Friday!

We made it! I am still having fits with the design layout on the blog! It appears to be
Stuck on my end and I can't regulate the line spacing, maybe the blog needs a weekend!
I hope you can make out yesterday's entry regarding Mature Arkansas. It's one of my favorite
Local publications and always has relevant information. Another tidbit, for those of you
Who use diabetic testing supplies and have Medicare a change is in effect on July 1.

Medicare is touting mail order service for diabetic supplies. This will not be a bad solution if the mail order supplier is not overwhelmed and supplies arrive timely. The wrinkle is that Medicare is really pushing this. You will need to ask your current supplier if they are still on the Medicare list. If so, no problem and you can continue to order as usual. Be sure you ask, otherwise you could be stuck paying more out of pocket. Remember those who accept Medicare assignment, cannot charge you more than the 20% co pay.

Happy Friday!
Dr. Janet

Mature Arkansas

Hello all!
Thursday means Friday is just around the corner. I am ready! Today I picked up a copy of Mature Arkansas which is published by the Arkansas Times group. I love their publications! You may read the Mature Arkansas issues by clicking here: http://issuu.com/arkansastimesvisitorsguide/stacks/95049fc50b0946339c911b209f890958

This month they have a very good and timely article regarding important documents. I suggest everyone 
read this and consider following the advice given. 
End of life decisions need to be made when we have  good memories and clear thoughts.
Everyone needs a durable power of attorney and a will.
 It is not about what you have accumulated. It is really about being responsible for your own affairs and considering those left behind who must deal with the remnants of your life.

Sorry this post is not appearing correctly!
I will work on the format and update you tomorrow.
Meanwhile, enjoy the Mature Arkansas articles.
Dr. Janet

Someone has to try this one!

 A free Android app called SleepBot can lend a diagnostic hand. Just place your smartphone next to your pillow, and the app will track your movements and sounds through the night to figure out how long you slept. (On a slightly creepy note, the app can even record audio so you can play back your snores and sleep-talking.) When it’s time for you to wake up, SleepBot tries to wait until you’re in a light-sleep phase of your sleep cycle before sounding the alarm.

Wall Street Journal tidbit

Depressing news from the Wall Street Journal today:

Those of us fortunate enough to make it to 80 will have a 50% chance of suffering from Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia before we die. And there is currently no known way to reduce the odds or slow the mental deterioration. These grim facts are already a reality to the 5 million Americans living with the disease.
So, those days we feel like we are losing it may be reality?
Just wondering out loud.

Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Apps for the day

Good morning all!
Another beautiful day in store.  Here are a couple of apps which may be of interest. None of these are new, but they do warrant a second look. Serotek always has great options for our group.

The Coding Monkeys' Big Clock HD app ($0.99) is a must for visually impaired travelers. Just double tap to rotate iPad orientation to landscape view and set it atop a hotel room TV or table. You'll be able to read it with a glance while lying in bed. The clock displays time and date in the region format and language the device is set to. The app prevents devices from auto-locking when displaying the time.

SayText (free), developed by Norfello Oy, scans text within any image, such as a medical form or restaurant menu, and reads it aloud. Center the document under the iPhone camera and double-tap the "Take Picture" button. Then raise it slowly: a beep indicates that the entire document is in the phone's frame. The app's Optical Character Recognition utility then scans the text. Tap the screen for status updates. Once scanned, swipe right on the screen to hear the document.

Serotek Corporation's iBlink Radio was the first application promoting the digital lifestyle among the visually impaired, providing access to community web radio stations with formats spanning every genre. The iBlink network also offers radio reading services (USA Today, the New York Times, among hundreds), and podcasts covering assistive technology, independent living, travel, and more. The app's latest player toolbars simplifies navigation.

Have a great day! Until tomorrow,

Dr. janet

Back to work!

Hi everyone!
Can you believe our long weekend is over? It went by too fast. The four year old was lots of fun and the time went by much too quickly! Now that the summer season is officially here, we can expect warm weather and a rise in the humidity. Another problem we are seeing is bugs. Mosquitoes, ticks and fleas are bad. If you have pets or service animals please be sure you are keeping them protected from fleas, tick, and heart worms. These pesky little varmints carry all kinds of bad things and many people are allergic to the bites. If you find a tick, be sure you remove the entire insect. If the bite does not heal within 3 days, check with your doctor or have someone look at the bite site. Remember, Arkansas ticks are famous for carrying Rocky Mountain Spotted fever.

Mosquitoes cause a terrible reaction in many folks, including myself. Please be sure you cleanse and disinfect the bite and keep an eye on it. Again, if it is not healing in three days, get to the doctor!

Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Memorial Day Weekend

This holiday weekend is the summer kickoff. Many people open their pools, cook out, travel and do things associated with summer. While we enjoy the events, let's not forget the reason for the holiday. Show your appreciation and respect to those who served. Without their sacrifices our lives would be very different.

Head's up! I am taking tomorrow-Sunday- off from the blog. I will have house guests including my adorable 4 years old grandson!

Stay safe!
"All gave some, some gave all!"
Dr. Janet