Livingston Reporting - page 132

Remodeling for a More Accessible Home For Seniors

As people age, there always seems to be more and more limitation that makes it difficult for them to be able to do the simple things that they once took for granted. Whether it not being able to climb the stairs like you used to, to be able to stand for long periods of time or even reach items in the kitchen like you used to. All of these things could happen over time or change due to a medical issue that makes it difficult to do the things that you use to do with relative ease.

 

These days more and more families are taking in their senior parents rather than see them have to live out their senior years in a home. While some medical reasons may make that necessary, most people would rather make it where their parents can either stay in their own home longer or simply move into their home.

 

To be able to do this there are often things that can be done to remodel their home or your home in order to make life a bit better for them. Some things are quite easy and other things will require a bit of remodeling and that usually means hiring a contractor and could cost a pretty penny. Below is a short list of some of the things that we came up with. Remember, not all of these will apply to your unique situation.

 

10 Things to consider when remodeling for a senior person

 

Pay attention to the specific needs of your senior parent or loved one – Always remember that you are doing this for your loved one and you need to include them in any changes to be sure they fit with them. One size remodeling truly does not fit all.

 

Be sure you have a complete plan of what you want to do – Be sure to formulate a plan and put it in writing so that you have something to follow when you go to put your plan into action.

 

If you have any doubts bring in a professional to evaluate the home – While you may be able to come up with some good ideas, you may want to have a professional come in and evaluate the home and make some recommendation.

 

Remove any obstruction in all access points – A very simple change that virtually anyone can make is to remove any and all obstructions at points of entry in a room. When you have difficulty walking even a bump in the carpeting can cause an obstruction.

 

Talk to all of the professional caregivers of your parents to get ideas – Another great resource for you to consider is to talk to all of the people who provide care for them to get some ideas on how to make their home life better.

 

Get a professional contractor – When the time comes that you need to do any type of structural changes to your home you should bring in a professional contractor for advice and help.

 

No-step entry is the first best step – Like the obstructions at all access points into/out of a room, a no-step entry point into and out of the home is a must. This will more than likely require you to hire a professional.

 

Consider pocket doors versus swinging doors – Turning door knobs and twisting handles on doors can be difficult for seniors, if it is possible you should consider replacing all of them in the home.

 

Electric stair lifts – Having a two-story home climbing stairs for many seniors is not only a chore but at times it can be potentially extremely dangerous. If you can afford it look into the electric stair lifts, it will give all of you peace of mind.

 

Reconfiguring the home – If climbing stairs are completely out of the question then you should immediately look into reconfiguring the lower level to have everything on one that level for them.

 

Learn more about licensed and insured general contractor Glen Miller the Home Doctor and the variety of home improvement services he offers clients including: home maintenance plans, handyman services, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, handicap ramp installations, age in place modifications, basements transformations, and hardwood flooring installation and refinishing at www.glenmillerthehomedoctor.com.  To contact Glen Miller the Home Doctor call 734.255.9793 for a free estimate.

 

Twists on Wedding Guest Books

A wedding is one of those occasions that is both steeped in tradition but still has a sense of uniqueness for the couple who are celebrating their vows with their family and friends. There is much planning that goes into preparing for the monumental day for the couple and part of preparation is something that will help them remember that day far into the future.

 

One of those items is the guestbook, this is where all people who attend the wedding ceremony sign in and create a permanent record of all of the people who witnessed the big occasion. Most guest books are as the name would imply, a book with a fancy cover and pages for the guests to sign their name. However, if you are looking for a unique way to remember that special day and want to find a unique idea for a different type of guest “book”, that is not really a book.

 

10 Unique alternatives to the traditional guest book

 

The Wedding Tree – This unique framed tree with numerous leaves that are ready for each guest to sign on when they arrive at the wedding location.

 

The Custom Design – You can add unique pictures of you and your spouse to be on each page as a way to change up the traditional guest book.

 

The Bucket List – The Bucket List is a unique way that you can get your guest to sign in and leave a special note that they see fit.

 

The Puzzle Pieces – This really unique idea can be an especially good choice as it can be taken out every year and looked at to bring back memories of the special day.

 

The Fingerprint Tree – The fingerprint tree or flower depending on your preference, is an interesting way for your guests to leave their mark on your special day.

 

Love Notes – Love Notes is a very unique idea that you and your guests might really enjoy that it is interactive. You encourage your guests to leave a special note about you, your spouse or the both of you.

 

Photo Booth – The Photo Booth is a really popular thing these days for parties and you can work this is in as guest book by having your guests have their picture taken and sign the picture and drop it a box.

 

The Big Letter – The Big Letter is one of the most iconic weddings gives and you can turn one of these into a guest book and have all of your guests sign a different part of the letter.

 

Calendar Reminder – This is one of the more unique ideas, in that you have your guests sign in on their birthday.

 

Beautiful Board – For the DIYer in you, this beautiful board idea is about as unique as you can get. Decorate a nice plank of wood and have your leave a note or just simply sign in.

 

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  Contact the professionals at Event Planning DC http://www.eventplanningdc.com today!

 

 

 

 

The Truth About Bankruptcy In 2018

Many people these days find themselves in serious financial trouble and things have gotten so bad that they feel that they don’t know what to do anymore. Being in that situation has to be extremely scary as your creditors are not likely going to be understanding when you cannot pay them even the minimum amount due.

 

It gets even worse for you if you own your home and you are not able to afford your mortgage and the bank is threatening to take away your home. There is are not really whole on of things for you to do if you have gotten to the point where you can longer afford make all of your payments. One of the last resorts is a legal proceeding called bankruptcy.

What is bankruptcy

A bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which you face a judge and you tell them that you no longer have the means to continue to pay your debts. The judge will appoint a trustee and they will evaluate your debts and your income in order to determine if they think your debts should be discharged. Fortunately, if you own your home, a foreclosure can be stopped, and you will not lose your home. However, there are certain debts that are not covered by bankruptcy and you will still responsible for paying them once your bankruptcy has been discharged.

 

Here are a few examples of debts that cannot be discharged by a bankruptcy;

  • Student Loans
  • Tax debts, fines or penalties from the government
  • Court-ordered child support payments
  • Court ordered alimony payments

 

Filing Bankruptcy will temporarily stop the harassing phone calls from creditors wanting their money, but once you have filed bankruptcy, they must immediately cease all forms of contact until after your bankruptcy has been finally decided by the judge. All decisions by the courts are final and when they discharge your case you will ready to start over.

 

However, you might really want to be sure that you think it completely through because you will have poor credit for many, many years once it hits your credit report. Once it is where it normally stays for at least 7 years and it will likely keep you from getting any new credit.

 

There are things that you can consider before taking the bankruptcy route that will not put your credit at risk and that includes finding a lender to request a debt consolidation loan. This will make it possible for you to pay off the debts and stave off foreclosure and bankruptcy.

 

Bohikian Law Group specializes in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies in Michigan. Contact us today to find a bankruptcy attorney that will help you in debt relief at http://www.bohikianlaw.com/ today.

Common Problems with The Latest Windows 10 Update

Computer consulting is a term used by someone who offers a wide range of computer services to individuals and businesses. Computer repair is one of the more common of all of the services that consultants perform. Computer repairs can be as simple as replacing or installing new hardware, but it can also include more in-depth repairs like software or OS issues.

 

A computer consultant may do work for both commercial businesses and also residential computer repair depending on the way they set up their business. The operating system of a computer frequently causes a number of issues that people have with their computers and Windows 10 is the most current version of Microsoft Windows that comes preloaded.

 

Unfortunately, like most of the Microsoft Windows operating systems over the years, Windows 10 has had its own share of problems that people have complained about. These common problems probably make up a large portion of the computer repair requests. We came up with a list of the top ten common problems with the latest Windows 10 update

 

Top 10 Common Problems with The Latest Windows 10 Update

 

#1 Alt +Tab keys laggy while gaming – The update added a focus assist feature to be added and it is causing issues. You will need to go in and shut off all of the features.

 

#2 Issue with Media Creation Tool –  An issue has been reported with the Media Creation Tool which is necessary to be able to install the update using a USB flash drive. You will need to restart your computer which should allow you to try it again.

 

#3 Microphone won’t work anymore – For some users the Windows update caused the Windows microphone to because inaccessible. You will need to go back into setting and restore access.

 

#4 On-screen keyboard stopped working – The update that Microsoft released caused some people to lose the onscreen keyboard that came with Windows 10. If you experience this, you can go into settings a turn it back on.

 

#5 Chrome browser continuously crashes after the update – Google did not see it necessary to announce any known issues with its browser, but Microsoft did and found the fix for it.

 

#6 PC will not boot after the KB4103721 Version 1803 patch is installed – This issue was being reported by some users and it would cause a black screen to be displayed.

 

#7 Windows 10 Update caused issues with SSD’s – This issue was being reported on machines that had to different models of Intel’s SSD (600p Series and Pro 6000p Series NVMe).

 

#8 Reports of desktops disappearing after the update – It appears that there was a bug in an update and it was causing the issue. It appears that MS discovered the issue and the next update repaired the issue.

 

#9 Update not applicable to your computer error pops up – This error usually comes up if some previous updates did not completely install correctly. You will need to check to see if there are missing or possibly failed to install.

 

#10 NVIDIA GPU Graphic Settings are missing after updates installed – If you have an NVIDIA based graphics card, there are reports of issues with the GPU setting getting lost. This can degrade or disable certain graphics features.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com.  To contact one of our IT experts, call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essential Questions to Ask When Choosing a Realtor

When it comes to buying or selling property it is extremely important that you enlist the assistance of a real estate professional in the area you are looking to buy or sell the property. Regardless of whether you have some amount of real estate experience you cannot equal the knowledge that an agent that is from the area that you are looking at has of the local market.

 

When you find a local realtor that you think you might be interested in working with you should sit down and discuss things in order to select the best one for your needs. We put together a list of essential questions that should help you to glean all of the information from that you will be able to use to make your final selection.

 

10 Essential Question to Ask When Choosing a Realtor

 

How many years have you been in the area?

This is extremely important to get to know whether or not they have enough knowledge of the local community. If they don’t have many years of experience, this should give you a reason not to go with them.

How many clients are you currently working with?

Finding out how many people they are working with will give you an idea of how much time they could devote to your needs.

Do you work with most buyers as compared to sellers or vice versa?

If an agent works mostly buyers or mostly sellers, they may not have as much experience with the other and that could be an issue.

Is there a specific area that you cover?

Finding out up front if your agent is tied to a specific area can end up limiting you in your opportunities.

Does your agency use teams and are you part of one?

Knowing if your agent is part of a larger team is a good thing to know so that you know that you could be working with another agent at some point.

Are you able to handle a few of these unique situations?

Put together a list of unique situations and see how they respond to each specific situation.

How do you prefer to handle communication with your clients?

It is a really good idea to find out right off the bat how you will be communicating with your agent.

 Do you have a rapport with some of the local professional groups?

It is really important for an agent to have a really good working relationship with the key vendors that work in the areas related to real estate.

Can I get 3 references with contact information?

It is always important to get references so that you can find out what other people who already worked with think about them.

Do you have any questions for me?

Last but certainly the least, ask if they have any questions.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

 

 

Shrinking Cancerous Cells Using Linear Accelerator Technology

It is very unfortunate when you see your friend or family member get diagnosed with cancer. Watching them go through the pain and suffering, you wish that they wouldn’t have to go through that. You also pray for cancer to never touch you. It is the most painful thing a person can go through. Often when a person is to be treated for cancer, words like ‘chemotherapy’ and ‘radiation are thrown around.

What Is Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatment involves the use of drugs to control the growth of cancer cells. The drugs used in chemotherapy tend to vary. It depends on the age of the person and the type of cancer as well as the cancer stage. When doctors administer chemotherapy drugs, they keep a close eye on the patient. This is because the drugs can have side-effects and may react adversely. These side effects include loss of hair, formation of blood forming cells in the bone marrow, heart, lung or kidney damage, etc.

What Is Radiation Oncology

Also known as radiation therapy, radiation oncology is the use of high-energy waves/radiations to kill cancerous cells. Radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and radiation oncology medical physicists use up-to-date radiation oncology equipment to deliver radiation therapy without any side effects. They try to make it as painless as possible. However, radiation oncology when compared with chemotherapy is very less painful. Studies have shown that around 40% of cancer patients are treated with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can be used alongside chemotherapy or on its own.

Radiation therapy is, as told, is very effective. With cancer being the leading cause of death around the world, investment in new radiation oncology equipment, methods and treatments has become more crucial than ever. Linear accelerator is one of the most common oncology medical equipment being used for radiation therapy.

What Is a Linear Accelerator

This radiation oncology equipment is the most effective equipment used to kill cancerous cells. It does no harm to the normal tissues. It uses high-beam X-Rays and specifically directs them to the point where cancer cells have accumulated. The treatment using linear accelerators is very painless and it is non-invasive. Linear accelerators also use a combination of IGRT and IMRT. IGRT makes use of imaging. This helps with making the therapy precise and increases the exactness of the therapy procedure. The IMRT uses a combination of high-quality hardware and software. IMRT is used to change the intensity of the radiation if it is used on other parts of the body where cancer cells may be growing.

What Is Special About a Linear Accelerator

This oncology medical equipment literally targets the DNA of the cancer cells. Once the DNA is killed, the cancer cells slowly die. Moreover, normally radiation therapy can damage normal cells too. Linear accelerator, because it uses a combination of IMRT and IGRT, make targeting the damaged cells more precise and perfect. The use of linear accelerators is also a good way to personalise your treatment accordingly. Linear accelerators can be used on any part of the body to treat cancer. It is very effective and accurate.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

Common Summer Projects For Your Home

Summers are a great time in Michigan.  It is the perfect time to enjoy the beach, BBQ’s, and flip flops.  It is also the perfect time for homeowners to tackle home improvement projects.  The weather is finally perfect – no snow, ice, or excessive wind.  The summer months are the perfect time to assess your home, make general repairs, perform maintenance, and take on larger scaled projects like the installation of a new roof, kitchen remodels (YEAH FOR BBQ’S), porch upgrades, upgraded decking, and more.  Depending on your budget and the renovations you choose, you can increase the overall value of your home by updating the space.

The Most Common Summer Projects

  • Pressure Washing – Nothing speaks louder than a well-maintained home.  Power washing your homes siding and decking is an inexpensive way to clean your home.  Removing mold, algae, and mildew can result in increasing the longevity of your sidings lifespan.  Pressure washing costs about $500 for a professional to complete or for the DIY a power washer can be rented for about $50 for four hours.
  • Landscaping – Any home improvement that increases your homes curb appeal will add value to your home.  Landscaping doesn’t have to be complex, simple lawn care and maintenance with a few flower beds to enhance the space can really transform a home.  If you are not interested in hiring a professional landscaper, it is important to have a plan in place before diving into landscaping. 
  • Kitchen Renovations – When it comes to kitchens it is best for homeowners to work with a reliable contractor as kitchen remodeling can take a quick turn in the wrong direction.  You don’t need every one of the latest gadgets, top line appliances, and exotic materials to create a kitchen that is the envy of the neighborhood. The most important aspect is the layout and flow of your space. 

A small kitchen can function better than a large kitchen with the right layout design.  An important aspect in renovating, especially in kitchens is lighting.  Modern lighting overhead and underneath cabinetry can transform the overall feel of the space.  Including a backsplash is always an inexpensive way to add to the look of the space.  Believe it or not, it is possible to completely redo the look and feel of a kitchen can cost as little as $4,000 when you hire a professional kitchen contractor.

  • Deck Additions – Summer is all about creating an environment outdoor that is both functional and comfortable.  Adding to your deck is a great way to make the space usable.  Outdoor kitchen spaces, comfy lounge spaces, sitting nooks, fire pits, high top bars, the list of outdoor decking renovations that add value to your space are endless.   Renovate your deck into a space that feels like you are on a constant vacation. 

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan.  Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovationsflooring upgrades, and home remodelingservices.  More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

Whole House Vs Point of Use Water Filtration

Everyone wants water that tastes good in their home, but it can be tricky to determine what type of water filtration system to install to make it happen.  After all, having great tasting water is not going to mean anything to you if the water in the rest of your house is cloudy and stains your clothing or other items that you are trying to keep clean.

Point of use home water filter systems will help you achieve fresh and crisp tasting water and these systems are installed underneath a sink or countertop.  While point of use home water filter systems will deliver purified water for drinking and cooking, the amount of water that is purified each day might be less than you actually need.

Whole house water filtration systems will treat all the water that enters your home, which means that you will be using treated water for bathing, washing dishes, cleaning, and doing your laundry.  These whole house water filtration systems can deliver thousands of gallons of water each day and the system would need to be placed where your water first enters your home.  This could be in your garage or your basement, and since these systems are a little larger, you will need to make room for them.  You would never need to worry about running out of clean water when you use a whole house water filtration system, but you should know that the quality of the water will not be as pure for drinking as it would be if you installed point of use home water filter systems in the rooms where you drink the water.

While either one of these options will give you better water, you may want to consider installing both inside your home.  The whole house water filtration system will treat the water for your entire home, while additional treatment will be done to your water with the point of use home water filter system.  This additional system will ensure that you have the best purified water for drinking and cooking purposes.

You may decide to install one or more of these systems due to personal preference of how water should taste, or you may choose to have them installed out of necessity.  Red iron stains are one of the first clues that you need to seriously consider a whole house water filtration system, while an off taste might simply suggest a point of use home water filter system.  If you are not sure if you need to install a water filtration system inside your home, you may want to have your water tested and talk to a professional of how these systems can make your water better.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

What is the Difference Between Premiums, Deductibles, and Coinsurance?

Everyone needs to pay something for their health insurance, but the amount is different depending on the type of plan that a person has.  Once a person reaches retirement age, they are eligible for Medicare, which may or may not have a charge for premiums but does require everyone to pay a deductible and coinsurance each year.  Medigap supplement insurance plans are a great way to save on the deductible and coinsurance of Medicare, but there is often a premium for them.

If you are unsure of the difference between premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance when it comes to Medicare and Medigap plans, it is fairly easy to figure out.  A premium is the money that you pay for your medical policy.  You may not have to pay a monthly premium for your Medicare insurance, but every Medigap supplement insurance plan has a premium.  The amount of that premium is determined by the plan that you choose.

A deductible is the amount of money that you will need to pay before your insurance will pay out anything.  Your deductible can be quite high with Medicare, but your Medigap plan will allow you to pay less money, as that plan normally covers most of the amount that you would owe.

Once you have fulfilled your deductible, you are almost always required to pay a coinsurance for any other services that you receive.  The coinsurance is normally a percentage of what Medicare or Medigap pays, but it could also be a specified dollar amount.  While a coinsurance is guaranteed with a Medicare plan, you may not need to pay the coinsurance in full if you have a Medigap supplement insurance plan that will cover some of it.

You may not think that it is worthwhile to purchase a Medigap supplement insurance plan when you become eligible for Medicare, because it would be one more premium that you would need to pay every month.  However, you may find that the amount of the premium is negligible compared to the amount of money that you are saving in deductible and coinsurance payments.

The savings might not be significant in the beginning when you are healthy, but one long-term illness or multiple short-term illnesses will allow you to see the savings more clearly.  Don’t lose out on saving money in the future from not understanding the importance of Medigap insurance, because your health could depend on it.

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

When Can I Change Medigap Plans?

You will become eligible to purchase a Medigap plan as soon as you turn sixty-five years of age and enroll in Medicare Part B.  This eligibility lasts for six months and during that time, you will not be turned down due to pre-existing conditions.  Once that six-month time frame has ended, you will not be guaranteed coverage for any Medicare supplemental insurance plans

Once you have one of the Medicare supplement plans, you will not be able to change to another plan easily and you will not be guaranteed an approval from any other Medigap company.  However, there are a few exceptions to this rule and it is during those times that you will thankfully be guaranteed to receive approval for one of the Medicare supplemental insurance plans.

Here are 5 exceptions that will allow you to purchase one of the Medicare supplement plans outside of your open enrollment period:

  1. The insurance company that you use for your Medicare supplemental insurance plan has left your service area.
  2. You have Medicare and coverage through your employer, but your employer coverage is now ending.
  3. The insurance company that you use for your Medigap plan is now bankrupt.
  4. You move outside the coverage area for the insurance company that your Medicare supplement plan is for.
  5. The insurance company that you use has misled you in some way or they have not been compliant with the current law.

As you can see, there are not too many instances that will allow you to easily change Medigap plans and guarantee coverage.  However, if you do manage to get approval for another Medicare supplemental insurance plan, you will want to keep in mind that you may have a waiting period before you receive coverage, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.  The length of time that you will need to wait is normally six months, although some insurance companies may allow you to start receiving benefits a little sooner.

One other exception that is worth noting is switching to and from a Medicare Advantage plan.  If you need to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan, you will not receive any benefits from your Medigap plan, but you can switch back to your original plan with no restrictions as long as you do it within a year.  If your old Medicare supplemental insurance plan is no longer available when you go to switch back, you can then enroll in any Medigap Plan A, B, C, F, K, or L without worrying about needing to wait six months for coverage or being turned down.

It is necessary to be careful when you first enroll in Medicare supplement plans, so that you choose the one that will work best for you.  That doesn’t mean that you are stuck with what you choose though, especially if the service goes downhill a couple of years after you purchase the insurance.  Instead of suffering with that you have at that point, you will want to take your chances and see if there is another Medicare supplemental insurance plan that will approve your coverage.

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!