Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 19, 2024 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 ous law enforcement agencies that raising the juvenile age of criminality emboldens young people to commit crime, as other off enders may use this law to make young people pawns in the dangerous criminal activity in which the older adults engage. (A “Yes” vote is for raising the age to 18. A “No” vote is against raising it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL PRESERVE SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS FOR DISABLED SENIORS (H 4841) – House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would restore the ability of disabled seniors to receive support from special needs pooled trusts for care and needs that are not covered by MassHealth. Sponsor Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow) said she fi led the legislation in response to a new MassHealth regulation that eliminated this support for seniors. “Pooled trusts allow persons with disabilities to maintain dignity and quality of life when confi ned to a nursing home or receiving home care,” said Hogan. “The trusts help provide for companion services, uninsured medical care, dental and pharmacy care, transportation, clothing, personal needs and household items, assisted living and many other kinds of support that MassHealth does not provide. Current MassHealth regulations penalize disabled seniors over 65 for using pooled trusts since they are counted in determining eligibility. This legislation would allow this vulnerable population to use the exemption for the purposes of determining MassHealth eligibility.” REDUCE THE SHORTAGE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS (H 4842) – The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that supporters say would streamline the process for foreign-trained dentists to obtain a dental hygienist license in the Bay State. These dentists would have to have at least fi ve LEGAL NOTICE City of Everett PLANNING BOARD 484 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 years of experience as a dentist in their country and must have obtained a certifi cate of registration, certifying them as a dentist, from their country’s board of dental examiners or similar board. Massachusetts would only license the dentist as a dental hygienist if it determines that competency requirements in the foreign country are equal to those required of applicants in the Bay State. “This proposal would benefi t immigrants who are foreign-trained dentists, providing them with an accelerated pathway towards a hygiene license and helping to alleviate the labor shortage in the fi eld of dentistry,” said sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy). “Massachusetts continues to contend with a shortage of qualified dental hygienists, and this bill would create a new pipeline for foreign-trained dentists to help stem the workforce shortage,” said Massachusetts DenBEACON | SEE PAGE 19 Say nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Kitchen Ideas for Aging-in-Place Dear Savvy Senior, My 77-year-old mother, who loves to cook has had several kitchen-related accidents over the past year. What tips can you recommend for making a kitchen safer and more practical for seniors, without doing a big expensive remodel. Inquiring Daughter Dear Inquiring, There are a number of small improvements and simple modifi cations you can do that can make a big difference in making your mom’s kitchen safer and easier to maneuver. Depending on her needs, here are some tips for diff erent aspects of her kitchen. Lights: If the lighting in your mom’s kitchen needs improvement, replace the old overhead fi xture with a bright new ceiling light, and add LED lighting under upper kitchen cabinets to brighten up her kitchen countertops. Floors: If she has kitchen throw rugs, to reduce tripping or slipping, replace them with non-skid fl oor mats or consider gel mats, which are cushiony and more comfortable to stand on for long periods. GelPro.com and WellnessMats.com off er a nice selection. Cabinets and drawers: To LEGAL NOTICE EVERETT PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Public Hearing on an application by 140 Tremont Street, LLC Property located at: 70 Everett Street Site Plan Review In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L Chapter 40A and with Sections 4 and 19 of the Everett Zoning Ordinance, the Everett Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the Speaker George Keverian Hearing Room, Everett City Hall, Room 37, to consider the above-listed application for Site Plan Review and Inclusionary Zoning Special Permit. This proposal is for the demolition of an existing single-family dwelling and the construction of a 6-unit multifamily dwelling structure with 8 parking spaces. The proposed work will also include new utility connections, stormwater management systems, landscaping, and incidental site work. 70 Everett Street is a parcel of land located in the Dwelling District and is referenced by Assessor’s Department as D0-04-000161. A copy of the application and plans are on file and available in the Office of the City Clerk and the Department of Planning and Development, both located at City Hall, 484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 and can be inspected online anytime at: http://www.cityofeverett.com/449/Planning-Board and/or by request during regular City Hall business hours by contacting The Planning and Development Office at 617-394-2334. All persons interested in or wishing to be heard on the applications may attend and participate in the hearing by attending the hearing in Room 37 in Everett City Hall. The Agenda for the meeting will be posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law under Planning Board at: http://www.cityofeverett.com/AgendaCenter. Questions and comments can be directed in advance of the public hearing to Matt Lattanzi of the Department of Planning & Development at Matt.Lattanzi@ci.everett.ma.us or 617-394-2230. Frederick Cafasso Chairman July 19, 26, 2024 reduce bending or reaching, organize your mom’s kitchen cabinets and drawers so that the items she most frequently uses are within comfortable reach. You can also make her lower cabinets and pantry easier to access by installing pullout shelves or lazy susans. And, by installing pull-down shelves in her upper cabinets (see Reva-shelf.com) so she doesn’t have to get on a stool to reach things on high shelves. I also recommend replacing her cabinet and drawer knobs with “D” or “C” shaped pull-handles because they’re more comfortable for arthritic hands to grasp than knobs. Faucet: If your mom has a twist-handle kitchen faucet, replace it with an ADA compliant single handle faucet, or with a touch, motion or digital smart faucet. They’re easier to operate, especially if she has hand arthritis or gripping problems. And, for safety purposes, set her hot water tank at 120 degrees to prevent possible water burns. Microwave and cooktop safety: If your mom’s microwave is mounted above her stove, consider moving it, or get her a small microwave for the countertop so she doesn’t have to reach over a cooktop to insert or remove food. And if you’re worried about your mom forgetting to turn off the stove there are automatic shut-off devices you can purchase and install to prevent a fi re. iGuardStove (iGuardFire.com) makes one of the best smart shutoff devices for gas and electric stoves. And to guard against microwave fires, there’s the SmartMicro microwave shutoff made by Pioneering Technology (PioneeringTech.com). Shopping for Appliances If you’re looking to upgrade some of your mom’s appliances, here are some diff erent features to keep in mind. Refrigerator: French-door refrigerators that open in the middle are great for seniors because it makes it easier to see and reach what’s inside. Pullout adjustable height shelves and a water/ice dispenser on the outside of the door are also very convenient. Stove or cooktop: Look for one with controls in the front so your mom won’t have to reach over hot burners to turn it off , and make sure the controls are easy to see. Flat surface electric or induction burners, or continuous grates on gas stoves are also great for sliding heavy pots and pans from one burner to the next. And ask about automatic shut off burners. Oven: Self-cleaning ovens are a plus and consider a sideswing door model. They’re easier to get into because you don’t have to lean over a hot swingdown door. Also consider a wall-mounted oven, installed at your mom’s preferred height to eliminate bending. Dishwasher: Consider a drawer-style dishwasher that slides in and out for easier access and, if possible, have it installed on a raised platform 12 to 24 inches above fl oor level so it can be loaded and unloaded without bending over. Washer and dryer: Frontload washers and dryers with pedestals that raise the height around 24 inches are also back-savers and easier to access. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior
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