New rating system for senior living communities
A numerical rating system for senior living communities throughout the country has recently been launched. While these types of rating systems have been around for a while, the senior living industry has a shortage. The nature of the industry is such that consumers can really benefit from having access to information that will assist them in choosing the right care facility for themselves or loved ones.
How it works
The information on which the ratings are based comes from experts in relevant fields. That includes people who work in the senior living industry, associate closely with the elderly, and have experience in geriatric care. Their input, combined with state inspection data and a variety of other factors are processed through an algorithm that will generate a rating on a scale of 1-10. The senior communities that are rated highest will receive recognition in the “Best Senior Living Awards” program.
Like other rating systems for other industries, this will allow consumers to do more research on their own from the comfort of their home and make more informed decisions when it comes to choosing the best care facility. As popularity of the new rating system grows, it is likely that any person anywhere in the country can look up the care facilities in their area to get an idea of how highly they are rated.
Retirement news brought to you by: http://www.seniorassistedlivingaz.com
Source: http://seniorhousingnews.com/2013/05/07/seniorhomes-com-launches-zagat-guide-of-senior-living/
When a roof needs replacing
When your roof isn’t up to the task of protecting your home, a big storm can cause some major problems for your home. So it’s very important to know when your roof can get by with a few repairs or when it needs to be replaced. An experienced roofing contractor can help you determine when it is time to replace your roof by looking at a few factors.
Four indicators you need a new roof
Here are four things a roofing contractor will take into consideration when assessing the condition of your roof.
- Weather conditions in your area. If you live in an area where strong winds, hail, and rain are common, it’s likely that your roof will have a shorter lifespan. Damage from a recent storm may be all the reason you need to consider a roof replacement
- The age of your roof. A contractor will want to know how long ago your current roof was installed. Even a properly installed roof will wear out over years of exposure to the elements. After a certain point, it becomes more practical to replace the roof than to keep trying to repair it
- Condition of your home’s interior walls. A roofing contractor can tell your roof is failing if there is any kind of moisture or water damage on walls that have contact with your roof
- The initial installation of your roof. A contractor will want to know some information about the initial installation of your roof. If it was done by someone inexperienced or not done properly, then your roof can’t be expected to have the same lifespan as a roof that has been properly installed by professionals
Home improvement news brought to you by http://bartonroof.com/
Source: http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=174282
Liquidation versus reorganization
Excluding some of the less common forms of bankruptcy, there are basically two types: liquidation (chapter 7 bankruptcy) or reorganization (chapter 11 or chapter 13 bankruptcy). With both liquidation and reorganization, individual cases are handled differently than businesses. The type of bankruptcy a person or business will ultimately file for depends on the circumstances. Here is a look at how the two types of bankruptcy differ.
What is liquidation?
In a chapter 7 bankruptcy (or liquidation), the debtor turns over all assets to a trustee who is then responsible for selling off those assets in order to pay back the creditors as much as possible. The debtor’s remaining debts are then discharged and he/she is free to start fresh. Depending on the debtor’s assets many creditors are lucky if they get 25% of what they were owed. In many cases they get nothing at all.
When a business files for bankruptcy under chapter 7 it is a little more complicated. Liquidation means that a business ceases to exist once the assets are sold off and the debts discharged. All employees of that company are now unemployed, all stock in the company is worthless and retired employees of the company lose their pension and insurance benefits.
What is reorganization?
With reorganization (chapter 11 for companies and chapter 13 for individuals) the goal is not to sell off assets but to reorganize the debts. For individuals, the debtor negotiates with the creditors and they reach an agreement on a repayment schedule that is more feasible for the debtor. For companies, the management has to come up with a plan that will enable them to pay off their debts. This allows the company to stay in business which greatly benefits their stockholders, current employees, and retired employees.
Business, real estate, and bankruptcy law and litigation news brought to you by http://mbblegal.net/
Source: http://www.independent.com/news/2013/may/05/liquidation-or-reorganization/
Assisted living and end of life care
For many seniors living in senior communities, the care facility becomes their home and their peers become like family. When health worsens, often times these seniors have to move to another facility that can better care for them and meet their needs. This can cause additional stress for seniors who are already struggling. One way to avoid this difficulty down the road is to understand a care facility’s philosophy about aging in place before moving in.
Aging in place
Many care facilities believe strongly in the philosophy of aging in place. This means that when a resident’s health declines, the facility is prepared to offer higher levels of care as needed so that the resident doesn’t have to make the transition to a different community. Find out if the care facility you are considering for yourself or a loved one has varying levels of care that they can offer.
Hospice care
Another thing to find out about is a care facility’s policy for hospice care. When a senior’s illness is no longer responding to treatment, the emphasis turns to reducing pain and increasing comfort. That is what hospice care is designed to do. Many care facilities will allow hospice care workers to visit their residents in the facility.Ultimately no care facility can absolutely guarantee that it can accommodate a resident till the very end but many can at least commit to caring for them as long as possible until extreme circumstances require they be moved elsewhere. Knowing the facility’s policy in advance can save some heart ache for seniors later on.
Retirement news brought to you by: http://www.seniorassistedlivingaz.com
Source: http://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/assisted-living-and-hospice-care-04-30-2013/
Spring maintenance for your roof
Now that the weather is getting warmer and sunnier, it’s a good time to go outside and take a hard look at your roof. Harsh winter weather can really take its toll. While you’re looking for roof damage, it is also important to look closely for another potential problem, moss and algae. You’ll want to pay especially close attention to the north-facing side if you have a pitched roof. If you see discoloration or green and grey patches on your roof, even if it is a tiny amount, it’s a sure sign your roof could need some maintenance.
Three major threats
There are three different threats when it comes to roof discoloration and each one poses its own problems. The first is pollutants from rainwater. It starts out as black streaks on your roof but can eventually make your entire roof look darker. This is the easiest of the three to deal with.
Algae, like pollutants, can be black colored as well but this threat is a living thing. It attaches itself to your roof strongly and then grows. The major problem it poses is that when it rains, the roof stays wet longer in that area and can lead to serious problems for your roof.
The third threat is moss which like algae is a living thing but it grows much thicker and can cause water damage to your roof if not taken care of promptly.
Eliminating algae and moss
While you could tackle this project yourself, it can be very risky. First of all algae and moss can be very slick and pose serious hazards for you as you try to remove them. Also many chemicals you might use can cause damage to your roof and any plant life that surrounds your home. A roof cleaning company is probably your safest bet for protecting your roof against pollutants, algae, and moss.
Home improvement news brought to you by http://bartonroof.com/
Source: http://www.remindernews.com/article/2013/05/02/spring-cleaning-how-bad-does-your-roof-look
How to pay for bankruptcy protection
When a person is filing for bankruptcy, chances are their financial situation isn’t the best. Unfortunately, filing for bankruptcy protection costs money as well and many who find themselves considering bankruptcy are in no position to pay for it. One option many consider is taking out a loan to pay for the bankruptcy in hopes that that debt would then be discharged down the road. But there are some inherent problems with that method. Fortunately there are some other options available.
The problem with borrowing
The first major problem with taking out a loan to pay for bankruptcy is a moral one. Whenever you borrow money it should be with the intention of paying it back. Borrowing money for bankruptcy is essentially planning to not pay it back.Even if you are able to borrow money for bankruptcy and still sleep at night, there are also some legal repercussions. Because you would be borrowing money you would have to list that money among your debts during the bankruptcy proceeding. The creditor from whom you borrowed the money may challenge the discharging of that debt because of how recent it was before the bankruptcy.
Alternatives to borrowing for bankruptcy
Fortunately there are some other options you can consider when filing for bankruptcy. Many bankruptcy attorneys will allow you to pay off your debt in monthly installments instead of all up front. You could also consider borrowing from your 401k or retirement account. Often times a family member or close friend will be willing to pitch in and help you afford bankruptcy. If all else fails, a part time job or temporary job could earn you the money you’d need to file for bankruptcy.
Business, real estate, and bankruptcy law and litigation news brought to you by http://mbblegal.net/
Source: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/04/30/should-take-out-loan-to-file-for-bankruptcy/
Suicide rates on the rise in the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates have risen sharply in the U.S. since 1999, particularly for in the age demographic known as the baby boomer generation. In fact, the CDC morbidity rates revealed that today, “more people now die of suicide than in car accidents . . . In 2010 there were 33,687 deaths from motor vehicle crashes and 38,364 suicides.”
Baby boomers see greatest suicide rate rise
Experts aren’t quite sure of the reason behind the jump in suicide rates for middle-aged Americans. They suspect it has something to do with increased economic and financial worries and the ease of access to prescription painkillers. In the 11 year span between 1999 and 2010, the CDC found “the suicide rate among Americans ages 35 to 64 rose by nearly 30 percent, to 17.6 deaths per 100,000 people, up from 13.7.” Men are far more likely than women to take their own lives, with 27.3 male deaths per 100,000 occurring because of suicide compared to just 8.1 female deaths per 100,000.
Suicide deaths are underreported
More discouraging still is the fact that these numbers are likely lower than the real rates. Julie Phillips, associate professor of sociology at Rutgers University, said, “[Suicde] is vastly underreported. We know we’re not counting all suicides.”
Rates unlikely to change in near future
Unfortunately, these numbers aren’t expected to abate in the future. Dr. Phillips cited “changes in marriage, social isolation, and family roles” as possible reasons for why people will continue to face the high levels of stress that often contribute to the decision to commit suicide.
Medical Malpractice Law News Brought To You By http://www.HaskelLaw.com
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/health/suicide-rate-rises-sharply-in-us.html?ref=health
Doctors show more empathy to thin patients
It turns out it’s not just some patients’ imaginations running away with them when they feel like their doctor is as compassionate as he or she should be. A small recent study found a statistically significant amount of difference between the way doctors interacted with thin patients as opposed to obese patients.
The study, published in the medical journal Obesity by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, recorded discussions between 200 patients with high blood pressure and their doctors. When the results were studied, there was no discernible difference in the amount of time doctors spent with patients or the topics discussed, however, they did find that “doctors seemed just a bit nicer to their normal-weight patients, showing more empathy and warmth in their conversations.”
That’s not to say that the doctors were actually mean or harsh to their overweight patients. However, the study’s lead author, Dr. Kimberly Gudzune, said, “They were just not engaging patients in that rapport-building or making that emotional connection with the patient.” In practice, this means that when conversing with thin patients, doctors would make positive comments such as, “I’m glad you’re feeling better” or “You went through a lot.” They were not found to make the same types of comments to obese patients.
The bigger problem with this lack of empathy on the doctors’ parts is that when patients don’t feel like their doctors empathize with them, they are less likely to go to the doctor when they feel ill. In the long run, this could mean that more serious ailments aren’t attended to in a timely manner.
Medical Malpractice Law News Brought To You By http://www.HaskelLaw.com
Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/overweight-patients-face-bias/
FDA investigation spurred by spread of caffeinated foods
At one time, the main foods where consumers would find caffeine were coffee and pop. That’s changed in recent years, however, with the proliferation of caffeine-loaded energy drinks. In today’s society, people are expected to perform better for longer stretches and the amount of sleep the average American gets is forever being encroached upon. This may explain why caffeinated items are becoming more widely available on grocery store shelves.
Caffeine pops up in more and more places
In fact, caffeine may now be found in a plethora of places you wouldn’t even think to look, including, according to one New York Time’s article, in “jelly beans, waffles, water, and even potato chips. In fact, Wrigley, the chewing gum manufacturer is now promoting a line of caffeinated gum, with each piece containing as much caffeine as half a cup of coffee.”
Effect of caffeine on children under investigation
This startling spread of the widely known stimulant is alarming to doctors and the FDA for several reasons, but most particularly because the long-term effects that caffeine can have on children and adolescents are still not known. Thus, on Friday, May 3, the FDA announced, “Our concern is about caffeine appearing in a range of new products . . . without careful consideration of their cumulative impact” and would thus be launching an investigation into the effects of caffeine on young people.
Medical Malpractice Law News Brought To You By http://www.HaskelLaw.com
Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/caffeine-laced-foods-spur-f-d-a-investigation/?ref=health
Redesign your house from the comfort of your couch
If you’ve ever wished you could really imagine the walls of your house a different color or your furniture in a different arrangement, wish no more. Today you don’t have to have a fantastic imagination in order to visualize your home with a different style or design. All you need is access to the apps newly available that help you redecorate and redesign your home.
View your home in 3D
Home Design 3D is one such option. At just $7 on iOS, it has the capability to turn “a two-dimensional view of your home into a three-dimensional graphic that you can view from any angle and even walk around as if inside.” It requires some basic knowledge of how to manipulate iOS apps and some time to acquaint yourself with the functions in order to operate it correctly. You start out by drawing out your home at the two-dimensional level, even inputting precise measurements so you can be sure it matches your house exactly. Then you can add doorways, windows, wall colors, and floor textures. Once you’re done, you can animate it to the 3D level.
Browse database of design photos
Another design app which is much simpler is Houzz Interior Design Ideas, which is free on Android and iOS. It has an extensive database of design photos which you can browse based on room category. You can then save or bookmark the photos you like to come back to and peruse again later.
Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by http://BaseBoardRadiatorCover.com
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/technology/personaltech/home-design-apps-let-you-experiment-with-colors-and-decor.html?_r=0