US Media Studios Focuses on the Benefits of Senior Wellness

Senior wellness centers are located throughout the country in communities where their services are needed the most. The centers provide more than just exercise classes and group card games. Many older Americans find and reap the benefits of these gathering places.

 Senior Community Center Benefits

There are 11,000 senior centers throughout the U.S., according to the National Council on Aging. Different centers focus on different goals, depending on the needs of the community. Senior wellness includes health and fitness awareness and activity, regularity in getting daily movement, healthy eating, and social activities which keep folks connected to other people in the community and their families. These centers also offer arts classes, free nutritious meals, free movies, and excursions to local sites such as museums, grocery stores. What’s to lose?

Community and City Support

Communities and cities which support senior wellness and/or community centers tend to have better attended centers. Work with area YMCAs, schools, and also with universities, community and four year colleges can yield better attendance, which leads to healthier seniors. US Media Studios notes the benefits of senior wellness are far greater than improved physical health. Social activities remind older people that they are valuable. A widow or widower that spends most of the time alone, feeling lonely, is less likely to take good care of their health. Imagine if that same person joined a wellness or fitness class, or perhaps went to a free movie with a friend once or twice a week. Senior wellness has many benefits which are measured beyond health and fitness. Find the nearest senior community center here. 

US Media Studios Relays Three of the Top Financial Tips

Financial advice can be found everywhere on the Internet. From retirement saving guidance to child college funds, there is no lack for info. There is, however, some pretty basic advice almost anyone could use.

Save, save save. This is usually the financial advice mantra spoken and read time and again on television, in the media and on the Internet. US Media Studios concurs.

Emergency funds are necessary to have to prevent financial catastrophe. Save one percent of regular pay every pay period, and have it automatically deposited into a savings account. Name the account when you set it up, as a reminder to yourself. At least three months of savings are needed to avoid serious debt and financial trouble in an emergency.

Insurance for the big, valuable items you own. Insurance protects you from the things that can flatten you financially, if something major happened to them. Examples are vehicle accidents, catastrophic weather events like tornadoes or flooding. Higher limits mean higher deductibles to pay, but in the long run, this protects you financially.

Credit cards and credit card debt are major financial obstacles to break through for many people. Carry a few cards, charge only 10 percent of the credit limit each month on them, and pay off balance every month. Look for a low interest rate card, or if you have one, transfer the balance onto that card and pay it off. Once that’s done, find the best rewards card that offers 1.5% back on charges. US Media Studios believes we can all be financially healthy as long as we stay on top of it.

 

US Media Studios Covers Food Poisoning Prevention Tip

The summer holidays are times families and friends gather to celebrate and eat al fresco together. Let’s make it a good time, and not time spend in the bathroom all afternoon or night long. US Media Studios also shares what to do if you are hit with a bout of food poisoning.

Food poisoning can happen at any time and any place, even at Aunt B’s famous Memorial Day cookout. Below are some common sense prevention tips so we can have a great summer:

Avoid food that smells “off”. This can mean grilled chicken or hamburgers. One bite and most people know when the meat or poultry is not safe to eat. Don’t swallow the bad bite, but spit it out in a napkin. Kindly let the hosts know. Wash the taste from the mouth with a beverage.

Avoid foods made with milk or mayonnaise and which have been left outside or on the counter and not in a cold pack. Essentially, all prepared food should be kept in cold picnic containers until ready to eat.

If a bout of food poisoning should occur, it can happen a few hours, days or even weeks after ingesting affected food. It feels like one minute you are feeling fine and the next you are sitting on the bathroom floor worshipping the porcelain god.

Symptoms can include: feeling bloated, extreme abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, cramps, watery diarrhea and fever. After the wave of these symptoms subsides, US Media Studios suggests drinking water slowly to flush out the bacteria. Ginger ale sipped slowly can also ease nausea. Sports drinks can replace lost calcium and electrolytes. Eat bland food slowly for a day or two until you feel stronger and not so shaky.

It’s okay to enjoy the homemade goodies family and friends bring to picnics, cookouts and parties. Just be sure they are stored correctly, and if heating or cooking is needed, that it is done thoroughly.

US Media Studios Examines the Safety of Public Pools

How safe is the public pool people enjoy? How clean is the water? US Media Studios examines the safety of public pools.

How clean is the water in a public pool?

A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost 80 percent of the 50,000 public pools, hot rubs and water playgrounds they tested had at least one violation. One in eight inspections resulted in immediate closure due to serious health and safety problems. The highest numbers of closures were related to “kiddie” wading pools. Closures result from common contamination in the water such as fecal matter or urine.

Poop in the pool does have to be seen to be prevalent. Microscopic particles can stem from an adult with diarrhea getting in the pool or hot tub. The swim diapers worn by infants, toddlers and small children are not preventative in keeping fecal particles from getting in the water. Wading pool water is shallow and easily warms up in the heat of day.

Safety is another public swim issue which led to some closures. Lack of lifeguards, lack of safety equipment, poor drain coverage, a pH level too low –these can close a favorite water park or pool immediately. Inadequate disinfectant concentration is also to blame for closures. So too is a pool with an unusually high amount of chlorine in the water.

US Media Studios suggests checking public health records for all public pools, including those in condo and apartment communities, homeowner associations, hotels, motels and resorts.  Summer is around the corner. Some US states are already experiencing summer temps. As the heat moves in, people head to pools to cool off. We remind readers to take a shower before entering the pool. Take small children to the rest rooms every hour and be sure to clean bottoms well.  After all, no one wants to swim with poop in the pool.

US Media Studios Dental Health Reminders

Our teeth may seem sturdy and hard, but in reality, they can be quite vulnerable to different foods, beverages and other items we put in our mouths. US Media Studios offers dental health reminders for to help keep those pearly whites pearly white.

Brush teeth twice daily, floss once a day, schedule and keep regular dental checkup visits, and eat healthful meals. These are the basic tenets of good dental health. But there is more to it than that.

Avoid biting fingernails. This can cause micro-sized chips of the teeth which in turn can become full cracks. Skip sugary drinks when thirsty and drink a refreshing glass of water instead. Just don’t add a squeeze of lemon or other citrus product in it.

Lemon, orange, lime and other citrus foods can damage tooth enamel – the protective coating that blocks cavities and tooth decay. Citric salad dressings can also damage teeth. Avoid these thing if possible and spare the enamel on your teeth.

Please don’t brush your teeth harshly. This abrades the teeth, can hurt the gums and even produce receding gums. Instead, give teeth and gums a therapeutic massage.

US Media Studios also warns against chewing ice. Even though this is pretty common, it can damage teeth. If you catch some cubes in your mouth when taking a drink, let them go back in the glass.

Your teeth are one of the first things people see about you when you smile. They are also the entry way to the digestive system. Take care of them so they can take care of you.

US Media Studios Addresses How to Avoid the Top Travel Fees

Have you traveled lately? The fees that a consumer pays when traveling can be avoided by simply paying attention.

There are many travel sites which can churn out discount air fares for the most cost-savvy seeker. We can set up alerts on these sites to find the lowest fares, best car rental rates, cheapest hotel room rates, and read all the reviews we can take. But we can still do more to assure we have a fun, safe and affordable vacation or holiday without breaking our budgets.

Airlines:

Don’t book too far ahead or too close to the date of travel. The ideal time window to book airfare is roughly 55 days before the wanted departure date. Airfares are published months before a flight and stay flat and relatively high until about two months before the flight. At that time, airlines readjust airfare based on supply and demand.  Of course, it can be hard to determine when to buy a ticket to Europe or Africa or any other faraway place. One more note: don’t over pack and you won’t have to overpay for extra heavy luggage.

Cell Roaming Fees:

Avoid getting hit with these excessive fees in countries and continents where cell coverage is not covered. Contact your cell provider about short-term international travel plans to add on before leaving the US. These are less expensive than the roaming fees and more convenient than having to purchase an international SIM card to use in international destinations.

Foreign Transaction Fees:

There is no need to pay these fees on a credit or debit card when most of the major credit cards have plans to not apply them. Take the time to reach out to the card companies and find out what their policy is.  Also, don’t exchange currency at the airport. Do it at partner banks in country or at international ATMs. Another option is to contact your bank and ask if you can get some of the local currency from them before departure.

Travel insurance:

Long distance travel can be fraught with delays, cancellations, and other unforeseen events. While there are many good travel insurance companies, it pays to take time to research the best options.  US Media Studios suggests reading the details of the plans you are interested in. The longer and more expensive the trip, the better it is to cover it.

Travel fees can add up before and after a long-planned vacation or holiday. Please do as much research to avoid the extra, unnecessary fees as possible.  

US Media Studios Reviews How to Prevent Playground Injuries

Small children are incredibly active and can fall down and get hurt in the time it takes to blink the eyes. US Media Studios reviews how to prevent playground injuries.

The playground is a great place for children. It is full of fun equipment, and gives kids a way to expend some of the bottled up energy they get from sitting quietly too long. From the slide to the swings and monkey bars, there are plenty of ways to have fun – and get hurt. School and state safety officials should thoroughly inspect playground equipment once a quarter to be sure there are no faulty connections, loose nuts or bolts and are safe. Parents taking kids to public parks to play might want to talk to little kids about what’s okay to do and not to do at the playground. We realize that once some children get to the park, they just want to bolt and start playing. Frankly, a cool playground can affect adults the same way too. Adult supervision at the playground is imperative.

Parents, caretakers and other adults might want to look at and examine playground equipment. If it is rusty and looks like some of the parts could fall off when in use, keep children away from it. On the other hand, many local playgrounds are safe. US Media Studios also notes that parents and adults can remind kids to not hang upside down on monkey bars, slide head first down the slides or jump off a swing or teeter-totter when it is too high. Everyone can have fun and be safe at the playground.

US Media Studios Joins Earth Day Celebrations

We only have one Earth and we must respect it, love it and protect it. US Media Studios honors the America with some great places to visit on #EarthDay as it falls within the week of the National Park’s 100^th Birthday party.

Visit any one of these National Parks by Sunday, April 24. Entrance fees are waived.

Beauty in the Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida

The park has been designated as an International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance and a World Heritage Site Enjoy the many trails, kayak across the serene water, and keep your eyes open for its iconic wildlife.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA

The site of the largest battle ever waged during the American Civil War. It was a turning point in American history. Located 50 miles west of Baltimore, Maryland, The cemetery there contains more than 7,000 interments including over 3,500 from the Civil War. Get your history on here.

Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa near Wisconsin border

The monument contains nationally significant archeological resources including (original) surviving examples of earthen American Indian mound groups that provide an insight into the social, ceremonial, political, and economic life of the Eastern Woodland people. Bet you didn’t know this National Monument was even created.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Oklahoma

It is known for its many mineral springs, cool water, flora, fauna, and wildlife. A very cool place to visit with family and a warm day.

US Media Studios encourages people to visit the nearest National Park this week, and really, any time. #EarthDay is a day to honor, respect and protect Mother Earth and our National Parks most certainly fall within this border. Get out and enjoy the wondrous natural resources set aside hundreds of years ago for us to appreciate today.

US Media Studios and National Park Week in the U.S.

It is U.S. National Park Week. Get out and go visit the nearest national park this week when the entrance fees are waived. #FindYourPark

Millions of acres of land set aside and preserved, saved from residential and commercial land development, spans the country. It is full of the most incredible scenery, the most amazing wildlife, and reminds us that it is there for us to experience, enjoy and savor. US Media Studios shares some suggestions when visiting areas in such as these.

Know what the weather will like in the national park you visit before you go. Heat and humidity are common in southern states and in tropical areas. Sudden rain or thunderstorms can turn a pleasant hike into a wet, unpleasant hike. Plan ahead for the day or weekend. This includes wearing sun screen and carrying a lightweight rain jacket. Plan to take a lightweight jacket if the temperature goes down when the sun does.

If planning a hike of any length, be sure to wear comfortable, sturdy shoes or boots. Rocks and prickly weeds are around. Protect your feet from stubs and your ankles from pricks.

• Bring water to stay hydrated all day.
• Don’t park near where migratory birds are. Vultures are federally protected and are attracted to rubber from tires and windshield wipers.
• Know your level of stamina and know which hiking trail is best for it. Stay on the trail you choose and don’t venture off. This is how people get lost in the wilderness for days and weeks.
• Leave pets at home.
• Keep small children close at hand all the time.

US Media Studios encourages readers to find the nearest national park by clicking here,  and plan a visit there this week or coming weekend – while park fees are waived.

Everglades National Park, FL

US Media Studios Shares Where the Cleanest Beaches Are Located

America’s beaches and seashores are wonderful places to relax, enjoy nature have fun. But it is no fun if the sand is used as an ashtray, litter is polluting the water, and the stench of sewage prevalent. So where are the cleanest beaches?

US Media Studios shares the top five cleanest beaches, and offers a link to one of the best resources for the environment for readers to enjoy.

Dauphin Island Public Beach, Alabama – The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Staff blog notes this beach meets national water quality benchmarks nearly 100 percent of the time over the last five years.

Long Beach City, Nassau County, New York – A worldwide-known travel website notes that the water in this area is clean and safe for swimming. The surf is 3.3 miles long and the there are no pets or alcohol allowed on the beach.

Newport Beach, CA at 38^th Street

Newport Beach is a nice beach in the first place. The NDRC states it is the only one in the state to make its “Beach Superstar” consistently.

Po’ipu Beach Park, Kauai, Hawaii – Clean white sand and crystal clear water earned this Pacific beauty its ranks. It is one of the top 10 best beaches in the United States.

Hampton Beach State Park, New Hampshire

The NDRC reports that this beach meets the national water quality benchmarks 98 percent of the time over five years. Its unique carry-in/carry-our program which helps keep the area clean for everyone. US Media Studios encourages readers to help keep beaches and shores clean on every visit. Be responsible for your trash and throw it out or secure it. Don’t put cigarettes out in the sand or in the water. Report people who deliberately litter the beach or pollute the water. The beach is for everyone. 

Dauphin Island Public Beach, IL
(image:wikipedia)

US Media Studios Reveals Why We Do Not Get Enough Sleep

Work. A recent survey from CareerBuilder found that almost 44 percent of American employees lose sleep because they worry about work-related issues. Nearly one in four of those surveyed said they do not get enough sleep at least once a week. Another survey, from 2013, found that three in four people questioned lost sleep over work. US Media Studios also has seen more workers doing more than one person's job since the recession in 2008. Workers let go during the economic downturn have yet to be replaced, leaving less people to do more.

Technology does not help the matter either. Many people sleep with the smart phone or tablet beside the bed. Some use the alarm clock function, but still wake up when emails come in, or texts arrive.  American employees will take the time to reply to a text or an urgent email. We can also factor in the sounds and lights that go off when items arrive.

So how can we turn work off when we go to bed? Move the smart phone away from the bed. Set a time to prepare for bed and rest. Don't let anything get in the way of it. Let co-workers, managers, bosses, and colleagues know that there will be no replies after a certain time at night. Get more exercise during the day and after dinner. This eases stress that builds during the day and early evening. Go to bed at the same time every night, if possible. Find a relaxing way to wind down before climbing into bed. Pleasant dreams.

US Media Studios Explains How to Get a Handle on Medical Bills

Medical care is not cheap. Bills can arrive in the mail with errors on them costing patients hundreds of dollars. It pays to examine every medical bill.

The American Medical Association estimates that 7.1 percent of claims paid in 2013 had an error. Financial website NerdWallet found mistakes in 49 percent of Medicare claims in 2014. Billing errors are common and can cost patients a lot of money in out-of-pocket expenses.

Medical coding is often to blame for the errors. In truth, it takes meticulous attention to detail. Even small bills, such as those for co-pays, can be ripe with errors. But there is good news in all of this worrisome news.

US Media Studios learns that as part of a 2015 settlement, medical debts sent to collections will have a six month grace period before they show up on a consumer’s credit report. Further, the three credit reporting agencies are required to remove a medical debt once it is reported as paid or settled by the insurance company. Keep in mind though that bills paid by the consumer and settled remain on reports. The insurance company has to report it to the credit reporting agencies in order to it to be removed.

The most important thing to know is to not wait too long to pay or officially dispute a medical bill or bills. Some insurers and providers are quick to settle unpaid bills. Twenty percent of consumers have an unpaid medical debt on their credit report, according to a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

When a medical bill arrives in the mail or in email, review it as soon as possible and completely.  Do Google search on medical codes not explained or understood. Call the insurer or provider and ask what the charge is for. Haste makes money waste. Jump on medical bills and don’t pay for something that should not be there. It’s your money. Why give it to an insurer if you didn’t get the service?

Don't be this guy.
(image:pixabay)