Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

Archives for May 2021

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3 Tips For Balancing Work And Family

Being a parent or spouse can often feel like a full time job in itself, and you should be commended for everything you do around the house for your family. Unfortunately, most people also have to work outside of the home in order to make a living. This can often cause a lot of stress or to force people to feel like they have to choose whether their career or their family is more important to them.

Of course you love your family more than anything, but the main reason you have a job in the first place is to be able to provide for them so it has its own value. Because the two are often difficult to juggle, here are 3 tips for balancing work and family.

Work From Home When Possible

Depending on what type of job you do, find out if it is possible to work from home sometimes instead of always going into the office. If you work for yourself, such as in real estate, try doing some of your marketing from your computer at home or bring your kids along when you run to the post office to send out real estate postcard mailings. Working from home once in a while will also save you money on gas and childcare. If it is an option for you it’s definitely worth a try to help balancing your work and family life feel much more manageable.

Take Time Off

This one may seem obvious, but no matter what type of job you do, always make sure to take time off to spend with your family. If you can take a couple of days off every week that’s great, but if not just make sure you are getting adequate days off at some point! Not only will this help you to rest and reset but it will also allow you to have some much needed quality time with the ones you love.

Get Plenty Of Sleep

Trying to balance family life with a full time job, you may feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day most days. Sometimes it might seem like you barely have time to sleep! But don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s rest. Your body will thank you and you will be much better equipped to take on all of the stresses and challenges of all aspects of your life.

No matter what, remember that you are doing the best you can in all aspects of your life and even when you don’t feel like you’re good enough, you are! Everyone gets a little stressed and has issues balancing work and family, so just know that you’re not alone!

 

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8 Thoughtful Retirement Gifts for Dad

When it comes to buying retirement gifts for Dad, it can get complicated. While many kids love their parents, that doesn’t always mean you “get” them.

If you’d like help figuring out the best retirement gifts for your father, we decided we could help. Join us as we review a few of the best retirement gifts for dads.

Idea 1: A Cruise

The average man retires around the age of 64 (with women averaging two years younger than that). The odds are good when your father retires, he’s going to be a bit older and a bit more tired than he used to be.

One of the most desirable aspects of retiring is that you can now take a break. While there’s plenty of ways to do that, one of the best is a cruise.

The odds are good your father would appreciate a long trip on a nice cruise, where little is expected of him and he can relax.

The exact form this cruise might take will depend on your dad and your budget. Some fathers might appreciate a big family cruise. Others might want to get away from it all, kids included.

Whatever the case, remember this is your dad’s retirement gift. Go with the option he’d enjoy the most (or venture to ask what he’d prefer if you’re really worried you’d choose wrong).

Idea 2: An Engraved Watch

This may sound strange for those unfamiliar but watches tend to carry a strange reverence among American men (and plenty of women too). Something about our culture seems to put a lot of value on a good watch.

This all said, you don’t need to go out and buy your father a Rolex if that isn’t in the budget. The important part is making the gift feel like a genuine gesture in appreciation of what is a pretty important occasion.

Our recommendation is either custom-ordering the watch or buying a watch within your budget and then having it engraved. Where you look for the watch depends on your budget.

The cost to get an engraved watch varies enough that there is an option at pretty much every price point. A simple wooden engraved watch might cost you 70 dollars while a real Swiss masterpiece could cost upwards of 5 grand.

You may also want to spend a bit extra on a nice wooden case for the watch as well. Many people who receive gifts like this prefer to use them as a decorative object rather than wear them and a nice box makes that easier.

Idea 3: A Simple Gesture

Some people don’t like gifts. Some fathers may be uncomfortable receiving anything from their children. So what’s a good choice when these dads retire?

The best retirement gifts are tailored to who will receive them. Some men don’t want much. Oblige them; gifts are for the receiver.

Consider sending your father a nice message. Just as WishesAlbum.com lets you text birthday wishes for Father, you can also use the service to text him for his retirement.

You might also hug your dad or congratulate them in person. It’s also worth noting this particular idea is not exactly expensive! If you think your father would like more, you can do this idea and another one.

We have a habit of giving gifts as a replacement for open expressions of love and appreciation. It is okay to let down one’s guard on occasion. It should be okay to tell your father you are proud of them and you love them.

Idea 4: A Camping Trip

Camping can be a great, inexpensive way to connect with family. Unlike other family trips, camping has a pretty low barrier to entry; renting a site for a day is unlikely to cost more than 45 dollars or so.

While that isn’t the only expense (you still need food and camping supplies), a camping trip doesn’t need to be expensive to be enjoyable.

Like many of these other ideas, the ideal camping trip will of course depend on your father. Does he enjoy a rugged outing in the winter wilderness? Or would he prefer a spring trip at a family campground with all the amenities?

Camping can be great fun but we’ll note a few caveats. First, make sure your father would like to camp. Second, make sure you prepare for the weather; choose sleeping bags and tents appropriate to how cold it might get.

For a little more, you can also instead rent a cabin. It can offer a similar vibe to camping but is much easier in terms of prep and comfort. If your dad’s back makes the ground a hard sell, it may be the better choice.

Idea 5: Top-Shelf Whiskey

Maybe even more than watches, Americans have a soft spot in their heart for good whiskey. Why not get Dad some for his retirement?

Whiskey is one of the funny retirement gifts few would buy themselves but many would love to have. Many people have an interest in “luxury-tier” consumables but get put off by the price.

Top-shelf whiskey doesn’t have to be very expensive; 90-140 dollars will net you a bottle of something respectable. Of course, if you and Dad make big money, you can find bottles much more expensive than that if you so desire.

As for how to enjoy the drink, that’s up to you (or at least up to your father). Most would say an expensive whiskey is best had neat if you’ve never tried it but, to be honest, we say use ice if that’s what you want to do.

One option for the prepared would be to use whiskey stones. These are stones that can be cooled in the freezer, serving the same purpose as ice but without any risk that you might dilute the flavor.

Idea 6: A VR Rig

This is an option that is a bit odd and we admit won’t be for every dad. Not every 64-year-old is tech-savvy enough to even turn a VR rig on, let alone enjoy it.

At the same time, if you can make sure your dad has an interest in new tech, VR is another indulgence many avoid spending on but would love to have.

For those not in the know, VR rigs are devices which allow a person to play around in virtual reality (VR). By using a special headset and pair of controllers, the rig can make it feel like you’re actually in a virtual space.

Even if your father doesn’t play games, this can allow for other experiences all but impossible even a few decades ago. There are virtual tours where you can see the moon or under the sea. The possibilities are endless.

Many who hear about this technology assume it to be a fun gimmick but it’s more than that. Unless someone has worn this technology, there is almost no comparison to be made.

When choosing a rig, you have a few good options to choose from. Our current recommendation might be the Valve Index at $1000 but the technology evolves enough that you should do your research before buying a rig.

Idea 7: Movie or TV Memorabilia

The odds are pretty good there is a show or movie your father loves. Luckily, almost every piece of media ever made has some kind of memorabilia for sale.

In terms of retirement gifts for men interested in that sort of thing, it’s hard to go wrong at any price point. At the low end, there are posters and figurines. At the highest end, you may even get props seen on screen!

These sorts of gifts tend to be pretty safe too. Unless your father is a minimalist, most people enjoy getting a neat reference to something they like. (If you’re worried, go small so that you can guarantee they have the room.)

We will recommend you try to aim for your father’s favorite media properties when buying props. It’s neat and all to get some memorabilia for a show you saw once and sort of liked, but you may as well aim for what they like most.

Idea 8: Something Practical

A lot of the ideas presented here today are fun, one-off experiences or nice things your father could use but doesn’t need. For our final idea, we’ll suggest you go practical.

If your dad doesn’t like knick-knacks or going on trips, figure out something practical that would really help him out.

This is a bit open-ended since the exact gift should depend on what might help the most. Some quick suggestions include power tools, a maid or yard service, or getting his car repaired.

The benefit of these gifts is they’re really convenient! You might worry it won’t feel sentimental enough but if you save your dad some hard work and hours of time, that’s a pretty darn good gift.

Retirement Gifts for Dad Come in All Shapes

When buying retirement gifts for Dad, what you want to do is answer one question: What will he like? If your dad likes the gift and you put your heart into it, you’ll do fine.

If you found this article helpful, we hope you’ll explore our site. We offer a variety of content, including more advice like what you saw here!

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Underground Cellar Explains the Best Way to Start a Wine Collection on a Limited Budget

Wine collecting is an expensive hobby, there’s no doubt about it. However, it doesn’t mean that you should go all out, especially if you’re just getting started. There is a very high chance that you will make errors at the beginning. For instance, we recently read an article about natural wines and whether they’re a scam or not. As it turns out, these wines do have some attributes, but that doesn’t necessarily make them more valuable.

Wine, Bottles, Bottle, Glass, White Wine, Red Wine

These are the types of nuances that you will need to understand before you start your collection. The people at Underground Cellar have a few tips on how you can start a great collection on a reasonable budget. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Start Planning

You first have to evaluate what your actual budget is. Though it won’t be massive, you can start a respectable collection for under $1000. You will have to be wise with the wines that you pick, however. Instead of buying aged wines, you might have to buy them young and age them yourself. You will need to know how good the year was for this particular wine. And, if your goal is to age a wine, stay away from anything in the discount aisles as these are usually meant to be drunk immediately.

Mix Your Selection

You should also make sure that you mix and match your selection if you also want to enjoy your collection. Your cellar should consist of a good mix of bottles that you’ll be aging, and young, ready to drink wines. Some will advise that you go for 50% ready-to-drink bottles, or blue chips as they’re called, and 50% aging wines. These are wines you will be aging for at least 5 years as this is when they start to develop more character. Note that all wines will not get better as they age, however.

We also suggest that you stock for specific events in advance. The goal of a collection is also to have a good inventory on hand for any occasion, so timing your purchases will make sure that you won’t have to scramble at the last minute for the perfect bottle.

Look at Storage Options

There are many ways that you can store your wines. You can buy storage yourself, build a cellar room, or get someone to store them for you. All of these options have their pros and cons, but building your cellar is the most labor extensive. Some will even store their bottles in a cardboard box with blankets over it to block the sunlight, but this is not the best option.

Know what to Look for in a Bottle

Next, you have to know exactly what you’re looking for in a bottle. If it’s to drink, scores and your palate will be your best friend. If it’s as an investment, look at the history of the vineyard, the location, and scores again. Things like weather can also affect the supply of grapes and increase scarcity, which can make a wine more valuable.

So, if your goal is to start a wine collection with a modest budget, follow these few tips. Starting small is the best way to go as you’ll gain experience and become better at finding great deals.

 

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Protecting Your Family’s Future: Estate Planning

Establishing an estate plan is the best way that you can protect your family from the uncertainties of the future. While most people believe that estate planning is reserved for the rich and wealthy, this is simply not the case. An estate plan can be developed by anyone regardless of their income and consists of a set of directives for trusts, guardianship matters, and assets. In today’s post, we take a look at some things to consider when it comes to protecting your family’s future.

Wills

One of the first things you should focus on is establishing a will. Regardless of if you own substantial assets, you need to draft a will according to your state’s laws. A will can help to ensure that your selected heir will receive your chosen set of assets that you desire to leave with them. In addition to that, your will should list an executor who will be responsible for paying your debts and distributing the remainder of your assets, based on your wishes.

In the event that you pass away without a will, your property could get seized by the government or they could get passed on to survivors in your family, according to your state’s laws surrounding intestacy or in other words, your children or spouse.

Trusts

Besides using a will to ensure that your heirs will receive your assets when you die, you can also create a living trust as well. The major difference between a trust and a will is that, unlike wills, a living trust can avoid probate. Probate is the process by which the court determines if a will is actually valid. This is a time-consuming and expensive process. A living trust can prove to be ideal when it comes to including children as a part of your estate planning wishes.

Clear All Debts

The process of paying off a debt can prove to be especially stressful when you are in the midst of grieving for a family member. The law stipulates that you have a legal obligation to pay off your own debts and the debts of deceased loved ones as well. Therefore, if an individual signs as a cosigner for a mortgage, and the other cosigner passes away, said individual is still responsible for the entirety of the debt.

Life Insurance

If your family depends on your financial support and views it as being essential for their livelihood, you need to get a life insurance policy. Life insurance can help to replace your income in the event that you pass away. This can prove to be especially beneficial to parents of young children as well as adults who would not be able to maintain their standard of living without the income of another individual such as your spouse or elderly parent. The key thing to remember is that the coverage should be large enough to cover an adequate amount of money for day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, laundry, childcare, and other things that are critical to a growing family.

Emergency Fund

Most experts agree that an emergency fund can help to protect your family’s future. Your emergency fund should consist of at least four to six months of your average monthly living expense and can help to cover unwelcome surprises such as major home repairs or renovations, health emergencies, stolen/damaged property, and more.

Power of Attorney

When people think about power of attorney, they usually associate it with giving someone else the power to make medical decisions in the event that they become incapacitate and are unable to make decisions on their own. However, the power of authority provides multiple different benefits which can help to protect your family’s future. For starters, it eliminates the need for guardianship or conservatorship. For instance, without a power of attorney, if you become incapacitated, the court appoints a conservator or guardian for your children. Additionally, power of attorney gives agents the ability to make other important decisions regarding health, investments, bills, assets, debts, and more

Family Identity Theft Protection

Oftentimes, when people consider using identity theft protection services, they never consider getting their children protected. But just like an adult, children are also susceptible to identity theft. Data suggests that child-related identity theft can go undetected for over ten years. Therefore, monitoring their personal information is essential when it comes to protecting their future. Nowadays, most companies provide family identity theft protection plans which are designed to cover entire families.

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2021 Travel Boom – Reliance on Cars is Surging

2020 was an odd year, indeed. Not only was the world gripped by an invisible threat but life as we all knew it changed. Toilet paper became a rare commodity, hugs were replaced by Zoom calls, and children did pushups in their living rooms, instead of playing kick ball, on the field, at school. Travel came to a standstill and for the most part, cars were left alone, in driveways and garages, used only for the occasional, necessary trip to the grocery store.

Now, armed with vaccines, and promises that life will get back to normal soon, 2021 is turning out to be the prom queen, to 2020’s wallflower. What does this mean for the average person? It means that domestic highways, and byways, are opening up, and those long-sitting vehicles that have gone relatively unused for so long, can once again transport us to all of the places we missed last year.

Prepare to explore places such as Grandma and Grandpa’s house, Yellowstone, Route 1 along the east coast, and Route 66, the iconic road cutting through the center of the country. Virtually nothing is off limits which is exhilarating and exciting. That said this new freedom forces us to re-evaluate the safety of the cars and trucks, once idle for months, to ensure that they will get us to these exquisite destinations.

With a whopping 9.54 million square miles to cover in North America, it makes sense that you would want to be sure that your vehicle is ready for any climatic situation. From the deserts in the American southwest, frigid temperatures in the north, and oppressive humidity in the south, vehicles may not respond as humans do, to variations in temperature. Vehicles, like people, are certainly affected. Urban and rural driving wears on a vehicle differently, also, making it necessary for regular brake, steering, and fluid checks.

What cars are considered the most reliable, the most comfortable, and the most cost-effective? When looking to purchase a new vehicle, there are many options to consider. 2020 did not provide much incentive for car shopping, as individuals had much more pressing issues to prioritize. But now that the road is open again, and that call for adventure is like a whisper on the wind, it is time to re-prioritize things like safety, confidence, and reliability in your vehicle.

Piling everyone into the family car and heading off down the road has been the American mindset since the invention of the gas-powered vehicle well over a century ago. The classic road trip symbolizes freedom and youthful spirit with the intention of bonding over shared experiences, in new and exciting places.

Preparing for the trip should must include a vehicle check-up to be as sure as you can that you won’t be left stranded when you’re far from home.

Road-Ready Vehicle Checklist

  • Check the windshield wiper blades – Make sure that they aren’t torn or broken. Remember the back wipers, too!
  • Check all fluids – Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine. Be sure to check the brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, etc.
  • Is your spare tire packed and ready to go? A full-sized tire works best if you’re able to fit it in your car. Consider if you’ll need to drive far for a replacement, or not.
  • Check the tires – Remember, they should have the proper pressure, (you can find that number in your car manual, or inside the driver’s side door frame), good tread, and they should be properly aligned. If the car is veering to one side, get the alignment checked. Also, they should be free of cracks, fissures, tears, and obvious penetrations.
  • Do the brakes work properly? Are the brakes stopping the vehicle at the appropriate car lengths, for the speed you are traveling? Are they making chattering, squeaks, or clunking noises? If there’s any question at all, get a mechanic to evaluate their performance.

The Ultimate Road Ready Insurance

Focusing on the checklist captioned above and even taking your ride to a trusted mechanic is a great idea when you’re preparing for a road trip of any distance. But, while these technicians make certain that the vehicle is sound at the beginning of your journey, there is no guarantee that your car will remain that way for the entirety of your adventure.

Freeway Insurance will help ensure that you are providing safety for your family, and coverage for your vehicle, for the length of your trip. Exceptional customer service, and nationwide availability only enhances the value of their affordable rates, and devotion to their clients.

It’s hard to answer the call for adventure and not have some level of risk involved but when it comes to your vehicle’s coverage, why chance it? Let yourself fully embrace 2021, and the travel boom that has emerged from our long year of isolation. Do this with the pride and security of knowing that car maintenance and excellent insurance coverage will now provide the ultimate pathway, to memory-making-moments you’ve been dreaming of during these seeming endless, months of patient vigilance, and mitigation. Roll down the windows, open the moon roof, and enjoy the ride.

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How to Ensure a Smooth Transition to Assisted Living Residences

Most older parents wish to stay in their long-time homes where they’ve settled comfortably with their loved ones. Sadly, doing so is oftentimes no longer doable for the children, or safe for the older adult, making assisted living residences a better option. So, how can you ensure that they transition smoothly to senior housing — whether they’re ready or hesitant?

1. Communicate gently and plan together.

Aged parents can get emotionally attached to their homes, so they naturally feel sad about transferring to assisted living residences. Conversing with your elders about it can be difficult, but give them some time to grieve this change and discuss why and where they’re moving. Additionally, when seniors need to leave their homes, they usually feel uptight because they feel like losing control. So, allow your beloved elderlies as much choice as you possibly can while you plan and implement the transfer together.

2. Find the best senior home nearby.

After discussing where your elderly want to live, you need to search for an ideal senior home. This can get tedious as you consider the nitty-gritty of their needs and preferences. Soon you will be able to simplify your search by using Happy Seniors. Because the platform is building partnerships with well-known local institutions nationwide, it will give you an excellent range of choices for assisted living.

This platform will reveal valuable information about each residence: geographic location, weekly activity schedules, pricing, amenities available, gender ratios, and much more. With this tool, you won’t need to drive cross-country or call every assisted living residence for these details. Instead, you will have a centralized venue for a productive senior housing search.

3. Request your relatives’ assistance.

Transitioning to assisted living residences is a huge task, so don’t be afraid to ask for help from your family and relatives. Encourage your siblings and other close family members to be on work leave for a few days. Children and younger individuals can also join in and help in their unique ways. When you surround your elderly with supportive friends and loved ones, you alleviate the emotional strain that comes with the transition.

4. Keep in touch with the staff.

Regularly stay in touch with the housing personnel, especially on days you can’t visit and ask how your aged loved ones are doing. While you usually do this through phone calls, Happy Seniors offer an excellent alternative through a direct communication line with the manager and housing staff. You can chat or call them on the Happy Seniors platform for any inquiry or concern about your elderlies’ transitional needs and conditions. Plus, using Happy Seniors, the staff can quickly update you on the residents’ general mood for the adjustment period, medical conditions, and more.

Final Thoughts

Ensuring seamless elderly transition from your house to an assisted living residence is no small feat. Give yourself, your seniors, and your family time to process emotions and adjust to the change. Additionally, allow space for any fallout and extend grace when things get initially tough.

 

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Rose Burillo – How to Avoid Getting Sick in Mexico

When many tourists come to Mexico they often have troubles with their stomach and Moctezuma’s revenge can easily strike. There are many reasons why this happens and ultimately anyone who is coming to the city should do all that they can to avoid this. If you get sick during your time away then you end up losing valuable days, where you will be stuck in your room, struggling. There are some telltale things to watch out for when you visit here, and this is how you can do your best to avoid sickness.

Check The Ice

The water in Mexico is not potable and that is why you have to make sure that you don’t consume any of it. The biggest issue here is the ice which you get served in your drink. if the ice has been made with tap water then it is going to melt and cause you some real problems. The best course of action when you are in a bar or a restaurant is to simply ask whether the ice is from a bag or if it is from the tap.

Washing Vegetables

All vegetables should be washed with an iodine solution before you decide to eat them. This is for two main reasons, the first is that the soil here can be very rich and that is what makes the vegetables tough on the stomach. The second reason is that every often the handling of the vegetables just isn’t very good, and they are often on the floor or going through dirty hands on their way to you. The solution is sold in all stores, and you will actually find it right there next to the vegetables.

Street Food Dangers

Street food in Mexico is absolutely delicious but you must ensure that you are picking the right places to eat. The best rule of thumb is that you go to the street food vendors where the locals are eating. If you see a stand with nobody there, it is likely that there is a reason for this and therefore you should avoid it. If you are in any doubt then it is always worth keeping an eye on what the staff at the stand are doing with regards to handling meat and storing meat. Very often you can see quite quickly how seriously they are taking hygiene, and that is going to help you to find out whether or not you should avoid the place.

Taking It Easy

The best advice that my friend Rose Burillo gave me was to only eat a very small amount when I buy food from the streets. This helps not only so that you don’t get full up, but it also minimizes the chances that you can get sick. I have to be honest, this has been advice which has really served me well over the years and it is something which I would suggest that you also do.

 

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ISPMB – How Much Do Burros Weigh?

There are a number of names which you will hear when it comes to donkeys, and today we are going to take a deep dive into some facts about our gorgeous little friends. The words donkey, ass, burro, mule and jackass may all sound confusing but in reality there is a simple explanation behind it.

Sadly there are some burros which need our help and that is why places such as ISPMB have been set up in the USA, which seeks to give these poor animals the help and the support which they need.

Breaking it Down

To give you the simple breakdown of those words which have just spoken about, here is the skinny. The word ass is the same as donkey, they are called this because of their Latin name which is ‘asinus’. A Jackass is just a male donkey, the boys are nicknamed Jack, and the girls are nicknamed Jennets. A burro is the Spanish word for donkey, but in the English-speaking world we use the term mores for wild donkeys, which the aforementioned charity helps with. And finally we have the mule, which is the result of a male donkey impregnating a female horse which results in a mixture of the two.

How Much do Burros Weigh?

When it comes to burros, the wild donkey that is, they don’t tend to vary much in size, assuming the burro grow in the same conditions. When it comes to donkeys however we see a much broader range of weights and heights because this is based more on how they are bred and what human interaction they have had.

Broadly speaking however the burro will generally grow to around 125 centimeters, this is measured from their hoof to their shoulder. In terms of weight this can be anywhere from 400lbs to 500lbs. Interestingly the burro doesn’t change much in weight once they reach their top weight, even if conditions change. There are some donkeys which are called miniature donkeys but you very rarely see burros which are underweight or under size.

What Do They Eat?

In order to reach this optimum weight the burro is pretty strict with its diet. Most commonly they will graze on grass, and occasionally they may indulge in the odd shrub or a plant which they happen to find. What is fascinating about these creatures is that they actually utilize 95% of the food which they eat. This is because of the fact that food is often so scarce, so they have evolved to really get every inch out of the nutrients which they consume. On average burros will consume around 2722kg of food each and every year, according to The Global Invasive Species Database.

Burros really are fascinating creatures and there is so much to them which most people don’t understand. These animals are smart, inquisitive and they have amazing memories and hearing abilities. They may not look it, but burros are in fact far more interesting than we have probably given them credit for.

Do you have any questions about this article? Click here to contact us today.

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Apria Healthcare = Tips on Dealing With Mobility Issues

 

Having any problems, injuries or illnesses which impact your mobility is tough to cope with, but there are many ways in which you can make small changes that will help you to get around and do things as you once could. This can be a troubling time, no matter whether your mobility issues are long term or short term. There is plenty of help out there and today we are going to look into some tips which you can bear in mind that will help you cope with the fact that you have issues which are affecting your mobility.

Using Aids At Home

Companies like Apria Healthcare offer an enormous range of aids and gadgets which you can use at home to help you perform the simple daily tasks which are now challenging. No matter whether it is adding comfort to your seat, helping you to wash yourself, aiding you in cooking or even helping you get up and down the stairs, there are plenty of options out there. Many people are too proud to bring these products into the home but the reality is that they are fantastic help and they will enable you to do things like normal, with far less risk.

Speaking To Someone

Knowing that you have an issue which means you can’t do things like before can put a strain on your mental health and that is exactly why you should have someone who you can speak with about it. In some cases this may be a professional and in others it may simply be that you have a friend or a family member with whom you can chat to about what is happening to you. Opening up is the best way to help you get through this.

Leaning on Others

Nobody likes asking other people for help but ultimately there are moments when you have no other option. When people let you know that they are there for anything you need, it is essential that you take them up on the offer and use that support. At the end of the day people want to help you out and if that means taking you somewhere or assisting you at home, they will be happy to do it for you. This is why it is critical that you lean on people when you need it, and don’t be too proud to ask.

Know Your Limits

If you try and push yourself too much then you could very well end up making things worse and further damaging your mobility. This is why you ned to know your limits and understand what you can and what you cannot do. This is not to say that you should give up trying of course, but it is about making sure that you understand what your body is able to do, and that you don’t push the boundaries too much.

Mobility issues are tough to deal with, follow these tips to try and make it that little bit easier.

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Robert Testagrossa – Why a Feature Wall Looks So Great in the Home

Last year we were redecorating the living room and really struggling with what to do regarding colors. I was trying to take inspiration from just about everywhere, and following social media pages and buying magazines to see what ideas I could find. It was the social media page of interior designer Robert Testagrossa which really gave me the solution to my problems, when he wrote a post about the many benefits of a feature wall.

This was eventually what we did in the living room and I have to say that it turned out to be one of the best decisions which I have ever made. Here are the benefits which you can count on with a feature wall in the home.

Increase Color Patterns

Initially I was looking for a color which would look great all over the living room, and this was part of the reason why I found it so difficult to decide on which was the right option. What you get when you are able to bring in a feature wall however is the chance to get a second color in there, which then gives your room a far deeper and richer feeling. Not only this, but when it comes to choosing furniture and details for the room, you have a far greater range of choice regarding the colors which you can bring into the space.

Adding Size

Our living room is not particularly big, and I never really thought there was much that I could do about that. What I quickly learned regarding the feature wall however, was that you can play with lighter and darker colors to give the appearance of a larger space. Once we had finished the paintwork there was a real difference in terms of the way that the mind considers the space, and that was something which absolutely confirmed that we had made the right choice. If you have issues with a small room, this kind of option could be something which drastically changes how the space feels.

More Creative Space

There is no doubt that with the feature wall the room just feels far more thought out and has much more creativity in it than we would have done if we just stuck to a single color. This was something which I actually wanted to add to the room but didn’t really have any ideas how to go about it. The feature wall is really a creative touch which shows that you have properly thought out the way in which the room is going to look, and there is no doubt that it looks much more stylish as a result.

If you are looking to really add some style and charm to your room, a feature wall is the perfect way to do it. The best part about a design feature like this, is that it is very easy to achieve and has a profound impact on the entire theme of the room.