By Jose M. Olivero
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Oklahoma

A home run is a highlight of any baseball game. The fans cheer with excitement to see a player rocket the ball into the stands. So, what are you doing to prepare for your retirement home run? Your goal should be to get past 1st, 2nd & 3rd base and make it home with a hefty plate of savings.
Social Security has many tools to help you achieve financial security. 
Take the first step and visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. The benefit of having a my Social Security account is that it gives you access to your personal Social Security Statement, verification of correct earnings, and an estimate of your early retirement benefits at age 62, full retirement age of 66, and delayed age at 70. 
We protect your information by using security features and strict identity verification to detect fraud. In several states including the newly added Idaho, Mississippi, and North Dakota, you can request a replacement Social Security card online. Find out if your state offers the service at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
In addition to using your personal my Social Security account to prepare for a comfortable retirement, you can visit www.myra.gov. At myRA, you can access new retirement savings options from the Department of the Treasury. This service is designed for the millions of Americans who struggle with saving for retirement — it’s an easy and safe way to help you take control of your future.  
myRA is designed for people who don’t have a retirement savings plan through their employer, or are limited from other savings options. If your employer provides a retirement savings plan, such as a 401(k), learn more about that plan’s potential for matching contributions or other benefits.
Since myRA isn’t connected to any employer, it allows workers to hold on to it when they move to different jobs. myRA makes your money grow faster than a traditional savings account. 
Having both my Social Security and myRA accounts in place, you’re guaranteed to hit a home run in successfully planning for your future. Learn more about all of your choices at www.socialsecurity.gov.

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Dove Morgan Schmidt’s youngest child always told her that she should find a pageant somewhere and enter it because she was sure to win.
Little did she know that pageant would be the Ms. Oklahoma Senior America pageant and she indeed would be the winner.
“I felt like as the runners-up were going either this went really bad or really good,” she said with a laugh. “I was just doing it for us. I told my husband I’m going to relax and do it for fun and be the best I can be.”
Morgan Schmidt was one of 20 senior women who offered their philosophy of life, presented a talent and dressed up in their best during the mid-June event.
“I was very shocked,” she said. “There were some very strong women in the competition. It took about three days to actually sink in.”
She will compete in the national contest for Ms. Senior America in Atlantic City, New Jersey on October 20.
Morgan Schmidt is the mother of five children and has four grandchildren. She grew up in a ranching family, living the cowboy way of life with cattle and horses.
Having an alcoholic father showed her the need to point children to positive choices while they are still young. She and her husband Mike host more than 250 children each year at their Crossroads Ranch where they teach character, work ethic, basic horsemanship and other life skills in a strong, Christian old West setting.
They teach young and old alike to set goals, dream big and live life to the fullest.
Weekly during the summer Morgan Schmidt and her husband welcome a busload of at-risk youth typically from the Tulsa inner city.
What awaits those kids once they step off the bus is a lesson in a life that tends to stick with them.
“It’s all Old West. We don’t have any video games,” she said. “We teach goal setting and just real strong moral and work ethics and strength and confidence.”
“It’s pretty fun. It’s always entertaining as well. Most do really well and they get a lot of confidence. Most of what they gain is a real strength of character.”
Morgan Schmidt is also a counselor and anger management specialist.
Some of the children come in as victims of sexual abuse.
Seeing them open up around the horses is a true blessing she says.
She believes in giving back by volunteering at Tulsa Youth Works, serving as a board member of Bristow Social Services, and the Indigenous People’s Foundation (International).
She has worked with the prison/parolee program since 1989 and is a Rodeo Queen judge and coordinator.
Family and encouraging people to walk a purposed life, horse training, helping children and adults with horse and life skills at the ranch plus writing books and articles and reciting cowboy poetry are among her many interests.
Morgan Schmidt founded the Crossroads Ranch Ministries and is a member of Chandler Assembly of God Church and the Cowboys’ United Cowboy Church. Nearly 200 people came to see the event, held at the Westminster Presbyterian Community Center’s basement theatre.
Morgan Schmidt will now take part in speaking engagements throughout various communities. Her message is simple.
“That women need to keep living,” Morgan Schmidt said. “The rest of their years need to be the best of their years. I’m 61 and all the time whenever I go someplace someone says ‘Oh, when you get to my age you’ll know what I mean.’ Almost every single time I’m older than they are but they don’t know it.”
Several family members were able to attend to see Morgan Schmidt earn her crown. Others anxiously waited for updates via Facebook.
“I would love to encourage other women 60 and older to look into the pageant,” she said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s a great way to connect.”
Wynelle Record, Oklahoma City Cameo Club member, and previous pageant participant said the pageant is about celebrating senior women and all they still have to offer.
“We were little girls playing grown up and all of us got to be Cinderella,” Record said. “We represented the communities we were from.”

MISSION OF THE INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

A volunteer-driven transportation service providing safe, reliable, personalized and affordable rides to seniors (60+) and visually impaired adults to their destination of choice, 24/7, in private vehicles throughout OK County.
The Independent Transportation Network of Central Oklahoma, ITNCO, a newly established non-profit affiliate of ITN America, marks its’ one-year operational milestone this month. Currently ITNCO provides an average of 100 rides/month throughout the metro area. This new non-profit is guided by a strong and active board of directors with financial support from community grants and funds from local medical institutions and private donors.
In order to continue to serve an increasing number of riders, ITNCO seeks additional volunteer drivers from the greater OKC metro area.
Volunteers may choose which days and times they drive/week ranging from one afternoon or morning/week or more depending on weekly schedules and needs. Volunteers may “bank” their miles driven for their own future use or for another member of their congregation or organization. Volunteers receive a free rider membership that they can also share with a family member or friend.
Interested volunteer drivers may sign up at www.itncentraloklahoma.org and receive personal training and guidelines before giving first ride. Once confirmed, drivers receive email or text notices when rides are requested. The ITNCO friendly staff finalizes arrangements and sends a complete ride summary to volunteers in advance of each scheduled ride. Details on rider memberships and benefits to volunteers are listed on the ITN Central Oklahoma website, www.itncentraloklahoma.org.
“I enjoy getting to know my riders while driving them to the bank, dentist, beauty shop or store. I have driven a former teacher, doctor, sales manager, priest and nurse and each are so grateful and appreciative for the ride that I get a lift while giving one!” -Volunteer driver
In short, our ride service allows seniors to remain active and engaged in their community.
WAYS TO ASSIST INCLUDE:
· Schedule a presentation at your house of worship or community organization
· Volunteer as a driver online or contact Tracy, 602-1558
· Donate to ITNCO, a 501c3, or donate a Rider Membership ($50)
· Tracy Senat, Executive Director, info@itncentraloklahoma.org

Local In-home Senior Care Company to Bring 50 New Jobs to the Area

Senior Helpers, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care, today announced the official opening of its Greater Oklahoma City North location, to be managed and operated by husband and wife team John and Laurie Stansbury together with their partner, Sharon Johnson MSN, RN, CNE, who will serve as president and chief nursing officer. The new franchise will serve senior citizens and their families throughout the Greater Oklahoma City area, which includes Edmond, Deer Creek, Piedmont, Warr Acres, Bethany, Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Del City, Moore-Norman, and Guthrie. It hopes to bring more than 50 new jobs to the region over the next year. Senior Helpers’ professionally trained caregivers will help local seniors continue to enjoy the comfort of their own home despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges.
“All three of us have personal experience caring for a family member living with early onset Alzheimer’s, and we understand profoundly how challenging it can be without the proper care,” said Laurie. “Through Senior Helpers, we’re providing a valuable resource by helping to alleviate this stress and ensure a better quality of life for families in our community through personalized in-home senior care.” Sharon adds, “Over the years, Senior Helpers has established itself as the best option for navigating the challenges of in-home senior care today, and we are proud to be a part of this company.”
Founded in 2001, Senior Helpers operates with a vision to be the leading home care company in each community it serves. Its caregivers in Oklahoma City are fully trained and certified to offer the highest level of care possible based on the company’s Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and Dementia care program. As the gold standard for excellence in personalized in-home senior care, the program was developed in conjunction with nationally recognized dementia care expert Teepa Snow and is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the American Society on Aging. Local residents will also benefit from the company’s new Parkinson’s Care Program, a specialized training and certification program created in conjunction with leading experts from the National Parkinson Foundation’s Center of Excellence.
“We’re pleased to welcome Laurie, John and Sharon to our team as the newest Senior Helpers franchise owners,” said Chris Buitron, vice president of marketing for Senior Helpers. “This amazing triobrings a passion for their community and an acute understanding of in-home senior care to their new roles. This will serve them well and also will be rewarding for seniors and families living in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area.”
Senior Helpers is the nation’s largest premier in-home senior care company in the U.S. with over 270 franchised businesses operating across the country. Founded in 2001 with a vision to help seniors who wish to remain in their homes despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has now cared for tens of thousands of seniors with a pledge to provide “care and comfort at a moment’s notice.” Senior Helpers offers a wide range of personal care and companion services, including trained Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s care, to assist seniors who wish to live independently. Learn more by visiting http://www.seniorhelpers.com.

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

The fishing line hit the water at Lake Hefner and a Lisa Sydnor teared up.
The senior programs manager for The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma couldn’t help but getting a little misty-eyed watching the collection of senior men fishing from the docks on a picturesque June morning.
“It makes me cry,” Sydnor said. “The people that we are serving the majority of them live on virtually nothing. Can you imagine living on $750 a month? For them to be able to do something that they can enjoy and relax and they don’t have to worry about how much it costs …”
The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma recently received an $11,600 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and its Wellness Initiative grant program.
The grant will be used to assist in funding senior men’s activity programs, which will allow The Salvation Army to increase its level of service to men at their five senior centers.
On this morning everything was paid for and all the men had to do was reel in the striped bass.
The Salvation Army received the funding the third week of June and by the end of the month Oklahoma City seniors were already dipping their lines into Lake Hefner and pulling out fish.
Sydnor said The Salvation Army received a similar elder grant last year that centered around dance instruction.
“Lots of ladies enjoyed that. We had a great time and a great turnout but the guys didn’t participate,” she said. “They don’t really participate (overall). The focus of this grant was to identify things men would enjoy.”
The funding has helped purchase all needed fishing gear and tackle plus the cost of permits.
“We wanted to find things our seniors could participate in and enjoy and get out. The more you’re out and the more you do the better your are, the better you feel and the better your health is. Our goal is to get our men up and moving.”
Leatherworking and woodworking classes are planned for July and August.
“As we evaluated our activities at the senior centers, we discovered the men’s interest and participation was significantly lower than the women’s,” Sydnor said. “We are so pleased to receive this grant as it will allow us to provide the activities our senior men have told us they want.”
The Wellness Initiative grant will fund wood and leather craft kits; sports equipment for pool, darts, indoor golf and horseshoes; fishing equipment; and, tickets to sporting events. By providing these activities, The Salvation Army strives to increase participation of both men and women in their senior programs.
The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma operates five senior centers throughout the Oklahoma City metro. The centers are open every weekday to seniors ages 55 and older. Seniors have the opportunity to socialize, enjoy lunch and participate in numerous activities that include Bible study, exercise classes, crafts, dancing and much more.
Sydnor said the program is available at no charge to seniors.
Approximately 139,000 Oklahomans receive assistance from The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.
For more information on the programs and services at The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma, please visit www.salvationarmyokcac.org.
If you would like more information on the centers or other programs you can contact Sydnor at her office at 405-246-1120.
Centers are open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays the centers are open 8 a.m. until noon. Coffee and snacks are served each morning with lunch at 11:30.
“The best way to plug into a center is just to call us. We can tell you where all the centers are,” Sydnor said.

By Ron Hendricks

Hearing Loss Association of America Central Oklahoma Chapter (HLAA) celebrates 25 years of service to Oklahomans.
HLAA is a 501(c)(3) group that exists to support those who have a hearing loss. HLAA is a support group, but is so much more. HLAA educates people with hearing loss to help them learn to live successfully in a hearing world. HLAA lobbies locally and nationally for Medicare and insurance support for hearing aids. Hearing loss is a disability protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. HLAA offers information on listening assistive devices thru the Faye Donalson Hearing Helpers Room. HLAA gives scholarships to students desiring a higher education.
Hearing Loss Association exists for the purpose of creating a safe place for those with hearing loss and those who love ‘em to gather and talk about hearing loss and many other subjects of interest. We offer a safe place for our members to learn to get along in a hearing world. Our national association, Hearing Loss Association of America is a major lobbying organization. They have worked; to get our Congress to enact legislation to include hearing aids in insurance policies; to get movies and TV to caption their products; to reach out to the military to assist returning GIs; create awareness among the general population of the needs of the hearing impaired; to the professionals in the hearing industry; to business & local governments to create hearing friendly environments for people with hearing loss and on and on and on. Our local group is an extension of all that.
An ice cream social will mark HLA’s 25th Anniversary. The social will be held on August 6th, 2-4PM, at the Lakeside Methodist Church, 2925 NW 66, OKC., Oklahoma City and is open to the public at no admission charge. At that time HLAA will also recognize the two scholarship winners, Ashton Darling attending Oklahoma State University and Shaun Bainter who will be attending Oklahoma University.
There was recently a cartoon published where a husband and wife were sitting on the couch. He said to her, “Turn on the light, please, so I can hear you.” She responded, “I know what you mean, I can’t hear you without my glasses.” It would be funny if it weren’t for the fact that something like one million Oklahomans live with a hearing loss. Many Oklahomans with hearing loss will augment what hearing they have by reading lips. So do your friends a favor by not covering your mouth when you speak, and look at them when you talk, that is only a common courtesy any way.
Summer is fast approaching and activities loom on the horizon — concerts, plays, lake and pool activities, and many more. But, imagine that you can only partially hear the music, the laughter of friends, or that you miss out on family conversations around the dinner table. Hearing loss is a major, and invisible, problem. Hearing loss is no respecter of age, race, or sex. Hearing Loss Association of America Central Oklahoma Chapter (HLAA) has been working for 25 years to help those with a hearing loss live in a hearing world.
May was good hearing month so HLAA asks, “What have you done to protect your hearing?” Our hearing is assaulted daily by damaging sounds. The sound of a lawn mower is enough to cause hearing damage. Imagine what loud music introduced directly into the ear with ear buds might so. Concerts, motors, even driving with the windows down create enough noise to harm your ears. There are several ways to protect your hearing; move away from the sound, turn down the volume, or wear some hearing protection are just a few.
Many ignore the fact that they are having problems hearing. Do you find that you often ask others to repeat themselves? Do people tell you that you have the TV turned too loud? Does everyone mumble? May be it is time to admit that your hearing is getting weak. HLAA encourages you to see a hearing professional. HLAA can assist if you have questions. Yes hearing aids are expensive and in most cases health insurance is no help. HLAA is working to encourage insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing exams and hearing aids.
Hearing loss will continue to grow in the future with thousands of our finest young men and women returning from active military duty. Hearing loss the most prevalent injury among returning veterans so HLAA is very actively developing programs to assist the veteran.
The annual national HLAA convention is held each June to highlight and inform members of technical and medical advancements in the hearing industry. Nationally known speakers, workshops, and Continuing Education Units are a major part of the convention. The Central Oklahoma Chapter is proud to announce that one of our members, Wanda Evans, received an award for Spirit of HLAA at the most recent convention. HLAA offers 17 awards nationally and our local chapter regularly brings home awards.
Central Oklahoma Chapter of HLAA is extremely proud of our Faye Donalson Hearing Helper’s Room. The Hearing Helper’s Room (HHR) displays many assistive listening devices and is staffed entirely by volunteers. We think this is the only facility like it in the entire country. Yes there are other places where you can see and buy items but these ‘stores’ are normally operated as a business or governmental agency and have a paid staff. Our HHR is a demonstration room only. You cannot buy anything here. You may take an item home for a trial at your leisure. If you have questions the volunteers are extremely knowledgeable and are able to direct you to a professional for assistance. The HHR was established 18 years ago by our member, Faye Donalson and we are proud to have her name on our door.
The Mission Statement of Hearing Loss Association of America states that our goal is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy. HLAA’s primary purpose is to educate ourselves, our families, friends, coworkers, teachers, hearing health care providers, industry, government, and others about hearing loss. And we advocate for communication access in the workplace, hotels, schools, court systems, medical, and entertainment facilities. We invite you to be a part of HLAA. Visit our website at www.OKCHearingLoss.org

Acclaimed singer-songwriter inspires kids with type 1 diabetes to pursue their dreams

Crystal Bowersox understands how crucial it is to find a healthy balance on and off the stage. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 6, Crystal — now 30 — reached the heights of American Idol in 2010 and maintains an ongoing musical career. Having nearly lost her spot on the show due to a short hospitalization brought on by the rigorous taping and rehearsal schedule, she vowed to make it her mission to touch others impacted by diabetes with her music and her message.

On Wednesday, July 20, Crystal will visit Camp Blue Hawk, a residential camp serving Oklahoma kids also growing up with T1D. Camp Blue Hawk is a project of Harold Hamm Diabetes Center–Children’s at the University of Oklahoma. This year’s five-day camp will serve 48 children ages 10 to 15 near Guthrie at the Central Christian Camp and Conference Center. Crystal will meet the campers, share her story, and perform briefly.

“Growing up with diabetes, I felt isolated from other kids because they didn’t understand the challenges I faced, and today I know there are many who experience the same things,” said Crystal. “However, despite the obstacles, I learned how to manage the disease, and I try to live my life to the fullest.”

Crystal’s grit and determination caught the eye of Lilly Diabetes, which today introduced her as its newest type 1 diabetes ambassador. Crystal’s visit to Camp Blue Hawk is part of the Lilly Camp Care Package program, one of the largest diabetes camp support programs in the United States.

Attending a diabetes summer camp can be a valuable experience for children learning to live with the disease, particularly those transitioning from parental care to self-care. A three-year survey by the American Diabetes Association® showed camp experience increases children’s diabetes knowledge, self-confidence, diabetes management and emotional well-being. Camps are especially valuable for newly diagnosed campers (less than one year since initial diagnosis) changed the most, with 19 percent showing improvement in their ability to manage diabetes-related issues.

Since finishing as first runner-up on Season 9 of American Idol, Crystal has released two full-length albums and two EPs, mostly featuring her own original songs. She has collaborated with Joe Cocker, B.B. King, Alanis Morissette, Jakob Dylan, John Popper of Blues Traveler, and Melissa Etheridge, among others. Originally from Northwest Ohio, Crystal now makes her home in Nashville.

Harold Hamm Diabetes Center (HHDC) is an OU Medicine Center of Excellence leading the way to prevent, treat, and ultimately find a cure for diabetes. HHDC–Children’s is the center’s pediatric division, housed in the OU Children’s Physicians building in Oklahoma City. This is Camp Blue Hawk’s second year; campers are invited by medical staff at HHDC–Children’s, and every camper attends on scholarship. www.haroldhamm.org

What would be the first thing you would do when elected president?

If I was elected president I would try to meet with all the countries having problems with Al-Qaeda and figure out how to live on the planet together.  Glenda Nash

The first thing would be to make sure all the elderly had their benefits and make sure everyone had insurance. Ronald Haywood

Lower taxes for everybody.  Anthony Hudspeth

I’m going to say ensure equal rights for everybody.  Ronnie Pruiett

Losing weight is hard. But as anyone who has dropped a few pants sizes can tell you, keeping it off can be every bit as challenging.
It turns out, though, that it likely takes more than just staying committed to a maintenance diet once you reach your goals. Scientists believe your body might actually be fighting to get back to where it was previously in a phenomenon called the ‘set point’ theory.
The idea is that, for some reason, your body has an idea of what weight it wants you to be, said Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President Stephen Prescott, M.D. So whether you’ve lost 40 pounds or gained 15, your hormones will adjust in an effort to get you back to a particular point.
“A person’s weight may not always go all the way back to the original weight, but there appears to be some kind of intrinsic desire on the body’s part to get back to a certain weight and stay there,” said Prescott. “It’s not been proven scientifically, but there is increasing evidence to support it.”
The set-point theory isn’t new, but it has been re-popularized because of a recent study by scientists at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, who tracked the progress of contestants from the reality television show “The Biggest Loser.” For six years, they followed contestants after they shed massive amounts of weight for the popular competition.
The researchers’ discoveries gave the set-point theory a lot of ammunition, as the former contestants packed the pounds back on regardless of how strictly they adhered to their diets. Some even gained to a point higher than their original weight.
“It was a really dramatic, attention-grabbing example of the theory as it had previously been described,” said Prescott. “It also shows that there are mysteries we don’t quite fully understand, and you can’t just blame people for getting fat again. Some may not follow their diets as closely as they should, but it appears likely that people also end up fighting their own biology.”
Prescott said the study’s findings point to resting metabolism, or basal metabolic rate, which determines how many calories your body burns at rest.
Our bodies burn energy just keeping us alive. Prescott said somewhere around 70 percent of the calories you use each day are going to get burned no matter what, even if you’re just sitting on the couch or at your desk.
Your age, muscle mass, fitness level and height all contribute to how many calories your body burns. But the findings presented a paradox: The people who gained the weight back appear to have lower metabolic rates than expected based on these factors.
“It’s thought that this could be a result of a complex interplay between hormones that regulate how our bodies burn energy,” said Prescott. “These people were not burning as many calories as you would think based on their height, weight or age. They were gaining weight even on what would be considered a maintenance diet.”
In other words, if you should be burning around 2,000 calories on a maintenance diet based on your personal combination of factors but you have recently lost 20-30 pounds, your actual metabolic rate might have dropped to somewhere around 1,700 or so.
So if your body is determined to gain the weight back even after all your hard work to lose it, does this mean it’s time to throw in the towel and raid the freezer for that pint of rocky road?
“That’s a little too dramatic,” said Prescott. “There may be a tendency to do that, but I think there is hope that there are things you can do to alter or reset your set point.”
To influence this process in your favor, the best solution may rely on an old standby—the gym.
“An exercise regimen often leads to more success in maintaining a new, lower weight,” said Prescott. “Maintaining your new weight may tough, but increased understanding can help you start to rebuild your behavior and habits around a new number for better long-term outcomes.”