The Heights April 17 - May 1, 2014 Volume 4 :: No. 8

Community News

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Senior ER at University Hospitals Bedford Medical Center offers patients over 65 a better emergency care experience

Over the last three years, University Hospitals (UH) Bedford Medical Center, a campus of UH Regional Hospitals, became the first hospital in the region to enhance and upgrade its Emergency Department to better address the unique needs of adults aged 65 and older.

The community hospital’s Senior ER is staffed by doctors, nurses and social workers trained and certified in the care of older adults. The team provides fast, expert care including assessing seniors for multiple medications; nutritional needs; and pre-existing conditions like dementia, delirium and depression; to determine the most effective care path.

The goals of the 12-bed Senior ER is to create a less stressful, more compassionate care experience for the patient and to minimize inpatient hospital admissions. “An Emergency Room experience can be stressful for anyone, but for elderly patients it can

be traumatic and life-changing,” says Anne O’Neill, LSW, Manager, Center for Healthy Aging, UH Bedford Medical Center. “Senior patients frequently become confused and for those with memory impairment, the experience can be frightening. The Senior ER environment gives older patients what they need to return home or go to a more specialized living environment in order to be successful.”

In 2013 nearly 18 percent of people admitted to UH Bedford Medical Center’s Emergency Room were over 65. Thousands of Senior ER patients experienced a care environment featuring:

*Treatment areas with soft lighting and calming decor

*Clocks, telephones and signage with large numbers and letters

*Special mattresses to reduce pressure on skin and aching backs

*Visual and hearing assistive devices

*Personal items like toothbrushes, combs and slippers

*Safety rails throughout the facilityMaple Heights resident Ozie M.

Clark, 72, came to the Senior ER at UH Bedford Medical Center in early February. “I was treated very well and had a wonderful experience,” she says. “I was seen right away and the social worker, Mary Jo, talked with me to make sure I had everything I needed. I think the Senior ER is a great idea.”

Mary Jo Deely, LSW, Senior ER Social Worker at UH Bedford Medical Center, has been with the hospital 21 years and at the Senior ER since 2012. “My role is to be an advocate for seniors who visit our Emergency Room,” says Deely. “I educate them and their families about the programs and resources available to them at UH Bedford Medical Center and in the community. I’m here to enrich their lives medically, emotionally and socially, with the utmost respect.”

“University Hospitals is a visionary

health care system that listens,” says O’Neill. “One of the ways we listen is to have a social worker in our Emergency Room at UH Bedford Medical Center specifically focused on older adults. This isn’t happening anywhere else in our region.”

With the growth in our community’s elderly population, changes in geriatric patient care impact every level of health care delivery. “By addressing the needs of adults in our Senior ER, we can dramatically improve their transition home or to another health care setting, minimize emergency room readmissions, inpatient admissions and better prepare caregivers for the future,” says Robert G. David, President, UH Bedford and Richmond medical centers.

To learn more about the Senior ER at UH Bedford Medical Center, visit www.uhbedford.org and click “Services,” or call 440-735-4200.

2 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: May 22, 2008

www.thenewstandard.com The New Standard

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Help for Garfield Heights families is just a phone call away. The new Family Resource Center at the Garfield Heights Civic Center, 5407 Turney Road, has information to assist families with drug treatment, counseling and

prevention services, support groups, and other needs. Office hours vary, so it is best to call and make an appointment.

Call the Help Line, 216-475-1103, or e-mail rpollack@garfieldhts.org for assistance.

Help Available Through Family Resource Center

The HeightsStandard

Buyers no longer will be required to put repair funds into an escrow account for violations cited during the point-of-sale inspection. Repairs still must be made by the deadline set by the city’s building

department. Buyers will receive a one-year family recreation pass, limit one per family. Members are still required to purchase an identification card at the recreation center.

Garfield Heights New Homebuyer Incentives

www.TheHeightsStandard.com

Kindly send all announcements to

matt@TheHeightsStandard.com

April 17 -May 1, 2014

The Cleveland RTA is partnering with the Children’s Museum of Cleveland to collect canned goods and money for the annual Harvest for Hunger food and fund donation drive with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

April 18, from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.,

the Children’s Museum of Cleveland (10730 Euclid Avenue) will host RTA’s first 2014 ‘Fill the Bus’ event. Brtng your food and or monetary donations to Harvest for Hunger. Tell your friends and neighbors to bring the children, some dollars and some canned goods.

There will be plenty of space to drive up and drop off. Donate at the HealthLine stop in front of the musuem, or let your chiildren drop off the food and monetary donations as you head into the museum. Do good for the community on Good Friday!

April 25, from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m., Rapid riders can donate canned goods and monetary donations at the Triskett Rapid Station, 13405 Lakewood Heights Blvd. Volunteers will collect food and cash. There is easy drive up and drop off access at this location as well.

April 18 & 25: RTA to ‘Fill the Bus’ for Harvest for Hunger

Palm Sunday Event for ChildrenThe Lutheran Church of the Covenant, 19000 Libby Road, Maple Heights, OH 44137 will present their fourth annual Palm Saturday Event for children ages 3 through 8th grade on Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 9:30 a.m. Holy Week and Easter are the heart of the church year. Palm Saturday prepares children for the whole range of the church’s experience from Palm Sunday through Easter. The day will include storytelling, crafts and an Easter Egg Hunt. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited to the first 40 children that enroll, so please register early. For more information or to obtain an application form, call the church at 216-662-0370. This event is free and open

to all members of the community.

May 22, 2008 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: 3

Celebrating 5 Years of Award-Winning Journalism in Central Ohio www.thenewstandard.com

The Heights Standard April 17 -May 1, 2014

FitzGerald applauds Child Support Services for bringing in more than $25 million in monthly payments

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald applauded Executive Director Deborah Watkins and her team at the Office of Child Support Services for collecting a record amount in child support payments during the month of March.

“We’re holding parents accountable here in Cuyahoga County,” said FitzGerald. “I commend the hardworking men and women in the Office of Child Support Services for their relentless work to serve young people in Cuyahoga County.”

The Office of Child Support Services collected $25,509,653 last month a total that surpasses the previous record of $25,392,528, which was set in March 2011. When parents pay their child support on a regular and consistent basis, children are more likely to graduate from high school, and less likely to become involved in the juvenile delinquency system. Child support paid by parents helps children in Cuyahoga County receive proper nutrition, medical care, and other necessities.

“Executive FitzGerald is setting a new standard for efficiency in Cuyahoga County government,” added Watkins. “Child Support services touch the lives of 1 in 3 children, and 1 in 2 children living in poverty. On Ed FitzGeralds watch, the Office of Child Support Services is working with parents, and other child support partners to make sure that children and families receive the resources they need to succeed.”

The Office of Child Support Services aims to ensure that children and families are able to rely upon regular

and consistent support. It provides a wide range of family support services, including establishing the legal father-child relationship when necessary, establishing and modifying support orders, and collecting support payments.

For more information on services available to Cuyahoga County families, please visit http://cjfs.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/child-support

Geauga Family Farms Announces New Software, Payment PlansThe snow has finally melted and spring

finally looks to be on its way. As another rite of spring, Geauga Family Farms is gearing up for year six of its community supported agriculture program (CSA).

GFF has added even more sites to its roster of more than 20 public and several corporate locations where members can pick up their share of the crop. Seven Hills Community Center and Perennials Preferred in Chesterland are partnering with Geauga Family Farms this year to provide additional pick-up sites.

This season, Geauga Family Farms also has implemented new CSA management software from the Farmigo company that will make

the sign-up and ordering processes easier for members. A range of new features including individual accounts, better communications, new payment options and other features, will allow GFF to better serve its members. Besides accepting a wider range of credit cards, the new payment options also allow members to spread out CSA share payments.

GFF is a cooperative of 10 certified-organic farmers in Geauga County who contribute vegetables grown on their individual family farms to the CSA program. The CSA model provides a way for consumers to purchase local food directly from the farmers and allows the farmers to receive a fair market price for

their produce.CSA members become partners with the

farmers by paying upfront for a subscription, or “share,” of produce they receive weekly during the 20-week growing season from June through October. By investing in the farm at the beginning of the growing season, members provide financial support to the farmers when they most need it for seeds, supplies, labor, etc.

Members choose a nearby pickup site at which to pick up their weekly share. Farmers pick the produce and it’s on its way to your table within less than 24 hours. Sites are spread across Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Summit

counties. For a complete list of pickup sites, visit geaugafamilyfarms.org.

It’s easy to get a share of this year’s crop: just sign up online or mail in a membership form by May 15 with a check. Find the forms on the farms’ Web site at geaugafmailyfarms.org or by e-mailing LDobson@geaugafamilyfarms.org.

If you are looking for fresh organic produce grown by farmers you know, in a sustainable, certified-organic way, shake the hands that feed you at Geauga Family Farms and put a face on your farmer. From seed-starting to harvest, you’ll know who, how, where and when your food was grown and picked.

Run with the Big (and Little) Dogs at MetroParks Pooch ParadeHow do top dogs spell fun? Why

K-9 5K, of course! Race or leisurely walk with your four-legged friend in Cleveland Metroparks Ranger K-9 5K & 1 Mile Pooch Parade on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at Edgewater Park in Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Reservation. The Ranger K-9 5K race begins at 9 a.m. and the 1 Mile Pooch Parade immediately follows. Whether you run, walk or watch from the sidelines, this event will make your tail wag!

Other dog-gone fun activities

include:Dog-friendly vendorsK-9 unit skills and technique

demonstrations by BARK (Buckeye Area Regional K-9)

Dog adoption opportunities and information

PrizesProceeds from this event support

the Ranger Department K-9 Unit Fund which is used to provide training and equipment for the Park District’s special unit, along with an occasional doggie treat! If you are unable to attend this

event, but would like to make a donation to the Ranger Department K-9 Unit Fund, please visit clevelandmetroparks.com.

Currently, Cleveland Metroparks Ranger K-9 Unit includes: Lt. Robert Pofok and K-9 Rocky, Sgt. Tim Garris and K-9 Logan, Ranger Michael Kort and K-9 Gambit and the newest members of the unit, Ranger Michael Barr and his 6-month-old, K-9 officer-in-training, Rico. The K-9 Unit patrols the Park District and specializes in locating missing people, apprehending fleeing suspects

and detecting illegal drugs. Register for Cleveland Metroparks

Ranger K-9 5K and Pooch Parade on or before April 26 and save money. Early 5K race registration is $20/dog and $10/dog for the Pooch Parade. After April 26, 5K late registration is $25 and $15 for the parade. For race registration and more information, visit clevelandmetroparks.com.

Edgewater Park is located at 6616 W. Memorial Shoreway in Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Reservation.

Summer Shouldn’t Mean Hunger for Our Nation’s ChildrenBy Kevin Concannon

USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

As a child, I always looked forward to the carefree joy of summertime. I remember the long days of playing outside at a nearby park until I needed to come home for lunch. Unfortunately, many of our nation’s children do not experience the simple joys of summer. In fact, far too many are left worrying where their next breakfast or lunch will come from when schools are dismissed for summer break.

During the school year, about 31 million American children receive school meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program every day. About 21 million of those children receive meals at a discounted rate or for free, based on their family’s income. When summer rolls around, though, only about 3.5 million of these children participate in USDA’s summer

meals programs. That means millions of eligible low-

income children are at risk of going hungry during the summer months. And we know that to thrive and reach their highest potential, children need good nutrition all year long.

USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is working to fill this hunger gap for children who qualify for free and reduced price meals during the school year. The program serves free healthy meals to eligible children ages 18 and under, and is made possible through the efforts of national, state, and local partners, including a cadre of energized volunteers.

While USDA has worked to increase access to summer meals for low-income children for many years, SFSP began receiving priority attention in 2013. Last summer, USDA employed a new tactic of working with partners to deliver intensive, targeted technical assistance

on SFSP in five states. The result was a historic increase in the number of meals served, nationwide—7 million more than the previous year! We hope to continue building on last year’s successes with our state and local partners in 2014, and move closer to closing the summer hunger gap.

The key to success this year will be expanding the number of sites open for summer meals. We must spread the word to schools, parks and recreation departments, libraries, and faith and other community organizations across the nation; their participation is critical for the continued success of SFSP. The deadlines to become Summer Food Service Program sponsors vary by State, and begin as early as April 15. Program sponsors oversee and provide meals to summer sites. In return, USDA, through the States, reimburses program sponsors for the meals served to children.

I’m sure it comes as no surprise when

I say that galvanizing hundreds of faith-based groups, civic groups, recreation centers, food banks, schools, other non-profit organizations, and volunteers takes time, effort and commitment on all sides. For any community that treasures its youth (and I haven’t met one that doesn’t), we must organize now to fight hunger this summer.

If you or your organization is interested in helping us reduce the risk of hunger among our nation’s youth, visit our website, www.summerfood.usda.gov. The summer meals outreach toolkit includes sample outreach plans, templates, customizable flyers, door hangers, letters to parents, examples of site activities, best practices, and more. State representatives are also available to answer questions and facilitate sponsor enrollment and site registration.

This year, let’s work together to make sure every child in our great nation has a hunger-free summer.

4 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: May 22, 2008

www.thenewstandard.com The New Standard

Columbus & Ohio4 The Heights StandardApril 17 -May 1, 2014

May 22, 2008 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: 5

Celebrating 5 Years of Award-Winning Journalism in Central Ohio www.thenewstandard.com

Columbus & Ohio The Heights Standard

Get Fit Zumba & Yoga Corewith Joanne Economos, certified personal trainer

Mondays, March 31 - May 5Zumba 5:30-6:15 p.m. Yoga Core 6:30-7:15 p.m.

*Marymount Hospital Auditorium 12300 McCracken Road, Garfield Heights 44125*The first week of classes have been moved to the Villa St. Joseph, Assisi Hall located next to the hospital.

Zumba fuses Latin rhythms and fast and slow dance moves to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Yoga Core is a beginners yoga class of flexibility and relaxation combined with floor exercises that train the core, providing tone to the abdomen and strength to the back.$35 for both classes, $20 for either Zumba or *Yoga Core

*Bring a mat for Yoga CoreFull payment is due at the first class. Cash or check made payable to Marymount Hospital.

Reservations required. Please call 216.587.8998 x 3649 to reserve your spot!

April 17 -May 1, 2014

© 2013 University Hospitals BMC 00529

N o w o f f e r i N g C o m p r e h e N s i v e

s e N i o r A s s e s s m e N t s

University Hospitals Bedford Medical Center, a campus of UH Regional Hospitals, proudly launches the Center for Healthy Aging and its new Senior Assessment Program.

Under the direction of a board-certified geriatrician, patients receive a comprehensive physical, psychological and functional evaluation. The results and recommendations of the assessment are then forwarded to a physician or caregiver of the patient’s choice.

Schedule an assessment: 440-735-4200

Physician referral preferred, but not required.

i N t r o d u C i N g t h e

Center for Healthy Aging

440-735-4200 | UHBedford.org44 Blaine AvenueBedford, Ohio 44146

“Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage

of opportunity and strength.”B E T T Y F R I E D A N

BMC 00529 5.25x13 Ad.indd 1 10/8/13 12:18 PM

Zoo to Build New Event Center at Waterfowl Lake

A new rentable event center for parties, weddings, corporate events or showers at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will overlook the picturesque Waterfowl Lake by spring 2015.

The new 10,000-square-foot event center located in Savanna Ridge will complement the Circle of Wildlife Carousel and Nature Discovery Ridge play zone that are currently under construction and scheduled to open in late May of this year.

“The Zoo is such a unique place to have an event,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman. “And the demand for rental space throughout the Zoo has been increasing, while our ability to host events has been limited due to all of the indoor, year-round rentable spaces being inside animal exhibit buildings. We are committed to providing the best possible visitor experience, therefore this event center allows us to serve our guests while still accommodating the organizations and individuals looking to host their weddings, special events, corporate outings, trade shows and other events.”

The new event center, complete with a 2,100-square-foot patio overlooking the water, will increase the Zoo’s viability as a prime event hosting location.

Peninsula Architects, the firm acting as criteria architects for the carousel project, was selected as criteria architects for the event center as well, in order to maintain design consistency. Construction of the new facility is estimated at $2.3 million. The Zoo’s longtime contracted caterer, ARAMARK, has committed $1 million toward the construction of the event center. The Cleveland Zoological Society has committed $300,000 and the other $1 million will be funded by Cleveland Metroparks.

“ARAMARK is very excited to extend our longtime partnership with Cleveland Metroparks, including the construction of the new event center,” said ARAMARK District Manager Sam Cario. “This new space will allow us to produce and create a wider variety of events in an environment that is unmatched in Northeast Ohio.”

6 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: May 22, 2008

www.thenewstandard.com The New Standard

Columbus & Ohio6 The Heights Standard

EMPLOYERS, JOB SEEKERS & YOUTHA Change is coming!

Watch for it!

will change its name to:

Though our name is changing, our “commitment to service” to Cuyahoga County residents seeking

employment and training opportunities remainsa “high priority”!

To better assist you, shortly we will roll out a new, easier-to-navigate, more informative website.

The new website address will be: ohiomeansjobs.com/cuyahoga

For assistance, visit one of our locations:Downtown:1020 Bolivar Rd, Cleveland, OH 44115 (216) 664-4673

Parma: 11699 Brookpark Rd, Parma, OH 44130 (216) 898-1366Southgate: 5398-1/2 Northfield Rd, Maple Heights, OH 44137 (216) 518-4954

Westshore: 9830 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102 (216) 939-2599

April 17 -May 1, 2014

INTRODUCTION: This is the second of a two-part series on Guardianships. In Part One, you learned about a “guardianship of the person,” where the Probate Court appoints someone to be in charge of where you live and what kind of care you get. The way to avoid that is to have health-care advance directives – a Health-Care Power of Attorney and a Living Will Declaration. In today’s column, I’ll tell you about a “guardianship of the estate,” where the Probate Court puts someone in charge of your $tuff. You can avoid that too!

DEAR OLD DAD totally relied on Mom to take care of paying the bills and balancing the checkbook. But since Mom died, Dear Old Dad can’t seem to keep things straight. He dumps all the mail on the kitchen table, and he sorts it out by making different piles on the different chairs. Dear Old Dad also has dementia, and it’s getting worse. Sometimes he can’t even remember how to write a check. And maybe all those bills are actually scams!

Dear Old Dad has never trusted lawyers, and so he has NO legal documents at all.

Every once in a while, Adult Daughter comes by to help Dear Old Dad with the mess of papers. She discovers a notice from the gas company, threatening to shut off the heat for non-payment. She shows it to Dear Old Dad, but he gets angry and shouts, “Oh, get off my back, you’re just after my money!”

Adult Daughter goes by herself to the bank (Dear Old Dad refused to go with her). She asks the bank manager if she can be put on Dear Old Dad’s bank accounts, so that she can take over paying his bills. But the bank manager says he can’t do anything for her without a Power of Attorney or a Guardianship. Adult Daughter needs to see a lawyer!

FINANCIAL PLANNING

The kind of financial planning I’m talking about is NOT about making good investments, NOT about reducing your income taxes, NOT about strategies to make your money last through retirement. I’m talking about LEGAL planning, with a Power of Attorney.

A Power of Attorney for Property is

a legal document whereby you choose someone trustworthy and give them authority to manage your $tuff. (And when you give this kind of authority to someone, don’t think of it as losing control. Rather, you are expanding your control!)

Now, it’s important to understand that a Power of Attorney for Property functions differently from a Health-Care Power of Attorney. They are separate legal documents. One is for your $tuff, and the other is for your body (medical issues).

Another difference is, a Power of Attorney for Property gives someone immediate authority over your $tuff. By contrast, a Health-Care Power of Attorney gives someone authority to make health-care decisions for you but only when you are too sick to make them for yourself.

Another crucial difference is, what happens if you don’t have these legal documents. If you have NO Health-Care Power of Attorney, the law provides a “safety net” -- your spouse or your adult children would be allowed to make health-care decisions for you. But if you have NO Power of Attorney for Property, there is no such “safety net.” In other words, if you have no Power of Attorney for Property and you can’t manage your $tuff anymore,

then a Guardianship is the only solution.

GUARDIANSHIP OF THE ESTATE

A guardianship is a legal proceeding. There are two types of guardianships -- “guardianship of the person” (for your body), and “guardianship of the estate” (for your $tuff ). Lawyers would argue before a judge about who should be in control of your life. The judge would have to listen to doctors testify that you are unable to manage your financial affairs. Then someone (known as a “guardian”) would be legally appointed to be in charge.

Think of what this means. You would lose ALL control over your $tuff! Your family members might battle ferociously over who gets to be appointed as guardian. And if none of them qualify, then the court would appoint someone – a perfect stranger. (And guess what – your guardian is entitled to be paid!) Who pays for this whole process? YOU do! A guardianship can cost thousands of dollars.

HOW TO AVOID THIS

If you want to avoid having a guardian over your $tuff, the ONLY way is to get the proper legal document -- a Power of Attorney for Property.

Go to an estate-planning lawyer or an elder-law lawyer for this. Why? In March 2012, the State of Ohio created a NEW form for a Power of Attorney for Property. Sad to say, even some lawyers are not aware of this and still use old forms. Plus, I’ve seen banks refuse to honor “old” Powers of Attorney! So even if you already have one, it’s a good idea to get it updated.

CONCLUSION: Which would you rather have – someone of your choice, making financial decisions according to your instructions? Or some stranger who is paid top dollar to decide how your money is to be spent and what happens to your $tuff?

THE AUTHOR: Linda J. How is an elder-law lawyer in Bedford, providing Medicaid counseling and estate planning. She has legal training from the national organization, Medicaid Practice Systems (now known as Lawyers With Purpose). To help people understand the value of legal planning, Mrs. How presents FREE educational workshops called, “Seven Threats to Your Family Security.” UPCOMING EVENING WORKSHOPS (6 to 8 p.m.):

Monday, May 12, 2014, and Monday, June 9, 2014. UPCOMING AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS (2 to 4 p.m.): Wednesday, May 14, 2014, and Wednesday, June 11, 2014. All Workshops are presented in Bedford; please call or email for the exact location. Mrs. How has also developed and taught senior-education courses at Cuyahoga Community College (Center for Aging Initiatives), including “Elder Law: Making Sense of Medicaid” and “Estate Planning for Real Life.” For an office appointment or to reserve seats at a Workshop, Mrs. How may be reached at law@lindahow.com or 440-786-9449.

If You Don’t Plan: Guardianships (Part Two)Making Sense of the Law

Linda J. How, J.D.

May 22, 2008 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: 7

Celebrating 5 Years of Award-Winning Journalism in Central Ohio www.thenewstandard.com

Columbus & Ohio The Heights StandardThe Heights Standard April 17 -May 1, 2014

Ellen Augustine, M.A.

What’s up, America? Why the

McCutcheon Case Matters

Alabama business tycoon Shaun McCutcheon just wasn’t happy with only being able to give $123,000 to ultra conservative Republican candidates throughout the country. No matter that this is more than twice the amount the average American earns in a year. So he and the Republican National Committee brought a case to the Supreme Court. They won with a 5 to 4 decision. Now McCutcheon can donate up to $3.6 million to all candidates and PACs within a two-year election cycle. To give you a sense of how few people use their fortunes to wield major political influence, in the Obama/Romney race, just 32 people made contributions equal to the small donors of both candidates: 3.7 million people. (http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/19812)

“Gallup polling shows that the American public currently has the lowest confidence in Congress in 40 years, while the public policy think tank Demos reports that 60% of Americans today say members of Congress are more likely to vote in a way that pleases their financial supporters. Another poll released last year by the Corporate Reform Coalition showed that 84% of Americans believe corporate political spending mutes the voices of the average American.” (http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/18834)

Even before the McCutcheon ruling came down, former President Jimmy Carter said, “America does not at the moment have a functioning democracy.” (truth-out.org/opinion/item/23002)

In a recent opinion piece former Labor Secretary Robert Reich said:

“Almost limitless political donations coupled with America’s dramatically widening inequality create a vicious cycle in which the wealthy buy votes that lower their taxes, give them bailouts and subsidies, and deregulate their businesses – thereby making them even wealthier and capable of buying even more votes. Corruption breeds more corruption.”

“That the richest 400 Americans now have more wealth than the poorest 150 million Americans put together, the wealthiest 1% own over 35% of the nation’s private assets, and 95% of all the economic gains since the start of the recovery in 2009 have gone to the top 1% — all of this is cause for worry, and not just because it means the middle class lacks the purchasing power necessary to get the economy out of first gear.”

“The great Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis noted that the nation had a choice: ‘We can have a democracy or we can have great wealth in the hands of a few. But we cannot have both.’” (http://www.nationofchange.org/mccutcheon-and-vicious-cycle-concentrated-wealth-and-political-power-1396622890)

Why should all this matter as you struggle to keep your family afloat? Because research massively shows that

people ARE influenced by relentless ads by candidates or “independent” groups promoting them. Almost everyone says, “I’m not swayed by that.” But it just isn’t so! In 95% of elections, the candidate with the most money wins. Why? Because they create negative TV ads and printed pieces that distort their opponent’s position or sully their character. Almost everyone says they disdain negative ads, but studies show they work! Or the campaigns wouldn’t put millions of dollars into them! The candidate with the most money does multiple focus groups to see which finely-honed sound bytes work best. Most engender fear, mistrust, or anger. They get people to vote against their own interest!

In Wisconsin people did not remove Scott Walker during the recall election despite the fact that his policies were leading to undercutting wages and health benefits for many residents, not just teachers and firefighters. Walker won because his Koch Brother-funded campaign pitched “its unfair to remove someone from office midterm” and totally ignored his policies that increased profits for the wealthy.

In my own state of California, people voted down an initiative which would have merely labeled genetically-engineered food. They also failed to institute an oil severance tax (CA is the only state that does not tax oil when it comes out of the ground). Unlimited money creates very subtle, sophisticated, and manipulative campaign ads!

While the McCutcheon decision seems to stack the odds even more against us, we have faced such periods before as in the late 1800s in the days of the Robber Barons—Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, and Mellon. The unfair conditions precipitated a major shift. Factory workers, farmers, religious leaders, and politicians came together to manifest a groundswell for laws limiting the length of the work week, the creation of Social Security, regulations on banks which kept our economy stable for decades, and more. And all this was done without the internet or cell phones!

So whatever issue is near or dear to your heart, give it some time and money—even if it means going out of your comfort zone. If we each do our one small part, we can take back our lives and our planet from the wealthy few.

Ellen Augustine, M.A., is a speaker and author on national currents and the emerging sustainable economy. She may be reached at ellenaugustine@earthlink.net, 510-428-1832, www.storiesofhope.us. Questions, feedback, and topic ideas for future columns are welcome.

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www.thenewstandard.com The New Standard

Columbus & Ohio8 April 17 -May 1, 2014

Why is this true? Early on in dental school dentists are taught that the goal for treating pa-tients is to get them to the place where they have no problems that would cause them to loose their teeth. Teeth are a body part just like fingers and toes. We sure don’t want to loose a foot, just as we would not want to lose our teeth.

Interestingly enough a 90 year old with good healthy gums could have the mouth health of a teenager – so age is NOT a contributor to a dental problem. Neglect is! Prevention is impor-tant. It is valuable and the key to keeping teeth for a lifetime. As long treatment that is needed from time to time that a dentist observes is needed and gums are in a healthy range, teeth will last and last just like elbows and fingernails.

How is this so? Because IF one has the treatment when the problem is small (which costs a lot less) the teeth can easily be repaired. Ad-ditionally beginning gum disease can be changed to healthy tissue easily with the proper home care, as gum disease destroys the tissue supporting the tooth. I you practice good oral hygiene by brush-ing and flossing regularly, get regular check-ups with your dentist to catch any problems that might develop, eat a sensible diet (don’t eat or drink too many sugary foods or beverages) studies have shown you should be able to maintain your teeth in a healthy state and NOT need expensive, he-roic dentistry.

When I was in dental school, the first thing we were taught in dentistry was preventive dentistry. It always amazed me that dentistry is a profession that is trying to put itself out of busi-ness. If everyone practiced good and smart oral hygiene, the percentage of tooth decay would drop tremendously, teeth wouldn’t have to be extracted due to cavities and crowns*, bridges*, implants and dentures could be avoided. I say smart oral hygiene because a patient of mine re-cently remarked “I’ve never had cavities! Why now?” She went on to say, “I always brush and floss at night and then have a coke or two before bed.” Unfortunately the sugar from the coke sat on her teeth all night and caused decay while she slept.

She thought she was taking care of her teeth but a sugary beverage before bed leaves mouth bacteria (always there) able to grow as there is abundant food in the mouth all night left from the sugary drink. Bacteria which are acid producing eat the same food we eat. She didn’t realize the danger her habit had placed her teeth in. Regular visits to the dentist would have pointed out the dangers EARLY ON when it first started – rather than let decay get so deep that she ended up with tooth aches resulting in high dental treatment costs and some lost teeth. This patient obviously knew the value of good home care, but because she did not change one behavior, disaster

struck.We see every dental scenario possible in

our office, so what we instruct each patient to do at home is different according to what we see that is going on with their teeth and gums.

I , the dentist, know that checkups regu-larly are needed even when everything seems fine and there is no pain. It should be taught in health at schools actually. (Gum disease is a silent killer and it is the cause of 80% of adult tooth loss – cavities and accidents are the other 20%) If a small problem with gum disease is found early the damage can be stopped and prevented from getting worse. Also a cavity wouldn’t get deep enough to need expensive dental treatment to try to save the tooth. Most adults do need expert help to thoroughly clean their teeth.Little tips about home care can save a lot of dollars later. Small problems won’t develop into larger, more expen-sive and possibly, life-threatening conditions.

One of the ways that I can accomplish my job as a preventive dentist is to tell you, the read-er, why dental visits are so much cheaper if they are regular (not just what insurance covers if you have gum disease) The bacteria in your mouth produce acid which eats through gums (they will usually bleed then) then that same bacterial acid melts away bone. Once you have boneloss it is final, not reversible or replaceable. A dentist cannot bring bone back once it is gone. There-fore, preventive dental appointments interrupt this mouth destruction, help to tighten up gums

around the tooth like before they got infected and help maintain your whole body’s health by not al-lowing this infection to enter the blood stream. Ask your dentist why this is true when you go for your visit.

Although it may appear at times that it is too expensive to go to the dentist, remember that not practicing preventative dental care will only cost more later.

Additionally remember in dentistry we have to custom design anything that repairs or re-places a tooth, there is no “one size fits all”. There are no identical dentures you can pull off the shelf and place in a person’s mouth. Everything must be custom designed for each person’s individual mouth.

I can tell you that I really enjoy seeing a mouth that holds its own because it is cared for and healthy. Just know that there is ALWAYS something that can be done to make any and everyone a SMILE, any problem with teeth and gums can be solved and your overall health re-turned. Truly everyone deserves healthy teeth and gums and a beautiful smile no matter how old or young.

You may have more questions about what I have said. We spend a lot of time at initial exams so that all your questions can get answered and if they haven’t been answered in the past please call us today! Call us at 440-439-2230 for an appoint-ment. We look forward to meeting you.

Dentistry Is A Profession Trying to Put Itself OUT of Business

Jane L. Dodson DDS88 Center Rd. Bedford, 44146 (Next to Bedford Medical Center)

In the Bedford University Hospital Complex Medical Building - 3rd Floor

www.clevelandgentledentist.com

CALL 440-439-2230 for an appointment!

New Patient Exam, X-rays and Basic Teeth Polishing Special $80.00 ($280 value)

Jane L. Dodson DDS

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