1. finance
2. personal finance
3. financial planning
4. estate planning

A Publication of
“A dream come true is just a tough little
wish that won’t take NO for an answer”
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Realtor
530-693-1688
®
RealtorTheresa@sbcglobal.net
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India Arnold
Realtor®
Realtor®
530-693-0465
530-370-2049
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Offering A Vast Selection of Properties and
Beautiful Homes Throughout the Year!
2
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
Table of Contents
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
Estate Planning
Put Your Estate in Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Automotive
How to Buy a Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
How to Buy an SUV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
How to Buy a New Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
How to Buy and Maintain a Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Real Estate
Staging Tips for Home Sellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Select a Mortgage Lender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Senior Living
How to Select a Retirement Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Home & Garden
Choose a Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Hiring a House Painter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Healthcare
Find a Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Select a Hearing Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Select a Home Healthcare Provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Comminications
Select a Cellular Phone Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
Thank you for reading this year’s version
of Chico’s Annual How-To Guide. We hope
you utilize this unique resource guide
throughout the year for services and products offered in the Chico area. If you or
someone you know would like to be
included in next year’s guide please call the
Enterprise-Record at 891-1234 and speak
with a representative in the Advertising
Department.
3
Put Your Estate in Order
P
lan for your
Future now!
Now is the time
to take control,
plan for the
future and protect your assets
and your estate.Without
estate planning, stocks,
bonds, insurance policy benefits, real estate and bank
accounts go unclaimed and
are turned over to the government.And every year millions of family members
argue and loved ones relationships dissolve because someone falls ill, gets divorced or
passes away without their
affairs having been properly
put in order.
It is a common misconception that estate planning is
important for only those with
money or who are advanced
in age.This myth is a cruel
deception. Everyone can benefit by creating an effective
estate plan.
Arranging for the distribution of one’s wealth is what
estate planning is all about.A
critical part of estate planning is creating documents
that outline your wishes for
distributing your wealth after
you die. Every individual has
an estate plan. If you do not
have a formal written will or
trust your estate plan is created out of default. Every state
in America has laws governing the distribution of property when a person dies without a Last will and Testament.
The question is not whether
you have an estate plan, but
whether you will have estate
plan of your own selection or
one imposed upon you by
law.
4
Traditional estate planning
involves creating a will. By
preparing a will most people
feel they have effectively safeguarded their family’s inheritance. However, this is often a
false “peace of mind”.A Last
Will and Testament outlines
your wishes about the distribution of your property after
death, but testamentary documents such as wills usually
require probate. In preparing
only a will, you may be forcing your loved ones through
months even years, of agony
in the probate court.
Probate is the orderly
administration of your affairs
supervised by the court.
Probate is a function of state
law and varies from state to
state.The disadvantages of
probate are:
• It is Time Consuming
• Costly, your family
• Loss of control over your
estate
• Lack of Privacy
Living Trusts
With a properly funded
trust you can eliminate probate.There are a number of
ways to put your estate in
order. One way is a Revocable
Living Trust.An RLT a simple
way to make certain your
estate assets are distributed,
as you desire.This allows you
to transfer legal ownership of
your assets to the trust. By
naming yourself as trustee of
the trust, you keep complete
control over your assets.You
can manage, sell, borrow
against, or give away the
assets in your trust as you
please.When you create a
Living Trust you transfer ownership of all your assets to
ment that allows you, as the
trustee(s), unlimited access to
the full control of your assets
during your lifetime. It also
enables you to pass assets
after your death to family,
friends and others. It allows
you to appoint someone to
make certain your property
goes to the loved ones you
choose.
Time spent designing the
nature and structure of this
most final of acts is well
invested.The Law Offices of
Lawrence A. Puritz has been
advising clients for over 25
years.The Estate Planning
package that they put together for their clients encompasses all your needs including a revocable “living trust”,
pour over will, health and
financial durable powers of
attorney, physicians directives, instruments for transferring your assets into the trust
and other helpful information
for you and your family.
Call Attorney Daniel H.
Alexander at 530-343-1614 to
discuss your estate and financial
needs. The peace of mind of
knowing your affairs are properly
arranged is well worth the call.
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
from
the Pros
Pros
from the
Revocable Living Trust (Single A,
Married A-B, or A-B-C, whichever is
appropriate.
• Assignment of Personal Property
• Community Property Agreement
• Last Will and Testament
• Durable Power of Attorneys
• Directives to Physicians
• Certification of Revocable living trust
• Proper forms to transfer property
title into trust
• Information for Survivors (Final
Instructions)
Once your Estate is in Order…
• Notify your spouse or a family member of your financial state. It will be
important for them to know the status
and location of bank accounts, safety
deposit boxes, stocks, bonds or real
estate.
• Show them the records and plan what
will happen to each asset
• Be sure your trust is properly funded
by filing deeds and changing the primary beneficiary on bank accounts and
retirement accounts to the trust.
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
5
Buy a Truck
A
mericans sure
to love their
trucks, and you
needn't only
be a farmer or
rancher to appreciate the versatility this type of vehicle can
offer.
From towing horse trailers
to ski boats, from hauling
fencing materials to gardening supplies, trucks enable
their owners to accomplish a
variety of tasks and take
advantage of a number recreational activities.
Manufacturers are also
adding even more features to
their truck model lineups, so
that not only can you haul
plenty of cargo but, with
these new crew-cab configurations, you can also haul a
full complement of passengers.
Before buying a truck, however, you will have to figure
out just exactly what you plan
on using it for, and how many
people will be riding in it on a
regular basis. Some people
can do just fine with a twoseater and a traditional truck
bed, while others want seating for six and a long truck
bed for carrying lengthy
items. Do you make regular
runs to the garden supply
store and need a truck
because your regular sedan's
trunk is just not large enough?
Would you rather throw bags
of compost and flats of flowers in a truck cargo bed without concern for spills or
stains? Or, do you find you
would be typically hauling
much heavier loads, such as
fence posts, bags of cement,
and equipment such as tillers
and mowers? Your expected
6
usage will determine if you
should select a truck with a
short bed, a long bed or a traditional bed. If your needs will
vary, there are some trucks
that come with an extended
bed feature, an option that
replaces the tailgate and can
be adjusted outwards to
accommodate larger and
longer loads.
Now, how many people will
typically ride with you and
will you use the truck for
other activities, such as driving people around a work site
or
commuting?
Seating
arrangements are as varied as
the trucks themselves. There
are trucks that offer passenger compartments to seat just
two passengers, while others
have a slightly extended passenger compartment with
fold-down jump seats, to
accommodate the occasional
third or even fourth passenger.There are also trucks with
even larger passenger compartments that offer a rear
bench seat for two to three
additional passengers. Some
are permanently positioned,
while in others the rear
bench seat can be folded up,
should you need the convenience of protecting cargo
from the elements when
you're not transporting passengers. Still others, with the
oversized, crew-cab configurations, are large enough to
seat six adults and still have
plenty of leg room. Some even
come equipped with DVD
players, to entertain your passengers.
Now, will you be using your
truck to tow things? Would it
be just to tow the occasional
rented concrete mixer or a
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
small trailer? Or are you planning on pulling a fully loaded
recreational vehicle? Will you
be rolling around relatively
flat areas, or do you need
extra engine power to pull
things over the mountains? It
is important to compare the
truck's engine size, and rating
for Towing Class and
Maximum Loaded Trailer
Weight. A Ford Ranger, for
example, is rated at 5,980
pounds for Maximum Loaded
Trailer Weight, while the Ford
F350 Super Duty is rated at
14,200 pounds for Maximum
Loaded Trailer Weight.
You may also consider the
truck's axles;do you want single
rear wheels, or dual axles?
For more information on
how to buy a truck, contact
Wittmeier Auto Center at
(530) 230-5593.
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
from the Pros
• TRUCKS enable their owners to
accomplish a variety of tasks and take
advantage of a number of recreational
activities.
• BEFORE YOU BUY A TRUCK, you need
to figure out what you can plan on using
it for, and how many people will be riding in it on a regular basis. Seating
arrangements are as varied as the
trucks, from fold-down jump seats, to
oversized crew cabs large enough to seat
six adults and still have plenty of leg
room.
• TOWING THINGS - Will you be towing
the occasional rented concrete mixer or
a small trailer? It is important to compare the truck’s engine size and rating
for Towing Class and Maximum Loaded
Trailer Weight.
• ALSO, do you want single or dual
axles?
With over 14 different models to choose from at one location...
WE CAN GET YOU TRUCKIN’
IN YOUR FAVORITE RIG!
TRUCKS
F-150
Upfitted/
Commercial Trucks
Visit Wittmeier for Model/Pkg. Availability:
XL, XLT & Lariat • Regular, Super & Crew Cabs
Long & Short Beds • 2WD, 4x4 & FX4 Pkgs. • Power Stroke Diesel
King Ranch & Harley Davidson Models • Various G.V.W. Pkgs.
Commercial/Upfitted Vehicles
F-350
F-250
Ranger
Also available in single rear wheel model.
TRUCKS
Silverado 1500
Avalanche
Silverado 2500
Colorado
Silverado 3500
Also available in single
rear wheel model.
Mark LT
Kodiak C4500
Visit Wittmeier for Model/Pkg. Availability:
LS, LT1- LT3 Pkgs. • Regular, Extended & Crew Cabs
Long & Short Beds • 2WD, 4x4, Z71 & Z66 Pkgs. • HD Pkg.
Hybrid Silverado • SS Silverado • Duramax Diesels • Kodiak
Various G.V.W. Pkgs. • Commercial/Upfitted Vehicles
SSR
TRUCKS
Ridgeline
TRUCKS
We also offer a huge selection of Pre-Owned and Certified Pre-Owned
Vehicles featuring these models and many others.
2288 Forest Avenue,
Chico, CA
AUTO CENTER
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
www.wittmeier.com
230-5593
7
Buy a Sport Utility Vehicle
S
port
Utility
Vehicles (SUVs)
have
gained
tremendously in
popularity
in
recent years, because they
allow their owners the flexibility to go anywhere, nearly any time. They are available either in all-, four- or
two-wheel drive configurations, typically with a raised
ground
clearance,
to
enhance the off-roading
experience.
Generally, SUVs are classified into one of three
groups: mini or compact,
mid-sized and full-sized. The
larger the SUV, typically, the
larger the engine, cabin size,
towing power and, of
course, price.
All SUVs, no matter what
segment size, are designed
to carry a minimum of five
passengers. The mid-sized
and larger models may also
have a third row of seats
available. Rear seats in the
compact segment are usually a tight fit for three adults,
but will accommodate children well.
SUVs in the compact size
usually offer a four- or sixcylinder engine. Move up in
the size segment, and V6
engines are standard, with
V8s as options. All full-size
SUVs will use a V8 engine.
As to be expected, mileage
ratings can vary as greatly as
the number of SUVs on the
market, from the low teens
to the mid- to upper 20s.
interested in the vehicle's
off-road capabilities. Is it a
two-wheel, four-wheel or
all-wheel drive? Two-wheel
drive means that only the
front or rear wheels will
provide power to the vehicle. Four-wheel drive configurations allow the driver to
choose between two- or
four-wheel drive, and to
select low-range gears for
off-roading adventures. Allwheel drive vehicles will
automatically
distribute
power among the wheels.
If you're concerned about
safety, as most consumers
are, SUVs are becoming
more and more safe with
each model year. On the
larger SUVs, manufacturers
are adding such desirable
features as side air bags and
side curtain air bags,
rollover protection systems
and stability control. If you
are considering a smaller
SUV, check to see if these
safety features are available,
either as a standard feature,
or as an option.
No matter what model
you are considering, you
should be able to remove or
fold the seats to add cargo
capacity. Some larger SUVs
2006
allow you to fold the third
row into the floor. Cargo
capacity will range from 65
cubic feet to 100 cubic feet,
or more.
Another thing to consider
when shopping for a SUV is
its platform. Do you want
one that is a car-based platform, versus a truck-based
platform? The car-based versions will offer sharper handling, a more comfortable,
car-like ride, and may even
offer more interior space.
Truck-based SUVs will feel
sturdier behind the wheel,
and may be able to tow
greater weights and have
more off-road capabilities.
As with most vehicles,
manufacturers are adding a
host of convenience and
luxury features. They start
with the simple upgrades of
CD players and enhanced
sound systems, but can elevate to include leather seating and DVD entertainment
systems, navigation systems
and global satellite communications.
For more information on
how to buy a truck, contact
Wittmeier Auto Center at
(530) 230-5593
from the Pros
• SUV’s are tremendously popular because they
allow of their owners the flexibility to go nearly
anywhere, nearly any time. One can choose from
All, Four or Two-Wheel Drive and all have good
ground clearance.
• SUV’s are classified into mini or compact, midsized or full-sized.
• SUV’s are designed to carry a minimum of five
passengers. Some mid-size and larger models
offer a third row of seats.
• SUV’s in the compact size usually offer a four
or six-cylinder engine, while larger models
offer V6 engines as standard, with V8 engines as
options. All full-size will use a V8 engine.
• SUV shoppers are all also interested in the
vehicle’s off-road capabilities. Two-wheel drive
offers the driver front or rear-wheel power while
four-wheel drive offers front, rear or the option
of using all four tires for added traction. Allwheel vehicles will automatically distribute
power among the wheels.
• SUV’s are becoming more and more safe each
model year. Side air bags and side curtain air
bags, rollover protection systems as well as stability control have all been added as either standard features or as available options.
• SUV’s come in two platforms: a car-based platform and a truck-based platform. The car=based platform offers a smoother more carlike ride with sharper handling, while the truckbased platform feels sturdier behind the wheel
and may be capable of towing greater weights.
•
SUV’s have luxury items too. They start
with CD players and enhanced sound systems and can elevate to include leather seating, DvD entertainment systems , navigation
systems and global satellite communications.
SUV shoppers are also
8
HOW-TO GUIDE
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
With 20 different models to choose from at one location...
WHICH ONE IS GOING TO
BLAZE YOUR HAPPY TRAIL?
SUVS
Excursion
Expediton
ALL-NEW 2006 Explorer
ALL-NEW 2007
Explorer Sport Trac
Escape
Visit Wittmeier for Model/Pkg. Availability:
XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited & Sport Models
2WD, 4x4 & AWD Pkgs. • Power Stroke Diesel
King Ranch Model • Hybrid Escape
Freestyle
Escape
SUVS
Suburban
TrailBlazer
Also available as EXT model.
ALL-NEW 2007 Tahoe
Equinox
SUVS
Pilot
Mariner
Visit Wittmeier for Model/Pkg. Availability:
LS & LT1-LT3 Models • 2WD, AWD, 4WD & Z71 Pkgs. • SS Pkg.
ALL-NEW 2006 HHR
Element
CR-V
Mariner
Mountianeer
Visit Wittmeier for Model/Pkg. Availability:
EX, LX & SE Models • 2WD, AWD & 4WD Pkgs.
Aviator
Navigator
Visit Wittmeier for Availability:
AWD or 4WD • Mariner Hybrid
SUVS
SUVS
We also offer a huge selection of Pre-Owned and Certified Pre-Owned
Vehicles featuring these models and many others.
AUTO CENTER
2288 Forest Avenue,
Chico, CA
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
www.wittmeier.com
230-5586
9
Buy a New Car
S
o, you've decided
it's time to buy a
new car. Where do
you start? Buying a
new car can be a
daunting, but do-able, task.
The key is to start by asking
yourself some very important
questions. First of all, you
should have an idea of how
much you can afford in
monthly payments, and how
long you will be willing to pay
them. Do you have money for
a down payment or another
car to trade it? Don't forget to
include the cost of insurance
in your budget analysis. An
honest assessment of your
finances should help narrow
the field somewhat.
Now that you have a ballpark
figure of what you can afford,
you'll have to find out what
kind of car you really need.. If
you are contemplating a family,
or have small children, coupes
may not be the best choice. If
you have an active lifestyle or
find you are always headed to
the lumber yard, you may consider a sport utility vehicle or
truck with crew cab. Do you
commute? Be sure to check the
mileage on the car you are
thinking of buying, to see if it
will add substantially to your
monthly gasoline expenditures.
You should now think
about what kind of amenities you're most interested
in having, such as power
door locks and windows,
keyless remote entry, a particular sound system or
even what kind of material
covers the seats. Leather
may look nice, but is it practical in your particular situation? You should also consider what kinds of safety
10
features are available. More
and more new models are
equipped with side air bags
and traction control. On
some models, these features
are standard; on others, they
are extras. Comparison
shopping will help you find
the perfect balance.
After you've narrowed the
field to several makes and models, you can start looking around
for incentives.Some are available
in the form of cash rebates or
low-interest financing. In an
example
offered
by
www.edmunds.com, a car selling for $22,000 may have a manufacturer's rebate for $3,000, for
a final price of $19,000.In another example, a $22,000 car
financed for five years at 6 percent would have a monthly payment of about $550. But, if the
dealer offers zero percent financing, the payment is about $480.
You can check out TV and newspaper ads for current promotions and incentives.
One final thing to you'll
need to think about is the disposition of your current vehicle. Will you trade it in at the
time of the sale, or will you try
to sell it yourself? You may get
more money for it if you sell it
as a private party, but you'll
also incur a few extra expenses for classified advertising.
Everything is taken care of all
at once if you trade the car to
the dealer at the time of the
sale.
So, you have an idea of how
much you want to spend,
have a selection of makes and
models that fit your lifestyle
and have decided what to do
with your present vehicle.
Now you can start shopping.
Ask friends and relatives for
their opinions on local dealerships, and ask for referrals to
specific sales personnel.
You can find out if the cars
you are interested in are readily available in your area by
calling those recommended
dealerships or checking with
Internet sales managers.
Being a little flexible on
color and options will help
you when it comes time
start bargaining with the
sales personnel.
For more information, contact
Chico Nissan at 891-1777 or visit
www.chiconissannhyundai.com
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
from the Pros
Work with an established dealer such as Chico
Nissan Hyundai whose been a Chico fixture since
1960!
• Shop online as well as in person. Many dealerships have online special you can take advantage
of . Chico Nissan Hyundai’s website is easy to use
and full of great information. You can check
them out at www.chiconissanhyundai.com or
www.chicocarsonline.com.
• Buy from the pros. The Chico Nissan Hyundai
management staff has over 70 years of experience— that means you can be confident about
your purchases!
Nissan is Number One!
Nissan is number one in 7 different classes of cars
and trucks and Chico Nissan has them all.
Nissan Titan–Highest Overall Ranking.
Maxima–Top Car Overall.
The Frontier, Quest and
Murano, and Armada...
#1
XTerra–Motortrends 2006 SUV of the Year.
in their Classes
Take Home an Altima From Chico Nissan...Voted
Number 1 in the Premium Midsize Class.
ALL REMAINING 2005’S MUST GO!
Chico
NISSAN HYUNDAI
Sales Department Hours • Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-8:00pm • Sat. 9am-7pm • Sun. 10am-6pm
Parts & Service Hours • Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-5:30pm
575 Manzanita Ave. Chico
A ll veh icles p lu s g overn m en t fees an d taxes, any fin an ce ch arg es, any d ealer
d o cu m en t p rep aratio n ch arg e an d any em issio n testin g ch arg e . P h o to s m ay n o t b e
exact. S u b ject to p rio r sale an d cred it ap p roval. E xp ires 1/24/2006.
www.chicocarsonline.com
How To Guide / 2005 / Enterprise-Record
891-1777
on Cohasset Across from K-Mart
CREDIT
UNION
DIRECT
LENDING®
11
Buy and Maintain a Recreational Vehicle
T
here are about as
many types of recreational vehicles as
there are people to
drive them. They
range in size from small, tow-able
versions, to vehicles that include
family rooms, living rooms and
even fully equipped kitchens.
Prices for these "homes away from
home" are also varied, ranging
from as low as a couple of thousand dollars, to as much as a luxury home.
According to Motor-Home
Magazine, a recreational vehicle
can be classified as any motorized
or non-motorized vehicle that
includes, at the very least, a bed.
But, most have much more. They
can include a fully equipped
kitchen, a bathroom with shower,
dining area and family room with
television, plus extra seating. They
can range in size from 10 to 45 feet
long, but most are within the 8- to
35-foot size.
Those shopping around for a
Motor-home may see them classified either as a Class A, Class B or
12
Class C vehicle.The differences are
in size.
The big, super-loaded versions
are Class A vehicles, and they are
favored by those who travel frequently, or are even full-time travelers. They can be extremely elaborate, with such amenities as cherry
wood cabinets, tiled kitchens and
full-sized bathrooms, and expandable extensions to add enough living space to include large-screen
televisions and full-sized couches.
They can cost upwards from the
$50,000s, even into the millions.
A Class B unit is somewhat compact and looks like a regular van.
They are popular with consumers
because they can be parked on
driveways and even driven around
town as a second vehicle. Owners
of this version of recreational vehicle typically opt for them because
they can be used to drive to a
campsite or a hotel. Prices for this
size recreational vehicle can range
up to the mid-$90,000s.
A Class C motor home is built on
a specially manufactured frame
with an attached cab. The most
familiar versions of a Class C unit
usually has the bed over the vehicle's cab, but there are others that
have redesigned the interiors with
larger, and more accessible beds.
There are also several recreational vehicles that can be towed.They
are called travel trailers, fifthwheel travel trailers, folding camping trailers and slide-in campers.
Fifth-wheels travel trailers are
typically pulled behind a pickup
that has been equipped with a special hitch. They are very stable to
drive. It is important to match the
size and weight of these vehicles
with the vehicle that will typically
tow it, however. Larger models
offer standing room height and
can even include appliances.
Travel trailers are easy to tow
and lower in cost than other versions. They come in a variety of
sizes and tow capacities, and can
even be pulled by some cars.
Folding camper trailers may be
the best choice for families who
want a tent with their camping
experience. Most are configured to
include a couple of double-sized
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
beds, a convertible dinette and
maybe cooking amenities.
Slide-in campers can be adapted
to fit any pickup truck bed. They
are limited in size to the truck bed
dimensions.
As with any motorized vehicle,
your recreational vehicle will need
to be regularly maintained to
assure it is ready to hit the road
when you are. As with your family
car, it will need timely oil changes,
fluid check and replacements and
tire rotations.
Another thing to consider when
maintaining your RV is to protect
its water-tightness. the most obvious place to start is on the roof.
Check the condition of the roof
seal every spring and again in the
fall. Even a small leak can add up
over several weeks and cause
some problems to the roof or wall
cavities.
For more information on how
to repair or maintain your recreational vehicle, contact All
Season’s RV. (530) 576-9074
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
13
Staging Tips for Home Sellers
W
hen you
get ready
to place
your
home on
the market for sale, it
becomes a product with
competition! To compete
with the competition, you
must be priced right and
look better than the other
homes for sale. Everyone
likes a shiny penny! A home
is no different. Buyers are
attracted to homes that
sparkle and look like model
homes.That’s where we
come in! As trained
Accredited Staging
Professionals, we are qualified to stage your home to
sell faster than the competition and usually at a higher
price!
Any time and money invested on the following will
14
bring back more money and
a faster sale:
1. Clear all unnecessary
objects throughout the
house.
2. Clear off the kitchen
countertops. Clear messages, pictures, etc. off the
front of the refrigerator. Put
small appliances away.
3. Remove any unnecessary items in the bathrooms
& clean, clean, clean!
4. Rearrange or remove
some furniture to make
rooms look bigger.
5. Take down some pictures, especially family photos, then patch & paint.
6. Paint the front door and
any exterior trim that looks
bad. Buyers usually make up
their mind about a home's
condition before stepping
inside.
7. Paint any room needing
painting, clean carpets if
needed, and wash windows,
inside and out.
8. Rent a storage unit for
unnecessary items and
packed boxes; clear out the
garage and closets to make
them look bigger! It will
pay dividends.
9. Neutralize pet odors by
keeping pet areas clean,
clean, clean.
10. Open blinds and curtains. Buyers want light and
bright, not dark!
11. Clear away any clutter
in the yard and put trash
cans out of sight.
12. Trim trees and shrubs,
mow the lawn, sweep sidewalks and driveway, and
plant new shrubs and flowers where needed.
Now, stand across the street
and look at your home as
though you are seeing it for
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
the first time. You are now
looking at your home
“THROUGH THE BUYER’S
EYES”. Do you like what
you see? Chances are, they
will, too!
For more information
please call Sue Soeth or
Barbara Terres at Real
Estate Professionals.
STAGED
STAGED TO
TO SELL!
SELL!
Accredited
Staging
Professionals®
Sue Soeth
Barbara Torres
Broker/Owner/ASP
Realtor/Owner/ASP®
530-876-3300
530-876-3302
®
Who sees more homes than a Realtor?
Between Broker Tours and showing Buyers,
we know what Buyers like and want in a home.
Why not let us help you get your home ready “for the Buyer’s eye”?
BEFORE
BEFORE
BEFORE
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
AFTER
AFTER
AFTER
205 Pearson Road
Paradise, CA, 95969
Call us to see how you can
stage your home to get a faster
sale and a higher sales price!
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
15
Select a Mortgage Lender
W
h e n
buying
a new
home,
it will
also be time to select a
mortgage lender to help
secure the best home
loan. There are a wide
variety of lenders available with many different
choices for loan programs and payment
plans. Making the right
choice is very important.
Your choice of lender
and the best loan could
save you lots of money
over the life of the loan.
Select your lender carefully. There are many
good lending sources
including banks, mortgage companies, mortgage brokers, credit
unions, and seller financing. Each source may
offer a variety of loan
programs.
Estimate the Time You
will Live in the Home:
Will this be a somewhat
temporary
situation
before you upgrade to a
more luxurious abode, or
is it your dream home? If
you plan to live in the
home for seven years or
less, mortgage experts
recommend you consider an adjustable rate or a
16
two step mortgage.
These mortgages offer
lower introductory rates.
If you plan to live in the
home for a longer period
of time, you might consider taking advantage of
a fixed rate mortgage or
an "Interest Only" mortgage.
Two-Step Mortgages:
This mortgage is a fixed
rate loan for a specific
number of years before
becoming an adjustable
rate loan. By selling or
refinancing your home
before the fixed period is
up, homeowners can frequently avoid paying
higher adjustable rates
when the loan converts.
Interest Only Mortgages:
Interest Only loans can
be either fixed rate or
adjustable rate mortgages. You are only
required to pay "interest"
only for a set number of
years. Then, at the end of
that set time, the remaining principal balance is
amortized for the remaining term. One of the nice
features of the Interest
Only Loan is that you can
make a principal balance
reduction at any time
during the "interest only"
timeframe and reduce
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
your monthly payment
instantly.
Know How Much to Buy:
Lenders can tell homeowners how much they
can afford when buying
a new home, but your
personal comfort level
with the monthly payment is also a good indicator of what you should
spend. Don’t take on
more than you can
afford.
Remember, buying a
home is an investment.
The build-up in equity
increases your family’s
overall wealth.
Additionally, interest on
home loans is taxdeductible, saving your
family thousands of dollars at tax time. With a
myriad of loan programs
available, it is best to
consult with a
Professional.
Choose the right one for
your needs:
Contact HOME123 at
(530)343-6010.mistakes, if
any exist.
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
from the Pros
1) Be Pre-qualified or preapproved by your Lender before
looking for property. Most Real
Estate Agents require a "PreQual" Letter to present with
your offer to the seller.
2) A reputable lender will check
your credit score from a threemerge credit report and offer
suggestions as to how to correct
mistakes, if any exist.
3) Do NOT look to a neighbor or a friend for advice about
loans.
Their situation, credit scores,
down payment, etc. may be
entirely different from yours.
4) At HOME123 we look
beyond your credit score to
understand
your situation, so we can offer
the best loan possible. We specialize in making the lending
process smooth and trouble free
even for borrowers with difficult
circumstances by "Cutting
Through the Loan Clutter".
OUR LOANS ARE LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL.
Processed Locally,
Underwritten Locally,
and Funded Locally.
Ellen Shannon
Brenda Bowen
Judy Pollard
Fran Trover
Patty Leany
Need a loan? We have a program for you! Call us today, we can help!
40 Constitution Dr. Suite E
Chico, CA 95973
(530) 343-6010 Phone
(530) 343-6050 Fax
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
17
How-To Select a Retirement Community
O
nce you have
decided where
you want to
live, find out
what type of
retirement communities are
available.After that, consider several other factors as well. Having
family or a support system nearby is very important, as well as
facilities like hospitals, doctors,
pharmacies, and retail malls and
stores.All will impact your quality of life.
It is a good idea to ride around
to the various retirement communities to get your first
impression of the appearance,
architecture and location. It is
also good to check the Internet
web site of each area retirement
community. The web site will
provide key information about
the services that are offered and
the accommodations.
Many seniors, who struggle to
live alone, improve once they
move into a retirement community according to the medical
experts. They are able to live
independently with less effort,
have access to regular and nutritious meals, and can enjoy exercise programs and social activities with people their age.
Experts recommend that the
search for the perfect facility
should be undertaken sooner,
rather than later. Even within
the same county or community,
different facilities may offer different services.
Tour Property,
Accommodations
A tour of the retirement community is imperative to assess
the types and sizes of cottages,
apartments and rooms associated with each level of care.
Safety features, emergency
response equipment and hand-
18
icap accessibility are important
features of the tour. The tour
allows a potential resident to
evaluate the size or space needed for their furnishings, the
closets and storage space.
The cleanliness may also be
assessed on the tour. Staff-resident interaction, social activities
and residents’ appearances may
also be observed.
Become Informed
About Services, ETC.
During the initial and followup interviews and tour, it is vital
to be informed about the amenities, services and levels of care
that are provided and included
in the admission contract. It is
imperative that a potential resident be advised about whether
the retirement community is a
buy-in or lease arrangement, the
price, refund policy, pet policy,
etc. All amenities such as meals,
housekeeping and laundry/linen
service, telephone, cable television, transportation and social
activities should be explained.
A full service, multilevel continuum of care retirement community offers levels of care that
range from independent living
in villas and apartments,to assisted living or personal care to
skilled nursing care. It is preferable to move into a retirement
community where a resident
may "age in place" and not have
to relocate to another property
or facility if they should have
changes in their condition or
require personal assistance or
nursing care.
The social or recreational
activity program should be
assessed when making the decision about your future lifestyle.
An activities or social calendar
should be available for you to
study.A varied program of activities offering mental or sensory
stimulating activities, physical
activities and cultural entertainment should be included so that
a resident has multiple daily
options and may be as active as
they choose to be.
Examples of popular activities
include bridge and other card
games, movies, bingo, aerobic
exercise classes, exercise equipment for individual or group
use, birthday parties, special
theme parties and seasonal or
holiday celebrations.
Also, outings with provided
transportation that include
tours of the area, lunches at
local restaurants and trips to
cultural events should be
included in the social calendar.
Creative opportunities should
be available for those who
enjoy creative pursuits.
A transportation program
should be provided to be sure
those unable to drive themselves
can make it to doctor appointments and other essential destinations such as shopping and
picking up medications.
If you’re starting a search for a
retirement community you
should first decide exactly what
you are looking for, and what
your budget can afford. Does
the potential resident have special needs? The answers to these
questions will narrow your
search. If you are conducting a
search for a person who is not
able to visit the facility themselves, be should to include
them in the decision-making
process as much as possible, to
assure greater satisfaction.
For additional information contact Julie York at The Terraces,
2750 Sierra Sunrise, Chico, CA
95928, (530) 894-5429.
License #045001154
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
from the Pros
Choosing a Retirement Living
Community for yourself, or a
loved one, isn’t an easy task. We
hope these tips will help you ease
the process when visiting and
evaluating retirement communities and help you choose the
"Right" community.
• Find out what retirement communities are located in the area where
you or your relative(s) prefer to live.
• Plan ahead: be informed on the
continuum of care, what your
options will be if you or your spouse
needs more services.
• Tour the property to assess the
living conditions, safety features and
handicap accessibility.
• You may want to plan to stay for
a meal or even overnight.
• Look at activities/entertainment
calendars, menus and ask about services, amenities.
• Is there good communication
between administration and residents
and/or their families?
• Start your search sooner rather
than later. Have a good idea of where
you would like to live then ask about
a wait list.
Your lifestyle,
your choice.
Located next to a picturesque lake in Chico,
California, The Terraces Retirement Community
offers three lifestyle choices for your enjoyment
and peace of mind:
Independent Living
Assisted Living
Skilled Nursing
We offer rehabilitation service and a memory loss
unit to ensure your comfort, well-being and
security. We are a unique retirement community,
designed for senior citizens by senior citizens.
Whether you are currently planning your
retirement or ready to move in, please contact us
to learn more about our community.
Welcome
The Terraces offers the best of
everything in retirement living — a
gracious community in a beautiful
location, with outstanding service
provided by caring, responsive staff.
You are invited to call the marketing
office at
(530) 894-5429
to arrange a personal tour and learn
how The Terraces can make your
retirement years your best years.
www.theterraceschico.com
Residential Care Facility License #045001154
The Lodge
The Inn
The Health Center
Independent Living
Apartments
Assisted Living
Apartments
Skilled Nursing &
Rehabilitation Service
894-5429
894-5429
894-1010
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
19
Choose a Pool
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
By Joe Shaw
G
etting a
pool, owning a
pool,
maintaining a pool, and, pool safety.
These are the things
that go through your mind
when you discuss the
decision of purchasing a
pool. For some, it can be
so burdensome that the
decision becomes an easy
one. No pool. However,
many people enjoy the
challenge and excitement
of creating their "masterpiece of art and water".As
a designer I am going to
discuss some of the rules
one should employ when
taking on the challenge of
building a pool.
Rule #1. A pool shouild
look like it belongs there,
not put there.Taking a rectangle and placing it in a
yard with radius', mow
strips that curve around
all over the place, these
are but two examples that
would be very much out
of character of the landscape you have chosen or
are about to choose. If
everything in your yard is
straight-lined, a rectangle
and/or a geometrical pool
are more in character with
a yard. If there are lots of
curves, a freeform is more
inline. Also keep in mind
you can take a straightlined yard, put mow strips
in it and now that yard
becomes more conducive
to a freeform. DO NOT
LET YOUR LANDSCAPER
IN OR NEAR THE POOL
20
UNTIL AT LEAST 14 DAYS
AFTER WATER IS IN.
Rule #2. Do not buy
more area footage on the
pool then you actually
need. Big is good, is not a
good rule to follow. It will
eat your pocketbook up
faster then you can blink
an eye.A 15' X 30' pool
can hold up to 16 people
comfortably. If you are a
family of four, and taking
into consideration you are
going to invite all your
biker friends over, a 15' X
30' will do just fine. An
ideal medium size pool
would be the 17' X 34'
which will hold about 24
people comfortably. Of
course if you have the
money remember, with a
gunite pool, it can be any
size or shape you want,
custom designed or template.
Rule #3. This is probably the most important
rule of all. Remember this
rule, hang it on your refrigerator door and leave it
there until the pool is
complete. DO NOT MAKE
CHANGES TO THE POOL
WHILE IT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION! If you
choose to ignore this rule
you will be in for the most
grief and desperate, now
let's just say, you will be
having about 50 bad hair
days in a row.All pool contractors in this area
employ sub-contractors. In
fact, some pool subcontractors are the only ones
that do work for all the
contractors.That means
for example; if you change
your tile two days before
it is scheduled to go on,
take this down and
remember it. 8 pool contactors X 10 customers
each waiting in line = 80
customers.A tile man can
get 2 a day if they’re simple.YOU MY FRIEND ARE
GOING TO THE BACK OF
THE LINE AND WE WILL
SEE YOU IN 40 DAYS!!!!
Boy are you mad, and your
repeated calls to the contractor eventually go unanswered because he is frustrated that you did this
and you blame him.All the
money in the world will
not get you into heaven, or
the water either! Enough
said?
Rule #4. Take the time
to check out your contractor on the State
Contractors Licensing
Board.Any blemishes? One
can be explained.Two?
Bye-bye. If you see an
ACCUSATION...RUN don't
walk away.That means the
Attorney General is investigating the company for
bad business practices.
Take your time...plan the
pool completely before
starting, and DO NOT
BELIEVE WHAT YOU
READ on the Internet
unless it is from the manufacturer. Internet pools
are touched up and you
are not buying a $150,000
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
pool. Just because a website says it doesn't make it
so.When picking your
contractor choose the one
that is NOT pushing every
gadget known to man on
you, and go with the most
experience, not years in
business.There is a difference and you will know it
when you see it. If the
contractor is honest, he
will show you and explain
it to you without his hand
out or in your wallet. If he
says you have to sign now
or else...BYE BYE. Now
you are ready to "take the
plunge" so to speak.
Lastly, be prepared to reinstall sod on your front or
side yard to repair damages from excavation. Be
prepared to fix your fencing as pool contractors are
not licensed to build fencing unless otherwise specified in the contract.
Enjoy!
INC.
Having your
unpopular Boss or
a Politician over
for a swim?
If so build this!!
If not.......
Build this!
Make your backyard an
oasis with Pool Builders!
Spring 2006 Pool Package
14’ x 30’ 400” Area Foot
• 3’ x 6’ - Deep
• Your Choice of Design
• Polaris 280 Pool Sweep
• Includes 400 sq. ft. of Kool Deck,
Electrical & 4-Color Light $29,20800
A lso
“When we say complete, we mean complete”**
Gregg Richey at 877-902-5066
Home improvement loans up to $250,000
www.homeandimprovementloans.com
We Specialize In
• Negative Edges
• Spectacular Waterfalls
• Solar Pools
• Inground & Out of Ground Spas
• 100% Financing Available
• 6 Months Deferment Available
• Speed & Quality Are Never Sacrificed
• Always check the Contractor at the
Contractor’s State License Board
Website, www.cslb.ca.gov
For free swimming pool liability
information call
SWEENEY & SWEENEY
Insurance Services
Lic. #0614055
Chico (530) 895-5260
Paradise (530) 877-7727
Call us at
899-8988
3080 THORNTREE #25 • CHICO • 95926
Special Pool Offer expires 1/20/06.
*Pools shown not on sale
**Subject to elevations, out-of-town travel charges may apply. Offer subject to change without notice. CA License #833994
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
21
Hiring a House Painter
O
ur home is
our most
sacred
space. This
is where
we eat, sleep, raise children, and have our most
personal experiences. This
is our safety zone, the place
we go for time out from
the rest of the world.
However, our sacred abode
needs maintenance from
time to time. Often we cannot or just do now want to
doe the maintenance ourselves, especially when it
involves painting. This
means hiring an outsider,
usually a total stranger, to
come into our house and
mess with it. They might
even bring in a whole crew
of strangers with them.
So...who ya gonna call?
When you hire a house
painter, or any contractor
for that matter, you are
looking for a person who
knows what they are doing
and will do a good job of it.
You want a person who
will get the job done on
time and not over charge
you. You want somebody
who will clean up after
themselves and respect
your property. If you've
had success with a contractor in the past, you will
probably use that person
or company again. But
what if you are new to the
area or the company you
used a few years ago did
not do a very good job?
There are about 50 painting contractors in the yellow pages and a few more
in the local classifieds.
Since paint estimates are
22
free, it's always a good idea
to get 3 or 4. You can get
referrals from neighbors,
friends, family members,
real estate agents, and paint
stores. Here are a few suggestions of what to look for
and questions to ask when
you get your paint estimates.
• Did the contractor
spell out everything in
detail from start to finish as
to what he/she will do in
the process of painting
your house and was it
explained to you in a way
that you could understand
it?
• Did they tell you how
long the job will take?
• Did they offer any references or addresses of
their work for you to call
about or look at?
• Did they offer any type
of guarantee and if so, did
they explain it in detail?
Will it be a written guarantee?
• Did they go over in
detail the products that
they will use? You can
always call the paint store
and ask about these particular products. Never settle
for the grade B or C products.
• Did they return your
call promptly and show up
for the estimate on time? If
not, this could be indicative of how the whole job
will go.
Make sure the price they
give you is firm and not
open ended. You should
know from the start exactly what you are going to
pay, unless of course you
add extra work during the
course of the job or agree
upon a time and material
contract.Time and material
contracts are rare. Most
homeowners want to
know exactly what they
are getting into from the
start.
Is the contractor asking
for money up front? This
should always be a red flag,
at least for residential
repaints.Any painter worth
his salt has an account to
buy the products and does
not have to pay on that
account until the following
month. If the job is an
extremely large one that
will take weeks to finish, it
is not uncommon for the
contractor to ask for partial
payment during the course
of the job. However, this
usually applies to commercial projects like apartment
buildings.
Make sure the contractor
is licensed, bonded, and
insured (property damage
and workers compensation).You may save money
hiring an unlicensed contractor, however, if he doesn't finish the job or just
does a lousy job, you have
no legal recourse because
you cannot legally hold
somebody liable who is
working illegally in the first
place. Also, you can be
liable for injuries sustained
on your property if he is
not properly insured. You
can call the state contrac-
tors board and check on
the status of any contractor's license. You can also
request to have certificates
(proof) of their insurance
sent or faxed to you.
Remember this: Most
businesses cannot offer
high quality work, excellent service, and be the
lowest price. That doesn't
mean you can't get a good
job at the lowest price. It
just means to be extra
savvy. Check out the references, look at some jobs
they've done, talk to people, pay attention to what's
been written above, and
use your common sense.
Most of the painters in the
north valley are honest and
do good work. There are,
however, as in most contracting fields, a few
stinkers and these are the
guys you want to avoid.
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
For more information call
Joe Shaw Painting at
(530) 891-5563.
JOE SHAW
PA I N T I N G
10 REASONS
TO GET MY BID...
1
Serving Chico and the surrounding communities for 30 years
2 All areas are guaranteed for eight years, 100% labor and materials
3
4
5
On the job every day until it is finished
Can start most jobs immediately
Money is never asked for up front. You never pay a cent until the job is finished and you
are completely satisfied
6
Member of Better Business Bureau
7
Licensed, bonded and insured
87
Use the highest quality paints available, never the cheaper contractors’ grade
9
All work is performed by friendly, courteous and experienced journeyman painters
10
Special care given to preparations and fine finishes
Call
891-5563
for free estimate
Contractors Lic. # 472-777 - Bonded & Insured PL PD
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
23
Find a Hospital
Y
ou
shouldn’t
wait until
you are
very sick
or diagnosed with a disease to find a good hospital. According to U.S.
News & World Report,
countless people are
saved every day by the
skill, expertise and dedication of physicians
and nurses. Choosing
the right hospital, especially if you have a difficult condition or need
specialized treatment, is
important. U.S News &
World Report recently
ranked the best hospitals in the nation, and
those that reached the
top did so based on
their reputations, their
mortality rates and
care-related services,
such as nursing and
patient services.
In fact, some people
choose a hospital before
they chose their physicians, according to the
Consumers Union of the
United States.They will
find a hospital that has
the services they need or
desire, and then find a
doctor who has privileges there.
If you’re undertaking
such a search, the
24
Consumers Union says,
be sure first that the
facility has been accredited by the Joint
Commission on
Accreditation of Health
Organizations.
It would be good to
know what percentage
of staff physicians are
board-certified, too.
Next, you may want to
find out if the hospital is
a teaching facility.
Hospitals affiliated with
medical schools typically
treat sicker patients, but
they also attract the
more-skilled physicians,
the Consumers Union
says.
You should also find
out if the hospital has
doctors on staff who are
trained in most specialties and sub-specialties.
The more serious the illnesses or complicated
the surgery, the better
the outcome if there is a
wide range of skilled
physicians on staff.
If you have a specific
condition that needs
treatment, it would also
be beneficial to learn if
the hospital and its staff
are well trained in this
condition.
What about the hospital’s pharmaceutical
staff? Studies have found
that when pharmacists
participate in daily
rounds, at least in the
intensive care unit, medication mistakes are
reduced by two-thirds,
according to Consumers
Union.
Another criteria may
the number of clinical
departments that have
full-time chiefs. If a chief
of staff is on full-time status, Consumers Union
says, it allows the chief
more time to supervise
the department and institute patient-safety programs.
It is also important to
determine what percentage of the nurses are
actually registered nurses.An RN will have more
training.
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
from the Pros
•It is a good idea to check out hospitals
before you need one. Many people find
a hospital that has the services they
need or desire, and then choose their
physician based on if the physician has
privileges there. Don’t be afraid to ask
questions.
•Make sure the hospital is accredited
by the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Health Organizations.
What percentage of staff physicians are
board-certified?
•Is the hospital a teaching facility?
Frequently teaching hospitals will have
more skilled physicians.
•Does the hospital have doctors on staff
that are trained in most specialties? Is
the hospital staff well trained in your
condition? How many clinical departments have full time chiefs of staff?
•Does the pharmaceutical staff participate in rounds? Are they active with the
physicians? What percentage of nurses
are actually registered nurses.
TOP NURSING POSITIONS
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CFMG
California Forensic Medical Group
I N C O R P O R A T E D
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
25
Select a Hearing Aid
A
n estimated
28
million
Americans
have
some
sort of hearing loss, according to the
Hope
for
Hearing
Foundation.
How do you know if
you have a hearing loss? If
you find you are frequently asking people to repeat
themselves, if you play the
TV or radio too loudly, if
you can't hear the doorbell or telephone ringing,
or if you hear speech but
have difficulty understanding the words, then
you should get an evaluation of your hearing. You
can obtain an evaluation
from a hearing health
care professional.
The evaluation will indicate if your hearing loss is
caused by something that
can be corrected by medical or surgical means.
Only a small percentage
of these hearing problems
in adults are medically or
surgically
treatable,
according
to
the
American
SpeechLanguage-Hearing
Association.
For others, a hearing aid
can help return the richness of sound to your life.
The first step to take
when considering the
purchase of hearing aids
is to obtain a professional
hearing evaluation from a
hearing
healthcare
provider. Hearing healthcare providers include
26
Ear, Nose and Throat doctors, Audiologists, and
Hearing
Instrument
Dispensers.
What to Expect
During Your Hearing
Evaluation and
Consultation.
• The provider will consult with you on your
lifestyle to determine
your needs and expectations. The rhythms of
your life, the environment you live in and
your style of interaction
all figure into any hearing aid recommendation.
• Your ear canals will
be thoroughly inspected
with an Otoscope. This
may reveal excessive earwax, eardrum damage
or other hearing-related
conditions. Some hearing
problems (like wax
buildup) can be resolved
quickly and easily.
• You receive a comprehensive hearing evaluation, including speech
recognition and loudness discomfort levels.
• Your local hearing
healthcare provider will
discuss your audiogram,
explaining the degree
and nature of your hearing loss. If you decide to
correct it, they will go
over your hearing aid
options and answer any
questions.
• If needed, impressions are made of your
ears to help determine
which style of hearing
aid is most appropriate
for you. These same
impressions will be used
to achieve perfect fit
when you place your
order.
What is the best hearing
aid on the market? This is
one of the most frequently asked questions. There
are several very good
major brands. Your hearing consultant will educate you about these and
help select the one that's
right for you. The best
hearing aid is the one that
suits your unique lifestyle
and hearing loss.
Consumer
Feedback
Surveys indicate there are
a combination of hearing
aid features that will most
likely to give you the most
satisfaction. Consumers
typically enjoy increased
satisfaction when selecting a hearing aid with the
following features:
loud sounds.
• Multiple programs,
which give you the ability to change the manner
in which the hearing aid
processes sound as you
move from one environment to another.
• More than one sound
processing channel, so
the amplification curve
can be tailored to your
specific hearing loss.
Some health care plans
will pay for the hearing
test, a hearing evaluation
and even a hearing aid,
but you should check
with your insurance carrier to see exactly what
your plan covers.
Before buying a device,
ask your hearing health
care professional if they
offer a trial period for
your aid purchase.
When considering what
aid to buy, the American
Speech-Language-Hearing
Association says to make
•
Multiple
microphones
to
improve
speech understanding in
noisy environments
• 100 percent digital
technology that can
react quickly enough to
turn the volume up for
crucial speech sounds,
down for louder ambient noises, and to protect you from slamming
doors and other sudden
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
sure that you know why
the recommended aid
was chosen for you and
that it has the features
you want. Ask for a trial
period, and also ask about
the device's warranty and
what you should do if it
needs repairs. Find out
what kind of follow-up
care you will receive, too.
Be sure to attend these
follow-up visits, and
report all problems you
are having, even if they
seem small. Your hearing
aid may just need a simple
adjustment.
For more information about
a hearing evaluation or hearing aids, contact. Deborah
Touchette at Paradise
Hearing and Balance Center
at 872-5500 oe e-mail us at
www.paradisehearing.com
This You’ve Got To Hear!
Go to a Name You Can Trust
For You Hearing Healthcare
Our patients trust their hearing to us
because of our expertise and years of
education in hearing sciences. We
offer the best products available and
excellent, caring service, That’s why
our largest source of new business is
referrals from our own patients.
Experience Complete Hearing Healthcare
®
• Only the highest quality hearing aid brands.
• Comprehensive diagnostic exams
• Aural rehabilitation
• Medicare assignment and most insurance plans accepted.
Call the Professional Qualified to Help
5500 Clark Rd., Paradise (Lower Clark Rd.)
872-5500
Deborah Touchette, Au. D
Doctor of Audiology
For directions visit
www.paradisehearing.com
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
Jaclyn Knutson, M.A., CFY
27
Select a Home Health Care Provider
A
s the American
population
ages, more and
more people
are facing the
reality that an older loved
one may need assistance to
live independently. For many,
a nursing home or retirement center is more than
they need, while complete
independence is becoming
more unrealistic. How do
you find a way to strike the
balance?
Millions of Americans have
turned to the services of a
home care provider, because
of acute illness, long-term
health conditions, permanent disability or terminal illness, according to the
National Association for
Home Care and Hospice.
The numbers of people
needing assistance is going
to rise, as an expected 150
million Americans will have
some type of chronic illness
by the year 2030, according
to a Johns Hopkins study.
This represents a 50 percent
increase over 1995 numbers.
Home care providers typically perform simple,non-medical tasks for seniors in need,
including cleaning, cooking,
bathing, as well as running
errands or just general companionship. It is a viable solution that many more families
are embracing. The service
allows the family member to
stay in their home and enjoy
familiar surroundings.
28
When the decision is made
to seek out the services of a
home care provider, you can
start by asking your loved
one's physician or checking
with your local hospice
organization for references.
Your area council on aging
may have a list of references,
or you can check in the
phone book. Ask friends or
coworkers, if they have had
experience in this area.
Once a list of home care
providers has been assembled, it is important to learn
about the agency and how
they screen their employees
and match them with care
recipients. The
agency
should perform background
checks of their employees, as
well as retain those who
exhibit caring personalities
and a desire to help people.
If you feel comfortable
with the agency and their
philosophy, then set up an
appointment to meet with
their representative. During
this meeting, you can discuss
you and your loved one's
personal needs and expectations.
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
best fit those needs.
Next, it is important to
have agency representatives
meet with your loved one.
This is highly recommended,
since home care professionals cater to the patient, and
attempt to make their care as
seamless and as compassionate as possible. Some agencies will send several potential candidates to meet with
your loved one, to find the
perfect fit.
Home care providers and
hospice workers can be a
great asset in difficult times,
and are becoming a viable
option for many American
families.With the right selection and the best provider,
you, your family and your
loved one will all benefit.
For more information about
how to find a home care
provider, contact Addus
Health Care; Faye or Joey at
1-877-349-1539 or visit
www.addus.com
Agencies have providers
who are specialists in a wide
range of care, from hospice
professionals, to
those
trained in Alzheimer's, to
those who provide for debilitating bone or muscle
injuries. Whatever the specialized need, there should
be an agency - and a home
care provider - available to
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
from the Pros
• Home care providers perform simple non-medical tasks to assist seniors, such as cleaning, cooking,
bathing, running errands or general
companionship.
• Check with loved one’s physician
or hospice for references. Check
with your local council on aging, and
friends and co-workers to see if they
have any recommendations on agencies that offer this service.
• Find out about the agency, how
they screen their employees, what
kind of background checks are don,
and how well they match care givers.
• Schedule a meeting with the
agency’s representative to discuss questions, concerns, and
expectations.
Schedule a meeting with your loved
one, and they are comfortable with
one another.
I ndependence at Home
with the assisted care programs of
Home is the place to be,
and Homecare is our business.
Home–The place to be... We offer a full range of assisted care services
to meet the special needs facing your family.
Our Experience... At Addus HealthCare, we have provided quality
in-home assisted care services since 1979. Through our experience in providing services to people in their own homes, we know the comfort they feel by being there.
Our Assisted Care Services... Our professional staff will
develop a personalized care plan which will be delivered by our Home Care Aides or
Live-In Companions. Package pricing makes our care especially affordable.
Feeding
Hair/Skin Care
Errands
Housekeeping
Transportation
Exercise
Companionship
Bathing
Dressing
Laundry
Shopping
Meal Preparation
Call today for a free consultation
Call Faye or Joey at
1-877-349-1539
or visit us online at www.addus.com
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
29
Select Cellular Phone Service
T
he selection of cellular phone service is
more than just buying a phone. James
LyBrand, owner of
NorCal Wireless, a Cingular
Wireless exclusive agent with
stores in Chico, Redding and Yuba
City, has advice on how to choose
a cellular phone and service.
“The important considerations
in purchasing cellular equipment
and service are network capability, available services plans, features of the cellular service, and
telephones and accessories available for those telephones,”
LyBrand stated.
The key to understanding these
considerations is service.
“You should seek the best service, both when purchasing and
when using the cellular phone,”
said LyBrand. “Service when purchasing the phone means someone will spend the time to understand your needs and to explain
the products that fulfill that
need. Only when the cellular
salesperson has asked the right
questions, listened to your
responses, and provided right
information can you choose a
service plan and equipment
matched to your needs.”
A salesperson has to be knowledgeable about the phones and
their features, be able to compare
the costs and benefits of all service
plans, and communicate that
knowledge to the customer. The
staffing and training of salespeople
is critical to success in finding the
right phone and service. If the
store is understaffed or the salespeople not knowledgeable, the
customer cannot have the information necessary to choose the
telephone and service.
Only when you understand the
data capability and features of the
30
network, the service plans available, and the phones and accessories that let you use those network features, can you make an
informed decision that results in
the best value and best service for
your needs. For example, the new
firefly phone is a low-cost, preprogrammed phone that allows a parent to add another layer of protection for their child, so that the
push of a single button will call
the parent or other numbers
selected by the parent. The right
service plan for a firefly would be
completely different from the service plan for a “power” cellular user
that gets e-mail, accesses the web,
and is in constant communication
with a Blackberry, Treo, or multifeature Smart Phones. While a
child’s phone needs only the basic
service, a service plan with data
capability and extra features for
wireless phone use and a data connect card for the computer is
needed by the user of a multi-feature Smart Phone needing Web
access for their computer.
“Your efforts to select a phone
and service plan are wasted if the
store does not stock a wide selection of telephones,” LyBrand
warned.
A large inventory means the
phone selected fits the customer,
not that the customer is “fitted” to
a phone from a limited inventory.
Having the phone at the store
allows the customer to try out the
phone to see if he or she likes the
look and feel of the phone.
Selecting a cellular phone and
service plan doesn‚t end the
process.
You need to be assured that if
problems arise, a replacement
phone is needed, or changes need
to be made, that the store backs up
its products with service.
“We all know how indispensable
a cellular phone becomes,” said
LyBrand.
Service after the sale should
include loaner phones so a customer will not miss an important call.
“We provide our customers with
loaner phones at no charge while
the customer’s phones is out of
service,” he said.
Service after the sale also
includes answering questions on
operation of the phone, the
terms of the service plan and
billing issues.
You need a cellular provider
with a network capabilities, service plans, and equipment with
the data and features that fit
your needs.
You need a salesperson who
asks the right questions and listens
to you.
You need a store that stocks a
How-To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
HOW-TO GUIDE
2006
broad range of telephones and
accessories so the customer gets
the right phone without delay.
For more information about
phones and service plans, you can
contact any of the NorCal Cingular
Wireless stores at:
Chico
(530-895-8195)692
Mangrove Ave., Chico (in the
Safeway Shopping Center)
Yuba City (530-822-5504) 1421
Colusa Hwy., Yuba City
Redding (530-223-5195) 1340
Churn Creek Road, C-2, Redding
For any questions or comments
please contact NorCal Wireless
owner, James LyBrand, at
530-680-2985.
James Lybrand
Owner, NorCal Wireless
At the Mangrove Safeway Park Plaza Center
Call us today!! 895-8195
A
Always
A Plethora
Plethora of Phones & Accessories Always
In Stock!
s
e
n
o
h
P
t
r
ma
S
with
Avaialble
Windows
Microsoft
5.0!
TM
Motorola SLVR L7
firefly Phone
Great 4 kids!
iTunes Phone
Exclusive
to
Cingular
Wireless
Sony Ericsson
W600i
HP ipaq
Vi
Mang
rove sit us at
Safew
ay Pa
rk Pla
C
692 M enter
za
angro
ve Av
e.
Walkman
Phone
Motorola
Bluetooth Headset
Motorola
RAZR
• Black
• Silver
• Pink
692 Mangrove Avenue
Chico
530-895-8195
Carrying
Cases
Laptop PCMIA
Data Connect
Cards
Blackberry
Models:
7290, 7100 & 8700
Tons of
Chargers
raising the bar in
wireless...
How To Guide / 2006 / Enterprise-Record
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