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Typically, most of us bring our prescriptions to thenearest drug store and base our pharmacy choice on con-venience alone. But for those who have complex medicalconditions, such as a blood or marrow cancer, the deci-sion may be a little more complicated. The followingexplains why—and how—you can and should choose agreat pharmacy.

How to Spot a Great Pharmacist

As a partner in your health, it's worthwhile to take thetime to seek out the best pharmacist for your needs.

Great pharmacists• Are knowledgeable about your medications as well

as your condition• Have time to spend answering your questions• Use clear language that is easy for you to under-

stand• Show concern for your health and wellbeing• Act as advocates• Collaborate with your physician when necessary• Make you feel comfortable• Work with you to find healthy solutions to your

medical concerns• Behave in a professional manner• Are approachable

What Else to Look For in a Pharmacy

In addition to having an excellent pharmacist, youshould consider other factors when choosing a pharmacy.Ask yourself:

• Is it convenient to use this pharmacy? Not only isthe physical location important, but things like hours ofoperation, parking availability, direct insurance billing,home medication delivery, or charge information kept onfile for you are as well.

• Do they carry the medications that are being usedin your care? Cancer medications are unique and oftenonly handled by certain pharmacies.

• Do they keep records about your medication andhealthcare history?

• Are they too busy to allow time to have your ques-tions and concerns addressed?

• Do they provide services such as immunizations?• Is there an area in the pharmacy where you can ask

questions privately?• Do they carry other medical equipment such as

dressing supplies for central venous catheters5 orsyringes for injectable medications?

• Are they affiliated with your cancer center? If possi-ble, stick with pharmacists at your cancer center, as they

are PharmDs and have specialized experience.• Who is recommended by your doctor6, nurse7, or

healthcare team?

Once you find a pharmacy that you're comfortablewith, and which can serve your needs, commit to it. It’s agreat idea to have all your prescriptions at one pharmacy,as this helps prevent medication errors and harmful druginteractions.8 It also allows your pharmacy to get to knowyou and your specific care needs.

Summing it Up

When you have a complex medical condition likeblood and marrow cancer, it's important that you have anexcellent team of healthcare professionals working along-side you. Pharmacists act as a resource to you and helpyou navigate through the maze of medications and thera-pies that you'll need.

Therefore, when choosing a pharmacy at which to fillyour prescriptions, give close consideration to who ishelping you behind the counter, and the services they'reable to provide.

How to choose a pharmacy

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 3 • m o n d a y , m a r c h 2 5 , 2 0 1 3 • 3

During the past year, over300 local residents with chronic,non-healing wounds have bene-fited from the state-of-the-artfacilities and the expert care pro-vided by the professional staff ofSalem Community Hospital'sWound Healing Center (WHC).

According to Erica Alesi, theWHC Program Director, "Dur-

ing our first year, 332 patients came to us for wound treatment, and 93% of them weredischarged fully-healed. For some, this was life-changing therapy as they were facinglimb amputations or suffering with chronic pain as a result of a wound that wouldn'theal."

Benefits of Treatment at a Wound Healing CenterWound healing centers benefit patients by providing the latest treatments to promote

healing and reduce the risk of complications from chronic or non-healing wounds.

“Salem Community Hospital’s Wound Healing Center offers patients state-of-the-arttreatment options, which are administered by physicians and staff with advanced train-ing in wound care,” Dr. Johnson stated.

One of the leading edge treatment modalities provided at the WHC is hyperbaric oxy-gen therapy (HBOT), which promotes healing by increasing the amount of oxygendelivered to the damaged tissues. Last year, the Center provided over 700 treatments

using this method.

"In addition to successfully healing wounds that do not respond to traditional treat-ment methods, HBOT shortens the healing process. This allows our patients to returnto their normal lives, free of pain and the burden of caring for a chronic wound," Dr.Johnson said.

"We are very fortunate to have this technology and the specially-trained physiciansand staff to administer these treatments locally. All of the WHC physicians and staff havecompleted specialized training in the field of wound care."

In addition to Dr. Johnson, physicians providing wound healing clinics at the WHCinclude Drs. Indra Limbu, Thomas Vrable, Gregory Blasko, Amanda Baright and JohnMadison.

Ask your doctor about visiting a wound healing center if:• You’ve had a sore that won’t heal after 30 days. This is common among people with

diabetes.• You’ve had a sore with increasing pain, redness or swelling; foul odor; or change in

color.

If you or a loved one has a wound that has not healed for 30 days or more, you maybenefit from the services provided at Salem Community Hospital's Wound Healing Cen-ter. For more information, call the Center at 330-332-7415.

The Wound Healing Center providesadvanced treatments for:

• Diabetic, venous and pressure ulcers• Osteomyelitis• Radionecrosis• Infections• Compromised skin grafts and flaps• Wounds that haven't healed within 30 days

How to seek treatment for chronic wounds

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An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. This principle also applies toanyone with a hearing loss condition. The earlier the illness is detected, the better itsprognosis is. However, for those who already are afflicted with the illness, hearing testsare done to see whether hearing has improved or not and whether treatments have beeneffective.

Hearing tests are also done for babies. Since these little tykes can't express subjectiveopinions yet, doctors can't be too sure whether they have normal hearing or not.Because of this, babies are subjected to hearing tests for the early detection of problemsthat pertain to factors that may interfere in the development of speech and other cogni-tive abilities. Tests for babies are very important to detect any congenital hearing defectsuch as hearing loss.

Hearing tests are also very important on children during school age. Although peo-ple can learn visually and kinesthetically, hearing still plays a very big part in the absorp-tion of this information. If a child has hearing problems, then learning may be impeded.This is the reason why hearing tests are done to detect whether a certain child has hear-ing loss or not. If tests turn out positive, then appropriate actions can be done immediate-ly.

For persons who are suspected of having hearing loss, the severity as well as the typeof hearing loss can then be detected and established. With this, appropriate treatmentand medication may be given to improve the condition of a patient. Hearing tests wouldalso be used as an evaluative tool whether a person's hearing condition has improved ornot.

1) Weber Test

Named after Ernst Heinrich Weber, the Weber Test is considered as one of the mostbasic tests for detecting hearing loss. This test will be able to detect two types of hearingloss: unilateral conductive hearing loss and unilateral sensorineural type.

The Weber Test makes use of a tuning fork. The fork is struck on a surface to pro-duce vibrations. It will then be placed on top of the media lateral of the skull. A person issaid to have a unilateral conductive hearing loss if one ear hears the sound louder thanthe other. The ear that hears the louder sound is the affected one.

2) Rinne Test

Just like the Weber test, the Rinne Test also uses a tuning fork. This hearing test wasnamed after Heinrich Adolf Rinne, the person who developed this test. The Rinne Testcompares how sound is perceived as conducted through the mastoid.

A tuning fork is struck to produce vibrations. The fork stem is then stuck on the mas-toid of a person. When no sound can already be heard, the fork is then placed outsidethe ear.

Although the Webber Test and Rinne Test have been proven to be effective, thesecan't be compared to the hearing test called audiometry.

3) Audiometry Testing

Audiometry is the formal testing of a person's hearing ability. With the help of anaudiometer, the hearing level of a person may be measured. It may measure the abilityof a person to differentiate between different intensities of sound, distinguish speechfrom background sounds, or recognize pitch. In audiometry, otoacoustic emissions aswell as acoustic reflex can also be measured. Results from audiometry testing can beused to diagnose whether the subject has hearing loss or other problems with the ear.

Unlike the Weber Testand the Rinne Test,audiometry testing needs aspecial soundproof room. Italso does not make use oftuning forks. Instead, ituses a device called theaudiometer.

4) Tympanometry

Tympanometry is a testusually used to detect con-ductive hearing loss. It isalso used if nothing appar-ent is detected through theRinne and Weber Test. Thisprocedure makes use of anotoscope. This makes surethat nothing; neither for-eign object nor earwax isblocking the path to theeardrum. It is consideredas a foolproof method ifever the findings from theother tests produce suspi-ciously inaccurate or anom-alous results, and further tests are needed for deeper hearing level assessment.

Tympanometry targets the eardrum's mobility, conduction of bones, and the condi-tion of the middle ear.

Signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include:

• Muffling of speech and other sounds

• Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowdof people

• Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly

• Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio

• Withdrawal from conversations

• Avoidance of some social settings

• When to see a doctor

Talk to your doctor if difficulty hearing is interfering with your daily life. Your hearingmay have deteriorated if you find that it's harder to understand everything that's said inconversation, especially when there's background noise; if sounds seem muffled; or ifyou find yourself having to turn the volume higher when you listen to music, the radio ortelevision.

How to determine hearing loss

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 3 • m o n d a y , m a r c h 2 5 , 2 0 1 3

Providing Comfort

Many people like to take a gift when visiting a sickfriend or loved one in the hospital, however, the right giftcan be difficult to find. To make things more difficult,some of the most common gifts given to hospitalized peo-ple are not always allowed in every area of the hospital.

Keep in mind that hospitals can be very boring places,and they are never as comfortable as one's own home.Gifts that help improve comfort and relieve boredom areideal, as are gifts that lift the mood.

FlowersFlowers are a great gift. For people who like flowers, a

delivery can feel like a small ray of sunshine in their hos-pital room. Unfortunately, not everyone likes flowers.People who have respiratory issues, such as asthma, maybe triggered by flowers2 and those who are sensitive topollen should avoid them when possible.

If your friend is in an intensive care3 area of the hospi-tal, some gifts may not be appropriate. The same is truefor floors where chemotherapy is given, where respirato-ry problems are present, or a patient4 has an allergy.Flowers will likely not be permitted in the room in anICU. A balloon (or two) makes a great substitute for flow-ers.

Fruit ArrangementLike flowers, fresh fruit may be restricted in certain

areas of the hospital. If you are sure your friend is allowedto have fruit in the area where they arestaying, and they are permitted to eatfruit, fruit can be a welcome relieffrom hospital food.

Just be sure the patient to whom youare giving a present is allowed to eat fruit,otherwise it is like taunting them withsomething they are not permittedto have.

Food and DrinkYour loved one may or may not

be allowed to eat and drink whateverthey want while they are in the hospital.Before making a delivery that includesfood or beverages, it is best to confirmthat eating and drinking isn't beingrestricted. If your friend is allowed to eat anddrink whatever they find appealing, a gift offood may be greatly appreciated.

If your friend has a favorite drink, takingsome to the hospital may be greatly appreci-ated. Remember that a person's appetite isoften changed temporarily by illness, so youmay want to inquire about their preferences, as

they may be different than normal.

BooksIf you know what your friend likes to read, a book

makes a great gift and can help take their mind off of theillness. Portable, a book can make long and tedious testsmore bearable and sleepless nights may pass more quick-ly.

MagazinesMagazines are a great gift because the articles tend to

be short. That way if your friend tires easily, they can setthe magazine aside and return to it later.

MusicMusic can be very calming and soothing. Your friend

may have an MP3 player that they use for their music, orthey may appreciate having some of their favorite CDsbrought to the hospital with a small radio that can beplayed quietly.

MoviesMany hospitals anticipate the need for entertainment

and supply DVD players and televisions in the patientrooms. If the room is equipped in this way, bringing a fewmovies from home or the library would be a welcomediversion. If your friend has a laptop, they are often able toplay movies as well.

In some hospitals it is possible to hook up a videogame console to the television, which can provide hoursof entertainment.

GamesSudoku, a deck of cards, crossword puz-

zles and other types of mind games are agreat way to help pass the time in a hospital.

PajamasYour friend may be required to

wear a hospital gown in somecases, but it is possible that they

may be allowed to wear more com-fortable pajamas, depending on

their physical needs. If yourfriend is allowed to wear

something other than ahospital gown, theymay appreciate having

their own pajamasbrought to them, ora gift of a new set ofpajamas.

BathrobeA new bathrobe

may make walkingthe halls of the hospi-

tal a little less revealing.

Hospital gowns are often slit up the back, showing moreskin than many people are comfortable with. A bathrobeis good for covering up and keeping warm.

SlippersSlippers aren't just about style and keeping the feet

warm, they are also good for safety. Walking around insocks can lead to slipping and falling, but slippers havetraction, preventing injury.

BlanketA blanket does more than provide comfort, it can

cheer up a room instantly. Not only are hospital linensstark white, they are often rough and scratchy, making awarm and comfortable blanket a cheery addition.

Get Well CardA get well card is a great way to share your wishes for

a quick recovery without breaking the bank. Don't feelobligated to buy a gift in order to visit a friend in the hos-pital, a card is perfectly appropriate with or without a pres-ent.

BalloonsIf you aren't sure what to give, a get well balloon is a

great gift when you aren't sure what the patient mightwant or what they are allowed to have in their room.

Gifts of Service

Your gift may not cost you a dime, only time and ener-gy. For someone in the hospital, having someone willingto run an important errand or two may be the most valu-able gift they receive. For example, they may need tohave prescriptions filled prior to their discharge from thehospital.

If their hospitalization was unexpected, they may needsomeone to watch their dog, pick up dry cleaning or evenhelp arranging for child care.

Gifts of Information

Your friend may need information about their condi-tion, especially if they are newly diagnosed with an illness.

For example, if your loved one was just diagnosed withdiabetes, a book about living with diabetes may be useful.If your friend just delivered her first baby, she may appre-ciate a book for new moms.

Someone who just had their appendix removed mightnot have a great need for further education, but manypatients can benefit from books that teach them how tobetter care for themselves.

How to choose the best gift for hospital patients

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 3 • m o n d a y , m a r c h 2 5 , 2 0 1 3 • 7

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Look w hat your neighbors are saying about their experiences w ith Hearing Aids And Devices. Recently my wife suggested I should have my hearing tested after she got tired of repeatedly having me to repeat her conversation to me. I had noticed that at times I really didn’t hear all of what someone said to me but I really didn’t think too much about it; maybe they weren’t looking at me when talking. I have a friend who wears a hearing aid so I asked him about it and where he got his. He told me about getting his from the local office of Hearing Aids & Devices in Columbiana. I made an appointment with them and took their test and discovered I did indeed need help. Their test was really quite simple; no pain or discomfort and didn’t take long so I had them order a pair of units custom made just for me and I was really surprised with the difference. I really do hear so much better like when I’m in church or in meetings plus we don’t have to play the TV so loud and I seem to be more at ease when driving the car. I’m very satisfied with their product and their service do recommend them to anyone with hearing problems. George Sankey

Columbiana

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Dear Evelyn, I just want to send you a note of SINCERE THANKS for helping me improve my

life since March 31, 2010. Your kindness, knowledge and patience in helping me select my hearing aids is

greatly appreciated. I will be certain to refer Hearing Aids and Devices Inc. to anyone I know needing hearing aids in the future.

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1. Don't go it alone. Bring along afriend or relative. "One of the most impor-tant steps you can take is to bring aspouse, family member or friend to theexamination," says Juliette Sterkens, anaudiologist in Oshkosh, Wis. "Two peoplehear and remember more."

2. Interview a provider. "The numberone thing to remember is that the valueyou get out of your hearing aid is based onthe skills and abilities of the hearinghealth professional," says Sergei Kochkinof the Better Hearing Institute. Audiolo-gists and hearing instrument specialistsare both licensed to sell hearing aids, butaudiologists hold a master's or doctoraldegree in audiology. Get referrals fromhealth care professionals.

3. Know before you go. "Most peoplehave had trouble with their hearing foryears," says Barry Freeman, an audiolo-gist and chairman of the board of theNational Council for Better Hearing. Yetthey wait an average of five to seven yearsbefore buying a hearing aid. The worsethe hearing loss, the harder it is for yourbrain to adjust, so it's important to act assoon as you think you may have hearingloss.

4. Have your hearing tested. Duringyour visit, you should be given a hearingtest in a soundproof booth. It will tell theaudiologist or hearing specialist what typeof hearing loss you have so a hearing aidcan be programmed specifically for you.Not all devices will fit every person orevery degree of hearing loss. And "theseare custom-made devices," says LindaRemensnyder, an audiologist near Chica-go. "It's not prudent to buy online or froma big-box retail store."

5. Try before you buy. Ask for a demon-stration of the hearing aids recommendedfor you. An audiologist may be able to puta disposable plug on the tip of a behind-the-ear hearing aid and program thedevice to your hearing loss so you canexperience how it works.

A simulated sound field also can showhow a hearing aid works in particular situ-ations, so check the hearing aid in noisy

settings. And take your time. "This is waytoo important and costly a decision tomake in a hurry," says Sterkens.

6. Ask about add-ons. Don't be pres-sured into buying extras you don't need —all technology comes at a price. However,directional microphones that help youhear in noisy places, tele-coils that helpwith phone conversations, and feedbackcancellation that prevents the aid fromsquealing all received high marks fromConsumer Reports.

Wireless technology makes it easier touse cellphones and televisions, and earwax protection can prevent malfunctions.But consider what you really need.

7. Can you hear me now? After you buyyour hearing aid, don't leave the officewithout checking whether it fits. And notjust physically; does it do what you want itto do? Ask to have an automated "real ear"test to see how it works in your ear.

8. Get it in writing. Get a signed copy ofa contract that outlines what you're buying— the model and make of hearing aid —and the price, trial period, any nonrefund-able fees as well as the warranty, says LiseHamlin, director of public policy for theHearing Loss Association of America.

Most manufacturers allow a 30- to 60-day trial period, and follow-up visits are amust. "Expect at least three or four in thefirst two months," says Sterkens.

9. Ask about training. There is more tobuying a hearing aid than just fitting it toyour ear. "You don't hear with your ear,you hear with your brain, and your braindoesn't know what to do with the soundafter you get your hearing aids," says Free-man.

Ask your audiologist about aural educa-tion and rehabilitation. Some auditorytraining can be done at home with a per-sonal computer or through group ses-sions.

10. Pay the piper. These small techno-logical marvels can cost between $1,200and $3,700, an outlay not covered byMedicare or most private insurance com-panies.

Buying a hearing aid

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 3 • m o n d a y , m a r c h 2 5 , 2 0 1 3 • 9

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If you're mowing a 1/2 acre or more, you'll probably want to consider purchasing alawn tractor or riding mower.

Instructions1. Look for a 38- to 42-inch deck. The deck size refers to the size of the lawnmower

blade - the larger the deck, the wider the cutting swath and the quicker the job getsdone.

2. Choose the deck size according to the obstacles you have in your yard. A widerdeck is good, but not if you have to go back and get between all of the trees with a regu-lar mower.

3. Be sure you have enough room to store the mower.

4. Think about whether you want the engine in the front or the back. Rear enginesusually give you better front visibility; front engines typically are found on more powerfulmowers.

5. Ask the sales representative about the different speed controls. You will find a gearlever and clutch-brake combination, foot-pedal controls or a hydrostatic-drive systemwithout a clutch. Expect to add $200 to $500 for the smoother, easier-to-operate hydro-static drive.

6. Decide what the majority of your mowing will consist of. Will you be bagging,mulching or tossing the clippings out the side? Check out how complicated it is to switchfrom one mode to the other and whether you'll need additional accessories to do it.

7. Get the best warranty possible. Some surveys have found that riding mowers andtractor mowers have the worst reliability records of all major appliances.

8. Check out how easy the mower is to steer and brake, how wide the turning circleis, the ease of adjusting cutting height, how much legroom it has, where the gas tank is,how comfortable the seat and steering wheel are, how easy the controls are to reach anduse, how the bag is removed and how difficult it is to get on and off.

9. Be prepared to pay between $800 and $3,000 for a tractor or riding mower.

Tips & Warnings• Look for attachments such as a towing cart, dethatcher,

seed spreader, snow thrower or snow plow blade.

• Try out the clutch pedal. Some are veryhigh and require long, strong legs to press

them down.

• Be aware thatsome tractors, whenthe bag is full, maytilt back onto therear wheels whilegoing uphill.

How to select the rightlawn tractor for you

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 3 • m o n d a y , m a r c h 2 5 , 2 0 1 3

Each year the complexities of filing tax-es increase, and each year more peopleturn to professional tax preparation servic-es.

Perhaps you plan to count yourselfamong them now that your personal finan-cial situation has grown complicated andthe task seems daunting.

Suddenly you face a choice that is moreintricate than you ever considered. Thestakes are high. This is your money andyour reputation.

Paying a professional to prepare yourtaxes does not relieve you of your legalresponsibility for your return. The IRSurges taxpayers to employ care and cau-tion when choosing a tax professional forthis very reason.

How does one ensure that they hire atax preparation professional who is compe-tent and ethical? There is no doubt thatmost tax preparers are honest people whoprovide excellent service to their clients.

Nevertheless, unscrupulous tax prepar-ers exist and you must avoid them, as theycan cause you considerable legal andfinancial difficulties.

Be aware that the IRS does not certifytax preparers and that the federal govern-ment does not require professional taxpreparers to have any form of certificationor education.

Some states do require licensing butthis is largely an industry that remainslargely unregulated. You cannot be confi-dent that a professional preparer is quali-fied merely because they can legally pre-pare taxes.

The IRS does license Enrolled Agents.These federally authorized tax practition-ers must pass an IRS exam and have con-tinuing education required of them tomaintain the license.

The Treasury Department authorizesEnrolled Agents to represent taxpayers atall levels of an audit. When you hire a taxpreparer, verify whether they or someoneat the business will be able to provide yourepresentation if the IRS audits yourreturn. This is also a good opportunity to

inquire about the preparer’s audit rate.

Know precisely what you are payingfor. Confirm that you are hiring a personwho specializes in tax preparation. CPA isa designation indicating a qualifiedaccountant, not all of which are tax special-ists.

Investigate the preparer’s credentialsand if applicable the business for whichthey work. Contact the Better BusinessBureau and verify that the tax preparerand/or business do not have a question-able history. In addition, you can contactthe board of accountancy for CPAs or thebar association for attorneys in your stateto inspect their professional record.

Qualities of a tax preparer that youshould seek out include:

-- Affiliation with an organization thatrequires continuing tax education.

-- Preparation fee based on the com-plexity of your return.

-- A willingness to answer all of yourquestions.

-- Availability beyond the preparationand filing of your return.

-- Familiarity with all of the states inwhich you must file.

-- Familiarity with any special circum-stances that apply to you.

-- Willingness to include an itemizationof all judgment calls with your copy of thereturn.

-- Willingness to provide an in-personreview of the refund with the preparer.

Warning signs that can indicate a dis-reputable tax preparer include:

-- Claims that they can obtain largerrefunds than other preparers can.

-- A refund that is guaranteed up front.-- A request that you sign a blank form.-- Tax preparers who do “ghost” prepa-

ration. In other words, they are unwillingto sign the return.

It is vital that you speak with the taxpreparer and thoroughly discuss your situ-ation. Once you are confident that the taxprofessional is capable, respected, andsuited to your needs, you can hire withconfidence.

Some things are harder to find thanothers. Finding a great dry cleaner isn't aseasy as finding a great pizza place. A drycleaning place that isn't up to your stan-dards can certainly cause annoyance andfrustration. But there are things you cando to ensure that your future dry cleaningexperiences will be positive and fruitful.

The first thing you want to do is toresearch how long the different dry clean-ers in your area have been in business. Ifthey've been in business for a few years, itstands to reason that they've been per-forming quality service for their cus-tomers.

Of course, great dry cleaners open newstores, too. Try to check the credentials ofthe newer businesses to see what theirhistory was like at their previous location.Is this part of a chain that's so successful ithad to open another operation? Great drycleaners build up respect in their commu-nity.

You will also want to ask if the items arecleaned at the drop-off location or sent to acleaning plant. Larger stores use off-siteplants. This practice in no way affects thequality of the cleaning service, but it doesincrease the chances of losing articles ofclothing.

You might consider trying to find a drycleaner that performs services on-site, if atall possible, to keep you from losing yourshirt. Losing clothes is no fun! But if youfind a great dry cleaner that does takeclothes to another location, that's okay,too. Many dry cleaners employ this prac-tice and do great business.

The third thing you want to do in youreffort to find that great dry cleaner is tocall the Better Business Bureau to see ifthe dry cleaner in question is a member oftheir organization. Members of the BetterBusiness Bureau will more commonlydeal with any mishaps that may arise inways that more positively benefit their cus-tomers.

Also, check to see if the dry cleanerbelongs to a dry cleaning association.These groups help to keep dry cleanerscurrent with trends in the industry. Someof these associations can also offer to pro-vide garment analysis to help you in the

case of cleaning accident.

Timeliness is of the utmost impor-tance, since many times, certain clothesare needed for various occasions. If noth-ing else, clothes should be ready at thetime previously specified by the dry clean-er. Most are very punctual. Some will evenoffer one hour cleaning as a regular fea-ture.

Really inquire about what specific serv-ices each of your local dry cleaners offersto their patrons. Is free mending available?Do they show special attention to toughstains? Do they take special care of uniquefabrics? Will they tailor your clothing?

Ask tough questions and figure outwhich establishment serves your particu-lar needs the best. Everyone is different.One person's dry cleaning needs may bemet best by one dry cleaner, while yoursare meet by another.

Research whether the dry cleanercharges the same fees for a man's gar-ments as it does for those of a woman.Higher fees are charged for women'sclothing at certain dry cleaners. You mightwant to take this into consideration.

Most important to take into account isthe quality of service. Make sure yourclothes don't smell. Always check thequality of ironing your clothes receive.The underarm areas of jackets and blous-es can sometimes fall victim to under-attention. If a stain doesn't come out,maybe another dry cleaner can do the jobfor you.

Follow this advice and you will find theright dry cleaner to meet your needs.

Choosing a tax service Choosing a dry cleaner

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 3 • m o n d a y , m a r c h 2 5 , 2 0 1 3 • 1 1

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Deciding to place a loved one in a nursing home,also known as long term care facility, is a very difficultbut important decision. Only you or your family candecide if a nursing home is the appropriate decision foryou or a loved one. It is never too early to plan ahead asit will help you make a nursing home choice that meetsyour needs and gives you the quality of care youdeserve.

According to the Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services (CMS) there are four impor-tant steps to consider when choosing a nurs-

ing 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 yourneeds.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 searchnursing homes in your area by State, county and zipcode.

If you or a loved one will be admitted to a longterm care facility from the hospital, ask the hospital'sdischarge planner or social worker for a list of localnursing 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 thenursing homes in your area.

Step 2: Find out how nursing homes comparein 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 righttime. The nursing home industry is regulated by Stateand Federal requirements. By selecting "NursingHome Compare" on www.medicare.gov, you will beable to find out how nursing homes compare in qualityin your area. You will be able to view the State inspec-tion reports, including deficiencies, for all Ohio nurs-ing homes and look at other information such asstaffing levels.

Other ways to find out about nursing home quality:

Ask friends and other people you know who mayhave placed a loved one in a particular long term carefacility if they were satisfied.

Call your long term care ombudsman. Theombudsman program helps residents of nursinghomes solve problems by acting on their behalf.Ombudsman visit nursing homes and speak with resi-dents throughout the year to make sure resident'srights are protected.

Step 3: Visit the nursing homes you are inter-ested in.

Before choosing a nursing home, visit the nursinghomes you are interested in. If you are unable to visit,have someone visit for you. A visit gives you thechance to see the residents, staff and facility. It alsogives you the opportunity to see the interactionbetween residents and staff.

Below are a few tips to help you prepare foryour visit:

• Get information regarding services the nursinghome provides, charge for a basic room fee, are thereany additional costs. By law, the nursing home musthave the results of the most recent survey of the facili-ty done by Federal or State surveyors available for youto see.

• Before you actually visit the facility, go over anyinformation you may have already gathered. Take theformal tour by making an appointment before you visitand make sure you ask questions. Look around to geta better picture of the services and activities. Revisitthe nursing home a second time, on a different dayand time than the day you first visited. Try to visit dur-ing the late morning or midday. This will allow you tosee the residents when they are out of bed, participat-ing in an activity or eating.

Try to leave with all your questions answered. Ifnot, don't be afraid to call the facility. Ask the staff toexplain anything you see and hear that you may notunderstand. Some important questions include: Is thenursing 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 bestmeets your needs.

When you have the necessary information aboutthe nursing home, discuss it with your family, friends,doctor, clergy, or social worker. The list below can helpyou see how nursing homes may vary.

Quality of Life: Does the staff treat residents in arespectful way? Are there a variety of social, recreation-al, or religious activities?

Quality of Care: Are there enough staff? Can resi-dents still see their personal doctors? What did thequality information at www.medicare.gov on "NursingHome Compare" show about this nursing home?

Location: Is the nursing home close to family andfriends so they can visit often? Frequent visits are thebest way to make sure that you or your loved one doeswell in the nursing home. Having visitors can make thetransition to the nursing home easier for you and yourfamily.

In summary, it's never too early to start planningfor long term care. These are just some of the basicinformation needed to consider when making thisimportant decision. Don't be afraid to ask questions,attempt to visit and revisit at least two facilities beforemaking final placement, and consultwww.medicare.gov to see how nursing homes com-pare in quality.

How to choose a skilled nursing center

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 3 • m o n d a y , m a r c h 2 5 , 2 0 1 3

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Daily Pool Operating Instructions

• 1. Pool Filter should run at least 12 to 16 hours perday To calculate the exact number of hours you need torun your pool you need to know the gallons per minuteturn over rate of your filter and the GPM rate of your

pump and theamount ofpipe/hose that isused throughoutyour filtration sys-tem. This is calledthe hydraulics ofthe filter. Once youhave determinedthe turn over rate,Summer Fun Poolsrecommends thatyour run your poolenough hours toturn over yourwater 2.5 times per

day. If you call your professional swimming pool retailerthey can tell you how many hours per day is the minimumyou need to run you filter. (24 hours per day is best). Sum-mer Fun suggests that if you are running the filter lessthan 24 hours then you should invest in a timer. If you arerunning your pool part of the day it is best to have it run-ning during the daylight hours (instead of night).

• 2. Make sure your skimmer and pump baskets areempty and clear of leaves or other debris.

• 3. Sanitizer must be in your pool each day. See thefollowing 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! Stopby our store to find out more about this revolutionary sys-tem.

Option 2:Use chlorine tablets in the pool one time per week.

Summer Fun recommends a system from PPG calledSustain. This system has a one day per week tabletrequirement that provides sanitation, shock and algae pre-ventative. We have had many years of success using thissystem.

Option 3:Use an automatic chlorinator. When the chlorinator is

full and the level is set correctly the pool is given anappropriate amount of chlorine sanitizer each day. Thechlorine in an automatic chlorinator lasts and average oftwo weeks prior ot needing attention from you. The bestChlorinators on the market offer a bacteriacide/algaecideinsert that lasts the entire pool season requiring even lessdaily or weekly maintanence for the pool owners. Thebest 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 watergrows bacteria and algae.

Option 5:Salt Generators are another way to add chlorine to

your swimming pool, however due to the expense and thecorrosive nature of the salt generators Summer Fun doesnot recommend this type of system.

The salt deteriorates all metal components of theswimming pool such as ladders, hand rails, diving boardbases, and if the pool is a steel wall pool and the liner evergets a small pinhole in it, the salt will also deteriorate theentire structure of the swimming pool.

For people with a chlorine allergy Bromine, or Pris-tine Blue are systems that have low Chlorine demands.

Weekly Pool Maintenance

• 1. Completely backwash, rinse or regenerate yourfilter (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 areusing a system used that provides these components aspart of their system such a Sustain or Frog mineral sys-tem.

• 7. Check and adjust water level as needed. Watershould always be half way up the skimmer(s).

Basic Water Chemistry Terms

CHLORINE/Bromine - Is the main sanitizer to killalgae and bacteria in the pool water. The level should bebetween 2.0 and 3.0 on your test kit. During hot weather,high readings are better. Never swim in water with chlo-rine levels above 8.2 ppm.

pH - Is the level of how acidic the pool water is. Youmust maintain a good pH level or your chlorine will notwork 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 thepH within the proper levels so that the chlorine can workeffectively. It reduces pH “bounce”. The level should bebetween 80 - 120.

STABILIZER - Also known as Cyanuric Acid, is achemical which forms a protective bond around the chlo-rine, making it more resistant to being burned off by thesun. Makes chlorine tablets last longer. Stabilizer levelsshould be checked and adjusted each season. Also, poolsshould be stabilized whenever a large amount of freshwater has been added. The level should be 40-60 ppm.

REMEMBER - Good water chemistry can only beachieved when all four of these chemical levels are keptconstant. Good Alkalinity helps keep the pH in the rightrange so that the chlorine can do its job properly. Stabiliz-er keeps more of the chlorine in the water instead ofbeing wasted !

Summer Fun recommends a free complete wateranalysis at least 3 times per year. First when you openyour pool after winter, mid season and before shuttingyour pool down at the end of the swimming season. Wecan test for 10-15 chemicals in the water that the residen-tial test kits do not show. This allows the homeowner tostay on top of chemical readings that can cause havocwith keeping your pool clean, healthy and safe to use.

Although many think there is a lot of routine main-tance with a swimming pool, with the proper equipmentand systems in use, it only takes about 20 minutes eachweek to properly maintain your swimming pool, if youwould like futher information on the newest technologiesand options please stop by Summer Fun pools where wecan assist you in making your pool a source of fun and theleast amount of work possible.

How to care for your swimming pool

Beware of discountchemicals and

unstabilized chlorine.

A good stabilizedchlor tab will have 99%

tri-chlor. Discountchlorine can have

less than 65%available chlorine.