As individuals enter the elderly stages of life, the risk and consequences of falling greatly increases. That probably does not surprise anybody, but what is surprising is that most people are not taking the necessary steps to ensure safety. Below are a few questions and precautions to take into consideration concerning an individual who is at risk of falling. Health and Safety Home Assessment Do you or a loved one take four or more medications daily? Multiple medications can cause … [Read more...] about How to Reduce the Risk of Falling for Older Adults
Columnists
Want Success? Try the Law of Probability
Welcome to 2018! This is the time of year to lift our heads out of survival mode and reset that compass and tweak our life course to match our goals. What is success to you? The definition of success is clearly not the same for everyone, and I can attest, they change over time. I’d like to share a simple model that I’ve used to achieve business and personal goals in the many challenges I’ve faced throughout the years. My success invariably has been directly proportional to my efforts. Whether … [Read more...] about Want Success? Try the Law of Probability
A Different Approach to Back Surgery: From the Side, Not the Back
When most people think of back surgery, they probably picture the patient laying on their stomach and the surgeon making incisions on the back, close to the spine. But for nearly a decade, specialty trained orthopedic and spine surgeons have been taking new approaches to get to the lower spine, including from the side of the body, the throat and the abdomen. These new approaches mean less pain and faster recovery. Often, a patient's recovery time and post-surgery pain is based on the amount … [Read more...] about A Different Approach to Back Surgery: From the Side, Not the Back
How Will You Treat Me After I Resign; Does it Matter?
As a manager, one of the worst things we can hear is, “I’m quitting” from one of our employees. Our immediate thought is that we are already over-worked and understaffed. Then we start thinking about the hassle of recruiting, and trying to find someone qualified to accept the pay for the cost-of-living that exists. Let me challenge you to look at this differently. Stop thinking about yourself and instead ask how you can make this a great experience for the resigning employee. I know this … [Read more...] about How Will You Treat Me After I Resign; Does it Matter?
Meat: The Other Vegetable
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my daughter arranged for us to take a tour of the University of Arizona slaughterhouse in Tucson to see where her adorable little 4H lamb went to die after being sold at the county fair. Her goals were to understand the process of killing and packaging domestic livestock animals as well as to convince me never to eat meat again. “How can you call yourself an environmentalist if you eat meat, Dad!” She is right. Domestic livestock production is the most resource … [Read more...] about Meat: The Other Vegetable
What to Consider When Purchasing a Firearm
Once you have made the decision to purchase a firearm, there are many things to consider before you buy. There are many aspects and features available on the variety of firearms available for purchase and having working knowledge of these features will greatly assist you in determining which firearm is right for you. Do you want a hammer fire, striker fire firearm? Do you want a single action or double action? Do you want a manual safety? Do you want a de-cocker? Are night sights, fiber optic or … [Read more...] about What to Consider When Purchasing a Firearm
Addressing Minimum Wage in the New Year
Hello Flagstaff and welcome, 2018! There are a couple things in store for this New Year that I’d like to take a moment to address. As many of you know, the minimum wage went up with the beginning of the year across Arizona to $10.50, and in Flagstaff, it climbed to $11. This is a result of voters here in town passing Proposition 414 at the same time as statewide voters passed Proposition 206. Last January, the Council took steps to reconcile the two minimum wage bills in a way that respected … [Read more...] about Addressing Minimum Wage in the New Year
Personal Wellness, Balance Might Be Easier Than You Think
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing, that’s why we recommend it daily.” ~ Zig Ziglar To achieve and maintain personal wellness, we need more than motivation. Wellness requires a daily “personal” commitment. Wellness is much more than physical health, exercise and nutrition. It is the integration of everything in our lives that makes us who we are. To be fully well, we must have balance in all areas of our life – social, emotional, spiritual, … [Read more...] about Personal Wellness, Balance Might Be Easier Than You Think
Financial Considerations in Divorce
So, you’ve just been served with divorce papers. What now? Following the initial shock of being served, panic and a feeling of being overwhelmed often seems to hit next. If minor children are involved, the biggest fear often revolves around custody and parenting plans. At the same time, financial concerns such as who is going to live in the house and pay the bills become a reality, because in most cases, one party to the divorce moves out and the other stays, at least temporarily. If both … [Read more...] about Financial Considerations in Divorce
Learning About Continuing Care Retirement Communities
One of the hardest challenges I have had to make for my parents was navigating the resources available for aging family members, especially learning about facilities that provide them with care throughout their aging process. When trying to research the options, it can be overwhelming, as there is language used in the senior living industry that is not necessarily common in the layperson’s world. A term I wish I would have explored when I was considering living options for my father is CCRCs, … [Read more...] about Learning About Continuing Care Retirement Communities