Month: May 2024

2024-05-20T08:31:00

(BPT) – There’s nothing like the joy of expecting a baby. And while prepping for baby’s arrival is an exciting time, it can also be overwhelming — especially when it comes to what you think you need versus what you actually need.

Carter’s, the leading children’s apparel brand trusted by parents, has been around the block a time or two (over 150 years to be exact), and knows exactly what new babies — and new parents — need during those first months. That’s why in 2021, the brand launched its new baby essentials line, a one-stop shop of everything you need for baby’s first year. The collection includes girl, boy and neutral color palettes, and is carried in sizes Preemie to 12 Months. The line also features more elevated sweater-knit styles and sets, making it equal parts charming, practical and the perfect gift for baby showers, new moms, first birthdays or “just because.”

Since launching, Carter’s has dropped seasonal refreshes on the most-loved styles in curated color palettes and prints, including its Original Bodysuit™, 5-Star Sleep & Play™ and mix and match outfit sets. But this season, the brand is changing things up by expanding its line of essentials with elevated designs in new prints, colors and textures, as well as with brand new offerings that parents and gifters will love to see.

Available online now, and in stores June 4, the refreshed collection features a new bath time category with soft, absorbent hooded robes and towels, two new elevated fabrications, plus, the return of its archived neutral palette. “The muted pastels and soft neutrals were inspired by nature,” said Design Director Isabel Arenas. “They’re timeless shades that never go out of style.” The summer line also spotlights three seasonal prints: Sage Voyager, Little Lilac and Elephant Gray. “These prints add a touch of whimsy and personality to your baby’s wardrobe. Plus, they stimulate visual development and curiosity with engaging prints,” said Arenas.

And rest assured that every product, new or not, was thoughtfully designed with the special features that parents know and love … and that make their lives much easier. “These styles focus on quality over quantity. We selected only the best pieces,” said Arenas.

Bodysuits

As any parent knows, bodysuits are a must when it comes to babies — the more, the better (hello, multipacks!). The features: Strong, long-lasting snaps that hold up after wear, wash, repeat; overlap shoulders that expand over baby’s body for easy changes (and can be removed entirely without going over their head in the event of a blowout emergency); soft, 100% cotton that’s gentle on baby’s skin, plus no itchy tags.

Parent Hack: Pair any bodysuit in the collection with matching multipack bottoms to create several easy outfits in a snap.

Sleep & Play

Known as the day-to-night, tummy time, nap time, anytime staple, the 5-Star Sleep & Play™ is the most practical outfit for new babies. Its two-way zip design zips up from the feet so you don’t have to undress baby, and cuddle tabs at the top keep little chins protected from zippers.

Preemie & Newborn Highlight: Skip the mittens — preemie and newborn sizes feature fold-over cuffs, so babies don’t scratch themselves.

Outfit Sets

An outfit in an instant. This parent favorite takes the thinking out of getting a little one dressed. Each seasonal launch is designed with distinct color palettes and prints to make it easy for parents to mix and match with layering pieces and pants (easy pull-on style and elastic waist keeps baby comfortable all day). Accessories like hats, headbands, bibs and socks also make it easy to add a bit of flair to baby’s OOTD. With (new!) unexpected details and textures, these sets make the perfect coming home outfit — and a great gift, too.

Sleeper Gowns & Wearable Blankets

For bedtime, the new sleeper gowns’ open bottom makes for quick, easy diaper changes, while a cinched design keeps baby’s feet warm during sleep time. When baby is finished swaddling (around 3 months), transition into sleep bags, a.k.a. wearable blankets. Safer than traditional blankets, sleep bags all have a TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) rating of 1.0, meaning they’re made to keep baby at just the right temp.

Accessories & More

Don’t forget the little extras like towels, blankets, bibs, mittens, socks, caps and layering pieces. Psst … You can never have too many burp cloths.

Whether you’re expecting your first or fifth child, or you’re just in the market for a baby shower gift, Carter’s collection of new baby essentials has everything you need for those first months — from bodysuits, Sleep & Plays and sleepers, to dresses, rompers, elevated outfit sets and more. Shop the newest drop online now, and in all Carter’s stores starting June 4.

2024-05-16T20:27:00

(BPT) – With an unwavering policy of open innovation with startups around the world, LG has been fostering businesses outside its own to better prepare for the future. These big-picture efforts are centered on LG NOVA, the company’s North American Innovation Center in California’s Silicon Valley — known worldwide as the hub of startups.

Established in 2021, LG NOVA aspires to form a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates the growth of new ideas by working closely with startups on new businesses that can enhance LG’s future readiness.

LG NOVA aligns with LG CEO William Cho’s growth strategy of 3B — Build, Buy and Borrow — to strengthen the company’s future growth engine by embracing talent and technology through exchanges with various innovative companies.

Let’s look at how this essential innovation center works with its partners to bring about groundbreaking advancements. Furthermore, we’ll explore how it is establishing a community dedicated to creating and nurturing businesses that contribute positively to the future of our world.

Discovering Global Startups to Break New Ground in Healthcare

LG NOVA’s “Mission for the Future” program, now in its fourth year, is designed to discover and nurture innovative global startups seeking to improve people’s quality of life in a greener, smarter and more connected future.

In its first three years, LG NOVA received over 4,000 submissions from innovative global startups, with more than 100 companies selected to explore joint business opportunities with LG.

This year is an especially important one, as this month, LG NOVA unveiled its first new venture, “Primefocus Health,” with Darren Sabo, previously head of commercialization of new health ventures at LG NOVA, at the helm as the CEO. Sabo has a wealth of experience in new business development, making him the perfect candidate to take this digital health venture forward.

Primefocus Health is committed to easing the journey from hospital to home for patients. It leverages cutting-edge technologies and novel healthcare treatments through a platform designed to offer patients access to a personalized care plan. This plan, curated by their healthcare provider, aids in the recovery from chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

This healthcare platform also offers providers access to patient data and information, enabling them to assist, guide, communicate and intervene as necessary during the patient’s home recovery. The platform aims to facilitate remote patient monitoring, providing real-time biometric information that can be integrated into the provider’s electronic health record systems.

LG NOVA is collaborating with more healthcare startups through the Mission for the Future program, including XRHealth, which integrates immersive VR/AR technology to provide comprehensive therapeutic care for remote medical treatment, and Mindset Medical, a sensor-based technology platform that utilizes the cameras in personal devices to virtually capture health readings to enhance diagnosis and treatment effectiveness.

Another example that demonstrates LG NOVA’s focus on digital health is Digbi Health, a virtual care platform to treat polychronic mental and physical illness that was selected during the 2021 Mission for the Future challenge. This solution leverages AI to harness clinical, genetic, gut microbiome, food and behavioral signals to target the root cause of illness.

LG NOVA plans to continuously launch new businesses through ventures in LG’s future growth areas including digital health, clean tech and AI.

Promoting Symbiotic Growth in West Virginia

This year, LG NOVA is joining hands with West Virginia to revitalize the local economy by fostering future businesses while bringing instances of win-win cooperations to this U.S. state and the dynamic Appalachian region.

The announcement introduced the NOVA West Virginia Investment Fund, which aims to drive USD 700 million into the region over five years through investment.

The decision to invest in West Virginia, which is over 2,000 miles away from LG NOVA in Silicon Valley, stems from the REINVENT LG initiative. Under the leadership of CEO Cho, LG has been carrying out various initiatives to redefine everything from its business structure and brand to the way it works. What makes West Virginia the perfect partner is its similar desire to reinvent itself to revitalize the local economy.

Primefocus Health also plans to work closely in the Mountain State.

Increasing Funds to Foster Potential Startups

LG NOVA is also significantly expanding the scale of its investment and speeding up its investments for the future. In 2023, it signed an agreement with Clearbrook, a global venture investment company, to expand the global startup development fund — NOVA Prime Fund.

Through collaborating with external experts to identify the latest technology trends, discover more innovative companies and offer comprehensive support, the company hopes to accelerate the growth of startups and discover opportunities for collaborations across various business areas.

A Talent Acquisition Outpost that Competes with Big Tech

LG NOVA also serves as an outpost to secure the best talent in Silicon Valley, an area dominated by big tech companies. By accurately reading future industrial trends and executing effectively, LG NOVA will be able to move one step ahead of the competition. At the same time, their challenging and brave attitude toward innovation will give a boost to the overall organizational culture.

Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, head of LG NOVA, is the perfect example of this. After founding an IoT startup, Rhee went on to serve in the U.S. government, as assistant director for Cyber-Physical Systems at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology and Presidential Innovation Fellow at the White House.

Joshua Di Frances, the leader of LG NOVA’s incubation office, is another key executive with experience across various areas including medicine, business and the public sector. Di Frances studied neuroscience at Boston University, an MBA from MIT and built an impressive career at CVS Health and the White House. Since joining LG NOVA in 2021, he is working to build new businesses in digital health, cleantech and immersive/AI future technology with his team of entrepreneurs-in-residence.

And, with the recent global boom in startups among AI engineering students, LG NOVA has been hosting the ‘Innovation Festival’ every fall to provide a space where innovative companies and investors can exchange information and expand.

LG NOVA will continue to seek out innovation from outside LG. To learn more about LG NOVA and its efforts to build, nurture and grow future-defining innovations, visit www.lgnova.com.

2024-05-16T12:19:01

(BPT) – Did you grow up playing video games and still enjoy them today? If that sounds like you, you’re in good company. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) just released its annual “Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry” report, shining a light on how people continue to enjoy video games, from childhood to adolescence and into adulthood.

“Video games have been a fixture in American life and culture for generations,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, President and CEO of the ESA. “Players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are embracing the positivity that video games bring to their lives. While the games we play and how we play them evolves over time, what remains consistent is how video games enhance our lives in ways that inspire us and bring us closer together.”

That’s the idea behind the study — to take the pulse on how Americans interact with video games, highlighting the role video games play in the fabric of American life. The ESA looks at the demographics of the players, their behaviors, and even parental interactions with their children’s game play. Wondering where you stack up? Here are some findings from the 2024 study:

190 million people ages 5-90 play video games at least one hour a week in the U.S. That’s roughly 61% of our total population. Players are close to evenly split between men (53%) and women (46%). Broken down by generation:

• 79% of Gen Alpha (ages 5-10) play video games
• 76% of Gen Z
• 65% of Millennials
• 53% of Gen X
• 46% of Boomers
• 30% of Silent Gen (ages 78-90)

It won’t surprise you to learn that most people (68%) play video games to pass the time, relax or have fun. But it’s not only about fun. A significant number, almost 40%, use video games to keep their mind sharp – and that number jumps to 61% for Boomers and the Silent Generation. Most players (77%) believe video games provide mental stimulation and can help improve cognitive skills (73%).

Most people agree video games can also increase:

• Problem solving
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Adaptability
• Communication

And about that nostalgia factor, people who grew up playing video games and still do today? It turns out, nostalgia plays a large role in gameplay. People in the study spoke fondly of their memories of playing games with their family and friends growing up, loved discovering the new worlds in the games, and especially love seeing their children enjoying the games they themselves played as children. Of the parents who play video games, 83% play with their children.

The study delved even deeper into the emotional benefits people derive from playing video games, including:

Escape and de-stress

Gaming allows players to disconnect from the world and distract from anything that is causing them stress. Exploring worlds, characters and stories, and engaging in these worlds, allows players to destress and help manage their mental health. Many use gaming as an outlet for when they’re feeling down.

Bonding with children

Games foster skills such as creativity, problem solving and emotion management in both young and teenage children. Parents utilize time playing with their children to communicate about their lives, and many find that it is easier to communicate about difficult or sensitive subjects with their children while they’re playing a video game with them. Game play helps parents better understand their children, both as players and as developing people.

Enhancing relationships

Those who game with their romantic partners do so often and prefer gaming experiences where they work collaboratively. Games that are “low-stakes” and focus on building something together, and games that are designed with co-op in mind, are favorites for romantic partners. Online games are often virtual spaces for people to have a conversation and spend time together doing an activity.

Founded in 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has served as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry for more than 30 years. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy to secure a vibrant future for the industry for decades to come. To read the full “Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry,” report, click here.

2024-05-16T14:01:00

(BPT) – While inflation continues to drive up home and auto insurance costs, fraud is a hidden culprit contributing to the hikes. Whether you’re an actual victim of insurance fraud or simply an active policyholder, the reality is that insurance fraud impacts everyone. And as the frequency and complexity of fraudulent activities increase, so does the cost of insurance for all policyholders.

What exactly is insurance fraud? It’s a deliberately deceptive act with the goal of receiving a wrongful payout from an insurance process. It can be committed by applicants, policyholders, third parties or even the insurance providers themselves — and it affects virtually every type of insurance including auto and homeowners.

“The total cost of insurance fraud for non-health insurance is estimated to be more than $40 billion per year. To put that into perspective, insurance fraud costs the average U.S. family between $400 and $700 per year in the form of increased premiums,” said Steve Wang, Manager, Divisional Claims/Head of Special Investigations Unit at Mercury Insurance.

Insurance fraud is committed in various ways, but the main offenses include fraudulent claims, application fraud and premium fraud. Of these, fraudulent claims occur most frequently, which involve offenders filing false or exaggerated claims to receive benefits they are not entitled to. For example, a policyholder may intentionally cause property damage in order to file a claim.

“There are several common schemes consumers should be aware of. Staged auto accidents, adding damage to vehicles after a loss and switching drivers on accident reports are a few of the most prevalent scams. Additionally, there are crime rings that specialize in ‘slip and fall’ schemes, which involve fake injuries and false claims,” said Wang. “Making our job even more difficult is the fact that today’s scammers are technologically savvy and have access to sophisticated equipment.

“They routinely produce fake medical records, duplicate checks, and false identifications and business licenses. To maintain an advantage, we are constantly working to stay ahead of the technological curve,” continued Wang.

Given the widespread ramifications of insurance fraud, consumers may be wondering what they can do to help combat it. According to Wang, if consumers aren’t looking for insurance fraud, they won’t find it. “I always tell people to document suspicious activity and incidents. When it comes to cracking these cases, the devil is in the details,” he added.

Here are some other tips that consumers should be aware of:

• When looking at policies, verify the insurance company: Only buy from authorized companies and agents. Unauthorized insurance operations are illegal and policyholders are unprotected should the company go bankrupt. In California, consumers can verify this information here: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0150-seniors/0200beforebuy/CheckInsCo.cfm. Know that if the price quoted sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Low premiums are great, but not if the insurer is unable to cover a claim.
• Fill out the application carefully: Never sign blank forms or blank applications. Incorrect, incomplete or false information on an application can jeopardize insurance coverage. It is a crime to supply false information on an insurance application or claim.
• Read the policy: Expect a copy of the policy from the insurer within a reasonable amount of time. Read it promptly to verify that it contains the proper coverage needed. If there is a discrepancy, contact the insurer immediately.
• Involved in an accident? Call the police: Always call the police and document unusual circumstances or activities. Gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident.
• Maintain detailed records: This includes bills for collision repairs, home/property repairs and medical services. Keep copies of all insurance records, including copies of all premium payments.
• Be vigilant with billing: Watch for double billing or unexplained charges for any service received as part of an insurance claim. Avoid paying for premiums in cash and opt for checks or online payments.

When suspicious activity is observed, regardless of insurance provider, Wang urges witnesses to alert the SIU and to contact law enforcement by calling 800-835-6422 or reporting the incident online: https://www.nicb.org/how-we-help/report-fraud.

To learn more about insurance fraud and its ramifications, visit Uncovering the Truth: Understanding Insurance Fraud and Its Impact.

2024-05-16T08:01:01

(BPT) – Disney lovers: Ever pictured Ariel in modern-day Manhattan? How about Belle in California? What might your favorite heroines be up to in our world?

The Meant to Be collection of romance novels from Disney Publishing Worldwide’s Hyperion Avenue imprint gets deliciously lost in this notion. Written by bestselling authors, the Meant to Be books are contemporary, escapist rom-coms with a twist: They’re inspired by the Disney movies that a whole generation grew up loving.

These books aren’t simple retellings of the stories of Ariel, Belle, and more — they are re-imaginings. Each of the four titles takes a beloved character and weaves them into an entirely new, deeply romantic, utterly modern tale. Ariel is a world-famous singer in a rock band. Isabelle (Belle) works in publishing. Cindy (Cinderella) is an aspiring shoe designer. And the newest in the series, Tangled Up in You, finds Ren (Rapunzel), with her cascading blonde hair, starting college after being raised off the grid.

Written by the romance powerhouse duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, who have published 19 New York Times bestselling novels under the pen name Christina Lauren, Tangled Up in You will be released June 25, 2024.

“We hope you can feel our love for this story in every page of this book, and that our take on this beloved tale inspires the same kind of joy and comfort we felt that very first time we fell in love with Tangled,” say the authors.

These contemporary rom-coms are aimed at romance readers, Disney fans and anyone who wants a fun, romantic escape.

Here’s a peek inside these modern fairy tales.

Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova

A modern tale of unexpectedly falling in love and finding your voice.

Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she’s the girl who has everything. But lately, she wants more.

Then Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father — and goes with him.

Caught between the world she longs for and the one she’s left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and, somehow, find her own voice?

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

Sometimes to truly know a person, you have to read between the lines.

Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing after college, she did not expect to be 25, still living at home, and one of the few Black employees at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves.

But Izzy quickly finds out she is in over her head. Beau Towers is not some celebrity lightweight writing a tell-all memoir. He is jaded and withdrawn and — it turns out — just as lost as Izzy. But despite his standoffishness, Izzy needs Beau to deliver, and with her encouragement, his story begins to spill onto the page. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected, and as their deadline nears, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn’t there before.

Best-selling author Jasmine Guillory’s achingly romantic reimagining of a classic is a tale as old as time … for a new generation.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

If the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own.

Cindy loves shoes. A well-placed bow or a chic stacked heel is her form of self-expression. As a fashion-obsessed plus-size woman, she can never find designer clothes that work on her body, but a special pair of shoes always fits just right.

After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America’s favorite reality show, “Before Midnight.” When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion.

Turns out being the only plus-size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn’t expect? That she may just find inspiration — and love — in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own.

Best-selling author Julie Murphy’s reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is an enchanting story of self-love and believing in the happy ending each and every one of us deserves.

2024-05-16T08:01:01

(BPT) – Students with the drive, enthusiasm and commitment to improve their communities can take those qualities even further, with some support. That’s the main idea behind the Frito-Lay Community Builder Scholarship, which awarded $25,000 each to students who demonstrate a passion for leading and uplifting their local communities, contributing to a brighter future.

“As a first-generation college student myself, I received a life-changing scholarship while pursuing my degree,” said Jesus Gutierrez, Frito-Lay North America DEI HR manager. “I know the impact this scholarship will make on these students, who are pioneering change through their passions — and I expect their commitment to their community to continue beyond school.”

As one of a diverse group of employees on the scholarship judging committee, Gutierrez also had the opportunity to help surprise one of this year’s recipients, college student and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Ramon Perez.

While attending college and fulfilling demanding duties in the Marine Corps, Ramon Perez of Rochelle, New York, also volunteers with his local Boys & Girls Club and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. He began volunteering in high school, discovering he could make an impact on his community through mentorship.

“It’s cool to have somewhere to feel safe,” said Perez. “I felt like I had that safe place at the Boys and Girls Club. I want to continue to impact my community as a volunteer and make it a better place for everyone.”

He learned about giving back as young as 10 years old, when he joined his father on annual road trips from New York to Mexico with a truckload of donations for his extended family’s community. His father instilled in Perez his dedicated work ethic and commitment to family.

To chart your unique path to success, while balancing, work, school, service and positively impacting your community, Perez offers this advice:

Be transparent about your schedule. When juggling commitments, communication is key in meeting your goals and showing everyone your dedication. For example, when he had a weeklong training for the Marines, he worked with his college professor to share a recording of his presentation ahead of time.

Find advocates and allow them to champion you. Working together with instructors and mentors has been crucial for Perez being able to succeed in several arenas.

Maximize your time. “Ask yourself when you can multitask,” Perez said. “For example, is your commute a chance to catch up on reading?”

Optimize opportunities. A Veterans Affairs representative helped Perez find available scholarships, which he now pays forward by helping Marines in his platoon apply for scholarships.

Be confident: When applying for scholarships Perez says, “It’s really about selling yourself. This is a skill I learned in the Marine Corps. Once I was plugged into the process, Scholarship America makes finding scholarships easy.”

Perez will be a senior at Baruch College this fall, studying accounting and finance. He wants to get into the financial sector and become a CPA, with the ultimate goal of helping his parents retire.

2024 Community Builder Scholarship Recipients

Mehar Bhasin from Lakeville, Connecticut. Bhasin is passionate about STEM and co-founded the non-profit organization STEAM BLOOM, which has provided over 2,000 students free access to computer science resources. Bhasin will be a sophomore at Dartmouth College this fall.

Jaelyn Hardaway from San Antonio, Texas. Hardaway served on the San Antonio mayor’s Youth Climate Council and was co-founder of the first Antonian branch of Cancer Kids First. She recently organized and led an initiative to deliver personalized care packages to pediatric patients locally and internationally. Graduating high school this year, Hardaway is currently deciding where she will attend college.

Caleb Oh from Gambrills, Maryland. Oh co-founded the non-profit Kid Changemakers when he was just in elementary school. He’s raised thousands of dollars to help support food insecurity initiatives and to help at-risk populations such as foster children and the homeless. He also successfully lobbied state senators to remove the tax on diapers, saving families millions of dollars. Oh will be a sophomore at Harvard University this fall.

“Each student has had their own unique path to finding their purpose through community, education and their personal backgrounds. Based on my experience, I’ve seen the value that diverse thinking and backgrounds can bring to leadership,” said Gutierrez. “What all of these students have accomplished is impressive and inspiring.”

Frito-Lay established the Community Builder Scholarship as part of its commitment to education and the goals of PepsiCo Positive (Pep+). Pep+ is a strategic transformation initiative focused on giving back to the communities Pepsi brands serve. Since 2022, Frito-Lay has provided $600,000 in scholarship funds to students across the country. Learn more at Pepsico.com/our-stories.

2024-05-15T07:01:00

(BPT) – By Dorsey Griffith

In a cruel irony, one of the most significant health challenges facing older Americans is also one of the least diagnosed, especially in the early stages when steps can be taken to slow or better manage decline.

Cognitive decline, a condition that can progress to dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, is on the rise. An estimated 8 million Americans have mild cognitive decline, and 90% of them don’t know it. As the population of older adults surges, rates of Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. are expected to skyrocket as well, nearly tripling to 14 million by 2060.

In a busy rural Alabama primary care clinic, Rick Kilgore, a physician associate/assistant (PA), is addressing the disparity by screening every patient over age 50 for signs of cognitive decline or dementia. He’s using a recently developed cognitive assessment screening tool designed for healthcare providers across practice settings. The goal is to improve cognitive screening rates to catch early signs of dementia so that patients can make lifestyle changes to optimize brain health, get referrals to specialists and engage family members or caregivers for support.

“I would estimate that less than 10% of people who go on to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s as older adults are diagnosed with cognitive decline in their 50s or early 60s,” he said. “Usually by the time a family member comes in and says their loved one is having problems, it’s gone beyond losing car keys or forgetting where they parked their car — like forgetting to take their medications. These patients need to be identified earlier so they can take appropriate action, which might include additional tests, lifestyle changes or medications.”

American Academy of Physicians Associates (AAPA) CEO Lisa M. Gables, CPA, says clinicians across the healthcare team, including PAs, are essential to early detection.

“PAs are often one of the first healthcare providers a patient will encounter and are skilled in identifying signs of early cognitive decline in patients and refer them for more testing and treatment,” Gables said. “Just like with other diseases, early detection is critical.”

The cognitive assessment toolkit was developed by the AAPA and Cleveland Clinic with funding from a Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC) grant, an initiative of the DAC Healthcare System Preparedness Project. The project aims to advance how healthcare systems worldwide detect, diagnose, treat and care for people with or at risk for Alzheimer’s.

In addition to the patient screening test, the toolkit also allows providers to interpret the findings and differentiate among signs of normal aging, cognitive impairment and dementia. Providers can also discuss abnormal screening results with patients and their caregivers, address any concerns they might have, as well as help them with modifiable risk factors for dementia.

The toolkit also includes resources for patients with information on supporting brain health and wellness.

“The reality is not everyone has to deteriorate,” said Kilgore. “You can slow it down by taking steps like moderate drinking, a healthy diet and daily exercise. My approach is to recommend patients don’t smoke, take walks, read books — don’t be a couch potato. Having good heart function and being mentally sharp are tied closely together.”

The cognitive assessment toolkit was tested at five rural practice sites in Alabama, Idaho, Maryland, Oregon and Tennessee, along with several urban Cleveland Clinic locations. During initial testing, patients 65 and older who were offered a cognitive screening during a yearly wellness exam increased to 100% and those offered a cognitive screening during any type of primary care medical visit increased from 30% to 39%. Eighty-two percent of providers who tested the toolkit said they planned to change their screening practices. The toolkit was officially launched in Fall 2023.

“If patients or their caregivers feel that an individual is showing signs of forgetfulness such as not taking medications, being unable to balance their checkbook or asking repetitive questions, they should alert their provider that the patient may have early signs of cognitive decline,” Kilgore said. “Early screening is important. Even in their 50s, an individual may begin to show subtle changes that can be documented and followed with the screening tools that we have launched within the PA community.”

2024-05-15T09:01:00

(BPT) – Following years of all-time low mortgage interest rates, 2023 saw rates fluctuate between 6% and 8%, complicating the plans of some homebuyers, particularly those looking to purchase their first home. What many renters who are looking to become homeowners may not realize is that mortgage rates are only one aspect of affordability, which should be viewed as a three-legged stool: home price, mortgage interest rate, and down payment. Even in a challenging interest rate or home price environment, private mortgage insurance (MI) can be used to help low down payment borrowers achieve the American dream of homeownership.

In some markets, high interest rates have cooled the trajectory of home price appreciation; with home sales dropping 18.7% from 2022 to 2023 and the national median home price increasing less than 1% in 2023. This is good news for first-time homebuyers who saw home prices in some markets increase 20% or 30% in prior years.

So, if the home price is within range, how much cash do you need for a down payment? You may think it is 20%, but the truth is, you can qualify for a mortgage with as little as 3% down.

According to U.S. Mortgage Insurers, private MI has helped nearly 39 million borrowers access homeownership with low down payments. Further, private MI helped nearly 800,000 homeowners purchase a home or refinance a mortgage in 2023, with nearly 35% having incomes below $75,000 and more than 64% of those loans going to first-time buyers. In addition, the most common form of private MI, paid monthly by the borrower, helps homeowners begin building equity sooner and is also only a temporary cost that can be cancelled after 20% equity is established. Importantly, once private MI is cancelled, the monthly mortgage payment goes down, unlike loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a government program featuring monthly MI premiums that are generally not cancellable.

Each homebuyer’s finances are different, therefore it is important to do the math before buying a home. Home prices and interest rates impact the monthly cost, but luckily the private MI industry is able to help homebuyers overcome one of the biggest hurdles to homeownership: the need for a large cash down payment.

There is a saying, “date the rate, marry the home.” Borrowers should always stay within their budget, but those who purchase a home now with a low down payment may be able to refinance later when rates decrease. These borrowers can achieve the American dream of homeownership sooner, start to build equity and avoid some competition from other borrowers who are waiting on rates to drop.

If you’re interested in learning more about private MI, visit lowdownpaymentfacts.com to learn more about your homeownership options.

2024-05-15T08:57:00

(BPT) – Graduation season is in full swing! As the invitations to grad parties start rolling in, it’s time to consider what might be a truly useful gift for someone embarking on a new phase of life. Money in a slim envelope is the typical default gift but helping your new college grad create a home office for their first job — now that’s the way to ensure they start off on the right foot.

Here are some ideas for stellar gifts that will help your graduate succeed in their brave, new world post-grad:

A gaming laptop. Want to be the hit of the party? Wrap up a gaming laptop for your grad. A gaming laptop like the powerful HP OMEN Transcend 14 gaming laptop has enough oomph like high performance graphics capabilities to handle everything from gaming to creative applications from video editing to engineering programs, equipping your grad with everything they need to be productive and then relax after the workday. It features the Intel Core Ultra processor with native AI processing, an ultra-portable and lightweight design, sleek exterior styling, an OLED screen, and enough performance to get work done and play games at the apartment or on the go.

A new way to print. This is a must-have for every home office. Level up your grad’s tech with a new way to print with the HP All-In Plan. The service combines a choice of a new printer, automatic ink delivery, continuous printer coverage with a dedicated 24/7 live support team, next-business-day replacement in the event of printer issues, and the option to upgrade your printer after two years, so your grad won’t ever have to worry about their printer not working when they need it most. The best part — there’s no up-front cost and plans start as low as $6.99 per month. Bonus tip: they will have the most decked-out apartment with photo printing. And, when paired with that multi-function gaming laptop, your grad is sure to have everything they need for their new home.

An ergonomic chair. Hunching over a computer all day is a recipe for bad posture, fatigue and stress, and isn’t exactly conducive to one’s best work. A good ergonomic chair provides lumbar support, adjustable seating and arm rests, allowing recipients to customize the chair to their needs. It takes the pain out of sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time, which contributes to productivity.

Internet. Consider gifting your new diploma-holder monthly, high-speed internet. They get the service; you pay the bill. Internet service is a necessary, ongoing expense for working at home — and a whole lot more — but it can be difficult to shoulder for people starting out on their own. Taking that monthly expense off of their plate will be a huge relief. Bonus tip: Partner with someone to throw in a streaming service subscription for when your grad wants to relax with a movie.

Lighting. A harsh overhead light can contribute to eye strain and fatigue, especially if there’s glare or if you have an older, fluorescent light that flickers. Soft light from a desk lamp is the answer, and it also can be a stylish addition to the room’s décor. Go shopping with your grad to pick out a style he or she likes that accents the room.

Blue light blocking glasses. Digital eye strain can lead to problems, including headaches, fatigue and even trouble sleeping. Blue light blocking glasses can protect against the blue light emissions from screens that cause digital eye strain. Find several pairs in different styles that can add some fun and flair to the workday, while also blocking those blue light rays.

Storage. Numerous studies, including those from Princeton and Harvard, have shown that a cluttered workspace impedes focus and is a detriment to productivity. Help them combat clutter with storage solutions that will help organize paperwork, files, printer paper, notebooks, pens and anything else related to work or life.

For a young person taking the big step of entering the workforce or getting their first apartment, the journey can be daunting and a little bit scary. Outfitting them with the essentials for hitting the ground running will help set them up for success. By gifting them services like the internet and the HP All-In Plan, you’re putting the essentials on auto-pilot. Bonus tip: Partner with others to offer your grad all of the items on this list of essentials!