New club teaches, and learns from, seniors
By Ginny Privitar
MILFORD — Gisela DiCarlo looked around Pike County and saw the need for a social club for residents age 55 and older, one that would keep them up-to-date on developments important to older people. Seeing none, she decided to start a group herself.
The first meeting took place on Nov. 19, and DiCarlo was thrilled with the response: more than 20 men and women showed up.
“Everybody was very excited," she said. "Participants loved the educational aspect of the club. It was such a surprise that there were so many people and they loved the idea. The club will empower people over 55.”
At the first meeting, DiCarlo discussed the differences between Medicare advantage plans and supplemental plans.
“Advantage plans can cost less, have a network of providers and sometimes large out-of-pocket expenses,” she said. “With a supplemental plan, you pay maybe $150 to $200 a month but everything is covered, all out-of-pocket expenses.”
She stressed the need to see someone who has studied the different plans and understands them. She's done just that herself. When she tried to find out the benefits and costs of different plans, she ran into difficulty. Not only was information sometimes hard to understand, but in many cases insurance companies refused give out information, only referring her to an agent. Agents work on commission and might not have all the answers, she said, so she became a licensed insurance agent and studied plans from different companies. She know that others had to be facing the same difficulty and so decided to share her knowledge.
A commitment to othersDiCarlo is a lifelong learner. Forty years ago, she decided to commit her life to helping people. She was already a licensed esthetician and massage therapist when she got interested in homeopathy. She got an online degree in natural health and is now a homeopath: a practitioner who uses natural remedies to heal and promote health.
“I’ve always been interested in healing," she said. "My grandmother in Berlin was a healer. She healed with laying on of hands. We didn’t go to doctors very much."
DiCarlo encourages input from the social group and wants to bring in other speakers. Members may suggest topics for discussion or lead talks themselves on subjects they're knowledgeable about.
She plans to keep the meetings free of charge, with a $15 annual fee starting in January, and a smaller fee, of $5, for special guest speakers. A computer-savvy friend will speak at a future meeting.
Next meeting focuses on loneliness
The group meets on the second Thursday of each month and will meet again on Dec. 10, at 2 p.m., at the Pâtisserie Fauchère. They’ll be talking about loneliness during the holidays and how to deal with adult children.
DiCarlo doesn’t like what she sees as the prevailing attitude in the United States: that older adults, even grandparents, are only to be valued for the money and expensive gifts they dispense.
“That has to change,” DiCarlo said. “We do have experience. We have made all the mistakes they want to make now and we can give them input. Many grandparents can give them valuable information, teach them things like fishing and how to make things. We’re losing this if we don’t teach it to our children and grandchildren.”
DiCarlo has lived in Milford for 25 years. She is married to architect Tom DiCarlo and has two grown children and two grandchildren.
“I’m 72 years old," she said. "I stay away from the doctors. I’m healthy and I keep healthy too.”
She says that, as we get older, we all develop health problems.
“But there are natural ways of getting better,” she said.
She doesn’t do massage often now, but as an esthetician does skin rejuvenation “when appropriate.” But, DiCarlo notes, we have to be realistic about aging.
“Sometimes reality and wishful thinking are not coinciding," she said.
For more information call DiCarlo at 570-234-8143 or visit http://thehealinggroup.net.