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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 2017)
6A FEATURES Feels like a housing dictatorship Dear Annie: I just moved resources. Knowledge is power. into a new apartment com- Dear Annie: Recently, you plex and went to my first open responded to a letter from “Sally,” board meeting. I am wondering who wrote that her husband, in whether I moved into a dictator- his mid-80s, has become more ship. The board has only two of controlling about money since these meetings per year, and we their move to a senior residence. were told we could speak for only Though your advice to have a heart-to-heart with him three minutes. One resi- DEAR was good, I would like dent asked why the man- ager hadn’t fulfilled his to suggest an explana- ANNIE tion for his behavior: obligation as stated in the guidelines that are dementia. I suspected my hus- given to you when you band was showing move in. Immediately, the president got red in signs of dementia, but I brushed it off. What the face and said, “We really showed me that will not hear of any talk Lane like that.” Here I thought Annie something was amiss Creators Syndicate Inc. was when he started an open meeting meant you could ask questions, demonstrating paranoia but evidently that’s not the case toward our finances and my han- here. I believe my stay will be dling of them. We had always short-lived. Annie, how would — over 38 years of marriage — you have handled that situation? blended our money. Suddenly, he — Bewildered was putting his Social Security Dear Bewildered: Don’t start money into an account in only his packing just yet. Fortunately, name and calling it “his money.” I suggested we both go get your apartment complex doesn’t exist as its own separate state, and tested for dementia. He was in his the building president doesn’t get mid-60s, and I was probably 61 to impose whatever laws he or at the time. He thought I was the she wants. You have rights as one with the thinking problem. It a tenant. Housing laws vary by turned out he did have dementia, state. The web is a great starting and his could not be cured. But point for finding information and many dementia-like symptoms are actually caused by something that can be cured or fixed (vita- min deficiency, drug side effects, hearing loss, depression, etc.). It is good to get tested often to catch it early so that a temporary dementia can be fixed and a long- term dementia, such as Lewy body dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, can be slowed — or at least you can get your affairs in order and turn the finances over to the more capable partner. If the illness is not caught early, a lot of poor decisions can be made that have lasting effects. Though Sally may just be deal- ing with a husband adjusting to a new home with higher rent, it would be good, considering their age, for both of them to be tested. Procrastination and denial could have devastating effects on their financial future. — Speaking From Experience Dear Speaking From Expe- rience: You’ve raised a great point. I’ve passed your let- ter along to Sally, and I encour- age any readers who are on the fence about getting tested to do so. For more information on get- ting tested for Alzheimer’s and dementia, talk to your doctor or call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline, at 800-272-3900. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). People who are afraid to leave their known realm will expend a lot of energy trying to fix things there, while those who are daring enough to journey out will fix everything in one fell swoop by starting new. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re not looking for what’s wrong with the situation; you’re just trying to understand what’s there and how all the elements work together. Coming at it from this perspective, you’ll grow in insight and, ultimately, in power. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your attention on things will change them — like when you repeat the same word until it loses its meaning, or when you focus on an interest so long that the awesome stuff becomes weird and the weird stuff becomes awesome. temptations of arrogance will win the day. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you live in a way that honors those around you, you’ll get pleasure from looking back and reliving the moments — the opposite of regret. Therefore, doing what’s right will definitely be worth the inconvenience. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll give an awful lot of attention to a version of yourself that doesn’t quite exist yet. Well, that’s one way to bring that version into being. Act “as if” and soon the “as if” will no longer be an act. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re not being judged. In fact, the laws of cause and effect are rather straightforward at the moment. You’re more likely to be punished by your sins than for them. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re structuring the immediate future toward a distant future you can’t quite imagine yet. That’s all right. You’ll be able to see it better as you get closer, which you will by following today’s plan. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Many around you are in desperate need of surprise and delight. For this reason you could get a very positive response for saying the opposite of what people expect. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll use your talents for whatever work you do. That said, your skills are also broader than the current work needs. Is there another way to apply yourself beyond what you’re paid to do? You’ll be happier when better utilized. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Without question, you’re good at what you do. So when this goes long stretches without acknowledgment, stay confident in your ability. Also, there’s nothing wrong cueing people, in a lighthearted way, to give you props. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Moving forward isn’t always about picking the very best solution out there; rather it’s about finding something that works and then finding the next thing that works. For today, good timing will be better than good research. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 12). This solar return your friendships will open new fascinations and opportunities. Something you enjoyed a few years back will get a new life in the next three months; the revival will invigorate your work and your personal life, too. A series of uncanny events will lead you to a lucrative arrangement in January. Aries and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 9, 20, 11 and 14. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Some will be se- duced by the buzzy feeling of superiority, even though the idea that any person is better than another is delusional. Those who can resist the FRANK AND ERNEST BLONDIE THATABABY SALLY FORTH PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN B.C. LOLA DILBERT SIX CHIX BIZARRO MUTTS NON SEQUITUR BABY BLUES WIZARD OF ID ZITS ROSE IS ROSE
