Information for Ages50 PLUS!
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Serving MACON & CENTRAL GEORGIA Information For Ages 50 PLUS! HAPPYHAPPY NEWNEW YEAR!YEAR! January 2011 Vol. 25, No. 1 Page 2 • January 2011 • Senior News • Macon Taking Care Caregivers can thrive by reducing stress levels by LISA M. PETSCHE change and focus instead on those gy. reading the newspaper or engaging you can influence. • Be flexible about plans and in a hobby (revive a former pastime • Pick your battles; don't make a expectations. Take things one day at or try something new). Make it a pri- Family caregivers provide major issue out of every concern. a time. ority, even if all you can manage is practical assistance and enhance the • Use positive self-talk. • Minimize contact with negative 15 minutes. quality of life for frail seniors who Emphasize phrases such as "I can," people. • Put together a pamper kit of might otherwise "I will,” and "I choose." • Don’t keep problems to your- items that give you a lift – for exam- require placement • Practice relaxation techniques, self – seek support from family ple, a favorite magazine or CD, in a long-term care such as deep breathing. members, friends or a counselor. scented candles, fragrant shower gel facility. Typically, • Do things that bring inner Join a community caregiver support or body lotion, or gourmet coffee or they are spouses or peace, such as meditating, reading group (some offer concurrent care), tea – and delve into it when you find adult children, something uplifting, journaling or or an Internet group if it’s hard to get your spirits drooping. many seniors them- listening to soothing music. out. • Bring a bit of nature into your selves. • Create a relaxation room or • Accept offers of help. Ask home: get a plant to nurture or buy Their role involves physical, corner in your home – a tranquil spot other family members to share the fresh flowers. psychological, emotional and finan- you can retreat to in order to rejuve- load, and be specific about the kind • Do something nice for some- cial demands. It can be a heavy load. nate. of assistance you need. Also find out one who is going through a difficult If you are a caregiver, consider • Develop a calming ritual to about services in your community time. It will bring joy to both of you. the following strategies for not only help you unwind at the end of the that may be of help. The local office • Create little things to look for- surviving, but also thriving, in the day. Avoid watching the news before on aging is a good resource. ward to: telephoning or visiting with year ahead. Even if you're not a care- going to bed. • Take advantage of respite serv- a friend, watching a movie, ordering giver, these self-care tips are worth • Make healthy lifestyle choices: ices in your community, such as day- takeout food or getting something checking out. eat nutritious meals, get adequate care programs and facilities that new to wear. rest, exercise and see your primary offer temporary residential care. • Plan a special outing with or Reduce your stress physician regularly. without your relative – perhaps to a • Learn as much as possible • Seek ways to streamline your Increase your joy restaurant or a cultural event. about your relative’s illness and its life. Set priorities and don't waste • Stay connected to people who • Focus on the good things in management, and educate family and time or energy on unimportant care, through visits, phone calls, e- your life, such as supportive relation- friends to help them understand. things. Simplify necessary tasks, let- mail or letters. ships, and seek beauty and tranquili- Knowing what to expect and how to ting go of the need for perfection. If • Cultivate a healthy sense of ty through appreciation of art and deal with challenges can go a long finances permit, hire a housecleaning humor. Read the comics, watch a TV nature. Learn to live in the moment, way to reduce anxiety and foster a service or a personal support worker sitcom now and then, or rent funny enjoying life's simpler pleasures. sense of control. or companion for your relative, to movies. Don't take yourself or others ********* • Accept realities you can’t free up some of your time and ener- too seriously. Lisa M. Petsche is a social • Do something you enjoy every worker and a freelance writer spe- day, perhaps savoring a cup of tea, cializing in adult care issues. Beautiful, Affordable Senior Housing! MEDICARE: General enrollment and general information by BOBBIE SIMS C allows you to choose to receive Social Security Public Affairs all of your health care services Specialist, Marietta, Georgia through a provider organization. These plans, known as Medicare Advantage Plans, may help lower Need Medicare Part B? If your costs of receiving medical you're eligible, now is the time to services, or you may get extra sign up. The general enrollment benefits for an additional monthly period for Medicare Part B runs • Spacious One Bedroom Apartment fee. You must have both Parts A from January 1 through March and B to enroll in Part C. And • Fully Equipped Kitchen, Carpet, Bay 31. Before you make a decision Windows Part D is the Medicare • Communal Multi-Purpose, Computer about general enrollment, let us Prescription Drug Program. and Exercise Rooms fill you in on some general infor- Most people first become eli- • Great Location – Close to Shopping, mation. gible for Medicare at age 65, and Public Transportation and Medical Medicare is a medical insur- there is a monthly premium for Facilities ance program for retired and dis- Medicare Part B. In 2011, the abled people. Some people are standard premium is $115.40. (1st Left) covered only by one type of Some high-income individuals Call Today for a Tour Winship Pl. Medicare; others opt to pay extra pay more than the standard pre- for more coverage. Understanding mium. Your Part B premium also Hill Medicare can save you money; 478-722-9492 Monroe can be higher if you do not enroll Ingleside here are the facts. during your initial enrollment TDD: 800-545-1833, ext. 359 Manor Ingleside Ave. There are four parts to period, or when you first become Riverside Dr. Medicare: Parts A, B, C and D. eligible. Part A helps pay for inpatient There are exceptions to this hospital care, skilled nursing care, rule. For example, you can delay Ingleside Manor hospice care, and other services. your Medicare Part B enrollment A Retirement Housing Foundation Community Part B helps pay for doctors' fees, without having to pay higher pre- outpatient hospital visits, and 478 Monroe Hill • Macon, Georgia 31204-2592 miums if you are covered under a other medical services and sup- You must be 62 years of age or older. Gross income must not plies not covered by Part A. Part exceed $18,650 for one person and $21,300 for two people. continued on page 5 January 2011 • Senior News • Macon • Page 3 Let us entertain you by CLAIRE HOUSER DODD She is also so gracious remem- body? He has his own bowl and to paint the old houses on the bering and speaking to all her will travel. south side of the Conservatory You can live to be 100 if you friends and usually remember- Ringling Brothers and behind College Street. He was give up all the things that make ing something great about our Barnum and Bailey, January 7 - quite a memorial person as well you want to live to be 100. husband Dr. Dodd. Of course 9. “The Greatest Show on as an outstanding artist. Woody Allen we love anything that smacks Earth.” Starting at 7:30 at the One day you’ll want to cele- the big D. Another nice thing Centreplex on Friday, Saturday - brate, “NATIONAL NOTHING about E.G.’s performance is the 11:00 am, 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm, DAY” on January 26th. One of crowd is always nice and friend- and a matinee on Sunday at 2:00 our best off beat holidays, also It’s a sure day that the ly... a really close knit family pm. one of the least known. majority of you gave up nothing group with brother Scotty taking Kids tickets $10.00, regular We were under the weather for the Christmas holidays. a lead. It’s always a fun gather- tickets $20-35 (VIP). 1-800- for the Macon Symphony’s We’re thinking we should give ing. 745-3000 or online “Holiday Spectacular” but gave up the scales. But can we give During our Christmas festiv- Ticketmaster.com. our ticket to Annette King, an them? Nobody wants to be ities, we were talking with a January 27th is an important appreciative friend. We will not reminded of those extra pounds friend who was upset about her day at Wesleyan. Carmen miss for Pipe and Glory also at we gave while having so much boyfriend being so popular with Deedy, award winning Wesleyan on February 5th at fun. And, heaven forbid we the women. We had to relate Children’s Book author and 7:30. John McLaughlin throw anything away and mess one of our Dr. Dodd stories. As guest speaker of the Katharine Williams, vying for maestro will up the universe. Guess we’ll just he was the founder of the Payne Carnes Lecture, will be in conduct. have to keep it all at home and American Directors Association, the Porter Auditorium at 11:15 Thank goodness January add to our “packratedness.” we went to a lot of conventions am followed by a reception and doesn’t look as busy as Christmas was wonderful; and meetings that contained a book signing in the Oval Hall December.