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THE SILVER LINING To Your Life & Health
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S eeing the B igger P icture
How We Can Benefit from the Challenges We Face
Life doesn’t come without difficulties, but just because those difficulties exist doesn’t mean we should throw in the towel. I take the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” to mean that if you want some of the rewards and gifts life has to offer, you’re going to have to wait out the rain and go through some challenges. To do that, I think you need the right perspective. A client of ours — a woman who was a Medicare recipient — was in the process of getting dentures recently. Dental coverage is a big issue for some of our clientele who receive Medicare, but besides that, this woman was terrified of going to the dentist. Even if the procedure was just a routine cleaning, she needed anesthesia. Most dentists don’t have that option for patients only getting extractions, so I had to refer her to one who did. It would make the procedure more expensive, which was problematic since she was a Medicare recipient and her dental coverage was limited. It pained me to see that this woman was so paralyzed with the fear of going to the dentist that she jeopardized her medical coverage. Now, I don’t want to sound unsympathetic, but I do believe that this woman’s fear of
the dentist was all in her head. If she could have overcome her fear of dental checkups, maybe by reframing the way she thought about it, she might not have had to overspend on her procedure. I don’t mean to make it sound like it is easy, but the fact of the matter is that my client needed dentures, and there was a necessary process in place that she did not want to go through to get them.
WHEN I’M FACING A CHALLENGE, I LIKE TO LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE. I TRY TO THINK ABOUT THE GOOD THAT WILL COME FROM A DIFFICULT SITUATION.
–Duane Hamilton 1 770-744-1855 through a process. You can’t get to the top step without navigating the step right in front of you, and it all starts with changing the way you think. There are days when the number of customer service calls that I have to make overwhelm me. One day, I was expressing my frustration to my mother, and she told me that I should think of each call as an opportunity to generate a referral. If I am kind and helpful with a customer, it could earn me more customers. It’s still not my favorite thing to do, but thinking about customer service calls in terms of the rewards that could come from them helps me get through each challenge. If we want to get from point A to point B, you’ll still have to go
We all have challenges we don’t want to face or aspects of our lives that we would rather do without, but when they are unavoidable, we often have no choice but to go through them. I think about how it rains during the winter months in Atlanta, and people will complain about how cold it is. I don’t think we could enjoy the sunny weather as much without the cold, and even though the rain is dreary, I like to think of it as God’s way of washing away impurities in the environment, and that’s something that we can’t do ourselves. When I’m facing a challenge, I like to look at the bigger picture. I try to think about the good that will come from a difficult situation.
mechanical shark stopped working several times, and filming on the water led to a lot of equipment damage. Despite this, the movie went on to gross nearly $500 million, and — perhaps more significantly — it began a trend that still stands today: the summer blockbuster. ‘Dirty Harry’ While the ‘50s and ‘60s glorified almost impossibly good heroes, the ‘70s glorified the antihero. These troubled protagonists arose in a broken system, and instead of playing by the rules, they would go outside the law to do what they thought was right. Not many characters represent this better than Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan. Whether or not audiences agree with Clint Eastwood’s character’s actions, the movie still resonates today and paved the way for all the rule breakers to come. company like Microsoft or Apple. Then, they’ll tell the victim there is a problem with their phone or computer and that if they cooperate with the “tech support” representative, they can sort it out with no problem. They may also ask you to install a piece of software on your device or provide credit card information to “validate your software.” The fact is that well-known tech companies will never send unsolicited emails to ask for your personal or financial information, and they definitely won’t ask you to install some shady software on your computer. If you ever receive a call out of the blue from “Microsoft,” hang up the phone immediately. The first step to stopping these criminals in their tracks is to be aware of their tactics. With these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be able to defend yourself and your bank account effectively.
Advanced Fee Fraud The most common con in 2017 and 2018 was the classic “You’ve won a sweepstakes!” scam. Victims are told they’ve won some exorbitant amount of money, but they must pay a fee to receive the prize. After the “fee” is paid, victims receive a fake check in the mail, but by the time it bounces, the scammers are gone and they’ve taken the money. If you ever receive a contract from an unknown entity out of nowhere, you should start seeing red flags. Unless you remember entering a contest, there is no chance you’ve won something. And it’s vital to understand that it is never safe to give out financial information over
Scamming older adults has become big business. According to the American Journal for Public Health, an estimated 5 percent of seniors are hoodwinked by criminals every year, and that statistic is thought to be a steep underestimate since so many scams go unreported. To stem the tide of seniors unknowingly giving $36 billion to scammers annually, it’s important for retirees and their loved ones to get savvy on the subject. Here are the two of the most common scams older folks fall prey to — and how to avoid them.
the phone or via email. Computer Software Service Fraud
This type of scam is slightly more sophisticated. First, a hacker will call a victim and claim to be a member of a tech support team or an employee from a trusted
Rebels and Visionaries
The 1970s were turbulent, and it showed in the decade’s most popular films. Gone were the grand set pieces and unrelenting optimism that marked the films of previous decades. As the ‘70s kicked off with the U.S. deep into the Vietnam War and the hippie youth movement, movies began to reflect the disillusionment and rebelliousness of the time. Directors rebelled against studios for creative control, and some established themselves as legends in the process. They might not have been optimistic, and their production might have been a little rocky, but some ‘70s films have become beloved classics today. Here are a few of them and why they are significant. ‘The Godfather,’ Part One You would be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t seen or at least heard of “The Godfather” movies. Francis Ford
Coppola’s gritty adaptation of Mario Puzo’s book by the same name is constantly in the top 10 on best film lists everywhere. But what you might not know is how much Paramount fought against what the movie would become. Coppola’s decisions to keep the film faithful to the time period and location in the book cost the studio money, and he was in constant danger of being fired if the movie bombed. The movie experienced unparalleled success at the box office, though, and was one example of how success came from studios ceding more creative control to directors. ‘Jaws’ Just like the fishermen needed a bigger boat, audiences in the ‘70s found they should have had bigger expectations for rookie director Steven Spielberg. Another movie marred by production mishaps, this movie seemed dead in the water, quite literally. The
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T he G olden Y ears And Where to Spend Them
When you think of your retirement, what do your surroundings look like? From your porch, can you see the sun setting over a golden beach? Is there a tree-lined hiking path winding along a river on a cool spring day? Is there a bustling city with good food and shopping nearby? While there might not be too many places that have everything you want, some states have quite a bit to offer for retirees at a great value. Here are the top three. South Dakota Besides Mount Rushmore, does anyone who doesn’t already live there really know what’s in South Dakota? According to a poll by Gallup, South Dakota was the top-ranked state in terms of overall well-being in 2017. South Dakota residents reported having a high sense of purpose in daily life as well as a strong affinity for
their communities. Combine those two aspects with affordable living options and low tax rates, and you should have no problem enjoying a comfortable and affordable retirement. New Hampshire If you don’t mind the cold weather and higher cost of living, New Hampshire might be your go-to option. Like South Dakota, this state also has favorable tax rates, and it’s ranked as the safest state in the U.S. Combine that with the myriad cultural options the state has to offer, and you have a recipe for a relaxing retirement. Plus, fall in New England is hard to beat. Florida Was there any doubt Florida would be on this list? Even the expensive living options, higher crime rates, and low health care value can’t keep retirees from soaking up
that beautiful sun and nonexistent income tax. What the state lacks in affordability, it makes up for in variety, sporting tons of living options to fit all budgets. Just think of all those ocean sunrises (or sunsets, depending on which side of the peninsula you’ll live) with your loved one that could be in your future. These states are hardly the only three options, with Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and Virginia all ranking highly on many lists as well. Find which cities and states work best for you!
P asta P rimavera
Inspired by Food Network
INGREDIENTS
• 12 ounces pasta, ideally fusilli • 1/2 pound broccoli florets
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano- Reggiano • Kosher salt, for pasta water and to taste
• 2 carrots, shredded • 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot, liberally salt water and bring to a boil. Add fusilli and cook according to package directions. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper during the last 2 minutes of cook time. 2. Drain the pasta and veggies, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta and veggies to pot. 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil to medium heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent and golden, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until tomatoes are wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta water. 4. Add tomato mixture to pasta pot, stirring to coat evenly. 5. Divide into bowls, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve.
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Changing Your Perspective on Difficulties and Hardship 2 Tactics Criminals Use to Steal From Older Adults Why These Movies Are Significant The Top 3 States in the U.S. for Retirement Pasta Primavera Many Wonders of Omega-3s
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T he M any W onders of O mega -3 s
Because fish oil is said to improve everything from heart health to chronic dry eye, it may sound a bit like, well, snake oil. But this brilliant little supplement packs a big punch, especially for older adults. Heart Health Benefits The omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have been shown to support heart health in multiple ways. The Mayo Clinic cites research suggesting that higher levels of EPA are associated with a reduced risk of congestive heart failure in older adults. Studies also report that people with moderate to severe hypertension typically see a positive effect on their blood pressure if they regularly take omega-3s. Joint and Eye Benefits Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with
osteoarthritis and other joint disorders by lubricating the joints and acting as an anti-inflammatory. As we age, our ability to produce tears diminishes. Fish oil’s lubricating and anti-inflammatory properties also make it a great treatment for and defense against chronic dry eye. Cognitive Function Benefits Several studies have concluded that regularly consuming omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain cognitive function. While research shows no cognitive recovery in extremely elderly subjects who already suffer from dementia, evidence indicates that taking fish oil on a regular basis may prevent or postpone the onset of cognitive decline. Omega-3 consumption may also improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from depression or anxiety at any age.
Which Omega-3 Supplement Is Right for Me? If you eat fatty fish several times a week every week, you may already get enough omega-3s, but it can be difficult to get a therapeutic dose of fish oil from food alone on a regular basis. A fish oil supplement can provide additional fatty acids. Look for an ingredient list that specifically shows EPA and DHA; some brands use misleading labeling that only shows the total amount of fish oil rather than the actual omega-3s. Recommendations vary, but most sources indicate that a dosage of 1,000–2,000 milligrams (1–2 grams) of combined EPA and DHA provides benefits. If the smell or “fish burps” bother you, choose enteric-coated capsules, which dissolve in the small intestine rather than the stomach. Omega-3 caps also come in vegan options sourced from seaweed and algae.
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