Akron Today Magazine

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Family

Akron Kayaking

Kayaking and canoeing along the Cuyahoga River is a pleasurable experience many people enjoy every spring, summer, and fall in northeast Ohio. The winding, calm river is ideal for families who want to take advantage of the summer months enjoying water activities with their small children.

There are several places around northeast Ohio that allow you to rent a canoe or kayak to enjoy the river and enjoy a fun weekend with your children. These are three of the many businesses for renting a kayak or canoe.

  1. Crooked River Adventures

100 Stow St,

Kent, OH 44240

(330) 541-7467

https://fareharbor.com/crookedriveradventures/

  1. Burning River Adventures

2025 Munroe Falls Avenue

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

(330) 969-2628

http://www.paddletheriver.com/

  1. Killinit Kayaks Inc.

3803 1/2 State Rd,

Akron, OH 44319

(330) 760-3533

https://killinitkayaks.com/

Before you decide to rent a kayak or canoe from one of these businesses, visit their website and check for availability, hours of operation and prices. Some of these businesses accept coupons and are very friendly and accommodating.

If on the other hand you own a kayak or canoe and decide to take it on the river, remember the safety precautions and rules and regulations you have to abide by before entering the waters on the Cuyahoga River.

  1. All kayak, canoes and inflatable boats must be registered in the state of Ohio. The boat registration must be carried onboard, and ID is required if you are visiting from other states where registration is not required
  2. Life jackets in wearable condition and right size are required for each person on the boat, kayak or inflatable boat. If you have children under the age of 10, they MUST wear properly sized life jacket at all times.
  3. No alcohol is permitted while on National parks or rivers
  4. No littering
  5. Children under the age of 12 MUST be supervised by an adult at all times if operating their own kayak, canoe or inflatable boat.

A fun weekend with the family will forge unforgettable memories for your children.  Safety should never be undermined, nor ignore.  A life jacket can save the life of your child. If they complain the life jacket is not comfortable, find another one that will fit them better, but do not relent about them wearing one.

Enjoy your summer.

Estate Planning Pitfalls – 5 Things You Need

“I have a will. I am covered.”

If this seems like something you would say, you probably are not aware that you are not covered for 80% of the life events that you need to be. Yes, a will is important. But you are far more likely to have another kind of issue that a will does not address.

In this article we will walk you through four other documents you need to protect yourself, protect your family and minimize the costs and hassles that can be experienced by your loved ones in the event that you have a medical emergency or become incapacitated.

As you read this, do not feel overwhelmed. There are attorneys who specialize in setting these all up for you and are very experienced in making sure there are no gaps or errors. In the greater Akron area, call Boone Legal at (330) 968-6003 for help with these.

Here is the list of must-haves to protect yourself and your family:

  1. Yes. An actual Will is important for distributing your assets according to your wishes. If you do not have a properly made Will that clearly states where or who your assets should go to, the State of Ohio makes a plan for you, which may or may not comply with your wishes. It is also important to note that even if you have a Will, you will most likely still need to probate the Will when you die, which is an expensive and time consuming process. The only way to avoid probate is through the use of advanced estate planning techniques that are best discussed with an attorney. Call Boone Legal at (330) 968-6003 to discuss these advanced techniques so that your assets pass to your loved in the way that you desire.
  2. A Financial Power of Attorney (also called a Durable Power of Attorney)– This is very likely to be needed in the event that you become unable to make financial transactions for yourself. This gives someone you trust the authority to complete financial transactions on your behalf. This can include renewing car tags, filing taxes, paying bills, etc.
  3. Living Will – This is needed to specify your wishes in situations of medical treatment in which you are no longer able to express informed consent to a doctor. Often referred to as the “pull the plug” document, a Living Wills names an agent to speak on your behalf should you be unable to make life ending decisions for yourself.
  4. Health Care Power of Attorney- Similar to a Living Will, a Health Care Power of Attorney names an agent to give informed consent to medical treatment should you be unable to express consent yourself. A Health Care Power of Attorney grants a broader scope of authority than a Living Will and in Ohio, it is customary to have both a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney in place.
  5. HIPPA Release – This gives someone else authority to access your medical records and find out information regarding your health. Without this, your family may be left in the dark if you are experiencing medical issues.

Many families need an additional document in place called a Trust, which allows for more privacy, flexibility and if properly drafted and funded, can even be used to protect and preserves assets for heirs. Even if you think your means are modest, a trust can help facilitate the transfer of assets and reduce the costs and losses of those assets.

Failure to have any of these can result in considerable loss of money, or time, or both. With a little advanced planning you can make sure no matter what the emergency is, your family can have the resources and access they need to make good decisions on your behalf and minimize the expense and frustration when you pass.

Boone Legal helps Northeast Ohio residents plan for all these things and have greater piece of mind for their own well-being and for their family’s future security. Call (330) 968-6003 or visit https://www.boonelegal.com​ to find out more.

How To Raise a Happy, Healthy Kitten

Having a new kitten is always exciting and can bring joy to any household: Kittens are full of fun energy and will keep you on your toes. After adopting or finding the perfect kitten for you, be sure to have all the necessities before bringing them home.

Before bringing your kitten home, try to proof the house. Any cords or dangerous items should be kept out of reach. If they chew on something plugged in, they could get electrocuted. Also, keep anything breakable away from the edge of a table. As much as they play, kittens crash just as often. An hour of fun can put a kitten to sleep for twice as long so have lots of places around the house where your cat can take a nap. Throw blankets, pillows and even their own pet bed will be cozy enough.

On top of keeping your kitten comfortable, be sure they’re getting everything they need. For the first few months, your kitten will seem to always be growing and it’s important they’re getting all the nutrients that they need. Kittens normally aren’t too picky about what they eat, but they should eat twice a day. Consider a kitten formula and try to switch between wet and dry food. Or, find a natural or organic cat food to try; gluten or grain-free formulas may also do the trick. Those types of foods will keep your kitten hydrated and provide a balanced diet. If you notice your kitten is having diarrhea or vomiting, take a look at the ingredients in their food. Also, remember to always keep a bowl of water out and change it daily.

A healthy kitten is a happy one, and they’ll let you know when they are. Kittens are always ready to play and sometimes don’t think before they act. Don’t get upset when they start biting at your hands or legs, remember that kittens are just being playful. Keep lots of toys around to replace things they shouldn’t be biting for when they start. That will help them learn not to get rough with you.

There’s no need to go out and spend every penny on toys, though; everyday items can be a cat’s best friend. Do you have an old eye mask laying around? Cut the end of one string connected to the mask and you have a new toy for your kitten to chase. A small, bouncy or soft ball serves as another option for kittens to play with and chase. Another DIY option is to cut an old piece of fabric into a square shape that’s about 8 inches long on each side, then find some cotton balls, old plastic bags or tissues and form them into a tight ball in the center of this fabric (if you add some catnip to what’s inside, you will guarantee your kitten’s interest). Tighten the fabric around the ball, until the ends of the fabric are below it, and use a rubber band or string to tighten the fabric around the ball to tie it off.

Kittens will also need clean, safe spaces to do their business. Be sure to clean your kitten’s litter box every day, or every two to three days. It’s important to keep a sanitary space for them so they can be as happy as can be. If you have more than one cat, it’s recommended to give each one their own litter box. Furthermore, once a month or so, take the time to remove all the litter from it and wash out the bin. Just like tidying up the house, its best to keep on top of things before they get too dirty.

Remember that a new pet will be a lot of work but will be rewarded in cuddles. A pet depends on you for their safety, health, and happiness. Be sure you’re prepared to bring an animal into your home and give them the best chance they have for a loving life.

LynAnne Vucovich is a journalist who studied at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. She has a passion for culture, community and cats.

Support for People Caring for Aging Parents

Home Care Provides Peace of Mind

Caring for an aging parent is a major source of stress for caregivers. Trying to manage your loved one’s health, and home, while juggling a career and raising your own family, can be overwhelming. Your health, and your relationships with your spouse and other family members, can suffer. But what are your options?

For many in this situation, the solution is home care. At BAYADA Home Health Care, our nurses, aides, and therapists enable people to remain safely in their homes with comfort, independence, and dignity – and provide families with peace of mind.

Why home health care?

The clinicians come directly to your loved one’s home. Patients heal more quickly at home than in the hospital, since they are able to remain in familiar surroundings. And home care can provide you with peace of mind, knowing that all of the details are being handled for you and your loved ones are being cared for where they want to be.

How do I know what home care services are needed?

For seniors who are relatively healthy but need help to remain safely at home, services from a therapist can help your loved one with stairs, bathing or increasing or maintaining independence with daily tasks. Others may require skilled services from a nurse or therapist. Some companies, like BAYADA, provide specialized services to keep those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other illnesses safe in their homes.

How can I know that the caregivers are high quality and trustworthy?

You should consider only those home care providers whose caregivers are employees of the company – not part of a registry. Reputable companies have stringent hiring standards, including checking references, criminal background, and work experience. BAYADA hires only those who provide care with compassion, excellence, and reliability – our core values.

Make sure the provider is accredited.

BAYADA is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Partner, a leader in home care accreditation.

BAYADA Home health care has been in business for over 40 years, however is new to Ohio with an office located at 2497 State Rd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223.

For more information about how BAYADA can help you and your loved ones find peace of mind, call 330-929-5512.

Classic Books for School Aged Children

Before children return to school, many parents are eager to have their children read a book or two before they have to go back and start their homework marathons for the school year.   Many parents suggest books to their children that they remember with fondness, or were forced to read in school and believe to be good.  But, do you know which books to truly check out and encourage them to read?  Do you know the difficulty level your child needs to be able to enjoy the book? If your child is discourage and

The Lexile method to determine a child’s ability to read is commonly used by schools.  But, it can be used by you as effectively to determine your child’s Lexile level.

Whether your child is into science fiction, adventure, mystery or fantasy, there are classic books you can choose from each genre, that will keep him turning the pages till the wee hours of the night.

Now that you have determined your child’s reading level and interests, it is time to look at some of the classic books you can choose from, and that your child will love.

  • The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
  • Shane by Jack Schaefer
  • The Call of the Wild by Jack London
  • The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
  • The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
  • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  • Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

One of the most difficult tasks for parents in gauging the level of interest a child expresses when reading a book.  If the book seems not to interest your child, ask him why.  They can tell you if it’s too difficult or if they are not really “into” them.  They can tell you if it’s boring, or if that is not what they like to read. If your child does not want to continue a book and has stopped reading altogether, offer other alternatives.  A child that reads is better served in the long run, but remember to avoid the books that offer grammatical errors in every sentence trying to be “funny,” those books are not doing your child a service.

This is an extremely small list for you to choose from, considering the amount of classic books we have at our disposal, but it is a list you can start with if you do not know what book to choose for your child’s next reading.

Happy reading!

5 Things To Do With Your Aging Parents

When your parents start getting older and slowing down a bit, you have to change what you do when you want to spend quality time with them.  The best place to start is probably looking at things they have always liked but finding ways to do the same thing while lightening the load and reducing stress.

If your parent always liked going on rugged hikes, for example, finding less challenging paths and going shorter distances may be a welcome change without giving up things they like.  Here is a list of five other things you may be able to do with them, based on past activities modified to scale back on the stress.

  • Shopping – If your parent has always enjoyed shopping, it is easy to take them out and just limit the number of stores, reduce the duration and take more frequent breaks.
  • Cooking – Did one of your parents always cook big meals, make fancy cakes or plan holiday dinners? If they have gotten older, they may want to cut back on some of the work but people who enjoy cooking usually continue to enjoy cooking.  You just have to roll up your sleeves and do more of the work and let them focus on what they enjoy and make sure they are not doing a bunch of the cleanup (no one likes that).
  • Home Repairs- Do you have one of those parents who always was fixing things? Sometimes it is hard for them to let go and hire someone to do the repairs.  However, they may not be as good at fixing things and it might be dangerous for them depending on the job.  In this case, you can have them assist a pro or if it is in your wheelhouse, you can do the repair with them.  Or just limit the repairs to things like painting and not getting on ladders.  Doing a home improvement project with an older parent who has always enjoyed it is a great bonding experience.
  • Parties – If your parents used to have a lot of people over and entertain, you can still help them throw a smaller, simpler party without the stress, headache and large amount of work. Help them plan it, by more things premade and stay at the party with them.  Sure you might end up being the help as they socialize with friends, but it can be a very fun thing for them to do again, if they enjoyed entertaining when they were younger.
  • Travel – One of the most obvious things is travel. Most people still like to travel when they are older, but there is an important difference.  Chances are your parents have slowed down and will not want to do as much walking.  Nor will they want to jam pack the day with sights.  Instead, do less, and at a slower pace and enjoy the fewer things you do at a leisurely stroll.

Older parents are not too old for things, you just have to cut some of the stress and energy required out of the activity.  Get creative, bond with them and help them enjoy their golden years without feeling like they need to give up on all the things they enjoyed for so long.

Video Games and Obesity

Since the introduction of video games and the capability of streaming devices making it more accessible for people to play and enjoy, video games have become a favorite pass time for many people.

Children and young adults are the ones spending an inordinate amount of time in front of the tv and their video games consoles. The trend since 2011 has been a steady increase in the number of hours children 13 and over are spending in front of the television or any mobile device.

The relationship between the number of hours children are spending inactive and the obesity rate cannot be ignored.  Ohio’s obesity rate for 2016 was 19 out of the 50 states, and the obesity rate concerning children 10-17-year-olds is 16 out of 50.

Considering the myriad of health-related issues due to obesity, we are not doing enough to combat this social issue. School children are required by the state of Ohio more hours of exercise while attending a public school, but the effort seems insufficient when considering the epidemic level obesity has reached. Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease, Arthritis and Cancer related due to obesity are predicted to reach frightening levels by the year 2030.

As a concerned parent, what can you do to help your child reach or maintain a healthy body weight? Avoiding common sense bad foods and drinks should be the start of your journey to health and those foods should stay banned for life at your home.

  1. Sugar-filled drinks— any carbonated, sugar-filled or fruit juices drinks that your children love should be avoided at all costs. Especially if they are drinking several of them while watching tv or playing video games.
  2. Pizza, Pasta, Bread –If the main ingredient of the foods your children are eating is flour, limit the amount and frequency of those foods.  Pizza for a weekly meal is not healthy, even if it sounds delicious.
  3. Cookies, pastries, desserts – The main ingredients of cookies, pastries or any dessert at the grocery store, are flour and sugar. Oils, high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients that are unhealthy for you follow those ingredients.  If you are trying to lose weight, these items should never be in your home, and if you are just trying to maintain your healthy body weight, these items should make an appearance only rarely though out the year.
  4. Unhealthy oils, butter, margarine – Avoiding unhealthy oils and fats that add to your weight is not simple but doable. Start by using a bit fewer oils every day till you have cut the amount to half, then you can continue till you feel that is a reasonable amount to use.
  5. Fast Foods – A trip to your favorite fast food place or restaurant can be fun for you and your children, but it is not healthy.  French fries, hamburgers, milkshakes and ice cream items from those places are high in calories, sugar, and fats.  You can consume your whole daily intake of calories in one trip to these places with no difficulty.

There is a lot of scientific evidence that tells us being overweight is not healthy, that the unhealthy ramifications due to obesity are numerous and scary. Yet, it is very difficult to start eating healthy foods if we have never done it. To change our bad habits, we need to begin working on that change one step at a time.  Tackling one bad habit at a time is not cliche, it is necessary.  We must stick to a plan and keep trying till the new habit has taken root in our life.  The next bad habit will be easier to tackle than the first one, and so forth and so on.  Our children and our health deserve we at least give it a try.

 

 

 

 

Demonstration Night For SCOPE Academy

Greater Summit County Early Learning Center, locally known as SCOPE Academy, is a K-4 elementary school in Akron.

Last week, the learners hosted a Demonstration Night for families. This event showcased various outdoor projects students were working on within their multi-age learning hubs. Under the guidance of their teachers, SCOPE learners seek to identify challenges within their communities and develop solutions for those problems.

One hub of learners noticed that a portion of their outdoor environment was too muddy. By re-purposing rocks that were scattered nearby, they were able to divert rainwater to a drain. Another group noticed a Killdeer bird had built her nest where many of the children played. By contacting a local ornithologist from Summit Metro Parks, this group was able to construct a safe zone for the bird family and learned much about this species of bird in the process. SCOPE learners believe that the outdoors are a place that everyone should respect, observe, wonder about, explore, and understand.

SCOPE’s staff of talented teachers incorporate science, technology, engineering, art, and math principles into each child’s instruction. If you are interested in learning more or have a kindergarten student you would like to enroll, please contact SCOPE’s administrative assistant, Jennifer Huffman at 234-718-2626.

Summer Camps for Kids in Akron

Last summer, my 12-year-old daughter took a speed reading course through one of our local universities.  My expectations as a parent were not met.  She, on the other hand, was very happy. The long week course was different for her; it was a classroom setting, and she enjoyed the setting tremendously. From my point of view, she got some worksheets and a very good book’s list.  She, on the other hand, realized that her vocabulary, reading speed, and reading comprehension were not only comparable to the kids at the course, but were oftentimes better. 

Summer camps are a great time for your children to experience something new, and sometimes even challenging.  Your perspective about the camps and the things she’ll learn will differ from her point of view, but at the end of the summer, you will realize her experiences are the ones that count, and perhaps they are all positive.

Sending your child or teenager to a summer camp can be an extremely positive experience for them. It can be an opportunity where your child’s self-esteem and curiosity are not only nurtured but increased by the positive feedback from counselors and campers alike. Your child or teenager may discover a new interest or rediscover the one she stopped pursuing.  A summer camp can help your child become more independent and learn how to navigate the complexity of personal relationships.

Many summer camps can be a week-long only, and they are long enough for your child to recognize whether she likes it or likes the atmosphere.  The price varies and so does the quality of many of them.  Depending on your child or teenagers’ pursuits, it is very likely that he or she can find one that best suits his needs without paying an exorbitant amount.

The local universities in the Northeast Ohio region offer many summer camps that are academically challenging while offering a friendly atmosphere for your child. From art, dance, and music summer camps to engineering camps tailored to girls, these camps are worth the money you will be spending.

For many families with more than one child, these camps offer discounts to make them affordable for them.  If attending a summer camp through a local university, they are willing and able to work with you.  

Keeping a child learning thru the summer allows them to appreciate their free time and their free space, while still learning and keeping an active mind.

How to keep kids learning all summer long

Summer is a cataclysmic change for many families.  Kids go from being busy with school and homework and activities to suddenly having a bunch of free time and complaining they are bored.  In the meantime, parents still need to go to work and have more tasks than ever as the outside needs cared for as much as the inside.

So how can you keep your kids learning, active and engaged once they are out of school?

This is going to depend on the age of your kids first and foremost.  But here are some great ideas.

1.      Chores – Once upon a time kids did chores.  Put in a garden and ask them to weed and water it every day.  Same with the flower beds.  Kids any age can do this.  The little kids will think it is fun in most cases.

2.      Camps – There are two kinds of camps which are great for keeping kids active in the summer.  One is sports camps where kids get introduced to a sport or sharpen their skill in a sport. 

3.      The second type of camp is more academic.  More and more places run computer camps, robotics camps, coding camps, etc.  These can teach your kids valuable skills that the schools more traditional curriculum is most likely not covering enough.

4.      Want to save money on those camps?  You can ditch the group activity and buy online courses and get your kids to learn via the computer.  Udemy is one such place where for as little as $10 you can get an online course that will teach programming, game design or many other types of skills.

5.      Summer sports – some sports are played in the summer but not run by the school system.  One example is tennis, which has USTA events year-round where you do tournaments on the weekends and find people to practice with during the week.  If your child cares about being good, they need to practice regularly in the sport.

6.      Summer Jobs – Is your child 16 or older?  Get them out to find a summer job.  Kids need some exposure to working because it helps with being more responsible as well as having more appreciation for work and workers later on when they are older.  Many seasonal businesses will be looking for young people to work in the summer.

7.      Summer projects – decide on a project your family is going to do this summer and work on it regularly, making sure the kids have a lot of the responsibility.  Maybe it is cleaning the basement, or it might be building a shed or a picnic table.

These are just some ideas for you to keep those kids engaged, busy and learning throughout the summer months.