Livingston Reporting - page 308

Barrier Free Living Tips For All Seniors

What is the number one rule seniors give when asked why they want to stay living within their own home?  Would you be surprised if I told you the main reason is so that they do not want to live with anyone or anywhere that they aren’t living by their own rules. If you or your loved one is in that group of seniors looking to stay independent and continue to live by their own rules this article will give you some insight on changes to consider in the home.

It is important to consider all aspects that will affect the quality of life individuals lead in regards to their safety, comfort and accessibility given that their mobility will become limited and may need to accommodate a walker or wheelchair in the future.

Entryways and thresholds are an important aspect in getting around and in and out of the house.  First consider the entrance to the home.  Are there steps that present an obstacle?  If so how many steps are there?  A fair amount of aging adults add a wheelchair ramps on to existing porches to ease the entry and exiting of the home.  Aluminum handicap ramp installers can add ramps on to most an existing space to add safety to coming and going once mobility is limited to wheelchairs, walkers or just to ease the wear knees take using steps.

Look at the entry to the garage and the amount of room for exiting the vehicle.  An automatic garage door opener should be put into place for ease of use and security.  Having a garage that is accessed via remote allows for the senior to enter the garage without exiting the car and then close the garage before exiting the car.  This offers security and convenience to aging adults.

Another space to consider is the bathroom.  So many age in place modifications can take place to make the bathroom a safer place for individuals loosing mobility and muscle control.  Grab bars are an essential in the shower and around the toilet area.  If possible a barrier free shower should be installed that allows access without having to step over a barrier.  Also increased toilet height makes it easier to get on and off of the toilet for individuals with weaker muscles.

Bedrooms are a place where extra space and a minimalistic approach to furniture should be taken.  A bed with ample space on either side and of the bed to get in and out easily and have room for walkers and wheelchairs once they are needed, if they are needed.  Make sure lighting is well within arm’s reach and that the closet and drawers have pulls which allow them to be easily opened.

Check the outside of the house as well.  Make sure lawn care is easily maintained or hire a company that can come in and take care of these jobs when it becomes too much to handle and take care of properly.  In a recent study taken by the AARP, eighty two percent of individuals want to remain within the comfort of their own homes for as long as they possibly can.  If you or someone you love wants to stay living in their home these tips and more can make the home the safest possible place for aging.

 

Helping Seniors Age With Grace

The key to aging is an old age mystery to many including how to go about it gracefully without becoming needy upon others.  Many people fail to do this for one reason or another.  Sometimes illness strikes, often times an injury happens and frequently aging just becomes overly strenuous for individuals.  The secret is to manage aging with grace and dignity all while keeping yourself happy, healthy and living independently.  In the article below you will find some tidbits to help you along the way.

The first tip is to start with your home.  I know this is a weird aging tip however this is one that will truly pay off in the long run saving you on accidental falls and independent living.  This process should start when as you remodel the home you are in as your children start leaving the nest.

When you begin to start remodeling spaces throughout the home start putting in place age in place solutions such as barrier free showers and increase doorways widths.  This will benefit you as it becomes necessary to use devices to help your mobility such as walkers and wheel chairs.  Simple steps such as removing throw rugs can help prevent tripping. All these steps help with aging mobility and keeping you safe as you age. Age in place remodeling is my number one tip to staying youthful and preventing aging disabilities.

Another thing you can do to help slow down aging or make it more bearable is to keep fit and remain active.  Not only will remaining fit and active help with the challenges in mobility as we age but also will help keep your mind focused.  Exercise also helps to keep you feeling well and looking your best at any age but is especially important in the aging process.   Pick one activity you love, maybe it is hiking or playing tennis and get out there and enjoy it with friends.

Eating right is another huge step in the right direction to help individuals age well.  Choose foods with increased vitamins and substantial quality staying away from sugar and foods with a high fat content.  Think about possibly growing your own garden.  Organic food is incredibly healthy and gardening is a terrific way to stay youthful and active.

One part often overlooked when it comes to aging is mental stability.  This is so important when it comes to aging.  Mobility is needed but without your mind being healthy life becomes increasingly difficult.  This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.  Many people start doing puzzles and playing games that involve strategy.  Starting hanging out with the grandkids as they play the wii.  The wii is a terrific console that combines the mind and body.  Keeping your mind sharp will help you through the aging process as well.

The last thing we want as we age is to become a burden to ourselves, our family or our friends.  It is important to age with dignity and to keep independent for as long as one possible can.  This presents a variety of challenges, some of which I addressed above, that can be conquered with the motivation to age gracefully.

 

 

Filling The Voids Left With Medicare Part A and B With Medigap Insurance

When a participant becomes eligible for Medicare and is enrolled in Medicare Part A and B there is usually a gap left between what expenses are covered and those that are not.  This is where the purchase of Medicare Supplemental Insurance, often know as Medigap, becomes important. Medicare Supplemental Plans are sanctioned by the federal government.  This means that the coverage for one Supplemental Plan G and another Supplemental G purchased from two different insurance companies is the same.

No matter where you purchase the supplemental plan the coverage is the same.  The price you pay might not be as that is set by individual private insurance companies. That agreement is set up between you and the insurance company. Payment for you premium goes directly to the insurance company and not to the government. This is why it is important not only to shop for the plan that best suits your lifestyle but also an insurance company that you trust and feel comfortable with.

A question that is often asked is who should consider adding on supplemental insurance along with Medicare Part A and B.  People automatically assume the coverage in from Medicare Part A and B will suffice.  The problem comes into play with the limitations that surround the initial coverage. Medigap is exactly what you would think; insurance that fills in the voids left by Medicare. Some of these voids include; acupuncture, chiropractic services, deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, dental care, eye exams, hearing aids, preventative health care, travel and prescription drugs.

The tricky part is knowing which Medigap Insurance policy will work best for your situation.  This is where it help to work with an insurance professional.  Most Medicare Supplemental Insurance agents will start by asking their clients a few basic questions.  Coverage cannot be denied if purchased within the grace period allotted so that is not something that you should be concerned with when enrolling in Medicare and Medigap soon after you turn sixty-five.

Another thing people are often concerned with is the cost of Medicare Supplemental Plans.  Many factors play into the rate you will pay for the premium you choose. Of course the more coverage that comes with the plan the more you will spend on the plan however that is not all that goes into the fees associated with coverage.  Factors such as; the plan chosen, age, gender and where you live play a role in setting the premium.  Also different insurance companies have different cost associated with their plans so even though the insurance is guaranteed to be the same no matter where you purchase it, the price is not.

The best time to enroll in Medigap insurance is within the six months after you have become eligible for Medicare. I say this because this is the period in time in which insurance companies cannot deny you coverage under any circumstance.  It is prohibited by law for them to do so.  If you choose to wait the insurance company has the right to ask questions related to your medical health and make a decision to grant you coverage on this or to grant you coverage at an increased rate.   This could be substantial when living within a retiree budget.

 

A Look Into Medigap Supplemental Plans

Supplemental Medicare Insurance plans are available for seniors to purchase when they are eligible for Medicare.  Everyone knows insurance is needed on top of Medicare to ensure that you’re covered beyond the basics.  The incidentals that are not covered by Medicare Plan A or Plan B are the items that can end up wreaking havoc on a senior’s limited budget.  It is important to understand what options are available and what plans are best set up to meet your exact need.

Let’s begin our research by exploring Plan F Supplemental Medicare Insurance.  Plan F is the most widely purchased supplemental plan by far.  This plan pays expenses occurring with Medicare Part A and Part B such as deductibles, the twenty percent co-insurance cost associated with Medicare Part B and covers excess charges occurred when using a non-participating doctor.  The nice part about Plan F is you basically pay the premium and never see another bill.  Sounds like a good plan right?

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F offers a few drawbacks as well.  It comes down to math and the cost of insurance verse the costs that arise with plan increases and actual deductible paid.  Other plans cost much less when paying the monthly premium.  Consider if you are paying $45 more a month for Plan F than another supplemental plan that does not cover the deductible of Plan B which is about $170 bucks.  You are paying upwards of $500 so that you don’t have bills coming in for you to pay for the deductible.

Since Plan F is the most widely written plan it also inevitably has the most claims each year.  Generally people whom are the sickest choose Plan F for their Medicare coverage.  This means that participants of Plan F often are subjected to increase premiums more often that other plans.

Plan G and Plan F within the Medicare Supplemental Plans are virtually alike with the difference being in the premium paid monthly and that Plan G requires participants pay out of pocket for the Plan B deductible.  One thing to consider when choosing Plan G over Plan F is that your health might dictate moving between supplemental plans so it might end up that later you are not able to qualify for Plan F so choose wisely when first applying for a Medicare Supplemental plan.

Another option in supplemental insurance that is rather new is Plan N.  Plan N is along the same route as many insurance carriers of our modern era which requires office co-payments for each visit to the doctor.  You are also required to pay out of pocket for the Medicare Part B annual deductible.  The advantage is that the monthly premiums are much less that they are with Medicare Supplemental Plan F.

When choosing a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan the best option is to use the numbers to help you figure out the best option for you.  Consider how many trips to the doctor you usually take to the doctor time the co-pay for Part B and subtract the difference in monthly premiums and see where you come out on top.

Recovering From Storm Damage To Your Home

Who doesn’t enjoy a good storm?  One of the best feelings is a raging rain, thunder booming, lightning illuminating the sky all while the family is snuggled together enjoying some candlelight and a game of Scrabble.  The calm that is supposed to come after the storm does not always come.  Sometimes after the storm real work comes along in the form of storm restorations and storm repair.  Emergency restoration service companies spend the time during the storm preparing for the cleanup that will need to occur after the storm.

So much damage can occur to a home during a home.  Water damage, fire damage, wind damage, hail damage all this and more can occur when a ferocious storm boroughs through your area.  Nature is one powerful beast.  Storm damage is fierce.  Storms come in and with them they bring all of their ferociousness with them damaging your home.   Where does a homeowner turn once a storm has wreaked havoc on one of their biggest investments?

The first call to make when a storm has caused damage to your home is your homeowner’s insurance carrier.  From there it is inevitable they will come out for an onsite inspection of the damage and instruct you to call a flood/fire/storm restoration company.  The emergency restoration company will develop an action plan to restore the property to its original state.

Water damage in particular needs to be handles by the professional.  If an area affected by water damage and extend moisture is not treated correctly and dried thoroughly mold and mildew can quickly set in.  Water damage is simple to clean and react to in comparison then what is involved with mold removal.  Mold restoration is necessary as any mold left to grow will spread quickly and can lead to health problems such as headaches, runny eyes and noses, and coughing; or trigger attacks in kids and adults with asthma.  These are all very serious issues.

Most of the time storms wreak havoc on the outside of the home.  Some common damage from storms is siding damage or ripped off, broken window, down wires and fallen trees.  All of which can be handled with the help of storm remediation.  It s important that homeowners resist the urge to start cleaning up after the storm, downed power lines and fallen trees can still conduct large amount of electricity.

Another reason to resist immediately going out and beginning to clean up after the storm passes and the damage is done is because professionals will come in and board up, tarp the roof and pack up for homeowners.  This will keep homeowners safe while the insurance company and restoration specialist put the home back to its original state.

It is important to remember that no matter the size of the storm, damage can be done to your home that is sufficient enough to call in the specialists.  After a storm has passed through your area check your home inside and out to ensure damage has not been done.  Don’t always assume that when a small storm passes nothing could be wrong with your home.  The last time we assumed our home was fine and we did not check on it we woke up in the morning with a tree on our shed.  Don’t assume ever after a storm check out to see if damage has been done.

 

Recovering From Water Damage To Your Home

Water damage is one of the most disconcerting disasters to have to deal with and repair.  Most often water damage is the result of some other disaster.    Handling the aftermath of a flood, fire, tornado or hurricane leaves homeowners dealing with damage to a home’s interior, not to mention the foundation and structure itself.  Repairs to your home are costly and all consuming of your time.

All homes should be covered with homeowners insurance that helps cover a decent portion of the financial commitment involved in restoring your water damaged home.  The one thing insurance companies cannot cover is the stress and emotions that complicate the already overwhelming loss of your home and personal possessions. Insurance does not cover the nuisance created during the remodeling project or the bother associated with being without a home.  Hotels are wonderful and fun for vacations.  When one becomes your residence for an extended period of time it loses some of the excitement. This is something that insurance cannot cover when water or fire has damaged your home.

Water damage is not something that can only be caused by natural disasters.  Often leaks can occur within the home and go completely unnoticed until the problem is much bigger than the homeowner can handle on their own.  Maybe a pipe breaks in the wall or a water heater a leak which leaves a damp area.  The dampness quickly turns into a moisture problem which leads to mold and mildew issues which are best left to emergency restoration specialists to contain and clean.

Places to look within your home, to avoid larger issues are places most susceptible to moisture damage and build up.  Check under sinks, failures in pipes, leaky faucets, places with poor air ventilation and fixtures that are not sealed correctly, think kitchens and bathrooms.  One small leak, left unnoticed can destroy not only the drywall but also the flooring and furniture that is in the area of within the space of the leak.

In order to repair areas affected by water damage the first step is to remove the source of water.  In cases of an emergency situation such as a fire or flood professionals will first remove as much of the water from the premises as can be and the items that are saturated beyond repair.  This gets you down to a fairly clean slate to begin repairing the home.  If the affected area is small and caught early such as a leaky kitchen faucet it is best to turn the water source off, remove the water, thoroughly dry the area and replace the failed part.

Most homeowners are savvy enough to do basic water damage repairs on their own however consider the fact that even small amounts of water damage can lead to more repairs than meets the eye at first.    If this should occur that a small issue turns into something bigger than originally thought it is in the best interest of the homeowner to call in the professionals to handle the issue to prevent further damage from being done.  Emergency restoration companies exist to help homeowners with issues that arise from all types of problems be it water damage caused from leaky pipes or more seriously, weather related emergencies.

The Benefits Of Adding An Automatic Gate and Fence To Your Homes Landscape

When someone pulls up to your home you want the first impression of your home to be one that signals individuality and character.  Homeowners struggle with ways to pull off an unforgettable first impression with their homes inside and out.  We spend millions of dollars each year on furnishings and landscaping to set our home apart from all the cookie cutter homes built within subdivisions today. We tend to want out home to be unique and eye catching without being over the top.  One way to add simple, classic to your home is with the addition of an ornamental, decorative fence enclosing the yard.  An automatic entryway gate will add security and finish off the driveway with class.

 

Automatic entry gates enhance many elements of your home’s landscape as well as adding beauty, privacy they also add security.  The addition of an automatic access entry gate helps to extend home security to the boundaries of the landscape especially when accompanied by a decorative fence.  Adding a driveway gate has become a popular option as people begin to worry more about home security.  The fence clearly marks the property lines while adding to the aesthetics of the home’s landscape.

 

In addition to the added security that a fence and gate entry system adds a gate also serves many other purposes.  One of the benefits is that the fence and gate help to contain family pets and children who are playing within the yard.  This is especially important when you live near an intersection or on a road that is highly traveled.  Kids are spontaneous and don’t always think of consequences when chasing their ball down.

 

When you do decide that a fence and automatic gate are going to be installed the options are endless.  There are a ton of different access entry control systems to choose from as well as how the gate will open, what material to use, the decorative style and colors.  One material that stands out in fencing and electronic gates is iron. Using iron you can feel confident knowing that you are getting a strong system that can endure the elements well.  An iron fence is far less likely to bend or break then a wooden fence and even some hollow aluminum fences.  Iron fencing now comes with power coating that helps create rust resistance.

 

You will have to determine how the gate will open also. Will you have a fence that can slide or swing open?  Consider the space the fence will be used in.  If the space is long however narrow a fence that swings in and out will be the best bet.  However if you have a space that is wider the best option would be a slide gate.  This eliminates the need for a long driveway for the fence to swing into.  Both are pleasing to the eye and offer a dramatic effect to any landscape.

 

As the owner of a gate you will need to consider the opener type.  Gate openers need to be powerful enough to substantiate the opening and closing of the gate unit.  You will want to buy a quality gate opener especially if the gate will be used each and every time you leave or enter the home.  The more you use the higher strength you will want and better quality you will desire for your gate opener.

 

As for entry access control systems again the options are endless.  You can choose from a wireless remote entry, a wired key pad, an intercom with key pad, a card opener which allows access only with the slide of a magnetic card or controllers that use remote controls.  This will depend on what you are looking for and how easy you want it to be to access for yourself and others.

 

Each of the numerous options you can choose from has benefits and drawbacks when it comes to your new fence and gate access system.  Narrow your options down on what will be the most convenient, long lasting, aesthetically pleasing option for you and your home.

 

Some Things Are Better Left To The Professionals

It is one of the most daunting tasks homeowners must do to keep the homes aesthetic value as well as dollar value up.  Landscaping tends to leave many homeowners overwhelmed as it is often difficult to keep up with the growing list of ways to improve your home landscape.  It is so overwhelming that most of us hire professional landscape design companies to come in mow the lawn, prune the bushes, plant flowers and clean up yard waste.  Having a company handle your lawn care does not mean you can have total hands off approach.  Here are some tips to help guide you when you are out in your yard.

 

The first tip I give to anyone attempting a project on their own without the professionals is to purchase all the materials for the project at hand upfront.  This is something professional landscapers do also.  There is nothing worse than finding out you are missing a crucial part of the project mid way through.  Planning can also save you money as you tend to get better pricing from larger stores.  When you are missing something you tend to run to the local hardware where the markup is double.

 

As you work through each section and phase you purchase the goods needed to complete that section.  This can prove to also benefit you because you may find after the completion of one section that the yard is complete and not want to move on to another project within the original design.  For example, if you are planning for a rock garden with a natural pond flowing into and notice once the pond is complete that the rock garden would be overkill that you have not wasted time or resources on the second, unneeded phase.  It saves from the hassle of retuning extra supplies or worse cluttering your shed with leftover unused materials.

 

Landscaping with a water element is always appealing and a crowd pleaser.  These are not easy to manipulate on your own and often need the care of a professional to help with this landscape design arena.  If you are tempted to try and install a water feature within your own landscape start small.  Smaller pools, pumps and fountains are easier to handle and maneuver if mistakes are made in the original design.  It will be a smaller mistake to correct with smaller items.  Using water plants around the small pond space can make it appear larger and will allow for easier maintenance.

 

If you are attempting to add in plants, shrubs, flowers, trees or berries it is best to ask the professional that has worked within your space.  These options are often difficult to sustain if not properly planted and cared for.  It is a waste of money for you to add a plant into your landscape without knowing if the soil, sun and water requirements will be met.

 

Landscaping is not something all people are born to do or are even good at.  Some people enjoy tinkering about in the yard.  The curb appeal of your home is one of the most important aspects when it comes to the resale of your home.  Make sure your home is appealing.  Hire a professional landscape company to come in if not every week for regular lawn care than at least twice a year to help prepare the landscape for the summer and winter seasons.  Fall landscape maintenance and spring yard clean up are the most important times of the year for your yard.  Do everything you can to protect your investment going into the harsh winters and hot summers Mother Nature brings the North.

Furnace Tune Ups and Yearly Maintenance Save Families Money

With regular furnace tune ups your heating and cooling bills can decrease substantially.  I am sure you have felt the pinch most of us are feeling with the rise of home heating bills.  The national average per year families spent to heat their homes was upwards of one thousand dollars.  It is obvious that anything that can be done to decrease this number and minimize your heating costs should be.  One thing to consider is giving your furnace a professional tune up to ensure that it is working efficiently.

Your homes heating system is made up of essentially different components one is the heating sensor or thermostat.  This piece measures the temperature inside of the home environment and determines when the temperature needs to be increased.

When the room’s temperature decreases the thermostat tells the heater it is time for the blower to turn on.  The ignition in the heater creates heat which is distributed while the furnaces blower moves the air throughout the duct work and distributes it into the house. The cool air in the room is cycled into the return ducts that are placed throughout the house and is warmed.  This warm air out, cool air in sequence continues until the temperature in the room is the temperature requested and then sends an indication that the furnace can shut down.

Something to remember is that HVAC furnaces are mechanical systems.  This means that they need to be maintained in order to continue to work at optimal performance.   It is so important that a tune-up is done by a professional HVAC technician to maintain your heating system.

When a furnace expert is out to complete a tune up on your heating system the first thing they will do is take a look at your furnace.  Professional furnace repair technicians will look for soot and residue around the furnace.  They will follow this by inspecting the furnaces thermostat by increasing the temperature.  This will allow the furnace to ignite and allow the technician to check out the flames within the burner.  The technician will check to ensure the flame is steady and burning blue.  If the flame is orange, yellow and/or flickering this can be an early indicator that the furnace combustion is not adequate.

The next step the technician will undertake is to turn the thermostat down to let the furnace cool down.  They will turn of the circuit breaker to the furnace and continue to examine the interior components.  Once the system has cooled the technician will remove the sides of the furnace and suck out the accumulated dust and debris from the system.  They will then use a clean, damp cloth to continue to clean the system.  A rag can be used to clean the blades of the fans and blowers. While the sides are off this is when oil can be added to the shaft to keep things moving as they should be.

If your furnace has a belt the technician will check to ensure there are no breaks or splits in the belt.  They will also ensure the tension on the belt is correct.  If there are any cracks within the belt or if the tension has become loose the belt will be replaced. Once all of this has been completed the furnace is ready to be put back together and the circuit breaker can be turned back on.

The last thing that the technician will do is put a fresh filter in and remind you that it is good practice to change your furnaces filters once a month during the heating season.  It all seems so simple however should be left up to the professionals.  A HVAC contractor is licensed and trained to work inside the complex heating system.  In the long run it save you money have the professional do the job right the first time instead of coming out to fix your mishap.  You won’t be sorry and you will make up the expense in the money you save on your monthly heating bills.

 

Maintenance For In Between Professional Furnace Tune ups

My favorite memory of my dad and my son revolve around furnace maintenance.  Isn’t that an odd favorite memory?  It’s true though.  My dad was fixing his furnace, as he seemed to do at least one a season, and my son went over and started to tinker with him and hand him tools. Then it happened, frustration.  Thankfully my dad was able to control it when he saw those two eyes peering up at him.

Have you ever felt such frustration when your furnace decides to stop working in the middle of the winter on an incredibly bitter day?  This article can help you avoid frustration by teaching you some basic maintenance techniques that can help stage off aggravation and help to minimize problems that are unexpected.  Although it is best to schedule a professional furnace tune up once a year with a technician the following do it yourself tips help ward off the expensive furnace melt down that is inevitable otherwise.

The first tip whenever doing work on your own furnace without professional assistance is to make sure the power is completely shut off to the furnace.  This ensures the motor does not start while you are tinkering on the furnace.  There are things such as changing the filter that can be done without turning off the furnace however most other maintenance requires caution.  On top of turning off the power it is smart to turn off the fuel supply as well be it gas or oil that your furnace runs off of.  Before you do these steps however make sure you know how to relight the pilot light.  If you don’t know how to do this and you do turn off the power supply you will find yourself calling in the professionals so you won’t have saved yourself any money.

One quick do it yourself tip that will instantly save you money and save energy is by replacing an old model thermostat with a new programmable digital thermostat.  With this type of model thermostat you will be able to program it so that the temperature automatically adjusts the temperature of your home to keep you comfortable when you are there and save money when you are not.

At the very minimum homeowners should change their furnaces air filters in any forced air furnace monthly.  Purchasing a high quality thermostat should allow you a feature to remind you when should change the filter.  It will not matter on the quality of furnace filter chosen to use as long as you remember to regularly change it.  The filter you chose should be based upon the sensitivity to air-borne particles of the members in your family.  If you have pets consider a higher quality filter to help keep down the dander and hair in the air.  You should vacuum the blower and accessible areas of the furnace as well.  Dust will accumulate on the blades of the blower. With regular vacuuming this should be alleviated.

With a regularly schedule furnace tune ups from professionals and these regular maintenance tips you should help yourself avoid many common issues that can arise from maintenance not being kept up on.  It is the same as with a car, professionals do the big stuff but we as the car’s owners keep up on oil changes, washer solvent and tire rotations.  It is a combination of the things professional and homeowners bring to the table that will keep your furnace running smooth.