Older Adults – TheNBXpress.com

Alzheimer’s Support Group Set to Meet Monthly in NB

…at the NB Public Library every fourth Monday of the month.

The Alzheimer’s Association is holding a support group at the NB Public Library every fourth Monday of the month now. The first one will be on February 25^th at 1:30 PM.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

4th Monday of Each Month
North Baltimore Public Library
230 N. Main St. North Baltimore

1:30 PM

Stephanie Walters 419-957-8327

Presented by:
Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter

BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND
Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to:

Visit www.alz.org/nwohio to learn more about caregiver programs and resources. To further extend your network of support, visit ALZConnected , our online community at alzconnected.org

Cholesterol Screening Clinics Offered

You must be a resident of Wood County and 25 years of age or older.

Wood County, Ohio – The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. is currently scheduling their cholesterol screening clinics for March. You must be a resident of Wood County and 25 years of age or older. The cost is $20 for those 60 and over, $25 for those 25-59.

These screenings require an appointment and pretest instructions.

The screening panel includes: Total Cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio and a blood glucose level. Results will be immediately available and discussed with clients by a Registered Nurse.

Bowling Green: 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Tuesday March 5, 2019
Tuesday March 12, 2019
Friday March 22, 2019

Perrysburg: 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Wednesday March 13, 2019

Grand Rapids: 9:30am to 11:30am

Tuesday March 19, 2019

To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-367-4935 or 419-353-5661 and ask for the Social Services Department.

Get Off the Couch – Live Longer!

AMAC: Expand your lifestyle and your lifespan; ‘It’s that easy but exceptionally rewarding’…

AMAC: Expand your lifestyle and your lifespan; it’s easy say the researchers
‘It’s that easy but exceptionally rewarding’

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb 15 — Exert yourself! It’s easier than you think. And, says the Association of Mature American Citizens, new research shows that by just moving around for a cumulative 30 minutes a day will help you live longer.

She says, “Let’s go for a walk “Spudly” photo from Pixabay

“The good news is that the study showed you do not have to go to extremes; you reap the benefits even if you just get up off the sofa or your chair and walk around, which is particularly good news for all those seniors out there who abhor the thought of organized exercise,” says Dan Weber, president of the senior advocacy organization.

The research was conducted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York. The lead investigator was Dr. Keith Diaz who says: “If you have a job or lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting, you can lower your risk of early death by moving more often, for as long as you want and as your ability allows—whether that means taking an hour-long high-intensity spin class or choosing lower-intensity activities, like walking.”

The study showed that if you engage in even low-intensity activities, such as taking a swim, riding a bike, doing a simple stretching routine or even walking down the street, it will help you live longer by as much as 17%. And, if you want to get frisky — like doing a few push-ups or sit-ups — it can cut the risk of an early death by 35%. And, you don’t have to do it all at once; you simply need to get up a few times a day and log in a total of half-an-hour of activities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control [CDC], more than 30 million men and women 50-years-old and older apparently dismiss the benefits of exerting themselves. And, the CDC says you’ll reap benefits even if you do “moderate-intensity aerobic” exercises for less that 21 1/2 minutes a day, or 150 minutes a week.

Weber says you don’t have to train as if you seek an Olympic medal. “Simple chair squats, which call for you to stand in front of a chair, spreading your legs, bending your knees and alternately sitting and standing a few times. Or you can stand up and for a few minutes at a time balance yourself on one leg and then the other. The idea is to keep moving, but you don’t have to do whole half hour at once. Just do it for several minutes at a time until you’ve logged in 20 to 30 minutes.”

The AMAC chief says that even activities such as walking your dog or taking out the trash qualify. “It’s that easy but exceptionally rewarding as you feel yourself getting just a bit stronger by the weeks, by the months and by the years you’ll be adding to your life.”

Be Kind to Yourself – It’s Good for Your Mental Health!

Wood County’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wants You to Treat Yo’ Self!

Perrysburg, OH – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wood County wants to see you for their first Education Series event of 2019!

On Tuesday, February 12^th at the WW Knight Nature Preserve (Perrysburg, OH) from 6:00pm-7:30pm, the Education Series will celebrate ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ week and coincide with the question, “how are you kind to yourself”?

Need some ideas on how to treat yourself right? Well, special guest speaker(s) from the Karuna House in Perrysburg, OH will be chatting about wellness, their mission, and will lead the group in a guided activity to help practice kindness and how it relates towards your mental wellbeing.

Sure, this all sounds great but are you familiar with NAMI?

NAMI stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and happens to be the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.

More importantly, they are your local contact for information on mental illness. They provide education, support and advocacy for people living with a mental illness, the family and friends that support them, and the Wood County community.

You can contact NAMI Wood County to RSVP for this event or for more information by calling 419.352.0626, visit their website at www.namiwoodcounty.org or check out their social media presence via Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Social Security Matters

Ask Rusty – What Percent of my Benefit will my Spouse Get?

Social Security Matters

by AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Association of Mature American Citizens

Ask Rusty – What Percent of my Benefit will my Spouse Get?

Dear Rusty: I have heard many different answers on this but there are so many scenarios I can’t seem to find an answer to mine. My wife and I were

both born in 1959 and we both turn 60 next year. Both of us will be eligible for Social Security based on our work records to date, but my SS benefit is much larger than hers. Scenario: Say we both retire from work at 60. For simplicity let’s say neither of us works in retirement, my wife claims Social Security at age 62 and I claim at my full retirement age of 66 plus 10 months. What will her spousal benefit be, as a percentage of my benefit, when she starts receiving it when I claim at my full retirement age? Signed: Planning Ahead

Dear Planning: A spouse claiming benefits at full retirement age (FRA) can get 50% of the higher earning spouse’s FRA benefit, if that amount is more than she is entitled to on her own record. But if your wife claims her own Social Security retirement benefit early at age 62, her spousal benefit will be reduced even if it starts at her full retirement age. The reason is that her total spousal benefit will be the sum of her own age 62 benefit plus a “spousal boost” computed from both of your FRA benefit amounts – the spousal boost will be the difference between your wife’s own FRA benefit amount and ½ of your FRA benefit amount.

Let’s use an example: if your wife’s Social Security benefit at her full retirement age is $1000 and your benefit at your full retirement age is $2400, your wife’s spousal boost would be $200 ($1200 minus $1000). If your wife has reached her FRA when you claim benefits that amount would be added to her reduced age 62 benefit of $708 (70.8% of her FRA benefit amount), which would make your wife’s total spousal benefit amount $908 ($708 plus the $200 spousal boost).

So, in this example, your wife’s total benefit would be about 38% of your FRA benefit amount, rather than the 50% she would get by waiting until her full retirement age to apply for both benefits. You can apply that same formula using your currently estimated FRA benefit amounts as provided by Social Security to arrive at a more precise percentage, but it will be somewhere in the 38% range, reduced from 50% because she is taking her own Social Security retirement benefit at age 62.

Of course, your wife’s own full retirement age benefit must be less than 50% of your FRA benefit for her to even be eligible for a spousal benefit. And, since you were both born in 1959, if you both claim benefits some months before your wife has reached her full retirement age, her “spousal boost” amount will be actuarially reduced according to the number of months before she reaches FRA that you claim. The only way your wife can get the full 50% of your FRA benefit amount is by waiting until she has reached her full retirement age to claim Social Security benefits.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

Everyone With Diabetes Counts–DEEP Program

DEEP is a Medicare-approved, evidence-based diabetes self-management education program

Wood County, Ohio – The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. is pleased to announce that we will be able to start offering classes, in conjunction with Everyone with Diabetes Counts (EDC), in Diabetes Education Empowerment Program (DEEP). DEEP is a Medicare-approved, evidence-based diabetes self-management education program developed by the University of Illinois at Chicago. DEEP workshops (classes) are Free, Fun, meet once a week for six weeks and each session lasts two hours. Have fun while learning how to manage diabetes and enjoy the benefits of a healthier, more energetic lifestyle. Sign up TODAY!

Every Friday from 1.p.m. to 3p.m. starting February 8, 2019 and ending six weeks later on March 15^th, 2019. Located at the Wood County Committee on Aging at 305 North Main Street in Bowling Green.

Class space is limited!

To sign up for this class or future workshops, please call 1-800-367-4935 or 419-353-5661 and ask for the Social Services Department.

About the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc

The Wood County Committee on Aging was founded in September of 1973, as is dedicated to the planning and development of programs and services that will allow older adults of Wood County to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. As Ohio first nationally accredited senior center, the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc is working to encourage older adults to enjoy, enrich and explore this season of life.

Poetry Contest for Older Adults

14th Annual contest sponsored by Wood County Committee on Aging…

WCCOA is welcoming entries for 14^th annual poetry contest

Bowling Green, OH – The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. (WCCOA) will soon be accepting entries for 2019’s Poetry Contest, “Dreams”. Any Wood County individual 50 years of age or older may participate. The opening date for submissions will be Tuesday, January 22 and will close on Friday, March 29 at 4 p.m.

Poems should share stories of life, hope, dreams and love. We are looking for poetry that, in some way, celebrates the heart and souls of members of Wood County citizens as they continue to celebrate their lives.

Entries must be submitted in English, double spaced, in a 12 point Times New Roman Font or handwritten. Entries must be entirely your own work and never previously published, online or offline. All styles of poems are acceptable but they must be originals. Any plagiarized poems will be disqualified. Poems should not exceed one page.

Two entries will be accepted per person. Intent to submit will not be accepted. Poems are to have a title and to have the poet’s name, address and phone number on each page.

Poems are due to the Programs Department at the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc., 305 North Main Street, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 by Friday, March 9, 2019 by 4 p.m. You may also e-mail your entry to programs@wccoa.net. All entries must have the title of the poem, the poet’s name, phone number, address and date of submission included.

Winners will be selected by a Bowling Green State University Writing Professor and BGSU Gerontology Students. All poems entered will be available for reading in a loosely bound edition.

Winning poems will be announced on April 26, 2019 on our blog and via phone call, and will be published on WCCOA’s website and blog. The grand prize award will be a $50 gift card.

All poems will be posted on our blog site, woodcountycommitteeonaging@blogspot.com. All submissions become the property of WCCOA and can be published online or in print.

The mission of the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc., shall be to provide older adults with services and programs which empower them to remain independent and improve the quality of their lives.

For information on programs and services, please contact the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc., at (419) 353-5661, (800) 367-4935 or www.wccoa.net.

Birchaven Village Hosting ‘Bazaar Days’

Bazaar Days will feature a variety of items handmade by residents, staff, volunteers and families……

Birchaven Village will host its annual Bazaar Days craft and bake sale Friday, December 14 through Monday, December 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Birchaven’s indoor “Main Street,” located at 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay. The event is open to the public.

Bazaar Days will feature a variety of items handmade by residents, staff, volunteers and families. Items for sale include:

Homemade hardtack candy, fudge, buckeyes and dipped pretzels
Hand-crocheted doilies and other items
One-of-a-kind tree ornaments
Gifts for teachers
Cookie jar mixes and custom candy tins
Slippers for the whole family

A comfort food and bake sale will be held Friday, December 14 beginning at 10 a.m. featuring homemade chicken and noodles.

Beyond MedSpa, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System that specializes in cosmetic and aesthetic services, will have a table setup with their information on Saturday, December 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will be offering holiday gift sets and gift cards to purchase as well as an opportunity to win a door prize.

All proceeds benefit the activities’ program at Birchaven Village. For more information, please contact Birchaven Village at 419.424.3000.

Birchaven Village is a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, which provides a total continuum of care to more than 100,000 households in an eight-county area.

WCCOA Offers Support Groups for Caregivers

Monthly Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support ……..

Wood County, Ohio – The Wood County Committee on Aging would like to invite caregivers to our monthly Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups. The Bowling Green support group will be held the second Monday of each month at 2:30p.m at the Wood County Senior Center (305 N. Main St. Bowling Green, OH).

The Walbridge support group will be held the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30a.m at the Northeast Area Senior Center (705 N. Main Street, Walbridge, OH).

*Respite is provided for care recipients at the Wood County Senior Center, (Bowling Green) during the group. No registration required to attend. For questions, contact Jessica Ricker with the Social Services Department at 419-353-5661.

About the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc

Holiday Entertainment with Friends and Family of All Ages

It can be a big job playing host during the holidays…….

(Family Features) Holiday entertaining is no small chore. From feeding the masses to keeping everyone happy and engaged, it can be a big job playing host during the holidays.

From time-saving meal options to ideas that encourage everybody to take part in the festivities, consider these tips to help make it easy to keep guests of all ages entertained:

Simply catch up. Once the whole crew gets together, make a game out of giving everyone the chance to catch up. Put topics in a hat and draw to determine which category you’ll hear about, such as “favorite vacation this year” or “the latest on the grandkids.” Go around the room and give each guest a turn to share.

Go out for a change. Rather than trying to cook at home, save time by finding a restaurant or take-out option that suits everyone’s tastes. Keep pricing in mind, as a large group can rack up quite the bill if you don’t plan ahead. Several restaurants offer special deals, such as the 10 percent discount available at select eateries for AARP members. From Italian to seafood, finding the right spot for a bite to eat with grandkids or longtime friends can be a breeze.

Catch the newest release. When you feel like getting out of the house, heading to a movie theater can provide a chance to relax, especially for family members who have traveled long distances to join the group. Re-makes of classic favorites and holiday blockbusters can put a smile on just about anyone’s face. Additionally, some theaters offer discounts for ordering tickets online ahead of time.

Deck the halls. Adding a touch of festive flair can make guests feel welcome and ready to celebrate the occasion. But you don’t have to spend hours dragging out boxes of decorations to get your home holiday-ready. Colorful flower arrangements can add instant seasonal character and cheer to a room. Some floral services make it easy and affordable to have those bouquets delivered straight to your door, so all you have to do is find the perfect spot to showcase the pretty blooms.

Head to the mall. Shopping is another option for those looking to leave cramped quarters behind, and finding last-minute holiday deals could appeal to the procrastination-inclined gift givers. Take advantage of stores offering special deals or discounts with your AARP membership.

Find more solutions for your entertaining and holiday needs at AARPBenefits.com.

SOURCE:
AARP

5 Steps to Incorporate Universal Design

Before starting any remodeling project, take the time to define your needs……

(Family Features) As more homeowners opt to remodel their current homes for accessibility and safety, those concerns are taken into consideration especially for kitchens or bathrooms.

Special considerations often should be made for those falling in the Baby Boomer age group, who especially should take into account the accessibility of their homes and improvements that can be made.

Incorporate universal design strategies into your next remodeling project with this five-step guide from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), which offers certification in universal design to provide contractors with the knowledge and training to ensure accessibility in kitchen and bathroom designs.

Understand Your Needs
Before starting any remodeling project, take the time to define your needs. Ask simple questions such as:
- How do you live in your current home?
- What health issues – current and future – should be considered?
- How can a remodel help make your space safer and easier to use?

Identify Structural Mobility Changes
Mobility addresses the ability to move freely in a space. While mobility issues can impact older adults, it is not limited to only the elderly. While you might not need mobility assistance today, take a walk through your home and identify structural items that should be addressed, such as:

Doorways

Widening doorways to 32-36 inches so walkers, wheelchairs or even large household items may easily move through
Removing thresholds that may create a tripping hazard

Hallways

Expanding hallway widths to 36-42 inches
Well-lit hallways can improve safety

Clear Space

Incorporating clear space, especially in front of kitchen appliances
Best practices suggest clear space of 30-by-48 inches to allow for easy access

Safety First
Stairs pose a considerable hazard for those with decreased mobility. Ensure the first level of your home provides space for sleeping, eating and has at least one full bathroom. Other safety considerations include:
- Incorporating non-slip flooring surfaces
- Removing the need to go up or down stairs
- Creating well-lit rooms

Kitchen Updates for Ease of Use
Cabinets and counter heights, as well as the location of appliances, can improve the cooking experience. Other checklist items include:
- Dishwashers in drawer units eliminate the need to bend over when loading or unloading
- Push button controls for dishwashers for easier use
- Refrigerators with drawer unit options or side-by-side models
- Ovens and microwaves placed in the wall at appropriate heights

Bathroom Best Practices
Adjusting counter and toilet heights are two ways to make bathrooms more accessible. Wall-hung toilets should be approximately two inches higher. A first floor or main floor bathroom should incorporate:
- Structural bracing around the tub, shower and toilet for grab bars
- Walk-in tub or curbless stand-up shower with no threshold
- Levered handles for faucets
- Adjustable showerhead

For more information or ideas to incorporate universal design, visit NARI.org.

SOURCE:
NARI

Medicare Open Enrollment 101

Know your options and get free help…….

(Family Features) As autumn progresses, it’s important to keep your health in mind. Medicare’s fall open enrollment period is the time for you to review your plan options and make any changes to your Medicare coverage.

Maybe you have a new prescription that is not covered by your current drug plan or you have a new health condition. To ensure you get the most from Medicare in 2019, you should research your health and drug plan options during Medicare open enrollment.

Open enrollment closes Dec. 7. Changes made during this time will take effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

During open enrollment, you can adjust your Medicare health or drug coverage:

Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or vice versa
Switch between Medicare Advantage Plans
Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Switch your current drug plan
Drop Medicare prescription drug coverage

Your Medicare plan options depend on where you live. To find available health or drug plans, you can look in your 2019 Medicare & You handbook or visit medicare.gov. If you’re unsure where to start, your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help.

SHIPs offer free one-on-one assistance year-round to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, their families and caregivers. Trained counselors in your area can help you understand Medicare benefits and the enrollment process. Assistance is personalized, so SHIP counselors can help you find available options that best meet your unique needs.

The program – funded by the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – provides services in every state as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Don’t wait until the last minute. Take care of your health now and find your SHIP at shiptacenter.org, or contact Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227 or medicare.gov. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

SOURCE:
Administration for Community Living