Month: March 2021

2021-03-03T13:01:00

(BPT) – With people being more active and healthier than ever at any age, today’s retirement isn’t about slowing down. It’s about having the time for growth, discovery and expanding horizons. For retirees, or those looking ahead to retirement, one place to find all of the above is in North Carolina’s Research Triangle.

No, it’s not a mathematics term. With some of the best weather on the planet, gorgeous scenery and a concentration of cultural, educational and entertainment resources, the Research Triangle is one of North Carolina’s crown jewels. It’s also one of the top places in the United States to enjoy an active, healthy, mentally stimulating retirement.

Defined by the three major universities as well as the three highly livable cities within its borders, North Carolina’s Research Triangle has long been a magnet for scientific, academic and corporate leaders who are attracted by the inquisitive culture and concentration of resources here.

Where you retire matters. Retiring in a community that is bountiful in cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities isn’t just nice to have. It’s a must for keeping your brain healthy. Everyone has “senior moments” from time to time. But declining brain health, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are not a normal part of aging. They are not a foregone conclusion. According to the Mayo Clinic, your habits before and during retirement can significantly lower your risk of developing these conditions. The Mayo Clinic’s recommendations for staving off declining brain health include:

• Exercising regularly
• Staying mentally active
• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Remaining socially involved

One retirement community in the Research Triangle that takes those recommendations to heart is Searstone Retirement Community, founded in 2013. Its residents frequently cite the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside as well as the cosmopolitan comforts and cultural treasures of its cities and towns to explain why they came and chose to stay in what is now the state’s second-largest population center.

Resident Jewel Tolan can attest to that. Jewel and her husband David were drawn to the Research Triangle initially because it was located near their son and daughter-in-law in Cary, North Carolina. When they looked deeper into Searstone, they found it ticked many more boxes for the active, mentally satisfying lifestyle they envisioned for their golden years.

“We wanted a community surrounded by conveniences. We didn’t want to drive 30 minutes to shop,” she explains. “We wanted to be near urban areas and were thrilled to find a community that was a block away from everything.”

Other benefits of retiring in the Research Triangle:

Proximity to medical care. This is an important factor as you age, and Duke and UNC health systems are nearby, offering residents an endless number of specialists and excellent care. “We are right in the center of a medical oasis,” Jewel says.

Proximity to the airport. Retirement does not mean the end of travel. Just the opposite. Searstone is 20-minute drive from an international airport, making it easy to zip away for a long weekend when the travel bug bites.

Cultural and educational opportunities. The Research Triangle is known for its cornucopia of culture. The universities are nearby, and the symphony is a short drive away in Raleigh. Pre-pandemic, Searstone organized outings to the museums, the arboretum and more. Now, the calendar is packed with virtual events until the pandemic subsides. Lecturers and authors hold events, virtually and in person, for residents. Some of those speakers include the residents themselves. “We have some really accomplished residents that speak to us about all different topics,” Jewel notes.

Fitness. Numerous studies have shown that staying active keeps you mentally sharp throughout your life. Whether it’s a stroll around the grounds, using the state-of-the-art fitness facility, swimming or even Zumba classes, keeping active is easy.

Socialization. Jewel says she has no lack of social life. “There is a great community here. I’ve made some great friends, through book club and the women’s discussion group on Tuesday mornings. If you are a people person, it’s really great to have this opportunity. There is always more to learn.”

Today’s retirement is not your grandparents’ retirement. It’s an active, healthy, intellectually stimulating opportunity for growth and expanding your horizons. North Carolina’s Research Triangle is one of the best places in the United States to do just that.

To learn more about retiring in the Research Triangle, visit https://searstone.com or call 919-899-2431.

2021-03-03T08:01:00

(BPT) – Kory Hagen, who runs a 1,000-acre corn farm in Iowa, had to take over the family business in his early 20s when his father suffered a stroke. Unexpected tragedies, like Hagen’s, can be challenging but proper planning can ease the burden of passing down a business from one generation to the next.

Luckily for Hagen, he’d worked the fields with his father for years. When it was his time to take over, he learned to run his farm efficiently and sustainably with a five-man team. He found ways to modernize the operation, focusing on no-till farming, which benefits the environment. Today he makes most of the decisions, but also relies on a small team of advisers, including a banker and an accountant Hagen has known since eighth grade.

“It was hard going from farming with my dad to being on my own,” Hagen says. “But I’ll always farm, no matter what. It’s very peaceful; and once it’s in your blood, it’s there for life.”

Farmer Glenn Heard has experienced both sides of farm succession. He gradually took over his father’s farm in Georgia — a 16,000-acre operation growing cotton, peanuts, sweet corn and carrots — and now plans to pass it to his son.

“We did it differently than most farm families,” Heard says. “I started my own farm as a separate operation and shared equipment with my father. My operation got bigger after I acquired land from outside farms and from my father as he transitioned out of the business. By 1995, I was able to take over his farm completely.”

Heard hired dependable farm managers to oversee operations and is now grooming his son to take over in a similar way, getting him started on his own farm and sharing equipment.

For growers like Heard and Hagen, it’s a common dream to pass on farms to family. Farmers can succeed with careful planning that includes their next farm leaders. Parties must navigate local and state tax structures, transfer fixed capital assets and land, create retirement strategies and have difficult conversations with partners and family members.

“A farm is more than just an enterprise — it’s a way of life,” explains Lynn Sandlin, business intelligence manager for Syngenta. “Elder farmers think of it not just as a business, but a legacy they’re leaving for their children, grandchildren and so on.”

Sandlin urges anyone pursuing farm succession to consider everything required by the complex process. To succeed, it’s crucial to plan methodically and understand every necessary decision.

Retired professor of agricultural economics and Texas A&M University Danny Klinefelter, Ph.D., offers four steps to follow.

1. Develop estate and succession plans

• Start planning as soon as possible, so everyone involved knows where the assets are going.
• Children interested in the family business should consider enrolling in a management development program at a land grant university.
• Create a family business council of interested parties to discuss goals and plans.

2. Outsource your trust

Don’t feel obligated to entrust your business solely to family, especially if they lack knowledge in crucial areas. Instead:

• Enlist a team of agriculture-focused attorneys, tax accountants or consultants who specialize in family-owned businesses.
• Form an advisory board or even a formal board of directors.
• A peer adviser group of top managers can also offer outside counsel that may help you and your successors.

3. Evaluate your successors

• Conduct regular performance evaluations within your team to set expectations, track improvement and assess everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.
• When one or more successors emerge, give them every opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions.

4. Test your team

Once you have successors identified, assign group tasks to gauge personality styles and management capabilities. Especially for operations with multiple successors, this will help them work together efficiently and build on one another’s strengths. Have open discussions about self-improvement or expanding the team with the right expertise, from forward-looking CEOs to accountants and marketing experts.

To learn about agricultural development, today’s challenges in farming and more, visit www.syngentathrive.com.

2021-03-03T07:45:00

(BPT) – Nothing is more important than the health and happiness of your baby, and when something is wrong, it’s natural to be concerned. From short-term conditions like diaper rash, colic, eczema, and sleep issues, to more long-term conditions such as allergies and Type 1 diabetes, you may be surprised that many common baby problems may be connected to your baby’s gut microbiome.

You’ve probably heard about the importance of gut health, but what you may not know is that gut health plays a crucial role in the overall health, wellness and development of newborns, specifically through the first six months of life. This is so important because when bad bacteria thrives, there’s an increased risk of the short- and long-term conditions previously discussed.

More than 9 in 10 infants have Newborn Gut Deficiency

A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that more than 90% of babies in the U.S. are suffering from a hidden problem called Newborn Gut Deficiency, or a lack of the key good bacteria, B. infantis, in their gut microbiome, which is essentially the environment inside the digestive tract.

This study benchmarks the widespread deficiency in gut bacteria among U.S. infants, which shows the vast majority have Newborn Gut Deficiency from the earliest weeks of life. The study found the condition is widespread independent of age, diet and location and although extremely common, Newborn Gut Deficiency is a concern that many parents and pediatricians aren’t aware of and therefore aren’t commonly addressing.

How to correct your child’s gut health

Experts believe that the prevalence of Newborn Gut Deficiency in the U.S. is due to the rise of necessary modern medical practices like C-sections and antibiotic use, which inhibits mothers from transferring good bacteria such as B. infantis to their babies during the birthing process. B. infantis is essential to help manage gut health because it crowds out the bad bacteria and supports a protective environment in the baby’s gut. “Every day I get parents asking me how they can take a proactive approach to their child’s health and I immediately think about their gut health, especially following this new research on Newborn Gut Deficiency,” said Dr. Tanya Altmann, leading pediatrician, best-selling author and nationally recognized child health expert.

“Selecting the right baby probiotic can increase the abundance of good bacteria in baby’s gut. In recent clinical studies, researchers have shown that by feeding newborns the baby probiotic Evivo, the only baby probiotic that contains activated B. infantis EVC001, you can reduce bad bacteria in baby’s gut by 80% and reduce intestinal inflammation by up to 98%,” said Altmann.

Evivo is easy-to-use and is added to a small amount of breast milk or formula before being fed to baby daily. It begins working instantly to reduce bad gut bacteria and help good bacteria in your baby thrive.

Out with the bad, in with the good

Taking action by providing your infant with important good bacteria such as Evivo can help make a difference. Evivo plays a key role in the development of the infant immune system by protecting the infant intestinal tract from potentially dangerous bacteria like E. Coli.

“As we continue to learn more about the gut microbiome, Newborn Gut Deficiency and its connection to overall health, I’m a firm believer that addressing the issue early can make a big impact on overall health,” said Altmann.

To learn more about Newborn Gut Deficiency and take an infant gut health quiz, visit www.evivo.com.

2021-03-02T08:01:00

(BPT) – When faced with a cancer diagnosis, life often changes drastically, with each person experiencing the impact differently. One change that can cause great uncertainty is an unexpected shift in relationships, especially with family or those closest to the patient. For some, the established family dynamic can quickly shift into a relationship of patient and caregiver.

This was the case for Jordan Mendelson, who was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a cancer that grows in lymph nodes, the glands in the neck, armpits, groin or abdomen. In an instant, Jordan’s parents and his older brother became his caregivers, supporting him as he navigated treatment and management of his disease.

DLBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in adults worldwide, and there are around 28,000 patients diagnosed with the disease each year in the United States. It can affect people of any age, though more than half of new cases are diagnosed in people over 65. In Jordan’s case, he was 23 and just days before starting the spring semester of his pre-med program when he received his diagnosis.

Symptoms of DLBCL include painless swelling in the lymph nodes, unexplained fever, drenching night sweats, persistent fatigue, weight loss, a rash or itchy skin, pain in the chest, abdomen and bones, loss of appetite, sensation of bloating or fullness, enlarged spleen or liver, cough and skin lumps, among others. For Jordan, while on a family vacation, he felt a lump in his left armpit; after discussing his symptoms with his family, it became clear that he needed to see a doctor. Within a month, it was confirmed that Jordan had DLBCL, and that’s when everything changed.

“It was startling — it really is scary to hear any cancer diagnosis. And when the surgeon told me, while the news was hard to hear for myself, I found it even more difficult thinking how I would share this news with my family,” says Jordan.

Following the devastation of a DLBCL diagnosis — or any cancer diagnosis — figuring out how to balance relationships can take time and pose unique, unexpected challenges along the way. The DLBCL journey in particular has been described as one of continual ups and downs.

Patients may worry they are a burden, or alternatively, feel responsible for the emotional support of their caregivers. Caregivers often want to provide help in any way that they can but may not know how to truly empathize with what the patient is experiencing. Both may have a fear of the unknown, or frustration.

Please remember that your healthcare provider remains the best source of information regarding your treatment and condition.

To support both patients and caregivers, Jordan and his family shared tips they found helpful as they navigated their own patient-caregiver journey together:

1. Lean on your friends and family

A good support system makes all the difference. For a patient or a caregiver, while it may feel difficult at times, it can be helpful to open up and lean on family and/or friends, even if it seems like you are better off handling the situation on your own.

“What I say to people now is, I might have been the only person that had cancer, but we all fought it together — and I think that is really important to maintain perspective on,” says Jordan. “Even though you can sometimes feel alone, it’s important to remember those supporting you are going through the experience with you, even if they are not the ones receiving treatment. They go through the emotional highs and lows just like you do. My family — my parents and my brother — were instrumental to me during this entire process as I was going through the diagnosis and then treatment.”

“A cancer diagnosis changes everything — it changes the family, it changes the dynamic, but it’s very important to keep your head about you and remember that you are all in this together, especially when tensions are high,” says Eric, Jordan’s father. “We were very fortunate to have a great support system during this experience, among the four of us and beyond. As the parents of a sick child, you can’t do this alone. Jordan’s friends who reached out to help him, helped all of us. Those are the people we will be eternally grateful to. I don’t care who you are and how strong you think you are; you cannot do this alone — and I know the support we received was invaluable.”

2. Openly communicate

Ongoing communication between patient and caregiver is crucial. As a patient, it is important to be honest about how you are feeling, and let your caregiver know if you need something — even if that something is simply a little space.

“This experience was a significant adjustment for everyone at the beginning, but the patient-caregiver part of our relationship got much easier as time went on – so just give it time,” says Jordan. “At the beginning, it was difficult because no one knew what to do or expect, but after that first treatment cycle, it became more familiar and we were able to get into our individual roles more easily. For us, it was a very transformational change to the caregiver-patient dynamic when we were able to be honest with each other about how we were feeling and what we needed in the moment.”

And for someone in a caregiver role, it’s equally important to be open about how you are feeling and coping with the situation — just because you are not the one undergoing treatment does not mean you are not impacted by what is happening.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help

As the Mendelson family can attest, there may come a time when help is needed from outside of the patient-caregiver relationship in order to get through a step in the journey. There are many organizations that can help provide tailored support for your specific cancer and relate to the experience both patients and caregivers are facing.

“Talking with other people going through what you are, such as other caretakers or a professional, can really help,” says Debbi, Jordan’s mother. “Shortly after Jordan’s diagnosis a social worker told me about resources and groups, and at the time, I didn’t feel like that was necessary … but it was. For me, especially toward the end of treatment when some of the immediate shock was over, talking to others really helped me process the experience. I highly recommend getting connected with an organization that understands what patients and caregivers are going through.”

4. Try to maintain some normalcy in your daily life

For both patients and caregivers, the logistics of figuring out how to cope with a cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment may at times seem like all there is. But it’s not, and the Mendelson family believes finding a way to keep elements of your everyday life intact can help.

“For me it was school, but it could be anything — a job, a hobby — just try to keep that up,” says Jordan. “It’s important to remember that even though it feels like all you are is a cancer or lymphoma patient, that isn’t true – you are more than that. And doing those normal, everyday activities when you can does help.”

Josh, Jordan’s brother, summarizes his family’s experience navigating the DLBCL and patient-caregiver journeys as follows: “Our relationship as a family has always been close-knit, and I think this really brought us even closer. For us, it was all about taking each day one step at a time. The most critical thing you can do is be there for each other. Sometimes Jordan appreciated us doing nothing more than anything, so learning how to be understanding of our individual needs was important — and knowing that you’re all in this together.”

To find resources and support for patients and caregivers navigating a lymphoma diagnosis, visit the Lymphoma Research Foundation at https://lymphoma.org/resources/.

2021-03-02T08:31:00

(BPT) – In what seemed like an instant, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. In addition to completely changing the way we work, shop and interact with others — just to name a few — it’s also forcing seniors to rethink their living arrangements and plans for the future, and changing the way we care for our elderly parents.

Given the recommendations around social distancing and documented outbreaks in nursing homes and other care facilities, more and more seniors are opting to age in place or, in other words, remain in their homes. But that’s easier said than done. Whether we’re in a pandemic or not, adjustments need to be made to ensure they have the support to do so safely.

Medication management

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of Americans take at least one prescription drug, and one in four take three or more. However, studies have consistently shown that 20% to 30% of prescriptions are never filled and about 50% of medications for chronic disease are not taken as prescribed.

“Medication compliance is one of the most frequent reasons for decompensation with chronic medical illnesses,” said Mitchell Hyatt McClure, M.D., Chief, Hospital Medicine at Hartford Hospital.

To help your loved one stay on track with their medication regimen, consider an automatic medicine dispenser like Pria™ by BLACK+DECKER. Pria is a smart pill dispenser and home healthcare assistant designed to empower seniors to maintain their independence at home. Not only does it dispense the right dose at the right time, but it also allows caregivers to stay connected through two-way video calls, reminders and check-ins.

When using Pria for more than 90 days, users’ average adherence rate was 82% — up from 39% when used for fewer than 45 days. Caregiver presence also positively influences medication adherence when using Pria. Users with one caregiver had an average adherence rate of 79.4%, users with two caregivers were at 80.9% and users with three caregivers were up to 88.2%.

“An electronic pill dispenser like Pria can be invaluable for patients in promoting better health by improving medication compliance and reinforcing good health habits. The ability to additionally use Pria as a tool to communicate is an added benefit to combat social isolation, a problem that already existed in our elderly patients, but has been made increasingly worse by the COVID pandemic,” said McClure.

Remote monitoring

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), an older adult dies from a fall every 19 minutes. In fact, falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. Furthermore, falls — with or without injury — can greatly impact seniors’ quality of life. A fear of falling creates a sense of uneasiness that often leads to a decrease in activity, which can, in turn, lead to physical decline, depression, social isolation and feelings of helplessness.

But caregivers can provide active loved ones with confident mobility simply by investing in a remote monitoring device. Whether it’s a necklace equipped with GPS, a smartwatch that can detect a fall and automatically alert emergency services, an in-home device that connects directly to emergency response operators or a combination of the three, your loved one will be able to age in place with the peace of mind that they have access to help should they need it.

Home modifications

Most homes aren’t designed for long-term care. However, simple home modifications can make it easier — and safer — for seniors to age in place. And when it comes to home modifications, the possibilities are endless.

When deciding which modifications to make, walk around the house with your loved one and identify their specific pain points. If they fear slipping in the shower, add a shower chair; if the front steps lack support, install railings; if their hardwood floors are slippery, lay down no-slip mats for traction. There are a number of options, both temporary and permanent, that can help your loved one stay in their home safely and comfortably.

The coronavirus pandemic has put our aging population at great risk, so it should come as no surprise that many seniors have opted to age in place. While it may be uncomfortable for family caregivers to accept this decision, it can be incredibly fulfilling and liberating for seniors when planned for properly. By utilizing available technology and making modifications where necessary, most seniors can remain happy, healthy and independent in their own homes.

2021-03-02T09:01:00

(BPT) – Feel like your paycheck is gone before your next payday? You’re not alone. A 2020 survey, “Getting Paid in America,” revealed that 2 out of 3 Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

Not only is this stressful and frustrating, it can cause you to have fewer choices for managing your money and be more expensive for you in the long run. Nearly 12 percent of U.S. households use expensive methods like money orders, check cashers and bill pay services to access the money they earn, which can lead to a downward spiral of further expense and debt.^[1] And for those who borrow money to hold them over, it may take about five months to pay off loans, costing an average of $520 in additional financing charges.^[2]

The good news? There are hacks that can help you stretch your dollar further, from one paycheck to the next.

1. Go digital

If you’re not getting what you need from your current bank or are looking to bank for the first time, you should know that digital banking these days is a safe, accessible and affordable option.

GO2bank is an example of a fully digital bank that can help you get control of your finances right from your mobile phone. It offers all kinds of convenient tools to help you save money, so you won’t have to rely on check-cashing services or payday lenders — which charge high fees or interest rates that take a big bite out of your hard-earned paycheck.

To download the app, visit the Apple App Store or Google Android App Store, or go to www.GO2bank.com.

2. Direct deposit = quick access to pay

Did you know you can actually access your paycheck a day or two early? When you’ve got bills due or need groceries before your paycheck hits your bank, you need your money quicker. Options like payday loans can end up costing you hundreds in fees and even cashing your paycheck can delay your payday even further.

With direct deposit of your paycheck to GO2bank, you don’t have to wait too long, as you can access your paychecks up to two days early or government benefits up to four days early.^[3] And should you need cash quick, you’ll also have access to thousands of fee-free ATMs to withdraw from.^[4]

3. Plan ahead to avoid fees

First, get a clear picture of where your money is going each month — and when. On a calendar, map out what bills are due when, when subscriptions like Netflix will charge you, and when you’ll be paid.

If one part of the month contains most of the due dates, call your creditor to ask if you can move the due date, easing the strain on that pay period. If you can get bills paid on time, that means fewer late fees — and a better credit score in your future.

GO2bank also offers overdraft protection (up to $200).^[5] To get started, just set up your eligible payroll/benefits direct deposits and opt in for overdraft protection — GO2bank will automatically cover purchase transactions that exceed your available balance.

4. Build savings little by little

Since there’s no way to be ready for every unexpected bill or expense, you’ll have more peace of mind if you start building an emergency fund right away. Setting aside even a small amount each pay period will add up over time. You’ll thank yourself when an emergency doesn’t plunge you into debt.

To make your savings go farther, GO2bank offers a high-yield savings rate at 10X the national average^[6] and cash back rewards up to 7 percent when you buy e-gift cards from popular retailers in the app you may already be shopping at.^[7]

5. Start safely building and improving credit

Having a higher credit score makes it easier and less expensive to borrow money when you need to — such as for a car loan or home mortgage. Building better credit takes time, but there are ways to do so today that will open the door to better options tomorrow. GO2bank makes this option available to you regardless of credit history with its Secured Credit Card with no credit check or annual fee.^[8]

Taking these steps may help you get to your next payday with a lot less stress. A little planning and the right tools can go a long way in helping you improve your financial well-being for the future.