< PreviousYour SchoolsYour Schools N Imagine your website working as hard for your business as you do. 412.205.8998 | DDSWebDesign.com Websites that get results. Designed in Pittsburgh Contact us for a free website analysis. Affordable Custom Designs Responsive Sites | Content Management SEO | E-commerce | Hosting | Maintenance 20 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2020y > Learning Curves Learning Curves For students, the end of the second nine-week grading period can either provide validation or be a real wake-up call. While some students find they’re right on course at the year’s halfway point, others realize that they’re not where they could, or should, be. Why that is can depend on a lot of factors, including how much, and how effectively, students are studying outside of school. Research has shown that we retain information better when actively participating in the learning process. In fact, it’s become an adage that we remember 10 percent of what we read, 20 percent of what we hear, 30 percent of what we see, 50 percent of what we see and hear, 70 percent of what we say and 90 percent of what we say and do. To develop an effective study strategy, try to determine whether the student is a visual, auditory or kinesthetic (learn by doing) learner: How can I improve my grades? CONTENT SUBMITTED Also consider the study environment. Make sure there are no distractions or interruptions, including phones or Internet. Ensure the space is comfortable and has good light, temperature and ventilation. As for the length of study, use a 2:1 ratio. For a one-hour class, plan a two-hour study block. Take 10-minute breaks for every hour of study daily. Work practice tests into studying. Create tests from past tests and quizzes with detailed solutions. Focus on questions the student got wrong. Utilize homework, textbooks and class notes to develop effective study guides. • Writing key words, ideas and procedures • Drawing and explaining pictures, figures and diagrams to describe new concepts • Using graphic note-taking methods (concept trees), timelines and mapping • Color coding common themes in notes and handouts with multi-colored highlighters • Outlining notes • Studying charts and graphics in textbooks • Drawing concept maps (visual brainstorming) • Preparing flashcards to “see” facts • Highlighting main ideas & important facts Visual learners do best with the following strategies: Auditory learners, meanwhile, can benefit from: • Listening for key words and phrases in lectures • Participating in class discussions • Asking questions during a lesson • Reading and summarizing notes aloud • Using word association • Reading questions and answers aloud • Using mnemonic devices such as rhymes with outlines Tactile or kinesthetic learners excel when they: • Use multiple senses to engage with material • Write flashcards & arrange them in groups to show relationships between ideas • Combine an activity, such as walking, with studying • Act out words or events with gestures that aid recall • Create flow charts and graphs when re-writing notes • Type notes to learn key facts • Use highlighters When learning vocabulary, create flashcards and use Online study tools such as Quizlet. When learning a difficult concept or idea, have the student develop a lesson plan as if they were the teacher. They can even create a Power Point presentation as part of a lesson. Encourage them to put concepts in their own words. To learn a long list of information, first picture it, then break up the list into parts and illustrate concepts. To learn names and dates, create trading cards. For significant people, include a picture or drawing of the person on one side and important identifying information on the other. Learn dates by drawing a timeline. When memorizing, learn from general to specific. Create associations using pictures, acronyms and mnemonics. Take a “read it, write it, speak it, listen to it” approach. It’s also important to recognize and deal with procrastination. Offset this by setting realistic, attainable goals. Divide larger tasks into smaller tasks and tackle schoolwork when the student’s energy levels are highest. Use rewards to encourage completion of a task. Also consider the student’s time management skills. If they’re struggling to balance multiple assignments and not reaching due dates, consider utilizing a weekly planner with a “to-do” list of tasks based on urgency and importance. Organize their schedule based on logical completion dates and schedule sleep, meals and relaxation to maintain a healthy balance. Improve note taking by summarizing key information with short, accurate and clear phrases. Write down what was written on the board and use symbols and abbreviations. Create outlines and then re-read notes right after class to ensure they make sense. Finally, encourage students to form effective study groups where they can share key concepts, prepare study notes from class notes and test each other. This information has been provided by the tutors at Open Minds Studios. Their tutors help students at every level develop effective study strategies and improve grades. Call them at (412) 600-1125 to set up an appointment or visit them at openmindsstudios.com. January/February 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 21GRAND TETONS When we traveled through Jackson Hole years ago, we were fascinated by beautiful Jenny Lake, a two- mile long by 250-foot deep body of water - a photographer’s delight. Did you know that the Tetons have 12 peaks that tower above 12,000 feet? Or that the mountains support a dozen glaciers? While staying over in the cowboy town of Jackson Hole, the day will afford time to explore the Grand Tetons on your own. Besides day trips that Collette will offer for water fun on either Jenny Lake or the Snake River, a 42-mile drive is a terrific way to feel the magnificence of the mountains and enjoy the numerous scenic turnouts. Teton Park Road winds around the base of the Teton Range. During the drive, experience the Snake River Overlook, the Menors Ferry Historic District, and views of Jenny Lake. Wildlife abounds, so you’ll most likely spot some elk, moose, bison and maybe even a bear or two. This is a hiker’s paradise if you’re up for adventure. Try the Taggart Lake Trail, a three-mile round-trip hike that will reward you with a view of the lake, surrounding meadows and conifer groves. The elevation is just 400 feet. Take time before any of the day’s adventures to stop at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor’s Center to pick up maps and information. While there, enjoy the floor to ceiling windows that look out on the impressive mountains and enjoy an excellent documentary film on the park. The Grand Tetons are reflected in Jenny Lake. National Parks of America Tour with Pat Jennette Five Parks in the American West Aug. 8-20, 2020 More Information and to book: gateway.gocollette.com/link/985315 or travel@awmagazine.com Editor’s Note: Allegheny West Magazine is teaming up with Collette to offer a unique opportunity to readers. Next August, Collette Vacations will be leading a trip to some of the country’s premier national parks out west with this magazine’s publisher emeritus, Pat Jennette. Now a seasoned traveler, Pat has made it her mission since she retired in 2013 to visit all of the country’s national parks. In our last edition, Pat wrote about the first five stops on the trip. This column picks up where the second left off: If you’ve been reading this article series, you already know that Allegheny West Magazine has partnered with Collette to offer an amazing 12-day tour of the national parks of the West next August. This is the third and final article showcasing this National Parks Tour. The tour is starting to fill! If you’ve ever thought about taking a trip completely planned out by someone else - with airfare, transportation, lodging, meals and more included - to some of our most popular national parks, this is an incredible opportunity! The tour starts Aug. 8 in Scottsdale, Arizona and ends Aug. 20 in Rapid City, South Dakota. The entire tour includes Scottsdale, Sedona, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Salt Lake City and more. We’re hosting another informational session on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Robinson Township Library at 6 p.m. We hope you’ll join us! This article will give you an insight into more of our country’s beautiful national parks that are part of this tour. 22 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2020Mount Rushmore is one of the final stops on the trip. YELLOWSTONE This park is a MUST SEE. It’s known as one of the “big daddies” of the National Park Service. Our visit to Yellowstone was in the month of June many years ago. We spent two days here, experienced a very cold overnight stay that forced us to sleep in our van, and saw Old Faithful in its heightened glory. Being on a tour, the experience this time will be much more comfortable due to the tour bus and hotel accommodations! Yellowstone has fascinated visitors ever since it was deemed a national park in 1872. Today, nearly 150 years later, its thermal pools, geysers, mud pots, hot springs and wildlife draw visitors from around the world. Yellowstone is a geologic wonder and changes from season to season. At last record, there were more than 10,000 geothermal features in the park, of which 500 are geysers. The most famous one, Old Faithful, averages 130 feet high, lasts for up to five minutes, and spouts on a regular schedule - hence why it’s called “Old Faithful.” Boardwalks throughout the park’s geothermic areas allow visitors to get a closer view of these bubbling water features. The tour will exit the park on its east side as we head to Cody, stopping at the Buffalo Bill Center before going on to Sheridan for the evening. On this leg, the spectacular Yellowstone Lake provides eye candy and a terrific opportunity for photographers. MOUNT RUSHMORE AND CRAZY HORSE This day is a two-for-one opportunity to view iconic landmarks that pay tribute to the importance of both Native Americans and our nation’s early progress. Dedicated to the Native Americans of this great land, the Crazy Horse monument has been a work in progress for decades. Carved using private funds, it represents the image of Tasuke Witco, leader of the Oglala Lakota Indians, who fought for and defended the Lakota people until his demise. The carving’s completion isn’t expected any time soon. Begun seven decades ago, and drawing more than one million visitors annually, the monument is a dedication to perseverance and persistence. While here, visitors can explore the Native American Cultural Center and hear Native Americans discuss the movements of their dances and the significance of wearing different feathers and clothes. One of our country’s most famous landmarks - Mount Rushmore - will give us an up-close opportunity to see the massive carvings of four presidents. When we visited this monument, we were entertained with a fabulous evening presentation of patriotic music and lights as we sat in the bleachers looking up at the monument. Walk the Avenue of the Flags as you approach the monument and the short Presidential Trail to see the monument up close. Visit the Sculptor’s Studio and enjoy the surrounding Black Hills of South Dakota that encompass the monument area. Do you know who the four presidents are on the monument? They’re George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Why these presidents, you may ask? The monument is dedicated to the first 150 years of America’s history and the four presidents who were known to be the most significant to the country’s progress during that era. The tour will end this evening with a farewell dinner and a special presentation by a local Lakota Native American. We’ll depart the next morning from Rapid City for home. As one who has visited all but two of the spectacular stops on this tour, I can highly recommend this trip! It’s a way to see so much of our nation’s beauty in such a well-planned timeframe. Join us Jan. 14 to learn more! Pat Jennette is the founder and now publisher emeritus of Allegheny West Magazine. A former North Fayette Township resident, she and her husband became full-time RVers upon retiring with the goal to visit every national park. They are members/supporters of the National Park Foundation, National Parks Travelers Club, and the National Parks Conservation Association. Pat has presented programs on the national parks at local libraries and at RV parks around the U.S. Their goal is to visit all 61 national parks, which are part of the 419 total national park sites that cover all 50 states as well as American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These include national monuments, seashores, historic sites and others. During our stop in Yellowstone to see Old Faithful, you’ll also be able to see the Grand Prismatic Spring. Mammoth Hot Springs Hill is yet another geothermic feature in Yellowstone. January/February 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 23I t’s a well-known fact that the senior population in the U.S. will continue to grow over the next two decades, as baby boomers age and live longer than previous generations. According to the PEW Research Center, each day 10,000 people in the U.S. turn 65, which is creating greater demand not only for health services but also care facilities, in-home aids and other related services. A Fox Business projection for the coming decade estimates that industries related to senior care will comprise one of the three biggest emerging markets in the nation’s economy. Many family members, too, are feeling the pressure as the responsibilities associated with The challenges of being a caregiver caring for their aging loved ones falls to them. In so doing, these caregivers are finding themselves confronting a myriad of delicate and difficult legal, financial and personal issues as they try to determine what is best not only for their loved ones, but also for themselves. Such became the case for Findlay Township resident Patti Opacic after her father passed away in early 2019, which left her mother living alone in her Whitehall home where Opacic was raised. Up to that point, Opacic’s parents had managed to remain independent solely because of their reliance on each other and the close proximity of several relatives who checked in when Opacic couldn’t be there. Following her father’s death, Opacic wasn’t sure if her mother was capable of independence in the home. Opacic also knew that her mother didn’t want to live alone. Thus began an eight-month journey for Opacic of exploring various scenarios of care for her mother, which ultimately resulted in the sale of their family’s Whitehall home and renovations to Opacic and her husband, Rade’s, Westbury residence to accommodate her mother’s needs. Opacic’s situation is not unique. Recent statistics from AARP state that there are 43.5 million unpaid, untrained caregivers providing support for loved ones in the U.S., with 21.6 million of these caregivers also holding jobs. An additional AARP statistic reports that 84 percent of caregivers need more information and assistance. The trend is also impacting U.S. companies, which reportedly lose $38.2 billion annually due to employee caregiving responsibilities. Statistics reveal that 92 percent of employed caregivers - most often women - have their employment hours or structure impacted. Seventy-nine percent of caregivers working full- or part- time have missed work in the past 12 months to attend to their care recipient’s needs. The Pittsburgh region represents just a fraction of these numbers, yet the area has a particularly high senior population. A 2016 Forbes Magazine report named Pittsburgh the second highest metropolitan area in the country for seniors, behind only the Tampa-St. Petersburg region of Florida. A significant 18.3 percent of Pittsburgh’s residents are over the age of 65, a number 26 percent higher than the national average. Further complicating matters are Pittsburgh’s older residences, which are often not suited to the changing needs of an aging body. Many of the homes in which seniors continue living, either by choice or because they can’t afford other options, contain steep staircases, bathrooms on the upstairs level and laundry equipment in the basement. Children of failing elderly parents thus often spend more time at these residences assisting with daily tasks, personal care and, in many cases, medical needs for which they have received no training. A 2016 University of Pittsburgh study called “Addressing the Needs of Caregivers at Risk” cited the current situation for caregivers as “unsustainable.” According to Cyndy Glynn, business development director for the Moon Township-based nonprofit Hope Grows, many caregivers get overwhelmed and exhausted to the point that they forget to care for themselves. They often feel alone, forgotten and stressed. Through Hope Grows, caregivers can receive mental health support, resources and counseling. Its clients can receive monthly “check-in” phone calls, schedule face-to-face visits, or join small support groups. They can also visit its gardens for some relaxation time. Last year, the organization assisted 418 caregivers, up from 369 the previous year. The number of counseling and support hours in that period increased from 496 to 670. The nonprofit was founded in 2013 by Lisa Story, a professional counselor and certified thanatologist, which is one who studies the mechanisms of dealing with death and dying. She started running the organization out of her Shafer Road residence, where she lives with her husband, Charles. The couple was recently approved by the township to transition their residence into the Iris Respite House bed and breakfast for caregivers, to be operated by Hope Grows. As the senior population grows, caregivers face the challenges and consider what services are best STORY BY JILL BORDO PHOTOS BY DOUG HUGHEY Patti Opacic is pictured here with her mother, Draga Bartos, in their Findlay Township home. 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2020{ Legal considerations Aside from the strain on their personal lives, caregivers and their family members can also face complex legal issues with potentially major financial consequences. In Opacic’s case, she worked with the elder care law firm Julian Gray Associates in Greentree (see more information about them on the next page) to deal with issues she says she could have never worked out herself. Jennifer Rose, CELA, an attorney with Julian Gray Associates, uses the word “tricky” to describe the components of transitioning a senior’s assets and finances to set up late-life housing and care. Rose says that it is critical for families to establish a plan for aging sooner than later so as to take full advantage of programs such as Medicaid and the Veterans Administration. “The earlier you plan, the more options you have,” she stated. One of the biggest challenges to family caregivers, said Rose, is unawareness of the fact that they can legally receive a reoccurring income from government sources for providing care. Another example of advance planning is the transfer of a family home to an adult child who has moved in to care for a parent. A specific legal process done at least two years prior to a parent moving into a facility or passing away can prohibit state recovery of the home. According to Michele Conti, an elder law attorney who heads Conti Law in Moon Township, another legal issue that can affect families of those suffering from dementia or another mentally declining state is power of attorney. If a court declares that individual to be incapacitated, their assets can essentially become frozen. At that point, neither they, their child nor even their spouse can access those assets. The financial burden of everything from in-home care to basic necessities can then fall entirely on the caregiver. Obtaining guardianship at that point can take months and cost thousands of dollars. Conti said that’s why she suggests families consult with an attorney to determine power of attorney well before such a situation arises. She writes about power of attorney in her regular column in this edition of Allegheny West Magazine on page 15. “All too often people neglect the power of attorney and go straight to the will,” said Conti. “We have legal parameters from the state about who gets everything when they pass, but the same isn’t true for power of attorney.” She also cautioned being aware if a loved one is pitching in for rent, as the government can consider those payments gifts, which can in turn affect their Medicare assistance if they do decide to move into an assisted living facility. Continued on page 26 Helpful Tips for Caregivers: 1) Stay organized and have a system for tracking care details. Keep a notebook or Online journal of the care recipient’s health issues, medications and test results. More importantly, if multiple people are acting as caregivers, have a centrally located daily log for updates by anyone visiting. You may think you’ll remember to share information, but don’t take a chance. Write it down. 2) Prevent falls through easy and inexpensive measures such as removing throw rugs, keeping floor paths free of books, cords and other objects, and maintaining good lighting, especially in stairwells. 3) Invest in equipment or technology that gives a care recipient more independence and makes your job easier. From grab bars in the bathroom to electric chair lifts, the right equipment can be life-altering for everyone. Research other ways to simplify care such as pre-sorted daily medicine packets, which are provided by many pharmacies. 4) Accept help from family and friends when they offer it. Remember: if your health suffers or you become injured, your care recipient will also suffer. 5) Use Online tools. Many websites provide videos on everything from dressing wounds of care recipients to relaxation techniques for caregivers. The AARP Caregiver Resource Center is one good option (www. aarp.org/nolongeralone). The Pennsylvania Homecare Association offers helpful videos (learningcenter.pahomecare.org) as well as a free magazine called Secrets No One Told You About Family Caregiving. January/February 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 25{ Staying in the home One resource that is growing in popularity among caregivers abiding by a parent’s wishes to age at home are in-home care agencies. Typically, aids from these agencies help with things such as bathing, dressing and assisting with household tasks such as meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry. Hankey Farms resident Lillian Valla used one such agency, Renaissance Home Care in Imperial, for several years to keep her 94-year-old mother, Lillian O’Hara, in her Oakdale home. A Renaissance aide would visit O’Hara three times a week to assist her with personal care and cleaning, though O’Hara was still able to do her own laundry in the basement due to a chair lift. As her mother’s health declined, Valla increased the Renaissance visits to a daily basis. After an evening fall by her mother, however, Valla made the decision to move her to a facility. Valla found O’Hara, whose off-the-hook phone prohibited a call to Life Alert, on the floor when she visited the next morning. Oftentimes, a medical condition is what prompts a family to begin reconsidering an aging loved one’s living situation. Mary Jo Dietrich, a registered nurse who runs At-Home Senior Services in Coraopolis with her husband, David, says that many families enlist their services as their loved ones are about to be discharged from a rehabilitation center following a hospital stay. Oftentimes, these family members have suffered a stroke or injury that requires caregivers to take on a new medical role that they may not be comfortable fulfilling themselves. Mary Jo says that, in the rush to get their loved ones home, families oftentimes don’t fully realize the full extent of what is now involved until the last minute. She and her husband have come to know it as the “deer in the headlights” moment. “It’s so fast,” says Mary Jo about the process. “During the discharge to home, depending on what needs to be taught, the family says ‘Yes yes yes’ because we’re so excited to get them home. Then they get home and they freeze because they don’t know what to do.” She recommends that families have an emergency plan in place ahead of time and consider contacting an at-home agency on the first day that their loved one is admitted to the hospital. From there, the agency can work with the family to track their loved one’s progress and determine whether the family needs an at-home aid or should consider assisted living. If a resident nurse is training family members on medical tasks, she says at-home aids can take on those responsibilities. She also says, though, that once the need exceeds 10 hours per day, families should consider the economics and whether assisted living makes more sense. For those looking ahead, she suggests purchasing long-term care insurance by age 60, and looking at whether the insurance carries a homemaking portion that can cover at-home care. Given the familiar surroundings coupled with the higher cost of assisted living, many more seniors prefer the option to stay in their homes as long as possible, says Mary Jo. As for caregivers, Mary Jo says many call them as a last resort and view doing so as an admission of defeat, even though having the added assistance can help a caregiver get back to work or continue on with their lives outside of caregiving. She recommends families consider all possibilities when making decisions regarding their aging loved one. “Sometimes it’s just about knowing what you can do,” she says. { New trends in assisted living As more seniors age and are looking at transitioning into assisted living, companies and developers are embracing new concepts to meet varied needs, interests and means. In recent years, a number of expansive senior complexes have opened in the area that encompass everything from independent homes, to assisted living hi-rises, to memory care units. One of those communities, Tapestry Senior Living, is housed in the former Embassy Suites hotel on Cherrington Parkway in Moon Township. The community offers secure senior care in a uniquely designed setting. Past visitors to the hotel would likely remember its large atrium with a garden and water feature flowing through its center. In all, Tapestry has 112 assisted living apartments, 93 memory care apartments and 19 enhanced senior living apartments. According to business development manager John Sciulli, Tapestry’s staff members are trained in a “Positive Approach to Care” cognitive technique developed by world-renowned therapist Teepa Snow. The community isn’t lacking in amenities, either. It has four varied dining options ranging from fine cuisine to a coffee shop on the main level. It also has a full-service salon and theater. As well, Tapestry utilizes a state-of-the-art SilverSphere Safety Alert Monitoring system with motion sensors in each room that can alert staff to falls and night roaming. According to Sciulli, Tapestry is an industry leader in response time for alarms, with an expected five-minute turnaround for safety checks and even bed changes. Incontinence sensors trigger an alert at the nurses’ station. 26 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2020 To further connect with the area, Tapestry executives offered its community to Moon Township Parks and Recreation’s Senior Connection recreation program. The 55-plus social group had reached more than 430 members and outgrown the space it was using at the Carriage House at Robin Hill Park. Now, seniors in the group meet in a 2,000 square- foot converted ballroom that’s been outfitted specially for the group. Tapestry even erected a dedicated covered entryway specifically for Moon Connection members and a front desk inside the ballroom. During Senior Connection, members can enjoy games, activities, art classes, a lending library and more, Monday through Friday. Tapestry CEO Christopher Blum stated that the collaboration fosters a link between Tapestry and the greater community. “We love the idea that we’ve helped design something for the Senior Connection to continue to grow for years to come,” he said. Continued on page 28 ABOVE: The former Embassy Suites Hotel in Moon Township is now Tapestry Senior Living, an assisted living community with 112 assisted living apartments, 93 memory care apartments, 19 enhanced senior living apartments, a theater and more. BELOW: Tapestry has turned one of the hotel’s former ballrooms into the official meeting place of Moon Township Parks and Recreation’s Senior Connection program. Here, Beverly Gross, Helen Barcaskey, Jon Barcaskey and Janet Heidet wrap up a game of mahjong. Moon Township Senior Connection at Tapestry Senior Living 550 Cherrington Parkway, Moon Township Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Register at www.moonparks.org/ programs/seniors.asp# or call (412) 262-1703 x 415 on Monday-Thursday, 1-4:30 p.m., or Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Ongoing Programs: Tuesday Tea Parties, Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m. Piano Playing and Sing-Along with Margie, Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon. Trivia Challenge Game with Prizes, Thursdays, 1-2 p.m. Adult Paint by Number with Acrylics, Fridays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Visit website for upcoming Special Events and Bus Trips: Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, Jan. 28; Elvis Movie Fest, Feb. 3; Lovebug Miniature Therapy Horse Presentation and Pizza Party with Bingo, Feb. 14; Carnegie Science Center & Mummy Exhibition Bus Trip, Feb. 24. January/February 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 27 After the hectic, joyous and stressful holidays, it’s time to stop and refresh - and this is especially important for those who have the additional responsibility of being a caregiver to a loved one. Being a caregiver is difficult and help is always appreciated, needed and both hard to ask for and accept. While some caregivers are caring for an aging loved one, others are helping a loved one recuperate from an illness. I have had many friends going through illnesses and my first instinct to help is to cook because, without nourishment, recovery and daily coping is hard, if not impossible. This is true both of the infirmed and the caregiver, for whom just some lovely music, a meal, friends, or a cup of broth or tea can help them settle, breath and begin again. I discovered this incredible broth after attending a health and cooking seminar by Chef Rebecca Katz. She runs the nonprofit Healing Kitchens Institute, where she continues to work closely on healing through food with survivors and health professionals in major U.S. cancer centers.” Read more at www.rebeccakatz. com/about. After listening to Katz and tasting a delicious carrot ginger soup and treat she made during that demonstration, I became curious and purchased my first copy of her cookbook, “One Bite at a Time.” It is not just a cookbook - it is a guide through taste, patience, understanding, flexibility and nourishment for both the sick and the caregiver. From that moment on, I have filled the homes and freezers of friends and family with delicious aromas, vats of broth, and nourishing foods to help get them through. I leave each with a copy of one of Katz’ books and the knowledge that cooking will not be an issue, at least for a week or two. When a nephew of mine in another state fell ill, I couldn’t deliver him broth but I did send him Katz’ book. I then went Online and ordered all the ingredients needed for this wonderful chicken dish and the broth from the closest grocery store. He is doing well and I recently saw his mom, who made both. She was so grateful Barb’s Recipe Box Nourishment for the caregiver and their loved ones BY BARB KLEYMAN Less than two miles away on Brodhead Road, the Apple Blossom Senior Living Community also opened this past fall with 14 independent living cottages, 104 personal care apartments and a 32-unit memory care unit for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. As of this writing, the complex was 50 percent pre-leased. One of the first residents to move into a personal care unit at Apple Blossom was the previously mentioned Lillian O’Hara. The shy and independent O’Hara made friends with a woman moving into the apartment next to her on the same day and is now enjoying her new life at the community. Her daughter commented that her mother is able to be alone if she chooses in the one-bedroom unit with a kitchenette and living area, but that it’s a relief to know that help is always on the other side of her door. Construction has also begun on a third facility in Moon called Luna Ridge that will be managed by Harmony Senior Services. The company, which is a division of the Roanoke development company Smith Packett, will manage the 189-unit, 200,000 square-foot complex. The new senior residence will be part of the Village at Market Place, a mixed-use development containing businesses, homes and retail establishments. One portion of the complex will be located above Montour Run Road on land vacated by the Super K-Mart and Gander Mountain stores. Luna Ridge will be divided into 84 independent living residences, 69 assisted living units and 36 memory care units. It will offer various amenities that have become standard at such facilities, including dining options, a pub, fitness center and spa. Comments from HSS CEO Terry Howard provide an interesting perspective on the growth of elaborate, almost resort-like developments for the senior population. Howard, who has been in the business since 1982, stated that in the 1980s and 1990s “people didn’t really understand all of the elements of senior living.” As consumers became more educated and the public markets opened up with equity, senior facilities became much more sophisticated. Additionally, after the 2008 collapse, said Howard, this market was the only real estate group with positive rent growth. It began to attract much more capital and venues such as hospitality groups wanted a piece of the action, helping to create a high-end vacation atmosphere. Howard says the “next big wave” in senior care will be secure and amenity-driven residential complexes with a price point scaled down for the middle market. “Nobody has really cracked this code yet,” stated Howard. One such popular option are apartment complexes for those aged 55 and older. Lafayette Square, which opened two years ago in the Hankey Farms neighborhood in North Fayette, has been at capacity for months with a wait list for new residents. Another, Clover Communities apartment complex, is scheduled to open in the fall in Robinson Township and is already one-quarter pre-leased. Kathleen Codick, a Clover Group leasing consultant, reported that the Cedar Ridge Senior Apartments will be a four-story, 124-unit building with an option of two- bedroom, one-and-a-half baths units, a feature not available at Lafayette Square. Another unique amenity will be a coffee bar lounge on the fourth floor of the building. Codick said that before construction even began on the property, a woman living in Florida heard about Cedar Ridge and began calling her weekly to secure a lease. { Regardless of the direction in which caregivers choose to move forward with aging loved ones, the process can be stressful and costly. Caregivers should seek support from many sources and remind themselves to set aside time for their own health and needs. After nearly a year of transition, Opacic and her family have adjusted to the changes in their lives. The house renovations have provided a private living area for her mother on the lower level, which gives her a sense of independence but still allows her to share dinners and weekend meals with the family. Opacic’s mom is now enrolled in the LIFE Pittsburgh program, which transports her daily to and from a facility where all of her personal care and medical needs are addressed. Her mother has a purpose each day now, said Opacic, adding that she has made new friends at the facility and looks forward to going there. “Establishing new routines for all of us as a family has been crucial to moving forward and creating a new sense of normal,” commented Opacic. • 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2020Ingredients: • 6 unpeeled carrots, cut into thirds • 2 unpeeled medium yellow onion, cut into chunks • 1 leek, both white and green parts, cut into thirds • 1 bunch celery, including the heart, cut into thirds • 5 unpeeled cloves garlic, halved • ½ bunch fresh flat leaf parsley • 4 medium red potatoes with skins on quartered • 2 Japanese or regular sweet potatoes with skins on quartered • 1 Garnet yam with skin on, quartered • 1 (8” strip) kombu • 2 bay leaves • 12 black peppercorns • 4 whole allspice or juniper berries • 1 tablespoon sea salt Magic Mineral Broth from Rebecca Katz’ “One Bite at a Time” Instructions: • Rinse all of the vegetables well, including the kombu. In a 12-quart or larger stockpot, combine all the ingredients except the salt. Fill the pot to 2 inches below the rim with water. Cover and bring to a boil. • I scrub the skins using any of the fruit and vegetable washes available, or a bit of vinegar and water and rinse well. • Remove lid, decrease the heat to low and simmer for a minimum of 2 hours. As the stock simmers, some of the water will evaporate, so add more if the vegetables begin to peek out. Simmer until the full richness of the vegetables can be tasted. Add salt and stir. (The first time I made this I thought that I could take the soft vegetables and make a mashed “potato” type dish. I popped a piece of carrot in my mouth and laughed when I tasted nothing. All the taste was all in the broth!!) • Strain the stock using a large coarse-mesh strain (remember to use a heat resistant container underneath.) Bring to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing. • Use this broth as is, as a tea, to make rice, a sauce, or add noodles or cooked chicken. • Makes 7-8 quarts • Nutrition information: Per serving: 80 oz - Calories: 29 g - Total Fat: 0 g (0 g saturated and 0 g monounsaturated) - Carbohydrates: 6 g - Protein: 0 g - Fiber: 0 g - Sodium: 166 mg Enjoy and have a healthy, happy New Year! and said they loved each and every bite and sip. There are so many factors concerning food and taste in times of illness, more than I can cover in a page or two. Let me just say I thought I was prepared when diagnosed with cancer and went through chemo, radiation and many surgeries. My eating was severely challenged during these times. I needed help and to talk to other patients and get tips, like don’t eat your favorite foods during chemo because your taste is so changed you might hate them later. The metallic taste in my mouth made eating with silverware torture until one friend suggested using plastic utensils. Seven years later, I still cannot eat brussel sprouts or butternut squash after two incidents of eating them during chemo. The other suggestion to patients and caregivers is, if something appeals to you, eat it. Every time I returned from a chemo session, there was my daughter with a tuna salad on a bagel and a bag of chips, because that is what I wanted to eat, every time. I have six quarts of this nourishing broth in my freezer right now. It’s ready to share with a sick friend or a friend who is eating healthy and doesn’t want to buy pre-made stock. I also use it to add comfort and taste to my risotto, or any grain I am cooking. Eating this broth is like a warm hug. So, nourish the patient, but do not forget to nourish yourself. I thought I was prepared when diagnosed with cancer and went through chemo, radiation and many surgeries. My eating was severely challenged during these times. Barb Kleyman is a certified chef. Visit her website at: barbsbars.com. January/February 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 29Next >