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Westmont Healthcare Community314 S. Elm St.Logan, Iowa712-644-2922

AndWelcov Home Health - Logan

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services in the home.

Page 2 January 30, 2013Senior Living

There's no longer a magic number for retirement. Some people find theywant to work past the traditional retirement age, while others discover theyneed to. In addition, some retirees discover they actually liked working andwant to return to work rather than settle into retirement.

Sixty-five is no longer the required age to stop working. In fact, many peo-ple are foregoing retirement and staying with the workforce. Why? No singlereason applies to everyone, but finances often come into play.

Thanks to a troubled economy that has carried over into the workplace,pensions and severance packages are no longer the norm for retiring workers.When faced with the prospect of reduced funds and dwindling SocialSecurity benefits, many choose to simply keep on working. Furthermore,individuals who retire before 65 are often faced with finding their own healthinsurance plans because Medicare doesn't start until age 65. Even still, highprescription costs for chronic conditions can exceed the allowance ofMedicare. Employee insurance plans tend to have better options, and thatoften factors into an employee's retirement decision.

There are many people who continue working because they actually enjoyit, and not because of some financial necessity.

Working tends to keep the mind sharp and helps seniors feel like contribut-ing members of society. According to a study conducted by the AmericanPsychiatric Association, retirees who continued to work in a bridge job (mean-ing part time or temporary employment) experienced fewer major diseasesand fewer functional limitations than those who fully retired. Researchersconsidered only physician-diagnosed health problems, such as high bloodpressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke and psychiatricproblems.

Those thinking of remaining in the work force can check with employers tosee if retirement is mandatory or voluntary. Seniors re-entering the workforcemay want to brush up on some skills and reconnect with former employers orcolleagues to make the transition easier. Here are some other strategies to con-sider.

• Refurbish your resume. Focus on what things you can do rather thanwhat you did in the past. You may be up against younger applicants and willhave to make a case for your hire.

• Be flexible. You may need health benefits more so than a high salary. Youcan work with an employer to develop a compensation package that is mutu-ally beneficial.

• Develop computer skills. Today's work environment relies heavily oncomputer skills. It is unwise for you to think you'll get by on experience alone.Obtain a rudimentary education in computer usage and common office pro-grams, which can set you apart from other older applicants.

• Know there's nothing to prove. Retirees have the benefit of taking theirtime and finding the right fit in a post-retirement job. Unless money is anissue, shop around until you find the job that appeals to you, even if it's part-time or for a lower salary.

Working beyond retirement age

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativi-ty you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When youlearn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”

~Sophia Loren

Scores of people spend their work-ing days dreaming of the moment theyare eligible for retirement. They mayhave retirement counted down to theminutes and seconds, particularly ifthey've been in a job that hasn't beenthe most enjoyable. But many peoplefind that once they retire they do notknow what to do to fill their time.Boredom actually may be a side effectof retirement, and some people actual-ly want to go back to work.

Much of the focus when planningfor retirement concerns finances. Allother factors take a backseat. Therefore,there may be emotional issues thatarise during retirement, and retireesare not always prepared to deal withsuch issues. Having a post-retirementplan in place can mean the differencebetween happiness and having a hardtime adjusting, according to experts.Here are some tips that can help any-one ease into the golden years.

• Establish goals. After working foryears, the idea of setting goals canseem counterintuitive. But goals cangive life direction and have you look-ing forward to things in the future.Goals also motivate retirees to get up inthe morning now that a commute towork isn't part of the daily schedule.

• Donate time or money. Givingback to others, whether to the commu-nity or to a charitable organization, can

feel good and give retirees some struc-ture. Volunteering your time at a placecan give life some sort of purpose out-side of a job.

• Start a home-based business.Justbecause you retire doesn't mean youhave to fully retire. Now may be theopportunity to start a business ventureyou have always dreamed about,whether that is something hands-on orjust serving as a consultant.

• Try new things. Part of goal-set-ting is to add things to the list you'venever done before, which can boostfeelings of excitement. You may dis-cover a new interest that becomes apassion. Now that you have time toexplore new hobbies, they might provemore rewarding.

• Meet with people. Part of whatmakes work fulfilling is the opportuni-ty to get out of the house and interactwith others who are not members ofyour family. It's easy to fall into a rutwhen you are not being mentally stim-ulated by conversation from differentpeople.

‹• Realize it's alright not to loveretirement. Just because the grassseemed greener in someone else's yard,doesn't mean it always turns out to bethat way. It is OK to accept that mayberetirement isn't entirely what youexpected and to make changes that canenable the experience to be better.

January 30, 2013 Page 3Senior Living

Gold Slipper1136 Toledo Ave. Dunlap, IA 51529

Tuesday - Steak NightWednesday - Prime RibThursday - ChickenFriday - Seafood

Tuesday - Saturday5:00pm - 9:30pm

712-643-5888

Try our Buffet!Friday & Saturday

5pm to 9pm

Woodbine Farm Supply712-647-2220521 Walker StWoodbine, IA

Enjoy the companyof your best friend!We have pet food

they will love!

What's next after retirement? “You don't stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when youstop laughing.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

"How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?”~ Satchel Paige

"I have reached an age when, if someone tells me to wear socks, Idon't have to." ~ Albert Einstein

"At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At age 40, wedon't care what they think of us. At age 60, we discover theyhaven't been thinking of us at all.” ~ Ann Landers

Woodland Apartments in Woodbine offers aunique and free Service Coordinator program.This program is designed to promote and sup-port self-sufficiency and independence for indi-viduals living in the Woodland community.

This program is designed to promote and sup-port self-sufficiency and independence for indi-viduals living in the Woodland community.Service Coordinators, such as Jennifer Bendgenin Woodbine, are the facilitators for residents fora variety of support services available in thecommunity.

They also evaluate, refer and monitor service

delivery for individual residents of Woodland.Bendgen acts as an advocate for residents withmanagement and empowers residents to beproactive and involved in the activities andevents that take place at Woodland.

She also helps families by providing a singlepoint of contact for overall information on theirloved one. Residents and their families enjoy theadded security and support of a ServiceCoordinator who ensures that the resident’sneeds are being met.

Through Bendgen, Woodland gives residentsmany optional programs. Voluntary participa-tion allows residents to control and customizetheir community involvement to fit their needs.Some of the services Bendgen coordinatesinclude:

• Coordination of transportation to specialevents, medical appointments, malls, banks,pharmacies and hospitals;

• A noon meal program served by the SeniorCenter;

• On-site salon services provided by KarenStanislav;

• Legal and financial services from localexperts;

• Monthly bookmobile visits;• Grocery services;• Increased interaction and participation in

community life;• Strengthen management–resident relation-

ships;• Expand the understanding of residents

capabilities and need for outside agencies;• On-site health and supportive services, such

as flu shots, hearing aid checks and blood pres-sure screenings; and

• Recreation and wellness activities.For further information contact Service

Coordinator Jennifer Bendgen at 712-647-2917.Woodland is an affordable living community

for individuals that are 50 years or older and per-sons that are disabled. Eligible residents pay 30percent of their adjusted gross income for rent.Contact Manager Brian Wood at the main officeat 712-647-3107 or toll free at 877-521-8750 or goto their Web site www.oakleafpm.com and fillout a rental application.

Page 4 January 30, 2013Senior Living

Teresa McCandless, RN, Home HealthSupervisor, Denise Dobbs, RN; DianeMeeker, Amanda Hall, LPN;

Woodland is a community within a communityJON BURLESON Twiner and Herald-Observer Reporter

Generations Hospice Care can nolonger be considered the newestbusiness in Harrison County, but itcontinues to evolve with the needs ofthose it serves.

Generations has been able to addnew programs to offer vast array ofservices to clients and their families.And, since Generations conception in2010, it has continued to evolve tobetter serve its local community.

“We earned our CHAP accredita-tion in 2012, which allowed us to be aMedicare and Medicaid provider forour local residents. We’ve also added,and hope to continue to add, variousservices not offered by all other hos-pice organizations, but ones thathave proven beneficial in theHarrison County area,” GenerationsHospice Administrator Kelly Sherersaid.

One of the more unusual and ben-eficial services Generations is able tooffer include soothing comforts suchas music therapy by the company’smusical therapist and HarrisonCounty Pastor, Mike Brown. Brownuses his vast array of instrumentsand melodic voice to sooth, as well asentertain, hospice clients.

Another new, unique therapy wasalso added at the end of 2012: Arttherapy by Artisan Manager

Bracinda Blum, Woodbine. Blum’sbackground of teaching everythingfrom special education to journalismand managing an arts-based businessdrove her to want to bring the com-forts of art to hospice clients.

And, as recently as 2013, one serv-ice Generations has been able to offermore of, is “Continuous Care.”

“We have completed the educationfor it, and it is a great way to help ourkeep our clients at home for as longas they want to be there,” Sherer said.“Continuous care includes a staff atthe client’s side for a minimum ofeight hours a day. And, so far, wehave been able to follow through, 100percent, with our client’s wishes ofwhere they would like to be whentheir life meets an end. The continu-ous care has been able to help withthat as we are able to manage pain,fears and offer companionship forextended periods of time.”

Another facet to Generation’sbusiness is education. To date,Generations has conducted manyeducational events in HarrisonCounty, from in-services to speeches,from Missouri Valley to Dunlap.

Adding to the care and education,Generations has also successfullyplanted trees in honor of their clientsthat have passed.

“When a patient passes, we give aplaque to their family that tells themwe planted a tree in their loved one’shonor. It really helps the family withthe healing process and we plantthose trees in Iowa in areas that hasseen some kind of devastation, orwhere there’s new development,”Sherer said.

Sherer, and his staff of 15 employ-ees and countless volunteers, areproud of what they are able to offertheir clients and their families, andare looking forward to the changes2013 might bring.

“We are so thankful for the many

donations we have received in mem-ory of the ones we served,” Sherersaid. “Because of that, we can contin-ue to improve ourselves for the sakeof those we serve, and continue toadd new services. Hospice, I believe,is an important part of the life cycle.We can help make the end-of-lifeprocess exactly what our client, andtheir families, would like it to be. Ithelps ease fear, provides companion-ship and so much more.”

For more information, contactGenerations Hospice at 1010Longview Rd., Suite 101, MissouriValley, or call (712) 642-4222.

January 30, 2013 Page 5Senior Living

425 Walker StreetWoodbine, IA 51579

(712) 647-2301Fax (712) 647-2362

Generations Hospice continues to offer compassion and end-of-life services in Harrison County

Assessing your abilities as an aging driver (658 words, US, UK, CAN)When a person first earns a driver's license, they've earned more than just the

right to legally operate an automobile. To many drivers, a driver's license is sym-bolic of freedom and self-sufficiency.

The significance of a driver's license never truly dissipates, which makes it dif-ficult for aging men and women to address their abilities as a driver and whetheror not they can still safely share the road with other motorists. Though many driv-ers can safely stay behind the wheel well into their golden years, others begin torecognize their skills are starting to diminish as they approach senior citizen sta-tus. For those who want help gauging their abilities as a driver, some self-exami-nation can help.Assess your eyesight

Healthy eyes are essential to being a safe driver, and drivers can assess theireyesight in a number of ways. In addition to visiting an eye doctor for an eyeexamination, drivers should look for signs that they're having difficulty withdriving. If signs and street markings aren't so easy to read anymore, you mightneed a new prescription for eyeglasses. When the glare of headlights at nightmakes it difficult to see, your driver's seat might need to be adjusted or you mightwant to consider antiglare eyeglasses that make it easier to see at night.Assess your comfort level

Safe drivers are also comfortable drivers. To assess your comfort level as a driv-er, ask yourself the following questions before getting back behind the wheel.

* Is it troublesome to look over your shoulder and change lanes?* Has steering become difficult?* Has your reaction time when switching from the gas pedal to the brake pedal

decreased?If you can answer "yes" to any of the questions above, then it could be that

you're beginning to lose strength, coordination and/or flexibility, which can makeit more difficult to operate a motor vehicle. Answering "yes" doesn't mean youhave to give up your driver's license. In fact, your doctor might be able to pre-scribe therapies or medicines or suggest a fitness regimen that can make it easierfor you to comfortably drive a car. In addition, if you're having trouble steering oroperating a motor vehicle in any way, you might just want to find a vehicle that'seasier to drive, such as one with an automatic transmission that has power steer-ing and brakes.

When assessing your comfort level, also examine your mental state while driv-ing. If other drivers make you uncomfortable or traffic signs are confusing, thiscan make it difficult to safely operate an automobile. Such feelings when drivingcould also be a side effect of a particular medication, so discuss the issue withyour doctor to see if that's the case and if there are any alternatives.Honestly address loved ones' concerns

Aging drivers are often the last to notice if their abilities behind the wheel arestarting to diminish. Loved ones are often put in the position of talking to agingdrivers about their abilities, and this can cause friction. If loved ones haveexpressed concern about your abilities as a driver, honestly address these con-cerns, even if it's initially hurtful or embarrassing to do so. Your loved ones aresharing their feelings out of genuine concern for your well-being, so don't look atit as an assault on your self-sufficiency. Some organizations, including the AARPand AAA, offer driving classes for mature drivers to help them more adequatelyhandle the challenges aging drivers might face.

Aging drivers face obstacles they may or may not be prepared for. When suchchallenges arise, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stop driving entirely.Instead, honestly weigh a host of factors before deciding if it's still safe for you tobe behind the wheel.

Page 6 January 30, 2013Senior Living

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Assessing your abilities as an aging driver

January 30, 2013 Page 7Senior Living

For the millions of people who relyon prescription medications every day,the day when a drug faces generic com-petition is one many circle on their cal-endars. That's because generic pre-scriptions are often significantly lessexpensive than brand name medica-tions, and consumers are able to savesubstantial amounts of money once abrand name drug faces generic compe-tition.

But many men and women current-ly taking a brand name prescriptionmight be quick to point out that, whilegeneric medications cost less, brandname prescriptions often rise in price inthe months before they face genericcompetition. Such was the findings of a2011 study from the AARP PublicPolicy Institute that examined the 217brand name drugs most commonlyused by people in Medicare. Prices ofdrugs facing generic competition in2010 rose by an average of nearly 14percent in 2009, an increase that wasnearly twice the amount of all otherdrugs. So while drugs might be moreaffordable once they can be purchasedgenerically, consumers can expectbrand name drug manufacturers todrastically increase their prices in themonths prior to facing generic compe-tition, as the manufacturers are, in away, looking for one last big revenuescore before their patents expire.

That's a troublesome reality for any-one taking a brand name prescription,but especially so for older men andwomen living on fixed incomes.Though drug manufacturers aren'tlikely to change their practices, thereare still ways men and women canreduce prescription medication costs.

* Ask for generics. If there are gener-ic alternatives to brand name medica-tions available, always ask a physicianfor those medications instead of theirmore expensive brand name counter-parts. Don't just assume a physicianwill prescribe generics. Sometimes doc-tors prescribe brand name medicationsdespite the availability of cheaper andequally effective generic medications.

* "Test drive" a drug first. Just

because a doctor prescribes a drugdoesn't mean the patient will respondto that drug. Many men and womenfind they are too sensitive to a givenmedication and stop taking it after justa few days. Unfortunately, they paidfor a full prescription and cannotreturn the pills they don't plan to use.Individuals who have a history of sen-sitivity to medications should "testdrive" a drug first, ordering just a fewpills or asking a physician for samplesto see how well the body handles them.This won't necessarily matter for peo-ple with flat-dollar copayments (youwill essentially have to pay two copay-ments if the drug proves effective), butthose without such a plan can savethemselves some money if medicationdoes not work out.

* Buy in bulk. Men and women whohave been taking a certain medicationfor a long time and expect to keep tak-ing it might want to consider buyingthe medicine in bulk. This can savemoney; just make sure pills purchasedwon't surpass their expiration datebefore you take them.

* Inquire about combination medica-tions. Sometimes medications used totreat the same condition can be pur-chased as combination pills. This willonly require one prescription instead oftwo.

On a similar note, men and womentaking medications for two differentconditions might also be able to takejust one medication that treats bothconditions. For instance, some bloodpressure medications have proveneffective at treating other conditions aswell. But don't experiment on yourown. Consult your physician aboutyour medications and ask if any ofthem can be used to effectively servedouble-duty and save you money.

* Look for programs that offer relief.There are programs that offer somerelief with regards to paying for pre-scription medications. Discuss suchplans with a physician to determineyour eligibility, which might be deter-mined by your age or current prescrip-tions.

How to reduce prescription medication costs

Alegent Creighton Health Community Memorial Hospital

Medical Services Foundation

An Affair of the Heart Dance

Dance to the music of SHORT PRODUCTIONS

Dance to follow Excellence Awards Presentation

“Citizen of the Year”

Dee Colwell - -Woodbine

Saturday February 9, 2013

9 -12 PM

Shadow Valley Golf Club

Cash Bar

Dance only Advance Tickets: $10 per person $15 per couple

*****$10 per person night of the event.

For Information or Tickets 712-642-9213

Proceeds to purchase new Emergency Room Storage Unit Work Stations.

Page 8 January 30, 2013Senior Living

AAnn AAffffaaiirr ooff tthhee HHeeaarrtt DDaanncceeSeniors are too often

victimized by telemar-keting fraud. Studiesfrom the AmericanAssociation of RetiredPersons have shownthat many elderlyfraud victims simplydon't suspect the per-son soliciting moneyon the phone could be acriminal.

The FBI reports thatthere are as many as14,000 illegal telemar-keting operationsgoing on at any giventime. These illegaloperations generate asmuch as $40 billion ayear. Relatives of sen-iors are understand-ably concerned, partic-ularly if those seniorslive alone and no one isaround to monitor howmany calls they'rereceiving from telemar-keters. Concerned rela-tives can share the fol-lowing informationwith seniors to reducetheir loved ones' risksof being victimized bytelemarketing fraud.

• Legitimate mar-keters are not in a rushto sell products orsecure donations. Alegitimate marketer orcharity will not try topressure prospectivebuyers into making apurchase over the

phone or prospectivedonors into makingimmediate contribu-tions. Explain to sen-iors that a legitimatemarketer will accept aperson's desire forwritten informationabout the products orcharity and will gladlysend such informationto a prospective buyeror donor's home.

• Payments are typi-cally not picked up bya courier service.Telemarketing fraud-sters often employcouriers to pick up pay-ments. This is not theaction of a reputablecharity or business,and seniors shouldnever agree to buy aproduct or donatemoney to any telemar-keter who offers tosend a courier to theirhome to pick up pay-ment.

• Sweepstakes can-not legally require pay-ment to win a prize. Itis not legal for contestsor sweepstakes torequire "winners" pay afee before they canenter a contest or claima prize. Seniors shouldbe made aware thatthis is the law and thatany contest or sweep-stakes demanding pay-ment is bogus.

• Be especially waryof companies offeringto recover money paidto fraudulent telemar-keters in the past.Companies offering torecover past moneylost to fraud are oftenfraudulent themselves.These companies willoffer their fraudulentservices for a fee.

• Money lost to afraudulent telemar-keter is likely lost for-ever. Men and womenconcerned about elder-ly friends or relativesbeing victimized bytelemarketing fraudshould explain to theirloved ones that moneylost in a telemarketingscam is not likely to berecovered. This shouldhelp highlight theimportance of receiv-ing official documenta-tion from any telemar-keters before buying aproduct or making adonation. If seniors areaware their money isn'tlikely to be recoveredshould it be going to acriminal, they are muchless likely to makehasty decisions overthe phone.

To learn more aboutfraud, visit theNational ConsumerLeague's Fraud Centerat www.fraud.org.

Helping seniors fight fraud

“Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've got to start young.” ~ Fred Astaire