Month: November 2021

2021-11-23T09:01:00

(BPT) – It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the increased use of the internet and technology for many; however, this trend is best highlighted by seniors. A recent survey on global internet trends conducted by Avast in partnership with Forsa and YouGov found that 22% of people over the age of 65 spend more than three hours per day online. Forty-six percent also noted that the internet has become more important since the start of the pandemic. While this shift was great for staying in touch with loved ones and keeping busy in a time of isolation, drawbacks emerged.

With the uptick in use, online threats like malware (software designed to disrupt, damage or gain unauthorized access to a computer system), phishing scams (manipulation through deception into disclosing sensitive personal information), tech support fraud (unsolicited offers to help fix alleged computer problems) and even romance scams culminating in untraceable payments to bad actors, emerged.

Elders reported the least confidence in their online abilities, with only about 16% asserting their ability to do things online is “very good.” This is particularly relevant when looking at fears that keep seniors from fully participating online; in fact, 69% of people over the age of 65 decided not to do something due to security and privacy concerns, and another 17% felt that they don’t have enough online protection knowledge. Further, fears of being a digital burden put older Americans at greater risk online due to a direct correlation between internet literacy, the perceived burden on others, and frustration of online tasks for those over 55.

According to the FBI, Americans were particularly impacted by tech support fraud, which garnered nearly 10 million attack attempts on computer users between January and March 2021. These scams are particularly insidious because although seniors make up 66% of tech support fraud victims, they shoulder a disproportionate amount of the financial losses at 84% in the U.S., translating to $116 million in 2020.

“In our increasingly digital world, cybersecurity literacy is essential, especially as many crucial social interactions and essential services moved online due to the pandemic,” said Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging. “Despite the risks of using technology, the rewards are boundless. Older adults need to be empowered to extend their independence in the online domain to participate wholly in our modern society.”

Build confidence online and avoid becoming a victim by using a comprehensive security and privacy solution and following three simple rules:

• Don’t click links: Whether from senders you don’t recognize or messages you aren’t expecting, clicking on suspicious links may lead to phishing scams.
• Don’t open attachments: Unless you know the sender and were expecting the document in question, they may be a vehicle housing malicious programs on behalf of an attacker.
• Don’t respond to calls or pop-ups: Unsolicited calls or pop-up windows could be facilitating a tech support scam or other sinister activity. If in doubt, hang up or close the window and contact someone you trust.

“It’s fantastic that older adults are discovering the rich rewards that a more digitally connected life can offer,” said Jaya Baloo, Chief Information Security Officer, Avast. “However, older adults face disproportionate risks online, causing some to hold back. The key to a rich and safer digitally connected life is to approach being online like driving and follow our clear, simple, defensive tips to help ensure a safer and better online experience.”

If you think you’ve been victimized, call your financial institution and the FBI right away. To learn more about how to protect yourself or your loved ones online, visit https://blog.avast.com/tag/elders for additional easy-to-use resources.

2021-11-23T09:01:00

(BPT) – Self-care is an important topic these days, especially when it comes to prioritizing your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Not only can practicing self-care help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, but it can also lead to healthier hair and skin when you focus on re-fueling your body from within.

“Getting the right nourishment from the inside out is an instrumental part of self-care and can greatly impact your health, including how you look and how you feel,” says Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, registered dietitian. “Things like energy levels, mood and even hair texture can be impacted by what you put in your body. That’s why it’s vital to include essential and balanced nutrients in your diet through foods, drinks and supplements as much as possible.”

Beckerman shares her top tips to include in your daily routine for growing a healthier, fuller head of hair – just remember that nutrition is always key!

Mind your protein intake

If your diet is either too restrictive or lacking in the protein department, it’s possible that your hair isn’t growing optimally or perhaps shedding too much. A well-balanced diet with adequate protein intake will provide your body the energy it needs for better and healthier hair growth. If you are trying to reduce your animal protein intake, make sure you load your diet with plant-based protein sources like lentils, nuts, seeds and grains like oats or quinoa.

Find foods rich in Iron and vitamin C

Iron deficiency is one of the most common reasons for hair breakage. However, foods like chickpeas and spinach are great whole-food sources of iron that can help with hair breakage by providing more oxygenated and healthy red blood cells to the body. Additionally, combining plant-based iron-rich foods with those high in vitamin C in the same meal can help you better absorb the nutrients. For example, add some slivered almonds to your roasted brussels sprouts or squeeze some lemon on your sautéed spinach for an added boost of absorption.

Benefits from biotin

Biotin (also known as vitamin B7) stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle development, helping to increase hair growth, according to the report “A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss.” It’s easy to get biotin in your diet because it’s in a wide variety of foods such as eggs, bananas, fish, nuts, and milk. To ensure you are getting enough biotin, opt to take a supplement such as Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements. That way, you know you are getting the essential nutrients that your body needs to support thicker and fuller hair.*

Consider clinically proven supplements

Women’s hair is an important piece of their unique persona. Growing it is like putting the final touches on their individual masterpiece. The right hair growth supplements can make a big difference in optimizing the health of your hair.

“In addition to a healthy diet, I recommend Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements to my clients because the clinically proven, 100% drug free formula contains an influx of key nutrients that help nourish hair follicles from within, encouraging them to grow stronger and healthier in as little as three months*,” says Beckerman.

Environmental Factors

What we eat has an effect on our hair health, but lifestyle choices over the years—like how often we exercise, how we manage stress, and even being outside—all factor in, too. Environmental stressors include a broad range of factors that can impact hair wellness, like exposure to toxins, pollution and too much sun exposure, which may be hazardous to hair follicles. It’s not always possible to remove these factors but taking steps to protect the hair from environmental stressors is important, nonetheless. Washing hair after it is exposed to pollutants or wearing a hat outdoors can help, too!

Reduce stress with essential oils

After a long day’s work, add essential oils to your routine to compress the stress. Too much stress has been known to trigger hair loss and negatively impact hair growth. Combat that stress and create a calming experience by using essential oils with unique nutrients like rosemary oil, pumpkin seed oil and castor oil.

Show off your healthiest hair by incorporating these tips into your daily routine. For more information on healthy hair growth, visit viviscal.com.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please keep in mind these statements have not been intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease.

2021-11-23T10:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season is a special time to share meaningful moments and gifts with loved ones to show each other you care. This year, people are finding new ways to celebrate and share joy with customized cards, personalized gifts and festive decor topping holiday lists.

“As consumers get ready for a second holiday season during the pandemic, we’re seeing an increase in online retail sales. Despite market predictions of a decline due to consumer concerns with the evolving pandemic and supply chain issues, overall retail sales in August were up 15% from last year,” said Jim Hilt, president of Shutterfly, a pioneer and leading ecommerce retail and manufacturing platform for personalized products. “Sharing meaningful moments is how people want to celebrate most this year. With Shutterfly, people have the ability to create things with meaning and receive products easily due to our ability to deliver products on demand. That’s why this year people are looking for one-of-a-kind gifts they can personalize for loved ones.”

The holidays are the busiest time for Shutterfly, producing an average 165 million cards, as well as millions of personalized books, calendars and ornaments. That means roughly half of all Americans expect to receive a Shutterfly card this holiday season.

The sheer volume of holiday orders gives the company unique insight into top consumer trends and what will be on everyone’s gift and to-do lists this year. The recent Shutterfly Holiday Retail Consumer Survey conducted in partnership with Ipsos uncovered insights into Americans’ holiday shopping plans and behavior in 2021.

Holiday cards

In today’s digital age, you might think sending holiday cards is a fading tradition, but in actuality it’s growing. The survey found that 44% of consumers plan to send holiday cards to friends and family, up 10 percentage points from last year.

A quarter of consumers plan to send photo cards and 22% plan to send personalized cards. Who is sending these holiday greetings? Younger age groups show more interest in sending photo and personalized cards, with 40% of 18- to 34-year-olds planning to send photo cards or personalized cards. That’s significantly higher than the less than 20% of 55- to 70-year-olds that plan to send personalized photo cards.

No matter your age, sending a holiday card sends the message that you care. Whether you prefer lighthearted cards with customized phrases that make people laugh or more traditional greetings with family photos and messages of holiday merriment, sending cards gives people near and far a reason to smile.

Personalized gifts

Finding the perfect gift might seem impossible, especially for the person who seems to have it all. Getting something that is unique and reflects the recipient’s personality is easy when you personalize.

One-third of Americans plan to buy a personalized or customized gift this holiday season, which shows that making something special for loved ones is a popular choice. Those who are looking for personalized gifts feel that it’s the best way to show family members or friends that they care. Other shoppers believe a personalized present carries more meaning than a typical gift.

From books and toys to home goods and ornaments, there are many personalized products available that will leave a mark on the world in a way that only you can. When creating personalized gifts, consider including things like photography, names, dates and personalized phrases (like that fun inside joke) and any item becomes one of a kind.

Shopping trends

With supply chain disruption top of mind and worries about thin inventory and missing out on the best gifts, many consumers are shopping for the holidays earlier this year.

Gifts are often drivers for holiday shopping, but that’s not the only reason carts are filling up in stores and online. A quarter of consumers plan to purchase new holiday home decor this year. Plus, with convenience and safety in mind, it’s no surprise 58% of consumers said they are more likely to shop online rather than in-person this holiday season, the Shutterfly survey found.

“As consumers get ready for a second holiday season during the pandemic, they are looking to create meaning in each gift they give and every activity they plan,” said Hilt. “Holiday cards, personalized gifts and new home decor are three top trends helping to create and share gifts with meaning this year.”

2021-11-23T05:03:00

(BPT) – The holidays are rapidly approaching, and with it the excitement — and stress — of shopping and planning for family get-togethers. Wouldn’t it be great if you could save time and money on all the shopping and planning that goes into creating a fun holiday season? Fortunately, if you make a plan, and a few strategic shopping choices like checking out the deals at BJ’s Wholesale Club, you can ensure your holiday shopping and festivities go smoothly.

1. Make a list, check it twice

Take a moment to sit down with your calendar and notebook to create a schedule and list of friends and loved ones you want to shop for this year.

• Use a gifting list — Create a checklist for family members and friends you plan to shop for, brainstorming gift ideas, along with a budget. Check it often to mark items already purchased, so you won’t overbuy.
• Keep a schedule — Note occasions you plan to host, sketching out the menu and grocery shopping list for those events ahead of time. Don’t forget to mark down events you’ve been invited to or traditional family events that you know will be part of your schedule.

2. Save time with one-stop shopping

When you review your gift list, grocery list and any extra items you want like holiday decorations, review your favorite shopping spots, but also do some research to see what other locations may offer the best bang for your buck — not just in terms of savings, but also convenience. Where can you most easily consolidate shopping trips and online orders?

One great example is BJ’s Wholesale Club, where members can shop for everything they need to enjoy the holidays, including fresh food and beverages for holiday hosting, a huge toy selection, apparel, the latest in tech, a large assortment of seasonal home décor and much more. BJ’s also carries a variety of other great gifting options ranging from popular electronics, video games and instruments, to gift baskets and chocolates — even gifts your pets will love! With thousands of items to choose from, BJ’s is a one-stop holiday shop, so less time can be spent shopping and more time can be spent with family.

BJ’s also offers convenient shopping options like in-club shopping, same-day delivery, curbside pickup, in-club pickup and ship-to-home, so members can shop their way during the holidays. Members can also shop on BJs.com or the BJ’s app for even more convenience.

If you choose to shop curbside pickup, start shopping on either BJs.com or the BJ’s app, place your order and once you’re notified the order is ready for pick-up, park in one of the designated curbside parking spaces at your local club and check in on the BJ’s app to notify the club of your arrival. A team member will bring your order out, loading it in your vehicle for contactless service — helping you avoid last-minute impulse purchases that can break your budget.

3. Get it delivered

What’s even more convenient? Having items delivered to your home, of course. Make sure the stores where you shop provide services like shipping and delivery, to save you tons of time at the busiest season of the year.

With BJ’s same-day delivery, for example, members can get groceries delivered right to their door in as little as two hours, making meal prep and party planning easier than ever. Plus, at BJ’s, members save 25% off grocery store prices. Members can enjoy the convenience of shopping for fresh deli, produce and bakery goods as well as everything they need to keep their house neat and tidy in time for holiday get-togethers. You can even have fresh meats cut to your specifications and repackaged, at no charge.

4. Look at overall value

Comparing prices helps you know you’re getting the best possible value. Choose a couple of staples you regularly buy, plus one or two more expensive items, and do a quick price comparison online to determine where the best values are. Factor in convenience as well, when you’re deciding where you want to do most of your shopping.

You may be surprised at the unbeatable value BJ’s offers on items you need for your weekly grocery shopping, with incredibly low prices on everything you need to stock your fridge and pantry ahead of the holidays. With BJ’s exclusive brands, Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen, members can save even more on family essentials without sacrificing quality. From a large selection of exclusive Wellsley Farms fresh items as well as a nice assortment of natural and organic foods to exclusive Berkley Jensen paper goods, diapers and wipes, health and wellness products and more, shopping BJ’s own brands provides families real savings, especially over the holidays.

Once you’re a BJ’s member, you can use the BJ’s app for even more savings with digital coupons. BJ’s members can also use a mix of manufacturers coupons, BJ’s exclusive coupons and personalized offers from BJ’s to get even more value during their shopping trips.

Whether choosing to shop from the couch or in-club, BJ’s members can enjoy the treasure hunt experience with limited time offers and incredible holiday deals, however they like this year.

Plus, BJ’s is offering members a flexible and convenient way to finance holiday purchases over $99 with its buy now, pay later payment option. The buy now, pay later option is available for purchases made on BJs.com for delivery and with in-club pickup and curbside pickup. Members can also use the flexible payment option while shopping in-club with the BJ’s app.

Interested in becoming a BJ’s member? Visit BJs.com to learn more and find a location near you.

2021-11-23T08:01:00

(BPT) – Traditional gatherings have returned as friends and family across the country are planning to celebrate in person together. As holiday hosts begin to prepare for festivities, it’s important to create a safe, healthy environment for family and guests.

An estimated 79% of those who plan to have Thanksgiving dinner this year will cook a meal at home or eat a home-cooked meal at a friend or family member’s home, according to a study by The Harris Poll commissioned by Kidde, a residential fire safety leader. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports Thanksgiving is the top day of the year for home fires, with three times as many home fires occurring than on a typical day.

Cooking fires represent over 50% of all home fire starters, yet 39% of respondents do not have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen area and 21% do not have one in the home at all, found the study. Moreover, 51% of respondents couldn’t accurately identify the replacement time for disposable fire extinguishers, which is 12 years.

To help boost your home’s fire protection, install a kitchen-rated (Class K) fire extinguisher, like Kidde’s RESSP, engineered to extinguish grease and oil fires. Keep it nearby while cooking and make sure to keep it positioned behind the cooking area (not under the sink or in a cabinet next to the stove). What’s more, install at least one general purpose-rated (Class ABC) fire extinguisher, like Kidde’s FX210, on every level of the home.

Follow this advice to help your family host and celebrate the holidays safely:

BEFORE COOKING

1. Clean away old grease and fats: Prior to use, remove leftover or residual grease and fats, which can ignite.

2. Roll up those sleeves: Or better yet, wear short sleeves. When cooking, avoid wearing long sleeves or loose clothing that could catch fire from over a burner or other heat source. Short sleeves are a great option.

3. Know how to deal with an oven fire: If you have a fire in the oven, don’t open the oven door. Turn off the oven heat and let the contents cool completely before attempting to open the door. If flames escape the oven or the fire does not immediately go out, evacuate family members and pets, and then call 9-1-1.

4. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: Replace batteries or alarms if needed. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years and installed at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances. A smoke alarm designed specifically for the kitchen, like Kidde’s Worry-Free Kitchen alarm, will help reduce false alarms from cooking smoke.

5. Check and install fire extinguishers: Disposable fire extinguishers should be checked periodically to ensure they’re still functioning properly. Look at the gauge: if the needle is in the green, that is good, but also check the age. If it is older than 12 years, it is time to replace.

Additionally, know the PASS system for using it:

P – Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.

A – Aim the nozzle at the fire.

S – Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly to discharge the extinguishing agent.

S – Sweep the nozzle from side to side, moving carefully toward the fire.

WHILE COOKING

6. Clear the stovetop: Remove the items that are flammable like grocery bags, boxes, wooden utensils, and towels from the cooking area.

7. Focus on cooking: Remain in the kitchen while cooking all food. If the doorbell rings or you must walk away, immediately turn off the burners. If you’re cooking on the stovetop with oil, give the dish your undivided attention to ensure that the oil doesn’t splatter or the dish doesn’t burn.

8. Keep a ring of safety: Create a three-foot “safe zone” around cooking areas clear of flammable items, kids, and pets. Curious kids and pets can accidentally turn on stove knobs or other appliances, touch hot burners, or knock over pots and pans.

AFTER COOKING

9. Clean up the area: As you did before the holiday, clean your oven, toaster oven, stovetop and other appliances. Ensure you remove any crumbs or leftover grease. Make sure all appliances are off and/or unplugged.

10. Store leftover food: Avoid leaving food on the stove. Curious pets may attempt to reach leftover food on the stovetop and accidentally start a fire in the process. The NFPA estimates that nearly 1,000 home fires are started by family pets each year.

For more ways to keep your home safe for the holiday, visit Kidde.com/thanksgiving-safety.

2021-11-23T08:05:00

(BPT) – For the first time in decades, the need to protect people against airborne illnesses has become an urgent topic of conversation across the globe. This is particularly true for young students who are only recently eligible for the vaccine and are often gathered in small classrooms, exercising together in gym class, or eating without masks in crowded lunchrooms. The COVID-19 pandemic thrust a sense of urgency for school districts to adopt new indoor air quality (IAQ) management protocols at a time when there was great confusion about the virus.

Today, much more is known about the transmission of the SARS CoV-2 virus and there are scientifically proven solutions to mitigate its spread — technology that is changing how schools combat the virus. Not all technologies are created equal, though.

As the pandemic continues to impact our education system, school administrators across the country must take enhanced measures to improve IAQ in school buildings, many of which have poor ventilation and feature older, outdated HVAC systems, resulting in increased absenteeism and negative learning outcomes. In fact, as of mid-November, nearly 6.8 million children have tested positive for the SARS CoV-2 virus since the onset of the pandemic, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

So, what are the readily available technologies school districts should consider adopting in an effort to protect students and staff in the classroom, particularly in light of the flexible funds available through the American Rescue Plan to cover the cost of these services?

Below are a few recommended ways to incorporate IAQ improvements to protect the health of students and teachers.

UVGI Technology

UVGI, also known as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, is a scientifically proven approach to disinfection, enhancing IAQ, and keeping students safe from COVID-19 and other airborne respiratory illnesses. This approach uses UVC germicidal emitters to target the DNA or RNA of microorganisms, destroying them and making replication impossible. The technology is installed in existing or new HVAC systems, disinfecting the air and keeping the HVAC system clean so that it doesn’t become a breeding ground for pollutants, pathogens and other toxins.

Recently, Twin Cities International School opted to use this technology to improve IAQ and bring students and teachers back with the peace of mind they would be safe inside the building. With more than 1,000 students and approximately 150 teachers and staff, the school partnered with Steril-Aire, a leader in the development of this technology, to install UVC emitters in their rooftop HVAC units. Since then, their COVID-19 positivity rate has remained at or below 1%, which is drastically lower than the surrounding Minneapolis community.

Additionally, a California preschool that adopted the technology saw a 50% decrease in teacher absenteeism and a 25% decrease in student absences, leading to improved overall performances.

HEPA Air Filtration Systems

Another proven, incremental solution is the use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems, which can be installed in each classroom as well as school nurses’ offices and other smaller spaces like bathrooms. Noted by the CDC as effective vehicles for improving IAQ in schools, these systems predictably filter the air from pathogens like viruses, mold and bacteria as well as remove harmful particulates like smoke and other airborne particles.

While some HEPA systems sit on the floor of classrooms and other public spaces, the Steril-Aire Ceiling HEPA Pro+ system is installed in the ceilings of classrooms and office spaces to reduce noise and trip hazards. With a 99.97% effectiveness rate, the system can help schools take a layered approach at combatting the spread of viruses and other contaminants.

Talk to Your School Board or District Administrators about Improving IAQ

While there is a lot of misinformation about what’s best for school buildings and your child’s learning environment, UVGI and HEPA technologies are proven to safely and effectively improve indoor air quality.

A recent Johns Hopkins study concluded that making these improvements should be a top priority for schools and is a cost-effective measure. You can speak with your school board representative or local school administrators to see how they are implementing IAQ measures to keep the air within your child’s school building healthy, safe and clean.

Want to learn more about how your school can improve their ventilation and indoor air quality? Visit here to get more information.

2021-11-22T12:01:00

(BPT) – Organizational skills are not taught in school, but maybe they should be. Almost everyone wishes they could be more organized, but unfortunately, just wanting it isn’t enough. Whether you’re a student or a young professional, getting organized for 2022 will make a big difference in your classes or career. Organized people get noticed — in a good way — so working on your organization skills makes you stand out as not just reliable and dependable, but as someone who knows how to optimize your time. Time management is crucial if you’re starting a career, moving up the ladder or working toward a better GPA.

If organization isn’t your superpower, don’t despair. Nail these five organization tips in the New Year and you’ll be golden, no matter where you’re headed.

1. Write it down

Getting organized means being able to prioritize. A planner that can contain everything you need to put in it will help you organize your life, from important birthdays and appointments to business meetings or exams. You may think you’ll remember everything, but in the hectic day-to-day, everyone needs visible reminders to stay on track.

Pro tip: Build in reminders well ahead of important due dates. For example, if you have a presentation due Friday, enter a reminder to “start presentation” Monday. Estimate how much time you’ll need to complete the task completed — with a little cushion built in.

2. Give everything a designated home

If every morning you try to get out the door on time but can’t find your keys, give them a permanent home. The same is true for schedules, deadlines, files, folders, etc. One way to keep all your documents together, organized and at your fingertips is with a versatile LG gram laptop. This line of lightweight, portable laptops can do anything and go anywhere with you, thanks to its ultra-slim, compact design. Its 11th Gen Intel Core processors help deliver high performance for a variety of purposes, and with a range of different screen sizes — 14″, 15″, 15.6″ and 17″ — plus other options to choose from, you can find the perfect one to fit your workflow needs. With one of these laptops, you’ll always be prepared and ready to show employers, teachers or clients that you’ve got this.

Pro tip: Keep your laptop desktop as organized as your planner. Create files to group docs that belong together, then you’ll be able to find them at a moment’s notice.

3. Make priorities when you set deadlines

When you have a plan with deadlines and tasks right at your fingertips, it’s easier to use your time efficiently. Organized people make the most of every minute, and it shows. It’s not enough just to meet deadlines; the work must also be done well. During a lull, use that time to look ahead to get a jump on tasks or deadlines. During super busy times, be clear which items are high priority, so you don’t waste time working on something that’s less important.

Pro tip: Highlight or color code high-priority items on your planner, so you’ll know to put those items first.

4. Don’t procrastinate

Don’t be that person who waits until the last minute to do something, then does it halfway or poorly. For instance, if you have a proposal or paper due next week you may think, “It’s not due today, so why start it?” But scrambling to get something done isn’t a good look on anyone. The sooner you start, the better the proposal or paper will be, because you can take time to review and revise it.

Pro tip: Build in extra time each day to review your planner and play catch-up. Schedule a 15- to 30-minute session to make sure you’ve hit the highest priority items.

5. Declutter, declutter, declutter

Life gets messy, and too much clutter causes unnecessary stress that hinders your productivity. However, it takes only a short time to go through your office, desk or room to know what’s important and what isn’t. Keep only what you need and get rid of the rest. Don’t be afraid to declutter and reorganize continuously and consistently. You’ll be doing yourself a favor by keeping your space clutter-free.

Pro tip: Set a regular end-of-day or first-thing-in-the-morning declutter break for 15 minutes. Your future self will thank you!

With these tips, you can make 2022 your most organized year ever. Check out all the great options for staying more organized and productive with a slim new laptop at LG.com.

2021-11-22T16:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season started early this year, and families are focused on making up for lost time with activities and events and decorating. Between the hustle and bustle, parents and grandparents are thinking about the perfect gifts for the kids in their lives. While you may be shopping early to secure the top gift on every list, some of the most meaningful gifts don’t have to be wrapped in boxes and bows.

“As many families reunite for the holidays, this year brings an opportunity to think differently about how the gifts we give children can be used to promote family bonding and support important developmental and educational milestones,” says Michael Levine, SVP of learning and impact for Noggin, Nickelodeon’s early learning service. “Digital education tools can help families and children bond through games, stories and activities that enhance learning and playtime. They can be complementary to traditional holiday gifts like toys and technology.”

Here are five digital gifts that can add to your family’s holiday experience:

1. The gift of co-play and family time.

Take the time to explore educational content with your kids. Ask questions about what they are seeing and hearing, and interact with the games, programs and content as a team. Incorporate hands-on activities, music and shows with the whole family. Play and family togetherness can leave long-lasting, positive memories for young children.

2. The gift of friendship.

Favorite on-screen characters, like those featured in Noggin programs, become “friends” and trusted guides that model positive social skills for school, home and other environments. Shows that focus on relationships, handling emotions, empathy, respect and peacefully resolving differences provide important lessons that children can carry with them into adulthood. When children play pretend with their favorite characters, they are actually applying their social, emotional and problem-solving skills learned from the relationships they’ve formed with their favorite characters.

3. The gift of positive social-emotional health.

Recent reports have shown that our kids are struggling to navigate many environments and social interactions that were normal prior to the pandemic, but resources already exist to help children relearn norms and build confidence. This year, consider access to high-quality digital programming to support social and emotional development. From activities that focus on how to develop mindfulness to programs that help a child develop a sense of identity and belonging, parents and grandparents can rest assured that young learners are establishing a positive sense of self and ability to interact with others.

4. The gift of reading.

There are new worlds to be discovered through the written word. A monthly magazine or book subscription will give your child something to look forward to each month as well as encourage ongoing learning and reading skill improvement. Remember, high-quality digital programs can support early readers by providing developmentally appropriate literacy instruction through games and guided reading activities.

5. The gift of exploring.

Dance, art, sports, music, writing — the list goes on and on. If there’s something your child has expressed interest in, give them a chance to enhance their skills in a class or series of lessons. Just remember to book the classes before you give them and find opportunities for them to practice what they’ve learned with you.

If you’re looking for something special to top off that holiday gift this year, then consider these gifts that will serve your kids well into the future. For more information, check out noggin.com/kidstogether.

2021-11-22T07:01:00

(BPT) – A breast cancer diagnosis is scary, and women facing this situation are often laser-focused on eliminating the cancer as quickly as possible. However, if detected at an early stage, most women have the option of briefly pausing to research their treatment options, learn about new technologies and procedures available to them, and even get a second opinion. Taking these steps helps ensure the choices they make ultimately support not only their cancer outcomes, but also their physical and psychological well-being.

“When women first meet with me after a breast cancer diagnosis, everyone understandably thinks about just getting the cancer out as soon as possible. In those moments of fear, it can be hard to wait to get all the medical information necessary to help make the best decisions, and women may believe that surgery scars and how they may feel about their bodies in the future don’t matter,” said Dr. Anne Peled, a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing plastic, reconstructive and breast oncologic surgery in San Francisco at Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center.

As a breast cancer survivor herself, Peled understands the myriad concerns from both the patient and physician perspective. “If I feel medically that someone doesn’t need to make an urgent decision about their treatment, I tell them to pause, talk with their doctor and educate themselves. Taking the time to consider your options will not make your cancer outcomes worse. You will be more prepared and feel better about your surgery, recovery and outcome,” she said.

As part of these discussions, women should consider how they may ultimately look after their breast cancer surgery. Peled says the scars, divots, asymmetries and other cosmetic imperfections that often result from traditional lumpectomies can become a daily visual reminder to women about their diagnosis, which may seem insignificant at the time of diagnosis, but can cause psychological distress in the future.

“The reality is that we do such a good job treating breast cancer for most people that it will be something women will see every day in the mirror for many years to come. You get past side effects from active treatment like radiation, chemotherapy and hormone-blocking therapy, and adjust and hopefully finally start feeling better. But then you wake up every day and see your scars, and it can be a trigger that retraumatizes you,” she said.

One of the latest advancements in breast cancer surgery is Reconstructive Lumpectomy™ breast cancer surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that combines the cancer removal of a lumpectomy with the cosmetic outcomes of plastic surgery in one procedure, using Hologic’s products. Peled performs this surgical procedure at her practice and shares answers to some of the top questions she receives from patients in hopes to help educate others.

What is Reconstructive Lumpectomy breast cancer surgery?

Reconstructive Lumpectomy breast cancer surgery is a type of breast conserving surgery that provides oncologic (treating the cancer) and aesthetic (cosmetic) benefits in one surgery to ensure both adequate cancer removal while improving breast contour appearance, using Hologic’s products.

Compared to traditional lumpectomy, this approach involves aesthetic incision placement, tissue re-arrangement and volume replacement, which minimizes breast post-operative distortion, scarring or asymmetry.¹ This gives patients confidence that cancer can be removed while allowing patients to begin their road to recovery, without worrying what they will look like after surgery.

What are the benefits?

In addition to treating the cancer and improving cosmetic appearance outcomes, the surgeon may be able to hide the scar in an inconspicuous location to minimize visibility with this procedure, combined with healthy breast tissue re-arrangement designed to leave a better cosmetic outcome.¹ A better cosmetic outcome can boost confidence and help you feel more like yourself once you have healed from treatment.

Reconstructive Lumpectomy breast cancer surgery may also help to reduce seroma formation, the fluid buildup under the skin that is the body’s response to the empty space where tissue was removed.² In doing so, this may avoid potential delays in chemotherapy and radiation treatment, helping you return to normal life quicker.

Who is a candidate?

Reconstructive Lumpectomy breast cancer surgery is an effective treatment that supports a personalized approach to cancer care, using Hologic’s products. It can be a substitute for traditional lumpectomy, followed by standard treatment options including radiation as recommended by a radiation oncologist. This type of breast cancer surgery can be performed regardless of the pathology (malignant, high risk or benign diagnoses).

According to Peled, almost anybody undergoing breast conserving cancer surgery is a good candidate for the procedure. Consult with your health care provider to review your specific medical circumstances and determine if you are a candidate.

“Really get informed about your options for all of your treatments. Not only will this benefit your outcomes, but it will give you peace of mind with the choices that you made,” said Peled.

Learn more at ShapeHerFuture.com.

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[1] Cancer.net (2021, April 9). Breast cancer-types of treatment. Cancer.net https://cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/types-treatment.

[2] Kaur N, Petit JY, Rietjens M, et al. Comparative study of surgical margins in oncoplastic surgery and quadrantectomy in breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2005;12(7):539-545.

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