A lot of interesting information was presented to Triad members last week concerning safety. Becky Bathhauer, of the Anderson Fire Department, was guest speaker and covered a lot of important issues, including emergency evacuation plans and fire safety.
It is important for everybody to have a plan for evacuation, especially seniors. Seniors all too often have mobility limitations that younger people do not have. Some are on walkers or have to depend on wheel chairs. Some may be on portable oxygen tanks. Whether these people live in nursing homes or assisted living and/or independent living facilities or in their own homes, they should have an evacuation plan. Regardless of age, they need to practice that plan occasionally to make sure it still is sufficient to get everybody out. Evacuation plans should be presented to the local fire departments for their approval.
Senior housing facilities are cracking down on smoking inside their apartments. Some people who refuse to comply are being evicted. The reason is that a lot of people in these facilities are on oxygen. In case of a fire the oxygen could place a lot of innocent people in danger.
Should you have a battery or a hard-wired smoke detector? One advantage to a hard-wired smoke detector is that they can be installed so that if one goes off, they all go off. Should you have a fire in your basement and have hard-wired smoke detectors in the basement and in your second-floor bedroom, they would both go off. This would not be true with battery-operated smoke detectors.
One Triad member raised the question of people on oxygen and smoking and visiting public places like restaurants who also place innocent consumers in danger. Triad may form a committee to urge our local council members and other legislators to study new regulations or laws.
We expect to have some people from the fire departments; consumers and some Madison County elected officials to join this committee.
United Senior Action Chapter
Matthew Greenwood and Robin Grant put on a presentation to the local United Senior Action Chapter about how to lower your prescription drugs costs. They talked about using generic medicines. These drugs are safe, effective and a lower-cost alternative to brand name drugs. The same holds true for over-the-counter drugs as well as prescription drugs.
Generic drugs are approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the government agency tests all medications to make sure they are safe and effective. Many people do not know about generic drugs because the generic companies do not spend millions of dollars in advertising. That is one reason they are cheaper but just as effective. Generic drugs have been used by doctors for over 30 years.
Generic drugs usually have fewer side effects and unknown risks than brand name drugs. New brand name drugs have been around longer and if their side effects are too many or too serious they end up being pulled off the market before generic drugs can be manufactured.
Another solution to the high costs of prescription drugs in our country is fixing the Medicare Part D plan. It was written by lobbyists for the pharmaceutical and insurance companies. This was verified on a “60 Minutes” program that was critical of how the Medicare Part D Plan was passed by Congress. U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, who appeared on this show, also voiced his discontent with the Medicare Part D Plan.
We need to vote for congressmen and a president of the United States who have gone on the record in favor of wanting to fix Medicare Part D so people can afford it.
Dennis Lanane is chairman of Madison County Triad. He can be reached by e-mail at qparadigm@iquest.net.
Columns
Related Photos
Discussion
DENNIS LANANE: Safety first for Triad members
- Columns
-
-
Emmett Dulaney: When Twitter backfires
Twitter, that innocuous social media tool that lets users send out 140 character snippets to their followers, is being used more and more as a marketing tool.
-
John Williams: Valentine tip from Social Security
Valentine’s Day is a popular time of year for proclamations of love. Such displays of affection can be as simple and sweet as a heart with a “be mine” message, or as life altering as a vow before the altar.
-
Scott Underwood: TV section alterations on the way
Two Sundays ago, The Herald Bulletin introduced a new product called Click, replacing the TV Week section. Like TV Week, Click includes TV listings grids, sports listings and Sudoku and crossword puzzles.
-
'Big Joe' Clark: The $100 million IRA - and how to get one
Is it possible to save $100 million? No, but it is possible to invest and end up with that sum of money. Mitt Romney is not alone; there are others with mega IRAs.
-
Analysis: Exceptional voice seemed lost in Houston's excessive fame
Whitney Houston’s numerous comeback attempts never gelled into anything the public cared about.
-
Brian Howey: Automotive factor explains why Obama opens Indiana office
On Thursday, the Obama for America campaign opened up an office in Indiana, a state with a century-old love affair with the internal combustion engine.
-
Maleah Stringer: Be truthful when filling out an application to adopt a pet
Animal shelters, humane societies and animal rescue groups across the country use adoption applications to screen applicants.
-
Jim Bailey: Plenty of sports celebrities have spoken in Anderson
Those who like to hear about their favorite sports from the horse’s mouth have had plenty of opportunities over the years in Anderson.
-
Howard Hewitt: Ivo Nardi of Italy leading organic push
Much of Europe is way ahead of the United States when it comes to the demand and supply of organic products.
-
Don McAllister: Dovetailing on a great column with a word on encouragement
Every day starts a new story, and this one tips its hat to a great column that recently appeared in The Herald Bulletin by Jesse Wilkerson where he emphasized the value of choosing one’s words.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only
New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom
Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
Obama: Good US-China Ties Help the Whole World
School Pays Students to Attend Class
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
