Sunscreen

Broad SpectrumProtection

Sunscreen

SPF45

UVBSPF45

high

UVA

high

UV rays of the sun are made of UVB and UVA.

It is important to protect against both UVB and UVA rays.

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Slathering on the sunscreen before plopping down in thesand, swimming or surfing is pretty much a no-brainerin Southern California. Choosing a safe, effective sun-screen, on the other hand, is making some consumersred in the face.

Even people who use sunscreen habitually might not be get-ting adequate protection. Out of nearly 1,000 sunscreensscrutinized by the Environmental Working Group last year,researchers say that only 15 percent provide adequate sunprotection and present minimal health risks.

The nonprofit organization, whose researchers have beenexamining the safety of cosmetics and personal-care prod-

PROTECTYOURSELF

HOW TO SELECT SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SUNSCREENS.

Text by CHANTAL LAMERS | Graph ic by PHIL IP LOUBERE

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SEE SUNSCREENS ● PAGE 2

This comes as no surprise: The costof long-term care in nursing homes,assisted-living facilities and in-homecare has increased for the fifth con-secutive year.

Also not surprising is the news thatwe face a shortage of direct-careworkers, which will further increase

the cost of long-termcare.

In 2008, the aver-age annual price of aprivate nursing facil-ity reached $76,460nationwide – $86,934in Orange County –according to a sur-vey by Genworth Fi-nancial. OrangeCounty’s assisted-living home cost is$40,543 a year, com-

pared with $36,090 nationally, thesame survey revealed.

Meanwhile, in-home care costsstayed fairly flat at about $44,000 an-nually, compared with $43,884 na-tionally, says Beth Ludden, senior vicepresident for long-term care prod-ucts for Genworth, a major long-termcare insurance provider.Q: Your study indicates the expense ofjust a few years of long-term care in afacility or at home can quickly wipe outa lifetime of savings.A: Well, having an insurance policythat pays for this type of service isdefinitely a benefit. These policiesshould be part of retirement plan-ning.

Long-termcare costson the rise

JANEGLENNHAAS

REGISTERCOLUMNIST

SEE HAAS ● PAGE 2

Moms are pretty smart, in general,but it’s possible that few moms aresmarter than Bev Daley.

She’s this year’s winner of the Reg-ister’s “My Mom’s Greatest AdviceEver” contest.

Daley, as Mom, offers this simplebut effective advice:

“Be true to yourself. Be kind to na-ture. Actions speak louder thanwords.”

Daley’s daughter, Lisa Curlee ofTustin, submitted a photo of hermother with one of her grandkids.

“She gives others joy by sharing hergarden. She cares for animals deeply.She is very creative and found ways tomake fun from a paper bag or box!She has passed this gift on to hergrandchildren,” Curlee wrote.

In addition to winning over Curleeand siblings, the photo of Daley andgrandchild worked a little online con-test magic. Register readers rated thephoto 9.67 out of 10 on average andvoted for her 2,662 times. That’s ahealthy win in a contest that drew 30entrees and a shade over 12,000 hits.

The Mother’s Day contest is over,but you can still check out the photosand comments at ocregister.com/life.And soon, look for our Father’s Daycontest: “My Dad’s Funniest Idea.”

Thank you to everyone for partici-pating and honoring these greatmothers.

COURTESY OF LISA CURLEE

Bev Daley,mom with

best adviceBy CINDY MURPHY

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

>> It’s themusic, not thegender

Life*wellnessPage 3THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER ● WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008

Media Walt Disney Co. will create a lab to test ads’effectiveness > 10

ArtPop painter and sculptorRobert Rauschenberg diesat age 82 > 10

TheaterLatino-themed ‘In theHeights’ tops Tony Awardnominations > 3

IndexPeople 4TV listings 6The Collector 7Comics 8-9

NEW SUNSCREEN LABELSThe Food and Drug Administration pro-

posed new regulations for sunscreen labelslast year that might require manufacturers tocomply with an ultraviolet A (UVA) rating sys-tem.

Here’s how the system could work: In addi-tion to an SPF rating that measures ultravio-let B (UVB) rays, each bottle would have oneto four stars to signify the level of UVA pro-tection.

Stars would be earned based on two tests,including the formula’s ability to prevent tan-ning and reduce the amount of UVA radiationthat passes through it. Sunscreens with nosuch shield will require labels stating “NoUVA protection” next to the SPF rating.

Other changes: ● An amendment calls for companies to pro-vide additional data to label sunscreens high-er than SPF 50.● Sunscreen makers would have to modifywaterproof and water-resistant claims. TheFDA says that formulas don’t dissolve in wa-ter but can be washed off.

is

wellnessThe Orange County Register

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Life, etc. 2

HOW’D THEY REACH 90?A free lecture tonight deals with healthfindings from studying people in their90s. UC Irvine’s Dr. Claudia Kawas willspeak at 7:30 at the Irvine Barclay The-atre, 4242 Campus Drive. Information:949-824-4275.

TEENS AND MARIJUANAA new report on teen drug use finds that some areusing drugs to self-medicate for feelings of depres-sion. But teens who smoke marijuana at least oncea month are three times more likely to have suicid-al thoughts than nonusers. The report is from theWhite House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

WELLNESSBITES

DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTIONSA free discount prescription drug card is avail-able at www.californiarxcard.com. It offers dis-counts at a variety of pharmacies and is part ofthe California Drug Card Program.

Q: The nursing home cost varieswidely by region – for instance,Alaska averages $ 187,902 ayear and Louisiana $45,539. Canyou explain the variation?A: In certain urban or remoteareas, costs can jump 40 per-cent above other regions. Oneinteresting thing is demand.The cost for assisted living inOrange County, for example,went up quite a bit, about 16percent, suggesting that as-sisted living is relatively pop-ular.Q: What about adult day-careservices – where the elder iscared for during the work dayand then returns home at night?A: Costs are relatively modest,and this is a viable alternativefor people who may be livingwith a family member whoworks outside the home.Q: The study mentions a lack ofsufficient home-care workers inthe future. Does this have any-thing to do with immigration, asmany of these workers currentlyare from Hispanic countries?A: Immigration trends defi-nitely are playing a role in theworkforce issue. But we need,as a country, to take a stepback to promote caregiving

and those types of ser-vices as a more attrac-tive career option. We

need to advocate for bet-ter wages, education and

training.Q: What’s new in home care

that could reduce costs?A: Technology is playing a

larger role and reducing, tosome extent, the need for hu-man intervention. Remotemonitoring comes into play.People are able to transmitblood pressure and blood sug-ar readings. Medication can bedispensed and there is a wayto make sure it is actually be-ing taken. Some of the newtechnology in the pipeline willmitigate the demand for home-care workers.Q: Long-term care insurance isstill a new product that not toomany people buy. Why not, andwhat’s the future?A: At this point, among peoplein the 50-plus age group, long-term care insurance has abouta 7 percent penetration, andabout a third of these peopleare using their policy. Manypeople don’t understand theneed for this insurance.Q: When does it make sense tobuy this insurance and what if Idon’t use it?A: We recommend looking atbuying the insurance aroundage 50, because it is cheaperthen. There are several prod-ucts that return the premiumin the event no long-term careis given, and if you can gothrough life without needinglong-term care, that’s a goodthing.Q: California has a partnershipprogram for long-term care pur-chasing. I understand policiesare available to people as old as70.A: Yes, but they are more ex-pensive, of course. Q: Given the current economy,are more family members pro-viding caregiving?A: We see the workforce com-ponent as being a key driver,and our policies will pay for afamily member to provide careas long as the caregiver wasnot residing in the home priorto caring for the insured per-son. We do advocate for someof the proposals giving familycaregivers tax incentives to re-lieve some of their burden.

Long-term care insurancedoesn’t take the place of thefamily providing care, but itdoes offer caregiving in a dif-ferent way. It frees the familymember to spend quality timewith the elder when the personis disabled.Q: And we need to think aboutthis sooner rather than later?A: Yes, because we’re all get-ting older and we require dif-ferent strategies.

Follow Jane Glenn Haas on herLosers Club fitness quest at

ocregister.com/health. For an ex-ercise tip of the week or to signup for The Losers Club, go to

www.womansage.org.

I just came home from aweeklong Caribbean cruise.Total weight gained: -1 pound.

This isn’t the norm, howev-er. According to a “greeter”sign in the Aqua Spa/Gymwritten by lead personal train-er Chris Paterson on the Celeb-rity Millennium, “The averagepassenger gains between 5-10pounds” during the typical sev-en days at sea.

How did I beat the odds? Itwasn’t hard. Really. And no, Ididn’t deprive myself. I had adessert every night. Patersonand regular cruisers all insistthat all you need is a bit of plan-ning, common sense and yes,some will power, and you canactually arrive home in bettercondition than when you left.

Today’s cruise ships help outquite a bit. All of the majorlines have their own version ofspa cuisine available at alltimes. Celebrity boasts a res-taurant right outside the gymthat’s open for breakfast andlunches. The buffet bars have

fresh salad makings and un-adorned fruits, low and nonfatyogurts and healthy cerealsand breads available at alltimes as well. The main diningroom has plenty to choosefrom on all its menus.

Due to various health issues,all choices (from appetizers todesserts) have low-fat, non-dairy, low-cholesterol and non-salt versions available. I alwaysconfer with both my waiter andthe maitre d’ on my dairy aller-gy and the need to take care ofmy low-fat options startingwith my first foray into the din-

ing room. Royal Caribbean has stated

that if what you want isn’t onthe menu, just let them knowwhat you need and they’ll makesure you get it.

Aside from the food aspect,today’s cruise lines have state-of-the-art machines in theirgyms, personal trainers (for afee), classes (both free and fora fee, depending on whichship), and seminars on variousaspects of keeping healthywhile on board and when yougo back to the “real world.”

Paterson was kind enough to

show and explain some of whatthe Celebrity Millennium of-fered during our excursion:● The gym was open 24/7 – noexcuses not to keep up withyour personal at-home rou-tine! Celebrity uses Life Fit-ness equipment. ● Aerobics and stretch/relaxclasses were offered free everymorning.● Yoga, indoor cycling (spin-ning) and Pilates were offeredevery day, but these were for afee and were limited in enroll-ment due to space.● Paterson gave seminarsthrough the week: “Secrets toa Flatter Stomach,” “Burn FatFast,” “Detox for Life,” “Detox-ing for Health” and “WeightLoss and Zone Nutrition Pro-gram.”

There was also a “soft” spe-cially designed jogging/walk-ing path onboard. Princess al-so has the same type of trackon its ships, as do RoyalCaribbean and Carnival.

Not into the gym scene? Noworries! I did use the gym andwalking path most days, butmy husband and I also signedup for shore excursions thatwere, on their own, exercise.

For each of our ventures wechose packages that included“moderate” walking and snor-

keling/swimming. Many passengers love to

look for a package where theyget to go swimming with thedolphins or horseback riding.One brave couple chose to goparasailing. Another great tip:Don’t use the elevators; takethe stairs. Even without count-ing in my daily power walk, Istill did 10,000 steps just by us-ing the various staircases onboard the ship.

So don’t be afraid to go on acruise for fear of not fitting intoyour plane seat home.

For more information onwhat equipment each cruiseline has installed in their gyms,call the cruise line directly, calla travel agent specializing incruise vacations, or log ontothe lines’ Web sites:● www.celebritycruises.com● www.princess.com● www.royalcaribbean.com● www.carnival.com

Take a vacation from weight gain

CONTACT THE WRITER: Carine

Nadel is a freelance writer who

lives in Laguna Hills. Send any

questions or comments on Healthy

Alternatives to

health@ocregister.com. Write

“HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES” in the

subject line.

Go on a cruisewithout bringing

back extra baggage. By CARINE NADEL

SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES

CARINE NADEL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SHIPSHAPE: Classes like this one on the Celebrity Millenniumcan help passengers work off all those midnight buffet calories.

ucts since 2004, added sunscreens to its SkinDeep database last year. The site,cosmeticdatabase.com, includes findings onmore than 25,000 products and 7,000 ingre-dients.

The majority of sunscreens don’t protectagainst ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, says JaneHoulihan, vice president of research of EWG.Ultraviolet B (UVB) protection is measured inSPF, but manufacturers are not yet required bythe Food and Drug Administration to divulgelevels of UVA protection. Both types of rayslead to skin cancer and skin damage.

Skin cancer is the most common form of can-cer in the U.S., according to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention. Exposure tothe sun’s ultraviolet rays is the main environ-mental factor linked to skin cancer. The CancerSurveillance Program of Orange County re-ported 3,587 cases of melanoma from 2000 to2004.

A recent report by the CDC also found that95 percent of Americans have oxybenzone, aningredient found in sunscreens, in their blood-

stream. The chemical is linked to cell damage,allergies and hormone disruption.

Users can search the Skin Deep sunscreendatabase for the highest- and lowest-rated sun-screens, or search by brand name. A scale rateseach sunscreen a low, moderate or high healthhazard as well as effective, moderately effectiveor not effective sun protection.

New guidelines are being proposed by theFDA, but it could be years before consumerssee a difference on drugstore shelves.

“Companies can claim Broad Spectrum Pro-tection, but what level it provides is the ques-tion,” says Rita Chappelle, an FDA spokes-woman. Once new guidelines are in place, “con-sumers will know at a glance whether it’s thehighest or lowest UVA and UVB protectionthey can get.”

In the meantime, “Consumers should re-search sunscreen products when shopping andcompare and look for what information is avail-able to them to make that decision,” she says.

Check out our how-to guide for reading la-bels and applying sunscreen.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 7 1 4-796-24 1 3 or

clamers@ocregister.com

SUNSCREENS: Compare FROM PAG E 1

HOW, WHEN TO APPLY ITJanellen Smith, a professor of dermatology

at UCI, says to apply at least 1 ounce of sun-screen (enough to fill a shot glass) that has aminimum of SPF 30. People who don’t applyenough risk wearing the equivalent of an SPF 8,she says.

Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes beforesun exposure so it has time to attach to skin.Most formulas need to be reapplied every twohours.

More tips:● So-called waterproof or water-resistant for-mulas can lose effectiveness after 40 minutesin the water or heavy perspiration.● Up to 80 percent of the sun’s ultravioletrays can pass through clouds on overcast days.Sand reflects 25 percent of the sun’s rays andsnow 80 percent. ● Ultraviolet A rays pass through windowsand penetrate deep into skin. Since rays in-tensify with altitude, airplane passengers withwindow seats should apply sunscreen. ● The FDA requires that sunscreen remainstable for two years. Check the expiration date.

CHECK THE LABELSProtect yourself by learning to

read sunscreen labels:SPF is a rating system that in-

dicates the ability to block UVB raysbut not UVA rays. Protection fromUVB rays doesn’t increase propor-tionately with the number. After SPF30, the protection increases by onlyabout 1 percent-3 percent.

Mexoryl or ecamsule are efficientUVA blockers. The lightweight chem-icals in formulas by La Roche-PosayAnthelios SX and Lancome UV Expertstick to skin longer and only need bereapplied every four hours. Avoben-zone, Helioplex or Parsol 1789 alsoprovide broad-spectrum protection.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxidealso block both types of rays butneed to be applied every two hours.Check the ingredient list to see ifthese physical blocks are included.These formulas are typically heavierand don’t absorb easily.

FROM PAG E 1

HAAS

CONTACT THE WRITER:

jghaas@cox.net