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. How long does it take to heal?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. How long do implants last?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. Dentures vs implantsThe 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.
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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: Running BeltsThe 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 ShoesRunning 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. Running WearThe 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. Caps/HatsIf you want to stay safe from the sun and bugs, a running hat will do just that. The cap can even protect your ears from getting sunburnt as well as temperature loss when worn during cold temperatures. You can also use running hats or caps to hold sweat during a run and prevent you from getting dehydrated. GlovesAs 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. Running SocksYour 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. What's senior citizen health insurance?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:
Why do you need senior citizen health insurance?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:
Who's eligible for senior health insurance?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:
What does the plan cover and exclude?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:
ConclusionDue 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! What are Common Expenses When Taking a Trip?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 Cost of DrivingThe 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. HousingAlthough 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 DrinksFood 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! Excursions and AttractionsWhen 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! Luggage StorageWhat 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. What is the Take-Away for Traveling San Francisco on a Budget?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!
1. Start saving and investingThe 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. 2. Become a travel writerWith 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. 3. Use TikTokAge 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. 4. Open a cafe or restaurantMany 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. 5. Set up rental businessesRental 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. 6. Become a consultantBy 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! 7. Become a copywriterBeing 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! 8. Start a podcastPodcasts 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:
9. Start a YouTube channelYou 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. 10. Copy editorLast 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. ConclusionWell, 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! Drape a Decorative Throw Blanket over an ArmchairIf 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. Style a Decorative Blanket on the End of a ChaisePlacing 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. Elevate the Look of Your Bed with a Throw BlanketThere 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. Make Your Bench the Focal Point Using a BlanketYou 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: In-Home CareMany 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. Adult Day Care and Adult Family HomesThe 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. Assisted Living CommunityThese 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. Nursing Home FacilitiesConsider 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. Maintaining Care Retirement CommunitiesThe 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! Lack of Sleep Contributes to StressWhen 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. Relationship Between Sleep and Mental HealthHaving 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. Good Sleep Keeps You Fit and HealthyWhen 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. Sleep Impacts Your ProductivityWhether 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. Good Sleep Promotes Healthy RelationshipsA 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. Tips on Getting Good Quality SleepIn 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. Tips to Make the Right PurchasesAs 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: Looking at SuitabilityOne 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. Consider PricingAs 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. Check Out ReviewsOne 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: Top Practices to provide outstanding customer service in healthcareDo 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. 1. Have a system to secure customers’ sensitive dataPrivacy 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. 2. Follow a patient-first approach33% 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.
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. 3. Embrace digital trendsThe 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:
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. 4. Motivate your patientsCustomer 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. 5. Learn more about the customer service trendsYou 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. 6. Collect patient feedbackHow 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.
ConclusionThe healthcare industry has started focusing more on customer care service lately.
Many hospitals and healthcare providers are embracing the digitization trend to ensure seamless interaction with customers. The above tips will help improve your customer service, making it easier for you to interact with your audience and achieve their satisfaction. Let us know in the Comments section which of the above best practices you plan to implement in your business. Whether you have a health insurance policy or a car insurance policy, if you suddenly find you have been diagnosed with cancer, you need to let your insurer know. The policies could need to be updated. In a worst-case scenario, your insurance policies could become invalid if you fail to inform your insurer about your diagnosis and the treatments you are having. So, always be upfront with your insurance companies to ensure you maintain coverage. The most important insurance policy to consider is your life insurance. Let us take a closer look at how having cancer can affect getting a life insurance policy. Getting a Life Insurance Policy When You Have CancerAccording to the National Cancer Institute, more than 600,000 people died from cancer in the United States in 2020. The most common cancers include breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer, and melanoma. But there are, unfortunately, lots more. There are even deadly cancers caused by the toxic chemicals and contaminants of the smoke and dust that first responders, residents, and others, were exposed to in the aftermath of the twin towers terrorist attack on 9/11. As sad as that is, at least those who have developed 9/11 cancer types and other 9/11-related illnesses can now gain support from the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which, together, help to provide medical coverage and pay compensation to people with 9/11-related health conditions. Whether you have breast cancer, melanoma, or a 9/11-related cancer, your illness could affect your ability to get insurance coverage. If you do not purchase life insurance until your health gets worse, it will be very challenging to get coverage. Unfortunately, the sad truth is if you have been diagnosed with cancer and are receiving treatment, you probably will not qualify for a traditional life insurance policy. However, it is not all bad news. You could qualify for a guaranteed issue life insurance policy. But bear in mind that the policy can be costly and the coverage amounts are limited, usually to a maximum of $25,000. If your primary reason for getting life insurance when you have been diagnosed with cancer is to cover medical bills and potential funeral expenses, getting a guaranteed issue life insurance policy will be suitable. Of course, hopefully, treatment will work and you will become cancer-free. If you become healthy again, you could apply for a permanent life insurance policy. Getting a Life Insurance Policy After CancerTypically, insurers that provide life insurance want to know that you have been free of cancer for a specific number of years before they will consider insuring you. The type of cancer you had can determine the number of years because some cancers are less life-threatening than others. Generally, people who have had less serious forms of cancer need to wait between one and three years after they have been cleared of the cancer before they can qualify for a life insurance policy. For people who have recovered from more severe types of cancer, they may have to wait for as long as five years before they are able to qualify. Insurance Rates Are Typically Higher for People Who Have Recovered from CancerSadly, even if you have been cancer-free for years, it is very likely that you will not qualify for the best insurance rate.
A life insurance policy will probably cost more for people who have had cancer in the past because the insurance company deems you to be a higher risk. The insurer will check various records, like your medical history and prescription drug history, and take things like your gender and age into account, in order to determine your risk and your insurance rate. Even though you've probably had car insurance for quite some time already, you've probably noticed the premiums gradually climbing higher over the past few years. Unfortunately, this is somewhat common for seniors. There are four primary reasons why auto insurance premiums increase as drivers age. These include the expectation that various components of our physical health tend to decline when we age, from vision and hearing to cognitive functions. Unfortunately, because age is associated with this, your risk as a driver increases on paper over time. Fortunately, there are approaches to lower your premiums as a senior, and we've listed them for you. Shop Around And Compare PoliciesEven if you have had your current insurance for several years, you will probably be able to find another that has a far cheaper option as well as better benefits for seniors. In some cases, if you find the best auto insurance simply by comparing what's available. Opt For Anti-Theft ProtectionSecurity advances haven't been left out when it comes to modern-day technological breakthroughs. We now have options available that used to be reserved for the financially elite. Some of the most common anti-theft protection to install on your car are anti-smash window protectors as well as a car tracker. These will drastically reduce your premiums no matter what age you are, as they reduce your risk on paper. Although not as expensive as many think, a dashcam can assist in solving who is responsible for an accident and assists in obtaining vital evidence when it comes to the theft of your vehicle. Store Your Vehicle SecurelyYour vehicle is not only at risk of damage while you're driving. When your car is parked overnight, it can be at risk of weather damage, theft, and other instances. However, this is only relevant if your car is parked out on the street. Alternatively, if you park your car in a lock-up garage, or covered parking that's secure from theft, then your risk will also reduce. Therefore, safely parking your car can effectively lower your insurance premiums. Ask For Pensioner DiscountsDrivers over the age of 70 usually pay more for insurance. But if you drive less, you will be able to lower your costs. However, a small discount is offered to seniors who have excellent driving records. Be A Cautious DriverCautious driving has always been one of the best ways to avoid accidents, although it's also an effective way of reducing your insurance premiums.
Most insurance companies track your driving habits, and if you drive respectfully, your insurer will offer a discount if you keep up all the good driving. Not only that, the more you claim from your insurance, the higher your premiums will climb. So, naturally, not having to claim will lower your monthly premium. There are several ways to reduce premiums, whether you are a new driver or a senior. Another practical option is to reduce your monthly payment is to increase your deductible, which is the amount that you pay when you claim from your policy. While managing your health as you age is vital, reducing costs is also a priority for many seniors. Preparing an inventory list of things you need for a new house is one of the most important steps you need to work on when moving long-distance. Ideally, you should handle the inventory lists of things for a new house yourself because you, of all people, know of the things you need for a new house and what you’re going to let go of. If you have already worked on a list of household items for your place, getting an estimate on the moving cost will also be easier. Thus, putting together your inventory list or a list of household items you plan on moving should be the first order of business. When you contact our professional movers to move things you need for a new house, at californiamoversusa.com, we'll give you an estimated cost of moving based on your household items list for the new home, the distance to be traveled, and so on. Your household items checklist will not only give us a fair idea about the amount of labor needed but will also make the process much more efficient for you. Read on to find out why inventory lists for things for a new house are so important and how you can make yours highly efficient: 1) Only Mention Things You Absolutely Need, In Your Moving Inventory ListYour top priority regarding the things to do before you move into a new house is to create a screened moving inventory checklist. Your moving inventory list should mention only the items you need to get moving. You probably have a ton of useless stuff lying around in your place – all the books you’ve read, old clothes, old shoes, and so on – you should give these to charity. This way, not only will you shorten your moving inventory but also save up on the moving costs by reducing the volume of items to be moved. Also, note that your packing inventory list should be thorough – don't leave any important stuff out of the moving inventory because that might create confusion later. Make this a priority in your list of things to do before organizing an apartment move. 2) Sort Your Moving Inventory ChecklistNext, you should begin sorting your moving company inventory list – this would be simpler if you're using a computer/mobile software like MS Excel for this purpose. One of the most important things to do before you move into a new house is packing your stuff efficiently, and for that, you should create a packing inventory list that groups your household items based on their similarities. This way, the packing will be simpler, and you won't have trouble unpacking and placing your stuff in your new home. Of course, if at any point you feel confused about what to do before moving into a new house, just ask our team of professional movers – we’d be glad to assist you! 3) Use Digital Software To Make Your Home Moving ChecklistThe good old pen-and-paper works fine, and you can indeed make a thorough list with them, but they are not so effective when it comes to editing, eliminating, sorting, and other things of this sort. The ideal way to make your moving home checklist is via spreadsheet software or other checklist software available on mobile phones and computers. MS Excel, for instance, allows you to customize your home inventory list to your liking, allowing you to make it more understandable, refined, and categorized. Plus, you can edit your home moving checklist as many times as you like. 4) Use Pictures To Make Your Household Inventory ListInstead of writing down a list of things to move, you can also take pictures to create a picture-based home inventory checklist. Of course, this can also be in addition to your written house inventory list, and it will allow you to better keep track of your items. 5) Videotape Your InventoryYour home inventory worksheets can also be further backed by video proof of your items to be moved. Household inventory forms are sufficient on their own but if you add a video to the equation, you'll have visual cues to remember the things you need in your new place. This will allow you to better relate to the things mentioned on your home inventory worksheet. 6) Design Your Moving Inventory Sheet As Per Your Packing SchemeWe mentioned earlier that you should list similar stuff under one category – this is another approach that will yield the same results. Just note the contents of each box, label the boxes, and mention the items on your movers inventory forms as such. This way, you’ll be able to use the moving inventory form as a reference for unpacking. 7) Designate A Special Category For Fragile Items In Your Household Inventory List For MovingThis is pretty self-explanatory, but on top of mentioning such items on your home inventory list for moving, make sure that such items are packed with utmost care so that they don’t get damaged during the move. The more detailed your household inventory list for moving, the better. 8) Color-Code Your Household Item ListYour moving home list should be easy to read – the perfect way to do so is to use colors, not just for aesthetics but for categorizing your items into groups. A home move in the checklist will become twice as effective with a color-coding scheme. 9) Have Your Household Goods List Reviewed By ProfessionalsBefore moving household goods, have your move inventory reviewed by the professional movers so that there are no mistakes or omissions. Your household inventory should be error-free, and the best way to ascertain this is to get an expert opinion on the matter. 10) Use A Premade Moving Inventory List TemplateInstead of creating a new home inventory from scratch, you also have the option to use templates for home contents inventory worksheets in MS Excel and other software. Drafting your inventory packing list has never been easier! 11) Add Details To Your Basic Household Items ChecklistWhat is home inventory? Is it merely a list of moving items, or should it have more? Ideally, you should include as many details, without being too expansive, in your household inventory spreadsheet for the reference of your movers. For instance, if your furniture is antique, don’t write it up as simply furniture.
Hopefully, with this, you'll move one step closer to getting relocated long-distance! Many people that are going through financial difficulty consider borrowing money from their retirement plan. But the question is, is it okay to do that? Will it benefit you more than choosing another way to borrow money? These questions will surely flood your thoughts if you come face-to-face with the situation. Hence, it’s important to check out the pros and cons of borrowing from your retirement plan first before you decide if you want to continue or not. The Pros of Borrowing from Your Retirement PlanFirst, let us talk about the advantages you can get when you decide to push through and borrow money from your retirement plan. Then, we'll go through each of the benefits to give you a clear understanding of how it works. Easy Money The first advantage you can get when you borrow money from your retirement plan is the quick and easy processing. Whatever reason you have, you're eligible to borrow money from your retirement plan. Additionally, you won't undergo a credit check, which can be a relief if you don't have a good credit score. The amount you're allowed to borrow will depend on the type of plan you have. Overall, borrowing money from your retirement plan is a good option. However, if you don't want to touch the money for your retirement, you can opt for another option. For example, you can acquire both installment and bad credit loans in the Houston area, a personal loan in Miami, or a payday loan in Indianapolis. Easy Repayment Method The repayment of the money you borrowed from your plan will be automatically deducted from your payroll. This means that you'll never have to worry about any missed payments. Another great news for you if you choose to go this path is that you won't have to pay for interest to a third-party lender. The interest and the principal amount will go back to your retirement plan. Therefore, you'll still be the one who's going to benefit from your repayment. There'll Be No Impact on Credit Record Another great benefit of borrowing from your retirement account is that it won't affect your credit record. No hard credit checks will be conducted. Therefore, it won't show up on your credit history. If you opt to borrow money from lenders or banks instead, expect them to perform a credit check that can reflect on your credit record. When the lender or the bank conducts a hard inquiry on your credit score, it'll stay on your credit record for two years. The Cons of Borrowing from Your Retirement PlanNow that you have an idea of what advantages you can get from choosing to borrow from your retirement plan, here are the downsides of this option. Limited Amount to Borrow One of the disadvantages you might notice if you choose to take this path is the limitation imposed on how much you can borrow. Usually, the amount allowed for you to borrow is around 50% of your retirement savings. If you only still have a small contribution and require a considerable amount, you'll have to look for an alternative route. However, if you only need to borrow a small amount, you shouldn’t hesitate to borrow from your plan. You Have to Pay Tax in Double Another thing you have to take note of about borrowing money from your retirement plan is that you'll have to pay taxes twice. First, you have to pay the income tax for the salary that you'll use to repay the money you borrowed from your retirement plan. Second, you'll have to pay tax when you start to collect your retirement money as distributions. Needs to Pay the Loan Short Term The principal amount that you borrowed plus its interest rate should be paid within five years only. If you quit your job or switch employers while you still have a loan to pay, you'll be required to pay the balance in full for a short window of time. In addition, you'll be required to pay federal income taxes for the loan. Therefore, it'd be best to consider the 10% penalty for the early withdrawal that the IRS would charge. You Won't Be Able to Save The last concern you must consider is the amount of money you'll get when you retire. Borrowing money from your retirement plan will mean that you won't save money for your retirement. The money deducted from your payroll will be as payment and not as a contribution. Therefore, when the time comes that you'll retire, you will only have a small contribution, which results in a small retirement pension. Weigh the Pros and ConsBefore you jump into borrowing money from your retirement plan, it'd be best to weigh the mentioned pros and cons. Are you willing to take the risk? Do you badly need the money fast? If you think that the benefits outweigh the risks, then you should start processing that loan soon.
While there are specific standards set for a healthcare worker in clinician’s offices or in hospitals, oddly there is no group or organization that sets standards for home care workers. Because of this, these dedicated healthcare workers are often at risk in several ways. They wouldn’t face some of these risks when working in a physician’s office or in a hospital and this is why it is so important to identify and address health and safety guidelines specific to home care settings. 1. When Working in Areas of High RiskAs a home care worker, you may be required to travel in and out of some extremely dangerous neighborhoods. Because of this, it is imperative that you set your own guidelines to ensure your personal safety. Some home care workers carry pepper spray or mace and others set up an emergency speed dial on their cell phones. Sadly, it is up to you to establish safety protocol such as staying in a locked vehicle until help arrives. 2. Staying Safe from Exposure to Airborne and Bloodborne PathogensThis is something everyone is more than aware of since the onset of the COVID pandemic. While hospitals and doctors’ offices provide PPE for their nurses and staff, this isn’t something routinely given to home care workers by their agencies. You will often be required to get your own gear and if you are dealing with a patient with a bloodborne illness, for example, it is up to you to stay safe by wearing an isolation gown. 3. Dealing with Potentially Life-Threatening Situations in the HomeNot only can neighborhoods be dangerous but some homes you enter could be as well. There could be guns, knives and other weapons laying around so be prepared for just such a situation. This can be extremely dangerous, especially in patients prone to aggression. Establish guidelines on how to identify guns in a household. There is nothing wrong with asking if there are weapons in the home and if there are, it is your right to refuse care if you feel threatened. 4. Personal Safety When Caring for Aggressive PatientsThis is most common among patients suffering from dementia. Do you have safety guidelines for dealing with patients who lose control due to dementia-related aggression? You obviously can’t strike back but perhaps your agency or the patient’s doctor may allow for an alternate method for getting them under control. Whether it is a sedating injection or simply walking away, this is a guideline you must set if you deal with a large enough number of aging patients. 5. Procedure for Getting Immediate HelpAnother thing you may wish to establish from the very beginning is a way to get immediate help when needed. Remember, you are there alone and sometimes it might be necessary to call for paramedics while you are busy administering lifesaving first aid. A wearable with a panic button would be nice but, lacking that, have a speed dial set on your phone that would call your agency or paramedics to get help on the way without delay.
There are so many guidelines you will need to establish for both your personal safety and the safety of your patients, but if you establish them from the very beginning, your job will be that much easier and safer for all involved. As we move through life, we start to notice new lines on our faces or start to feel a little unsteady in our joints. Plus, we notice we don’t have the same physical power we used to have. All these are natural aspects of reaching a certain age threshold. However, you don’t have to live your golden years feeling like a wreck at drift. You can still enjoy life to its fullest and make full use of your body’s amazing capabilities. This is possible by doing the appropriate work to build muscle mass as you add springs to your name. While skeletal muscle gradually loses the ability to make protein (which helps them grow) there are still methods and exercises to keep you fit well after your 50s. This is important because muscles protect you from injury, keep the bones healthy, and improve flexibility (among other benefits). Nutrition Plays an Important RoleThe diet is a crucial part of your health and exercise routine, so make sure to adjust it accordingly. Start by addressing any nutritional deficiencies since older bodies can’t absorb and process vitamins as nutrients as they used to. For instance, medical specialists recommend supplements of calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. On the other hand, it’s equally important to eat high-quality, healthy foods and avoid fast food, sugary drinks, and foods with high-fat content. You should also find some supplements to build muscle that work for your dietary needs. However, before you decide on such a product, make sure to check with your doctor. Practice Endurance ExerciseAerobics, yoga, power walking, and other exercises that require endurance are not often associated with muscle growth. However, just because you don’t bulk up from them, it doesn’t mean there are no benefits for the muscles. Endurance exercise trains slow-twitch muscle fibers by strengthening them. This means that you will be able to keep your mobility and flexibility as you grow older. So if you want to go biking with the nephews, you don’t have to worry about achy knees or strained calves. However, to keep your mobility and strength, you need consistency in your training. Therefore, focus on doing cardio and endurance exercises at least twice a week. Weight TrainingIf you thought you’re done lifting weights, it’s time to reassess your idea of living a healthy life after 50. Weight training is a resistance exercise that helps reverse the loss of muscle mass as you get older. Plus, it’s beneficial for both men and women (both genders have to deal with the loss of muscle mass because of a decrease in estrogen and testosterone production) However, in order to see results (especially after a certain age) you have to be consistent with your training. Build an exercise routine where you do weight training around 3 times a week. Make it Your OwnEach individual has a unique chemical build and body structure, so it’s important to adapt everything you do to your capabilities and style. Plus, not everyone ages the same. So, talk to your doctor and find a fitness trainer experienced in working with older gym-goers and listen to their advice.
In doing so, you increase the chance of a healthy and beautiful third stage of life. Plus, you may want to enjoy retirement in an exotic location, and it would be a shame to not be able to go for a run on the beach or go for a hike when surrounded by beautiful scenery. A healthy body is a perfect vehicle for a healthy mind, so make sure to keep yours in as good shape as possible! |
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