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