Florida - Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte Counties

Most people agree that diet, exercise, and planning for your health needs lead to a long life. Sudoku and puzzles are often mentioned in that same breath. What if it were something a little less tangible, and no less approachable, than eating broccoli every day of our lives?When I was a three-year-old, I called out to my mother, Let me run to you. I pushed and ran as fast as possible into her strong arms. As a teen, my speed added to my trophy case. Im a grown up now and unsure I want to travel at such high speeds toward the end of my life. How can I slow down the passage of time?By altering our mindset around it.Time and How it MovesAccording to author and speaker Alain de Botton, in his book, The School of Life, Our subjective experience of time bears precious little relation to the way we like to measure it on a clock. Time moves more or less slowly according to the vagaries of the human mind: it may fly or it may drag; it may evaporate into airy nothing or achieve enduring density.Youngsters are often bored, watching the clock at school. We age and time appears in the rearview mirror. Lately, Ive noticed how the days fly by. The holidays arrive unannounced. However, each hour in a day, regardless of whether light is in short supply or not, drag on. From four to five oclock on a Tuesday afternoon feels as long as last week.The modern-day philosopher, de Botton, suggests we learn how to densify time. If the goalis to have a longer life, whatever the dieticians may urge, it would seem that the priority should be not to add raw increments of time but to ensure that whatever years remain feel appropriately substantial. The aim should be to densify time rather than to try to extract one or two more years from the grip of Death.How do we achieve this?What are his suggestions to achieve this? Undertake new, challenging or exciting endeavors. Living in the city, I am exposed to a wide variety of music and sporting events, and the vagaries of urban living that include debates with friends over issues such as taxation, housing, development, and governmental oversight. Here, theres a wide variety of cultures that also come together to offer their style of food and celebratory traditions. If we choose, we could attend a free lecture on sustainability one night, and a concert with the Red Hot Chili Peppers the next.At many poetry readings I attend, a woman with multiple sclerosis and older gentleman whose cat died after his wife died recite their poetry in front of a younger generation of spoken word poets. They are densifying their life.Other ideas on how to densify our life include living consciously. Before dawn, my husband leaves for work at a hospital that sits atop one high mounts in our city. Many mornings, he is greeted with a spectacular sunrise. Im a recipient of his pictures of the scene. We are both noticing, in that hour when most of us struggle to engage. And we are connecting. We make a nightly stroll around the citys famous Washington Park. In the past, weve witnessed random fireworks, the various stages of the moon, or a city completely shut down with exception of our feet swishing through snow.The little moments matter most. Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet, wrote, It is not the length of life, but the depth of life. Densify time.We might marvel at super-agers, individuals who live to be 104. They might be living deep and meaningful lives. We can also marvel at someone like my father, who overcame the loss of his vocation at age 65, started over, and achieved more than he had dreamed when working in the family business. And he never sat still with his myriad hobbies of gardening, stamp collecting, train collecting, and collecting grandchildren. He had densified his life.Even in rushed seasons, we can all add a little depth to our time and not rush toward the end.Annette Januzzi WickAnnette Januzzi Wick is a writer, speaker, and author of Ill Have Some of Yours, a journey of cookies and caregiving. (Three Arch Press). A frequent contributor to Cincinnati.com, her work has appeared in Belt Magazine, Creative Nonfiction, Cincinnati Magazine, Edible Ohio Valley, nextavenue.com, Still Point Arts, 3rd Act Magazine, Ovunque Siamo, La Gazzetta, Italian Americana & Italy Segreta. Visit annettejwick.substack.com to learn more.

In todays world, staying connected to loved ones, healthcare providers, and the broader community is essential. For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, however, communication can be a significant challenge, especially when it comes to phone calls. Traditional telephones often do not offer enough clarity or accessibility for people with hearing impairments, making it difficult to engage in meaningful conversations.Enter FTRIs Captioned Telephonesa groundbreaking solution that is changing the way people with hearing loss connect. By offering real-time captioning of phone conversations, FTRI is enabling individuals to communicate confidently, independently, and without barriers.In this article, well explore how FTRIs Captioned Telephones work, the profound impact theyve had on individuals with hearing impairments, and why these devices are becoming an essential tool for enhancing communication in Floridas deaf and hard-of-hearing community.What Are Captioned Telephones?Captioned Telephones, often referred to as CapTel, are specialized telephones designed for individuals with hearing loss. These phones work by providing real-time captions of phone conversations, allowing users to both listen to and read the conversation as it happens. The phone automatically transcribes the other partys spoken words, displaying them on the phones screen in text format.The benefits of a Captioned Telephone are clear: individuals no longer need to rely solely on their hearing to understand whats being said during a phone call. They can follow along with the conversation using both audio and visual cues, ensuring that nothing is missed.FTRI offers these Captioned Telephones free of charge to eligible residents of Florida through its Equipment Distribution Program, ensuring that the technology is accessible to those who need it most.How Do FTRIs Captioned Telephones Work?FTRIs Captioned Telephones function by connecting to the phone line in the same way as a regular phone. Heres how the system works:Place a Call: The user picks up the phone and dials a number as they normally would.Captions Appear: As the person on the other end of the call speaks, the captions appear on the screen of the phone in real time. The system uses automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology to transcribe spoken words into text.Follow the Conversation: Users can listen to the conversation as it happens, while simultaneously reading the captions to fully understand whats being said.Optional Voice Recognition: In some cases, users can adjust settings to filter background noise or optimize clarity, allowing them to better hear the speakers voice.By providing this dual-layered communication method (audio and captions), Captioned Telephones give users the confidence to engage in phone calls without fear of miscommunication.Why Captioned Telephones Are a Game ChangerFTRIs Captioned Telephones are more than just a toolthey are a life-changing solution for individuals with hearing impairments. Heres how they are making a tangible difference in peoples lives:1. Improved AccessibilityOne of the most significant advantages of Captioned Telephones is the improved accessibility they offer. Traditional telephones are often insufficient for people with hearing loss, as they may not amplify the voice clearly or provide visual aids for understanding. With FTRIs Captioned Telephones, individuals can stay in touch with family, friends, doctors, and service providers in a way that suits their needs.2. Greater IndependenceFor many individuals with hearing loss, relying on others to make phone calls or relay messages can feel isolating. Captioned Telephones empower users to take control of their communication by allowing them to make phone calls independently. This newfound independence provides a sense of confidence and freedom that many thought was unattainable.3. Enhanced Communication in Important SituationsWhether its a medical consultation, a job interview, or a simple chat with a loved one, clear communication is crucial. FTRIs Captioned Telephones ensure that important conversations can be fully understood. People who use these devices no longer have to worry about missing vital information or misinterpreting the content of a call.4. Real-Time CaptioningThe ability to receive real-time captions on phone calls makes a significant difference. These captions are often delayed by only a few seconds, which means that the conversation flows smoothly. Whether the user is making a personal call or engaging in professional conversations, the captions allow them to keep up with the dialogue as it unfolds.Real-Life Impact: How FTRIs Captioned Telephones Are Changing LivesLets take a look at how real Floridians are benefiting from FTRIs Captioned Telephones.Susans Story: Reconnecting with FamilySusan, a 64-year-old woman from Orlando, struggled with severe hearing loss for years. Although she had hearing aids, phone calls were always a challenge, especially when it came to hearing the subtle nuances of conversation. After receiving a Captioned Telephone from FTRI, Susan was able to engage in phone calls with ease.I was so tired of asking my family to repeat themselves or to rely on others to make phone calls for me, Susan shared. With the Captioned Telephone, I can hear and read the conversation in real-time. I feel like Im finally able to participate fully in my relationships again.Johns Story: Taking Control of Professional CallsJohn, a 52-year-old man from Miami, works in a managerial role and often needs to make phone calls with colleagues, clients, and vendors. Due to his hearing impairment, he had always relied on email and text messaging to communicate for professional matters, avoiding phone calls as much as possible.After receiving my Captioned Telephone, I feel more confident about taking professional calls. Its opened up so many doors for me in terms of communication with clients and colleagues, John said. Now, I can pick up the phone whenever I need to, and I dont have to worry about missing important details.The Future of Captioned Telephones: Enhancing Communication AccessAs technology continues to evolve, Captioned Telephones are becoming more advanced, with added features like mobile apps and integrated video calling. FTRI is committed to staying ahead of the curve by continually improving its equipment and services to meet the changing needs of the community.FTRIs future vision includes expanding its equipment offerings, enhancing caption accuracy, and providing better support for users, ensuring that all Floridians can communicate freely and efficiently, regardless of their hearing abilities.ConclusionFTRIs Captioned Telephones are transforming the way people with hearing loss communicate. By providing real-time captions of phone conversations, FTRI is breaking down communication barriers and enabling individuals to engage more fully with their families, employers, healthcare providers, and communities.For those who experience hearing loss, these phones offer a revolutionary solution that enhances independence, reduces isolation, and empowers users to participate confidently in daily life.To learn more about how to access FTRIs Captioned Telephones, visit FTRIs website. Through these accessible telecommunication devices, FTRI is changing livesone conversation at a time.

After months of bundling up during the winter, nothing feels better than the first signs of spring warmer weather, sunny skies and blooming flowers.While the long-awaited time outdoors is exhilarating for some, for others it can be miserable as they deal with sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes, as seasons change. In fact, millions of Americans suffer from allergies each year.Some of the most common outdoor allergy triggers are tree, grass and weed pollen.Allergic rhinitis, often known as hay fever, can be triggered when things like pollen enter your body, causing your immune system to mistakenly identify it as a threat. In response, you may experience symptoms in the nose like sneezing, runny nose or congestion. Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies but there are ways to help make the outdoors a little more bearable, through prevention and treatment. Medical costs associated with pollen allergies exceed $3 billion every year, with nearly half of those costs linked to prescription medicine.Seasonal allergies can make you feel depressed, but they also dont mean that you have to avoid the outdoors either, said Dr. Ravi Johar, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare. Most people who suffer from allergies are able to control them and continue to live an active lifestyle.If you have seasonal outdoor allergies, you may want to consider preparing for your symptoms before they appear. Experts say taking medication before allergy season starts helps your body build up a defense when the pollen hits making it easier to control symptoms.Here are three tips that may help provide relief when spring blossoms:1. Reduce your exposureUnderstanding what triggers your allergies can help you reduce your exposure. Other ways to help include:Running your air conditioning in your home and car to help keep pollens outdoorsAvoid lawn mowing or gardening chores that may stir up allergens in the airUsing air purifiers or air filters in your home to help remove dust, allergens and pollenAvoid drying clothing outdoors where they can collect pollenTake a shower and change your clothes before going to sleep2. Track when pollen is highCheck your local pollen forecasts to stay on top of when high counts are expected. When high pollen days are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before symptoms begin. Also consider:Staying indoors during high pollen counts between 5 and 10 a.m. or on dry, windy daysClosing doors and windowsWearing a pollen mask if you need to do outside choresIf you have kids with seasonal allergies, consider letting them play outdoors closer to the evening, wearing fitted sunglasses to protect their eyes from pollen and keeping the windows closed in their bedroom to create a pollen-free space.3. Consider over-the-counter remediesSeveral non-prescription medications may help ease symptoms, including:Oral antihistamines, which may help relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose and watery eyesDecongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, may provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. This may also come in nasal sprays, such as oxymetazoline and phenylephrineCombination medications that mix an antihistamine with a decongestantRinsing your nasal passages with saline solution or a neti pot may help flush the allergens from your noseIf youre still struggling to manage your symptoms, contact your doctor to explore further treatment options.Learn more about allergy types and causes.

A growing number of people nearly half of eligible Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage for their Medicare coverage.So, whats the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage? Check out this chart for a helpful overview.