Aging Parents 2013

CARING FOR

AGING PARENTSA special supplement to the

February 23, 2013

An information and resource guide to help ensure that those close to your heart have a rich and rewarding life in their later years.

, Saturday, February 23, 2013 Aging Parents Hood County News

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Celebrating 125 Years

Hood County News Aging Parents Saturday, February 23, 2013,

Sneaky, rotten scams can take many formsThere are crooks cooking up new

ways to separate people from

their money around every corner.

Sadly, senior citizens are often prime

targets.

Seniors can be easy marks if they are

more trusting than the more skeptical

among us, or if they are experiencing

a loss of mental sharpness, according

to Gary Morris, an investigator with the

Hood County Sheriff ’s Offi ce.

“Most of my cases are people at least

70-plus (years old),” Morris said. “Even

in the 70-plus range are people that are

well-educated - and they still get duped

- or they’re entering into the realm of de-

mentia. We’ve got several elderly people

in Hood County that scammers have just

drained their bank accounts.”

He said the angles often include scams

presented in emails, regular mail or by

telephone.

Morris said many scam artists are

charismatic, and also use sophisticated

methods.

“Crooks do their research and they

probably know the person of the house

is elderly - and they may even fi nd out

they live alone,” Morris said. “There are

some people out there that can sell you

the pair of shoes you have on your feet.

They’re that convincing.

“A lot of the phone calls start off with

‘You’ve won a lottery’ or something of

that nature. They’ll explain the process

of what you have to do to collect the

money. They may start up with a general

conversation, and try to make you feel

good.”

Often, those scammers instruct the

victim that a set amount of money must

be paid up front before the big jackpot

prize can be claimed. Morris said that

the thing to do is ask the caller for his

name and the company’s name, plus the

company’s primary phone number. If the

caller won’t answer your questions, hang

up, Morris said. Or, simply hang up even

before listening to the presentation. As

Morris noted, there’s no law requiring

you to have a conversation with an unso-

licited caller.

If an email from someone you don’t

know shows up in your inbox, do not

open it. It could be a phishing scam,

which is designed to get you to turn over

your personal bank account number,

Social Security number or other private

information through deception.

Scammers have a couple of things

that work in their favor when it comes to

targeting seniors. One is that sometimes

family members aren’t around enough

to halt scam attempts by monitoring

checking accounts and mail. The other

factor is that some elderly people simply

have a diff erent outlook toward strang-

ers because they grew up in a diff erent

era.HANDSHAKE WAS GOOD AS CONTRACT

“They learned (to be trusting) from

their parents. Someone who is 80, when

they were growing up, a handshake

was as good as a contract,” Morris said.

“You just trusted people - especially in a

smaller town.”

One senior Hood County resident re-

ported an incident last year in which a

caller mentioned the name of a man he

had actually met 10 years earlier.

“The scammer did his research. Some-

times they even know the name of your

pet,” Morris said. “He told this man his

friend passed away and in his will he’s

giving (him) $5.5 million from a bank in

London. The caller was purporting to be

a higher-up (offi cial) at this bank in Lon-

don. He had details about his friend.”

Morris said the caller claimed that the

money would be his - but that he fi rst

had to send $1,780 to a specifi c bank ac-

count because the man’s account had

been inactive for years.”

Fortunately the local resident came to

the Sheriff ’s Offi ce and consulted with

authorities, who warned him it was most

likely a scam.

Conventional sweepstakes scams -

claiming to be legitimate off ers such as

the Publisher’s Clearinghouse - are some

of the most prevalent ways crooks use to

steal from seniors. The bait plays on their

dreams of taking that dream vacation

or exotic ocean cruise they never could

aff ord.

“People just don’t hand out millions of

dollars,” Morris said. “In this world, you

don’t get anything for free. It’s just go-

ing to cost you something - some way,

somehow.”

1. Health care/medicare/health insur-

ance fraud - Perpetrators may pose as a

Medicare representative to get seniors to

give them personal information, or provide

bogus services at makeshift mobile clinics,

then bill Medicare and pocket the money.

2. Counterfeit prescription drugs -

These scams most often are on the Inter-

net. Victims may even end up buying un-

safe substances.

3. Funeral and cemetery scams - Some-

times those grieving from a loss of a

spouse may be targeted. Some scammers

claim to be seeking an unpaid debt.

4. Fraudulent anti-aging products -

Watch out for fake Botox, some of which

can cause unwanted health problems if it’s

a particularly bad batch.

5. Telemarketing - Statistically, seniors

make twice as many purchases over the

phone than the national average. This type

of scam is hard to trace.

6. Internet fraud - Beware of pop-up

browser windows off ering virus-scanning

software, and email and phishing scams

that request private personal information

from the potential victim. Some falsely

claim to be entities such as the IRS, inquir-

ing about a tax refund, etc.

7. Investment schemes - Seniors who

want to safeguard their cash for later years

could be vulnerable to these scams, which

can include pyramid schemes.

8. Homeowner/reverse mortgage

scams - Reverse mortgage scams have in-

creased greatly in recent years. Scammers

are taking advantage of the fact that legiti-

mate reverse mortgages increased in fre-

quency by 1,300 percent between 1999-

2008.

9. Sweepstakes and lottery scams -

Scammers claim the person won a lottery

or sweepstakes, but must make a down

payment to release the prize money. A

prize money check from the scammers will

take a few days before it shows up as hav-

ing been rejected.

10. The grandparent scam - Scammers

place a call to a senior citizen and say

something like, “Hi grandma, do you know

who this is?” When the grandparent guess-

es the name of a grandchild, the scammer

will claim to be that person and then ask

for money to be sent via Western Union or

other method to get them out of a phony

fi nancial problem, or even so they can

make bail and get out of jail.

Source: National Council on Aging.

| SCAMS TARGETING SENIORS

LOOKING OUT FOR YOU: Gary Morris, a longtime investigator with the Hood County Sheriff ’s Offi ce, said that it’s important that children and other close family members of potentially at-risk senior citizens help them by keeping a close watch on their activity in their emails and bank accounts - with a particular focus on whether they may be sending out money orders to potential scam artists. Today’s crooks no longer operate strictly through regular mail just using old-fashioned phony sweepstakes off ers. Many of them use sophisticated methods and can be quite convincing for those who may tend to be a little too trusting.Photo by Mark Wilson/Hood County News

HOOD COUNTY NEWS

HOOD COUNTY NEWS

Personal contacts crucial for seniors

Making a decision on when a senior

citizen needs to move from home

into a nursing or assisted living facil-

ity is never easy for family members. When

they live far apart, making that assessment

can be even more diffi cult.

Having someone to check on an older per-

son who lives alone can be a crucial link to as-

sistance when needed, and that’s one area in

which a local company, Golden Years, can help.

Sometimes the person is in a stage in which

it’s not necessarily clear whether it’s safe to live

alone.

“We happen to have a whole lot (of clients)

like that right now,” said L.V.N. Lisa Ezernack,

a co-owner of Golden Years along with R.N.

Karen Dougherty. “When you look at someone

and their needs, you have to look at the entire

24/7 picture. That encompasses friends, family

and where they live.”

In one recent example Dougherty gave, a

Hood County woman was visited by her son

from Oklahoma. After visiting in person with

his mother, he contacted Golden Years and

mentioned that he saw some signs that had

him concerned. His mother was repeating

herself when speaking, and he noticed some

dents in her car that weren’t there before.

Then she called during a trip to a grocery store

and told him she wasn’t sure how to get back

home.

“It’s important someone is aware,” Dougherty

said, adding that sometimes family members

who live far away can get a dependable neigh-

bor to check on senior citizens. Personal physi-

cians often can provide the fi rst warning that

there is a real problem or danger.

Ezernack noted two key situations that can

lead to danger for seniors - a senior who be-

gins to wander away from home on foot, and

those who refuse to put away the car keys

when their driving skills deteriorate.

Golden Years can assist with a wide variety

of issues faced by seniors, including: personal

hygiene, reminding of medications, meal prep-

aration, light housekeeping, transportation,

respite for family caretakers, doctor’s appoint-

ment assists, grocery shopping and compan-

ionship.

“We do little to big,” Ezernack said, adding

that 24/7 assistance is also available.

More information is available online through

the Texas Department of Aging and Disability

Services (www.dads.state.tx.us/).


PERSONAL CARE: Karen Dougherty, R.N., (standing) and Lisa Ezernack, L.V.N., are co-own-ers of Golden Years, which specializes in providing personal in-home caregivers in Hood County and surrounding areas including Weatherford, Benbrook, Burleson, Cleburne, Ste-phenville and Glen Rose. Services off ered by Golden Years, with its staff of about a dozen caregivers, range from assistance with personal hygiene, meal preparation and light house-keeping to companionship and full 24-hour service, for all ages.

FIGHT CANCERDavid M. D’Spain, D.O. Jessica Hals, D.O.

TEXAS ONCOLOGY-GRANBURY303 W. Pearl StreetGranbury, TX 76048817-579-3700 www.TexasOncology.com


County: Dual air ambulance memberships worth moneySeniors may feel secure if they’ve

purchased air ambulance insur-

ance in the event that they need

to be airlifted to a hospital. But they

could be in for a shock - and a big bill -

if they only have one membership.

Air Evac Lifeteam and CareFlite both

serve the Hood County area. But the

companies do not honor each other’s

memberships.

That means that if a

medical helicopter is

being utilized else-

where when a member

needs it, the other com-

pany’s copter will be

dispatched to handle

the emergency.

And that means a bill

with a lot of zeroes, lo-

cal offi cials warn.

“An air ambulance

ride is $10,000 to

$15,000 - minimum,”

said Precinct 4 Commissioner Steve

Berry. “Some insurances only pay $100

toward the (air) ambulance ride. For the

protection, I still think (a dual member-

ship) is very important.”

Households can be covered by both

Air Evac and CareFlite for around $100

per year. But even cheaper memberships

are available.

According to Berry and Texas EMS,

here is how the Texas EMS/Air Evac

memberships work:

As Hood County’s offi cial 911 provider,

area residents can purchase household

memberships for $36 per year that will

cover both ground transport by Texas

EMS and air transport by Air Evac. How-

ever, the Air Evac transport must origi-

nate in Hood County. Berry noted that

Air Evac has a helicopter stationed here.

For an additional $35 per year, house-

holds can have an Air Evac membership

that provides coverage in any of the 26

states where Air Evac operates. In other

words, the transport would not have to

originate out of Hood County in order

for members of the

household to have

coverage.

CareFlite member-

ships are $49 per year

and cover the entire

service area around

D/FW, Berry said.

Residents who are

Granbury water cus-

tomers or customers

of the Acton Mu-

nicipal Utility District

(AMUD) are covered

by the company of their choice - or by

both companies - through monthly

charges that are either $1 or $2. Custom-

ers are able to opt out if they wish.

Both companies have worked with

homeowners groups on group cover-

age at a lower rate than the standard

membership fees. Memberships for

both companies provide coverage for

all in the household. The way it works,

Berry said, is that the companies accept

whatever coverage is provided by the

patient’s insurance company. If the insur-

ance company provides no coverage for

air transport, the patient is not billed.

8Both

companies have worked

with homeowners groups on group coverage at a lower rate.

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Once bedridden, now walking

It starts with something as little as a cold infection, then inevitably prolif-erates to an elderly patient becoming

dehydrated.“A dehydrated elderly person is too

weak to move, and slowly loses muscle mass while in bed or sitting in a chair all day,” according to Justus Peters, M.D., who works in Pecan Plantation.

Days of planned activities no longer are imaginable, and depression sinks in. This elderly patient is one of hundreds doctors see every year, Peters explained.

“One particular patient I have had the fortune of becoming very close with is a prime example of a success story in physical therapy,” said Peters.

She seemed too young to be crippled. Weighing a measly 80 pounds, Peters said the frail, elderly, grandmother-type was so sweet and had a wonderful smile.

“Her knees were contracted back, and her elbows were contracted and bent - after not moving her arms and legs from being bedridden after a stroke.

“Even replacement joint surgery did not alleviate her painful joints. Unable to feed herself due to her upper extremity

contraction,” Peters said, “she lost weight, protein, and subsequently her muscle mass plummeted to frail skin on bones.”

This lovely lady was sent to physical therapy and inpatient rehabilitation. She went through three-a-day workouts on strengthening, range of motion and fl ex-ibility exercises.

She had occupational therapy to help her feed herself with special utensils and train her to be able to continue activities of daily living, Peters stated.

“That very same sweet grandmother of a lady is now walking, feeding herself, bathing herself and has a much bet-ter quality of life,” Peters said. “This is a story with many patients of mine, and of other physicians who believe in physical therapy.”

Peters encourages family members to speak with a physician when they notice a loved one is declining. The doctor can address “transitioning” programs such as rehab, home health care or inpatient rehab centers.

For questions, Peters can be reached at [email protected].

GRANBURY VILLARehab & Nursing

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committed to meeting

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as well as the unique social and emotional needs of our residents

and families.

Rehabilitation Services Physical, Speech, Occupational

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Restorative Therapy

Engaging Activites

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IV Therapy

Grief Support Group

817-279-7600www.swltc.com

Please stop by

to visit anytime!

Volunteers are

always welcome.

We are proud of our long history

of serving the needs of the

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Note: If you are already a member of CareFlite, please give this application to a friend or extend your membership for $10 per Year per Household.

Caring - Heart MembershipHood County Residents Application

Plan Year 01/01/13 - 12/31/13

Member Services Office3110 S. Great SW ParkwayGrand Prairie, Texas 75052(877) 339-2273 (M-F 8a-5p)(A Texas 501c3 non-profit entity)

__5 Years $49Check here for 5 Years for the price of 1 year

(normally $49/yr.)

First Name: _____________________________________ Middle Initial: _______ Last Name: _______________________________________

Home or PO Box Address: ___________________________________________City: _____________________ Zip Code: ____________ County: Hood

Home Phone#: __________________________________________ Email: ___________________ @ __________________ . ______

Date of Birth: Male Female Employer Name: _________________________________________________________

Primary Insurance: No Yes (If yes, insurance name__________________________)

Supplement Insurance: No Yes (If yes, insurance name__________________________)

LIST Other Family Members of Your Household: (For additional household family members, please copy this page and attach to this application.)

First Name: ____________________________ Middle Initial: ______ Last Name: ____________________________________

Date of Birth: ____________________________________ Male Female








DO NOT SEND CASH - Please make $49 Check Payable to CareFlite or or apply by credit card below.

If applying by credit card, you may fax your application to (972) 602-7182 anytime 24/7.

Card Type: _____________ Card Number: ____________________________________________________________

Expiration Date: ________________ Billing Zip Code: __________ Date: _________________________________

Name on Card: ____________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Fill outonly if usingCredit Card

By paying the CareFlite Memebership fee I agree (on behalf of my family) to abide by the terms and wish to hereby apply for Air Membership in the CareFlite Caring-Heart Membership Program for my self and members of my household listed on the Application, as set forth in this Agreement. I have reviewed the Caring-Heart Air Membership Agreement and agree to abide by the terms thereof. I request payment of authorized Medicare or other insurance benefits to me, or on my behalf, to be paid to CareFlite for any emergency services and supplies furnished to me by CareFlite. I authorize any holder of any of my medical information to release that information to the CMS, its agents and carriers, or CareFlite, in order to determine benefits payable on my behalf, now and in the future. This agreement and authorization is executed on my behalf and on the behalf of the other members of my household, if they are minors or otherwise unable to sign. I understand that under the State ruel 157.11k, if I or a household member is a Medicaid recipient, then I am not allowed to have them on my Application, therefor I am stating that I have not listed on my application anyone that is a Medicaid recipient. If a family member becomes a recipient of Medicaid, I will notify CareFlite in writing of this change immediately. I warrant that all the information in the Application is true and correct. CareFlite reserves the right to request documentation demonstrating the accuracy of such information. I acknowledge that membership in CareFlite Caring-Heart Membership Program is simply a membership in a program sponsored by CareFlite, and thus, is not membership in CareFlite’s non-profit corporate entity as the term membership is contemplated under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act.

For CareFlite Office Use Only / Hood County News AGING PARENTS 2/13 Welcome Card Sent On:

Date Received: ____________________________Form of Payment: _________________ Amount Paid:___________________

Membership # Assigned: __________________________ Date Sent to Fulfillment: ___________________Emp. Initial: _____________

1

TEAR THIS PAGE OUT & SUBMIT APPLICATION

2

3

Fill out & mail this application with your payment to:

CareFlite, 3110 S. Great SW Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Applications will be effective on the date of the postmark or fax to (972) 602-7182. All memberships in this group will renew each year on January 1st.

Membership Benefit

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}Signature for Processing, Acceptance

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All ApplicantsSign Here

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Photo courtesy of Sheldon Cohen


Seniors who want to stay in shape,

have fun in their golden years and

even ward off dementia may fi nd

that dancing is a two-step in the right

direction.

According to the American Association

of Retired Persons (AARP), dancing has a

way of toning the entire body and reduc-

ing stress and tension. Dancing that re-

quires the memorization of dance steps

and sequences improves memory skills,

according to the AARP, with the added

benefi t of bringing companionship and

increased self confi dence.

“It keeps us on the ball,” said Ray Yoos, a

94-year-old cancer survivor who is a reg-

ular at dances held

at the Hood County

Senior Center (501 E.

Moore St., 817-573-

5533). “It’s good exer-

cise - and it’s fun.”

It was at a Senior

Center dance in 2004

that Yoos met Mary

Knight, an 81-year-

old widow. He has

needed no other

dance partner since.

“I danced as a

young girl, but my husband didn’t

dance,” said Knight. “I didn’t dance for 53

years. I’m making up for lost time.”

The Senior Center is helping others in

their post-retire-

ment years make

up for lost time as

well. A line dance

group for women

meets every Mon-

day and Wednesday

at 9 a.m. The group

has performed at

local events and

nursing homes.

Several - including

Knight - are cancer

survivors.

Dances are held at the center every

Thursday evening from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A

rotation of four country western bands

perform at the weekly events.

According to Senior Center Executive

Director Mindy Hodges, anywhere from

75 to 100 men and women attend the

dances each week, paying a $5 cover

charge. Any money that is left over after

paying the band is donated to the cen-

ter, Hodges said.

Experts with the AARP say that danc-

ing promotes creativity, stimulates brain

chemicals that produce a feeling of well-

being and has even been known to trig-

ger forgotten memories in Alzheimer’s

patients.

Yoos and Knight are indicators of the

health benefi ts that come from cutting

a rug. Knight has had several bouts of

melanoma and just a few weeks ago,

Yoos fi nished 20 radiation treatments for

bladder cancer.

Through the health worries, they have

managed to spend carefree hours trip-

ping the light fantastic.

It was at a Senior Center dance that the

couple fi rst met. Their friends partnered

up and took to the dance fl oor, leaving

the two strangers to keep each other

company.

“It was just me and Ray left sitting

there and I said, ‘Well, do you dance?’”

recalled Knight. “And I guess we danced

and we just kept dancing. We’ve been

together ever since.”

Rock Around The Clock

Senior Center offers

health-boosting dance events during day,

evening

8SeniorDance

Every Thursday7 p.m.

ON THEIR TOES: Ray Yoos and Mary Knight are proof of the health benefi ts of dancing. Both have attended weekly dances at the Hood County Senior Center,

even while undergoing cancer treatments. Yoos is 94; Knight is 81. MARY VINSON | HOOD COUNTY NEWS


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Water noodling at the YWater noodle is one of over half a dozen fun-fi lled water aerobics classes on the schedule at the Hood County YMCA. Instructor Katie Brian leads her water noodle class with a combination of moderate and low-impact moves designed to burn calories and condition the entire body.

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Come visit us today!

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We offer something to hold onto.


Senior Circle marks 14th anniversary this spring at Lake Granbury Medical Center

Mark your calendar for

the Senior Prom. The

May 7 event is not for

high school seniors, but for

adults 50 years old and better.

Senior Circle will be celebrat-

ing its 14th anniversary at

the Senior Prom this year. The

adults-only prom will be from

5-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at the

Granbury Resort and Confer-

ence Center, 621 E. Pearl St.

Some 300 guests enjoyed last

year’s Senior Prom featuring a

nostalgic theme. Those attend-

ing were greeted at the door

with corsages, a Senior Prom

Yearbook, and the opportunity

to have their photos taken by a

professional photographer.

“The anniversary celebration

was such a huge success that

the event outgrew its venue at

a Granbury school cafeteria,”

said Lake Granbury Medical

Center spokeswoman Dixie Lee

Hedgecock. “And two hours of

dancing was not enough!

“This year’s event has been

relocated to the conference

center and, by popular demand,

there will be another hour of

dancing to enjoy.”

SENIOR CIRCLE BENEFITS

Membership and involve-

ment within Senior Circle allows

older adults to remain active

and engaged in the commu-

nity, according to Jeanette Hill,

Senior Circle advisor.

The information and knowl-

edge gained through LGMC’s

innovative community resource

program can be a crucial aspect

of maintaining a healthy life-

style.

“It is also an exceptional way

for newcomers to get accli-

mated to the area, make friends

quickly, and to stay up-to-date

with the medical care and phy-

sicians in their new hometown,”

Hill noted.

There are many Senior Circle

benefi ts provided through en-

rollment in LGMC’s innovative

community resource program.

National benefi ts of Senior

Circle membership include:

■ ADT Home Companion

– discounted installation and

monthly service fee.

■ Prescription discount card

(Scriptsave).

■ Vision discount Card (Ey-

eMed).

■ Hearing discount card (Bel-

tone).

■ Car rental discounts (Ala-

mo, Enterprise and National Car

Rental).

■ Inside Circle: National Se-

nior Circle magazine subscrip-

tion.

In addition, there are many

other benefi ts available here

at home. LGMC is dedicated to

providing each member with

support for living healthy lives

through education and social

activities.

Local benefi ts include:

■ Day and extended trips.

■ Free exercise classes.

■ Free health and wellness

seminars.

■ Free health screenings.

■ Free copies, faxing and no-

tary service.

■ Free meal voucher (daily)

for caregivers of hospitalized

members.

■ Discounted rates and

waived fees at Lake Granbury

Fitness Center.

■ Socials, crafts and games …

and more.

Senior Circle annual member-

ship for an individual is just $15

and $27 for a couple.

For more information on Se-

nior Circle contact Jeanette Hill,

Senior Circle Advisor, at 817-

579-2979 or visit GranburySe-

niorCircle.com.

SPECIAL OCCASION: Jerry and Pat Gressert were dressed in style for the Senior Prom last year. Sponsored by the Senior Cir-cle, the dance is moving to a larger location this year. By popular

demand, this year’s adults-only dance will also be an hour lon-ger. The 2013 Senior Prom will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at the Granbury Resort and Conference Center, 621 E. Pearl St.

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LIFE INSURANCE PREPARATION: Local insurance agent Brent Northcutt (left) goes over the details of life in-surance policies with customer David Casey. For elderly citizens such as Casey, getting insurance, long-term care and other important documents in order is necessary to make the transition into their golden years smoother. Northcutt suggests an annual review of insurance documents to see if any changes are in order and to make certain nothing expires.

Two words are perhaps the most

important when it comes to

preparing for insurance in one’s

elderly years.

Start early.

“It’s simply less ex-

pensive, and you run

much less risk of be-

ing uninsurable,” said

Farmer’s agent Brent

Northcutt. “The older

a person gets, the

higher the risk.”

Northcutt sug-

gests that children

of aging citizens sit down with their par-

ents to make certain such insurance as

long-term care and permanent life insur-

ance is in order.

“Always, when I’m talking to someone

in their 40s, it comes up, ‘Hey, my parents

don’t have that,’” said Northcutt.

“It’s like wanting homeowners insur-

ance while you’re smelling smoke.”

Take term insur-

ance, for example. It is

popular, but North-

cutt said folks should

know it only pays

when a person passes

away, and it is only

good for a certain

amount of years. He

strongly urges chil-

dren to encourage

parents currently on

term insurance to convert to permanent

life insurance.

“Let’s say at 45 I was in perfect health,

but at 65 I have high cholesterol, high

blood pressure and diabetes,” he said.

It pays to start early with insurance

HOOD COUNTY NEWS

PLEASE SEE INSURANCE | 17

Things are always changing in

people’s lives, and it’s important to make sure insurance stays

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“With permanent insurance, you’ll still

be okay.”

Another advantage to having perma-

nent insurance instead of term, North-

cutt said, is the ability to use the death

benefi ts to pay estate taxes. Plus, the

cash value a permanent policy accrues

can actually make it as cheap, or in some

cases cheaper than term, he said.

And again, the earlier the start, the

cheaper the cost.

“Some companies off er conversion

without proof of insurability,” he said.

“But you don’t get it for the same premi-

um, so it is still good to do it earlier.”

Northcutt said today’s young person

is more aware of insurance than their

parents were because it is much more

publicized.

“They see the ads, hear them on the ra-

dio and TV,” he said. “Growing up I didn’t

hear any of those things.”

David Casey is a prime example of

someone who would have been hit with

a larger payment had he waited to take

out long-term care insurance. Now 76,

he took out policies on he and his wife a

little more than a decade ago.

Shortly after, he had heart surgery.

“One of the conditions of long-term

care is your age and your health,” Casey

said. “And nothing is certain in this life,

that’s for certain.”

Recent studies show the average cost

of living in a nursing home is around

$4,200 per month with an average stay

between 18-24 months.

“If you ask most 55-60-year-old people

if they know what it costs monthly to live

in a nursing home, they don’t,” Northcutt

said.

“And a lot of times by the time they fi g-

ure it out, it’s too late to do much about

it fi nancially. That’s where kids sitting

down with their parents is important.

“Show them the numbers. Make sure

they are as they should be, and if they’re

not, get busy getting them there.”

Northcutt recommends an annual re-

view of all policies, no matter how long

they’ve been in place.

“It’s so easy to let something lapse,”

he said. “Things are always changing in

people’s lives, and it’s important to make

sure insurance stays in order.”

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Caring for yourself and

your loved one

While traveling by airplane, the

fl ight attendant tells you to

put on your oxygen mask fi rst

before helping others. It makes sense.

You cannot help someone if you are in

peril yourself.

For caregivers helping someone

managing a disease causing dementia,

such as Alzheimer’s, this peril comes on

slowly.

Jill Woolly Renshaw, regional market-

ing director for Arbor House Assisted Liv-

ing & Memory Care Communities, off ers

the following information.

ENEMY FOR CAREGIVERS

The fi rst thing you must know is that

stress is the number one enemy to care-

givers. Stress causes a myriad of health

complications.

Too many times, we pull up our boot

straps and get the job done without tak-

ing into consideration the toll it is taking

on our health. So, be aware of your stress

levels, schedule time to relax and get the

help you need at each leg of the journey.

Exercise, eat well and keep your con-

nections with friends, church and volun-

teer work. Find something that makes

you happy and be sure you do it. Don’t

miss your doctor appointments; your

health is very important. Take a break

and accept change.

CHANGE AND EXPECTATIONS

So let’s talk about some of those

changes. It is so hard as a family mem-

ber to change your expectations of your

husband, wife, father, mother. You have

an expected role and action/reaction of

them in certain situations.

Their perception of the situation

changes, and their ability to process

their response changes, and that equals

a diff erent outcome. This can be the

source of much anger and frustration by

both parties. This is especially true when

the behavior is diff erent from time to

time or day to day.

It can feel as if the

person with demen-

tia is doing things to

purposely frustrate

the caregiver. In most

cases this is not the

reality.

MAKE THE MOST OF IT

Here are tips to

making the most of

this journey:

1) Understand that

the person’s reac-

tion is normal; we just

don’t fully understand

what they are under-

standing or what they are trying to do.

If we were in their shoes, we would

very likely respond the same way they

are.

2) A “behavior” is not something to be

stopped, but rather understood.

When we invest our skills into under-

standing the cause of a behavior, we

can then change the environment or

approach or provide the purpose that is

missing, in order to meet the need. It is

this way that the “behavior” will subside.

Keep in mind, that

some “behavior” has

purpose for the per-

son, and the caregiver

must evaluate its risk

verses its reward to

determine if interven-

tion is even needed.

3) Change your

communication and

do not correct.

As the journey pro-

gresses, processing of

information takes lon-

ger. According to Len-

ny Butler, it can take

up to 90 seconds to

process a single piece

of information. So shorten your commu-

nication (words) and lengthen the time

allowed for the person to process and

respond – 90 seconds is a long time!

4) Avoid isolation, for you and the per-

son you care for.

In the early part of the journey, main-

tain your social routine. As the journey

progresses use day stay off erings to

allow yourself a break and allow your

loved one time to be in a supportive en-

vironment with friends “like” them.

Your loved one may be resistive to this

at fi rst because change is scary, but once

the routine is developed they will likely

do very well.

5) Keep a routine. The part of the

memory that is working the best is called

implicit memory, and it is in this area that

our routine or habits function “automati-

cally.”

Keeping things automatic can play a

signifi cant role in reducing stress.

6) Create a low-stress environment. We

are all alike in this sense: When our stress

is low we cognitively function at a higher

level. This is even more true for people

with dementia.

Pick your battles and don’t correct if

you don’t have to. Arguing is stressful!

Remove items that the person should

not interact with so that you don’t have

to correct that interaction. Say “yes” a lot.

'Understand thatthe person’sreaction is

normal, we justdon’t fully

understand whatthey are

understanding ortrying to do.’


Nutrition tips for seniors on-the-go

Today’s seniors are leading active

lives, fi lling their time with travel

and new experiences.

While staying active is great for one’s

general well-being and happiness, con-

tinuous travel provides many challenges

to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Good nutrition and regular

exercise can keep you feeling

great and reduce your risk for

diseases such as prostate can-

cer, diabetes and hyperten-

sion. And, as we age, our risk

for developing these diseases

increases, so it’s especially vital

for aging men and women to

protect their overall health.

Next time you take a trip, don’t let

your health go on vacation too. Here are

some wellness tips that will travel as well

as your wrinkle-free shirts:

■ Maybe it’s all that waiting, but

something about airports makes people

hungrier. Packing food may be your best

bet for a wholesome meal. If you do buy

airport food, you may want to couple it

with a little exercise. Explore the termi-

nal’s options before settling on the fi rst

fast-food joint you see. Salads, low-fat

sandwiches and smoothies abound,

these days. And instead of snacking on

high-sodium pretzels or crackers on your

fl ight, opt for an immunity-boosting

piece of fruit instead.

■ On road trips, pack a cooler fi lled

with fresh vegetables, homemade sand-

wiches and water. If you do stop along

the way, try and wait until you can fi nd

a rest stop with plenty of healthy food

choices.

■ Incorporate cancer-fi ghting foods

into your daily meals. Evidence from sev-

eral studies suggests that fi sh can help

protect against prostate cancer because

they have “good fat,” particularly ome-

ga-3 fatty acids. Likewise, a lack of vege-

tables in the diet is linked to a higher risk

of aggressive prostate cancer, according

to experts at the Prostate Cancer Foun-

dation.

■ A buff et can derail a diet quickly.

When possible, skip the all-you-can-eat

food fest and opt for individual menu

items instead. When you can’t resist a

buff et, eat an entire plate of salad before

hitting the main dishes. Just be sure to

go light on cheese and dressing and

heavy on vegetables like broccoli and

caulifl ower. After the salad, stick with

grilled, lean meats and whole grains.

Keep the amount of fat you get from red

meat and dairy products to a minimum.

■ When you’re cooking for yourself,

you know exactly what’s in your food.

Don’t give up that knowledge just be-

cause someone else is doing the cook-

ing. Ask how your meals are prepared

to avoid certain no-no’s like trans fatty

acids, which are found in margarine.

■ Remember to exercise each day,

whether it’s exploring a new location

on foot, or taking a swim in the hotel

pool. Beyond burning calories, endur-

ance exercises are particularly eff ective

at increasing the body’s natural levels of

antioxidants, eliminating infl ammatory

molecules that drive cancer.

■ Relax and enjoy your trip. Reducing

stress can lead to a longer, happier life.

More wellness tips can be found at

www.PCF.org.

Just as you would never forget your

itinerary at home, don’t leave town with-

out your good habits.

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Wills, powers of attorney for more

than wealthyIn the words of Paul Hyde, not

having a will is not smart. “It

also leads to problems within

the family,” said Hyde, an attorney

who specializes in wills and pow-

ers of attorney.

“Even families that have had

good relationships have prob-

lems when questions come up,

and a lot of it comes down to

what would mom and dad have

wanted?”

So Hyde recommends children

sit down with their aging parents

and discuss wills and powers of

attorney. Sure, they can be touchy

subjects, but the discussions are

often necessary.

“It’s not always greed that cre-

ates a problem,” he said. “What I

see most are good-intentioned

people trying to carry out their

parents’ wishes, but if there’s

nothing in writing, it leads to a lot

of arguing and problems.

“It’s an important conversa-

tion to have with your parents,

but some parents may want to be

private about it. Sometimes who’s

going to be the executor can

cause hurt feelings.”

Still, Hyde suggests that parents

and children consider having

such a conversation. For exam-

PLEASE SEE WILLS | 21

WHERE THERE’S A WILL: Attorneys Paul Hyde and Tracy Bush specialize in preparing wills and powers of attorney. Hyde said wills, contrary to some beliefs, are not just for wealthy people, but rather more to make certain that items left be-hind by a family member are distributed as they would want

instead of letting the state handle the aff air. He also sug-gests careful assignments of powers of attorney to make cer-tain the right people are in charge of durable (fi nancial) and medical POTs. They recommend reviewing wills and POTs ev-ery fi ve years.

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ple, sometimes a parent doesn’t know

what’s most important to a child unless

they are told - and most times that is

something that has no real monetary

value.

“It may have no real value, but a ton of

sentimental value,” said Hyde. “Say, for

example, there’s some ticket stubs from

a ballgame you went to with your dad,

or a special photo. Why was that pocket

knife special to you and your dad?

“I tell people to go home and fi nd

things that are specifi c to people in your

family when I work on a will.”

Also, it is extremely important for chil-

dren to know where their parents’ will is.

“You don’t have to give them a copy,

but make sure they know where it is,” he

said.

Hyde said one of the misnomers con-

cerning wills is that they are only for

persons with a lot of money.

“That is simply not true,” he said. “Do

you want your loved ones to deal with

the laws of intestacy (the state decides

who gets what) or do you want it to go

as your family would want?”

Hyde recommends reviewing wills ev-

ery fi ve years.

“I have people call and tell me their

parents’ will is 20 years old and asking

if they need a new one,” he said. “I don’t

know. We don’t automatically make

a new one. It may be that nothing’s

changed and it’s just fi ne.”

Powers of attorney are also some-

thing children should address with their

aging parents, Hyde said.

“Let’s say mom loses the capacity to

think for herself. If you don’t have power

of attorney, you can’t sign for Medicaid,

etc.

“You have to go through an expen-

sive court process for guardianship. But

even then, you have to go through the

court for permission for everything.”

There are two important powers of at-

torney, durable (fi nancial) and medical.

Often, Hyde said, these are not assigned

to the same person for a variety of rea-

sons.

“Sometimes they are just better suited

to diff erent people. For example, if one

person is a nurse, you would probably

want them to have the medical power

of attorney,” Hyde said.

“But understand these are completely

diff erent documents. If you walk into

a hospital with a durable power of at-

torney, you might as well have a pizza

coupon.”

It’s also good, Hyde said, to have an

alternate power of attorney assigned.

This is usually where the children are

involved.

“Normally, a spouse has power of at-

torney, but what if something happens

to both at once, or if a spouse dies?” he

said.

Hyde also stressed the importance

of including long-term care in aging

preparation. So often, he said, families

believe they have to do such things as

sell their parents’ home to come up with

money for nursing home stays, which

average $4,200 per month.

QUALIFIED INCOME TRUST

And if a person’s income is more than

$2,130 per month, Medicaid will not

help with the nursing home stay, he

said. This is where it becomes important

for children to help their parents look

into a way to divert some of the income

into something called a qualifi ed in-

come trust.

“That income doesn’t count toward

Medicaid purposes, but it still has to go

their health care,” said Hyde.

For example, if a person ready to en-

ter a nursing home has an income of

$2,200 per month from social security,

etc., if $1,000 is diverted, it places them

into the Medicaid qualifying category,

and Medicaid will help pay for the nurs-

ing home stay.

“You don’t have to sell the house,” said

Hyde.

In fact, Hyde said, homesteads can

be exempt for up to $500,000 when it

comes to assessing fi nancial worth for

Medicaid. He then recalled stopping

someone at the last minute from using

the money from a sold home to pay the

nursing home. Instead, they used the

money to buy a new home to relocate a

family member. “Now the sister can be

close,” he said.

“You have to have a talk with your

parents and explain the importance

and that everyone needs these things,”

Hyde said. “Who can make the hard de-

cisions? If a plug has to be pulled, who

can be trusted to do it?”

WILLS: Attorney recommendsreviewing wills every five yearsFROM PAGE 20

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Personal home care fills gapSeniors who are beginning to need

a bit of assistance with things like

meal preparation, bathing and

housework no longer have to surren-

der their independence and move into

a nursing home.

There is now middle ground that helps

them bridge the gap between living in-

dependently and living with round-the-

clock care.

Personal home care companies are

providing specialized assistance to

those who are still able to do quite a bit

for themselves. They off er just what a cli-

ent needs - whether it be help 24 hours a

day, seven days a week or just someone

to play a game of cards with.

According to Senior Living (www.

seniorliving.org), the companionship

provided by personal home care staff ers

“can be crucial for seniors who live alone

and may be isolated from others.”

Personal home care companies are

licensed by the state. Employees can do

non-medical tasks, but cannot provide

medical treatment such as that provided

through home health care agencies.

The two entities often, however, work

hand-in-hand, according to Linda Britt.

She owns Community Personal Care and

New Life Homes in Hood County. Com-

munity Personal Care off ers companion-

type services. New Life Homes off ers 24-

hour care, with one caregiver for every

three clients.

MEAL PREPARATION

Personal home care workers provide

such services as: medication reminders,

light housekeeping, meal preparation,

transportation, help with exercise, keep-

ing family members informed of their

loved one’s condition and participating

with the client in hobbies and games.

Personal home care companies can

provide much-needed relief, Britt said,

to family members who are serving as

their loved one’s primary caretaker.

“The husband or the wife that’s trying

to take care of their loved one and not

send them to a nursing home really, real-

ly need a break,” she said. “We give them

a chance to relax and rest.”

Staff ers at agencies off ering compan-

ion assistance contact qualifi ed medical

professionals whenever a health issue

arises with a client.

“It’s coordinated care,” explained Britt.

Certifi ed home health care agencies

and hospice agencies are strictly regu-

lated by the federal government, ac-

cording to Senior Living.

Britt said there is “defi nitely confusion”

among members of the public about

the diff erences between home health

care and personal home care. Most of

the time, what people need is the type

of maintenance care provided by per-

sonal home care, she said.

Britt recommends that younger peo-

ple think ahead by looking into their

long-term health insurance.

“It is really, really needed if you haven’t

saved up the money to be well-cared for

at home,” she said.

Britt also cautioned against making as-

sumptions of senior health care.

“Most people think that the govern-

ment will take care of them. It will not,”

she said. “If they qualify for Medicaid,

they can get maintenance care. If not,

they can’t.”

Britt said that companies off ering per-

sonal care services can provide those

services even to those living in nursing

homes.

“If the staff is overworked and the fam-

ily would like for their loved ones to have

special, hands-on care - we can do that,”

she said.

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Make home safety a priorityPrevention is the new focus of

health care.

“Our goal is preventing accidents

before they occur,” according to Beth

Bland, of Home Safety Consultant Ser-

vices of Granbury.

Safety consultants can evaluate your

home, or the home of a loved one, to de-

termine if there are any safety concerns.

Possible solutions will be off ered to any

safety hazards.

Consider these statistics that Bland

presents from the Centers for Disease

and Control and Prevention (CDC):

■ One in three adults age 65 and older

falls each year.

■ Falls are the leading cause of injury

death.

■ Falls are also the most common

cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital

admissions for trauma.

■ On average, the hospitalization cost

for a fall injury is $17,500, and Medicare

covers about 78 percent of this cost.

■ Health care legislation has proposed

drastic cuts in Medicare and Medicaid

that will increase the out-of-pocket ex-

pense.

SAFE AT HOME

Keeping a loved one at home is physi-

cally, mentally and fi nancially the best

for everyone.

A safety consultant will observe all inte-

rior and exterior areas of the home such

as:

■ Driveway.

■ Walkway.

■ Entry land-

ing.

■ Garage.

■ Hallways.

■ Bathrooms.

■ Bedrooms.

■ Kitchen.

■ Patio.

The consultant will complete an evalu-

ation and provide a copy for your refer-

ence. Any areas of concern will be noted,

along with possible solutions.

“Our goal is to assist our clients with

maintaining their independence and

safety in their own home.

BENEFICIAL EVALUATION

A safety evaluation is said to be ben-

efi cial for a wide-range of individuals,

including the following:

■ Loved ones who are faced with the

new responsibility for aging parents or

adults.

■ Individuals

recently experi-

encing diffi culty

maneuvering in

the home.

■ Individuals

recently hav-

ing surgery or

other procedures

requiring additional assistance in the

home.

■ Individuals with disabilities or re-

quiring devices for mobility.

■ Individuals who have experienced

an injury due to a recent accident in their

home.

Call Bland at 903-815-5293 for more

information.

PREVENTION: A safety consultant can observe the home to evaluate safety measures.

COURTESY

Falls are leadingcause of injury

death.

For advanced orthopedic care, this is the team to choose.

The orthopedic surgeons at Lakeside Physicians are focused on bringing you innovative care that can help you quickly get back to life. Cody Hartshorn, M.D. and Corey Mark, M.D. specialize in both surgical and non-operative treatments for musculoskeletal disorders. They offer orthopedic procedures including knee and hip replacement, treatment for orthopedic trauma, and care for sports injuries for every level of athlete. To learn more, visit LakesidePhysicians.com.

817-573-DOCS

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Senior-friendly updates can lower your bills

More seniors than ever before are choosing to

stay in their homes as they age. According

to a study by the AARP, only fi ve percent of

Americans ages 65 and older live in group quarters like

nursing homes.

From narrow hallways to steep stairs, design ele-

ments in typical houses can make remaining at home

diffi cult in our golden years. However, basic upgrades,

like handrails and ramps, can go a long way toward

making homes safer for seniors. And there are other

small senior-friendly changes that can even make

homes more environmentally friendly, which can help

lower utility bills.

“The aging process can be gradual for some, how-

ever others can move quickly from independent living

to a cane to a walker,” says Joyce Polhamus, Chair of the

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design for Aging

Knowledge Community. “You don’t need to completely

remodel your home; there are small things you can do

now to make it more accessible as the aging process

evolves, while also making it better for the environment.”

AUTOMATE TO CONSERVE

One of the best ways to help ensure senior safety is to

have a well-lit home. But it sometimes can be diffi cult

to reach outlets and to remember to turn lights on and

off as you move about your house. Installing sensors,

so lights go on and off automatically when you enter

and leave rooms, will cut back on electricity costs and

ensure better visibility.

As we age, tasks that formerly seemed simple, like

watering plants, can be diffi cult and energy-consum-

ing. Polhamus recommends setting automatic timers

on sprinkler systems to eliminate the need to do this

task yourself, while also helping to conserve water.

UPDATE APPLIANCES

Emptying the dishwasher or putting a load of laun-

dry in the washing machine, can put a strain on the

body. Consider installing newer appliances designed to

be more senior friendly.

With newer dishwasher and refrigerator models, you

can open doors and drawers between hip and shoul-

der height, which won’t require reaching up or bend-

ing down. Additionally, replacing older appliances with

newer, more energy-effi cient appliances can help you

reduce your carbon footprint.

Or you can place existing appliances, like front-load-

ing washing machines, on platforms. An architect

can help you redesign any room around appliances to

make it safer and more senior-friendly.

SEASONAL DESIGN

The majority of heat gain and loss comes from win-

dows. Electronic curtains can alleviate the burden of re-

peatedly opening and closing traditional curtains and

are more airtight to better keep cold air outside.

If electronic curtains aren’t an option, Polhamus rec-

ommends ensuring windows are properly sealed and

considering shrubs or bushes outside to act as a buff er

against wind and cold air.

To fi nd an architect who can help make your home

greener and more comfortable for seniors, visit http://

architectfi nder.aia.org/

With a few updates, you can live in peace knowing

your home is designed for aging.

(StatePoint)

COURTESY

COMFORT: A few updates can make the home designed for seniors.

When it matters most, count on us.

Experience why Interim HealthCare has been the premier provider in home care for more than 40 years.

Home Health Services Hospice Personal Assistant Services

Please visit our website to learn more about our

services or contact us at 817.573.7474.

www.interimhealthcare.com


Some drivers license laws different for seniors

While more and more attention

is directed toward those who

potentially become danger-

ous drivers while texting, another

at-risk group has been a concern for

as long as automobiles have needed

bumpers.

Aging drivers can pose traffi c prob-

lems of their own, statistics show. A USA

Today article found online states that

a study by Cernegie Mellon University

(statistics compiled from 1999-2004)

showed that for drivers ages 75 to 84,

the rate of about three deaths per 100

million miles driven is equal to the death

rate of teenage drivers. For those 85 and

older, however, the fatality rate jumps

dramatically - to nearly four times that of

teenagers.

A new Texas law that went into eff ect

on Sept. 1 (HB 84, known as “Katie’s Law”)

changed the requirements for some

older drivers. Texas drivers ages 79 and

older now must always renew their driv-

ers license at the Department of Public

Safety offi ce every six years, and may not

do so electronically or by mail. A vision

test will be given during all in-person re-

newals for those 79 and older.

Drivers age 85 and older must renew

their license in person - on the individ-

ual’s second birthday after the previous

expiration date - according to the Texas

Department of Public Safety website.

Mail, phone and electronic license re-

newals are still options for Texans under

age 79.

Any physician licensed in Texas can

inform the DPS about a potentially dan-

gerous driver, and that is an exception

to the patient-physician privilege, the

website states.

“The driver is notifi ed in writing of the

referral and required to provide medical

information from his/her personal phy-

sician,” said the DPS site, adding that it

will also accept information from courts,

other DMVs, police, family members and

other sources.

The source of the information is not

considered anonymous or confi dential,

according to the DPS.

“However, an attempt is made to pro-

tect the identity of the reporter,” the DPS

website states. “If the client requests

an administrative hearing, the identity

of the reporter may be revealed at that

time.”

Laws governing rules for drivers 79

years of age and older are contained in

the Texas Transportation Code, sections

521.274 and 521.2711.

ABLE DRIVERS: Aging drivers can pose traffi c problems.

When your heart is on the line,choose nationally accredited care.

The moment you feel chest pain or shortness of breath that could be a heart attack, go to Lake Granbury Medical Center. We are accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, the national chest pain center accreditation agency. That’s important because accredited chest pain centers have demonstrated expertise in the timely diagnosis and treatment of cardiac emergencies.*

So in an emergency, call 911 and know where to go. Choose a nationally accredited Chest Pain Center. Choose Lake Granbury. For more information, visit GranburyHeartCare.com.

The E.R. at Lake Granbury Medical Center

GranburyHeartCare.com

*According to the Society of Chest Pain Centers, www.scpcp.org.B89178

COURTESY


■ Talk to your parents about their fears, needs, pri-

orities and wishes as they get older.

■ Have the name and phone number of your par-

ents’ doctor, lawyer, pharmacist, hair dresser, grocery

store and seniors’ transportation service in case you

should need to call them.

■ If you live far away, make sure that you have the

name of a neighbor, friend or volunteer who can

check in on your parents if there’s trouble.

■ Make sure their home is safe. Install smoke de-

tectors that work, install anti-scald devices, fall-proof

the house and make sure there is adequate lighting.

■ Post important phone numbers, including emer-

gency numbers, where they can easily see them.

■ Purchase a medical alert system so that your par-

ents can push a button for help from anywhere in the

house.

■ Visit seniors’ housing facilities so you know

what’s out there, and if necessary, put your parents

on waiting lists.

■ Call them every day or two just to say hello and

to see if everything’s all right. If you can’t do this, have

family, friends or volunteers alternate calls or visits.

■ Encourage them to stay active. Look into bowl-

ing leagues, bingo nights, book clubs for seniors,

dance lessons for the elderly, travel tours, seniors’ as-

sociations, etc. They will thank you for it.

To-Do List

IN-HOME PERSONAL CARE

Extending a helping hand to Texans for over 15 years! From simple companionship for a few hours to

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Golden Years

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B89178


Gum health a major concern for aging populationGot healthy gums? That’s one of the most impor-

tant questions for senior citizens as they start to

have concerns with their oral health.

Dr. Cathy Hubnik, a dentist with Dentures and Dental

Services (DDS) in Granbury, said that bacteria in the

mouth actually changes early in life, starting with the

onset of puberty. Up to that point, cavities are the most

common problem.

“When people are younger, the bacteria is diff erent,

so you’re more prone to cavities. Gum disease becomes

more prevalent as we age,” Hubnik said, noting that you

should consult with your dentist to check for possible

periodontal (gum) disease. “In the United States, more

adults lose their teeth to gum disease than to tooth

decay.

Hubnik said that before puberty, the bacteria that

causes gum disease is more muted, although older

people certainly can still get cavities as well.

Maintaining healthy gums is also important when a

senior decides to get dentures.

“Once a person loses teeth, they continue to lose

bone,” Hubnik said, noting that healthy teeth provide a

healthy blood supply to the bone.

O. Jay Killingsworth, manager of DDS, said that an-

other change seniors commonly experience is dry

mouth. It can be a side eff ect of some medications, and

can increase the potential for cavities. There are a wide

variety of over-the-counter saliva substitutes that a

pharmacist can recommend.

Arthritis can interfere with some seniors being able

to properly care for their teeth, such as when using a

conventional toothbrush becomes too painful. Hubnik

suggested trying an electric toothbrush, which can also

be more effi cient in removing plaque.

Over a period of time, brushing techniques can falter.

A hygenist or a dentist can help you with re-learning

the proper way to brush, and show how to reach prob-

lem areas.

Hubnik said that one relatively recent major develop-

ment is that titanium implants have become more af-

fordable in the last fi ve years or so.

“It’s the closest thing we have to making a natural

tooth structure,” said Hubnik, who has been with DDS

almost 10 years, and practicing general dentistry for 21

years.

Dental implants can make chewing harder foods eas-

ier than with dentures. Maintaining that ability can help

stave off the onset of dementia, according to one study

done in Japan, Hubnik said.

“When you have a harder diet, it sends oxygen to

portions of the brain that help long-term memory,” she

said.

COURTESY

REGULAR CHECKUPS: Gum disease becomes more and more preva-lent as we age.

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No matter what kind of doctor you need, look to Lakeside Physicians. Our primary care physicians are here to provide routine checkups, health management and sick visits for your entire family. And for more specific needs, Lakeside Physicians offers convenient access to a number of specialists, covering everything from pediatrics and orthopedics to cardiology, general surgery, and more. To find a physician who is right for you, call today.

817-573-DOCS

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Aging Parents 2013

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