CreativeLiving Features 5 9 11
Protect yourself from hospital errors Learn how to keep yourself safe while in the hospital.
Living independently Tips for seniors on living safe and independent.
A spook-tacular home How to make your home spook-tacularly haunted for one day.
Editor’s note Oh, I can’t wait! Pretty soon all the cute little neighborhood ghosts and goblins will be scurrying about, going from house to house, collecting yummy treats. Halloween is so much fun. What other time do you get to dress in costume and parade the streets collecting all kinds of candy! It’s not only fun to dress up yourself and the little ones, but also your home for this delightfully spooky occasion. Be sure to check out the feature on how to make your home spook-tacularly haunted for one day. The kids will just love it and you will too!
Specialty Publications Editor
Contact Creative Living is a monthly advertising-sponsored magazine published by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Press/ The Community Recorder.
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Topics 3 Health & Fitness Mind • Body • Spirit
6 Local Business Goods • Services
Questions and comments can be sent to Editor Melissa Hayden c/o The Community Press/ 394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140 or e-mail mhayden@communitypress.com. For advertising call 687-4614.
Living 7 Senior Apartments • Care
10 At Home
Decor • Repair
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From snoring to sleep apnea to CPAP alternatives My name is Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and I have sleep apnea. I started snoring when I was in my late 20s. Over the years my snoring got worse and I would wake myself up with a gasp or a snort. My wife, Lori, was increasingly having to wake me up to stop snoring or start breathing. I finally decided that after 23 years we both deserved a quiet night’s sleep. A recommendation was made to do an overnight sleep study to find out if I had the life-threatening condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. To my surprise I found out that I was not only snoring but stopped breathing 28 times per hour! It was recommended that I start using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. I struggled with it since I like to sleep on my side and stomach. I could finally relate to our patients’ complaints about mask leaks, strap marks on their face, sinus problems and feeling like Darth Vader. I did my research and Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller treats his own snoring and sleep apnea with Oral Appliance Therapy. enrolled in special sleep without snoring and training to doesn’t worry about me provide a suffocating all night. CPAP alterWe’d love to hear native called about your struggles with an Oral snoring, sleep apnea and Appliance. CPAP. Visit cincisleep.com It is a medGive us a call at (513) ical device 248-8848 to schedule your that fits over unrestricted, healthy sleep complimentary consultathe teeth and holds the tion and learn how Oral wearing my Oral lower jaw forward, keepAppliance Therapy could Appliance. My wife is ing the airway open. be the solution for you, thrilled because now she I now experience quiet, gets a great, quiet night’s too!
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No one cries alone Karen Murphy and Melissa Morris are used to giving and receiving lots of hugs. They’re used to sharing tears as well. “No one cries in this room alone,” said Karen, a 15-year certified mastectomy fitter at Burlington Pharmacy. Breast cancer is the most common cancer occurring in women (excluding cancers of the skin) and the second most common cause of death from cancer in women after lung cancer. Mastectomy fitting is the practice of addressing medical conditions of the upper extremities and post-mastectomy surgical outcomes. Pursuant to a physi-
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cian’s order, a mastectomy fitter measures a patient and properly fits, dispenses and adjusts external breast prostheses, bras and related supplies. Trained and certified mastectomy fitters are integral to the physical and emotional well-being of patients, providing instruction and training on how to properly use and maintain post-mastectomy devices. The loss of a woman’s breasts to cancer can affect her self-esteem, her sex drive, and just how she feels about herself as a woman. “The goal is to give them their self worth back,” Karen said. “It’s not that they just have a
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light weight silicone forms, swim forms, bras that are functional and some “have attitude,” Karen explained. “They are really nice, stylish pieces.” Karen and Melissa enjoy their work and credit Burlington Pharmacy’s former certified mastectomy fitter Clydette Huddleston as their inspiThe Burlington Pharmacy fitting room is both beautiful and comfortable. ration. Clydette, who had breast cancer herself, lower self esteem, they get what they want and instilled within them a feel different and we need. bring them back to their “We talk,” said Melissa, value and desire for compassion. self and make them feel a six-year certified masKaren called Clydette whole again.” tectomy fitter. “We listen. “an angel on earth.” These women are com- Doctors often tell you Melissa said “you forted and treated with what you need and never met a better perrespect. Karen and they’re tired of that, we Melissa answer their listen to what they want.” son.” They enjoyed watching questions and work with Burlington Pharmacy them and their doctor to carries Amoena products, her work with the women who visited Burlington Pharmacy and aspired to have her kind of impact. “I like helping people,” Karen explained. “A lot of ladies come in here wondering how they will be feminine again – after they leave, they feel fantastic. That is a blessing to be a part of.” Appointments and walk ins are welcome and in-home fittings can be arranged, as well. Burlington Pharmacy Health Care has been serving the Tristate area home medical equipment and supply needs since 1976. As one of the area's largest retail suppliers of home health products and services, we provide superior customer service and top quality, state-of-the-art medical equipment and supplies. For more information call 586-6700 or visit www.burlington pharmacy.com.
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H E A L T H
What you can do to protect yourself from hospital
errors
Doctors and hospital staff diligently work to ensure that every patient experiences a safe and positive hospital stay. Yet, not all doctors or staffs can guarantee perfection, leaving patients at risk. Nearly 2 million people will acquire an infection while hospitalized in 2010, and nearly 100,000 will die as a result, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Speaking up for yourself and taking ownership of your own health care can help you from becoming a statistic. Poor hand hygiene and catheters are two of the most common causes of hospitalacquired infections. Patients can prevent these infections by knowing the causes and monitoring them. Here are some tips for
patients on how to take a more collaborative, active role in their hospital care.
Hand hygiene It’s your right to remind a health care provider to sanitize his or her hands before touching you or your surroundings while you’re in the hospital. This applies not only to doctors, nurses and nursing assistants but also to technicians, food service and cleaning staffs, visitors and families. Multiple studies have found hand
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hygiene is sorely lacking in hospitals, with best practices being followed as little as 20 to 30 percent of the time in some cases. Speak UP, a program developed by the Joint Commission, the largest healthcare accrediting body in the United States, encourages patients and their families to clean their own hands and to request that their healthcare providers do the same. Hospitals supply hand sanitizer and keep it at the bedside for others to use. Also, patients should be aware if surfaces are disinfected regularly. Bedrails, table surfaces and many items in a patient’s room need disinfection, as well as telephones, remote controls, call buttons, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and portable shared devices such as blood glucose meters and hair clippers. If a hospital isn’t providing this level of disinfection, you should ask your nurse or doctor about it.
Catheter-associated infections While most hope they’ll never need a urinary catheter, the reality of hospitalization is that one in four patients will need it at some point during their stay. Catheters can lead to the most frequent type of hospital-acquired infection, a urinary tract infection (UTI). In fact, 40 percent of all hospital-acquired infections are catheter-associated UTIs. Maintaining the sterility of the catheter and application kit minimizes infections. ERRORS see page 6
Join the Shake Shack team Do you have the heart of an entrepreneur? Do you want to make a meaningful difference in your life and the lives of others? Do you want the freedom to work your schedule around family? If this describes you, Ms. Niehaus-Beckner would like to meet you. She is one of two partners who operate Shake Shack
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Nutrition in Green Township. Two years ago she changed her eating habits, which resulted in losing 23 pounds and more than 10 percent of her body fat. Her excitement over her own improved health led to her desire to teach others what she has learned. Ms. Niehaus-Beckner opened Shake Shack Nutrition 19 months ago.
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Now that she has grown the wellness coaching aspect of the business, she is equally excited about showing others the business model. Ms. Niehaus-Beckner says, so many people are looking for answers to their current financial struggles and this could be it! For more information, call 574-7200.
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New credit union opens in Colerain Township The Cincinnati Ohio Police Federal Credit Union (COPFCU) opened its new Colerain Township location at 3550 Springdale Road. The new 3,000 square foot facility is located next to the Red Lobster restaurant. Tina Wocher, President of the Credit Union says, “The location was perfect for our needs. It was right across the street from our previous office with easy access to I-275. It allowed the credit union a great opportunity to design and build a branch that would serve our members well into the future.” The new branch was built with customer convenience in
mind. “The location offers two drive-thru lanes and a state-ofthe-art ATM,” says Wocher. The new ATM is designed to give customers the convenience of 24hour account access. “Most people only use ATMs to withdraw cash, not deposit funds. They aren’t comfortable making deposits to an ATM, but our new ATM makes the process easy.” “For starters,” says Wocher, “you don’t need an envelope to make a deposit. You put your cash and checks directly into the ATM.” For cash deposits, the ATM will count and verify the exact amount being deposited and give the customer immediate
availability for those funds. For check deposits, the ATM will scan the checks being deposited and print the image of the checks on the receipt. “The best part about the deposit is the ATM receipt,” says Wocher. “The deposit receipt will list all the cash deposited, show an image of each check deposited, and total everything for you. The receipt gives the customer proof that their ATM deposit was processed correctly.” The new branch opened as the credit union is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. “There’s no better way to celebrate a historic anniversary than by giving your
customers a new, easy to use branch,” says Wocher. “Our customers in the Colerain area had grown tremendously in the past three years due to our merger with the Northwest Employees Federal Credit Union. It became clear to us that we had to build a full-service branch to meet our customers’ needs.” COPFCU is a customer-owned financial institution that serves more than 8,800 public sector employees including police officers, firefighters, educators, government employees and their family members. For more information, contact the credit union at 513-385-4808.
ERRORS from page 5 Some catheterization kits are packed in a single layer with each item -gloves, antiseptic swabs, drapes and so forth -available in the order
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they’ll be needed. This helps the clinician follow the best practices for avoiding infections, but you, the patient, can also do your part.
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In addition to reminding the nurse about hand hygiene, you can continue to ask “Why do I need this catheter, and when is it going to be removed?”
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Studies show that if the reasons for the catheter and its “remove by” date are noted on a patient’s chart before the catheter is placed, they don’t stay in as long. Shortening the time a catheter remains in place reduces the risk of a UTI. Doctors don’t have a chance to “forget” that a patient has a catheter, remembering to order its removal. "Healthcare treatment today is more active with patient participation,” says Lorri Downs, vice president of Infection Control for Medline Industries, Inc. “Gone are the days when a doctor would pronounce a diagnosis and treatment, the nearby nurse would nod in agreement, and the patient would subserviently acquiesce to the doctor’s orders.” Today, everyone in the picture gets a say. “The doctor” may now really be a team of doctors, nurses, specialists and
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assistant care providers with plenty of other people monitoring the patient’s care. If patients want to take it further, the website wakeupdoctor.org states, they can ask for another doctor if they find out he or she has been working more than 10 to 12 hours. Clearly in an environment such as this, the patient can exercise greater control over his or her own treatment and prevent hospital-acquired infections. In the future, the patient may be expected to play an even larger role. There is an abundance of information from healthcare providers and a broad scope of Internet sources – ranging from reliable and trustworthy to questionable and dishonest. The question for most of us will be: “How do I make myself the best patient and the best advocate to help ensure the best outcome from my treatment?” Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Hearing technology breakthrough Want to get back to the world of hearing? Let us transport you with a communication device so advanced, so comfortable, so stylish, and so discreet that only a few years ago, we could hardly imagine it. Today through Saturday, Christopherson & Clark Hearing Center invites you to come meet GN ReSound’s Alera. Alera hearing instruments create a rich surround-sound experience, helping you hear speech clearly, tune out background noise, and locate the direction sounds are coming from. They also adapt automatically when the situation changes, so whether you’re walking into a noisy room or having a quiet
conversation, picking up the phone or turning on the music, Alera knows what to do to keep you comfortable and in synch with your environment. Alera means freedom. These hearing devices employ a 2.4 GHz sound transmission to allow you to wirelessly connect to your TV and cell phone. That means there are no other devices to attach to your body or wear around your neck, so you’re free to carry on your day-to-day activities without being tied to bulky receivers. For your comfort and convenience, Alera offers built-in whistle control so you don’t get buzzing, whistling, or other feedback. It also offers protection from
humidity, sweat, rain and even earwax. With its discreet receiverin-the-ear design, color choices, and other personalized settings, Alera is a hearing aid with a natural-feeling fit you’ll actually want to wear. If you or someone you know is considering replacing current hearing aids with upgraded technology or considering a first pair of hearing devices, now is the right time to come in to Christopherson & Clark for a demonstration of this remarkable technology. Improved technology is available at several affordable price points, so getting back to hearing well is attainable on almost any budget. When you make an appoint-
ment during our Special Event, Oct. 20-23, you will receive a complimentary hearing consultation; a complimentary hearing aid consultation and demonstration; and a complimentary choice of wireless accessory (ReSound Unite TV Streamer, Remote Control, or Phone Clip) with a ReSound Alera purchase during this Event. And you’ll meet Sharon Christopherson, a hearing professional with a reputation for caring professionalism, honesty, and attention to personal service. To schedule your appointment, or to request a free copy of The Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids, please call 513-5989444 today.
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The best assisted living care Berkeley Square provides you with House Tavern & Grille, along with a the very best assisted living care. They wide variety of wellness and social prooffer safe, private and spacious living grams. They give you the support you with all the comforts of home. Unlike other communities, their rates include all types of “Mom wasn't able to live alone anymore. She needed support - there are no hidden good nutrition, help with medication and more fees or levels of care. Berkley Square provides assistance with: •personal care •meal preparation •housekeeping • medication management
Premium amenities at a better value Berkeley Square residents enjoy access to fine dining at The Coach
stimulation. It is amazing how the correct dose of these three things can enhance her health and transform our entire lives. She is happier and healthier than we ever thought she could be.”
need to enjoy living life at Berkeley Square. For more information or to schedule a tour of our new McClellan Assisted Living Wing call Rica at 785-2015.
Quality nursing care, rehabilitation at Clovernook Clovernook provides quality nursing care and rehabilitation, as well as one of the most progressive, effective wound care centers in the Tristate. Clovernook is nestled into six park-like acres in the residential neighborhood of North College Hill and its caring professional staff is dedicated to serving the needs of the residents and their families. The Progressive Wound Centre was
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opened in 2004, due to Clovernook’s successes in healing vascular, venous, diabetic, surgical, pressure and complex wounds. The Progressive Wound Centre team uses state of the art products and innovative treatments. With quality care, careful monitoring, and a unified team approach, the professionals at The Progressive Wound Centre advance healing in dramatic ways. The
Progressive Wound Centre is like no other in the region! All rehabilitation therapies – physical, occupational, speech, respiratory, and recreational – are available to their residents. Clovernook is Medicaid and Medicare certified and provides private pay, as well as some private insurances. They provide longterm and short-term care, and skilled and intermediate care.
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Oct. 20, 2010
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Seniors:
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How to
live independently and safely
Retirement is a great time to enjoy life – especially in your own home. But if you – or your parents – are starting to slow down, suffering from occasional imbalance or are having difficulty living safely in your home, it could limit your independence, and potentially cause you harm. Falling is the leading cause of injury and death among people 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And if you look around your home, or your loved-one’s home, you probably can find many tripping hazards, increasing the risk of a fall. Here are some tips you can follow to help yourself or your loved one continue to live independently in their own home and age in place safely: • Incorporate walk-in showers in your bathrooms, so you don’t have to climb over the edge of a tub. Premier Care in Bathing Inspire Walk-in Shower or Refresh Walk-in Shower have Delta brand shower heads, shower chairs in case you need to sit down, secure hand rails and leak-free construction. Alternatively, Premier also has a broad range of walk-in baths, which are versatile
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enough for any member of the family to use, but provide the safety equipment needed to help keep older members protected from falls. Visit www.premier-bathrooms.com or call 800-925-0865 and ask for more information about walk-in baths or showers. • Install telephones in every room, and have a cell phone always charged and accessible. Communication is important, and having a phone easily accessible can determine how swiftly help arrives in an emergency like a fall. • Switch under-counter shelves into pullout drawers, so you or your loved one don’t have to get down on your hands and knees to find something at the rear of the cabinet. This not only helps prevent falls, but also prevents strains on the body from bending over.
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• Install as much extra lighting as you can around the house. This includes nightlights and extra light switches at all door entrances so nobody ends up stumbling around in the dark. • Create safe walking passages. If loose rugs are lying around, consider removing them. Check to see if any of the flooring in your house is slippery. You might want to consider installing carpet - not only to get rid of the slippery floor, but also to keep feet warmer as well. Also, review the layout of each room. Keep entrances clear of lamps or furniture so someone doesn’t accidentally become bruised from bumping into them, or tripping and falling to the floor. Aging in place isn’t overly difficult, and you can keep yourself or your loved one safe at home, and living in comfort with some of these tips. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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A contractor that cares John Batchalor, whose house is on the river, admits that he was taken by surprise. The Bellevue home owner never expected to be treated as well as he was by the staff at Roof Time. In fact, their attention to detail and dedication to quality craftsmanship left him breathless. “They went above and beyond, they exceeded my personal expectation,” Batchalor said. “The final project is great, it’s outstanding. It was done right.” The work done to his Fairfield Avenue home was extensive. The Roof Time team stripped three
layers of roof from the three-story high house, added 16 inches of Owens Corning fiberglass blowin insulation, replaced the aging box gutters and rebuilt his chimney. Roof Time used the Owens Corning’s 30-year DURATION, Energy Star Shingle. This shingle reduces utility bills by reflecting the sun. In addition, Batchalor qualified for the $1,500 tax credit. Batchalor will save energy, make his home quieter and more comfortable and improve his property value. “There are good people at Roof Time,” Batchalor said. “I didn’t believe there was a roofing com-
pany that cares like they do.” His lengthy Angie’s List report about his experience is a featured article in the December magazine that is mailed to every member in the region! He adds, “I invited 12 different companies and took two years to decide exactly what I wanted. My bids were all over the place from $6,000 to $16,000. It was ridiculous! The staff at Roof Time submitted a bid in 2008, stuck with their ideas and answered all my questions promptly and professionally each and every time!” Roof Time conducts a
The latest masterpiece of Roof Time, John Batchalor’s Bellevue home.
free Energy Audit checkup with every quote. By using a thermal image camera (like the ones the cable TV ghost hunters use) and digital ther-
mometers, their estimators can pinpoint the problem areas that hide under the roof. Roof Time is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and is one of only three roofers locally who have obtained the added certification as a TOP OF THE HOUSE roofer- attic insulator. A Roof Time quote includes options for installing a roof ventilation system that meets or exceeds the FHA specification; increases the attic insulation to the DOE recommended level of R-60, and a radiant barrier that reduces the attic’s temperature by as much as 50 degrees every day. Using these techniques Roof Time is confidant that most homeowners can extend their roof’s warranty. Roof Time began in 1995, when Ricky and Sandy Feltner started a small family business that they operated out of their home. By 1999, Preferred Roofing’s four office staff (which included one daughter, one son and one ROOFING see page 11
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How to make your house spook-tacularly for one day Most days, you probably want visitors to feel welcome and secure in your home. But one day a year, it’s fun to scare the dickens out of them so make the most of Halloween and all the good-natured frights that come along with the spookiest of holidays.
While your neighbors may pull out all the stops decorating outdoors for Christmas, an overthe-top Halloween display can also earn you a place in neighborhood lore. The Halloween decor experts at online retailer SeventhAvenue.com offer some tips to consider as you create a spooky playground to impress the trick-or-treaters: • Know your audience. It might be a good idea to match the level of scary in your Halloween decorations with the age of the children you expect to come trick-or-treating. For younger children, think fun. Older kids might appreciate a good scare. Haunted see page 12
ROOFING from page 10 son-in-law) and their terrific work crews had earned a ranking in the Top 100 Contractors in America, and had sales in excess of $2 million! Ricky passed away at the end of 1999, and the company struggled to carry on without his dynamic leadership. Today Ricky’s legacy has been preserved by no less than FIVE roofing contractors that were once part of his vision, all successfully operating their own companies using the same principles and ideals he established over 15 years ago! At Roof Time, Sandy’s daughter Missy is still answering the calls (even at nights and on the weekends) and Ricky’s grandson Justin is now a project estimator! Terry Littleton, who started as a member of one of Ricky’s roof crews in 1997, now runs his own crew as a job site foreman, and oversees any service calls that may be received. Roof Time is a true family-owned and -operated business with deep community roots; over 15 year’s business experience, and is now into its third genera-
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Quality service at an affordable price Don’t let your gutter Bernecker’s Gutter go through the winter full Guard Service maintains a of leaves and debris. low overhead and they Just a small amount of pass it on to their cusdebris in your gutter tomers. Their system costs slows the flow of water, a fraction of major gutter causing it to overflow or pull ‘Bernecker’s also provides away from the house. Last winother preventative ter Bernecker’s maintenance work on your Gutter Guard Service had so house. They have an A+ rating many calls on with the BBB and plenty of gutters coming loose due to the available references.’ ice storm, the amount of weight on the gutters cre- guard systems. Bernecker’s ate a real problem. The also provides other pregutter either ruptures or ventative maintenance detaches from the house. work on your house. They When Bernecker’s installs have an A+ rating witht he Leaf Relief, they anchor BBB and plenty of availthe front and back of the able references. guard. It holds your gutCall 738-7003 and ask ter to the house. for a free quote.
tion of serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky! Roof Time’s attention to the details has earned them the prestigious Angie’s List Super Service Award for the past four years in a row, as well as the Community Press Readers’ Choice for 2009! Estimators arrive on time and prepared, in neatly lettered vehicles and uniforms; inspect the attic portion of the roof, then inspect and measure from the rooftop (not from the ground like most companies have started to do). An estimate can be prepared right from their vehicles or e-mailed back the same day! Estimates are free and include color digital pictures of what they find. Roof Time utilizes all the best of today’s technology such as Thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint hidden leaks and decay, and satellite measurement software to offer “to the inch measurements” for “to the penny pricing.” Visit www.newrooftime.com or call Missy at 513-753-TIME (8463) to get a free inspection of your roof, attic insulation, siding or gutter system!
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Haunted from page 11 • Choose a theme. Halloween is the perfect holiday for creativity, so when it comes to the front yard, don’t limit yourself. Decorations that center around a theme are the most impactful and will delight children when walking to your doorstep. You could choose something as simple as a graveyard theme, leading visitors through a path of gravestones and creaky gates, with zombie decorations for good measure. Or use ideas from your favorite scary movie. If you need ideas, try browsing outdoor Halloween decor at online retailers like www.seventhavenue.com. • Direct traffic. Now that you’ve chosen a theme, think about how you want your guests to experience it, beginning with the sidewalk and ending with your front door. For example, if you went with a Dracula theme you could lead your visitors to the front door with lights that resemble chandelier candles. Solar lanterns could also be used to light the path, as they won’t leave you burning through batteries or electricity. Well lit signs could also be used to lead visitors through a scavenger hunt through your front yard.
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• Dress the part. To make your theme really work for you, wear a costume to the door that goes along with it. It’s a great way to get in touch with your inner child and to thrill the kids in your neighborhood. • Safety first. While it’s great to create the scariest yard on the block, you should also make sure it’s safe. Walkways and hazards like ponds or stairs should be well-lit. • Get help from nature. The trees in your yard make a great place to hang spooky decorations. Use old grass clippings to give a spookier feel to zombies and gravestones. You can use leaves as stuffing paper for bags and figurines, filling them with life. • Treats matter. We all know the number one reason kids look forward to Halloween is the bounty they’ll bring home from a long night of trick-or-treating. Considering that everyone else will give out candy, make your house more memorable by giving a toy related to your theme. Or, give glow bracelets that are not only fun but will also keep them safe by making them visible in the dark. Courtesy of ARAcontent
Oct. 20, 2010
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