Columnists

Ever wonder what a hospice social worker does for the patients and their families who receive hospice or palliative care services at Northland Hospice and Palliative Care? First and foremost, we meet the patient and family where they are, with what they want, with what they expect, and with what they have to work with. We explain available options so they know what choices they have and support what is chosen. Social workers perform psychosocial assessments and reassessments of their needs and … [Read more...] about The Hospice Social Worker

Probably your answer to that question is, “of course!” In fact, it almost seems frivolous to even ask the question. Good health usually means a higher quality, more productive life, correct? Conversely, bad health is usually predictive of a lower quality, less enjoyable life, correct? Those are certainly true statements, but startling information is emerging about poor health. We now know that 87 percent of all healthcare claims costs are due to an individual’s lifestyle. Eighty-seven percent of … [Read more...] about Is Good Health Worth It?

  Spring is sprung, the grass is ris. I wonders where the birdies is. They say the birds is on the wing. Ain't that absurd? I always thought the wing was on the bird.   This springtime declaration, sometimes attributed to Ogden Nash or E. E. Cummings, is actually by an anonymous poet. However, Northern Arizonan gardeners do not go nameless when proclaiming that long-awaited spring is finally here. Gardening enthusiasts know that high country gardening is a bit … [Read more...] about Preparing Your Garden

  Every restaurant, bar and hotel in the city charges an extra two percent tax. This is in addition to the regular sales tax that you pay on regular purchases. This additional two percent tax is commonly known as the “BBB tax” (Bed, Board and Booze), and generates $6 million annually. The tax started in 1988. It was enacted by the voters as is required for all sales taxes. It was originally designated to be used for beautification, economic development and recreation. Back in 1988, I … [Read more...] about Flagstaff’s BBB

 Breastfeeding offers a myriad of health benefits to nursing mothers and their children. Breastfeeding is proven to be one of the most effective measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breastfed babies experience fewer ear infections and have a reduced risk for significant acute and chronic diseases, including sudden infant death syndrome, childhood leukemia, asthma and type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding Programs Good for Business

Despite attempts to limit – and even delete – stored business data, archived data continues to grow exponentially. Once companies have eliminated unnecessary data and implemented an information lifecycle management solution, they will eventually need a data storage solution. Traditional data storage might be useful for a time. However, compliance, data retention requirements, and the rising cost of hardware infrastructure push businesses to explore alternatives to traditional storage. At some … [Read more...] about Managing Data Growth

  Surveys estimate that noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) affects 10 to 15 million people in the United States. The excessive motion caused by loud sound can cause a plethora of damage in the delicate cochlear sensory cells and the nearby supporting pillar cells of the hearing organ. Noise can rupture the tips of the cells, fuse sensory cells together, damage the area that the cells transmit signals through and even change the vascular pathways inside the organ. The vulnerability of the inner … [Read more...] about Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Shortly after several hundred of the nation’s county officials gathered in Reno, Nev. for the National Association of Counties (NACo) conference in July 2010, we took notice. Not only was such a conference an excellent opportunity to showcase one’s county – in this case, Washoe County, Nev. – we also noticed that hosting such an event could have a broader impact on the local economy. Hotels would fill up and restaurants, local businesses and attractions would also receive extra … [Read more...] about Showcasing the County