Talk to any professional chef, and almost all will tell you a story about how they spent time with a grandparent in the kitchen, learning to make a special dish, hearing family stories, or just sharing wonderful times together.
It seems many professional chefs not only learned to love cooking by spending time with a grandparent, they also were encouraged to follow their dreams, wherever they might lead. And according to Dr. F. Jeri Carter, head of the Washington School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University/Seattle, that ability to cheer on or praise without reservation is one of the best gifts a grandparent can give a grandchild.
“Grandparents and grandchildren enjoy a special relationship that is not colored either by the mundane, daily interactions or by the sometimes divisive intensities that come with the parent-child relationship,” says Carter. Instead, she says, “grandparents are the ones who delight in indulging your every whim, and are persuaded that you are the most beautiful/handsome, smartest, most talented, most (fill in the superlative) ever.”
September 12 is National Grandparents Day, and to celebrate The Art Institutes asked its chef faculty and culinary students to share stories about a beloved grandparent who inspired a love of cooking.
For Chef Michael Edrington, a culinary instructor at The Art Institute of Charlotte, a career in the culinary arts started working long weekends at his grandparents’ farm outside Branford in Central Florida.
“My grandparents had 13 children. They were poor, but never hungry,” says Edrington. Their refrigerator was usually almost empty because they grew everything and ate it fresh. His grandmother, while not a “creative cook” did what many women of her generation did, and cooked recipes from the back of boxes such as SurJell, Dixie Crystal Sugar, and Ball canning jars. Edrington says his grandmother’s kitchen was off-limits while she was cooking, but by persistence and interest he was gradually allowed in to help. He found cooking therapeutic and a productive alternative to mischief making. “That experience set me on a path not only to my career but also to a new outlook on life,” he says.
At The Art Institute of New York City, Chef Frank Lima explains it was a beloved grandfather who guided him toward his love of cooking. A Steward at the Essex House Hotel in New York City, Lima’s grandfather, Pedro Flores Diaz, encouraged Frank to visit often, helping to wash dishes and set up banquets. When his grandfather learned there was an opening for an apprentice at the famous Le Pavillion, the first grand restaurant in New York City, he recommended Frank for the job.
Chef Lima’s grandfather was instrumental in starting him on the other significant path of his life -- his love of poetry. Lima remembers his grandfather reading poetry to him in Spanish. He would then memorize verses and gradually he began to write his own poetry. Today Lima often thinks of his grandfather when he writes, or is in the kitchen. “He taught me a reverence for food, and showed me that both food and poetry are true forms of art,” says Lima.
It’s not only professional chefs who’ve been inspired by a grandparent to follow a career path to the kitchen. A sampling of students at The Art Institute of California -- Orange County also weighed in with memories of grandparents who inspired them.
According to Anthony Padua, his grandmother Maria “is the source of my culinary inspiration.” Padua lived with his grandmother in Guadalajara, Mexico for close to three years and learned to prepare home cooked tamales, mole, salsa, and other authentic Mexican dishes made with few ingredients. “It was the first time my sister and I had home cooked food and where I found my love for cooking. Being in the kitchen with my Grandma taught me how to take few ingredients and turn them into wonderful family meals but, more importantly, how food connected us as a family,” he says.
Culinary student Katy Gillis used to sail to the Bahamas with her grandparents every summer. It taught Gillis to make due with what was available, and since there was little refrigeration on the boat, how to live off what they found in the ocean.
“What we caught that day became our food for the next few meals. My Nana taught me how to work with little and make it last -- she taught me how to experiment with food and create various dishes from few ingredients. From conch stew to conch fritters and her famous key lime pie, those experiences with her and that time on the ocean gave me the foundation for the cooking I love today," says Gillis.
As a child of a single working mother, Lauren Lott was raised by her grandparents Ellen and Tony. “More than anything, my grandfather is the source of my passion for cooking, he is the reason I am in the kitchen today. The wonderful, and simple Italian dishes that were a part of our daily lives were also a part of our family and growing up," she says.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Handheld Computers Can Help Organize Things!
Unlike the stereotype, many seniors aren't running from new computer technologies these days. A growing number of seniors are embracing technological advances, recognizing the benefits that computers provide. From tracking and organizing information to maintaining checkbook balances, creating daily “to-do” lists and managing investment portfolios, the potential to simplify life is appealing to those of all age groups.
More active than ever, today's seniors are often on-the-go, and lugging around a computer is cumbersome at best. A wide array of handheld computers known as personal digital assistants, or PDAs, provides much of the same functionality as a desktop computer, offering a practical solution for those with an active lifestyle.
A wide variety of software add-ons and accessories are available and can make a pocket-sized computer an even more powerful asset, giving you the ability to stay on top of your schedule or access necessary information at a moment’s notice -- even if you’re away from home.
While many handhelds are used as stand-alone organizers, providing access to addresses, phone numbers and appointments with the tap of a stylus, others include wireless connectivity that enable users to check email, receive data downloads or browse Web pages. Most devices include the ability to “synchronize” data with a desktop PC, providing a method of backing up information while allowing access on both computers.
To get the most out of your handheld, consider installing one or more third-party software applications. There are literally thousands available that promise to increase productivity (word processors, e-mail programs, databases, reference works) . . . or even decrease it (games)!
Following are some excellent software options to consider for your mobile device:
Beiks (www.beiks.com) is a top provider of reference works for mobile devices, including medical dictionaries, medication guides, and medical encyclopedias. The company also offers standard language dictionaries and, for those who travel or deal with people that speak languages other than English, talking phrasebooks that verbally convey the proper pronunciation of words or phrases in another dialect.
Taking an oversized Bible to church or study groups can also be a cumbersome task. Did you know you can fit the entire Bible on a PDA? Laridian (www.laridian.com) provides you with easy access to the entire Bible in your favorite translation. You can read, search, take notes, and even compare translations.
While you may have an on-the-go lifestyle, let’s face it . . . we all need some downtime and diversions. For example, those with a green thumb will enjoy LDW Software’s (www.ldw.com) Plant Tycoon, a game in which you run a plant nursery growing a wide variety of beautiful plants and experiment with cross-pollination until you find four magic plants. The company’s Fish Tycoon is similar, except you are breeding and caring for exotic fish. Both games run in “real-time,” which means when you turn your PDA off, the games will continue to play unless you pause them.
If you enjoy card games, check out the games by DreamQuest Software (www.dq.com). The company offers Hearts, Spades, Euchre, 500 and Cribbage. You can either challenge the computer on a PC or handheld or engage your friends over a local or wireless network.
There are many, many other types of software products that fit your own lifestyle needs. Want to show off pictures of your grandkids? See SplashData’s SplashPhoto (www.splashdata.com). Want to be able to send and receive e-mail while on-the-road? See Corsoft’s Aileron (www.corsoft.com). Thousands of software products can be purchased online at popular Web sites such as Handango.com and PalmGear.com.
Once you have purchased your PDA and packed it with powerful software, you will want to carry it in style. The problem with toting a portable device in your shirt, pants or coat pocket is that they commonly fall out and crash to the floor. Check out the assortment of leather and aluminum cases available at StylusCentral (www.styluscentral.com). This site also has a wide variety of stylus replacements, including a very cool laser pointer/stylus/pen combo that can be used to jot notes, enter data on your PDA or highlight objects hundreds of feet away. You can also use that red dot to drive your cat crazy!
Many retirees have realized that life after retirement hasn’t made life less hectic. A day full of household tasks, shopping trips, volunteer and social engagements, road trips, etc., can make your days seem busier than when you worked a regular schedule. Check out for yourself how a handheld computer can put whatever information you may need at your fingertips -- no matter where you are!
More active than ever, today's seniors are often on-the-go, and lugging around a computer is cumbersome at best. A wide array of handheld computers known as personal digital assistants, or PDAs, provides much of the same functionality as a desktop computer, offering a practical solution for those with an active lifestyle.
A wide variety of software add-ons and accessories are available and can make a pocket-sized computer an even more powerful asset, giving you the ability to stay on top of your schedule or access necessary information at a moment’s notice -- even if you’re away from home.
While many handhelds are used as stand-alone organizers, providing access to addresses, phone numbers and appointments with the tap of a stylus, others include wireless connectivity that enable users to check email, receive data downloads or browse Web pages. Most devices include the ability to “synchronize” data with a desktop PC, providing a method of backing up information while allowing access on both computers.
To get the most out of your handheld, consider installing one or more third-party software applications. There are literally thousands available that promise to increase productivity (word processors, e-mail programs, databases, reference works) . . . or even decrease it (games)!
Following are some excellent software options to consider for your mobile device:
Beiks (www.beiks.com) is a top provider of reference works for mobile devices, including medical dictionaries, medication guides, and medical encyclopedias. The company also offers standard language dictionaries and, for those who travel or deal with people that speak languages other than English, talking phrasebooks that verbally convey the proper pronunciation of words or phrases in another dialect.
Taking an oversized Bible to church or study groups can also be a cumbersome task. Did you know you can fit the entire Bible on a PDA? Laridian (www.laridian.com) provides you with easy access to the entire Bible in your favorite translation. You can read, search, take notes, and even compare translations.
While you may have an on-the-go lifestyle, let’s face it . . . we all need some downtime and diversions. For example, those with a green thumb will enjoy LDW Software’s (www.ldw.com) Plant Tycoon, a game in which you run a plant nursery growing a wide variety of beautiful plants and experiment with cross-pollination until you find four magic plants. The company’s Fish Tycoon is similar, except you are breeding and caring for exotic fish. Both games run in “real-time,” which means when you turn your PDA off, the games will continue to play unless you pause them.
If you enjoy card games, check out the games by DreamQuest Software (www.dq.com). The company offers Hearts, Spades, Euchre, 500 and Cribbage. You can either challenge the computer on a PC or handheld or engage your friends over a local or wireless network.
There are many, many other types of software products that fit your own lifestyle needs. Want to show off pictures of your grandkids? See SplashData’s SplashPhoto (www.splashdata.com). Want to be able to send and receive e-mail while on-the-road? See Corsoft’s Aileron (www.corsoft.com). Thousands of software products can be purchased online at popular Web sites such as Handango.com and PalmGear.com.
Once you have purchased your PDA and packed it with powerful software, you will want to carry it in style. The problem with toting a portable device in your shirt, pants or coat pocket is that they commonly fall out and crash to the floor. Check out the assortment of leather and aluminum cases available at StylusCentral (www.styluscentral.com). This site also has a wide variety of stylus replacements, including a very cool laser pointer/stylus/pen combo that can be used to jot notes, enter data on your PDA or highlight objects hundreds of feet away. You can also use that red dot to drive your cat crazy!
Many retirees have realized that life after retirement hasn’t made life less hectic. A day full of household tasks, shopping trips, volunteer and social engagements, road trips, etc., can make your days seem busier than when you worked a regular schedule. Check out for yourself how a handheld computer can put whatever information you may need at your fingertips -- no matter where you are!
Heart Attack - The Killer that can be prevented!
More than a half million Americans will be diagnosed with heart failure this year, and the number of people suffering from the ailment is expected to double during the next few decades. So the chances are good either you, or someone you know will one day fall victim to the disease.
If allowed to progress without treatment, heart failure has a great impact on quality of life and can shorten life expectancy. In the United States, it is the single most frequent cause of hospitalization for people over age 65, and more people die from heart failure than from all forms of cancer combined.
Although the word heart failure has an ominous ring, it does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop suddenly. Heart failure means that the heart is not pumping blood as well as it should through its chambers to the rest of the body. Heart failure is a common condition that can be caused by a heart attack, long-term high blood pressure, a heart valve abnormality, a viral infection of the heart or a genetic condition that runs in families. Sometimes the exact cause of heart failure is not known.
In its advanced stages, heart failure limits a person’s ability to do even simple everyday tasks; but new treatments can be very effective in slowing and stopping the progression of the disease and in some cases can even reverse the process. The key is early diagnosis and treatment. People with risk factors such as high blood pressure, blockages in their coronary arteries, damaged heart valves, family history or diabetes should ask their doctor about their risk of developing heart failure.
No matter the initial cause, the effect tends to be the same. The weakened heart must work harder to keep up with the demands of the body and this is why people with heart failure often complain of feeling tired and why they develop symptoms of congestion.
Other symptoms of heart failure include:
*Shortness of breath, which can happen even during mild activity
*Swelling in the feet and legs from fluid retention (results in weight gain)
*Cough with frothy sputum
*Difficulty breathing when lying down which may waken you from sleep at night
Although heart failure can be a serious and progressive disease, individuals with heart failure can live active and fulfilling lives with intervention and treatment. Once diagnosed, it’s important to work with a doctor to develop a treatment plan and to follow it. Proper medications in the right doses, careful monitoring and self-care are the basis of effectively managing heart failure.
Better understanding of the disease has led to development of new treatments and management strategies -- from medication to surgery.
In addition to taking medicines exactly as directed, persons with heart failure should:
*Weigh themselves every day
*Follow a low-sodium (salt) diet
*Get regular physical activity
*Quit smoking
*Avoid alcohol or drink sparingly
*Control body weight
*Monitor symptoms and learn when to consult a doctor or nurse
Friends and family members can help by learning about heart failure and the patient’s treatment plan.
Because education plays such an important role in helping patients manage their care successfully, the Heart Failure Society of America has taken the lead in developing a series of modules on heart failure. Patients and others can learn more about following low-sodium diets, exercise, managing their emotional stress and how to evaluate claims about new treatments and cures.
All educational materials developed by the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) for patients, families, and individuals at risk can be found on the HFSA Web site: www.abouthf.org. Copies can be downloaded, or a complimentary hard copy can be ordered.
The Heart Failure Society of America is a nonprofit organization of health care professionals and researchers who are dedicated to enhancing quality and duration of life for patients with heart failure and preventing the condition in those at risk.
If allowed to progress without treatment, heart failure has a great impact on quality of life and can shorten life expectancy. In the United States, it is the single most frequent cause of hospitalization for people over age 65, and more people die from heart failure than from all forms of cancer combined.
Although the word heart failure has an ominous ring, it does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop suddenly. Heart failure means that the heart is not pumping blood as well as it should through its chambers to the rest of the body. Heart failure is a common condition that can be caused by a heart attack, long-term high blood pressure, a heart valve abnormality, a viral infection of the heart or a genetic condition that runs in families. Sometimes the exact cause of heart failure is not known.
In its advanced stages, heart failure limits a person’s ability to do even simple everyday tasks; but new treatments can be very effective in slowing and stopping the progression of the disease and in some cases can even reverse the process. The key is early diagnosis and treatment. People with risk factors such as high blood pressure, blockages in their coronary arteries, damaged heart valves, family history or diabetes should ask their doctor about their risk of developing heart failure.
No matter the initial cause, the effect tends to be the same. The weakened heart must work harder to keep up with the demands of the body and this is why people with heart failure often complain of feeling tired and why they develop symptoms of congestion.
Other symptoms of heart failure include:
*Shortness of breath, which can happen even during mild activity
*Swelling in the feet and legs from fluid retention (results in weight gain)
*Cough with frothy sputum
*Difficulty breathing when lying down which may waken you from sleep at night
Although heart failure can be a serious and progressive disease, individuals with heart failure can live active and fulfilling lives with intervention and treatment. Once diagnosed, it’s important to work with a doctor to develop a treatment plan and to follow it. Proper medications in the right doses, careful monitoring and self-care are the basis of effectively managing heart failure.
Better understanding of the disease has led to development of new treatments and management strategies -- from medication to surgery.
In addition to taking medicines exactly as directed, persons with heart failure should:
*Weigh themselves every day
*Follow a low-sodium (salt) diet
*Get regular physical activity
*Quit smoking
*Avoid alcohol or drink sparingly
*Control body weight
*Monitor symptoms and learn when to consult a doctor or nurse
Friends and family members can help by learning about heart failure and the patient’s treatment plan.
Because education plays such an important role in helping patients manage their care successfully, the Heart Failure Society of America has taken the lead in developing a series of modules on heart failure. Patients and others can learn more about following low-sodium diets, exercise, managing their emotional stress and how to evaluate claims about new treatments and cures.
All educational materials developed by the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) for patients, families, and individuals at risk can be found on the HFSA Web site: www.abouthf.org. Copies can be downloaded, or a complimentary hard copy can be ordered.
The Heart Failure Society of America is a nonprofit organization of health care professionals and researchers who are dedicated to enhancing quality and duration of life for patients with heart failure and preventing the condition in those at risk.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Protecting Your Money and Credit - Things Seniors Should Know!
If you’re retired, or nearing retirement, chances are the way you handle your money is changing in a number of ways. For instance, instead of a paycheck, you may be relying on your pension, investment income, or Social Security; or you may be traveling frequently and need to rely on credit and debit cards for cash and purchases. Unfortunately, you may also be the target of financial schemes and scams.
“With a change in lifestyle comes a change in your relationship to your finances,” says Maxine Sweet of Experian, a company that provides consumers with products and resources to help them understand, manage, and protect their personal credit profiles. “From identity theft to investments, now more than ever you need to be vigilant about protecting your money and your reputation,” she adds.
Here are some suggestions to consider to help take care of your retirement plans:
Take advantage of automated deposits
From paychecks to Social Security checks, it’s possible to rely on automated deposits for convenience and security. Thieves know when Social Security checks are mailed and stolen checks are a big problem. Gain peace of mind by knowing your check is in the bank, instead of in the mail. Automated deposit also means you have immediate access to your funds without making a trip to the bank.
Keep track of your credit
If you have credit cards you don’t use, consider keeping them in a safe-deposit box. When you get credit card bills, carefully check the charges. If you notice anything unfamiliar, it could mean someone is using your account and you should notify your credit card company immediately.
If you have a family member who is experiencing financial problems, do not divulge any information they could use to open a credit account in your name, and keep credit cards in a secure place during visits. While you may feel uncomfortable taking precautions around a family member, statistics show that much of the fraud against seniors is perpetrated by someone they know and trust.
Be sure to check your credit report periodically to make sure everything is in order. If you notice any accounts you don’t recognize, or if there is a higher balance than you expected on any of your credit accounts, you need to take action. An easy way to check on your credit is to log on to www.experian.com.
Be aware of identity theft
The Federal Trade Commission received approximately 161,000 complaints about identity theft in 2002, and the problem is growing. “There are a number of ways thieves can obtain your personal information to get at your money and ruin the good credit standing you’ve spent a lifetime earning,” cautions Sweet. If you suspect that someone is using your identity, notify authorities immediately to minimize the damage.
To prevent identity theft, experts recommend shredding anything that contains personal information, such as bank and credit card statements, preapproved credit card offers and bills with account information. When you pay bills, take them to the post office instead of leaving them in your mailbox. Your mailbox is an easy place for criminals to get access to your personal information.
Take precautions when traveling
Many retirees take advantage of their new status to travel. Before you hit the road, make arrangements for your bills to be paid while you’re gone. Late payments can affect your credit score, as well as costing you late fees and finance charges.
If you’re expecting any checks in the mail while you’re gone, have a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member collect your mail and keep it safe until your return. You can also have the post office hold your mail until you return home.
Use credit cards or debit cards instead of cash whenever possible so you don’t have to carry a lot of money when you travel. If you use your credit card or ATM card to get cash, take care that no one is close enough to figure out your PIN code. Finally, make sure to take all copies of your receipts when paying by credit card so your account information doesn’t get into the wrong hands.
Be alert for scams
Every day scam artists come up with new ways to part trusting people from their hard-earned cash. Just remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If someone calls you out of the blue to say you’ve won an all-expenses paid cruise and all they need is your Social Security number or a small “service fee” to process your prize, hang up and report the phone call to the police. If you’re on the Internet and you get a message purporting to be from a company asking for your password information, don’t be fooled. It’s probably someone who wants to get into your account information and use it to make unauthorized purchases online. You should never provide personal information in response to an unsolicited e-mail or phone call. Companies with whom you do business will never contact you to ask for their own account information.
A few simple precautions can help guarantee that you’ll spend more time enjoying retirement and less time worrying about your finances.
For more information on learning about your credit, visit www.experian.com.
“With a change in lifestyle comes a change in your relationship to your finances,” says Maxine Sweet of Experian, a company that provides consumers with products and resources to help them understand, manage, and protect their personal credit profiles. “From identity theft to investments, now more than ever you need to be vigilant about protecting your money and your reputation,” she adds.
Here are some suggestions to consider to help take care of your retirement plans:
Take advantage of automated deposits
From paychecks to Social Security checks, it’s possible to rely on automated deposits for convenience and security. Thieves know when Social Security checks are mailed and stolen checks are a big problem. Gain peace of mind by knowing your check is in the bank, instead of in the mail. Automated deposit also means you have immediate access to your funds without making a trip to the bank.
Keep track of your credit
If you have credit cards you don’t use, consider keeping them in a safe-deposit box. When you get credit card bills, carefully check the charges. If you notice anything unfamiliar, it could mean someone is using your account and you should notify your credit card company immediately.
If you have a family member who is experiencing financial problems, do not divulge any information they could use to open a credit account in your name, and keep credit cards in a secure place during visits. While you may feel uncomfortable taking precautions around a family member, statistics show that much of the fraud against seniors is perpetrated by someone they know and trust.
Be sure to check your credit report periodically to make sure everything is in order. If you notice any accounts you don’t recognize, or if there is a higher balance than you expected on any of your credit accounts, you need to take action. An easy way to check on your credit is to log on to www.experian.com.
Be aware of identity theft
The Federal Trade Commission received approximately 161,000 complaints about identity theft in 2002, and the problem is growing. “There are a number of ways thieves can obtain your personal information to get at your money and ruin the good credit standing you’ve spent a lifetime earning,” cautions Sweet. If you suspect that someone is using your identity, notify authorities immediately to minimize the damage.
To prevent identity theft, experts recommend shredding anything that contains personal information, such as bank and credit card statements, preapproved credit card offers and bills with account information. When you pay bills, take them to the post office instead of leaving them in your mailbox. Your mailbox is an easy place for criminals to get access to your personal information.
Take precautions when traveling
Many retirees take advantage of their new status to travel. Before you hit the road, make arrangements for your bills to be paid while you’re gone. Late payments can affect your credit score, as well as costing you late fees and finance charges.
If you’re expecting any checks in the mail while you’re gone, have a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member collect your mail and keep it safe until your return. You can also have the post office hold your mail until you return home.
Use credit cards or debit cards instead of cash whenever possible so you don’t have to carry a lot of money when you travel. If you use your credit card or ATM card to get cash, take care that no one is close enough to figure out your PIN code. Finally, make sure to take all copies of your receipts when paying by credit card so your account information doesn’t get into the wrong hands.
Be alert for scams
Every day scam artists come up with new ways to part trusting people from their hard-earned cash. Just remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If someone calls you out of the blue to say you’ve won an all-expenses paid cruise and all they need is your Social Security number or a small “service fee” to process your prize, hang up and report the phone call to the police. If you’re on the Internet and you get a message purporting to be from a company asking for your password information, don’t be fooled. It’s probably someone who wants to get into your account information and use it to make unauthorized purchases online. You should never provide personal information in response to an unsolicited e-mail or phone call. Companies with whom you do business will never contact you to ask for their own account information.
A few simple precautions can help guarantee that you’ll spend more time enjoying retirement and less time worrying about your finances.
For more information on learning about your credit, visit www.experian.com.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Peace of Mind for the Holidays
In years past, the holidays were a very stressful time for Marilyn Reynolds, 69, of Swampscott, Mass. In addition to cleaning up, preparing meals and entertaining, she had to watch her 79-year-old husband, Henry, like a hawk to make sure he was taking his medication correctly.
“He takes dozens of pills a week to keep his heart condition in check,” says Marilyn. “And it used to drive me nuts that he kept all the information about which pills to take and when on crumbled up pieces of paper. I thought to myself, there has to be a better way.”
Situations like Marilyn and Henry’s are more common than you may think. A recent study done by the University of Pittsburgh found that one in four American adults take five or more medicines per week. And, according to the Consumer Health Information Corporation, half of all prescription medicines are not taken correctly by patients at home.
“I believe it,” says Marilyn. “Over the years, we’ve had a few close calls.” While doing an Internet search on how people in situations like her husband’s handle things, Marilyn found what she calls the perfect solution.
The Medication Minder is an easy-to-use organizer that allows the user or users to keep medicines, health-related information, prescriptions and appointment cards in one organized storage unit. When users take their medication they can immediately record the day and time they took it as well as list any questions they may have for their doctor.
“The Medication Minder is more than just a method to organize your medicines; it takes the worry and stress out of keeping control of your medication schedule,” says C.J. Stafford, co-founder of Customer Care Advantage, the company that came up with the concept. “Organization of medicine amount and type is an essential element of so many lives, why not have a tool that can make this sometimes difficult transition, easier?”
The Medication Minder sticks to any magnetic surface, such as a refrigerator. It can also be hung in a cabinet or pantry, or stand on any flat surface.
“We hung ours on the side of the refrigerator so it’s easy to access,” says Marilyn. “It’s great to get back the shelf space in the cabinet that used to be taken up with pill bottles.”
The Medication Minder can be used by a single patient or by the entire household. The device just hit the market in October 2004 and is not yet available in stores. To order direct from the manufacturer, log on to www.medicationminder.com or call (800) 503-2773.
“He takes dozens of pills a week to keep his heart condition in check,” says Marilyn. “And it used to drive me nuts that he kept all the information about which pills to take and when on crumbled up pieces of paper. I thought to myself, there has to be a better way.”
Situations like Marilyn and Henry’s are more common than you may think. A recent study done by the University of Pittsburgh found that one in four American adults take five or more medicines per week. And, according to the Consumer Health Information Corporation, half of all prescription medicines are not taken correctly by patients at home.
“I believe it,” says Marilyn. “Over the years, we’ve had a few close calls.” While doing an Internet search on how people in situations like her husband’s handle things, Marilyn found what she calls the perfect solution.
The Medication Minder is an easy-to-use organizer that allows the user or users to keep medicines, health-related information, prescriptions and appointment cards in one organized storage unit. When users take their medication they can immediately record the day and time they took it as well as list any questions they may have for their doctor.
“The Medication Minder is more than just a method to organize your medicines; it takes the worry and stress out of keeping control of your medication schedule,” says C.J. Stafford, co-founder of Customer Care Advantage, the company that came up with the concept. “Organization of medicine amount and type is an essential element of so many lives, why not have a tool that can make this sometimes difficult transition, easier?”
The Medication Minder sticks to any magnetic surface, such as a refrigerator. It can also be hung in a cabinet or pantry, or stand on any flat surface.
“We hung ours on the side of the refrigerator so it’s easy to access,” says Marilyn. “It’s great to get back the shelf space in the cabinet that used to be taken up with pill bottles.”
The Medication Minder can be used by a single patient or by the entire household. The device just hit the market in October 2004 and is not yet available in stores. To order direct from the manufacturer, log on to www.medicationminder.com or call (800) 503-2773.
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