Gazette Seniors MoCo January 2013

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KNOWLES DOWNSIZING, continued from 15 and then we help them pack and ship their heirlooms to others, or donate or dispose. Becky Wodarczyk, owner of Moves by Design, an Ijamsville-based firm that handles about two downsizing cases each month for clients in Montgomery County and around the region, said downsizing can be easier said than done. Sometimes people have been in their house for 40 or 50 years. Plenty of things get accumulated, and you have to decide what you really need and want, she said. There might be things you treasure, but you have to rid of them by selling them at auction.The process is based on what you need to live your life comfortably, but its also emotional.We see what they have and where theyre going. We get to know each other and work through it together. Sometimes, the equation becomes even more complex when a senior has been hoarding. A 2008 study from Johns Hopkins University found that 4 percent of the general population could be consid- ered hoarders. Lots of seniors have a lot of stuff, so downsizing can become an overwhelm- ing process for them, Smakula said. But hoarding might be an issue as well if there is so much stuff in the house that they cant move through it safely anymore. However, even if one is not a hoarder, clutter can readily build up, making down- sizing a daunting prospect. It may be easi- est to begin by picking off the low-hanging fruit. Look at things like old brown gro- cery bags or newspapers, Ray said. Are OMBUDSMAN, continued from 14 Advocating is not without its trials, especially when a residents wishes do not necessarily seem to be in his or her best interest, said Bennett. Sometimes family members also are not on the same page as the resident. However, if there is a con- flict between what the resident wants and what a family member wants, we are the resident advocates, Bennett said. Volunteer Forlini spends about four hours a week visiting her assigned assist- ed-living facility in Rockville. I wanted a smaller home so I could get to know the residents and build relationships with them and have them build trust in me, she said. Generally, Forlini visits people in com- mon areas, such as the TV and activity room or dining room. I purposely come Approach it APOTHECARY Traditional & Alternative Pharmacy for the Entire Family GINGERLY. Put it on the radar of them or someone close to them. Local Delivery Available Old fashioned service in modern times Our personal service is unmatched! 20 off -Phil Smakula, Holiday Park Senior Center they important to keep? If there are old books, could a library use them? Over time, of course, people can be- come attached to their possessions.Thats why approaching a loved one about the possibility of downsizing should be done tactfully. Approach it gingerly, Smakula said. Put it on the radar of them or someone close to them. Going in like gangbusters and saying OK, were going to do this cleaning today may not work. Sometimes its a matter of just acknowledging that theres an issue and offering to help. Just doing that can mean a lot. Regardless of how it is done, downsiz- ing is a delicate, though necessary, compo- nent of moving a senior citizen (literally) to the next phase of his or her life. Start going through closets and drawers. Look around and see what you can part with. Have your children in and have them take their old things out of the house, saidWodarczyk. Break it down by room and do one room each week. Make a pile for donations, one for throwing away, and so on. Even if you dont or cannot do it physically, you can do it mentally. 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On two floors and 30,000 square feet of selling space, you will find eight manufacturers of American-made sofas and recliners, made in North Carolina, Ohio and Mississippi, in addition to over 30+ manufacturers of beautiful, quality, brand new, solid wood American handcrafted furniture. The wood pieces come from American crafters and Amish builders in Ohio, Indiana and right here in Lancaster County. on different days and at different times so I can observe what is happening there, she said. If a door is closed, she gener- ally does not bother the resident, but if its open, she strikes up a conversation. In one instance, a resident was con- cerned that her son could not afford to pay for her care. She asked me to speak to him and try to get an understanding that this was something he could do, Forlini said. The facilitys staff has a low turnover and seems to be happy to have her there, Forlini said. They are happy to have me talking with the residents, and I work with the staff to get a sense of whats happening. For more information on the program, call the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services at 240-777-3000. Hossein Ejtemai, R.Ph. Pharmacist Supplements Year Round Buy off the floor or engage in the fascinating opportunity to select your wood, stain, hardware and fabric. It becomes distinctive furniture, made for you your way. Delivering to the Washington Metro area for going on two decades! 1864426 January 2013 Gazette SENIORS 19 1858825 2 Gazette SENIORS January 2013 GAZETTE SENIORS Editor Kimberly Bamber Graphic Design Anna Joyce Contributing Writers Karen Finucan Clarkson Mary Wade Burnside Ellen Cohen Scott Harris Jim Mahaffie Advertising Director Katrina LaPier Prepress Manager John Sc HEALTH & ALCOHOL AGING BY KAREN FINUCAN CLARKSON C ant hold your liquor like you could in your 20s or 30s? Thats not unusual. As we age, we may well metabolize alcohol less effi- ciently, said Thomas N. Wise, M.D., chair of the department of psychiatry at Inova Fairfax Hos- pital. When we drink, the HEALTH Why you need to pay attention to FOOT HEALTH BY SHARON NAYLOR W DAILY CARE Wash feet carefully. Clean between all toes and dry feet thoroughly to prevent fungal infections and ath- letes foot that can create more serious foot infec- tions down the road. Rotate footwear; never wear damp shoe SIGN ME UP Interest in Volleyball SPIKES BY JIM MAHAFFIE A Offered as a year-round class, senior volleyball fills up in a heartbeat, said Providence RECenter Program Director Leeanne Russell. Fifteen players meet on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. 6 Gazette SENIORS January 2013 PHOTO COURTESY O 1860794 January 2013 Gazette SENIORS 7 SIGN ME UP ISTOCKPHOTO/LAPTOP, ALEXSL; TABLET, PICTAFOIO; SMARTPHONE, HENRICK5000 F irst things first: Youre not a Lud- dite, and youre never too old to learn. So stop making excuses or being fearful. You can learn basic computer skillshow to write, re- search and read onlineand how to use that new GRACIOUS SENIOR LIVING PHOTO COURTESY OF HAL GAUT Bob Nisbet teaches computer courses for the Jewish Council for the Aging, which offers six two-month class sessions in four locations in Montgomery County. The Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) offers six two-month class sessions in four locations i SIGN ME UP SINGLE & READY TO MINGLE? u How the over-50 crowd can explore dating options BY KAREN FINUCAN CLARKSON D ating when youre 50-plus has a differ- ent feel, said Amy Schoen. Not every- one has the same agendamarriage is not always the goaland dating strategies, particu- larly online, can be TRAVEL FUN IN THE BY JIM MAHAFFIE SNOW G ene Granof had a few memorable ski trips before he graduated be- yond the beginner stage. His wife Helene, who skied a few times herself, had introduced him to the sport before they were married. She had brought Gene along with her to a conference in New York FINANCES What Happens if You Die Without a Will? might not have been your choiceto handle those tasks. Your spouse or children might sound like logical choices to the court, said Ruprecht, but you may have someone else in mind, such a friend or other relative, better suited to the job of executor. A LIVING OMBUDSMEN HELP Nursing Home, Assisted-Living Residents BY MARY WADE BURNSIDE J anet Forlini juggles her job as a lawyer who focuses on public policy and aging with being the mother of two daughters, ages 7 and 11. And when she decided she also had time to vol- unteer, Forlini chose an organiz OMBUDSMAN, continued from 13 According to The National Long- Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center in Washington, D.C., the program grew out of initiatives during the administration of President Richard Nixon and was so- lidified in 1978 after amendments to the 1965 Older Americans Act were passed req LIVING Professional Home Stager & Senior(s) Real Estate Specialist Providing high-end,value-add services and one-stop shopping,for your right-sizing and relocation needs. ISTOCKPHOTO/IOPHOTO Expert Stagers will assist in getting the best price for your home in the shortest amount of time. US Army Of LIVING THE SOLANA OLNEY New Assisted-Living Residence Provides Personalized Care BY ELLEN R. COHEN T PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SOLANA OLNEY The Solana Olney is a community that can accommodate 94 residents in 79 apartments in a three-story building. 1864597 16 Gazette SENIORS January 2013 he Solana Ol emotional, physical, social, spiritual and intellectual. The Solanas parent company, Brookdale Senior Living, is the larg- est senior living company in the U.S., with approximately 650 Continu- ing Care Retirement Communities nationwide, said Blake. The Solana Olney, the only location managed by Bro The Solanas services include memory care programs; this is the memory care dining area. SOLANA, continued from 18 1860785 Friends House DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE OF COMMUNITY THROUGH CARING Friends House Retirement Community is a friendly community of active residents in a beautiful country atmosphere KNOWLES DOWNSIZING, continued from 15 and then we help them pack and ship their heirlooms to others, or donate or dispose. Becky Wodarczyk, owner of Moves by Design, an Ijamsville-based firm that handles about two downsizing cases each month for clients in Montgomery County and around the region, sa Erika Schwartz, D.P.M., of the APMA, to provide proper padding to the heel and ball of the foot. Check APMA.org to search for the brands and shoe types that receive the associations seal of approval. Avoid walking barefoot. Supportive shoes are essential. Consider orthotics. Custom orthotics may b WILL, continued from 12 The Virginia statute sets out additional, contingent beneficiaries, including ...kindred of the decedents most recent spouse, if any, provided that the decedent and the spouse were married at the time of the spouses death, as if such spouse had died intestate and entitled to DATING, continued from 10 to online dating. In December, AARP launched an online dating service specifi- cally for those over 50. Dont jump into one or the other until you do a little research, said Cole- man. Get a feel for the members before you commit. Many sites will let you look around before c 1863157 January 2013 Gazette SENIORS 23 1863913 24 Gazette SENIORS January 2013