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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | August 2014 | 10 Community Awareness Committee Following is a summary of some of the issues the CAC is monitoring: Reinhardt Canyon – The Developer has presented a new proposal for developing Reinhardt Canyon. At the writing of this article, the information is sketchy. It appears they plan to build 330 homes on approximately 33 acres. It also appears they plan to designate approximately 140 acres to open space. The good news is that the Fire Department denied the plan on July 7. The bad news is that the developers will probably still take the proposal to the board of supervisors. We need to be prepared to attend this meeting and demonstrate our objection to this kind of development. Riverside County General Plan 960 – At this time the County General Plan calls for minimum 5/10 acre for any development in Reinhardt Canyon. Several years ago we circulated a petition supporting this proposal. Over 1200 residents from Four Seasons and the surrounding community signed this petition. On June 13, we submitted the petition to the County to be part of the public record. Ramona Creek – This residential and commercial project on 200 acres on the Northeast corner of Warren and Florida was approved at the June 10 council meeting. The CAC supports this project and thinks it will provide a quality development in the western end of Hemet. The Hemet Golf Course – The HOA board has asked the CAC to contact the owners of the golf course and work to improve the condition of the course. We are working with the owners to help solve our mutual concerns about the golf course. The CAC will continue to monitor these and other issues that impact the Four Seasons Community. I've heard that the kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. One area to consider is spoiled food in the fridge. The salad dressing is my biggest culprit. My colleague Molly Carpenter suggested putting on your reading glasses when you get home from the grocery store (so you can read the impossibly tiny expiration dates). Then, take a Sharpie to label your milk, salad dressing, etc. with a date that's bigger, darker and much more readable. Good tip, don't you think? As you know, home safety becomes a prominent concern when one of the home's occupants is a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or other form of dementia. Here are a few helpful questions and answers here. Q: How do I deal with my husband awakening at 3 in the morning to shower and shave? A: One family caregiver made a simple sign that read, "It's nighttime and too early to get up for the day. Try to go back to bed." This caregiver put up the sign by the bed and on the mirror in the bathroom for her family member to read." Q: My dad's hearing is terrible now. I'm worried he wouldn't hear a smoke/ fire alarm if it went off while he was sleeping. (He takes his hearing aid out at night.) A: They make alarms now that are extra loud and have flashing lights, which may help wake him if he doesn't hear. Another option to consider is a personal emergency response system. There is a monthly fee involved, but there are ways that they can tell if something is happening in the house, just like a security system. Q: Are there any devices that can help a senior get in and out of the tub? Or is that how I know it's time to get help or be there in person? A: There area few devices that can help with getting a person in and out of the tub. The most common and inexpensive are grab bars. You are right that this might be an indicator to hire a professional caregiver to assist with bathing. If finances allow, consider a walk-in tub. You can also find additional home safety tips and resources at MakingHomeSaferForSeniors.com: • Interactive Home Safety Guide • Printable Home Safety Checklist • Simple Modifications for Senior Home Safety (video) • Five Fixes Under $500 I hope these tips and resources help! Let me know if you have any great Alzheimer's home safety tips to share. E-mail me at livechat@homeinstead.com. Now, go check the date on your salad dressing, just to be sure. ~ Cat Koehler, Home Instead Senior Care Helpful Hints