Is Your Home Under-Insulated?

Does your home have enough insulation? More often than not, Michigan homeowners find their homes do not have the optimal amount of insulation. 9 out of 10 homeowners will have to add additional insulation to their homes if they want to be considered to be “well insulated”. This occurs because the minimum amount of installation required by code for a home to be inhabitable is less than what is considered to be proper.

Why though would a builder add more insulation if they are not required to? The more insulation the less profit. However, as a homeowner we know that not having enough insulation produces higher energy bills. In order to increase comfort and decrease energy bills it is crucial that professional insulation experts evaluate your home and add insulation in areas that it is needed.

Signs Your House Is Under-Insulated

Different Temperatures Throughout the House

If your home is one even temperature throughout you more than likely have enough insulation in your home. If different temperatures are felt however, you most likely do not have enough insulation. An example of this can be felt in a kitchen that is always freezing cold with bedrooms that are steaming. If this is the case in your home, it is best to have a professional insulation contractor out to evaluate the situation.

Increased Energy Bills

Compare your energy bills over the last couple of years. If you start to see a gradual increase in energy usage there is a chance that the blown-in insulation within your walls and attic have settled and have become less effective. When this occurs, there is a chance that your home is not as well insulated as you had hoped for. Homeowners may not notice a shift in the temperatures throughout their home however an increase in energy bills overtime sure is noticeable. If heat is escaping through your homes roof and walls, it is time to either replace or add in additional insulation.

Cold Walls, Floors, and Ceilings

Your home should feel warm and dry to the touch. Check your ceiling, interior walls, and floor, do they feel damp and cold or warm and dry? If it is cold and wet, then you most likely do not have enough insulation throughout your home. Exterior walls however, should feel cold as the insulation is keeping your home comfortable by keeping warm air inside.

Chilly Drafts

Homeowners have come to expect that during the winter months they have a few drafts here and there this however, doesn’t have to be the case. Cold air coming from window frames and doorways can easily be avoided with the addition of extra insulation and the addition of spray foam insulation where needed. Getting rid of small drafts can help prevent drafts and save on energy bills.

Insulation Contractors at Kearns Brothers incorporated are experts in blown-in cellulose. We only recommend additional insulation in homes that need it to aid in the comfort level, energy efficiency, and to decrease energy bills.

As a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all Southeast Michigan, Kearns Brothers, Inc. offers clients a wide range of services to meet their construction needs including: roofing, siding, window, masonry, chimneys, gutters, and insulation services. More information can be found at www.kearnsbrothers.com.

Adding Privacy to Your Homes Backyard

There is a something to be said for coming home and relaxing in your backyard. The last thing you want when you are trying to wind down is to have to interact with your neighbors or view their unsightly idea of backyard landscaping. Your backyard space should be a sanctuary, a place where you can go to let go and unwind without anxiety. You should never feel like you are sharing your space. Your backyard is yours and yours alone. It is up to you as the homeowner to make the space your own little sanctuary. Bring privacy to your space can easily be done while improving the aesthetics and security of the space. Here are a few ways to “enclose” your backyard space for additional privacy.

Walls:

Enclosing your backyard space with solid walls is without a doubt the most effective way to increase privacy. Solid walls are quite expensive and can be a bit constricting if your space is on the smaller side. One way to avoid the constriction of solid walls is to add plants that cascade over the wall, aesthetic arbors, and gates can help create an airier sense to the enclosed space. If you are looking for a serious approach to security and privacy a solid wall is a great option.

Landscaping:

There are many types of landscaping materials that can help increase the privacy of your backyard. Consider the addition of large evergreens, hedges, arborvitaes, and vertical garden materials. These natural elements will increase the privacy of your landscape and create a living fence. The space will be inviting and natural. If you aren’t necessarily looking to increase the security of your yard and are just searching for a way to increase privacy vertical landscaping materials are a great natural border.

Fencing:

Aluminum fencing is one of the most practical ways in which to increase the privacy of your backyard space. It is durable and practically maintenance free. Aluminum fence panels come in a number of sizes, styles, and colors. There are a number of decorative options to choose as well. Aluminum fencing is affordable, easy to install, compliments any space, and adds security.

Any of these three options can provide homeowners a sense of privacy when relaxing in their backyard. The purpose of a backyard is to have a space that is all yours to relax in and enjoy, a space where the rest of the world and its noise is kept from infiltrating.

iFenceUSA is an online distributor of wholesale aluminum fences and gates for residential, resort, commercial, and industrial installation. As an industry leader in maintenance-free aluminum fencing products we have all your aluminum fence and gate needs covered. More information can be found online at https://ifenceusa.com/.

Is Your Website Ready for the Mobile Revolution?

The way we live is forever changed with each new advancement in technology, especially mobile technology. Mobile technology is changing at a rapid pace and our responsibility is to keep pace with these changes. As customers change how they use the internet and how they engage with business it is up to us to evolve as well.

If you don’t believe in the theory of a mobile technology revolution it is time to take the blinders off and look around. If you step outside and look around, you will see people everywhere using their smart phones in one form or another. It is interesting to see the shift in internet use as we move from desktops to laptops and now into a world of mobile devices. Each advancement in technology and how our access to it has changed end user interactions.

Consider the following:

82% of us browse the internet on their phone

61% of us search with their smartphones each and everyday

94% of smartphone users look for local information and 84% take actions because of it

47% of us visit business or service websites

77% of us use our smartphones to research products and services

(Our Mobile Planet: United States of America. Understanding the Mobile Consumer. May 2013. http://think.withgoogle.com/mobileplanet/en.)

From the statistics above you can see that almost 50% of the visitors to your website are from smartphone users. Problems arise when visitors seek out sites that are coded improperly and are not mobile responsive and therefore basically unusable when viewed on a smart device. Websites that are not mobile friendly are still viewable on smartphones however are practically unable to be interacted with. A non-mobile responsive site will show up as a micro version of itself.

Users will only be able to garner information from zooming in and scrolling left to right on the text. Website menus will be super tiny and frustrating to work with. If your site is not programmed to be viewed correctly on mobile devices you could be losing upwards of 50% of your customers to the competitors who have already upgraded to a mobile responsive website design. No user wants to scroll in and out on a website to gather information. As advancements in technology shows us, end users are all about ease of use and convenience. Mobile friendly, responsive website design is critical for the growth of your storefront and online business.

To find out more on mobile responsive website design call the experts at Creative Programs and Systems, 810.224.5252. We are an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a wide range of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more. More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.

Different Options in Treating Cancer

There are many methods used in the treatment of cancer. Oncology physicians will work with one another to determine the best treatment combination to treat your unique cancer situation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs are a type of poison that is given via injection directly into the blood stream. Some chemotherapy treatments can be taken by mouth, all to treat and reduce the size of cancerous tumors. Chemo is the treatment options that is most common when dealing with metastatic cancers such as, Carcinoma of Unknown Primary, C.U.P., that have spread throughout the body. When your treatment includes surgery as well the term Adjuvant Chemotherapy will be commonly used. This refers to medicine that is given after surgery to prevent reoccurrence. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy refers to medicine that is given prior to surgery to shrink tumors.

There are a number of chemotherapy options that can be used in treating cancer. To be effective it must be tailored to the primary site of cancer. Every patient and every cancer will require a different, specialized treatment plan. Often times a combination of treatments needs to be used in order to fully treat cancer. Chemotherapy is often used as one piece in combination to treat cancerous cells.

Radiation Therapy

Radiotherapy uses beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Beams of radiation are aimed at precise areas where cancerous cells are located in order to shrink or eliminate the tumor. Radiation is delivered using linear accelerators. Linear accelerators can deliver high powered radiation beams directly to the tumors while missing the surrounding healthy cells.

Radiation therapy is used as both a curative and palliative treatment. Curative treatment seeks a long-lasting cure and reduction of cancer cells returning. Palliative treatment seeks to reduce and slow down the symptoms being experienced with the cancer when there is no chance of curing the patient. When determining your radiation treatment, doctors will look at the size, type, location, shape, and stage of the tumor, as well as the health of the patient and overall purpose of treatment. A plan will be developed and executed according to a strict plan.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy uses sex hormones to treat hormone sensitive/dependent cancers like breast, prostate, and womb cancers where the cancerous tumors and cells grow because of estrogen and testosterone. Hormone therapy is often used in combination with other treatments.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy works in an effort to replicate the persons actual immune system to reject and destroy cancerous cells. This can be done through “immunization” in which a patient own immune system is trained to see cancerous cells and destroy them. It can also be administered in a way that recruits the patients own immune system to kill the cancerous cells.

Surgery

When it is possible, surgery is the best option at offering a cure for most cancers however is not appropriate for CUP patients. Surgery is most often used in treatment when the primary site of cancer is identified.

As an independent LINAC service company, Acceletronics is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and services for linear accelerators and CT scanners across all major brands and models, as well as new and refurbished LINAC systems for sale. More information can be found online at https://www.acceletronics.com/.

An Overview on Cataracts

What is a cataract?

Cloudiness over the natural lens of the eye, which sites in back of the iris and pupil is an eye disease known as CATARACTS.

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss for people over forty. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness throughout the world. More cases of cataracts are diagnosed worldwide than diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma put together. There are currently more than twenty-two million Americans over forty with cataracts which is expected to grow to over thirty million by the year 2020.

The Three Types of Cataracts

Subcapsular Cataracts: Subcapsular cataracts often affect people with diabetes or those taking high doses of steroid medication. This type of cataract occurs at the back of the lens.

Nuclear Cataracts: Nuclear cataracts are most often associated with aging and are located deep within the central zone, nucleus, of the lens.

Cortical Cataracts: Cortical cataracts start in the periphery of the lens and work toward the middle like the spoke of a wheel. This type of cataract occurs in the lens cortex. The lens cortex is the part of the lens that surrounds the center nucleus.

The Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

At first a cataract has very little effect on your vision as it starts out small. Your vision may appear a bit hazy or blurred at first, as if you are looking at life through a cloud. If you start to notice you are seeing things a bit blurrier than you once did it may be time to have your eyes tested to see if your vision issues are caused by cataracts.

When you have a cataract light of all kinds, natural and artificial, may appear intense. When you are driving at night the headlight may glare more vividly than they previously had been seen. Depending on the type of cataracts that you have could determine the symptoms you have and when they will start to appear. When the most common cataract, nuclear, first begins to develop a temporary improvement in your close-up vision may occur. This is often referred to as “second site.” This vision improvement only occurs for a short period of time and disappears as the cataract continues to develop. Subcapsular cataracts, on the other hand, may not produce symptoms until it has developed completely.

To diagnosis cataracts you must schedule an appointment to meet with your ophthalmologist. Once they have completed a thorough eye exam they can suggest a treatment option, surgical or not.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs. As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses. More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Treating Common Residential Water Problems

There are a number of issues that are common to residential water systems. Knowing what type of water treatment gets rid of your specific water problem is crucial in getting the highest quality water for your family. Water softeners, water filters, water purification, and water conditioners are all effective solutions in treating common issues in residential water supplies. Knowing what plagues your water allows you to have the proper equipment installed to treat it.

Depending on where you live the quality of your homes water can vary a great deal. It is crucial to have your homes water quality tested before installing any type of water treatment system. You need to know what type of issue you are dealing with before it can be treated.

Most Common Water Problems

Hard Water

Hard water is not necessarily a hazard to your health however it can be harmful to your home. There are many common indications that you are dealing with hard water such as: film and stains on dishes and appliances, dull hair, spotted dishes, dry irritated skin, and an increase in the amount of soap and detergent that is needed for cleaning clothes and dishes.

Water softeners are the most common treatment option for hard water. Water softeners are used to remove the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions which creates soft water. This helps eliminate nasty build up on appliances, plumbing, fixtures, skin, and so on.

Iron and Rust

It is pretty obvious to see when there is a large amount of rust and iron build up in your homes water. You will begin to see orange streaks staining the sink and spots on clothing. High iron content in your homes water is annoying to homeowners and also damages appliances including washers, water heaters, dishwashers, and bathtubs.

The most common solution for treating high levels of iron in your home water is to have a whole house water filtration system installed. Treating the high iron content with a filter helps to protect against iron build up in your homes plumbing, prevents unsightly build up, removes the smell and taste of iron, keeps appliances running more efficiently, and offers you better tasting, higher quality water.

Foul Taste in Drinking Water

A number of water problems can cause smelly, bad-tasting water. Water with high levels of chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, dissolved solids, arsenic, or iron can all add to the taste of your homes water and not in a good way.

There are a number of problems that can result in smelly and/or foul-tasting water. It is important to have the water tested so that you know exactly what problem you are dealing with when treating your homes water.

The solution for foul tasting, bad smelling water is to have a water filtration and conditioning system installed. These systems address the smell and taste of chlorine through the use of active carbon filters. Oxidation tends to destroy oily tastes and gas smells and more.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more. More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

Replacing Equipment: Age Is Not the Only Factor

There are a number of factors that hospitals, medical facilities, and healthcare organizations must consider before they replace equipment besides age. Each year companies could potentially waste thousands of assets by focusing solely on the age of their equipment.

It wasn’t long ago that healthcare facilities were zealous to add all of the latest surgical equipment to their organization. From robotic surgery systems, linear accelerators, and other large scaled medical equipment were installed to keep physicians happy and be competitive.

However, in recent years budgets have gotten smaller and funds have become more restricted and facilities are seeing that equipment can’t just be discarded on a whim or purchased without advanced planning. Instead equipment needs to be repaired or refurbished and kept at peak performance for longer and a strategic approach needs to be taken to replace not only large scaled equipment but also universal equipment such as beds, linens, and so forth.

Proactive replacement planning is necessary between financial and clinical leaders within organizations need to work together to plan in order to achieve:

A reduction in expenses associated with service, parts, maintenance, and training
A decrease “close call” events that come with the use of older equipment with more precise maintenance schedules
A reallocation of assets that are underutilized throughout the facility
An ability to cross train employees throughout facility locations
An increase in consistency and standardization throughout facilities

When the above objectives can be achieved, a reduction in costs can occur with an increase in the quality of care patients receive.

Instead of the reactive strategy that medical facilities have embraced in the past more proactive approaches are being embraced. When purchasing new or refurbished medical equipment in a proactive approach allows leaders to embrace the situation over a period of time verse the reactive approach which tends to be more mission critical. Being proactive allows financial leaders in medical facilities to work with clinical leaders to plan for the addition of new equipment whether it is brand new or refurbished. When the replacement of equipment no longer is a life or death situation a better decision for the facility can be made.

Proactive planning in medical facilities allows for better outcomes overall. Financial teams and clinical teams can work together, armed with historical data, to have meaningful conversations instead of hypothetical ones. This allows better decisions to made for everyone throughout the facility from administrators and physicians to patients and care givers.

Radparts is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts for Linear Accelerators and Radiation Oncology equipment. Radparts provides high quality, user friendly, low cost parts support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. More information can be found at https://www.radparts.com/.

Changes to Consider During 2019 Medicare Open Enrollment

There are many changes coming to the world of Medicare in 2019. Most of these changes will involve coverage in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D. From more health care plans to choose from to lower premiums and added benefits now is a good time to start reviewing your current plans and future options.

An Increase in Medicare Advantage Plan Choices

In 2019 Medicare expects to see an increase of upwards to 600 new Medicare Advantage plan options varying between locations. More than ninety percent of Medicare enrollees will have the option of ten or more Medicare Advantage plans to choose from in their area. Medigap Plan D, prescription drug coverage is also upgrading and offering Plan D business plans in 2019.

Medigap Plan D, Prescription Drug Coverage, Premiums Decrease

Enrollees in Medigap Plan D can expect to see a decrease in plan premiums by $1 a month in 2019. It is important to remember that when looking at coverage there is more to the cost than just the initial premium. Some plans offer a low premium, but the cost of prescriptions co-pays is much higher than a higher costing premium plan. A Medicare Supplemental Insurance Agent or the Medicare Plan Finder online are tools available to assist you in comparing all ten Medigap rates and plans.

Preferred Pharmacies

Medigap Plan D will include more preferred pharmacies. When choosing a plan that offers a preferred pharmacy you can expect to pay lower premiums and decreased co-payments. If you go outside of the preferred pharmacy to have prescriptions filled, you will be paying a premium. If you are adamant of sticking with a certain pharmacy, you will need to see if a plan option exists with them as the planned pharmacy. If not, you will need to change pharmacies or pay the additional cost of prescriptions.

Less Expense in The Donut Hole

The coverage gap which makes participants pay more out of pocket for prescriptions known as the donut hole, will close in 2019. When your total prescription drug expense reaches $3,820 you will pay 25% of the cost of brand-name (37% of generic) up until you have reached $5,100 in which you will then only be responsible for 5%.

Medicare Advantage Premiums Decreasing

In 2019 the premium for Medicare Advantage will run on average $28 per month, down $1.81 from 2018. There will also be more zero premium options available with Medicare Advantage coverage. It is always good to note that often lower-premium policies have a smaller network of providers. If this does not bother you than this may be a good option to help cut costs.

The experts at eMedigap Plans, powered by Omega, have all the answers you are looking for when it comes to your Medigap Supplemental Insurance needs. More information can be found at http://emedigap-plans.com.

2019 Changes in Medicare

Medicare has under gone a number of changes since it originated in 1965. With over 60 million participants Medicare continues to have the highest satisfaction rate of any form of health insurance available. With every year that passes, Medicare and Medigap keeps getting better and 2019 is no different. Some of the modification that Medicare is making only affect individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans while other updates will affect all beneficiaries.

Donut Hole

One unappealing element of Medigap Plan D, prescription drug coverage is that once participants have reached a certain level of spending in a year they are required to pay more for the prescription medicine they need. This creates what is known in Medicare lingo as a “donut hole”. A second threshold is in place that once reached participants are then “rewarded” with lower cost prescription drugs. This feature of Medigap Plan D was scheduled to be closed in 2020 however, Congress passed a bill that will close the donut hole for brand name prescriptions in 2019. The gap for generics is still scheduled to close in 2020.

Therapy Cap

Congress has repealed the therapy cap limiting coverage to outpatient physical, speech, and occupational therapy services. Original Medicare enrollees will not longer be required to pay the full cost of therapy services.

Improved Information

The Medicare handbook is sent out to its enrollees every fall. As if 2019 the handbook will be updated to include checklists and flowcharts to help participants make decisions on coverage decisions. The Medicare Plan Finder will be included online and updated to make it simpler to use. Enrollees will also have a chance to compare out-of-pocket costs and coverage options between Medicare and Medicare Advantage with updated online coverage tools.

Increased Telemedicine

All methods of technology are advancing, and Medicare is using this to their advantage with increased telehealth programs. These programs allow patients to confer with doctors and nurses over the internet. Telehealth services will be covered in 2019 for people with end-stage renal disease and stroke treatment.

Lifestyle Support

For enrollees in Medicare Advantage there will be the option to have meals delivered to their home, transportation to the and from the doctors, and the installation of safety devices like bathroom grabs bars and wheelchair ramps. For home safety improvements and prepared meals to be covered a medical provider will need to recommend them.

In-Home Assistance

In 2019 Medicare Advantage plans will also have an option to pay for home health aides. These aids assist in everyday activities such as dressing, eating, and personal hygiene. This is part of a broader definition of traditional services required by Medicare.

Trial Period

Participants will now be able to try the Medicare Advantage plan for three months. If they aren’t satisfied they can switch to Original Medicare Part A and Part B or another Medicare Advantage plan.

The experts at eMedicare Supplemental Insurance, powered by Omega, have all the answers you are looking for when it comes to your Medicare Supplemental Insurance needs. More information can be found at http://emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com/.

Home Renovation Preparation

DIY home improvements always have the chance to go terribly wrong because most of us are not professional contractors and therefore really have no idea what they are doing. In this installment we are going to prepare the average homeowner for what they can expect during the home renovation process. Whether you hire a professional contractor or attempt renovations around your home there are a few things you will need to do to prepare.

Preparing for Your Homes Renovations

Budget

It is crucial to have a realistic budget when it comes to any home improvement project. Take time to research the average cost of the budget you are interested in. Once you know about how much you will need you can start to allocate funds accordingly.

Larger home renovation projects require you to have a substantial amount of money on hand. If your remodel is not something you wish to cover with cash out of pocket, you can look into a home equity loan or line of credit. The benefit of borrowing against your home’s equity is that often the interest that you are paying on the loan can be deducted off of your taxes each year, up to $750,000 dollars. Other options for funding a renovation include a reverse mortgage and contractor financing.

Scope

The scope of your project is another element to consider. It is necessary to take into consideration your budget and what you want to see completed during your renovation. Are you considering a complete overhaul of your 1980’s kitchen and hoping to create an open concept where it opens into the living area? Or are you thinking that a fresh look could be achieved with some freshly painted cabinets with updated hardware?

Your budget needs to be comparative with the tasks that you want to accomplish. It is important that you work with your contractor to make sure that between the materials and labor your budget is large enough to cover your renovation while having a reserve just in case some aspect of the project doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Materials

Sometimes the materials that you choose are simply out of necessity and exactly what you need to accomplish within a limited budget. For years you may have dreamed of installing granite throughout your home but as the time approaches the realization of just how much more the cost of the renovation will be with granite vs engineered quartz hits. You suddenly realize that engineered quartz is quite elegant and helps you get more out of your limited budget.