Legacy Letters

Centenarian Fulfills Wish to Become Girl Scout

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:00:00 +0000

By Karen Everett Watson Special to the Press Tribune

     Harriet Antonides grew up in rural Michigan – too far from town to join a Girl Scout Troop.
      “I heard about all the great times they had,” said Antonides, a resident of Eskaton Village Roseville. “And I just loved going camping. It made me so jealous!”
     Lisa McCurdy, Eskaton Roseville’s director of resident services got wind of Antonides’ desire and nominated her for “Thrill of a Lifetime.” On April 10, just five days after her 100th birthday, Antonides was invested as a Girl Scout by members of the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council during a presentation at Eskaton Village in Roseville.
     Antonides had a stage view of a vintage fashion show, showing    100 years of Girl Scout uniforms. There was also an investiture ceremony presented by the Scouts, including two of her great-granddaughters.
     “My daughter was a Brownie,” she said. “I think that Scouts teach the girls independence and give them a feeling of self worth.”
      A crowd of 75 people, including numerous news crews and journalists watched as Sarah Rodriguez, 11, and Rebecca Rodriguez, 8, presented their great-grandmother with her sash and pin. Her sash was inscribed with Troop No. 1912, the year the Girl Scouts were founded.
     After the ceremony, Antonides was overwhelmed with questions from the media. When 6-year-old Tiya Tapadiya got her chance to approach Antonides, the young Girl Scout gave her a handmade gift of a “SWAPS.”
     Girl Scout Leader Tammy Hendy explained the gift.
     “It stands for a ‘Special Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned Somewhere’ that the girls make themselves,” she said.
The new centenarian said she didn’t think turning 100 would be such a big deal.
     “They’ve been celebrating my birthday for the past two weeks,” she said. “Once it was here, it turned out to be very exciting.”
Antonides had a large celebration with friends and family.
     Eskaton hosted another large celebration.
Antonides said she doesn’t know why she’s lived so long but believes her “happy life and good genes” might have something to do with it.
     Her advice for living a happy life: “Never look back on things that were bad,” she said. “Always look to the future and never give up!”

What Senior Want and Need - Housing

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:34:00 +0000

Senior Housing Article –

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU CONSIDER A MOVE

By Karen Everett Watson

Seniors are like people in every age group – they have their own ideas about home and happiness. We all are intricately linked to our environment, or homes. Home is the place where we can be ourselves and the structure itself is often a reflection of ourselves and our lives. But, as we grow older, many of us will have to consider moving to another home. The reasons can vary. Yard work and home maintenance might become too much for us to handle. Our physical abilities might change and our home might become harder to live in. We might even suffer a health crisis and need help in our everyday activities of life. We might consider moving to free up the equity in our home.

Whatever the reason, there are a number of things a person should consider before deciding on a move.

The first thing a person should consider before moving is to determine if they can actually stay in their current home. What are the reasons you are considering a move? Make a list about why you are considering a move. Is the house too big? Do you need more help? Do you need your home renovated to make it more livable as you grow older?

Some of these issues can be resolved. If your budget permits, you can find dependable help in the yard and for your home maintenance. If the house is too big but you really want to stay, you can consider having a relative move in with you or a college student who needs housing. Many homes can be adapted to accommodate seniors. Ramps for the entry, grab bars in the bathrooms and kitchen renovations can make a home much easier to live in. You have to consider if these options would make living in your current home feasible. If you check with your county’s Health and Human Services Department, they often offer financial help with home renovation. Home health services are also available through the county and state. The waiting lists are often long but can help you if you’re patient.

But, some seniors just decide it’s time for a change and want to consider what they might need in future years. Here are a few things to consider before deciding on a new home.

What are your current health needs and what services might you need in the future? This is a big issue when it comes to moving. The other big issue is of course money. The location of your doctor and hospital must also be a consideration when contemplating a move.

What’s out there? Here are the current options available when looking for a retirement home.

Golf course and country club communities are often referred to as “active adult” communities. Most don’t offer home services or yard maintenance. If you’re still in your 60’s or early 70’s, these communities might just what you want. The problem is that many senior wait too late to enjoy these communities and end up having to move again to get the services they need after just a few years. Del Webb was the first to develop these communities.

Some of the newest retirement communities may also be designated “active adult.” They offer private home ownership but also have assisted living, independent-living and memory-care accommodations available when needed. In the Sacramento region, Eskaton Villages in Roseville and Placerville offer straight home-ownership with a social center/exercise facility in the community. The villages also have a lodge where assisted living and memory care are available. Maintenance-free yards and outside home maintenance are included in the homeowners’ association dues (HOA’s). The homes are designed for the needs of seniors with no-step entries, wide-door and hallways and many other design elements that make these homes easy to live in. Transportation and home-health services are also available but homeowners only pay for those services when they are accessed. If your spouse or you should need more help, it can come into the home. If memory care or assisted living is needed for one of you, you’ll be able to visit each other at will and without the need for transportation.

Another option can be found in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC’s) which offer care for the rest of your life. Many of these CCRC’s require a large sum of money to be paid up front and monthly fees depending on what residence you choose within the community. Buy in costs range from $20,000 to over $400,000. CCRC’s have independent living (private apartments or cottages), assisted living (usually in apartments), and skilled nursing. As your needs change, you can stay in the same community and just move to where the services fit your needs. There are many wonderful CCRC’s if you can find one to accommodate your financial constraints.

You may just choose to downsize and find a home in a location where you can shop and make doctor’s appointments without having to travel far. Many seniors choose to find a home or apartment in a downtown location where shopping can be done without the need for a car. Restaurants and entertainment opportunities are often found in downtown locations making them very desirable to seniors.

Many communities also have senior apartment living. Some have transportation and help in the home available. Each one is different and you must consider your needs carefully before moving in.

If you or your spouse has health problems that complicate your decision and hiring an elder care manager might help you make a wise choice in housing. The care manager can assess your needs and make recommendations. They are also experts on what is available in home services, housing and health care within your locale. Many times your health insurance has this service available to you and you might not have to pay anything out of pocket.

The internet can be a very useful tool while searching for the right retirement home. If you’re not a computer user, do what my parent do – ask a family member for help. Some of the sites are quite informative and offer photos of the communities. There are many sites dedicated to finding retirement communities nationwide but I found searching for “retirement communities” and then adding the name of my town narrowed the search dramatically. Nearly every community has a good website where you can learn enough to know if you’d like to actually visit. Make notes while you do your search. Decide what services and amenities are most important to you. When you decide to visit a few, take your camera and a notepad. You’ll be given brochures which you can also make notes on.

Here are the topics to make notes on:

Cost of home or rent in a facility – and if it’s a facility – how much can the cost go up?

Services – What services are offered? Landscaping, transportation, security patrols, recreation centers, home health care, housekeeping, meals, are just some of the things you should find out about.

Pets – Some communities welcome pets and some have restrictions.

If you’re considering an independent living facility where meals are included, you should try a meal to see if it’s to your liking.

If you are looking to buy a home, you should find out about the property tax rates. Some counties will allow you to transfer your current tax base to your new home. If you’re moving to a new area, you might also want to understand utility costs.

This process takes time so don’t wait until you’re in a health crisis to be knowledgeable about what is available. Today there are more choices for senior housing than ever before.

Karen Everett Watson is a freelance journalist and a gerontology student at Sacramento State.

Walking the Walk by Riding the Bike

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:56:00 +0000

August 10, 2009

As a future gerontologist, I’m learning about the importance of keeping in shape. Eating right and keeping your weight down all add up to extra years. Exercise is extremely important for living a healthy and happy life. I have not been a good example. At the age of 50+, I went back to college to improve my mind and gain a master’s degree. While going back to classes has been challenging, it is nothing compared to getting my body back in shape.

Recently, I interviewed a very successful Centenarian. He told me that to be really successful, you had to have perseverance. His mentor, Ansel Adams had passed on that life lesson to him. So, I called up Jenny (Craig, that is) and have survived the first three weeks. Nine pounds are now gone from my body – only 120 more to go!

Thinking that a little exercise might speed things up, I embarked on a new endeavor – riding a bike. Now this sounds like a simple thing to do. Just get on the bike and peddle. Oh, but not so for this girl. First I had to dig out the bike from the tool shed, dodging black widows and pulling chords out of the spokes. Once I got it out and detangled, I found both tires were flat. But undaunted, I pushed on.

Once my tires were full of air, I thought my battle was over. I got on the bike, (which I remembered being much easier) and started out for the road. As I approached the end of the driveway, my courage disappeared. I retreated to riding around the circular drive for a few rounds. Okay, I’m ready, I thought to myself.

Once on the country road outside my house, I carefully listened for the morning race cars that frequent our neighborhood. Every bump in the road and pot hole seemed to jump out at me. I approached a little green acorn and suddenly I had a flash of me flying over the handle bars and skidding along the pavement. But I managed to pass the little bugger with no catastrophes.

What is the last thing that you want to encounter as your huffing and puffing only a few yards from your home? Well, that would be a friend driving by. And yes, dear Nancy rolled down her window and waved a friendly hello. “Are you going to make it to the end of the road?” she asked.

Well, I did enjoy the fresh air and seeing the little goats grazing in the fields. The pennyroyal is blooming and had filled the air with a minty fragrance. The clouds were puffy and the bird in abundance.

I learned to huff and puff with my mouth closed – thanks to a few flies and I did survive.

Back to my safe little office. Will I have the guts to do it again? Stay tuned for future adventures.

Family History Stories

Wed, 27 May 2009 21:43:00 +0000

If you're like me, I love to remember the stories my parents and grandparents have told me. I'm especially fond of the time my granny told me about her wedding day. She was 16 and my grandfather (to be) was 32. She didn't want to marry because she didn't really know my grandfather and she felt she was too young. But while her father was away, her mother arranged the marriage. It lasted until my grandfather died and they had 12 children together. Her sister was also there while she told the story and added the details about her wedding dress. When I think about this time, it's like I'm back sitting on my granny's bed next to her old Singer treadle machine. I would hate that story to be lost when I am gone. I've come to the realization that these family stories are some of the most precious gifts I've ever been given. I encourage you all to take the time to talk with your elder family members and write down their stories. You'll be so glad you did. If you need some help, there's great books out there to give you a start. One is by a noted gerontologist named Robert Atkinson called "The Life Story Interview." It's is full of ideas to get you started. Now go out and get those stories!

Tough Times but its all Relative

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:28:00 +0000

Galt, Ca. – My situation in the “economic crisis” is probably very similar to millions of Americans who fall somewhere in the middle of the well-off and the down-right desperate. So far, I still have a job. I’m still able to pay for the expense of owning a home and I’ll still be able to scrape the money together for my taxes (I’m self-employed so this takes some doing). My senior-aged parents have had some trouble with their retirement, but they’ll be okay. Both my son and son-in-law have just lost their jobs, but their young and strong. I believe they too will be alright. Although I’m still optimistic about the future, all the bad news that abounds does make me nervous.

Fortunately for me, my job requires that I interview seniors to write their life stories. The things they have overcome makes our world and this crisis seem like a walk in the park. My last interview was with a regal lady of 101. At 15-years-old, she was kicked out of the house, worked on a farm to put herself through high school where she graduated at the top of her class. She then went on to work as a hospital aid to pay her way through nurses training and then went on to have a wonderful, productive life. It took lots of courage, hard work, strength and sacrifice for her to overcome all the adversity. It made her the person she is – inspirational.

So many of the seniors I have interviewed have stories just as awesome. Many of the women I’ve interviewed who are in their 80’s and older, left their rural homes shortly after high school so they could work for the war efforts. Some had never been out of their home county. They recount how it was difficult to leave their families, but believed their country needed them and were anxious to help.

Nearly all the seniors I’ve interviewed lived through the Great Depression. I’ve asked many how they did it – how they survived. Most of them say something very similar. “You do what you have to,” and “We believed in paying our own way.”

My own maternal grandmother, nearly single-handedly, raised fourteen children – all but one to adulthood. All of her children went on to have good paying jobs and good lives. She made it though without an indoor bathroom, without a car and without any steady means of support. She raised a garden, chickens and pigs. She milked a cow (when she was fortunate enough to have one). She was the family’s only source of medical care and according to my mother and my aunts and uncles, always maintained a positive attitude. Today’s troubles seem very small considering what she went through. And hey – there some of her in me!

I think it is really good for me to hear these stories of courage, sacrifice and faith. It reminds me that everything that doesn’t kill you does make you stronger. I feel we’ve become a nation of whiners. We all have to remember the sacrifices that came before us and the strength of our forefathers. Somewhere inside of us is their courage, ingenuity and resourcefulness.Winston Churchill’s words come to mind, “Never, never, never give up!”

Safety in the Home -

Fri, 22 May 2009 19:55:00 +0000

The most likely cause of senior death by accident is due to falls. Many can be prevented by adapting our homes to be safer. Do you have a loved one who is in their senior years? Do them a big favor and go to the California Department of Aging website and download a Home Safety Checklist. Most of their suggestions are very easy to do and can save a life. Make it a family project and surprise your elder loved one with a home-safety intervention! Pay careful attention to those small throw rugs and clutter in hallways! Buy a number of good night lights. These can also save a senior from falling. Non-skid decals in the bottom of the tub and shower are also great for preventing falls. You'll find many more suggestions on the check list. Your elder will thank you and you'll both sleep better at night.

Elders and Elder Caregiver Issues

Wed, 20 May 2009 19:10:00 +0000

As a gerontology student, I'm learning about the issues of aging and caregiving for elders. Home safety, elder services, health issues, finances, Medicare, Social Security are just some of the issues I am learning about.

Are you an elder or care-giver? What issues are important to you? I'd love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at watson@softcom.net and let me know your story. You will be investing in the education of a future gerontologist!