenjoyed, affirmed, and acceptedjoyfully, we can then accept aging asa positive process to embrace, toaccept, and to grab on to for the wildride ahead!
By accepting the “new normal” inour lives, we can live with an“attitude of gratitude”—one that isthankful for who we are and for whatwe can still accomplish in life.
AAging JoyfullyJoyfully aging simply means that it
is not that we have to be happy andjoyful, but rather it is that we get tobe happy and joyful because weacknowledge life as a gift.
In the end, aging is truly the onlyway to live. Live life with gusto!Celebrate the good times; deal withthe down times; live life as a gift toshare rather than a burden to endure.There’s no guarantee that everythingwill work out well, but I amconvinced that seeing life as ablessing will enable us to see anyburdens as little speed bumps on our
journey through this ever-laughing
life.
So watch for the wit, the wisdom,
the wrinkles, and all of the wows
that come your way in life … and
give thanks! Because, as a Japanese
saying beautifully puts it, “The
setting sun is no less beautiful than
the rising sun”! )))
Rich Bimler, Ph.D., has authored JoyfullyAging and 17 other books and continues towrite, laugh, speak, and consult withnonprofit organizations throughout theworld. www.cph.org/joyfullyaging
lifesty
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aging joyfully
))) RRead more of Christianne Rupp’s story online at www.bmagazinepa.com/goodvibrations.What memories would you share? To be considered for a future good vibrations column, please visit www.bmagazinepa.com.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST SPECIALHOLIDAY TRADITION AS A CHILD?DID YOU CARRY THAT ON WITHYOUR FAMILY? On Christmas Eve, our family of eightwould get together at the McEntee’shouse. They were a family of seven.Other families would stop in from timeto time, but we were the constant.Everybody had a great time and we’deat dinner and then the dads wouldpile the kids into a station wagon andgo look at Christmas lights. We’d singsongs and have a blast.
We carried that tradition on with ourkids, albeit not on Christmas Eve.We’d hop in the car with snacks andI’d sing songs while Randy, myhusband, drove us around. Next thingI knew, one of the munchkins wasasking, “Are we done yet?” Since wehad probably only been out for about15 minutes at that point, the answerwould be no. They did not see the funin it that Randy and I did, so one byone they went to sleep.
Over the years they became oldenough to stay home and “miss thefun.” The kids are all adults now butmy husband and I still go out andenjoy the “exterior illumination”every year.
IF YOU HAD MADE A TIMECAPSULE WHEN YOU WERE AKID, YOU WOULD OPEN IT NOWAND FIND (WHAT) INSIDE?Inside my time capsule you would finda basketball and a pair of Conversehigh-top sneakers. I loved playingbasketball and played for the schools Iattended from grade 6 up throughcollege. When my husband and I weredating, our dates often included agame of “one-on-one.”
When I started playing basketball,there were three girls on each side ofthe floor; one was a “rover” who couldgo full length. In 1971, when I was in7th grade, the rules changed and girls’basketball caught up to the boys’version and it became five players andfull-length court.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?Of course, my husband and my kids!My husband of 40 years (in October2015) has loved me and given me awonderful life. Our boys have given usso much joy — Chad and his wife Erinhave two energetic and terrific sons,Caleb and Tanner; Jarod and his wifeMichele just had their first beautifulson Ethan; Austin, who enjoys his workand the great outdoors; and Colin andthe love of his life, Kylee.
))) Age: 60
))) Resides in: Lancaster, Pa.
))) Profession: Managing Editor ( ((b))) magazine
))) Hobbies: Reading, gardening, and needlepoint
Christianne Rupp
Highschool
prom withbeau,1972
Just beforeputting on
graduationgown,1972.
Collegegraduationwith Momand Dad.
The bunch:Son Jarod’s
wedding,2014.
Bottom left:Chris and
Kylee havingfun.
Bottom right:Grandson
Ethan.
First communion,with sister Kathy,
1962.
Chris andGrandma,1955.
