today's seniors 2014

2 - Paulding County Progress Today’s Seniors Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Library offers services to senior citizensPAULDING – The Paulding County

Carnegie Library provides library service toall ages of Paulding County citizens, manygeared toward older residents.All five locations include large print col-

lections for those who have trouble readingthe smaller print. The library’s trained teamprovides one-on-one assistance to older citi-zens with the downloading of eBooks totheir readers, filling out forms, and applyingfor services online.An elevator was installed in 1991 to help

users of our main historic Carnegie librarywith mobility issues. All of the branchlibraries (Antwerp, Payne and Oakwood)are one floor and easily accessible.Laura Woodcox, manager of the Antwerp

Branch Library, regularly visits with over adozen residents at the Vancrest AssistedLiving Facility in Antwerp. She takes thetime to choose materials the residentsrequest, keeps records of their favoriteauthors and genres, and provides them withpersonal service. The activity director of thefacility also borrows library movies to showto the residents.Because the library system has purchased

“public viewing rights,” the library is able toprovide movies for public showings at other

facilities as well as movie showings insidethe library buildings.The Payne Branch Library manager, Suzi

Yenser, has established an “on call” servicewith the new Vancrest Assisted LivingFacility in Payne. When a resident requestsreading, viewing or listening material, Suziwill meet with them, discuss their prefer-ences and supply them with library materi-als.The Cooper Community Library, the

library’s branch in the village of Oakwood,tries to provide special and personalizedservice to all their patrons. Sue Thomas,branch manager, makes sure her olderpatrons have the help they need when doingthe simple things like entering or leaving thebuilding. The Bookmobile visits weekly at both the

Country Inn and Villas and The Gardens ofPaulding, where residents borrow as manyas 60 items per week.Country InnThe activity director borrows material

from the Bookmobile both for personal useand for stories she reads to residents. Manyof residents at this facility suffer fromAlzheimer’s or dementia. In the past, theBookmobile team has presented programs

and interactive conversations with residentswith these challenges. These residents maynot actually borrow materials from theBookmobile, but they were provided specialservices from the team.Cheryl Blunier, activity director, shared

her feelings about Bookmobile toBookmobile manager Kathy Heffley: “I lovewhat you guys do. You are so accommodat-ing. You make it very easy to get books forour patrons. It is a wonderful time saver forme, as things do not always go as planned ina residential home. Because a lot of thepatrons can no longer see, I read to themthree times per week for an hour. We alsohave volunteers who read to our patrons.They love to be read to.”One resident of the Country Inn, diag-

nosed and living with MS, is researching hisgenealogy, and since he cannot speak, hashad a challenging time trying to communi-cate his needs. The Bookmobile team is verypatient and found a way to communicateusing Scrabble tiles. He can move tilesaround to relate his requests. They will thenconduct the research or bring him appropri-ate materials at the next visit.

Timothy van de Leur, MDOrthopedics, Knee & Hip

Knee & Hip Specialist

Dr. van de Leur, a physician with Fort Wayne Orthopedics (FWO), specializes in knee, hip, and reconstructive surgery. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery.

Dr. van de Leur specializes in hip surgery that spares tissue and is an alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery. This technique provides the potential for less pain, faster recovery, and improved mobility.

You don’t have to live with knee or hip pain—call Dr. van de Leur today!

Appointments call 800-566-5659Ask to be scheduled in the Hicksville Clinic!

www.cmhosp.com

Orthopedics, Knee & Hip imothy van de LeurT

Orthopedics, Knee & Hip , MDimothy van de Leur

The Gardens activity assistant, Sue Shisler,and resident Barb Porter use theBookmobile’s services.See LIBRARY, page 10

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Paulding County Progress Today’s Seniors - 3

What does your Paulding CountySenior Center do? In 2013 …..

•• 6,029 Hot Congregate meals were served at the Center to 604 different seniors.

•• 35,228 Hot noon meals were delivered to the homes of 241 different homebound seniors.

•• In addition to serving our seniors 739 lunch meals were prepared and paid for by NOCAC Summer Food Program.

We also……•• Provided 140 seniors with transportation to appointments and to the Center.

•• Provided a total of 3,286 on-way-trips.

•• We traveled over 97,000 miles to provide services.

What else do we offer?Exercise Classes, Health Checks, Crafts, Grocery shopping, Bill paying, Card games, Bingo, Special events, Birthday celebrations, Health and educationpresentations, Medicare D assistance, Commodity distribution, Buckeye Card assistance and more!

Don’t miss out!

May is Older Americans Month

‘Safe today. Healthy tomorrow’Each Ohioan has the power to stay safe

and remain a vital member of society by tak-ing steps to prevent falls and fall-relatedinjuries. May is Older Americans Monthand the 2014 theme for Ohio is “Safe Today.Healthy Tomorrow.”The Ohio Department of

Aging encourages all Ohioansto use the month to becomemore aware of the impact offalls on our elders and learnabout the state’s falls pre-vention initiative, STEADYU Ohio.Falls and fall-related injuries

pose a threat to independence andvitality. While the risk of fallsincreases with age, falling is not a nor-mal part of aging, and most falls can be pre-vented.Decreased muscle mass, vision and hear-

ing decline, medical conditions and jointpain are some of the age-related changesthat can increase fall risks. However, minorchanges to our home, health and habits canoffset these risk factors:

Home• Remove throw rugs• Improve lighting, especially near stairs.• Install grab bars near the toilet and shower.• Rearrange your home to make frequently

used items easier to reach.• Don’t use chairs or other furni-ture for climbing. Instead, usea ladder or step-stool with ahand rail.Health• Ask your doctor about afall risk assessment and talkabout medicines you takeand whether they increaseyour risk for falls.• Have your hearing and vision

checked annually.Habits• Stay active to build muscle strength and

improve balance.• Slow down and think through tasks.• Stay hydrated and eat a well-balanced

diet that includes calcium-rich foods.


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Proudly Serving Paulding Since 1986

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419-263-2037

Senior citizens by the numbersU.S. Census Bureau

Older Americans Month: May 2014A meeting with the National Council of

Senior Citizens resulted in President John F.Kennedy designating May 1963 as SeniorCitizens Month, encouraging the nation topay tribute to older people across the coun-try.In 1980, President Jimmy Carter’s procla-

mation changed the name to OlderAmericans Month, a time to celebrate those65 and older through ceremonies, events andpublic recognition.43.1 million – The number of people who

were 65 and older in the United States onJuly 1, 2012. This group accounted for 13.7percent of the total population.92.0 million – Projected population of

people 65 and older in 2060. People in thisage group would comprise just over one infive U.S. residents at that time. Of this num-ber, 18.2 million would be 85 or older.2.4 million – Projected number of baby

boomers in 2060. At that time, the youngestbaby boomers would be 96 years old.2056 – The year in which, for the first

time, the population 65 and older would out-number people younger than 18 in the U.S.

Income and Poverty$33,848 – The 2012 median income of

households with householders 65 and older,not significantly different from the previousyear.9% – The percent of people 65 and older

(3.9 million) who were in poverty in 2012.$170,516 – Median net worth for house-

holders 65 and older in 2011, down from$203,015 (in 2011 dollars) in 2005.14.8% – Percent supplemental poverty

rate for those 65 and older, equating to 6.4million people. Excluding Social Securitywould leave the majority of this population(54.7 percent or 23.7 million) in poverty.Serving Our Nation9.6 million – Estimated number of people

65 and older who were veterans of thearmed forces in 2012. Jobs21.3% – Labor force participation rate for

men 65 and older in 2012, up from 17.6 per-cent in 1990 and significantly higher thanthe rate for women 65 and older at 13.4 per-cent (8.4 percent in 1990).4.3 million – Number of full-time, year-

round workers 65 and older with earnings in2012, up from 1.3 million in 1992.

Education82.6% – Proportion of people 65 and

older in 2013 who had completed highschool or higher education.25.3% – Percentage of the population 65

and older in 2013 who had earned a bache-lor’s degree or higher.Marital Status and Living Arrangements58% – Percentage of people 65 and older

who were married in 2013.26% – Percentage of people 65 and older

in 2013 who were widowed.Computer and Internet Use61.8% – The percentage of those 65 and

older who reported living in homes withcomputers in 2011. Additionally, 45.5 per-cent accessed the Internet either from homeor elsewhere.Voting71.9% – Percentage for those 65 and older

who reported casting a ballot in the 2012presidential election.Homeownership80.7% – Percentage of householders 65

and older who owned their homes as offourth quarter 2013.

On the Map18.2% – Percentage of Florida’s popula-

tion that was 65 and older in 2012, followedby Maine (17.0 percent) and West Virginia(16.8 percent). Alaska had the lowest per-centage (8.5 percent), followed by Utah (9.5percent) and Texas (10.9 percent).49.3% – Percentage of the population in

Sumter, Fla., that was 65 and older in 2012– which led all of the nation’s counties.Other counties were Charlotte, Fla. (36.0percent) and La Paz, Ariz. (34.9 percent).Chattahoochee, Ga. (3.6 percent) had thelowest percentage.Centenarians53,364 – The number of people age 100

and older counted by the 2010 Census.20.7 – For every 100 centenarian women,

the number of centenarian men in 2010.43.5% – In 2010, percentage of centenar-

ian men who lived with others in a house-hold, the most common living arrangementfor this group. For their female counterparts,the most common living arrangement wasresiding in a nursing home (35.2 percent).

See NUMBERS, page 11


If you think you or a loved one has been the target of elder fraud, contact the Departmentof Consumer Protection to report the abuse.

Elder fraud: How to protect yourself and your nest egg(NAPS) – While the elderly are often tar-

geted by scammers, there are ways you canprotect yourself and those you care about. The ProblemNew fraud schemes emerge constantly

and the scammers are relentlessly creative.Seniors may get official-sounding e-mailsseeking a fee for a bogus service or collect-ing an “inheritance.” Homeowners are tar-geted with phony service calls. In onebrazen scam, a criminal posing as a grand-child asks the senior to wire money to getthe grandchild out of a jam. In some cases, caregivers and family

members may try to take advantage of asenior’s dependence and ask the senior tosign papers that shift control to the caregiv-er, or simply forge the senior’s signature.Practical Tips for ProtectionFortunately, seniors can understand the

risks and protect themselves. Here are a fewhelpful tips.• Beware of “robocalls” – that is, a com-

puterized message, instead of a person onthe phone. • If anyone calls or e-mails you offering

an opportunity to collect a prize by payingan up-front fee, remember: If it sounds toogood to be true, it is. • Keep your Social Security number, cred-

it card numbers, account PINs and otherpersonal information to yourself. Your bankand other companies you do business withwon’t call you to ask you to “confirm” thisinformation. • Don’t be pressured. If you feel pres-

sured to make a decision or purchase, or ifyou are unsure to whom you are talking,just say “no” and hang up.• Open your door only if you recognize

the person there.• Never sign any document you don’t

fully understand. If in doubt, ask a trustedfriend, family member or adviser. Neversign blank checks or forms.• Keep a close eye on bank statements,

credit card bills and invoices to spot anysuspicious activity that could indicate iden-tity theft. Requesting a free copy of yourcredit report annually (at www.annualcred-itreport.com) is a good way to spot potentialproblems.• Shred your old bills and paperwork to

make sure your personal information can’tbe accessed by “dumpster diving” thieves.Make sure your mailbox is secure.• For home repair projects, always get a

second estimate and call the companies’ ref-erences. Never pay for the work in advance– unscrupulous contractors may take the

money and run.• Never use an untraceable wire service to

transfer money. If you have to wire money,manage the transfer with your bank andmake sure it can trace the recipient.• Remain vigilant. If you think you or a

loved one has been the target of elder fraud,

contact the state’s Department of ConsumerProtection to report the abuse. For moreinformation, visit the National Committeefor the Prevention of Elder Abuse atwww.preventelderabuse.org, and Dr.

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See FRAUD, page 11


How to find out if you are a caregiver(NewsUSA) – It is estimated that the care

of sick, elderly and disabled family mem-bers and friends generally falls on the shoul-ders of more than 42 million Americans, andyet most people don’t think of themselves ascaregivers.What begins as an act of love, can quick-

ly turn into a mountain of stress and exhaus-tion as the needs of the infirm become moredemanding. This, in turn, can prompt feel-ings of guilt and depression, yet still be veryrewarding for the caregiver.To find out if you’re a caregiver, take the

simple quiz below:• Do you currently help a loved one with

tasks such as cleaning, or keeping up withthe yard or laundry?• Do you help pick up medication or

remind a friend or family member to taketheir medication?• Do you regularly cook or provide food

for a loved one?• Do you drive a friend or family member

to doctor’s appointments, shopping trips oron other errands?• Do you provide personal care to a loved

one, such as bathing, dressing or helpingthem to the bathroom?• Do you help take care of their finances

or pay their bills?• Are you stressed by the additional

responsibilities you’ve had to take on to helpa loved one?• Do you spend so much time and energy

taking care of your loved one that you some-

times neglect yourself or your immediatefamily?If you answered yes to one or more of

these questions, you are a caregiver. Thismeans that you could find yourself jugglingnew roles such as nurse, housekeeper,accountant, driver and chef. So that youdon’t feel completely overwhelmed andalone, AARP (www.aarp.org/caregiving)has resources that can help you manage allof your caregiving responsibilities, as wellas ways to take care of yourself in theprocess.If you answered no, then you are not (yet)

a caregiver, but chances are you know some-one who is, or you will become a caregiverone day. Adding extra responsibilities to analready full life, can be tough, stressful andisolating, which is why AARP created theThanks Project. Take a moment to honorthose people who selflessly provide care andcomfort to loved ones and friends atThanksProject.org.The first step to gaining balance with pro-

viding care to a loved one and juggling all oflife’s responsibilities, is identifying yourselfas a caregiver. Many people are caregivers but don’t realize it.


Alzheimer’s disease is the most commonform of dementia. It is a progressive, degen-erative disorder that attacks neurons andessentially robs people of their memory andlanguage skills.Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s,

there are therapies that can slow its neuro-logical impact. Recognizing the early warn-ing signs of Alzheimer’s can encourage peo-ple to begin treatments that can stave offsome of the more debilitating symptoms ofthis disease.Though it’s most common among the eld-

erly, Alzheimer’s is not a normal part ofaging.The Mayo Clinic says that the reasons

behind the inception and progression ofAlzheimer’s disease are largely unknown. Itis believed damage starts a decade or morebefore problems become evident.Abnormal deposits of proteins begin to

form the amyloid plaques and tau tanglesthroughout the brain, and these formationsare the hallmarks of the disease. Once-healthy neurons gradually begin to lose theirefficiency and ability to function and com-municate with one another. As more neuronsdie, entire areas of the brain shrink. The hip-pocampus, which is the area of the brainessential in forming memories, may soon

become compromised.Millions of people in North America are

estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease andmany others will be diagnosed. The follow-ing are the most common early signs andsymptoms of the disease.• Memory loss: According to the

Alzheimer’s Organization, early memoryloss can include forgetting important datesor repeatedly asking for the same informa-tion. Forgetting recently learned informationand having to rely increasingly on memoryaids is another potential indicator ofAlzheimer’s.• Declining cognition: Impaired reason-

ing or judgment, trouble finding the rightwords and visual and spatial issues also maybe early indicators of Alzheimer’s.• Difficulty completing familiar tasks:

Those with Alzheimer’s sometimes havetrouble driving to a familiar location orremembering the rules to a favorite game.People who were once good with numbersmay now have difficulty balancing theircheckbooks, while those who love to cookmay have trouble following recipes.• Time confusion: Another indicator of

Alzheimer’s disease is losing track of time.One may have trouble understanding some-thing that isn’t happening in the present.

Though it’s most common among the elderly, Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.Recognizing the early warning signs can aid in starting treatments to stave off symptoms.

Do you have early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s sufferers often forget wherethey are and how they got there.• Misplacing items: Everyone loses

something at a point in time, but those withAlzheimer’s may put items in unusualplaces. They may sometimes accuse others

of stealing when they cannot retrace theirsteps and find items.• Decreased judgment: Decision-making

abilities may be compromised. A person

See SIGNS, page 11


199 CR 103, Paulding, Ohio 45879Tel: 419-399-4940 Web: www.thegardenspaulding.com

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Learn why millions applyonline for Social Security(NAPS) – For millions of people across

America, the concept of retirement haschanged significantly. “Retiring” used tomean taking it easy. Today, it’s a more activetime than ever; a time for new interests,being involved with family and friends, vol-unteering, and paying attention to beingphysically and mentally fit.Retirees live healthier, work longer, and

play harder. It’s the new normal. Even themomentous act of applying for retirementbenefits – which used to require a visit to theSocial Security office – has become moreconvenient, easier, and faster for busy“retirees.”Thinking about applying for your bene-

fits?Begin at Social Security’s website –

www.socialsecurity.gov. It offers a wealth ofservices, information, and tools to help youplan for a better retirement. When you areready, you can apply for benefits online,from home. No appointment, no travel to abusy government office, no worry thatyou’ve brought all the right paperwork.The online retirement application is easy

to use. In most cases, it will take you lessthan 15 minutes to complete. You also cansave your unfinished work at any point andfinish later.There are no forms to sign and usually no

documentation is required. Social Securitywill process your application and contactyou if any further information is needed.Before you apply, you need to consider

several factors.For people born in 1938 or later, “full

retirement age” has gradually increased, andfor people born after 1959, it is age 67. Youcan apply for reduced benefits as early asage 62.

You also should consider whether youwant to work in retirement, health issues,your family’s monetary needs, and futurefinancial obligations. Social Security offersseveral online tools to help you explore yourretirement options.Regardless of your age, there are advan-

tages to creating a personal “my SocialSecurity” account. It gives you completeaccess to your personal information, includ-ing your lifetime earnings and estimatedretirement, disability and survivor’s benefitsfor you and your family. There are advancedsecurity features to protect your privacy.You can have unique text message codessent to your cell phone each time you signin. There’s even an address bar at the top of

your screen indicating the website has anextended validation certificate. This meansyour information will be encrypted and thatthe website has been verified by a certifica-tion authority.When you receive Social Security bene-

fits, your personal account will be the bestway to manage them, enabling you to startor change direct deposit of your payments,get proof of benefits, and more.More than 7 million people have chosen

to retire the fast, convenient, and stress-freeway – online. In fact, last year, almost 50percent retired online. Choose the most con-venient option to retire by visitingwww.socialsecurity.gov.

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