today's seniors

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2 - Paulding County Progress Todays Seniors Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Make early retirement a realityRetirement is a goal for nearly every work-

ing adult. Long considered a time to enjoy the

fruits of a lifes worth of labors, retirementhas become something else entirely over thelast several years, when the struggling econo-my has convinced many aging workers thattheir opportunity to safely retire may never

present itself.But retirement does not have to feel like a

wild goose chase with the end goal nowherein sight. In fact, many men and women whodevelop a plan early on can retire early, reap-ing the rewards of their success at an agewhen many people are still wondering if they

can retire at all, much less retire early. Conduct an immediate audit of yourfinances. The road to early retirement begins,quite frankly, very early. If your retirementgoal is to retire early, conduct an audit of yourfinancial situation as soon as possible, even ifyou are a relative newcomer to the profes-sional sector.

Examine all of your debts and other liabil-ities, as well as your income and your poten-tial earnings. It may be difficult to forecast

potential earnings, but paint a realistic fore-

cast with regard to your earning potential, andthen use that to determine your standard of

living and how much money you will need tomaintain that standard upon retirement. Thisshould give you an idea of how close or howfar you are from early retirement and whatyou need to start doing now so early retire-ment can be a reality later on.

Dont sell savings short. Men andwomen who retire at the traditional retire-ment age can count on certain benefits thatearly retirees arent eligible for. Senior dis-counts can decrease the cost of living for typ-ical retirees, who can also access retirement

accounts like a 401(k) or an IRA without pay-ing a penalty. Younger retirees are not eligiblefor senior discounts, and accessing a retire-ment account before a certain age can resultin a substantial penalty.

So men and women whose goal is to retireearly should not underestimate the value of ahealthy savings account. Retiring early willrequire a more robust savings account than ifyou were to retire at a more typical age, socalculate how much more you will need tosave in order to retire early.

Once you have calculated that figure, askyourself if its realistic that you can save that

money and what effect this increased empha-sis on savings may have on your quality oflife between now and the day youve targetedfor early retirement? If you cannot realistical-ly save enough money or if you have to sac-rifice too much to make early retirement hap-

pen, then you might want to reconsider thisgoal.

Accept sacrifices. Making sacrifices withan end goal of early retirement may be easierfor younger men and women who have yet togrow accustomed to a certain standard of liv-

ing. Regardless of their age, however, thosewho hope to retire early will need to acceptthat they will have to make certain sacrificesto achieve their goals. These sacrifices can beconsiderable, such as downgrading to asmaller home, or relatively minor, such ascanceling a cable television subscription, butfor the average worker they will be necessaryto make early retirement happen.

The earlier you can make these sacrificesthe easier they will be, as it wont be as hardto sacrifice something youre not used to hav-

ing. In addition, the earlier you make thesesacrifices the quicker you will be on the road

to early retirement. Periodically reassess how its going.

The road to early retirement will have itspeaks and valleys, so periodically reassesshow your plan is going and if you need toalter the plan in any way to make early retire-ment a reality. This reassessment should beconducted annually, and you must be com-

pletely honest with yourself. If the plan isgoing off course, determine the cause and iftheres anything you can do to catch up or ifyou need to change your targeted retirement

date.Early retirement is a goal for many people.And despite the uneasiness many people feelwith regard to retirement, early retirementcan become a reality for diligent men andwomen who develop a plan and stick to that

plan in the years to come.

The path to early retirement begins at an early age and

can require sacrifice and diligence to achieve that goal.


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Wednesday, April 24, 2013 Paulding County Progress Todays Seniors - 3

The Laurels of Defiance...Your Choice for Rehab and Nursing Care

We can answer your questions on:

Rehab

Long term care Costs Respite Care Day Care Insurance Coverage How to Admit Someone

Medications

Things Neededfor Admittance Living Will Power of Attorney for

Finances & Health Care

Just give us a call.

1701 South Jefferson Ave., Defiance, OH 419-782-7879

www.laurelsofdefiance.com

Admissions 24/7 hours a day/7 days a weekRN/Marketing Director - Assessments prior to admission available.

O F D E F I A N C E

Senior Citizens servicesPaulding County Senior Center: Marsha

Yeutter, coordinator; Ron Williamson, food

program manager; Cindy Kennedy, pro-

gram manager; Phone: 419-399-3650, fax: 419-

399-3781, email: [email protected],

401 E. Jackson St., Paulding, OH 45879.

Administered through Paulding County

Commissioners. Dining center meals are

available for seniors 60 years of age or

older and their spouses of any age. Center

activities and transportation are available

for seniors 55 years of age and older. Hot

home delivered meals are available for eli-

gible Paulding County residents who are

homebound. Meal reservations for the din-

ing center are appreciated by 9 a.m. on day

of service. Lunch is served from 11:30a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday.

Transportation is provided to and from the

center as well as for medical, educational

and service appointments. The center also

offers health and educational programs

such as exercise, line dancing, tax assis-

tance, Medicare D assistance and screen-

ings. Other activities are card games, bingo,

movies, crafts, and holiday celebrations.

Special events are planned for holidays and

birthday celebrations. A Cancer Share and

Care group meets the last Wednesday of

each month at the center at 12:15 p.m. The

Memory Caregiver Resource Group meets

on the third Monday of each month at 1

p.m. Funding for the senior center is award-

ed through the Area Office on Aging, local

tax dollars, United Way and consumer

donations.

Department of Job and Family Services:

Corey Walker, director, 303 W. Harrison

St., Paulding, OH 45879; 419-399-3756,

fax 419-399-4674. The departments serv-

ices available to area senior citizens

include: adult protection, Medicaid,

Passport, food stamp benefits, and varioussupportive services.

Adult Day Health Care Center: 1151

Westwood Dr., Van Wert, OH 45891. Ouida

Fields is the director. Provides care during

the day for elderly and disabled adults from

Van Wert, Allen and Paulding counties.

Transportation is available through the day

care center. For more information, call 419-

238-0751, fax 419-238-1706.

Calendar of events for seniorsMAY

Older Americans MonthMay 9 Paulding County Senior

Centers Relay For Life dinner fund-

raiser at 5 p.m.May 21 Paulding County SeniorCenters Senior Day at the OSUExtension Building, theme Its aJungle Out There!; doors open at10:30 a.m., RSVP at 419-399-3650

JUNE

June 8 Paulding CountyHospitals annual Family Health Day7-11 a.m. held in the hospitals med-

ical office buildingJune 10-15 Paulding County Fair,Paulding County Fairgrounds

June 11 Senior Day at thePaulding County Fair, activities startat 8:30 a.m., lunch at noon, RSVPrequired for lunch at 419-399-3650

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 8 Grandparents DaySept. 8 3rd Annual Car Show

sponsored by Paulding County

Senior Center downtown on thesquare, noon-4 p.m.

OCTOBER

Recycle Ohio MonthOct. 23 Caregiver Mini-

Conference from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. atPaulding County Senior Center. Allages welcome to attend. RSVPrequired by calling 419-399-3650

NOVEMBER

Nov. 5 General Election Day(Polls are open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.)

Nov. 12 Veterans Day

Celebration at Paulding County

Senior Center, 11:30 a.m., honoring

Korean War veterans, all veterans

invited


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Specializing in knee and shouldersurgery for over 29 years, Dr.Rutledge is board certified inorthopedic surgery and fellowshiptrained in sports medicine.

In addition to traditional jointimplants, Dr. Rutledge offers

patient-specific implants that arecustom designed and positionedfor each individual patient.

You dont have to live with knee orshoulder paincall Dr. Rutledgetoday!

Appointments call 419-542-5669

William Rutledge, MDOrthopedics, Knee &

Shoulder Surgery

Michael Arata, MDOrthopedics, Hip & Spine

Surgery

Dr. Arata, a physician with FortWayne Orthopedics (FWO), hasspecialized in hip and spine surgeryfor over 31 years. He is boardcertified in orthopedic surgery andfellowship trained in spine surgery.

Dr. Arata is one of only a fewsurgeons in the region who

perform the Anterior Approach for

Total Hip Replacement - and heperfoms this surgery at CMH. Theanterior approach is atissue-sparing alternative totraditional hip replacementsurgery that provides the potentialfor less pain, faster recovery, andimproved mobility.

You dont have to live with hip orback paincall Dr. Arata today!

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

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MD

Baby Boomers have cloutThe Baby Boomer generation is one of the most influential demographics in

the world today. Boomers represent roughly 28 percent of the total population

of the United States, according toBaby Boomermagazine, and this means they

are the largest generational segment as well as the single largest economic

group in the United States.

They hold 70 percent of the U.S. wealth and are expected to inherit millions

of dollars over the course of the next 20 years.

Baby boomers comprise a population of adults who were born between

1946 and 1964. That makes boomers people who are between 49 and 67 years

old. Many of these baby boomers have grown to be household names and

influential individuals in all areas of business.

Actor Brad Pitt is a baby boomer, as is President of the United States Barack

Obama. Director Peter Jackson, singer k.d. lang and business mogul Donald

Trump all belong to the baby boomer generation. Here are some additional

facts and figures about baby boomers: Baby boomers have more discretionary income than any other age group.

Baby boomers own 80 percent of the money in savings and loan associa-

tions.

Baby boomers spend more money than other groups.

Baby boomers account for nearly half of all consumer demand.

Baby boomers have been known to have an unprecedented impact on

American culture, society and the economy, and that influence is bound to

continue for several more years.


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Older adults and their family members need to consider the desire for maintaining inde-pendence while needing to remain safe on the road.

Older drivers have to reassess abilitiesFor many older drivers, driving is more than

getting from point A to point B. Getting behindthe wheel allows older drivers to remain inde-

pendent as well as mobile. But as a personages, his or her risk of injury on the road

increases, according to the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC).

Older adults and their family members needto make plans for handing dwindling skills

behind the wheel and the point in time when itis no longer safe for a loved one to continuedriving.

In rural and suburban communities, drivingis a necessity for independent living. With lim-ited resources available for older individuals toget around, seniors may hold onto the notion ofdriving longer than is safe and practical. The

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration says that in 2009 alone, 5,288people age 65 and older were killed and187,000 were injured in traffic accidents. Older

people are involved in around 15 percent of alltraffic accidents in a typical year.

Getting older doesnt mean its time for youor a loved one to turn in your license just yet.There are ways people can come together tomake the driving experience go smoothly, andit often begins with an honest conversation.

Let a loved one know you are on his orher side. Make sure the first topic of conversa-tion is that it is not your intention to take away

the keys of the car. Indicate that you want towork together to help keep this person behindthe wheel as long as possible. Being open andhonest about intentions may eliminate argu-ments or animosity.

Figure out safe ways to keep your lovedone driving. This may include identifying anew car with upgraded safety features, such as

brighter headlights, a back-up camera and abetter safety record. Enroll together in a driv-ing safety course to brush up on driving skills.

Go for a test drive. Family memberscan ride along with an older driver to get a bet-ter sense of his or her ability behind the wheel.If drivers have too many close calls, frequent-ly get lost in familiar places, exhibit slowerresponse times or are easily distracted, thisshould be a wake-up call and the loved one

should intervene. Schedule a vision and hearing exam.

Driving abilities can be affected by poor visionand hearing, both common side effects of get-ting older. Getting a senior a new eyeglass pre-scription or a better hearing aid may make allthe difference in his or her driving ability.

Review prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Many seniors take a

bevy of different medications, and the sideeffects to these drugs could impact their driv-ing abilities. If medications cause drowsinessor dizziness, speak with your loved ones

physician about a possible alternative treatmentthat might make driving safer. Be honest. If an older driver is no longer safe

behind the wheel of their automobile, it isimportant to involve other family members andmake a joint decision to remove driving privi-leges. Have other solutions available, such assenior busing or courtesy vans, so your loved

one doesnt feel he or she will be confined tothe house.

Driving is a sensitive subject for older driv-ers who see being able to get behind the wheelas an opportunity to maintain their independ-ence. But individuals need to be honest withthemselves to remain safe on the road.


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Ohios theme for Older American Month 2013is Unleash Your Power: Be a Golden Buckeye!

COLUMBUS Building on a nationalcampaign that encourages organizations andcommunities to unleash the power of age dur-ing Older Americans Month in May, the OhioDepartment of Aging is asking older Ohioansand baby boomers to tap into their own per-sonal strengths toenhance their livesand those of others.

Ohios 2013 OlderAmericans Monththeme, UnleashYour Power: Be aGolden Buckeye!

encourages allOhioans to live livesinspired by their age,not defined by it.

When we chooseto live lives as Golden Buckeyes, we arechoosing to be respected and vital members ofsociety who continue to grow, thrive and con-tribute throughout the lifespan, said BonnieKantor-Burman, director of the OhioDepartment of Aging. More than 2.3 millionindividuals age 60 or older and another esti-

mated two million baby boomers live in Ohiotoday. Imagine the benefits for our state andall of our residents when we are able to fullyunleash their power.

Golden Buckeyes are people who makesmart decisions to improve and maintain their

health throughout the lifespan. They knowtheir options and seek opportunities. Theyleverage their power as consumers and expectexcellence. By striving for the highest qualityof life, Golden Buckeyes help Ohio stay on theleading edge of innovation and be responsiveto our growing and changing older population.

Visit the the Ohio Department of Agingsspecial Older Americans Month Web pagewww.aging.ohio.gov/news/olderamericans-month for information and resources to helpGolden Buckeyes unleash their potential inmany ways, from improving their personal

health, to volun-teering their timeand talent, to

brushing up theirskills and remain-ing in or returningto the workforceand more.

Youll also findtools for residentsto proclaim thatthey are GoldenBuckeyes and

invite their friends and relatives to do the same.Since 1963, people in towns and cities

across the nation have used the month of Mayto celebrate the contributions of olderAmericans. The Ohio Department of Aginghas sponsored Older Americans Month in thestate since 1977 and sets a state theme. The

national theme for 2013, established by thefederal Administration for CommunityLiving, is Unleash the Power of Age!Ohios theme builds on that with a personalcall to Unleash the Power: Be a GoldenBuckeye!

Ohio Department of Aging has posted aspecial video at the websitewww.aging.ohio.gov/news/olderamericans-month


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Unlocking secrets to a successful long lifeDo you have what it takes to be lively nonagenarian?

Nonagenarians people age 90 to 99 com-prise less than 1 percent of Ohios total popula-

tion, but their numbers are growing. In 2010,there were 76,545 Ohioans age 90 or older,according to researchers at the ScrippsGerontology Center at Miami University ofOhio. By 2020, well over 100,000 Ohioans willhave achieved this milestone. As our popula-tion ages, of course, we are interested in learn-ing what is driving this new longevity andunlocking these nonagenarians secrets to long,fulfilling lives.

Connie Springer, a freelance writer and pho-tographer in Cincinnati, set out to do just that.

My personal experience with aging had

been less than positive, Springer said. Over adecade ago my mother, in her eighties and sad-dled with dementia, lived in a nursing homesurrounded by peers with vacant stares andimmobile stances. My view of aging becameskewed. Do we all end up like this if we livelong enough?

Hungry for a new perspective, Springerinterviewed a friends 90-year old neighbor,June. A passionate gardener blessed withgood health and constantly on the go, Juneattributed her long life to an optimistic bent

and doing things in moderation. Dont dwellon your age, she advised. Do as I do just

keep your body moving!Encouraged by Junes life approach,Springer searched for others in this age groupwho were active, engaged and connected.Over a two-year period, she met with 28 live-ly nonagenarians. Although the intervieweesdidnt offer any secret answers to a long life,Springer noted a number of characteristicsthey had in common and compiled a list shecalls the 20 Personality Traits of LivelyNonagenarians:

1. Flexibility (being willing to adapt to newsituations)

2. Having a sense of humor3. Living simply4. Taking one day at a time5. Never turning down an invitation6. Doing things in moderation(particularly in regard to food)7. Getting regular exercise8. Having an optimistic attitude9. Keeping mentally stimulated10. Being open to meeting new people11. Relating to younger people12. Being connected to friends and family

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13. Involvement in enjoyable activities14. Loving to read15. Having a nothing can stop me outlook16. Sharing and caring17. Not thinking about age18. Being interested in whats going onaround you19. Never quitting learning20. Being just plain lucky (blessed withgood genes, good health, and meaningfulrelationships)

My hunch is that these traits leading towhat may be called successful aging are notnewly gained in later years but rather are onesthat these individuals have demonstrated theirentire lives, Springer suggested. As Platostates in The Republic, If men are sensibleand good tempered, old age is easy enough to

bear. If not, youth as well as age is a burden.

See SECRETS,page 8


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Although the traits are probably innate,one might attempt to emulate one or more inorder to change a negative or isolating pattern.One thing is certain from meeting these livelynonagenarians: I know that the notion that

time must inevitably inflict incapacity anddespair is fundamentally wrong.

Springer shared many hours with each ofthe remarkable elders she interviewed and

photographed. She explored their pasts,their present and their aspirations for thefuture.

I am quite certain that my new nonage-narian friends enjoyed the pursuit as muchas I did, she said. These individuals hadhad a lifetime of interesting experiences andwere continuing to be involved and active,

but how often did another take the time to sitdown with them to talk about their lives?

Despite having suffered losses and hard-ships, these 28 individuals consistently par-ticipate in their surroundings and maintainan interest in others. They broaden theirhorizons, continue to think in terms of pur-

pose and goals, and keep their minds andbodies in shape with exercise and stimulat-ing pastimes.

l SECRETSContinued from Page 7


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love.

AmeriCare Home Health Service'sis looking for that special Senior

in your life that could use some helpwith spring cleaning this April.

West Unity Boy Scouts Troop 669 will come clean their yard (removing debris,cleaning flower beds, etc.), plant flowers (must be provided) and light cleaningof their garage or storage shed. If you know a Senior that you feel deserves thisplease summit a letter to AmeriCare at 102 W. Bryan St. Bryan, OH, telling us

about the Senior or email Jessica at [email protected]

Deadline to submit letter is April 25th, 2013.

Cleanup is planned for April 27th, 2013.

Travel ideas for active seniorsThose who have said goodbye to the

workaday grind now have many hours to set-tle down and relax. People who have continu-ally put off vacations in lieu of work responsi-

bilities may now have all the time they need toexplore the world.

Traveling for seniors can be rewarding andrelaxing. Those with a substantial retirementnest egg have numerous destinations at theirdisposal. Mature vacationers travel more fre-quently and stay longer than any other agegroup. Travel ranks among the top leisureactivities for men and women over 50,according to the Web site Suddenly Senior.

Seniors can find several travel advantagesat their disposal. Also, thanks to special senior

discounts, travel may be even more affordablethan first expected.

While certain destinations are not alwayspractical for certain age brackets, there aremany places to which seniors can visit com-fortably and enjoy a wealth of memories.

Theme parks: Although theme parksmay seem carved out entirely for the adven-ture-seekers, there are many other more placidactivities that would appeal to those who pre-fer to keep their feet firmly on the groundrather than looping through the air on a rock-

et-propelled coaster. With animal preserves,water parks, fine dining, and a bevy of hotelseither in the park or directly on the outskirts,theme parks provide many activities for older

travelers. Although theme parks require a lotof walking, many provide wheelchairs ormotorized scooters for those who need to getoff of their feet. They also make a great optionfor seniors who will be traveling with theentire family, including children.

Beach resorts: Provided flying is med-ically safe, a beachside vacation can be theideal trip for seniors looking for the utmost inrelaxation. For those who have passports, the

possibilities are endless. Those who prefer toremain on relatively domestic soil can retreat

to Puerto Rico, south Florida, the Californiacoast, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cruising: Cruising is a preferred vacationchoice for the 50+ set because it offers theconvenience of an all-inclusive package andtransportation all in one. With the myriadactivities offered on board, cruises are a versa-tile vacation option for seniors. Also, there isno need to worry about traveling far for mealsand other entertainment options, as everythingis self-contained on the cruise ship. For moreactive seniors who enjoy the daily getaway,

excursions in ports of call can provide thevariety desired.

Guided tours: Seniors who want to expe-

rience a piece of history can sign up for tourpackages backed by reputable companies. Thetours may involve train or bus travel, and var-ious attractions will be visited. At the end ofthe tour, individuals can choose to extend thevacation by checking into a hotel nearby.

RV trips: Another self-contained vacationthat is entirely up to the people traveling isvacationing by recreational vehicle. Seniorscan customize their routes depending onwhich areas they want to see. Companies likeCruise America RV enable people to rent an

RV so they neednt worry about the expenseof buying one outright. However, should RVtraveling become addictive, there always isthe option of buying a camper later on. Setting

With a bevy of free time and fewer restrictions holding them back, seniors could be ready

for the next great travel adventure.

an itinerary and then establishing the paceenables travelers to tour the country or crossthe border as desired. From beaches to nation-

al parks, many areas offer RV hook-up areasand amenities.

Exotic tour: Seniors who were never ableto afford or spare the time for an extensive vaca-tion may now want to visit those exotic loca-tions that have beckoned for years. Now could

be the time to book a ticket for Europe and visitall of the cities that have made the history

books. Those looking for even more adventurecan travel to the South Pacific and explore trop-ical islands. Others may want to go downunder and experience the rugged Outback or

the culture of Australian city centers.With a bevy of free time and fewer restric-

tions holding them back, seniors could beready for the next great travel adventure.


10/12


199 CR 103, Paulding, Ohio 45879

Tel: 419-399-4940 Web:www.thegardenspaulding.com

24HR. SKILLED NURSING I REHABILITATIVE SERVICES I ASSISTED LIVING

Part of the Peregrine Family of Ohio-Based Health Services Communities

THE GARDENSof Paulding

Get well ... Go homeRestoring Your Health Returning You Home

to learn more call or visit us Online

Seniors benefit from using social media, InternetThe Internet and related technologies have

been a game-changer for people of all ages.The instant connectivity made possible bythese advancements has been valued byyoung adults and children for years. But now

social media is attracting an entirely differentdemographic seniors.

More than just a method of channelinginformation to the comfort of home, theInternet and the various social media plat-forms, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedInand Instagram, are ways for older adults tostay connected with friends and family. Forseniors faced with mobility issues, socialmedia helps to bring the world to them.

Despite the stereotype that seniors do notwant to learn to use new technology, manyseniors are getting on board. Findings fromthe Pew Research Institute show that socialnetworking use among Internet users ages 50to 64 grew by 88 percent between April 2009and May 2010.

The research also found that the percentageof those 65 and older using social media grewfrom 13 percent to 26 percent during thatsame stretch. Although young adults continueto be the primary users of social media, olderusers are gaining momentum and surpassing

youth in the number of new users.Individuals who are not yet utilizing socialmedia to manage their communication effortsmay be inspired by these benefits to doing so.

Photo and video sharing: The majorityof photos being taken today are digital, asfewer people are making prints of their pho-tos. Rather, they are being shared via e-mailor through social media sites. Grandparentscan see their grandchildren in photos in realtime. Also, if theyve managed apps thatenable video sharing, they can view and chat

with relatives who live miles away, just as if

they were sitting across the table. Conversations with family: In a world

where families are no longer centrally locat-ed, communication may be lacking. Despitethe prevalence of mobile phones, fewer andfewer people seem to pick up the phone andmake calls as they once did. Instead, theyretexting and updating social media posts.Theyre also e-mailing one another. Olderadults who have no access to this technologycould be left out of the mix. This is a way forseniors to stay close to family.

Convenient check-ins: At times when afull-blown conversation may not be practical,

having a quick method to check in with a

loved one can make social media advanta-geous. Men and women can send a quicktext to their parents to find out how theyrefeeling or if they need anything. Suchready access can provide some peace of

mind to adults concerned about their elder-ly parents.

Online shopping: Seniors who dontget out much or who cannot safely drive avehicle might not be able to shop as oftenas they would like. Having Internet accessand experience with browsing Web sitesenables older men and women to shopfrom reputable Web sites who ship itemsdirectly to the house. With the vast array ofitems now sold online, anyone can havetheir choice of items and not be forced tosettle because of their age.

Improved feelings of well-being:Avoiding feelings of isolation and loneli-ness can benefit older men and women. Astudy by Dr. Shelia Cotten, a sociologistand associate professor from the Universityof Alabama, Birmingham, revealed thatInternet use was associated with a 30 per-

cent decrease in depressive symptoms amongolder adults who used it regularly, while otherstudies have shown similarly impressiveresults.

Working the mind: Going online, chat-

ting on social media or simply writing an e-mail works areas of the brain. Typing alsohelps improve manual dexterity. These fac-tors can be beneficial for seniors looking tostay sharp.

Using the Internet as a form of communi-cation is a growing trend among the 50-plusdemographic. It enables them to stay con-nected with family and the world in a varietyof ways.

What do I need a computer for? Seniorsgreatly benefit from using the Internet to keepconnected with family members, shop online,keep their minds active and lessen isolation.


11/12


Chest pain of any kind is a real emergency. Thats why Mercy Defiance Emergency Center is ready

and waiting 24/7. Led by Ayersville native Chris Goliver, MD, our ER physicians are unmatched in

our area and have years of Level 1 trauma care experience. And the Mercy Heart & Vascular Center

is just a LifeFlight away. So, if you or someone you love experiences chest pain, call 911 or

go straight to Mercy.

If chest pain strikes, trust Mercy.

Learn more at mercyweb.org

St. Anne St. Charles St. Vincent Childrens Defiance Tiffin Willard

12 P ldi C P T d S i W d d A il 24 2013


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We arehonoredto carefor you.

1035 West Wayne St.

Paulding, OH 45879419-399-4080

1-800-741-1743

www.pauldingcountyhospital.com

The first of three phases of our ER/Lab renovations has been completed. On March 29th atNoon, patients were once again able to enter the Paulding County Hospital Emergency Roomat the original locations. You can either drive up to the ER entrance at the rear of the hospitalor you can walk up to the ER registration window in the main outpatient lobby. At this point,five new ER rooms have been completed along with a U-shaped nurses station that has di-rect line of sight to all patient rooms.

Phase 2

Started April 1st

Phase 2 will include renovations to the east wing of the hospital to move the testing labora-tory there permanently.Important to note is that the lab draw station will remain in the mainoutpatient area for patient convenience. Pneumatic tubes will connect the draw station and

the ER to the new testing laboratory area.

Phase 3

Once the testing laboratory moves to the east wing, phase three will begin to add two largetrauma rooms to the ER, utilizing the old lab space. The two trauma rooms will have fold

back glass walls between them making one large trauma room if needed. This can be used ifan emergency requires the medical staff to be close to multiple patients.

Phase 1

Completed

Emergency Room and Lab Renovations

On November 1, 2012, renovations for an updated and enlarged Paulding County Hospital Emergency Department

was started. The last ER renovation that was done was in the early 1980s. The current renovation when completedwill feature a U-shaped nurses station with 7 rooms surrounding it. Two trauma rooms will have fold back glasswalls between them making one large trauma room if needed. This renovation will also add more rooms in the ERto reduce wait time for patients. Line of sight to all patients for nursing and physicians will be an additional bonus.This project will add 3230 square footage of renovation in ER with 360 square feet in new construction and 1547square footage renovation in lab. The hospital is expected to pay for this with operating money. No funds will besolicited from the community. The expected amount for the project is $1.2 million. The projected completion datefor this project is later this summer.

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