Senior Living Online Features

(BPT) - When it comes to avoiding germs, some people take it to an extreme. They are fastidious about using a paper towel to avoid touching the door in a public bathroom, wipe down every square inch of an airplane seat and can hardly go 15 minutes without re-sanitizing their hands. Some habi…

(BPT) - The rapid pace of change in jobs means the era of one-and-done learning is over. It no longer matters what you learned in the past — to stay relevant you need to upskill. So if you want to improve your marketability and get ahead in your career, it’s time to think about the valuable …

(BPT) - If The Old Farmer’s Almanac prediction holds true, this summer will be a hot one. The weather forecast anticipates temperatures for the season to be “hotter than normal” across most of the U.S. If you’re ready to kick up your feet and soak in these rays, now is the perfect time to ge…

(BPT) - Crafting is a wonderful way to relieve stress and express your creative side — and fortunately, you don’t have to be a master craftsman — or spend a fortune on materials — to have fun and enjoy the benefits.

(BPT) - Many women do not realize the vagina is an ecosystem that requires a balanced environment to remain healthy; and events like menstruation, sex, and hormonal changes can throw off that balance. The result can be odor and discomfort, according to Lauren Streicher, M.D., Medical Directo…

(BPT) - When you sip a wholesome smoothie or savor a slice of cheesy pizza, do you ever wonder who’s behind your favorite dairy foods?

(BPT) - The words home improvement usually conjure up images of major undertakings like tiling your bathroom or kitchen or tearing down a wall, taking hours and hours to complete the project. The fact is there are some meaningful home improvements you can do that can be accomplished in under…

(BPT) - It’s that time of year again when unwanted weather patterns like severe thunderstorms, rainstorms and tornadoes can wreak havoc on homes and businesses.

(BPT) - While summer is synonymous with beach days, vacations and barbecues, there’s something else bringing the heat this season: heartburn.

(BPT) - Whether you are buying a home for the first time or you are just looking for an upgrade, it is never a bad idea to arm yourself with tips that can make your search go from overwhelming to enjoyable. Rather than learning the hard way about hidden expenses and difficult neighbors, ther…

(BPT) - From outdoor cookouts to dinner parties on the patio, summer is the ideal season for entertaining guests. According to a recent survey commissioned by Delta Faucet, an overwhelming majority of homeowners (89 percent) plan to host at least one summer gathering this season. To ensure h…

(BPT) - It’s a conversation no family wants to have, but one that can be vitally important — talking to a loved one about memory loss or cognitive decline.

(BPT) - When David Bowen’s father fell taking out the trash in 2016, it set in motion a series of health challenges the family is still battling together. Bowen, 62, hired a part-time professional caregiver to assist his father along with his mother, who was battling Alzheimer’s, but he foun…

(BPT) - Summer is here, which means it’s finally time to part ways with your knit scarves and cute wool jackets — at least for the next few months. It’s the season to bathe in the sun and enjoy the warm weather.

(BPT) - Whether a fancy five-course social event, a laid-back barbecue or a progressive dinner party, what separates average from impressive entertaining is innovative and original ideas. One way to surely catch the attention of your guests while tempting their taste buds is to feature choco…

(BPT) - Neighborhood cookouts are quintessentially summer, and totally fun. Because of that, it’s no surprise that you may want to host them as often as possible, even every weekend if you could. But that introduces a new challenge — how do you keep your events fresh and interesting for your…

(BPT) - In the cold of winter, at the start of the year, people all across the country resolve to live a healthier lifestyle — yet summer is actually the perfect time to start your resolution. Think about it: the weather is beautiful, the kids are out of school and fresh produce is abundant.

(BPT) - School closing for the summer may mark lazy days for kids, but local businesses are bracing for peak season. With unemployment at a 17-year low, and a record 6.6 million job openings reported at the end of March, it’ll be tougher than usual to serve the seasonal boom of customers as …

(BPT) - The summer season is the best time for enjoying the garden you’ve worked so hard on throughout the spring months. As the flowers bloom, the herbs mature, and the vegetables ripen, it’s time to celebrate all your hard work with a garden-to-table meal.

(BPT) - If you’re like many people, the warm months of summer are when you are most active outdoors. You’re not alone. The same is also true for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. New findings show these pests are more than just an annoyance, they can pose a health risk. According to the Centers f…

(BPT) - This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Senior Health & Fitness Day. The common goal for this observance is simple: to help keep Americans healthy and fit at any age. This national awareness day is the perfect opportunity for individuals to make or renew resoluti…

(BPT) - As Americans gear up for sun, surf, barbecues and all the other fun activities that represent summer, they’re also concerned with how to keep themselves and their homes comfortably cool this season.

(BPT) - It’s no secret that tobacco smoke can be deadly. It is strongly linked to everything from cancer and stroke to pulmonary issues and heart disease.

(BPT) - Once reserved for the urban elite, rooftop decks are popping up all over the country as an attractive option that offers a mixture of space savings and an unrivaled view. Rooftop decks take what was formerly unused space — the top of a building or the flat roof over part of a home — …

(BPT) - As one of the most visible elements of a deck, the railing serves an important aesthetic and structural role — adding support, safety and style. Here are five expert tips for creating the perfect perimeter for your outdoor space.

(BPT) - No one wants to pay more for something than they have to, especially when it comes to a large home improvement purchase. So, why can there be thousands of dollars difference between contractor bids for neighboring homes? And how can homeowners get an idea of what a new roof will cost?

(BPT) - Across the country as weather heats up, so do the grills. You don't need to be a pitmaster to enjoy the fresh flavors that only come from grilling. A few simple tips and creative tricks will help you perfectly grill foods so juicy and delicious, you'll impress even the pickiest of palates.

(BPT) - Americans are now living longer than ever before. In fact, one of the fastest growing segments is people over the age of 85 who will represent 20 percent of the population by the year 2040. Because we are living longer, certain conditions specific to seniors are also on a steady rise…

(BPT) - When you become a parent, your child’s health and well-being takes top priority. This is why when it comes to getting dinner on the table, parents these days are less likely to reach for that box of mac and cheese and other heavily processed foods. Instead, parents tend to gravitate …

(BPT) - For millions of high school seniors, the summer after graduation is a full one. There is no shortage of parties, summer cookouts or afternoons spent by the pool. There’s a lot to look forward to — and a lot to prepare for.

(BPT) - While many of us may dream of retiring and moving away to a beach-side resort or cabin by the lake, the reality is that most Americans look forward to remaining in their own homes so they can continue to enjoy familiar comforts, activities and loved ones. In fact, an AARP survey rece…

(BPT) - Tis the season … for home improvement. Longer days, warmer weather and more flexible schedules (hello, summer break!) have a way of inspiring home improvement projects. It’s as if appliances in and around the house emerge from the shadows of winter, calling out for attention. Suddenl…

(BPT) - Spring is finally here, and it’s an ideal time to get outside and be more physically active. For those with diabetes, regular exercise helps increase circulation and is a critical part of staying healthy. But, before lacing up your sneakers, here are some important steps to ensure yo…

(BPT) - Weekend warriors are enjoying golf, tennis and jogging in record numbers. While many will continue to enjoy these leisure activities pain-free well into their senior years, increasing numbers face the prospect of surgery for bone, joint and muscle injuries. In fact, more than 50 mill…

(BPT) - It’s a sadly familiar situation: You ate a nutritious breakfast, packed a salad and ate a healthy lunch. You’re eating better, cutting out the junk and everything is going well ... until late in the afternoon.

(BPT) - As people age, they become more likely to develop osteoporosis, a disease that occurs when bones lose density and mass, which can cause bones to be brittle, weak and easily broken. At-risk Americans can take positive actions to monitor their bone health.

(BPT) - True or false: You need to be wealthy to use a financial professional. It's a common misconception, but in fact there are financial professionals that can help at various stages in life, whether you’re just starting out or nearing retirement. It can be a huge benefit to sit down with…

(BPT) - Mental health and emotional wellness affect every aspect of a person’s life, from work to family to leisure. One in five adults lives with mental illness, which can range from mild to severe. Many times, before mental illness is diagnosed, it can trigger physical symptoms.

(BPT) - Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has some type of stroke. Even though stroke is a leading cause of disability in America, it is largely preventable and treatable. As May is American Stroke Month, it’s the perfect time to brush up on the facts to stay as healthy as possible.

Nutrition is always an important consideration for women, but there's no time more critical to consider what you eat than when you are pregnant. You want to support your changing body and satisfy your cravings, but you also want to eat to help your growing baby thrive.

(BPT) - With graduation season and summer break upon us, many parents may be on the hunt for a new car for their graduate. Memorial Day deals offer some of the best incentives of the year, so it's crucial to know how to navigate what can be an overwhelming and exhausting process.

(BPT) - If you’re looking to increase your energy, stamina and endurance to kick your workouts up to the next level, bypass the energy drinks and caffeine and turn to ancient Ayurvedic tradition instead. You read that right. The secret to boosting your performance isn’t well known in the Wes…

(BPT) - How businesses access working capital has shifted, as traditional methods haven’t kept pace with the speed of business.

(BPT) - When kids are exposed to delicious meals prepared with fresh ingredients, they are more likely to make healthier choices away from home.

(BPT) - While the global protein category is nearing $6 billion annually, there are many conflicting theories and reports about the best combination of ingredients for success as it relates to building muscle. In addition, many consumers are easily confused by the wide variety of products av…

(BPT) - Donna was an active school teacher who loved tennis and bike riding, until one day, she coughed up a small amount of blood. Her coughing, coupled with constantly feeling out of breath, put Donna on a journey of misdiagnosis, hospitalizations and fear.

(BPT) - According to super bug warrior and probiotic guru Heather Holmes, the human body naturally contains trillions of both good and bad bacteria that must stay in balance for optimal health; but this balance is fragile and often disrupted by changes in environment and/or routine, diet, or…