The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

21 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Saturday, April 4, 2009 A Step Beyond In Care SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST SPRIGGS INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED 481 North Service Rd. W. A4, Oakville, ON Ashley Johnson 159 CHURCH ST. OAKVILLE, ON L6J 1N1 Oakville (905) 844-9232 Burlington (905) 681-4035 Mississauga (905) 798-7527 Fax (905) 845-1634 Web: www.spriggs.ca E-mail: info@spriggs.ca 728 Burloak Drive 905-632-1414 Q: A: I have Ingrown Toenails. What is the cause of this and can it be prevented? Ingrown toenails are nails that pierce the skin as they grow out. They make the surrounding skin red, painful to pressure and can lead to infection. There are multiple causes of Ingrown Toenails. The most common cause is a high curvature of the nail resulting in increased pressure against the nail at the edge of the nail. Fleshy toes also are predisposed to getting ingrown as the flesh pushes against the nail eventually allowing the nail to pierce through. Very frequently though, ingrown toenails are the result of improper nail cutting technique. General prevention advice for Ingrown Toenails is to cut your nails straight across, being careful not to cut up into the sides of the nail. Treatment of Ingrown Toenails can vary from ongoing care to permanent solutions where the curved nail is corrected, thereby reducing pressure at the edge of the nail. Talk to your Chiropodist (Foot Care Specialist) about the various treatment options available to you as well as nail cutting advice specific to your foot type. 905-847-2210 Q: What's the best way to clean marble and granite floors? Q: When should I report an accident to my insurance company? A: If polished marble or granite is protected with floor finish, the finish must be buffed or burnished and periodically replaced to keep the surface protected and looking good. Because marble and granite are sensitive and porous, they need to be cleaned with a neutral cleaner solution and then polished dry. Scratched and dull surfaces can be revived with a marble restorer (available from janitorial supply stores). Cultured marble and certain types of granite are stronger than real marble and stone, but they do lose their luster after being cleaned for years. Clean with a spray bottle filled with all-purpose or disinfectant cleaner and a soft cloth. Always keep the area wet while working. Never use powdered cleansers, steel wool, metal scrapers or coloured scrub pads on cultured marble or granite. If the surface is worn and looks dull even after cleaning, polishing compound may bring back the glow. be issue. It A: This can best atothought provokingwith your is always first discuss this independent insurance broker to decide whether to submit a claim. The first concern is if anyone has been hurt. If so, it is important to submit a claim. This will protect you for any further issues regarding the accident. Bodily injuries can be brought up at any time even after the accident. The injured party may not necessarily realize an injury was caused due to the accident in question and if it can be proven that it was related, a personal injury claim may be submitted after the fact. "For past questions and answers in Ask the Professionals, please contact us." Call to Book your Appointment Today at 905-632-1414 For more information please contact Merry Maids of Oakville at 905-847-2210. Making Lives Better One Visit At A TimeTM Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Inc. Dr. Rosenblat D.D.S. Hopedale Shopping Centre Suite 220, 2nd Floor Office: 905.257.3452 Website: www.nursenextdoor.com Lori Paton RN, RRT Nurse Next Door's services range from a 3 hour a week concierge service to an onsite 24 hr per day Registered Nurse. OAKVILLE · MILTON · BURLINGTON SCOTT JOHNSON Managing Director 905.847.8433 www.homeinstead.ca/3014 905-827-0301 Scam Targets Seniors' Love of Their Grandchildren Q. My 82-year-old widowed mother lives alone and I'm always trying to make her aware of the latest scams against seniors. What's going on out there now? Con artists are relentless when it comes to their attempts to scam seniors of whatever they can get, from a few dollars to their life's savings. One con that is making a comeback is a telephone fraud known as the "Grandparent Scam" or "Emergency Scam." Usually, the caller pretends to be a grandchild in need of emergency money. The fraud often includes a caller who says something like "Hi, grandma," or "Hey, it's your favorite grandson." The caller's goal is to learn the name of a recipient's actual grandchild. Sometimes the caller may even have learned the name of the grandchildren in advance ­ and claim to be a grandchild on the call. The callers often play on the concern that grandparents have for their loved ones by telling them they have been in an accident, were arrested, are stranded or in similar trouble and need money immediately. Most often, the callers claim to be traveling in Canada. The "grandchild" also insists that the victim not tell anyone else, which increases the odds that the fraud will be successful. Of course, the intent is to get the grandparent to wire money to help. By the time the elderly call recipient realizes what happened, the money is long gone and most likely not recoverable. Your loved one should be on guard for anyone requesting money and demanding secrecy, and if they are calling from Canada or other foreign locations. Another option is to ensure that a second set of eyes is available to help protect your loved one. Since your mother is living alone, you might consider hiring a non-medical caregiving company to provide companionship services, which can be an effective way to keep seniors safe. Q: A: I want to replace some missing teeth. What are my options? Replacing missing teeth is important for many reasons. As you might expect, losing teeth makes it harder to chew food properly and can affect your smile, especially if you lose a front tooth. But losing teeth also allows adjacent teeth to shift and tip into the spaces remaining. These tipped teeth themselves are more prone to problems and as a result, a shorter life spans. Depending on how many teeth you are missing, herre are the options you have: Dental Implants:These are basically, artificial tooth roots made of Titanium, inserted into the jawbone. This can be just like having a natural tooth You can have a tooth place on top an not know the difference from other teeth. If many teeth are missing you can have multiple artificial teeth attached to a few implants so that the teeth can be removable or "permanently" attached. Fixed Bridge: A fixed bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth that leave a gap between natural teeth. These teeth on either side of the gap support crowns (or caps) that are joined together by artificial teeth as one piece and cemented in place to cover the gap like a bridge over a river Removable Denture: This is used to replace several missing teeth. It is removable, which means it can move when you eat as well. If there are teeth remaining the denture will have small wires that clasp or grab remaining teeth to stay put. If no teeth are present, suction is what holds it in place. Which option is best depends on your unique circumstances. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY LOVED ONE NEEDS HELP? Far too often, families don't realize that there is a need for assistance until the situation becomes critical. This results in high levels of stress and anxiety for all involved. By becoming aware of and observing for some of the warning signs listed below, it may be possible to recognize concerns while still easily manageable. Unopened mail or past due bills Poor grooming/ personal hygiene, soiled clothing Mishandled medications Loss of appetite or changes in cooking/eating habits Spoiled/outdated food in fridge or little food in house Reluctance to socialize and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities Difficulty concentrating, memory loss, poor judgment Personality changes, irritability, persistent fatigue Difficulty walking or recent falls If you have concerns that your loved one may be experiencing any of the above warning signs, call Nurse Next Door for a complimentary in home nursing assessment to identify individual needs. Issues can often be improved or resolved, with only a few hours of weekly support from a caregiver, when identified early. Great things star t with a warm healthy smile. the dentist@dentistry4.com www.dentistry4.com Making Lives Better One Visit At A TimeTM For more information about Home Instead Senior Care, contact Scott Johnson or Tom Chuchmach at 905.847.8433 or visit www.homeinstead.com If you have any questions these professionals can answer, please write to: "Ask the Professionals" c/o The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Road, Oakville L6K 3S4 or fax to: 905-337-5568