2 • M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 2 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 1
BA N Q U E T CE N T E R
W E KN O W H O W T O M A K E YO U R W E D D IN G SPE C IA L •O verlookin g the b ea u tifu l g olf cou rse & la kes •Accom m od a tesu p to 320 •2012 a n d 2013 d a tesstill a va ila b le •Ju stm in u tesfrom S a lem ,Boa rd m a n , C a n field ,Pen n sylva n ia W E D D IN G S,SH O W E R S, G R A D U A T IO N S,BU SIN E SS M E E T IN G S,E T C .W E L C O M E .
HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT BANQUET FACILITY
Choosing the right venue for your event needs some careful planning and scheduling. When scouting for the banquet hall it is advisable to get advanced reservations to make sure you get your prefered date and time. Many banquet halls are fully booked for many months ahead. Reserving a year in advance is very typical now. Here are some important factors to consider in order to have a basis in deciding on the banquet facility.
SPR IN G W ED D IN G SH O W
S u n d a y,Ap ril 22,2012 4:30p m •FREE en g a g em en tp hoto fora ll cou p lesw ho com e tog ether •All g u estsa tten d in g receive a FREE $20 K in g ’sJew elry C a rd FO R M O R E IN FO R M A T IO N G O T O W W W .SP R IN G W E D D IN G SH O W .C O M
Many halls offer great packages for clients to choose from.The usual package includes catering service, planning assistance,set up and take down. Grabbing such packages will save you a lot of time and unburden you from many worries. Read the contract carefully. Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions. Clarify on matters regarding refunds and other important matters. Look into the nitty gritty details like extra charges being incurred without your knowledge.
Let Us Do The Cooking
Your chosen venue should be able to accommodate the numbers of your expected guests. Also give allowance for unexpected guests by providing extra tables and chairs.
• Sunday Brunch - 10:00am to 2:00pm Adults $13.95 Children (6-11) $8.95 Children 5 and under FREE • Wednesday Night Buffet 4:00pm - 8:00pm Adults $10.95; Children (6-11) $6.95 Children 5 and under FREE
Best of all you must personally visit the area of the banquet hall including its other amenities such as the bathrooms, kitchen, dining area and other areas you are going to use.
C orn erof Rt.7 & 14 •C olu m b ia n a ,O hio
3 3 0.4 82.0022
w w w .thelin ksa tfir eston efa r m s.com
M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 1 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 2 • 3
HOW TO CHOOSE AN URGENT CARE FACILITY
Salem, Ohio - Minor injuries and illnesses can happen anytime, anywhere. Most families have experienced at least one injury or escalation of an illness after their physician’s office has closed. Whether it’s a child’s rising fever, a cut requiring stitches, a painful earache or a fractured bone, urgent care facilities are best equipped to treat everyday mishaps that occur after normal business hours. When selecting an urgent care facility, look for one that offers:
*Full-Service Hospital Support In the event that a minor emergency escalates, choosing an urgent care facility within a hospital ensures that advanced technology and a full staff of professionals are available when needed. Salem Community Hospital’s urgent care facility, the Emergency Care Center (ECC) Plus, is specially designed to conveniently meet the urgent care needs of local families when an appointment with a primary care physician can’t be obtained, or if the individual simply can’t wait until morning. Appointments are not required at the ECC Plus, and patients can simply walk in.
*Access to Advanced Diagnostics Diagnostic testing is often required to determine the appropriate course of treatment for an injury or illness, so it’s best to choose a facility with the personnel and equipment needed to perform this testing at a moment’s notice.
The Emergency Care Center Plus provides immediate access to all of Salem Community Hospital’s advanced diagnostic capabilities, including on-site laboratory testing, the most sophisticated medical imaging tools in the area and cardiac testing. Additionally, radiologists, laboratory personnel and other specialized medical personnel capable of performing or interpreting tests are available aroundthe-clock. By selecting an urgent care facility housed in a full-service hospital, you will also save valuable time if further testing is needed, or if your minor emergency escalates. At free standing urgent care centers, valuable time is wasted arranging transport to the emergency department. *Convenient Hours and Location Because emergencies can happen at any time, select an urgent care facility with convenient hours
and location. Salem Community Hospital’s Emergency Care Center Plus is open in the evenings and on the weekends. It is easily accessible to patients by entering through the emergency department. *Reputation of Quality Care Look for a facility staffed by professionals with experience in treating emergencies and with a record of providing quality emergency care. Salem Community Hospital’s emergency department and Emergency Care Center Plus adhere to the strict guidelines of national health care accrediting agencies. These services are part of a hospital that has provided nearly a century of caring for generations of local families. Because life’s little mishaps often happen when we least expect them, choosing an urgent care facility ahead of time can reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with these situations.
4 • M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 2 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 1
HOW TO SELECT A PHARMACY
In this fast paced world we are always looking for the quickest way to do the things we need to get done, including filling our prescriptions. Take a few minutes and slow down to consider the consequences of the quick decisions we make, especially when it comes to our own health or the health of our family members. Instead of choosing just any pharmacy to fill your medications, you should choose a pharmacy that has your well-being in mind.
After leaving the doctor’s office with a prescription, we head to the pharmacy. Going to the doctor and then to the pharmacy is a great “checks and balances” system. Your doctor has helped in treating your situation, now it’s your pharmacist’s responsibility to ensure that you are getting the best drug therapy. When it comes to having your prescription
filled, you have several options to choose from. Not all provide the same level of service or reliability and their prices for your particular medicines may vary. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of the various outlets and know how to evaluate them before you decide.
Of the various options you have, walk-up, or “brick and mortar” pharmacies are the ones that allow you to meet face-to-face with a pharmacist, giving you the chance to take advantage of the full range of benefits that this valued health care provider can give. When it comes to choosing one of these pharmacies, you should consider several factors. Convenience is one such factor. If you’ll be driving to the pharmacy, for example, you may want to choose one that is conveniently located close to your home. Some even offer drive-up windows
and/or allow you to request a refill in advance, via telephone or internet, to cut down on wait time. If you have trouble getting around, you might seek a pharmacy that offers delivery of prescriptions to your home. And if you use one or more non-drug items—such as ostomy or diabetes supplies—you should ask if the pharmacy can bill these directly to Medicare or your insurance.
Service is the next factor to consider. Consumer Reports rated pharmacies in 1999 and found that independent pharmacies ranked highest in terms of service, information, and speed compared with drugstore chains, supermarket pharmacies, and mass merchandisers. Survey respondents said independent pharmacists provided more personalized service, were more accessible, kept customers waiting less time, and provided
better information about prescription drugs than the competitors in other drug channels. Still individual drugstores do vary, and you’ll need to decide what level of services you require and whether a specific pharmacy can deliver it. If you have found a pharmacy that provides the services you seek but have seen lower prices advertised elsewhere, you could ask if you pharmacy will match the lower prices offered by a competitor. If not, it’s still important to place price in perspective, because the cheapest isn’t always the best when it comes to taking care of your health. Your aim should be to choose a pharmacy that, overall, provides the convenience, service, and generally low everyday prices you need.
Walmart Plaza
16280 Dresden Avenue Calcutta, Ohio
330-386-4002
Walmart Plaza 2875 E. Salem St. Salem, Ohio
330-337-8313 PROUD TO BE SERVING COLUMBIANA COUNTY!
M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 1 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 2 • 5
HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY This is a bit different than depression, but it's definitely possible to have both. Anxiety symptoms, some are similar to depression ones. It doesn't come from sadness, but more from fears and phobias. Anxiety can be treated with anxiety drugs and therapy as well. See if any of these symptoms apply to you. Step 1: Living in constant fear and nervousness. This is the typical definition of anxiety disorder, which comes from nerves, along with constant worry and fear. A lot of different things can trigger this, for instance post-traumatic stress is very common with anxiety. These fears become uncontrollable and difficult to overcome. This is different from having common effects of these. These fears and nerves overwhelm you and become apart of your daily life. Dealing with anxiety like this will require anxiety medication along with therapy. Step 2: Having social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety means one who is not very social, and becomes extremely nervous when they're in a social situations. Not just nervous, was honestly scared. An extreme case of this, is where social anxiety starts to effect your life. It will effect your job life, social life, and it makes it extremely difficult for one to function when they suffer from this. For example: a person can become so nervous, and scared over a social situation, they constantly obsessed over it weeks before it even happens. They live in constant panic over human interactions with a majority of people. This may seem harmless, but it's not at all. It can really effect a persons daily life, where they tend to shut out the entire outside world because of it. Anxiety medication will most likely be
needed, along with therapy. A lot of people suffer from this, there is no shame in it. If this is the least of your problems, then consider yourself lucky. Step 3: Obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is a very, very serious symptom and form of anxiety disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, is when a person is in a state of constant worry, or panic that tends to be translated into acts of repetitive behaviors. Those symptoms are what define a obsessive-compulsive disorder. Step 4: Difficult falling asleep. If you struggle to sleep, because of these fears, then your anxiety seems to overwhelm you. These are strong signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder. Now, not being able to sleep every now and then over common worries through the day, that's not exactly the end of the word. However, if your anxiety of fears, and nerves keep you up at night on consistent basis, then treatment is needed. Step 5: Signs of any panic attacks. When the fear overwhelms you, it can come from basically nothing whatsoever, something very little that triggers a thought in your subconscious, then boom it hits you. You'll struggle to breathe and you'll feel as if you're having a heart attack. You'll feel like a burning feeling in your chest, and sometimes a person may even pass out briefly from this. If you have one of these, it's a panic attack, caused by anxiety. Medication and a therapist is needed immediately.
OVERW HELMED BY ANXIETY? Unable to find any answers? We’ll help you find the solution to your problems with our team of professionals.
COMPREHENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES INC. K.R. KAZA, M.D., ABPN
321 W. 5th Street • East Liverpool, Ohio • 330-385-8800 1995 E. State Street • Salem, Ohio • 330-332-7294
We accept all insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid.Now offering group therapy for weight loss, anger management, bereavement, and other topics. Call for more information.
6 • M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 2 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 1
W HY DO IUS ETHIS PHOTO IN M Y ADS ?AN D W HATYOU S HOULD K N OW ABOUT IT... Dear friend, “I know you.” That’s what people usually say when they meet me in town. Then they say, “You’re Dr. Bill. I’ve seen your ad with that picture of you and your family.” Well, perhaps I should tell you a little more about that photo, and why I use it in my ads. Let’s start with my story. Years ago something happened to me that changed my life forever. Let me tell you my story.
I am a senior in college and interested in sports medicine when it happens. It’s just a school assignment, but it turns out that it changes my life. You see, I’m assigned to intern for three months with an amazing doctor. I spend lots of time following him around and learning from him, but most of all, I’m learning from the people who have come to him for help. I notice that there are a lot of incredible things going on in the office. But, that’s not all… I see kids that are very sick get well. I see people crawl in and walk out. I hear stories from patients that have suffered with all kinds of problems and started to feel better when they came to see this doctor. I realize that I am seeing miracles happen and the patients all love this doctor because he has made such a positive impact on their lives. You see, this amazing doctor is a chiropractor. This new way of looking at health fascinates me so much that I decide to go to chiropractic school myself. And you know what? I’ve never looked back; it was the best thing that I’ve ever done. Every single day I feel blessed to take care of people, especially people who’ve found help no-where else. Many of these people had given up hope before chiropractic. When someone comes to see me, I do an exam, and then, “adjust” their spine to help remove pressure from the nerves. Those adjustments don’t hurt, they actually feel good. And people do so much better. I have the best job in the world! And that’s how it happened! Now let me tell you about our family, I’m the guy in the middle ,on the left is my wife Beverly, she is incredibly smart, talented and beautiful, and the reason we have had such great success. Our kids, Jacob, Madison and Dylan, all get adjusted regularly and it makes a big difference in their lives. You see, unlike many of their little friends, they rarely get the “common” childhood illnesses like colds, ear infect-ions, or the flu. They are what I call typical “chiropractic kids.” This may seem like a small thing, but it makes a huge difference to them, and to our family! It’s strange how life is, because now people come to see me with their health problems and concerns. Also they come to me with their head-aches, migraines, chronic pain, neck pain, whiplash from car accidents, shoulder/arm pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, backaches, ear infections, asthma, allergies, numbness in limbs, athletic injuries, just to name a few. Here’s what some of my patients had to say: “My daughter and I were in a car accident, we both had headaches, neck and back pain. Our family doctor recommended we see Dr. Bill. After a short course of treatment we were pain free”- (Kathy, Hanoverton) “I suffered with neck pain and headaches, and the pain in my shoulder was so bad that it could barely be touched. Thanks to Dr. Bill, my headaches are gone and the neck and shoulder pain have greatly de-creased!” – (Cynthia, Lisbon) “I suffered a low back injury at work, Dr. Bill took care of the pain, and his staff took care of all the paperwork for me. Now I just get a check up when I need one.” – (Margie, Lisbon) You should know that I don’t heal anyone of anything. What I do is perform a specific spinal adjustment to remove nerve pressure, and the body responds by healing itself. We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that! Forty-eight million Americans no longer have health insurance, and those who do have found that their benefits are reduced. That’s where my chiropractic comes in. Many people find that they actually save money on their health care expenses by seeing a chiropractor. Another way to save…studies show that chiropractic may double your immune capacity, naturally and without drugs. The immune system fights colds, the flu, and other sicknesses. So you may not be running off to the doctor as much. This is especially important if you are self-employed.
You Benefit from an Amazing Offer - Look, it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to correct your health. You are going to write a check to someone for your health care expenses, you may as well write one for a lesser amount for chiropractic. When you bring in this article, you will receive my entire new patient exam for $17. That’s with consultation, exam, any therapy….the whole ball of wax. This exam could cost you $150 elsewhere. But, please call right away be-cause this offer expires on April 30, 2012, and I don’t want you to miss out. Great care at a great fee…Please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care just because I have a lower exam fee. You’ll get great care at a great fee. My qualifications…I am a graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic. I have been in practice for 12 years. I’ve been entrusted to take care of tiny babies, senior citizens, and even entire families. I just have that low exam fee to help more people who need care. My assistants are Beverly and Kelsey, and they are all really great people. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. We have a wonderful service, at an exceptional fee. Our office is called THE NECK AND BACK PAIN RELIEF CENTER and it is located in Lisbon at 7735 state route 45 ( in the county seat plaza ). Our phone number is 330--420-3670. Call Beverly, Tiffany, or me today for an appointment. We can help you.
Thank you. - Bill Grubbs, D.C. P.S. When accompanied by the first, I am also offering the second family member this same examination for only $10. P.P.S. Can you imagine not having to wait at a doctor’s office? Well, your time is as valuable as mine. That’s why we have a no-wait policy. You will be seen within minutes of your appointment.
The real beauty of
chiropractic
lies in its simplicity.
What is chiropractic? Chiropractic is the art, science and philosophy that concerns itself with the relationship between the nervous system and the health of the body. Chiropractors use carefully controlled and directed pressure to restore spinal bones to their normal motion and position. This procedure is known as a chiropractic adjustment. What Does a Chiropractor Do? A doctor of chiropractic locates and removes small misalignments in the spinal column which is known as a vertebral subluxation complex (VSC). VSC is also known as spinal nerve stress and when present it obstructs the flow of nerve impulses throughout the body How long will I have to keep going? Once patients experience the value of Chiropractic, many choose to continue. However, how long you decide to benefit from Chiropractic care is always up to you.
ONCE PATIENTS EXPERIENCE THE VALUE OF CHIROPRACTIC, MANY CHOOSE TO CONTINUE.
What type of conditions do Chiropractors treat? Chiropractors treat a wide variety of conditions including but not limited to: low back pain, whiplash, neck pain, scoliosis, headaches, torticollis, sciatica, sprain/strains, shoulder and arm pain, herniated discs, thoracic outlet referred pain syndromes.
M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 1 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 2 • 7
Business Update: Greetings. I wanted to update the community on some changes at Excel Physical Therapy. We recently moved our Lisbon office to 7735 State Route 45. I always refer to it as “The Italo’s Plaza”, but may be known as “The County Seat Plaza”. That is where you will now find us. Our phone number is the same. We are sharing office space with Dr. Bill Grubbs at the Neck & Back Pain Relief Center next to Borza’s Market.
area that is working overtime and moving too much, will begin to break down and become painful. We know how to find these stiff and stuck areas. Better yet, we know how to get them back to working normally. The toe bone is connected to the neck bone? In a round-about way, it surely is. What should you look for in a physical therapist?
For those of you not familiar with physical therapy: Physical therapy is a type of treatment you need when pain and health problems make it hard to move around and do everyday tasks. It can help you avoid a surgery, but also is a part of getting better after a surgery. Physical therapy helps you move better and relieves pain. It also helps improve or restore your physical function, your fitness level, and improve your quality of life.
Yo u will want a physical therapist who has experience, is board certified, is trained in manual therapy and corrective exercise, and who will treat you as an individual with your own unique problems and issues. Although our bodies are essentially the same, we all present with our own unique problems. A quality physical therapist will address pain first. As pain begins to lessen, motion will be restored. The body will be balanced, posture improved, and finally strength and function will return.
Food for thought:
The Details
Not all physical therapy is the same. There are different levels of expertise, experience, approach, and results. As with any service, it is always wise to ask some questions before deciding on a therapy service. If in need of physical therapy, I strongly encourage you to shop around, and see who is most qualified. Ask those that have had therapy how it went, the results, and where they went. If your physician orders physical therapy, it is then your job to find the best therapy for you.
As the owner of Excel Physical Therapy, I would like to share with you that I have over 20 years experience helping clients feel better and improving their quality of life. I have been blessed to have obtained multiple board certifications over the years. I am trained and proficient in various forms of manual therapy (myofascial release, intramuscular therapy/integrated dry needling, joint mobilization), and treat each patient as an individual (right down to their exercise program). My staff all are outstanding clinicians as well, and are highly trained. They will follow our agreed upon plan of care as exactly presented at your evaluation, and will take good care of you on days I am not working with you directly.
Quality physical therapy will many times help you avoid surgery. If surgery is required, quality physical therapy will speed your recovery, and make sure that your surgery is a success. If you have had a surgery in the past, and are still struggling, we have helped people get better in that case also. There is always hope. The foot bone is connected to the neck bone? Our approach is a total body approach. Each and every patient gets evaluated from the ground up. You have heard the old song. The knee bone is connected to the hip bone? This song is cute, but it also sums up how the body works. Although you may not feel that things aren’t working right in a certain joint or muscle, your body senses those areas of restriction and learns to work around the problem. As one area of your body becomes stiff and stuck, another area of your body will learn how to make up for it. Over time, the
We can help with many problems. If you are in pain, or not your former self, come in for a courtesy consultation. You will be given a thorough examination and an honest opinion of what we can or cannot do for you. It will cost you nothing but your time. There is absolutely no obligation and no pressure. If you have had physical therapy, and it didn’t seem to help, don’t let that discourage you from giving us a try. Please remember, not all physical therapy is the same. Thank You!
George A. Summers, PT, MPT, OCS, C-IDN, CES, PES President, Excel Physical Therapy, Inc.
Now Under One Roof...
The Neck & Back Pain Relief Center “Affordable short term care for long term relief”
No appointments Necessary • We accept most insurances
Dr. Bill Grubbs DC
330-420-3670
COUNTY SEAT PLAZA • LISBON
330-424-9033 George A.Su m m ers,PT,M PT,O CS Physical Therapist / President (Next To Borza’s Mkt.)
8 • M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 2 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 1
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 1-800-686-7367. 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 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.
M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 1 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 2 • 9
HOW TO CHOOSE A VETERINARIAN
Pets are great at bringing us smiles. Whether through the silly things they do or the loyal companionship they provide, Choosing the right vet for you and your pet can mean the difference between a relationship that’s long and happy and one that’s sadly cut short. Good healthcare for your pet also ensures that they’re as wellbehaved and happy as possible throughout their life cycle. Finding a good veterinarian can be a little daunting, but a healthy dose of caution and forethought in selecting one can save you grief and hassle.
Ask plenty of good questions of the vet and staff.
The worst time to choose a vet is when your pet is sick. Plan — How long has the vet been practicing, and where? ahead and find a good vet before you really need one. — Does the office provide emergency services, or is it by appointment only? IT’S WHO YOU KNOW Start by getting recommendations from other pet owners. These — Do they have any specialties, like exotic pets or geriatrics? can be friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues at work. Pet — Are they members of the American Animal Hospital groomers, pet store owners, and other pet professionals are also Association? A membership in the AHAA means that the office has voluntarily met a high national standard. a great source of recommendations and information. — Do they offer any discounts that might apply to you? Pick their brains and ask plenty of strong questions. Also, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and talk to the people in the waiting room. Chances are they’ll be willing to — Are the staff courteous and professional? share information you may not get anywhere else that might fac— Are billing or scheduling mistakes routine? tor heavily in your decision. — Is the vet both knowledgeable and compassionate? Once you have a few names to choose from you can take the screening process a little further. Start by checking with the local Better Business Bureau. Check to see if the vet has any unresolved customer issues. This only takes a few minutes and could save you plenty of regrets and headaches.
Be willing to stretch in terms of the location. Traveling with pets can be stressful, but don’t hesitate to make a trip if that’s what it takes to get the care that’s right for your pet.
HONEY, NOT VINEGAR Once you’ve made your choice, be a good client. Maintaining a good relationship with your vet is as much your job as it is theirs. STOP IN Call the vets you’re considering and arrange a quick tour. Bring Taking your pet in for routine checkups and shots is the best way your pet along, if possible. Regardless of the hassles that can to keep your pet healthy and can even prevent life-threatening come with traveling with your pet it’s a good idea to get them diseases. acquainted with the vet’s office before the first appointment. Also, be on time. Your vet and their staff are all trained profesIf your pet’s first visit turns out to be unpleasant in some way, sionals, so respect their time and efforts by doing your part. they’ll always associate the vet’s office with that first bad experience. Begin on the right foot and let your pet make some new A good veterinarian is an essential partner with you in making your pet’s life as long and happy as possible, so choose wisely. friends. After all, your vet will be your pet’s second-best friend.
1 0 • M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 2 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 1
HOW TO KNOW WHEN AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE NEEDS HELP
un-swept floors around the apartment and Helen wearing an un-ironed blouse that had a few food stains around the cuffs.
Stan made an appointment with Helen’s primary care physician who was concerned about Helen’s blood pressure and verified that she had seen changes in Helen’s memory and personal care, and had suggested treating her for When Stan had re-located for depression. job opportunities to Florida in 1995, his recently widowed Stan’s next challenge was how mother, Helen, followed shortly to initiate a care conversation after. Ten years later, Stan with his mother who had moved back to Ohio to start a always been accomplished and new life with a new wife and independent. family. Helen remained in Florida not wanting to leave the Helen’s story is not unusual. many friends, social and church Frequent telephone conversations may not reveal day-to-day activities that she enjoyed. deficits in basic and ancillary activities of daily living that eldAlthough Stan called his mother regularly to chat, it was after erly loved ones are experienca recent visit to her Florida ing. Many times a visit is needapartment, that Stan realized ed to accurately assess the that Helen needed help. Helen senior’s living situation. An oldhad stopped taking her blood fashioned sleepover can reveal pressure medicine because her a lot of information.
by May 31, 2012 and re c Move in e to win an additiona eive $1500 off A c n a h c a l month f ND ree
prescriptions had not been rewritten after she missed two “Recognizing some of the more scheduled doctor’s appoint- subtle signs that a senior needs assistance can often serve to ments. provide support for them and Stan discovered several un- prevent accidents causing opened, unpaid bills among a injury or critical situations leadstack of magazines on her desk. ing to embarrassment and Helen’s date-book that had financial stress,” said Bob always evidenced her busy, Cameron, administrator for active schedule had no entries Copeland Oaks Assisted Living. for the past 6 weeks. Remembering that his mother had always been a self-proclaimed “neatnick,” Stan was surprised to observe dust and
Learning to recognize the early signs of debility for a loved one will assist you in evaluating their needs. While everyone is different, there are common considerations that you can
M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 1 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 2 • 1 1 look for to determine the necessary level of care. If you have observed some of the following characteristics, you may need professional care for your elderly loved one. With some realistic information, you and your health care provider can help to customize a care solution.
PHYSICAL SIGNS: *Sleep more often or have less energy *Have trouble cleaning or maintaining a household *Neglect hygiene, bathing, and personal care * Change eating habits; loose appetite *Experience an abnormal weight gain or loss *Loose balance or fall often; have poor mobility *Have bruises or skin tears on arms and/or legs *Try to manage incontinence of bladder and/or bowel *Are unable to accurately manage a medication regime
EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL SIGNS *Feel lonely or depressed *Feel frustrated or stressed *Exhibit aggressiveness *Become lethargic or apathetic *Lose interest in things previously enjoyed *Avoid people and social interaction.
FINANCIAL SIGNS *Not paying bills on time *Unable to balance a check book * Unable to account for spending
COGNITIVE OR MENTAL SIGNS *Feeling forgetful or confused *Missing important appointments *Inability to account for time *Impaired communication; difficulty in word finding *Lack of safety awareness; doing things that pose risk for injury *Impaired problem solving ability To find the right care solution, you must know what you are looking for. Be mindful that care wants are just as important as care needs and that everyone is different. The community offers opportunities from adult day care and home companions to skilled nursing. One option is choosing a continuing care retirement community. “The beauty of a continuing care community like Copeland Oaks is that many different levels of care are available within the same facility. Folks can move from one level of care to another as their physical needs and psychosocial situation change while continuing to enjoy their friends and favorite activities. Changing environments can be very challenging for seniors who are already dealing with adjusting to changing physical and mental abilities, so making only one move and remaining in a caring, compassionate community provides a sense of security and more safety.” observed Cameron.
“A FourStarFacility” At Cra n d a llM ed ica lCen ter,w e a re very prou d of th e fou r sta rs th a t ou r excellen t ca re h a s ea rn ed u s.Th e U.S.G overn m en t cen ters for M ed ica re a n d M ed ica id (CM S)h a ve g iven Cra n d a ll M ed ica lCen ter a n d excellen t ra tin g for overa llqu a lity a n d for sta ffin g .CM S com pa res skilled n u rsin g h om es th rou g h ou t th e U.S.for ca re a n d services provid ed to M ed ica re a n d M ed ica id ben eficia ries.If CM S a lso ra ted sm iles a n d h u g s g iven by n u rsin g sta ff to ou r resid en ts,Cra n d a llM ed ica lCen ter w ou ld ea sily ea rn a n oth er 4 sta rs....... in com pa ssion a te ca re w e rea lly spa rkle!
At C opeland Oaks
w w w .cra n d a llm ed ica lcen ter.com
800 Sou th 15 th Street,Sebrin g ,O h io
Forin form ation ca ll:Ca n d a ce K in g 330-938-1085 or330-5 01-7824
1 2 • M O R N I N G J O U R N A L H O W - T O G U I D E 2 0 1 2 • M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 1
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 used throughout your filtration system. This is called the hydraulics of the filter. Once you have determined the turn over rate, Summer Fun Pools recommends that your run your pool 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. 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. For people with a chlorine allergy Bromine, or Pristine Blue are systems that have low Chlorine demands. BEWARE OF DISCOUNT CHEMICALS, AND UNSTABILIZED CHLORINE. A GOOD STABILIZED CHLOR TAB WILL HAVE 99% TRI-CHLOR AND OTHER DISCOUNT CHLORINE CAN HAVE LESS THAN 65% AVAILABLE CHLORINE. Weekly Pool Maintenance 1. Completely backwash, rinse or regenerate your filter (depending on type of filter) 2. Test water for Chlorine, pH and Alkalinity. 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. 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. 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.
Summer Fun Pools & Spas
Stop by and see the LARGEST DISPLAY OF POOLS IN THE COUNTRY
In Ground Pools
Semi IG Pools
Above Ground Pools
Computerized Water Analysis
Spas
Infrared Heater
State Route 45 • Lisbon • 330-424-POOL (7665)
GO GREEN • SAVE GREEN SO LAR PAN ELS, SO LAR CO VERS
SAVE 10% OFF LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER MUST PRESENT COUPON THROUGH DEC. 31, 2012
$
25 Lbs.3” Tabs.......... 79.99 $
MUST PRESENT COUPON • THROUGH NOV. 25, 2012
100.00 OFF
COMPLETE SYSTEM SYSTEM LIMIT ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER. THROUGH DEC. 31, 2012