DEAR HELOISE: Hey there. I wanted to write in with two hints from a boy in Illinois.

My mother lives alone, and I’ve asked her to turn on the front porch light when she goes to bed, then turn it off when she gets up. I’ve asked the neighbors to check on her light. If it’s still on around 11 a.m., I ask them to please call her and check in on her.

The second thought is: When I make the grocery list, I memorize it and leave it in the car. It’s great practice for the brain. Last time I did this, I only forgot two items.

— Keith Filges, via email

DEAR HELOISE: I have a very clear memory of being 7 or 8 years old and heading to my friend’s house after school. Her mother served us carrots and apple slices as we played a game on the floor. I loved it. It was simple and good for us. It remains one of my fondest memories of childhood.

One day, when I was visiting my hometown years later, I passed my friend’s house and saw her mother outside. So, I stopped by to say hello. She was quite elderly by then. I recounted my story of the apples and carrots and how much I enjoyed them as an after-school snack. She beamed and thanked me as she also remembered these special times.

— Ellen Shapley

DEAR HELOISE: Just a couple of quick medical tips:

�–� Sometimes I have problems with the ink that is used on prescription labels becoming illegible due to frequent handling, particularly on prescriptions that are good for 90 days. When I get a new prescription bottle, I immediately cover the printing on the bottle with either clear or frosted (magic) tape. This keeps it readable for the 90-day duration.

�–� Most of us carry smart cellphones and have some kind of a plastic or rubberized cover to protect the back. Pop the cover off and put a couple of standard bandages between the case and the body of the phone, using care not to cover the lenses of the camera. Snap the case back in place, and you will always have a quick fix for a small cut or an abrasion.

— Scott D., in Johnston Fort Dodge, Iowa

DEAR HELOISE: If you fill out appointment cards for the elderly or ailing, name the day as well as the date. (For example, “Thursday, April 14.”) People who have been ill or housebound tend to lose contact with the calendar. “Thursday” is a more accurate way to identify an appointment.

— Mary Ellen Snodgrass, via email

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.