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By Victor Anderson As we age, most of us have a story or two to tell about the curveballs life has thrown at us. Victor Anderson, a Zimmerman native, has put pen to paper to recount the uplifting narrative of their family’s experience with Parkinson’s disease. Anderson takes us along for the rocky journey from his wife’s heartbreaking diagnosis to Carolyn’s remarkable transformation with the implantation of a deep brain stimulus device. For those unaffected by this most difficult of diseases, his story is simply one of love and inspiration, but for those who may have a loved one struggling with Parkinson’s, this book can offer practical advice and a great deal of hope. Softcover, $14.95. Available at www.candvbooks. com or by calling Victor at 763-856-2644. Reworking Retirement By Allyn I. Freeman and Robert E. Gorman With the cost of living and healthcare skyrocketing, many boomers are in for a nasty wake-up call when it comes time to hang up their business card. The authors address this disconnect with a straightforward, detailed examination of the financial and emotional realities of retirement, then they roll up their sleeves and start walking us through what to do about it. In addition to insights on how to think about what you want out of a job, the guide includes information on where and how to look, resumes, interviewing and frank discussions of the pros and cons of specific jobs. Their grounded, non-judgmental approach is reassuring and motivating. Softcover, $14.95. Fear and Loathing in Boca Raton By Steven Lewis Ok, this one is not your father’s retirement guide. Steven Lewis, author of Zen and the Art of Fatherhood, among other books, is a dyed-in-the-wool hippie, counterculture, beatnik dude, who also happens to have seven children, 10-and-counting grandchildren, few assets, plenty of debt and is turning 60. He also happens to have plenty of wry, irreverent observations about all of the above and some actual good advice on how to approach all the realities and stereotypes of aging and retirement when it doesn’t seem like any of it applies to you. Softcover, $14.95. When it is time to make a move, it can be hard to say good-bye to so much that has been familiar, especially a house that has grown into a home. A “House Portrait” by artist Mary Beth Flynn is not only a lovely piece of art, but also a keepsake of the old family home that can be passed on for generations. Working from photos, Flynn creates beautifully detailed pieces in either watercolor or pen & ink and available in a variety of sizes. Examples and more information at www.designsbymarybeth.com. When You Need Help The MetLife Mature Market Institute has updated its Since You Care guide, Hiring an Independent Caregiver. The free publication has information on how families can find and employ a home health care aide without securing an agency. The 12-page booklet includes sample employment ads, a suggested contract, interviewing tips, background checks, a resource guide and more. To obtain a free copy call 203-221-6580, e-mail maturemarketinstitute@metlife.com, or download it at www.maturemarketinstitute.com under ‘What's New.’ A Special Caregiving Tool Have you ever found yourself telling a caregiver, “I wish you could have met my mom before…”? As loved ones age and struggle with disabilities, the person that they truly are doesn’t always come through to those who do not know them well, especially if communication is an issue. LivHOME, a provider of at-home services for seniors, has created the My Story Poster – a simple tool that fosters understanding and rapport. A combination worksheet and poster, it contains important personal information including the client’s food preferences, hobbies and work history. There is space for the names and ages of children and grandchildren, whether the client has pets, and a description of significant life events. Not only does the poster allow newcomers to quickly learn more about the senior, but the act of creating the document helps to focus on the social aspect of caregiving. People can request a copy from the Minneapolis LivHOME office: 952-545-0570. www.LivHOME.com. Get Outta the Kitchen Rattling around in an empty nest, many seniors find the thrill has gone out of meal preparation, but TV dinners and take-out aren’t the answer either. A new online service, MagicKitchen.com (www.magickitchen.com) will deliver healthy, gourmet meals right to your door. Meals are hand prepared by chefs with fresh ingredients and can be purchased al-a-carte or in specially priced meal bundles. They arrive frozen in dry ice, ready to defrost and heat in the oven or microwave – no pots or pans to clean! Their menu includes a wide range of meals that change quarterly for a variety of tastes and they also offer menus for dietary restrictions (low sodium, low fat, etc.) Delivery is available nationwide. Not Just for Youth Since 1961, more than 200,000 men and women have served as Peace Corps Volunteers or staff members. Many, now seniors, find that they still want to make a difference and are searching for practical ways to do so. Founded in 2003, Encore! Service Corps International taps into this combination of cross-cultural sensitivity, professional skills and a lifelong passion for service by sending former Peace Corps Volunteers back into the field on short-term assignments (typically three weeks to three months). Contact Encore! for more information at 202-299-0489 or visit www.encoreservicecorps.org. Also, seniors who are interested in experiencing the Peace Corps for the first time will find that today’s Corps is actively recruiting 50+ volunteers. More information is available at www.peacecorps.gov or by calling 612-348-1480. Local information sessions take place regularly with the next metro area session on Tuesday, February 19, 7 pm-8 pm at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 North Kent Street in St. Paul.
www.retirementjobs.com www.abanet.org/aging
Many college students spend their summers at home, working and getting together with friends. Andrew Jenks, a 19-year-old filmmaker, took up residence in a Florida assisted living facility bonding with its elderly residents, playing bingo, watching “Jeopardy” and just hanging out. What began as a lark of an idea - moving in with the elderly to see what he could learn from them - led to unexpected, life-changing encounters filled with laughter, heartache and lasting friendships. The touching Cinemax Reel Life documentary Andrew Jenks, Room 335 chronicles his experiences. Available at Cinemax On Demand through February 13 or for DVD purchase at www.andrewjenksroom335.com.
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