MoneySaver - Lewis-Clark Edition

JULY 2011 Lower your risk with heart heaLthy habits: The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than one quarter of all deaths are caused by heart disease alone. However, despite its often-deadly effects, heart disease does not have the high profile of cancer, AIDS and other terminal diseases. This means that many people with heart disease either do not realize they have the condition, or do not seek treatment for early warning signs. While many think that heart disease primarily affects men or the elderly, women are just as likely to suffer from heart disease as men. In fact, approximately 10 percent of women age 45-64 suffer from the disease. Improving your diet can also help you lower your cholesterol and promote overall health. As a rule of thumb, Mention explains that your diet should include five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Two servings of certain fish, such as salmon, trout or mackerel a week can also promote heart health. These fish are full of fats that replenish needed oils. However, you should limit your consumption of saturated fats, which are found in full-fat dairy products, many red meats, fries and other cooking fats. expert tips for how to improve your overall heart health and reduce the likelihood of contracting coronary disease Geeta Maharaj, nursing director at Everest College’s Salt Lake City campus explains that you don’t have to be in nursing school to know there are many things you can do to reduce the likelihood of having heart-related health problems. “One of the most important is simply to learn about how your life choices affect your heart’s health,” adds Maharaj. The major risk factors for heart disease are inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes. In 2005-2006, the Center for Disease Control reported that 37 percent of Americans had two or more of these risk factors, potentially increasing their chances of contracting heart disease. However, approximately one half (47 percent) of deaths caused by sudden cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals, which suggests that many people who are suffering from heart disease go undiagnosed, or are not seeking treatment. Medical research has shown that lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels can reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack, needing heart bypass surgery, and dying from heart disease. Even for those who are currently healthy, lowering cholesterol can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. “It is important to know the risk factors for heart disease and talk to your doctor about how to reduce the likelihood of suffering from a heart attack or cardiac arrest,” says Maharaj. In addition, Mention explains that if you are serious Even if you are not at risk for heart disease, Darlene about your heart health, you should quit Mention, RN, MSN, CCRN, nursing instructor at smoking. Smoking dramatically increasEverest University’s nursing program in Brandon, Fla., es the likelihood of contracting heart suggests taking the following steps to improve overall disease. Studies have shown that female smokers are three times as likely to have heart health. a heart attack before the age of 40 than First, exercise. Your heart is a muscle, and just like your are non-smokers. other muscles, it needs to be worked out regularly. Mention recom- 3x3 $ mends that you get at least a half an hour of cardio at least five times a week. Similarly, Mention advises cutting back on salt. She explains that the recommended daily allowance is 2,300 milligrams of salt for adults, and less than 1,500 milligrams for middleaged and older adults with elevated blood pressure. It is important to check food labels, as many processed foods have high levels of sodium. While some studies have suggested that drinking a glass of red wine at dinner may reduce the likelihood of heart attacks, in general, moderation is the key to alcohol consumption. The recommended daily limit of alcohol is three to four servings for men, and two to three for women. It is also important to learn the early warning signs of heart disease, which include nausea, indigestion, back pain, dizziness, fatigue, and chest pain, as early action can make a huge difference in treatment. Finally, Mention recommends that you talk to your doctor or a licensed nurse about potential preventive measures you can take, if you are at risk for contracting heart disease. 108 Second, Mention suggests maintaining a healthy weight, and trying to lose extra pounds if possible. Obesity is one of the primary causes of heart disease, and is often linked to other risk factors such as having high cholesterol or being inactive. per $ 12 Only n inch olum c 00 44,0 RS! ADE RE Ge ced! t Noti 3x7 $252 LOR CO ULL F EE! FR pact Im tion! tribu Dis 4x3 $144 Reserve Your Space Now! On Stands July 21st MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 2 boomer basics: easy and affordable tips to maintain an active, safe and healthy lifestyle * Travel safety. Once you’ve updated your own bathroom with safety features, be sure that you are surrounded with these safety devices when you’re visiting others or on vacation. Products such as the Suction Balance Assist Bar from Moen Home Care offer a suction design that easily attaches directly to smooth, flat surfaces for a firm, secure grip in danger zones - and easily unlocks from the wall for convenient transport when traveling. * Ensure help is a call away. Cell phones are not just for social uses, they are a valuable emergency response tool - and they don’t have to come with a pricey monthly bill. In fact, plans are available for as low as $10 per month without a contract to AARP members . * Cease bad habits. Smokers will die 14 years sooner than non-smokers, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No matter if you’ve been smoking for years or decades, your body will be better off if you kick the habit. (ARA) - Today’s baby boomers are growing older gracefully. And although more than 10,000 boomers each day will turn 65, most are not letting their age stop them from maintaining active and healthy lifestyles. Here are a few ways to ensure that you (or the ones you love) stay healthy, active and safe: * Maintain regular health screenings and immu- prevent falls in the bathroom - while maintaining nizations. While it is important to have regular stylish decor in your home - add new Grab Bars check-ups with your family doctor, it’s equally with Integrated Accessories from Moen Home Care. These unique products combine functional accessories, such as a shelf, towel bar and toilet paper holder, with the safety of a grab bar. * Instill healthy habits. Being healthy doesn’t have to involve major lifestyle changes. For example, swap high-fat or high-calorie versions of your favorite foods with lower-fat, lower-calorie versions. Or, stock your fridge with healthy fruits and vegetables for snacks. These small diet important to monitor vitals more frequently. changes can make big differences in your overall Luckily, most local pharmacies offer free blood health. pressure and cholesterol checks, as well as sea- * Boost your activity levels. This doesn’t mean running a marathon - but it does mean getting your sonal flu shots. * Fight against falls. Falls are the most common body moving. Walking, playing golf or any other cause of hospital visits for those older than 65, enjoyable activity that boosts your heart rate is a according to the Home Safety Council. To help step in the right direction. * Keep your mind moving. Cognitive performance levels drop earlier in countries that have younger retirement age, according to a study published by the RAND Center for the Study of Aging and the University of Michigan. But if you’re no longer in the workforce - don’t fear. Just be sure to keep your brain busy by engaging in activities that combine social, physical and intellectual stimulation. By following these simple tips, you can ensure the golden years will be happy, healthy and safe. For more information on Moen Home Care safety products, visit www.moen.com/homecare. Y SIZE 4 x 9 NL L O CTU A A 32 $4 NLAL SIZE O CTU A 26 $1 Y x 3. 3 5 NL O ACT 92 $1 Y L SI UA 3x ZE 4 MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 3 Five areas of focus to help secure your retirement In helping Americans refocus on retirement planning, sometimes returning to the most fundamental truths is the best route. “These truths tend to get lost when we are bombarded with information about retirement in the general media,” says Robert Fishbein, a vice president in Prudential’s Tax Department. With that in mind, Fishbein shares the five “back to basics” tips: 1. Save more Americans have not saved as much as they need to for retirement. To ensure you are not part of the savings problem, start by considering all of the retirement savings and other savings options available to you. Some savings vehicles, like your 401(k), IRAs and Roth IRAs, probably come to mind right away. Others may be less apparent, such as life insurance (while the primary purpose of life insurance should be for protection, the cash value of life insurance may be used to supplement retirement income) or an employer-sponsored savings program. Once you inventory your savings options, make sure you are using them to the maximum extent possible. It is a good practice to “pay yourself first” and contribute savings directly from your paycheck so you are left with the balance for day-to-day expenses. 2. Spend less Over the last few years we have started to see the emergence of a new, more cautious perspective on spending and debt. You can manage your spending by creating and following a budget. This way you can track your inflows and outflows and understand how much you really spend on coffee, dining out or vacations. By living within your means, you will always be in the position of strengthening your financial position. Saving more and spending less seem like such obvious components of planning for a successful retirement, yet we tend to focus on other things because they are so hard. Many people spend their retirement planning energy on thinking about investment return, since it requires less personal sacrifice. Ultimately your chances at a successful retirement probably depend more on how much you save and how much you limit spending than on any other investment and tax tip. 3. Protect income Life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance and long-term care insurance are all ways that we protect our income or assets. * Life insurance can be used for estate planning purposes, but its fundamental value proposition is protecting your income earnings potential so dependent family members will not be destitute upon your premature death. * Disability insurance works similarly to life insurance but in the context of an injury or sickness that precludes your working. * Health insurance helps to minimize the risk that your current income will be consumed by unanticipated or extraordinary health care costs. * Long-term care insurance helps to minimize the risk that your assets will be depleted by a chronic illness or disability. All of these insurance products not only enable you to live or support others but to preserve your retirement assets. 4. Diversify “Diversify” is used here in a broad sense that includes investment, financial advisor, financial institution and tax diversification. In its most simple form, this area of focus is really the lesson we learn at an early age not to put all of our eggs in one basket. Investment diversification means deploying a strategy that mixes investments among bonds and different types of equities, such as growth or income focused stocks or mutual funds, as well as across domestic and international markets. Investment manager diversification is about the risk of being exposed to one individual. Similarly, because you are relying on the full faith and credit of a financial institution, you will want to ensure the company is on solid financial footing. You should also diversify your assets with consideration for their different tax implications. Some assets are tax-deferred, like a traditional IRA. Some are tax-free, like a tax-exempt bond or a Roth IRA. Some require distributions that start at a certain age, like a traditional pension plan or traditional IRA. And some require no mandatory distributions during the owner’s lifetime, like a Roth IRA. The tax attributes of your retirement assets are critical to understand since they will ultimately determine how much after-tax income you’ll retain. 5: Guarantee income Guaranteeing income is a way you can lock in an income stream to minimize and manage investment risk and longevity risk. The first step in terms of guaranteeing your income is determining how much income you will need in retirement. After you identify your income goals, consider what assets you have that provide guaranteed income. Start with Social Security and any traditional pension plan, and consider how you could adjust the start time of those lifetime payouts to enhance how much guaranteed income you can receive. Then, based on this analysis, you can decide how you might need to supplement your existing guaranteed income position -- for example, with an annuity that provides additional guaranteed lifetime income or delaying your Social Security payments to the full retirement age. For many the unfortunate reality may also include working longer than originally planned. not render tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and legal advisors regarding your personal circumstances. Life, long-term care and disability insurance are issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America and its affiliates Newark, NJ. The availability of other products varies by carrier and state. Variable annuities are issued by Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Newark, NJ and distributed by Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc., Shelton, CT. Both are Prudential Financial companies and each is EDITOR’S NOTE: solely responsible for its own financial condition and Diversification does not guarantee a profit or ensure contractual obligations. Prudential Annuities is a busiagainst loses and cannot eliminate the risk of invest- ness of Prudential Financial, Inc. ments losses. Investors should consider the contract and the underlying portfolios’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. This and other important information is contained in the prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. A variable annuity is a long-term investment designed to create guaranteed income in retirement. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will x2 fluctuate so that an investor’s units, when redeemed, E2 IZ may be worth more or less than the original investment. AL S Withdrawals or surrenders may be subject to contingent U deferred sales charges. ACT Insurance policies and annuity contracts contain exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits and terms for keeping them in force. Your licensed financial professional can provide you with complete details. All guarantees, including optional benefits, are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing company and do not apply to the underlying investment options. Prudential Financial, its affiliates, and their licensed financial professionals do NLY O $ 48 NLY SIZE 2 x 2 O AL ACT U $ 48 LYL SIZE 3 x 3 ON TUA AC 8 $ 10 Y IZE 3 x 4.5 NL S O AC UAL T 2 $ 16 CTU A A LY L SIZE 3 x 5 ON 40 $2 MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 4 (ARA) - Audrey Baker grew up watching her mother put table salt on nearly everything - steak, potatoes, even gravy. Believing the nutrition myth that salt is bad for health, Baker sometimes scolded her Mom for her salty, old-fashioned ways. As an adult, Baker carefully monitored what she ate, putting herself on a low-salt diet with lots of water. But one day at home, she became light-headed. Her heart raced, her chest pounded. She called 911 and was rushed to an emergency room. The problem: hyponatremia, a more-common-than-you-might-think condition in which the blood level of salt (sodium) in your body becomes abnormally low. “That’s when I realized my body does need salt,” says Baker. “They gave me a saline solution drip with sodium in it. It perked me right up. I felt terrific.” Baker isn’t the only person surprised to learn that salt is an essential nutrient. In many ways, it’s this simple: without it, you die; with it you can thrive. Still, controversy remains about the best level of sodium in our bodies. Baker’s experience illustrates an important message when it comes to low-sodium diets: Don’t assume a low sodium diet is beneficial to everyone in general and to you in particular. Also, don’t adopt a low-sodium diet until you’ve discussed its potential risks and benefits with your doctor. A May 2011 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA) confirmed that cutting back on salt can indeed be hazardous to your health. More specifically, the study found that even modest reductions in salt intake are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. The study debunks claims made by anti-salt advocates that a population-wide reduction in sodium consumption would benefit public health. In their conclusion, the study’s authors were clear, if not blunt, that trying to get everyone to cut back on salt is a bad idea: “Taken together, our current findings refute the estimates of computer models of lives saved and health care costs reduced with lower salt intake. They do also not support the current recommendations of a generalized and indiscriminate reduction of salt intake at the population level.” This is hardly the first medical study at odds with the conventional wisdom of the anti-salt movement. Other studies show: Low-salt diet leads to higher mortality: An examination of the largest U.S. federal database of nutrition and health (NHANES), published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found a higher rate of cardiac events and death with patients put on low-salt diets -- a result perfectly consistent with the latest study. Risk of diabetes: A 2010 Harvard study linked low-salt diets to an increase in insulin resistance, the condition that is a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes. Recent studies out of Australia warning: Lack of salt hazardous to your health NLY SIZE 2 x O AL ACT U $ 48 2 show that individuals with type I or type II diabetes die in much greater numbers when placed on a salt restricted diet. Falls, cognitive problems among elderly: Because of declining renal function in the aging body, the kidneys retain less sodium. Recent studies have shown that elderly people with hyponatremia have more falls and broken hips and a decrease in cognitive abilities. Low birth weights, poor brain development: A 2007 study found that babies with low birth weight are also born with low sodium in their blood serum because their mothers were on low-salt intakes. Another study found that infants with low sodium may be predisposed to poor neurodevelopmental function a decade later between the ages of 10 and 13. No one has to convince Baker about the dangers of a sodium-restricted diet. Working with her doctor, Baker has changed how she eats, choosing products with sodium throughout the day and, yes, using table salt, just as her mother used to. “It depends what your particular health situation is and what your doctor advises,” says Baker. “But I know from personal experience that your body does need a certain amount of salt, and it can be harmful to you if you don’t consume enough of it.” helping People who are Living with Diabetes save on essential Medicines and Products (ARA) - Diabetes is one of the nation’s most debilitating and costly conditions. Because symptoms can become severe and even lifethreatening, management of this chronic condition is essential. Unfortunately, individuals and families affected by diabetes may have difficulty affording these medicines and products if they don’t have prescription coverage. Skipping medicines or not tracking blood sugar levels due to financial limitations can increase the chances of potentially life-threatening \In fact, many of the nearly 26 mil- health complications. lion adults living with diabetes can “It is critical that people living with diabetes have access to maintain a healthier lifestyle using the appropriate medications and products needed to proplife-saving medicines and products erly maintain their health,” says John W. Griffin Jr., chair of to monitor and control blood sugar the board for the American Diabetes Associalevels. NL O ACT 08 $1 Y L SI UA x E3 Z 3 NLY SIZE 2 x 3 O AL ACT U $ 72 tion. “In many instances, people living with diabetes also suffer from other chronic conditions that require medication to maintain their health. Disease management, including lifestyle modifications and medication compliance, is often an important part of staying healthy for a person with diabetes.” LYL SIZE 3 x 6 ON TUA AC 16 $2 Fortunately, people with diabetes can find resources that offer savings on medicines or even free medicines. One program is the Together Rx Access Card, which allows people with diabetes to visit their neighborhood pharmacist and save on many brand-name medications and products. Included in the list are blood glucose meters and test strips, as well as medications used to treat many other common conditions including hypertension and high cholesterol. Savings are also available on generic products. “As an uninsured person living with diabetes who also has high blood pressure and other chronic conditions, I was having difficulty paying for my medications,” says Gloris Deel of Maryland. “I don’t know how I would have made it without the Together Rx Access Program. Without the savings, I couldn’t afford to pay for all the medicines I need to stay healthy.” NLUAL SIZE 3 O ACT 92 $1 Y x4 To learn more about participating pharmacies and the list of products included in the Program, visit TogetherRxAccess.com. And to learn more about diabetes and living with diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org or call (800) DIABETES. MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 5 is your income affected by your ability to hear? (ARA) - Baby boomers continuing to work longer in life before retiring might notice a decrease in income and the reason for that decrease could be caused by one of the five senses. Untreated hearing loss can decrease a person’s income * Missing out on group conversations. by as much as $30,000 a year, according to a survey conNot only can hearing loss affect an individual, but the ducted by the Better Hearing Institute. individual’s lower income or unemployment status also Hearing is critical to effective communication in the can affect the national economy. There are more than 34 workforce. The ability to hear and listen well enables million Americans with hearing loss, and the estimated employees to be more productive and understand the loss of income is $176 billion for those with hearing work that has been assigned. Poor communication can loss who are underemployed or unemployed. That cost result in unhappy customers, missed deadlines, poor to society is as high as $26 billion in unrealized federal morale among co-workers and mistakes on the job. Ef- taxes. fective hearing may also be critical to ensure safety on “People are losing their hearing earlier and staying in the job. the workforce longer,” says Sergei Kochkin, executive Yet many boomers and people approaching boomer age director of the Better Hearing Institute. “In today’s have difficulty admitting hearing loss. Signs you may be tough job market, hearing your best is essential for casuffering from hearing loss include: reer success.” * Having others in the room complain about the volume Hearing aids are shown to reduce the risk of income of the radio or television. loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing * Requesting people repeat their words on a frequent loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss. basis. Hearing aids remain the optimum treatment for the vast majority of people with hearing loss. Yet only 40 percent of Americans with moderate to severe hearing loss, and only 9 percent of those with mild hearing loss, wear them. One misconception is that hearing aids are big and ugly, and could make a person appear old or disabled. But if you are in a workplace and are not hearing instructions or missing the conversation happening around the water cooler, people may wonder about your mental capacity. Half of all people with untreated hearing loss have never had their hearing professionally checked. To help, the Better Hearing Institute has a five-minute hearing test at www.hearingcheck.org. You can learn more about hearing loss and how to help it at www.betterhearing. org. 10 ways to prevent hearing loss (ARA) - Hearing loss affects more than 34 million Americans. If detected early, it may be a preventable chronic disease. Here are 10 ways to help prevent, delay or reduce the extent of hearing loss. 10. See an audiologist. If you think you may have hearing loss, an audiologist will test, monitor and offer solutions to help you function better. An audiologist is a licensed health care provider who is 1. Noise exposure. Are you one of the more than 22 trained to diagnose and manage your loss, as well as million American workers exposed to excessive lev- offer preventative measures. To find an audiologist in els of noise in the workplace? Are you one of those your area go to www.audiologyawareness.com or call listening to iPods, shooting firearms, riding motor- (888) 833-EARS (3277). bikes, or working with lawn and garden tools? These The Audiology Awareness Campaign, a nonprofit devices are causing hearing loss at alarmingly high foundation aimed at providing the public with inrates. Most noise is painless, progressive, permanent formation on hearing loss, is sponsoring the 4th Anand preventable. Noise exposure is the second most nual “Listen Up America Week” May 9 to 13, 2011, common cause of hearing loss worldwide and is the where audiologists will offer free hearing screenings most preventable. You should wear hearing protec- nationwide. tors or avoid exposure to loud sounds. Turn down the “By offering free hearing screenings throughout the volume and reduce the length of time you listen to United States, we have the ability to reach many your iPod or mp3 player. Studies show that people Americans who might otherwise not have access to who wear noise canceling or noise reduction earlicensed audiologists,” says Dr. Kathy Landau Goodphones with iPod or mp3 players typically listen to man, chairperson of the Audiology Awareness Cammusic at safer levels. paign. “Now these individuals will have access to au2. Cotton swabs. Why take a chance on making diologists who can evaluate their hearing, determine matters worse? Cotton swabs and ear candling are whether they have hearing loss, and then make apunhealthy practices to remove earwax, to clean or propriate recommendations for treating their hearing scratch your ear canals. Don’t use cotton swabs to problems.” clean inside your ear canal. It can push the earwax in further and you could puncture your eardrum. 3. Smoking. Smoking tobacco and second-hand smoke can contribute to hearing loss. Studies suggest that chronic nicotine exposure impairs the brain’s ability to “hear” and interpret sound. Along with the other reasons to stop smoking, you can reduce your likelihood of greater hearing loss if you quit or stay out of smoky places. 4. Diabetes. Diabetics are twice as likely to have hearing loss. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining proper weight and daily exercise can help you avoid type 2 diabetes. 5. Alcohol. Too much alcohol can contribute to permanent hearing loss. Recently, researchers found that drinking 2 beers in a half an hour can cause temporary hearing loss for up to 16 hours. NL O ACT 08 $1 Y L SI UA x E3 Z 3 6. Solvents. Avoid organic solvents. Organic solvents (such as styrene and toluene) are commonly found in paints, lacquers and industrial printing inks. Studies have shown that these substances have a negative effect on your hearing. 7. Medications. There are at least 96 different drugs that may cause permanent or temporary hearing loss. When you stop taking aspirin and aspirin-containing drugs, your hearing may come back. Excessive use of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), cisplatin (a cancer drug) and erectile dysfunction drugs can also cause hearing loss. 8. Antioxidants. Antioxidants and vitamin supplements may help prevent hearing loss. Hearing loss due to aging may be prevented with a combination of antioxidants, mineral and vitamin supplements such as folic acid and magnesium. A healthy diet of fruits and vegetables and meats may protect hearing in later life. 9. Your heart. Maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. There is a strong correlation between heart health and good hearing. Newly published reports show that a healthy cardiovascular system increases the likelihood of maintaining hearing, particularly among older adults. NLYL SIZE 2 x O U ACT A $ 120 5 Y IZE 3 x 5.5 NL S O A UAL CT 8 $ 19 NLY SIZE 2 x O AL ACT U $ 72 3 Y SIZE 5 x 4 NL L O TUA AC 40 $2 MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 6 FULL PAGE FULL COLOR $1,428! JUST ACTUAL SIZE 7 x 17 MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 7 how to Get in shape while Doing your household Chores (ARA) - As the days start getting longer and warmer, folks are again pondering ways to be more active. Joining a gym or beginning a workout regimen are great ways to get in shape, but exercising more can also be as simple as resolving to complete daily chores around the house. Tackling items on your household to-do list is a great way to spruce up your home, while also toning your body. However, the repetition of some household chores can lead to injury, so it’s important to take the proper precautions so you can stay healthy while you get in shape. Here are a few ideas for getting active around the house and how to avoid injury while tackling these projects: Shoveling: Planning to beautify your landscape? That likely means moving dirt around, and shoveling is a great way to get a full body workout. When shoveling, make sure you are lifting with your arms and legs, not your back, to avoid injury. Also, be careful you are not overdoing it - don’t overload your shovel if you have trouble repeatedly lifting that amount and take a break if you feel too fatigued to continue. Plant a garden: Having a garden lends itself to a constant cycle of good health, from the planting, weeding and harvesting of the vegetables, to eating the fresh produce. But working with garden tools every day can cause pain in your hands and wrists, especially if you have tendonitis or arthritis of the hands. If you find yourself in this situation, you may want to try using a pain relief tool called the SmartGlove, which also provides relief from carpal tunnel syndrome. Yardwork: Raking leaves, sweeping walkways and mowing the lawn are also great ways to get out and get moving. When doing odd jobs around the house, it’s a good idea to limit the amount of time you spend on each activity and rotate activities so you aren’t continuously putting stress on the same joints and muscle groups. The SmartGlove may also help reduce wrist pain caused by the vibration of the lawnmower. Indoor chores: If the weather doesn’t permit you to get outside and work, use indoor chores to get active. If you have a set of stairs in your house, use them to your advantage when doing chores. For example, if you’re putting away freshly folded laundry, take multiple trips to your upstairs bedroom. Again, you can avoid injury if you vary your tasks accordingly. When you begin to look at everyday chores as a chance to exercise, you can improve your health while also tidying up your home, and you can feel a sense of accomplishment in more ways than one. the Changing Landscape of Cancer treatments to six years, and with limited (www.cmlearth.com) is a global, interactive social nettreatment options. work for CML patients, caregivers, and patient groups, He bravely volunteered to sponsored by Novartis Oncology, and dedicated to conbe the first person to try the necting the CML community from around the world. treatment. He survived, followed by a few other volunteers in the first clinical study, then hundreds more in large clinical trials and thousands more in clinical practice. (ARA) - In his recent bestseller, “The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer,” cancer physician and researcher Siddhartha Mukherjee writes that a decade from now, it’s likely most Americans will know at least one person with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). There’s no epidemic here, CML is still a rare disease. The same numbers of people are being diagnosed with this form of blood cancer, or leukemia, each year. It’s just that more and more people with CML are living out their lives. This is due to a fundamental change in how this cancer is treated. The research leading to the new generation of medicines for CML spans decades, with hundreds of scientists around the world devoting their careers to understanding this mysterious disease. A key advance was made in the 1970s, with the discovery of possibly the first human oncogene (cancer-causing gene), Bcr-Abl. A flip-flop of two pieces of genetic material, BcrAbl sets off the cascade of signals that tells the body to produce the cancerous white blood cells that mark this form of leukemia. The following years saw more research on the role of Bcr-Abl in CML and the simultaneous development of a new class of drugs that act differently from conventional chemotherapy. These drugs were not cytotoxic (cellkilling); instead, they specifically blocked the ability of the BcrAbl gene to send the signals that drive abnormal blood cells to divide and block out normal, healthy blood cells. A retired train conductor read a story in his local newspaper about one of these new drugs, called Bcr-Abl inhibitors, under study at the University of Oregon. He had been diagnosed with CML. He knew it was a very bad disease, with a median survival of three Advances in research continue on Bcr-Abl, yielding ever-improving outcomes for CML patients treated with Bcr-Abl inhibitors. These new treatments have shown that therapies, developed based on a study of the biology of cancer cells, can improve control of the disease and work with fewer side effects. They also provide inspiration for research and understanding of the core makeup of other cancers in the effort to match the success seen with these CML treatments. Learn more about Bcr-Abl inhibitors and other areas of cancer research by visiting the National Cancer Institute website (www.cancer.gov) and ClinicalTrials.gov. In addition, CML Earth NLY SIZE 2 x O AL ACT U $ 48 2 NL O ACT 08 $1 Y L SI UA x E3 Z 3 NLY SIZE 2 x O AL ACT U $ 48 2 NL O 92 $1 Y L SI A x E3 Z 4 CTU A NLAL SIZE 3 O CTU A 98 $1 Y 5.5 x MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 8 road trip! a Mature Dude’s Guide to roaming the highways (ARA) - Work, kids, working out, taking care of the house, and a hairline that’s heading for the back of your collar - it’s enough to make a guy understand why some men feel the urge to buy an outrageously impractical sports car at this stage of life. But you don’t need a mid-life crisis. What you need is a road trip. Road trips are a rite of passage for young men everywhere, but college dudes shouldn’t be the only ones who get to enjoy this uniquely American kind of adventure. If skinny neckties and big hair were in style the last time you took a road trip with your buds, it may be time to toss a duffel in the truck bed, round up your amigos and hit the highway. A few practical measures can help ensure your more mature road trip is still fun and works for everyone: FInelY tuned mAchIneS In the old days, you might have motored through the night with just a few hours of sleep and several cups of coffee to keep you going - and that was part of the thrill. these days, however, you probably appreciate a more relaxed pace, which includes sleeping well and eating right. keeping yourself “well tuned” can help ensure you enjoy your road trip as much as possible. You’ll also want to make sure your vehicle is in top condition. It’s a good idea to change the oil, and check the tire pressure and coolant system before you get on the road. If your vehicle is due for some routine maintenance, have it done before you start your trip. PAckIng It In Your days of cramming six guys and all their gear into a barely drivable, high-mileage sub-compact are probably over. A reliable yet fun-to-drive pickup is perfect for your grown-up road trip with the guys. And since your stuff is probably going to be worth more than what you toted around during your college days, be sure to protect it. A lockable roll-up cover, like the tonneau cover line by Access cover, will keep your belongings protected from the elements - including criminal elements - while you’re on the road. Plus, a truck bed cover can help improve your vehicle’s gas mileage. As for what to pack, be sure to include an emergency roadside kit, first aid kit and any medications that you regularly need. Bring along a gPS device and your trusty mobile phone so you can stay on track and in touch. You might also consider a set of dressier clothes if your dining tastes have matured since your fast-food days. LY SIZE 2 x 2 ON ACT UAL $ 48 Most americans unaware of Gout risk Factors (ARA) - most Americans need to know more about the risk factors for gout, according to the findings of a new consumer survey. gout, sometimes called gouty arthritis, is chronic and painful. If left untreated, it can become disabling. It now affects an estimated 8.3 million Americans. when their knowledge of risk factors for gout was put to the test: * Only 1 in 10 Americans correctly cited cardiovascular disease as a risk factor for gout. * Just 1 in 3 Americans correctly reported that obesity is a risk factor. * One in 5 Americans knows that diabetes and kidney disease are also risk factors. * A mere 1 in 5 Americans made the connection that family history can put you at risk. While 59 percent of Americans know that gout is a life-long disease, most adults don’t know what can put them - or their family members - at risk, according to a national survey conducted by the gout & uric Acid education Society (guAeS). gout is part of the arthritis family and in fact is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. The telltale sign of a gout attack is usually sudden and often debilitating pain, most frequently felt in the large joint of the big toe. A flare up can hurt so much that it may require a trip to the emergency room for relief. The culprit is a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints caused by too much uric acid in the body. everyone has uric acid in their body. It’s naturally present in small amounts, but when someone has an abnormally high level, it can trigger a gout attack. hAve A PlAn, mAn how many road trips of your youth ended up at a destination other than the one you had in mind when you started out? meandering can be fun, but having a plan can be rewarding too. Your taste in destinations has probably matured, so consult with your traveling partners and consider spots that appeal to your current interests and finances. For example, you may have developed an affinity for wine, where once you preferred beer. A tour of wine country may be in order. Perhaps you’ve discovered an interest in history? consider taking the guys to a civil war re-enactment or to one of the country’s great historic cities, like Savannah, San Antonio, San diego or even new York or chicago. use a gPS or online resource to pre-plan your route and make sure the people you love know where you’ll be along the way. the mechanics of your mature road trip may be a world away from the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style you favored in your college days. But a road trip can be a great way to relax and reconnect with friends no matter what stage you’re at in life. LYL SIZE 3 x 3 ON TUA AC 08 $1 “It’s important to know if you may be at risk,” says dr. Brian mandell, chairman of medicine and a senior staff in Rheumatology and Immunologic diseases in the center for vasculitis care and Research at the cleveland clinic, and guAeS board member. “The survey findings concern me because gout is associated with all of these other serious health conditions that are also on the rise. knowledge is power, and like many other diseases, early diagnosis and treatment is key.” Other risk factors for gout With certain exceptions, gout develops in people age 45 or older. It affects men more than women. Once a woman is post menopausal, though, her risk is nearly the same as it is for men of her age. here are some of the other risk factors to be aware of: Americans don’t have a good picture * untreated high blood pressure of other health conditions that can * high cholesterol increase their risk, according to the survey. here’s how Americans fared * Obesity - someone obese is four times more likely to develop gout NLY SIZE 2 x O UA ACT L $ 48 2 * A high-fructose diet, including sweetened soft drinks * excessive consumption of alcohol, especially beer * Joint injury * crash diets which can increase the amount of uric acid in the body * kidney disease, which can come from high blood pressure or diabetes * Some anti-rejection medications used in transplant patients * use of certain medicines, especially diuretics or water pills NLAL SIZE 3 O CTU A 98 $1 Y 5.5 x NL O ACT 08 $1 Y L SI UA x E3 Z 3 For more information about risk factors for gout, talk to your doctor and visit www. gouteducation.org. The website was developed by guAeS, a nonprofit group of health care professionals who educate the public and the health care community about gout and the related health care consequences of hyperuricemia. It offers free educational resources for patients and family members who may be at risk. While there’s no cure for gout, a combination of medication and lifestyle modifications may help those diagnosed manage the disease, helping them to maintain their active lifestyle. MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 9 are you Prepared to Live to 90? (ARA) - While living to the age of 90 was once a rare feat, it is becoming increasingly common. You may be surprised to learn that the fastest growing demographic in the country is people over the age of 85. According to the latest life insurance mortality tables, 38 percent of men and half of women age 65 today can expect to live to the age of 90 or beyond. Being able to live a long and full life is good news, of course. But you will have to plan well to be sure that you don’t run out of income when you may need it the most. here are some suggestions from dr. Robert Pokorski, the hartford’s chief medical strategist, for planning a retirement that may include a 90th birthday celebration: * consider buying a life insurance policy with an optional longevity rider. While the main purpose of life insurance is to provide income to your heirs when you die, paying extra for the hartford’s new longevityAccess Rider will allow you to begin receiving installments of your own death benefit when you turn 90 and meet the rider’s eligibility requirements. You are then free to use it to simply enjoy life or to help ensure you don’t outlive your retirement savings. A $500,000 policy works like this: When you reach the age of 90, you can elect to receive a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit of up to 1 percent of the death benefit of your life insurance policy. In this example, you may receive monthly payments of as much as $5,000 per month for eight years. even if you eventually withdraw the entire death benefit, a guaranteed residual death benefit will be provided, subject to the terms of the rider. Your heirs will still receive 10 percent of the benefit - in this case, $50,000. * consider purchasing an annuity to cover many of your fixed expenses later in life. making conservative investments like this can help ensure that you’ll have a reliable source of income to cover such necessities as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, prescriptions, groceries, insurance and transportation. Any other retirement savings you have can be used to cover the cost of travel and entertainment or to pay for unforeseen expenses. * Postpone retirement. While you might consider putting off retirement to be a bad thing, you may decide to continue working in order to increase your monthly Social Security benefit. delaying Social Security from age 62 to 67 will increase the amount you will receive each month by 30 percent. Postponing retirement will also increase any pension benefits you will receive in the future. You could even use the time to try working in a new field that has always appealed to you. * Plan for a health emergency. nobody likes to think about becoming ill, but planning for health-care emergencies is a part of smart retirement planning, especially when you consider that the centers for disease control and Prevention estimates that 70 percent of retirees will need to pay for chronic care sometime during their lives. the hartford offers life insurance policies with its lifeAccess Accelerated Benefits Rider. If you become chronically ill and meet the claim criteria, you can use the money you receive from the death benefit any way you like. You can, for example, use it to pay a family member to take care of you. turning 90 is a milestone worth celebrating. With good planning, you could live a long and comfortable life without worrying too much about your finances. consumers who want to learn more about the hartford’s life insurance policies can call 1-877-439-0772 or visit www.hartfordinvestor. com/livingbenefits. edItOR’S nOte: Rider benefits may be taxable depending on the owner’s particular circumstances. A tax adviser should be consulted. consumers should also know that benefits cannot be received from more than one rider at the same time. “the hartford” is the hartford Financial Services group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the life insurance issuing companies of hartford life Insurance company (new York) and hartford life and Annuity Insurance company (outside new York), Simsbury, ct. the mailing address for both issuers is P.O. Box 2999, hartford, ct 06104-2999. lifeAccess Accelerated Benefit Rider (R): hlI policy form # hl-19224(07)(nY ) and hlA policy form #lA-1298(07) and may include state abbreviations. longevityAccess Rider (Sm): hlI policy form # hl-19318(11)(nY ) and hlA policy form #lA-1362(11) and may include state abbreviations. hIg – W lIF 105136 4/11 as inflation worries rise, act Now for retirement security (ARA) - Americans are worried what inflation might do to their retirement finances. According to a recent thrivent Financial for lutherans survey of 2,000 American adults, 93 percent of all respondents reported they worried at least “a little” about inflation’s impact on their retirement finances, and a majority, 53 percent, said they worried “a lot.” most likely to worry about inflation in retirement were those ages 45 to 54 and those with incomes of $25,000 to $49,999. Still, this fear wasn’t confined by age or income. nearly half of respondents ages 18 to 34 as well as those with incomes above $75,000 say they worried a lot that inflation would negatively affect their finances during their retirement years. “Fear of inflation in retirement runs deep and broad,” says Ann koplin, thrivent Financial’s director of retirement marketing. “given that people’s retirements can span 20 to 30 years or more, individuals really need to consider the impact that inflation may have on their long-term financial security.” What’s the best way to confront this potential financial menace? koplin says the first key is the obvious one: building a substantial retirement nest egg during one’s working years. “the more you can set aside for retirement, the more you’ll have available to deal with inflation,” koplin observes. “unfortunately, many people consider their nest egg the ‘finish line’ for their retirement finances, when it really represents the new ‘starting line.’” While inflation may be low in any given year, it’s the cumulative effect that can really add up. “We’ve experienced low inflation in recent years, but even the constant nibble of 2 or 3 percent inflation over an extended period of time can take a big bite out of one’s purchasing power over the long haul. For example, in 1990, the average cost of a gallon of gas was $1.34 per gallon, and a loaf of bread was just 70 cents,” koplin says. the u.S. Bureau of labor Statistics supports koplin’s assertion. One dollar in 2001 had the same buying power as $1.25 today (2011), according to the bureau’s “cPI Inflation calculator.” twenty years ago that dollar had the buying power of $1.62 today, and 30 years ago it had the buying power of $2.43 today. given inflation’s constricting effect, koplin says it may be wise for some retirees to keep a portion of their investments in assets that have the potential for growth, like stocks, or equity mutual funds. While these types of securities have historically shown the most volatility - the largest ups and downs - they also have historically fared well in relation to inflation. this step alone, however, is not sufficient. koplin suggests that retirees explore options to balance growth investments with products, like annuities, offering a guaranteed income or return. She says many retirees may benefit by periodically adding to this income base by converting a portion of their investment gains to their guaranteed income. the final key to financial security in retirement is to carefully monitor and adjust one’s spending. koplin says that some financial services organizations offer programs and services that help individuals align spending, growth and guarantees so that they can have increased confidence that they will not outlive their retirement assets. “having a financial strategy that is flexible enough to adapt to a person’s changing needs and circumstances is a must,” notes koplin. “Inflation can be detrimental to one’s retirement finances, but carefully managing your money throughout your golden years can help counter inflation’s bite.” edItOR’S nOte: Insurance products issued or offered by thrivent Financial for lutherans, Appleton, WI. not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through thrivent Investment management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., minneapolis, mn 55415, 800-847-4836, a FInRA and SIPc member and a wholly owned subsidiary of thrivent Financial for lutherans. For additional important disclosure information, visit thrivent.com/disclosures. NL O AC AL S TU 08 $1 Y I x E3 Z 3 NL O ACT 44 $1 Y L SI UA x E4 Z 3 Y SIZE 3 x 7 NL L O CTU A A 52 $2 MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 10 remodeling tips for Multigenerational households (ARA) - make room for family: Whether finishing basements or updating bathrooms, Americans are making home improvements to accommodate more family members moving into their homes. A combination of hard times and an aging population increased the number of u.S. households with multiple generations living under one roof, according to AARP. In 2010, 7.1 million u.S. households - or 6.1 percent of homes - were multigenerational. compare that to 2000, when just 5 million households were multigenerational. “Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or making room for adult children, grandchildren or other relatives, completing practical remodeling projects can add living space, help reduce home maintenance time and save energy,” says kathy krafka harkema, spokesperson for Pella corporation. a new patio area off a kitchen or dining room can add space for entertaining. Install energy-efficient sliding or hinged patio doors, like the Pella 350 Series vinyl patio doors, to help save energy and create beautiful views. hIRIng A SkIlled cOntRActOR today’s consumers are more diligent about choosing the right contractor for the specific job they need done, nARI reports. Ask for referrals for a reputable licensed, bonded, insured contractor and check credentials. NLUAL SIZE O ACT 92 $1 Y x4 3 RemOdelIng tIPS considering remodeling? check out the hottest small-project remodeling trends for 2011, from the national Association of the Remodeling Industry (nARI). As you’re planning, incorporate universal design principles to help make your home safer and more functional. Y SIZE 4 x 9 NL L O TUA AC 32 $4 BAthROOm RenOvAtIOnS updating bathrooms? Add slipresistant surfaces to minimize potential falls in bathtubs and showers. Walk-in showers and safety bars are also smart choices. Paint is an easy upgrade. According to Buzzle.com, one great bathroom paint idea is to use brighter colors like lime green, citrus yellow, butterscotch yellow or cream to create the illusion of space and make a OPenIng uP ROOmS small bathroom look larger. As you remodel, consider removing interior neceSSARY walls to create extra space in hig h-traffic areas like kitchens or bathrooms. Add 36-inch RePAIRS As they update their doors to make it easier to move about your homes, consum- home. ers are fixing prob- AddIng BROnze lems, like replacing broken hardware choose bronze finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, and glass on win- when replacing missing or broken hardware on dows and doors. For windows or doors. Bronze is also popular in safety’s sake, make bedrooms, home offices and kitchens. Replace sure your windows small knobs or round pulls on doors, drawers and doors are not or cabinets with levers and larger pulls that are jammed, painted or easier for arthritic hands to operate. nailed shut. If they are, it could be time gO gReen And SAve to replace them. now’s the time to replace your home’s drafty “Pella offers energy- single-paned windows with more energy-effiefficient windows cient wood, vinyl or fiberglass windows. and doors with cordless blinds or “many u.S. homes still have energy-wasting shades between- single-paned windows,” krafka harkema says. the-glass that are “Replacing them with more energy-efficient easy to operate and eneRgY StAR-qualified windows helps safer for homes with save energy and add comfort to your home.” children and pets,” krafka harkema You may be able to claim a u.S. energy-effisays. “Plus, since the ciency tax credit from $200 to $500 on ceroptional blinds or tain eneRgY StAR-qualified windows and shades are between doors installed in 2011. check Pella.com/taxglass, they don’t credits for details. need cleaning.” Whether you’re making room for your parents PAtIO And or welcoming home a college graduate, home O u t d O O R remodeling is a sensible investment in today’s ROOmS economy. Be sure your home update features Staying home more? comfortable, practical, universal and energySpending more time saving improvements. in the yard? creating NLAL SIZE O CTU A 26 $1 Y x 3. 3 5 MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 11 Five simple screenings to Get on the Path to a healthy Life health” program in seven major cities across larly, as prescribed. the country. Other important screenings are osteoporosis and vision. dIABeteS A simple finger prick is all that is needed to two other important screenings that shouldn’t be overcheck your blood glucose levels to see if you looked are osteoporosis and vision. A simple bone minare at risk for diabetes. If your blood glucose eral density test, done via low-dose X-rays, determines test shows that you are at risk for diabetes, whether or not you are at risk for osteoporosis, a disease your doctor will work with you to make cer- that causes bones to become fragile and more likely to tain lifestyle changes, particularly involving break. Additionally, a vision screening can help identify diet and exercise. whether or not you are at risk for eye disease. BlOOd PReSSuRe In an effort to help Americans take the next steps in Blood pressure is measured by a quick, pain- the road to a healthy life, the cvS/pharmacy “to Your less test using a rubber cuff that is wrapped health” program features free screenings for chronic around the upper arm and inflated. If your diseases at more than 800 events across the country. blood pressure is consistently high, your doc- The events offer each participant more than $150 in tor will likely recommend lifestyle changes, free screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, cholessuch as exercise, a healthy diet, quitting smoking, limit- terol, bone mineral density (osteoporosis) and vision. ing alcohol and/or recommend a maintenance medica- For more information and to find an event in your area, visit www.cvs.com/toyourhealth. For more information tion. about “The makeover mile” visit www.makeovermile. chOleSteROl com. even though high cholesterol may lead to serious heart disease, most of the time there are no symptoms, which is why it is important to have your cholesterol levels checked. A rapid cholesterol test involves just a simple blood sample from the finger. As with diabetes and blood pressure, lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight loss, maintaining a healthy diet, and quitting smoking are recommended if your cholesterol levels are not within a healthy range. If the added measure of a maintenance medication is needed to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level, it is important to make sure that the medication is taken regu- (ARA) - One in two Americans is living with a chronic disease. chronic diseases are persistent and recurring, and are typically either hereditary or the result of factors such as poor diet, obesity or lack of exercise. dr. Ian Smith, creator and founder of “The 50 million Pound challenge” and “The makeover mile” is a health and nutrition expert who is constantly encouraging Americans to be proactive when it comes to their health. “unfortunately, many Americans postpone or even skip key health screenings due to fear, lack of awareness, or cost concerns,” says Smith. “however, it’s important to know your risk so you can make the appropriate lifestyle modifications to change - or reverse - the course of chronic disease.” Smith recommends five simple screenings as a first step in determining whether or not you are at risk for a variety of treatable - and preventable - chronic diseases. These screenings will be available for free as part of “The makeover mile” which he is presenting with cvS/pharmacy in conjunction with their “to Your a Confident Look starts with your smile will help prevent your dentures from falling out. If you’re new to wearing dentures, start with soft foods and work your way up to chewier foods as you feel more confident. cutting your food into smaller bites can also help you feel confident when eating. * If you are having issues with speaking in public while wearing your dentures, practice at home to help you gain confidence. It may also help to bite and swallow before speaking, as it can help set your dentures so they are in the proper place and don’t interrupt normal speaking patterns. * Just like you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, cleaning your dentures daily will keep your smile bright so you won’t be afraid to show it off. clean your dentures with a brush and cleansing solution to keep your dentures looking bright. different types of products offer different benefits and you can decide what’s best for you. For example, Fixodent denture cleanser Plus Scope Ingredients goes beyond denture cleaning to give you fresh breath and Fixodent denture cleanser Advanced Whitening helps restore your dentures to their original color while helping to prevent future stains. If you have questions about your dental care, you can visit www.dentureliving.com or a dental professional can help answer them. By taking the proper care of your teeth and dentures, you’ll be able to smile without shame and project confidence, and those around you will take note. NL O ACT 08 $1 Y L SI UA x E3 Z 3 (ARA) - Whether it’s hitting the gym or heading to the salon, many people are looking for ways to get the right look as the warmer and more active months approach. But looking good is more about confidence than anything else. the way you feel about yourself influences the impression you make on others. One of the best places to start building your confidence is your smile, but for denture wearers, finding this confidence can sometimes be a problem. According to a recent Fixodent survey, women aged 40 and older expressed concerns about wearing dentures when eating and talking. In this survey, three in five women said their worries about wearing dentures would be eased if there was a guarantee that they would stay in place. Of those sampled who wear dentures, 17 percent say wearing dentures has made them less likely to eat in public. With the right care you can keep your smile bright and your confidence sky high when wearing dentures, carrying on with your normal habits without fear of embarrassment. here are a few tips for denture wearers to follow on your way to becoming more confident: * When eating, chew evenly on both sides of your mouth to provide equal pressure. this Y IZE 3 x 5.5 NL S O A UAL CT 8 $ 19 NLY SIZE 2 x O AL ACT U $ 72 3 Y SIZE 5 x 4 NL L O TUA AC 40 $2 MoNeysaVer boomers & beyond — July 21, 2011 — 12 FULL PAGE FULL COLOR $1,428! JUST ACTUAL SIZE 7 x 17