Independent Times
May 2015
Volume 25, No 9
Making Senior Housing Choices
Celebrating Senior Housing Month
PAGE 2 - May 2015 - Independent Times
Things To Do:
For May events at the Ann Arbor
District Library, call 734/3274555 or go to www.aadl.org.
May 2
Used Book Sale at Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine Street,
Dexter, MI 48130. 734-426-4477. The second Saturday of month. 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Hundreds of titles,
from children through adult, fiction and non-fiction from 25 cents
to $2 each.
May 10
Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s
Day to all our I.T. readers.
May 11-16
Senior Living Week, presented
by Housing Bureau for Seniors,
University of Michigan Health
System. See page 5 for information about visiting local senior
residences, helpful seminars and
more.
May 12
USA Travel On a Budget at
downtown Ann Arbor Library,
multi-purpose room. 7 to 8:30
p.m Hostelling International USA
volunteer Margaret Flannery will
share tips for making the most out
of your journey. Travel does not
have to be expensive. Learn how
to travel on a budget. For more
info call 734/327-4555 or visit
www.aadl.org.
May 14
Hands-on Workshop and
demonstration on Fly Tying at
Traverwood Branch, Program
Room, Ann Arbor District Library. 7 to 8:30 p.m. The staff from Bai-
liwicks Outdoors in Dexter will be
on hand to demonstrate beginning fly-tying techniques. Participants will be able to tie their own
fly fishing lure. For more info call
734/327-4555 or visit www.aadl.
org.
May 19
Lecture: Fleeting Beauty, Enduring Value: the Peony Garden at
the Nichols Arboretum at downtown Ann Arbor Library, Multipurpose room. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dr.
David C. Michener, Associate Curator at the U of M Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, discusses the beautiful
Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden. For more info call 734/327-4555.
May 25
MEMORIAL DAY
If you have calendar items, please
email the who, what, when and
where to: [email protected]
You can see back issues
of Independent Times
on the website at
www.independenttimes.net
You will also find a
complete copy of the
German settler story
from Washtenaw County.
It is in a downloadable
pdf format.
INSIDE:
Home Sweet Home
– Page 4
Senior Living Week
– Page 5
Cost of Assisted Living
– Page 7
Snoring Solutions
to Improve
Relationships, Health
– Page 10
Recipes
– Pages 12 & 13
Preventive Care Key to
Fighting Skin Cancer
– Page 14
Advertisers:
• Senior Living Week
– Page 5
• Silver Maples
– Page 9
• Forest Hill Cemetery
– Page 10
• Dexter Pharmacy &
Village Pharmacy
– Page 11
Independent Times - May 2015 - PAGE 3
From the Editor:
Jim Taylor
May 2015
Volume 25, No. 9
Bumping Roads Ahead?
As of May 6, 2015 we should know if we are to
get our roads in Michigan fixed so they will be drivable without messing up your automobile. The better
roads will not come without a pretty high price if it is
passed. According to the newsletter than I receive every month from the Mackinac Center, a private group
that researches and educates public policy in the state,
the cost to individuals in the state to fix the roads would
be between $447 and $525. I don’t think that there’s
many Michiganders with that kind of money laying
around that they will pay to fix the roads. The state
(or somebody) is paying for many TV commercials
supporting a “yes” vote on the proposal. I can’t help
but wonder where were these people when our roads
needed repairs over the past ten years? Also, I would
like to know what other states are doing and where are
they getting the money?
For the Birds
It’s time to get out the spring bird feeders, bird
baths and all the other bird stuff. Maybe this spring
we will get some bluebirds setting up housekeeping in
the bluebird houses I have hanging up. Every year for
my birthday I get a bunch of bird feed from my sisterin-law. The birds really appreciate your gift Laurel
and they thank you. The Finches are starting to turn
yellow and soon the Orioles will show up Great fun!
Just go to www.independenttimes.net to find
Independent Times each month.
Wherever there is a computer and Internet
connection--you can find I.T.
PUBLISHED BY:
Editorial/Sales Office:
Independent Times
P. O. Box 460
Hamburg, MI 48139-0460
Phone: (734) 769-0939 or
(810) 231-3038
Staff::
James W. Taylor, Editor/Publisher
Janet L. Taylor, Sales/Layout
Deadlines: 15th of month prior to
next issue.
©Independent Times, 2015. All rights
reserved. Any reproduction of this or
any issue of Independent Times is
prohibited.
PAGE 4 - May 2015 - Independent Times
Home Sweet Home
By Jan Taylor
on. Sometimes health issues will
dictate this decision also.
“The fellow that owns his May is Senior Housing Month
own home is always just coming and Independent Times would
out of the hardware store.” – Kin like to give you some fuel to help
Hubbard (1868-1930)
you make your own decision by
That quote sure does say a lot. explaining what some of your
Owning your own home does mean options could be. For many this
you seem to be constantly fixing is a stressful time of life, but
something or redoing something, arming yourself with the best
or replacing this and that.
information you can make your
As I get older some of the choice as to how you want to
‘hardware store’ comings and spend your Golden Years to make
goings looses its appeal. Maybe them some of the best yet. Making
it’s time to downsize.
the decision to move into a more
So when is it time to downsize manageable home may not seem
and leave all the homeowner easy at first, but once you weigh
chores to someone else? That all your options, you’ll feel like a
depends on every individual and weight has been lifted from your
when they feel it is time to move shoulders and you’ll have time
Answer on page 6
Celebrity
Cross-Check
by P.J. Schneeberger © 2015 SnowMountain Productions
Find words and the celebrity name to fit the clues. Match letters
with numbers in each square to cross-check answers.
1
2
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
-Filled with great joy
9
10
11
10
9
10
-Honor devotedly
12
8
10
10
13
-Soak in hot liquid
3
6
14
15
7
-Sizzling breakfast side meat
15
3
1
10
14
8
-Goal
16
10
11
4
12
10
-Invent
13
2
5
12
10
-Throb of a heartbeat
6
9
16
4
7
10
-Small silvery fish, often canned
6
7
7
6
1
6
9
11
4
12
For establishing the holiday, she's the "Mother of Mother's Day"
to do some things you’ve always
wanted to do—instead of going to
the hardware store.
What is an Independent Living
Community?
This community
is for active, healthy seniors who
are able to live on their own.
Some options include homes,
townhouses, condos or even a
mobile home. It is like living in
your old neighborhood except
there will be an age restriction
which is usually over 55. An
independent community might
be your choice if you like your
independence but don’t want to
bother with some tasks like yard
work and housekeeping.
Before choosing any new
living arrangement you might want
to make a list of things you want
and do not want. It may be a good
idea to visit these communities in
your neighborhood to see how big
it is. Do you want a smaller, quiet
community or a larger bustling
one? Get a feel for the people who
live there, talk to the residents and
staff. Do the residents seem truly
independent? Would you want to
get to know these people better?
Location will play a big part in
your decision also. Are you close
to friends and family? Do you feel
safe in the neighborhood? How
far it is to your physician’s office,
grocery store or pharmacy?
Be sure to check out the
amenities. If you enjoy swimming
is there a pool? Is there a common
area where you can meet new
friends? Are there group outings
you can participate in?
Continued Page 6
EXPO
Workshops
Saturday, May 16
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday, May 11 Saturday, May 16
Location:
Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti
at Eagle Crest
1275 South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI
Registration encouraged!
For more information www.med.umich.edu/seniors
FREE PARKING!
FREE ADMISSION!
Visit Exhibitors
Educational Workshops registration encouraged
Free Health Screenings
Open Houses
Monday, May 11 Sunday, May 17
www.med.umich.edu/seniors
Thank You Senior Living Week Event Sponsor
Care Response Home Care!
2401 Plymouth Road, Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 998-9339 t [email protected] t www.med.umich.edu/seniors
PAGE 6 - May 2015 - Independent Times
From Page 4
Of course, one of the biggest and transportation, emergency
questions is the cost. Be sure to call systems in-house and care for
patients.
ask about these costs: Waiting dementia/Alzheimer’s
list deposit, move-in fee, initial The national median rate for a
assessment fee, housekeeping, private one-bedroom apartment is
laundry, meals, cable TV, utilities, $2,575 a month.
transportation, internet access, Another option is a Continuing
parking, field trips, wellness Care Retirement Community
CCRC’s are a
program. Will they allow pets? (CCRC).
What are the billing and payment combination of independent living,
options? What is the policy for fee assisted living and nursing home.
increases? Is personal property Services offered include health
insurance required? According services, meals, personal care,
to www.seniorhomes.com, the housekeeping, transportation, and
average prices for independent emergency help. Some CCRC’s
living in Michigan are $2,047 for a have many social and educational
monthly average, and a maximum activities also.
There are generally three main
average of $3,160 per month.
The next consideration may types of contracts with a fourth
Cross-Check
(rental) that make up different
be Assisted Living. If performing
of CCRC’s.
by
P.J.
Schneeberger
©
2015
SnowMountain
Productions
daily activities is difficult without types
Find
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and
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name
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help from others, or shopping for Type A is an
with numbers in each square toContract.
cross-check These
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yourself is hard, cleaning your
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9
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health services are included in the
good choice for you.
15
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Assisted living
communities
needs exceed those fees they are
can include condos
or
apartments
16
10
11
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12
10
-Invent market rates for services.
with 25 to 120 units, single rooms charged
Type
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Fee-for-Service
to full apartments,13 three
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Contracts
offer
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a day in a common dining area,
12
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butcanned
residents
staff available for personal needs
-Small silvery fee,
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pay
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for
health
care
and amenities such as 24-hour
6
7
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12
security, housekeeping, medication services on an “as needed” basis.
theType
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management,
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For establishing
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exercise programs, social activities usually requires no entrance fee by
Celebrity
Puzzle on page 4
Celebrity Cross-Check answers
JUBILANT, REVERE, STEEP, BACON, OBJECT,
DEVISE, PULSE, SARDINE
ANNA JARVIS
guarantee access to CCRC services
on an “as needed” basis.
For any of these options, it
is best to visit and get the feel of
the community. Talk with the
residents about how they like living
there. Ask about the staff. Do the
residents interact with one another?
Ask to have all the different types
of contracts explained and what
the financial obligations are for
each step. By having all of the
information you can make the best
decision for your situation.
Of course, another option is
living with a family member. This
involves many other considerations.
I can speak personally about this
option as my Mom lives with
my husband and me. After my
Dad passed away three years ago
Mom was living by herself in an
apartment---not a senior residence.
There were some problems with
her car being vandalized and we
just didn’t feel good about her
living situation. By moving our
in-home office to another part of
our home we were able to give
Mom her own rooms. She has a
bedroom, bathroom and a den/TV
room all to herself. It has been two
years now and I feel better knowing
that she is safe and being looked
after—although she still has her
independence and comes and goes
as she pleases. This may not work
for many families, as you do need
to make some adjustments.
Probably the best advice is to
check out all your options before
making any move. Only you
know when you feel you would
like assistance or more freedom to
enjoy your Golden Years, as you’d
like to. n
Independent Times - May 2015 - PAGE 7
Costs of Assisted Living
If you haven’t planned for
senior living care, you aren’t alone.
Few people do––either they don’t
think they’ll need it or because
they want to save their assets for
their children and believe that
government subsidies will cover
any care they need. This doesn’t
mean they can’t afford suitable
care; it just means the choices
may be more limited. Fortunately,
just like the variety in settings,
styles, and amenities, senior living
residences are available at a variety
of price points.
Costs vary with the residence,
apartment size, and types of
services needed. The basic rate
may cover all services or there may
be additional charges for special
services. Most assisted living
residences charge on a month-tomonth lease arrangement, but a few
require long-term arrangements.
Base rates may fluctuate
depending on unit size: for example,
studio, one- or two-bedroom
apartment. Note also that base
rates typically only cover room
and board and two to three meals.
Additional charges may include
entrance fees up to one month’s
rent, deposits, and fees for other
services such as housekeeping and
laundry, though many providers
include those services as well.
The average cost for a private
one-bedroom apartment in an
assisted living residence is $3,022
per month, according to research
compiled by several nonprofit senor
living organizations, including
the Assisted Living Federation
of America (2009 Overview of
Assisted Living). Assisted living
is often less expensive than home
health or nursing home care in the
same geographic area.
More than half of assisted
living communities use a tiered
pricing model with bundled
services, according to research.
Senior living residents and their
families generally pay the cost of
service through private financial
resources.
Depending on the
nature of your or your loved one’s
health insurance program or senior
living care insurance policy, some
costs may be reimbursable. Some
residences also have their own
financial assistance programs.
For more seniors, their home
is the biggest asset. One option
Continued Page 8
Answer on page 8
PAGE 8 - May 2015 - Independent Times
From Page 7
is to sell or rent the home and use
the proceeds or rental payments to
fund senior living. A less known
and less-understood alternative
is the reverse annuity mortgage,
which allows seniors to use the
value of the home without giving
it up. With this option, instead of
the resident paying a mortgage,
the financial institution pays the
homeowner a lump sum or monthly
payment, which the homeowner
can then use for senior housing.
Most experts suggest the reverse
mortgage be considered only for
the last five years or so of senior
housing. AARP and HUD both
have additional information on
reverse mortgages.
When meeting with senior
living providers, ask for written
material, including copies of the
community’s resident agreement
that outlines, at a minimum,
services, prices, extra charges,
move-in and move-out criteria,
staffing, and house rules.
Financial Assistance for Assisted
Living and Senior Living Care
Several government subsidies
are available to fund senior
housing. However, the reality is
that these amounts are limited and
will impose restrictions on what
care you receive and where you
receive it.
• Medicare: Neither Medicare
Parts A nor B offer coverage for
comprehensive ongoing longterm care. Medicare A (hospital
insurance) may cover costs for a
semiprivate room, meals, nursing
and rehab services, medications,
and medical supplies in a skilled
nursing facility for the first 100
days after being released from
hospitalization for an acute illness
or injury. The first 20 days are
covered at 80 percent, with the
rest of that time period covered at
decreasing rates. It never covers
a private room nor services in an
assisted living residence. Medicare
B only offers reimbursement for
covered services you receive from
a doctor.
Ask Medicare is designed to
support and assist caregivers. Ask
Medicare offers a wide range of
helpful information for the nearly
66 million Americans who provide
help to an aging, seriously ill, or
disabled family member or friend.
Ask Medicare offers tools that help
caregivers and those they care for
make informed health decisions.
Go to www.medicare.gov for a
complete downloadable pdf file
with questions and answers.
• Medicaid:
Medicaid,
which provides federal healthcare assistance to low-income
Americans, is the biggest payer
for room, board, nursing care, and
social activities in nursing homes.
Many, but not all, states now cover
some assisted living services under
their Medicaid programs; however,
these fluctuate widely in terms of
eligibility requirements, and dollar
amounts of coverage. The Senior
Assisted Housing Waiver provides
eligible low-income adults a
choice of receiving senior living
Puzzle on page 7
Teleword Answer: IRRIGATION
care services in a community
based setting rather than in a
nursing facility. Bear in mind that
faced with budget deficits for years
to come, states are more likely
to cut, rather than expand, these
programs.
• Housing and Veterans
Subsidies: Seniors with annual
incomes under $12,000 may qualify
for U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development 202 and
Section 8 senior housing, which
provide rent subsidies that can help
pay for the room-and-board portion
for both independent living and
assisted living environments. The
Department of Veterans Affairs
also provides some skilled and
intermediate-level care to veterans
in its own residences, depending
on space availability.
For more information on
benefits, visit Federal Benefits for
Veterans and Dependents or check
out the VA’s benefits fact sheets.
• Life Care Funding Group
(LCFG) assists people in need of
funds to cover the costs of senior
housing and long-term care. LCFC
specializes in converting the death
benefit of an in-force life insurance
policy into a long-term care benefit
to cover the costs of skilled nursing
home care, assisted living, home
health care, and hospice.
Senior Living Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance is
perhaps the best way to ensure
you can afford to pay privately to
receive the most choices in housing
environment possible from your
provider of choice, whether it’s
independent living, assisted living,
or another housing option. Experts
suggest consumers should be
Independent Times - May 2015 - PAGE 9
From Previous Page
looking at long-term care insurance at 40 and own
it by age 50. When choosing an insurance provider,
consider the following tips:
As with any insurance, read the fine print on the
policy and ask questions. Compare at least three
different insurers. Verify each company’s financial
strength through independent rating systems. Review
the company’s rate history for stability. Check
to see if the policy is tax-qualified, in which case
premiums may be deducted under medical expenses
if you itemize your deductions. Select an inflationprotected policy to ensure sufficient coverage when
you file your first claim years from now.
Of course, if you’re reading this after you or a
loved one has experienced an insurance health-care
event if you’re over 85 (the usual age limited for
insurers), then it’s too late to purchase long-term
care insurance. Insurance is also more expensive
as you get older, although adult children may find it
cheaper to help a parent pay for a policy than pay for
care later. n
May 10
Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike
At Leslie Science & Nature Center
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
R E T IR EMEN T NEI G HB O R H O O D
Tour our retirement
neighborhood to see for yourself
what all the buzz is about.
SPRING
OPEN HOUSES:
May 12 11am - 7pm
May 21 11am - 7pm
1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor
The program will begin inside the DTE Energy
Nature House where guests will be treated to a
presentation from LSNC’s Education Director,
Kathy Evans, on local wildflowers. The focus
will be on plants that grow in Black Pond Woods
as well as those that might grow close to
participants homes. Participants will learn basic
plant identification skills using field guides as
well as some of the fascinating folkfore
surrounding some of these plants.
$5 per person. For info call 734/997-1553.
100 Silver Maples Dr., Chelsea
734-475-4111
SilverMaples.org
PAGE 10 - May 2015 - Independent Times
Snoring Solutions To Improve Relationships, Health
For many people, snoring
makes a night of restful sleep a faroff dream. The noisy interruptions
may even have a detrimental effect
on relationships and health.
More than a quarter of Americans say that a snoring bed partner
makes them annoyed or angry, according to a recent survey from
the American Academy of Dental
Sleep Medicine (AADSM). Forty
percent of women also claim snoring in the opposite sex is a turnoff,
and nearly one in 10 Americans
went so far as to admit that snoring has hurt at least one of their
romantic relationships. One in five
says that a snoring partner could
even drive them out of bed.
Beyond the bedroom
In addition to pushing couples
to sleep apart, snoring can cause
health worries. Snoring is a telltale sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening
condition that causes sufferers to
stop breathing repeatedly during
sleep for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute. If left
untreated, sleep apnea can increase
the risk for serious health problems from congestive heart failure
to diabetes and depression.
“Because it can be embarrassing, snoring can often be the elephant in the room when it comes to
addressing relationship frustrations
and health concerns,” said Kath-
Photo courtesy Getty Images
Choose Ann Arbor’s Landmark Cemetery
Founded by a group of Ann Arbor
businessmen and University of
Michigan professors in 1857,
Forest Hill Cemetery has been
serving the community as a
burial ground and an Ann
Arbor landmark.
The natural beauty of Forest Hill
Cemetery is due to its abundance
of trees––in fact a total of over
1,800 trees and large shrubs
representing 64 difference species
are growing in the Cemetery’s
65 acres of gardens.
Burial lots, indoor and outdoor cremation niches available.
Lot - 1 full burial, or 1 burial and 1 or 2 cremains - $900
Outdoor Niche - 1 cremain - $730
Call for opening and closing fees.
415 South Observatory at Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor
734/663-5018
www.foresthillcemeteryaa.org
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Independent Times - May 2015 - PAGE 11
are a proven and effective sleep ap- tion of the entire upper airway is
nea treatment, also come with the necessary before your doctor can
perks of being silent, portable and decide if you are a candidate for
simple to care for. A patient first surgery.
must be diagnosed with snoring or If you or your significant other
sleep apnea by a physician. Then a suffers from sleep apnea or loud
dentist can examine the diagnosed and frequent snoring, visit www.
patient and provide a custom-made LocalSleepDentist.com to learn
oral appliance, which is covered more and find a dentist in your
Seeking treatment
by many medical insurance plans. area who can help.
There are several treatment op- Additionally, upper airway Source: American Academy of
tions for sleep apnea, according to surgery is a potential treatment for Dental Sleep Medicine n
AADSM experts. It is important some patients. A detailed examinato speak with a physician to determine which option is best for you.
The first line of treatment for
sleep apnea is continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
But according to the AADSM, up
to 50 percent of sleep apnea patients do not comply with or tolerate this form of treatment.
“Sleep apnea is traditionally
treated with a CPAP machine,
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Oral appliance therapy uses
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a small mouth guard-like device
worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway,
making it a sleeker, more attractive
treatment option for many sleep
apnea sufferers. An oral appliance
prevents the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position. The devices, which
leen Bennett, D.D.S., president of
the AADSM. “But it’s important
that your significant other is made
aware of their snoring - and the effects it has on you, your relationship and their personal health - so
they can begin taking steps to remedy it.”
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PAGE 12 - May 2015 - Independent Times
Pecan Tassies
RECIPES:
Wild Rice With Walnuts & Dates
2 cups chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 Tablespoon butter
1 cup wild rice, rinsed and drained
1 14.5 ounce can chicken or beef broth
1 cup water
1/3 cup pitted whole dates, snipped
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
In a large skilled cook the celery and onion in
hot butter about 10 minutes or until tender but not
brown. Add the uncooked wild rice. Cook and stir
for 3 minutes more. Carefully add chicken or beef
broth and water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 50 to 60 minutes or until rice is
tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in
snipped dates and walnuts. Cook uncovered for 3
to 4 minutes more or until heated through and remaining liquid is absorbed. Makes about 5 cups.
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
For pastry, in a mixing bowl beat the 1/2
cup butter and cream cheese until combined. Stir in the flour. Press a rounded teaspoon of pastry evenly into the bottom and
up the sides of 24 ungreased 1 3/4-inch
muffin cups.
For pecan filling, in mixing bowl beat
egg, brown sugar, and the 1 Tablespoon
melted butter until combined. Stir in pecans. Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon
of filling into each pastry-lined muffin cup
Bake in a 325 degree oven about 30 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is
puffed. Cool slightly in pan. Carefully transfer to a wire rack; cool completely. Makes
24 cookies.
Chili-Mac Skillet
1 lb. ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onions
1 15 1/2 oz. can red kidney beans, rinsed
and drained
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 7.5 oz. can tomatoes, cut up
1/2 cup elbow macaroni
1/4 cup water
1 4 oz. can diced green chili peppers,
drained
2 to 3 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
In large skillet cook meat and onions until meat is
brown and onions are tender. Drain off fat.
Stir in beans, tomato sauce, undrained tomatoes,
uncooked macaroni, water, chili peppers, chili powder, and garlic salt. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 20 minutes or until macaroni
is tender, stirring often. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and heat about 2 minutes more or until cheese is
melted. Makes 6 servings.
Independent Times - May 2015 - PAGE 13
Sweet & Sour Chicken
Creamy Mallow Cheesecake
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 (15.25 oz) can pineapple chunks
in juice
1 green pepper, cut in thin strips
1 red pepper, cut in thin strips
1 carrot, sliced diagonally
1/4 cup vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
3 cups hot cooked rice
1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup margarine (or butter), melted
Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Heat chicken broth to boiling in large skillet, add chicken. Simmer to 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally Add undrained pineapple chunks, green
and red pepper, carrot, vinegar and sugar;
bring to a boil. Stir cornstarch into soy sauce
until smooth, stir into skilled mixture. Bring to
boiling, stirring constantly. Lower heat, cover,
simmer 10 minutes. Serve over hot cooked
rice. Makes 4 servings.
4 cups miniature marshmallows
1/3 cup milk
2 8-oz. packages cream cheese
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
Combine crumbs and margarine; reserve 1/3
cup. Press remaining crumbs onto bottom of 9inch springform pan. Melt marshmallows with
milk in saucepan over low heat; stir occasionally
until smooth. Chill until slightly thickened; mix until
well blended. Combine softened cream cheese,
lemon juice, rind and vanilla, mixing at medium
speed on electric mixer until well blended. Beat
in marshmallow mixture; fold in whipped cream. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumbs.
Chill.
Cranberry Cherry Pie
Zucchini Casserole
Pie crust (2-crust pie)
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 (21-oz.) can cherry fruit pie filling
1 1/2 lbs. (4 to 5) zucchini
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 carrot, grated
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small pkg. Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix
1/4 lb. butter, melted
Prepare pie crust, placing bottom layer
in 9-inch pie pan. Leave 1/2-inch extending. Heat oven to 425 degrees. In large
bowl, combine cranberries, sugar and
cornstarch. Mix well. Stir in cherry pie filling. Mix lightly. Spoon into pie crust. Top
with second crust and flute edges. Cut
slits in several places. Bake 35-45 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cover
edge of crust with foil about 20 minutes
into baking.
Wash zucchini and slice thin. Boil for 10 minutes
in covered pan with 1/2 to 3/4 cups water. Drain
and cool. Mix soup, sour cream, grated carrot and
onion. Add the zucchini. Add butter to dry stuffing. Spread half of stuffing in a 9x13-inch greased
baking dish. Spread zucchini mixture over stuffing.
Cover with remaining stuffing. Bake at 325 degrees
for 40 minutes.
PAGE 14 - May 2015 - Independent Times
Preventive Care Key to Fighting Skin Cancer
Are you at risk for skin cancer?
Do you know the signs? According to research published in the
Journal of the American Medical
Association, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in
their lifetime. That means odds
are quite high that at least one in
your circle of friends will face this
dangerous disease. As the season
for bare skin approaches, are you
aware of the risks and preventative
measures necessary to avoid sun
exposure?
Approximately 58 million
Americans are affected by actinic
keratosis (AKs), the most common
form of pre-cancerous skin dam-
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age known casually as “pre-cancers,” according
to a report published by The Society for Investigative Dermatology and The American Academy
of Dermatology Association. An estimated 10
percent of AKs will become squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin
cancer, within two years.
AKs are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on
the skin that are caused by excessive exposure to
ultraviolet (UV) light such as sunlight. They occur most often on areas such as the face, scalp and
ears. They can range in color from skin-toned to
reddish-brown. They can be as small as a pinhead
or larger than a quarter.
AKs predominately affect people over 50, and
slightly more men than women. Individuals who
are most likely affected by AKs include those
who have risk factors including: fair skin; blond
or red hair; blue, green or grey eyes; a history of
kidney disease or weakened immune system; daily, long-term exposure to the sun; multiple severe
sunburns early in life; and older age.
Continued Next Page
Independent Times - Mayl 2015 - PAGE 15
Fortunately, skin cancer can be
avoided with treatment, yet many
patients fail to seek treatment.
What they may not realize is that
there are actually many treatment
options available, such as cryotherapy (freezing); topical medication; and photodynamic therapy.
Additional treatment options include curettage, chemical peel,
dermabrasion, surgical incision
and lasers.
To reduce your risk of skin
cancer you can take some precautions:
• Regular skin evaluations by
a dermatologist can catch the disease early so that it can be treated.
Just as you schedule an annual
physical or other routine checkups
as part of your regular health routine, a recurring appointment with
a dermatologist can significantly
alter your chances of developing
skin cancer.
• In between visits to the dermatologist, perform thorough selfchecks by examining your skin all
over on a regular basis.
• Avoid damaging sun rays and
protect your skin by seeking the
shade during high sun hours (10
a.m. to 4 p.m.); avoiding sunburns;
and covering your skin with clothing and hats.
• Do not use tanning booths!
• Understand sunscreen, and
use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB)
sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or
higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant,
broad spectrum sunscreen with an
SPF of 30 or higher. Apply 1 ounce
(2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to
your entire body 30 minutes before
going outside. Reapply every two
hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Do yourself a favor and get
checked before the summer season
to ensure you are properly caring
for and protecting your skin from
the sun’s damaging rays. The skin
is the largest organ of the human
body. Make the call to your dermatologist today.
For more information, including additional details about AKs
and how to identify the signs of
skin damage, visit www.spotsignsofAK.com.
Source: DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. n