Your parents and older relatives spent their time supporting you through a range of roadblocks you encountered in life. Now that they are older, it’s your turn to repay the favor. But how can you, your partner, siblings, and children provide the vital support that seniors need as they grow older? 

It’s easy for seniors to become isolated from the world around them. Their friends may not live close enough anymore. Or they aren’t as mobile as they once were. However, staying in touch with a community can help stave off degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, which will ensure their quality of life is as good as it can be. There are plenty of elderly communities around that you can find and introduce your relatives to, allowing them to meet people their age who share their interests. This means they won’t solely rely on you for the company, and can even have new experiences. 

Life can be exceptionally busy, there’s no doubt about this, and because of this, there’s a risk that you neglect to get in touch with your elderly relatives as often as you should. However, this shouldn’t mean they cannot get in touch with you when they feel like a chat. Smartphones, laptops, and tablets may intimidate them at first, but they are crucial for ensuring that they can contact you, allowing you to offer the support they need. They won’t need the latest smartphone, but something easy to use and with a strong wifi connection will do the trick. 

When planning how to support your parents, you need to remember that they are not just there. They are still human, and they will always have their preferences for how they want to live. Because of this, you must include them in any plans you have for offering support. Don’t neglect to ask them what they want to do, whether it’s visiting them at their house or go somewhere else where they can get some fresh air. It’s easy to feel like you lose your autonomy the older you get, so providing a chance to retain their independence will do wonders for their well being. 

Sometimes, you can’t provide exactly what your elderly relatives need, so you need to assess these needs and look for solutions. While they might live at home now, medical conditions could impact how easy this is for them. If this is the case, you can consider retirement homes or care workers who will visit your relatives to provide the treatment they need. Services that offer such assistance include https://catholiccarecenter.org/long-term-care/, which will provide expert service and give you and your relatives the peace of mind you need. 

Supporting your elderly relatives will help them manage their senior years more comfortably and prevent any of the loneliness or isolation problems that can come from old age. Whether they require a helping hand now and again or need more professional support, you can be there for them no matter what and make the best of the last years you have with them. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Anyone looking for a family home needs to consider essentials including school catchment, child-friendly amenities, and, as we’ll be discussing here, local crime rates. After all, no parent actively wants to take their children into a well-known danger zone, especially in light of risks including home break-ins, drugs, and other criminal activities that could have a knock-on effect. 

The trouble is that with crime rates directly impacting house prices, buying in the most obviously ‘safe’ neighborhoods often means price tags that remain out of reach for many of us. On the surface, this can make it seem like there’s no other option than to either redirect our property searches altogether or compromise somewhere along the line. But, what if we were to tell you that there is an easier, and cheaper, way to buy in a safe space? Keep on reading to find out how! 

Consider complex living

One of the best ways to ensure low crime rates regardless of your zip code is to simply consider complex living. With 24/7 maintenance and typically secure access, options like these Willow Crossings apartments provide undeniably, and more importantly affordable, safety benefits. Regardless of where you’re moving, these benefits can ensure safe streets for your kids to play on, as well as almost eliminating the possibility of break-ins. The typically close communities in areas like these also mean that you’ll be able to develop trusting relationships, and ensure that no matter what they’re doing, your kids are surrounded by friends who you know to be safe and trustworthy. 

Avoid already expensive areas

There’s no denying that the appeal of low crime rates can increase property value overall, but that doesn’t automatically have to outweigh your budget if you choose your areas wisely. Obviously, an already pricey suburban area may well be out of reach when you add low crime on top of that. However, buying in safe areas across affordable states like Mississippi (e.g. Madison and Brandon) could still see you enjoying the fourteenth-lowest violent crime rate in the US. As such, research, and price comparisons that help you to avoid already costly areas should mean that you can quickly offset the price of safety, to begin with. 

Look to the future

As well as researching crime rates as they stand, it’s also well worth considering the future of any given area. This is true of any house search, where buying in locations in the pipeline for development can ensure bargain prices and steep increases. For safety purposes, especially, expansions and improvements that facilitate increases in police presence and a generally transformed population mean that, even if crime rates aren’t the best right now, they soon could be. And, getting ahead of that trend is almost guaranteed to see you paying less for the privilege. 

Safety matters, but so does cost. Find a happy middle ground between the two by keeping these considerations in mind as you search for your next family home. 

This is a collaborative post. 

Melinda

As COVID-19 continues, it’s time to look at how to protect your business from the damaging effects the virus and the lockdown may have. While many people were recently relieved that things looked set to go back to normal or at least into the “new normal,” unfortunately, it was short-lived as the coronavirus case numbers have increased again, and drastic action has to be taken. You may have learned lessons from the first lockdown, whether it is things you should have done, done differently, or not done at all. The critical thing is that this time you will know what to expect and work as best you can to protect your business. So, what this time.

Most businesses experienced their employees remote working in some way during the first lockdown, so they will be used to the process and know what works best for them. Some of your employees are best getting up and showered and dressed in their work clothes to get in the work mindset, while others find they work better in their comfy clothes and sat on the sofa. That’s for your employees to work out, but at least this time, they can be prepared either way, or they can try working a different way this time if they felt they weren’t in a good enough routine last time. As an employer, make sure that you have sufficient support networks in place for your employees; this means regarding technology and work materials and equipment that they need, but also, you need to be more aware of their mental health this time around. Many people’s mental health is deteriorating the longer that the pandemic goes on, and the more issues they have to deal with. Make sure they know they can talk to you if they need to and that you check in on them while they’re working from home.  

You can take this time now to plan your next return to work, and while this means deep cleaning, disinfecting the office, calling in the Renew Crew to do a power wash, and maybe putting in more social distancing measures and hand sanitizing stations, it also means preparing your business for something new and different because the world has changed.  Now it’s worth looking at next year’s plan rather than trying to save this year’s. Despite how it may seem, you’re actually in a good position now as you can adapt to respond meaningfully and creatively to the current marketplace. For example, marketing campaigns and images will need to include people wearing face masks and respecting social distancing. Take the time to think carefully about which direction you want to take your business in and understand what’s needed to bring solutions to the problems and overwhelming challenges your customers are facing.

If your business struggled during the first lockdown, then you need to be more careful this time. Of course, this goes without saying, but it’s knowing how to be more frugal that’s important. Do you know how you can maximize your profit margins? While it might seem like a good time to get certain jobs done, it is important to control your spending during this time and to put away any extra cash you can. Find out what you’re entitled to in terms of deferrals on rent and loans, and if there’s any way you can save money on your suppliers, then do so. Find out what other funding is available to you or if there are any temporary loans you can apply for.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that you never know what’s around the corner. If you want to protect your business, then you need to be prepared for anything and everything. This isn’t an easy thing to do while trying to run your business, but if you are on top of your finances and know what your business can take and what it can’t, then you can make plans. Try to think of every scenario that you can, and don’t forget to factor in what could happen to the third parties you rely on to keep your business running and providing a service to your customers. While your business may have a good chance of making it out the other side, some of the businesses that you work with and rely on might not be so lucky, so make sure you have a contingency plan just in case. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Moving to a new home can often seem like an absolutely enormous task, as there are just so many different responsibilities you have to think about at any given time during your project. Luckily, keeping calm throughout your home move needn’t be as difficult as you might think, as there are a few simple tips and tricks that you can make the most of to ensure everything goes to plan. So, if you would like to find out more about how you can take the stress out of your move, then read on to uncover some of the best steps that you can follow now!

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

Struggling through such a large task by yourself is bound to become a laborious and draining exercise, so you needn’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you reach out to family and friends to ask a favor or seek some specialist professional support, don’t make the mistake of tackling every step on your own. You can find friendly estate agents to help you uncover the ideal property, visit a reputable vehicle relocation site like https://carsrelo.com/ that can transport your car to your new home, hire some handy tradesmen to tackle any decor or engineering tasks, and even enlist the services of a stylish interior designer!

Plan Every Detail 

Far too many people make the mistake of simply diving headfirst into a home move by facing different tasks whenever the dire need arises, but one of the best things you can do to reduce your stress is to plan each and every detail. It’s a great idea to take a notebook or utilize a digital alternative on your smartphone, writing down each task (such as payment deadlines, move-in dates, change of mailing addresses, etc). Search online to find inspiration for what to include on this list, as there are many helpful resources that can help to make sure that you don’t forget any of the essentials. You can tick off each task as you go to encourage you to stay motivated and identify which steps remain to reach your ultimate goal. 

Take Some Time Out 

Moving to a new home can be a totally consuming process, as it’s such a huge life change that will no doubt affect the way that you lead each day. Letting yourself get too involved with your move will raise your stress levels and inspire you to think of nothing else, so you should take some time out every now and then to relax and unwind. Whether you decide to have a long hot bath, a session of meditation, or a walk around your local park, just having the opportunity to take your mind off your project will do you good. 

Keeping calm when moving house has never been so simple when you are able to make the most of the top tips and tricks detailed above! Stay cool and collected whilst you start a new chapter. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Every family needs a safe and secure place to call home – this is why housing is a significant global issue, as many families seek decent and affordable accommodations. According to the World Property Journal, the US real estate market is worth about $33.6 trillion. There are several residence options suitable for families. Are you keen to learn about the different types of homes best suited to your family? Here are six home types you should consider.

Single-family homes are one of the most popular housing options among American families. These homes are designed for one family only. There are numerous benefits of single-family homes that make them worth considering. They offer more privacy than other housing options since you do not share any walls. Personalizing your landscape in a single-family home is even more effortless compared to other home types. Therefore, it would help if you consider single-family housing when looking for your family’s perfect accommodation.

A condo living space is a single unit in a larger building or housing community. Condos are usually located in the heart of cities, unlike many single-family homes and apartments. The benefits of condominium living are worth considering for your family. Condo residents typically enjoy easier access to major roads and public transport systems. Convenience is another key benefit of condos because facilities like malls are easily accessible due to the dense area population. There is an excellent provision of security in condo buildings due to the presence of round-the-clock security personnel. Many families that chose condos agree that it is a great place to raise kids because of child-friendly amenities and vibrant community life.

Apartments are living spaces within larger buildings and housing communities, differing from condos because you would have to pay rent. Apartments provide a cost-effective housing option for families, as the exorbitant home prices on the market are overwhelming for many. The perks of apartment living include access to amenities like pools and gyms, which single-family homes usually do not have. You can also have quality family time since you do not have to spend time on yard work, as apartment owners hire professionals to take care of the property.  The apartment home is also financially flexible, as the rent is usually yearly. Not owning the place also allows you to relocate should the need arise.

Statista data projects that US multifamily buildings will be worth almost $80 billion by 2022. Multi-family homes are single buildings with more than one dwelling unit that serves as homes to one or more families. Duplexes and triplexes are typical examples of multi-family homes. These units differ from condos because the various units cannot be purchased, as one person owns the building. It would be best to choose multi-family housing as a long-term investment to give you rental income. This rental income will increase your cash flow and help you to defray your housing cost. Also, multi-family homes allow for comfortable living with other family members together but separately. Securing a multi-family home mortgage is also easy because of your potential to generate income as a landlord. If you want to make and save money, these homes would be the perfect choice for you and the family. 

A 2016 study showed that the ranch-style home is the favorite of American homeowners, being the popular pick in thirty-four states. These houses are known for their simple single-story design, with low-pitched roofing, plenty of windows, and attached garages.  Many homeowners mentioned the size, layout, and functionality as elements they like about this type of house. Ranch homes have open floor plans, meaning living spaces are not too compartmentalized. The typical ranch house design offers a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors due to many windows and glass doors that lead into your backyard. Also, ranch homes are easy to maintain and energy-efficient. It would be best to consider ranch housing if these features and benefits appeal to you and your family. 

Image Credit

Townhomes allow you to experience both condo living and single-family housing in one building. They are usually described as a single-family home sandwiched between or next to similar single-family homes. Unlike the condominium residents, townhouse residents own both the interior and exterior space. But, like condos, there are little maintenance responsibilities. Townhome communities are also safe, peaceful, and quiet. These homes cost less than houses, and many real estate experts agree that they are better investments than apartments. Finally, consider townhouse living because of your access to many amenities and recreation opportunities.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

This is a repost I thought you would find interesting.

Psychology Today

Tracy S. Hutchinson, Ph.D.

New research suggests that PTSD is a normal response to common life events.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 7.7 million adults suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Along with a surge of awareness regarding PTSD, there are also many misconceptions. For example, some believe it is only associated with war veterans, events such as 9/11, or natural disasters.

Although this diagnosis has historically been associated with military veterans who undergo multiple deployments, there are many other events that can trigger symptoms of PTSD. For example, prolonged exposure to emotional and psychological abuse (e.g., verbally abusive relationships, alcoholism, or stressful childhoods) are risk factors for developing symptoms. Some of these lingering misconceptions may be due to the fact that development and recognition of the disorder is relatively recent and has really only blossomed in the last three decades.

History

In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) formally recognized PTSD as an actual mental health diagnosis. Historically, it had been formally recognized as “shell shock” and was thought only to occur in military war veterans. Further, PTSD had historically been thought of as something that someone “gets over” over time. This may be true for some, but it isn’t for others.

Researchers continue to discover risk factors that can cause PTSD symptoms. This includes emerging research on the study of what happens in childhood and how it affects adults in their lifetime (van Der Kolk, 2014). For example, some of my clients may have grown up with “tough love” and were disciplined with physical violence by a family member or a teacher. As adults, they may suffer from trauma-related symptoms but not realize the origin of their suffering.

Many who suffer from PTSD symptoms may have behavioral consequences such as binge eating, or they may self-medicate with alcohol, drugs, gambling, or other compulsive behaviors. Equally as important as identifying PTSD symptoms is understanding that they are a natural response to overwhelming events.

PTSD symptoms are an injury.      Source: Pexels

PTSD is a Mental Injury, Not a Mental Illness

Researchers argue that it is important to view PTSD symptoms as a mental injury, versus a mental illness or something pathological (Zimbardo et al., 2012). This is because PTSD symptoms are a natural reaction to a distressing event where one may have felt overwhelmed, afraid, or helpless. Historically, mental illness is pathologized as something that is “wrong” with the person, versus simply a manifestation of how most people would respond.

For example. if a person falls and cuts their leg, that would be an injury. Bleeding could occur, which would be a symptom of the injury; the amount of bleeding would be based on the severity of the wound, previous injuries, etc. Similarly, PTSD symptoms may manifest into problems with concentration, angry outbursts, sleep disturbance, sadness, anxiety, and even nightmares. These are natural responses to overwhelming circumstances, whether they are obviously traumatic to most (war, natural disasters) or less obvious to most people.

Obvious vs. Less Obvious Trauma

Researchers state that forms of trauma can be categorized into obvious and less obvious trauma. Obvious traumas include war, childhood abuse and neglect, sexual assault, rape, and natural disasters such as hurricanes. However, there are also less obvious forms of trauma that include:

• Parental divorce, child abandonment, or betrayal
• Toxic relationships with emotional and psychological violence (name-calling, verbal abuse)
• Narcissistic parent(s) or caregivers with mental health issues
• Bullying, cyberbullying
• Witnessing violence in the home
• Alcoholism or addiction during childhood
• Invasive medical procedures; higher risk if performed on children who may have been restrained or had chronic issues.
• Falls and accidents, particularly in children or the elderly
• Natural disasters like hurricanes, fires, or earthquakes
• Being left alone as infants or children
• Automobile accidents or whiplash

A mental health professional can formally diagnose and treat PTSD. However, some people have symptoms but do not meet the full criteria.

It may be irrelevant whether a person meets the full criteria—what matters is if symptoms are causing problems in their life. Symptoms include feelings of irritability, angry outbursts, issues with concentration and sleep, feelings of detachment from others, and nightmares of the event.

A mental health professional can formally diagnose and treat PTSD. However, some people have symptoms but do not meet the full criteria.

It may be irrelevant whether a person meets the full criteria—what matters is if symptoms are causing problems in their life. Symptoms include feelings of irritability, angry outbursts, issues with concentration and sleep, feelings of detachment from others, and nightmares of the event.

‘There is an increasing number of books on evolutionary psychology that are available on the market focused on outcomes rather than ticking off boxes. When it comes to PTSD there is no doubt that while all survivors don’t fit into the same boxes, what really matters is that they can be helped back to a place of health from where they can move forward.’

There are several treatment recommendations for PTSD, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This is a highly effective treatment used by the U.S. Department of Defense to help veterans with PTSD.

Originally published on www.drtracyhutchinson.com