Prime Times 2011

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • MORNING SENTINEL

Special Supplement Wednesday, August 17, 2011

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • MORNING SENTINEL

BY BONNIE N. DAVISCorrespondent

Although there are no guaran-tees anyone will live a longtime, making good choicesearly on gives people reachingtheir twilight years a betterchance of having a higher quali-ty of life.

“None of us get out of herealive,” said Dr. Basia Yakaitis, agynecologist surgeon.

However, she said that by eat-ing for themselves and the plan-et — as well as exercising —people have a better chance ofovercoming illnesses, achievinggreater mobility and havingclearer minds as they age.

“I ate moderately well in my20s. I don’t have the time, but ifI could, I’d eat a vegan, rawfood diet or be like Oprah andhave a private chef,” Yakaitissaid. “I like to eat organic fruitsand vegetables, whole grainsand brown rice. I stay awayfrom white foods, like whiterice, white flour and whitesugar.”

As a gynecologist surgeonspecializing in pelvic organ pro-lapse, Yakaitis, age 59, looks 20years younger.

“If you’re going to eat meat,try to eat grass fed animals withno antibiotics or growth hor-mones added to their feed. Geteggs that are range free, ratherthan cage free. Cage free chick-ens can be crowded in a barn,with no room to move,” shesaid. “Check the omega bal-ances in fish — some farm-raised fish have unhealthyamounts, while salmon is one ofthe best to eat. If you’re eatingfor health, you’re eating for theplanet. If the planet’s nothealthy — guess what — youwon’t be either.”

With a background in moderndance, Yakaitis exercises at thegym and walks.

“Keep moving and don’t beoverweight; it puts stress onyour joints and then you’ll com-plain about your knees hurting,”she said.

As the Community Wellness

Coordinator at Inland Hospitalfor the past 10 years, EllenWells works to keep people outof the hospital through a varietyof programs and partnerships.One aspect of her job is assist-ing community members andtheir families with making lifealtering changes, regardless oftheir age.

“You don’t have to makeoverwhelming changes,” Wellssaid. “It’s easier to makelifestyle changes when you take

small steps. Those small stepscan lead to some very bigrewards.”

Wells, who has a bachelor ofscience degree in communityhealth education from theUniversity of Maine atFarmington, makes supportinformation from nutrition toexercises available to local resi-dents through wellness fairs andcommunity.

“I’m busy too. It’s a chal-lenge in today’s world with the

business environment and hav-ing a family. It takes time, andyou have to make the effort,”she said. “It’s very importantfor children to have a good startin life. It’s harder to makechanges as we get older. It’seasy to grab fast foods, but youcan make fast food at home.”Wells encourages people to eata diet consisting of whole graincereals, brown rice andlegumes.

According to Wells, exerciseis a key component of wellness.

“It’s a challenge to get those30 minutes or more in, everyother day, but you can takethree, 10-minute walks,” shesaid.

Although the effects of stresson health is well documented,Benton resident Marlene Myershas some simple tips to addressthe issue. As a cancer survivorin remission for the past seven

years, she believes having apositive outlook and servingothers is most important for herhappiness and health. After herrecovery, Myers, age 69, startedan unusual vocation.

“I took a clowning classthrough adult education atLawrence High School and ithas opened up new doors forfun,” she said.

Clowning as Merry Giggles,Myers performs at local eventsand parties. She also developeda children’s coloring book forchildren with cancer, volunteersat hospice camps for the griev-ing families and for otherevents.

“I teach kids that it’s okay tolaugh,” she said. “After the lossof a loved one, they need towork out emotions.”

Photo by Bonnie N. Davis

Cancer survivor Marlene Myers, clowns as Merry Giggles. Theseare her secrets for a healthy life:

Marlene Myer’s 10 tips for a healthy life aftercancer• Think and be positive• Connect with people who have a good outlook on life• Volunteer — there are opportunities everywhere• Read upbeat books• Think of ways to help and serve others— then do it• Laugh, smile and listen to others with all of your heart• Be involved with kids, it keeps you young• Rest and take care of yourself• Do activities outside your home — swim or go listen tomusic• Learn to play an instrument or take a class

Wednesday, August 17, 20112 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | PRIME TIMES

Exercise can beeasy and fun:• Exercise for 30 minute,every other day • Walk for 10 to 15 min-utes outside, around themall or up and down steps• Walk or ride a bike to getthe mail or do errands• Park away from stores –old, but good advice• Play with — or walk —the dog • Play Frisbee or ball withthe kids• Hike or try a local trail• Swim, bike, canoe orkayak • Garden• Fitness centers andpools often have seniorcitizen special offers• Practice Pilates or yogawith a group or in yourhome• Take a class in martialarts or a form such as T’aiChi and Qi Gong• Join a club for walking,skiing, hiking, tennis, etc.• Exercise with one of theTV trainers

Older people offer advice about how to live a longer, healthier life


Mary Wyman, the KennelSupervisor at The HumaneSociety for the Greater WatervilleArea, always needs people towalk dogs or socialize cats, whichcombines exercise with volunteer-ing. This is a great option for sen-iors unable to have their ownpets.

More on LIFE, Page 3

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

3| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, August 10, 2011 PRIME TIMES


Fairfield’s oldest senior, Eileen Gould, turned 101-years-old onMay 28, 2011. She said her secret for a long life is simple and sheuses it every morning: “Just get going – every day.”

Eating tips for optimumhealth:Eat whole foods, includingwhole grains, legumes and pro-duce• Buy local dairy products withno growth hormones — mostdairies in northern NewEngland fall into this category• Avoid or limit consumption ofthe white, highly-refined foodssuch as white flour and whitesugar• Avoid fried foods• Eat more fruits and vegeta-bles — they have those lifesav-ing antioxidants• Increase your intake of fiber• A balanced diet with lots ofvariety is the healthiest• Add more fresh seafood, free-range poultry and grass-fedmeats to your diet• Shop on the outer aisles ofthe grocery store for fresh,whole foods• Make extra food and freezeseveral portions, for home-made TV dinners• Buy local produce at the gro-cery store, shop at farmer’smarkets and vegetable stands• Diets do not work as well aslong-term changes• Have a cheat day or specialday once a week• Start small and reap the bigrewards

According to Myers — whosings for the terminally ill withthe a capella group,TheTourmalines, as well as inthe choir at the Fairfield UnitedMethodist Church — music hasa healing quality and keeps herfocused on the positive.

Although she said she wouldlike to be even more physicallyfit, Myers said she swims asoften as she can and eats a vari-ety of fresh produce from localfarms.

“There’s nothing like freshveggies in the summertime —that’s what I love,” she said.

For Nancy Burwood, ofOakland, setting goals is hersecret for longevity.

“In order to keep young, youhave to look toward the future,”she said. When you’re a teenag-er or young adult, the futureseems way off. Even thoughI’m 69, I think I have 20 to 30years left — my mother lived tobe 92. Think into the future andask yourself what you’ll bedoing. Think of goals, specificgoals.”

Six years ago, Burwood com-pleted one of her goals. Shealways wanted to go to art

school and, in 2005, she gradu-ated from the University ofMaine at Augusta with a bache-lor’s degree in art.

“I always wanted to studyart, so one day I picked up thecatalog and turned to the artclasses; now I’m going back fora degree in English.”

In her early 50s, local artistRenée Choiniere of Madison isalso working on an art degreeat the University of Maine atAugusta. She said keeping herinner child alive and healthywill help her have a longer life.

“I’m going back to school,that keeps me young, andtired,” she said, with twinklingeyes. “I play a lot of scrabbleand brain teaser games. I’m nottoo good about eliminatingstress from my life, but Ibelieve in keeping my mindactive and creative.”

Choiniere said owning petsand having healthy relation-ships at the forefront of her lifeare essential.

“I need to stay busy with lotsof art, lots of music and lots ofinteracting with people,” shesaid.

These active women agree:Taking the time to eat right,adding exercise to the dailyroutine and keeping a positiveoutlook help create a healthiermind and body as well as a bet-ter chance for longevity.

LifeContinued from Page 2

AAA .......................................................................................8Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute.........................17Central Maine Orthodics-Prosthetics...................................10Crosby & Neal Funeral Homes and Cremation...................18Dan & Scott's Cremation & Funeral Service .......................12Direct Cremation of Maine...................................................16Elder Care Planning and Solutions .......................................6Eric's Restaurant .................................................................13Fieldstone Landing ................................................................6Forgotten Stoneworks .........................................................15Gallant Funeral Home .........................................................14Giberson Funeral Home & Cremation Services..................15Kowlton Hewins Roberts Funeral Homes............................10Lawry Brothers Funeral Home ............................................19Levey & Wagley, P.A. ...........................................................18Maine Eye Care Associates ................................................12MaineGeneral Medical Center.............................................20Mathieu's Cycle & Fitness Center .........................................8Mid-Maine Cremation Services ...........................................14Nale Law Offices .................................................................15

Park Residences .................................................................13Plummer Funeral Home ........................................................9Redington Funeral Home ......................................................7Sebasticook Valley Health ...................................................11Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home & Cremation Services ........13Smart Eyecare Center...........................................................7Staples Funeral and Cremation Service .............................10Tilton & O'Donnell Attorneys at Law....................................18University of Maine Augusta - Senior College.....................16Veilleux Funeral Home ..........................................................7Waterville Elks .....................................................................18Wheeler Funeral Home .........................................................8Wright & Mills, P.A. .............................................................15

About this sectionThis special advertising supplement was produced by the Kennebec

Journal/Morning Sentinel. The cover design was by Denise Vear,Creative/Innovations Manager.

If you would like information on running a section about your busi-ness or organization, call Business Development Manager BridgetCampbell at (800) 452-4666, Ext. 9155.


Senior’s DrivingExpo

Spectrum GenerationsMuskie CommunityCenter, in collaborationwith AAA, is hosting aone-of-a-kind free SeniorDrivers Expo from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday,Aug. 19 at the MuskieCenter located at 38Gold Street in Waterville.

Secretary of StateCharlie Summers will

kick off the event at 10 a.m. Spokespeople from the Bureau of Motor Vehiclesand the Waterville Police Department will talk about license renewal, licensing inrelation to medical issues and the dos and don’ts of driver safety. AAA will pres-ent “Keeping the Keys: help extend your safe driving career,” a workshop to helpolder drivers be proactive in managing their driving careers, recognize changes indriving that come with age, planning ahead for continued mobility, as well as anoverview of resources that can help accomplish those things. For more informa-tion, contact Cheryl at 873-4745.

Surf & TurfMake reservations now for a

summer feast at any of threeSpectrum Generations CommunityCenters. Spectrum GenerationsCohen Center in Hallowell and itsMuskie Center in Waterville willhost a Surf & Turf luncheon onAug. 26. Its Coastal Center inDamariscotta will also hold a Surf& Turf luncheon on Aug. 31. Thecost is $16 for a single lobster,$23.00 for twin lobsters, $15 for a

steak and $22 for a steak and lobster combo. All dinners come with a buffet ofsides and beverages. Call 1-800-639-1553 to make a reservation at the center ofyour choice.

Pig Roast Join us rain or shine for a Pig Roast fundraiser on Sept. 3, hosted by Rita and

Doug Sukeforth at their family camp on U.S. Route 201 on the Bingham-Solontown line. This is an annual event held to raise much-needed funds for theSpectrum Generations Meals on Wheels Program and the Hospice Volunteers ofthe Waterville Area.

Participants should bring their own beverages and lawn chairs and join us for aday of fun and games, barbecue, 50-50 raffle, and a huge live auction. Cost is$15 per single, $20 per couple or $25 for a family. The gates will open at 10 a.m.and the barbecue buffet will start at noon. To register, call Spectrum GenerationsMuskie Community Center in Waterville at 873-4745.

Life Without LimitsExpo

Mark the calendar to attendSpectrum Generations LifeWithout Limits Expo from 9a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 20inside the Cook’s Corner Mallin Brunswick. Admission isfree. This is an excellentopportunity for baby boomers,their families and their care-givers to find answers to thedaily challenges of aging.

Join us for a fun-filled dayof health screenings, flu shots, product demonstrations, presentations, fitness andcooking demos and chair massages. For more information, call SpectrumGenerations Southern Midcoast Community Center at 729-0475.

Rockland Health Fair

Come see and experi-ence the vast array ofresources the mid-coastcommunity has to offerat SpectrumGenerations Day ofWellness, Learning andMaking ConnectionsExpo being held from 9a.m. to noon Oct. 29 atOceanside High Schoolin Rockland. Admissionis free.

There will be workshops, classes, health screenings, free flu shots for adults,and much more. For more information, call Spectrum Generations RocklandCommunity Center at 596-0339.

For more information about Spectrum Generations programs, services, andcenter events and activities, call 1-800-639-1553, www.spectrumgenerations.org,or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/spectrumgenerations.

What do expos, lobsters, and a pig roast have in common?

They are all part of the fun planned by Spectrum Generations this fall in central Maine


BY MICHAEL J. LEVEYLevey and Wagley, P.A., Winthrop

When a marriage occurs later in life, eachpartner carries along his or her own lifelongexperience. Each has a substantial personal,family and economic history. In addition,each party has separate assets and liabilities,developed separately from the new maritalpartner.

And quite importantly, each partner has afamily constellation (children, grandchildrenand others) separate from the new maritalpartner.

When thinking of marrying, the partnersinevitably consider the impact the new mar-riage will have on their separately-developedeconomic and personal lives.

The questions that arise are: If my new marriage ends in divorce, how

can I protect my separately-developedassets?

If my new marriage ends in divorce, will Ibe entitled to support, or will I have to paysupport?

If I remarry, how can I ensure that uponmy death, my separate assets will go to myown, original family?

If I make an agreement with my new part-ner about these subjects, will that agreementhold up in court?

Maine law, in the Uniform PremaritalAgreement Act, provides answers to thesequestions.

The act permits parties to have an agree-ment that is made in contemplation of themarriage. Under the act, the agreement mustbe made before the marriage and then takeseffect when the couple is married. The agree-ment must be in writing and signed by theparties. The agreement can be modified orterminated during the marriage if both partiesagree.

If my new marriage ends in divorce, howcan I protect my separate assets?

The act permits a prenuptial agreement tocontain the following kinds of provisions,giving a party the opportunity to protect thatparty’s separate assets:

• The agreement can state that the separatereal estate, accounts or retirement assets of aparty are to remain the separate property ofits owner, and that additions to and increasesin value to any such property remain the sep-arate property of its owner.

• The agreement can give a party theexclusive right to manage, re-invest andotherwise completely control that party’sseparate assets.

• The agreement can allow a party tokeep that party’s separate assets in the

event of divorce. If my new marriage ends in divorce, will I

be entitled to support, or will I have to paysupport?

A prenuptial agreement can state that upondivorce neither party will pay support to theother. The agreement can also set forth a spe-cific amount of spousal support. The agree-ment can state that spousal support will beterminated later, for example upon remarriageof the spousal support payee.

If I remarry, how can I ensure that uponmy death, my separate assets will go to myown, original family?

The prenuptial agreement can give a partythe opportunity to pass his or her separateassets to that spouse’s original family or otherloved ones upon death. A premarital agree-ment can prevent a surviving spouse fromdemanding a one-third “elective share”amount from the deceased spouse’s estateand from exercising other rights otherwiseavailable under the law. The agreement canstate that the surviving spouse is to receive acertain limited amount, and can require oneor both spouses to have wills providing forthis specific amount.

If I make an agreement with my newpartner about these subject matters, will that

agreement “hold up in court”? The act upholds these agreements, if they

are made in the correct fashion (made in con-templation of marriage, executed before themarriage, written and signed). However, thecourt will not enforce the agreement if it wasnot executed voluntarily by the parties. Thecourt will not enforce the agreement if it wasan “unconscionable” agreement and the vic-

timized party was kept in the dark about theassets of the other party.

The following suggestions help keep pre-marital agreements enforceable:

• Full financial disclosure: Before signingthe agreement, the parties should make anaccurate and complete disclosure to eachother regarding their separate assets, liabili-ties and income.

• Separate lawyers for each spouse: Beforesigning the agreement, each party shouldhave access to separate and independentlegal advice.

Does every person who is thinking ofmarrying later in life need a premaritalagreement? Does every person have to keephis or her assets separate from a newspouse?

Of course not. The law doesn’t requirepremarital agreements, but only permitsthem. Every person and every marriage isunique. Some couples, for very good reason,want to blend their assets during their newmarriage and to permit flexibility as to whathappens in the event of divorce or death.

I have clients who, after reviewing the rel-evant facts, have written premarital agree-ments, and I have had other clients who havechosen not to write them. The importantpoint is that people marrying later in lifeought to give careful attention to the aboveconsiderations so that they can choose thelegal option that best fits their situation.

The information provided here is for edu-cational purposes only, and should not beconstrued as legal advice or an answer to aspecific legal problem. Michael J. Leveypractices family law with the firm of Leveyand Wagley, P.A. in Winthrop, Maine. Go towww.leveyandwagley.com.

Marrying later in life: Should you have a prenuptial agreement?

SUPERCENTENARIANSReaching the age of 85, 90 or 100 is a feat accomplished by more people today thanin the past. Thanks to advances in medical treatments and preventive care, more andmore men and women are living beyond the average age expectancy. But what aboutthe concept of living well beyond 100? It’s more common than one would think.According to The Gerontology Research Group, there may very well be hundreds ofliving supercentenarians, or those who are at least 110 years of age, worldwide. As of2011, there are 92 verified living supercentenarians. Here is a list of the first 10, themajority of whom are women living in the United States.1. Eunice Sanborn, July 20, 1896, United States2. Besse Cooper, August 26, 1896, United States3. Walter Breuning, September 21, 1896, United States4. Chiyono Haegawa, November 20, 1896, Japan5. Venere Pizzinato, November 23, 1896, Italy6. Shige Hirooka, January 16, 1897, Japan7. Dina Manfredini, April 4, 1897, United States8. Jiroemon Kimura, April 19, 1897, Japan9. Ella Schuler, September 5, 1897, United States

10. Delma Kollar, October 31, 1897, United States

BY JOHN NALE

President Obama signed into lawthe Patient Protection andAffordable Care Act of 2010 onMarch 23, 2010, and the HealthCare and Education ReconciliationAct of 2010 on March 30, 2010.These two laws, collectivelyreferred to as the Affordable CareAct, will change both the availabili-ty of health insurance and howhealth care is delivered in America.

The law is in the early stages ofimplementation. Some provisions,including some Medicare provi-sions, were effective upon enact-ment. Others are phased in over anumber of years, and still othersbecome effective in 2014. This arti-cle describes provisions of theAffordable Care Act that mostdirectly affect Medicare beneficiar-ies. Remember, the Medicare bene-fits you currently receive will notchange and your benefits are gettingbetter.

Prevention and WellnessThe Affordable Care Act adds

coverage for a new “wellness visit”and eliminates cost-sharing foralmost all the preventive servicescovered by Medicare, effectiveJan.1, 2011. These changes reflect ashift in policy to focus healthcaremore on prevention and wellnessthan on treating acute illness, withthe goal of reducing costs.

Wellness VisitStarting in January 2011,

Medicare will cover a new annualwellness visit and will provide pay-ment for the creation of a personal-ized prevention plan. The wellnessvisit will:

• Include a health risk assessmentto establish or update the individ-ual’s medical and family history;

• Create a list of currentproviders and suppliers involved inproviding medical care, including alist of prescriptions;

• Take measurements of height,weight, body mass index, bloodpressure, and other routine meas-urements;

• Detect cognitive impairments.During the wellness visit, the

health professional will establish or

update a screening schedule for thenext five to 10 years, based on rec-ommendations of the United StatesPreventive Task Force.

Elimination of Cost-Sharingfor Preventive Services

The Affordable Care Act alsoeliminated cost-sharing for most ofthe preventive services already cov-ered under Medicare, effective Jan.1, 2011. The preventive services towhich the provision applies arethose that are appropriate for theindividual. The services for whichno cost-sharing (deductible and/orcopayment) will be charged are:

• Mammograms every 12 monthsfor eligible beneficiaries age 40 andolder;

• Colorectal cancer screening,including flexible sigmoidoscopy orcolonoscopy;

• Cervical cancer screening,including a Pap smear test andpelvic exam;

• Cholesterol and other cardio-

vascular screenings;• Diabetes screening;• Medicare nutrition therapy to

help people manage diabetes or kid-ney disease;

• Prostate cancer screening;• Annual flu shot, pneumonia

vaccine, and the hepatitis B vac-cine;

• Bone mass measurement;• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

screening to check for a bulgingblood vessel;

• HIV screening for people whoare increased risk or who ask forthe test; and

• Smoking cessation counseling.Cost-sharing is also eliminated

for the wellness visit and personalprevention plan.

Changes in Payment toMedicare Advantage Plans

The greatest amount of savingsin Medicare will be achieved fromchanges in payment to MedicareAdvantage plans. These are the pri-

vate insurance plans that contractwith the Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services under MedicarePart C to provide benefits to thosewho voluntarily enroll in the plans.

Medicare Advantage plans mustprovide all of the guaranteed bene-fits under Part A and Part B andmay provide additional benefitswith monies they receive in excessof the cost of providing the guaran-teed benefits.

Under the funding mechanismin effect before enactment of theAffordable Care Act, MedicareAdvantage plans paid, on average,109 percent – 113 percent of thecost of providing the same servicesto beneficiaries enrolled in the tra-ditional Medicare program. Theextra payments resulted in the fed-eral government expending $14billion more than it would havespent had Medicare Advantageplan enrollees remained in the tra-ditional Medicare program.

The Affordable Care Act phasesin changes to the MedicareAdvantage plan payment structure,starting with a freeze in paymentsto Medicare Advantage plans for2011.

Simplification of AnnualBeneficiary Election Period

The Open Enrollment Period, inwhich a beneficiary can enroll inor withdraw from a MedicareAdvantage plan during the first

three months of the year but cannotchange Prescription Drug Plans, iseliminated. Starting in 2011, anindividual who enrolls in aMedicare Advantage plan mayreturn to original Medicare and aPart D plan during the first 45 daysof the year. Starting in the fall of2011, the annual coordinated elec-tion period for Part C and Part Dplans will run from Oct. 15through Dec. 7 of each year, ratherthan from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31.

Closing the MedicarePrescription Drug “Donut Hole”

Starting in 2011, the coveragegap will decrease each year untilthe year 2020, when it will beeliminated. At that time, benefici-aries will pay 25 percent co-insur-ance for prescriptions. If you reachthe donut hole this year, the drugcompanies must reduce the cost ofname-brand drugs by 50 percentand reduce the cost of genericdrugs by seven percent.

The bottom line: the Medicarebenefits you currently receive willnot change and your benefits aregetting better.

John Nale is a Waterville attor-ney and president of the MaineAssociation of Area Agencies onAging. He has served on severalstate and legislative committeesthat deal with the elderly.

Seniors should be aware of their 2011 Medicare Benefits


FIELDSTONE FIELDSTONE FIELDSTONE FIELDSTONE Landing Landing Landing Landing

OPEN HOUSE TWICE A MONTH on Saturdays from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Or call Paul or Christine Lussier at 859-1966 for an appointment

One of Many Plans

Building a community, one neighbor at a time

• Close to town • Great Views • Energy efficient

site-built homes • 2 Year Warranty

55+ Planned Community of Single Family Homes

D IRECTIONS: I-95 exit 127 towards Oakland. at Car Quest take Shores Road to Fieldstone Landing

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT YOUR ELDERLY RELATIVE BEING SAFE AT HOME?

Life is a journey – and sometimes the way becomes overwhelming. Someone who is familiar

with the path – with unraveling the maze of issues and options, can help you to:

HOME ASSESSMENT BY APPOINTMENT • FREE PHONE CONSULTATION

120 Drummond Avenue, Waterville 660-6163

e-mail: [email protected] www.ecpsme.com

Call or e-mail to schedule an appointment at our new office.

Peg Soucy LSW, ACM, CCM

Professional Geriatric Care Manager Additional office space available at

120 Drummond Ave. • Call 680-8249

• Identify problems, eligibility for assistance and need for services • Educate you on appropriate options which will lead to informed

decisions • Develop a plan and locate resources that are tailored to your needs

and financial situation • Guide you along a path to a solution right for you

Elder Care Planning and Solutions

When 72-year-old Army veter-an Ted Eickhoff was at his localVeterans hospital for an appoint-ment recently, he struck up a con-versation with another patientabout selling his home and down-sizing. As luck would have it,Eickhoff’s fellow patient lived ina local independent retirementcommunity owned by Holiday Re-tirement, and raved about the ben-efits. Eickhoff was sold.

“I couldn’t believe how muchyou get for the money,” said Eick-hoff. “It is so nice to have every-thing taken care of with just onemonthly payment. It covers every-thing I need, including amazingmeals. And if you need anothersnack, the chefs just make it foryou!”

Eickhoff, a retired CommandSergeant Major, is part of a grow-ing number of seniors who areplanning for an independent livingfuture.

In fact, a recent AARP pollfound that nearly 60 percent ofBoomers say they are concernedabout living independently, andmore than 50 percent say theyhave begun to think about howthey would pay for independentliving assistance as they get older.

Crunching the NumbersMereen Klein, 86, started look-

ing at the costs of keeping herown apartment versus independentliving when her eyesight declined.Klein needed assistance withtransportation and didn’t want tokeep bugging her son to drive heraround, so she decided to move toan independent retirement livingcommunity that met her needs.

“It was right for me with myfixed income, and the money cov-ers everything,” said Klein. “Idon’t pay for TV, or to have myroom cleaned. I couldn’t believewhat I got for the money — it wasreally something.”

To determine what makes finan-cial sense, seniors need to add upthe true costs of managing a homeversus being part of a retirementcommunity.

“Even if you no longer have amortgage payment, you still havefluctuating monthly expenses in-cluding utilities, taxes, phone, ca-ble and food that can add up sig-nificantly,” said Stan Brown, chiefoperating officer for of Holiday

Retirement. “For many seniors,switching to a community that in-cludes one manageable, monthlyflat fee gives them the ability toplan out the next 15 to 20 yearsand know exactly what they canexpect to spend and what they canafford.”

For Klein, it not only made fi-nancial sense, it also gave herback some of her freedom.

“I can take the community busdown to the bank or out to dinner.I can even go to the doctor andmy appointments without bugginganyone for a ride,” said Klein. “Ihave more independence now than

when I lived alone.”

Ask the Right QuestionsTo calculate the true costs of

making the move to an independ-ent retirement community, Browncautions seniors to ask as manyquestions as possible prior tomoving in, to uncover any buy-infees, to determine if a long-termlease is required and to see if the“feel” of the community is right.

“It doesn’t make financial senseto make the move if you aren’tcomfortable in the new communi-ty and will want to move out with-in a few months,” said Brown. “It

needs to not only be affordable,but a great place to live as well.”

Seventy three-year-old Julianne(Judy) Kayatt knows this all toowell. She sold her home andmoved into a community that did-n’t offer much for her money andwasn’t as caring as she’d hoped.After only a few months, shestarted her search again and wasfortunate to find that a HolidayRetirement community was a per-fect fit for her.

“My family likes that I am hap-py here, and I like that I can stillbe independent and live here,”said Kayatt. “I am free to gowhere I want; I am enjoying activ-ities and events and I’m surround-ed by friends. I know I can behappy here for a long time.”

The Golden YearsMaking the move to an inde-

pendent living community can bean affordable way to make the mostof one’s retirement years. Kayatt,Klein and Eickhoff have all seen

the benefits to cutting ties to ahouse or an apartment in favor ofcommunity living.

Klein was able to take advantageof a promotion from Holiday Re-tirement, which covered up to$1,000 of her moving expenses, andKayatt received her birthday monthfree when she moved in.

As for Eickhoff, the payoff forhim is being surrounded by peoplehis own age with shared experi-ences and a passion for living thegood life.

“This is everything I everthought about doing when I re-tired,” said Eickhoff. “Sometimespeople reminisce about the pastbeing great, but I was fighting inthe military for 22 years andworking hard, and now these aremy golden years. I can actuallyrelax and people take care of mefor a change.”

For more information on mak-ing the move to independent re-tirement living, visit holiday-touch.com or call 1-800-322-0999.


Making the move to independent retirement living

Redington Funeral Home 5 Park Street, Waterville, Maine 04901

Telephone ~ 207-873-3611

Veilleux Funeral Home 8 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine 04901

Telephone ~ 207-872-7676

Fax: 207-877-9121

There are many advantages to arranging your funeral or cremation services in advance with a Dignity

Memorial® provider.

Advance Planning Advance Planning

S m

a r t E y e c a r e C e n t e r

Complete Family Eyecare

Dr. Richard Smart Dr. Lyn Desjardins Dr. Philip Savage

Dr. Sarah Gladstone Dr. Kerry Kaplan Dr. Lesley Sobeck

Dr. Helen Le

Voted Best Eyecare Practice in Greater Augusta and Bangor

255 Western Ave. Augusta 622-5800

210 Maine Ave. Farmingdale

582-5800 824 Stillwater Ave.

Bangor 947-7554

BY DIANE E. PETERSONSenior Editor, Marketing &

CommunicationsMaineGeneral Health

Cheryl Ring continues to beimpressed with the positive,upbeat environment at her moth-er’s nursing home,MaineGeneral’s Glenridge LivingCommunity.

“You’d think this would be aplace where people feel negative,but it’s just the opposite,” Ringsaid.

Key to Ring’s comfort andpeace of mind is the warm andloving care her 85-year-old moth-er, Barbara, gets from the staffmembers, who have been hercaregivers for the three years shehas lived there.

“The medical care, Mom’sinteraction with her loving, cheer-ful team and the great communi-cation with family members isfabulous,” she said. “I know mymother is in good hands.”

Dedicating direct care staffmembers to each resident is oneof the hallmarks of the culturechange that’s been underway atGlenridge and MaineGeneral’sGray Birch communities since2005.

“The goal is to create environ-ments that are less institutionaland hospital-like and more like areal home and a real community,”said Connie McDonald, adminis-trative director of Glenridge andGray Birch. “Our focus is onbuilding relationships, giving resi-dents choices and flexibility inhow they plan their day’s activi-ties, and giving employees thepower to bring their ideas to man-agement and make day-to-daydecisions with residents.”

It’s not your grandmother’snursing home

“No one wants to be in a nurs-ing home,” McDonald said.“There is still the idea that resi-dents give up their autonomy oncethey go into a nursing home. Itrepresents a loss of control and aloss of their own space, choice

and independence. We’ve changedthat. We give residents a voice inhow they spend their days. It’s theopposite from the old medicalmodel where everyone is on aschedule driven by tasks (that)staff needs to accomplish.”

Gone are strict schedules.Residents at Glenridge and GrayBirch decide when they get up inthe morning, when they go to bedat night and what activities theyparticipate in during the day.

“The reality is we’re open 24-hours-a-day. We’re not a nursinghome; we are homes that happento provide some nursing care,”said John Rice, administrator atGray Birch. “Less than an hour isspent on clinical activities; it’show you fill the other 23 hoursthat makes the difference. If a res-ident wants a shower at 2 a.m., wemake that happen.”

Success starts with dedicatedstaff

The key is the personal rela-

MaineGeneral erases the negative image from nursing home care

Living communities form “neighborhoods”


Contributed photo

Enjoying a family cookout at MaineGeneral’s Glenridge LivingCommunity, left to right, are Cheryl Ring, Stephanie Barley, Kate WalshCNA, Carl Ring and Barbara Ring, seated.

More on NURSING, Page 9

We Make Year-Round Exercise Easy and Convenient!

20 Main Street, Oakland

www.mathieuscycleandfitness.com

727 Maine Ave., Farmingdale

Mon – Fri: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sat: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

582-0646 465-7564

Free Delivery

and Setup Available

Serving The Central Maine Area Since 1882 • Serving All Faiths

26 C HURCH S TREET

O AKLAND , M AINE 04963 T ELEPHONE A ND F AX :

(207) 465-3011

• Pre-Planning • Funerals

• Cremation Services • Memorials

R ICHARD E. L ORD - O WNER A ND D IRECTOR

tionships among residents andtheir dedicated nursing team,McDonald said.

“By working with the sameresidents every day, caregiversdevelop close, personal relation-ships with their residents,” shesaid. “They know their residents’likes and dislikes, their personalhistory and can anticipate theirneeds.”

Certified Nurses Aides alsonotice subtle changes in conditionthat may signal the beginning ofa medical problem, so it can beaddressed before it becomes seri-ous.

“There’s a feeling of owner-ship and pride that nursing staffdevelops, knowing they did thebest job they could caring fortheir residents,” McDonald said.

Fewer institutional names Even the vocabulary has

changed to emphasize the home-like feel. Instead of nursing units,residents at Glenridge live in“neighborhoods” called the Cove,the Valley and the Gardens. AtGray Birch, residents live in

either the Pines Community orthe Birches Community. Insteadof a recreation room, residentstake part in activities in the com-munity center.

“We don’t say ‘new admis-sions’ any more. We say we’rehaving a new neighbor move in.Instead of saying we have 125beds, we say we have space for125 people to live here. It soundsbetter, especially to family mem-bers who are struggling with thechange in their loved ones’ sta-tus,” McDonald said.

Leaders in culture change Glenridge and Gray Birch have

been national leaders in resident-

centered culture change. In 2005,

Glenridge was selected to work

with the American Health Quality

Organization to create a culture

change training video that was

used nationally.

Glenridge also was chosen as a

resource to develop trainings for

the Centers for Medicare and

Medicaid. Administrators also

have shared their experience and

techniques with others around the

country through “webinars.” And

this month, four administrators

from Glenridge and Gray Birch

were invited to present a panel

discussion at a national confer-

ence for nursing home providers.

Families are included Families are very much a part

of residents’ activities. On arecent summer day, familymembers of all ages joined theirloved ones for a cookout. Andthe care extends to them. “Wehave a lot of spouses who spendall day here. They continue tocontribute to the quality of theirloved one’s lives and we takecare of them too,” McDonaldsaid.

Cheryl Ring appreciates that.

She recalls a time when shebecame overwhelmed and staffmembers were there for her.

“Everybody has been support-ive and watches out for me. Oneday I had a little meltdown anda caregiver called me and wechatted for the longest time,”Ring said. “It made all the dif-ference. It was a turning pointfor me to accept my mother’sAlzheimer’s and was incalcula-ble. We don’t pay for that, butit’s worth a lot.”

Contributed photo

By working with the sameresidents all the time, care-givers and residents developclose personal relationships,such as this one betweenBobbiJo McKinnis, CNA andJeanette Rodrigue.


NursingContinued from Page 8

Preplanning your arrangements is beneficial to you and your family.

W E OFFER : • Funded or non-funded pre-arrangement plans • Personalized family service tailored to meet your needs,

regardless of your financial status • Serving all faiths and non-denominational families

W E SPECIALIZE IN : • Veteran Services • Arrangements worldwide • Staff member available 24 hours a day

Here to help you when you need it.

Plummer Funeral Home

Nationwide toll free 1-877-622-9311 [email protected]

16 Pleasant Street Augusta

983 Ridge Road (Rt. 32) Windsor

BY NANCY P. MCGINNISCorrespondent

There are always more dogsin shelters and rescue facilitiesthan homes for them. Seniordogs —5- years-old and older— are typically among the mostdifficult to place. But an olderdog could be the perfect pet foran older person.

Puppies are cuddly andadorable, but they can be highenergy and high maintenance.Helping them adjust to a home,mastering house training, basicobedience and manners canrequire a serious commitment oftime and attention as well aspatience.

By contrast, an older dogtends to be far less needy anddisruptive, while still offeringboundless devotion and com-panionship. In fact, many pro-fessionals have noted that olderdogs seem particularly gratefulto be given a second chance tobe part of a loving household.

Acquiring a dog can be agreat way to counter theinevitable human tendency tofeel isolated and unneeded as aperson ages. A dog often will bea loyal and nonjudgmental com-panion through thick and thin.Scientists have proven thatstroking a pet can measurablylower a person’s blood pressure.

The pet would depend on thesenior for food, shelter and out-ings for modest exercise and achange of scenery that wouldlikely be beneficial for bothowner and pet.

Adopting from a rescue facil-ity or shelter could be great ideaand the senior would be provid-ing a much-needed home for adeserving animal. The agencyor organization staff couldaddress the senior’s concerns, aswell as offer an expert perspec-tive to help the person find agood match. It is a decision not

to be made lightly because dogstend to form a strong bond withpeople, according to dogexperts.

At Maine GreyhoundPlacement Service, an Augusta-based nonprofit rescue organiza-tion dedicated to finding homesfor retired racing Greyhounds, awritten agreement assures that ifadopters cannot keep their dogfor any reason, the agency willtake the hound back and seekanother good home. This hasmade all the difference to someolder folks with medical con-cerns, or who are simply wor-ried that their dog may outlivethem.

Louise Sawyer, veterinariantechnician and kennel managerat the Greyhound placementservice on Old Belgrade Road,said: “Just because you’vesigned the papers and walkedout the door doesn’t mean the

adoption is over and you’re onyour own. We’re here wheneveryou need us, to help you andyour dog succeed.”

Mary Towle, the agency’s co-founder and placement repre-sentative, not only fields adop-tion inquiries, but offers awealth of experience aboutidentifying and navigatingbehavioral and canine psycholo-gy issues.

Sawyer and co-founder andpresident, Scot Bruns, are the“go-to” resources forGreyhound health-related con-cerns.

Prospective adopters first dis-cuss their interest with Towle bytelephone at 846-4707 and thenmeet in person with Bruns tofind just the right dog. Thanksto Bruns’ experience and intu-ition, and his uncanny ability tolisten, observe and match uppeople and Greyhounds, the

agency has had a good trackrecord for successful place-ments since it was launched in1993. As a Greyhound adopter,a person can also make newhuman friends who share theirinterests. Owners are welcomedinto a growing community oflike-minded souls who convenefor social events and “meet-and-greet” opportunities to buildawareness for the agency.

If a senior thinks aGreyhound is not his or herspeed — guess again. The mostcommonly used descriptions are“mellow” and “couch potato.”True, some Greyhounds have hitastonishing speeds on the racetrack, as much as 40 or 45 mph.But, as Sawyer pointed out, athree tenths-of-a-mile sprintaround a dog track is over inless than 30 seconds and, typi-

cally, the hounds then retreat totheir racing kennel for up to aweek before the next sprint. Soa leisurely walk around theneighborhood could be a perfectactivity for both a senior ownerand dog.

Unless a person has afenced-in yard, leashing aGreyhound of any age is a mustbecause they are “sight hounds,”prone to taking off after any-thing in motion. If a senioradopts a retired Greyhound whohas never known life outside theracing kennel, the owner shouldbe prepared for an adjustmentperiod as the dog learns notonly how to fit in with the fami-ly, but also has a chance toencounter household phenome-

Older dogs, greyhounds can make perfect companions for senior citizens


Maybe you used to have a dog when you were younger. Perhaps you’ve alwayswanted one. But now you’re wondering if it’s a good idea — do you have what ittakes to provide a loving home for a four-footed companion? And with life’s uncer-tainties, what would happen to the dog if you couldn’t care for him or her?

More on COMPANION, Page 11

Staples Funeral Service of Gardiner has been providing professional, caring funeral services to the surrounding

communities of central Maine since 1928.

We offer a wide variety of services from cremation to traditional burial and cater to all denominations. We will take care of your loved one’s final

plans and wishes with the utmost care and consideration.

Staples Funeral and Cremation Service 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner

P.O. Box 598 582-3102 ~ www.staplesfuneralhome.com

36 Silver Street Waterville 873-1131

1-800-897-1131

Specializing in the design and fitting of artificial limbs

and orthopedic braces.

Offering a wide selection of diabetic footwear and mastectomy services.

Accepting Referrals


Nancy McGinnis photos

Greyhounds, known to run asfast as 45 mph on the racecourse, are actually quiet, gen-tle, loving companions whoselifestyles are typically not sofast-paced. The MaineGreyhound Placement Serviceis said to excel at successfullymatching retired racing houndswith adopters.

na such as stairs and mirrorsfor the first time in his or herlife.

Since Greyhounds are bothintelligent and eager to please,the transition phase is typicallyboth brief and successful.

With their sleek and gracefulsilhouettes, Greyhounds — oneof the oldest canine breeds onearth — appear often in classi-cal art, lending an air of nobil-ity and refinement. But in reallife, their occasional goofinessalso provides appealing comicrelief.

So, if a senior citizen islooking for a loyal companion,an excuse to get out and active,a loving companion, a goodlaugh and a friendly lick onthe nose, a retired racer couldbe a “greyt” answer.

CompanionContinued from Page 10

There’s no longer a magicnumber for retirement. Some peo-ple find that they want to workpast the traditional retirement age,while others discover they needto. In addition, some retirees dis-cover that they actually likedworking and want to return towork rather than settle into retire-ment.

Sixty-five is no longer the re-quired age to stop working. Infact, many people are foregoingretirement and staying with thework force. Why? No single rea-son applies to everyone, but fi-nances often come into play.

Thanks to a troubled economythat has carried over into theworkplace, pensions and sever-ance packages are no longer thenorm for retiring workers. Whenfaced with the prospect of re-duced funds and dwindling SocialSecurity benefits, many choose tosimply keep on working. Further-more, individuals who retire be-fore 65 are often faced with find-ing their own health insuranceplans because Medicare doesn’tstart until age 65. Even so, highprescription costs for chronic con-ditions can exceed the allowanceof Medicare. Employee insuranceplans tend to have better options,and that often factors into an em-ployee’s retirement decision.

Many people continue workingbecause they actually enjoy it, andnot because of some financial ne-cessity.

Working tends to keep the mindsharp and helps seniors feel likecontributing members of society.According to a study conductedby the American Psychiatric As-sociation, retirees who continuedto work in a bridge job (meaningpart-time or temporary employ-ment) experienced fewer majordiseases and fewer functional lim-itations than those who fully re-tired. (Researchers consideredonly physician-diagnosed healthproblems, such as high bloodpressure, diabetes, cancer, lungdisease, heart disease, stroke andpsychiatric problems.)

People thinking of remaining inthe work-force can check withemployers to see if retirement ismandatory or voluntary. Seniorsre-entering the work force maywant to brush up on some skillsand reconnect with former em-ployers or colleagues to make thetransition easier.

Here are some other strategiesto consider.

Refurbish your resumé. Focuson what things you can do ratherthan what you did in the past. Youmay be up against younger appli-cants and will have to make a casefor your hire.

Be flexible. You may needhealth benefits more than a highsalary. You can work with an em-ployer to develop a compensationpackage that is mutually beneficial.

Develop computer skills. To-day’s work environment reliesheavily on computer skills. It is un-wise for you to think you’ll get byon experience alone. Obtain a rudi-mentary education in computer us-age and common office programs,which can set you apart from otherolder applicants.

Know there’s nothing to prove.Retirees have the benefit of takingtheir time and finding the right fitin a post-retirement job. Unlessmoney is an issue, shop around un-til you find the job that appeals toyou, even if it’s part-time or lowersalary.

Be it directly or indirectly, no onehas proven immune from the impactof the struggling economy. Childrentoo young to work may have beenforced to deal with financial cut-backs their parents made, whilethose who retired prior to the eco-nomic downturn may have seen thevalue of their investment portfoliosdwindle.

Baby Boomers, a term generallyused for the generation of peopleborn between the years of 1946 and1964, who are out of work have dis-covered a job market in which theirexperience, once such a valuable as-set, could actually be considered adisadvantage. Companies looking tocut financial corners might chooseless experienced candidates whowon’t cost as much to compensate.In fact, according to a 2010 bulletinfrom AARP, more than half of un-employed people age 55-plus wereout of work for at least six months.For Boomers still looking for work,the following resumé-writing tipscould help make them stand outamong the many of applicants.

• Be specific. In such a competi-tive job market, it can help appli-cants to be as specific as possible ontheir resumés. Forgo traditionalbuzzwords for accomplishments.Note specific quotas met and anyspecific projects worked on. Today’shiring managers are overwhelmedwith applicants and are more likelyto remember candidates who toutverifiable accomplishments thanthose who resort to the same oldbuzzwords.

• Abandon the rules of yester-year. In such a competitive jobmarket, the old rules of resumé-writing no longer apply. Conven-tional wisdom has long recom-mended keeping resumes short andsweet, limiting them to one pageand not going back more than 10years. Baby Boomers should forgetthese rules, instead listing any pastemployment that is relevant to thejob, regardless of how long it was.If it takes more than a page to listall relevant details, use as manypages as needed.

• Stay current. Most of today’sresumés are submitted electronical-ly. Once submitted, these resumésare included in a database that fil-

ters them based on certain termsand keywords. Be sure to includeall the current technological termsnecessary to perform the job forwhich you’re applying. If you rou-tinely come across job postings forwhich your technological experi-ence comes up short, start learningand begin including this on your re-sumé.

• Market yourself. UnemployedBaby Boomers need to marketthemselves effectively. Many willbe writing their resumés for thefirst time in years. When doing so,ask yourself why a prospectivecompany should hire you? Be sureyour resumé answers this questioneffectively.

• Include training along witheducation. Many Baby Boomerslikely finished schooling manyyears ago. However, it can help toinclude additional professionaltraining you have had over theyears. In addition to an “Education”section, include a “Training” sec-tion that shows prospective employ-ers that you have kept up-to-date inyour field. Certain credentials, suchas training in since-outdated com-puter programs, should be left offthe resumé, but include any addi-tional training that’s current andrelevant to the position you’re ap-plying for.


Traditional Funeral Services

Visit our chapel and let us

help you with your service.

At affordable prices! Chapel available.

445 W ATERVILLE R OAD , S KOWHEGAN , ME 04976

488 F ARMINGTON F ALLS R D . F ARMINGTON , ME 04938

779-9008

Resumé tips for baby boomers

Brushing up on computer skills and drafting a new resume can help older adults successfully re-enter the work force after retirement.

Working after retirement

The senior population is growing by leapsand bounds. According to the United StatesCensus Bureau, by 2011 there will be twicethe amount of seniors that there were in2000. That’s because the first Baby Boomerswill turn 65 that year. Boomers should startthinking about estate planning now if theyhaven’t already.

Estate planning is the process of dissolvingthe items and property owned, as well asmaking end-of-life arrangements. Takingsteps while one is physically and mentallyable ensures that plans will be carried out asa person desired. It can also alleviate some ofthe burden on surviving family memberswhen the time comes.

There are a number of things individuals

can keep in mind when planning their estatesand making other important decisions.

• An estate plan is important regardless ofpersonal wealth. A person with only $10 tohis name can still draw up a plan.

• It’s never too soon to start estate plan-ning. While it’s hopeful to expect a long life,sudden illness or other conditions are impos-sible to predict. Taking the time now to createan estate plan ensures that desires will be metand family will be left knowing how to carryout a person’s wishes.

• Estate planning involves a number ofcomponents:

- will- power of attorney/executor of estate- living will or healthcare proxy

- trust• A will is perhaps one of the most impor-

tant estate planning documents to draw up. Itwills where assets will go and who will be incharge of financial and personal affairs whena person dies. It is inexpensive to draw up awill (there are even legal forms a person canpurchase to do it oneself) even if an attorneyis hired. At the least, everyone should have awill.

• Compile a list of all personal assets andaccount numbers. It will help others sortthrough personal effects when the timecomes.

• Boomers should talk about their plans.Inheritances and wills can be tricky businessand one that causes heated debate during a

time of great emotion. Talking about plansbeforehand allows surviving family andfriends to be aware of what lies ahead.

• Consider reducing your estate. Individu-als can give up to $13,000 per year ($26,000if gifting as a couple). This can reduce thepotential tax burden on a spouse or a familymember if estate funds are given to them af-ter a person’s death. Unlimited medical andeducational bills can be paid if they aremade payable directly to the institutionwhere the expense was incurred.

Baby Boomers in the prime of life maynot want to think about estate planning andend-of-life issues. However, it’s never toosoon to set a plan in motion to protect lovedones.

Death is not a topic many peopleprefer to discuss. However, dis-cussing funeral planning and mak-ing arrangements can be a smart fi-nancial move and one that limitslarge decisions at a time of height-ened emotions.

Every year millions of people inNorth America make the decisionto pre-plan a funeral. The process isalso known as pre-need planning.Individuals can even take out insur-ance policies that direct benefits tofuneral expenses.

The main purpose of pre-needplanning is to alleviate the financialburden and decision-making duringtimes of grief and stress. Well-exe-cuted plans can make the funeralprocess run like a well-oiled ma-chine.

It’s never too early to begin pre-planning a funeral. Making a list ofinformation that will go to a trustedfamily member, executor of one’sestate or a funeral director is oneway to start. Here are some items toinclude:

• Name• Date of birth• Place of birth• Social security member• Location of will• Military service• Place of disposition, whether a

cemetery or crematorium• Organ donation preferences• Funeral and/or wake prefer-

ences• Name of funeral home and di-

rector • Copies of receipts and contracts

for any services purchased

• Any other important informa-tion, such as location of safety de-posit box information, attorneynames, etc.

There are very good reasons forpre-need planning. All arrange-ments can be thoroughly consideredand spelled out so they meet a per-son’s desires. If he or she has apreference in cemetery or prefers tobe interred at a mausoleum, theserequests can be expressed and notassumed by family members.

Pre-planning also enables a per-son to shop around for the most af-fordable services, caskets and fu-neral homes. Because the averagecost of a funeral is between

$10,000 to $15,000, it is importantto spend money wisely. Pre-plan-ning also helps avoid inflation ofcosts later on, enabling a person tolock in the cost of services now.

Stress and grief can make familymembers unable to cope with deci-sions during the time of death. As aresult, one of the most importantreasons for pre-need planning is tomake the process one in whichclose friends and family memberscan come to grips with the death,rather than having to run around fora few days and make arrangementsin haste. This way loved ones cansimply remember a person how heor she was instead of choosing

clothing, disposition places, servicewording, and the like.

A funeral director can walk aperson through the process of pre-planning a funeral. He or she is of-ten licensed to sell cemetery plots

and can take much of the work outof the process. A community orfamily-owned business may have arapport in the area and offer thebest deals or the desired level ofpersonalized service.


105 College Ave., • Waterville

D AILY D INING Open 7 Days Breakfast &

Lunch

• Enjoy our seasonally decorated dining room

• Monthly beer and wine features • Seasonal coffee flavors • Seasonal dessert specials

✔ At Eric’s we take care of all the arrangements

✔ Serving 25 to 500 ✔ Menu Selections that meet your

needs and budget

C ALL C YNDIE TODAY AT 859-8761

F AMILY D INING

C ELEBRATION OF L IFE G ATHERINGS

191 Hartland Avenue • Pittsfield, ME 04967 207 487-5106

“Creating a meaningful and personalized remembrance” www.shoreynichols.com

Pre-planning a funeral

Offering the Best in Independent Offering the Best in Independent Offering the Best in Independent Retirement Living Retirement Living Retirement Living

• Elegant private apartments • Full service dining, social program, transportation • Staff available 24/7 if needed

All included in one basic monthly fee. No large cash “investment” or “buy-in” as required

by other retirement communities

141 West River Road, Waterivlle

861-5685 For more details, please visit us at

www.woodlandsparkresidences.com

Park Residences is part of The Woodlands Assisted Living of Waterville campus, which also includes Residential Care and Memory Care residences.

Baby boomers should plan ahead

If you are a grandparent, agrand aunt or uncle, or anyoneover 50, it is very likely you’veasked yourself, or maybe others,“What kind of world are we leav-ing to upcoming generations?”

Will our grandchildren, thosewho remain in Maine, be a gener-ation saddled with unemployment,substance abuse, obesity and teenpregnancy? Will they be living inan environment with insufficientclean water and cluttered withbillboards? Or will there be avibrant economy with opportuni-ties and quality of life that willcause young people to want tostay?

How can older people helpassure that the state’s educationalsystems prepare youth for jobs ofthe future?

To address such questions, TheUniversity of Maine at AugustaSenior College is planning a lec-ture series called “A Forum on theFuture — The World of OurGrandchildren, and What you CanDo About It.”

Five programs, extending fromearly October 2011 through thewinter of 2012 are planned. Thepurpose of the forums is to pro-mote the idea that “if you want topredict the future, create it.”

Forum planners hope toencourage greater involvementand action on the part of seniorcitizens — and the broader com-munity — in shaping Maine’sfuture. The series will be open tothe community, but will be heldon Sunday afternoons to make theprograms more accessible to sen-ior citizens.

Laurie Lachance, former stateeconomist and current presidentand chief executive officer of theMaine Development Foundation,will be the lead-off speaker onOct. 2. She will talk aboutMaine’s economy and what needsto be done to assure its strength.

On Nov. 6, Habib Dagher,director of the AEWC AdvancedStructures and Composites Centerat UMaine, will discuss energyindependence, the environmentand Maine jobs. Speakers in sub-

sequent programs will addressissues of education to prepareyouth for jobs in Maine’s future,health and health care policies.

At a final session on March 4,Paul Kando, head of MidcoastGreen Collaborative, will summa-rize the series and present hisvision of life in tomorrow’sMaine. At each session, followingrefreshments and a time to con-verse, there will be an opportuni-ty for a panel of discussants andthe audience to challenge thespeakers with questions of theirown.

Senior College (UMASC) isopen to all persons 50 years ofage or older, their spouses andpartners. The many optionsinclude an ongoing Concerts atJewett series, classes, a winterBrown Bag series, Book Groups,and a walking group. For moreinformation check www.uma.edu,and www.concertsatjewett.com,or call 207-621-3551.

University of Maine at Augusta presents“A Forum on the Future…”

Lecture series looks at the world of our grandchildren and our choices


John O. Gallant, Owner/Director 10 Elm Street, Waterville 207-873-3393 website: gallantfh.com e-mail: [email protected]

Waterville’s Only Locally Owned and Operated Funeral Home

MID MAINE CREMATION SERVICES

SERVING CENTRAL

MAINE

PREPLANNING AVAILABLE

Mid Maine Cremation Services offers a dignified, respectful direct cremation service at an affordable price.

Our professionally licensed funeral directors and staff understand how difficult the loss of a loved one can be that is why we provide this simplified service.

(207) 453-6006 www.midmainecremationservices.com

Direct Cremation Direct Cremation $ 895 $ 895

Did You Know?Before they reached retirementage, seniors spent most oftheir time establishing a house-hold, working and caring forchildren. Once retirementarrives, many did not knowwhat to do with their time.There are so many hobbiesand activities that seniors canget involved with if only a littleresearch is done — and mostdon’t cost much money. Fromsporting activities to clubs tovolunteer work to personalcrafts, the list of options is end-less, and it will likely take a life-time to get everything done. Aquick search on the Internetcan yield a host of options andgive individuals contact infor-mation for local groups andmeetings that take place in thearea. Craft stores offer classesfor the budding hobbyist, orcheck out a community collegefor continuing education class-es and opportunities for dis-counted courses.

Financial jargon can make theprocess of getting one's finances inorder and making smart economicdecisions a bit of a challenge. Tothe average person, figuring outterminology can be a stumblingblock and a hassle some want toavoid.

However, it's important to knowsome of the lingo associated withfinancial planning to ensure moneyis being saved and spent in a re-sponsible way.

401(k): In the United States, aretirement plan where money is di-verted into an account and then in-vested. Current income tax is de-ferred until the money is with-drawn upon maturity.

Amortization schedule: Acomprehensive schedule of pay-ments determining the breakdownof the mortgage amount, interest,principle received, and balance duethrough each period of the loan un-til the loan balance reaches zero.

Annuity: A stream of fixed pay-ments that is generally paid as partof a life insurance policy or retire-ment fund.

Appraisal: An estimated valueof property used most often in real

estate transactions.Bankruptcy: A legally declared

inability of an individual or organi-zation to pay their creditors.

Dividend: A portion of a com-pany's profit paid to common andpreferred shareholders. The divi-dend is paid in a fixed amount foreach share of stock held, whetherin cash or more stock.

Hedge fund: An aggressive in-vestment fund generally open to alimited number of investors.

Interest: Fees paid on borrowedassets.

IRA: Individual Retirement Ac-counts were initially set up in 1974to provide a retirement option forindividuals who were not coveredby an employer-sponsored plan.Eventually it was opened up soanyone under the age of 70 coulddonate up to a certain amount ofincome a year.

Liquidity: The ability to turnassets into cash without losing alot of value.

Longevity risk: The risk a pen-sion fund or life insurance compa-

ny takes on when offering itsplans, due to the increasing life ex-pectancy rate.

Pension: A deferred compensa-tion scenario by where an em-ployer pays an employee a portionof income based upon length ofservice and employee age. Somepensions can be contributed to bythe employee himself, with theemployer matching the contribu-tion.

Portfolio: Collection of stocks,bonds and money market instru-ments owned by an individual orcompany.

Prime Rate: A term applied inmany countries to a reference in-terest rate used by banks.

Principal: The original amountof debt on which interest is calcu-lated.

Rollover: This term is used formoving a retirement plan into adifferent one, generally whenleaving a job. Usually there is aset time period in which therollover must occur so that apenalty isn't issued.

Nursing homes are necessaryfor many aging individuals. Whilethey do provide care that may oth-erwise prove too difficult for theaverage family member, the factremains that nursing homes can bequite expensive and quickly eataway at a resident’s assets. In or-der to protect themselves, manyseniors prefer to liquidate assets or“hide” money from nursinghomes. There are mixed views onthe legality and morality of this is-sue.

The average cost of a privateroom in a nursing home in theUnited States ranges from $70,000to $100,000+ each year. Semi-pri-vate rooms aren’t much lower incost. In general, the resident of thenursing home pays for his or herstay. This comes through privatesavings, investments and even oth-er assets, such as their homes. In-dividuals can see their entire nestegg depleted in a matter of a fewyears, leaving no financial legacyfor their successors.

In order to avoid depletion ofassets, people who think a nursinghome might be in their future oftengo to great lengths to hide their as-sets. In doing so, it may be up togovernment resources, like Medic-aid, to pay for the care instead. Buttaxpayers who must foot the costof government programs may cryfoul over these tactics.

Others argue that it is their rightto shelter funds that they workedyears to accumulate. They maystate that the rising costs of nurs-ing homes is disproportionate tothe actual care received. With thisnotion in mind, plans are oftenmade to protect assets from beingacquired by nursing homes. Thoseof this mind set can take the fol-lowing steps to protect assets.

Remember the five-year rule.For those who are going to transferassets, it should be done early on.Nursing homes and governmentagencies funding low-income indi-viduals look back at five-years offinancial history. Any transfersshould be done more than five-years before nursing home care isneeded.

Irrevocable trusts. Individualscan transfer funds into a trustwhich is in the name of a trustee.Nursing homes cannot use this

money because it is not in the resi-dent’s name.

Increase value of exempteditems. Some personal items are ex-empt from Medicaid. In some in-stances this may be a homestead ora vehicle. Improve the home andbuy a new car. Invest in new fur-nishings and other personal effects.

Donate to charity. Make regularcontributions to charity to diminishpersonal assets.

Offer gifts to family. Spend themoney on family members, includ-ing big-ticket items. Setting uptrusts for grandchildren or childrenare other options.

Transfer the deed. To play itsafe, some people prefer to put thedeed of their house in another per-son’s name, like a child’s, to protectit from seizure.

Purchase long-term care insur-ance. Having an insurance policyexpressly for the purpose of nursinghomes or a care attendant will pro-vide funds from the policy insteadof personal assets.

-Metro Creative Connection


Protecting finances fromnursing home expenses

Elder Law Attorneys www.nalelaw.com Long Term Care and Estate Planning • MaineCare Planning •Nursing Home Planning • Home Care Planning •Wills/Powers of Attorney • Trusts •Probate

Investment and retirement glossary

W RIGHT & M ILLS , P.A. Attorneys At Law

263 Water Street • Skowhegan

474-3324 • www.mainelegal.net

P ETER M ILLS K ENNETH L EXIER • P AUL S UMBERG • R OBERT C ONKLING

� �

BY KRISTIN OVERTON AND SUSAN GARASCIASpectrum Generations

Given the option, many agingadults would choose staying in theirhome and community versus mov-ing into assisted living — but howcan that happen?

Questions abound. Are thereways to get help that allows inde-pendence but makes it easier to stayin your own home?

The first step is for a person todecide exactly what he or she needshelp with. Do you need help withhousework? Is home safety a con-cern? Are there home maintenanceneeds? Do you always remember totake your pills? Does it take hoursto get ready in the morning? Is itsafe to be at home as long as some-one else is around? Do you notknow where to start and what ques-tions to ask?

Here is a quick breakdown of themost common options available:

Home Care: Home care services come in a

broad range of plans and are oftencompleted by an agency or individ-ual who comes to the home to assistwith the tasks that are necessary inorder to continue to live independ-ently. Home care services often arepaid for privately or through long-term care insurance, MaineCare andveterans programs.

Homemaker assistance includeshousekeeping, transportation, com-

panionship and meal preparations.Home care agencies can providehomemaker services, as well as per-sonal care such as bathing, dress-ing, toileting assistance, mobility,and general health maintenance.

Adult Day Programs: Adult day programs are also

commonly referred to as adult day-breaks or adult daycares. Theseservices are provided at a safe loca-tion where some light personal careand medication administration isavailable, as well as many sched-uled activities and events. Theseprograms offer several hours, oreven full days, of time away fromthe house during regular businesshours. Adult day programs are theleast expensive alternative to facili-ty care.

Telephone Reassurance Services: These are telephone calls that

provide an oftentimes-recorded callat a pre-set time to make sure a per-son is safe or as a reminder to takemedications. These calls can beprovided through a provider or thelocal police, fire department, orother town agency where available.

Medical Alert Systems: Also known as emergency

response systems, these units areconnected through the telephonelines. The recipient of serviceswears a necklace or bracelet and, if

immediate help is needed, pressesthe button. The button signals themain unit, which then contacts acall center where a person speaks tothe recipient through the main unit,like a speaker phone, asking if theyare okay. Most systems can have upto three family members, friends, oreven 911 to respond if there is noanswer, or if the answer is “no.”

Geriatric Care Management: This hired professional acts as a

consultant for individuals or familymembers providing assessments ofneeded care, alternatives andoptions, connections to resourcesand hospital discharge coordination.Contacting a care manager is avaluable starting place when firstexploring what the needs andoptions are.

Wellness Programs: Living Well for Better Health,

Matter of Balance, and other class-es or workshops help people takecontrol of their health and live moreconfidently in their homes by over-coming common fears such as

falling, managing chronic condi-tions or even exercising to maintainmobility or to regain strength.These classes are available in manycommunities.

For additional information on

any of these options, please contactSpectrum Generations ConsumerInformation line at 800-639-1553,or Spectrum Generations BridgesHome Care Division at 800-876-9212.


When staying at home is your choice…Programs are in place to support the plan

Ashes to ashes - dust to dust.

A t Direct Cremation of Maine we understand the emotions and decisions you are facing.

That’s why our complete cremation package is $995 and includes help with

obituaries and veterans paperwork.

We own our crematory facility, so there are no third party fees to pass along.

182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast ~ 1-866-338-9199 or 1-800-479-1433 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast ~ 1-866-338-9199 or 1-800-479-1433

Locally owned and family operated Locally owned and family operated www.directcremationofmaine.com www.directcremationofmaine.com


Personal health is a concernissue for seniors, more so thanfinances says a recent study byUnitedHealthcare. Nearly sevenout of 10 senior respondents toa recent survey expressed con-cerns about their health andwell-being, a larger percentagethan those who expressed con-cern about other categoriessuch as personal finance.

As seniors continue to livelonger, they want to be able toenjoy the life they are living.As a result, more attention isbeing paid to taking care ofoneself so that the senior yearscan be enjoyed. One of the keyproblems they can be mindfulof is prescription abuse.

According to data compiledby PRIME Institute for Fami-lies USA, in 2010 the averagesenior was given 38.5 prescrip-tions. The average overall pre-scription number for U.S. sen-iors grew to almost 1.6 billionin 2010. There is cause for con-cern that seniors are highlyovermedicated, and that druginteractions could be a leadingcause of unnecessary death orside effects.

Individuals who want to stayhealthy can also take personalresponsibility for prescriptionmedications. Lifestyle choicesshould include learning aboutthe medications talked about bydoctors and discussing otheroptions if medication seemscounterintuitive at this time.Keep in mind that the averagephysician visit is 10 minuteslong, making it difficult formany doctors to keep abreast ofall of their patients’ conditions.It is important for patients todo their own safeguarding aswell.

To reduce reliance on manyprescription medications, sen-iors may be able to simply ad-just certain choices in diet andexercise. For example, cuttingdown on fatty foods may helpreduce cholesterol. Reductionin sodium intake can lowerblood pressure.

Overmedicating is an issue of personal health


160 College Ave. • Waterville

872-6516 ATTORNEYS at LAW

Wills & Probate

Sally M. Wagley and Michael J. Levey

ELDER LAW Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney,

Estate & Long Term Care Planning

Levey & Wagley, P.A. A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W

161 Main Street, Winthrop • 377-6966 • www.leveyandwagley.com

Patrice A. Putman, Esq. To join the firm Sept. 2011

An open letter to the People of central Mainefrom the new chief executive officer of Spectrum Generations

Dear Friend,Have you heard about the problem of hunger among older adults in our state? Maine is the ninh most “food insecure” state in the U.S., and the

MOST “food insecure” state in all of New England. Spectrum Generations — the nonprofit organization that provides Meals On Wheels in six counties of central Maine — is committed to ending

senior hunger by 2020. And you can help.For 40 years, Spectrum Generations has solved problems for older and disabled adults in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset and

Waldo counties, plus the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell in Cumberland County.You may know us through our community centers in Kennebec County — the Muskie Center in Waterville and the Cohen Center in Hallowell.

If you’re a caregiver for someone living with disabilities or dementia, you may know us through SAVVY Caregiver training or assistance and sup-port groups. If you’ve ever needed explanations or referrals on Medicare, prescription drug coverage or reverse mortgage counseling, you knowour excellent team of consumer information specialists. Or perhaps you know us for our Adult DayBreak, wellness or injury prevention pro-grams.

But if you’re like most Mainers, you know Spectrum Generations best for Meals On Wheels. You may know that we prepare, package anddeliver a quarter of a million meals to homebound, isolated and rural seniors in some 140 towns in a 6,600-square-mile region that runs from thestate line to the coastline.

Starting this fall, you’ll know us for a bold, new initiative called We Sustain Maine.Thanks to a “Vision Grant” of $50,000 from the Wal-Mart Foundation/Meals On Wheels Association of America and a lead gift from philanthropist Elsie Viles of Augusta,

Spectrum Generations will use Maine-grown fruits, vegetables, dairy, beef and poultry in all of our Meals On Wheels. Everybody wins. Maine seniors have healthier meals, Maine farmers have a large and reliable customer and Maine’s economy is strengthened because local food dollars are spent

on local agriculture in local communities.You may know Spectrum Generations for the many essential programs, centers and services we provide to older and disabled adults across Central Maine, but at the heart of our

mission is feeding seniors in need. You’re invited to be a part of We Sustain Maine as a donor or as a volunteer. Every donation helps. Every dollar counts. Because every hungry senior matters.

Sincerely,Gerard L. Queally, President & Chief Executive OfficerSpectrum Generations (the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging)

CROSBY & NEAL FUNERAL HOMES

AND CREMATION SERVICE

MEMBER

S E R

V I N G M A I N E

PRE-NEED PLANNING Newport - 117 Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368-4331 Corinna - 68 Exeter Rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278-2262 Greenville - 281 Pritham Ave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 695-0303 Guilford - 21 Oak St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 876-3388 Dexter - 61 Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 924-6890

Toll Free For All Locations

1-800-649-1124 873-4235

W ATERVILLE E LKS Banquet And Conference Center

Seating 50 to 410 76 Industrial Street, Waterville

Call Denise or email [email protected] www.watervilleelksbanquetcenter.com

Customized Weddings and Events Full Service Bar

Anniversaries • Family Reunions Retirements • Business Meetings Funeral Receptions • Trade Shows

For many people, the allure oftravel never wears off. Be it ayoung person’s first trip to a for-eign land or an older couple’s re-turn to the place they spent theirhoneymoon, recreational travel re-mains a favorite hobby of peopleof all ages.

Though travel appeals to peopleof all ages, it differs for people ofall ages as well. The carefree“pack a bag and go” attitudeshared by many a young traveleris not prudent for older travelers,who must take several safety pre-cautions when traveling to ensurethe trip will be safe as well as en-joyable.

The American Geriatric Soci-ety’s Foundation for Health in Ag-ing offers the following travel tipsto older adults who still love theadventure of travel.

• Talk to your doctor in ad-vance. If you have already madetravel plans, consult your physi-cian, who may suggest a fullcheckup, before your trip begins.Explain any travel plans, particu-larly which cities or countries youplan to visit and what your travelitinerary is. Different locales callfor different precautionary meas-ures, and your doctor can discusswith you specific measures to takedepending on where you will begoing. The Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention lists vari-ous required and recommendedvaccines based on certain traveldestinations. For more informa-tion, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.

When speaking with your doc-tor, it’s also best to ask when totake medications. While this isless of a concern for travelers whoare staying within their own timezones, it’s important for travelerschanging time zones to learn ifthey should stick to their home-time-zone schedule or adapt it tothe time zone they’ll be visiting.Even travelers who are stayingwithin their time zone should asktheir physician if it’s best to takecertain medications before or aftera flight.

• Pack all necessary medica-tions in your carry-on bag. Mosttravelers have their own horror sto-ries about losing checked baggage.For older men and women on med-

ication, this can be especially trou-bling if their medications arepacked in bags that were checked.When traveling, make sure allmedications are in your carry-onbag to avoid losing medicationwhile away from home.

• Make a list. Before leavinghome, make a list with your physi-cian’s help and carry it with you atall times. This list should include:- any existing medical conditions- current treatment for those med-ical conditions, including thenames of any medications you areon, the doses and how these med-ications are administered- the amount of the drug you needto take on the trip (this will be im-portant should any medications belost or damaged while traveling)

• Take steps to avoid deep-veinthrombosis. Deep-vein thrombo-sis, or DVT, occurs when bloodclots form in the veins. This typi-cally takes place in the legs be-cause of a lack of blood flow. Old-er adults are at risk of DVT whentraveling because traveling oftenrequires sitting in once place, suchas on an airplane or train, for longperiods of time. Research has indi-cated that compression stockingsare effective at preventing DVT.Older travelers might want to con-sider such stockings, particularly iftheir travels require a long flight,drive or train ride.

• Don’t transfer pills to newcontainers. Veteran travelers knowgetting through customs is no joyride. It’s even less enjoyable formen and women who must takeprescription medications withthem. To make your trip throughcustoms as stress-free as possible,keep all medications in their origi-nal containers.

To learn more about travelingsafely, visit the American Geri-atrics Society at www.americange-riatrics.org.

Safety Tip for TravelersTravelers about to embark on an

overseas adventure can take advan-tage of a valuable tool offered bythe Centers for Disease Control andPrevention to ensure their trip isboth enjoyable and safe. When vis-iting

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/desti-nations /list.aspx travelers can usean interactive map and select theirtravel destination. Travelers canthen learn if there are any travel no-tices in effect for that country or re-gion. In addition, clicking on a giv-en country also directs users tosafety and security guidelines andprovides any information on vacci-nations that might be necessary toenter the country they plan to visit.The site also offers travel andhealth tips as well as a list of dis-eases common to a particular re-gion. A valuable tool for those whotravel frequently for business oreven those who are simply travelingfor vacation, the site is free ofcharge and only requires an Inter-net connection to access.


Travel tips for the over-50 jet set

Serving Families in Central Maine Since 1887 Serving Families in Central Maine Since 1887

107 Main Street, Fairfield 453-6069 or 800-660-2111

207 Windsor Neck Road, Windsor 445-2076 or 800-660-2111

So many times, it seems that the honored tradition of neighbor helping neighbor becomes lost in daily life. But time and time again, when tragedy occurs in this community, we help our neighbors. At Lawry Brothers Funeral Homes, that philosophy serves as the basis for everything we do. Our business was founded in 1887. From the very first day, we have been as close and ready to help as a good neighbor. We offer our services in order to honor a life that has been lived and to comfort those who grieve.

We are serving Greater Central Maine, a proud member of our community,

locally owned and operated.

www.lawrybrothers.com

Proud Member Of Our Community • Locally Owned and Operated Proud Member Of Our Community • Locally Owned and Operated

Lawry Brothers Lawry Brothers Lawry Brothers Funeral Home

When travel-ing, men andwomen overthe age of 50should takeseveral pre-cautionarymeasures toensure theirtrip is a safeone.

Prime Times 2011

Documents

Transcript of Prime Times 2011