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How to Soothe Coughs For the Whole Family

NewsUSA — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – It’s time to stop worrying that your adult, out-of-work kid may never find a job that lets him move back out of your house, and instead think of him the way the IRS potentially does: as a big, fat tax deduction.
That’s right, one consequence of the sputtering economy is that it’s turned otherwise distressing family circumstances — those “boomerang kids,” for instance — into windfalls for deduction hunters. Another bonanza, via the tax code? So many senior citizens have seen their nest eggs battered over the past few years that an estimated 9.7 million adults over age 50 are now providing some level of potentially deductible care for their own parents.
“In many cases, you’re looking at three generations living under one roof,” says Elaine Smith, master tax advisor at H&R Block. “And those caregivers — the so-called ‘sandwich generation’ — are seeing their expenses rise as a result of their increased responsibilities.”
Just how much of a windfall are we talking? And who’s eligible? Read on for some tips:
* The $3,700 exemption. That’s the reduction to your taxable income you’ll realize for each qualifying child or relative. The IRS is quite specific about the definition of “qualifying,” but — in the case of returning adult children — one thing you definitely need to keep in mind is that their total annual income must be less than $3,700.
* Aging parents. Unlike your child, your mom and dad needn’t live with you to qualify as dependents. If they’re in a nursing home or assisted living facility, say, the IRS feels your pain if you’re footing more than half their bills. In which case, the medical expenses you pay are deductible on your return. “You could easily be looking at about $40,000 in expenses racked up at one of those facilities,” says Smith, “which translates into thousands of dollars in savings on your tax bill.”
* Adult children. Staying on the subject of medical expenses, don’t forget any extra after-tax premiums you may be paying to keep qualifying offspring on your insurance plan.
The IRS says the average taxpayer needed 23 hours to do their 2010 tax return. If that sounds too torturous, you might want to consider using a professional preparer like H&R Block (www.hrblock.com), which offers guaranteed in-person services at its retail offices nationwide as well as the only face-to-face online preparation through Block LiveSM.
Oh, and don’t feel too smug if your adult kid hasn’t boomeranged on you yet. According to a Twentysomething Inc. poll, 85 percent of 2011 college graduates surveyed said they planned on moving back home with their parents.

How to Soothe Coughs For the Whole Family was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Who Is Teaching Our Teachers?

NewsUSA — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – The kids are in school, which means they spend most of their day without parental supervision. The days when parents only had to worry about their kids skipping class and getting bullied for lunch money are gone. Now, new threats have emerged around cell phone use.
According to a survey performed by Internet monitoring software company SpectorSoft, sexting is parents’ primary concern during the school season.
“Absolutely,” said Rebecca Hagelin, a parent who uses SpectorSoft to track her three teenagers. “It’s allowed my children to enjoy all the benefits the latest technology has to offer them, and it’s allowed me to protect them from the dangers of some of the new technology,” she said. “It’s a win-win.”
Smartphones with advanced Internet capabilities have greatly increased parental fears about cyberbullies, online predators, sexting and the exchange of inappropriate messages and pictures.
SpectorSoft reports that 82 percent of all families surveyed contain at least one child who has a smartphone. Even if teachers and school faculty can keep students off their phones during school hours, who protects them after school?
Bryan Bowers, author of “Keep Your Family Safe Online,” said that the survey proves parents are starting to gain greater awareness of what their children are actually up to on their phones and online. “So many children have smartphones, and this tells me parents are starting to get the idea that these devices can be a problem for children,” Bowers said. “They are starting to see the reality of what is out there.”
SpectorSoft, focused on monitoring products for children since their inception in 1998, has released eBlaster Mobile for Android and BlackBerry phones. This software keeps track of all activity on these smartphones by monitoring and recording text messages, calls and Internet activity and then sending that information to the parent. It also has Geofencing capabilities to enable parents to better understand the whereabouts of their children through their mobile devices. Parents can create electronic location boundaries — or fences — that trigger an alert notification when their child enters or exits a pre-defined area with their mobile device.
eBlaster is designed for maximum parental convenience and child safety. The software can be downloaded from its website, www.spectorsoft.com, and then managed from any remote location. Plus, it has a GPS function reporting the exact location of the phone in the event of emergencies.

Who Is Teaching Our Teachers? was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

A Mouse in the House? Tips for Finding a Qualified Pest Professional

NewsUSA — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – Have you grown accustomed to the sight of gnawed-on package corners, bread crumb trails or mouse droppings? Are your Frosted Flakes littered with meal moth wings and larvae? Have you noticed several connect-the-dot piles of sawdust from hungry termites or beetles?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you have a pest problem, and not the kind to be solved by a trip to the hardware store. Pest problems are best left to licensed and qualified pest professionals.
“Pests, such as mice and insects, can transmit diseases and cause severe allergic reactions.
Inhaling fumes from dead mice or their droppings can cause headaches, fever, nausea and diarrhea. That’s why we strongly encourage people to call an expert at the first sign of a pest infestation,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).
However, weeding through the list of pest-control professionals can be a challenge. Some door-to-door pest experts will offer a free home inspection that leads to all sorts of costly treatments and lengthy procedures.
Henriksen offers the following tips on finding a trustworthy professional control agent:
* Always deal with a qualified and licensed pest management company. Consider asking to see the license or other credentials of the pest control professional who comes to solve your pest problem.
* Ask friends and neighbors to recommend pest control companies, and find out how satisfied they were with the service.
* If large sums of money are required, get bids from several pest control companies to get the best deal.
* Look into professionals that are members of national, state or local pest management associations like the NPMA.
* Ask plenty of questions about the extent of your pest problem, how it’s to be treated and the work needed so there aren’t any unwelcome surprises on your bill.
* Find out if the pest management company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during the extermination process.
* If your purchase comes with a guarantee, know explicitly what it covers, how long it lasts and whether any action is required to keep it in effect.
Get more information about pest management issues at www.pestworld.org — including pest prevention, identifying an infestation and how to find a pest professional.

A Mouse in the House? Tips for Finding a Qualified Pest Professional was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Children in Developing Nations Aspire to be Teachers, Doctors

NewsUSA — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – A great debate has been building for the past five years in school districts across the country: Is flavored milk contributing to childhood obesity, and should it be taken out of schools?
Facts, research and experts say no. Flavored milk contains the same nine essential nutrients as white milk, including calcium, vitamin D and potassium, three nutrients that children aren’t getting enough of, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
“On average, flavored milk accounts for only 2 percent of total calories and 3 percent of all added sugars in kids’ diets. But studies show that schools see a severe drop in milk consumption when chocolate milk is taken away,” says Alyssa Greenstein, a registered dietitian with the Dairy Council of Florida. “And the nutrients lost from not consuming enough milk aren’t easy or affordable to replace.”
Research finds that low-fat chocolate milk is the most widely chosen milk option in schools, and despite the availability of white milk, children will turn to sodas and fruit drinks if flavored milk is removed from cafeterias. Sodas are the main source of added sugar in children’s diets, and unlike milk, they offer no nutritional value.
Many nutrition and health organizations — including the American Heart Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dietetic Association and the School Nutrition Association — agree that flavored milk is a healthier alternative to soft drinks and a vital part of meeting the dietary needs of youngsters.
“If children don’t drink milk with lunch, it becomes almost impossible for them to consume the daily intake of calcium, vitamin D and potassium, which are nutrients of concern as it is,” says Greenstein.
Drinking flavored milk is a small but significant contributor to a child’s total milk consumption, and it doesn’t mean youngsters neglect white milk. In fact, flavored milk makes up only 20-26 percent of kids’ total milk intake.
A recent survey of 1,000 moms discovered more than half opposed any school district decision to eliminate chocolate milk from the menu. In the past five years, milk processors nationwide have made significant nutritional changes in milk formulations. With 38 percent less added sugar, flavored milk is projected to contain, on average, just 31 calories more than white milk.
To see more of the nine essential nutrients found in flavored milk, visit www.floridamilk.com.

Children in Developing Nations Aspire to be Teachers, Doctors was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Moms Deserve a Little "Me Time"

NewsUSA — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – Taste matters when it comes to baby food.Erin Jarvis was getting desperate. Her 7-month-old daughter Autumn simply wasn’t eating any store-bought food. Like so many moms and dads, Jarvis was worried her baby wasn’t getting the nutrition needed for proper growth. Then she tried Baby Gourmet, a new arrival to the U.S. market and available at Walmart."As soon as we tried Baby Gourmet, Autumn made a sound like ‘Mmm’ and ate the whole pouch in one sitting," Jarvis says with a smile. "We’ve tried a lot of different brands, but this is the only one she now finishes every time."Baby Gourmet was created by a mom who, like so many others, was worried about her child’s well-being. "When Findlay wouldn’t eat, I was frantic that she wasn’t getting the nutrition she needed to be healthy," says Jennifer Broe.That duel concern over nutrition and taste is why she started making her own baby food and founded Baby Gourmet to help other mothers feed their children healthy, organic food.With flavors like Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp, Vanilla Banana Berry Risotto and Sweet Potato Pie with organic cinnamon, Baby Gourmet offers taste, variety and nutrition.Each package of Baby Gourmet passes strict nutritional and food safety guidelines and passes all USDA and organic requirements. But Baby Gourmet goes a step further — every recipe starts out in Broe’s own kitchen and ends with a personal taste test at the manufacturer.Now, relieved moms everywhere are starting to express their personal joy. "My daughter is just over 1 year old and has refused absolutely all food for seven months. She tried the sweet potato pie today and ate the entire thing in two sittings. I was so happy," Abby Ferris recently shared on Facebook.Another mother, Kristen Ellison, also posted "I have a 12 1/2-month-old who has refused all solids until we tried the pear and garden greens. It literally brought tears because we have tried everything!"Mothers interested in putting Baby Gourmet to the test can find nine choices at Walmart. Find stores near you, and learn more at www.babygourmet.com.

Moms Deserve a Little "Me Time" was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Grandparents, Grandkids Benefit From Better Hearing

NewsUSA — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – The votes are in: parents would rather teach their children how to drive or educate them about alcohol and drug abuse than help with algebra homework.
But parents aren’t alone in their terror of polynomial equations — 8th- and 9th-graders surveyed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress would eagerly give up Facebook and video games if it meant no more algebra.
Education expert Dr. Richard Bavaria recommends parents treat algebra like reading, a fun chance for quality time with your kids.
“We read with our kids on a fairly regular basis — story time, bed time, read-aloud time. Why shouldn’t we get the same enjoyment doing math with them?” says Bavaria, who has spent 40 years immersed in the education field.
To encourage parents to enjoy helping their middle schoolers with their dreaded algebra homework, Bavaria suggests making math fun with the following games.
1. Keep score. If your kids enjoy sports, board games or playing cards, emphasize the role of score keeper. When watching sporting events, play up “statistics manager” and help them track the stats of their favorite team or player.
2. Use manipulatives. Manipulatives are tangible objects allowing kids to visualize math problems. Tailor it to the interests of your child by using their preferred foods or framing arithmetic questions around their hobbies.
3. Guess the number. Get your whole family to participate by each picking a number while everyone takes turns guessing. Ask smart, educational math questions, like “Can I count to your number by twos? Is it divisible by three?”
4. Use real money. Teach kids to guess what coins are in your pocket by giving them clues, such as four coins that equal eight cents. If appropriate, go to your bank, and have the kids help balance your checkbook or fill in deposit slips.
5. Pick a “number of the day.” Instead of a word of the day, choose a number. Challenge your kids to find several ways to reach the number by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. Reward them with little prizes for participating.
“We can’t allow our math insecurities to get in the way of our kids’ success. We can even estimate our kids’ progress by using Fit4Algebra — a free screener that measures how prepared students are for the subject,” notes Bavaria.
Fit4Algebra, developed by tutoring service Sylvan Learning, is available online at www.Fit4Algebra.org. Learn more about navigating the math crisis at www.sylvanlearning.com.

Grandparents, Grandkids Benefit From Better Hearing was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Tips for Independent Living After 70

NewsUSA — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – One out of every 20 Americans over age 50 is diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). The worst part of this reality is that most people with PAD don’t experience any symptoms. PAD is dangerous, especially when there are no warning signs.Peripheral Arterial Disease is a progressive disease commonly called clogged arteries in the legs, poor circulation or a hardening of the arteries.People have PAD when the arteries in their legs become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits, or plaque. The buildup of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrow, which is called atherosclerosis. This reduces blood flow to the legs and feet.The severity of the disease depends on how early it’s diagnosed as well as pre-existing health issues. PAD’s primary symptom is an intermittent cramping of leg muscles during walks or hikes. For some, the pain may feel more like numbness, weakness or heaviness. Whether or not you have symptoms, having PAD means that you’re at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke and even death.Many people don’t get tested for PAD because they have no symptoms and never feel a thing. The good news is that proper treatment saves lives. If you’re over 50, talk to your health care provider about getting tested for PAD.The test for PAD is called the "ABI" or ankle-brachial index. It’s a comparison of blood pressure measurements taken at the arms and ankles. It can also assess the severity of the disease.Despite the presence or lack of symptoms, individuals are their own first line of defense. When face time with actual doctors is limited, it’s helpful to have a list of prepared questions on hand.The Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF), a non-profit dedicated to public awareness and education regarding vascular health, has compiled some questions to ask doctors about PAD:* Does my medical history raise my risk for PAD?* What can I do to reduce my blood sugar level if it’s too high or if I have diabetes?* What do you recommend to quit smoking?For more information, or to get a free Heart and Sole kit, go to www.vdf.org or 1-866-PADINFO (1-866-723-4636).

Tips for Independent Living After 70 was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Will Ruin Your Night

NewsUSA — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – Do you have trouble sleeping through the night? Do you wake up feeling unrested and consistently drowsy?
Constant daytime drowsiness is one of the leading symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnea according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. Sleep apnea is a condition occurring when a person’s breathing pauses or decreases during the night due to blocked airways. Extreme snoring and sudden gasps are other common symptoms.
Although sleep apnea isn’t particularly devastating or dangerous, it has adverse effects on one’s life and responsibilities. Someone suffering from OSA will often feel impatient, irritable, forgetful and listless. If untreated, the condition leads to hard-to-treat headaches, severe depression and poor performance at work or school.
The long-term consequences of untreated sleep apnea are significant as well. The sleeping condition may cause or worsen heart disease, heart arrhythmias, heart failure, high blood pressure and strokes.
Furthermore, research shows a connection between shift work and sleep apnea. Shift work is the opposite of a nine-to-five schedule, often consisting of late-night or early-morning hours. Since shift work interrupts an already-damaged sleep cycle, it only compounds existing apnea side effects.
The number of apneic episodes per night can increase significantly, and sleep-deprivation symptoms will only worsen.
It’s estimated that up to one-third of shift workers experience side effects severe enough to diagnose them with shift work disorder. Due to their interrupted sleep schedule, shift work disorder causes sufferers to struggle to stay awake, and to fall asleep.
Imbalanced biological clocks prevent workers from falling asleep when they actually have time, and they also disrupt digestive systems. These added complications make shift work and sleep apnea the Molotov cocktail of sleep deprivation.
For more information on obstructive sleep apnea or shift work disorder, visit www.sleepapnea.org.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Will Ruin Your Night was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Family Caregivers Month Highlights Parkinson’s Disease

NewsUSA — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – For the fifteenth year, November has been declared National Family Caregivers Month. Parkinson’s disease (PD), which inhibits motor skill function and cognitive ability, affects not only the person diagnosed but also family and friends around them. Carolyn manages her PD with proper treatment, exercise and support from her husband and caregiver of 51 years, Joe.In his caregiver role, Joe says, "From day one, I had to accept the hand we were dealt and do what I could to ensure that Carolyn remained active and continued taking her medication as directed."After experiencing a slight tremor in her right thumb and persistent handwriting abnormalities for five years, Carolyn and Joe visited a neurologist who diagnosed her PD and prescribed AZILECT® (rasagiline tablets) and regular exercise to help manage her disease.While symptoms and treatment may vary among patients, Carolyn finds that having her husband, Joe, as a dedicated caregiver makes life easier. When asked his most important piece of advice for fellow caregivers, Joe replied, "Long-term planning for medical and financial security is essential." Additionally, he cites patience and understanding as two virtues that all caregivers must display.With Joe’s care and her daily treatment, Carolyn has been able to continue enjoying the things she loves, like spending time with her grandchildren, traveling and enjoying water sports at a nearby lake.For more information about PD, please visit www.parkinsonshealth.com. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT AZILECT Patients should not take AZILECT if they are taking meperidine as it could result in a serious reaction such as coma or death. Also, patients should not take AZILECT with tramadol, methadone, propoxyphene, dextromethorphan, St. John’s wort, or cyclobenzaprine. Patients also should not take AZILECT with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Patients should inform their physician if they are taking, or planning to take, any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, especially antidepressants and ciprofloxacin. If patients have moderate to severe liver disease, they should not take AZILECT. Patients should not exceed a dose of 1 mg per day of AZILECT in order to prevent a possibly dangerous increase in blood pressure. All PD patients should be monitored for melanoma (skin cancer) on a regular basis. Side effects seen with AZILECT alone are flu syndrome, joint pain, depression, and indigestion; and when taken with levodopa are uncontrolled movements (dyskinesia), accidental injury, weight loss, low blood pressure when standing, vomiting, anorexia, joint pain, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, rash, abnormal dreams, and fall. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. See additional important information at http://azilect.com/Resources/PDFs/PrescribingInformation-pdf.aspx, or call 1-877-4-AZILECT.

Family Caregivers Month Highlights Parkinson’s Disease was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Better Diabetes Care, Fewer Complications

NewsUSA — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

(NewsUSA) – Diabetes is a serious condition that affects many Western New Yorkers. Just look at the numbers: adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease. The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher than for those who don’t have the condition. Finally, $12.8 billion was spent in 2006 on medical costs and lost productivity related to diabetes in the state of New York.
The P2 Collaborative of Western New York (WNY) — an alliance of people who get, give and pay for care working to improve the quality of care that people get at the doctor’s office and hospitals — is working to help people with diabetes throughout the region understand their condition, learn about what they need to do to stay healthy and help them find doctors who provide the best care for diabetes.
On P2 Collaborative’s website, they offer a guide to help people with diabetes live healthy, happy lives. It has tips to help you be a partner in your health care with your doctor. Simple things, like asking questions during your appointment if you don’t understand a procedure or if you experienced difficulties with your condition in between visits, can make all the difference.

What your doctor should do every visit:
* Check your weight and blood pressure — which should be less than 130/80.
* Look at your feet.
* Develop an action plan to manage your diabetes.

What your doctor should do every three to six months:
* Give you an A1C test to check your blood sugar levels.
* Review your action plan.

What your doctor should do at least once a year:
* Check your cholesterol levels.
* Check for problems with your kidneys.
* Schedule an eye exam.

Finally, one of the most important things a patient can do is to find a doctor who’s the best fit for you and your family. One way to do this is to review doctor performance ratings that show which doctors provide high-quality care by following nationally recommended guidelines for the treatment of diabetes and other conditions. Western New Yorkers can visit Reaching for Excellence http://rx4excellence.org/diabetes/ to compare local doctors to find the one who works best for them and their families.

Better Diabetes Care, Fewer Complications was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com