The Online Helper

Grandparents
Mothers & Fathers
Our Seniors

Our Senior Citizens are the people who shaped our past, present, and futures.
Many of them fought in wars which made this the strong country that it is today.
So many of our Senior Citizens are fighting a different kind of war. It's a war against a body which can't do what it once did, abuse, poverty, high drug and medical costs, and lonliness.
There are so many ways we can help our senior citizens live safe, nutritionally sound, fullfilling, and happy lives.
We devote this Senior Citizens section to helping our Senior Citizens and to helping you so that you can help the seniors in your lives.
Send us your ideas, thoughts, and what you need help finding. What would you like to see more of on the Seniors Citizens sites?
Please email us at--------valerie@theonlinehelper.com.

Place for Ruth

Ruth Kimmerer greeted late middle age by traveling the globe. Not satisfied with simply seeing the sites, the spirited woman would devise a mission to her travels. Once, she even smuggled birth control devices behind the Iron Curtain into Romania.

"My mother-in-law loved to learn languages, so traveling offered a natural extension," Judy Kimmerer remembers. "She spoke seven languages fluently at one point."

Described as "fiercely independent," Ruth raised four children while working as an administrative assistant for the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Rochester (her husband died when her eldest child was 15).

But as Ruth aged, it became clear to her children, who had all left Rochester for points west, that her living situation required change. Her doctor cited early onset Alzheimer's as the reason Ruth should relocate closer to one of her children. Her son Rob (Judy's husband) was the natural choice.

"We began noticing small changes in Ruth's demeanor," Judy recalls. "Once while visiting, we returned from the store having purchased hamburger for dinner. Ruth looked at the meat just a few minutes later and declared we should throw it away because she'd had it for a couple of weeks. At first these incidents were quirky, then-as she started missing doctor's appointments-worrisome."

"The winter that same year was very harsh," Rob remembers, "and my mother spent long hours cooped up in her house with few visitors or conversations. Her doctor noticed a real difference in her mental abilities that spring. I don't know if her isolation played a role or not."

Still, convincing Ruth to move across the continent was a formidable task.

"It's hard to comprehend how independent Ruth was," Judy observes. "Since her husband's death, self-preservation served as her modus operandi. So it was critical that she felt the relocation was completely her decision. Leaving her friends, limited as they had become, was also a significant obstacle.

"We reminded Ruth of how harsh the upstate New York winters can be, presented the prospect of seeing her grandchildren regularly, and advertised Seattle like a new travel adventure. Finally, she announced she was ready."

Rob and Judy, along with Rob's siblings, now faced the challenge of determining the proper living situation for Ruth. They considered having her live with them or renting her an apartment, but they worried one situation would prove too cramped, the other too isolated.

Then a friend mentioned Ida Culver House, an elderly assisted living community, which made a great impression upon them when they visited. They liked the size, the garden, and the respect that the residents were given.

"I had yet to begin my career as an elder health care professional," Judy says, "So this was all new to me. Like so many people, I thought Ruth was too self-directed for assisted living. I have since learned many times over that assisted living actually fosters senior independence.

"Having a community increases the quality of one's lifestyle immensely. If you are living alone, how comfortable are you asking your neighbor to run out to the store for you? But when you are part of a community, asking your friend in the room next door to pick up some mayonnaise when she's running errands is easy.

"I think freedom comes from self-confidence and personal security, and assisted living supports this."

Even though the children thought Ida Culver would be perfect for Ruth, convincing Ruth of such a significant change required more strategizing. Ruth perceived she was coming to Seattle to live independently near family, not to move into an elderly assisted living community.

"We decided that Ruth's first visit to Ida Culver would be our 'first visit' also," Judy recalls. "We even asked the manager to act as if we hadn't met previously, a persona he had clearly assumed before. We presented Ida Culver as an apartment where you don't have to fix your meals. Whether she just played along with our little ruse or not remains a mystery."

Ruth, who felt increasingly frustrated with her forgetfulness, clearly appreciated knowing assistance was right around the corner. Always forthright and standing six feet tall, she galvanized her new elderly assisted living community to be more physically active. Even the geography turned out to be perfect.


"My mother was a former tennis pro who walked absolutely everywhere; in fact, she never learned to drive!" Rob says with a laugh. "In Seattle, she was able to leave her apartment, follow [the sidewalk], circle the lake, and return home without ever needing to turn. So she could get her exercise without any anxiety of getting lost.

"She was also a very musical person, so she really liked the concerts. And, like all of her kids, she loves to eat, so she thought the variety of meals was great also. Forming an intimate friendship with Joe, another resident, was an additional bonus. She really sparkled there!"

Ruth remained at Ida Culver until, with the onset of second stage dementia, she required a more care-intensive situation. After visiting over fifty facilities, Rob relocated his mother to a small memory care facility in Kenmore, Washington, with a beautiful view of Lake Washington, where he visits her every Sunday.

Today the 84 year-old former globetrotter lives with several other elderly women, often surrounded by the 23 grandchildren of her caregivers on the staff at the facility.

"She spends much of her day in her recliner looking not like a patient but like just another older woman relaxing," Rob says.

"We are fortunate, because we were able to move my mom into another situation that is full of life, with lots of people around which I believe, even though she is nonverbal now, she really likes because she smiles all the time."

You'll find this article and many other helpful articles on aging, caregiving, Medicare, Medicaid, how to get help within food or paying those high heating and cooling bills.

10 Easy Steps to Prevent a Home Burglary
by: Jim Wilkinson

1/ Make sure there are no shrubs or trees blocking the view of windows and doors.

When shrubs and trees block the view of windows and doors it gives a burglar a place to hide while they are trying to break into your home. Nobody passing by will be able to see them as they are attempting to break in.

2/ Install motion sensor lighting around the perimeter of your home.

Exterior lighting is one of the best defenses against a home break in at night. The burglar does not want to be seen. Very often if a motion activated light comes on the burgalar will leave the area immediately.

3/ Make sure all door and window locks actually lock.

We have all had the situation where the window lock or door lock simply was not working and we think, "Oh, I'll get around to replacing that soon." Well, believe me, the burglar will find it and use that means to enter your house. Fix all locks today.

4/ When leaving your home during the day leave the TV or radio on.

A burglar will usually try to avoid an occupied home. They normally do not want a confrontation. If they approach your home and hear a TV or radio they will logically assume someone is home and just walk away.

5/ When leaving your home at night leave at least one light on and the radio or TV on.

Unless the burglar is looking to commit a home invasion he will avoid your home when it looks like someone is inside. Always give the impression that your home is occupied.

6. Put a sticker that says "These premises protected by XYZ Alarm company" on windows and doors.

You can buy these stickers for a very low price. They are like decals. Even if you do not have an alarms system the burglar will not take the chance that you do and he will move on to an easier target.

7/ Do not let delivered newspapers pile up in your driveway.

When a burglar sees newspapers accumulated by your door, in your driveway, or on your lawn, they know that no one is home and that your home is an easy target.

8/ Do not let your mail sit in the mailbox for more than one day.

(See #7 above) Burglars are very slick some will even check out the mailboxes of the homes they want to enter over days or nights prior to the planned entry. When a burglar sees the mail in your mailbox hasn't been removed over a couple of days or a week they know that your home is an easy target. So if you must be away from your home for more than a couple of days have your mailman hold your mail or have a neighbor get your mail for you.

9/ Get to know your neighbors and ask them to "keep an eye out".

We all know that the more eyes we have watching our neighborhood the safer it is. If you are going away for the day don't hesitate to let a neighbor know and ask them to just keep an eye out.

10/ Install simple door and window contact alarms that make a loud noise when activated.

These alarms are very easy to install, are inexpensive and can prevent your home from being burglarized. When a burglar activates one of these alarms and hears the noise it makes they will very often flee the area. They do not want to draw attention to their actions.


About The Author
Jim Wilkinson is the Vice President of http://www.YourGreatestProtection.com. He has a background in Law Enforcement and Safety. He knows what is effective to help keep you, your family and your home safe. His firm offers a variety of reasonably priced personal protection products such as TASERs, stun guns, pepper spray and hidden cameras at http://www.yourgreatestprotection.com/homeprotection.aspx.

Printed Photo Albums Are A Gift Of A Lifetime

by Tina Carder

The professional, amatuer, or hobbyist, just about anybody with a digital camera or scanner can print thier own scrapbooks, marketing projects, business projects, as photo albums to keep, or to give as a special gift for someone else.

Over the years we all collect a ton of photos from those special or important occassions, and most of them end up in run of the mill photo albums or stuffed in a box or drawer. And if you take mostly digital photos think about how many expensive memory cards, discs, or much hard drive space those precious photos consume. Worse yet think about how many times photos have been completely lost because of computer hard drive failure, storage discs that can no longer be read, or vhs tapes that have gone bad.

The one thing that people return to time and time again to relive or share those precious memories is the good old reliable photo album.
Throughout history photo albums have remained constant in producing everlasting easy to view, share, and duplicate memories.

Printing a photo album where you can choose the sizes, insert the names, dates, and the special occassion, and add short notes about the photo, means no more guessing who the people are and no more trying to find the right disc or discs when you want to share those pictures. It means that you don't always have to rely on your computer or laptop , or a power source when you want to view or to share the photos. And best of all you'll never have people handling the photos to read the back of them again. Many a priceless, wonderful, or precious photo has been ruined over time simply by improper handling.

Printing your own photo albums helps to preserve those wonderful memories, personal or business projects.
An added bonus of a printed photo album means no more running back and forth to a photo shop or the printers, because all of the process is done on your own computer at your own pace, saving you hassles, money and time.

OPUS Albums specializes in print-your-own photo albums, scrapbooks and creative papers.
www.theonlinehelper.com

What Is Medicare?

Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for:

People age 65 or older or people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and for all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant).

• Medicare has Two Parts:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Most people don't have to pay for Part A.

• Part B (Medical Insurance)

Most people pay monthly for Part B.
You can choose different ways to get the services covered by Medicare. Depending on where you live, you may have different choices. In most cases, when you first get Medicare, you are in Original Medicare. You may want to consider a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Or, you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that provides all your Part A, Part B, and often Part D coverage. You make a choice when you are first eligible for Medicare. Each year you can review your health and prescription needs and switch to a different plan in the fall.
As long as you have both Part A and Part B, items covered by Part A and Part B are covered whether you have

Original Medicare, or you belong to a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). For more information see the Your Medicare Coverage database.

• Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Helps Pay For:
Care in hospitals as an inpatient, critical access hospitals (small facilities that give limited outpatient and inpatient services to people in rural areas), skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care), hospice care, and some home health care. Information about your coverage under Medicare Part A can be found in the Your Medicare Coverage database.
If you aren’t sure if you have Part A, look on your red, white, and blue Medicare card. If you have Part A, “HOSPITAL (PART A)” is printed on your card.

• Cost:

Most people get Part A automatically when they turn age 65.

• They don't have to pay a monthly payment called a premium for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working.

If you don’t automatically get premium-free Part A, you may be able to buy it if

• You (or your spouse) aren’t entitled to Social Security because you didn’t work or didn’t pay enough Medicare taxes while you worked and you are age 65 or older, or are disabled but no longer get premium-free Part A because you returned to work.

• If you have limited income and resources, your state may help you pay for Part A and/or Part B. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov on the web or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, call your local RRB office or 1-877-772-5772.

• Part B (Medical Insurance)

Helps Pay For:
Doctors' services, outpatient hospital care, and some other medical services that Part A doesn't cover, such as the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Information about your coverage under Medicare Part B can be found in the Your Medicare Coverage database.

• Cost:

Most Medicare beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 Part B premium amount in 2010. Beneficiaries who currently have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their Part B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or less (or $170,000 or less for joint filers) will not have an increase in their Part B premium for 2010. For additional details, see our FAQ titled: Will my Medicare Part B premium increase in 2010?

• For all others, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $110.50 in 2010, which is a 15% increase over the 2009 premium. The Medicare Part B premium is increasing in 2010 due to possible increases in Part B costs. If your income is above $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married couple), then your Medicare Part B premium may be higher than $110.50 per month.

• In some cases this amount may be higher if you didn't choose Part B when you first became eligible at age 65. The cost of Part B may go up 10% for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B but did not sign up for it, except in special cases. You will have to pay this extra 10% as long as you have Medicare Part B.

• Enrolling in Part B is your choice. You can sign up for Part B anytime during a 7-month period that begins 3 months before you turn 65. Please call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit or call your local Social Security office to sign up. If you choose to have Part B, the premium is usually taken out of your monthly Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement payment. If you don’t get any of the above payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months. You should get your Medicare premium bill by the 10th of the month. If you don’t get your bill by the 10th, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or your local Social Security office. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, call your local RRB office or 1-877-772-5772.

Assisted Living Facilities What Are They?

Assisted Living facilities are generally for a person 60 years of age and older. Typical candidates need assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), but wish to live as independently as possible. Assisted Living communities exist to bridge the gap between seniors that can live independently and skilled nursing homes.

Assisted living facilities provide helpful services such as

1. Eating,
2. Bathing,
3. Dressing,
4. Grooming
5. Laundry
6. Housekeeping
7. Assistance with medications.

While Board and Care facilities are usually in a private residential home, Assisted Living facilities are larger structures often arranged as senior living communities. These communities can contain as many as 400 residents or as few as 25 seniors. Residents of assisted living communities usually meet in a dining room together with other residents for meals.

A person designated as the Activities Director oversees a key area in the assisted living community - Social activities. The Activities Director typically arranges daily options for residents including outings, crafts, dances, music, educational classes, seminars, and other opportunities. All activities are designed to encourage physical and mental stimulation.

Assisted Living facilities create a care plan for each individual resident upon admission. The care plan details the agreed upon personalized services required by the resident and guaranteed to be provided by the facility. The plan is updated regularly to assure that the resident receives the appropriate care as his or her condition changes.

Assisted Living communities are closely involved in the health needs of their residents. They often have a person designated to oversee this called a Health Care Director. They coordinate the monitoring of health related issues involving medication, diet, personal hygiene, socialization and mental acuity to assist the senior and their family as they interact with health care professionals. If a decline is noted in a specific area, family and health care professionals are consulted by the Health Care Director to resolve issues. Often, because of their experience, unexpected emergency health issues are avoided, as signs of a decline recognized and acted upon early.

Residents can live at an Assisted Living communities for many years, even as their health declines considerably. Many offer hospice care and end of life assistance. If you are considering senior care options, assisted living facilities are definitely an option worth looking into.

Alex Jensen Is With Careplacement.com - A Free Placement Service For Southern California. Care Placement`s Staff Can Review Your Care Requirements To Determine Whether Skilled Nursing Care, Assisted Living Facilities Or Board And Care Homes Are A Viable Option For Seniors.

How Does Your Heart Work ?
Understanding how your heart works is an important step to a healthier lifestyle.
To learn how your heart works or for more health areas.......Click on the Beating Heart

DENTURES

Dentures can mean a healthier lifestyle.

Whether you're losing - or have lost- your teeth due to an accident, medical, or just plain aging, here's some valuable information that can help you to be more prepared for dentures. And information that can help you to decide on the type of dentures best suit your lifestyle and your bank account.

Medical research has proven that people with decaying teeth are more at risk for other health problems.
Also, that people with no teeth or dentures have more problems getting the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals, and fiber in their diets. The lack of teeth, no dentures, or poorly fitting dentures can all lead to an unhealthy outcome.

How to Prepare for Dentures

Preparing for dentures is both physical and emotional.

The decision to get dentures is one that can be years in the making or the sudden consequence of an illness, accident, or injury. Dentures are a lower-cost alternative to permanent dental implants. The preparation for dentures is both physical and emotional. You need to weigh all denture options and choose the appropriate dentist for your individual needs to facilitate the process of preparing for dentures.




Things You'll Need:

* Copy of your dental insurance, including limits for dentures
* Brochures and pamphlets on denture choices
* Listing of denture providers in your area
* Copy of your dental records


Instructions

1. Review your dental history and the reasons why you require dentures with your general dentist. Make sure to review your complete dental history and ask whether any of your natural teeth can be saved. Make sure to review your x-rays and other tests and past procedures with your dentist to make sure that you have done all you can to save your teeth.

2. Discuss the procedure for extracting your natural teeth and develop a plan. Talk to your dentist to decide whether you will have upper or lower teeth removed first. Ask what the consequences and dangers are of having all teeth removed at once. Have your dentist explain the procedure and what temporary device will be sent home with you on the day your teeth are extracted.

3. Ask your dentist to explain the types of dentures that are available. Ask to see and feel a sample to become comfortable with them. Write down information on prices and options if you are not prepared to make a decision immediately or if you need to contact your insurance carrier to learn whether your dentures may be covered under insurance as a result of an accident or illness.

4. Schedule the appointment for extraction and ask the dentist if you need to start a round of antibiotics prior to the surgery. Take all medications and follow the instructions provided by your dentist. Avoid injuring your mouth, gums, or teeth before surgery. Get a good night's sleep prior to surgery and show up for your appointment on time.

5. Take time to heal after surgery and follow all post-operative instructions provided to you. Do not rush the healing process and do not overexert yourself in the days following surgery.

6. Return to the dentist to be fitted for your dentures after you have healed from having your teeth extracted. Have the dentist put the dentures in your mouth for you the first time and show you how to remove them. Practice putting them in and taking them out in the office before going home. Take notes on how to care for and clean your dentures. Schedule a follow-up appointment for 2 to 4 weeks later to review the fit and feel of your dentures.

Tips & Warnings
Take proper care of your teeth to avoid having to have them extracted because of disease or decay.
Do not share dentures or borrow a pair from someone else, as they are custom molded to the owner's bone structure.

References

California Dental Association: Dentures
State Goverment of Victoria: Dentures

Read more: How to Prepare for Dentures | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_6927919_prepare-dentures.html#ixzz10aHpxlml

By Jennifer Hench, eHow Contributor
updated: September 3, 2010

A Promise Of A Perfect Smile

If someone would have asked 4 years ago if I ever thought it possible that I could ever lose my teeth I would have told them they were totally insane! No way! Not me, I brush, floss, clean my tongue and the roof of my mouth and keep all of my dental cleaning appointments.

In my lifetime I've spent the price of a down payment on a house or the purchase price of a really nice new car on my dental care. Being the mother of two I set an example for my kids and made sure they both had perfect smiles. I volunteered at the grade schools to teach proper dental care to the kids and supplied them with new toothbrushes and small tubes of toothpaste. So you'd think I'd be one of the last people on earth to face losing all of their teeth.

All of the excellent dental practices, teaching my own kids and good deeds for the kids at the schools could never prepare me for what was to come.

Here's what happened

One year on November 30th I went to my doctor for my annual checkup I told him I had pain in my collar bone areas and a stiff neck he said I must have strained my neck. He told me all was fine.

By the next morning I was taken to the emergency room with sharp shooting pains around my collar bones, shoulder blades and a very high fever. I was so dehydrated that they tried 17 times to insert an IV needle to no avail. Finally on the 18th try they succeeded at placing the IV in the underside of my upper arm. I don't remember much because my temperature was 104 degrees. I spent the next 10 days in the hospital with severe bacterial pneumonia.

The doctors placed me on combined antibiotics, Prednisone (a very nasty steroid) and other medications given through my IVs. I began to swell around my hands, face, legs, and ankles. By the 5th day the doctors discovered that the bacterial pneumonia had damaged my heart and lungs.

It all happened so quickly, one day a visit to my doctor and all is fine and the next day a visit to the emergency room and my life would change forever, I just didn't know how much.

In defense of my family doctor I should tell you that bacterial pneumonia can strike very quickly and be raging within 12 to 18 hours, and so my doctor's only possible mistake was not taking a blood sample for testing. But, by the time the lab would have given him the results (2 days later) I would have already been hospitalized.

I was released from the hospital on the 11th day and that's when the "A Promise To A Perfect Smile" journey began.

The doctors placed me on steroid based inhalers combined with Albuterol a fast acting inhaler, heart medications, potassium, and Lasik to help rid my body of the excessive fluids.

Within 4 months I noticed my gums appeared red. By the end of the 5th month they became sore so I went to my dentist. He informed me that the Prednisone, the inhalers, and other medications were attacking my gum tissues and the enamel on my teeth.

I rinsed thoroughly after each use of the inhalers and couldn't understand what was happening. My dentist took time to explain and gave me a special toothpaste and a fluoride based oral rinse (both prescription and very expensive) and each time I used my inhalers I had to brush, floss, scrape my tongue, and rinse using the prescription toothpaste and oral rinse. He scheduled an appointment for 4 months later. I should tell you that I was born allergic to milk and I can't take calcium supplements so over my lifetime caring for my teeth and bones have been a hard task.

When I went back for the appointment he took an x-ray and discovered I had developed 7 cavities hidden under the gums. Over the next month I had all of the cavities filled. I became even more obsessive about my oral care.

6 months later I went back to the dentist for my checkup and x-rays revealed another 4 cavities hidden deep under the gums. I spent the next 3 weeks having those cavities filled.

My dentist started scheduling appointments for every 3 months but finally the cavities started coming faster than he could fill them and they weren't just forming under the gums.

I went from hearing people say "You have a nice smile" to hearing people ask "Why don't you smile anymore?" It was devastating to say the least. I went through root canals and crowns and the horrible high price of them both financially and emotionally, not to speak of the pain involved. Then I began losing a tooth here and a tooth there, thank God they weren't lost in the front of my mouth because I really don't think I would have been able to bear that.

As I lost teeth I found myself becoming less social, I didn't want to be around where I might slip and smile, because I felt my smile was no longer attractive. I found all kinds of creative excuses to keep from being part of social situations. I now have a better understanding of what heavy people, people born with birth defects, people who don't have a nice smile or can't afford dental care must feel like.

On one of the 3 month visits to my dentist I told him I would experience some pain and then seem to run a fever for a couple of days in a row. He took an x-ray and found infections of various stages trapped between the roots and bones, and the bones and tissues (abscesses) and that was when he informed me I would eventually lose all of my teeth, it was just a matter of when. We both ruled out the possibility of dental implants, because of the cost, medications, my being allergic to milk and my inability to take calcium supplements.

I put off the inevitable as long as possible.
I went on and off of expensive antibiotics, felt tired all of the time, and even tried taking those forbidden calcium supplements which sent me to the bathroom a 100 times a day with diarrhea! As the enamel on my teeth eroded the stains and cavities took its place. Even the best antibiotics became less and less effective against the infections, and eventually I had to face the horrid fact of losing all of my remaining teeth and the expensive crowns on them.

In the beginning I agreed to let them remove the teeth 2 at a time every month thinking I would somehow be able to adjust to losing all of my teeth if it was done little by little. Every month they did x-rays to see just where I stood with the infections and cavities and every month the results were the same the antibiotics and impeccable dental care were losing the battle.

Finally an appointment to remove the remaining total 20 teeth top and bottom was scheduled. I ask that they give me a month to adjust to the idea of having no teeth at all, and they honored my wish.

You would have thought by now I'd been through enough but that wasn't to be the end to this dilemma.
The surgeon had decided that because of my heart and lung problems caused by my bought with bacterial pneumonia it would be better to keep me awake during the removal of the rest of my teeth. I remember thinking "Oh My God could anything be worse than losing all my teeth?" Then I remember thinking "Yes having to be awake while they are all taken!"

So today here I sit recovering from one of the worst ordeals of my life and wondering what I'll look like when the swelling goes down and my neck and head are finally back in place. I can't seem to get the hang of waking up and not brushing my teeth or the fact that I can't bite into anything. It's amazing how much we take the things our teeth enable us to do for granted.

It's a totally new world!

But the story doesn't end here, it's just the beginning.

Here's What I Have Discovered

• I have to learn to speak again so others can understand me. I don't even recognize my own voice.
• Those tiny bone chips are totally excruciating to deal with.
• Having no teeth - even while still swollen - changes a person's entire facial appearance.
• No matter how diligent someone is about their dental care they can still end up losing all of their teeth.
• That to postpone the inevitable does only that - postpone it.
• That I never want to be awake for surgery again, it felt like they were pulling my tongue out when they extracted the two bottom front teeth. I can take a lot of pain but that really made me want to scream!
• The last thing I discovered is that after all of your teeth are gone and you entire life seems changed the dentists are happy to say they can finally give you "A Promise To A Perfect Smile". The perfect smile is called dentures - I guess that's better than no teeth at all.

So as I go along the dreaded and at the same time anticipated journey of adjusting to life with no teeth and "A Promise To A Perfect Smile" I'll keep a journal and write a few articles to let everyone know what life is really like without natural teeth.

If you learn nothing else from this article at least learn this - no matter how great your teeth and smile are there are things which can cause you to lose all of your teeth.
So share your smile every chance you get!!

Elder Care Services
How to Protect Aging Adults From Scams

Our senior citizens deserve to enjoy their elder years peacefully and with dignity.A lifetime of hard work has earned them monetary savings and excellent credit ratings.This should serve them well, but actually leaves them as common targets for fraud and scams.In addition to their buying power, they are trusting, unlikely to report fraud, and sometimes have compromised memory due to their age.This furthers their likelihood of being manipulated by scams.Individuals, their family members, and elder care services’ companions should be aware of ways to protect aging adults from scams.

Health insurance fraud is a common event targeted to seniors. Most of these scams involve the con artists submitting fake charges to the insurance companies and/or Medicare. Unbeknownst to the individual, bills are submitted to the insurance company for unnecessary equipment, or for services never rendered. Things to look out for are offers of "free" equipment and fake tests.


Medicare identification numbers and Social Security numbers should only be given to those who have provided medical services. To avoid health insurance fraud, blank insurance claim forms should not be signed, and blanket authorization should never be given to a medical provider for services rendered. Doctors should be asked what they will charge to the patient and to the insurance company, and the insurance company's explanation of benefits should be reviewed. Business involving health should never be done with door to door or telephone sales people, and insurance companies.


Another risk for aging adults is telemarketing fraud. There are countless fake products and services being sold over the phone. Some typical bogus products are vitamins, health care products, travel offers and prizes. Warning signs that the product is not legitimate are if the caller says "you must act now," or there is a free gift, or if money or a credit card number must be given. If they refuse to send something in writing, or discourage one from taking the time to check with a family member or the Better Business Bureau, it is not likely to be a legitimate company.

To avoid telemarketing fraud, customers should always buy from a familiar company, ask for information in writing (but also check this out), and check with the Better Business Bureau, or another watchdog group. Consumers should get the salesperson's name, company address and business license number, and check them out. If they are not willing to give this information, it is also a sign that it is a fraudulent operation. Time should be taken in making any purchasing decisions, and the offers should be fully understood. Services should not be paid for until after they are delivered, and an individual should never be afraid to be rude and simply say "no thank you" and hang up.


Other scams to look out for are counterfeit prescription drug offers, funeral and cemetery fraud, fake "anti-aging" products, internet fraud and investment schemes. As wise as our aging parents, grandparents and friends may be, they need assistance and support. It is important to communicate warnings to them, so that they do not become a typical victim.


It is also important to provide elder care services for that extra support when necessary. Visiting Angels provides senior home care that is bonded and insured, and is the nation's leading network of non-medical home care services. It is an alternative to a nursing home or an assisted living facility. Some services provided by Visitingangels.com are hygiene assistance, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errand assistance, bill paying assistance, and companionship. These duties can give a respite for family caregivers at affordable hourly rates. Visiting Angels allows the family to select their caregiver for loved ones from experienced, caring and trustworthy individuals allowing you to maintain your schedule and get personalized care.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. "Elder Care Services - How to Protect Aging Adults from Scams" notes the common scams targeted at aging adults and how to avoid them. Visitingangels.com provides trustworthy and caring caretakers for aging adults.

Hyper-Caffeinated Coffee?
Yes!
Best tasting cup of coffee?
You better believe it!
http://www.shockcoffee.com
ShockCoffee.com

Never Worry About Not Hearing The Phone Ring!


CLICK

TV - SILENCER Works and It's Easy To Install
Best of All It's Affordable !

Thank You!
My parents are at the age when they have to keep the tv turned up to hear it, so they can't hear the phone when it rings. I call to check on them and they don't hear the phone ring over the tv. I purchased the TV Silencer sent it to my parents and my dad hooked it up. Now they never miss my long distance calls. It's so easy to get ahold of my elderly parents.

Senior Home Care Agencies:
When It's Time to Take the Keys Away

Most people wouldn't consider either situation alarming, but what if your loved one got lost on the way to the grocery store or some other place they had been to dozens of times before?

It happened to 84-year-old "Mary" of Charlotte, N.C., about two years ago. She was supposed to drive herself to a dentist appointment, but somehow ended up about 10 miles away at a post office. Fortunately she remembered her home phone number and was able to call her husband for help. When he arrived, he hugged her and with tears in his eyes told her it was time to take away the keys.

As the baby boomers age, taking away the keys is a decision more and more of their children and spouses are going to have to make. Safe driving is no longer possible once a person's vision, hearing and/or reaction time have become impaired by old age; or once diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia have robbed them of such cognitive abilities as memory, judgment and understanding.

In Mary's case, it wasn't the first time she had taken a wrong turn. Fortunately, her husband found the strength to take away the keys, but a lot of people are reluctant to do so because they fear their loved one will see it as a loss of their freedom and dignity. In such type of cases many people hire senior home care agencies because these senior home care agencies provide senior care at home as per your needs and they are flexible to change the services as different needs arise. Senior home care agencies also work along with any home health agency or nursing agency that may be assisting your loved ones after a recent hospital stay. So Mary's husband also hired a senior care agency to help marry just days after she lost her keys.

Some days the senior care agency would play cards with Mary or help her do housework and make dinner; other days she'd drive Mary to doctors' appointments or the store, or just take her to the park for an afternoon stroll. The senior health care agency did everything possible to make life seem normal that year before Mary entered the nursing home which made both Mary and her husband appreciate.


Visiting Angels is the nation's fastest growing franchisor of non-medical senior homecare. The company now has 275 offices across the country. To find the one nearest you, log on to www.visitingangels.com or call (800) 365-4189.

Hearing Aids - What Size Should You Buy?

Once you realize that you have a hearing loss and want to correct it and hear better again, you have made the first step. Now you have to decide which style is going to be best for you! There are a lot of different sizes and shapes out there, but the most important thing is to select a hearing aid style that is going to be most appropriate for your hearing loss.

One of the most popular styles of aids is the Open Ear. These are small behind the ear hearing aids that connect to the ear by either a small tube or wire. When they use a wire there is a speaker, or receiver, on the end that goes into your ear canal. This type is called a RIC, or receiver in the canal. The largest benefit to this type of hearing aid is that it leaves your ear canal open so you don't feel plugged up. If you have a hearing loss in just the high frequencies this may be a good choice for you. But if you have hearing loss in the low and mid frequencies, Open Ear hearing devices were not intended for your loss. You can be fit with an earmold that will plug up your ear, but it will help you with those low pitch sounds - But then you're plugging up your ear again. You would just have a smaller behind the ear (BTE) hearing device, but not technically an Open Ear Hearing Aid.

For some people that's fine. They have a hearing instrument that is giving them enough power and it is small. If you need a lot of power , Open Ears may not be the best thing for you. It is generally not a good idea to buy a hearing device that is using all its power to meet your loss, no matter how good it looks! Open Ears do not typically have a lot of power. There are some exceptions, but these are limited too. If you have a moderate to profound hearing loss, then you will need a Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aid. You needs will be met with this type.

In the ear hearing aids, especially the small CIC style are also popular. Some manufacturers have better technology for these products than others, primarily because they do a better job controlling feedback (whistling). There's nothing more aggravating than to have your hearing aids whistle when you put your hand or a telephone near your ear, or when you hug someone.

There is more to choosing hearing aids than looks alone. Your hearing professional is the best person to talk to about which hearing aids are best for you.

Kelly C. Calkins, AuD., has practiced audiology for over 20 years. For more information about hearing aids or to find the nearest hearing aid professional to you visit our website at http://www.adviceonhearingaids.com

Here's A Secret!

If you want to end razor bumps and ingrown hairs you need to Click the Picture Below and check this product out!

BumpeFace was created for individuals who suffer from sensitive or irritated skin caused by shaving. BumpeFace contains the latest razor bump & skin repair technology with natural ingredients like: Tee Tree, Shea, Aloe Vera, and Kaolin & Bentonite clays. All Natural Ingredients, Contains No Alcohol. This product really works!

Choosing between Power of Attorney
for Health Care and A Living Will

Irreversible Condition, "Artificial nutrition and hydration" means the provision of nutrients or fluids by a tube inserted in a vein, under the skin in the subcutaneous tissues, or in the stomach (gastrointestinal tract).

Irreversible condition means a condition, injury, or illness:

1. That may be treated, but is Never Cured or eliminated;

2. That leaves a person Unable to Care for Oneself, or make decisions

3. That, without life-sustaining treatment provided in accordance with the Prevailing Standard of Medical Care, is fatal.

Many serious illnesses such as cancer, failure of major organs (kidney, heart, liver, or lung), and Serious Brain Disease such as Alzheimer's dementia may be considered irreversible early on.

There is no cure, but the patient may be kept alive for prolonged periods of time if the patient receives life-sustaining treatments. Late in the course of the same illness, the disease may be Considered Terminal when, even with treatment, the patient is expected to die. You may wish to consider which burdens of treatment you would be willing to accept in an effort to achieve a particular outcome. This is a very personal decision that you may wish to discuss with your physician, family, or other important persons in your life. "Understanding Living Will: Irreversible condition, Artificial nutrition and hydration.

About the Author
Jeffrey Broobin is a free-lance writer on family and finance issues; his main goal is to help people during their complicated period of life. Website: http://www.legalhelpmate.com Email: jeffreyb@legalhelpmate.com

Part II: Medicare and Medicaid - Tips for Better Care
by Nathan Goldstein, MD

Medicare is insurance for people age 65 and over, those with certain chronic disabilities and people with kidney failure. Medicaid is insurance for people with very low incomes and financial resources. People ages 65 and older who have limited income and savings may qualify for both programs.

Visit http://www.getpalliativecare.org/quick-facts/archives/2008/03/understanding/ for information on what Medicare and Medicaid cover. Below are a few tips to help you get the most out of these programs:

1. Home care is available to anyone with a "skilled need" under Medicare Part A. If you have difficulty getting out of the house without assistance, you may qualify for short periods of nursing or physical therapy at home. Some examples of skilled needs are:

? monitoring blood pressure
? monitoring symptoms such as shortness of breath and pain
? care for a wound
? physical therapy (for weakness or after a fall)
? education about management of chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart failure

2. If you need medical equipment such as a cane or walker, Medicare Part B will help pay, but you must first get a prescription from your doctor. Wheelchairs are generally only covered if they are needed to get around the home.

3. Equipment for diabetics, such as glucose monitors and test strips, is covered under Medicare Part B.

4. Medicare Part D has multiple plans in every state, each of which have different lists of covered drugs. If your loved one is on many chronic medications, it may be helpful to compare plans or ask your pharmacist for help to figure out which one is most beneficial.

4. Medicare Part A generally pays for palliative care services in the hospital, while Medicare Part B covers outpatient visits.

5. Some states have innovative Medicaid "waiver" programs that will allow a family member to be a paid caregiver. Check with your state Medicaid office to learn more.

6. Medicaid pays for supplies and equipment such as diapers, absorbent pads, special toilet seats and grab bars.

7. Many nursing homes only have a certain number of "Medicaid" beds. So if you have some funds to use before qualifying for Medicaid, it is best to find a nursing home you like and pay for a few months out-of-pocket. That way you'll be more likely to get a bed in a home you like.

For more information on Medicare and Medicaid visit:

http://www.medicare.gov http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp

About the Author

Nathan Goldstein, MD, is the Assistant Professor, Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. This artilce is provided by http://www.getpalliativecare.org

How To Live Within Your Means

Planning and goal setting are critical to your success if you want to become wealthy. The two key traits of people who do not become wealthy are, firstly, they tend to spend all of the money they have and, secondly, they do not know what they spend their money on. The lack of goals is the main culprit. Ric Edelman, author of The Truth About Money and Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth, calls this "spending unconsciously". He says the reason why people spend without giving it much thought is they have no goals. Without goals, we live unconsciously from moment to moment, we never plan for the future, we spend all of our money, and as a result, we are unlikely to ever become wealthy.
"Unconscious spending" is more prevalent in our society than we realize. I would estimate approximately 80% to 90% of the population do it. With the exception of one or two people, the vast majority of my clients had no idea what they spent their money on until I asked them to prepare a list of their total expenditure and outgoings before our first session. In fact, many were too frightened to do the initial exercise and waited until they arrived at my office, so I could help them through the ordeal. Money matters simply scare people. They are terrified to know how out of control their finances are. Yet, this is precisely what needs to be done before we can start working on a solution.

Whilst it is important to become relaxed and carefree with our financial matters, this does not mean careless. We become carefree with money when we know that it is not a scarce resource, we work on increasing our income, we invest a little time on a regular basis to plan and review our finances, and we systemically set aside part of our earnings regularly to build our savings and investments for the future. We are careless with money when we don't keep track of what we are spending and squander money on things that are wasteful, extravagant and not needed.
I often compare money to water, another important commodity in our lives. Both are essential and critical to our survival, however, we rarely worry about water in the same way we do about money. We systematically set aside water when it rains in dams and reservoirs to provide us with water on tap' when we need it. We are careful not to waste water however, at the same time we can relax and not have to worry about it on a day to day basis. When we apply the same reasoning to managing money we are well on the way to becoming wealthy.

After we resolve our beliefs about money and realize that becoming wealthy is within our possibilities, the next step is to put aside a little time to set goals and do some planning. Planning does not have to be an arduous affair. It takes approximately one to two hours upfront to prepare your plan and, thereafter, an hour a month to review or revise it.

The first part of your plan is to set some goals. For example, accumulating $500,000 in income-producing assets in 15 years is not a difficult goal to achieve. If you save $170 a week into investments returning an average of 15% per annum for 15 years, you will have your half a million dollars. Goals will help you focus on the future and increase your willpower to prevent overspending. The more concrete you make your goals, the more committed you will be to achieving them. Set timeframes and break them down into manageable steps, as in the example above, to make your goals more realistic and attainable.

Along the way, however, we also need to manage our day-to-day spending to ensure that we set aside the required savings to achieve our goals. In designing the Money Program, I used a simple, effective formula that everyone can apply to easily manage their finances. I call this the 40%-30%-20%-10% rule. This formula is used to measure your expenditure and cash outflows. You divide your expenditure into four categories and calculate the total of each category as a percentage of your net (after tax) income. The four categories are Fixed Costs, Variable Costs, Discretionary Costs and Savings.

Fixed Costs are your essential costs that are known and have to be paid on a regular basis. For example, mortgage or rental payments, personal loans and credit card repayments, insurance, council rates, and school fees. These costs are usually determined by your lifestyle choices, the size and cost of your house, cars and major possessions, and therefore difficult to change without making major adjustments to the way you live.

However, because fixed costs are comprised of debt and committed payments, they are critical in determining your ability to create wealth, as well as your capacity to lead a stable financial lifestyle. If your fixed costs are too high, you will probably be living from payday to payday worrying about the next large bill that arrives. If your fixed costs take up too much of your weekly pay packet, there will be less to spend on other essential costs, and often little for luxuries - unless you go further into debt.

Variable Costs include our essential living expenses, which can vary from week to week, yet you have some control over what you spend. These will include food, clothing, groceries, mobile phone expenses, medical and motor vehicle running costs, such as petrol and repairs.
The previous two categories relate to essential costs that we cannot live without. Some are controllable (variable costs) and some are set (fixed costs). Discretionary costs are expenses that are non-essential and highly variable. These costs are very much in your control and where most choice is possible about how much is saved each month. For example, entertainment, dining-out, presents, holidays and all luxury items that we love but can live without. I affectionately call this part of our budget, our ‘play money'. The problem with most budgets is they often exclude this significant element and this is why most people fail. We all need a little play money and a few luxuries in life.

Whilst working with this formula with my clients, I found that people who live within their means tend to spend their money roughly within the 40%-30%-20% rule. That is, their fixed costs are roughly 40%, their variable costs 30% and discretionary 20% of their net income. The more I worked with this formula the more I realized it was an excellent way to achieve two things. First, it provides you with a simple effective method for planning and allocating your finances, and secondly, it is the perfect method for getting you out of debt and into wealth.
The most critical category is fixed costs. The fixed costs of people who are living comfortably within their means are generally around 40% of their income. People with fixed costs above this percentage, tend to lead lifestyles that cost them more than they can afford. The size and quality of their homes, cars, furniture and other items that they have borrowed for, have forced them into excessive debt. Because fixed costs are comprised of debt and committed payments, they are crucial in determining your ability to create wealth. If you want to be wealthy, you have to be committed to dropping these costs below 40%.

When clients first come to me, their fixed costs are often 50%, 60% or even 70% of their net income. The aim is to reduce that percentage to 40% or less, over time. Creating wealth is about building strong financial foundations that cannot be shattered regardless of what we may be faced with in the future. Regrettable, strong foundations take a little time to build.
People in severe financial hardship usually have fixed costs that are greater than 65% or 70% of their net income. This is usually due to excessive debt or insufficient income. People who are in financial crisis, where they tend to live from payday to payday and seem to be going from one financial problem to the next, tend to have fixed costs between 45% to 60% of their income. If their fixed costs are approximately 40% of their income, they are living comfortably within their means, and if their fixed costs are below 40%, they usually have excess money that could easily be channeled into additional savings and investments. So the key to good financial management is managing and controlling your fixed costs.
Remember, it is all done by measuring your fixed costs: if your fixed costs are 40%, you are living within your means, if your fixed costs are above 40% you will be putting yourself under financial strain, and if they are below 40% you will be in a surplus position. Therefore, if you want to accelerate your wealth, keep your fixed costs well below the 40% mark and invest the surplus.

If excessive debt is keeping your fixed costs high, formulate a debt free plan and do not go deeper into debt. Learn to live with cash. It is far more finite and when the cash runs out, you know you definitely cannot afford to buy those extra purchases. If low income is your problem, consider all alternatives to increasing your income. These may include: part-time work, turning hobbies or crafts into cash or investing in additional training to further your career prospects.

Also, to decrease your fixed costs you may have to make some difficult decisions about the way you live. Is the house you are living in far too costly for you? Are you running two cars when one could suffice? Can you downsize anything now, which is costing you far too much money? Are you trying to live well above your present means buying clothing, accessories or electronic gadgets that you cannot afford? Are you a shop-aholic, and can never resist a bargain - regardless of whether you need it or not? Are your credit cards always to the maximum limit and you cannot afford to pay the balance? These are often difficult choices to make, but well worth it in the long run.

Remind yourself that you can have the bigger house, cars, toys, etc - later, when you can better afford them. If you get a bigger mortgage to upgrade your house or borrow for a better car, you will increase your fixed costs. By keeping your fixed costs as low as possible, you will accelerate your progress to becoming wealthy. Your plan should always aim at decreasing your fixed costs below 40% by either increasing your income or decreasing your debt, or both. Once you have achieved this, use the extra money to add to your savings and investments. This is the guaranteed way to accelerate your path to wealth.

Copyright © Ann Marosy, 2002

The 40%-30%-20%-10% formula is featured in The Money Program: Managing the 6 Stages of Wealth. Visit: www.moneta.com.au

Ann Marosy has a Bachelor of Business from RMIT and developed a successful career in company accounting. Ann taught accounting at university; established her own recruitment agency and was a finalist in the SA Executive Woman of the Year 1991 award. In recent years, Ann has provided consultation to private clients on money management practices. Using her financial background and personal experiences, Ann designed the Money Program to assist her clients to understand and manage money.

Senior Home Care Agencies:
When It's Time to Take the Keys Away

Most people wouldn't consider either situation alarming, but what if your loved one got lost on the way to the grocery store or some other place they had been to dozens of times before?

It happened to 84-year-old "Mary" of Charlotte, N.C., about two years ago. She was supposed to drive herself to a dentist appointment, but somehow ended up about 10 miles away at a post office. Fortunately she remembered her home phone number and was able to call her husband for help. When he arrived, he hugged her and with tears in his eyes told her it was time to take away the keys.

As the baby boomers age, taking away the keys is a decision more and more of their children and spouses are going to have to make. Safe driving is no longer possible once a person's vision, hearing and/or reaction time have become impaired by old age; or once diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia have robbed them of such cognitive abilities as memory, judgment and understanding.

In Mary's case, it wasn't the first time she had taken a wrong turn. Fortunately, her husband found the strength to take away the keys, but a lot of people are reluctant to do so because they fear their loved one will see it as a loss of their freedom and dignity. In such type of cases many people hire senior home care agencies because these senior home care agencies provide senior care at home as per your needs and they are flexible to change the services as different needs arise. Senior home care agencies also work along with any home health agency or nursing agency that may be assisting your loved ones after a recent hospital stay. So Mary's husband also hired a senior care agency to help marry just days after she lost her keys.

Some days the senior care agency would play cards with Mary or help her do housework and make dinner; other days she'd drive Mary to doctors' appointments or the store, or just take her to the park for an afternoon stroll. The senior health care agency did everything possible to make life seem normal that year before Mary entered the nursing home which made both Mary and her husband appreciate.


Visiting Angels is the nation's fastest growing franchisor of non-medical senior homecare. The company now has 275 offices across the country. To find the one nearest you, log on to www.visitingangels.com or call (800) 365-4189.

3 Critical Things Most Families
Miss When They Choose An
Assisted Living Residence

The 3 Critical Things Most Families Miss When They Choose An Assisted Living ResidenceWith many vacation visits home ending in a desperate search for assisted living alternatives for older loved ones, family care consultant Molly Shomer suggests that families often fail to check out the most important things. Taking a tour and sampling the food won`t substitute for skipping the three essential things every family should do before they make a final assisted living selection.

The Three Critical Things Families Miss

1. Review the contract and admission documents before move-in day. When the moving van is idling and your mother is sitting in the lobby it`s too late to ask important questions. Have the contract thoroughly reviewed ahead of time by someone who understands assisted living.
2. Ask for an `assessment and care plan` for your elder before signing an assisted living contract. What you pay will usually be based on the amount and kind of care provided. Know exactly what the facility will be doing for your elder. Even more important, know what will bump up the price later before you make a commitment.
3. Understand what will trigger a request that your elder move out, and how the appeal process works. Not all behaviors or medical conditions can be managed in an assisted living setting.

Many families feeling desperate for help don`t know that they may be able to avoid making a rushed selection. Many assisted living residences will permit a prospective resident to `try out` the facility for a week or two without a long-term contract. This is a perfect opportunity for an elder to receive needed care while the family takes the time they need to make the right decision.
By: Molly Shomer of The Eldercare Team
Molly Shomer specializes in helping the children of aging adults reduce the overwhelming stress of caring for aging parents. She is also the author of The Insiders Guide To Assisted Living, where families can learn everything they need to know before they sign an assisted living contract. She is nationally recognized as the publisher and Head Coach of The Eldercare Team informational site at http://www.eldercareteam.com

PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, eBillme, Amazon Payments, JCB, Diner's Club & Amazon Gift Cards

Copyright ® 2010 The Online Helper.com All rights reserved.