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Whether you are close to someone who is elderly such as a relative, parent or grandparent, or even an elderly friend and neighbour, being concerned for their wellbeing has never been more necessary than it is right now. Elder abuse is actually very common, being perpetrated by all kinds of people such as children, grandchildren and care home nurses.
Typical abuse of the elderly includes such things as physical injury, mental abuse such as bullying and verbal insults, and even serious sexual trauma, mostly committed against elderly patients with disabilities or diminished mental capacity in a male to female capacity, but female caregivers are also responsible for such crimes.
Elder Abuse is More Common Than You Might Think
The World Health Organization has reported that elderly abuse all over the world against those aged 60 and over is around 15.7%, or 1.2 billion people, which by anyone’s standards is a shockingly high number. In the United States alone, according to the National Council of Aging, around 5 million seniors face abuse too often by either a family member, caregiver or care home employee.
As if these statistics weren’t already concerning, the Covid-19 pandemic has only served to make things even worse for vulnerable elderly people. Financial hardship and stress related to the measures placed on families and establishments during the pandemic have likely contributed to increased neglect and social isolation (WHO).
You Can Do Something About It
The signs of abuse aren’t always apparent but some common indicators include bruises to the body or extremities, a withdrawn or depressed attitude and weight loss. Financial abuse is more difficult to identify as it requires access to a person’s accounts but things to look out for are not having enough money, unexplained transactions and odd-looking signatures on cheque books.
If you even suspect that an elderly relative, friend, or neighbour is being abused in any way at all then you should contact those responsible for their welfare. This can include a care home, a private caregiver or a family care provider. However, it isn’t uncommon for these to be responsible and if this is the case then report any suspicions to adult protective services and the police.
We All Have a Responsibility to Care for the Vulnerable
The rise of abuse against the elderly, and indeed the vulnerable on a larger scale has become almost a pandemic in and of itself. In addition to Covid-19 placing undue stress on caregivers of all disciplines, the physical, psychological, financial and sexual abuse of the vulnerable has never been higher and the 15.7% global figure is thought to be much higher due to underreporting.
In many cases, the threat of reporting abuse alone is enough to put an end to it but in some cases further action might be needed. Abuse in any form is a criminal offence and anyone who is a legally designated caregiver, whether it's a family member or a care home, is required by law to report any abuse under penalty of legal action against themselves, so stay vigilant and report any suspicions immediately.
*This is a collaborative post*
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If you love travelling, you certainly know how expensive this hobby can be. You have to pay for your accommodation, transport and sometimes, entry fees to tourist attraction sites.
However, travelling need not be unduly costly. You can have a lot of fun in different parts of the country, even on a budget. Well, here are the four best free places to visit in the United States and the activities you can engage in while there.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
If you love science and history, this museum in the National Mall is an ideal attraction for you. The museum was opened in 1910 by the Smithsonian Institution, and it has collected plenty of artifacts throughout its existence.
Entrance into the museum is free, and you can bring along your kids for the adventure. Here, you will find intriguing collections of dinosaur remains and tools used by the early man.
The museum opens daily between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Consider visiting early in the day to avoid the masses and have an enjoyable time in the museum. Afterward, you can have a sumptuous meal or a simple treat in any of the restaurants within the mall.
Myrtle Beach
Beaches are a favorite of many tourists for obvious reasons. For one, they are perfect for indulging in water sports like surfing and swimming. Secondly, watching the vastness of the endless ocean can be very calming and relaxing.
Additionally, few things are half as romantic as taking long walks on the beach. You can make lifelong memories from your time on the beach.
Myrtle Beach is one of the country’s favourite vacation destinations. If you are wondering what to do in Myrtle Beach, then you are spoilt for choice. You can opt to simply chill and bask in the sun watching the waves or take a deep dive into the bottomless ocean.
Moreover, if you visit the beach during a carnival, you will certainly have the time of your life. From the parades to the mouthwatering BBQ to enthralling entertainment, a Myrtle Beach festival is certainly an experience to remember. If you are lucky, you might even catch a free concert on a Tuesday night.
Savannah Historic District
This historic district tells the story of Georgia since its colonization in the early 19th century through to the recent noteworthy events that have happened in the city. You can also tour buildings at least a hundred years old, like the Owens Thomas House. A trip to the Beach Institute for African Americans can be quite an eye-opening experience as well.
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Another noteworthy attraction that you can visit for free is Fort Lauderdale Beach. In addition to swimming and basking in the town’s glorious sun, you can also visit the legendary beach wall that attracts nationwide visitors by the thousands.
Conclusion
Having a small travelling budget is no reason to limit the things you can do. There are many free things that are immensely fun and memorable.
Whether you love the beach or prefer to visit museums to gain an in-depth understanding of the past, rest assured that there is an attraction site for you. Start by visiting the places in this post, and you will not regret it.
*This is a collaborative post*
There’s nothing worse than not feeling yourself and this can especially be the case when it comes to your internal health and wellbeing. It’s important we all look after ourselves throughout life because for all we know, we only have the one life to live. There is plenty that you can do in order to look after yourself and to feel better on the inside. Here are some helpful tips to feel good!
Take It Easy On Yourself
A lot of us will often run at a hundred miles an hour, with a busy lifestyle and work life. Sometimes though, it’s good to just take a moment to relax and enjoy life’s simple pleasures whether that’s reading a book on the sofa to taking a bath with a glass of wine and your favorite film. Taking it easy is something that many of us don’t do enough of and whether you like a busy life or not, it’s good to take it easy every now and then.
Try to schedule in some time for yourself so that you can focus on looking after your health and mental wellbeing. It’s good to slow down and find that time to just make it all about you and your needs. We often put others before us and whilst that might be nice to do, it’s also good to just give yourself the chance of indulgence and a bit of self-care. It’s often very much needed!
Switch Up Your Diet
Your diet might be something that’s making you feel a certain way, especially if you’re intolerant to food types or that you don’t have the right balance of good and bad foods. What we put in our bodies is important to monitor and although food is fuel, it needs to be the right fuel to make you feel good. That doesn’t always mean it has to be healthy, but it can be good to get the right nutrients into your body on a daily basis. So whether you try whey protein in your morning shakes to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into your diet, switching it up might be helpful on your gut and your overall well being.
It’s incredible just how much of an effect a diet can have on your body.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important because a lot of your body is made up of water and therefore it’s good to keep it stocked up, especially as we lose a lot of it on a daily basis. If you’re not giving yourself enough water then it can contribute to a lot of issues in your body. Simply flushing your body of toxins and making sure everything processes as it should. This can be helped by drinking a liter or so of water per day.
You’ll find that staying hydrated can help you feel more energized and it can also help with your appearance too. Those who drink a good amount of water every day can really tell the difference even just after a few days.
Do Exercise You Love
Exercise is part and parcel of staying healthy and even when you eat well, you still have to workout and do exercise to keep your body in shape. With that being said, doing exercise you love is important because otherwise, it makes it harder to stay motivated if you’re doing something you dislike.
Try to find exercise classes or sports that you enjoy and that you find a passion for. Suddenly, exercise becomes a lot easier and enjoyable, which is the most important part of it. If you’ve not yet found a suitable workout or sport that you enjoy, then think outside of the box. Pick something you’ve never done before and give it a try. You might end up surprising yourself.
Get More Sleep
Sleep does wonders for your health and how you feel. There’s nothing like having a full nine hours worth of sleep and waking up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. However, a lot of people have a lot less sleep than they should and that can really play on their mental health and their physical health. It’s good to get a good night’s sleep every night in order to keep your mind healthy and your body revitalized and ready for the following day.
Feeling better on the inside takes effort on your part to change and tweak those issues that are making you feel unhealthy or unhappy. Use these tips to feel good!
*This is a collaborative post*
If your time is a valued commodity - something that is eaten up by your daily routines, including work, friends and family, and other commitments. This allows very little time for a workout routine.
The Insanity Max: 30 workout solution could be a good option to try. As the name signifies, it takes up 30 minutes of your day. That’s right, just 30 minutes! But, it still offers a full-body training session that is designed to help keep you at maximum fitness and preserve the body’s physique. Get ready, though; it really is insane!
It is a program that is ideal for those managing lots of commitments every day that reduce the time available for them to work out.
Insanity Max: 30 is a 60-day fitness routine put together by Shaun T, broken down into two months of numerous sets of workout programs, each lasting for 30 minutes.
The Max: 30 workout is not a short model of the original Insanity workout. With new methods of training, new moves and advancements, it is completely different. Of course, it is not going to be enough on its own to get fit and healthy. You will need to partner it with good nutrition.
Plus, do not forget about the importance of looking after your mental health, and you can buy CBD to help with this.
But, what can you expect when working out with Insanity? The workouts cut out the max interval training method and present the concept of maxing out, i.e. exercising as hard as you can and for as long as you can. The objective is for you to try and hold your ground for as long as possible.
Shaun T, the creator of the original Insanity workout, had to modify the entire concept of the training program to ensure the outcome of the original Insanity program can be achieved in just 30 minutes.
From the results, you’d think people had devoted the past 60 days to do the original Insanity, sweating through workouts of 45 minutes or longer. However, it’s possible to achieve lean and insanely ripped bodies through 30-minute workouts.
Who needs the Max: 30?
The package is for individuals who have a decent level of fitness, at the least in my humble opinion. It’s cardio intense. Therefore, you will shed lots of calories. This is the type of program that helps you tone up (without getting HUUGGEE muscles) and shred fat. If you’re in pretty decent shape and are seeking to get rid of that last 5-15 pounds, this program is ideal.
If you’re tough and up for a challenge, try Insanity Max 30.
What Comes With Insanity Max 30?
• No time to cook guide – An exciting little guide regarding how to make smart choices even though you are not ready to invest the time.
• Max-out wall calendar, and max-out wall tracker – In this package, you will know what workout routine to do each day so you can follow the schedule. Also, you can write down your max out time each day.
• You will get 12 workouts.
• The Diet to the Max guide – While it is good, it does not go into intricate details about dieting.
• Max out guide – Tips on how to maximise your results, although this is usually common sense.
• Around the clock online support from coaches and peers, a chance to access the forum, and ask all the questions you want.
PROS AND CONS
Pros
Highly efficient workouts: The exercises in Max 30 are both extremely useful and fun to perform. There are no dull experiences during the exercise sessions.
Great results: The research doesn’t lie. There are plenty of success stories recorded for Insanity Max 30, and a vast majority of these are very impressive.
No additional investment need: No requirement to shell out extra money after investing in the product. So long as you can perform the exercises, you have got everything you need to get rolling.
Useful nutritional guides: The ‘Diet to the MAX’ and ‘No Time to Cook’ guides are a breath of fresh air in terms of dietary advice and additional useful information.
Cons
Learning curve: Given that the workouts move so fast, you’ll probably be struggling for the initial few workouts, but on the upside, it doesn’t take long to master them.
Not many vegan recipes: We would like to see more vegan-based recipes, but knowledgeable vegans can quickly adapt and get the same benefits.
*This is a collaborative post*
Although the pandemic has taken a toll on individual and family lifestyles, it’s no excuse to stop enjoying life to the fullest. A UK study reveals that millions of children struggle to eat properly, prompting widespread health concerns. Despite the challenges posed by the outbreak, everyone wants the best for themselves and their families. But how can you achieve that, especially in the current stay-at-home and social distancing settings? Like many other families, if you have health and well-being as a top priority this year, here are some lifestyle tips to keep you and your family healthy.
Get outside and stay active together
Staying physically active is vital for both adults and young children. With the present remote working and distance learning, it’s easier to fall into a sedentary lifestyle. However, an active physical lifestyle is crucial for your health and additionally helpful in fighting other issues like anxiety and stress emerging due to changes in everyday family life.
An hour of physical activity is good for increasing the heart rate. Although your family may be limited in space for engaging in an outdoor activity, there are several family activities you can engage in together in the home. If you can keep six feet from other people, then it's safe to get your family out for outdoor activities, like biking or walking.
Limit the screen time
With everybody home and schools moving to digital learning, you may have to make necessary arrangements to provide your spouse and children with access to a computer, smartphone, tablet, and internet access. The chances are that you’re spending more time on your electronic devices due to the free time you have now compared to the pre-quarantine period. However, avoid allowing screen time to take over your entire family day. The whole family can use some quality time away from their screen and the web.
Monitor screen times when necessary to appreciate how much time they spend outside their online classes. A complete technology blackout could be impossible, so keep everything in moderation and plan some productive and fun hobbies everybody enjoys.
Collaborate with your primary healthcare provider for virtual communication
Information changes swiftly, and it can be challenging to differentiate the facts from myths. Your primary healthcare provider is an ideal source for getting accurate info and answers to your health concerns. Technology can help you quickly and easily communicate with your doctor about the perfect places and times to get healthcare. For instance, if you seek information on IVF or any form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), there are virtual services to connect you with a medical professional via your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Contact your present healthcare provider to find the best way to keep in touch.
Eat balanced meals together
Routine changes in your lifestyle can disrupt your eating habits. Feeling bored or stressed coupled with uninterrupted access to your kitchen are ideal conditions for falling into bad eating habits. Starting and maintaining good dieting habits doesn't always require a considerable change. It could be anything from planning and preparing meals together or every member keeping to the scheduled family meal plan. Like screen time, snacks and pastries are okay if you can stick to moderation.
*This is a collaborative post*