Utah

What happens when you reach that point in life where you are required to take medications daily but can't seem to remember to do so? It might be time for an Automatic Medication Dispenser.What is this you might ask?Automatic Medication Dispensers are medical devices that can be programmed to organize and remind you when and what medications to take. They come in a variety of sizes to accommodate those who take few medications daily and those whose medication list never seems to stops growing. You can program the device with morning, afternoon and night reminders; many have flashing lights, audio alarms, and buzzing vibrations for those who are hard of hearing. At the set time the device will alert you and then dispense the appropriate medications. Most of these devices are programmed and monitored by your registered nurse (RN) or other assistant providers.What are the benefits of having one?- Set it and forget it. Once the device is set for the week there is no more worrying about taking the right pills at the right time- Convenience. Having all your medications stored in one secure place- No cost! That's right; many home health care companies provide this service free of charge while using their services.- Reduces the risk of forgetting to take your medication or taking the wrong medication at the wrong time.- Medication Protection. The devices typically have locks on them so that your medications don't go missing. Automatic Medication dispensers are great for anyone who struggles to remember to take their medications or who is maybe struggling to remember things in general!Editors Note: This article was submitted by Adrienne Sirstins, with Midas Creek Home Health and may be reached at 801.302.8526 or by email at midascreekhh@digis.net

We come directly to your home, providing all the services of a traditional family practitioners office.We coordinate provider visits and can work directly with your primary care physician.We set up routine scheduled visits, ensuring you dont run out of medications.We manage services such as labs, x-rays, durable medical equipment.All visits will be billed to your medical insurance

Our eyes change as we age, but knowing what to expect and when to seek professional care are important steps in safeguarding our vision. The American Optometric Association recommends a yearly comprehensive eye exam for everyone over the age of 60.Individuals who have difficulty leaving home often do not receive the eye care they require. The good news is that there are options available. Optometrists are doctors trained to detect and treat eye disorders and vision problems, and some of them examine patients on site at nursing facilities, assisted and independent living communities, and private residences. By using portable equipment they can provide most of the testing that is offered in the typical optometry office. Seniors need to be aware of the increasing risk of vision loss that occurs as they age. Optometrists can test for the full range of eye problems, including:Cataracts This is a clouding of the lens of the eye, causing vision to be blurry or foggy. Once cataracts begin obscuring normal vision, they need to be removed by an eye surgeon. Cataracts are replaced by synthetic lenses, and vision typically improves significantly with this procedure.Glaucoma This is a disease of the optic nerve that causes a gradual loss of side vision. Symptoms typically do not occur until the later stages of this condition, so it is important for seniors to be tested regularly.Macular degeneration This is a condition characterized by damage to the retina, the light sensitive tissue that lines the insides of our eyes. Central vision is lost slowly. Advanced macular degeneration leads to blindness.Diabetic retinopathy This is an eye disorder caused by diabetes. It is characterized by bleeding and swelling inside the eye. In severe cases, new blood vessels grow and then break in the eye, and this can lead to retinal detachment and glaucoma. Blindness can also result.If it has been a year or more since your last eye exam, its time to contact your optometrist. Ask if an on-site eye exam would be an option for you.Adapted from an article on the American Optometric Associations website at http://www.aoa.org/x9454.xmlEditors note: This article was submitted by Keith J. Castleton, OD. Dr. Castleton is an optometrist with On-Site Eye Care and may be reached at 801-768-9316 or by email at info@drcastleton.com.

A family member has just passed away and now you are asked to make what feels like a million decisions, and quickly! Everything from writing an obituary, making the funeral plans, deciding on cremation or burial arrangements, and coordinating with relatives, clergy, friends, family, and more. There is barely time to grieve, let alone think about your duties as the new Trustee. Some may find the very task of gathering everything together overwhelming and wonder Where do I even start?The vast majority of Trustee tasks do not require an attorney, but professional advice will help as you get to work on things like investing trust funds, filing taxes, preparing reports, and moving property to the trust. Additionally, you may need help to establish sub-trusts for minor or special needs beneficiaries. All of these tasks will be much easier with the help of a trust attorney and a CPA.Trust administration can be completed in a matter of months depending on the trusts requirements and how quickly debts can be settled, and distributions made. In other circumstances trusts must remain open and viable for a number of years and be maintained over that period of time by the Trustee. If you find yourself in the position of having to keep a trust open beyond a year, there are steps your legal team can take to streamline your tasks. These details and more can be ironed out in a few quick visits with your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor.Possibly, the Executor of the Will and the Trustee are one in the same. If not, it becomes important for you as the Trustee to work closely with the Executor to administer the estate. The Executor may need to probate the estate in order to settle claims and move assets to the trust that may have been left out either intentionally or accidentally.In most cases Trustee duties will not be emergent so take some time to develop an administration plan. Below youll find a list of initial tasks that will need to be addressed.TRUSTEE CHECKLIST Top 20 Initial TasksFind the original signed copy of your loved ones WillGet multiple copies of their Death CertificateFile the Will with the appropriate court if a probate is requiredNotify the Social Security Administration of the deathRegister the trust if required by your stateAcquire a tax number for the trust or estateIdentify and notify the beneficiaries and heirs (they are entitled to see the trust)Notify any state agency if the decedent was receiving benefitsMake an inventory of the trusts assets, accounts, real property, personal property, business holdings, etc.Get an appraisal of the assets as neededReview the estates financial information with a CPA (preferably the decedents)Secure and protect the estates property so things dont disappearDetermine if there are any outstanding debts or creditors of the estateCreate a payment schedule for debtsOften creditors will negotiate debts, so become a deal maker!Work with the Executor to move assets into your name as TrusteeCalendar important payment deadlines like property tax paymentsPut together a filing system to organize all the documents youll be collectingSet a regular schedule for updating the beneficiaries and check for statutory minimum requirementsContact a Trust Administration Attorney to reduce your liability in your decision makingWe have offices in the Salt Lake Valley and Tooele Valley to serve you. Let our team help you navigate the Trustee journey. Schedule your FREE initial consultation.