Contributing Writers: Howard Erman Les Goldberg Ronnie Greenberg Dr. Robert Horseman Judith Rogow Debbie L. Sklar VOLUME 44, NUMBER 12 Nick Thomas DECEMBER 2018 “Serving The Needs of Orange County & Long Beach Seniors Since 1974” Robert Conrad “It’s up to the audience … I don’t sing anymore, and I don’t dance at all. But I have a 50-year career. Bring it on but have some class.” —Robert Conrad What’s Inside.... Calendar of Events .............................. 5 Classifieds ....................................... 6-7 Robert Conrad ....................................10 Gadget Geezer ...................................12 Fabulous Finds ...................................14 Book Club ..........................................21 San Simeon .......................................22 Busy Boomers ....................................31 In The Spotlight .................................35 Tinseltown Talks .................................41 Orange County • Long Beach Page 2 SENIOR REPORTER [email protected] DECEMBER 2018 $2,945 $2,745 $3,185 $2,745 $575 4500 Square Feet of Christian Books, Cards, Gifts, Art & Much Much More! $5 Off with $25 or more purchase 23851 Via Fabricante, Suite 201 Mission Viejo, CA • (949) 716-5511 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm Page 3 SENIOR REPORTER [email protected] DECEMBER 2018 Back to School By Jim McDevitt young faces not much older ules, let me introduce our in- than her own children. Even structors.” With that he started calling out At one point in life, my wife though she was expecting this, names along with the subject decided it was time to go back she was still feeling uneasy. Searching about with her eyes, they were teaching, and each to school. Our three children Planes of Fame instructor stood up. were in school and she thought she looked around to sit near Air Museum someone her own age or at 14998 Cal Aero Drive it would be a good example for Chino, CA 91710 The first instructor to stand them to see mom studying and least close to it. was the lady who arrived late doing homework just like they and was sitting on her left. The had to do. After searching the crowd with her eyes she finally spotted a instructors remained standing as additional instructor names At that time, we were living in couple of women at the front of were called and they stood. a small town in central Arizo- the auditorium who were close Soon all around my wife in- na. There was a 2-year com- to her age. They were sitting structors were standing, on her munity college in the county in the front row next to each left, right, in front of her and that wasn’t too far away, so my other and she reasoned they behind her. In fact, she was wife made the trip and enrolled must be going back to school the only one sitting in the first in classes that could eventual- like her. Both ladies smiled four rows. Her facial color ly transfer to a college with a at her as she sat down next to changed to bright red when 4-year degree. one of them. The auditorium filled up quickly. She noticed she realized she was sitting in the faculty section. After being out of school for that more women her age must over 20 years, she was a bit ner- have spotted her and the two vous. After all, she assumed other ladies and joined them. most of the students would be A few minutes later two older about 20 years younger than men who apparently were also With A her. She would be dealing with starting back to school joined raising three children, feeding them. Soon it looked like a a hungry man and having a whole section in the seating Heart commute plus juggling all the area was filled with adults like chores at home. That was one her going back to school. for of the reasons she decided to go to Orientation Day. About 10 minutes later the lights dimmed and the pres- Seniors A week before classes start- ident of the college stepped ed was Orientation Day. She on stage and walked to the arrived on the day of the ori- microphone in the center of entation meeting, parked her the stage. The auditorium ap- car and made her way to the peared to be completely full. auditorium. She was walking He introduced himself and along, feeling out of place with welcomed the students to Cen- all the young people striding at tral Arizona College. twice her speed to the meeting. She opened the door leading “Now before I get started with to the meeting location and the information about campus was stunned to see nothing but and changes in the class sched- Page 4 SENIOR REPORTER [email protected] DECEMBER 2018 Warning Signs Your Aging Parents Need More Help If the sniff test reveals some Listen Up olfactory oddities, it might not Is the TV or radio volume blar- just be “normal aging.” Dimin- ing? Are conversations repeat- ished sense of smell can be an ed? Does Mom keep asking early indicator of Alzheimer’s “what?” or just smiling and PURCHASE, REFINANCE and Parkinson’s diseases. If nodding instead of participat- Home care agencies often see a you sense something isn’t ing? Don’t brush it off. Diffi- and REVERSE MORTGAGES surge in calls in late December quite right, help Mom or Dad culty following conversations and early January. Why? Many to set up a doctor’s visit to see may be a sign of hearing loss, grown children head home for if there’s something else going cognitive impairment or both. the holidays and notice their on. Seniors who begin losing their aging parents need some help. hearing are at greater risk of “We usually see a surge in Have A Look Around developing dementia over time demand for care around the Your childhood home may since hearing is a brain func- holidays as families get to- look the same as ever—but it tion. Sometimes, hearing aids gether and adult children no- may not work as well for old- (714) 831-1315 stimulate the sounds needed tice changes in their parents’ er adults. As people age, their for the brain to restore orga- BRIAN DOLAN, MBA well-being and realize they environment typically needs nization and correctly process [email protected] USMC, Ret. need more support to remain simple upgrades to keep them sounds. www.CertHomeLoans.com CalBRE #01801002 safe and independent in their safe. You can significantly re- VA •FHA • USDA • FNMA • JUMBO NMLS #1263264 homes,” said Austin Harkness, duce fall risks by taping down Making Sense Of Your Senses head of care for Honor, one of throw rugs, removing extra Talking to parents about warn- the fastest-growing home care furniture, securing electrical ing signs you’ve noticed isn’t companies in the country. Here cords out of pathways and add- fun. But do it anyway. Let them are ways to tell: ing grab bars in the bathroom. know you want to be involved to help them stay independent Take The Sniff Test Pay attention to clutter as well. for as long as possible. Even if Breathe in that holiday hug. If Stacks of unopened mail, bro- you notice unclean clothes or ken appliances or drooping you live far away there’s a lot an uncharacteristic body odor, houseplants may also signal you can do, such as scheduling that could signal that a par- a need for help. Being unable appointments and finding help ent is having trouble bathing, to manage everyday activities with transportation, chores and maintaining personal hygiene can be a symptom of depres- projects. Talk to nearby family or keeping up with household sion or of cognitive impair- members about how they can chores such as laundry. ment, which often presents help out or set up a visit with a like depression. home care agency that can pro- Next, follow your nose to vide ongoing support. the kitchen. Open the fridge. If you see any of the above You’ll notice pretty quickly if warning signs, you may want Fear of losing independence there’s spoiled food—but your to arrange for your parent keeps a lot of seniors tight parents may not. The sense of to see a doctor and for fam- lipped. If your parents are smell diminishes with age, ex- ily members or professional open and honest about their pecially after 70. Many seniors caregivers to stop by and help can’t detect unpleasant odors with projects and chores. Just changing needs, consider it a that would normally tell them knowing your parents have generous holiday gift. They it’s time to toss last week’s help and resources can relieve trust you’ll know what to do meat loaf. worry, both yours and theirs. with it. Page 5 SENIOR REPORTER [email protected] DECEMBER 2018 Postal Service Tips For A December Less-Stressed Holiday The U.S. Postal Service plans Calendar all year for the holiday season. With more than 240 years of experience delivering the hol- of Events idays, the Postal Service and local postal elves are ready to • Redirect packages when they make this year the best one yet. won’t be home to receive it by Here are some tips designed to It is the end of the year but that Annual Newport Holiday Trains at the choosing the USPS Package help postal customers have a doesn’t mean you can’t go out Intercept option for an addi- Beach Christmas Boat Nixon Library happier, less-stressed holiday and have some fun. Don’t miss tional fee. Parade Yorba Linda by getting those greeting cards out on these events happening Newport Beach/Newport Through Jan.