CreativeLiving Features 4 10 11
Tips for Alzheimer’s caregivers Suggestions to make life easier for those caring for loved ones.
Earth-friendly crafts and activities Fun for all ages.
Questions to ask when purchasing a new vehicle Seven must-ask questions.
Editor’s note Wahoo! It’s summer time. It’s arrived at last, sunshine and green abound! The Earth is a fantastic place and it should be our honor to take care of it. Inside this issue there’s an article with a variety of ideas for fun Earth-friendly crafts and activities. Be sure to check it out and put those ideas into action with the kiddies. With summer usually comes vacation and with vacation travel. So, many of you may be considering the purchase of a new vehicle. Check out the article about the seven must-ask questions. Until next time, get out there and enjoy the weather when you can!
Specialty Publications Editor
Contact
Page 10
Topics 3 Health & Fitness Mind • Body • Spirit
5 Senior Living Care • Home
Business 8 Local Goods • Services
Parties 9 Kids Fun
10 At Home Decorating • Improvement
11 Summer Entertainment Travel
Creative Living is a monthly advertising-sponsored magazine published by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Press/ The Community Recorder.
Questions and comments can be sent to Editor Melissa Stewart c/o The Community Press/ 394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140 or e-mail mjstewart@communitypress.com. For advertising call 687-4614.
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Unlike CPAP, an oral appliance is the size of a whitening tray.
Now you can travel without CPAP or snoring Does the idea of air travel and vacative sleep. tions with family or friends fill you with In as few as three visits, Dr. anxiety due to your snoring? Kitzmiller can help you to start enjoying Are you using a CPAP machine to a quiet and healthy night's sleep and a treat your sleep apnea but wish there well-rested daytime like he has done for was a more comfortable and convenient himself and hundreds of his patients. alternative? “My buddies used to dread nighttime Now there's another option! At on our annual fishing trips because of Cincinnati Dental Sleep my snoring,” said Tom B. Medicine. “This year will be different Want More Dr. Kitzmiller is one of now that I have my oral appliInformation? the few uniquely trained ance and don't snore!” Visit cincisleep.com! dentists in the region who “My husband and I love to are able to effectively treat, and travel, but hauling my CPAP help their patients to manage their snor- through the airport was such a hassle! ing and sleep apnea with Oral My oral appliance fits in my purse and Appliance Therapy, an effective and con- there's no airport security concerns!” venient alternative to CPAP. explained Karen F. An Oral Appliance resembles a “I was tired of being tired! Now that whitening tray in appearance, but is a Dr. Kitzmiller is treating my snoring and customized, FDA-approved snoring and sleep apnea with an oral appliance, I CPAP alternative treatment that fits over wake up rested. No more exhausted your teeth and holds the lower jaw in a days!” said Joan E. forward position while you sleep. This Call Dr. Kitzmiller at 513-248-8848 to maintains an open airway which schedule your complimentary consultareduces or eliminates snoring, and protion to see how Oral Appliance Therapy vides the patient with healthy, restoracould be an option for you too!
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Quality care offered at Blake and Associates Blake and Associates is an independent physical therapy practice located on Bridgetown Road in Green Township on the first floor of a beautiful office building that is easily accessible. The colorful, cheerful decor reflects the friendly, upbeat attitude of the entire staff. The therapists of Blake and Associates have an average of 30 years experience and offer ongoing treatment by the same physical therapist whenever possible. The equipment is state-of-the-
art featuring a Biodex Balance Evaluation Unit, Cold Laser Therapy, as well as other modalities and state-of-the-art matrix exercise equipment and a hydroergometer exercise unit. Also offered are an Osteoporosis exercise program, Yoga instruction, Mat Pilates instruction, Medical Massage by a licensed massage therapist, core stabilization exercise, and gym ball stabilization program. They also offer a step-up program for patients that have fin-
ished regular therapy but would like to keep working on the equipment. Blake and Associates was founded by Catherine (Katie) Blake in 1978. This was the first physical therapy private practice in Cincinnati. Katie passed away in 2007 but her guiding philosophy continues. The therapists of Blake and Associates are dedicated to providing quality health care with the personal touch that is so often
missing in today’s health-care system. These physical therapists enjoy putting knowledge, sensitivity, experience and an occasional dash of humor to work for patients of all ages and physical conditions. Many patients refer their family, friends and co-workers to Blake and Associates because they respect the thorough, professional evaluation and treatment they received by a therapist who was responsive to their needs. For information call 661-6555.
Tips for Alzheimer’s caregivers While caregiving can be rewarding, it also can be a long and difficult journey, which often affects work, finances, relationships and health. Caregiving is a responsibility that requires encouragement and resources. Caregivers sometimes may be too overwhelmed, frustrated or depressed to seek out the help they need. To help caregivers navigate the challenges of caring for a loved one with AD, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Leeza Gibbons, Alzheimer’s caregiving advocate and Emmy-winning TV and radio personality, launched a new educational campaign called “Stand Together for AD: Strength and Support for Alzheimer’s.” Caregivers can visit www. AlzheimersDisease.com for tips on coping and staying healthy, and for access to a new caregiver support program. “My family and I cared for my mother for nearly 10 years as she battled Alzheimer’s. Watching her decline felt like an emotional, physical and spiritual assault, which every member of my family dealt with individually,” said Gibbons. “I learned so much from that experience – most importantly that being a caregiver is not something you can do alone. The mission of ‘Stand Together for AD’ is close to my heart because it will educate Alzheimer’s caregivers and empower them to seek and receive support they may need to get through their difficult and brave journey,” she said.
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Here are some tips from Gibbons to help caregivers ensure their own wellbeing:
Breathe Work to lower stress by recognizing signs of strain early, identifying their sources and taking action to reduce the stress when possible. Set overarching goals to be accomplished in the next three to six months and smaller steps to ensure they are achieved.
Believe Focus on your contributions as a caregiver, praising yourself rather than feeling guilty at perceived deficiencies. Know that you will be enough, that you can do it. Optimism can be an important weapon.
Receive Join a support group to get encouragement and advice from other caregivers who are going through the same thing. Stay connected with friends and family, and let them know how they can help by preparing a list of what you need and letting others pitch in. It’s never too late to ask for help and find the strength and support you need. Visit www.AlzheimersDisease.com today to get started.
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Celebrate the sounds of your life Did you know that hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States? Hearing loss affects more than 32 million Americans today, and with the rise in use of headsets and earbuds, the number of Americans who experience hearing loss at a younger age is growing. Hearing loss often seems like a small problem and takes low priority. People with hearing loss may think that they are getting along just fine, but procrastinating actually causes sensory deprivation. How we perceive reality is mostly through our senses. If someone misses parts of communication because of hearing loss and doesn’t realize it, they experience something that could be entirely different from what was intended. Sadly, these people begin to avoid social situations, leading to emotional conditions like anxiety, anger, and depression. Even worse, sensory deprivation can be misdiagnosed as dementia. Thankfully, this can be reversed. New neuropathways can be built through
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stimulating the hearing and retraining the brain to hear sounds it has forgotten how to process. You can begin this process with the use of hearing aids. In celebration of Better Hearing Month this May, Christopherson & Clark Hearing Center is offering complimentary hearing screenings to help you take the first step toward improved hearing. Owner/audiologist Sharon Christopherson has more than 30 years of experience in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating hearing problems. She has earned the confidence of her patients by helping them select the best treatments for their hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget and by honestly discussing their options. Sharon and her associate, Amy Smith, would like to extend to you the same professional, courteous, and personalized care their patients have come to know and trust. If you are missing the sounds of your life, call 598-9444 today to schedule your free hearing screening or to request your free copy of the Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids.
May 18, 2011
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Cedar Village providing growth, expanding for the future Cedar Village Retirement Community, located in Mason, Ohio, is in the midst of a major remodel and reconstruction project of its 300,000square-foot facility to increase its shortterm rehabilitation unit by 70 percent. Divided into multiple construction phases, the project will create new and expanded therapy space for inpatients and outpatients, a new clinic area, a remodeled ambulance entrance, an additional elevator and updated resident rooms on two units. Cedar Village currently has 29 dedicated beds for short-term, skilled rehabilitation and a therapy gym designed for 15 people. “Over the past 14 years as people are living longer, healthier lives, they want to recover quickly after an illness or injury and get back to their lives,” said Carol Silver Elliott, CEO and president of Cedar Village. “In order to accommodate the growth and demand for therapy services, we’ve embarked on this major construction project to expand the use of our facility. This renovation will help us meet our current demand for rehabilitation services and positions us well for the future.” Silver Elliott said the $3.5 million expansion also has the potential to create new jobs. General Contractor Turnbull Wahlert will oversee the con-
struction project and Perkins Eastman is the architect. Once completed, the new 50-bed short-term unit will be at the forefront for rehabilitation care in Cincinnati, offering private rooms with full, private baths, Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, cable, DVD players, refrigerators and phones. In addition, specialized programming and activities will be offered for those on the rehabilitation units. The final stage of the construction project will be to add an upgraded ambulance entrance and a dedicated elevator for admissions and rehabilitation. The projected completion date is expected to be in late 2011. “During the construction project, no resident rooms will be taken out of service and all disruptions are being kept to a minimum. There are various office moves that have taken place, some short term and some long term,” said Silver Elliott. “But our entire staff is dedicated to this process and knows it will strengthen our future. Our vision is that aging be an enriching and fulfilling experience. This is one way we are making that a reality.” Cedar Village is a not-for-profit retirement community formed by the merger of two longtime Cincinnati Jewish nursing homes in March of 1997. For more information, visit www.cedarvillage.org or call 754-3100.
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Clovernook Health Care Pavilion celebrates 30 years Clovernook Health Care Pavilion is celebrating 30 years of serving the Tristate community as a long term care facility specializing in wound care and rehabilitation. The wound care at Clovernook is like no other in the region! According to Amy Mullowney, administrator: “Clovernook’s greatest asset is the employees that serve the residents who live here. You can not teach people to care and we have the most caring
in the industry.” The majority of the employees that work at Clovernook have longevity of five plus years of service. Clovernook is set on six beautifully, landscaped acres and is centrally located in the middle of Hamilton County. Clovernook continually updates the building and grounds in order to stay fresh and clean looking. The facility has just renovated some resident rooms making them large,
deluxe private quarters with flat screen televisions with satellite, refrigerators, sofas, and private baths. Clovernook will be recognizing their 30-year team members: Betty Christophel, STNA; Diane Harper, housekeeping and laundry director; Phyllis Radford, laundry assistant; and Cindy Hibbs, LPN. These ladies have dedicated their careers to serving the residents at Clovernook.
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Get ready for vacation Make that spring vacation or summer sun more enjoyable by building your base tan early. A Total Tan prides itself in clean and friendly tanning with no appointments ever taken. Even during the busy season, with almost 100 tanning units on the west side offer everyone the chance to come right in and get a quick and relaxing tan. A Total Tan is offering specials on their two weeks, monthly unlimited and 20 sessions packages this month. These packages are 30 and 14 uninterrupted consecutive days of tanning. Take advantage of these great deals and get a steal on tanning this month! You can feel safe purchasing these packages because A Total Tan offers no contracts and no hidden fees. Only buy the tanning when you need or want it, don’t get roped into contracts that are impossible to get out of with some of the competitors’ offers. Be sure to check out our new 2011
line of indoor tanning lotions. If you’re new to the indoor tanning experience, come in and rely on A Total Tan’s certified employees and let them lead you step by step to a deep, dark, sexy tan. A Total Tan is now offering the sunless spray tanning booth Mystic Tan at all three west-side locations. Mystic Tan gives you the look of confidence, whether you’re shopping at the mall or having a night out on the town. You’ll turn heads as you pass by with the perfect tan that looks like you’ve spent hours perfecting. Even if you can’t tan through traditional means, Mystic Tan gives you a beautiful golden tan that looks completely natural. Hydrating nutrients enrich your skin, giving you a beautiful glow you thought you’d never achieve on your own. Mystic Tan is quick, simple… and dark! Get in and take advantage of their Mystic Mondays… all single sessions in the Mystic are half price!
White Oak Nutrition hosts Family Fun Nights White Oak Nutrition, an Herbalife Nutrition Club, offers great opportunities to meet other members, enjoy a delicious smoothie, or join a weight-loss challenge. It’s a great place to hang out, make friends, and receive encouragement. On Wednesdays starting in June, 7-9 p.m., White Oak Nutrition will host Family Fun Nights. Each event will feature either trivia, karaoke, bingo with prizes and at each, discounted smoothies will be available. Herbalife, the largest nutrition company in the world, has helped people pursue a healthy, active life since 1980. Independent distributor Kim Blatt calls herself “a product of the product and I’m proud of it.” Four years ago Kim tried Herbalife and it changed her life. She went from a size 12/14 to a 6 in just six weeks. Her chronic migraines even went away. Herbalife also offers a business opportunity. Recently Kim was joined by Kaylee Coler, who in just 12 weeks of following Herbalife’s program lost 30 pounds. Kaylee also discovered that she could make more money as an Herbalife distributor than she could working full-time at a day care. For more information call 451-3339.
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May 18, 2011
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Party Hoppers growing Party Hoppers is growing again this year! Now in their fifth season, Party Hoppers has more than 20 inflatables for delivery to your outdoor events! This year they have added a 22-foot slide with a water slip ‘n’ slide to their inventory of bouncers, obstacle courses, sports interactive games, concessions and carnival games. Party Hoppers is located in Delhi at 5170 Delhi Pike. Their 23,000 squarefoot indoor play and party center features inflatables, a huge play land with tunnels and slides, a toddler play area
and basketball courts. The Hoppers Café serves pizza, snacks, treats, ice cream and drinks. They have three private party rooms available for birthday parties, The Deep Sea Room, Dots Room or Dino Room. They also have weekly open play sessions so you can bring the kids to jump and play. Sessions vary in the summer months so check their website for weekly times. In addition to the fun inside and out, Party Hoppers can provide Hoppers’ Helpers party assistants, character visits, balloons, cakes and cupcakes. Their staff of enter-
tainers includes face painters, balloon artists, clowns and magicians. From backyard parties to large festivals, Party Hoppers has the entertainment! Party Hoppers is a family-owned and operated business licensed and insured to deliver in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. You can find pictures of their inflatables and indoor play and party center on their website PartyHoppersOnline.com or call 513-4514FUN(4386). You can also check their website for monthly community and family events.
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Earthfriendly crafts and activities
Nature offers many beautiful gifts and wonders to explore, and parents can help get kids outside to discover them when they step away from the television or computer screen.
Encourage your children to explore nature and its many gifts and wonders.
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H
ere are a few fun ways to encourage your children to explore nature.
Nature’s bounty
Yard waste? Not when you can re-use and re-purpose. Find the beauty in what nature provides by creating new uses for things A growing trend that would otherwise be conAs more sidered waste. Americans are disLarge sticks make great covering every year, gardengarden stakes for plants that ing is a great way to enjoy nature. Kids will enjoy start- need a little extra support, ing plants from seed or pick- like tomatoes. Smaller sticks can be written on or carved ing out starter plants at the into (by an adult) for an nursery and watching them inexpensive way to label grow and develop. plants in the garden or pots. Even a small container How about using leaves garden on a balcony or patio can yield tomatoes for salsa, for gift tags or place cards? Kids will love writing names flowers for an entire season on the leaves with a little or strawberries galore. Cook up your paint and a fine-tipped favorite recipes with brush or metallic pen. Then, simply punch a home grown ingredihole in one end and tie with ents and donate any a decorative piece of raffia or excess produce to ribbon for a personalized local food banks. touch to any gift or place setFor the more adventurous garden- ting. Flowers from your pots er, help your kids plant a “vertical gar- or garden don’t have to fade away - they can be easily den.” In the style of dried for use in homemade famed French artist potpourri, candles or soap. and botanist Patrick Blanc, grow your flowers and vegetaGive a worm a job bles in a fun new Many of us know that way. composting is a great way to Try filling a canreuse what Mother Nature vas hanging shoe has given us. Even a small organizer with a compost bin will fill up light-weight potting quickly with kitchen scraps mix and filling each and yard waste. pocket with one of your This waste can be used favorite plants. Have fun produce a nice compost mix using tomatoes, bell peppers, for next year’s garden – marigolds, strawberries, especially if you add some vinca vines or impatiens. red worms to the compost Poke a drainage hole in bin. Worms are nature’s little each pocket and hang the composters. entire organizer on your They make composting back fence or balcony. Water more fun, interesting and daily, and in just a few efficient by breaking down weeks you will be enjoying organic matter into nutrientyour own living art piece. rich vermicast allowing your Find a local community family to compost kitchen garden or gardening co-op scraps easily, and reduce the and volunteer with your amount of garbage produced family to help with weeding, each year. watering, planting or harEARTH see page 12 vesting.
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Seven questions to ask when purchasing a new family vehicle
Y
ou want something that is convenient for your busy lifestyle, but also safe, affordable and reliable. These seven questions can help you find the vehicle that is perfect for your family.
1. How big is the vehicle?
Depending on the size of your family and what you plan to use the vehicle for, you might need a larger option. Ask about the maximum number of passengers as well as trunk and other storage space. Lugging around baby gear or sports equipment can take up a lot of space.
2. What safety features are included? Depending on the model, some safety features come standard; others are optional. Whether the vehicle is new or used, ask if it has the following: stability control, front and side-impact airbags, antilock brakes and rear parking sensors. In addition to keeping your family safe, these features may equate to a variety of auto insurance discounts.
3. Will it protect your family in a crash? No one wants to think about getting in an accident, but you do
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Whether you’re bringing home a new little one in the near future, or you already have a growing family, shopping for the right family car requires a little research. want your car to protect your family no matter what the scenario is on the road. Review the crash test score given by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that tests for front and side impacts as well as resistance to rollovers.
4. What do consumer publications say? Whether you’re looking at 2011 new car models or want to research used car options for your family, looking at consumer ratings is a good idea. Many different private organizations test vehicles and other products, but one that many feel has a reputation for providing ,in-depth, credible feedback is Consumer Reports.
5. Is the car family-friendly? Depending on the age of your children, different features might come in handy. If you have a baby or toddler, you might want to get a car with tinted windows. Have kids in elementary school? Perhaps you want to get a vehicle with a built-in DVD player to keep them occupied. Older kids with lots of stuff? Look for seats that swivel or fold down to accommodate whatever activity they
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might be participating in. Ask the seller or dealer what features the vehicle has that would benefit the members of your family.
6. Does it fit the family budget? Most families live on a budget, and when you set out to buy a new vehicle, you probably had a certain price range in mind. Make sure to stick close to this range. New car pricing in particular can vary from dealer to dealer. It’s OK to look a little above your range and try to negotiate down. If negotiating isn’t your style, there are car dealerships that price their vehicles at a fixed price and do not negotiate, so you can shop and know the bottom line without haggling. Ask the dealer about their negotiating policy.
7. What auto insurance updates do you need? You found the car you want and you’re ready to move forward. Call your auto insurance provider to find out the cost to insure the vehicle and any other information you might need to know. Your policy may change a bit as will the price you need to pay.
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EARTH from page 10 Red worms can be purchased inexpensively from many garden centers or online outlets. A small bin will require about 2 pounds of red worms to get the job done.
The art of recycling Recycling is a great way to reduce waste. It’s likely you already have a recycling bin next to the garbage can. Chances are, however, that your kids do not see those recyclables as art – it is time to change their minds. Reusing and recycling everyday objects not only reduces waste but, with a little imagination, can also provide hours of creative fun. Make something together that will bring years of enjoyment to your home or landscape. Make a bottle tree to enhance the garden or balcony. Since the invention of bottles, people have found ways to use them as decorations. Used as a way to explore the beauty of glass or ward off (or attract) spirits, bottle trees have been “planted” across the planet in various forms for thousands of years. To build your own bottle tree, collect colorful glass bottles from your recycling bin or from friends, family or even local restaurants. For a “tree” form, use steel re-bar, sturdy wire, wood, fallen limbs or dying trees. Simply remove labels from bottles and wash out. Then, hang the bottles from your form – use your bottle tree purely as a decoration or as a nice support for vine-like plants such as morning glory or tomatoes.
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Preserving nature in photos A digital camera may not seem like a device to get your kids outside, but they can be acquired quite inexpensively and are a great tool with which to view nature and animals. Go on walks in the yard, neighborhood, a local park or zoo and click away. Zoom in or change the angle of the camera for new perspectives. By simply changing the way that we look at things like flowers, animals, trees and even bugs, cameras provide an up-close and personal view of the world that you would not otherwise get to see. Use your photos for great screen savers on the computer, make photo collages or print them out for uniquely fantastic artworks to frame. Any way you use them, you will have preserved a little piece of nature and will have great memories for years to come. Once you and your kids start exploring nature together, you will discover hours of fun for the entire family. Mother Nature may more to offer than you realized.
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