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Archive for the ‘Health Care’ Category

• Includes body fat tester, body fat measurement charts, instructions for body fat measurement and body fat tracking chart
• Accurate, reliable, private, and easy to use
• Inexpensive, convenient, and durable
• Endorsed by the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation

Product Description
Enjoy the ability to measure body fat easily by yourself, in the privacy of your own home, with the reliability and accuracy that is expected of today’s registered medical devices. Recommended in Body-for-LIFE and endorsed by the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation, Accu-Measure Personal Body Fat Testers have gold standard accuracy to within 1.1% of underwater weighing results! Comes with an original Accu-Measure Personal Body Fat Tester, men’s and women’s Body Fat Measurement Charts, Instructions for Body Fat Measurement, Body Fat Tracking Chart, and questions and answers on body fat. Clinically proven to be more accurate than lengthy, complicated methods costing thousands of dollars. Raised markings provide clear, precise measurements. Patented audible and tactile click ensures correct, consistent, and repeatable measurements. Get test results in seconds in three easy steps.

Accu-Measure Fitness 3000 Personal Body Fat Tester

Americans are deeply unhappy with the country’s health care programs and costs. And rightly so. As one author observed, “A recent survey showed that only 17 percent of respondents in the United States were content with their health-care system . . . Why the discontent? The superficial reasons are simple enough to describe: the system is hugely expensive, very bureaucratic, and extremely patchy. The expenses first: U.S. health care costs a third more, per person, than that of the closest rival, superrich Switzerland, and twice what many European countries spend. The United States government alone spends more per person than the combination of public and private expenditure in Britain, despite the fact that the British government provides free health care for all residents.”

The United States pays more for health care per capita than any other industrialized nation — and even then, Medicare is not a comprehensive, pay-for-everything national health program like those of many nations and United States per capita health care costs continue to escalate rapidly.

Here’s what you need to know about health care costs as you plan for retirement.

Americans age sixty-five and over spend four times more on health care on average than do Americans under the age of sixty-five. At the outset of this decade, the average per capita health-care outlay for a person under the age of sixty-file was about $2,800. For people over the age of sixty-five, it was $11,089. And for Americans ages eighty-five and older it was $20,001. Clearly, health care outlays are likely to get substantially larger as you age. You need to plan for them.

U.S. health care expenses have grown mightily. U.S. health care expenses have dramatically escalated each year as new medications, new treatments, diagnostic tools, and health care innovations have come onto the market.

For example, the median nationwide cost for a hospital stay — excluding physicians charges — was $11,280 in 1997; by 2004 it was almost double at $20,455. The average total cost for treating a heart attack climbed 40 percent in just seven years. All in, health care costs have escalated fast and the increases are gaining momentum.

Health care costs are likely to continue to grow unabated. Unlike in other countries, no laws meaningfully curb the continual climb of health care and drug costs in the United States. For example, many Americans continue to import drugs from Canada because Canadian prices are significantly lower. This is true even though the new Medicare Features introduced in 2006 offset the cost of pharmaceuticals for U.S. retirees. To curb the cost of medicines, Canada prohibits drug companies from advertising on its television channels. In the United States, on the other hand, the very legislation that created the new Medicare drug benefit (Part D) expressly prohibits the federal government from attempting to negotiate lower prices with drug companies.

Count on it: medical costs are sky-high and likely to keep climbing unless there is a radical overhaul of the system.

More and more corporations are cutting back on health care benefits as medical costs soar. Recent statistics show companies cutting health care benefits and requiring employees and retirees to pay more for them. As one survey of corporate benefit trends concluded, “[Benefit] reductions have become not just common, but expected, with the only question now being of how much more of a reduction in benefits and or an increase in cost will be directly placed on individuals . . . In the end . . . individuals, either as taxpayers or consumers, will need to pay the bill.

I believe this trend will gain greater momentum over the next decades. It will be part and parcel of the continuing erosion of employment benefits — like the demise of traditional pensions — that is taking place throughout the country. Just like pensions, more and more health-care expense is going to become a do-it-yourself responsibility because heath care insurance costs are simply becoming too great for companies to shoulder competitively.

Taken all together, you can count on: (1) higher and higher health care costs, (2) more health-care-benefit cutbacks by U.S. employers, (3) the need to factor large health-care expenses into your funding plans, and (4) the need to buy supplemental health-care insurance to shield your savings from cost attack.

Of course, these views will not come as a surprise to most folks. Recent polls show that — immediately after the foremost financial concern of having enough money for retirement — the next great concern of most Americans is health care. More than half of adult Americans are “very worried” or “moderately worried” about being able to pay for serious illness or catastrophic health-care expense.

Copyright © 2008 by Jim Schlagheck

The above is an excerpt from the book Cash-Rich Retirement

by Jim Schlagheck

Published by St. Martin’s Press; March 2008;$24.95US/$31.00CAN; 978-0-312-37740-3

Copyright © 2008 by Jim Schlagheck

Author

Jim Schlagheck is an author, banker, longtime advisor to the ultrawealthy, and the coproducer of the public television series Retirement Revolution. He has written numerous articles on investing, retirement, and finance, and is also an acclaimed speaker who describes better ways for retirement readiness to audiences of wealth-management professionals and lay investors nationwide.

• One package of 42-count acid reducer delayed release tablets
• Targets acid production by directly shutting down many active acid pumps; a single pill works for up to 24 hours
• Delayed-release acid-reducing tablets for treating frequent heartburn
• Designed for heartburn that occurs two or more days per week
• Not intended for immediate relief; may take 1 to 4 days for full effect

Product Description
Three 14-day courses of treatment. Treats frequent heartburn! Product of Sweden.

Prilosec OTC Acid Reducer, Delayed-Release Tablets – 42 ea

With health-care reform stalled, debate heats up regarding state approaches
Proponents of leaving health-care reform to the states have gained momentum as national legislation stalls in Congress, setting off a new debate over who is best able to tackle one of the nation’s thorniest social issues.

Read more on Washington Post

• Measures steps, aerobic steps and minutes, calories and distance
• Separately displays aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously
• 7 day history lets you review a full week of exercise
• Features include large display, clock, detachable belt holder and security strap
• NOTE: The manual included with this item incorrectly states that the unit itself shuts down automatically each day – the settings do reset each day at midnight however the unit itself must be manually shut-down

Product Description
Measures steps, aerobic steps and minutes, calories and distance Separately displays aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously 7 day history lets you review a full week of exerciseAmazon.com Product Description
The Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer is an advanced, high-tech pedometer that–thanks to unique dual sensor technology–can be carried in your pocket or bag. Now you can just drop your pedometer in your purse to find out how much exercise you get in a typical day of work, errands, and other tasks. Of course, you can also attach it to your belt like a traditional pedometer.

The device’s large, easy-to-read LCD display can separately display aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously, so you always have the information you need right in front of you. Meanwhile, a seven day history lets you review a full week of exercise, and there’s also a 42-day memory for uploading past workouts to your PC. The device resets at midnight automatically so it’s ready to go every morning. Of course, the device can also function as a handy and highly accurate clock. It also comes with a detachable belt holder and security strap so it’s always close at hand.

The HJ-720ITC is powered by a replaceable lithium battery (CR2032) that will last six months when used for walking 10,000 steps a day. The pedometer also includes PC software for Windows 2000 or XP, which keeps track of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress.

The included Omron Health Management Software provides a steps graph that lets you see how your values are trending over time. View larger.

View pedometer and blood pressure data together (via a split screen) on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. View larger.

Omron Health Management Software
Take your health to the next level with the included Omron Health Management Software. This PC software provides a blood pressure and pulse graph that lets you see how your values are trending over time. A morning/evening comparison graph tracks your morning and evening systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. You can also view your most common values and identify variations by time frame with the frequency distribution graph. The software is simple to use, and it supports multiple users. With just one click, you can download data via the HJ-720ITC’s USB connection and see graphically displayed measurements on your computer screen in seconds.

Compare Omron Pedometers
	HJ-150	HJ-151	HJ-112	HJ-720ITC
Measurement	Steps	Steps Moderate steps and minutes Calories Distance	Steps Aerobic steps and minutes Calories Distance	Steps Aerobic steps and minutes Calories Distance
Product Placement	Clip to belt	Clip to belt	Pocket, bag or clip to belt	Pocket, bag or clip to belt
History	7 days	7 days	7 days	7 days (displayed) 42 days (in memory)
Warranty	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year
Batteries	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)
Estimated Battery Life	Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)
Time of Day Display
Omron Health Management Software

Q&A – Pedometers

Does it matter where the pedometer is placed or attached?
The HJ-150 and 151 Pedometer must be positioned correctly. Attach the unit to your belt or to the top of your waistband. The unit must be horizontal to the ground in order for the unit to function correctly. The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer can also be placed in your pocket or purse.
What’s the accuracy rate of Omron Pedometers?
The precision of the step counting is within +/- 5%.
What are moderate steps?
At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended each day. The HJ-151 Pedometer separately displays the steps and minutes walked at a moderate pace.
What are aerobic steps?
The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer separately displays aerobic steps and minutes that start counting after 10 minutes of continuous walking with more than 60 steps a minute.
How does the PC software work?
The HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer includes PC software for Windows 2000 or XP. It keeps track of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress.

Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Advanced Omron Health Management Software

Democrats skeptical health care summit is answer
First he called congressional Democrats’ yearlong march toward health care overhaul an ugly process. Now President Barack Obama wants to talk directly with Republicans, the very people his Capitol Hill allies call obstinate and uncooperative.

Read more on AP via Yahoo! News

• Create a consistent, smooth sound of rushing air
• Recommended for restless sleepers, shift workers, infants, children, students, apartment dwellers, office workers
• Durable plastic housing suitable for travel or use in the home or office
• One year limited warranty
• Made in USA

Product Description
Marpac Sound Screen & SleepMate 980 combines American ingenuity and craftsmanship to create a lightweight, yet durable appliance capable of many years of reliable service. Marpac sound conditioners create a consistent, smooth sound of rushing air. The tone and volume of the sound are controlled by simply rotating the “cap” and “collar” of the housing. This “white noise” sound effectively masks unwanted noises and creates a sense of calm, making it easier to concentrate, relax and/or sleep. These sound conditioners are recommended for restless sleepers, shift workers, infants, children, students, apartment dwellers, office workers (for confidentiality) and many others. The dual speed 980 is made of durable plastic housing suitable for travel or use in the home or office.

Marpac SleepMate 980A Electro-Mechanical Sound Conditioner

• Works in all humidifiers
• Keeps cleaning for up to 4 fillings
• Simpy drop in tank
• Safe and non-toxic

Product Description
Model PC-1. Your humidifier stays cleaner, longer. Simply drop in tank for fresh, clean mist; Works in all humidifiers; Keeps cleaning for 3 days; Safe and non-toxic. Concentrated antimicrobial cartridge. Continuous protection against slimy build-up in humidifier. The Protec Cleaning Cartridge features a patented antimicrobial Aquastat, to continually inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria and mold in the cartridge as well as help prevent the buildup of slime in your humidifier. In addition the Protec Cartridge provides peace of mind that the mist is fresh and clean. Safe, non-toxic the Protec Cartridge uses the same antimicrobial that has been used for years in the food and drinking water industry to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. The Protec Cleaning Cartridge is antimicrobially treated to help prevent the growth and migration of mold, fungus, algae and odor-causing bacteria on the cartridge.

ProTec PC-1 Humidifier Tank Cleaning Cartridge

• Cleared by the FDA to help detect morning hypertension
• IntelliSense monitor inflates cuff to the ideal level with each use
• Large digital panel displays blood pressure and pulse readings
• Cuff fits arms 9 to 17 inches in circumference
• Main unit measures 5.16 x 3.31 x 6.09 inches (WxHxD)

Product Description
1-touch operation with up to 40% faster readings Extra-large digital display Features hypertension indicator, morning hypertension indicator & irregular heartbeat 2-person/200-total measurement memory with date & time stamp Features 8-week morning & 8-week evening averages per user ComFit (TM) cuff fits arms 9 – 17 in circumference Includes batteries, AC adapter & carrying case 5-year limited warrantyAmazon.com Product Description
Not only does the HEM-780 Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor utilize Omron’s patented IntelliSense technology, but it also features the innovative Comfit Cuff. The ComFit Cuff is pre-formed for a quick and proper fit that is perfect for both medium and large-sized arms (nine to 17 inches). It’s easy to apply the cuff to your arm without any assistance — simply wrap the cuff around your arm and press start. In seconds your blood pressure and pulse are displayed on the large digital panel. Proven time and time again, Omron’s IntelliSense technology ensures accurate, clinically-proven, and comfortable readings. And with a 90-memory recall with date and time stamp, you can track your blood pressure and pulse progress as your work towards a healthier lifestyle.

The Omron HEM-780 delivers accurate, clinically-proven blood pressure readings in the comfort of your own home.

To take an accurate reading, first position the green marker directly over the artery on the inside of your arm.

Next, place your arm on a table so the cuff is positioned at the same level as your heart.

Instructions for Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitors
There are several easy steps to taking your blood pressure with this monitor. First of all, avoid eating, smoking, and exercising for at least 30 minutes before taking a measurement. Remove tight-fitting clothing from your upper arm, and sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Slide your left arm through the cuff and position the cuff approximately 0.5-inches above the elbow. On the cuff you’ll notice a green marker; position this marker directly over the artery on the inside of your arm. Next, secure the cuff with the Velcro material. The cuff should make direct contact with your skin, but you should be able to easily fit your index finger between the cuff and your arm.

Place your arm on a table so that the cuff is positioned at the same level as your heart. Rest comfortably in a relaxed environment for at least 15 minutes prior to taking your blood pressure measurement. Once you feel relaxed, simply press the start button and remain still. The cuff will begin to inflate and numbers will appear on the display as the heart symbol flashes. When the measurement is complete, the cuff will deflate, and your blood pressure and pulse rate will display on the screen. If you need to stop the measurement at any time, simply press the on/off button and the monitor will immediately deflate. And remember, always consult your physician for specific information about your blood pressure.

What is IntelliSense?
The IntelliSense monitor inflates the cuff to the ideal level with each use — you never have to make any adjustments to select an inflation level. This is especially convenient for hypertensive users and for people with certain arrhythmia or heart disorders because their blood pressure is so likely to fluctuate. The biggest advantage of using the IntelliSense technology is a personalized inflation every time for maximum comfort.

The Importance of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Doctors, diabetes educators, physician assistants, nurses, and other healthcare professionals all recommend home blood pressure monitoring for various reasons. Home monitoring provides your healthcare professionals with better information to understand and manage your high blood pressure. Many types of hypertension can only be detected by monitoring your blood pressure at home, including:

• White-Coat Hypertension: blood pressure reading is high in your doctor’s office but lower at home
• Masked Hypertension: blood pressure reading is low in doctor’s office but higher at home
• Morning Hypertension: blood pressure reading is higher in the morning

Additionally, many factors can affect your blood pressure, including physical exertion, emotional fluctuations, medications, and stress. So having your blood pressure monitored at a pharmacy with an in-store device after you’ve been shopping or walking around might not provide you with the most accurate measurement. Monitoring your blood pressure at home allows you achieve a relaxed state more easily, and it gives you the flexibility to take your measurements at various times during the day. By keeping track of your home blood pressure readings, you can provide your healthcare professional with a log of your measurements over time. This can help them evaluate the effectiveness or need for medication.

What’s in the Box
Omron HEM-780 blood pressure monitor, AC adapter, storage case, ComFit cuff, four AA batteries, and instruction manual.

Compare Omron Blood Pressure Monitors
	HEM-432C	HEM-712C	HEM-711DLX	HEM-780	HEM-790IT
Features	Simple manual inflation	Easy one-touch operation with auto inflation	Deluxe auto inflation with Comfit cuff	Premium auto inflation with Comfit cuff	Ultra premium auto inflation with software
Clinically Proven Accurate
Intellisense
Advanced Diagnostics	30 memory Averaging Date and time	Detects irregular heartbeat 30 memory Advanced averaging Date and time	Detects irregular heartbeat 60 memory Advanced averaging Date and time Hypertension indicator	Detects irregular heartbeat 200 total memory Advanced averaging Date and time Hypertension indicator Detects morning hypertension 2-user plus guest mode TruRead	Detects irregular heartbeat 200 total memory Advanced averaging Date and time Hypertension indicator Detects morning hypertension 2-user plus guest mode TruRead
Power	4 “AA” (not included) AC adapter N/A	4 “AA” (not included) AC adapter not included	4 “AA” (not included) AC adapter included	4 “AA” (included) AC adapter included	4 “AA” (included) AC adapter included
Warranty	1 Year	2 Year	5 Year	5 Year	5 Year
Cuff/Cuff size	D-ring cuff Arm 9″ to 13″	D-ring cuff Arm 9″ to 13″	ComFit cuff Arm 9″ to 17″	ComFit cuff Arm 9″ to 17″	ComFit cuff Arm 9″ to 17″
Carrying/Storage Case
Omron Health Management Software

Q&A – Blood Pressure Monitors

What is IntelliSense?
The IntelliSense Monitor inflates the cuff to the ideal level with each use. No adjustments are required by the user to select an inflation level. This is especially convenient for hypertensive users and for people with certain arrhythmia or heart disorders, because their blood pressure is more likely to fluctuate. The advantage is fast personalized inflation for maximum comfort.
What is a ComFit cuff?
The patented pre-formed cuff expands to fit regular and large arms comfortably and easily.
How is an Irregular Heartbeat Shown?
This advanced monitor can detect irregular heartbeats while your blood pressure is being measured. If an irregular heartbeat is detected, an accurate blood pressure reading is displayed along with the irregular heartbeat symbol.
What is Morning Hypertension?
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends you take blood pressure readings in the early morning and evening. With the touch of a button you can review an eight week history of your morning and evening weekly blood pressure averages.

Omron HEM-780/HEM-780N3 Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor with ComFit Cuff

• Large 3.5″ LCD display w/ Backlight – Easy to read from any distance
• 4 high precision sensors – Consistant and accurate measurement up to 330 lbs or 150 kgs every time
• Measurement in increments .2 lbs. / 3oz.
• Sturdy tempered glass top and large 12″ x 13″ platform
• Auto Calibated; Auto Power-Off; Runs on 4 AAA batteries (included); 2 year EatSmart guarantee

Product Description
The EatSmart Bathroom Scale is the ideal way to track your weight loss quickly and easily. Simply tap the scale and step on, and in seconds you’ll have an accurate readout to the nearest .2 lbs on the EatSmart’s oversized 3.5″ LCD display. The LCD display also contains a cool-blue backlight, allowing for easy viewing even in the most low light areas of the bathroom or home.

The EatSmart Digital Bathroom Scale is also not only easy to use but also extremely accurate, engineered to the highest precision standards. The four high-gauge EatSmart precision sensors ensure that you will get an accurate measurement every time (just read our reviews!). Additionally the slim, tempered glass design fits perfectly into any surroundings and large non-slip platform safely allows weights to 330 lbs.

Along with your EatSmart digital scale you also receive our easy instruction guide and 4 AAA batteries.

Stop guessing your weight and get serious about your weight loss and fitness goals. Get yours today!

100% Guaranteed Product Satisfaction-bear in mind every negative review did not call or e-mail EatSmart customer service!!!!!

EatSmart Digital Bathroom Scale w/ Extra Large Backlit 3.5″ Display and Oversize Platform