Posted on

Latte Dressing: The Fall Color Trend for Everyone, Including Your Little Ones

2023-11-03T08:01:00

(BPT) – There’s a new trend taking the fashion world by storm, and it’s inspired by your morning cup of coffee. Latte dressing is all about embracing the warm, rich shades of brown — everything from creamy caramel to deep espresso, mocha and chocolate — for a fun, versatile take on traditional neutrals. Think of it like capturing that cozy, first cup of coffee feeling in an outfit (we’re here for that!).

Make this season’s tasty new trend even sweeter with matching looks for your tiny trendsetter. Here we rounded up some of our favorite latte-inspired styles from Little Planet™ by Carter’s, each crafted in the softest and purest certified organic cottons and recycled fibers.

Organic Cotton Sweater Knit Bubble

With its rich copper hues, ribbed texture and chunky knit design, this cozy bubble is a must-have for baby’s latte dressing era.

Waffle Knit Jumpsuit Made With Organic Cotton

Another look inspired by your morning cup of joe! Your little one will look adorable in this super soft waffle knit jumpsuit made with recycled materials.

Striped Organic Cotton Sweater Set

A dash of nutmeg to spice up your coffee — and baby’s closet, too! In fine sweater knit, Little Planet’s striped organic cotton set is the ultimate cozy latte outfit.

Organic Cotton Gauze Overalls

Snag this signature Little Planet™ style in the color of the season. Soft, natural, and crafted of 100% certified organic double-layered cotton gauze, this is one cup of fashion perfection.

Organic Cotton Ribbed Sweater Knit Dress

With cozy ribbed details and warm sweater knit, this nutmeg number is the perfect addition to your little one’s fall wardrobe.

Organic Cotton Sweater Knit Overalls

Upgrade baby’s wardrobe with heirloom quality overalls in the perfect khaki hue. Crafted of 100% organic cotton sweater knit, this sustainable latte-inspired outfit can be passed down from baby to baby.

Shop Little Planet by Carter’s for additional latte looks or other fall-inspired styles to dress your little one.

Posted on

Master the art of holiday hosting with these 5 expert tips

2023-11-03T02:01:00

(BPT) – It’s time to start prepping for the winter holidays! If you regularly host intimate family gatherings or bustling parties with friends and co-workers, you know that holiday hosting is an art. For the uninitiated, it can seem daunting, but the joy of creating an experience your guests won’t soon forget is worth the effort. Whether you’re a pro or a novice, the following five tips will help you master the art of hospitality just in time for the holidays.

1. Plan ahead

Avoid last-minute stress by starting your holiday event planning a few weeks in advance. Once you’ve chosen a date, create a guest list so you have an idea of how much food and drink you’ll need to prepare for the big day. Send out your invites and adjust your grocery list as needed as the RSVPs roll in.

Next, make a detailed timeline and to-do list to help you stay organized and ensure you don’t forget any important tasks. This will also help you figure out which errands and preparations can be accomplished ahead of time and which need to be completed on the day of the party.

2. Create a cozy ambiance

Embrace the season and decorate accordingly to create a cozy environment for your guests. Seasonal decorations — like flowers, wreaths, twinkling lights and scented candles — can set the mood for the holiday gathering and make your home feel festive and inviting. Don’t overdo it! Simple, elegant decor is more effective and comfortable than an overcrowded space.

Don’t forget the tunes! Pick holiday songs, crowd-pleasing hits or even simple background music to play during your gathering. You can even invite guests to contribute their picks using a collaborative playlist.

3. Prepare an upscale menu

Plan a menu of appetizers, main course, sides and desserts for your holiday dinner. You don’t have to make enough food to feed an army, but make sure you’ll have enough to feed everyone and perhaps have leftovers for guests to take home.

When choosing the main course, pick dishes that are filling and fancy. For example, treat your family and friends to an elevated eating experience by serving premium beef and pork from a purveyor like Creekstone Farms. The Pecan-Crusted Strip Steak recipe is perfect for the holidays, or anytime you want to get together! Also, consider cooking a Reverse Seared Standing Prime Rib, a smoky dish that melts in your mouth. Pair it with creme fraiche horseradish and you’ll have no regrets.

4. Offer a variety of drinks

Once you have dinner planned, think of drinks that complement the dinner menu. Make sure to have a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic options so everyone can enjoy the festivities. You can even create a signature holiday cocktail for the event to add a memorable touch. After dinner, offer coffee (regular and decaf), tea, cider and hot chocolate to amp up the cozy factor.

5. Organize entertainment

Organize activities your guests can look forward to after dinner when there’s a lull in energy as people digest the delicious meal. This is the time to dig into your board game closet and pull out some childhood favorites or set up a gift exchange. You can also find some interesting card games that help guests get to know each other, which is particularly fun if your holiday gathering is a mix of friends, family and colleagues.

Bonus tip

Hosting can be a lot of work, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself! In the midst of the hustle and bustle, take a moment to savor the event you’ve created.

Prepping ahead should help you get into the festive spirit, but you can also consider saving time by purchasing meal boxes to make decadent, savory holiday meals with minimal fuss. You can check out Creekstone Farms’ online store and peruse their meat boxes that offer convenient yet upscale holiday dinners.

Using these five hosting tips, you can elevate your holiday gathering so everyone can create fond memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t be afraid to put your own personal spin on them so the holiday dinner reflects your special brand of hospitality. Happy hosting!

Posted on

Superior WiFi Has Arrived, Bringing Connectivity to Every Corner of Your House

2023-11-02T17:01:00

(BPT) – NETGEAR leverages nearly three decades of WiFi expertise to deliver the best WiFi performance across your entire home.

Over the years, WiFi has enabled us to do much more than we thought possible – like video call family, game in high definition, and stream music or the latest show on demand. It seems like every new gadget we buy, from kitchen appliances to children’s toys, requires a seamless connection to get the full experience. It’s difficult these days to think of life without WiFi.

Consider all the connected devices you have today, from cell phones and a doorbell camera to the smart grill in your backyard. Or perhaps you have a smart oven or meat thermometer to ensure your favorite meal is cooked to perfection.

We upgrade and buy new connected devices all the time – like the latest iPhone 15 – yet the dusty WiFi router in the corner of your home remains untouched for years. Even the high-speed internet you’re paying for through your provider might not be fully utilized because your router is outdated. If this sounds like it could be you, it may be time for a router upgrade so you can ensure your cool, new devices, including your iPhone 15, are supported the way they’re intended to be.

When you go to purchase a new router, it’s important to know what the latest WiFi standard is – and today, that’s WiFi 7. WiFi 7 unleashes unprecedented speeds and performance, up to 5X greater speeds than previous generations. If you need to upgrade but also want to future-proof your home and connected devices, WiFi 7 also supports the ever-increasing growth of bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-quality live streaming to watch sports and cultural events, high-definition video calls, intricate graphics work, and immersive gaming experiences.

Upgrade to the Latest WiFi 7 Mesh System

In your home, you need WiFi at every corner to maximize the use of all of your connected devices. When it comes to elite performance across your home, the new Orbi 970 Series WiFi 7 mesh system is in a class of its own.

With mesh systems, you have one main router that communicates to additional satellites placed around your home, so you’re always connected to the strongest WiFi signal.

The Orbi 970 Series features a central router and multiple satellites, which can be strategically placed throughout the home to provide 10,000 square feet of coverage (that’s more than two NBA basketball courts), from the front door to the backyard, across all devices simultaneously. To extend coverage even further, just add another satellite. It’s built to keep your devices seamlessly connected no matter the structure or materials from which your house is constructed.

NETGEAR Armor™ Powered by Bitdefender® also provides an unparalleled level of security for your home’s vulnerable smart devices such as a smart refrigerator, smart speaker, and more. Unlike your phone or PC on which you can load the latest security software, these devices can provide cybercriminals with dangerous inroads to invade your home network and access sensitive information. Armor provides an automatic protective shield of security for all of your connected devices. Moreover, if you’re a parent, NETGEAR’s Smart Parental Controls feature allows you to promote healthy internet habits with kids and manage how much time they spend online.

What’s more, the Orbi 970 Series is available in black or white and sports an elegant, cylindrical design. The sleek bodies of the routers and satellites are purposefully designed for optimal performance while gracing the home with their slim profile that fits neatly on a desk, entertainment unit, or shelf.

In today’s world, one thing is clear, WiFi 7 is the latest standard to keep our connected devices in and around our home working the way they should. The Orbi 970 Series ensures the best possible performance, speed, coverage, and security for all your WiFi-connected activities – today and tomorrow.

Need better WiFi? Learn more about Orbi 970 Series from NETGEAR.

Posted on

How an innovative solution helps keep kids safer around school buses

2023-11-02T11:13:01

(BPT) – Did you know the most dangerous part of riding a school bus is when children get on or off the bus? Between distracted driving, the end of Daylight Saving Time and the busy holiday season, children are at greater risk this time of year, especially when drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus as it lets children embark or disembark.

The 2023 National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services illegal passing survey found the number of drivers passing stopped school buses is rising, projecting over 43.5 million illegal passings occurring across the 180-day school year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that this is one of the biggest risks to children who take the school bus, and although passing a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended is illegal in every state, drivers persist in breaking this law. This unnecessarily puts more than 25 million children at risk of being injured or killed every day.

What can be done about illegal school bus passing?

It would be impossible for local law enforcement to monitor all the traffic in and around school zones, as well as neighborhoods, to watch for illegal school bus passing. To confront this problem, one company, Verra Mobility, has developed two different solutions for schools and communities to help enhance their students’ safety in and around school buses and school zones.

1. CrossingGuard. The school bus stop-arm safety solution incorporates all of the services required to enhance student safety, reduce illegal school bus passing, enforce traffic laws and change driver behavior. CrossingGuard provides a high-resolution stop-arm camera, physically attached to the school bus, that is deployed when the bus is picking up and dropping off students.

Confirmed data from the Verra Mobility school bus safety camera programs (32 total) during the 2022-2023 school year shows that 71,386 citations were issued to drivers for illegally passing the school bus stop arm. However, nearly 99% of the drivers who received and paid a ticket did not receive a second citation, indicating that the message was received, loud and clear. Collectively, Verra Mobility’s school bus stop-arm safety programs witnessed a 12% reduction in citations from the beginning of the school year to the end.

How CrossingGuard works: High-definition cameras are installed on the exterior of the school bus, and when the school bus extends its stop arm, the system automatically detects vehicles passing the stopped bus within the enforcement zone. Cameras record a video of the passing vehicle, license plate and extended stop arm. The event data and images are wirelessly uploaded to Verra Mobility’s back-office via a secure VPN, and are then processed according to the customer’s business rules.

Law enforcement then receives and reviews the evidence and determines whether a violation has occurred. If there is a violation, a notice is issued and mailed to the vehicle owner. A bonus of the program is that the cameras for this solution are not funded by taxpayers, bonds or school fees. They are paid through the violations, so the system pays for itself.

2. Safe School Zone Speed Enforcement. Because 17% of children 14 and younger who are killed in traffic crashes are pedestrians, according to the NHTSA, it’s crucial to keep children safe, especially when they’re walking to and around school. School zone speed enforcement encourages traffic compliance to reduce the average vehicle speed and rate of dangerous driving.

This safety solution provides communities with an automated speed safety enforcement camera system to detect dangerous driving and to capture images of drivers speeding in school zones. When implemented, traffic slows before the school zone, improving pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist safety.

“Parents have enough on their plate without having to worry about their children’s safety when they’re going to and from school,” said Melissa Wandall, president of the National Coalition for Safer Roads. “It’s important for schools and communities to use the latest technology available to hold reckless drivers accountable, and to help keep kids safe.”

To learn more about these innovative safety solutions and how they help protect all of the school children in your community, visit VerraMobility.com.

Posted on

Home safety measures to keep your seasonal celebrations joyful

2023-11-02T13:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season brings a sense of excitement and togetherness, but preparing for lively gatherings or traveling can present distinctive safety challenges.

“Anyone preparing for guests should be mindful of how they organize their celebrations and understand the coverage provided by their insurance policies,” said Bonnie Lee, Vice President of Property Claims for Mercury Insurance. “Homeowners need to identify and address any areas needing extra attention for a safe and inviting environment.”

To guarantee an enjoyable and festive get-together for you and your guests, take time to review some of the more commonly overlooked items in the home.

Keep holiday lights bright and safe

The magic of the holidays often finds its sparkle in glimmering lights. Preserve their charm without risking safety and property. While most lights, ornaments and other decorations are insured for damage from fire, vandalism or theft, they aren’t insured against the wear and tear of normal use.

Before stringing any lights, check lighting cords to make sure there aren’t any tears or deformations. Looking for signs of excess wear on all indoor and outdoor lights, including fading, frayed wiring, or twisted and kinked cords. Replace any damaged bulbs and test each strand of lights by plugging them in before decorating to confirm they are operational and safe. Make sure any cords or lights you are using for outdoor displays are made for outdoor use and never overload extension cords or outlets.

Install and update security systems for peace of mind

Holiday excitement can interfere with awareness of potential risks. Break-ins and thefts increase this time of year since thieves know many families might be distracted with the busyness of the season, or traveling and leaving their homes unattended. Homeowners can significantly reduce their risk by installing surveillance cameras, video doorbells, alarms, deadbolts and other types of home security. Some insurers may offer policies with a theft protective device discount.

“It’s also important to note that if you recently received or purchased an expensive gift, make sure that your insurance policy extends to cover such presents,” said Lee. “Homeowners policies often cover theft, so you’ll be able to file a claim with your insurance company should something happen, but it’s always a good idea to check your insurance policy to see how your personal property is covered, including high-end gifts.”

Share with care

One of the enticing factors thieves consider when scouting for homes to target is whether a home is currently unoccupied. By sharing holiday plans and locations in real time on social media, homeowners unwittingly publicize that their house is vacant. Even with privacy settings on, sharing extensively online still poses a risk due to extended friend networks and other potential breaches.

Consider waiting to share pictures, status updates and check-ins until you return home,” said Lee. “By postponing these posts, homeowners reduce the risk of attracting unwanted attention to their empty property.”

Kitchen safety

Increased cooking times, a higher number of dishes being prepared and a flurry of guests can lead to forgotten stovetops and ovens, or grease fires due to spillover from pots and pans.

“Fire insurance is typically included in your policy and protects the contents and the surrounding property, helping with the cost of replacing or repairing your home in case of such an event,” said Lee. “However, it’s best to stay attentive. Avoid leaving cooking areas unattended when the stove or oven is in use and make sure cooking areas are free of combustible materials like wooden utensils or dish towels. It’s also a good idea to keep a working fire extinguisher that is easily accessible in your kitchen.”

As the holiday season progresses, remember to review your homeowners insurance policy to understand exactly what coverage it offers and that it has been updated to suit your family’s needs, particularly if you’ve made any high-value renovations or purchases.

“The holiday times are for joy and celebrations, not for dealing with unanticipated losses or accidents. Following a few simple precautions will be the best gift you can give yourself for a peaceful and festive season,” said Lee.

Posted on

How to pick the right tires for your SUV

2023-11-02T09:15:00

(BPT) – Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are now the dominant vehicles on U.S. roads, making up more than half of new car sales for three years running, according to J.D. Power. The SUV segment has become as diverse as it is large, ranging from three-row luxury vehicles to sporty crossovers to off-roading powerhouses, and similarly, SUV drivers are far from a homogenous lot, putting their cars to a variety of uses.

So if you are among the millions of SUV drivers in the U.S., you need to ensure your vehicle is equipped with the right tires for the job. Hankook Tire’s Dynapro line-up is designed to offer SUV (and light truck) drivers a complete range of tires for all conditions and journeys. Here are five types of tires, from on-road cruising to off-road adventuring, that SUV drivers should consider based on their driving needs.

For the road warrior: A comfortable, all-season touring tire – Dynapro HPX

Drivers who rack up the miles in their SUV don’t want to compromise comfort for performance, or handling for tread life. They need an all-season touring tire that can offer smooth, comfortable driving in a variety of weather conditions, and can stand up to tens of thousands of miles on the road.

Hankook Tire just announced an all-season touring tire, the all-new Dynapro HPX, delivering great braking and handling performance in rain and light snow, while also minimizing tread pattern noise to maximize the cabin experience. It also comes with a 70,000 mile warranty and is designed to last 12% longer than competing tires.

For the daily driver: A reliable highway tire – Dynapro HT

Drivers focused on school runs, office commutes and the occasional road trip for vacation need a tire that can be relied on all year round without breaking the bank. An all-season highway tire that offers a generous mileage warranty ensures the tires will deliver good bang for their buck. And with all-season reliability, these tires can be trusted to keep drivers and their passengers safe in a variety of weather conditions that most of us will face throughout the year.

For the dirt road enthusiast: An on- and off-road all-terrain tire – Dynapro AT2 Xtreme

Some drivers love a mixture of Sports and Utility from their SUV — they enjoy taking their vehicle off the beaten track on weekends and commuting to work on a Monday morning with fresh mud stains on the fender. An all-terrain product that mixes aggressive design with on-road comfort helps drivers tackle gravel and loose surfaces without having to deal with the dreaded tire drone when they’re back in civilization.

For the off-road expert: A rugged terrain tire – Dynapro XT

More dedicated off-roaders might be looking for a tire they can fit to their SUV when it’s time to hit the trails. A rugged terrain tire can handle steep profiles, off-camber environments and even rock crawling, on a variety of surfaces from grass to dirt to sand. The ideal rugged terrain tire will offer rigid block patterns and deeper grooves to handle these conditions, whether they consider themselves overlanders or desert explorers.

For the ultimate outdoor adventure: A tough mud tire – Dynapro MT2

SUV drivers looking to tackle the toughest terrain need a tire that can handle everything from the deepest mud to the roughest rocks. This class of tires should offer extra protection from chips and tears on gravel, massive treads to deliver ultimate off-road traction, and ejectors that release mud and stones to maximize grip.

No matter what drivers are planning with their vehicles, the wide range of SUVs in the U.S. marketplace is now fully complemented by a rich portfolio of tires for everything drivers need. Hankook’s Dynapro line-up offers a broad range of performance characteristics to meet these needs, for drivers keeping their wheels squeaky clean or spending their Saturdays winching through the woods.

Posted on

Top 6 Reasons People are Moving to Mid-Size Cities in 2023

2023-11-01T09:01:00

(BPT) – Maybe you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of big city life. The sky-high rent, cramped living spaces, constant traffic and crowds are getting to you. You may even be looking for an affordable place to settle down and start a family or launch that business idea you’ve been dreaming about.

Places like Knoxville, Tennessee; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Greenville, North Carolina offer a lower cost of living, scenic surroundings, and vibrant downtowns with thriving arts and food scenes. That, understandably, makes them an appealing alternative to major metro areas.

And the numbers don’t lie. According to the 2023 Mayflower “Finding Home” study and census data, Americans are flocking to mid-size cities in record numbers — a trend that is only accelerating.

Want to learn more? Check out the top six reasons mid-size cities could be calling your name.

Lower Cost of Living

Tired of paying through the nose for basic necessities? You’re not alone — the cost of living in larger metros has skyrocketed, making homeownership seem out of reach for many. So, it’s no wonder 91% of movers cite cost of living as an important factor when choosing a new city.

With housing costs up to 50% less than in larger cities, you’ll find lower prices on everything from groceries to utilities in mid-size cities. Of course, the secret is out: According to Mayflower data, over 60% of people moved to Indianapolis and Charlotte, for example, for lower costs.

Strong Sense of Community

Mid-size cities are also characterized by having tight-knit communities. Residents report friendlier neighbors, feeling more connected to those around them and an overall warmer, welcoming vibe. Many transplants also say they like how these communities embrace newcomers, unlike the anonymity they experienced in bigger cities.

Access to Arts and Culture

Nearly half of movers cited proximity to arts and culture as an influence. Fortunately, mid-size cities — like Knoxville, Indianapolis, Fayetteville and Santa Fe — brim with museums, live music venues and craft breweries. Many boast local sports teams as well.

Outdoor Recreation and Natural Beauty

Two-thirds of survey respondents indicated weather and access to nature as top reasons for their move. Mid-size cities near natural amenities like beaches, lakes, mountains, and state and national parks are particularly popular destinations. Where outdoor recreation opportunities abound, residents enjoy hiking, biking, fishing and other readily available activities during their free time.

Thriving Job Markets

While mid-size cities may move at a slower pace, their job markets are still buzzing. It turns out, major employers are setting up shop in mid-size cities to take advantage of lower costs and taxes, too. This is creating new opportunities in industries like healthcare, finance, tech and business services, to name a few.

Remote Work

The pandemic allowed many people to work remotely, freeing them up to relocate wherever they please. As companies adopt hybrid or fully remote work models, employees no longer need to live in major cities just for their jobs. This flexibility has opened people’s eyes to the appeal of mid-size cities.

Dreaming of a move to a place where you can slow down, connect with like-minded people and enjoy life’s simple pleasures? Join the growing numbers settling in mid-size cities. The welcome mat is out, and there’s a spot waiting for you.

Posted on

5 factors to consider when building a fire pit for your outdoor space

2023-11-01T12:01:01

(BPT) – Fire pits are more popular than ever, and for good reason. Not only do they look beautiful, but they provide real warmth, and their flickering flames entice friends and family to gather for storytelling, making s’mores and having a great time together. Fire pits are also a relatively easy DIY project, even for beginners, as long as you have the right materials.

If you’re considering adding a fire pit to enhance your yard, here are some things you’ll want to think about before you begin.

1. Determine your top reasons for building a fire pit

Knowing why you want a fire pit and how you primarily plan to use it can help you make a number of other decisions, such as where to put it, the materials to use, plus what size and shape you want it to be.

For example, are you primarily interested in its decorative value? A well-constructed, attractive fire pit adds visual interest to your outdoor space as well as increasing the value of your home. Do you mostly want to create a warm place to gather, extending the use of your yard into the evening and beyond the warm-weather months? Would you like to grill or cook food on it (beyond the obligatory s’mores, of course!), and do you see it as another way to help keep pests at bay? Fire pits can provide all these benefits, and more.

2. Choose concrete blocks to create your fire pit

Square fire pits can quickly and easily modernize a space, and they are easily created using concrete blocks. Because a square shape mimics the angular lines of your home, it helps to create the visual sense of a natural continuation of your living space, drawing the indoors out.

You can use Ladera Wall Block or the versatile Rumblestone® Wall System to create your square fire pit, and make sure to get a Pavestone fire insert to create a heat barrier between the fire and the wall blocks.

3. Where should you put it?

Placement is very important. For fire safety, first of all, it’s crucial that your fire pit is not located too close to your home or any other structures, as well as trees, shrubs or other plants. You’ll also want to check with your local municipality for rules and regulations regarding the placement of fire pits, and some areas also require that you apply for a permit.

Beyond safety considerations, you’ll want to decide whether your fire pit will be a central focal point for your outdoor space, or if it will serve as a natural boundary feature. Where you place the fire pit will also help you decide on its size and shape.

4. Don’t be afraid to DIY

While you could hire a professional to build your fire pit for you, it’s actually not that hard to construct a fire pit for less cost — and in minutes — using the right products.

For example, creating a fire pit with Ladera Wall Block is a satisfying weekend project, and can easily be installed using QUIKRETE® Construction Adhesive. No cuts, special cap or corner blocks are needed to complete your fire pit. The blocks are available in seven different face patterns, allowing varying false joints to mask any pattern repetition, so you can achieve a contemporary look that blends linear lines with subtle, natural textures. Then all you’ll need is a fire pit insert and lava rock to fill the cavity base.

5. Opt for durability

Creating a fire pit using concrete blocks has definite advantages. Your new fire pit will be strong enough to withstand the elements so you’ll be able to enjoy it for a long time. However, you will also be able to pick up and move your firepit elsewhere if your design changes, as long as it is installed on the surface.

Keeping these factors in mind, you should be able to create a beautiful fire pit that will transform your backyard into a cozy spot to gather and make memories with friends and family for years to come.

Visit Pavestone.com/retaining-walls to watch a step-by-step video showing how to construct your fire pit using Ladera Wall Block.

Posted on

Prioritizing Care for the Caregiver

2023-11-01T07:01:01

(BPT) – Self-care means different things to different people. Its essence, though, is focused on wellbeing. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health,” adding, “even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.”

This is especially true for those who spend their days caring for loved ones, helping with everything from meals and bathing to dressing and overall care. Being a caregiver requires energy, patience and focus to perform tasks for others that most of us take for granted. It is a selfless and demanding role that can wear out even the hardiest among us.

Finding ways to be more efficient and to prioritize one’s own wellbeing can ultimately result in better care for the recipient. Fortunately, people can take advantage of their AARP member benefits that can help make self-care for the caregiver even easier.

Prioritize Your Health

When you’re taking care of others, it’s easy to overlook your own health, especially preventive care. However, it isn’t a good idea to skip wellness checkups or postpone appointments to ensure there are no underlying concerns and any ailments can be addressed before they become serious.

If you have not yet established care with a physician, AARP members can access quality care with Oak Street Health, a primary care provider specializing in older adults on Medicare with a team of doctors, nurses and other professionals dedicated to keeping you well — physically, mentally and socially — at more than 190 centers across 24 states. Benefits include personalized preventive care plans, same-day/next-day appointments where available, a 24/7 healthcare patient support line and more. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location.

If you are already in pain, either from providing physical support for loved ones as you help them move in and out of the car or up and down stairs, or from an older injury, physical therapy can help. Fortunately, scheduling an appointment is more convenient than ever through AARP® Physical Therapy at Home™ by Luna, and it can help ensure you continue to provide the necessary care and even avoid future injuries. Luna allows you to schedule physical therapy where and when it works for you. It provides access to highly experienced physical therapists who specialize in a wide range of disorders and ailments, and who come directly to you. AARP members and non-members alike can receive at-home physical therapy from Luna. Most insurances and Medicare are accepted by Luna and a prescription may not be needed to start.

Get Some Help of Your Own

It’s difficult to replace the primary caregiver, but there are some exceptional tools and services that enable you to step back and take a break without sacrificing care and safety. Taking time off periodically can be beneficial to your mental and physical health.

If you’re planning a trip or simply need some help around the house, the online marketplace Carelinx is there to help. AARP members have access to pre-screened, professional caregivers and receive a 3% discount on in-home caregiving services. Whether it’s for a few hours or every day, the Carelinx network of caregivers can provide personalized care to help with daily life.

If a visiting caregiver is stepping in, your loved one has periods alone, or you simply want to stay on schedule, the Hero® smart pill dispenser can help you track what you took and when. The Hero® smart pill dispenser is an all-in-one medication management platform designed to help make managing medications easier and more convenient for any health condition. You can set a medication schedule in Hero’s mobile app, load up to a 90-day supply of ten different medications, and receive alerts from Hero’s smart dispenser. AARP members receive an 8% discount and pay no initiation fee when they register for a Hero subscription.

If falls are a concern, technology can help. Lifeline offers medical alert systems with automatic fall detection, providing peace of mind that your loved one can get the help they need even if you are not present. AARP members save 15% on medical alert service and get free shipping and activation. You can choose the service option that fits your lifestyle and get fast, 24/7/365 access to help when you need it.

Plan for Your Care

As a caregiver, you have unique insight into your own potential need for care in the future. It’s a good idea to prioritize it, even while providing care for someone else.

Approximately 70% of Americans who reach age 65 will need some long-term care at some point in their life, and nearly half will need some sort of paid assistance. AARP members have access to information on options to help protect assets, maintain their lifestyles, and prepare for the future within their budget.

It’s also understandable that the demands as a caregiver may cause you to push off thinking about the future, especially when it comes to estate planning. You can make it less onerous with the help of Trust & Will, a secure and easy-to-use online estate planning platform with access to top-rated member support, free shipping, and one year of unlimited updates. As an AARP member, you receive a 20% discount on trusts, wills and estate planning documents.

You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup

To be the best caregiver possible, try to avoid thinking of self-care as indulgent or selfish and instead consider it an investment in your capacity to provide care. Remaining healthy, calm and focused requires taking proactive steps on your own behalf. When you fill your own cup first, you can better help your loved one fill theirs. To find more ways to simplify self-care, visit AARP.com/benefits.

AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.