Page 12 October 4 , 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Seniors Home Security Updates for Aging-In-Place Remodeling (ARA) - It’s hard to think about getting older, retirement to make ends meet. activity at the door. An alarmed lock will heating and cooling with a Trane thermostat; but it’s even harder to think about having to The good news is that there are many easy- sound an alert if someone starts to exit the turn lights on and off at different times; open move out of the comfort of a beloved home to-install, personalized products that can be home unattended. This can be a great help to or close window shades for privacy; and view when advanced age makes it difficult to get incorporated into a very subtle remodel that those who not only need to look after their any activity around the home via indoor and around your space easily and safely. But with fits the way people want to live now as well parents, but their grandchildren, too. Alarmed outdoor cameras. They can even receive a text today’s technologies, it’s easier to update your as later in life. Today’s tech-savvy seniors locks can also sound alerts for a variety of alert when a window/door sensor or motion home in ways that make it possible for you are increasingly embracing new technologies, activities at the door, to increase overall home detector identifies a situation at home that or a loved one to age in place gracefully, enabling greater independence. security. For example, the alarmed lock from needs attention. Visit www.nexiahome.com without being forced to make major changes Here are some tips for incorporating Schlage will sound three distinct alarms to or more information. • in the home’s structure or decor. technology updates into an aging-in-place alert to various activities: Aging-in-place remodeling - adapting remodel: 1. When a door is accessed, such as someone a home to live in it safely, comfortably inStall eaSy-aCCeSS loCKS leaving the house and independently regardless of age or Doorknobs and house keys can be difficult 2. If someone is tampering with the lock accessibility level - is becoming more prevalent to grasp and turn for people with arthritis or 3. If someone is kicking or putting undue as the population matures, and seniors limited dexterity, so install door locks that pressure on the door in an attempt to break-in overwhelmingly prefer to stay in their own provide easier access. For example, Schlage The easy-to-install alarmed lock is battery- homes as they grow older. Indeed, we are at offers electronic keypad lever and deadbolt operated, requires no wiring, and can be the dawn of a new day: The number of adults locks that deliver an easier, secure and flexible retrofitted to fit an existing door. age 65 and older is expected to nearly double solution. To enter the house, simply enter a Monitor for safety using technology over the next 20 years, and more than a third unique four-digit access code on the touch One of the challenges being alone at home of American households already include one or keypad, then press down the lever to open is the possibility that something will happen more residents over the age of 60, according the door. without anyone knowing or being able to help. to AARP and the U.S. Census Bureau. For added convenience, the keypad locks For added peace of mind, a Nexia(TM) Home In addition, many in the 76-million member have backlit keypads, making them easy to Intelligence system makes it easy for someone baby boomer generation are not only thinking see in the dark. They come in attractive styles such as a relative or caregiver to check in ahead for their own future housing needs, but and finishes, blend beautifully with a variety or monitor home functions from anywhere, more than 60 percent are providing some of design motifs, and can be installed easily using a smartphone or Web-enabled computer. kind of support for their parents. This can with just a screwdriver. Nexia System users can lock and unlock be especially challenging, given the current inCreaSe home SeCurity doors; create temporary or scheduled entry housing market and the fact that many seniors Another easy upgrade to consider is an codes for someone needing limited access, such are either living on fixed incomes or delaying alarmed lock, a cost-effective way to detect as a care attendant or visiting nurse; adjust “If you know how to spend less than you get, Looking Up you have the philosopher’s stone.” Mars Rover Targets Unusual Rock ~ Benjamin Franklin En Route to First Destination Finance up to a football-size rock that will be the first the night, suggesting an unusual composition.“As we’re getting closer to the light-tonedinterest because it retains daytime heat long intoNASA’s Mars rover Curiosity has drivenBy Bob Eklund How to Stem the Tide of Junk Mail about eight feet (2.5 meters) from the rock. origin,” said Mars Science Laboratory Projectarea, we see thin, dark bands of unknownCuriosity isfor the rover’s arm to examine. It lies about halfway from the rover’s landing Scientist John Grotzinger of the California By Jason Alderman that is sent to DMA’s 3,600-plus site, Bradbury Landing, to a location called Institute of Technology, Pasadena. “The smaller- Here’s more than you ever members to check against their Glenelg. In coming days, the team plans to scale diversity is becoming more evident as wanted to know about junk mail: mailing lists. touch the rock with a spectrometer to determine we get closer, providing more potential targets Each year, direct mail creates 10 It’s important to note that not its elemental composition and use an arm- for investigation.” billion pounds of solid waste in the all marketers belong to DMA, mounted camera to take close-up photographs. During Curiosity’s two-year prime mission, U.S. and costs local communities so registering won’t stop all such Both the arm-mounted Alpha Particle X-Ray researchers will use the rover’s 10 science more than $1 billion in collection mailings. Also, it won’t stop Spectrometer and the mast-mounted, laser- instruments to assess whether the selected and disposal expenses – not to mailings from companies you zapping Chemistry and Camera Instrument field site inside Gale Crater ever has offered mention putting you at greater risk already do business with or to will be used for identifying elements in the environmental conditions favorable for for identity theft if you don’t shred which you’ve made a donation in rock. This will allow cross-checking of the microbial life. They are using Curiosity’s personalized mailings before tossing. the past. To get off their lists you’ll have to two instruments. Mast Camera (Mastcam) to find potential So how can you stop the flood of junk contact them directly. The rock has been named “Jake Matijevic.” targets on the ground. In addition to taking mail you receive? You could try moving or You can also register with DMAchoice.org Jacob Matijevic (mah-TEE-uh-vik) was the ground images, the camera also has been busy changing your name, but as you’ve probably to stop mail from being sent to a deceased surface operations systems chief engineer for looking upward. noticed, a lot of what’s delivered to your individual or if you want to manage mail Mars Science Laboratory and the project’s On two recent days, Curiosity pointed the mailbox is addressed to “Occupant.” In fact, being sent to a dependent in your care. And, Curiosity rover. He passed away August 20 at Mastcam at the Sun and recorded images of the U.S. Postal Service relies heavily on such they have an email preference service where age 64. Matijevic also was a leading engineer Mars’ two moons, Phobos and Deimos, passing deliveries, which now outnumber first-class you can opt out of receiving unsolicited for all of the previous NASA Mars rovers: in front of the Sun from the rover’s point of postage mailings. commercial emails from DMA members Sojourner, Spirit and Opportunity. view. Results of these transit observations are Here are a few more practical suggestions for six years. Curiosity now has driven six days in a row. part of a long-term study of changes in the for stemming the tide: A third opt-out option to explore is www. Daily distances range from 72 feet to 121 feet moons’ orbits. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration A good way to significantly reduce the CatalogChoice.org, a free service that helps you (22 meters to 37 meters). “This robot was built Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, which arrived number of offers you get for new credit submit opt-out requests for catalogs, coupons, to rove and the team is really getting a good at Mars in 2004, also have observed solar accounts and insurance is to register with credit card offers, phonebooks, circulars and rhythm of driving day after day when that’s transits by Mars’ moons. Opportunity is doing www.OptOutPrescreen.com, a secure website more. Catalog Choice also offers several paid the priority,” said Mars Science Laboratory so again this week. created by the leading credit bureaus (Equifax, where they do more of the legwork to get Project Manager Richard Cook of NASA’s Jet “Phobos is in an orbit very slowly getting Experian, Innovis and TransUnion). you off third-party mailing databases. Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. closer to Mars, and Deimos is in an orbit By completing a simple online form, you One last suggestion: If you’ve got elderly The team plans to choose a rock in the Glenelg very slowly getting farther from Mars,” said can request to be removed from marketing lists parents, you might want to screen their area for the rover’s first use of its capability to Curiosity’s science team co-investigator Mark the bureaus supply to lenders and insurance mail for an overabundance of direct mail – analyze powder drilled from interiors of rocks. Lemmon of Texas A&M University, College companies for use in firm (preapproved) credit especially catalogs and solicitations for money. Three types of terrain intersect in the Glenelg Station. “These observations help us reduce or insurance offers. The electronic opt-out If they’re on a fixed income and susceptible area—one lighter-toned and another more uncertainty in calculations of the changes.” is valid for five years. If you want to opt to strong sales pitches, the combination can cratered than the terrain Curiosity currently Images: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news. out permanently, you must mail the form to be devastating to their bank account. You is crossing. The light-toned area is of special cfm?release=2012-295&cid=release_2012-295 • the address provided. You can also opt back can help them register with the organizations into such mailings electronically through the mentioned above. Student from page 6 website. And, if you prefer, you may opt in No matter how diligent your efforts to get or out by phone at 888-567-8688. yourself off unwanted mailing lists, you’re tuition. Free education is a rare commodity is gradually gaining in popularity among Another good method to curb the amount probably still going to get some junk mail. in developing countries and should be taken students and pressures them to underperform. of direct mail you receive is to register But it’s good to know there are ways to seriously by those who are fortunate enough This attitude is not only hurting students who with www.DMAchoice.org, a program run significantly scale back the amount. to enroll in it. want to have a positive learning environment, by the Direct Marketing Association, the Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial Everyone possesses the innate hunger but is also harming a United States that runs leading trade organization for businesses and education programs. To Follow Jason for knowledge and education is the perfect on innovation. Knowledge will always be non-profits that send direct mail. When you Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ resource for people to fulfill their need to the best investment towards personal and register, your name is put in a “delete” file PracticalMoney. • know. The negative attitude towards education economic growth. •
Torrance 10.04.12
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