INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Make note of physical ailments that your parents suffer. This could be chronic disorders like COPD, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Consider illnesses like pneumonia, or damage caused by falling or accidents. These are concerns that you parents may not be able to heal completely on their own and may require further assistance of a senior residence. Mental disorders in the elderly may be hard to diagnose. Make note of anything that seems out of the ordinary with your parents including forgetfulness, depression, or anxiety. These mental disorders can progress with age and your parents may require further assistance to live a happy and safe life. Signs of mental distress may include: Forgetting dates or appointments Having trouble recalling names Challenges in planning or solving problems Difficulty with day-to-day tasks or routines General confusion Difficulty telling time Unable to visualize images or relationships (For example, picturing or describing concrete items may be difficult.) Trouble with speech and/or writing Withdrawal from social activities Changes in behavior, mood, and/or personality According to the National Center for Assisted Living, 54% of seniors aged 85 or older require at least some assistance with daily tasks.. If your parents or loved ones are having difficulty in the following tasks, it may be time to consider moving them into a senior residence. Navigating stairs Bathing Dressing Eating Maintaining a clean house or yard Paying bills Tending pets or plants Taking medications Signs of unkemptness may be the beginning warning signs of other, more problematic medical concerns. If you see a decline in your parents appearance, such as changes in cleanliness, you may need to investigate for further problems. Humans are living longer and longer lives. Your parents have not have financially planned for a future. Or, medical bills may make it difficult for your parents to live the retirement they wanted. Whatever the reason, moving into an assisted living or retirement home may help the burden of debt. Sometimes, insurance companies may even pay for a portion of living expenses. If you are already involved with your parents' health, you may be able to talk with their doctors and get a professional recommendation. They may be able to provide specific medical insight on what would be best for your parents. You can also ask the doctors for referral of different living facilities or other healthcare options.

SUMMARY: Chart physical health concerns. Note mental health concerns. Observe if they have difficulty managing daily activities. Examine change physical appearance. Be aware of financial concerns. Talk with their doctors.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: For a basic mortar mix, you'll want to mix essentially three parts of sand for every one part of cement you use. If you're mixing up a whole bag of cement, that'll mean you'll use three times that amount of sand, which will result in a big batch of mud. Only mix up as much as you'll need. The measurement doesn't need to be precise as a baking recipe. At most work sites, when mixing large amounts, the amount of sand is usually given in "shovels full" per bag of mortar mix, which usually works out to somewhere between 15 and 18, depending on how large the shovel scoops are. It's important to get close, but it's more of an eyeball measurement. You don't need to get out the teaspoons. A bag of mortar should be mixed with about three gallons of clean water to achieve the right consistency. The amount of water used can vary drastically depending upon the weather, how wet the sand is, and the variety of mix you're using, so read the instructions carefully before adding water. Ambient conditions ( temperature and humidity) will affect the mix and need to be considered. A drier mix will yield a stronger bond. A wetter mix might be easier to work. That's where experience comes in. Using a fine-grade, sharp masonry sand for the job is more appropriate than other varieties, and using fresh unopened bags of masonry cement will be more effective than using older bags. Masonry cement mixes, like Quikrete, Sakrete, and other brands are all appropriate for the job. Some brands come pre-mixed specially for mortar, which means you don't need to add sand. These are somewhat more expensive than regular Portland cement, but are much better for smaller projects. Read the label and find out what you're getting. If you don't need to add sand, the mixing process is still the same. Portland cement is not a brand of cement. It is the name of the most common type of ingredient used to mix mortars, concrete and other bonding mixes. Keep the sand and dry cement covered to keep them as dry as possible. It's easy to ruin your materials if they get too humid and damp. Try to mix up only as much as you'll need, but also to use up what dry mix you have so that you can take advantage of your materials. Check your cement bags for lumps. If there are lumps or hard chunks on the bag, it has been exposed to moisture and won't bond well, it needs to be discarded. Different brands may recommend slightly different mixes. Read the label on the brand of mix you buy and follow the instructions. In general, however, a mix of 3-to-1 is usually appropriate and effective. In some areas where the wall you're building will be exposed to especially high winds or the elements, lime is added to increase the bonding and strengthen the stonework you're building. If you do elect to add lime to your mix, you'll also need to add more sand to balance out the ratio somewhat, resulting in a stronger, more bonded mortar. An appropriate ratio if you want to use lime would be six parts of sand to two parts of lime to one part of cement. This means that you need to work more quickly or mix a smaller batch. In very wet, cold, or humid weather, the mortar will behave differently than if it's really hot and dry weather. You may find it more effective to use slightly less sand and slightly more water if that's the case. Experiment some to get the right consistency and mix. In general, it's easiest to use mortar in moderate, dry weather than, cold and humid weather. While that's not always possible, you can learn to recognize the right consistency and add water appropriately. Keep in mind that the finished product must be kept from freezing until set.

SUMMARY: Measure three parts sand to one part masonry cement. Use the right amount of water. Use the correct sand and mortar. Consider using lime as an additive. Keep in mind that adding lime to your mixture will make the mortar set more quickly. Match the recipe to the weather. Mortar mixed to the right consistency should hold onto a trowel held at a 90 degree angle, but should also be wet enough to work easily and pour into and out of buckets. If working on cold, near freezing weather, try adding slightly more lime and hot/warm water to aid the hydration reaction of cement and help it set quickly.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: and proofread. If you have a spell-check feature, use it. Some programs, such as Microsoft Word, also include a grammar check that you should use. Proofread your letter yourself. Do not rely on the spelling and grammar checks to catch mistakes. Consider asking a friend, or even two, to proofread your letter as well. If no one is available to help, another good strategy is to spend some time away from your final draft (a few hours or even a whole day) so that you can return to it with a fresh perspective.

SUMMARY:
Spell-check Read your letter aloud to hear how it reads.