MCT 8-22-24

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CIRCULATION MANAGER ADVERTISING DIRECTOR EDITOR GENERAL MANAGER Amanda Mitchell Joe Martin Lacie Silva Allison Richards Vol. 2 - No. 1 1 Section - XX Pages www.mariontribune.com CONTACT US (423) 590-6397 100 Betsy Pack Dr. Suite 204 Jasper, 37347 MarionTribune , Copyright © 2023 by The Tullahoma News is published Weekly by The Tullahoma News, 505 Lake Way Place,Tullahoma,TN 37388. USPS 25765 published weekly at 505 Lakeway Place, Tullahoma, TN 37388. Periodicals postage paid at Jasper and additional offices. Postmaster send address changes to Marion Tribune, 100 Betsy Pack Dr Suite 204, Jasper, TN 37347-3523 The Marion Tribune l. – . 4 i – 10 Opinion The Marion Tribune August 22, 2024 5A Dear Savvy Senior, Because of my back pain and mobility problems, I’m interested in getting a walk-in bathtub that’s safe and easy to get in and out of. What all can you tell me about walk-in tubs, and can you recommend some top options? Old and Achy Dear Old, For mobility challenged seniors, a walk-in bathtub can be a terri fi c option to consider because they’re much easier to get into and out of than a standard tub, which also helps prevent falls. Here’s what you should know, along with a reliable resource to help you choose one. Age-Friendly Tubs Walk-in bathtubs are uniquely designed tubs that have a watertight, hinged door built into the side of the tub that provides a much lower threshold to step over (usually 3 to 7 inches) versus a standard tub that’s around 15 inches. Most walk-in tubs have high sidewalls, usually between three and four feet high, and are between 28 and 32 inches wide, but will fi t into the same 60-inch-long space as your standard tub without having to recon fi gure the room. In addition to the low threshold, most walk-in tubs also have a built- in seat, grab bars, anti-slip fl oors and anti-scald valves. Some tubs also come with handheld showerheads and quick drains (that drain the tub in under a minute), and many higher-end models o ff er therapeutic spa-like features that are great for seniors with arthritis and other ailments. The best kind of tub for you will depend on your needs, preferences and budget, and the size and layout of your bathroom. But be aware that walk-in bathtubs are not cheap. Prices range anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 or more for the tub and installation costs. Insurance and Aid Because walk-in tubs are not con- sidered durable medical equipment, original Medicare does not typically cover them nor do Medicare supple- mental (Medigap) policies, but some Medicare Advantage plans may help pay. If you’re receiving Medicaid, many states have Home and Community Based Services that may provide some assistance. Or, if you’re a disabled vet- eran, the VA has some home modi fi ca- tion grants that may help pay. There are also grants and loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that help elderly, low- income residents of rural areas make home modi fi cations, which may be used to pay for a walk-in bathtub. And, depending on where you live, there may be local programs that can help like Habitat for Humanity or Rebuild- ing Together. To fi nd out if these options are available in your area, contact your Area Aging Agency (call 800-677-1116) or nearby center for independent living (see ilru.org ). If, however, you can’t locate any fi nancial assistance and you can’t a ff ord to pay upfront for a walk-in tub, most manufacturers o ff er fi nancing so you can make monthly payments. You should also know that if you’re using a walk-in tub for a speci fi c medical condition, you may also be able to deduct the costs of the tub from your taxes as a medical expense (see irs. gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf ). Best Walk-In Bathtubs To help you choose a walk-in bathtub the National Council on Aging, which is a national nonpro fi t organization that advocates for older Americans, put together a review team to research the di ff erent companies and tubs. Their list of best walk-in bathtubs of 2024 includes: •Best Walk-in Tub Overall: Ella Ultimate Walk-In Tub •Best Walk-in Tub with Shower: Kohler Walk-In Tub with Shower Package •Most A ff ordable Walk-in Tub: Ariel Walkin 3052 Soaker •Best Soaking Tub: American Standard Gelcoat Entry Series •Best Wheelchair-Accessible Tub: Ella Transfer •Best Walk-in Tub for Small Spaces: AmeriGlide Sanctuary 2646 WIT See NCOA.org/adviser/walk-in- tubs/best-walk-in-tubs for detailed reviews and product links . To get started, you should contact a few walk-in bathtub retailers who can send a professional to your home to assess your bathroom and give you product options and estimates. Lowe’s and Home Depot also o ff er free evaluations and a wide range of walk-in tub options. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. The Summer of ‘69 T urn on a classic rock station, and you might hear “Sum- mer of ‘69.” Bryan Ad- ams released the song in 1984, reminiscing about playing six- string guitar in a high school band, friends who got married, and evenings at the drive- in. Adams concludes by singing, “Those were the best days of my life.” Since Adams was only 9 in the summer of 1969, he may have taken some artistic license. But for many of us, each summer triggers a lot of memories. We didn’t have a care in the world, except for the dreaded day after Labor Day when school resumed. Yes kids, summer used to last for a long time. I was also not yet a teen in the summer of 1969. But I’ve latched on to that song because ‘69 was the year my world turned around. For one thing, my dad got me a motorcycle, a Suzuki 100. Not exactly the beast of bikes, but I had wheels. Many of my friends were already driving cars. This was Bryant, Alabama, and the nearest cops were 35 miles away, so 12-year-olds could do as they pleased. Dad didn’t think I was ready to drive a massive Buick on two-lane Highway 73 and our adjoining side roads. But he was con fi dent I would be safe on a two-wheeler that could hit 80 mph, even while dodging loose gravel, stray dogs, and pop-up thunderstorms. I had just learned to ride a bicycle a few months earlier, and I wore a helmet that cost ten bucks. So this 12-year-old had a fast ride and a part-time job of reporting for the local paper. So, armed with a note pad and a Polaroid camera, the Carroll mobile news machine was in search of new preachers, golden anniversaries, and whoever caught the biggest fi sh. Now that I was a journalist, I started paying more attention to news on TV, in the local papers, magazines, and especially the radio. We had a very newsy summer in 1969. Richard Nixon had just been elected president, promising to get us out of Vietnam. It wasn’t as easy as he thought. Apollo 11 landed on the moon one Sunday night in July. I saw it live, but at fi rst I wasn’t happy about it. You see, “Hee Haw” had premiered on a Sunday night a few weeks earlier, and I was hooked. So I tuned in for the latest round of pickin’ and grinnin’ and instead I saw Walter Cronkite getting emotional about Neil Armstrong’s fi rst steps on the lunar surface. Being a rookie reporter, I soon realized the importance of this event, while comforted by the fact that Buck Owens and Roy Clark would return the following Sunday. Muhammad Ali, Joe Namath, the Amazing Mets and even my Atlanta Braves were having good years. Hurricane Camille wreckedMississippi and Louisiana. Sen. Edward Kennedy got in trouble for a deadly late night dip into the water at Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts. And then there was the Woodstock Music Fes- tival in New York. I was addicted to my AM radio, listening to the hits by Crosby, Stills and Nash, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, and others who had achieved instant fame. When I think of the Summer of ‘69, I think back to the incredible variety of songs and artists that were always on in the background. Elvis Presley’s haunting “Suspicious Minds.” Johnny Cash crack- ing me up with “A Boy Named Sue.” The Tempta- tions trading verses on “I Can’t Get Next to You.” The Beatles enjoying each other one last time on “Get Back.” Rollin’ on the river with CCR’s “Proud Mary.” A church choir from California, singing their hearts out on “Oh Happy Day.” Mick Jag- ger singing about some dirty deeds in Memphis involving some “Honky Tonk Women.” I couldn’t understand half the words, but I knew he was up to something. The 5th Dimension sang about the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. Neil Diamond and his “Sweet Caroline,” when good times never seemed so good. Every song was a di ff erent style, and I loved them all. It may be 2024, but the summer of ‘69 soundtrack is always playing in my head. David Carroll is a Chattanooga news anchor, and his new book “I Won’t Be Your Escape Goat” is available on his website, ChattanoogaRadioTV. com. You may contact him at 900Whitehall Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405, or at RadioTV2020@ yahoo.com I Don’t Mess Around I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t mess around on my wife. Some would say it’s a boring life But I like it. I yearn to feel health Flow through my body And a peace of mind within myself Focusing with calm dependability. I look to nature To be my teacher And praise the one born in a manger Who is our blessed preacher. I love to feel the power Of birds and trees And admire the wild fl owers That give us all their beauty for free. Breathe in, breathe out. The essence of God is within us. Praise him with a glori fi ed shout And follow in the ways of Jesus. Let the wild wind blow. May I always hear it. Let my journey fl ow Strengthening my body, mind, and spirit. By David Carroll How to Choose a Walk-In Bathtub Creative Corner John Christof