60 A SPECIAL SENIOR SECTION EIZER times | AUG 2022 Feel young as you You'reasPAGE 2, KEIZERTIMES, 60+ACTIVE, AUGUST 2022 How young do you feel? Me? Mentally, somedays I feel 40, others, I feel 25. Physically I don’t feel anywhere near my biological age (I turn 65 this year). They say that age is a state of mind, which is so true. I don’t cotton to being referred to as a ‘senior’: many people under the age of 70 don’t like it either. Senior these days is not like senior in days of old. A hundred-fifty years ago, when life expectency was not like today, one was old when one turned 40 years old. Life begins at 40, doesn’t it? It cannot be denied that some people are old at 50 and some are young at 90. Where does that come from? We are all a product of our background and experiences. In our younger days we can adopt a philosophy of “Life is sweet.” I think the key to not getting old before you want to is having a healthy sense of curiousity. When we still marvel at the world around us, when we engage and learn from other people our intelluct benefits. Contemporary culture constantly transmits the message that to remain young we must submit to cosmetic surgery, look like a model or a Khardashian. There are people who wear their wrinkles and gray hair as badges of honor— they’ve earned every wrinkle and, by God, they are going to celebrate them. We should endeavor to look our best, shouldn’t we? Unless we have unlimited funds to sculpt one’s body to look years younger, we should let our age flag fly—embrace the physical changes the years bring. You are as young as you feel but that doesn’t mean you have to negate the wisdom you have accumulated. Those of us over 60 years old can impart that knowledge to our younger bretheren—when they ask. We didn’t want lectures from our elders when we were in our 20s anymore than today’s 2o- and 30-year olds. The age you feel is completely up to each of us. After all, age is just a number. Lyndon Zaitz Publisher publisher@keizertimes,.com Age is just a number Opening page FOR EXPERT SKIN CARE, LOOK TO THE VALLEY. Call to make an appointment: (503) 566-2090 5900 Inland Shores Way N, Ste 202 Keizer, OR 97303AUGUST 2022, 60+ACTIVE, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE 3 When you’re organizing your end-of-life affairs, preparing a will is likely high on your list of priorities. What you may not realize is that there are different kinds of wills. A last will and testament is probably what you think of first; it’s a legal directive about how your assets should be handled upon your death. An ethical will, on the other hand, isn’t a legal document at all. It’s a way for you to convey thoughts, life lessons learned, the intentions behind your will and wishes for your loved ones. If you think you’d like to prepare an ethical will, here are some tips from RememberingALife. com, an online resource from the experts at the National Funeral Directors Association, to guide you in the process: Decide on your format. An ethical will can be written, but it can also be delivered via audio or video. There’s not a right or wrong approach; it depends on how you’re most comfortable communicating. One consideration is your comfort level with audio or video editing. Unless you’re confident you can say what you want, the way you want in one pass, you’ll need some basic editing skills to ensure your message is conveyed exactly as you wish. Determine your purpose. Ethical wills can serve many different purposes. You may use it to convey your love and appreciation to your loved ones or to mend fences you weren’t able to while alive. Your ethical will can also be a way to share your values, what you’ve learned in life and your dreams for those you hold dear. It may even be your chance to share the secret ingredient in a beloved family recipe. Gather your thoughts. Drafting an ethical will can be an emotional process, so organizing what you’d like to say ahead of time can help keep you focused. Make notes about the points you’d like to share, adding details or embellishments as you wish. However, take care to avoid saying anything in your ethical will that contradicts your legal will. Start writing. Even if you ultimately plan to record your ethical will, writing out what you plan to say can be a good idea. Remember this isn’t a formal dissertation or award-winning novel, so convey your thoughts freely. Clarity is important, but don’t be afraid to let your personality, humor and other characteristics shine through. Edit yourself. Preparing an ethical will is no small undertaking, and chances are, over time, you’ll want to change or add to your original draft. Take your time and revisit your draft as often as you need to capture everything you want to say. Find more resources to support you and your family in your end-of-life planning at RememberingALife.com. Source: National Funeral Directors Association (Family Features) Creating an ethical willPAGE 4, KEIZERTIMES, 60+ACTIVE, AUGUST 2022 (503) 981-0033 503.584.1961 Contact Us Today, Sleep Better Tonight http://cascadesleepsupply.com/ Keizer-Salem Area Senior Center 930 Plymouth Drive, Keizer Located one block N of Salem Parkway on Cherry Avenue “The Fun Place to Be” Open Mon thru Fri: 8 am to 4 pm 503-390-7441 Visit us at www.ksascenter.com An all-volunteer operated activity center for seniors and their friends. Featuring meals, games, classes, dancing, bingo, pool & clubs. Unique Boutique (open to the public) hours: 10 am to 1 pm, Mon – Fri BREAKFAST ON MONDAYS: 8 – 10 am, incl. juice & beverage, ONLY $5 LUNCH ON TUES – FRI: 11:15 am – 12:15 pm, ONLY $5By JOE VOLZ What is it about money and inheritances that bring out the worst in us? We discovered firsthand how it works from Mary Ann. A relative had asked her to be her power of attorney for both health and financial affairs and the executor of her will. In addition, the relative wanted to draw up her will— and leave the bulk of her considerable estate to Mary Ann. Mary Ann set up an appointment with a lawyer and informed him that she was to be the heir. At the meeting, though, the lawyer said he needed to talk directly with the relative by himself. Mary Ann was taken aback, but admitted that was the right procedure. When he emerged from that meeting, he explained that the terms of the will had changed to leave the estate to nieces and nephews with a bequest to Mary Ann. Mary Ann, who had devoted a lot of attention helping the relative, then told us how she felt cheated out of money that she already had considered hers. That experience is no isolated phenomenon. Since then, we’ve noticed something similar happening whenever people discuss possible inheritances. It’s common for people to feel disgruntled on learning that someone else in the family is getting special treatment. And it isn’t necessarily the poorer members of a family who raise objections. In one case, the wealthier members of a family complained bitterly when they discovered that a sibling was getting a benefit that would diminish their share of the inheritance. And it made no difference to them that the sibling receiving extra consideration was the one who was providing the bulk of the caregiving to their aging parent. So what can we do to ward off those ungenerous feelings? The first thing to do is to remind yourself to be aware of the way normally generous people can react when inheritances are in the ong. Awareness is at the heart of changing behavior. There are other things to keep in mind as well: • Remind yourself that those arranging their estate have a right to distribute an inheritance any way they want. • Try to understand the reasons why another family member may be getting a larger inheritance. Does that person have special needs? Or has he or she provided special services? • Stomp on the thought that you have a greater claim than other members of your family. It’s likely all your siblings feel the same way. • Don’t get into squabbles with other family members about why you deserve more than they do. It’s counterproductive. A further caveat: In this age of people living longer and adult children being scattered far away, often a single member of a family has the major responsibility to care for a parent or other relative during the last years of their lives. In one family, that person is Martha. For years she has been closely involved with her parents as they grew older. The first time was for her mother, who developed dementia in the last few months of her life. Several years after her mother’s death, Martha took on a similar role as her father’s health deteriorated. It’s only through her constant caregiving that he can remain in his long-time home at the age of 94. Without Martha, much of her father’s finances would be doled out to hire people to help him cope. Even given Martha’s ongoing devotion to their father, some of her siblings are distressed that their father is leaving a special provision in his estate to Martha. One has even convinced himself that she has put undue influence on their father to favor her in his will. Now, we’d like to think that if we ever found ourselves in a similar situation that we would act differently; that we would assure our parent that we thought it only fair for the caregiving sibling to receive a greater part of any inheritance. But we’ll admit it might be easier said than done. There’s something about inheritances that brings out the green-eyed monster in all of us. (Creators Syndicate) AUGUST 2022, 60+ACTIVE, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE 5 Aging lifestyles Inheritances make mischief It’s common for people to feel disgruntled on learning that someone else in the family is getting special treatment. PUBLISHER & EDITOR Lyndon Zaitz publisher@keizertimes.com ADVERTISING Robin Barney advertising@keizertimes.com 60 A SPECIAL SENIOR SECTION EIZER times | AUG 2022PAGE 6, KEIZERTIMES, 60+ACTIVE, AUGUST 2022 in being staff ed better than any other senior living community WE TAKE PRIDE 1165 McGee Ct NE • Keizer, OR • VillageAtKeizerRidge.com C o m e S ee th eFinestinSe ni or L iv i n g C AL L(503)390-13 00AUGUST 2022, 60+ACTIVE, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE 7 Have you figured out ways to keep things cool indoors this summer without sending your utility bills through the stratosphere? If you could use some help in that regard, here are some tips, tricks and great ideas that will help you stay cool without burning a hole in the budget. Ceiling fans Use ceiling fans liberally. It costs less than $5 a month to run a high-eciency ceiling fan at high speed for 12 hours a day (assuming a cost of 14.2 cents per kWh, the U.S. average), according to the Energy Use Calculator at bls.gov. Your home will feel about 7 degrees cooler simply because the air is circulating effectively. And that means your air conditioner will not have to work as hard to keep things comfortable. Avoid using the oven During the hot summer months, it’s wise to come up with meals and preparations that won’t require using the oven. Instead, consider your slow cooker or Instant Pot. Opt for more salads. Make salad as the entree. Whole house fan A whole house fan (not to be confused with an attic fan) is installed in the attic and designed to ventilate the house whenever the outdoor air is cooler, typically after the sun sets, making it possible to turn the air conditioner off at night. Cover the windows Drapes, blinds and shades are all very effective in reflecting the sun’s heat. White blinds, as opposed to taupe or similar color, do an even better job. But they won’t do a lot of good unless you draw and lower the window coverings early in the morning before the house heats up. Consider blackout curtains or drapes. Because of the woven fabric, blackout fabric prevents the sun’s heat from entering the room as light reflects out because it can’t get in. That keeps the room cool. (Creators Syndicate) From digital payments to video banking, the way consumers conduct basic financial transactions has changed substantially throughout the past decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated the trend toward digital banking. However, brick-and-mortar bank branches continue to play an essential role for many consumers when it comes to important financial conversations. Industry experts say more changes are coming down the pike to meet consumers’ evolving needs and to provide the right mix of digital tools and experiences, with more personalized human interactions at brick-and-mortar bank locations. Leading the charge in implementing some of these changes is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, PNC, which is embarking on a multi-year conversion of its retail branch network in response to feedback and insights gleaned from its customers. Between May 2022 and the end of 2026, more than 60% of its 2,600 branches nationwide will convert to a new format. Basic financial transactions will begin to be completed using automated or self-service solutions, such as ATMs and video banking, freeing bankers’ time to hold more in- depth conversations and truly engage with customers in offering financial advice, expertise, and solutions to help them meet their financial goals. “We remain committed to making a positive difference for our customers and communities, and to helping all move forward financially,” says Kevin McCann, retail growth and innovation executive for PNC. “We believe the balance we will be striking between physical and digital banking will allow us to meet our customers where they are by providing that sweet spot of convenient digital tools and meaningful side-by-side personal interactions.” Those who are less comfortable with the latest technologies and who may be feeling anxious about these changes can put their concerns aside, according to McCann, who notes that bankers also will be available to spend time helping customers understand the digital tools available to them, within and outside of the branch. To learn more about the evolution of branch banking, visit www.pnc.com. At a time when both physical facilities and digital tools are critical to banking customers, a new way forward is emerging. (Statepoint) What you need to know about the future of in-person bankingPAGE 8, KEIZERTIMES, 60+ACTIVE, AUGUST 2022 By DOUG HANSEN America’s emergence from pandemic restrictions has resulted in record levels of interest in travel in general and cruising in particular. But many travelers continue to worry about the potential health risks in this unpredictable post-COVID-19 period. Perhaps an account of the15-day Panama Canal Cruise my wife, Sharen, and I recently took with Holland America will help to put their minds at ease. The cruise started in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and ended in San Diego, California, with ports of call in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico. We shared the 2,200-passenger Eurodam with about 1,000 people, mostly over the age of 60. Fortunately, neither of us got COVID-19 from the cruise, nor did we hear any reports of outbreaks during the journey. One of the reasons we felt comfortable enough to embark on this cruise was the rigorous attention to COVID-19 prevention demonstrated by company procedures and Holland America’s crew. No one was allowed aboard the ship without proof of full vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test. Crew members wore face masks at all times, but even though passengers started off with good intentions by wearing masks everywhere for the first couple of days, by the end of the voyage the masks were mostly gone. I observed crew members cleaning and sanitizing public areas, such as handrails on the staircases, twice a day. Hand-sanitizing stations were placed by the entrances to all restaurants and anywhere where people congregated. Social distancing, however, was not often feasible, especially in restaurants or on tour buses. Except for Mexico, however, almost all of the shops we visited required face masks. The cruise itself was the fulfillment of my lifelong desire to see the Panama Canal first-hand. For almost an entire day I reveled in watching the Eurodam approach, enter and depart the 12 locks along the “old” canal. A newer, larger canal is used only by much larger ships. After learning about the magnitude of the obstacles involved in this construction project, I realized that the canal project represents one of the greatest engineering achievements in human history. Each mile of the canal meant many lost lives and untold misery for the workers. An estimated 25,000 workers—600 per mile — died while working on the project. The five countries and seven ports on our itinerary provided a good introduction to varied Latin American cultures, starting with the 500-year-old Colombian city, Cartagena. Braving the high heat, we explored the Old Walled City, where the impact of the centuries- long Spanish presence was evident in thick city walls, Spanish-style churches and colorful colonial architecture. The city’s so-called “port oasis” must rank as one of the world’s most unique: When leaving or returning to the ship, we had to pass through a miniature rainforest filled with free-ranging monkeys, iguanas and dozens of blue and scarlet macaws. We opted for a pleasant float trip in Costa Rica, during which we observed a number of howler monkeys in the trees that bordered the river, along with prehistoric-looking Jesus Christ lizards, so called because they appear to walk on the water as they escape across the river. A nice lunch afterward by the river wrapped up our half-day adventure. Guatemala is a fascinating country with towering volcanoes, a world-famous lake (Atitlan) and an authentic Mayan culture with rituals from the distant past still being practiced today. Antigua is one of the country’s most popular cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so we chose a self-guided walking tour of the city. A powerful earthquake in 1773 destroyed most of Antigua, and as a result there are still many colonial-era structures in ruins. Nonetheless, the city’s colorful buildings and spectacular volcano views attracts many tourists. Those who chose the Mayan ruins tour were fortunate to have observed an ancient Mayan healing ceremony in the park during which a shaman placed offerings to the gods around the smoky fire. A post-COVID cruise through the Panama Canal The Holland America Eurodam is docked in Huatulco, Mexico. Photo/Doug HansenAUGUST 2022, 60+ACTIVE, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE 9 MON–THU: 10am–8pm FRI–SAT: 10am–9pm SUN: 10am–6pm KeizerLiquor.com 5021RiverRdN 971.273.0456 Oregon’s Premier Liquor Emporium Voted “Best Liquor Store in the Willamette Valley” Lunch and LearnWebinars Every 3rd Wednesday @ 12:30pm to 1:30pm Register online now! www.futureproofyourretirement.com Joy McMurchyAlisha MackJacquie Walter Meet the Future Proof Team Future Proof Your Retirement Midlife planning for late life success! • What age should I start preparing and executing plans for my financial future? • Why is not having a financial plan something that should concern me? • What is covered by Medicare, when should I apply, and what financial expo- sure am I left with? • What will my Health Care costs be when I’m ready to retire? Am I prepared for that? • How much do I know about Long Term Care, the different types of care, and when it’s time to look for care? • Can I pay for Long Term Care or Home Health Care when I need it and still leave money for my family? What age is the best age to buy Long Term Care Insurance? • What is involved with Estate Planning documents and why are they important? Critical questions we can answer for you: Free Resources to get you on the right track for your retirement Of the four ports the ship visited in Mexico, I particularly enjoyed Huatulco with its nine bays and 36 sandy beaches. Our land-and-sea excursion gave us a good overview of the area, and for beach-lovers this is the place to be. Having seen the old part of Puerto Vallarta several times before, we chose a four-wheel-drive tour of the countryside, stopping at a small village before reaching a historic tequila factory where we tasted six kinds of tequila, learned about how the beverage is made and had an excellent buffet lunch. Our last stop before reaching San Diego was Cabo San Lucas, one of Mexico’s premier tourist destinations. Everything there revolves around the sparkling ocean waters and sandy beaches, so naturally we joined a sailing and snorkeling cruise that took us far down the coast to the best snorkeling spot. The chilly water was a bit too invigorating, but the margaritas and beers from the open bar warmed us all the way back to the port. I was surprised to see dozens of elaborate resorts lining the coast for many miles, a clear indication of how popular Cabo has become. We’re glad we took this cruise. Having protected ourselves as fully as possible with four vaccinations, we decided that it’s time to venture out in the world and regain the feeling of freedom and excitement that comes with discovering new places and people. WHEN YOU GO Holland America Lines: www. hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise- destinations/panama-canal.html or call 1-855-932-1711. Doug Hansen is a freelance writer and photographer. (Creators Syndicate) A local woman greets passengers from the Holland America Eurodam in Cartagena, Colombia. Photo/Doug HansenNext >