Family Caregivers aren’t alone. An estimated 44 million Americans regularly care for an elderly relative or friend, with estimates that as much as 75 percent or more of elder care is provided by informal caregivers. Many caregivers shoulder the responsibility as if they were alone, often not asking for help. As a consequence, they suffer stress that takes a toll on their own physical, mental and emotional health. They may feel guilty for wanting help – for instance, feeling as if they were … [Read more...] about Caring for the Caregiver
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Feeling the Impact of Climbing Cotton Prices
“It was a perfect storm,” explained Hal Majors, director of purchasing at Drury Hotels. “Cotton mills in Pakistan and India began hording to drive up the price of cotton. Then an atypical monsoon season flooded Pakistani mills. There was no rise in demand until the flooding issues in 2010. Add to that the rising costs of shipping – prices have gone from $3,500 to $5,000-6,000 per container – and you have the perfect storm for record-high cotton prices. We thought we had staved off increases … [Read more...] about Feeling the Impact of Climbing Cotton Prices
Arizonans Uncertain About Future Healthcare Options
Healthcare is a significant part of the economy in Northern Arizona and one of the few areas with continued growth during the recent recession. But continuing uncertainties about Medicaid cuts are a big headache for local hospitals and health centers across the region. “None of the proposals look good,” said Bill Bradel, president and CEO of Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC), where 30 percent of patients are currently on Medicaid. Partly due to large numbers of small employers who don’t provide … [Read more...] about Arizonans Uncertain About Future Healthcare Options
FMC Receives $47,400 Susan G. Komen Grant
For the eighth year in a row, Flagstaff Medical Center’s Therapy Services Department has received a grant from the Phoenix Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The $47,400 grant will provide treatment to those who suffer with lymphedema, a painful side effect of breast cancer treatment. Additionally, grant funds will be used to provide massages for people undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and those who live in remote areas can receive help with gas and lodging so they can … [Read more...] about FMC Receives $47,400 Susan G. Komen Grant
Risks of Screening Prostate Specific Antigen
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein measured in the blood that is produced by the prostate gland. It is used as a marker for the early detection of prostate cancer. Currently, the American Cancer Society recommends all men begin screening their PSA at age 50, with annual tests thereafter. Since the implementation of this screening protocol, the number of men who unnecessarily undergo invasive diagnostic and treatment procedures, including radical prostatectomy (complete removal of the … [Read more...] about Risks of Screening Prostate Specific Antigen
Service Begins at the Top
One of the objections we hear about trying to improve customer service is that much of the workforce is transient – young employees who do not have a commitment to stay. We hear some other harsh assumptions made about this particular workforce; for example, they act as though they are doing the employer a favor by working there, they don’t value customer service as important, and they just don’t have the same work ethic. This drove us to talk to some twenty-somethings who are in our local … [Read more...] about Service Begins at the Top
Analysis of AZ Income Tax Reform
Revised Rates Would Be Lowest of Any State with an Income Tax, says Tax Foundation analysts. (An Arizona Senate committee has voted for a 'flat tax' . The Senate Finance committee voted 4-2 this week to pass the income tax reform which would eliminate some deductions including those for mortgage interest, charitable donations and those for dependents. The house has already passed a similar version of the bill. Analysis shows nearly nine out of 10 Arizonans would pay higher taxes under the … [Read more...] about Analysis of AZ Income Tax Reform
Reclaiming the American Dream
In generations past, home ownership was a goal sought after by most families. Owning your own home with a yard, a picket fence, maybe a front porch is a cornerstone of the American dream. And building equity provided a path to the middle class, a way to finance college for the kids and build a nest egg for retirement. A home would be the single biggest investment we'd probably make in our lifetimes. One mortgage crisis later and many people's dreams lie shuttered in foreclosure or in … [Read more...] about Reclaiming the American Dream
NAU Boosts Local Economy –- Businesses Thrive
Northern Arizona University is a prominent player in the economic vitality of Flagstaff and the state of Arizona. That’s according to a report recently released by NAU’s Arizona Rural Policy Institute. The report, The Economic Contributions of Northern Arizona University to the State of Arizona in 2010, claims that NAU has contributed nearly $1.5 billion to the state’s economy during the last fiscal year. Rich Bowen, NAU vice president of development and sustainability said, “We bring … [Read more...] about NAU Boosts Local Economy –- Businesses Thrive
Hopi Village Breaking Ground for New Prosperity
The concept of planned development has been in place in Sipaulovi for more than 30 years; the ideal location of houses, fields, ceremonial buildings, and public gathering places was laid out to maximize land use on Second Mesa. Planned commercial development, in Sipaulovi, or anywhere in Hopi, is a more recent idea, but a much needed one. Unemployment rates on the reservation have been reported as high as 80 percent and as low as 50 percent – depending upon the source – although the term “low” … [Read more...] about Hopi Village Breaking Ground for New Prosperity