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How to choose a pharmacy Typically, most of us bring our prescriptions to the nearest drug store and base our pharmacy choice on convenience alone. But for those who have complex medical conditions, such as a blood or marrow cancer, the decision may be a little more complicated. The following explains why—and how—you can and should choose a great pharmacy. How to Spot a Great Pharmacist
As a partner in your health, it's worthwhile to take the time to seek out the best pharmacist for your needs. Great pharmacists • Are knowledgeable about your medications as well as your condition • Have time to spend answering your questions • Use clear language that is easy for you to understand • Show concern for your health and wellbeing • Act as advocates • Collaborate with your physician when necessary • Make you feel comfortable • Work with you to find healthy solutions to your medical concerns • Behave in a professional manner • Are approachable
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What Else to Look For in a Pharmacy
In addition to having an excellent pharmacist, you should consider other factors when choosing a pharmacy. Ask yourself: • Is it convenient to use this pharmacy? Not only is the physical location important, but things like hours of operation, parking availability, direct insurance billing, home medication delivery, or charge information kept on file for you are as well. • Do they carry the medications that are being used in your care? Cancer medications are unique and often only handled by certain pharmacies. • Do they keep records about your medication and healthcare history? • Are they too busy to allow time to have your questions and concerns addressed? • Do they provide services such as immunizations? • Is there an area in the pharmacy where you can ask questions privately? • Do they carry other medical equipment such as dressing supplies for central venous catheters5 or syringes for injectable medications? • Are they affiliated with your cancer center? If possible, stick with pharmacists at your cancer center, as they
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are PharmDs and have specialized experience. • Who is recommended by your doctor6, nurse7, or healthcare team? Once you find a pharmacy that you're comfortable with, and which can serve your needs, commit to it. It’s a great idea to have all your prescriptions at one pharmacy, as this helps prevent medication errors and harmful drug interactions.8 It also allows your pharmacy to get to know you and your specific care needs. Summing it Up
When you have a complex medical condition like blood and marrow cancer, it's important that you have an excellent team of healthcare professionals working alongside you. Pharmacists act as a resource to you and help you navigate through the maze of medications and therapies that you'll need. Therefore, when choosing a pharmacy at which to fill your prescriptions, give close consideration to who is helping you behind the counter, and the services they're able to provide.
Walmart Plaza
Walmart Plaza
16280 Dresden Ave. • Calcutta, Ohio
2875 East State Street • Salem, Ohio
330-386-4002
330-337-8313
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How to seek treatment for chronic wounds The Wound Healing Center provides advanced treatments for: • Diabetic, venous and pressure ulcers • Osteomyelitis • Radionecrosis • Infections • Compromised skin grafts and flaps • Wounds that haven't healed within 30 days
During the past year, over 300 local residents with chronic, non-healing wounds have benefited from the state-of-the-art facilities and the expert care provided by the professional staff of Salem Community Hospital's Wound Healing Center (WHC).
According to Erica Alesi, the WHC Program Director, "During our first year, 332 patients came to us for wound treatment, and 93% of them were discharged fully-healed. For some, this was life-changing therapy as they were facing limb amputations or suffering with chronic pain as a result of a wound that wouldn't heal." Benefits of Treatment at a Wound Healing Center Wound healing centers benefit patients by providing the latest treatments to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications from chronic or non-healing wounds.
“Salem Community Hospital’s Wound Healing Center offers patients state-of-the-art treatment options, which are administered by physicians and staff with advanced training in wound care,” Dr. Johnson stated. One of the leading edge treatment modalities provided at the WHC is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which promotes healing by increasing the amount of oxygen delivered to the damaged tissues. Last year, the Center provided over 700 treatments
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using this method. "In addition to successfully healing wounds that do not respond to traditional treatment methods, HBOT shortens the healing process. This allows our patients to return to their normal lives, free of pain and the burden of caring for a chronic wound," Dr. Johnson said. "We are very fortunate to have this technology and the specially-trained physicians and staff to administer these treatments locally. All of the WHC physicians and staff have completed specialized training in the field of wound care." In addition to Dr. Johnson, physicians providing wound healing clinics at the WHC include Drs. Indra Limbu, Thomas Vrable, Gregory Blasko, Amanda Baright and John Madison. Ask your doctor about visiting a wound healing center if: • You’ve had a sore that won’t heal after 30 days. This is common among people with diabetes. • You’ve had a sore with increasing pain, redness or swelling; foul odor; or change in color.
If you or a loved one has a wound that has not healed for 30 days or more, you may benefit from the services provided at Salem Community Hospital's Wound Healing Center. For more information, call the Center at 330-332-7415.
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Psst...Your hearing problem is this obvious too. We can help!
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How to determine hearing loss An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. This principle also applies to anyone with a hearing loss condition. The earlier the illness is detected, the better its prognosis is. However, for those who already are afflicted with the illness, hearing tests are done to see whether hearing has improved or not and whether treatments have been effective. Hearing tests are also done for babies. Since these little tykes can't express subjective opinions yet, doctors can't be too sure whether they have normal hearing or not. Because of this, babies are subjected to hearing tests for the early detection of problems that pertain to factors that may interfere in the development of speech and other cognitive abilities. Tests for babies are very important to detect any congenital hearing defect such as hearing loss. Hearing tests are also very important on children during school age. Although people can learn visually and kinesthetically, hearing still plays a very big part in the absorption of this information. If a child has hearing problems, then learning may be impeded. This is the reason why hearing tests are done to detect whether a certain child has hearing loss or not. If tests turn out positive, then appropriate actions can be done immediately. For persons who are suspected of having hearing loss, the severity as well as the type of hearing loss can then be detected and established. With this, appropriate treatment and medication may be given to improve the condition of a patient. Hearing tests would also be used as an evaluative tool whether a person's hearing condition has improved or not. 1) Weber Test
Named after Ernst Heinrich Weber, the Weber Test is considered as one of the most basic tests for detecting hearing loss. This test will be able to detect two types of hearing loss: unilateral conductive hearing loss and unilateral sensorineural type. The Weber Test makes use of a tuning fork. The fork is struck on a surface to produce vibrations. It will then be placed on top of the media lateral of the skull. A person is said to have a unilateral conductive hearing loss if one ear hears the sound louder than the other. The ear that hears the louder sound is the affected one. 2) Rinne Test
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4) Tympanometry
Tympanometry is a test usually used to detect conductive hearing loss. It is also used if nothing apparent is detected through the Rinne and Weber Test. This procedure makes use of an otoscope. This makes sure that nothing; neither foreign object nor earwax is blocking the path to the eardrum. It is considered as a foolproof method if ever the findings from the other tests produce suspiciously inaccurate or anomalous results, and further tests are needed for deeper hearing level assessment. Tympanometry targets the eardrum's mobility, conduction of bones, and the condition of the middle ear. Signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include:
• Muffling of speech and other sounds • Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd of people • Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly
A tuning fork is struck to produce vibrations. The fork stem is then stuck on the mastoid of a person. When no sound can already be heard, the fork is then placed outside the ear.
• Withdrawal from conversations
Although the Webber Test and Rinne Test have been proven to be effective, these can't be compared to the hearing test called audiometry.
• When to see a doctor
Audiometry is the formal testing of a person's hearing ability. With the help of an audiometer, the hearing level of a person may be measured. It may measure the ability of a person to differentiate between different intensities of sound, distinguish speech from background sounds, or recognize pitch. In audiometry, otoacoustic emissions as well as acoustic reflex can also be measured. Results from audiometry testing can be used to diagnose whether the subject has hearing loss or other problems with the ear.
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Unlike the Weber Test and the Rinne Test, audiometry testing needs a special soundproof room. It also does not make use of tuning forks. Instead, it uses a device called the audiometer.
Just like the Weber test, the Rinne Test also uses a tuning fork. This hearing test was named after Heinrich Adolf Rinne, the person who developed this test. The Rinne Test compares how sound is perceived as conducted through the mastoid.
3) Audiometry Testing
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• Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio
• Avoidance of some social settings
Talk to your doctor if difficulty hearing is interfering with your daily life. Your hearing may have deteriorated if you find that it's harder to understand everything that's said in conversation, especially when there's background noise; if sounds seem muffled; or if you find yourself having to turn the volume higher when you listen to music, the radio or television.
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How to choose the best gift for hospital patients Providing Comfort
Many people like to take a gift when visiting a sick friend or loved one in the hospital, however, the right gift can be difficult to find. To make things more difficult, some of the most common gifts given to hospitalized people are not always allowed in every area of the hospital. Keep in mind that hospitals can be very boring places, and they are never as comfortable as one's own home. Gifts that help improve comfort and relieve boredom are ideal, as are gifts that lift the mood.
they may be different than normal. Books If you know what your friend likes to read, a book makes a great gift and can help take their mind off of the illness. Portable, a book can make long and tedious tests more bearable and sleepless nights may pass more quickly. Magazines Magazines are a great gift because the articles tend to be short. That way if your friend tires easily, they can set the magazine aside and return to it later.
Flowers Flowers are a great gift. For people who like flowers, a delivery can feel like a small ray of sunshine in their hospital room. Unfortunately, not everyone likes flowers. People who have respiratory issues, such as asthma, may be triggered by flowers2 and those who are sensitive to pollen should avoid them when possible.
Music Music can be very calming and soothing. Your friend may have an MP3 player that they use for their music, or they may appreciate having some of their favorite CDs brought to the hospital with a small radio that can be played quietly.
If your friend is in an intensive care3 area of the hospital, some gifts may not be appropriate. The same is true for floors where chemotherapy is given, where respiratory problems are present, or a patient4 has an allergy. Flowers will likely not be permitted in the room in an ICU. A balloon (or two) makes a great substitute for flowers.
Movies Many hospitals anticipate the need for entertainment and supply DVD players and televisions in the patient rooms. If the room is equipped in this way, bringing a few movies from home or the library would be a welcome diversion. If your friend has a laptop, they are often able to play movies as well.
Fruit Arrangement Like flowers, fresh fruit may be restricted in certain areas of the hospital. If you are sure your friend is allowed to have fruit in the area where they are staying, and they are permitted to eat fruit, fruit can be a welcome relief from hospital food.
In some hospitals it is possible to hook up a video game console to the television, which can provide hours of entertainment.
Just be sure the patient to whom you are giving a present is allowed to eat fruit, other wise it is like taunting them with something they are not permitted to have. Food and Drink Your loved one may or may not be allowed to eat and drink whatever they want while they are in the hospital. Before making a delivery that includes food or beverages, it is best to confirm that eating and drinking isn't being restricted. If your friend is allowed to eat and drink whatever they find appealing, a gift of food may be greatly appreciated.
If your friend has a favorite drink, taking some to the hospital may be greatly appreciated. Remember that a person's appetite is often changed temporarily by illness, so you may want to inquire about their preferences, as
Games Sudoku, a deck of cards, crossword puzzles and other types of mind games are a great way to help pass the time in a hospital. Pajamas Your friend may be required to wear a hospital gown in some cases, but it is possible that they may be allowed to wear more comfortable pajamas, depending on their physical needs. If your friend is allowed to wear something other than a hospital gown, they may appreciate having their own pajamas brought to them, or a gift of a new set of pajamas. Bathrobe A new bathrobe may make walking the halls of the hospital a little less revealing.
Hospital gowns are often slit up the back, showing more skin than many people are comfortable with. A bathrobe is good for covering up and keeping warm. Slippers Slippers aren't just about style and keeping the feet warm, they are also good for safety. Walking around in socks can lead to slipping and falling, but slippers have traction, preventing injury.
Blanket A blanket does more than provide comfort, it can cheer up a room instantly. Not only are hospital linens stark white, they are often rough and scratchy, making a warm and comfortable blanket a cheery addition. Get Well Card A get well card is a great way to share your wishes for a quick recovery without breaking the bank. Don't feel obligated to buy a gift in order to visit a friend in the hospital, a card is perfectly appropriate with or without a present. Balloons If you aren't sure what to give, a get well balloon is a great gift when you aren't sure what the patient might want or what they are allowed to have in their room. Gifts of Service
Your gift may not cost you a dime, only time and energy. For someone in the hospital, having someone willing to run an important errand or two may be the most valuable gift they receive. For example, they may need to have prescriptions filled prior to their discharge from the hospital. If their hospitalization was unexpected, they may need someone to watch their dog, pick up dry cleaning or even help arranging for child care. Gifts of Information
Your friend may need information about their condition, especially if they are newly diagnosed with an illness. For example, if your loved one was just diagnosed with diabetes, a book about living with diabetes may be useful. If your friend just delivered her first baby, she may appreciate a book for new moms. Someone who just had their appendix removed might not have a great need for further education, but many patients can benefit from books that teach them how to better care for themselves.
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To learn more about our surgical expertise, call 330-386-2909.
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AARP Bulletin
1. Don't go it alone. Bring along a friend or relative. "One of the most important steps you can take is to bring a spouse, family member or friend to the examination," says Juliette Sterkens, an audiologist in Oshkosh, Wis. "Two people hear and remember more."
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SALEM
Oakmont Plaza (Behind Pizza Hut) 905 State Route 46, Columbiana, Ohio
Behind Charter One Bank 2440 B. Southeast Blvd., Salem, Ohio
330-482-TEST (8378)
330-332-EARS (3277)
2. Interview a provider. "The number one thing to remember is that the value you get out of your hearing aid is based on the skills and abilities of the hearing health professional," says Sergei Kochkin of the Better Hearing Institute. Audiologists and hearing instrument specialists are both licensed to sell hearing aids, but audiologists hold a master's or doctoral degree in audiology. Get referrals from health care professionals.
George Sankey Columbiana
Struthers, Ohio
Evelyn Jon es,Presid en t
State Licensed Hearing Aid Specialist
25 Years Experience
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Cathie Gandel
1.Do you feelpeople m u m ble? 2.Do you feelm ore com forta ble w h en people look a t you a n d spea k? 3.Is ta lkin g on th e ph on e g ettin g m ore d ifficu lt? 4 .Is ta lkin g w h ile rid in g in th e ca rm ore d ifficu lt? 5 .Does ba ckg rou n d n oise both eryou ?
Dear Evelyn, I just want to send you a note of SINCERE THANKS for helping me improve my life since March 31, 2010. Your kindness, knowledge and patience in helping me select my hearing aids is greatly appreciated. I will be certain to refer Hearing Aids and Devices Inc. to anyone I know needing hearing aids in the future.
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Buying a hearing aid
Are ng The TheSounds Sounds AreYou You MM iissi ssing of Fallliing ng ofthe theRai Rainn Fal
Recently my wife suggested I should have my hearing tested after she got tired of repeatedly having me to repeat her conversation to me. I had noticed that at times I really didn’t hear all of what someone said to me but I really didn’t think too much about it; maybe they weren’t looking at me when talking. I have a friend who wears a hearing aid so I asked him about it and where he got his. He told me about getting his from the local office of Hearing Aids & Devices in Columbiana. I made an appointment with them and took their test and discovered I did indeed need help. Their test was really quite simple; no pain or discomfort and didn’t take long so I had them order a pair of units custom made just for me and I was really surprised with the difference. I really do hear so much better like when I’m in church or in meetings plus we don’t have to play the TV so loud and I seem to be more at ease when driving the car. I’m very satisfied with their product and their service do recommend them to anyone with hearing problems.
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3. Know before you go. "Most people have had trouble with their hearing for years," says Barry Freeman, an audiologist and chairman of the board of the National Council for Better Hearing. Yet they wait an average of five to seven years before buying a hearing aid. The worse the hearing loss, the harder it is for your brain to adjust, so it's important to act as soon as you think you may have hearing loss. 4. Have your hearing tested. During your visit, you should be given a hearing test in a soundproof booth. It will tell the audiologist or hearing specialist what type of hearing loss you have so a hearing aid can be programmed specifically for you. Not all devices will fit every person or every degree of hearing loss. And "these are custom-made devices," says Linda Remensnyder, an audiologist near Chicago. "It's not prudent to buy online or from a big-box retail store." 5. Try before you buy. Ask for a demonstration of the hearing aids recommended for you. An audiologist may be able to put a disposable plug on the tip of a behindthe-ear hearing aid and program the device to your hearing loss so you can experience how it works. A simulated sound field also can show how a hearing aid works in particular situations, so check the hearing aid in noisy
settings. And take your time. "This is way too important and costly a decision to make in a hurry," says Sterkens. 6. Ask about add-ons. Don't be pressured into buying extras you don't need — all technology comes at a price. However, directional microphones that help you hear in noisy places, tele-coils that help with phone conversations, and feedback cancellation that prevents the aid from squealing all received high marks from Consumer Reports. Wireless technology makes it easier to use cellphones and televisions, and ear wax protection can prevent malfunctions. But consider what you really need. 7. Can you hear me now? After you buy your hearing aid, don't leave the office without checking whether it fits. And not just physically; does it do what you want it to do? Ask to have an automated "real ear" test to see how it works in your ear. 8. Get it in writing. Get a signed copy of a contract that outlines what you're buying — the model and make of hearing aid — and the price, trial period, any nonrefundable fees as well as the warranty, says Lise Hamlin, director of public policy for the Hearing Loss Association of America. Most manufacturers allow a 30- to 60day trial period, and follow-up visits are a must. "Expect at least three or four in the first two months," says Sterkens. 9. Ask about training. There is more to buying a hearing aid than just fitting it to your ear. "You don't hear with your ear, you hear with your brain, and your brain doesn't know what to do with the sound after you get your hearing aids," says Freeman. Ask your audiologist about aural education and rehabilitation. Some auditory training can be done at home with a personal computer or through group sessions. 10. Pay the piper. These small technological marvels can cost between $1,200 and $3,700, an outlay not covered by Medicare or most private insurance companies.
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How to select the right lawn tractor for you
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READY FOR ANY JOB ON YOUR TO-DO LIST.
If you're mowing a 1/2 acre or more, you'll probably want to consider purchasing a lawn tractor or riding mower. Instructions 1. Look for a 38- to 42-inch deck. The deck size refers to the size of the lawnmower blade - the larger the deck, the wider the cutting swath and the quicker the job gets done.
2. Choose the deck size according to the obstacles you have in your yard. A wider deck is good, but not if you have to go back and get between all of the trees with a regular mower. 3. Be sure you have enough room to store the mower. 4. Think about whether you want the engine in the front or the back. Rear engines usually give you better front visibility; front engines typically are found on more powerful mowers. 5. Ask the sales representative about the different speed controls. You will find a gear lever and clutch-brake combination, foot-pedal controls or a hydrostatic-drive system without a clutch. Expect to add $200 to $500 for the smoother, easier-to-operate hydrostatic drive. 6. Decide what the majority of your mowing will consist of. Will you be bagging, mulching or tossing the clippings out the side? Check out how complicated it is to switch from one mode to the other and whether you'll need additional accessories to do it.
A new boomer compact tractor is ready to take on any job – mowing, loading, tilling, digging, and more. The boomer has plenty of power, electro-hydraulic independent PTO, no clutch shifting means easy operation and service. The boomer has compatibility with a wide range of implements and attachments.
Enjoy 5 years of worry-free ownership with the FREE Boomer Guard 5 Limited Warranty. Shorten your to-do list with a new Boomer compact tractor. Stop in today.
7. Get the best warranty possible. Some surveys have found that riding mowers and tractor mowers have the worst reliability records of all major appliances. 8. Check out how easy the mower is to steer and brake, how wide the turning circle is, the ease of adjusting cutting height, how much legroom it has, where the gas tank is, how comfortable the seat and steering wheel are, how easy the controls are to reach and use, how the bag is removed and how difficult it is to get on and off. 9. Be prepared to pay between $800 and $3,000 for a tractor or riding mower. Tips & Warnings • Look for attachments such as a towing cart, dethatcher, seed spreader, snow thrower or snow plow blade.
• Try out the clutch pedal. Some are very high and require long, strong legs to press them down. • Be aware that some tractors, when the bag is full, may tilt back onto the rear wheels while going uphill.
Unkefer Farm Equipment Co. 1115 N. Market St. Minerva, OH 44657 (330) 868-6419 www.unkefereq.com *0% interest for 60 days that ends March 31, 2013.
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Choosing a tax service Each year the complexities of filing taxes increase, and each year more people turn to professional tax preparation services. Perhaps you plan to count yourself among them now that your personal financial situation has grown complicated and the task seems daunting. Suddenly you face a choice that is more intricate than you ever considered. The stakes are high. This is your money and your reputation. Paying a professional to prepare your taxes does not relieve you of your legal responsibility for your return. The IRS urges taxpayers to employ care and caution when choosing a tax professional for this very reason. How does one ensure that they hire a tax preparation professional who is competent and ethical? There is no doubt that most tax preparers are honest people who provide excellent service to their clients. Nevertheless, unscrupulous tax preparers exist and you must avoid them, as they can cause you considerable legal and financial difficulties. Be aware that the IRS does not certify tax preparers and that the federal government does not require professional tax preparers to have any form of certification or education. Some states do require licensing but this is largely an industry that remains largely unregulated. You cannot be confident that a professional preparer is qualified merely because they can legally prepare taxes. The IRS does license Enrolled Agents. These federally authorized tax practitioners must pass an IRS exam and have continuing education required of them to maintain the license. The Treasury Department authorizes Enrolled Agents to represent taxpayers at all levels of an audit. When you hire a tax preparer, verify whether they or someone at the business will be able to provide you representation if the IRS audits your return. This is also a good opportunity to
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inquire about the preparer’s audit rate. Know precisely what you are paying for. Confirm that you are hiring a person who specializes in tax preparation. CPA is a designation indicating a qualified accountant, not all of which are tax specialists. Investigate the preparer’s credentials and if applicable the business for which they work. Contact the Better Business Bureau and verify that the tax preparer and/or business do not have a questionable history. In addition, you can contact the board of accountancy for CPAs or the bar association for attorneys in your state to inspect their professional record. Qualities of a tax preparer that you should seek out include: -- Affiliation with an organization that requires continuing tax education. -- Preparation fee based on the complexity of your return. -- A willingness to answer all of your questions. -- Availability beyond the preparation and filing of your return. -- Familiarity with all of the states in which you must file. -- Familiarity with any special circumstances that apply to you. -- Willingness to include an itemization of all judgment calls with your copy of the return. -- Willingness to provide an in-person review of the refund with the preparer. Warning signs that can indicate a disreputable tax preparer include: -- Claims that they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers can. -- A refund that is guaranteed up front. -- A request that you sign a blank form. -- Tax preparers who do “ghost” preparation. In other words, they are unwilling to sign the return. It is vital that you speak with the tax preparer and thoroughly discuss your situation. Once you are confident that the tax professional is capable, respected, and suited to your needs, you can hire with confidence.
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Choosing a dry cleaner Some things are harder to find than others. Finding a great dry cleaner isn't as easy as finding a great pizza place. A dry cleaning place that isn't up to your standards can certainly cause annoyance and frustration. But there are things you can do to ensure that your future dry cleaning experiences will be positive and fruitful. The first thing you want to do is to research how long the different dry cleaners in your area have been in business. If they've been in business for a few years, it stands to reason that they've been performing quality ser vice for their customers. Of course, great dry cleaners open new stores, too. Try to check the credentials of the newer businesses to see what their history was like at their previous location. Is this part of a chain that's so successful it had to open another operation? Great dry cleaners build up respect in their community. You will also want to ask if the items are cleaned at the drop-off location or sent to a cleaning plant. Larger stores use off-site plants. This practice in no way affects the quality of the cleaning service, but it does increase the chances of losing articles of clothing. You might consider trying to find a dry cleaner that performs services on-site, if at all possible, to keep you from losing your shirt. Losing clothes is no fun! But if you find a great dry cleaner that does take clothes to another location, that's okay, too. Many dry cleaners employ this practice and do great business. The third thing you want to do in your effort to find that great dry cleaner is to call the Better Business Bureau to see if the dry cleaner in question is a member of their organization. Members of the Better Business Bureau will more commonly deal with any mishaps that may arise in ways that more positively benefit their customers. Also, check to see if the dry cleaner belongs to a dr y cleaning association. These groups help to keep dry cleaners current with trends in the industry. Some of these associations can also offer to provide garment analysis to help you in the
case of cleaning accident. Timeliness is of the utmost importance, since many times, certain clothes are needed for various occasions. If nothing else, clothes should be ready at the time previously specified by the dry cleaner. Most are very punctual. Some will even offer one hour cleaning as a regular feature.
Really inquire about what specific services each of your local dry cleaners offers to their patrons. Is free mending available? Do they show special attention to tough stains? Do they take special care of unique fabrics? Will they tailor your clothing? Ask tough questions and figure out which establishment serves your particular needs the best. Everyone is different. One person's dry cleaning needs may be met best by one dry cleaner, while yours are meet by another. Research whether the dr y cleaner charges the same fees for a man's garments as it does for those of a woman. Higher fees are charged for women's clothing at certain dry cleaners. You might want to take this into consideration. Most important to take into account is the quality of service. Make sure your clothes don't smell. Always check the quality of ironing your clothes receive. The underarm areas of jackets and blouses can sometimes fall victim to underattention. If a stain doesn't come out, maybe another dry cleaner can do the job for you. Follow this advice and you will find the right dry cleaner to meet your needs.
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How to choose a skilled nursing center Deciding to place a loved one in a nursing home, also known as long term care facility, is a very difficult but important decision. Only you or your family can decide if a nursing home is the appropriate decision for you or a loved one. It is never too early to plan ahead as it will help you make a nursing home choice that meets your needs and gives you the quality of care you deserve. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) there are four important steps to consider when choosing a nursing home: • Find out about the nursing homes in your area. • Find out how nursing homes compare in quality. • Visit the nursing homes you are interested in, or have someone visit for you. Choose the nursing home that best meets your needs. Step 1: Find out about the nursing homes in your area. To find out about the nursing homes in your area: Look at www.medicare.gov on the internet. We will refer to this important website again. You can search nursing homes in your area by State, county and zip code. If you or a loved one will be admitted to a long term care facility from the hospital, ask the hospital's discharge planner or social worker for a list of local nursing homes. They can help you find a bed available. Call your Area Agency on Aging. Trumbull, Mahoning & Columbiana Counties fall under District
XI and can be reached toll free by calling 1-800-6867367. This agency can give you information about the nursing homes in your area. Step 2: Find out how nursing homes compare in quality. To find out about the nursing homes in your area: Quality care means providing the best possible quality of life and doing the right things at the right time. The nursing home industry is regulated by State and Federal requirements. By selecting "Nursing Home Compare" on www.medicare.gov, you will be able to find out how nursing homes compare in quality in your area. You will be able to view the State inspection reports, including deficiencies, for all Ohio nursing homes and look at other information such as staffing levels. Other ways to find out about nursing home quality: Ask friends and other people you know who may have placed a loved one in a particular long term care facility if they were satisfied. Call your long term care ombudsman. The ombudsman program helps residents of nursing homes solve problems by acting on their behalf. Ombudsman visit nursing homes and speak with residents throughout the year to make sure resident's rights are protected.
Step 3: Visit the nursing homes you are interested in. Before choosing a nursing home, visit the nursing homes you are interested in. If you are unable to visit, have someone visit for you. A visit gives you the chance to see the residents, staff and facility. It also gives you the opportunity to see the interaction between residents and staff. Below are a few tips to help you prepare for your visit: • Get information regarding services the nursing home provides, charge for a basic room fee, are there any additional costs. By law, the nursing home must have the results of the most recent survey of the facility done by Federal or State surveyors available for you to see. • Before you actually visit the facility, go over any information you may have already gathered. Take the formal tour by making an appointment before you visit and make sure you ask questions. Look around to get a better picture of the services and activities. Revisit the nursing home a second time, on a different day and time than the day you first visited. Try to visit during the late morning or midday. This will allow you to see the residents when they are out of bed, participating in an activity or eating. Try to leave with all your questions answered. If not, don't be afraid to call the facility. Ask the staff to explain anything you see and hear that you may not understand. Some important questions include: Is the nursing home certified by Medicare and Medicaid? Is
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the nursing home easy to visit for family and friends? Ask to see a copy of the activity calendar. Step 4: Choose the nursing home that best meets your needs. When you have the necessary information about the nursing home, discuss it with your family, friends, doctor, clergy, or social worker. The list below can help you see how nursing homes may vary. Quality of Life: Does the staff treat residents in a respectful way? Are there a variety of social, recreational, or religious activities? Quality of Care: Are there enough staff? Can residents still see their personal doctors? What did the quality information at www.medicare.gov on "Nursing Home Compare" show about this nursing home? Location: Is the nursing home close to family and friends so they can visit often? Frequent visits are the best way to make sure that you or your loved one does well in the nursing home. Having visitors can make the transition to the nursing home easier for you and your family. In summary, it's never too early to start planning for long term care. These are just some of the basic information needed to consider when making this important decision. Don't be afraid to ask questions, attempt to visit and revisit at least two facilities before making final placement, and consult www.medicare.gov to see how nursing homes compare in quality.
W indsor H ou se
Skilled Nursing • Alzheimer’s Care • Short Term Rehabilitation St. Mary’s Alzheimer’s Center 1899 West Garfield Road Columbiana, Ohio 44408 (330)549-9259 www.StMarysAlz.com Home Health by Windsor: Providing in home skilled nursing care. www.HomeHealthbyWindsor.com
(888)388-3278
Parkside Health Care Center 930 East Park Avenue Columbiana, Ohio 44408 (330)482-5547 www.WHParkside.com
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How to care for your swimming pool Daily Pool Operating Instructions • 1. Pool Filter should run at least 12 to 16 hours per day To calculate the exact number of hours you need to run your pool you need to know the gallons per minute turn over rate of your filter and the GPM rate of your pump and the amount of pipe/hose that is Beware of discount used throughout chemicals and your filtration sysunstabilized chlorine. tem. This is called the hydraulics of the filter. Once you A good stabilized have determined chlor tab will have 99% the turn over rate, tri-chlor. Discount Summer Fun Pools chlorine can have recommends that less than 65% your run your pool available chlorine. enough hours to turn over your water 2.5 times per day. If you call your professional swimming pool retailer they can tell you how many hours per day is the minimum you need to run you filter. (24 hours per day is best). Summer Fun suggests that if you are running the filter less than 24 hours then you should invest in a timer. If you are running your pool part of the day it is best to have it running during the daylight hours (instead of night). • 2. Make sure your skimmer and pump baskets are empty and clear of leaves or other debris. • 3. Sanitizer must be in your pool each day. See the following Options: Option 1: Summer Fun now offers a chemical free, salt free, deterioation free water treatment system. This system
allows you to swim in water that is like bottled water! Stop by our store to find out more about this revolutionary system. Option 2: Use chlorine tablets in the pool one time per week. Summer Fun recommends a system from PPG called Sustain. This system has a one day per week tablet requirement that provides sanitation, shock and algae preventative. We have had many years of success using this system.
For people with a chlorine allergy Bromine, or Pristine Blue are systems that have low Chlorine demands.
Weekly Pool Maintenance • 1. Completely backwash, rinse or regenerate your filter (depending on type of filter) • 2. Test water for Chlorine, pH and Alkalinity.
Option 3: Use an automatic chlorinator. When the chlorinator is full and the level is set correctly the pool is given an appropriate amount of chlorine sanitizer each day. The chlorine in an automatic chlorinator lasts and average of two weeks prior ot needing attention from you. The best Chlorinators on the market offer a bacteriacide/algaecide insert that lasts the entire pool season requiring even less daily or weekly maintanence for the pool owners. The best system we found for this is the Frog mineral system. Option 4: Manually adding chlorine tabs or granular to pool skimmer every day. Do not forget, as unsanitized water grows bacteria and algae. Option 5: Salt Generators are another way to add chlorine to your swimming pool, however due to the expense and the corrosive nature of the salt generators Summer Fun does not recommend this type of system. The salt deteriorates all metal components of the swimming pool such as ladders, hand rails, diving board bases, and if the pool is a steel wall pool and the liner ever gets a small pinhole in it, the salt will also deteriorate the entire structure of the swimming pool.
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ALKALINITY - Is a pH stabilizer. It helps to keep the pH within the proper levels so that the chlorine can work effectively. It reduces pH “bounce”. The level should be between 80 - 120. STABILIZER - Also known as Cyanuric Acid, is a chemical which forms a protective bond around the chlorine, making it more resistant to being burned off by the sun. Makes chlorine tablets last longer. Stabilizer levels should be checked and adjusted each season. Also, pools should be stabilized whenever a large amount of fresh water has been added. The level should be 40-60 ppm.
• 3. Adjust pH and Alkalinity as needed. • 4. Add Chlorine/Sanitizer to pool. • 5. Vacuum pool floor and walls as needed. • 6. Shock pool and add Algaecide, (unless you are using a system used that provides these components as part of their system such a Sustain or Frog mineral system. • 7. Check and adjust water level as needed. Water should always be half way up the skimmer(s). Basic Water Chemistry Terms CHLORINE/Bromine - Is the main sanitizer to kill algae and bacteria in the pool water. The level should be between 2.0 and 3.0 on your test kit. During hot weather, high readings are better. Never swim in water with chlorine levels above 8.2 ppm. pH - Is the level of how acidic the pool water is. You must maintain a good pH level or your chlorine will not work effectively. The level should be between 7.2 and 7.6. Never swim in water below 6.0 ppm.
REMEMBER - Good water chemistry can only be achieved when all four of these chemical levels are kept constant. Good Alkalinity helps keep the pH in the right range so that the chlorine can do its job properly. Stabilizer keeps more of the chlorine in the water instead of being wasted ! Summer Fun recommends a free complete water analysis at least 3 times per year. First when you open your pool after winter, mid season and before shutting your pool down at the end of the swimming season. We can test for 10-15 chemicals in the water that the residential test kits do not show. This allows the homeowner to stay on top of chemical readings that can cause havoc with keeping your pool clean, healthy and safe to use. Although many think there is a lot of routine maintance with a swimming pool, with the proper equipment and systems in use, it only takes about 20 minutes each week to properly maintain your swimming pool, if you would like futher information on the newest technologies and options please stop by Summer Fun pools where we can assist you in making your pool a source of fun and the least amount of work possible.
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