Dear Savvy Senior, Can you help me calculate about how much my wife and I need to save for retirement? We are both in out late-fifties and want to see where we stand. Looking Ahead

Dear Looking,
Calculating an approximate number of how much you’ll need to save for a comfortable retirement is actually pretty easy, and doesn’t take long to do. It’s a simple, three-step process that includes estimating your future living expenses, tallying up your retirement income and calculating the difference. There are even a host of online calculators that can help you with this too.
Living Expenses
The first step is the most difficult – estimating your living expenses when you retire. If you want a quick ballpark estimate, figure around 75 to 85 percent of your current gross income. That’s what most people find they need to maintain their current lifestyle in retirement.
If you want a more precise estimate, track your current living expenses on a worksheet and deduct any costs you expect to go away or decline when you retire, and add whatever new ones you anticipate.
Costs you can scratch off your list include work-related expenses like commuting or lunches out, as well as the amount you’re socking away for retirement. You may also be able to deduct your mortgage if you expect to have it paid off by retirement, and your kid’s college expenses. Your income taxes should also be less.
On the other hand, some costs will probably go up when you retire, like health care, and depending on your interests you may spend a lot more on travel, golf or other hobbies. And, if you’re going to be retired for 20 or 30 years you also need to factor in the occasional big budget items like a new roof, furnace or car.
Tally Income
Step two is to calculate your retirement income. If you and/or your wife contribute to Social Security, go to ssa.gov/myaccount to get your personalized statement that estimates what your retirement benefits will be at age 62, full retirement age and when you turn 70.
In addition to Social Security, if you or your wife has a traditional pension plan from an employer, find out from the plan administrator how much you are likely to get when you retire. And, figure in any other income from other sources you expect to have, such as rental properties, part-time work, etc.
Calculate the Difference
The final step is to do the calculations. Subtract your annual living expenses from your annual retirement income. If your income alone can cover your bills, you’re all set. If not, you’ll need to tap your savings, including your 401(k) plans, IRAs, or other investments to make up the difference.
So, let’s say for example you need around $55,000 a year to meet your living expenses and pay taxes, and you and your wife expect to receive $30,000 a year from Social Security and other income. That leaves a $25,000 shortfall that you’ll need to pull from your nest egg each year ($55,000 – $30,000 = $25,000).
Then, depending on what age you want to retire, you need to multiply your shortfall by at least 25 if you want to retire at 60, 20 to retire at 65, and 17 to retire at 70 – or in this case that would equate to $625,000, $500,000 and $425,000, respectively.
Why 25, 20 and 17? Because that would allow you to pull 4 percent a year from your savings, which is a safe withdrawal strategy that in most cases will let your money last as long as you do.
If you need some help, there’s a bevy of free online retirement calculators to assist you, like the ones offered by T. Rowe Price (troweprice.com/retirement) or Financial Mentor (financialmentor.com/calculator).

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

It’s a reality no mother ever wants to imagine; being discharged from the hospital and leaving your newborn baby behind.
That fear became real for Keely Mallory. On Jan. 17, with more than a month left in her pregnancy, Keely gave birth to her first child, Rhett.
“We had a talk the morning I gave birth to him. I told him he was only 35 weeks and that he needed to stay in there, but he was determined to make a grand entrance,” Keely joked.
Keely laughs about it now, but for almost a month she and her husband put their lives on hold to be by Rhett’s side in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City.
They found comfort in a surprising place: a tiny piece of handmade cloth in the shape of a heart. Rhett had an identical heart inside his neonatal incubator. Keely would wear or sleep with hers one night, before exchanging it with the heart in Rhett’s bassinet the next day. “The idea is that the mother’s or child’s scent rubs off on the cloth,” said Mercy Hospital Chaplain, Trisha Wiscombe, who helped implement the idea. “We found through research that scent plays a large role in bonding.”
In turn, the scent of her child may help release a flood of happy hormones in the mother that assist with milk production. For Keely, she said it also helped provide her with a sense of comfort and calm during a time that was often stressful.
“It was a way to have him at home when he couldn’t be,” Keely said. “It was so hard leaving him at the hospital every day, so to just be able to lay the cloth on my pillow at night was very comforting and helped with our transition.”
Each of the hearts is handmade by Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City volunteer Fran Thibedea, who estimates she’s made close to 200 so far. All mothers with children in the NICU receive them. The idea is also in place at other Mercy hospitals in Missouri.
Rhett was discharged from the hospital on Feb. 12. Both he and Keely are doing well.

A fall can happen in a split second, but it may take a lot of time, pain and rehabilitation to recover. Falls can cause injury at any age, but they can be especially devastating for seniors. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among individuals over age 65.
About one-third of the population over age 65 falls each year. (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control) This is a serious problem affecting seniors. As we age, the risk increases for injury from falling and these injuries may result in hospitalization and long term loss of freedom and independence. However, you can reduce your risk.
To help you, INTEGRIS Third Age Life Center in collaboration with INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation, developed an educational program, Prevent Slips, Trips and Broken Hips. The program includes discussion of risk factors for falling and prevention of falls, and the opportunity for individual assessment of one’s risk for falling.
The program is available to senior groups in the metro Oklahoma City area. To schedule Prevent Slips, Trips and Broken Hips at your location, please contact Marge Jantzen, 405-717-9823, at INTEGRIS Third Age Life Center. For more information click here:  http://integrisok.com/senior-community-services-third-age-life-oklahoma

by Bobby Anderson
Staff Writer

It’s Thursday morning at 10 a.m. and the parking lot to Pastor James Gann’s Faith Pointe Baptist Church in Norman is completely full.
On this day there isn’t a service scheduled but people are pouring in from miles away to find help, hope and healing.
“You know that’s what the church is for,” Gann said after bellowing out the name of the next military veteran who will find help that day.
Gann isn’t preaching God’s word but he is making sure the flock is being tended to. That’s why he routinely opens up the the doors to his church to allow staff from the Dale K. Graham Veteran’s Corner to minister to America’s vets.
Graham’s 501(c)(3) organization helps vets navigate the seeming labyrinth that often separates them for the benefits they so rightfully deserve.
People from across the country have made the trek to one of the weekly workshops.
Graham started the ministry in the early 1990s. He began opening up the workshop at his country home.
By 2008, he was in the Goldsby community center. He separated from his original organization and now works out of Norman.
“I just want to help people,” Graham said. “My board of directors and I couldn’t agree. We parted ways and moved on.”
“This move to Norman has been the best move I’ve ever made. What we’re doing is we’re changing lives one at a time.”
Graham estimates his organization helps nearly 150 veterans a week in addition to 10 surviving spouses.
Benefits that veterans once thought impossible or didn’t even know about are often within reach.
Veterans who can get a 70-percent service-connected disability rating can enter a state VA center free of charge.
“One of the biggest drawbacks of getting old is they’re going to take everything you’ve got when it’s finished,” Graham said. “I like to see the kids or grandkids get something.”
An army of between 30 and 40 volunteers – all clad in red polo shirts – are present to help veterans at any given workshop.
The organization supports itself through donations and grants.
Currently, Graham says there is a desperate need for a donation of transportation to help veterans get to the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center and doctor’s visits.
A handicap van would also be a lifesaver as would a permanent location to open up daily for veterans.
The stories continue to flow in. On this morning a woman from Kansas City called and told Graham her brother was living with her after being homeless. After the Gulf War he was unable to function and struggles daily with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
She asked if there was anyone in her area that could do what Graham’s organization does.
Sadly, he couldn’t think of any.
“Most people don’t care,” Graham said. “The main thing is people don’t know how to do it.”
Graham is accredited as a claims agent for veterans.
He says he accepts no pay.
Volunteer Rhonda Reynolds recently retired as chief deputy of the Western District Federal. Her late husband was a Navy pilot.
“It’s money they’ve earned,” Reynolds said. “The difference is we’re not talking thousands of dollars we’re talking hundreds of dollars but to people living on $750 a month” it’s a huge difference.
Graham’s group has a network of doctors and healthcare providers that understand the needs of our veterans.
Shirley Clark Crowdin’s Navy husband passed away from Agent Orange exposure. She specializes in working with the spouses of veterans who have passed.
She said World War II surviving spouses, kids or grandkids whose loved one died of cancer are eligible for up to $75,000 in radiation benefits.
“They should have got it 50 years ago,” Crowdin said. “I’m doing claims for surviving spouses (whose husbands served) in Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Nobody told them.
“One of the toughest things is we have so many suicides, but we’re able to service connect them once they pass away.”
Vietnam Veterans are of particular concern.
“Vietnam Veterans – there shouldn’t be one alive that doesn’t get 100 percent (disability),” said Crowdin, who notes the average age at death of a Vietnam Veteran is 63 years old, due to chemical exposure.
“We have World War II surviving spouses that live on about $300 per month and we can get then another $400,” Crowdin said, fighting back tears. “During the holidays we worked with three that had committed suicide.”
Graham nods his head.
“Every time you deal with one of them you feel the pain,” Graham said.
If you or a loved one need help with benefits you can contact Graham at 405-609-9895 or email him at [email protected]. Tuesday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon are open for veterans. Walkins begin at 6:30 a.m. until noon on Thursdays.
“So far, we’ve never sent anybody home,” Graham said.

by Vickie Jenkins

Meet Evelyn Brown, also known as ‘Bobbie Brown’ by her friends. She lives at Spanish Cove Retirement Village and has been a resident for 13 years. “I just love living here. I have lots of friends here and we have the best time,” she states. Her apartment is nice and cozy as treasured memories are all around.
One would never know that Evelyn just turned 100 years old. I was honored to be invited to her birthday party, which was held in the Club House at Spanish Cove. Since Evelyn’s birthday was October 31, the room was decorated with orange and black decorations. Friends began arriving as hugs were given and ‘happy birthday’ was heard. Friend after friend came by to give her a hug and tell her how much they appreciated her. One of her friends, Dell South sat down beside the two of us and began telling me how much Evelyn meant to her. “I tell you what, Bobbie is so knowledgeable in history. If anyone around here has a question about history, she has the answer,” she laughed. “She is a delight to be around and I see her every day. It’s so good to be friends with Bobbie Brown,” she added. Meeting some of Evelyn’s family members was a true sign of love and compassion. A special thank you to Evelyn’s daughter, Enda for allowing me to interview such a wonderful woman as Evelyn Brown. About 150 family and friends showed up to wish her a happy birthday.
Evelyn had some very interesting stories to tell. She grew up in Eastern Colorado on a farm near the site of the Sand Creek massacre. She recalls one of her favorite memories from her teen years. “I loved hunting arrowheads. Once, I found one in pristine condition and I had it made into a ring,” she said with a bit of pride in her voice. “I still have that ring to this day.”
“My first job, outside of working on the farm was working at Longs Peaks Inn where I made forty dollars a month,” she commented with a laugh. “I think jobs have changed quite a bit since then. In the winter, I worked in the County Clerk’s office in Eads, Colorado.”
Meeting a few of Evelyn’s friends, they each had something nice to say about her. “Evelyn is such a good friend,” one of them said. “Oh, she is so good with history,” another friend commented. “Someone can ask Evelyn about history and she seems to know the right answer,” she added. Over the years, Evelyn has been a member of Daughters of the Revolution, Founders and Patriots of America, Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, War of 1812, Union Veterans of the Civil War and Huguenots of the Manakintown. “I love history and always have,” she said.
I am sure most people in Oklahoma are familiar with the annual Friends of the Metropolitan Library System book sale. This was formed in 1978 as a non-profit organization for the purpose of focusing public attention on library services and needs. This organization was started by Evelyn Brown, Sally Hirte (who is still living and lives in Arizona) and Linda Levy, a library employee at the time. “There was a query in the daily newspaper needing volunteers. The next day, the three of us met in Linda Levy’s office in the library and that was the beginning of the book sale,” Evelyn said. The organization is still going strong as people flock to the fairgrounds, carrying large bags, pulling wagons, in search of just the right books to buy. It makes perfect sense that Evelyn’s favorite past time is reading.
Asking Evelyn what she likes to do to keep busy, she replied, “I like to spend time with my friends. My friend, Dee and I make a trip to Starbucks every afternoon, and I get my favorite drink, a Chai Tea Latte. Starbucks even gave me a party for my birthday,” she added. “I don’t watch much T.V. but I do have a favorite show which is ‘Antique Roadshow.’ I watch the news every night too.” When asked if she had a favorite actor or actress now, she replied, “I don’t have a favorite now but in my younger years, I liked Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald.”
Today, Evelyn continues to stay busy, whether it be gathering with friends, reading a book, drinking a Chai Tea Latte or just listening to a tune on her music box. Happy birthday Evelyn Brown! You are loved and respected by many.

The flu virus can spread like wildfire. It kills roughly 36,000 Americans annually and makes many more miserable.
Even with the potential danger posed by the virus, why do as many as 60 percent of Americans forgo the annual flu shot?
A big factor is the long-held belief that the flu shot itself can give you the flu. But according to scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, this simply is false.
“The flu vaccine that we use now does not have live flu virus in it,” said OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D. “The vaccine cannot infect you.”
The vaccine is made from proteins in a lab, not from the virus itself. However, your body’s immune system sees these proteins as foreign and makes antibodies that bind to them to prevent the influenza virus from infecting cells and spreading. This process prepares the body for a rapid immune response to the actual flu virus, often preventing the illness.
But a flu shot can cause mild side effects, and this is where some of the misunderstandings start.
OMRF immunologist Eliza Chakravarty, M.D., said the most common side effects are soreness, redness or swelling around the site of the injection, and some people may occasionally experience a low-grade fever. But, according to Chakravarty, this is no cause for alarm, “It’s just your body doing its job and developing protective immunity.”
These symptoms, though, won’t be anything like the full-blown flu, said Prescott, a physician and medical researcher. “The flu will give you a high fever and muscle aches all over your body. Those symptoms are usually severe, and the disease can be life-threatening.”
Very rarely, a person might get the flu after receiving the flu vaccine, but Chakravarty says not to blame it on the shot.
“In these instances, a person was already exposed to the virus,” she said. “Most likely, they were in an incubation period without symptoms, but the vaccine didn’t cause the illness. This is just coincidental and unrelated to receiving the shot. Essentially, it would just be bad luck.”
If you haven’t gotten vaccinated this year, Chakravarty urges you to do so.
“It’s never too late to get the flu shot,” she said. “We’ve found that the flu can linger within a community longer than we expected, so it’s always a good idea to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

by Vickie Jenkins

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12. This is a scripture that has been the driving force behind the success of Golden Age Home Health, Inc. and its staff,” comments Lydia N. Sowah, RN and Administrator of the facility.
In 1996, Golden Age Home Health, Inc. was established, owned and operated by a registered nurse, Lydia N. Sowah, RN and Administrator.
Lydia has been a nurse for over 36 years. She spent 15 of those years working in critical care as a critical care nurse at Southwest Medical Center. She and her husband, Nathan Sowah, co-own Golden Age Home Health. The company’s mission is to provide quality, safe, timely and cost effective health care in the privacy of the patient’s residence.
Lydia and her team strive to create a lasting bond with every patient while ensuring their safety in the comfort of their own home. Golden Age Home Health offers skilled nursing services, home health aide services, speech therapy, occupational therapy, social services, physical therapy, and Advantage Case Management.
Lydia’s vision for her home health agency has always been to provide excellent care to each patient and their families, and to improve outcomes and prevent frequent readmissions to the hospitals. Because of this vision, Golden Age consistently focuses on continued staff education and coordination of care.
The golden Rule of treating others the way you wish to be treated is the foundation on which Lydia has built her business. Golden Age Home Health is proud of their professional staff. As the Administrator, Lydia is goal driven, hard-working and a perfectionist and she has a way of instilling those qualities into each of her employees. Recently, Lydia was honored with the 2015 Home Health and Hospice Home Health Executive Award in the state of Oklahoma for her hard work in the industry.
Lydia’s success and career can be attributed to her upbringing as a young girl born and raised in Accra, Ghana. Lydia attended elementary and high school in Ghana. Her family moved to Stevenage, in Hertfordshire England in 1962. In 1974, Lydia joined her family in England, where she completed her final year at Heathcote Secondary School. “I always had a dream of being a fashion designer and knew this was what my future would hold,” said Lydia. “Little did I know that my father had different plans for me and his words of wisdom would change my life forever.”
“I had just graduated high school in 1975 when on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, my father wanted to meet with me and my 2 sisters.” Lydia explained. “Standing in front of him, he said that he wanted one of us to be a nurse, though he had no preference at the time on which one of us would become one. It was up to my sisters and me to decide and get back with him. My immediate thought was that I don’t want to be a nurse; I want to be a fashion designer. My sisters didn’t want to be a nurse either. I was confused and all I could think to myself was, what’s going on here?”
“A week later, the 3 of us met with my father again. Not knowing what was going to happen, my father handed me an envelope. Inside, was a filled out application for me to get into a nursing program. All I had to do was sign it and return it to him. I wasn’t sure why he handpicked me, but I assumed it was because of me being the eldest of the 6 children. I simply did as my father said.”
“Six weeks later, I received a phone call from the School of Nursing at Lister Hospital for an interview. My interview lasted less than 10 minutes. The Dean of Nursing, who conducted the interview, asked me why the signature on the completed application was in a different handwriting. I told her it was because my father completed the application and asked me to sign it. I left the room, knowing that I would never be accepted. Six weeks later, I received a letter that read, ‘We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the school of nursing at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, England.’ Apparently, God knew what He wanted me to do. It was my destiny. This is how I got into nursing.”
“I started the nursing program and received my LPN Certificate within the required 18 months. My first clinical experience was on the Orthopedic Unit, where I had the opportunity to develop a one-on-one relationship with patients, most the elderly population. I felt so much compassion, taking care of the sick and critically ill patients and it was at that time when I really fell in love with nursing as a career.“ While working full-time and managing a family, Lydia received her RN License in 1984.
Today, Lydia’s business is a huge success and has been for the last 20 years. She took her father’s advice and became an LPN and loves every minute of her job. Although it was not meant for her to be a fashion designer, caring for others and servicing others in their time of need became the calling of her life. She is thankful for her loving parents and knows that because of them, she is where she is today. Her biggest blessings thus far have been her faith in God, her family and her amazing staff.
Apart from various community services, Lydia is actively involved in volunteering at Crossings free clinic on behalf of St. Luke’s United Methodist church where she serves on the medical team. She enjoys spending time with her family and has been blessed with two children and two granddaughters. Her hobbies include traveling, dancing and watching sports. Along with her husband, they are supporting 3 orphan boys, living in Ghana after the death of their parents. The Sowahs have big hearts and lots of love that they share with others.
When asking Lydia what qualities make a good nurse, she replied, “A nurse has to have a good heart and a genuine interest in caring for patients. The love and compassion has to come from within. They have to have a desire to take care of sick people, have strong work ethics and be knowledgeable about any situation that they may encounter.”
I admire Lydia for her dedication and determination through the years. Lastly, Sowah wants to share the fact that she owes everything that she has accomplished in her life to her Heavenly Father above.