The Savvy Senior: Why You Should Plan Your Funeral Now

Elizabeth Skenes Millen and Darlene Schuetz

The Savvy Senior: Why You Should Plan Your Funeral Now

No one wants to talk about dying, that is for sure. And planning your own funeral is something many don’t even want to discuss. However, deciding your funeral arrangements in advance can give peace of mind to both you and your family when the time comes.

Why plan ahead?
While a great funeral home with a compassionate and caring staff will help guide you in making funeral arrangements for your loved one, it is so much easier if that loved one had a say in the process before they passed. The immense emotions that come with laying a loved one to rest are counterintuitive to making big, lasting decisions. As with any big decision in life, it’s helpful to have time to research and consider options, and funeral planning is no exception.

The Savvy Senior: Paying for Long-Term Care: Explore Your Options

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz

Ask Carrie

The Savvy Senior: Paying for Long-Term Care: Explore Your Options

Dear Carrie:
My husband and I are curious about long-term care insurance. It all seems so confusing. How can we decide if (and when) we should buy it, and if so, what kind?  —A Reader

Dear Reader:


Not only am I glad you’re investigating one of the biggest risks to retirement security. I’m also really happy you’re looking at this issue together. If either one of you ultimately needs long-term care, it will impact you both.

Long-term care (LTC) insurance comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all policies have some features in common. I’ve talked about some basics and the importance of LTC insurance before, but choosing a policy requires some extra thought. Here’s what you need to know.
There Are Two Types of Policies: Standalone and Hybrid

The Savvy Senior: Donna Howell

Marie McAden

No Longer Controlled by an Overactive Bladder

The Savvy Senior: Donna Howell

Around the age of 75, many women begin skipping the recommended annual or biennial screening mammogram. Mary Legree is not one of them.

Recognizing the critical role mammograms play in helping catch breast cancer early, the 80-year-old Lady’s Island resident has never failed to get the imaging test, even though she has no history of the disease in her family.

This summer, her vigilance paid off.

The Savvy Senior: Make the Move to Independent Living While You’re Still Independent

Pauline Giron and Melissa Hallbeck

The Savvy Senior: Make the Move to Independent Living While You’re Still Independent

The grass needs cutting, the baseboards are covered in dust, you are just back from the grocery store and what in the world are you going to cook for dinner?

These chores are just a part of daily living. However, they were much easier when we were younger and had more energy, especially when the children were still home to help. Now these same chores can be daunting, worrisome and tiring.

The Savvy Senior: Blepharoplasty Can Improve Your Daily Morning Interaction with Your Mirror

Ken Gleitsmann, M.D., MPH

The Savvy Senior: Blepharoplasty Can Improve Your Daily Morning Interaction with Your Mirror

Many adults complain about their droopy eyelids. Their complaints can be cosmetic (my mirror keeps telling me I look tired), functional (my droopy eyelids are limiting my side vision), or both. Droopy eyelids are typically the result of increasing skin laxity, fat pad exposure, or weakening of the muscles that help position and elevate the upper eyelids. All these factors are present to some degree as we age and are commonly family traits.

The Savvy Senior: Women's Wellness, Redefined

Katherine Coley, MD

The EmpowerRF Experience

The Savvy Senior: Women's Wellness, Redefined

The EmpowerRF Experience.
EmpowerRF is right for almost every woman! With seven different treatments on one platform, there is basically something for everyone. Any woman with vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, vaginal laxity, or lichen sclerosis will benefit. EmpowerRF uses radio-frequency energy to stimulate thermal remodeling, which results in new collagen and elastin formation, making the tissue more supple and elastic. This allows the tissue to expand and retract without tearing and provides better support for the surrounding structures. 

The Savvy Senior: The Cove

Edwina Hoyle

A Local Treatment Center for Senior Behavioral Health

The Savvy Senior: The Cove

Ah, the golden years! The Lowcountry is a playground for retirees to enjoy—the weather, golf, tennis, the beach. Yet as we age, we also face new circumstances and new challenges. As they say, aging is not for sissies. The wrinkled face we start to see in the mirror may or may not bother us. That’s more about vanity. However, when myriad medical issues send us to orthopedic surgeons to turn us into bionic men and women, or cardiac problems require stress tests, stents or bypass surgery, or cataracts impair our vision, we spend less time enjoying our favorite activities as our calendars become filled with doctor appointments. We notice that our opportunities for socialization are saturated with discussions of the medical issues we—and our friends—are experiencing.

The Savvy Senior: Stretch Yourself to Feel Better

Elizabeth Skenes Millen and Darlene Schuetz

The Health Benefits of Practitioner-Assisted Stretching

The Savvy Senior: Stretch Yourself to Feel Better

Meet Terri Reiff. She is a breast cancer survivor, entrepreneur and ecstatic new grandmother. She is also the owner of five Stretch Zone franchises, including the studios on Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. Her ownership of these franchises arose from her own personal experience, and because of this, her businesses are her absolute passion.

“I see clients whose lives are changed every single day,” Terri said. And that’s when she told me her story. As the former owner of a large gym, Terri has always taken initiative in caring for her body through exercise and proper nutrition. She was working out with a personal trainer three times a week, and her back was killing her. She noticed at the end of each workout session, her trainer would stretch her for five minutes or so, and it was the only time she felt relief.

The Savvy Senior: Mary Legree

Marie McAden

How Early Detection Saved Her Life

The Savvy Senior: Mary Legree

Around the age of 75, many women begin skipping the recommended annual or biennial screening mammogram. Mary Legree is not one of them.

Recognizing the critical role mammograms play in helping catch breast cancer early, the 80-year-old Lady’s Island resident has never failed to get the imaging test, even though she has no history of the disease in her family.

This summer, her vigilance paid off.

Pink Ponderings

It's All Pink

This Month We are Wondering if Men and Women Can Just Be Friends

Pink Ponderings

So here’s a question to ponder:
Can men and women have a platonic friendship? Some say no. When a man and a woman are close enough to become great friends, romantic feelings will arise on one side or the other—maybe both, if they’re lucky. It’s human nature, right?

Not so fast! On the other hand, there are those who think it preposterous to propose that a man and woman can’t keep a friendship purely friendly, with no signs of flirtatiousness anywhere to be found. Perhaps it is possible.

Living with Purpose Gives Rise to Friendships

Edwina Hoyle

Living with Purpose Gives Rise to Friendships

Open the door of the Church Mouse Thrift Shop and the first thing you notice isn’t the wonderful display of sparkling crystal, or the art on the wall, or even the stunning dining table and chairs so reasonably priced. It’s the happy chatter, smiling faces, laughter and welcoming words. It’s a warm and friendly place that buzzes with activity and cheerful banter between staff, volunteers and customers. The customers are thrilled with the bargains, and the volunteers and staff are eager to make suggestions, offer assistance and answer questions. The atmosphere is almost like a family reunion, a party where everyone seems to know everyone else.

Let's Talk Turkey! How to Carve Out a More Joyful Thanksgiving

Marilynn Preston

Energy Express

Let's Talk Turkey! How to Carve Out a More Joyful Thanksgiving

More Americans than ever are hungry to transition to a less stressful, more meaningful way to celebrate this year's Thanksgiving holiday. If you're one of them, I have some ideas to share:
FIRST, A GUT CHECK. How do you know if Thanksgiving adds to your stress? Listen to your gut, seat of great wisdom. If thinking about Turkey Day makes you feel anxious instead of enthusiastic, something is wrong.

Maybe you feel the pressure to do everything perfectly. (I call that Martha Stewart syndrome.) Maybe you'd rather be a guest than a host. Sit calmly and meditate on where the stress is coming from. Write down your insights, without judging, without censoring.

Making Friends in Adulthood

Kelly Hunter

A Conversation with Author Hope Kelaher

Making Friends in Adulthood

Friendships are vital to our mental health, but one size does not fit all. As Hope explains in her book, quality and quantity of friendships are important. From acquaintances to closest friends, we need them all. “Humans need community,” Hope explained. It seems so obvious, but it’s important to remember. She explained the different types of friendships (a concept that Aristotle wrote about!) and how they are all important. They are Friendships of Utility (primarily acquaintances), Friendships of Pleasure (fun friends) and Friendships of the Good (soulmates or besties). Our happiness depends on all types, and some people will move between them as their relationships evolve.

How to Rise Above Your Circumstances

Mary Hunt

Everyday Cheapskate

How to Rise Above Your Circumstances

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot circled over the Great Salt Lake, tipping the wings ever so slightly so we could witness the unusual reddish-purple color of the water—a phenomenon, he explained, that occurs when a particular species of algae meets up with a certain bacteria. It was quite fascinating.

Just as he was bringing the plane level so we could be on our way, CRACK! A loud kind of popping noise sent a chill up my spine. “I believe we’ve hit something, so we will be returning to the gate,” an audibly shaken pilot reported.

Capturing the Spirit of Bloody Mary

Jacie Elizabeth Millen

Capturing the Spirit of Bloody Mary

With the spirit of Halloween coursing through fall, October brings us all kinds of tricks and treats to enjoy throughout the month. One treat that is enjoyed, not only in fall, but year-round is the Bloody Mary. Originally created to cure a hangover, the Bloody Mary has become quite a gastric gourmet concoction, especially at brunch. Whether you like olives, pickles, spice, or no spice, these are one-of-a-kind drinks that can be mixed and mingled any way you like it. Adding to the morbidity of its name, the lore behind the Bloody boasts a haunting history that can tell its story for itself.

Though the history is as murky as tomato juice, this popular drink has myriad myths and legends of how it got its chilling name.

Local Doctor Plays a Revolutionary Role in the Future of Women’s Health Care

Tracy Blusewicz, M.D., FACOG

Local Doctor Plays a Revolutionary Role in the Future of Women’s Health Care

Not often does a name fit a purpose as well as one does in this case. EmpowerRF is a new device offered by InMode that actually empowers women. Its development, as well as the clinical studies, have all taken place right here in Bluffton at Advanced Women’s Care. EmpowerRF is a new feminine wellness treatment option that helps restore women’s lost confidence, lost sensuality and intimacy, and works to resolve painful consequences of the aging process, all while addressing urinary leakage. Does help like this actually exist?  The answer is yes; now it does!

EmpowerRF started as a thought, an idea between like minds. Could there be a device that helped women with the problems brought on by the challenges of life, childbirth, gravity and menopause?  At a conference in Dallas, this spark was lit and a revolutionary, noninvasive surgical device was created.

Boomeritis: Too Much of a Good Thing Causes Injuries Basic Do’s and Don’ts for All Ages

Marilynn Preston

Energy Express

Boomeritis: Too Much of a Good Thing Causes Injuries  Basic Do’s and Don’ts for All Ages

Any body, at any age, can suffer a sports injury, but we baby boomers are famous for them. There’s actually a term for it—boomeritis—and it refers to the high number of sports-related injuries that happen to people born between 1946 and 1964—the first generation of Americans who grew up working out, with or without the Jane Fonda leg warmers. (I still have mine.)

We’re facing a classic good news/bad news scenario. On the upside, we have millions of boomers who share an enlightened view about the benefits of regular exercise—hiking, biking, Downward Dogging our way to stronger bodies and longer lives.

The sad news is we’re going about it like maniacs, and our hips, knees, thighs, shoulders, ankles and other important body parts are wearing out in record numbers.

Meet Angie Gillespie

It's All Pink

Q&A with a Breast Imaging Patient Navigator

Meet Angie Gillespie

You just heard those words you never wanted to hear:
“Your mammogram is showing a spot, and we are
going to have to perform a biopsy.”

Then the even more dreaded diagnosis confirms your worst fear. What is next? Who can you count on to help you as you begin a new journey into the world of breast cancer? At Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, Angie Gillespie is your go-to breast imaging patient navigator—a position no one even knows about until they need her the most. Meet Angie and find out more about the career she absolutely loves and how she has made a positive difference in thousands of patients’ lives.
You have many years of experience, tell us about it.

Are Your Kids’ Extracurricular Activities Straining Your Budget?

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz

Ask Carrie

Are Your Kids’ Extracurricular Activities Straining Your Budget?

Dear Carrie:
I’m the mother of a very creative 12-year-old daughter who wants to take classes in art, drama and dance, but I have a limited income. While we live a comfortable life, paying for all these extras is a real stretch. I don’t want to disappoint her, but I’m struggling. How can I handle this on top of everything else?  —A Reader

Dear Reader:
This is a question I’m sure a lot of parents can relate to. From sports to music to dance to computer coding, the world of kids’ extracurricular activities keeps growing—and getting more expensive. According to a recent survey, 46% of parents spend more than $1,000 annually on their kids’ activities, and 27% spend more than $2,000. Not only that, 62% go into debt to do it, with credit cards being the most popular form of payment.

Back to School is for Grown-Ups: Learn Something New

Marilynn Preston

Energy Express

Back to School is for Grown-Ups: Learn Something New

Even though I haven’t been in a classroom for years and years, I still have an inner alarm that plays in my brain when August ends and Labor Day reappears. The tune is so familiar, and so is the slight anxiety it creates.

It’s back-to-school time! Do I have my three-ring binder, my ruler, a pencil sharpener—three items that have no meaning whatsoever in classrooms today?  

And still, I find meaning in that back-to-school feeling, and I’ll bet plenty of you do, too. Summer is over. Your two weeks of vacation are a faint memory, though the smell of burgers and bug repellant lingers on. The kids are back to their routine, and I hope it includes some limits on small-screen media. It’s time to buckle down and get back to work.

7 Pleasantly Surprising Reasons to Decorate with Houseplants

Mary Hunt

Everyday Cheapskate

7 Pleasantly Surprising Reasons to Decorate with Houseplants


There’s something warm and inviting about a well-placed, thriving houseplant. Experts call this “interior landscaping,” and it’s becoming increasingly popular, not only in homes but in offices and other commercial settings. I would have assumed that’s because houseplants can be quite inexpensive. But now, we’re learning that houseplants offer surprising physical and mental benefits as well.

 

NO. 1: CLEAN INDOOR AIR
A number of studies reported by NASA give conclusive evidence that plants are excellent at removing toxins from the air -- over 80% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) every 24 hours. VOCs are chemical compounds often found in common household items such as carpets, toys, paint and more. These VOCs can evaporate and compromise air quality, posing health risks to inhabitants. One large plant—or two smaller plants—per 100 square feet is recommended for noticeably improved air quality.

How to Get Back at Your Creditors

Mary Hunt

How to Get Back at Your Creditors

Late fees, punitive interest rates, over-limit fees, loading up your credit report with negative information—it’s enough to make you scream! It’s not that your creditors are doing anything illegal. You just didn’t understand the power you gave them when you accepted that credit card. It was buried in the fine print. And now, it seems like they’re staying up all night looking for new ways to stick it to you. If you’ve just about had enough, maybe it’s time for you to turn the tables and get back at them.

PAY EARLY

According to industry research organization R.K. Hammer, in 2016, credit card companies hauled in $163 billion, 30% of which was derived from annual fees, late fees, and over-limit fees. You’d think they would be pretty satisfied with all that interest you send them each month. But no. They want more. The days when issuers allowed 10 or 15 days for a payment to arrive after a due date before charging a fee are long gone. Now, those fees kick in if you’re even five minutes late, and can be as high as $39 per occurrence.

When You Can't Take the Heat

It's All Pink

Tips to Stay Safe This Summer

When You Can't Take the Heat

We wouldn’t live in the South if we couldn’t handle a little heat, but how can you tell when it’s just too much? There’s no shame in admitting when you’ve reached the limit of your heat tolerance. Heat-related illnesses range from mild to severe and can affect even the toughest Southerner out there. As the summer heat peaks, it’s imperative to remember the importance of hot weather safety. Staying cool, hydrated and informed can make a big difference!

There are several types of heat-related illnesses, each with its own symptoms and treatments. Knowing which type you or a loved one may be suffering from can make a huge difference in deciding how to proceed. As you take advantage of all the fun summer activities available in the Lowcountry, be aware of the potential health hazards the sun, heat and humidity can bring on. Anyone can be susceptible to these effects of high temperatures, so familiarize yourself with the following facts before spending a significant amount of time outside. You could save a life, even your own!

Need to Adjust Your Financial Attitude? Start Here—Now!

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz

Ask Carrie

Need to Adjust Your Financial Attitude? Start Here—Now!

Dear Carrie: I’m 28 and trying to be smart about my money. My problem is that as soon as I pay down my credit cards, I start running them up again. The result is I can’t seem to save, and I feel as if I’m fighting a losing battle. I know I need to adjust my financial attitude, but how? —A Reader

Dear Reader: First, realize that you’re not fighting a losing battle. The very fact that you see the problem and want to do something about it means you’re already starting on the solution. And you’re correct that it is a matter of attitude—because if you start now to think and act positively, you’ll be able to not only control your current debt, but also get started on saving and investing for the future.

Collecting, Creating and Conserving:

Michele Roldán-Shaw

The Palmetto Ocean Conservancy Bottlecap Mural

Collecting, Creating and Conserving:

Blue caps from bottled water become the ocean.
Yellow caps from sweet tea become a sea horse. Orange juice caps become crab claws and red Coca-Cola caps become the inside of a shark’s mouth. The transformation is artistic but also symbolic: trash that could have polluted our environment, instead becomes a touchstone for preserving it.

Life in a Crowded Nest

Mary Hunt

Everyday Cheapskate

Life in a Crowded Nest

It used to be that kids reaching adulthood could not wait to
leave home and be on their own. That worked out well
because their parents longed for an empty nest and quieter lives.
But these days, young people are spoiling these plans.


Estimates out there indicate that, currently, some 50% of U.S. college graduates plan to move back home with their parents after graduation. It’s possible the other 50% never moved out.

Many American homes have become very crowded nests. While parents are asking themselves what went wrong, the “boomerang” kids seem to be adjusting quite nicely. And why not? For lots of boomerangs, they get a boarding house without the rent, a laundromat with no slots for coins and a mini-storage facility—otherwise known as your garage.

The Joys of Cross-Training: Mix Your Sports, Nix Your Injuries

Marilynn Preston

Energy Express

The Joys of Cross-Training: Mix Your Sports, Nix Your Injuries

Are you hooked on your favorite sport?

Do you spend all your workout time either running, biking or swimming, believing that single-minded dedication is going to make you stronger and faster, better and better?

Sorry, dear reader. That’s not how it works. It’s time to learn about the benefits of cross-training, a fancy name for simply including a mix of activities in your exercise regimen.
Cross-training isn’t just for uber-exercisers or competitive triathletes. It’s for all the rest of us who want to live healthier, happier lives with more fun and fewer injuries.

Incredibly Simple Travel Tips

Mary Hunt

to Take Stress Out of Flying

Incredibly Simple Travel Tips

Flying is back.

More people boarded commercial planes in the U.S. this past Thursday than the comparable same pre-pandemic day in 2019. The Transportation Security Administration reported that 2,147,090 travelers passed through its security checkpoints, a good indicator for what's to come over the next few months. If you plan to travel by air anytime soon, one thing is for certain: You won't be alone. The TSA estimated that this summer’s air travel is going to break records.

How Can I Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz

Ask Carrie

How Can I Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

Dear Carrie:
I’m a single mom with a decent income, but I’m always living paycheck to paycheck. How can I break that cycle and start to save, not only for an emergency but also for my bigger goals like retirement and maybe even a home? -A Reader

Dear Reader:
Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t uncommon these days. Recent studies suggest many Americans are doing just that, which makes it next to impossible to save and invest. Overspending can be part of the problem, but even more often, people get squeezed through no fault of their own—low wages, unpredictable income and high costs for essentials like childcare, health care, housing and college. On the other hand, even people with high incomes can find themselves caught in a seemingly never-ending cycle.