ONKSDAY, DECEMBER 3,1980 V Past 65 by Carl Kiblet Jr. Question--"There are places to live that senior citizens and their relatives can afford that make good alternatives to nursing homes. I run such a home and there are perhaps a dozen other similar places in my area. They are foster homes for elders. What we have done is open our own dwelling places as boarding homes for seniors. I have been running one for nine years. It is certified by the stat# That means that the cleanliness of my home for the elderly is regularly in spected. There are both fire and safety inspections, and there is a state inspection on the live-ability of my home. "I have five senior-citizen boarders. For them, I prepare and serve wholesome meals three times a day, plus snacks. I assist the boarders with their baths when necessary, clean their rooms and change the linens once a week. I keep records of their medications and serve those medications carefully on schedule. If their families can't take them, I drive them to the doctor,the barber shop and beauty parlor I encourage hobbies and you should see the nice things they make. One little old lady writes short stories. "We are one family and really care for each other, which is a blessing for those who have no family at all. I have dried tearful eyes and hugged these older people who have taken the place in my life of my mom and dad who died. I charge $400 a month for everything. Some foster homes charge as much as $700. Compared to nursing homes, either is a bargain. When my old folks need more care than I can give them here, they go into nursing homes. Then, we old friends visit them there. I am not looking for more boarders. I have a long waiting list. "Please excuse my grammar. I am not well- educated. But I'm doing okay at age 63 and earning my way alone while putting a grandson through college. Maybe other people over the country can start a foster home for elders. Do you think they would like to write to me about it?"--Bonnie Rae L. Answer---There are perhaps thousands of foster homes for elders in the 50 states and 10 provinces, most of them operating under license. However, there can't be many, if any, that give what Bonnie Rae gives for the price. (Her grammar, by the way, is correct and she has no need to apologize for it.) Should anyone wish to write her, I will forward the letters to her. ... Question--"All senior citizens should be reminded of the importance of ob taining a birth certificate to have in hand before retirement. A neighbor lost two months of Social Security benefits by not being prepared. It took her that long to get the birth certificate required by SS when her husband died. SS then told her she should have come into their office with his birth certificate a day or two after his death. She had had years to prepare because her husband had been an invalid and she had handled all of the family business. But she did not prepare. "Even though we do not like to think of it, death does strike our loved ones. We should have on hand at retirement all necessary certificates such as birth, marriage and other vital papers."--Mrs. R.G.P. Answer--A birth cer tificate and a will are two "papers" that ought to be in the possession of everyone past 65. A birth certificate can be obtained by writing to the county vital records department at the county seat in the county of birth, or by asking for the assistance of the Bureau of Census. It's easy. All an elder has to do is write the letter or make the first phone call. Question--"I am in terested in receiving in formation regarding the drug 'candicidin' and the correct prescription for treatment of impotence."-- John D.W., M.D. Answer--Other medical doctors and a number of pharmacists have written for the prescription. And hundreds of elders, too. I am not qualified to give out the prescription if I had it and I seldom reveal identities in this column, and then only with permission of the people involved. However, I talked on the long distance phone this morning with the doctor who first told us about it. He said he will give me full information for tran smission to others who are qualified, sometime during the following week. I will then be able to pass it on. He said the prescription must be written by a qualified doctor and then only aft?r that doctor has made an exhaustive, special examination which finds evidence of vascular blockage. He scoffs at doctors who do not make such an examination and who retreat to the comment, one that drives people up the wall of frustration: "It's all in your head." Perhaps. Perhaps not. Question--"For the past three years I have been doing work with stained glass. I am wondering if the exposure for three or four hours a day to breathing the fumes from the solder I use to put the stained glass pieces together, places me in danger of lead poisoning. It is impossible not to inhale some of the fumes."--Mrs.^ M W L Answer--If Mrs. M.W.L. can't wear a mask for protection, then she had best look into the possibilities of lead poisoning. She should check even though she can wear a mask. She can ask her employer first, assuming she has not already done so. Then she can inquire by telephoning the government office in the big city across the river from her, the agency that is responsible for investigating safe working conditions, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration- phone 221-2251. Question--"I am 88, never was married and I live with a niece whose name is on my savings and checking ac counts and treasury bills, along with my name. At one time I had a will that left portions of my small estate to other nieces and a nephew, and their children. As none of them showed any interest in me I destroyed that will and just now have arranged for the niece who lives with me to inherit the accounts on which her name is entered with mine. When my time comes will she have any problems inheriting my rather modest estate?"-- Helen N.C. Answer--Helen should be careful. The niece may in deed have difficulty ob taining the money, especially if a copy of the destroyed will should turn up. Helen should consult a lawyer--at once. Before going into the problem, she should obtain from the lawyer a firm idea of what he will charge for his services. She should make certain that the lawyer will not be inclined to drag out the solution and bill her for work that may not be necessary. She might telephone the County Office on Aging-787-6557~and ask where she can contact a lawyer for a modest fee to obtain swift completion of the job she will give him, which would be to advise her and then to write a will that takes care of her problem. Question--"Maybe some of your readers can help me find a picture or even a description of an oldtime tannery. I want to build a model of a tannery that existed in the years 1850 to 1900.1 want to include it in a model train display. I know this is a strange request, but I might just be lucky enough to get word from somebody This Christmas *l»op MM charming atmosphere of aa older hem* I "Th. « Boutique In a House" JTciUr, Vo "Evferyfyng cjVico Women's Apparel CA Shop FREE GIFT WRAPPING! (Up the street from Little John's across from McHenry Rec) 3107 W.Lake McHenry 344-1050 OPEN SUNDAYS 1010 4 Fine Labels for Junior & Missy SNUG HARBOR GUMBALL RALLY! Saturday Evening December 13, 1980 Raffle Antique-Authentic 1C GUMBALL MACHINES DRAWINGS 8:00-9:30-10:30 HOMESTYLE "From Scratch" SPECIALS Complete dinners including cheese & cracker baskets, generous relish tray, soup or salad with entree. Monday • Country Fried Steak w/gravy 4.50 Tuos. - Stewed Chicken & Dumplings 4.00 Wed. - Corned Beef & Cabbage 4.95 Thurs. - Sauerbraten w/Red Cabbage 4.50 German Potato Salad Frl. - Fresh Fish (All You Can Eat) 4.95 SATURDAY - SUNDAY Succulent Roast Duck/ Generous Prime Rib Saturdays - Music - Sing-a-Long BAR PROMOTION - 7:30 - 9:00 PM Dig our "Looney" Bartenders TUES. MON. 'Sadie Hawkins" Nite Escorted Men Drinks '/j Price "CRAZY HOUR' Special Tickets WEDS. "Ladies' * THURS. "CRAZY HOUR' Nite Special Escorted Ladies Tickets Drinks '/j Price "Crazy Hour" - This week - Bartender will give you a FREE DRINK if you're wearing - suspenders, or patent shoes, or Handlebar mustache, or - if you're a lady escorted by 2 baldheaded men. Check Out Next Week's "Crazy" antics 11 SNUG HARBOR ('/» mile south of Rte. 120 Bridge) 801 RIVER ROAD 385-2677 who can give me the name of a book on tanneries, or a good description of a tan nery. Somebody who maybe saw one before it was torn down. The local library has nothing."--Irene L. Answer--If anybody out there can help Irene I will forward their letters to her in California. She promises to reply at once. Question--"My husband and I have a terrible problem. Because of an incident of child abuse in the home of my daughter and her husband I unhappily threatened them with legal action. Now they won't let us visit our grandchildren. We were the mainstay in their lives. "I have learned from legal advice that we cannot hope to succeed in forcing them to allow us, the grandparents, visitation rights to the grandchildren. And a court battle is so Expensive. I'm afraid for my grandchildren. What can we do?"--Mrs. K M . Answer--Mrs. K.M. will have to obtain sound advice on all of the factors involved. She should try again with the lawyers; this time with the local Legal Aid society. She can also contact the Child Protective services office in her area. The Legal Aid society can tell her where it is. Question--"I have some Series E government bonds from the 1950s. A friend told me that after a certain date the bonds will no longer pay interest. Is that true?"-- Hannah Z. Answer--It is not true. All Series E bonds continue to earn interest, even though the maturity date on the bonds has come and gone. Should the federal govern ment ever decide to stop paying interest, Hannah will get a timely warning in great big headlines on page one of her favorite newspaper. Question--"I have been receiving supplemental security income (or the past year. Until now I haven't been able to work. A job has been offered that I think I can handle okay and I'd like to take a crack at it. If I can't handle it, will I be able to get SSI checks again?"--Bobbie H. Answer--Bobbie may have a nine-month trial period to see if he can hold the job satisfactorily. If he finds he can't handle the job, his monthly SSI checks will continue as usual. He should notify SS if and when he goes to work. Write to Carl Riblet Jr. at Box 40737, Tucson, Az. 85717 with SASE for information and advice on questions you may have as an elder. All questions will be answered, if possible. No identities are revealed. • • • * To read" with under standing is to be edu cated. Magic Of Mime At MCC consumerYchecklist In One Presentation Tim Settimi will bring the magic of mime to McHenry County college Thursday, Dec. 4. A mime artist who amazed crowds at Chicago Fest, Settimi will appear in the college lounge at 8 p.m. Settimi toured as a vocalist-flute player. He has composed a multi-media rock cantata, designing costumes, arranging and creating visual, and playing several visuals throughout the show. He composed and performed the sound trapk for "Silent Affliction", an attempt at showing what life is like for people with hearing impairments. He starred in "With These Hands", a film made to provide audiences with further understanding of the deaf as well as to entertain. He is currently in the process of building his own showcase facility in Atlanta and is making plans to teach classes in mime. Strapped? In a rush-hour subway train, a gentleman bent over and asked the young lady standing next to him if he could find a strap for her. "I have a strap," she replied coldly. "Then would ygu mind letting go of my neck- ' stated the commuter. Consumers shopping for upholstered furniture may notice something new at tached to the article -- a gold tag that indicates the furni ture is part of a new program. Those gold hangtags labeled UFAC (Upholstered Furni ture Action Council) tell con sumers that items are engi neered to reduce, but not necessarily eliminate, igni tion by a burning cigarette. ACCOUNTING AND TAX SERVICES WARD and WARD 338-4799 HRS. 1:00-9:00 P.M. DR. ROBERT GLICK Podiatrist -- Foot Specialist •Orthepedlcs *Feet Surgery * General Care •Sperl Medicine •Children's Feet Problems McHenry Office 4305 W. Elm Street (Rte. 120-Across the Street from Hornsby's) (815) 344-3900 WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES h ON SALE ITEMS BELLIIQIIORS MERCHANTS OF FINE WINES AND LIQU 44AAI l y f i L i r t V A / D T C 1 O A H A / . U C K I D V SALE BEER NOT ICED NO SALES TO MINORS 385-3200 SALE DATES: WED.(DEC. 3-TIIES., DEC. 9 LIQUORS 4610 W. RTE. 120, McHENRY, ILLINOIS, OUR McHENRY STORE ONLY - WHILErilUANTITIES LAST TAYLOR CALIFORNIA CELLARS RHINE BURGUNDY VIN ROSE CHABLIS 1.5 LITRE MAGNUM FREE TASTING FRI. AND SAT. lonmc m CORDON'S VODKA 1.75 LITRES KINSEY SILVER BLENDED WHISKEY 1.75 LITRES RON CASTILLO RUM 1.75 LITRES LOUIS MARTINI 1977 CALIFORNIA GAMAY BEAUJOLAIS 750 ML FIFTH RES. 3.99 BARCLAY'S IRI 1.75 LITRES SB BartU^ ARROW PEPPERMINT SCHNAPPS 48 OZ. BOTTLE WALKER'S OIN 1.75 LITRES IN6LEN00K 1977 NAPA VALLEY GAMAY ROSE 1750 ML FIFTH REG. 3.S9 F0L0NARI W ITALIAN VERONESE M, WINES M SOAVE VALPOLICELLA BARDOLINO D 750 ML FIFTH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, SAY "MERRY CHRISTMAS" WITH FINE ^ LIQUOR ft WINE GIFT SETS FROM BELL.. .YOUR CHRISTMAS STORE. BOLLA LEROUX COFFEE AMARETTO LIQUEUR 750 ML FIFTH '-UP - CRUSH NENI MIXERS QUARTS OR 1 LITERS FOR PLUS DEPOSIT OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICE WE FEATURE: McHENRY'S LARGEST GIFT SELECTION AT VERY AFFORDABLE PRICES. ALL 8 PACK SODAS SABROSO COFFEE LIQUEUR 750 ML FIFTH PEPSI DIET PEPSI 1 MOUNTAIN SUNKIST 8-16 OZ. 7-UP BOTTLES DR.PEPPER ORANGE CRUSH SQUIRT A A W R O O T B E E R COCA COLA FRESCA TAB SPRITE §? RC COLAl DIET RITE RC 100 NEHI FLAVORS EVERYDAY LOW PRICE! PLUS DEPOSIT BUBBLE-UP DADS ROOT BEER DIET DADS 8-16 OZ. BOTTLES PLUS DEPOSIT 4 OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICE LOWENBRAU LIGHT OR DARK 6-120Z. NJL BOTTLES m BUDWEISER DEED V-- 24-12 OZ. LOOSE PACK CANS LITE BEER FROM MILLERS 12-12 OZ. CMS PABST BLUE RIBBON >12 OZ. BOTTLES PLUS DEPOSIT