Darrell Groves and his dog enjoy leisurely walks, but no car rides. Darrell has Alzheimer's disease and can't drive.

"And I haven't for, for I don't know. I think, I think it's about, what was it about five years, maybe?" says Groves

Initially, Darrell could safely drive to the store.

"At a very early stage, it doesn't appear that there's much impairment related to driving," says Geriatrician Dr. David Carr.

As Alzheimer's or other related illnesses progress, driving abilities are affected.

"The areas that keep coming up recurrently, is that they may be driving too slow, or too fast, for conditions, so speed problems. Trouble staying in the lane, so it's very common that they'll cross over lanes, or they end up driving the car into a ditch," says Carr.

Traffic signs become tricky, as a recent study with dementia patients revealed.

"They had difficulty, believe it or not, with the stop sign without the word stop on it," says Carr.

Before you're in the driver's seat trying to figure out what to do, Dr. Carr advises families to start a dialogue.

"We need to start thinking about a time when we're no longer gonna be able to drive and start planning for that. Unfortunately, more often than not, it just comes up as an urgency," says Carr.

Dr. Carr says he is amazed at how many patients with dementia actually remember that they've lost their license and can no longer drive. For situations where a memory loss patient still tries to drive, he suggests filing down their vehicle's ignition key so it won't work.

Taking life in the slow lane isn't for Ron Greene.

"I'm a skier, a surfer, and just recently got back into racing cars," says Greene.

Through it all, this lifetime athlete's knees have taken a beating.

"I've incrementally torn both ACL's all the way through, and now I have arthritis in both knees," says Greene.

Ron's doctor, Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Robert Gotlin, says baby boomer athletes need to stay active, but also realize their bodies just aren't the same.

"The joints of the hip, the knee, the ankle, the shoulder, these joints just do wear out. It's like a tire, eventually the treads wear out," says Gotlin.

Instead of retiring to a rocking chair, boomer athletes can bounce back through rehab, but it takes patience.

"The recovery phase as we age increases. When we're younger, bounding back from injury can be three to four weeks. As we get to be middle-aged, it can be four to five weeks. As we get older, it can be six to seven weeks," says Gotlin.

Dr. Gotlin says cardio exercise is key to boomer rehab.

"The workouts are geared toward swimming, walking, calisthenics, basic aerobic treadmill exercises. Those are the most important for the boomer," says Gotlin.

For Ron, maintaining his active lifestyle is worth the effort.

"I sort of look at myself as a car that needs to be maintained. I come into the mechanic and he does what's necessary for a tune-up, and I go right back out and do it again," says Greene.

BY VANITA NAIR

An estimated 5.2 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, and that number will continue to grow according to a new report from the American Alzheimer's Association.

If current trends continue, they estimate that one in eight baby boomers can expect to be diagnosed with Alzheimer' s disease. By 2050, the number of people living with the condition could top 16 million. The cost of managing dementia is staggering. Medicare expenditures alone are expected to reach $160 billion in the next two years.

There is currently no cure for the condition. Just 5 FDA approved medications exist for Alzheimer's, and these only slow the disease's progress by a matter of months. There is also little known about how an individual can lower his or her risk of dementia. Studies suggest that people with higher levels of education have a slightly reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, as do those who exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.

Last year almost 10-million Americans provided more than 8-billion hours of unpaid care to Alzheimer's patients. That care is valued at about 89 billion dollars.

By Ashley Hall

April 10, 2008

Taxes are due on Tuesday. Even people who don't normally file taxes, must file by that date to qualify for a federal stimulus check.

Senior citizens are getting some extra help and encouragement filling out tax returns. U.S. Congressman Greg Walden is making stops around Oregon answering questions and providing resources. Some seniors who don't have internet access, say they are thankful for the answers.

AARP is offering free help filing tax forms. For more information, you can call 1-800-906-9887 or log onto www.irs.gov 

BY CHELSEA MULLER & FARIS TANYOS

 March 6, 2008

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore -- The government will soon be sending rebate checks to millions of households across the country.  Seniors will have to file their taxes this year if they want to reap the benefits.

 "If people have not been required to file in the prior years, and they have more than 3,000 in social security, railroad retirements, an veterans benefits, in order to get the stimulus package they need to file a return," says Tax Consultant Deborah Etters.

 Tax preparation groups, like Tax Aide, have been seeing an influx of confused filers.

 "They're in and out within a half hour generally, so it's a fairly simple process. An easy way to get that rebate," says Hearne.

 The IRS will not be considering the stimulus checks taxable income. If you have already filed, but did not include the non-taxable money on your return, you need to file an amendment to get your full stimulus check.

BY CHRIS PLOUHAR

March 4, 2008

CENTRAL POINT, Ore.  --  Rogue Valley seniors were celebrated Tuesday. They enjoyed an event with informative booths and prizes donated by vendors.

The ACCESS Senior Fair was a big success with almost 4000 people passing though the doors at the Medford Armory. The fair lets seniors meet with hospitals and businesses to discuss issues that affect their lives.

ACCESS says this was their best year yet.

"If you know anything about ACCESS, we've been around for 30 years, and part of our response is to take care of seniors and disabled persons, and part of that is raising awareness and this is our way of raising awareness for their issues," said ACCESS Development Director Logan Bell.

Newswatch 12 anchors were calling bingo and handing out prizes at the fair. 

BY ANDREA PETTES

February 29, 2008

EAGLE POINT, Ore.  --  Oregonians are becoming one of the oldest demographics in the nation.  In the next 17 years, it's projected that Oregon will be home to the fourth-oldest population and some of those people might have a hard time finding a place to live.  The Oregon Legislature is now working on making housing available for everyone. 

In this year's supplemental session, Oregon legislators passed Senate Bill 1061.  That bill will require the state to give senior housing facilities a larger Medicaid reimbursement. 

The H Bar C Ranch Adult Family Care Facility knows just how hard it is to stay up and running.  It's been helping people for 15 years.  When the state started paying less for Medicaid reimbursements, they felt the pinch like many other facilities.

"In today's world, with our population growing, simple things like medicine, Depends, wheel chairs, air mattress, it makes it a lot tougher," said Harry Schneider, an adult foster homeowner.

The passing of Senate Bill 1061 will change that.

"Well, like any business in today's world, there is a bottom line you have to be able to cover the cost, so this will make a big impact for what we'll be able to provide to seniors in our homes," said Schneider.

That is exactly what Senator Alan Bates says he hoped for as he pushed Senate Bill 1061 on the senate floor.

"For our area, there are people right now who will be affected immediately.  These people were at risk for being taken out of their homes and put into an extended care facility and they wont like that," said Bates.

Keeping people in their current homes is much cheaper for the state of Oregon.

"Looking ahead, the population of Oregon is aging rapidly. Especially Southern Oregon, we have lots of retirees here so we have to maintain our strong robust system of care for people as they get into their 70's and 80's and we'll have about 30-40 percent in that age group in the next 10 to 15 years," said Bates.

The Department of Human Services spends more than $4.6 million every year for every 100 people on Medicaid living in a nursing home instead of another care facility.  Senator Bates says this is just one example of how important it is for the state legislature to have an annual session.

A long-term plan will be discussed at the beginning of next year's legislature.

By Jennifer Seeker

February 27, 2008

Throughout February Newswatch 12 has looked at the graying of Southern Oregon. Our coverage of the changing demographics wraped up with a special roundtable. Members of four generations of people living in Southern Oregon discussed how the region is changing and what that means for people from 18 to 82.

By Tim Conroy
February 26, 2008

The start of 2008 brought with it the first baby boomer to retire. They will continue retiring for the next 18 years and every one of them needs money to fund the time of relaxation.

The days of a guaranteed pension for employees are pretty much over. Today workers rely on 401k, IRAs, savings and money in the stock market. Financial advisor, Al Densmore, says people should start saving as early as possible. If your employer offers a retirement savings program take advantage of it. Money will grow over time.

Retirement planning resources:

AARP - http://www.aarp.org/money/financial_planning/

Fire Finance (blog) - http://firefinance.blogspot.com/2008/02/top-resources-for-early-retirement.html

Get Rich Slowly (blog) - http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/02/13/daily-links-free-downloadable-suze-orman-e-book/

BY JANET KIM

February 21, 2008

MEDFORD, Ore. -- The state of Oregon is helping seniors fight fraud. The state's Department of Consumer and Business services is holding seminars for seniors. One was held today at Medford's Smullin Center.

It gave seniors advice on how to protect themselves against insurance and financial abuse. "We're starting to get complaints from seniors and senior family members," says Ron Fredrickson, with the Consumer Advocacy Unit. "There are agents trying to market to them in ways we don't think are appropriate, or trying to sell products to them that we don't think are appropriate or suitable for them."

If you have any insurance questions or complaints, you can call the Oregon Consumer Advocacy hotline at 1 (888) 877-4894.

The workshops are part of the SAFE program, the Senior And Family Education on insurance and financial issues. Another one is scheduled for tomorrow morning, in Grants Pass. It will be at the Job Council, at 1545 Harbeck Road and will start at 10:15 a.m.

BY CHELSEA MULLER

February 21, 2008

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Tonight, a free seminar in the Klamath Basin is hoping to educate homeowners reaching retirement age. The seminar will cover lending as a whole, but have a special focus on reverse mortgages.

A reverse mortgage enables homeowners 62 or older to convert part of their home's equity into tax-free income. Qualified candidates can do that without taking on a new monthly mortgage payment. Instead of making monthly payments to the lender, the lender makes monthly payments to you.

With so many eligible candidates in the basin, organizers felt this was the perfect time to educate them. "There's also people that are coming here to retire becuase they just love the area. Maybe they're in a situation where they do have the fixed income and do need to supplement that a little bit," says Todd Ford, a lending administration manager helping with the seminar.

The free seminar is at Pacific Crest Credit Union on Washburn Way. It is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

BY KRIS NIELSON

February 21, 2008

MEDFORD, Ore. -- The climate, the care, and the cost of living are at the top of the list of several reasons retirees are flocking to southern Oregon. "The Rogue Valley has received a number of accolades of being a great place to retire, and people are finding out about it," says Sarah Prewitt, the public relations manager for the Rogue Valley Manor.

The area is becoming a nationally recognized retirement destination. Thousands of retired people have come from around the world for the weather, the healthcare, and the location. "So many people flooded here and are still able to maintain a lifestyle here because the cost of living is so much lower than what it would be in some of the higher-end California areas," says Prewitt.

While much of the state is struggling to find housing for people over the age of 62, many areas lack housing and services for low-income seniors and those with disabilities. "There's not a line of elderly people and a line of other people who need housing and the elderly line is longer. I see a need (because) both populations are growing," says Jennifer Jennings, who works for the Jackson County Housing Authority. The agency runs just one complex for elderly and/or disabled residents. "All of our senior housing, that we call senior housing, is also for people with disabilities," says Jennings.

Although she says there is always a need for low-income housing, southern Oregon has done well in taking care of housing for the elderly. Many of those involved with elderly residents in southern Oregon say most who come to the area have planned to be here. South

"One of the great things about our valley is the affordability and that attracts people from all walks of life, all socio-economic levels," says Prewitt. She says many businesses have planned for the boom in the retirement community and many continue to prepare for more to come. "As more and more people need these services, people are going to respond. The consumer is looking for health care, and the Rogue Valley is a great place to do it."

BY CHELSEA MULLER

February 20, 2008

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- A southern Oregon organization is hoping to improve not just their own golden years, but those of federal employees reaching retirement age. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees' Association works to protect and improve retirement benefits for federal employees. The Klamath Falls chapter has been bracing for the baby boomers that will soon retire.

"We have been actively campaigning for all employees currently active in the agencies to join," says local chapter president Rollie Smith.

A main priority is lobbying to protect retirement benefits. "You keep your mind active, you keep your body active, and unfortunately, you live longer. And the longer you live, the less your pension buys," says Delbert Broyles, who retired from the postal service.

The group also works to support Alzheimer's research.

BY CHELSEA MULLER

February 19, 2008

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.  --  This month, Newswatch 12 is focusing on the demographic shift in Southern Oregon. 

Klamath County School Enrollment decreased by a couple hundred children this year.  Families aren't moving out of town, the town is just getting older.

Southern Oregon has become a popular retirement destination, speeding up the demographic shift.  From road signs to community programs, cities are pumping energy and dollars into the evolving needs of residents 65 and older.

In four years, the first wave of 79 million baby boomers will turn 65.  Cities like Klamath Falls have been bracing for the demographic shift.

"We've had an active program going on now five years, doing curb cuts throughout the major pedestrian transportation quarters," said Klamath Falls City Manager Jeff Ball.

Downtown has been a major area of focus, but getting the rest of town retrofitted is a gradual process.  It will happen slowly, as money allows.  In the meantime, the city is moving services to buildings with better access.

"We moved finance out of this building and the building across the street. Combined them with utilities billing in the old Pacific Power building on Main Street," Ball said.

"Clearly, it's an issue that we're aware of and we're continuing to work on to make things best we can," said O-DOT District Manager Mike Stinson.

The Department of Transportation is feeling the pinch too, training designers and engineers on vision and mobility issues.

"Placement of signs, so that you have plenty of time to read the sign rather than trying to look back over your shoulder to see what you were trying to read," Stinson said.

Increasing font size and reducing glare for ease on an aging eye are also proactive changes Stinson says will help.

"Biggest focus has been on signs, but as we learn, threre's a lot more issues out there to deal with," Stinson said. "So, we're looking at those design situations and even in our pedestrian walkways, we look at what the timing is across the road for somebody a little older, it takes a little more time for them to cross the road."

The changes won't be made overnight.  Available funds, labor and material stall the process.  It can cost $200 to $300 to replace one road sign.

"We're dealing with such a large infrastructure that we have to modernize it as we go," said Stinson. "The cost of just coming out and modernizing the whole system would be very extensive to get it done."

City Administrators are noticing that the new crop of seniors is looking for more than just an easy-to-read sign.

"For the city, it really hit us in 2005, with retirees moving to Klamath and what we discovered was it was a different type of retiree," Ball said.

Klamath Falls is known to draw outdoor enthusiasts and city leaders are noticing an influx in active retirees.  People who aren't content to just kick back after leaving the work force.

"The one big one that really started focusing on in our parks system is emphasis on trails as opposed to the more traditional park playground stuff," Ball said.

"We've got to meet everyone's needs in the park system and, one of the ways we can address the elderly, is through trails or walking paths," said Klamath Falls City Parks representative Sandra Zaida.

That's great in the summer, but a tough sell in winter.  Especially during a winter like the Klamath Basin has seen this year.

"We're attempting to address that with a new walkway along the Lake Ewana Trail specifically, which could be geothermally heated, which would allow some outdoor trail walking as well," Zaida said.

The parks department is still waiting on some grant money, but it hopes to break ground on Ewana Trail this year.

"Single story is an important factor for a lot of people as they get older," said John L.Scott Broker Jed Etters.

Real estate brokers are also catering to the trend.  Not only are they seeing a lot of retirees looking for homes without stairs, but also homes with little or no maintenance.

"Seeing a lot more people going for condo developments or maybe a town house development where you pay a homeowners fee and they take care of mowing the lawn, they take care of the front area, landscaping," said Etters.

Many folks don't want to waste their golden years grooming a big yard.  With all that energy to burn and time on their hands, the city is hoping to create community programs that will give this new generation of retirees an outlet to give to their community.

"One of the challenges for the city, and we'd like to figure out a way to tap into this, is there's a lot of experience and a lot of ability in that group, and if we could somehow come up with a program or structure that utilizes those folks as volunteers for the community, I think it would be a great move for us," said Ball.

Some city governments might also be feeling the effects in their work force.  Klamath Fall's city manager says there are a lot of people working for cities that are all coming up on retirement age with a lot of knowledge and experience that will need to be replaced.

Klamath and other neighboring cities say they'll need transitional programs that will help instill that knowledge in younger employees.

BY CHELSEA MULLER

February 19, 2008

MEDFORD, Ore. -- Jackson County commissioners are focusing on the changing demographics of the region and its affects on the county. They were briefed by the employment department's regional economist this afternoon. The presentation focused on the age of our area's population and how that is going to affect certain industries. With the majority of the region's workforce approaching retirement age, he says employers might have to start gettng creative.

Regional economist Guy Tauer presented data that breaks down where a lot of these people are working. From real estate to trucking to areas of the health service industry, many companies have a high percentage of workers ready to retire. Over the next five to ten years, Tauer suggests employers decide how those empty positions will get filled. He says the area might see more outsourcing, or that companies should entertain gradual retirements, job sharing, or more telecommuting options. "Put those programs in place to be able to train and mentor those younger workers, so those people can benefit from the skills of people that are near retirement age," is Tauer's advice.

Tauer also tracked the diversity of our area. While there was in increase in Hispanic and Latino populations, he says it was not to the same extent as other parts of the state.

Tauer says population forecasts over the next 20 years are encouraging. He foresees the Rogue Valley drawing more working age people as well as retirees and says they will hopefully ease the blow of baby boomers aging out of the work force.

BY ASHLEY HALL

February 15, 2008

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Senior citizens in southern Oregon now have a new option when it comes to health care. Dr. Edsworth John is a gerontologist who just moved to Grants Pass. "Geriatrics is part of it," says John of his field. "It (also) deals with mental health and social workers."

While many seniors say they are satisfied with their family physician, Dr. John says some of the problems seniors deal with can be easily missed or misdiagnosed. "You may have, for instance, a patient with dementia and incontinence. Urinary incontinence often comes up, so a medication that affects incontinence can make the dementia even worse," he says.

John says drug interactions are one of the top issues in senior health. "I want to live longer. I don't want to die in a couple of years," says Phil Stephens, who is 59 years old. "It's men like him (Dr. John), and ladies, that provide us that care and that expertise and knowledge to live longer and do things for ourselves."

John is southern Oregon's only gerontologist, and he just started in December. The need for more gerontologists is so great that the Grants Pass Medical Center is bringing in a second one in June.

BY JENNIFER SEEKER

February 14, 2008

MEDFORD, Ore. -- Love is not just for the young. In fact, some say love keeps you young. And on this Valentine's Day, two couples are proving that in different ways. One couple is still head-over-heels after seven decades of marriage, while another pair has found new love in old age.

Dancing is at the center of Mildred and Cecil James' marriage. They have been dancing for decades -- almost as long as they have been married. "72 years the fourth of January," says Mildred.

The 89-year-old Mildred and 90-year-old Cecil have known each other for more than 80 years. Their courting started at a tender age. "At 12 years old, I killed a chicken and cooked a chicken dinner and made mashed potatoes and gravy for him, and we played canasta," says Mildred. She and Cecil tied the knot when they were 17 and 18 years old during a $10 ceremony before a judge. "They figured we got married a little too young," says Cecil. "We haven't regretted it," adds Mildred.

Cecil has been dancing since he was eight, but Mildred didn't learn until shortly after their marriage. "I got tired of sitting and watching him," she says. "I told him to teach me to dance or else we were going to stay home." They have been dancing ever since: the foxtrot, waltz, and the jitterbug, the faster the better. Cecil and Mildred go dancing three or four times a week, often at the Medford Senior Center.

Dancing keeps them on their toes, but they say avoiding smoking, drinking, and drugs, and keeping a strong faith, makes their marriage unshakeable. "We couldn't get along without each other," says Mildred. "Like I say, he sees for me, and I hear for him."

Mildred and Cecil never go to bed angry, and they say they are still madly in love after all these years. "We sit and hold hands more than any people you see," says Mildred."(We) sit watching TV always holding hands," adds Cecil.

Homer and Fran Henderson are newlyweds in love. "Our minds don't really grow old," says Fran. "Our bodies do, but we think we're still young. We have fun. We love each other. We enjoy being together and cuddling and loving. We're still young."

They got married just last month, but it's not their first time around. 90-year-old Homer was married for 67 years before his wife died a year and a half ago. 89-year-old Fran was married twice, once for 52 years and then for 17 years. Both her husbands passed away.

Fran and Homer almost stayed strangers, but a single room in a retirement home was the fateful twist that brought them together. The two lived in the same room at Pioneer Village in Jacksonville, just a few months apart. "Some of the cleaning ladies said, 'Well you ought to see that guy Henderson. You'd like him,'" says Homer.

"We started walking and enjoyed walking, and then he would bring a little game over that we would play," says Fran. The game was Farkel. "I (had) never even heard of it,"says Fran.

The courtship was quick, but the lovebirds knew they had found something special. Homer proposed at his 90th birthday party in December before a room full of friends and family.

Most people were thrilled with the match, but there have been some naysayers who wonder if it is too late for marriage. "What do you tell them? You tell them you were in love," says Homer.

Fran and Homer married at Pioneer Village, the place that brought them together, on January 4. They took a short honeymoon trip to Shady Cove and then moved in to their own place in Medford. "Where one goes, the other goes," says Fran. "We're just happy being together. If we're apart just a few minutes, we're looking for each other."

"I hope the Lord gives me eight more years," says Homer. "(But) if he doesn't, that's all right.)

Love keeps these two couples passionate and young, a lesson for all ages.

*********************

This story has a bittersweet ending. Homer passed away last weekend. His wife Fran says she lost the love of her life, but still wanted us to share the story of their late-in-life romance.

As for Mildred and Cecil, they are focusing on their milestone 75th anniversary just three years away, and they say they will keep dancing just as long as they can.

BY JANET KIM

February 13, 2008

MEDFORD, Ore. -- As people age and their health deteriorates, they become more dependent on medication. Our population may be getting older, causing an increase in need for prescription pill medication, but medical experts say following some rules and tips will keep people healthier longer.

Technology is being used to cut down on errors in businesses across the board, including for pharmacies like West Main Pharmacy in Medford. "We're basically asked to do more and more every time, so we're having to become more efficient," says pharmacist Jeff Harder. "One of things we have is a system by verifying medications with bar codes."

For seniors who become increasingly dependent on prescription drugs, efficiency and accuracy are major concerns. Many seniors say the hardest part about taking prescription pills is organizing them. Many use products to sort their pills by date, and some of these products even do it by time.

"We set them up once a week and every day, according to the schedule that has been prescribed to us," says Elsa Koski. The 78-year-old and her husband Wally rely on several medications every day, and they help each other stay organized. Pharmacists say having a family member or friend can make a world of a difference.

"Sometimes we do see seniors making mistakes, but quite often you start seeing a family member getting involved," says Harder. "They will start to manage and monitor the medications."

But not everyone is so fortunate, as fewer families are living in close proximity to one another. "Many people have families, but they are not near and so family members are essentially non-existent," says Koski. She says having open communication with her doctors and pharmacist keeps her confident in her medications.

Pharmacists urge customers to stick with one pharmacy, rather than moving around to try to catch deals or bargains. "They might be getting some medications at one pharmacy and some at another pharmacy. There's nobody that's able to cross check to see they aren't getting into an interaction problem," says Harder.

Elsa says as they get older, people need to take charge of their own daily steps to stay healthy. "(In) the long term I would suggest people practice good health and postpone what is inevitable as long as they can."

Another problem some find is people trying to make their prescriptions last longer by not taking their prescribed amount. This could cause problems by not giving the full benefits of the medication.

BY RON BROWN

February 12, 2008

MEDFORD, Ore. -- Getting older is something that happens to all of us sooner or later, whether we like it or not. And while some things get better with age, our bodies usually do not improve as the years accumulate. But there are five tests doctors say you should should have as you mature to be sure you're in control of your health.

Some things seem fairly obvious: Do you have heart or breathing problems? Do you have joint or muscular difficulties? But some things are not so obvious, and it may take some specialized tests to see if you need preventive care. "Some of our major concerns are cancers and heart disease," says Dr. George Schulz, with Providence Medford Medical Center. "Also, we get concerned if lifestyle changes start to catch up with people: diet, exercise, smoking."

Health professionals like Schulz say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And that ounce of prevention can be found in a number of tests to see how well your body is holding up. "It doesn't necessarily need to be a specialist. But a routine exam can pick up diseases...things that we wouldn't think about," says Schulz.

1. He says the first thing you should do is get a routine, overall physical exam. You can go to your family physician for that.

2. Second, he recommends a mammogram for women and a prostate exam for men. "We pick up most cancers in stage one," says Schulz. "Roughly about 95 percent of our cancers we pick up in a treatable form. But we're unable to do that without the help of technology such as mammograms and ultrasound." Both breast and prostate cancers are treatable -- and beatable -- if detected soon enough.

3. Third, Schulz says to get lab tests to check your blood for cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and liver disease. It can also catch signs of cancer. "A simple blood test can give us a lot of information," he says. "For men, prostate cancer is a concern, and the PSA (blood) test is an effective way to screen for prostate cancer."

4. Colon cancer is a deadly disease that sneaks up on men and women with equal frequency. Dr. Peter Adesman is a Medford gastroenterologist who says the test could save your life, and it's painless because you're unconcious at the time. "Colon cancer is unique among the cancers in the body in that it has a prolonged benign phase," he says. "Most colon cancers start as a benign polyp, and over time that polyp growws. As the polyp grows, the risk of cancer increases." The idea is to find those polyps and get them removed early, and that takes a colonscopy exam.

5. The fifth exam seniors should have, especially women, is a bone density exam. "Particularly for our healthy women, who look like they're going to live into their 80s or perhaps their 90s," says Dr. Schulz of the people who should have a bone density scan. "The difference between a woman living at home and a woman living in a nursing home or a foster home often is their bone structure."

The good news is that Medicare will now pick up the cost of most of these exams, as will many other insurance plans.

BY COLLEEN BORMANN

February 7, 2008

ASHLAND, Ore. --  The nation's baby boom generation is reaching retirement age and Southern Oregon has an especially high percentage of retirees.  That's why all this month Newswatch 12 is taking a closer look at the changing demographics and how they affect all of us.

As more and more seniors reach the golden age of 65, it's taking a toll the economy.  Many businesses are also scaling back discounts they previously offered because of the high number of people asking for them.

It may not be everyone's favorite age, but turning 65 has its economic advantages.  It's the age where thousands of businesses across the US give senior citizen discounts. But now, a new study out of New York says those discounts may soon be disappearing.  Airlines, department stores, and entertainment venues across the US are part of the trend.

Economists say Southern Oregon is sometimes behind national economic trends, which is a good thing when it comes cashing in on discounts.

Mitzi Loftus considers herself the queen of discounts.  She's knows where they're offered and where they're not, but with a large number of seniors like her in the valley, there's a variety of ways to save money.

"It's just a couple of dollars off but it makes a big difference over a period of time, if you go often," said Loftus.

She spends a lot of her time at the senior centers known to link seniors to discounts around the valley.  The Ashland Senior Center makes it a goal to help seniors find a cheaper way to live.

"We coordinate with other agencies and other resources to help in a coordinated effort to provide what we can for seniors," said Christine Dodson, who works for the Ashland Senior Center.

While the center hasn't noticed any businesses scaling back their discounts, there are definitely more retirees.

"We've had an increase over the last eight months, we've seen a fairly steady increase and it's been sustained," Dodson says.

Donna Rose is just reaching the age of retirement and while she's not strapped for cash, she says senior discount-friendly businesses can determine where she spends her money.

That makes it easier for me to go to more often, you know, to have that senior discount," said Rose.

The Ashland Senior Center says while it's mostly local stores and entertainment venues dishing out the discounts.  There are plenty of opportunities for seniors to find financial help in Southern Oregon.

"It's a great place to be if you're a senior citizen, there's a lot to do anywhere else, but in Ashland, we have a lot to offer," Dodson said.

If you are senior, there are several options and places to look for discounts and other financial help.  Many senior centers across the valley are there to offer resources and point you in the right direction.  For more information on senior citizen discounts, you can visit www.ashland.or.us.

Our "Going Gray" series continues Tuesday with a look at the five medical tests every senior should take.  First-time grandfather Ron Brown talks with medical professionals on what can be done to keep loved ones, and yourself, healthy.

BY ASHLEY HALL

February 6, 2008

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- By the year 2020, almost a quarter of Oregon's population will be more than 60 years old, and that is increasing the demand for geriatric healthcare. All the hospitals in southern Oregon area track demographics and adjust their training and hiring to reflect the needs. And all the hospitals agree that the senior population is growing by leaps and bounds.

Countryside Village resident Ray Bruton retired in Grants Pass 30 years ago. "Just a few days ago, I was 91," he says. He attributes his good health to fishing. "I think one of the things that's added to the longevity that I have is that I bought a driftboat in 1980, and I rode that boat down the river for 20 years," says Bruton. "I'm sure that gave me a lot of exercise and good input for good health."

"There's an increasing number of residents who are living past 85 years of age," says Carolyn Johnson, who works at Ashland Community Hospital. "In fact, in Ashland between 1990 and 2000, there was 161 percent growth in the 85 and older population, as compared to a 20 percent increase in the population of the 65 and older group."

Hospitals in our area spend a lot of time researching the demographics. "As we look at those numbers, we see that the age of 65 and over is the growing demographic in our primary service area," says Johnson. "That leads the hospital then to look at providing a continuum of care services for that demographic population. We start with our adult daycare program." The hospital is also looking into the possibility of other living opportunities. "That may mean the hospital would get into assisted living of skilled nursing home care," she says.

Another way Ashland Community Hospital is responding to the aging population is by opening a new clinic. "Specifically for this clinic, we're focusing on the elderly population," says Dr. Molly Gramley. "We have continuing medical education we do each year, and we're going to focus that on more of the aging population so we can stay up to date."

Providing healthcare for an aging population is not just dependent on the physicians, but also the equipment they use. That could something like a special scale that has handles to assist patients in a wheelchair or using a walker.

"I just can speak from personal experience from parents, neighbors, in-laws, that their access to care is very difficult in this valley," says Gramley.

"I think that Grants Pass is lacking a little bit in good qualified specialists," says Bruton. But he says overall, he thinks southern Oregon is keeping up with the health-care demands of the aging population.

There is such a need for doctors and nurses specializing in geriatrics that there is a scholorship now available for any student pursuing the field. For information, you can contact the Oregon State Extension Service. Southern Oregon does not have any gerontologists, but senior citizens who talked to NewsWatch 12 say they are happy with the care their internists are providing.

BY ANDREA PETTES

February 5, 2008

NEAR GOLD HILL, Ore. -- Baby boomers have created a unique name for themselves from the very beginning, and it's only fitting this large generation continues to push the envelope. For this generation now enjoying retirement, life is a lot different than when they punched a clock. But that doesn't mean retirees are just sitting around.

Retirement is often described as one of the most relaxing times in a person's life. But that is, of course, if you aren't busy all the time. Frank and Jo Kral have been members of canine search and rescue crews for more than 18 years. When they both retired, they knew the work would continue to be a huge part of their retirement. "I think its important to stay as active as you can within the boundaries of your health," says Frank.

Once a week, the couple joins other members of the Jackson County K9 team for training. "The benefits we get from it far outweigh any negatives," says Jo. "Going out and finding someone who is is need is a reward itself."

On average, the Krals estimate they spend 1,000 hours a year in training classes or on searches. "We have stayed very active, and we think it's helped us out," says Frank.

Like Frank and Jo, Mike and Karen Wraight also find time to fill their peaceful days. "It's a different type of busy," says Karen. "Not a 40-hour-a-week busy, but I find myself coming and going a lot more."

The Wraights volunteer for the American Red Cross. They can be called to a disaster anywhere at any time. "People are evacuated from their homes, and we just run the shelter and set up and deliver food," says Mike. "We are both trained to drive the ERV truck to disasters."

Volunteer work took Mike to Florida after Hurricane Katrina, and both Mike and Karen traveled to Montana this summer to help after wildfires. "We feel we don't want to retire to the rocking chair yet," says Karen. "That happens when you are in your 80s or 90s."

But living this lifestyle wasn't a decision that was made overnight. The Wraights made a plan several years before deciding to retire. It was based on what they saw their parents go through when they retired. "We realized they weren't as secure as we want to be, so we started a lot earlier pulling money aside," says Mike. "We don't rely on just retirement. We have our fun money separate from our living money." 

But not everyone's retirements are based on new experiences. For Wayne and Nancy Dollarhide, retirement has allowed them to continue what they love most. "I've always planned on slowing down a little bit and not working as hard," says Nancy, who made a career as a veterinarian. "I still enjoy veterinary medicine and taking care of animals."

A few years ago, the Dollarhides bought Lakeway Veterinary Hospital. "We bought this business in 2003, and it's a full time job," says Wayne. "We are here 50 hours a week, so it's hardly retirement." But for the Dollarhides, that's okay. "I think that people, as long as they are capable, should do what they really enjoy," says Nancy.

Research says seniors are also returning to the classroom. Right now in the U.S., nearly 28 million seniors are taking some form of adult education class. That's up more than 23 percent from just five years ago.