Senior Living Online Features

(BPT) - Is this the first year you are eligible for Medicare? If so, you have probably found yourself bombarded with mailers attempting to explain what health insurance, prescription plan and supplement plan you need. With all the parts and Medicare plans, sifting through the information can…

(BPT) - A new national survey reveals that women are desperate for solutions to their frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), and they’re equally tired of the stigma that comes with them.

(BPT) - The leaves have changed, temperatures are dropping and pumpkin spice treats abound, which means winter is coming. Now is the time to winterize your home, which can mean up to a 10% savings on your energy bills, according to Energy Star.

(BPT) - Face it, getting enough exercise is tough for everyone, and it's certainly true when it comes to our pets. The amount of exercise your dog may need varies, depending on the age, size and breed, but most dogs need more exercise than they're getting, especially during the colder months…

(BPT) - If there’s one thing that keeps small business owners up at night, it’s cash flow problems. Without solid cash flow, businesses can lose employees and suppliers, and watch as their normal business operations fall apart. When small businesses run into these issues, they often struggle…

(BPT) - By Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz

(BPT) - Chances are good that you know at least one woman who runs a small business. She might run a retail shop, own a restaurant or be in charge of a thriving small company — or she may be a one-woman operation providing goods or services via her online or home-based business. Globally, wo…

(BPT) - Is it open enrollment time for your employee benefits? Most companies begin offering the opportunity to update or add new benefits for the next year in the last quarter of the year. Take advantage of this time to align your life with your benefits, because when life changes, insuranc…

(BPT) - Everyone has heard of Earth Day, an annual event celebrated around the world every April 22 to support and focus on environmental protection. But have you heard of ENERGY STAR Day? It's a nationwide celebration, held on Oct. 22, 2019, honoring the collective efforts of the Environmen…

(BPT) - As a commercial airline pilot with nearly 30 years of experience, Diane Sandoval, 50, is no stranger to making difficult decisions. However, she faced one of her toughest challenges not in the skies, but when she discovered a small lump in her left breast during a self-examination. H…

(BPT) - As the days shorten and the weather turns chillier, absorbing vitamin D from the sun becomes more challenging. Why does that matter? Less vitamin D can lead to a weakened immune system, fatigue, joint pain and even impaired wound healing. Essentially, vitamin D helps your whole syste…

(BPT) - Movement is crucial to a person’s health, quality of life and independence. For some people, pain makes movement a challenge. Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek health care. A physical therapist (PT) can help people move better and safely and manage their pain.

(BPT) - This year, why not choose a fun theme for your holiday party? You can create a great atmosphere while providing entertainment for all ages with a little creativity — and local resources.

(BPT) - Did you know that today’s homes burn faster than ever? Newer homes tend to be built with unprotected, lightweight wood construction and are frequently designed with lots of open spaces and high ceilings — ideal conditions for fire to grow and spread quickly. Also, modern home furnish…

(BPT) - The winter months, which are often considered some of the busiest for animal shelters, are approaching. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters every year. Adding a shelter pet to your family can be fulfilling, but what if you’re not ready o…

(BPT) - We are all busy and distracted these days, and it can often be difficult to find ways to make a difference to those less fortunate in our communities. However, today it is simpler than ever to give back, and you do not have to alter your hectic routine to make an impact.Give back whi…

(BPT) - Looking for easy ways to add zing to snacks and meals, as well as holiday entertaining? Adding just a few flavor-packed ingredients can revamp recipes with very little effort. Consider adding dried fruits to your daily meals and snacks, as they're not only full of flavor, but packed …

(BPT) - The holiday season is full of celebration, social activities and spreading good cheer by exchanging gifts. The problem is gift giving can get expensive if you’re not making a plan and monitoring your spending. A happy holiday doesn't have to mean stressing about finances or going int…

(BPT) - Mornings can be chaotic as you fight the clock to get out the door on time. This is especially true if you have a big family. Wouldn't it be nice if rather than feeling like a stressful race, your morning routine was something you looked forward to?

(BPT) - Today's homeowners are increasingly expecting their bathrooms to mirror some of the spa-like features previously seen only in hotels, resorts and luxury vacation rentals.

(BPT) - There are always reasons to entertain, especially now during the holidays. From decor to dessert, there isn’t one exact recipe for the perfect party, and the right combination can make a real difference. Candy maker HARIBO suggests sprinkling in moments of sweet childlike happiness t…

(BPT) - From mobile deposits to apps that transfer money in the blink of an eye, financial technology (or fintech) is disrupting the financial marketplace in new ways. The latest example is an innovation in the annuity marketplace that expands online access to a conventional retirement produ…

(BPT) - According to the National Retail Federation, 41.4 million people shopped exclusively online from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday in 2018. As the holidays approach, online shopping will continue to grow in popularity, helping families spend more time celebrating the season and less t…

(BPT) - Within eight days, Michael Adams, a 59-year-old husband and father of two from Moore, Oklahoma, suffered a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) — and survived them both. While many think a heart attack and SCA are the same, they are not. Recent heart attack victims have a hig…

(BPT) - There are few things more frightening than an advanced cancer diagnosis. Karen Peterson knows this better than most. A 54-year-old single mother from Harlem, she is a cancer survivor three times over. But she almost wasn’t.A childhood cancer survivor, in 2015 Peterson was diagnosed w…

(BPT) - When disasters strike — whether hurricanes and tornadoes or floods and earthquakes — communities and organizations rally to help, using their unique strengths to boost support. While every attempt to support affected families and neighborhoods is appreciated, aid is most effective wh…

(BPT) - Imagine sitting in a stadium cheering on your favorite team with over 42,000 other fans — then, in the blink of an eye, the entire stadium is empty.

(BPT) - Regardless of age, most individuals share a common financial goal: to retire with the confidence that they have enough money to last a lifetime. With some smart planning, simple steps and useful tools this goal can be achieved.

(BPT) - When it comes to health care and dental plans, your options can feel overwhelming. There can be dozens of plans and many variables that go into your decision, which is why it’s worth your time to find the option that best fits your individual or family needs. “We will devote hours of…

(BPT) - What does Napoleon III have to do with the development of margarine? Quite a lot, as it turns out. The origins and evolution of plant-based margarines involve a lot more history — and dramatic changes in how people eat — than you might expect.

(BPT) - After a long summer relaxing on your deck or patio, autumn is a great time to renovate your outdoor space — or build one from scratch. Home improvement expert Alison Victoria, host of HGTV’s “Windy City Rehab,” offers five tips for fabulous fall fix-ups.

(BPT) - When summer sadly comes to an end and fall comes around, there's no reason to give up everything that makes the season so enjoyable. Hang on to that summer vibe by extending some of the best of those warm-weather pleasures with your family and friends. Whether you're hosting a large …

(BPT) - Autumn is a great time to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors in the company of your favorite four-legged friend. The temperatures have cooled down and the fall colors are starting to appear, yet it’s not too cold to enjoy a brisk walk or even a leisurely stroll together. It’…

(BPT) - Learning about STEM doesn’t have to be relegated to the classroom in preparation for a future career. At its essence, STEM is about exploration, observation and curiosity, which sounds an awful lot like another four-letter word — PLAY. So often when children are playing, they are tes…

(BPT) - One in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Many will be surprised to learn that age is a major barrier when it comes to patients accessing the information they need to make a better-informed treatment decision.

(BPT) - As a parent, it can be difficult to decide what to buy for your kids. You want clothes that are trendy and versatile, but also items that will last. Even more, you want your kids’ unique personality to shine through!

(BPT) - The holidays are a time to gather for food, friends and festivities. While everything may seem merry and bright, if you have asthma or allergies, this is when you need to be cautious. A season full of tradition and good cheer can often come with hidden allergy triggers if you're not …

(BPT) - Open enrollment season is here, a time when millions of Americans across the country have the opportunity to select or switch their health insurance plan for 2020.

(BPT) - Despite the common belief, falls are not a normal part of aging, and they are largely preventable. In fact, the best way to prevent falls is with a proactive, team approach.

(BPT) - An estimated 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime. Escaping abusive situations and starting over in a new and safe environment is an overwhelming experience for victims, especially when pets are involved. An added challenge is that…

(BPT) - The last thing any company wants is a misstep that hurts the trust it has built with customers. This is especially true for smaller businesses, which may not have the resources to recover from a reputation setback. To prevent mistakes, bad decisions and wrongdoing, smaller businesses…

(BPT) - There’s an invisible disease that affects 31 million Americans. Its symptoms are often debilitating and impact people in various aspects of their lives. The name? It’s called migraine disease.

(BPT) - Do you have a bathroom that's starting to look a little dated and drab, but perhaps doesn't need a complete remodel? If you're craving a change, you can update the space's style with a few strategic steps. Not only will you elevate the appearance of your bathroom, but you'll be boost…

(BPT) - Summer’s over, and with cooler months ahead your outdoor activities begin to change. The lawn and garden are no longer your focus. Now, it’s time to think about what you need to do to get your home ready for fall projects and winter storms. This is especially true if you have old or …

(BPT) - Self-care — the practice of taking care of oneself — has become a hot topic across generational groups, with sleep, stress management and fitness as key areas to build better habits. But where to start? Here are three tips for practicing better self-care.