sCapital News Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Ask the
www.kelownacapnews.com A15
EXPERTS
If you would like to be a part of this weekly feature contact your advertising consultant at the Capital News or call 250-763-3212 Dr. Joyce Chen
Glen J. Johnson
AuD, Audiologist
B.Comm., LL.B
Podiatrist
Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist
Okanagan Hearing Centre
GJ Johnson Law Corp
Dr. Neil Brown
Allan Blyt C.P.O. (c)
‘Over 26 years of legal experience’
Q A
Should I consider having a Cohabitation Agreement?
The new Family Law Act came into force in March of this year, and says that you are a spouse if you have lived common-law for at least 2 years or have a child together. This means that you and your partner have much the same property and spousal support rights and obligations as if you were married. A properly drafted Cohabitation Agreement details what you each own going into the relationship and can protect that property if the relationship ends or if your spouse’s creditors want it. The Agreement can also deal with splitting household expenses and chores. Although legal fees to prepare the Agreement can be $1500 or more, without it the fees can quickly exceed$20,000 to battle in Court. Be careful with store bought Do-it-yourself Kits, which may not reflect the new changes in the law.
Q A
Why do I have to wear these hearing aids that sit behind my ear? I want the aid that are invisible.
Hearing aids certainly have come a long way from the ‘big beige bananas’ of 30 years ago. Today hearing aids are available in a wide variety of styles, all of them use very sophisticated computer chips to amplify founds. You are wearing a behind-the-ear (BTE) which is often undetectable when properly fit. But aids can be fit right in your ear and placed down deep in the ear canal. Often what determines which specific style of aid is your is your hearing loss and life style. Some types of hearing loss do best when the aid is placed outside the ear. In-the-canal type can be very small, which can sometimes limit the amount of volume that it can give to you.
Q
My knee has been stiff and sore in the morning for several months now. It aches when I walk and stand too long. Is this Arthritis?
A
Morning stiffness in the knee could be a symptom of arthritic degeneration. It can be confirmed with an x-ray requested by your physician. As we get older, the cartilages in our body tends to become thinner and wears down quicker. This can lead to inflammation in the areas where the two bones come into contact with each other, commonly called Osteoarthritis. Treatments for this condition can include simple knee sleeves or custom fitted knee Orthoses that reopen the joint space and provide pain relief during actitivites. Call our office to book a free consultation with one of our experienced Certified Orthotists if you have these symptoms or any knee concerns at (250) 861-1833.
Also, smaller parts and batteries can make very tiny aids very challenging for people with larger or stiffer fingers.
Q A
How are Custom Foot Orthotics (CFOs) different from orthotics purchased Over-The-Counter (OTC)?
CFOs can only be considered custom if your feet were physically casted with plaster, inserted into a foam box, or scanned electronically. CFOs are also known as functional foot orthotics because they aim to improve and correct your unique biomechanics during walking or running. This is accomplished with a rigid plastic polymer or graphite device. They can also be calibrated to your weight and shoe size. Conversely, OTC orthotics are pre-made devices made with material varying from plastic to cork to foam and designed to be accommodating – minimizing changes to your foot function while providing comfort and protection. They can be a worthwhile, inexpensive investment for those needing less correction. While CFOs are well known to help pronators with flat feet in need of greater arch support, they have also been proven to treat heel and forefoot pain of various causes. By distributing pressure more evenly through the bottom of your foot they can also decrease the likelihood of calluses, nerve pain, and diabetic foot ulcers. Numerous modifications of different materials can also be added to different areas of CFOs to treat corresponding foot ailments.
HAGER
Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd.
1330 Water Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 9P4 Phone: 250-826-8822 • Fax: 250-862-1224 glen.johnson@affordablelaw.ca
115-2365 Gordon Drive, Guisachan Village Mall 778-484-7237 www.okanaganhearing.com
250-861-1833 1876 Ambrosi Rd, Kelowna, BC www.hagerpando.ca
Dr. Mark Provencher
Robin Roberts
Quincy Vrecko
& Associates
B.Sc., DDS, LVIF Dentist
Realtor®
Q A
When is the best time to list my property?
Our seller client’s ask this question all the time. Of course, most are concerned about maximizing the value of their investment while doing so in a reasonable period of time. There are pros and cons to every season. There are strategic advantages to listing a property during the fall/ winter months.
Most consumers are not aware that the listing inventory is often much lower at this time of year. Another added benefit is that the buyers that are out there are serious. For instance we bought our home in January when I was 9 month’s pregnant. Talk about a motivated buyer! While there may be more buyers come out of hibernation in the spring/summer, just in time to view the many new listings on the market, it is important to keep in mind that as a seller you have more competition. Year to date, OMREB has reported strongest sales in May. This means that strategic sellers listed their properties early in the year to achieve a sale by May. Whenever you decide to list, it is important that you have great representation. For a more detailed monthly statistics visit www.QuincyVrecko.com.
Q
I am anxious just thinking about going to the dentist. I don’t want to be sedated or medicated because I have responsibilities that I need to attend to, like my children. Are there any options for me?
A
Anxiety and the dentist often go hand in hand. For some this has lead to avoidance of the dentist, which leads to suffering. Some “tough it out” and don’t enjoy their visits – this often means they attend infrequently and once again end up suffering. For others it has meant sedation with pills or IV medicines. While sedation does allow for treatment to be delivered, there is a downside. The medications mean a chaperone, more time away from work, an inability to bounce right back into your routine, and the need for someone else to bear the burden of your responsibilities until you recover. There is another option. The world of neuroscience offers us an all-natural alternative. The NuCalm system (www.nucalm. com) uses science to lead the patient into deep relaxation. It presents the brain with an acoustic puzzle (binaural beat track) through headphones. In combination with food based supplements and dark glasses the result is tranquility. Once the procedure is over, the patient is 100% alert and ready to return to their day. Ask for a trial at your next visit. When you are relaxed we can deliver our best care.
Certified Carpet Cleaning Technician/Oxy-Dry System Developer
Q A
Why does my carpet have dark traffic lanes?
One of the most overlooked reasons for dark or black traffic lanes is footwear transfer. The soles of some slippers or shoes can transfer soil or even the sole material itself onto the carpet fibre causing very obvious traffic lanes. Soles to watch out for include leather, neoprene or foam. To test the sole of your shoe, use a white towel and apply a dab of dish detergent on it, dip it in some water and rub the sole of the shoe applying some pressure. If there is transfer then it may be time for a change. Slippers with a plastic sole or non-marking shoes are better. Socks are a good option too as they are changed often. Traffic lanes can be removed in most cases with a proper professional carpet cleaning. Traffic lanes can be removed in most cases by the OxyDry Ultra Low Moisture carpet cleaning system that dries quickly and is naturally fresh. We include our Durashield Protector ensuring your carpets stay clean up to 3 times longer. OZONE
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250-575-6448 www.QuincyVrecko.com
25-1710 Ellis St., Kelowna, BC 778-484-2284
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