TO YOUR HEALTH

‘GO WITH THE FLOW’ ...continued from p. 21

Over the past three decades, Figueroa said she’s often been the only one with patients as they die. She values those moments and she believes patients and their loved ones do, too.

“Nobody should have to go by themselves,” she said.

Where To Go For Help

People caring for adult loved ones with chronic illnesses such as dementia can attend the support groups sponsored by Well-Spring Solutions. For information, visit www.well-springsolutions.org.

Other caregiving resources, including tips for caring for loved ones and yourself, can be found at:

Caregivers Alliance: www.caregiver.org

AARP Caregiving Resource Center: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/

Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org

Caregiver Magazine: www.caregiver.com main reasons the town decided this year to work with a larger accounting firm that employs a team of specialized accountants.

She noted that as a bonus, the selected firm’s size and level of professionalism will ensure the audit is not submitted late, as one neighboring town experienced when working with a smaller accounting firm.

“We will also get a different set of eyes on our financials every year, because the people who meet with our finance officer every year won’t be the same people,” Schneider added.

As for what neighboring towns are paying for their audit and preparation of financial documents, Stokesdale Finance Officer Kimberly Thacker confirmed the town of Stokesdale recently contracted with West Jefferson-based accounting firm C. Randolph, CPA to perform its FY2022-23 audit, at a cost of $7,125 for the audit, $3,000 for preparing required financial statements and $500 for all other “nonattest services,” for a total of $10,625. Stokesdale has two funds – a general fund for operating costs and a water enterprise fund for its municipal water system.

Summerfield Finance Officer Dee Hall said the town of Summerfield also contracted with C. Randolph, CPA this year, and will pay $6,700 for performing its annual audit for the FY2022-23, $3,000 for preparing financial statements, and $500 to do its AFIR (Annual Financial Information Report), for a total of $10,200.

“I’m thrilled (with our selection),” Hall said. She (C. Randolph) comes highly recommended, and for the first time, I don’t have to do the AFIR, which I do not love doing. I feel like I won the lottery!”

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“You want to make sure you are on the right plan,” Testa said, recommending that customers check their My Verizon app, visit a Verizon store or contact the carrier’s customer service at *611.

Sarah Boggs, manager of Oak Ridge’s Verizon store, said she’s noticed improved service in the commercial district – including inside the Verizon store on Marketplace Drive.

For users with continued poor service, she recommended they turn off their phones, wait about a minute and then turn them back on. Calling Verizon’s customer service for technical help would be a next step, she added.

A lack of good service in Oak Ridge has plagued Verizon for several years.

For some users, last week’s activation is especially welcome in light of service worsening in the half year since Charlotte-based Communications Tower Group erected the 180-tower, disguised as a pine tree. It sits down a slope behind the military school’s gymnasium and is enclosed by a locked fence.

Other comments on the newspaper’s Facebook page last week offered mixed reviews.

“There is no noticeable difference yet,” Oak Ridge resident Tiffany Hansen wrote. “We used to have great Verizon service in Oak Ridge, but now it is terrible.”

“My service has been much better the last couple of days!” Crystal Caudle wrote.