1. Art and Diseño

February 2015
The Connections Board of Directors
If Not For You
Elizabeth Richards
Chairman of the Board
Al Lindley
Vice Chairman
If not for you, I wouldn’t know
What true love really meant.
I’d never feel this inner peace;
I couldn’t be content.
If not for you, I’d never have
The pleasures of romance.
I’d miss the bliss, the craziness,
Of love’s sweet, silly dance.
Michael Walton
.
Secretary
Michael Beck
Treasurer
Introducing Craig
Aberbach, the newest
member of
The Connection’s Board
of Directors, following a
unanimous vote
by the members.
I have to feel your tender touch;
I have to hear your voice;
No other one could take your place;
You’re it; I have no choice.
If not for you, I’d be adrift;
I don’t know what I’d do;
I’d be searching for my other half,
Incomplete, if not for you.
By Joanna Fuchs
Hearing Solutions Proud Sapphire Guardian Sponsor
State Farm is a Proud Sapphire Guardian Sponsor
Bridge View Estates is a proud Sapphire Guardian Sponsor
Atkinsons’ is a proud Ruby Sponsor,
of a low income Connection Club member
A full-service Deli available at all three
locations along with the freshest produce, meat,
seafood and bakery.
Bellevue
Valley Market
788-7788
Hailey
Alturas Plaza
788-2294
Ketchum
Giacobbi Square
726-5668
Nationwide Mortgage is an Opal
Guardian Sponsor helping feed a senior or
disabled person for 3 months
Your Les Schwab
Tire Center
We Are Proud To Support
The Connection
520 N River St.
Hailey, Id.
(208)-788-0924
Batteries
Brakes
Tires
Shocks
&
Alignment
Your Business Could Be A Guardian
This program is a great way to advertise your business and
also help a senior, disabled person or provide a scholarship
for The Connection Club.
Call Barbara at 788-3468 with your questions.
Are you a Caregiver???
Scott Miley Roofing
Association Construction Services, Inc.
Re-Roofs/Repairs—New Roofs
Carpentry-Remodels-Snow Removal
Sheet Metal Fabrication
788-5362 www.scottmileyroofing.com
Hearing Aid Counselors & Audiology
First Thursday of the Month 11am-12pm
Ear cleaning, hearing aid repair, custom ear plugs,
custom hearing aids, and it’s FREE.
No appointment necessary.
721 Third Ave. S. Hailey, Id.
The Shredder
If you have any personal or private documents,
old checks, anything with your name and address on it, bring it to The Connection. The
Shredder will take care of it, $5 per box
If you are caring for a spouse, parent or family member,
you are a caregiver.
If you struggle with finding the easiest and most efficient
way to help someone at home, you are a caregiver.
If you never have a little time for yourself because you are
making someone else comfortable, you are a caregiver.
If you ever wonder, are frustrated, confused or impatient,
you are a caregiver.
If you are proud that you can give such good care, fix such
great meals and not lose your mind, you are a caregiver.
Caring for a family is one of the most selfless,
responsibilities we ever face. It can be for a short period
or last for months or years. Caregiving takes a toll,
physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and
mentally. It’s not to be done alone or without support.
Caregiving is a role people take on because of love,
because we want the best care possible for people we care
about.
The Caregiver Support Group is provided by Hospice
and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley and is JUST
FOR YOU!! You will share the joys and trials of
caregiving with others, just like you. You will receive
professional guidance and support
from registered nurses familiar with
illnesses and caregiving and who
understand. You will learn how to
balance your own life with caregiving.
Join us on the first Tuesday of every
month from 11 to 12:30 at the Senior
Connection.
Connection Club
10 Things a Person Living with Dementia
Would Tell You If They Could
Sometimes it helps to look at each situation from the perspective, or from out of the eyes of the
person living with dementia.

You know what makes me feel safe, secure, and happy? A smile.

Did you ever consider this? When you get tense and uptight it makes me feel tense and uptight.

Instead of getting all bent out of shape when I do something that seems perfectly normal to me, and perfectly
nutty to you, why not just smile at me? It will take the edge off the situation all the way around.

Please try to understand and remember it is my short term memory, my right now memory, that is gone -- don't
talk so fast, or use so many words.

You know what I am going to say if you go off into long winded explanations on why we should do something?
I am going to say No, because I can never be certain if you are asking me to do something I like, or drink a bottle
of castor oil. So I'll just say No to be safe.

Slow down. And don't sneak up on me and start talking. Did I tell you I like smiles?

Make sure you have my attention before you start blabbering away. What is going to happen if you start
blabbering away and you don't have my attention, or confuse me? I am going to say No - count on it.

My attention span and ability to pay attention are not as good as they once were, please make eye contact with me
before you start talking. A nice smile always gets my attention. Did I mention that before?

Sometimes you talk to me like I am a child or an idiot. How would you like it if I did that to you? Go to your
room and think about this. Don't come back and tell me you are sorry, I won't know what you are talking about.
Just stop doing it and we will get along very well, and probably better than you think.

You talk too much -- instead try taking my hand and leading the way. I need a guide not a person to nag me all
the time. www.alzheimersreadingroom.com Anna Aspin Director, Connection Club (788-3468)
Food Ingredients That Can Cause Inflammation
When you have arthritis, your body is in an inflammatory state. What you eat may not only increase inflammation, it can also
set you up for other chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. These food ingredients may trigger more
inflammation in your body.
Processed sugars. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition warns that processed sugars trigger the release of inflammatory
messengers called cytokines.
Saturated Fats. Pizza and cheese are the biggest sources of saturated fats in the average American diet, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Trans Fats. Trans fat can be found in fast foods and other fried products, processed snack foods, cookies, donuts,
crackers and most stick margarines. Avoid foods with partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredient labels.
Omega 6 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are found in oils such corn, safflower, sunflower, grape seed, soy, peanut, and vegetable; mayonnaise; and many salad dressings.
Refined Carbohydrates. White flour products (breads, rolls, crackers) white rice, white potatoes and many cereals are refined
carbohydrates.
MSG. A flavor-enhancing additive most commonly found in prepared Asian food and soy sauce, but it can also be added to fast
foods, prepared soups and soup mixes, salad dressings and deli meat.
Gluten and Casein. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and any foods made with these grains. Casein is found in whey protein products. Arthritis Foundation
PEOPLE WHO LUNCH: A CONNECTION STORY
by Karen Lukes
In Art and in Love, Instinct is Enough - Anatole France
Howard and Marlene Lacina,
Wedding Day, April 3, 1954
Howard had a big wavy pompadour and was sketching
a nude live model when Marlene peeked her head in the door and
SAW him for the first time. It was the early 1950s and both were
attending Ray-Vogue College of Design in downtown Chicago.
"Howard was fun-loving, tall and artistic," says Marlene Lacina,
83, in a recent interview. Remembering the first glimpse of his
wife of 60 years, Howard Lacina, 84, says, “ I was walking through
the hallway with a group people and I looked at her and thought
she was cute!,” He shoots an endearing look at Marlene. "She had
good legs, a nice smile, and a pretty face," he adds.
Marlene and Howard Lacina
Born in 1930 to hardworking parents of Czech/Bohemian heritage, Howard grew up in
Berwyn, Illinois. "I had two brothers who were much older," he says, "so I spent a lot of time
alone." He was good at sports but creative talents were also emerging at a young age. "I used
to draw paper airplanes and learned early on to shadow and highlight for creating detailed
renderings of aircraft and ships," he says. Later in life, he would have a career doing just that.
"I was always the class artist," he says. And he was also a lefty. "My teachers discouraged it
so I had to learn to use my right hand. I had terrible penmanship!" he adds. Marlene smiles at
this and taps two fingers on his hand -- he still only paints with his left. From the Midwest as
well -- born and raised near Minneapolis -- Marlene studied interior decorating in art school
and “was always sketching or singing as a girl.” Howard chimes in, "When she was young,
her voice was marvelous." Marlene chides, "What, it's not anymore?" And then they both
lean back in their chairs and laugh. She also loved home economics. "Good thing," she
notes, “because at one point we had four kids under five!"
Interior design rendering
by Marlene Lacina, 1953
Howard spent most of his career at Lindberg Products in Chicago working as a
box top illustrator for plastic model hobby kits popular in the 1960s and 70s. Using his
talent with watercolor, gouache, acrylic and airbrush, Howard created renderings of
planes, ships, cars and military vehicles. "It was fun and I was getting paid to do what
I'd been doing since I was a kid," he says. In 1964, Lindberg introduced the Lindy
Loonies kits featuring Howard's fantastical illustrations. Now Baby Boomer
“Lindy Loony” Repulsive model,
collectibles, the charming monsters sell for hundreds of dollars
1964. Illustration by Howard Lacina
on eBay and Esty. Marlene, who was already an accomplished
seamstress, took tailoring classes and made everyone's clothes. "I sewed dresses for the girls'
dances and made shirts for Howard," she says. They moved to Hailey a few years ago to be
near their daughter, artist Judy Stolzfus. Howard has illustrated several children's books, including two with Judy. "It was great working with her," he says. "She wrote the stories (one
about a raccoon with bad vision, the other about an injured crow unable to fly) and I did the
illustrations." Howard paints prolifically and has a series of lighthouses, portraits and
outdoor scenes in Idaho. When asked about what they want for Valentine's Day, Howard
turns to Marlene and says, "Just your love." She nods, then says, "And chocolate!" But odds
are good that she’ll get a card, as she has for the last 60 years, meticulously and beautiful
hand-painted by the love of her life.
Idaho scene in acrylic by Howard Lacina
Senior Move Manager
Cynthia Ewer, Author of
Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Organized
Lean back against the kitchen counter. Take a hard look at what that whale has been
hiding in its dark little innards. The implications will hit you in the face!
For example, when I tossed out four, count 'em, four jars of dried-out jelly and a jar of peanut
butter manufactured years ago, it was clear that my children had turned a culinary corner, and
the days of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were no more.
And I thought my family liked ranch dressing--but I couldn't maintain that belief in the face of
a nearly-full bottle of same dating from the Bush administration.
You'll wring a few unpleasant admissions from yourself, too. Look carefully at what foods are wasted, especially
from the vegetable crisper. Are you doing what I've been doing?
I'm Miss Nutritional Virtue herself at the grocery store, but those baby carrots and low-fat margarines languish
uneaten in Moby's dark corners.
Did you toss out as much bruised fruit as I did? Are you buying too much--or not eating what you buy?
Use pen and notepad to jot down your discoveries and track your new resolves. Match them to your New Year's
resolutions. Is lower-fat eating on your resolution list? Then you'll want to toss the remnants of the Christmas dinner
butter and margarine and replace them with low-fat spreads, apple butter and all-fruit jellies.
Do you want to tighten the budget? Focus on the waste you've discovered. Do you buy grapefruit (because your
mother did and it's such a (Donna Reed/Beaver's Mom breakfast item) only to toss the shriveled husks, months later?
Are you overbuying milk, or cheese, or meat? If you've tossed it out today, make a note to yourself to buy less--if any
--on your next shopping trip. Have family members come to expect weekly cases of soda as a staple, not a treat?
Cut back, and substitute fruit juices and iced tea for those high-priced soft drinks.
When the dust has settled and you've taken a good, hard, productive look at the evidence unearthed from your
refrigerator, it's time to replace the few food items that survived your scrutiny.
Done correctly, the New Year's Spearing of the Great White Whale should all but empty the refrigerator. Don't be
afraid of that stark look! A refrigerator (unlike a freezer) is most energy-efficient when it has adequate air flow.
Gather or purchase a few little presents for your new, gleaming food storage space.
Consider small-to-medium plastic baskets (with flat bottoms) to corral loose margarine sticks, and support and
organize floppy packs of lunch meat and sliced cheese.
Larger baskets subdivide your vegetable crisper and frustrate self-destructive, neurotic vegetables whose only motive
in life is to burrow deep beneath the plastic bags and rot in peace.
Finally, arrange your storage space to promote good eating habits. Pile apples and oranges in an open basket on an
open shelf--if they're seen, they're more likely to be eaten! Stick the big, bad, greasy cooking margarine in the far
reaches of the meat drawer, so you won't be tempted to bypass your low-fat spread. Use zipper bags to hold washed
vegetable snacks, and put them in a special basket in the crisper, easy to see and to reach.
When the I speared my own, my very own Moby Dick The Great White Refrigerator, I
was so energized by the sight of the gleaming, empty, healthy and frugal contents that I
moved on to her pantry! Such a step is only for the valiant, but when the iron strikes,
toss! Dare to dump the sack of stale gumdrops, the sticky candy canes, the six boxes of
opened cereal with year-old code dates, and the dusty boxes of bulgur and lentils and
barley (remnants of an impractical but impassioned health kick).
You'll feel good. You'll make room. You'll promote health.
If you're like me, you'll spend the next two days sneaking admiring looks at your
gleaming, well-organized refrigerator. It may not be glamour, but it's life!
Nicole Detra Outreach Coordinator
Stop Incontinence From Sabotaging Your Life!
Incontinence can be especially frustrating during the summer months, when activities and events
are more often held outdoors, and donning fewer articles of clothing is the norm. Answering the
unexpected call of Mother Nature, while spending time in nature, can be a challenge. Not to
mention that wearing protective undergarments underneath a bathing suit or a pair of shorts is a
tricky endeavor. But there are some steps you can take to make living with urinary incontinence
more bearable during the warm weather:
Scout the location: Whether you're just taking a day trip, or embarking on a week-long vacation with your loved
one, identify places to take a pit stop along the way. Scheduling bathroom breaks every two to four hours can help
avoid accidents. If you aren't familiar with the area, there are new tools that can help you find the nearest toilet. The
aptly-named "SitOrSquat" app is a free smartphone application that will search for suitable restrooms along your
route. You can filter out facilities by cleanliness (past users say whether they were able to "sit" on a clean toilet or if
they were forced to "squat" over a dirty one) as well as by handicap accessibility, and whether you have to pay to
pee.
Stay away from smoking: Not only does the act of smoking contribute to an overactive bladder, simply being in the
vicinity a smoker can add to incontinence woes if it causes excessive coughing and sneezing.
Beware certain beverages: Staying properly hydrated is actually a key component of preventing incontinence and
drinking enough water is especially important while spending time outside during warmer weather. But there are
some beverages that are better left untouched by those with an unreliable bladder. Alcohol, coffee and tea should be
avoided as they can all irritate the bladder. Water is the ideal drink. There's no one-size-fits-all recommendation for
how much water a person should imbibe each day, so play around with different amounts until you find the ideal
daily intake.
Find the right fit: There are a multitude of options available for people who grapple with incontinence but still want
to wear shorts or take a dip in the pool on a warm sunny day. Finding an adult diaper with the right fit and
function sometimes requires a bit of trial and error. The following list of incontinence products can help you explore
some of the available options.
Stick to a healthy diet: People who are overweight are more likely to experience problems with incontinence, so
eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise are two key essentials for keeping the condition at bay.
Fiber is especially important for preventing constipation, which can exacerbate urinary incontinence.
Always be prepared: Planning ahead for what to do in the event of an accident can alleviate anxiety and allow for a
more stress-free outing. Make sure you've packed enough pads, diapers, wet wipes and extra clothes to get through
any unforeseen incontinence episodes.
A common condition
Many consider incontinence to be one of the inevitable nuisances of aging and the process does certainly play a role.
More than half of Americans over 65 experience some form of incontinence (either urinary or bowel), according to a
new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A person's risk of developing an overactive bladder increases with their years. This is especially true for postmenopausal women since the drop in estrogen levels that accompany menopause contributes to tissue degeneration in
the urethra and bladder.
But issues with involuntary leakage aren't only instigated by the advancement of years. The list of potential
incontinence causes is lengthy—diabetes, stroke, neurological conditions, cancer, a poor diet, urinary tract infections,
pregnancy and childbirth, constipation, prostate conditions and bladder stones. Some of these contributing factors are
reversible, but some are not. Learn more about the four different types of urinary incontinence and discover additional strategies for managing incontinence. Aging Care.com
February 2015
Activities
Sun
1
Mon
2 Connection
Club 11am
Fit & Fall 11am
Trip to Hunger
Coalition 3pm
8
9 Connection
Club 11am
Fit & Fall 11am
Trip to Hunger
Coalition 3pm
15
16
Closed
Presidents
Day
22
23
Closed
Tue
Wed
Thu
3 Caregivers
Mtg.11am
Connection Club
11am
Bingo 1pm
4 Fit & Fall
5 Connection
11am
Club 11am
Kiwanis Lunch 1pm Movie
11:30
Moonstruck
AARP Taxes
1pm-4pm
Afternoon Card
Games 1pm
10 Caregivers
Mtg.11am
Connection Club
11am
Bingo 1pm
11 White Shirt
Day
Fit & Fall 11am
Kiwanis Lunch
11:30
AARP Taxes
1pm-4pm
12 Connection
Club 11am
1pm Movie
Roman Holiday
17 Fat Tuesday 18 Board Mtg.
8:30am
Finance Mtg.
8:30am
Fit Fall 11am
Kiwanis Lunch
Connection Club 11:30
11am
AARP Taxes
Bingo 1pm
1pm-4pm
24 Connection 25 Fit & Fall
Club 11am
11am
Kiwanis Lunch
Bingo 1pm
11:30
19 Chinese
New Year
Connection Club
11am
1pm Movie
What if
AARP Taxes
1pm-4pm
The Connection is available for
birthday parties, memorial services,
meetings, and special events and
catering is also available.
For more information,
call Barbara Espedal
at 788-3468.
Afternoon Card
Games 1pm
Fri
6 Connection
Club 11am
Sat
7
Fit & Fall 11am
Afternoon Games
1pm
Working Naked
Day
13 Connection
14 Happy
Club 11am
Valentine’s Day
Fit & Fall 11am
Afternoon Games
1pm
20 Connection
Club 11am
Fit & Fall 11am
21
Afternoon Games
1pm
Afternoon Card
26 National
Chili Day
Connection Club
11am
Bob Italy Trip
1pm
Afternoon Card
Games 1pm
27 Connection
Club 11am
Fit & Fall 11am
28
Afternoon Games
1pm
It’s Time To Get Healthy and In Shape !!
The Connection has a gym and it’s only $50 a year.
We have treadmills, stationary bikes, an elliptical, weight
bench and free weights. The gym is open Monday thru Friday 8am-4pm. You do
not need to be a senior to join and
your first visit is free!
February 2015
Café Menu
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Tuna
Casserole
Italian sausage,
peppers,
onions,
marinara, basil
pesto pasta
Chili mac
Baked Chicken
Fish & Chips
Creamy polenta
coleslaw
Soup & Salad
8
9
10
11
12
13
Grilled turkey/
Swiss melt
Baked ham
Green chili
pork, tortilla,
Spanish rice
Meatloaf
Baked salmon w/
pomoradoro
sauce
fettuccini alfredo
Potato gratin
16
Closed
Presidents
Day
22
mac-n-cheese
Soup & Salad
Soup & Salad
15
Soup & Salad
17
18
19
Grilled sweet & Shepard’s pie
Oven roasted
sour chicken,
w/ asiago
pork loin, apple
rice
mashed potato
cream sauce,
over roasted
Soup & Salad
potato
23
24
Closed
Chicken w/
mushroom
sauce, roasted
garlic mashed
potato
25
26
Beef stroganoff, Roasted turkey
buttered
w/ mashed
noodles
potato, gravy,
stuffing
20
14 Happy
Valentine’s Day
21
Baked cod w/
lemon butter
sauce,
saffron rice
27
28
Fish tacos,
corn tortillas,
green rice,
black beans
Soup & Salad
Fruit, Bread, Seasonal Veggies, Dessert, Coffee, Milk & Juice served daily with
all meals. On days when fish is on the menu, there will be another choice.
All Meals Exceed 1/3 RDA Daily
All Meals Subject To Change
Milk
Served
On
Request
AARP Free Tax Preparation
Tax Preparation-for low to
moderate income,
all ages welcome.
Every Wednesday starting
February 5th through April 9th
1pm-4:30pm
Please call 1-208-726-5856
to make an appointment.
Leave a message and
phone number;
your call will be
answered in the evening.
This tax preparation
is for state and
federal taxes.
Bring a photo
ID and
Social Security
card.
Ask Gladys

Can people be born with tails? Answer, yes
It’s rare, but sometimes a baby is born with what looks like a tail. It's really extra spinal bones that grew longer
than normal or out of place. A “pseudo tail” may be more common in people born with conditions like spina
bifida. A surgeon can often remove it without problems.

What’s your appendix good for? Answer, it depends who you ask
Your appendix has long been thought of as a bit of a slacker. Some experts think it doesn’t even have a job.
After all, you’d be fine without it. But some scientists think the appendix stores good bacteria until we need
them for digesting food.

If you were born with an extra finger, what digit would it be close too? Answer, next to the pinky finger
It’s pretty common to be born with more than 10 fingers or toes. It’s called polydactyly, and it happens to about
1 out of every 1,000 babies. Extra fingers are usually smaller than normal and may not even have bones in them.
They’re harmless, and they may run in families. Most often, the extra digit is near the pinky. A surgeon can
remove it easily after the child’s 1st birthday.

Why do some people have different colored eyes? Answer, an injury
It’s not unusual for animals to have different-colored eyes, but heterochromia, as it’s called, is rare in people.
G
Too much or too little pigment in the iris of one of the eyes causes it. That can happen because of genes or an
injury to the eye. Web MD
Kim’s: Things YOU Need To Know!
Change is necessary if organizations want to continue to
improve and grow, but change instantly raises resistance from
some people. Change requires a certain amount of faith. Faith
is much easier to believe, and even to preach, than it ever is to
live by.
In my experience, there are at least four major reasons why
change is difficult. Understanding them and identifying with
the resistance of change can assist leaders in helping other team
members adjust to change.
The four reasons are:
It’s unknown –One of life’s greatest fears is the unknown. It causes us to resist those things for
which we cannot easily discern an outcome.
It’s challenging – Change stretches us out of our comfort zone. Some of us like to be stretched
more than other people do.
It’s uncertain – When we change, we are often introducing untested waters. We prefer certainty.
It’s unpopular – The resistance to change is universal. Change invites animosity and tension.












Change never happens without sacrifice
Change is seldom popular with everyone
Change is always occurring…whether planned or unplanned, yet there are things that never
change
It’s easier to introduce change in a culture that embraces change
Change works best with advanced preparation
Change may bring about some of the best things in life
The more you practice change, the easier it gets
All change starts with one step
Fear of the unknown keeps many from embracing change
Refusing to change doesn’t ensure that you won’t have to
The change you are most afraid of is possibly the one you most need
to make
Often you have to change yourself before you can encourage change
in others
Kim Coonis, Executive Director
Health Foods You May Want to Rethink
By Gabrielle Frank
Egg Substitutes; Why You Should Exercise Caution: Many people
choose packaged egg substitutes instead of real eggs to help lower their
cholesterol. These products boast that they’re made up of mostly egg
whites, but after manufacturers remove the yolk, many add back in the
vitamins and minerals found in the yolk of an egg… with other chemicals like natural flavoring,
spices, and more
Bottom Line: If you're concerned about additives, leave the egg substitutes on the shelf and consume a mix of whole
eggs and egg whites. Eggs aren’t as bad for you as you might think.
Cereal and Protein Bars; Why You Should Exercise Caution: Some cereal bars can contain butylated
hydroxytoluene (BHT) or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), which prevents rancidity in fats, oils, and oil-containing
foods. European Food Safety Authority found it to have adverse effects on animals (resulting in liver tumors, reproductive and developmental toxicity, lung cancer and more). Though the FDA still considers these food additives as
"generally recognized as safe," the consumer group, Center for Science in the Public Interest, advises to avoid this
additive when possible. You also may want to be cautious when it comes to protein bars. Some bars can contain soy
protein isolate; the chemical process used to isolate protein from the rest of the soy bean often leaves behind toxic
substances like aluminum, hexane, and nitrites. They can also contain fractionated/hydrogenated palm kernel oil,
which is an unhealthy trans fat commonly found in bars with chocolate or flavored icing.
Bottom Line: Avoid bars that have a long list of ingredients you don’t recognize, especially if you’re eating these
bars every day.
Brown Rice; Why You Should Exercise Caution: Health nuts across the country swap out brown rice for white rice,
thinking it’s the better choice. It may be time to re-think that notion — Consumer Reports recently released
an analysis of arsenic levels in rice and rice products, and the results created a cause for concern. Rice is more
contaminated than other grains because it absorbs arsenic from soil and water more readily. The FDA is currently
researching what can be done about this issue, but in the meantime advises that you eat a well-balanced diet.
Bottom Line: "I would advise caution when feeding brown rice to children," stresses
Dr. Kevin M. Folta, chairman of Horticultural Sciences at University of Florida. "It
could lead to a neurological disorder if they’re eating it every day. Analyze your rice
products with intense scrutiny." Everyday Health
Random Thoughts As We Age

Wouldn't it be great if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes; come out wrinkle-free and
three sizes smaller!

I don’t need anger management. I need people to stop pissing me off!

The biggest lie I tell myself is “I don’t need to write that down, I’ll remember it.”

When I was a child I thought Nap Time was a punishment now, as a grown up, it just
feels like a small vacation!

Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to
change the things I can and the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!

Of course I talk to myself, sometimes I need expert advice.
7 Signs You May Have a Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is incredibly common in the US, but many Americans mistakenly believe they aren’t at risk because they consume vitamin-D-fortified foods (such as milk).
There are very few foods that actually have therapeutic levels of vitamin D naturally and even fortified foods do not contain enough vitamin D to support your health needs.
Despite its name, vitamin D is not a regular vitamin. It’s actually a steroid hormone that you are designed to obtain
primarily through sun exposure, not via your diet. The only way to know for sure if you’re vitamin D deficient is via
blood testing. However, there are some signs and symptoms to be aware of as well. If any of the following apply to
you, you should get your vitamin D levels tested sooner rather than later.
You Have Darker Skin; African Americans are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency, because if you have dark
skin, you may need as much as 10 times more sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as a person
with pale skin! As Dr. Holick explained, your skin pigment acts as a natural sunscreen, so the more pigment you
have, the more time you’ll need to spend in the sun to make adequate amounts of vitamin D.
You Feel “Blue”; Serotonin, the brain hormone associated with mood elevation, rises with exposure to bright light
and falls with decreased sun exposure. In 2006, scientists evaluated the effects of vitamin D on the mental health of
80 elderly patients and found those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 11 times more prone to be depressed
than those who received healthy doses.
You’re 50 or Older; As mentioned, as you get older your skin doesn’t make as much vitamin D in response to sun
exposure. At the same time, your kidneys become less efficient at converting vitamin D into the form used by your
body and older adults tend to spend more time indoors (i.e. getting even less sun exposure and therefore
vitamin D).
You’re Overweight or Obese (or Have a Higher Muscle Mass); Vitamin D is a fat-soluble, hormone-like
vitamin, which means body fat acts as a “sink” by collecting it. If you’re overweight or obese, you’re therefore likely
going to need more vitamin D than a slimmer person — and the same holds true for people with higher body weights
due to muscle mass.
Your Bones Ache; According to Dr. Holick, many who see their doctor for aches and pains, especially in
combination with fatigue, end up being misdiagnosed as having fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. “Many of
these symptoms are classic signs of vitamin D deficiency osteomalacia, which is different from the vitamin D
deficiency that causes osteoporosis in adults,” he says. “What’s happening is that the vitamin D deficiency causes a
defect in putting calcium into the collagen matrix into your skeleton. As a result, you have throbbing, aching bone
pain.”
Head Sweating; According to Dr. Holick, one of the first, classic signs of vitamin D deficiency is a sweaty head. In
fact, physicians used to ask new mothers about head sweating in their newborns for this very reason. Excessive
sweating in newborns due to neuromuscular irritability is still described as a common, early symptom of vitamin D
deficiency.
You Have Gut Trouble; Remember, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means if you have a gastrointestinal
condition that affects your ability to absorb fat, you may have lower absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D
as well. This includes gut conditions like Crohn’s, celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and inflammatory bowel
disease. realfarmacy.com
Can vitamin C improve your mood?
Studies of hospitalized patients — who often have lower than normal vitamin C levels — have found that they
experienced an improvement in mood after they received vitamin C. The link between vitamin C and mood may
seem surprising, but it's not so far-fetched. People who have vitamin C deficiency often feel fatigued or depressed. Plus, some studies show that vitamin C can have mood-elevating effects. So it makes sense that vitamin C levels could
affect mood — but more research is needed. In the meantime, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C. If you also
take a supplement, try not to exceed the upper limit of 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day. As always, talk to your doctor first
before taking any supplement. Mayo Clinic
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Celebrating Valentine's
Day with your loved one,
no matter what their
health challenges.
According to gerontologists,
nearly 80 percent of adults age
65 and older are living with a
chronic illness. Fifty percent
have at least two. While some of the most common of these,
such as high blood pressure or arthritis, are not necessarily
life threatening, they can still put a crimp in one's love life.
Sometimes the spouse of the person who is ill assumes the
caregiver role, which can cause a big change in the couple's
dynamic. And for those whose illnesses have gotten so bad as
to require moving to a skilled nursing facility, maintaining
intimacy also can be quite challenging. The good news is that
with a little patience and understanding, you can still enjoy
romance and continue building a loving relationship, even in
the midst of health challenges.
Be willing to be completely honest about your feelings.
Communication is key to every successful relationship and it
becomes even more important when a chronic illness is part of the
package. It's important to be willing to share your emotions about
the changes that are happening in the relationship. If physical
touch is no longer comfortable for you or your loved one, discuss
other ways to practice intimacy and ensure each partner's needs are
being met. Try light caresses on the hands and feet.
Take advantage of time when pain is at a minimum. Sharing one's
feelings with another person is, in itself, an act of intimacy, and
can help your connection grow even at this difficult time.
Reminisce about the good times. When the going gets tough, take
some time to remember some of the good times you've shared.
Discuss with each other what made you fall in love in the first
place.
Get help. Ask friends and family members to provide some assistance with daily chores that may now be too difficult to
manage alone. Getting help with the daily activities of living will
allow you and your loved one to concentrate on each other and
create special time that will enhance your ability to be romantic.
Take care of yourself. For the caregiver, it’s important to take
some "alone time" and treat yourself to a favorite hobby or
pastime, whether that's going out for coffee with a good friend or
taking some time to read a book or watch TV. If you never feel
"off duty" when your loved one is home with you, consider
seeking short-term care from a licensed care facility.
Practice gratitude. This is always a challenge when you're faced
with the pain and sorrow of a chronic illness. But it's
important to celebrate the good things in life. For instance, if you
have a day with less pain than the day before, celebrate and allow
yourself to be happy. If you're able to still smile at a grandchild's
laugh or a spouse's loving glance, give thanks! The more time you
spend in gratitude, the less time you'll spend in pain and regret.
Aging in Stride
Happy Valentines Day
February Movie Line-up
Thursdays 1pm
Popcorn & Movie $1
In this slice-of-life comedy
about the Italian American
residents of a Brooklyn
neighborhood, a strong widow
falls in love with
a one-handed baker
Princess Ann leaves her guardians, and while in Rome, she's
taken under the wing of tabloid
writer Joe and his photographer
sidekick. She thinks the boys
don't know who she really is,
but they're onto her -and sense
a sensational story.
When greedy executive Ben Walker's
new ride breaks down, an angelic
tow-truck driver
offers to show where Ben's
life might have gone.
ARMCHAIR TRAVELING
With Bob Hawley
A 40-minute tour through Northern Italy
Journey with local photographer Bob Hawley from
Lake Como to Venice, Florence, Siena, Cinqueterra
and on to Milan.
Is “AGING IN PLACE”
Important To You And Your Family
Did you know that The Connection is
Medicaid Certified and we are currently
accepting Medicaid clients for in-home
care? We offer a variety of services
that can help you right in the comfort
of your own home.
Call today for your Personal Care Assistant
208-788-3468
721 Third Ave. S. Hailey, Id. 83333
Insurance Specialists Is Offering
Informational meetings to talk about changes
in Medicare and free evaluations of Medicare
supplements that work for you.
We are available for individual
appointments as always.
Hailey Office:
416 S. Main Street, Suite 204
(208) 788-9209
This three week trip was an experience in Budget
Traveling. All accommodations (for three people) were
made on the internet four months before the trip began.
The average cost per person per night was about $40.00
Experience the breathtaking
history and beauty of
Northern Italy.
Thursday, February 26th,
1pm in the theater room.
Agent:
Michelle Sandoz
721 Third Ave S.
PO Box 28
Hailey, Id.
(208)788-3468
DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH
FOOD? The Hunger
Coalition is here to help.
If you are having difficulty
putting food on the table,
call us today! We value your
privacy and treat
everyone with dignity and
respect. 788-0121.
www.thehungercoalition.org
The Connection bus makes a
trip to The Hunger Coalition
every Monday at 3pm;
call 788-3468 if
you need a ride.
Students form the Wood River Middle School GATE
program raised $80 for The Connection. From left to
right: Rosa Closser, Kennedy Larsen, Kim Connis Director, Melanie Schrader (GATE program facilitator),
Paige Olivia Madse. Not pictured, Gaby Barajas.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness!