Show Salina SunGunnison Valiev News Wednesday February 3 1999 Page 3 What is Elder abuse? by Diane O Hendrickson MS RapeSexual Assault Program Coordinator A ecu racy I on your tax return means a faster refund Common mistakes on paper tax returns are the leading causes of delay in receiving your refund Many of these errors can be avoided by filing your return electronically because the computer will alert you to a problem before the return is transmitted However you still have the option to file a f I ' paper return Checking your return for accuracy and completeness will expe-- ’ dite your refund You can avoid de- to check for math errors with a “fresh eye” Make sure you have listed the correct Social Security Number(s) (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers) (ITIN) Attach all forms Attach all required to the return schedules and forms Don’t forget to put die proper postage on the envelope Always keep a copy of the return If you have any questions about specific tax topics TeleTax has more than 140 lays in return processing by reviewing the following tips before sending your return: ' Don't forget to sign the return If topics on how to propmarried and filing jointly make sure erly file your return Contact the IRS ' for your spouse signs the return too Check your math After preparing access to tax topics the return take a break and come back ' ' Telefiling in Utah made more accessible i About 150000 Utahns have been invited to file simple 1998 state come tax returns tone telephones using their touch- - That is triple the number of taxpayers who were invited to participate in the first year of the “Telefiling” pilot project As in the past telefiling is resilimited to preselected dents who are filing refund or ' ' returns Telefiling Requirements Telefilers must be filing as “single” and claim only one personal exemption To participate they must claim the federal standard deduction (no itemized deductions) and must live at the same address as listed on their n 997 state tax returns To be eligible to s‘ telefile they also cannot claim any additional credits that require a separate schedule and may have made no tax prepayments for 1997 other than withholding Those who were preselected to telefile for the 998 tax year received a special booklet the Simple instructions in the booklet walk taxpayers through the process of filing their state income tax returns using e their telephones Rapid Refunds Convenience The telefilers will receive more rapid refunds because all paper handling and data entry is eliminated The system is available 24 hours a day every day of the week For more information call the State Tax Commission at (801) within the Salt Lake metro or (email: tamastertax state ut us) callers may call the Tax Telecommunications Commission’s Device for the Deaf at Don’t write any more checks to the IRS The writers of the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 felt that taxpayers would get a clearer message about where their money goes if they stop writing checks to the Internal Revenue Service Instead checks should be made payable to the US Treasury Checks made out to the IRS will still be accepted but an effort is being made to change all forms pub- lications letters and notices to inform everyone to the change Another option for those who file is to pay their return electronically your taxes owed with a credit card The IRS is hoping to make filing more convenient Two companies have been awarded contracts to accept credit card payments for the Tax Year 1998 balance due returns via fl phone US Audiotex will r accept MasterCard American Express r and the Discover cards NOVUSIn-tuwill accept any of the NOVUS cards IRS will not handle the credit After taxpayers file card transactions their returns through a tax professional IRS offering electronic filingservices TeleFileorelectronically through their ' Salt Lake City UT- - Each y ear in the United States more than 40000 children receive thermal or contact bum ininrie from touchinp hot appliances computer the taxpayer can They will be prompted to enter their Social Security Number credit card number and expiration date This service will be available from January 15 1999 through April 15 1999 call our For more information For number formation on the convenience fees or other questions about processing the credit card requests you may contact and US Audiotex at or NOVUSIntuit at personal call FOR ALL YOUR BOOKKEEPING NEEDS Taxes Electronic Filing Bookkeeping Payroll household or other common More than ' ‘ Utah Safety Council focuses attention on Burn Awareness Week February 7 through 13 objects under 20000 children are burned annually from the age of 5 grabbing or touching hot curling irons and clothing irons nearly 17000 receive thermal injuries from contact with electric ranges ovens grills and heaters over 5000 are injured from contactwith lit cigarettes and cigaiette and lighters an additional 2000 are injured from contact with electrical cords and outlets During Burn A wareness 1999 Week Feb- the Utah Safety ruary Council encourages parents and other the to aware of be dangers caregivers posed by many household appliances and take steps to keep their children safe A momentary contact with a curling iron heated appliance or a lit cigarette can result in a severe bum that requires to minimize years of rehabilitation scarring and restore function as much and use only child resistant lighters Teach children the dangers of playing w ith fire '"'t eWtriral Ftrncir" cords throw away old frayed and damaged cords Don’t allow cords to dangle from countertops where young children may tug on them and pull a hot appliance off Set your water heater no higher than 125 degrees F At 30 degrees a severe scald bum can occur in just 30 120- - seconds Keep pot handles turned in so children can’t pull pans of hot liquid onto themselves Keep hot liquids and other hot items away from the edge of the table or counter Install smoke detectors in each bedat the top of each stairway and along your normal ex it route Replace the batteries at the same time room corridor every year Even the best medical care Young children face greater risks than adults and older children It is up to the adults in the home to follow can’t prevent scars that will last a lifetime The tragedy is that bum inju- safety precautions and keep young children from harm However if a ries are preventable There are some minorbum as possible simple effective steps parents and other caregivers can take to protect their children from serious bum injuries The Utah Safety Council offers the following tips: Most curling irons reach the bum temperature (1 67 degrees F) in less than five minutes This temperature which results in an instantaneous contact bum is DO: Immerse burned area in cold water or apply children and keep children at a safe distance while using one Set it on the back of the counter while heating or and use a safety holder if possible Never allow children to play or mimic someone using it Use similar precautions for clothing irons Cu- cooling may tug on cords that from countertops or ironing causing the appliance to fall rious children Keep matches lighter and lit cigarettes out of the reach of children Buy a Relieve cold wet cloth pain with aspirin or ibuprofen Apply aloe vera gel DO NOT: Use ice packs Break blisters main- tained as long as the heat source is on Keep curling irons out of the reach of dangle boards injury does occur the Utah Safety Council recommends the folfirst aid tips: lowing grease or butter bum Apply dressing to a Remember no safety measure you take can replace supervision ChildApply ointment proofing your home to protect against bum injuries is important but you still need to supervise your child A safe environment and responsible parents make for a safe and happy child For more information about home safety cil at contact the Utah Safety Counoutor side the Salt Lake Metro Tami Hansen CPA 528-741- Next Day 5 Film Delivery Residential Homes Commercial Building Estimates Home Remodel & Additions Spring Special $100 Off Any Concrete Job Over 8 Yards Phone (435) 528-392- Jason Dallam Owner I COPY 5 Cell 979-994- Receive a FREE Roll of Film (35mm) with Every Set of Double Prints Purchased! 3” Prints 24 exp $699 Free Film 400 Concrete Foundations Slabs Walks Porches 4 Licensed & Insured re' ice as likely to cause injury as outlets because young children will put them in their mouth Search for and tw 4” Prints 24 exp $799 Free Film 400 $299 $399 Stop by Rasmussen’s ACE Hardware in Gunnison or Barrett’s Food Town in Salina today! Some Restrictions Apply Myths and Facts About Aging Stereotyped views of older people are common Many younger people expect the aged to be physically and mentally frail Such perceptions can lead to patronizing treatment and even abuse Let’s look at some of these myths and contrast them with the facts Myth: Most older people show a significant decline in their mental abilities Fact: Until age 75 very little decline occurs in cognitive skills like memory or problem solving Even after that there are wide individual differences with many people retaining their intellectual skills well into old age Nor is senility an inevitable part ofthe aging process Most studies find that only a small percentage of those 65 and over suffer from dementia (a funcglobal impairmentofintellectual tioning) usually the result of condidisease tions such as Alzheimer’s Many if not most adults are fully mentally competent Myth: Most elderly people are in poor health Fact: Although ill health is more luiiiiuon after 65 more than a third in this ace eronn still rennet thpJr health as “excellent” or “very good" And many of the elderly who do ha ve health problems or a degree of physical disability are still able to handle every day tasks with little or no difficulty For example one study of adults over 80 years of age found that the majority had no problem lifting ten pounds or climbing a set of stairs In addition older adults are less likely to suffer from mental health problems (such as substance abuse or anxiety disorders) than younger adults Myth: Most elderly people live in institutions Fact: In our culture most single older adults live alone unlike other societies such as Japan where elders often live with family Gender is a factor here with many more women living alone since elderly women are Given more likely to be widowed adequate financial support most older adults prefer to live alone even if they have health problems And although the proportion of renters rises with age 65 of those over 65 live in their own homes Myth: Most older people are lonely and unhappy Fact: The truth is the vast majority of people over 65 report being very sat sfied with life Even among those who perceive their health as “fair” or are quite satisfied with "poor” 86 their lives Satisfaction is higher for elderly people who have higher comes and who are married Those who have strong social support networks are also happier Abuse of the elderly is against the law To report elder abuse notify law nr poll thp nearest local office of Adult Protective Services which is located within the Department of Human Services Division of Anyone Aging and Adult Services who makes that report in good faith is immune from civil liability in connection with the report If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence or abuse call New Horizons Crisis Center at 435 We or can help Contact lenses help winter athletes stay in focus Whether snowboarding skiing or ice skating outdoor enthusiasts can benefit from wearing contact lenses as part of their winter weather gear According to the Contact Lens Council (CLC) advances in contact lenses and lens care technology are changing the way recreational and professional athletes deal with eye care “Many athletes find contact lenses are more practical for winter sports than glasses because they improve depth perception and enhance peripheral vision Because most winter sports require quick reaction time contact lenses are ideal to help athletes see more clearly” says Dave Sanderson chairman of the CLC Experts say contacts can be easily in winter worn while participating sports and are often preferred with protective goggles w hich can be cumbersome atop eyeglasses “Contact lenses also will not steam up from perspiration smudge or fog w hen moving from cold to warm tempera tures If you’re leaving the ski slopes to move indoors your contacts will adjust to the climate” adds Sanderson The Contact Lens Council has published a new list of safety tips for contact lens wearers Consumers can obtain a free copy by calling the CLC information line (800) or by visiting their website at created to wwwiglobalcomCLC help educate consumers about vision care and the benefits of contact lenses The Contact Lens Council is sponsored by Alcon Laboratories Allergan Optical Bausch & Lomb Biocompatible C1BA Vision Cooper Vision Vistakon a division of Johnson Inc & Johnson Vision Products Wesley Jessen and the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association Cheap Firewood Loose Slabs $10 per pickup load (you load) Cut to Length Slabs $35 per cord (you load) Milled Ends $20 per pickup load (you load) for landscapWood Mulch-perf- ect ing earden mulch animal bedding and compost Plus your source for Tongue & Groove Milled House Logs Tongue & Groove Decking Ship Lap Log Siding Rough Lumber Beams and Timbers fl Highway Satterwhite Log Homes 89 N and Saturday The American Optometric Association Contact lens Association of Ophthalmologists and the Contact Lens Society of America are advisory' members ofthe CLC Gunnison Open Monday thru Friday For more information call |