Young At Heart - Unified Newspapers Group - 1

March 20, 2013

Look whos typing

Seniors getting savvy on todays technology
SCOTT DE LARUEllE
Unied Newspaper Group

Whats inside
Health
Acupuncture can relieve stress, relax muscles Page 2 Stay active and reduce risk of memory loss Page 3

Photo by Scott De Laruelle

Mya Lonnebotn (right) helps a woman with an iPad during the 2014 Stoughton Area Senior Center Technology Expo in February.

In a world where technology is changing so quickly its hard for even young adults to keep up, seniors who grew up in the first half of the 20th century have a steep learning curve in staying with the tech times. Thanks to help from area senior centers, though, the more experienced generations are getting their fair share of knowledge about iPads, Nooks and everything in between. Oregon Senior Center assistant director Anne Stone said technology classes at the center do quite well with attendance and are not limited to senior citizens. We focus on the internet, and different things you can do, she said. For example, theres an online selling class that teachers you how to shop safety online, and were focusing more on that kind of thing. The centers digital guru is Milly McCartney, who teaches courses on using digital cameras, how to protect your identity online, exploring Smartphones, navigating Windows operations and much more. Stone said the center has become a place where seniors are comfortable asking lots of questions and in some cases, learning from scratch. These are things that seniors are forced to learn,

she said. Before, you didnt have to worry about online identity protec tion and learning all these things, and all of a sudden, this new technology comes out. Stone said senior center patrons are asking for more information on eReaders and iPads many times to connect with grandchildren or even peers. A lot of times, they dont know what to ask for, so we try to look ahead and anticipate things that might have issues with, she said.

Finance
How to choose a second career Page 4 Getting your finances in order before retirement Page 5

Help from students

Senior centers in Stoughton and Verona have both held technology classes recently, with high school students coming in to show how to use a variety of new devices. The Stoughton Senior Center hosts an annual Technology Expo, held in January, where seniors can pick up valuable information about cell phones, Facebook, YouTube and more. The idea came from the Stoughton High School Key Club, who had heard of it from another school district. Verona Senior Center program director Chris Nye said Verona High School recently got a grant to purchase iPads, and have been sending students to the center to help patrons learn about the new electronic

Lifestyle
5 foods for men and women over 50 Page 6 How yoga can help as you grow older Page 7

Turn to Technology/Page 8

Senior centers thrive because of helping hands

SCOTT DE LARUEllE
Unied Newspaper Group

Dane County is well-known as a great place in which to live, work and retire. One main reason is the quality of people residing in these parts, and nowhere else is that shown more clearly than by the people who volunteer their time at senior centers. With its unique Nordic architecture style, the Stoughton Senior Center is a landmark on Main Street and a definite hot spot for area seniors, with programs seemingly going on non-stop. Judy Bethke found out all about it when she recently moved to the area, looking for something to do. Photo by Scott De Laruelle I came to town a year ago, widVerona Senior Center director Mary Hanson (right) talks with a volunteer about owed and lonely and not knowing anyone, she said. I came in here the variety of programs offered at the center. and they grabbed me right away and Bethke has a varied work back- business professional and a nursing said, We need you at the reception ground, with experience as a school graduate, so she found she desk.

Get involved

To find out more about your local senior center or to volunteer:

OREGON SENIOR CENTER 219 PARK ST., 835-5801 STOUGHTON SENIOR CENTER 248 W. MAIN ST., 873-8585 VERONA SENIOR CENTER 108 PAOlI ST., 845-7471
quickly took to the work of a receptionist. I do every Thursday afternoon and as needed, if they call me up, she said. Sitting by the desk, you get to see everybody and direct them and talk on the phone, she said. Its very nice here, I have good friends everyones friendly. I never thought of myself as a senior citizen, but I guess I am. When Ruby Hauge retired 1989 from her career as a librarian and teacher, she said she was looking for a change, which she found at the senior center. I was ready for older people, I had enough of kids, so thats what drew me to this, she chuckled.

Turn to Volunteers/Page 8

2 - Young At Heart - Unified Newspapers Group - March 20, 2014

Take control of your health with integrative medicine

MICHAEl OJER
MSOM L.Ac

Health is our most important concern, for without health what do we have? As we age, our focus is on saving money for retirement, building a net for unforeseen problems and working for the future. Are we focusing on what is most important - our health? In America, our health care system has

been described as anything but healthy. It is time we spend some time focusing on taking control of our health. Integrative medicine is the lens through which we can focus, and we can have integrative medicine at our fingertips to build a healthy future. Integrative medicine is a holistic movement, which has left its imprint on many of the nations hospitals, universities and

medical schools. Doctors and patients alike are bonding with the philosophy of integrative medicine, which is designed to treat the person, not just the disease. IM, as its often called, depends on a partnership between the patient and the doctor, where the goal is to treat the mind, body and spirit - all at the same time. In the effort to treat the whole person,

IM combines conventional Western medicine with complementary treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, tai chi, qi gong, yoga and meditation. Today, we have the power to take our health into our own hands. There are many tools out there to do this, and the more we learn, the better off we can be. In a recent survey, the

own hands, though. Non-profit and Community Acupuncture clinics are offering treatments to fit into any budget. Herbal Medicine is very affordable, and extremely effective. Tai chi, qi gong, and yoga classes are offered all over, and many are free. Meditation can be done National Center for Com- anywhere, anytime, it costs plementary and Alterna- nothing, but has an amaztive Medicine (part of the ing power. National Institutes Take control of Health) found of your health, 41 percent of peoboost the efficacy ple 60-69 years of your medicine old, 32 percent of and be your best those 70-84 and through IM. The nearly 25 percent options are endof people 85 and less, and it is time older used some you get the health kind of integrative advantages you medicine. deserve. Ask your Ojer doctor about what The most common barrier isnt programs they lack of awareness or infor- have to offer, or call your mation, or an unwilling- local acupuncturist to find ness to try new things. out more how you can live The biggest obstacle for a healthier life. seniors, particularly those Even though our healthon a fixed income, is cost, c a r e s y s t e m m a y b e a as many health insurance mess, there is light showplans do not cover the ing the way to a balance full range of IM treatment w e s t e r n m e d i c i n e w i t h options. There are possibil- eastern medicine. There is ities for getting the health a way to have health and you deserve, and options to wellness, and you can have take your health into your it now.

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March 20, 2014 - Young At Heart - Unified Newspapers Group - 3

Memory loss not an automatic side effect of aging

No one, regardless of age, is immune to random bouts of memory loss. While misplaced car keys or forgetting items on your grocery list are nothing to get worked up over, many people over 50 do start to worry about memory lapses, especially when they start to occur with more frequency. But while memory loss might be quickly associated with aging, increased forgetfulness is not an inevitable side effect of getting older, a fact that those at or approaching retirement age should find comforting. Its important to recognize the distinction between memory lapses and dementia. As a person ages, their hippocampus - the region of the brain involved in the formation and retrieval of memories - often deteriorates, affecting how long it takes to learn and recall information. But just because this process is slower does not mean its a warning sign of dementia, which is the loss of certain mental functions, including memory. While dementia brought on by conditions such as Alzheimers disease or Parkinsons disease is untreatable, there are things people can do to strengthen their memories and reduce their momentary lapses in memory.

morning can help the brain stay alert and sharp.

Become a social butterfly

Maintaining a social life as you age is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, but its also healthy. A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found older women who maintained large social networks were 26 percent less likely to develop dementia than those with smaller social networks. In addition, those who had daily contact with friends and family cut their risk of dementia by nearly half. The study also noted that regular social interaction can delay or possibly even prevent cognitive impairment.

Continue your career

Staying socially active after 50 can benefit the brain and even reduce a persons risk of dementia.

Start playing games

Games that test the mind have long been believed to benefit the brain. A recent National Institute on Aging study found brain games may pay numerous and long-term dividends. Nearly 700 healthy

volunteers older than 40 were divided into four groups: one played computerized crossword puzzles while the other three played a brain training video game designed to enhance the speed and accuracy of visual processing. They showed less decline in visual processing, concentration, memory and the ability to shift quickly between tasks. The

benefits from the training games lasted as long as seven years after training. Brain games are now more accessible than ever before, as players can access games on their smartphones, tablets, eReaders, and computers.

recognize each day tends to have its mundane moments. Altering your daily routine can jar the brain awake, forcing it to focus during those times that had become mundane but now present new challenges. Something as simple as alternating driving routes to work from Alter your routine day to day or preparing some Many working professionals new, yet healthy, breakfast each

While retiring poolside and watching the world go by might seem nice, its not necessarily good for your brain. Numerous studies have shown the benefits that staying engaged in professional activities can have on brain health. The brain does not thrive if its sitting on the sideline. Staying active in your career will continue to provide the challenges your brain needs to stay sharp and avoid memory loss and struggles with concentration. Men and women who want to leave office life behind can branch out on their own and work as consultants or put their years of experience to use by teaching at a nearby university or at a secondary school.

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4 - Young At Heart - Unified Newspapers Group - March 20, 2014

Starting your second act

How to choose your next career

he days when professionals would spend their entire professional lives with a single firm are largely a thing of the past. In fact, many people not only switch companies multiple times before retirement, but some even switch professions before retiring. As exciting as it can be to pursue a new career, men and women over 50 know that such a decision is not without risk. While younger professionals with few obligations can often handle bumps in the road on their way to a second career, older professionals must consider the potential effects such a pursuit might have on their families, finances and futures, including their retirements. But as difficult as it may seem to pursue a second career after your fiftieth birthday, there are steps people over 50 can take when pursuing a new career to ensure their second act is as successful as the first.

often requires a considerable commitment of time and money. For those who want to put existing skills to use in a different field or environment, assess those skills and look for lines of work in which they figure to be especially valuable. Established professionals over 50 have many transferable skills, and such skills can be a considerable asset when pursuing a second career.

Many men and women over 50 have turned their personal passions into successful second careers.

Elegant Living for Seniors

(Ages 55+) All Around Dane County

Nowhere does it say that professionals cant take a trial run at a second career while still fully engaged in their first career. In fact, testing the waters before you jump in is a good way to gauge your interest in a potential second career and how well your skillset applies to that field. This conducted with volunteering for a nonprofit organization or a part-time job or internship that can shed light on the Decide what you want inner workings of a particular industry. Testing the waters may reaffirm that a The desire to pursue a second career no doubt stems from more than just dissatis- certain line of work is for you, or might send you back to the drawing board. faction with a current profession. Many people switch jobs or even Either way, its valuable experience. careers because they find their current careers too demanding, leaving little time Dont do it alone for family or hobbies that have nothing to Switching careers after 50 carries some do with work. risk, but its certainly one many have If what you really want is more time at been willing to take. home or more time to pursue a particuIf you know anyone who has reinvented lar hobby, then keep this in mind when themselves professionally, talk with them looking for a second career, and make and ask for advice. Those who have faced sure that career wont demand too much a similar fork in the road may be able to of your time. help you narrow down your options. The notion of changing careers is excitAssess your skillset ing, and you can expect your personal Professionals over 50 have lots to offer, and professional confidantes to share but its still important for them to make your excitement and be willing to help an honest assessment of their skillset and you in any way they can. Making a career change after 50 can be find a career in which those skills are transferable. a risky yet ultimately rewarding move, Some might want to pursue a second especially for those men and women who career that will make little to no use of take a thoughtful approach to finding their skillset, but extra schooling might their second careers. be necessary and going back to school

Make a trial run

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March 20, 2014 - Young At Heart - Unified Newspapers Group - 5

Financial considerations for those nearing retirement

Retirement can simultaneously excite and distress men and women as they approach the day when they end their careers. Anticipating the freedom can be exciting, while concerns about maintaining financial independence can be stressful. Though there are no guarantees that men and women who prioritize retirement planning will not outlive their finances, those who do arrange their priorities in such a manner are far more likely to enjoy a comfortable retirement without worrying about their finances. As men and women approach retirement age, certain steps with regard to preparing for retirement can put them in position to enjoy their golden years to the fullest. Factor in any such taxes your monthly bills. Mortgage when assessing your retire- payments, healthcare costs, taxes, and food are among ment resources. the essentials, while additionMake a list of al expenses like travel and entertainment will need to be monthly expenses factored in as well. Once you have assessed When considering monthyour resources, make a list of ly expenses, keep in mind that some of those expenses, including mortgage payments and commuting costs, will likely disappear, while others, including healthcare costs, are likely to increase significantly. Once you have assessed your resources and expenses, you can then begin to paint a picture of the retirement lifestyle you can afford to live. compare that lifestyle to the one you hope to live. If necessary, consult with a financial planner, who might be able to help turn your dream retirement into a reality. Closing the gap between your dream retirement and the one you can afford to live may require you to work an extra year or two, so be prepared to make that decision if need be.

Compare the lifestyle you want versus the one you can afford

Plan on continuing to grow your money

Assess your resources

Considering your finances several years before you retire affords you the opportunity to make changes if you determine the retirement you can afford does not exactly match up with the retirement you want to live. After you have figured out what you can afford,

Just because youre retiring does not mean your money has to stop working as well. You will still need to combat inflation during your golden years, so plan on continuing to grow your money even after you retire. Though its best to reduce investment risks as you age, many

retirees still need to keep a toe in the investment waters. Find a balance youre comfortable with so your money continues to grow, but be conservative at the same time. As you grow older, continue to reduce your risk. While conventional wisdom long suggested retirees should completely eliminate risk from their portfolios, todays retirees are living longer than ever before, so you likely cant afford to follow the advice of yesteryear. As retirement draws closer, men and women must start making important financial decisions to ensure their nest eggs can support the lifestyles they want to live throughout their golden years.

An honest assessment of your assets will help you determine a retirement lifestyle you can afford. Assets can include any property you own, investments, savings, and retirement accounts. Your property may be your biggest financial asset, but unless you plan to sell that property or take out a reverse mortgage, then you wont be able to rely on that property to fund your lifestyle. When assessing resources, keep in mind that you might have to pay potentially steep taxes when attempt- Men and women must make a host of financial decisions as retireing to access any retirement ment draws closer. accounts, such as a 401(k).

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Skaalen
Skaalen is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. The beautiful campus oers walking paths and comfortable outdoor spaces. Skaalens continuum of care provides residents a full menu of living options from which to choose.

RETIREMENT SERVICES

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Youll leave the worries of home maintenance and outdoor chores behind when you choose one of the aordable condominium communities for your retirement living.

ASSISTED LIVING
Heritage Center takes a holistic approach to caring for those who need assistance with the activities of daily living, but do not require 24-hour skilled nursing care.

THERAPY AND WELLNESS CENTER

If you have experienced an injury, illness or surgery the Skaalen Therapy & Wellness Center can help you get better faster. Skaalen oers in-patient and out-patient Physical, Occupational & Speech Language Therapy Services, Massage Therapy and a Warm Water Therapy Pool to individuals of all ages.

Delicious produce, deli, meat, bakery and more!

SKILLED NURSING
Skaalen is a Medicare and Medicaid certied 110 bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. Skaalen oers private rehabilitative care suites, specialized wound care services, respite care and Hospice Care.

MEMORY CARE
Friendship Circle is a secure memory care wing designed to provide a nurturing environment for those with Alzheimers and dementia.

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6 - Young At Heart - Unified Newspapers Group - March 20, 2014

Changing your diet: five foods for the over 50 crowd A recipe a day keeps M 2 4 the doctor away
en and women must alter their diets as they age. Portion sizes that young adults might have been able to get away must shrink when those they enter their 30s. And as thirtysomethings head into their 40s, whats on the plate requires more careful consideration than it might have a decade ago. The same goes for men and women over 50, who must take steps to reduce their risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. One of the easiest ways to do just that is to eat healthy foods. The following are five flavorful and healthy foods tailor-made for the over 50 crowd: they are high in soluble fiber, which lowers cholesterol while slowing the bodys uptake of glucose. And despite their relatively small size, blueberries contain more fiber, vitamins and minerals per ounce than any other fruit.

Broccoli

Apples

Apples definitely qualify as a superfood, helping reduce cholesterol by preventing plaque buildup in the blood vessels and, as a result cutting an individuals risk of diabetes considerably. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that eating at least two servings of apples per week can reduce a persons risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 23 percent. Apples also make for a great source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C.

Another food that might never FAvA BEANs make youngSpruce up the original Bruschetta sters lists of with fava beans, avocado and mixed their favorite greens for an interesting appetizer. foods, oatmeal is nonetheless a healthy option at the breakfast table. Anthony Iozzo Oatmeal is loaded with soluble fiber, which can reduce cholesterol levels and subsequently tastes can double on their superfoods by addreduce a persons risk of heart disease. Blueberries Also low in calories, oatmeal can help men ing some blueberries into the mix, making their and women maintain a healthy weight. Those breakfast more flavorful and more healthy. Blueberries help men and women main- Fava beans tain healthy blood sugar levels because Cholesterol-free and low in fat, fava who find oatmeal a tad too bland for their

This powerful green vegetable is loaded with vitamin C - a single 3.5-ounce serving contains more than 150 percent of the recommended daily intake - which can shorten the duration of the common cold. A study published last year in Medical News Today found broccoli may help prevent osteoarthritis, a degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone that is most common from middle age onward. A similar study from researchers at New Yorks Roswell Park Cancer Institute published in the same publication six years earlier found that just three servings of broccoli per month can decrease bladder cancer risk by as much as 40 percent.

beans also may provide cardiovascular benefits and help men and women maintain healthy weights. Fava beans are considered nutrient-dense, a term used to describe low-calorie foods that boast lots of nutrients, and are an excellent source of vitamin B1, which is important for nervous system function and energy metabolism. Whether you choose to enjoy them with a nice Chianti, is of course, completely up to you.

If you arent into eating these foods by themselves, here are a few recipes to add some spice into your healthy lifestyle. Slice some apples, add cinnamon and bake for 20 minutes on 350 degrees with a little goat cheese or brie to make a healthy dessert. You can also add sliced apples and blueberries to oatmeal.

BlUEbERRIEs ANd ApplEs

Oatmeal

BROCCOlI
Add a little garlic, Parmesan and olive oil and roast in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees, and you have a tasty side dish for dinner.

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March 20, 2014 - Young At Heart - Unified Newspapers Group - 7

Yoga is big business, attracting more and more people each year

Not just for youngsters

On the Web
Learn about different Yoga poses and learn how yoga can be an easy addition to your lifestyle. Here are some helpful websites:

esigned to promote physical and mental health, yoga has helped millions of people control their stress and improve their flexibility, and its only growing in popularity. According to a study, roughly 20 million Americans practiced yoga in 2012, a 29 percent increase from just four years earlier. While some men and women over 50 may feel their time to take up yoga has passed, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, yoga can pay numerous dividends for the over 50 crowd.

www.yogajournal.com www.yogaglo.com www.myyogaonline.com

Alleviate hypertension

Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension is a potentially dangerous condition that makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body. Hypertension contributes to a hardening of the arteries known as atherosclerosis, and can even contribute to the development of heart failure. A persons risk of developing hypertension increases as he or she ages. A normal blood pressure is 120 over 80, but people with hypertension often have blood pressure readings of 140 and above over 90 and above. Studies have shown that yoga can reduce the top number, which is referred to as the systolic blood pressure. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension, researchers found people who practiced yoga for six hours a week for 11 weeks reduced their systolic blood pressure by 33 points, and that yogas controlled breathing decreases nervous system activity, helping the body manage its blood pressure levels.

Yoga can lead to a healthy lifestyle as you age, alleviating hypertension, maintaining weight and helping bones remain strong.

men and women shed weight as effectively as more vigorous activities, it can help them maintain healthy weights. Many men and women over 50 find vigorous or strenuous physical activity too demanding, and might not be able to perform such activities with the frequency necessary to prevent weight gain. But while yoga is physically demanding, those who practice yoga often find it takes a smaller toll on their bodies than more traditional strength training. Yoga can also help to relieve stress, reducing the likelihood people will overeat, which is a common response to elevated stress levels.

Promote strong bones

Help maintain healthy weights

While yoga may not help

Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which tissue loss leads to brittle and fragile bones. Aging is a significant

risk factor, and women are at even greater risk than men, and can lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years after menopause. The nature of yoga makes it an ideal activity to promote healthy bones. Because it is a weightbearing exercise, yoga forces practitioners to hold the weight of their bodies up against gravity, putting mild stress on the bones, which respond by laying down new bone growth. But unlike other weightbearing activities, such as jogging or walking, yoga does not damage cartilage or put stress on the joints. The AARP notes that studies have indicated the weightbearing activity of yoga can be especially effective at reducing the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Though yoga might not have been popular when

todays men and women over 50 were in their 20s and 30s, that does not mean such men and women cannot take advantage of the numerous physical and mental benefits yoga has to offer.

4/4/14

Verona Senior Center

A Gathering Place for Active Adults

What happens today Matters tomorrow!

Daily Exercise Classes Tai Chi & Yoga Educational Presentations Special Events Health & Wellness Checks Lunches Monday - Friday just $5! Assistance With Community Resources

Sometimes the best therapy is a tea party.

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Come and join in the fun at Verona Senior Center!

For more information, call 608/845-7471. 108 Paoli Street, Verona, WI 53593 www.veronaactiveadults.org

8 - Young At Heart - Unified Newspapers Group - March 20, 2014

Photos by Scott De Laruelle

LEFT: Willie McCarville dressed in her lucky Badgers gear helps prepare lunch recently at the Verona Senior Center. ABOVE: With her table centerpiece design in the foreground, Ruby Hauge talks about her years of service helping out in a variety of ways at the Stoughton Senior Center.

Volunteers: Helping area senior centers to thrive through their many deeds
Continued from page 1 When she found out the receptionist was retiring, Hauge was recruited for the position, one she enjoyed tremendously. These days, her main expertise is decorating tables. It was a wonderful job and fun, because there were so many things going on, she said. I was also a driver, and sometimes Id drive two or three times a week, because we didnt have enough drivers. Ive been in just about every aspect of the senior center. If people are very good at something, well tap their expertise. Mary Rowe started volunteering at the center after she recently retired, and puts her artistic skills to work by writing up birthday cards for volunteers and helping sort items donated to the center for sale. I had time on my hands and wanted to give back to the community, she said. on a regular basis, with another 30-40 helping out as needed, there is always room for more assistance. Center director Mary Hanson said people can help out with a wide variety of duties everything from baking cookies to drivPlenty of need ing people to medical appointEven at the Verona Senior ments. We have a regular core of Center, where 70 people volunteer and count their hours people, she said. Verona Area Active Adults does a huge amount of service for the senior center, and they raise funds for some of our programs and they are here helping out in many, many capacities, especially when there are large events here. Claire Anderson has volunteered at the Verona Senior Center since 2010, helping to prepare and serve lunches, meet people, pop popcorn and help with the euchre games, birthday dinners and anniversary dinners. I just wear many hats, she said. We can use volunteers anytime. If you sign up for something and cant make it, you dont have to feel the pressure to be here. You can come and go as you please. Dorothy Schwenn said she likes that volunteers can pick whatever activities theyd like to help with. I like euchre and playing poker here, but there are a lot of different roles, she said. We take people in as we get them, and show them the ropes. For me, its a lot of fun, and I truly, truly enjoy the people here. If I didnt enjoy it, I wouldnt do it. For the past 15-20 years, nobody has been helping out more than Bob Syvrud, who has driven people to medical appointments and delivered meals around the area in all kinds of weather, While he doesnt do as much as he used to, he still enjoys the feeling of helping out, particularly when it can be difficult to find drivers. Ive put in about 5,000 hours by now, he said.

Technology
Continued from page 1 gadgets. The help and the students have been a big hit at the center, which will host three sessions this year. The topics center around the use of iPads how to search for information on the Internet, take and edit photos, and learn how to use the seemingly endless amount of apps now available. The people who have come in for it have really appreciated it and liked it, Nye said. It has helped that group of seniors to be more aware and able to use iPads that otherwise wouldnt have been able to or had enough hands-on and one-on-one assistance to learn it.