Kinetic PT - March 2019

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MARCH 2019

847-515-8970 • www.KineticPTS.com

SET SAIL FOR NORTH CAPTIVA

A NEW TWIST ON AN OLD TRADITION

Just as we do every year, we Ulmers are gearing up for our annual spring vacation. This year, we are breaking with tradition, heading somewhere other than St. Pete’s beach for the first time since we began these trips. Ever since I was a teenager, we’ve been heading to the same hotel near the same boardwalk overlooking the same stretch of Florida coastline. This year, Peggy Ulmer decided enough is enough — it’s time for something new. No one but my mother could have pulled off such a shift in family tradition so quickly. If you know her from stopping by the clinic, then you’re familiar with her can-do attitude. My mom uses that same spirit to bring my brother, sister, and me together at least once a month. While we all still call Huntley home, I doubt we’d find the time to see one another as often if it weren’t for our mom’s indomitable spirit. And I have to say she certainly outdid herself when it came to charting a new course for our annual trip. Our family is still heading to the Sunshine State this March but will

be leaving the mainland behind. After flying into Fort Myers, we’ll board a ferry and make our way to North Captiva Island. This secluded barrier inlet sits 3 miles west of the mainland, meaning we’re in for a far more secluded trip than our usual trek to the ever-popular St. Pete’s. In fact, given that the island’s population is only about 300, we Ulmers may be quite the crowd. Including kids and spouses, there are 13 of us making our way down to this little-known Florida gem. We’ll be staying at a lovely home we’re rented for the duration of our stay. It even has a private pool, in case we get tired of the beach I suppose. What’s really interesting is that there are very few actual cars on the island. I’m told we’ll actually be provided with a golf cart to get around! While I’m not sure of all the activities that await us, I can say with absolute certainty that, given the option, I won’t be riding any banana boats. I’ve learned my lesson from last year. Sure, it looks fun from the shore, but after a half hour getting saltwater thrown at your eyes by a Jet Ski,

the experience loses its luster. So, personally, I’m looking forward to catching some rays on the beach while the kids boogie board to their hearts’ content. Maybe I’ll lend Zach a hand with his sand castles at some point. The family Lego master is also (surprising no one) an excellent sand architect. All in all, I’d be grateful no matter where we were going so long as there was sun, sand, and a break from the oppressive winter gloom. We can all use a break from the cold around this time of year, but it’s easy to let those sunny escapes become as routine as the seasons. I’m glad my mom took initiative and found us this unique family experience. Now the only question is going to be whether our new tradition becomes heading to North Captiva every year or continually seeking out new beaches to enjoy! Here’s hoping you’ve found your own time for sun and fun this winter. If you have a favorite beach, let me (or Peggy) know!

–Mike Ulmer

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When retirement approaches, you may be thinking about the freedom you’ll enjoy after putting in your last nine-to-five. It’s a culmination of years of hard work and a cause for celebration! Before you get to celebrate, though, it’s important to consider what kind of support you might need down the road. With our generation living longer than our parents, there’s a possibility that we may require additional support services. You and your spouse may not know if either of you will need in-home care, but considering this possibility and the financial factors that come with it can help you better enjoy this exciting phase of your life. In most cases, neither Medicare or Medicaid covers in-home care. There are some exceptions, like home- and community-based services that are state and locally funded and cover those who qualify through Medicaid. If you or your spouse are veterans and meet the requirements, you may be eligible for aid and attendance benefits. These benefits are paid for by the VA in addition to a veteran’s monthly pension. It may cover the costs of in-home care for veterans who require the aid of another person or are housebound. Visit Benefits.va.gov to learn more.

Still, you may not want to rely on

qualifying for one of these services. Consider adapting your estate plan to include designated in-home care. Meet with your attorney to review your living trust and see if it addresses a caregiver.

Talk to your family members and loved ones about the possibility that you or your spouse may need this service. While a family member may offer to step into that role, consider how easily they will be able to carry it out. Even a part-time caregiver could provide you with support and make your family members feel like they are not doing it alone. Planning for the possibility that you may need in- home care services can help make your retirement even more enjoyable. Knowing you’ll have a close helping hand can ease your family’s worries and even strengthen your bond.

“At the start, I had a limited ability to walk without pain in my lower back and down my leg, especially the right leg. I also had a limited ability to straighten up. Today, I have full freedom to walk with little or no pain. I have no issues with walking erect, and I played 18 holes of golf with no pain. I have no pain shooting down either leg.” –Robert Fitzsimons

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If you’re an active person, chances are you don’t let the winter weather hold you back. If you play a lot of outdoor tennis in the summertime, you might move your games to an indoor facility to keep perfecting your backhand stroke. If you are out on the green the moment the weather starts to cooperate, you might spend more time walking on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bike endurance. But even if you find ways to stay active in the cold temperatures, you need to find effective exercises to warm up your joints properly. A joint is where two bones meet. The soft tissue, bone cartilage, during the winter months to maintain your strength and

and ligaments that make up a joint can typically stand up to the heavy wear and tear of an active lifestyle — but only if they move without friction. To reduce the amount of friction on the joints, your body produces a lubricant known as synovial fluid, a thick substance that provides a slippery surface for the bone ends so they don’t rub together. When you’re young, synovial fluid is produced in copious amounts, but as you age, the joints have to be stimulated to produce lubrication through movement. If you’ve noticed that you feel a bit more stiffness when you start a physical activity — particularly in the colder weather — you just need to keep moving until the

joint becomes warm and the synovial fluid starts flowing. Cold joints can put a lot of stress on the body, and if you don’t warm them up, they will wear out even faster. If you want to stay active during the warmer temperatures in the years to come, you’ll need to keep your joints moving. Here at Kinetic PT Specialists, our physical therapists will start your appointment by conducting an evaluation to pinpoint the parts of your body that need attention. They will then create a customized home exercise plan to help you keep your joints warm during this last month of winter. Give us a call today to get those joints ready for the sunshine!

Sudoku

Beet, Mint, and Ricotta Hummus

INGREDIENTS • 1 6-ounce beet (about the size of an adult fist), scrubbed • 1 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained • 1/3 cup tahini, well mixed • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice • 1/4 cup ricotta cheese

• 1 garlic clove, grated • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander • Mint leaves, poppy seeds, and olive oil, for garnish

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Wrap beet tightly in foil. On a foil-lined baking sheet, roast wrapped beet until fork tender, about 60–70 minutes. 3. While beet is roasting, blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, ricotta, garlic, salt, pepper, and coriander until smooth. 4. Once beet is cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to remove beet skin. Trim root end and cut into small pieces. Add to blender or food processor, and blend until entire mixture is smooth. Add additional salt if desired. 5. Transfer to a shallow bowl, top with garnishes, and serve.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com

11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142

INSIDE

The Ulmers Experience Island Time PAGE 1

Considering the Costs of Home Care PAGE 2

My PT Story PAGE 2

How to Warm Up Your Joints Before the Warm Weather Comes! PAGE 3

Beet, Mint, and Ricotta Hummus PAGE 3

Make Your Sailing Dreams Come True PAGE 4

If you’re lucky enough to have been aboard a ship under full sail, chances are you know the thrill and serenity sailing can give you. If you’ve never been but have always wanted to know what it’s like to get out on the wind and waves, there are many great options available for beginners. Here are some ideas to inspire your next waterside vacation. START SMALL For those who dream of becoming a skipper one day, a great way to start is by sailing dinghies. These one-sail, beach-launch boats fit 1–2 people and can be rented at most water sports shops. If you want to make it a family experience, shops usually have 16-foot catamarans for rent as well. Catamarans have two hulls rather than one, making for a smoother, more spacious ride. If you’ve never sailed before, inquire about lessons. Most rental operations have instructors on hand who can show you the ropes. The great thing about sailing is that whether you’re in a 12-foot dinghy or a 60-foot sloop, the same basic principles, rules, and skills apply.

TAKE A DAY SAIL Many day-sail charters exist for those who want to go out a little farther than a dinghy would permit. If you’ve captained a boat and are familiar with the waters, you can apply for a bareboat charter. However, if you are inexperienced or simply don’t want a local guide at the helm, signing up for a day trip with a skipper and crew is a great option. DO A FULL CHARTER Short of owning your own vessel, chartering a boat for multiple nights is the closest you can get to living out your nautical dreams. Some of the most beautiful destinations on earth — from the Caribbean Sea to the Mediterranean — are best experienced from the deck of a sailboat. Letting the sea guide you to amazing snorkeling destinations, remote cays, and bustling harbors is the stuff of real adventure.

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