Breaking News

Columns

Rain, Rain … Go Away

Enough, already! I don’t know about you, but I have had just about all I can take of these late summer storms. It’s bad enough we can’t get just a gentle rain to water the lawn and gardens. The rain comes in sideways and pelts the ground with machine gun force. The middle-of-the-night thunderstorms are enough to make anyone queasy. The last few have jolted us out of bed.  I don’t mean to pick on our local weather forecasters, yet they tend to put us in panic mode more times than not. I get it. They are only trying to prepare us for what might happen. Unfortunately, there ...

Simple Ways to Soothe Bunion Pain

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m a 62-year-old woman and have had a bunion on my big toe for years, but lately it’s become more painful and is making it hard to find comfortable shoes. I’d like to avoid surgery if possible. What can I do to ease the discomfort and keep it from getting worse? – Sore Toe Susan Dear Susan, You’re not alone. Bunions are very common, especially among women, and they often become more painful with age as the joint shifts out of alignment and inflammation sets in. What may have started as a minor nuisance can turn into ongoing discomfort, making it ...

Dolly Would Be Proud 

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. Those words can be found throughout the area, especially on school marquees and church message boards. It’s a simple message, one that sinks in after a while.  For a Wheeling Island family, that message was more than just a slogan. I received a card from a husband and wife who live on Wheeling Island, not far from the stadium there. They told me that the wife was unloading groceries from the trunk of her car the other day.  It was a pretty heavy load. She explained that there were two teens walking up the street who stopped and ...

A Caregiver’s Guide to Medicare

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m taking care of my elderly father who recently had a stroke and have a lot of questions about how Medicare works and what it covers. He’s enrolled in original Medicare. Can you help me? – Caregiving Connie Dear Connie, Taking care of a parent after a stroke is hard enough without having to figure out Medicare too. The good news is that understanding the program can make life a lot easier. Knowing what’s covered – and what isn't – can help you plan ahead, avoid costly surprises and make sure your father gets the care he needs. Here’s a practical ...

Where Have You Gone, USA?

July Fourth has come and gone, and with it went that patriotic display that was so prevalent. At least that’s what I have noticed in my travels around the Ohio Valley. I no longer see as many American flags flying from homes and businesses. Red, white and blue buntings have gone the way of the latest wind storms. It makes me sad. There was nothing more important to me when we erected our flag pole outside our home than to keep the Stars and Stripes waving proudly. We made sure the pole was illuminated for proper display of the flag at night. When our flag becomes tattered and torn ...

Smartphones Made Simple for Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior, My 79-year-old mom just upgraded from a flip phone to a smartphone, but she’s having trouble figuring it out. Is there a way to make it easier for her to use? – Only Daughter Dear Only, Switching from a flip phone to a smartphone can be a big adjustment. What seems second nature to younger users can feel overwhelming to someone who’s never used a touchscreen. Even though the screen is bigger, the text can still be tiny, the buttons hard to tap, and one accidental touch can open an app or change a setting. Even simple tasks like texting or taking a picture ...