Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

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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.

 

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Diamond Environmental Services – How to Get Noticed On LinkedIn

Getting noticed on LinkedIn could be the perfect way for you to find an amazing job. There are many stories out there of people who got great positions thanks to the social media page, people like Tracy Mendoza the VP of Diamond Environmental Services. Despite the great opportunities which exist, there are still so many people who have not invested enough time on their page and that is why they are not getting the notice which they are seeking.

Even if you are in a job, there is no harm putting yourself out there to be noticed, and here is how you can take your page to the next level, and get noticed by the wider world.

Complete Your Profile

There are a number of steps which the social media channel asks you to take in order to complete your profile, and it will even give you the percentage of how complete it is. There is no excuse for not making sure that you have filled out every piece of information which you need here. Completing your profile is the best way to make sure that you get noticed. If you have a profile which only has very basic information, you are definitely going to be missing out on opportunities.

Connection Crazy

The social media platform has a huge array of tools which can help you to connect with people who you may have met or people who you know. It is important that aim to create as many connections as you possibly can. The reason for this is that owing to the way that the algorithm works, it will then connect you to people who have connections with your connections. This means exponential notice from the wider world and a much better chance for you to get spotted by someone looking for people with your particular talents and experience.

Join Groups

Much like other social media platforms, joining groups is a great way for you to meet like minded people who operate within the same industry or sector as you do. This is why it is important that you ensure you do all that you can to find groups which you are interested in, join up and then be an active member of the community. In doing so you can certainly ensure that you have a better chance of getting noticed.

Regularly Update Your Status

It is essential that you are always working on updating your status and that you are giving information to the community. If you don’t do this then the platform will not put you in front of eyes which may be helpful to you. Regular updates encourage people to comment and discuss what you have said or what you are doing. This is a great way for your name to get posted out there to the wider world.

These are simple tricks which you can try that will help you to get noticed more on LinkIn.

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Alan Bohms – Tips On Using Your Phone To Take Great Photos

If you have any dreams of becoming a photographer then the first place to start is with your mobile phone, believe it or not. Smartphone technology is absolutely incredible and the cameras which they possess in the modern age are good enough for you to become a really good photographer. World famous photographer Alan Bohms has even been speaking recently about how he also looks to use his smartphone from time to time, when he needs to capture a shot quickly.

If you want to block your phone’s ability for photography, here is how to do it.

Online Guides

The best for anyone looking to take great smartphone shots to star is on YouTube where you will find some sensational how-to guides which will seriously help you out. There are some seriously smart people in this world and they will walk you through what settings you need to take advantage of and some of the more technical stuff about the phone itself, and how the cameras work.

Using Filters

Filters are the best weapons which you have in your arsenal when it comes to taking great phone shots. Preset filters are designed to give you a wide variety of options when it comes to making your photos look incredible. These can be added both before you take the photo and afterwards, to give the photo which you have taken a really great finish. Play around and get to know the filters so that you can understand what they will do for your images and when the best time to use them is.

Being Disciplined

The most important thing when it comes to learning about taking shots with your phone is to be disciplined. This means learning about different times of the day to take your photos, understanding how the light affects the images. This also means being disciplined in taking shots of the same surroundings such as nature or urban landscapes. There is no single rule when it comes to taking images, it is about understanding what works best in which particular environment. If you stay disciplined and focused then you will be able to really get a deep understanding of what works, and where.

Speaking to Others

Another great way to get better at taking shots on your phone is to ask others what they think about a certain image. Sometimes we can get so hung up in looking at certain areas of the image that we can lose sight of how the shot actually looks. Others will be able to give you great feedback and tell you honestly how they think the shot looks. Getting the opinions of others is certainly a great way for you to stay on track and monitor the progress which you are making.

The smartphone is an incredible device and the cameras that you will find are truly high quality and will enable you to take some fantastic shots.

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5 Tips To Beautify Your Family Home

Whether you’re a first time home buyer or have just upgraded to a larger home or one in a better area, or you’re staying in the same home but would like to make it a better and more beautiful place for you and your family to live – home renovations can cause stress and also cost a lot of money. It’s inconvenient to feel like your home or yard is unfinished and especially if you have children you don’t need any extra mess.

But there are many ways to improve the way your home looks, even if you’re on a budget and want to avoid having everything in shambles. Here are some ways you can beautify your family home.

Landscaping

Some simple landscaping that you may even be able to do yourself will help to both improve the aesthetics and increase the value of your home. Drive around different neighborhoods or look online for ideas of what to do and pick out some unique designs for your yard. You might be surprised what a huge difference some small and affordable changes to your yard can make.

Paint

A couple of coats of paint can completely change the vibes of any room in your home. The best part is that cans of paint are inexpensive, and painting is easy enough that anyone can do it! Get the whole family involved for a fun weekend project. If you don’t want to paint a whole room, try an accent wall. You’ll love the positive change it’ll make.

New Furniture

Throwing out some old dilapidated furniture and bringing in a couple of new pieces can change the way your home looks and feels in the best way. You can find vintage furniture pieces, or even build your own to help keep costs down. Perhaps you don’t need a new home but just some new furniture to spruce things up.

Hang Art

After painting a wall or two, you may also want to consider hanging some new art or photographs on the walls. Check out gallery walls online for inspiration and invest in some new prints, or hang photos of your own family up. Frames can also add an extra element of class and beauty.

Lighting

Changing out the lighting in your home can make you see everything in a different light, quite literally! Default lighting is often harsh and bright. Try switching out your bulbs for softer yellows and you will notice a huge difference.

Making improvements on your home can seem daunting, but if you use some of the above tips and add your own personal flair to them, you’ll already be well on your way to a more beautiful home for your family.

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5 Fun DIY Home Projects Anyone Can Do

Do you love revamping your patio during the time spent inside?

Would you like to spend an extra hour decorating your walls with peel and stick removable wallpaper?

Have you ever thought of repainting your old dresser?

If yes, then this is the right time to indulge yourself in these DIY home décor ideas.

No matter whether you are a crafting expert or not, you can still create beautiful DIY crafts to dress up your home. All you need is a thoughtful approach and some simple supplies. Such projects will make your space look like a million bucks in no time.

Browse these easy to follow and creative DIY Project Ideas for every room in your house-

  • Create your DIY coffee station 

Don’t you love mismatched mugs in your kitchen cabinet? Then, why not revamp the coffee station with some DIY tips and tricks. Segregate your morning pick accessories on one side and place the matching mugs in a row.

Make sure that the shelf is arranged to a 90-degree angle so it doesn’t fall off. Now hook the mugs under the coffee stations to upgrade your space. Yes, you can purchase the same type of mugs from any hardware shop or supermarket.

  • Creating a wall map art 

If you love painting and color art, creating a wall map art will boost your confidence. This is so simple. You just have to arrange for a stencil, three parts of wood, and paint. Start coloring the maps with the color you love.

  • Peel and stick tropical wallpaper        

Are you bored of having the same wallpaper for a decade long?

So why not try peel and stick tropical wallpaper. Well, it is winning hearts with its starry night, blossoms, and wildlife theme. You are going to love it.

All you have to do is simply install and stick it on the smooth surface. You can peel it off cleanly and it doesn’t leave any residue. Try this peel and stick wallpaper now!   

  • Creating your picture ledge 

Does this clumsy arrangement of photos devalue the look of your living room? Well, you don’t have to crowd these picture ledges. Create a proper unparallel sequence and level it up into your living room.

  • Making pantry with custom shelving 

We understand that kitchen remodeling could be pricey. And it may consume more of your time and efforts. So, you can try making a pantry with custom shelving. Take the old shelves out and fit beautiful wooden shelves and home drawers there.

Now arrange your food items there and clean the shelves once a week to make them look clean and neat. This is one of the best DIY projects that can make a difference to any space.

Skip the store-bought decorations and personalize your space with DIY things that you make yourself. It will not only save your cost but also add confidence to your life. Your creative remodeling thought will spice up your room with these minimal DIY home projects.

 

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How to Care for a Family Member with Dementia

Caring for a family member who has dementia is one of the most difficult things that a person can do, but it’s also one of the most profound acts of love that there is. For people with dementia, it’s the care of their loved ones that makes the difference and means that they can live a comfortable and meaningful life.

Ask for help

Caring for someone with dementia is hard work, and it’s not something that it’s easy to take a break from.

When you’re worried about a family member, it’s tempting to try and be there all of the time because you want to make sure they’re OK, but it’s important that you actively prioritize your own needs – you won’t be able to help anyone if you’re completely burned out.

Some things that you can do are:

  • Involve other family members in the care process as much as possible. This not only ensures that the burden isn’t all on one person, but it means that you have other people to talk to who really understand your family members’ care needs when you’re making decisions.
  • Talk to someone. Seek out a local carers support group or call a national helpline and talk about what you’re experiencing. Your doctor should be able to point you in the right direction. Talking will help you to better deal with things.
  • Research respite carers who can help you by taking on your caring duties for a day or two at a time, to give you a break.

Financial support

It can also be difficult when you need to provide care for a family member because caring is a full-time job, and many of us already have full-time jobs, which we need in order to pay our bills!

It’s worth doing some research on which disability benefits you could be entitled to as a carer, as this will help to ease some of the financial pressure.

Empathy

People with dementia often become confused and disoriented and don’t know where they are, and they can also become angry and act out as a result.

It’s important that you maintain a sense of empathy in the face of these difficult situations by trying to imagine what your family member is going through. This will help you to be a better carer for your family member.

Plan ahead

Dementia can progress rapidly, so it’s important that you prepare yourself for the future. There may well come a time when it’s difficult to manage your loved one’s dementia at home, and it’s a good idea to prepare for this by researching elderly care homes so that you know what your next steps are.

Doing this while your loved one can still have some input into the decision-making process is a great idea, as then you will know that they are happy with your decision.

Learn as much as you can

The best way that you can help yourself when it comes to supporting a family member with dementia is to learn as much about dementia as possible.

This will help you to feel more prepared, and better able to care for your family member.