50plus!

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Flying high6

SUMMER CONCERT SCHEDULE 2 SAAvY SENiOR 3 ADRC 4 FiNANCiAL COLUMN: 5DiSTANCE DOESN’T PREvENT CARiNg FOR LOvED ONES PAUL WALLANDER AARP DRiviNg PROgRAM TO BE HELD 9 A gRAND PLAN: COUPLE ADOPTS SON’S CHiLD TO RAiSE AS THEiR OWN 10 HEALTH COLUMN: 13LEg vEiNS ARE NOT JUST COSMETiCDR. TERRY gUELDNER TEST BABY BOOMERS FOR HEPATiTiS C, SAYS CDC 14 MELANOMA A Big THREAT TO OLDER MEN 14

On the Cover: 6-7 & 9 Flying high Curt Drumm has been involved in putting on the Thunder on the Lakeshore air show at the Manitowoc County Airport since its inception 20 years ago. Aviation is Drumm’s “third career.” Matthew Apgar/50 Plus

Staff Pat Pankratz, 50 Plus! Editor 920-686-2138 ppankratz@htrnews.com

Tami gasch, Advertising Manager 920-684-4433 tgasch@htrnews.com

50 Plus! is published monthly by the Herald Times Reporter. it also is distributed to select businesses in Manitowoc County.

METRO STAgE, WASHiNgTON PARKMANiTOWOCConcerts run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise indicated

June12: Johnny Len - Oldies13: Becky Markvard - Easy Listening14 Marine Band —American Composers

(7 p.m.)19: Mike Retzinger - Acoustics21: Marine Band - Dance Nite (7 p.m.)26: Charley Bucket - variety/Rock27: Jenny Funk - Light Jazz

July3: Spark Plugs - Blues10: Mystic Moods - Oldies11: Dave Steffen Duo - variety12: Marine Band - Disney Kids (7 p.m.)17: Del Rays - Rock ’n Roll 18: River City Six - Dixieland24: Jean Stahl - Oldies26: Two Rivers Marine Band (7 p.m.)31: Rod Scheuer group - Rock

AuguSt1: Monica grudka Combo - Jazz2: Marine Band - Cruiser Night7: National Nite Out - Clipper City8: Mishicot Melody Makers - Polka/Waltz9: MPSD Band Concert - (1 p.m.)14: Doc Retzinger - Acoustic21: Newtonburg Brass Band - Big Band

CENTRAL PARK TWO RivERSConcerts begin at 5:30 unless indicated

June15: Two Rivers Municipal Band/Clipper City

Chordsmen21: Z Brass Quintet - Standards22: Skippy & Dave - ventiloquist (6 p.m.)22: Two Rivers Municipal Band (7 p.m.)28: Brad Klabunde and Mike Tetzrow -

Bluegrass28: Kids’ Night/ Bike Rodeo (6 p.m.)29: Kerry Michaels Project - Acoustic30: Hope Church Praise Team -

Contemporary Christian

July4: Two Rivers Municipal Band - Walsh Field5: Johnny Len - Pop, Country, Religious,

and Standards12: Family Night - Chalk it Up, (6 p.m.)12: Clipper City Chordsmen - Stangel

Memorial Concert, Barbershop Quartets13: Happenstance - Acoustic Rock, Country

& Folk16: Two Rivers Municipal Band (1:30 p.m.)19: Manitowoc Marine Band - Musical

variety26: Lloyd gosz & Lee Alex - variety Show26: Kids’ Night (6 p.m.)27: Two Rivers Municipal Band - Young

People’s Concert

AuguSt2: The Roncalli Singers - a cappella Jazz and

Classical3: Two Rivers Municipal Band - Highlights of

“2006”9: Norm’s Polka Band - Polka10: Mike Retzinger & Joe LaForce - Acoustic

Folk, and Rock16: Two Rivers Municipal Band - Strawberry

Shortcake

18: Street Party on Washington St. with D.J. Advanced Entertainment

20: Skippy & Dave - ventriloquist (5:45 p.m.)20: Lakeshore Wind Ensemble (7 p.m.)30: Senior Center Chorus and Kitchen Band

(6:30 p.m.)

MiSHiCOT CONCERT SERiESMishicot High School grounds, 660 Washington St. Concessions 5:30 p.m., concerts 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated. (in case of rain go to Mishicot Elementary School gym.)

MAy30: Manitowoc Lutheran High School Music

Dept.

June6: Roncalli High Shool Music Dept.20: Baylander Chorus of green Bay27: Sheboygan Pops Concert Band

July5: Rod Scheuer Band11: Dix-Z-Cats18: Two Rivers Municipal Band - glenn

Nelsonm conducting25: The Hits - Featuring “grass Roots”

Member Dennis Provisot

AuguSt1: Romy gosz All Star Reunion Band8: Brass Factory Big Band15: Newtonburg Brass Band & ice Cream

Social22: The Del Rays29: The Dorf Kapelle

Concert ScheduleSummer50plus!

2 . June 2012 . 50 plus!

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DOCTOR viSiT

Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you write a column educating patients on how to prepare for doctor appointments? I manage a number of small health clinics, and have found that patients — especially seniors — that come prepared when they visit our doctors are much more satisfied with the care they receive. Thanks for your help.

Patient educator

Dear Educator:

You’re right. Studies have shown that patients who help their doctors by providing important health information and preparing themselves for appointments tend to get better care than patients who don’t. Here are some simple things we can all do to help maximize our next visit to the doctor.

Before Your Appointment

Gathering your health information and getting organized before your appointment are the key steps to ensuring a productive meeting with your doctor. This is especially important if you’re seeing multiple doctors or are meeting The SAAvY Senior continued on page 4

with a new physician for the first time. Specifically, you need to:

Get your test results: Make sure the doctor you’re seeing has copies of your latest X-ray, MRI or any other test or lab results, including reports from other doctors that you’ve seen. In most cases, you’ll need to do the leg work yourself which may only require a phone call to your previous doctor asking them to send it, or you may need to go pick it up and take it yourself.

List your medications: Make a list of all the medications you’re taking (prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements) along with the dosages and take it with you to your appointment. Or, just gather up all you pill bottles and put them in a bag and bring them with you.

Gather your health history: Your doctor also needs to know about any previous hospitalizations, as well as any current or past medical problems, even if they are not the reason you are

going to the doctor this time. Genetics matter too, so having your family’s health history can be helpful. The U.S. Surgeon General offers a free web-based tool called “My Family Health Portrait” (see familyhistory.hhs.gov) that can help you put one together.

Prepare a list of questions: Make a written list of the top three or four issues you want to discuss with your doctor. Since most appointments last between 10 and 15 minutes, this can help you stay on track and ensure you address your most pressing concerns first. If you’re in for a diagnostic visit, you should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms.

During Your Appointment

The best advice when you meet with

your doctor is to speak up. Don’t wait to be asked. Be direct, honest and as specific as possible when recounting your symptoms or expressing your concerns. Many patients are reluctant or embarrassed to talk about their symptoms, which makes the doctor’s job a lot harder to do. It’s also a good idea to bringing along a family member or friend to your appointment. They can help you ask questions, listen to what the doctor is telling you and give you support.

Also consider taking some notes or ask the doctor if you can record the session for later review. If you don’t understand what the doctor is telling you, ask him or her to explain it in simple terms so

50 plus! . June 2012 . 3

ADRC

By JUDY RANK| for 50 Plus!

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Series PlannedThe Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore (ADRC), and The Alzheimer’s Association are offering a new educational series entitled “Living with Alzheimer’s: for Caregivers.” This workshop will be presented in a series beginning with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and progressing through the middle, and finally the late stages of the disease.

This program is designed to provide caregivers with the knowledge, tools and strategies needed to cope with Alzheimer’s disease. Sessions are at the ADRC, 4319 Expo Drive, and last 60 to 90 minutes. They include:

Part 1 of “Early Stage” 1 p.m. May 30;

Part 2 of “Early Stage” 1 p.m. June 13;

Part 3 of “Early Stage” 1 p.m. June 27.

Upon completing the three “Early Stage” classes, participants will be able to:

Describe the symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease;

Explain legal and financial resource planning that needs to be done now;

Define components of a care team; and

Describe how to successfully work with each component at this stage.

Middle and late-stage presentations will follow on dates to be announced. For more information or to register for the presentations, please contact Lynn at the ADRC at (920) 683-4180.

Market vouchersThe ADRC will once again have Wisconsin Senior Farmers Market vouchers available to eligible participants. Eligible participants must be age 60 or over and have an income of $20,665 a year or less for a single

you can understand. And if you run out of time and don’t get your questions answered, ask if you can follow up by phone or email, make another appointment, or seek help from the doctor’s nurse.

Savvy tip: The National Institute on Aging offers a booklet called “Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People” that provides great information including a variety of questions to ask that can help you be a more informed patient. To get a free copy mailed to you, call 800-222-2225 or visit www.nia.nih.gov.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

The SAAVy Senior continued from page 3

a first-come, first- served basis.

Medicare WorkshopsStaff of the ADRC will be hosting two separate workshops for people turning 65, called Medicare Part A-D. Staff will explain what is meant by Medicare Part A, B, C and D. They will also explain the difference between advantage plans and supplemental insurance.

An evening program will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 13, while a daytime session will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on June 27. Both programs will be held at the ADRC office, 4319 Expo Drive. Please call the ADRC at (920) 683-4180 to register for one of these programs.

Staff of the ADRC wishes everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Judy Rank is executive director of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore.

person, or $27,991 a year or less for a couple.

Eligible recipients will receive $25 worth of vouchers that can be used to purchase only Wisconsin grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at the Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Kiel and Festival Foods Farmers’ Markets, Wilfert Farms, Meyer’s Market and many other places outside of Manitowoc County.

The first distribution schedule is as follows:

Friday, June 1 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the ADRC, 4319 Expo Drive, Manitowoc

Tuesday, June 5 from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at Valley View Apartments, 1485 N. Seventh St, Manitowoc

Tuesday, June 5 from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at Manitou Manor Apartments, 1433 N. Sixth St., Manitowoc

Thursday, June 7 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Two Rivers Senior Center, 1520 – 17th St, Two Rivers

Thursday, June 7 from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. at the Village Green East Apartments, 2401 Polk St, Two Rivers

Thursday, June 7 from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. at the Village Green West Apartments, 2602 Forest Ave., Two Rivers

Friday, June 8 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Reedsville Manor Apartments, 431 Madison St., Reedsville

Monday, June 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Kiel Community Center, 510 Third St., Kiel

Applicants must bring proof of income, Social Security number, and date of birth. Applications will be accepted on

4 . June 2012 . 50 plus!

FiNANCiAL COLUMN

Taking care of an aging loved one is at once rewarding and frustrating. While it gives you peace of mind to know that you are doing everything you can for them, the amount of time and worry that you invest in keeping loved ones comfortable can multiply your stress. Things can be even more difficult when providing that care from a distance.

Nothing is more problematic than ensuring that the finances of your older loved one is in order. Handling someone else’s account requires a great deal of trust and, as a care giver, you don’t want to betray that trust. If your loved ones are unable to reliably pay their own bills, managing their accounts can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Adding this to your own account management so ensuring things are correct and bills are paid on time can take up a lot of your time.

There are options out there that can help you handle financial concerns. One

Distance Doesn’t Prevent Caring For Loved Ones

Paul Wallander is with the Fiscal Concierge, a bill-paying and

financial service in Manitowoc.

The SAAVy Senior continued from page 3

of the safest options is a bill-paying service, which will keep bills organized and paid on-time. A reliable service will also provide the added security of identity theft protection and an annual credit report to make sure your accounts are safe.

Something else that you need to consider is the day-to-day requirements of your loved one. Whether it is grocery shopping, traveling to appointments or simple tasks around the house, there are things that you can’t do for them without physically being there to do them. Look into making arrangements with family or friends who live nearby to help out if possible. Church groups and

Financial Column continued on page 12

50 plus! . June 2012 . 5

Curt Drumm poses in a hangar at the Manitowoc County Airport. Matthew Apgar/50 Plus

By Tara Meissner | 50 Plus Correspondent

WHITELAW — As president of Lakeshore Aviation, 55-year-old Curt Drumm provides world-class Fixed-Based Operator services to local and visiting pilots, promotes Manitowoc County, and supports corporate and general aviation while sharing the joy of flight with all interested in aviation at the Manitowoc County Airport.

This is a third career for Drumm, who first worked in the entertainment industry for about two decades after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree radio/TV/film from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, with minors in business, German and law.

A friendly exchange held over a couple of margaritas and a plate of nachos led Drumm to the skies. He

became friends with a cameraman, Chuck Montomery, who asked Drumm if he flew. Drumm explained he had taken one flying instruction class while working in Dallas as the anchor for a CBS affiliate radio station, but couldn’t afford to — nor had the interest to — pursue it farther at that time. Montomery offered to teach Drumm to fly.

“I absolutely fell in love with flying,” he said.

That first flight was on a Cessna 152 departing from Burbank International, an airport similar in size to Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. The trip took him over the edge of the mountain ranges, into a mountain pass, over the Mojave Desert, and over an Air Force base.

“It was just spectacular. We were either on land looking

at the ocean or over the ocean looking at the coast,” Drumm said of the view from his left-seat flying position. “We stopped at the Santa Barbara Airport and had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the ocean on one side and the airport on the other.”

From that moment, Drumm was hooked. He continued to work as a sales engineer for the largest TV camera manufacturer in the Western United States; Drumm’s clients included executives for ALF, the Golden Girls, Entertainment Tonight, the Academy Awards, Johnny Carson and Barbara Walters. He was flying in blimps for sports networks, and in his off time got his first pilots’ license.

Soon after, Drumm left the West Coast to return to the

Flying high

6 . June 2012 . 50 plus!

Curt Drumm puts his headset on inside a Piper Seneca twin-engine plane at the Manitowoc County Airport. Matthew Apgar/50 Plus

continued on page 9

Lakeshore as executive vice president for his father’s company, Metal Ware, his second career.

“I was brought back to become the heir of the company,” Drumm says. “My goal was to run a company.”

During this time, Drumm earned a Masters Degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His 18-year tenure with Metal Ware included roles as president of subsidiary organizations. In 1997, he began a three-year process of resurrecting a Minnesota-based company from bankruptcy and eventually brought the profitable aspects of the company into Metal Ware.

During that transition, Drumm would spend Monday through Friday in Minnesota and fly himself home for the weekends. He was flying recreationally whenever he could and expanded his flying experience and earned eight additional flying licenses.

It started to become clear to Drumm that his father was not planning to retire, he said.

“Dad as a friend was more important than dad as a boss,” he said. “I had a great time at Metal Ware.”

Having been involved in the Thunder on the Lakeshore air show since its inception 20 years ago, Drumm decided to embark on his third career path, opening Lakeshore Aviation in 2005. The company is a fixed-based operator business entity on the airport

grounds, providing commercial service, rental, sale, mechanics, fuel, and flying instruction.

“When you love what you do, it makes a lot of the other stuff easier,” he said.

He describes the fun as three-fold:

“I get to fly airplanes and wear shorts and flip-flops popping around islands.”

“I get to manage a business using my skills and education to expand it.”

“I am working with a community to help develop the airport as relevant to economic development.”

According to Drumm, the Manitowoc County-owned airport property has 60 acres of developable business property and room for 20 additional hangars.

“The biggest part we do is support corporate aviation, which helps the local economy,” he said.

Lakeshore Aviation has added two hangers, purchased new airplanes, and expanded services including air charters and corporate transportation. Drumm prides himself on employing the “best” mechanics. He is working on an airplane partnership for plane sharing.

50 plus! . June 2012 . 7

CROSSWORD: U.S. gEOgRAPHY SUDOKU

ACROSS1. Felipe _____,

Formula One racer6. Holiday helper9. *This Harvard team

rows on Boston’s Charles River

13. “get _ ____ job!”14. Be a witness15. *East side of

Jersey16. Catherine

Middleton’s new accessory

17. ___ capita18. *Native of Des

Moines19. Like a black-tie event21. *in the middle of the

U.S.23. Often comes before

“out”24. 8 to Caesar25. Rudyard Kipling

novel28. ____-de-camp30. To produce within

35. Black tropical cuckoos

37. Elton John and Bono, e.g.

39. Lined with crystals40. Anything half-moon

shaped41. Brother of a certain

secret order43. Largest continent44. it usually wafts46. Farmer’s storage

47. Short for “dictionary”

48. Navy rank50. Like #44 Across,

this also wafts52. ___ degree53. Birdbrain55. Small

protuberance57. *Steamboat and

Old Faithful, e.g.61. PBS street64. german

submarine destroyer

65. Philosophical system

67. “On a _____ of 1 to 10”

69. Averages70. Water in Paris71. Tiny amounts72. Bent when

genuflecting73. Decay74. Beside, archaic

DOWn1. Dojo pad2. *Like Mohave

Desert3. Popular cooking

method for Ahi tuna

4. Hindu woman’s dress

5. *Mount McKinley state

6. Oscar of sports7. ___ Harvey Oswald8. Nobel-winning

physicist9. grub10. U.S. furniture

maker11. Time periods

12. Moved or exited15. Building side20. Temblor or quake22. Mad King george, or

george ___24. Particular rendering25. *Southernmost point

of U.S.26. Contain the ashes27. King of ancient Crete29. Buenos ____31. Necklace pearl, e.g.32. violinist’s pine resin33. Court order, e.g.34. End of the road?36. 18-wheeler38. Auctioneer’s

exclamation42. Not a soul45. Ends of shoe laces

49. And not51. *Western neighbor

to #5 Down54. Twig of a wil low

tree56. Comes in bits for

salads57. Thick messy

substance58. Jet black59. Yesteryear60. Equal61. Plant fungus62. Friend from Down

Under63. Distinctive

elegance66. ___ Paolo68. *Three ahead of

PST

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that everyrow, column and 3-by-3 box includes all digits 1 through 9. Crossword and Sudoku solutions on page 13.

8 . June 2012 . 50 plus!

SERviCES OFFERED AT LAKESHORE

AviATiON

Aircraft Rental, Sales and Owner Services

Aircraft Maintenance and Storage

Flight instruction in our aircraft or yours

Air Charter, Time Sensitive Freight and Air Cargo

Aircraft Management & Pilot Services

Aerial Photography and Sight Seeing Rides

School Tours & Educational Presentations

FAA, AOPA & Seaplane Safety Seminars

Meeting Rooms with Wi-Fi & video Projection

Pilot Snooze Room & WSi Weather Services

Thunder on the Lakeshore Airshow

Convenient Location for EAA Airventure

Hangar Sites & Business Development Locations

“This business is a job of passion. I had a nice-paying job in L.A. and at Metal Ware,” Drumm said. “I am working to invest in the community.”

Drumm said it’s a lot of work, a lot of hours. Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but it’s great being in the community where he grew up.

“I learned every aspect of managing a business with my dad,” Drumm said.

Drumm lives in Manitowoc with his wife Marisue, who works as a national sales manager with Metal Ware. They have a black lab, Oreo.

Additional information about Lakeshore Aviation, LLC is available on its Website: www.lakeshoreaviation.com.

Tara Meissner is a freelance writer in Manitowoc. She can be reached at 920-860-6957 or tarameissner@yahoo.com.

MANITOWOC — The AARP Driver Safety Program will be offered to seniors and educators at 8:30 a.m. July 25 and Aug. 22 at the Manitowoc Senior Center, 3330 Custer St.

The program is a four-hour classroom course that helps older drivers become more aware of changes that occur due to aging, such as vision, hearing and reaction time, and how to adjust driving

accordingly. It also reviews some of the basic rules of the road. Dick Ruehr, a certified instructor with the Driver Safety Program in Wisconsin, will be the instructor. The program is open to the public, and there are no tests. Class size is limited to 25.

Cost is $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members, and $5 for educators with a coupon. Educators may obtain a coupon at their school office or at www.aarp.org/educators.

To register for the class, call (920) 683-4508 and ask for Penny. To learn more about the AARP Driver Safety Program, including class locations, information regarding the online course, or volunteer opportunities, visit www.aarp.org/drive or call (888) 227-7669.

continued from page 7

AARP DRiviNg PROgRAM TO BE HELD

50 plus! . June 2012 . 9

By COLLEEN KOTTKE Gannett Wisconsin Media

NORTH FOND DU LAC — While people her age are packing their bags to fly to Cancun, Robin Berrett-Paap is packing a diaper bag to go to the pedia-trician. But she certainly doesn’t mind.

As the adoptive mother of her 5-month-old granddaughter, Berrett-Paap is rel-ishing her role as a stay-at-home mom.

“I just love the second time around. I’m so much more patient, interactive and joyful,” she says. “When my son was little, I was a single mom juggling schedules and dropping him off at day-care and rushing off to work.”

Even though she loved her job, Berrett-Paap doesn’t regret the tradeoff.

“I don’t miss going to work. Instead of getting up at 5:30 to get dressed, I’m getting up to get Trinity a bottle,” she says. “I love being able to hang out with her.”

An Easy ChoiceBerrett-Paap and her husband, John Paap, were adjusting to a new chapter in their lives as empty nesters when Ber-rett-Paap’s son and girlfriend presented them with the news that they were ex-pecting a baby.

“They weren’t in a place where they were able to take care of her,” Berrett-Paap says. “We offered them a lot of choices: they could live with us or we could become the baby’s legal guard-ians for a couple of years. But they were thinking of what would be in her best interest over the long-term.”

When the conversation turned toward adoption, the decision was an easy one.

“It was a mutual decision all the way around,” John Paap says. “She was go-ing to be adopted by somebody — and we sure wanted her.”

Paap has been amazed by the outpour-ings of kindness and generosity the couple has received from friends, co-workers and family.

“They knew we had nothing to start with since we had gotten rid of our baby stuff two decades ago,” he says. “We’ve gotten baby swings, tons of toys and

A grand Plan: COUPLE ADOPTS SON’S CHiLD TO RAiSE AS THEiR OWN

enough clothes to get us through the first year.”

Mixed ReviewsThe Paap’s decision to raise their grand-daughter as their own, though, has drawn mixed reviews from some friends and strangers.

“Our friends are accepting and support-ive and sometimes they tease us, asking ’Are you serious? You’re 50!,”’ Berrett-Paap laughed. “Our other children were thrilled for us.”

Paap has gotten overwhelmingly posi-tive feedback from others who have learned of the adoption.

“A lot of people are very happy for us and proud that we were able to do something like this, saying they could never have done what we’ve chosen to do,” Paap says. “But if you’re thrown into a situation and it means that you might not be able to see your grand-daughter anymore, you would probably do it, too.”

Not everyone, however, is as open to the idea of an older woman raising her grandchild, Berrett-Paap says.

“Several times I’ve had people come up to me and ask if I was babysitting,” she says. “Just because I am an older person doesn’t mean that I am not raising this child. There’s this ignorance out there, and because of it we’re treated different-ly, like we’re a temporary parent instead of a full-time parent. I take offense to that; she’s our child.”

A Growing TrendThe idea of grandparents raising their children’s children is hardly a new phe-nomenon, but it is a growing one. Ac-cording to the 2010 U.S. Census, some 4.9 million American children are living with their grandparents. Thirty percent of the children raised by grandparents are 4 years old or younger.

As a former single mother and now as an older parent, Berrett-Paap says there continues to be a difference of opinion of what is a “normal” family unit.

“There’s a lot of prejudice out there toward parents that they perceive as be-ing ’too young’ or ’too old.’ There are so many different family structures to-

10 . June 2012 . 50 plus!

day, this is just one of them,” she says. “Some people even worry about her calling us mom and dad, saying we’ll be confusing her. She’ll call us what she wants to when she’s older. It will be her choice.”

From the beginning, the Paaps have made the decision to address the cir-cumstances of Trinity’s adoption openly and honestly.

“She’s going to know about her adop-tion,” Berrett-Paap says. “The most im-portant thing she will know is that she’s loved by many people.”

Looking Forward

Berrett-Paap says she’s eagerly anticipat-ing the many milestones during the sec-ond act of childrearing, even the tough questions that are bound to come as Trinity grows older and starts school.

“It really doesn’t bother me that I’ll be one of the older parents,” she says. “I know there’s going to be talk behind my back to my daughter â(euro) “ ’Look at how old your mom is!’ or ’Is that your grandma?’ I hope that she has enough (courage) to say ’I’m adopted, and that’s

my mom and dad.”’

While Berrett-Paap fears the estrogen-fueled years of puberty, her husband is looking forward to sharing Trinity’s tu-multuous teen years.

“I was divorced when my children were young teens so I didn’t get to be a part of all that,” Paap says. “You know that old saying about if you could only do it all over again? Well, here it is.”

gRANDFAMiLiESAccording to new u.S. Census data, an increasing number of grandchildren rely on grandparents for the security of a home and parenting.

Across the u.S., 4.9 million chil-dren or 7 percent under the age of 18 live in grandparent-headed households, up from 4.5 million in 2000. Approximately 20 per-cent of these children have neither parent present and the grandpar-ents are responsible for their ba-sic needs. this is a decrease from 2000, when approximately one-third lived without parents.

50 plus! . June 2012 . 11

Distance Doesn’t Prevent Caring For loved Ones Continued from page 5

senior organizations in the community may also be available to lend a hand when necessary. Regardless, be sure that the help is coming from individuals and organizations your loved one is comfortable with.

One of the most difficult things to arrange is the creation of an overall plan in case of an emergency. Things can happen at the most unexpected times, but enacting a plan to ensure the right numbers are called and the proper medical care is given can lead to peace of mind for everyone. One option would be to compile a book or binder that collects all pertinent information regarding medications, allergies, medical concerns, emergency contact numbers and your loved one’s name and address to have available should a problem arise.

Something else that can be an added concern is keeping your older loved one in their own home. Most adults prefer the freedom of staying their own home, but there are things to think about on if it is in their best interests. Take a look at the house as a livable environment for their current physical state. Consider every room for potential problem areas no matter how small, from stairs to furniture placement, and determine how many problems can be easily removed.

Available assistance also plays a role

in how long they can stay in the home. Determine what needs you loved one has and who can best fulfill them. Also look to friends and neighbors if possible to lend a hand if they are willing. It may be beneficial to look into services that are available to seniors to help alleviate their stress and sources of concern. From physical assistance, such as lawn care and snow removal, there are many options out there at affordable rates to make life easier for seniors.

The medical needs of your aging loved one are best addressed by their health care providers. Speak to doctors, therapists and social workers familiar with your loved one to get a clear picture of their health concerns and needs. Relying only on your loved ones for information leaves too much to chance that they don’t remember details correctly or forget something altogether. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable in providing care.

Through it all, be sure to keep your loved one involved and aware of what you are doing. Don’t forget that all the time and effort you are putting in is for their benefit. Make sure that what you are doing is what they both want and need. All the planning and arrangements come to nothing if they make the person being cared for uncomfortable or unhappy.

Marie Copchunis, an 89-year-old resident of Manitowoc, on May 1 received a 55-year membership pin from the girl Scouts of America during a ceremony at Rahr-West Art Museum, in the midst of a current display commemorating the 100th

anniversary of the girl Scouts of America. Copchunis joined the girl Scouts as an adult and has been a member for over half of the girl Scout’s 100-year existence. The ceremony was held following a potluck lunch at Hannah Home ii in Manitowoc, where she resides. The ceremony was officiated by Denise Schemenauer, right, CEO of Manitou Council of Sheboygan; and Marci Henderson, left, CEO of Badgerland Council of Madison. Standing behind Copchunis is her daughter, Margaret Bailey of Manitowoc, a 40-year member of girl Scouts of America. Submitted

Scouting in Their Blood

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HEALTH COLUMN

Dr. terry gueldner of the Wisconsin Vein Center, Manitowoc,

is a registered phlebology sonographer and a member of the

American Venous Forum and the American College of Phlebology.

Venous insufficiency exists when blood flow in the leg veins flows the wrong way when a person is seated or upright. Normally, blood should flow through leg veins only upward toward the heart and lungs and out of the legs.

Deterioration or damage to the vein wall and delicate one-way check valves inside the vein can lead to reversal of flow and higher backward pressure of blood inside the veins, especially at the ankle. This leads to reversed flow out through side branches, stretching or dilating these branches and also fluid leakage out through the vein wall into the surrounding tissues of the legs and feet. Hence the bulging varicose, reticular and spider veins lead to swelling, restlessness, fatigue, cramping, heaviness and general leg discomfort.

While this may be considered uncomfortable and a cosmetic problem for many, venous insufficiency disorder is a sign and precondition for potentially more dangerous health problems. Left untreated, this condition may result in thickened skin discoloration, often mistaken for infection or cellulitis, open ulcerations or sores near the ankle, painful blood clots in the superficial varicose veins just under the skin or more dangerous and often deadly deep vein clots (DVT), which can break off and travel into the heart and lungs (pulmonary embolism) with deadly consequences.

Thus, the presence of varicose veins is a sign or warning for venous disease and should not be taken lightly. A person who has chronic venous disease and is subject to other risk factors or events is even more likely to form blood clots. Examples of this are long driving trips, air travel or major illness, hospitalization and surgery. Some individuals have a genetic or hereditary (thrombophilic) condition that may predispose to blood clots, making the risks even greater.

That is why trying to correctly diagnose this condition and securing proper treatment is so important. Not only might it save a life, but effective treatment may normalize the flow of venous blood and lessen the risks of

Leg veins Are Not Just Cosmetic

clots, ulcers, swelling and rid the person of unsightly leg problems. Certainly, cosmetic improvement is nice but it is more important to normalize the blood flow and decrease the other more serious consequences.

A fairly simple clinical examination and duplex ultrasound evaluation will identify most problems, allowing for adequate treatment by state-of-the-art methods. Today’s treatment methods are vastly different from prior years due to focused education on the part of interested physicians and newer technology. Treatment is often easier than one expects and usually can be done at a vein center on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia without the risks of deeper general or spinal block anesthesia and their risks.

Return to work is rapid and recovery is swift. Insurance companies are also recognizing this disorder and allowing for coverage in many cases. Venous insufficiency disorder is not just a condition affecting middle age or older individuals. People in their 20s or 30s are also affected, but may not seek help because someone told them that varicose veins are not a health concern, shouldn’t be treated until all pregnancies are completed or that they will just recur afterwards.

This is not the case and one can get the facts by seeing a physician or surgeon who specializes in vein disorders or by searching for information on reputable web sites like www.wivein.com or www.veindisease.com to learn more about this major health problem which affects nearly half of women and a quarter of men. Learn the facts and improve your health and good looks!

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By STEVEN REINBERG | HealthDay

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants all Americans born be-tween 1945 and 1965 — the baby boom generation — tested for hepatitis C.

Most cases of the potentially deadly dis-ease occur in this age group, and most were infected in their teens and 20s and don’t know they are infected, the agency said.

“CDC views this as an unrecognized health crisis and we needed to take a bold action because current strategies weren’t working,” said Dr. John Ward, director of the division of viral hepatitis at CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention.

“The recommendation is for a one-time hepatitis C virus test for all persons born between 1945 and 1965,” Ward said.

Deaths from the virus topped 15,000 in 2007, according to the CDC.

“The great majority of people — 75 per-cent — of the 3.2 million Americans liv-ing with hepatitis C are in the so-called baby boom generation,” Ward noted.

Baby boomers have a rate of infection about five times higher than others be-cause they were young adults before the cause of hepatitis C was discovered in 1989, he explained.

Before that, the blood supply wasn’t screened for the virus, which enabled it to spread through transfusions.

Drug use also is a risk. The virus passes from person to person through shared needles and snorting cocaine, Ward said.

Hepatitis C can be treated with antiviral medications, and as many as 75 percent f those infected can be cured, he pointed

out.

If hepatitis C is not detected and not treat-ed, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.

“Liver cancer is the fastest rising cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and hepatitis C is the major cause of liver can-cer,” Ward said.

The number of new hepatitis C infec-tions has decreased from several hundred thousand a year to about 17,000 currently. Besides screening the blood supply, this decline is attributed to improved infection control in hospitals and public education about the disease, he said.

The current recommendation is to test only people with known risk factors, which include HIV, drug use and people with signs of liver disease. By targeting baby boomers, it’s thought that an addi-tional 800,000 people living with hepati-tis C could be identified and more than 120,000 hepatitis C-related deaths pre-vented, the CDC said.

The proposal will be available for public comment and then finalized later in the year.

Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at New York University Lan-gone Medical Center in New York City, said he supports the proposal.

“Hepatitis C is a real killer. It leads to a lot of cirrhosis and liver failure and need for liver transplants. It’s a subclinical in-fection and it’s often missed until it’s too late,” he said.

More information: For more information on hepatitis C, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/index.htm.

By MARY ELIZABETH DALLAS | HealthDay

Older men have an increased risk of developing melanoma, but most are careless about sun protection and do not know how to properly check themselves for signs of skin cancer, a new survey reveals.

This is particularly worrisome because nearly 132,000 new cases of mela-noma will be diagnosed in 2012, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, which conducted the online poll.

”This survey demonstrates that many men do not protect themselves from the sun when outdoors and that some still believe that sun exposure is good for their health. This is a very troubling combination in light of the fact that the major risk factor for melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet light,” dermatologist Dr. Thomas Rohrer, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Brown University School of Medicine, said in an academy news release.

Just 29 percent of men report always protecting their skin outside, the national survey showed. Meanwhile, 43 percent of women take the neces-sary precautions.

Moreover, 39 percent of men said they preferred to simply enjoy the sun and not worry about how to protect themselves from its harmful rays, compared with 28 percent of women.

Although 59 percent of women said they know how to examine their own skin for signs of cancer, the study also showed that just 46 percent of the men surveyed knew how this should be done.

”Men need to examine their skin and see a dermatologist if they spot any-thing changing, bleeding or growing,” Rohrer said.

Fortunately, the researchers noted, the five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is diagnosed and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent.

”The survey results should serve as a wake-up call to men to be vigilant about protecting their skin from sun exposure and examining their skin regularly for skin cancer,” Rohrer concluded. ”Loved ones can assist by examining their partners’ skin and noting anything suspicious. These ex-ams are vital since the early detection of skin cancer helps save lives.”

The academy is distributing public service announcements to television, cable and radio stations nationwide to help raise awareness on how people can protect themselves from skin cancer.

More information: The American Cancer Society has more about skin cancer, http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/SunandUVExpo-sure/skin-cancer-facts.

TEST BABY BOOMERS FOR HEPATiTiS C, SAYS CDC MELANOMA A Big THREAT TO OLDER MEN

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