Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Senior Care Tips for Parents at Home in Connecticut

Senior Home Care Tips
At-Home Services Compare Tips

When it comes to senior care in Greenwich, New Canaan, Fairfield, Westchester, Westport Connecticutt; These encompass a wide range of health, supportive and social services to empower a person to live in his or her home rather than moving to an assisted living community or nursing home. These can include transportation, delivery services, meal services, home repair, social engagement, care management, health care and other services.

 Choosing a Provider

What are At-Home Services?

These encompass a wide range of health, supportive and social services to empower a person to live in his or her home rather than moving to an assisted living community or nursing home.  These can include transportation, delivery services, meal services, home repair, social engagement, care management, health care and other services.

The most-requested service within at-home services is home care. Home care is an option when a person prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care or services that might not easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends.

Who Provides Home Care?

Home care services are usually provided by licensed home care organizations, but may also be delivered through independent providers.  Home care organizations include home health agencies; hospice providers; homemaker and home care aide (HCA) agencies; public and private agencies.

What Should I Ask Potential Home Care Service Providers?

Following are questions to help you in your screening of potential providers to find the right fit for you:

How long have you been providing these services?

How are you accredited?

Are you certified for Medicare?  A home services provider’s Medicare survey report is public information.  If the provider is not certified, ask why.

Do you have a state license?  Most states – but not all – require home service providers to be licensed and reviewed regularly.  These reports are public reports that should be accessible to you to compare providers.

Is this part of a larger senior services or medical provider?

Who are your references?

Ensuring the Right Fit

How will you empower me to live the life I desire?

What are the services that you provide?

Who will be the person or team of people I will be working with?  What are their qualifications, licensures and credentials?

What continuing education do you provide your employees?

How do you ensure there is a good fit between me and the person whom I will be hiring?
Understanding Services

Do you provide a written care and service plan before we begin, so that we are all on the same page as to what is being provided?

Will you provide a list of the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved (sometimes known as a patient’s bill of rights)?

Are there any limits on the types of tasks performed? If so, what are the limits?

Can you serve as a care manager if I’d like you to be a liaison between my physician and me?

When will services be provided? Is care available round-the-clock, if necessary?

What procedures are in place for emergencies?

How are problems addressed and resolved? Who can you or another designated person contact with requests, questions or complaints?

How quickly can services begin?

Costs

How do you handle expenses and billing?

What are all associated costs?

Will any services be covered by health insurance or Medicare?

Monday, November 22, 2010

Resources for Caring for Persons with Dementia

I believe that one of our best gifts as massage therapists is for people living with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Touch is a powerful means of communication and reaching through the “fog” that dementia creates. I have seen first hand the transformation resulting from massage and focused touch. I’m constantly searching for resources related to best practices for dementia care and want to pass these wonderful resources along to you.

Naomi Feil, founder of the Validation Institute. Naomi says “Validation is a method of communicating with and helping disoriented very old people. It is a practical way of working that helps reduce stress, enhance dignity and increase happiness. Validation is built on an empathetic attitude and a holistic view of individuals. When one can “step into the shoes” of another human being and “see through their eyes,” one can step into the world of disoriented very old people and understand the meaning of their sometimes bizarre behavior.”
Teepa Snow is a dementia expert who trains and consults for healthcare professionals and families privately. As a certified Occupational Therapist, Teepa has the unique medical perspective on how the brain controls our body and our behaviors giving her the perfect medical degree to explain how a brain disease like dementia affects a person. Teepa Snow is a dementia expert who trains and consults for healthcare professionals and families privately.

Memory Bridge states it’s purpose as creating programs that connect people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to family, friends, and other people in their local community. They also create programs that reveal to the general public the depths of memory that dementia does not erase. Their goal is to create a global community of people who, like us, are learning to listen to people with dementia for what they have to teach us about our own humanity.

I hope you find these resources as inspiring as I have. We all can learn from and support one another in the journey of caring for our elders living with dementia.

Contact us for homecare in Greenwich, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westchester or Westport Connecticutt.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Latest On Hold Messaging Technology

Digital On-Hold Audio Systems from American On Hold are the latest technology in 'on-hold' messaging.

Use 'hold time' to advertise your product lines and services.  After all, are your callers familiar with everything you offer?  If the answer is "No!", then you are a candidate for on-hold messaging.

This is the perfect way to introduce new product lines.  Heighten customer awareness by announcing hours of operation, emergency numbers, different branch locations, all product lines and services.  Use 'on-hold' time as a viable alternative or compliment to marketing your company.

How much do you spend each year with ads in the "Yellow Pages", business directories, radio and television campaigns and newspapers ads to attract people to call?  And then, how do you treat them when you have to place them 'on-hold'? Provide fun-facts, information, education that they will not hear anywhere else.

While your callers are waiting on-hold (for just a moment) you will keep them feeling positive about your company as you tell them about your status in the business community.  Don't be shy about your bragging rights in telling about your awards, recognition in the industry and even your "mission statement".

Provide answers to the questions your receptionist and other telephone attendants spend the most time on; such as your address, business hours, fax number, web page address, directions on how to find you, etc.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Great Tips for Buying Additional Health Insurance Today

Group Health insurance in Portland, Oregon (or anywhere in the United States) is something that simply cannot be ignored. As health costs, hospital stays, and medical procedures rising sharply each year, it is very important to have some sort of health insurance. Going for a period of time without any type of health insurance can be financially disastrous.

It has been estimated that close to 50 million people in the U.S. alone do not have some sort of health insurance. Many of these are already facing large medical bills and are facing foreclosure on their homes and bankruptcy. Here are a few different tips to getting additional health insurance and still being able to afford it.
Look Into Group Rates

You can get much better health insurance through a group plan than you can on your own. This is true for both price and amount of coverage you can have. Many employers will allow you to be able to add onto the base plan that they have. For many people, having group based insurance from their place of employment keeps them working at a particular place for a long period of time. They would not be able to afford any insurance otherwise.
Only Buy What You Need

One way to lower the cost, but also add additional insurance onto your plan is to have it customized to fit your needs. Many people today are paying for insurance coverage they do not need and probably never will. You can contact many different organizations to help you choose the type of coverage that would best suit your needs. Organizations like National Association of Health Underwrites will work with you and point you in the right direction.
Research Different Plans

Another way to add on additional health insurance is to do some research into other insurance policy suppliers. You can do this through different areas.

    * Look online - Doing an online search for other supplemental health insurance carriers is one of the easiest ways to find additional insurance.

    * Ask current provider - Talk to your current health insurance provider and see what they can do about adding additional coverage while still keeping your insurance at an affordable rate.

    * Look into government programs - There are several programs that you can look into at the state and local level for additional health coverage. Medicare, Medicaid, and state programs are available.

Change Deductibles

You can add more insurance by making a change to your deductibles. This will only be a good deal if you know that you will not be using your health insurance a lot. If you have a healthy family, then this might be something to look into. Raising you deductible a few hundred dollars could allow you to add supplemental insurance or increase the coverage on your current insurance.

Health insurance in Oregon (or anywhere for that matter) is a must needed fact of life. You simply do not know when you will have an accident or be diagnosed with a life threatening illness. They can strike at any time. Not having adequate insurance can greatly affect the rest of your life. Look into adding new additional coverage to your policy with these simple tips.

Great Tips for Buying Additional Health Insurance Today

Group Health insurance in Portland, Oregon (or anywhere in the United States) is something that simply cannot be ignored. As health costs, hospital stays, and medical procedures rising sharply each year, it is very important to have some sort of health insurance. Going for a period of time without any type of health insurance can be financially disastrous.

It has been estimated that close to 50 million people in the U.S. alone do not have some sort of health insurance. Many of these are already facing large medical bills and are facing foreclosure on their homes and bankruptcy. Here are a few different tips to getting additional health insurance and still being able to afford it.
Look Into Group Rates

You can get much better health insurance through a group plan than you can on your own. This is true for both price and amount of coverage you can have. Many employers will allow you to be able to add onto the base plan that they have. For many people, having group based insurance from their place of employment keeps them working at a particular place for a long period of time. They would not be able to afford any insurance otherwise.
Only Buy What You Need

One way to lower the cost, but also add additional insurance onto your plan is to have it customized to fit your needs. Many people today are paying for insurance coverage they do not need and probably never will. You can contact many different organizations to help you choose the type of coverage that would best suit your needs. Organizations like National Association of Health Underwrites will work with you and point you in the right direction.
Research Different Plans

Another way to add on additional health insurance is to do some research into other insurance policy suppliers. You can do this through different areas.

    * Look online - Doing an online search for other supplemental health insurance carriers is one of the easiest ways to find additional insurance.

    * Ask current provider - Talk to your current health insurance provider and see what they can do about adding additional coverage while still keeping your insurance at an affordable rate.

    * Look into government programs - There are several programs that you can look into at the state and local level for additional health coverage. Medicare, Medicaid, and state programs are available.

Change Deductibles

You can add more insurance by making a change to your deductibles. This will only be a good deal if you know that you will not be using your health insurance a lot. If you have a healthy family, then this might be something to look into. Raising you deductible a few hundred dollars could allow you to add supplemental insurance or increase the coverage on your current insurance.

Health insurance in Oregon (or anywhere for that matter) is a must needed fact of life. You simply do not know when you will have an accident or be diagnosed with a life threatening illness. They can strike at any time. Not having adequate insurance can greatly affect the rest of your life. Look into adding new additional coverage to your policy with these simple tips.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Demystifying Medicare Insurance

Our company specializes in providing information for seniors that applies to Texas Medicare Insurance. We put together the following article to give seniors and families of elder loved ones a little more information on how Medicare insurance affects them regardless if you are in Texas or not.

 Understanding Medicare Insurance and How it Applies to you

Medicare is a federal insurance plan that provides basic coverage for medical care to seniors and people with certain physical disabilities.

There are different types of Medicare policies. Two are basic plans:

Part A: Coverage for hospital care, limited nursing home stays and some home health care. Most people who have been employed get Part A coverage without having to pay a monthly premium. Recipients, however, do have out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays.

Part B: Coverage many seniors purchase from Medicare for other physician and outpatient services, some home health care and some medical equipment. Enrollment typically is automatic once you qualify for Medicare. Recipients pay a monthly premium plus a typical 20% co-pay and other out-of-pocket costs.

In addition to the plans above, you can purchase the following policies from insurance companies on your own:

Part C: Also known as Medicare Advantage, these are plans that usually provide more comprehensive coverage for prescription and generic drugs and sometimes dental and vision care, contributions towards gym memberships and diet-related programs and other care. Medicare Advantage plans include all Part A and B coverage, so you don't need the two basic plans if you have a Medicare Advantage policy.

Part D: Also known as a stand-alone prescription drug plan, these policies pay for outpatient prescription and generic drug coverage. If you don't sign up immediately for one of these plans when you reach age 65, you face penalties ranging from a few dollars to more than a $100 a month.

Medigap: Also known as Supplemental Medicare, these plans pay for additional physician and outpatient care services, but often not prescription coverage, necessitating the purchase of a Part D plan. While these plans typically have not required a co-pay, new plans being offered in 2011 are introducing small co-pays such as $2 to $50 for a doctor's or emergency room visit, a trend likely to continue in the future.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Persuasive Essay Writing

Some people are just naturally better at debating than others. Persuasive essay writing is harder for some, and some find that they can whip something out in a flash. Think of this as trying to convince someone to see your point of view. If you follow some basic writing tips and then think your subject matter through, you can come up with something passable, if not fantastic. Don't sell yourself short before you give it a go. You may be better at this than you think you are. If arguing is your strong point, this is going to be a breeze for you.

In order to come up with something good for persuasive essay writing, you have to write about something that you are very passionate about, and something of which you are very knowledgeable. If you try to pound out something that you couldn't care less about, or something of which you know very little, your arguments are going to be very weak indeed. Instead, choose a topic that means something to you, and even something that makes you angry. Try something you wish would change in the world, or something that has frustrated you for a very long time.

Next, in persuasive essay writing, you have to have good form. In the first paragraph of your essay, you want to state your opinion, and how you plan to back it up. In the last paragraph, you want to recap what you have said and how what you have written supports your ideas. The interior paragraphs of your essay should be your strong points that plead your case. That basic setup works for almost all types of essay writing. Once you master that, the layout and outline for your essay are going to be much easier.

Once you have constructed your basic outline, you have to research your main points. While some of persuasive essay writing is about your personal opinion, you make a stronger case when you can back up your own opinions with facts and stories. These are going to be found through research. If research is not your strong point, you may have a problem. The Internet is full of great sources, but make sure you check each source you use for validity. Just because you find something on the Internet does not make it true. Stick with reputable sites for your information or your essay may be worthless. The library is a great idea for research.

Don't forget to cite your sources when you are doing persuasive essay writing. If you have quoted someone, or if you have taken information from a particular source, you have to note that you have done so. This also helps with the validity of what you are saying. Don't forget to edit your work when you are done. Go through it as many times as you can to make sure you got it right. Nothing will kill your argument quicker than an essay full of misspellings and grammatical errors. If you are not sure, ask someone to help you edit.

Read more from the author at his blog

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Dos & Don'ts of Personal Injury

Personal injury can occur in any situation that involves injury or death due to the carelessness or negligence of persons or organizations. Some common types of personal injury include, but are not limited to: animal attacks, car, truck or motorcycle accidents, job related injuries, and faulty product injuries. If you or a family member has been subject to a personal injury, there are many dos and don'ts to follow before, during and after an injury.

Many times when people suffer from personal injuries, they have several questions: What should I do next? How do I know if I have a case? What exactly is negligence? How do I talk with the various insurance companies involved? There are several things to be aware of if you have experienced a personal injury. First, take a deep breath, you are not alone. Often, people feel they have lots of questions with nobody to answer them. You and your family should not struggle to find these answers alone. The following is a general guideline of dos and don'ts when a personal injury has occurred.

If you or a family member has been in a personal injury accident-DO:

  • Keep a disposable camera in your glove compartmentor someplace handy to take pictures of the damage to property and/or physical injuries. If an accident occurs, you will have evidence of the accident and damage to the vehicles involved. If you do not have a disposable camera, and you have a cell phone with photograph capabilities, use your cell phone.
  • Collect all pertinent information from the other person(s) involved-names, addresses, telephone numbers, driver's license numbers, insurance card information, etc. This is very important as you or your attorney will need to contact the other party and/or his or her insurance company at some point and will need documentation of this information.
  • Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. This is crucial. After you've made sure that you and any other persons with you are all right, if you are able, collect information from the other parties involved, then look around for witnesses and take down their personal information.
  • Notify police officers on the scene of details of the accident that you can recall, and let the officer know if you are experiencing pain. This is imperative, as the officer on the scene will take down statements from each party, including accident details, as well as information as to any injuries. These accident reports are available to insurance companies and may be used in the event of a trial. Also, be sure to seek medical attention immediately if you are injured.
  • Contact a reputable personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after you've received the proper medical attention and direct all requests for information, statements and signed documents to your attorney. Before entering into a relationship with a lawyer/law firm, look at their credentials. Hauptman, O'Brien, Wolf & Lathrop is AV peer review rated, and with over 100 years of combined experience, is the Omaha law firm with the experience to work for you.

If you or a family member has been in a personal injury accident-DON'T:

  • Don't speak to an insurance adjuster regarding any matter related to your injuries OR give written or recorded statements to anyone about your case. Make sure you speak with an attorney before speaking to any other third parties, including insurance adjusters.
  • Don't sign checks or any other documents without first checking with your attorney. This can drastically affect your right to any future claim. Make sure you have consulted legal counsel on the matter and understand how to handle your situation properly.
  • Don't fail to contact your attorney if you are approached by any person or organization in relation to your case. Once you hire an attorney, any person or organization seeking to obtain information about your claim may only speak with your attorney, they may not contact you directly. Your attorney will be able to provide the proper and/or necessary information.
The author is an truck accident lawyer specializing in injury law in Boca, Boynton Beach, Jupiter & West Palm Beach.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

RI Divorce Laws Make Alimony Payments The Judge's Decision

If you live in Rhode Island and are going through a divorce, you need to know about this state's rules on alimony. Chances are, at some time during your meetings with your lawyer, you will have to discuss whether you are eligible for alimony or whether you're going to have to pay it.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has decided that alimony is awarded only for rehabilitative purposes. In other words, does one party in the divorce need financial support and does the other party have the financial means to pay alimony.

During the course of your divorce proceedings, a family court judge will decide whether one spouse needs financial support and will at the same time decide whether the other spouse can afford it. This is important, because this means that receiving alimony, even if your spouse earns more money than you do, is not automatic. At one time, women could almost be guaranteed to receive alimony as a consequence of divorce. Now, however, a judge weighs several factors before making a determination.

Rhode Island has no standard for determining financial need. Each judge views each case individually, and bases the decision on a variety of factors. However, a good lawyer will be able to make your case for either needing financial aid or determining you cannot afford to pay alimony. This is when finding a top divorce attorney is critical.

A judge will look at the needy spouse's skills and determine whether he or she can find a job that makes enough money to reasonably live on. This protects women and men who have been out of the workforce so long that their skills are no longer marketable.

In any divorce, expect there to be compromises. Say one spouse makes $80,000 per year and the other $32,000. Does this disparity in pay mean the spouse who makes more money will automatically have to pay alimony? Not necessarily. A judge could rule that, because the spouse who makes less money has been consistently employed and makes enough money to support herself or himself, they would not be eligible for alimony.

A good lawyer can make a huge difference not only on whether alimony is actually paid, but the amount, as well. Most couples are able to come up with a compromise, but if you find yourself in a situation where your spouse is treating you unfairly in this process, having a good attorney fighting for you is a long-term investment.

Jane Goodger has worked as a criminal and court reporter for several newspapers in Southern New England. She is now dedicated to helping Rhode Islanders find the best lawyers for their needs at http://www.TopRILawyers.com.

Programs That Will Help Your Blog

Many of us are writing blogs these days. Some of us write to have somewhere to share our thoughts, others write to have a place to market their products and services. Whatever the reason you're writing your blog, you'll most likely have need to use some add ons (these are the programs you use on your blog to add features and functionality).

My top 10 favorite plugins are listed below. They are in no specific order, but they are all almost essential in the way I run my blogs.

1. All In One SEO Pack. This plugin gives you added features to help you make sure your blog is found in the search engines, and how its displayed. It's one of the most popular add ons on the internet and I highly recommend it's use.

2. Efficient Related Posts. This is another plugin that will help your pages become indexed by the search engines quickly. The plugin links at the end of your post, to other posts that you've published that are in the same category. Highly effective!

3. MaxBlogPress Ping Optimizer. Ideal if you publish frequently. This plugin prevents your blog from automatically pinging services if you're updating your blog often. This can prevent you from getting banned and therefore reducing your effectiveness. The plugin also adds some other ping services to your list to make sure it's doing a better job.

4. Privacy Policy. Use this plugin if you have AdSense or affiliate products on your blog.

5. WordPress Database Backup. Use this plugin to make sure that you've backed up your site just in case!

6. WP Contact Form. This is a way to have your visitors contact you. It's a great way to ask for feedback or just to let you know of other things to do with your blog.

7. Google XML Sitemaps. This program scans your site and updates an XML sitemap for Google to see. This is a great way to make sure all the pages on your site are indexed and available for visitors to find.

8. Whydowork AdSense. This is a plugin I use to put AdSense on my site. It's not for everybody, but it's a very light and effective AdSense program that will display the Google ads on your blog easily.

9. One Click Plugin Updater. It updates your plugins automatically.

10. Google Analytics For WordPress. This addon lets you track your visitors.

Try these add ons, some will be great for you, but others will not. I use them often and they're some of the best I've found.

The author has been writing articles online for over 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in health, fitnes

Interracial Dating Questions

The primary question to the interracial dating has always been of whether someone supports it or not. The matter has always been burdened with numerous prejudices. And if someone actually wants to figure out how much hate it is in other human's heart than they should start a relationship with someone of a different color. For some reason and once of a sudden, other people get concerned of losing their identities while having their race and culture merging into or getting absorbed by another culture. It is incredibly unfair that some people are just not agreeable to look elsewhere and be concerned of their own business, but instead deem it their duties to boycott interracial couples at best or even be attacking and abusing those.

Interracial couples are challenged to cope with public opinion disapproval which may involve such questions as losing your friends and family, condemnation and censure from your colleagues and associates at work, and even problems in bringing up your own child. The latter may seem neglected by the immediate family, however the problem is tremendous indeed involving raising children with indefinite cultural identities. Another question is whether one community is different from another in terms of tolerance towards the interracial couples. Mentioned friends and family, the social ambience beyond the scope of your family, both immediate and wide and your working area is a question of a great importance. Some regions may traditionally happen to be mono racial, others would have a longer experience with interracial relationships, in which case your dating course will flow a lot more easily.

Interracial dating is going to require much bravery on your part and much sacrifice on your partner and children. It should not be a matter of vain curiosity as the matters of heart, no matter which race the object of your passion be, should be taken with the best of your gentleness and integrity.

Watch this online video conference about interracial relationships. And please feel welcome to comment on it, because this interracial relationship video is very challenging and thought provocative.

Know How to Implement That Beautiful Indoor Lighting You Dreamed Of

Lots of people want beautiful indoor lighting for their home. Many think that by attaching very pricey and elegant fixtures will do. Indeed, the designs of the it can be a great draw for the eyes. However, if they are not placed properly then they still won't render the desired effects. There is only one thing that homeowners should think of when it comes to having that dream indoor lighting. It is only through the implementation of the elements of ambient, task, accent and mood lighting in each room of the house.

Ambient lighting is general light that floods the entire room. During the day, we get ambient lighting from natural light that comes in from our windows and doors. At night, however, the moon's beams are not that bright enough to shed some light into our home's interiors. We need a set of lights to brighten the different areas and rooms of the home. Sources of ambient lighting can vary from area to area. We can put recessed lights in the four corners of the living room. A chandelier can grace the dining room while a pendant light will be perfect for the kitchen.

Task lighting is equally important so defined tasks can be carried out inside the home. Such tasks can include reading in the bedroom, grooming in the bathroom and food preparation in the kitchen. Typical lighting fixtures that can be installed are lamp shades, recessed, track or under cabinet lights that can be directed right into the work stations and wall sconces.

Accent lighting is often neglected but should be given importance by the homeowners. Highlighting a textured wall, paintings, artworks, statues or even the huge beams on the ceiling can add interest into the place. You can use uplights or downlights to do so. Displays encased in cabinets can be spotlighted by under-cabinet lights.

Mood bathroom lighting is needed to create the perfect ambiance. This is by far the easiest to accomplish among the four elements. You can simply install dimmer switches to either soften or heighten the glow of lights into the room.

Visit my site for more information about indoor lighting.

Easy Ways to Save Money on Auto Insurance for You

As the saying goes, a penny that is saved will become a penny that is earned eventually. So if you are able to save so many dollars on your car insurance, you would have earned that much more money to spend on other things. Yes, your auto insurance coverage is one area where you can make substantial savings - and it takes only a minimum of effort.

If you're about to buy a new car, this is where you can start on your goal to reduce your car insurance expense. Flashy cars and certain makes and models of vehicles are very attractive to car thieves and as a result, more likely to be stolen. At the same time, drivers of these cars are at higher risk of accidents due to speeding. Consequently auto insurance providers will charge more to cover these vehicles. This advice may have come too late for you; just remember it next time you buy a new car.

Knowing beforehand how much you are likely to spend on car insurance for a certain type of car is a simple strategy to save on your insurance expense later on. Make a short list of cars you're interested in and ask your insurance broker to give you a quote for each. It's amazing how much the insurance costs vary between different cars. As a result, you will be able to get the lowest insurance premium if it doesn't matter which car in the list you will buy.

Do you really need the collision and comprehensive clause in your policy? If you have an older car, the extra expense may not be commensurate to the car's value if it is damaged in an accident. By canceling this provision, you can save as much as 40% on your insurance premium. Having this extra coverage is justified only if your car is new or has some extrinsic value to you.

Think twice before filing claims if your car is damaged in an accident. Figure out if the repair bill will cost you more than the extra $200 or $300 more in your insurance expense in the years to come. Filing an insurance claim generally results in a higher insurance premium. If you can cover it yourself even with a little difficulty, it will be worth it in the long run.

It's good to know that with something you absolutely need to have - like auto insurance - you have a degree of control over the cost.

Driving a vehicle of either new or used will always require the valid license and insurance policy. Find out information about Salvage Used Car Insurance and other helpful tips about auto insurance.

More helpful information about Used Car Lot, where you can find your local used car dealers and available vehicles.

Golf Cart Insurance

Although it may seem strange to some, a golf cart can become a serious investment to the right kind of person. Whether an avid golfer and club member who likes to keep their own cart or an individual living in a community that supports the use of golf carts, these vehicles can be immense sources of pride for some owners. Like any other vehicle, carts are suspect to damages from nature, vandals and thieves, and even from collisions with other vehicles. Thus, some have opted to take out an insurance policy to cover damages against their carts.

Although many country clubs or living communities provide some sort of garage for cart owners, during the average use of a cart, the weather may pose a threat to the vehicle. Like a car or a motorcycle, golf carts are susceptible to damages from falling tree branches which can cause considerable damage to the roof and windshield of the vehicle. Similarly, flood or water damages may ruin an electric cart's systems, requiring extensive repair work or flat-out replacement.

It may seem unlikely, but a cart can also end up in an accident with another, usually larger motor vehicle. In particular, areas such as living communities may see a mixture of full-sized cars and trucks as well as residents using golf carts to get around. Considering the size and mobility of a cart, may be difficult for drivers to see these vehicles, especially when backing up, and carts may not be fast enough to get out of the way.

Finally, cart owners must recognize the threat of thieves and vandals. Like motorcycles, carts are often without a notable defense from outright hot-wiring. Although there are some theft deterrents available on the market, including both locks and tracing devices, a savvy thief may be able to take a cart without notice. Similarly, a vandal may decide to smash in a windshield or rip up seat cushions out of spite or malice.

For more information regarding insurance options for cart owners, contact an auto insurance expert.

If you are searching for a new insurance policy for your vehicle, contact the Illinois auto insurance experts at Insure on the Spot today.

What's a Trans Dermal Collagen Gel Remedy?

A trans dermal collagen gel remedy may be unfamiliar for a lot of people. Well, it may sound interesting and something new but in reality, it is not really different from collagen lotions or creams. A trans dermal collagen gel remedy is just a fancy name for collagen that is applied to the skin in gel form or through a patch or implant.

As it seems like something different, a lot of people get tricked into trying out a trans dermal collagen gel remedy. What they don't know is that it is basically the same as applying lotions or creams with collagen in the sense that they are all ineffective.

No matter what form of collagen is used it is pretty much ineffective when applied topically or directly on the skin. The molecular structure of collagen is much too large to allow it to penetrate through the skin, rendering it useless and ineffective.

What simply happens when you apply collagen topically as in the case of a trans dermal collagen gel remedy or collagen lotion is it stays on the surface of the skin, causing a temporary firming up of the skin. The wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging on the face return once the product is removed or washed off.

Instead of using products that contain collagen, a more effective way to address collagen loss from the skin is by using skin care products that contain ingredients that will stimulate the body to produce collagen naturally. This is not only more effective but the results are longer lasting as well.

Many natural ingredients used in skin care products are proven to increase collagen in the skin as compared to taking collagen supplements where collagen in distributed to different parts of the body, failing to produce any dramatic changes in the skin.

One example of a natural ingredient effective in promoting an increase in the skin's collagen is cynergy TK. Cynergy TK is a form of functional keratin that is derived from the wool of sheep. It is readily available to the skin as it is still in its natural form.

Aside from stimulating an increase in collagen, cynergy TK also boosts elastin production. Elastin is another protein that is essential for retaining the shape and size of the skin even when stretched. Cynergy TK also promotes renewal of skin cells and faster healing of the skin as it contains zinc and copper protein complexes.

Now that you know which skin care products will truly address problems of collagen loss, do yourself a favor and make sure that you choose the right one which is not only effective but safe as well. Visit my site today and find out where to buy these products and/or if you just want some more information on natural ingredients and skin care.

Tasha D. Crowell has a passion is to write about skin and body care. She gives the public informative information about how you can take care of your skin. Visit her site to discover new cutting edge and anti-aging skin care secrets and information: http://www.softer-younger-skin.com.

Welcome Back, Mike McCarthy’s Team

Let’s be realistic. The better team did not win on Monday Night Football.

Forget that the Green Bay Packers have no running game. Forget that the defense played their usual bend-but-don’t-break brand of football.

The Green Bay Packers lost to the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Monday night because they exhibited the same stupid, aggravating play they have throughout coach Mike McCarthy’s tenure with the team. It’s something that seemed to be over with, judging by the first two games of the season and the Packers 2-0 start, but came back on the national stage.

The Packers lost to the Bears because they committed a team record 18 penalties, which is both inexcusable and a trademark of the Packers under McCarthy.

Another trademark, at least in the past two seasons, is poor special teams play and the Packers again lived up to their billing as one of the worst special teams units in the NFL, giving up an average of 30 yards on three kickoff returns and 31 yards on three punt returns.

The game turned, and the Bears took their first lead on Devin Hester’s 62-yard punt return in the fourth quarter — Hester’s first such return in two years. The Packers special teams play was solid in their first two games, but in prime time, they were atrocious.

Simply, the Packers loss looked like a bad flashback of everything that was wrong with last year’s team, minus the terrible pass defense.

It’s not time to panic, but on Monday night the Packers were simply undisciplined and out-coached. Not only that, but they were out-coached by Lovie Smith, who, next to Brad Childress is possibly the dumbest son of a bitch in the NFL coaching ranks.

If you don’t believe it, consider McCarthy’s decision to challenge James Jones’ fumble late in the fourth quarter. The replay showed Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher clearly knocked the ball out of Jones’ hands and defensive back Tim Jennings clearly recovered it in bounds, but McCarthy inexplicably challenged the call, lost and cost the Packers a time out.

Had McCarthy saved the time out, he would have been able to take it inside the two-minute warning and given the Packers a shot at a tying field goal or better. The time out would have meant the Packers would have gotten the ball back with around one minute left on the clock, rather than the five seconds they eventually did get it back with, when they were down a field goal.

Certainly, McCarthy is not entirely to blame for the Packers debacle, but his team was completely unprepared for what was obviously a lesser opponent on Monday night. It’s the reason many people, myself included, feel like the Packers would be better off with another coach.

That’s not the only story, though.

Most of the reason the Packers running game looks like a joke is because of the offensive line. Brandon Jackson gained only 12 yards on seven carries (1.7 yard average).

A big part of the problem was left tackle Chad Clifton, who has been battling an injured knee all season. Clifton hasn’t played well at all this year and while he held up in pass protection, he was terrible in the run game. McCarthy had an opportunity to replace him with Bryan Bulaga this week, but decided not to do so. You have to wonder why.

Another problem was right tackle Mark Tauscher, who didn’t play well in either phase of the game. Both of the Packers tackles look old and guess what? They are.

The highlight of the running game was fullback John Kuhn, who somehow ground out 31 yards on six carries (5.1 yard average). The Packers short passing game is essentially their running game, but you would think Kuhn is going to get more carries or the team is going to trade for someone who can serve as a lead back.

On the positive side, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was on all night long, hitting 34-of-45 for 316 yards and a touchdown. The Packers defense held the Bears rushing attack in check, as well. Lead back Matt Forte ran for only 29 yards on 11 carries (2.6 yard average).

In the end, that wasn’t enough to overcome boneheaded play after boneheaded play.

It’s unfortunate, but for at least one game this season, the Packers have again become a reflection of Mike McCarthy and given the Bears the pole position in the NFC North at 3-0.

 

Hey Cheeseheads, buy your 2010 Green Bay Packers Season Tickets.Title Town is the place for Packer Football Tickets

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Heating and Air Conditioning Technicians

What exactly does a HVAC technician do? HVAC stands for heating ventilation and air conditioning. There are many complex duties performed by these service professionals. A heating and air conditioning system is a critical piece of equipment when it comes to having a comfortable workplace or home. Good techs equate to efficiently performing temperature control machinery for their customers. Heating and air companies are always looking for a few good techs to perform stellar service.

These pros may work in maintenance, repair or both arenas. Nearly every building across the planet is equipped with temperature control systems of one sort or another. Residential properties such as houses, condos, apartments or mobile homes utilize heating and/or AC units. In fact, a home without a heating system may not be able to receive financing from a mortgage company because a house is considered to be inhabitable without one. Commercial facilities are required by building codes to keep their temperatures within a certain range, such as between 68 and 82 degrees, in order to keep customers and employees safe and comfortable. Industrial buildings and factories must be kept at a certain temp range in order to keep humans comfortable and the products they manufacture from deteriorating from extreme cold or heat.

There are many skills that an HVAC tech must learn in order to do their job competently. They must be able to read and follow instructions from blue prints and building plans. They need to be able to install supply lines for water and fuel, pumping equipment, ventilations and air ducts. They need to be able to hook up thermostats, electrical controls and wiring in order to run the equipment. They also need to be able to perform tests to check on the units' functionality. Tests may be made regarding combustion, input of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Function and safety must be properly judged to protect building inhabitants as well as machinery.

These techs must undergo training and education to become proficient in these job skills. Different routes to obtain training include community college programs, trade schools or through military service. The formal education may take from one to two years post high school but on-the-job experience will also be necessary, as well. Many of these workers opt to do an apprenticeship for several years in order to gain the expertise that they need. Many states require that these professionals obtain a license and become certified in their field.

In order to be a good candidate for this line of work, heating ventilation and air conditioner techs should be mathematically inclined, have a strong mechanical aptitude, be detail oriented, in good physical shape and have well developed communication and social skills.

Becoming a great HVAC service provider is a lot of work, but it's well worth it for both the technician and his or her customers. The customers will be assured of high quality maintenance and repair service. The techs will be assured of steady employment and the satisfaction of a job well done.

 

When looking for a HVAC, there are many excellent choices available. Using this author’s advice your decision can be made in an informed, safe manner.

How Heating and Air Conditioning Systems Work

Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (otherwise known as HVAC) systems are often referred to as climate control. They regulate temperature, air quality and humidity. Heating and cooling systems systems were first used in commercial buildings, but are now routinely being installed in domestic homes.

An HVAC system has two main parts - an external condenser and in internal evaporator coil. These two components work in conjunction to cycle cool, dehumidify, or warm air through the HVAC ducts in your house. It is possible to get the two components in a single external unit, depending on your specific needs. Your HVAC installation company will tell you if this is an option for you.

Compared to traditional heating and cooling methods, HVAC systems are easily regulated and are more efficient. They can be installed with "zonal" control, which allows you to precisely regulate the climate in specific areas or rooms. Central air systems are more expensive up front than traditional heating and cooling methods, however the cost can be recovered in the long run because of an heating system's energy efficiency, versatility and ability to be upgraded.

HVAC systems have seen a marked improvement in the development of efficiency within the past decade. Using new gas refrigerants, modern climate control systems are environmentally friendly and efficient. In fact, many commercial buildings and homes are having their HVAC system customized to fit their specific needs.

You can maximize the energy savings by taking a few steps to optimize your central air system and reduce its energy consumption. First, you can insulate and weatherize your home. If your home has insufficient attic insulation or poor or old window construction, heat will be lost. This means your HVAC system will have to work harder to produce more heat. It is important to make sure your home is expertly insulated to get the most out of your heating and cooling system.

Remember that turning the thermostat down even one degree can have a dramatic impact on your energy bills. You may elect to install a thermostat that can give you precise control over the climate in your home during scheduled times, or thermostats that control specific rooms.

Make certain to replace the air filter on a regular basis, usually once a month. Keep exterior components of the climate control free of dust and debris to prolong its life.

Be sure to have a qualified heating and cooling professional install, inspect and upgrade your temperature control equipment. Inspections should take place once a year to clean the system and make sure it's running properly. HVAC professionals will be able to diagnose problems and fix issues such as excessive humidity, loud noise and improper temperature.

Energy bills are constantly skyrocketing. Take control of your energy consumption without compromising on the comfort of your home by having a qualified heating and cooling company install an HVAC system.

The Author is a e HVAC specialists who can also assist homeowners with electrical issues, as well. 

 

Heat Exchangers in HVAC Air Coils

Most machines or devices today use heat exchangers in a way or another. These devices utilise heat exchangers in their processes since it replenishes the machines especially those that are used continuously. Without heat exchangers, machines may not lasts as long as they should perform to the capacity that they could.

HVAC Air Coils

This may be one of the most common machines in the world today that uses heat exchangers. In buildings or vehicles, heat exchangers are usually called air coils, or just coils, when used in these settings. The shape of their internal tubing makes the coils a perfect heat exchanger for air conditioners, of all sizes. Cross flow defines a HVAC coils. This cross flow arrangements enables heat to transfer from air to liquid and vice versa in the process. In motor vehicles, air coils also goes by the name of heater cores.

In the process of exchanging heat, HVAC coils usually use water and other fluids such as water-glycol solutions, steam or any other refrigerating compound.

Two Sides: Liquid and Air Heat Exchange

The coils for liquid exchange are composed of two sides: the heating coil and cooling coil. In heating coils, a boiler usually does the job of the heat transfer. It uses heated fluid generated by the boiler to heat up the air that passes through it.

For cooling coils on the other hand, chillers do the heat-transferring job. Refrigerants and chilled water are the usual mediums used in the air-cooling process. They mingle with the air generated to provide cooling and heat exchange in the process.

The set-up normally goes like this. The chilled water that is supplied in the HVACs are supplied by chillers separated from the machine itself whilst the refrigerant used can usually be found in condensing units that are located near the HVAC. When refrigerants are being used in the process, they usually serve the purpose of an evaporator in the cycle of vapor-compression refrigeration.

On the other hand, the airside of the heat exchange process in HVAC coils is very different from the liquid side of the process. Psychrometrics is the process that produces air with moisture. Heating the air inside the air coils enables it to hold more water. This makes the job of the heating coil a whole lot easier.

But cooling coils on the hand have to be more up to par with the added work since they will be the part that would be handling the heating process more. Cooling coils must be designed in such a way that it will be able to process the added moisture on the air together with their usual cooling process.

Wide Use of HVAC Coils

Too many industries now use HVAC air coils on their everyday operations. They are subtle but very important parts. Developers continue to come up with new ways that would improve heat exchangers and air conditioning processes in machines today.

 

The Author is an experienced writer and publicist. She has 12 years experience in writing well-researched articles of various topics, SEO web content, marketing and sales content, press releases, sales scripts, academic essays, E-books and news bits.

Workers Compensation Insurance - 4 Important Steps Businesses Can Take

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Workers' insurance is a form of insurance which provides compensation to workers injured while on the job to cover their medical care, a portion of their lost wages and, if applicable, for permanent disability. In exchange for this, employers get immunity from possible civil lawsuits from employees over such workplace injuries. Workers' insurance may include disability insurance, compensation for financial loss (past and future), health insurance (reimbursement or payment of medical and other such expenses of the injured employee) and life insurance (benefits payable to the dependent/s of an employee who lost his/her life in the course of employment).

Although workers' insurance may seem like excellent news for employees, it may seem a bit daunting to employers. Insurance costs are tied to the company's expenses. The higher the risk for injuries in the workplace, the higher the cost for a suitable workers' insurance system. The higher the cost of a workers' insurance system, the higher the premium payments expected.

A way to effectively lower workers' compensation insurance is by lowering your risk of claims. One way to accomplish this is by creating a company safety program. The risk for insurance claims is lessened, thereby curtailing as well the premiums you would expect to pay.

Employers could:

(1) Put together a team tasked to craft safety policies, disseminate these to the rest of the employees,and ensure that these are implemented. Also, this team should be trained on how to handle workplace accidents or injuries, should they occur.

2) Educate employees about the proper usage and maintenance of all equipment or tools in the workplace, especially those which are potentially hazardous.

(3) Provide the correct and necessary protective wear for employees exposed to potentially hazardous equipment or tools (i.e. protective eye wear, gloves, boots, helmet, etc.).

(4) Ensure that schedules for inspections and maintenance procedures are observed.

Providing a safe workplace environment for employees may not only curb insurance claim costs, but more importantly, it may create an atmosphere of amity and security within the workplace. When there is a boost in the morale of employees, business turns out great, and both employees and employers are well-satisfied.

 

See the author’s blog and read more about workmans comp insurance and learn more about general liability insurance.

Home Safety For the Elderly

Advancements in medicine mean that we are living longer, healthier lives. As our loved ones age, it is more important than ever to look into their special needs, especially home safety issues. Ailments that plague the elderly, such as unsteadiness while walking, vision impairment, and hearing loss, used to require a move to a nursing home. Out of fear of losing their independence, our aging friends and family members may refuse to admit difficulties around the home-and put their safety at risk. Fortunately, new types of senior medical alert systems help keep our elderly loved ones safe and independent in their own homes:

 

Senior Medical Alert Systems

There are many types of senior medical alert systems on the market to ease your mind. Most of us have seen some form advertised on TV--varieties of the medical alert button or cell phones designed with large-type emergency buttons. But do these products work? Are they easy to use? And how can you tell if they are the right fit for the physical limitations of your loved one?

Before selecting an alert system, it is wise to take inventory of what special needs should be addressed. Even if a person appears to have no obvious health issues, a simple monitor can provide peace of mind. At pre-scheduled times of the day, week or month, an operator will check in on your loved one. Some monitors offer contact features such as beeping or lights that help those with hearing or vision loss communicate with the operator. Other monitoring services are equipped with sensors to detect "no physical activity" (similar to a motion detector); and alert medical personnel to respond immediately.

Monitors are by no means the only types of senior medical alert systems. Other innovative options can help ensure the safety of those with more severe conditions, such as dementia. In these cases, alert systems are designed with "night nurses" and other caregivers in mind. For example, if a caregiver's patient tried to get out of bed, a mat directly below would sound an alarm to alert the caregiver. Alarms are even available for the outside door--as unfortunately a loved one with Alzheimer's may not know he shouldn't be taking a chilly winter midnight stroll, especially bare foot and in pajamas...

 

To Your Health-And Peace of Mind

The relief and reassurance of knowing your elderly loved one is protected simply cannot be measured. Senior medical alert systems not only preserve seniors' dignity, they also relieve you from the burden of stress--which can cause various illnesses on its own! So relax and have a good sleep, knowing that in our busy world, the safety and independence of your elderly loved one is one less issue to be concerned with.

 

The author offers automated senior medical alert systems provide the tools to maintain your loved one's independence. Enjoy the reassurance and peace of mind that you, and all family caregivers, need with elderly home safety products.