Most people are used to thinking that successful individuals are just born under a lucky star. Still, such an opinion is a delusion, no matter how much we want to believe it. Success depends on one’s purposefulness, effort, and accomplishments to a large extent. So, all those stories of famous people are not just a product of luck. Elbow grease and confidence in oneself play a great role in getting a dream job.

Of course, sometimes other important factors can influence the situation. This can mean the ability to craft a winning resume despite the lack of work experience. To increase the chances of employment, use resume writing services like Skillhub and get professional help. Everything is possible, so receiving an invitation for an interview with a recruiter from your dream company is easier than it may seem.

​To prove to you that career growth depends only on personal effort, this article reveals the story of one of the most famous show hosts in the whole world. Oprah Winfrey’s career path wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Let’s delve into it and discuss some of her preliminary occupations.

It may come as a shock for many people, but Oprah’s first work was in a local grocery store. She worked there as a teenager to get some pocket money, but we can still consider her career path began in a shop.

Over the past decades, the sales profession has undergone many changes, and the requirements for recruiting in this specialization have increased significantly. Of course, no one says that you can grow to the director of a store in a couple of months. The career growth of a seller is quite long, but the prospects are significant.
​
It is worth considering that even in this profession, you will constantly have to develop and grow. If you choose not to upgrade your key skills, then you should not think about career growth and an increase in salary.

John Heidelberg from the local radio station WVOL noted Oprah’s abilities and hired her to read the latest news on weekends. She worked as a part-time news reporter during her high school years. In addition, she was not just a presenter but the first African-American woman to occupy such a position. She managed to do a good job and made nearly a hundred dollars a week.

However, it was not always a success. In her early days on television, Winfrey was scared and felt the news was not her field of occupation. The exceptional compassion, which, in fact, brought her later success and money, was not the best professional quality for the commentator.
​
She kept repeating to herself, “I’ll just pretend I’m Barbara Walters,” and it worked. Walters became her professional leader. Oprah earned $15,000 a year while still a college student.
This story shows that despite the fear and lack of confidence, there is no use in giving up. This refers not only to the growth in a particular career field but also to the process of a job application. If no recruiters land an interview with you or you are fed up with constantly trying to land a job, this does not mean it will always be like that. Just be persistent and send as many applications as possible.

Before graduating from college in 1976, Winfrey was offered a chance to be a reporter for “Baltimore is Talking” and the second six-hour news broadcaster on WJZ Television. Winfrey accepted the proposal and was on her way to the big times.

It is worth noting that this role was performed by her flawlessly. The ratings of the program went off the scale, and this was the very success that the girl dreamed of so much.
Two years later, she became the host of the show “People Are Talking.” Oprah’s rating began to rise sharply as the audience warmly and enthusiastically welcomed her.
​
Indeed, when a person loves their job and invests all their energy and effort in the development of their career, it is appreciated by the community. Hard-working people are noticed by employers and hiring managers and have better chances to get “yes” at the interview.

In 1985, Quincy Jones, a famous American film producer, was looking for someone to perform a role in his film. Winfrey had no acting experience other than a college drama club, but Jones chose her for the job. The motion picture was released in December 1985 to the delight of the audience.
​
It is said that a talented person is talented in everything. Perhaps, this phrase has a grain of truth. But most importantly, to expand career opportunities, one must use any chance they are offered.

​Having managed to succeed on such a rich career path, Oprah came close to creating what we know her for. In 1986, the most famous “The Oprah Winfrey Show” appeared. This instant turn of events made Winfrey the highest-paid performer in show business.

​Success never comes out of the blue. It is a constant process of self-development through significant effort and perseverance. As you can see from Oprah’s experience, to get something, one needs to put their back into it and never stop moving forward.

​Conscious living, conscious exercising, conscious breathing - everything has now become conscious. Even hobbies can be conscious, meaning that you should take them up because you want to do so. During your life, there have certainly been situations where you wanted to do something just because other people did that. As you have reached your fifties or sixties, you finally have the cognitive basis and wisdom to opt for what you like. Read on to choose something new from the list below. 

If you ask ten random people about their childhood dream, the chances are high that half of them would remember wanting to become an artist. Some of them would specify that they wanted to play a musical instrument, but the parents told them not to do so. The same could have happened to you. At any given time of your life, you might have wanted to start a musical career. However, you were afraid of those uncharted waters, questioned your abilities, or thought that the number of successful artists was already high. Those were and are only thoughts: you can start little by little right now. You have the skills to give your musical self a try and experiment. Whether you go to a music school or begin watching a virtuoso Youtuber, the music in your mind is waiting to be heard.

Reading makes for a hobby that everyone has considered at least once. Why? It helps you be equipped with knowledge in different aspects. As you already have extensive life experience, you would certify that multifaceted knowledge is an asset. The more you read, the more situations and scenarios you can live with the help of the characters. You keep your imagination and feelings working: they keep you alive inside. All the things you can dream about nurture your inner child who provides you with enthusiasm and strength to continue exploring life. So often, seniors fall into depression as they don’t know what to do next, and they long for the past. Reading can serve as a key to studying more opportunities and biographies of others to find clues to what you can do next.

​Sometimes meditation seems like a scam to unprepared seniors: you sit and imagine. What’s the point? Instead of that, you can do something in the real world. What those seniors don’t know is that meditation is the key to the inner world, and the world that surrounds you is the projection of it. You spot outside what you have inside, not the other way around. Meditation helps you stay connected with your true self, your sincere wants, and needs, but also acknowledge your fears. While meditating, you dig deep into yourself, trying to find answers to existential questions that you long had but didn’t allocate time to answer. So, when you have the answers in you and have calmed down inside, you will notice how the outside world changes in response to your updated state of mind.

​Interestingly, learning a new language has become easy today, yet many hardly consider it seriously. In the abundance of language learning apps, you can start today with one language, tomorrow learn another, and decide that your tongue is the one and only. Think of a language that would help you in a specific field to prevent such a dilemma. For example, you want to relocate, or you want to travel. Yes, the world speaks English, but isn’t it better to know the native tongue of the country and culture you have always admired? Also, learning something new keeps your brain active and pushes it to develop new neural connections. Some studies have shown that this can hinder the development of illnesses, such as Alzheimer's.

Seniors are known for having some savings that can help them afford to live the way they used to. However, this also makes them an easy target for those agencies that want to sell seniors things they don’t need. Marketers know that seniors have those funds and can buy items for their children or grandchildren. Training financial literacy and knowing that such scams can occur helps seniors be more aware of what their money should be used for. On the other hand, seniors who are still working, need to file tax documents, and applying for professional assistance would be the right step. Tax preparation, especially when it comes to tax refund files, requires professionalism and experience. This can help seniors pay as much as they need and use the tax breaks and advantages the government usually provides them.

When we walk over the hill to middle age, we find that our body and mind isn't what it used to be. We may notice a few wrinkles around our eyes, some aches and pains, or we may not be as mentally alert as we were twenty years ago. Time catches up with all of us, and there is no point in trying to avoid it.
​
Fortunately, we can do things to slow down Old Father Time, such as taking regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, limiting stress, and taking certain nutritional supplements. Here are 5 of the best nutritional supplements for the over 50s.

Calcium is vital for maintaining strong bones and protecting against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Your heart, muscles, and nerves also need calcium to function properly.
​
Women over the age of 50 are highly susceptible to developing osteoporosis, a health condition that weakens bones and causes them to break more easily. Men can develop osteoporosis, but it's far more common in women. Calcium can be found in dairy products and green leafy vegetables.

Berberine is a substance found in plants such as goldenthreads, tree turmerics, and Oregon grapes. It has an endless list of medicinal properties such as lowering cholesterol, reducing blood sugar in people with diabetes, reducing symptoms of menopause, treating the side effects of heart failure, healing stomach ulcers caused by H.Pylori, and preventing bone loss in menopausal women.
​
Berberine is best taken as an oral supplement to get its full benefit. Luma Nutrition berberine is an example of a quality product using the best ingredients.

As we age, our brain function can diminish due to insufficient blood circulation, among other factors. Ginkgo biloba is rich in phytochemicals that improve circulation. This wonder plant can improve brain function and slow cognitive decline, thus reducing the risk of dementia.
​
Because ginkgo biloba increases blood circulation, it can ease painful legs and help older people become more mobile and pain-free.

Vitamin D is vital for good health. We need it to maintain strong bones and teeth, keep our muscles functioning properly, and to make our immune system robust.
​
We obtain most of our daily vitamin D requirements from the sun. Our body absorbs it from the sun's rays, and it is synthesized in the skin. Living in a country with limited daily sunshine can deplete a person's natural vitamin D levels, as can the aging process, so health experts recommend that older people take vitamin D in supplement form.

Vitamin D is a nootropic, meaning it can help improve cognitive function. Nootropics are essential to take as we get older. With this comprehensive list of nootropics, you can ensure you're taking the right vitamins and minerals for improved brain function.

Most people over the age of 50 have heard of glucosamine as it is the most widely used supplement in older people.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar found naturally in human and animal tissues. It develops and maintains cartilage within the joints, so with age, this substance can deplete, leading to sore joints and osteoarthritis. It can also reduce inflammation, so it is an effective treatment for reducing the symptoms of interstitial cystitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and glaucoma.
​
It is essential to consult your doctor before taking any supplements because some may cause side effects when taken with prescription medications.

While everyone is striving for retirement, many retirees later find themselves looking for things to do to keep busy, which is why so many retirees start working part-time. Although many retirees need to create an income to make ends meet, living costs keep on rising. 

So, whether you are hoping to create a worthwhile extra income or you want to pursue something that will keep you busy, we've rounded up five great ideas for you to consider.

​Starting an e-commerce business is pretty pocket-friendly, especially when considering how many free resources are at your disposal. You can use free website builders, free logo design apps, and online tutorials to create your brand.

And if you aren't too sure what kinds of things you should sell, you should consider your hobbies; if you enjoy gardening, you can sell plants online, or if you enjoy sewing, you could sell clothing, garments, or home decor items.

Freelance tutoring is an excellent opportunity for retirees who want to earn extra money, although they don't want to start a business. Because seniors tend to develop patience along the way, retirees are typically great tutors.

That said, tutoring opportunities are amble, as you can tutor remotely from home if you have a laptop and a stable internet connection. Furthermore, you can also work your own hours as one of many perks of freelancing.

Offering services such as babysitting or pet sitting is not always the most suitable decision for seniors, as these services can be mentally and physically taxing.

Although, services such as house sitting are possible. Looking after someone's property while they are away is hardly an effort at all, and you'll make extra money.

Alternatively, you could consider renting out some of your homes if your property is large enough for a roommate. Although you should use rental agent services to rent out your space safely, particular processes will be put in place to ensure your home is shared with an individual that meets the criteria. 

Finding a roommate on your own could have you living with a tenant you cannot get rid of and who does not pay their rent.

​Freelance tutoring is not the only freelance opportunity out there that seniors can take advantage of. If you enjoy writing, you can find opportunities with the help of online job boards for remote freelance positions. 

Freelancing is one of the most suitable forms of employment for seniors, as the advantages allow for a comfortable work-life balance that won't be too demanding. 

As a retiree, there's no doubt that you don't want to overwork yourself just to earn a bit of extra money. Of course, you need to manage your health and wellbeing as you age. And while investing in healthcare and avoiding lousy dietary habits are just a couple of ways to manage your health, keeping busy is also essential for your mental and emotional wellbeing.

Our life as young and then mature adults is tightly connected with our work and our family. The things we do and the people we care for provide us with purpose and meaning. Plus, you get a feeling of being useful and wanted; you have a place in society. 

However, once the kids move out and become self-sufficient, you start to feel less needed. Also, as you move forward in age, and retire, you get a second blow from society.

Now you’re no longer a manager or an advisor - you’re just a retired old person with a whole bunch of time on your hands and a lot of aching body parts. 

As a result, more people fall into depression after retirement. The sudden change in their life dynamics leaves them feeling empty and shunned by society. Still, there is hope for a good and fun life after retirement - you just have to prepare for it.

You can do so by strengthening family ties (taking care of grandchildren from time to time), making new friends (other retired people with a lot of free time), and finding fun and interesting activities to do. 

For instance, if you like flowers, there are a ton of interesting activities you can do on your own or with friends. Here are a few ideas:

Maybe you’ve always wanted a beautiful garden filled with gorgeous flowers from all over the world but there was no time for such a hobby. Well, now that you are retired and the kids are all grown up, you have all the time in the world!

Sure, your joints are not what they used to be, but you can hire someone to do the digging and the planning in the spring. Plus, there are a lot of tools you can use to make your job easier. 

Gardening is a great activity for the body and the soul as it helps you stay active while doing something you love!

If you just like playing with flowers and colors, you can dig into flower arrangements. After all, it takes skill and attention to detail to put together a beautiful yellow flower bouquet! 

For this, you can purchase the flowers fresh from the market or you can collaborate with local gardeners. Who knows, maybe you can make some new friends who share the same love for flowers!

Arrangements help you exercise your dexterity and stimulate the brain by engaging several sensory systems. Plus, they’re nice to look at and brighten any place!

​While they don’t have a very long life when fresh, pressed flowers will stay with you for as long as you want. Plus, you can display them in various crafts or you can offer them to loved ones as gifts or as cards on special occasions. 

It takes a bit to learn the flower pressing technique, but it is an extremely fun and interesting skill to add to the toolkit. Plus, it helps you keep the brain young (learning a new skill) and helps you discover new hobbies and passionate people.

​Overall, whether it’s flowers or anything else, it’s important to find ways to entertain yourself during retirement. This way, your brain will stay active and you will continue to have a fun and full life.

How many times in a day do you find yourself feeling completely exhausted as a man? You might be experiencing mental exhaustion. 

Mental exhaustion is a misunderstood disorder that can be caused by a number of things, including tiredness from lack of sleep, stress at work or home, and overworking your brain. 

In this blog post, we will discuss 11 reasons why men experience mental exhaustion and break down the symptoms so you can pinpoint what's causing yours!

1. Poor Diet
   Do you skip breakfast and lunch? While it may be a habit for some, this can result in mental exhaustion later on in the day because your body is hungry and fatigued! Eating regularly throughout the day fuels your brain and body. 
   If you find yourself feeling mentally exhausted between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, this may be why.
   
   
2. Chronic Illness
   If you are dealing with a chronic illness, it can be very taxing on your mental health. Chronic illnesses can cause obstructive sleep apnea, which may result in lowering your testosterone levels. If you are feeling mentally exhausted, talk to your doctor about how to manage your illness better. 
   As a man, you can boost your testosterone levels by using testosterone supplements.
   
   
3. Lack of Enough Sleep
   Did you know that the average person needs 8 hours of sleep to maintain mental stability? According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
   Studies have also shown that sleep deprivation can cause sluggishness, forgetfulness, and irritability. If you constantly lack enough sleep night after night, you will become mentally exhausted sooner than later. Try to get an average of 6-8 hours of sleep per night.
   
   
4. Poor Work/Life Balance
   Do you work a lot and have a family to take care of? While this is not an easy schedule to balance, you need more time for yourself outside of work. Work/life balance can help prevent stress from affecting your mental health because it allows more time for recreation and fun! 
   If you think lack of time might be causing some mental exhaustion, try adding in a couple of "me" time hours over the weekend to help rejuvenate your mind.
   
   
5. Overworking Your Brain
   When you are trying to do too much at once, you are likely going to experience mental exhaustion. Do not focus on tasks that will be hard for your brain because they can cause stress.
   For example, if you are trying to do a crossword puzzle and have a conversation with someone, you will not be able to focus on either task very well. Try doing one thing at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed and mentally exhausted.
   
   
6. Depression
   Depression is a mental disorder that can lead to feelings of sadness, emptiness, and despair. If you are feeling down and having trouble feeling happy, it can be a sign that you are depressed.
   However, other symptoms of depression include fatigue, restlessness or loss of energy, insomnia, weight change or loss or gain due to eating too much or not enough, and other physical problems such as back pain and digestive issues.
   
   
7. Laziness
   Do you find yourself spending your days on the couch watching TV or playing video games? While it is okay to take a break once in a while, you should not overdo it because mentally, working out by learning new things is just as crucial for your brain. If you are constantly indulging in activities that do not require much thinking, you are more likely to feel mentally exhausted.

Conclusion
Mental exhaustion can be caused by a number of things, including diet, lifestyle, and illness. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it is important to talk to a doctor about what might be causing it. Mental exhaustion can lead to other mental health disorders if left untreated. 

Try to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and avoid overworking your brain. 

Retirement can be an enjoyable time in your life, but it can also be a time that you welcome and embrace change. Just because you have retired from a previous career or occupation, it does not mean that you cannot embark on something new. No matter what age you are, you still have the time and the opportunities available to embark on a new career path. A second, or even third career is perfectly acceptable, so what are you waiting for? What is holding you back from embarking on a new career?

​Perhaps you retired earlier than you wanted to, or maybe you retired from a previous career or occupation because you were no longer getting the satisfaction or rewards that you needed. Whatever your reasons for retiring, it is essential to realize that they change, and you’re thinking changes too. Retirement can last a long time, and if you feel that you have more to offer, you will end up feeling like you have never realized your full potential. You need to step out of retirement to make a difference, and you need to embark on a new journey that is unfulfilled.

Retirement can make you feel old, and it can age you unnecessarily. If you feel that you can add something (or bring something) to the world of nursing, then age is truly a number that must be overcome. Far too often, numbers are spun out negatively, and this can leave you feeling like you have to be in a career by a certain age, perhaps when you are in your 30’s or 40’s. However, this is simply not true, there is no upper age limit by which you must abide by when it comes to starting a new career such as nursing, and as a result, you are never too “old” to start on a new and exciting journey.

​Of course, you want to plan out your journey into nursing to ensure that it is successful and as smooth as possible. When you take time out to plan, you can ensure that you fit in everything you want to (and need to) within a timescale that works for you. Having a plan to follow can also give you more control and power over the route you are taking. It can also give you guidance and direction, perhaps for those times when you feel that you don’t know which direction to go in and why. To successfully plan for a new journey, you have to think about your end goal. What do you want to achieve, and by when? Once you have established what your end goal is, you can then begin working backwards to ensure success.

Within nursing, experience is key, and it is valuable too. Whether you have personal experience or knowledge of nursing and healthcare, or whether you are a newbie, your life experience and life skills matter. Being able to speak to a wide variety of patients (of all ages) and being able to relate and empathize with patients and with what they are going through will help you become a successful nurse. Your life experience and your knowledge can come into use during everyday situations and scenarios when you are working, and it can also be useful too when you are studying for your nursing qualifications. Do not dismiss your previous experiences as they may help you push your new career forwards in the right direction.

Over the years, you have built up a skill set that is hard to beat, and this is another reason why you need to embark on a new journey. Your skillset that has been developed and enhanced over several years will come into use within a nursing career. Skills such as great communication are essential, as too are the time-management skills you have acquired over time. Writing down and then breaking down your skillset will show you that you are well equipped to handle the roles and responsibilities that come with a nursing position.

It is always nice to know that you are wanted, and within nursing and healthcare, you can be sure that this is true. With increasing population numbers comes increasing demand, and this is something that has never been clearer or truer. Populations growing and even living longer has meant that healthcare workers and nurses are in high demand. When you undertake a role that is highly in demand, you can be sure that you will be fairly compensated and remunerated for your efforts. Although nursing is not about the financial rewards, it is nice knowing that you are being fairly compensated for your time and efforts.

Returning to education and gaining new skills and qualifications can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. Learning and education can be fun, rewarding, and enjoyable. There are lots of accelerated nursing programs online that you can undertake and complete quickly from the comfort of your own home around your existing commitments. Pushing yourself and absorbing a lot of new information can keep you feeling young, and it can keep you feeling focused too.

​A new career in nursing is beneficial to you, but it will also be beneficial to others too. As a nursing professional, you will be aiding and assisting others within their care and rehabilitation. Having an impact on patients care and also having an impact on their lives will leave a lasting impact on your life and your journey too. Knowing that you can make a difference in the lives of others and being prepared to make a change will leave you feeling fulfilled in many ways.

When you reach the age of 65, prudent, low-risk investment becomes more essential. It directly influences your retirement and the legacy you pass to family members.
Gold IRAs are among the numerous low-risk investment options available to seniors. These unique retirement accounts enable you to invest in gold instead of more conventional assets such as equities and bonds. Many companies also offer these retirement accounts, such as the Oxford Gold Group and others like it.

Find out more about gold IRAs, including how they function and the best uses for them in this comprehensive guide.

A gold IRA is a special kind of individual retirement account (IRA) that allows for the ownership of gold bullion. Additionally, investors may use a gold IRA to acquire real estate, artwork, and more.

It's worth noting that you can't possess real gold in a traditional IRA, unlike gold IRAs. However, you may invest in a number of gold-related assets such as stocks of gold mining firms or gold exchange-traded funds. A gold IRA is also like a traditional IRA, but with the additional advantage of providing you better control in your investments.

A gold IRA requires a broker to purchase the gold. It also requires a custodian to establish and manage the account. This custodian will keep or retain your physical bullion in a secure environment.

A custodian refers to an IRS-approved firm or bank that manages these accounts and handles all of the paperwork. They help you open an account and walk you through the whole investment process.

After you've opened and financed your account, you'll select the precious metals you’d like to acquire and the dealer from whom you like to acquire them. Custodians don't pre-select a dealer for their clients. However, experienced custodians may be glad to offer their list of dealers around the nation.

After selecting your precious metals and dealer, you may instruct your custodian to purchase the metals with the funds from your account. Once you acquire your metals, they must be transferred and stored in an IRS-approved depository. As part of the process, your custodian can direct you to an accredited institution and manage the gold transfer for you.

There are also fees in opening and maintaining a gold IRA. Custodians and depositories charge different fees for gold IRAs. If you want to obtain the greatest rate, check at least a few suppliers and custodians before opening an account.

Funding your gold IRA is simple after you've opened an account. Moreover, it can be done in several ways:

• IRA Transfer: You may transfer money from another retirement account to a new one. You just have to notify your existing 401k provider of this request. Then, they’ll move the money to your new account.
• IRA Rollover: You may also withdraw cash straight from your existing 401k or IRA to the new gold IRA. Remember that you must deposit the money within two months or 60 days to avoid being charged an early withdrawal penalty. 
• Cash Contribution: Additionally, you may fund your gold IRA with cash or a wire transfer. Bear in mind that there are yearly contribution caps. Contributions over specified limitations will incur a penalty.

Seniors may benefit from gold IRAs in the same way that younger individuals can. The only difference is you may increase your yearly contribution. You may invest $1,000 more as a senior compared to the younger investors.

As long as you're 70.5 years old or older by the year 2020, you're allowed to continue making payments indefinitely. Gold IRA contributions might be an excellent way to increase and protect your money throughout those years.

Don't forget to consider that even though you may begin receiving distributions at the age of 59.5 without incurring a penalty, you may opt not to. If you want to hold onto your gold for the long term, you have until the age of 72 to do so. At that point, you must begin collecting contributions as mandated by IRS regulations.

If you're interested in a low-risk strategy to invest your money, gold IRAs might be an excellent option. Not only would they safeguard your retirement assets from market fluctuations associated with equities and other conventional investments, but they may provide the opportunity for gradual and steady growth.

If you pick a reliable custodian, you should also have a few concerns regarding physical security and fraud. Furthermore, gold IRAs may act as a hedge against inflation, which is becoming an increasing issue as the economy improves from the pandemic.
​
However, like other investments, Gold IRAs fluctuate in value due to market instability triggered by a number of circumstances. While gold retains its value in our culture, the value of gold does experience ups and downs.

​Since everyone's retirement goals and financial circumstances are unique, consider this guide with a dose of skepticism. In addition, keep in mind that previous success doesn’t guarantee future results.

As the retirement age window continues to expand thanks to medical and lifestyle improvements, we’ve had to start seeing retirement in a completely new light. People are living longer, and that means their retirement funds need to sustain them a lot longer too. Many people also don’t want to stop working or taking part in business ventures just because they aren’t in the traditional workforce anymore. 

If you’re looking for a way to earn money, one of the best channels is real estate. Real estate investing is a simple way to earn more money, give yourself financial freedom, and even help your children with college tuition or their own business ventures. 

The only challenge is, for most people the idea of investing in property sounds expensive and quite daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. There are some simple strategies you can get started with that don’t require a lot of money. Here are a few. 

Wholesaling has gained a lot of attention as an investment strategy in the last year. Actually, if you search the term in Google Trends, you’ll discover that interest in it has skyrocketed. For people looking for an easier way to step into the world of investing, it’s a great model to consider, but what exactly is wholesaling and how do people make money with it? When wholesaling, you would look for a discounted property, put the house under contract, find a new buyer, and then charge the buyer a fee. What makes this model so great is that you’re usually looking for distressed properties which have become a burden for the owner and taking it off their hands, and then you get to earn your profit without even renovating or flipping the home. It’s a more hands-off investment strategy, making it perfect for retirees who want to jump into real estate without massive projects that last months and months.

How do people leverage the equity they have in one home into multiple rental properties? They use a method known as BRRRR, which stands for buy-renovate-rent-refinance-repeat. People use the equity in another home to basically recycle their capital and then apply it to buying more homes. If it's done with good business sense, it actually gives you the opportunity to scale up quickly, and build a solid portfolio without putting a whole lot of money down. If you have a mortgage already, you could use your equity to fund your BRRRR strategy. Using a reverse mortgage calculator, you can find out how much you can get, and use that to get a massive investment into your portfolio.

​You don’t have to actually have a house on a property to earn money from it. Many investors would rather not deal with the hassle of property taxes, tenants and other challenges that come with rentals, so they decide to just buy and sell vacant land. Land is great because for starters, you don’t need a whole lot of capital to get started, and all it takes to find investments is to drive around the outskirts of your city, spot some land, research the owner and contact them to make an offer. You can sell the land to developers, or you can hold it for the long haul so that the land value increases. Land is an often-overlooked strategy that actually works well for people who would rather not deal with the headaches of being a landlord.

Not every investor can easily get a loan from the bank in order to fund their deals. What most of them do is find people in their circles who would want to be their private lenders. If you have some cash, you can become one of these private lenders, and invest in real estate without having to do the heavy lifting. By just providing the money they need, you can earn an amazing return with relatively low effort, and if you’re working with someone who is really good at what they do, they can grow your investment across multiple deals. It’s another great way to take part in investing without the challenges of doing it full time.

The great thing about all the methods mentioned is that you can get started without prior experience by investing in coaching and educational programs that leverage the knowledge of other people. Finding the information you need is as simple as doing a Google search, watching a few YouTube videos, and signing up for a program. This is where you’ll get the support that will set you up for success.

When the time comes to retire from work, your entire outlook on life will change. No longer will you have the (relatively straightforward) purpose of working to pay the bills and put food on the table; you will now have to fill your days with new pursuits.

On the one hand, this is a fantastic opportunity - and what you have worked your entire career for. It is the golden opportunity to see more of the world, pursue your favorite hobbies, spend more time with your loved ones and step back from the workplace stresses.

However, once the novelty has worn off, you will soon discover that you will have vast swathes of empty time, which you are just not used to having at your disposal. It is easy at this stage to age considerably as boredom and purposelessness set in.

Naturally, this is not a healthy way to lead your life, so you must find ways of injecting novelty into your life. 

Here are five ways to entertain yourself during your retirement:

If you have always been into card games or fancy spicing up your retirement, then you could learn how to play online poker using legal US poker sites. 

While it is important to treat pursuits such as online poker with respect, it can be a great way of injecting excitement into your life. 

When you are busy working hard and trying to sustain a household, then it is nigh on impossible to indulge in watching lots of movies, television shows, and reading books.

However, once you retire, you can soak up far more culture - whether it is watching the best that cinema has to offer or reading a collection of novels that have been on your reading list for an eternity.

​Similarly, if you love music, you will listen to far more of it. Enjoying a fulfilling retirement is as much about staying mentally fresh as it is about slowing down, so you may want to keep abreast of new music, as well as enjoy the classics. 

When you retire, your social circle can easily dry up. You no longer see work colleagues on a daily basis, and you may have lost contact with old friends.

It might be worth hosting dinner parties for your friends, neighbors, and family to keep your social life buzzing and your confidence afloat. This gives you a day to look forward to and helps entertain you during your retirement years.

​The pandemic has been a rough period for many of us. However, it has been a particularly dissociative nightmare for the service sector. 

There was a distinct lack of continuity — a complete overhaul of the work process and several far-reaching changes that are still in play. 

Employees have had to adjust to a new working process without dropping their productivity levels. This consistent pressure has undoubtedly made a distinct mark on their mental health situation. 

It has necessitated the institution of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) as a practical measure to reduce employee pressures, decrease turnover rates, and increase overall productivity.

The constant threat of downsizing and complete isolation from a normal work environment has a drastic impact on most employees. 

Depression and anxiety about their work takes on a completely different meaning in the light of these additional factors.
 
The EAP is quite simply in place to help the employees deal with all the problems that directly affect their professional performance. The program offers counselling and workable solutions to the main issues that are causing the employee anxiety and stress particularly regarding their work.
 
Expert consultation helps tem workout the problem that is at the root of the pressure and deal with it effectively to move forward with a healthy work life balance.
 
EAP programs can offer actionable assistance to the employees in multiple ways. This includes: 

• Financial assistance
• Counselling for better work relationships
• Advice for improving work performance
• Counselling for work related mental health challenges
• Assistance with child and elder members care
• Counselling and Rehab programs for substance abuse 

Establishing EAP counselling has influenced at a deep statistical level. In fact, since its inception, the programs have been tracked by some competent surveys to reveal some astounding results. 

Vision counselling has taken a survey of 1000 EAP clients over a period of 6 weeks to document.

• 45% improvement in overall work-life management skills after the programs started operations.
• 86% improvement in the emotional health conditions for employees struggling with personal issues that have a direct effect on their jobs.

Capterra ran a survey of employees with an admitted burnout syndrome where the work pressure drained their mental and physical health conditions. Shockingly, only 54% of these employees had access to any kind of employee assistance counselling or support programs.
According to a research report by SHRM, almost 78% of the employers in the US had some form of EAPs already running to provide counseling assistance to the employees by the year 2018. 
​
In your quest to build a high performance company culture, you cannot leave employee healthcare and especially mental health out of the equation. 

The installation of EAP counselling can further enhance whatever efforts you already have in place for employee support within the company.
 
It is a problem-solving provision that can show an extensive effect within a very short time. 

Most employees have admitted to positive outcomes within a few sessions of this specialized service. The EAP counsellor can also refer the individual employees to more long-term care where indicated by the symptoms.
 
Having a professional focused on helping your employees deal with their personal and mental health issues, removes the guesswork regarding the professional concerns that these issues might invoke.
 
That is a powerful reason for starting an EAP for your company. However, even beyond that, assistance programs are essential in many ways that are more comprehensive.
 
Here we discuss the three most compelling reasons to have an employee assistance program within your company work culture immediately.
 
So, let's dive right in!

Employee assistance programs are focused on the health care and wellbeing of the employees. It represents care the company places on the employees. 

Even apart from the counselling benefits, the mere establishment of the EAP is a restatement that the company values its employees even beyond the 9 to 5 work call.
 
This feeling of being valued is in itself a positive outcome of the EAPs, which invokes more trust and solidarity from the employees. They are less likely to skip the work calls or mark absence during stressful days.
 
From an organization's point of view, EAPs solve major situations, which can create further problems in the future. 

The EAPs should have a format to allow employees to raise their own concerns with regards to the work systems in place.
 
For instance, during the COVID situation where work from home was a necessity, it was impossible for employees to maintain the same work hours as the office.
 
EAPs can help in such a situation where employees have a forum to speak about their individual problems. The same solution might not apply for all types of situations. However, a custom solution that can be adjusted in different margins can evolve to help for different situations.
 
For instance, the total work hours can be distributed in weekdays and weekend patterns that suit employees individually. However, a weekly or daily common meetup can help consolidate all work processes in one setup.
 
This can help address individual employee concerns regarding the work hours that suit their productivity cycles, liabilities at home and responsibilities of work-life balance. These factors can be professionally measured under expert supervisor within an EAP counselling session. 

​Toxic work atmosphere where the focus is only on production and operations without placing any effort towards cultivating the brainstorming and inception phases is set to fail in the long term.
 
If your work culture has not evolved to a standard where the employees feel more accepted, heard and their ideas are valued, you are not leaving room for any innovation.
 
In such a scenario, a stagnation will set in at some point, which will further reduce your company’s performance against competitors in the market. Without enforcing a calmer atmosphere, you cannot expect your employees to remain under stable productive cycles.
 
They are not machines after all, and even if you do consider them as such, EAPs can become your pit stops for regular conditioning of your employees.
 
For instance, in a service sector company, the days around the major festivals and celebrations are clearly more hectic than regular days. However, your employees have to put up their best faces during this situation to keep assisting the consumers through their issues during the festivities.
 
You also have to take into account that the company is only able to provide the service during these days at the cost of your employees sacrificing their own personal commitments during these days.
 
These adjustments might manifest as fallouts and setbacks in their own personal lives, which can then trigger issues in the company. If the employees do not take a regular break on these festivals and then work the rest of the year on a normal attendance, their work life balance is impossibly skewed towards work.
 
EAP counselling can help determine the tendency and severity of the fallouts for each individual employee. While announcing mandatory leaves for all employees is a positive step, you can further curtail leaves and working hours for different employees with specific situations.
 
You can only determine the need for such customization when the employees have a platform like EAP to voice their situations aloud to an expert.

The work environment has always been a second family for most long-term employees. They invest their emotional and mental efforts to help move their corporate family forward in the industry.

However, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that a trauma can affect all aspects of your life sometimes.
 
When an individual is under a trauma, it can have far-reaching implications for all aspects of their lives. A work trauma will not be limited to your working environment and a personal trauma will affect your work as well.

While many shy away from asking for professional counselling when coping with a personal loss or trauma, having an in-house expert onboard your company makes this help much more accessible.
 
Even for hospitals that were dealing with the worst aftermath of the COVID control, post-traumatic stress disorder experts were included within the employee assistance programs to provide counselling for grief, trauma and exhaustion for the doctors.
 
This kind of assistance is also important for all work environments where the employees have to deal with life threatening risks at a close vantage point.
 
Soldiers and Media veterans are often in need of trauma counselling particularly if they are to cover war or calamity ridden areas under their assignment.

​EAPs are a systematic approach to help employees cope with very personal issues. It acknowledges that companies share the responsibility of a wholesome life and creating a balance between work and life for their employees.
 
It helps remove the isolation placed on employees by the various work styles that are now in place due to necessity. 

Establishing a successful EAP can have positive results for all companies regardless of the sector. However, you will have to adjust the content for your programs depending on the most pressing needs of your field.
 
Happy employees are more likely to give their best and beyond through their working capabilities. Thus, the company can move forward as a single entity cutting more strongly against competitions.

As a parent, you desire to help your children in every possible way. But the high cost of college tuition makes it difficult for retirees to sponsor their children’s education. When you started retirement planning, you may not have considered the possibility that your kids would need your help. Luckily, there are ways to help your kids with college tuition as a retired parent.

A college savings plan will help you anticipate your child’s college needs and make early provisions even before they gain college admission. A 529 plan, also called a qualified tuition plan, is one popular way that encourages you to save for your child’s future college costs.

529 plans are tax-free and allow you to regularly save significant amounts of money for your kid’s college needs. You can easily withdraw the money when it’s time to pay for college expenses like tuition, textbooks, and accommodation. 529 plans come in different types, and the benefits and rules attached to each type vary by state. So, try to read up on your state’s offer and how the savings add up over time before choosing a plan.

Though you’re retired, you can help your child with college tuition by taking out a loan. One loan option is a federal loan, and your child must fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to get this loan. This form determines your child’s eligibility for federal college loans and other types of government aid. If your child is a minor, you’ll be responsible for filling out a part of the FAFSA form, and you’ll need to provide your financial information.

Completing the FAFSA form and submitting it through the Federal Student Aid website will open you to the possibility of a Parent PLUS loan. Parent PLUS loans are federal loans available to parents or legal guardians of college students. The application requires that you consent to a credit check. So, you should have a satisfactory credit score to qualify for this loan.
​
Alternatively, you can opt for private loans to pay for your child’s college tuition. When you apply, a lender will typically ask for your financial documents like gross annual income, Social Security number, latest tax return, and a list of your assets. Unlike private loans, Parent Plus loans have more flexible repayment options that allow you to pay less monthly. But this can extend your loan term.

Grants are an excellent way to fund college expenses as they don’t require repayment. There are several grant options for your kid, including those from the federal and state governments. To apply, your child should complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. The information they provide on the form will be used to calculate their EFC (Expected Family Contribution). An EFC is the amount of financial support for college your child is presumed to get from family.

Your child can qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, awarded to college students based on financial need. The FAFSA determines the financial need, and this grant is usually awarded to college students with the lowest EFCs. If granted, your child must fill out a new FAFSA form at the beginning of each calendar year.

An Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is another federal grant option for your child. It is awarded based on need and merit to first-year college students and sophomores. Your kid should have a high GPA to qualify for this grant. They can also apply for the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) that help low-income college students. Alternatively, your child can apply for a TEACH grant if they agree to spend four years teaching at a secondary or elementary school that serves underprivileged kids. You can also encourage your kid to research grants from their school or consider state grants.

Reverse mortgage loans allow homeowners 62 years and older to borrow against their home equity and receive money from a lender. Retired parents can leverage this funding option to pay for their kids’ tuition. You can access lump sums in this loan plan or receive the funds in bits every month. You don’t have to repay reverse mortgage loans, provided you continue living in the home. However, the loan must be repaid (usually by reselling the house) if you die or move out. You can use a reverse mortgage calculator to determine how much you’d qualify for: https://reverse.mortgage/calculator.

You can create a GoFundMe Page to raise your kid’s college tuition. GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that allows you to raise money from family, friends, and even strangers. The money you raise through GoFundMe isn’t a loan. So, you won’t need to worry about repayment.
​
To encourage people to support, let your child share what they aspire to do after college and how they intend to give back to the community. For instance, they can pledge to tutor underprivileged kids for free.

Time is of the essence whenever you experience a fall or when your loved one does. Falls can occur at any age, but they become more of a threat when you age. Even if you fall with no injury, you can get some psychological effects. A fall can cause a broken bone, fear of future falls, or even head injuries.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95% of hip fractures are from falling. Having a medical alert system can help create a level of safety at the touch of a button. These systems help deliver fast medical support when you are alone. Besides, they can help seniors maintain their independence by allowing them to age in their homes peacefully.

​A medical alert system can help seniors stay independent while overcoming the fear of falls. The system is also known as a fall button or a personal emergency response system. The device is a state-of-the-art communication and computer system. Nowadays, there are two types of systems to consider, mobile systems and in-home systems.

A mobile medical alert system is something you can carry with you anywhere. In an emergency, you only push a button that alerts the call center. Here, a live agent will call the emergency medical personnel or your emergency contact number. Most of these call centers operate 24/7, thus ensuring that you always have a connection to a live agent.

On the other hand, an in-home medical alert system features two components, a pendant with a button and a console. You can wear the pendant or the help button around your neck, belt, or wrist. On the other hand, a console is a base unit used to monitor your home electronically, and it’s plugged in a wall outlet with a telephone jack.

You will find plenty of medical alert systems in the market nowadays. These systems will have different options that vary depending on your price point and needs. The most common functions of the monitoring system will include:

• Equipment – An in-home medical alert system will include the base station. All the other systems will have cellular coverage, a battery pack, and a long-life battery.
• Connectivity – Most medical alert system companies will have different connectivity functionality, including VoIP, landline, and cellular technology.
• Pricing and contracts – Pricing will vary from one medical alert system to another. A good plan ought to have an annual contract without any cancellation fees.
• Customer support – Most medical alert devices will have technical support professionals. These professionals help respond to all your medical emergencies.
• Monitoring features – These systems also have a help button, a call centre, and a base station to help respond to any emergencies. These features guarantee your safety no matter your location.
• Additional features – Some devices feature additional features at additional costs. These features include carbon monoxide detection, GPS tracking, personal directory assistance, fall detection, a smartphone app, fitness tracking, daily check-in services, medical monitoring, daily activity monitoring, and much more.

There are plenty of advantages to owning a medical alert system. The first is independence – either option will help you live comfortably within your home longer. Therefore, you don’t need to depend on others. On the other hand, these devices provide rapid response to falls and all your health emergencies.

The devices help prevent any serious injuries. More so, you can purchase a medical alert system that’s tailored to your needs. It ensures that you can select the different functions you would like in the system. Most of these devices also provide you with ease of use. They feature a simple-to-push help button and a user-friendly system that will work for visually impaired people.

Medical alert devices provide you with assistance anywhere. Some systems will work only at your home, while others have GPS-enabled options to track you anywhere. Therefore, you can speak immediately to skilled medical personnel whenever you need assistance. Furthermore, the device will ensure that you can call for help even when your cell phone isn’t available.

These devices are also discrete because of their different portable buttons that you can wear inconspicuously around your waist, neck, or wrist. These devices are also affordable, with plenty of basic features like connectivity, monitoring, and check-in.

Therefore, you can enjoy some peace of mind with the device and know that you can access emergency aid 24 hours a day.

Since 2006, UAE visitors and immigrants have been allowed to buy Emirati real estate. Previously, only local residents could become UAE homeowners. In this article, we’ll look into houses prices in Dubai and prices of other sought-after properties.

Foreigners are allowed to buy homes in special areas called freehold zones. There are also leasehold zones, where properties and land plots can be leased for the period of 10 to 99 years. These areas are called leasehold zones.

The seller is obliged to guarantee that the property being sold is not mortgaged so that the prospective homeowner has every right to sell the property.
​
All debts and fees must be paid. The buyer must pay half of the property transfer fee if a standard sale and purchase agreement is concluded. All the necessary paperwork must be done on time.

Property joint ownership is possible in Dubai and is regulated by the new joint ownership law (Law No. (6) of 2019). According to it, jointly owned properties are divided into three categories depending on the common areas management:

• Master communities or megaprojects, where the developer is responsible for managing and maintaining common areas and facilities.
• Hotel projects, with the developer appointing a company to manage common areas according to the Dubai Land Department regulations.
• Other property projects, where a management company manages common areas and facilities.

Let’s compare prices in US dollars in Dubai’s most popular neighborhoods:

​However, you should keep in mind that these are approximate prices. Visit https://emirates.estate/ to see up-to-date prices and the most recent listings.

The world of employment is changing and not everyone is opting to be tied down to a company anymore. Instead, there are plenty of individuals who are now choosing to transition to freelance careers.

Becoming a freelancer though is a lot more difficult without the preparation or knowledge of how freelancing works. If it were easy, more people would be doing it.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the tips that are most helpful in transitioning from being employed. There are also plenty of benefits that come with freelancing and that are also worth mentioning.

How has the freelance market changed over the years and where does it stand as of 2021? In 2020, there were 59 million people doing freelance work in the US alone. There has been a growing increase over the years with only 53 million people freelancing back in 2014.

The same goes for businesses and their preferences when it comes to hiring. According to small and medium-sized businesses, freelancers are proving to be game-changers for these organizations. 70% of SMBs in the US have worked with freelancers at least once and 81% of these companies plan to hire freelancers again.

If you’ve considered making the change and transitioning to a freelance way of life, then knowing what you need is essential.

Before you consider the transition, it’s important to identify the industry you want to work in and its popularity for freelancers. Whilst a freelance career might sound exciting, your hopes might be dashed if the industry doesn’t really cater to it. 

1. Sort out your finances

Even though freelancing can be limitless in the money you make, there’s also a lot of uncertainty. With that said, it’s beneficial to sort out your finances first. There are going to be months where you don’t earn so much and of course, there are certain benefits that being employed by a company permanently, bring.

If you struggle to maintain your finances and expenditures, then this is something you’ll want to refine and work on before leaving your current role. There are plenty of money management apps and methods that you can apply to your finances.

Google Sheets
If you need something fairly basic, then Google Sheets is a perfect online tool to make use of. It also comes in an app form for money management on the go. It’s also free, making it the perfect tool for freelancers who are on a budget.

Quickbooks
If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, then Quickbooks is a great option. The platform offers more than just management of your money but it can also help with invoicing and expenses.

It’s always worth having savings so that you can lean back on these when you have the odd month that’s not so financially positive.

2. Create an online presence

When becoming a freelancer, success doesn’t come overnight. It can take a while to build up a regular client list. It’s always good to create an online presence if you’ve not got one already.

As a freelancer, you may want to start by creating a website or a place to display your portfolio of work. You also want to put yourself on various platforms that are going to help you secure more work. For example, LinkedIn is a great place to network and to show that you’re available for work.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are good places to find work too, so it’s worth establishing profiles on these too.

3. Have knowledge of contracts and rates of pay.

Having knowledge of certain processes is beneficial for your freelance career. For example, you may be responsible for drafting up contracts on behalf of clients. Not every client may be able to create contracts and so sometimes the responsibility may land on you.

Contracts are important because they ensure fairness between both parties and to protect you from anything untoward happening as a result of no contract in place. So whether it’s a modeling management contract or a contract to be a wedding photographer, having knowledge of contracts can be good to have.

Rates of pay are also something to consider as most freelancers will often go off what other freelancers would typically charge. However, it can vary from industry to industry so it’s good to price up your services before selling them. You should always charge your worth and what you believe is the right amount for your skills and experience.

It can be hard to navigate a freelancing career, especially as you become responsible for everything you do. However, with practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it

4. Set boundaries to better your work-life balance.

Boundaries are important for any job, even if you’re a workaholic. Setting boundaries are even more essential when you’re a freelancer. The reason for this is that freelancing can often mean you’re working from home or working hours that aren’t necessarily 9-5.

There are tips that can help ensure you separate your personal life from your work life when working from home.

​Keep a separate space for work
You should still separate your workspace from your personal space, even as a freelancer. With that in mind, you should try to find a room in your home that becomes your workspace. 

The rest of the home should be your personal domain that you don’t bring any of your work life into. That way, you create a more harmonious environment for yourself.
Have set working times

Freelancers can end up working all hours of the day in order to cater to their clients. However, it’s important to set working times so that you can switch on and switch off. These set times might not be exactly the same every day but ultimately, you should make sure you have a start time and a finish time.

Know when to say no
It’s very easy to say yes but saying no is more difficult. We can often feel guilty for rejecting an offer of work, especially when you’re a freelancer. However, if you’re burning yourself out by taking on too much then it’s going to affect the quality of your work.

There are a lot of benefits that come from being a freelancer. It’s worth knowing this when it comes to making a decision to take the plunge or not. Freelancing sounds like a dream scenario for many but it doesn’t always pan out that way, so it’s good to take these benefits with a pinch of salt.

Flexibility

With a full-time job, you have set hours and typically you’d get a lunch break. As a freelancer, the hours you do aren’t always going to be the same every day. However, there is a lot more flexibility on offer than that of permanent employment. You can set your own hours according to the needs of your clients and how many hours are required in order for you to get the work done.

With flexibility, you get the freedom to take time off when you need to and that can come in handy when you have other commitments and responsibilities, like a family for example.

No limit on the money you earn

When it comes to earning money, a set paycheck is the security net you receive when fully employed. However, when you’re a freelancer you can earn any amount you set your mind to. That means there’s no limit and some individuals can thrive with this financial opportunity. 

Everyone would love the option of earning more and whilst full-time employment comes with the occasional pay rise or bonus, it’s not quite what freelancing can provide. However, the downside to freelancing is that you’re not guaranteed to earn the same amount every month.

Be your own boss

Being your own boss is something that many people like the sound of but the reality means you have to be highly organized and strict with yourself. However, that can work for many of those who don’t like having a boss or manager to deal with on a daily basis.

When there’s no one above you but the expectations of your client, it can be quite a liberating experience in comparison to other jobs you may have had previously.

Run a business that’s yours

​As a freelancer, you do effectively have a business, whether that’s an officially registered one or not. You are the owner of yourself as a freelancer, meaning you have the decision-making powers every time. It can also be a great way of establishing a reputation when the business is something that’s well-known.

Transitioning from employed to freelance isn’t always easy, so it’s good to have this knowledge before you go quitting your job for greener pastures. Preparation is key and if you’ve got the drive and talent, success is likely to follow.

Getting implants can be a real game-changer for a lot of people. Rather than wearing dentures or suffering through missing teeth, an implant can bring your oral health back to normal. The issue is that they are commonly misunderstood and can be expensive if it isn’t covered by your dental insurance.

It takes understanding what implants are all about and what to expect if you decide to get them. Although they can have a positive impact on the life of a person who gets them, they may not be the best option for some. In this article, we will go over what you need to know before you go to the doctor and get implants.

Besides the cost of the procedure, people want to know how long the healing process is before they sign up to have it done. The aftercare and how it impacts your ability to eat is something that is necessary to understand before you take it on.

According to Nolensville Dentist, the initial healing process is only a couple of days. What that means is how long it takes to get back to your normal eating routine without pain or discomfort. The entire healing process takes up to six months, however.

The implant is drilled into the jawbone with an anchor to keep it in place. For the anchor to properly fuse with the bone, it takes time. However, this process, called osseointegration, doesn’t impact your ability to eat and is going to go unnoticed.

The initial healing process is what is going to vary from person to person. Some people will be fine after a couple of days and others will report that it is difficult to eat for a couple of weeks afterward.

In fact, some people have intermittent bleeding for up to 48 hours after the initial surgery when the anchor is implanted.

Nothing is forever, so people rightly want to know if their implants are going to last for the rest of their life or just a few years. It could be a very expensive proposition if they need to be replaced frequently.

The key to remember is that there are two components to the implant. There is the anchor and the crown. The crown goes over the top of the anchor and is the tooth part of the implant. The crown is the part that gets the wear and tears from chewing, brushing, and other factors.

It generally will last from ten to fifteen years depending on your overall oral hygiene. When it needs to be replaced, you will only replace the crown. The anchor is permanent and will not need to be replaced.

The most obvious difference between the two is the price. Most often, dentures are covered by insurance and cost very little out of pocket. However, they need to be fitted and can be uncomfortable.

Implants are not usually covered by insurance except in some cases so the cost out of pocket will be much higher. The other difference is that they act like normal teeth with no discomfort or problems with eating.

​Running is an excellent form of exercise. You can enjoy many benefits when running, such as weight loss, blood pressure maintenance, and improved cardiovascular health. It can also be a fun social activity. However, it can cause injuries and stress on joints affecting your active lifestyle if not done properly. 

Running gear is essential to running correctly and avoiding injury. Some of the equipment might be expensive, but it is worth it. Below is the list of the best gear for men over 50 to keep them safe and fit while running:

​The running belt is essential for holding your gadgets such as phones, keys, and small bags of energy bars. Some belts also have water bottle holders to keep you hydrated during the run. Choosing the best fanny pack for your needs will ensure that you don’t have to worry about the weight of your phone and keys in your pockets and keep your posture upright as the pack will be located at the center of your mass.

Running shoes might be the most crucial gear for running because they are the first point of impact between you and the ground. It has to have proper cushioning, a flexible sole and fits perfectly on your feet so you can run without the worry of getting injured or damaging the joints in your body. 

Wearing the wrong shoe size will cause back pain, knee pain, and your feet might get tired. To find the right fit shoes, you need to know if you have a high or low arch in your foot. You should also know how broad your toes are when standing. Do not forget to check for comfort, too, because it has to feel good on your feet when wearing it during a run.

The way you dress for running will also affect the run because it keeps your body warm, dry, and comfortable during the activity. When choosing clothing, look for moisture-wicking fabrics made of polyester or nylon to help keep your skin dry. 

Clothing should be comfy, so it is not too tight on your body. If you are buying workout clothes for your aging parents, it is best to get their opinion on what they think during the fitting process. A running jacket is suitable for cold weather and rainy days.

​As you age, your hands might not be able to handle cold weather anymore, so it is best to keep them warm while running. Running gloves can do just that and provide comfort while running in cold weather.

Your running socks should be able to keep your feet dry and comfortable even during long runs or workouts. They will also keep you more focused on the activity instead of thinking about your aching feet because it is too cold, wet, etc. Running socks, unlike casual socks, are specially made to wick moisture away and keep your feet comfortable. They also have added grip to ensure that you’re feet don’t slide around the insides of your shoes.

Running is a great sport that everyone needs to include in their life. It helps you build endurance, lose weight and increase your aerobic capacity. The best running gear for men over 50 will help you have a safer run while ensuring that your body is not damaged from running. It is crucial to choose the right gear for your comfort and safety.

​The older we get, the weaker we become. Old age comes with medical complications; that is why people need extra care at this age. One way to prevent these elderly health issues is to get a senior citizen health insurance plan. What does this mean, and how do you find the best plan for you? Continue reading to learn more.

Senior citizen health insurance is a unique health insurance plan that cares for older adults, especially citizens above 60 years. It includes life assurance and other health benefits; you can find a life assurance plan with Assurance.com. 

The senior citizen insurance scheme provides affordable premiums and impressive laid-back health benefits. Some of the most significant features included in the plan are:

• Free medical treatment
• Regular medical checkup
• Lower premium
• Fast claim settlement
• Ambulance charges coverage
• Daycare expenses coverage
• Pre-existing diseases coverage

The plan is designed to provide post-retirement health benefits to senior citizens. Since many of them are dependent on their life savings or their children's income, the senior citizen's health insurance plan offers coverages to meet their specific needs at lower premiums.

​Healthcare costs are rising, followed by a surge in health insurance costs. As a result, many senior citizens at their post-retirement stage find it challenging to pay for medical treatments unless there's considerable health insurance in place. Aside from the cost-effectiveness of the plan, here are other reasons it's important:

​Anyone over 65 years is eligible for the health plan in most insurance companies. But this is not the general rule; Some companies consider citizens who are above 60 years. A few others believe 61 is the minimum. Nevertheless, citizens who are at the post-retirement stage are generally eligible for senior health insurance. Some other considerations include:

1. Type of ailments: An assessment of the nature of your existing conditions can impact your eligibility. You're at an advantage if you can manage your health as you age. 
2. Co-payment: Are you paying premiums alone, or you're filing with someone else? 
3. Expenses: If you have a medical condition that requires massive costs, you may not be considered.

It's best to know what the policy includes and excuses before you consult an insurance company. Although it comes with lower premiums and faster claims for senior citizens, it doesn't mean it's all-inclusive of health benefits. Before you begin, you should know what's included in your policy and what's not.

Most health insurance for senior citizens include:

• Hospitalization expenses such as room rent, doctor's fees, nursing charges, and drug costs
• Expenses incurred due to daycare treatments and specific medical diseases such as cancer, heart attack, and kidney failure
• Expenses incurred due to ambulance charges, hospitalization charges for an organ donor, and coronavirus during the policy period

On the other hand, you're likely not to find some of these in your senior health insurance policy:

• Costs of dental treatments unless it's the result of an accident
• Costs incurred in treating HIV/AIDS
• Treatment of injuries due to war, mutiny, or nuclear risks
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Hospitalization costs due to personal prescriptions without a doctor's recommendation

​Due to a rise in healthcare and insurance, there's a need to create a policy for senior citizens who are not privileged to bear the rising costs. This policy covers the conditions of older adults at lower premiums and faster claims. While it provides essential health benefits, there are aspects it doesn't include. So, it's best to talk with insurance companies before buying a policy.

​If you love traveling but don’t have the money to do so, you’re not alone! Many of us struggle with wanting the adventures but being unable to afford them. However, with proper planning and budgeting, you can have a fun and eventful trip without spending an arm and a leg. Let’s get reading to see how!

When taking a trip, there are many expenses to consider, from the cost of plane tickets or gas for travel to other expenses such as food or coffees during your trip. All of the following areas should be properly budgeted when planning your adventure to San Francisco:

• Airline flights or gas (depending on your travel plans)
• Housing
• Food and drinks 
• Excursions and attractions
• Luggage storage

The distance you live from San Francisco will determine if driving or flying is better. If you live in Florida, flying is your best bet, whereas, if you live in Oregon, driving might be a better option. 

Consider downloading an app that tracks flights to certain destinations. Many of these apps have the ability to let you know when the prices are about to drop or rise which allows you to get the best price on your airline tickets.

If driving, figure out the mileage to San Francisco, the number of miles you get per gallon, and the cost of gas in order to figure out how much the drive will cost. Once you get an estimate for this, you can properly budget in this area.​

​Although the cost of housing can quickly add up, you can often find good deals when booking ahead of time. With the growing use of Airbnbs, you can make your sleeping arrangements ahead of time for a reasonable price. You have many options, but will likely find the best prices if you rent out an individual room or a bed in a hostel instead of getting an entire guest house or apartment for yourself. If traveling with others, you can split the cost of housing which also helps with overall costs.

​Food and drinks are often an expense that seem small to begin with, but quickly add up during your trip. Make sure you give yourself enough allowance in this area. 

To save money here, do some of your own shopping if you can. If you have a kitchenette where you’re staying, buy items to keep in the fridge, such as fruits, granola bars, and sandwich makings, so you can make your own breakfasts and lunches. You will find this saves a significant amount of money. However, make sure to give yourself some meals out as well, because this is all part of the San Francisco experience!

​When it comes to excursions and attractions, this cost differs drastically based upon your specific goals and desires. There are many options that are expensive and may not fit your budget; however, there are other options that are completely free! Consider visiting Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, or Embarcadero which offer free things to look at and do. Each of these locations can become expensive if you get carried away in the spending, but you can avoid this by setting yourself a limit that fits your budget!

​What better way to enjoy the city luggage-free than to get San-Francisco lockers to store your things while you explore? This service is reasonably priced and can easily fit your budget at just $5.90 per bag every 24 hours. 

There are many perks to luggage storage, including reduced risk of losing or misplacing luggage, less chance of someone stealing an important item, and a less stressful trip, as you don’t have to keep up with every bag you brought.

​Traveling can be quite expensive, however, a proper budget and plan allows for a great trip. With the tips above, you can save financially in each area while still having a fun adventure! Now that you know the areas to plan for, it’s time to get budgeting for your trip to San Francisco. Let’s get going!

The best day to start saving isn’t tomorrow, but today. Even if you can only save a few bucks, do it!

Let’s take an example, if you start saving more than at least $5,000 to $6,000 each year from the age of 62, in ten years, it can add up to over $50,000. Compound interest will take place here, depending on how much the interest rate is at your bank, and accumulate this money to nearly $100,000 when you reach the age of 72 if we consider the average 6% annual interest rate.
​
Moreover, you can also consider investing this money each year. If you invest a few thousand dollars each year from the age of 62, then you can quickly get over $100,000 in only ten years. 
The saver and the investor are always winners, so be one yourself.

With all the free time you have, being a travel writer could be super beneficial for you. To be able to make money this way, you would need to sell your articles. There are more than enough magazines across the glove that would gladly buy them from you. It takes some time to find these magazines, although the internet has made it easy to do.
​
People love to travel and love to read articles about traveling too, so this could be your best bet with all the free time you have.

Age is just a number, and TikTok is going viral as of now. TikTok has over one billion active users as of 2021 and has managed to nearly double its growth in active users in only one year!

TikTok became really popular after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many just got bored of lockdowns and thought that it was a good idea to start making videos for themselves. Hence, you even get paid if you get enough followers and likes!

UNUM shares some of the best practices with us about TikTok, claiming the overall performance of your videos are reviewed through the following:

Engagement variety: TikTok looks at the engagement rate of your videos, in this case, the shares, likes, and comments. Rewatch and comments seem to be necessary, although followers matter a lot too.

Engagement velocity: TikTok will analyze how fast your audience will engage with your videos. The faster they do, the more exposure you are likely to gain.

Watch time/rewatches: TikTok’s priority is seeing that you get a lot of watch time and rewatches over anything else. 

Many people love to drink coffee along with their breakfast in the morning. It is a great industry to be in, and opening a cafe or restaurant can be super exciting when you are in retirement. You can even start your own page on social media channels to increase exposure whenever you open a cafe or restaurant.

Be creative about your restaurant or cafe; try including a type of coffee like Espresso that is highly in demand or some rare kind of food in your area.

Whenever you set up your brand, you can try using a brand perception survey. A brand perception survey shows how your consumers perceive your brand. It gives you a clear picture of how your customers would feel about your new cafe or restaurant. It plays a vital role in customer loyalty and the long-term success of your business.

Rental businesses can be a great way of earning passive income while traveling or practicing some other hobby that interests you. For instance, you can try offering rentals in areas where people take vaccinations, such as tropical cities, beach resorts, big cities, and more.
​
People love to take vaccinations, so you are just stacking your passive income money while they are at the beach.

By the time you are set for retirement, you have so much life experience that becoming a consultant is not surprising.

First, you should determine your area of expertise- let’s say you are an expert marketer. As a consultant, your job will be to advise other marketers on their marketing strategy, research, talent sourcing, business development, and much more.

Depending on how experienced you are, never be afraid to charge the right price. If you have been in the industry for over 30 years, then you have gotten to experience both traditional and modern-day marketing. Right there, you are showing that you are an old-school marketer and can advise better than the rest!

Being a copywriter is a real deal and can be interesting to do, especially when you are in retirement. Writing is expressing your creativity through written words, and your creativity can be even more enhanced when you have gone through so many experiences.
​
Otherwise, copywriting is a huge industry to be in, with lots of opportunities arising every single day. The marketing industry is always grasping to find a creative copywriter who will deliver the right message to their audience. Most copywriters work remotely, so you aren’t tied to any business. In short, this means travel anytime and anywhere, with your laptop along!

Podcasts are even more interesting when they are speaking to experienced people, and this means you. Whichever industry you belong in, you can try inviting people of that industry to your podcast.

You really won’t need much, except a microphone, a laptop, recording software, and some low-cost hosting. The only more expensive thing to buy could be your microphone, but that isn’t an issue if you surpass these costs in the long term.

You can make money through podcasts in many different ways, such as:

• Commercial sponsorships 
• Advertising your own products or services 
• Becoming a hit on YouTube

You are never too old to start a YouTube channel. Nevertheless, it can be about anything that fits your industry. If you are a traveler, you can start a traveling channel or if you love to cook, then start a channel about your unique recipes.

Interestingly enough, let’s say you choose to start a channel about traveling. Many people will browse through YouTube to watch videos of people traveling in areas they have never seen, so this is your chance.
​
For example, you could start recording videos and travel to countries you don’t really see on the web. It will gain lots of exposure on YouTube since whatever is rare will be more interesting to watch. There are enough videos about traveling to Paris, Barcelona, and more, so try to be unique in this case.

Last but not least, you can become a copy editor. A copy editor is someone who will review articles, blogs, or any other written material and make edits in case there are any grammatical errors, the readability of the text, spelling, and even factual accuracy.

To be a copy editor, you have to be able to pay attention to the smallest detail when editing and have a high standard of accuracy when writing.
​
The average wage in the U.S of a copyeditor is around $20 to $35 per hour, but this will vary in each country. Copy editors and proofreaders usually work remotely, so even if you live in a country outside the U.S, you can work for any company you want.

Well, that’s about it for this article. These were our 10 digital marketing tips to make money during retirement. Age is definitely a number, and nobody ever said that you are too old to still excel in your industry.

Overall, this article showed you that there is an endless number of things you can do to make more money and not only be dependent on your pension funds. Wherever you see your strengths, do that, but there are many things you can try out that may work. You don’t need to be an expert in everything, which is what makes life interesting. Just put in the effort, and you will be making lots of money even after 65!

Many people think they need to have certain high-end pieces of décor in order to make their house look more aesthetically pleasing. However, decorative throw blankets can be perfect for this purpose, as they integrate both style and functionality into your house. Whether you want to use a throw blanket with pom poms for a fancy look or a faux fur throw blanket to create a comfortable environment in your living room, there’s no way you can go wrong with styling these.

If you are on the hunt for ways to use and style decorative blankets in your home décor, keep reading this article!

If you want to go for a casual or carefree look, you can drape a blanket on the side of the chair. Here, you can style it in two ways.

You can either let the back of the chair be more covered with a blanket or vice versa. Either way, you will be able to make your space more inviting.

In case you want to go for a more “put-together” and elegant look, you can place a decorative throw blanket on the middle part of the armchair. You can then place a throw pillow on top of it, and it will give a stripe effect.
​
Instead of draping the blanket over the middle of the chair normally, you can also tuck it under the seat cushion while the blanket passes through the middle of the chair. This will give an aesthetic, unique appeal to your chair.

Placing a blanket on the end of a chaise will also make it look more cozy and elegant. It’s totally up to you if you want to fold it for a neat look or place it casually for a “care-free” look.
​
For a neutral-colored chaise, go for a vibrant-colored decorative blanket and vice versa to create a contrast effect.

There are plenty of ways you can style your bed by using a decorative blanket. It all depends on your preference and style.

For the first look, you can place a blanket on the foot of the bed. Again, you can either opt for a neat look by folding it or a carefree look by crumpling it up.

For the second look, you can cover three-quarters of your bed starting from the foot of the bed and this should leave space for the bed pillows. This look is ideal for the ones who want to create a warm bed space while giving a new look.
​
Thirdly, you can fold your blanket neatly and place it on the headboard to elevate the look overall.

You can use a cozy, bright-colored decorative blanket with patterns and drape it over the side of a bench to make it the focal point of your living room.
​
If you have a fireplace, you should place the bench in front of it (of course, with a blanket) to make the environment of your space more inviting and comfortable. 

The rate at which number of elderly people is increasing in the United States is alarming. The Centers for Disease Control reported that in 2016, 15% of the entire population were 65 years old and above. This elderly population is expected to grow by 44.9% so that there will be 71 million individuals in this category by 2030. By 2060, older adults are expected to comprise 25% of the entire population.

Analysts are specifically concerned about the fact that risks of chronic diseases increase as age progresses. They anticipate that by 2060, the number of people with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other chronic illnesses will also be very high. As a result, there is a need to start planning for medical care needs that will arise during the time.

One way to prepare for this is to purchase long-term care insurance. The services are costly but early purchasers can significantly cut costs. Something else to plan is the care options that will be best for the older people. There are several alternatives to choose from based on personal and health care requirements, as discussed below:

​Many older people are happy to spend their entire lives in their homes. For dementia patients, this can work very well in the early stages of the disease. Caregivers may be hired to provide the seniors’ basic needs like cleaning, food preparation, and personal care assistance. With professional in-home caregivers, a senior with dementia may continue staying at home.

​The programs work well with older dementia patients who require full-time nursing care and are, thus, unable to stay alone at home. The day-care for adults provides supervision and allows interaction among older people. Social opportunities offered by these options are important for mental activities that increase cognitive abilities. Adult family homes often accept a small number of patients to make medical care effective.

​These comprise of apartments within a care community. This alternative is suitable for elderly individuals that are capable of living independently but may need assistance with various tasks. If you reside in Northgate Washington, you can get these services from Longhouse. In assisted living communities, staff are available full-time to help with dressing, transportation, bathing, meals, medication, and housekeeping.

​Consider this option only when patients are completely unable to live alone and you find that they need increased medical care and supervision. Nursing homes have all the resources for providing full-time medical attention, and improving quality of life. The facilities also engage patients in a range of activities, enable social interaction, and can provide advanced care if need arises.

​The communities assist patients in all stages of dementia. When dementia advances making the older people unable to live independently, the communities place them in areas with more intense care provision. The unique opportunity offered by this alternative is the ability of spouses to keep living together in the early stages of the disease. Besides, the spouses are never removed from the independent living sections even after the patient is transferred to advanced care level.

You may have noticed on the day you don’t get enough sleep, you feel all the negative emotions like anger, frustration, and irritability. This tells how sleep has a major impact on your mood and emotions and, therefore, your life. Hence, people who struggle with getting a good night’s sleep look for solutions such as a specifically engineered weighted blanket for adult to ease anxiety or lavender tea for better sleep.

If you are wondering how much sleep is enough, it’s usually recommended to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night to help you lead a happy life. Even if you miss one or two hours of recommended sleep, it can have a drastic effect on your mood the other day.

You may be thinking, how does sleep affect your mood and emotions? Or even how getting quality sleep can increase positive emotions while stifling negative ones? If you are interested to know the science behind it, keep reading this article!

When you don’t get an adequate amount of sleep, your body reacts like it’s in distress, and then it releases a stress hormone called cortisol. As the level of cortisol increases in your body, so does your stress.
​
In return, this becomes a never-ending vicious cycle. The increased level of cortisol inhibits the release of sleep hormones called melatonin, which makes it harder for you to sleep at night.
Whereas, on the other hand, getting enough sleep can help you keep your stress levels low and at the same time lead a happy and healthy life.

Having great mental health can help an individual live a prosperous life. If you also want to achieve the same, it’s important to know that sleep and mental health are related.
​
As sleep deprivation has a major impact on your stress levels, it can also take a toll on your mental health with time. Not being able to achieve quality sleep every night may lead to all the negative emotions along with stress and if left untreated, it can cause anxiety and depression.

When you get enough sleep, it helps your body to boost your immune system as well. This, in return, keeps you protected from various diseases and infections such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and impaired memory.

In addition to this, adequate sleep overcomes the risk of obesity. The hormones that control your appetite perform well when you are not sleep-deprived, and this makes sure you don’t unnecessarily binge on food. This facilitates keeping your weight under control, too.
​
All of this leads to positive emotions, as you will be fit and healthy to enjoy life and achieve more than you wish.

Whether you are a student or an employee, it’s self-evident that sleep improves your relationships at school or work, while also allowing you to achieve more than required.

This can instil positive emotions like happiness and high levels of satisfaction and motivation. Getting the recommended amount of sleep allows your brain to reset itself during the nighttime to be able to perform well during the daytime.
​
This means you will have fast reaction time, increased creativity levels, and cognitive skills to impress the people around you. In other words, you will be able to ace your tests or even get that promotion you have always dreamed of.

​A sleepless night can make you feel grumpy and easily irritated the entire day. This can prevent your loved ones such as your close friends or your family members from spending quality time with you. All of this can give rise to negative emotions like sadness, loneliness, and depression.

As opposed to this, a good amount of sleep promotes healthy relationships with your loved ones and this gives you a feeling of security, love, and happiness.

In case you are struggling with getting an adequate amount and quality of sleep lately and this has caused you to feel anxious, sad, and disappointed, you can try some of the tips listed below.

Avoid junk food or caffeine. By evening, you should limit your intake of junk food and caffeine energy drinks or coffee, as they can disrupt your sleep at your bedtime.

Get rid of electronic devices. Whether it’s your tablet, computer, or phone, you should limit the use of blue light-emitting devices two to three hours before bedtime as they decrease the production of sleep hormones.    

Try relaxation techniques. If negative thoughts confuse your mind during sleep, you can try meditation before going to bed to clear up your mind. Journaling is another great option as well.

Create the perfect sleep environment. Whether it’s noise, light, uncomfortable mattress and pillow, or inadequate room temperature, you need to ensure they match your preference to avoid countless tosses and turns at night.

Looking after a pet is not always easy, as many pet owners will know from experience. However, there are steps that you can take and things that you can do in order to aid your pet’s wellness, health, and life quality, and this includes using CBD products for pets. Over recent years, many people have started to use CBD products, as they can help with everything from aiding sleep to easing pain and inflammation and reducing anxiety. Many now also turn to specialist CBD products for their pets.

You can easily get pet CBD online these days, and this makes it quick and easy to find the perfect products for your pet’s needs. Cats and dogs can benefit from CBD in many ways, as it can help with things such as preventing joint issues, calming and relaxing your pet, and aiding their overall wellbeing and general health. You can also find simply ways to administer CBD to your pets such as drops, so you do not have to jump through hoops to provide them with these benefits. In this article, we will look at tips on selecting CBD products for your pet.

​As with any other product you buy for your pet, it is important to ensure you buy the right CBD products if you want to benefit from peace of mind and maximum effectiveness. Some of the tips that can help you to make the right choice are:

​One of the things that you must do is to look at suitability when it comes to choosing CBD products for your pet. The variety of products are designed to offer different benefits to your pet, so you need to work out what sort of product your pet needs and what types of issues they need help with. For instance, you may be looking to find a product that offers joint support, or you may want one that helps to calm your pet and reduce anxiety.

​As a pet owner, you probably already have a range of related costs you have to deal with, so trying to save money on the cost of your products is important. With this in mind, you need to make sure you consider pricing when it comes to buying your CBD products for your pet, as this will enable you to more easily stay within your budget.

One of the other things that can help when it comes to choosing the right CBD product for your pet is checking out reviews from other pet owners. When you find a product that you are interested in, take some time to look at what other pet owners have to say via online reviews. This can make your purchasing decision far easier, and it means that you have a far better chance of finding the ideal product.
​
These are some tips that can help when it comes to selecting the right CBD product for your pet. 

If you can’t see patients as human beings first, there is no way your patient will walk out the door satisfied!

Healthcare is not the industry that comes to your mind when you think about customer service. It’s often the hospitality and aviation businesses. The fact, however, is that customer service is the most integral part of the healthcare industry.

A report by Cisco stated, 70 percent of the patients wanted quick and fast communication with the healthcare providers.

Besides, happy customers are highly likely to return to your clinical facility to meet their healthcare needs.
​
In this post, we have listed a few best practices you can adopt to improve the customer service experience in your healthcare business. Here’s a look:

Do you know 86% of customers are ready to pay higher for a better customer experience?

Digitization has enabled customers to check and compare their options before planning a hospital visit. In fact, they can get a virtual tour of the hospital from their PCs.

This also means they are now more careful when choosing a healthcare service provider. Your customers will not consider you an excellent healthcare industry if you do not deliver the quality.

The goal is to build a long-term relationship with customers, make them feel at home, and ensure their satisfaction.

Healthcare service is often perceived as a necessity for patients rather than a luxury. These patients are made to feel that they do not need customer service.

However, the medical industry has evolved a lot in the past few decades, especially after the digitization trend. Patients have choices today.

44% of patients are highly likely to switch their healthcare service provider if they are unsatisfied with the customer experience.
​
Here are a few practices a healthcare company should use to improve its customer service.

Privacy is the utmost priority of customers and healthcare departments.

In the USA, HIPAA standards are followed for sharing and storing customers’ medical information. Similarly, there are many such laws that govern how medical data must be stored and processed.

Any healthcare company has to comply with the privacy regulations to protect patients’ data. Compliance failure can lead to legal issues, which is why the healthcare sector is concerned about protecting customers’ private data, more now than ever.

So, how can you have a system that protects your customers’ private information?

First things first, you need to provide your employees with thorough training during onboarding. They should be trained to deal with the patient’s privacy and manage important documentation efficiently.

A dedicated privacy protocol that explains to your agents the privacy compliance and HIPAA laws is a must.

Training is necessary not only during the onboarding process but every now and then. Patient privacy is a sensitive matter. It’s important for healthcare sectors to keep their employees up-to-date with the current trend in privacy laws.
​
It is equally important to run audits to ensure that your agents are complying with the privacy rules. These few things will improve your privacy protocol.

33% of patients do not continue taking services from a healthcare supplier if the company fails to deliver a personalized customer experience.

The biggest challenge for any healthcare company is to satisfy their customer. That’s because the customers’ expectations from a healthcare company are totally different from that of hospitality and other industries.

Think about it — who wants to see a doctor, get tests, and go through invasive medical procedures?

Unlike aviation and other businesses, customers do not want to receive healthcare services in the first place.

As a healthcare expert, your job is not limited to treating the patient. But, you must take steps to make their customer experience as good as possible. From hospital visits to tests, your patients must feel at ease at your hospital.

So, where and how should you start? How can you ensure that patients get the best experience when they walk out of your facility?

It should start with staffing. Here are a few staffing tips that will help make your healthcare business patient-centric.

• Add the right people to your team
• Give your employees training during onboarding and every now and then
• Set achievable and measurable goals for each employee
• Get feedback from each patient 
• See how your employees interact with your patients
• Put your patients above everything

A patient-first approach is important for any healthcare business to thrive in this industry. You don’t want to lose your patients to competitors just because you couldn’t cater to their personal needs.

Just prescribing medicines or suggesting the best treatment plan will not work. If you want your patient to return to your facility and recommend your services to others, you need to tailor your services to customers’ individual requirements.

The Healthcare industry is quite slow in adopting digital trends. You might be running the most popular medical company in the world. But, you are losing hundreds of thousands of customers to your competitors if you don’t have a robust digital marketing plan in place.

Nowadays, customers use online services to collect medical details. Here are some statistics from DMN3 that shows the importance of a digital presence for healthcare businesses:

• 47% of patients search for doctors online
• 77% of people schedule their appointments with a healthcare expert digitally
• 38% of the population use online tools to search for the best hospitals

Your patients expect care and personalized treatment from you. Any healthcare provider can detect their medical condition and prescribe the right medication, but it takes a professional to give patients the care and comfort they need from a medical facility. So, how can you digitize your healthcare business?

Start with the online appointment. Have a dedicated software system on your website that helps customers book an appointment online and in simple steps. Digitize the appointment scheduling and give them a perfect walk-in experience.

Secondly, a proper follow-up is important.
​
Let’s say you are in the mental healthcare industry offering cognitive-behavioral therapies and other mental treatment plans. Whether you offer therapies virtually or in person, you should remind your patients for the next appointment and send the follow-up emails regularly.

Customer service is more about convenience and comfort in the healthcare industry. For example, booking an appointment for them or helping them complete the online payment are two simple ways to build customer trust in your company.

The easiest way to improve their experience is by ensuring that your customer does not need to reach out for support. From booking an appointment to getting the diagnosis results, the entire process should be easy.
​
Understand your patients and motivate them throughout the process - from the moment they walk into your clinic to the treatment. They should be 100% satisfied with the treatment, as well as, customer service.

You need to keep up-to-date with the latest trend in the customer service industry to achieve customer satisfaction.

If you are having a hard time learning about these trends, Help Scout’s guide on the best ways to deliver customer service in healthcare is a great place to start. It is your one-stop destination to find everything you need to know about the healthcare trends, latest digital tools, and tips for improving your customer experience.

How do you know if the patient was satisfied with you and your team?

They will not say it until they are asked. It becomes your responsibility to collect feedback from every patient and make changes to your customer service protocols accordingly.

Customer feedback gives you insights into where there’s room for improvement, what can be done to implement changes in your healthcare service, and where you excel. These metrics are important for any medical company that has expansion plans.

A survey is an excellent way to know what your customers think about your customer services. 
Ask your customers how they would like to rate you and whether they had a decent experience with your staff. You could also ask if you should make any changes to the appointment scheduling process.

• A few things you can ask in the survey are:
• How was your interaction experience with the staff?
• Did you like our facility?
• Were you satisfied with our recommended treatment plan?
• Did you face any difficulty booking appointments or scheduling a visit?
• What do you think we can do to improve our customer service?

Remember that you want your patients to return if they need further assistance or bring their friends and relatives to you for healthcare services.