Having a dog as a companion can contribute to one’s mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, some canines are trained to officially aid people with disabilities. These dogs are known as emotional support animals (ESAs). People can qualify a dog as an ESA with a few crucial steps. With official evidence, such individuals can be exempted from strict federal housing norms and rules that restrict flight travel with an animal. If you want to know how to register a dog as a support animal or understand the process of getting an ESA, you can follow these steps. Register through a trusted ESA service There are several online ESA services in the country, like the US Service Animals that register a support animal. After entering details about the owner and the dog and completing registration, the ESA service will send the owner a photo identity card of the dog and a certification of registration. This identity card will also contain legal information regarding rights. Having an ID of your dog, along with a certificate, can make it easier to establish the authenticity of the whole process. Locate a licensed health care provider Only licensed practitioners can qualify an ESA officially. People usually connect with a licensed therapist via a referral from a trusted doctor. There are online search tools like the Psychologist Locator by the American Psychological Association that may be useful. Simply enter the zip code and practice area to locate an ideal licensed therapist close to the person’s residence. Ask for an ESA letter After speaking to the therapist, one has to request for an ESA letter. The letter must state the diagnosis of an emotional or mental disability and that an ESA can help improve the symptoms associated with the mentioned condition. Note that the severity of one’s disability need not be revealed in the letter.

Leading a dignified life and having access to basic necessities and comforts is every senior citizen’s absolute right. Assisted living facilities provide extensive senior care catering to one’s specific requirements, including assistance with daily activities like bathing and eating, as well as emergency help and healthcare services. The size of assisted living facilities may range from 20-25 residents to as many as 120. This article delves into the benefits of availing assisted living services: Personalized assistance One of the greatest benefits of assisted living for senior care is that these facilities provide personalized assistance following a close evaluation of a senior citizen’s needs and preferences. For example, while some seniors may require help with all daily activities, others may only require overall supervision and may be able to carry out most of these tasks independently. Assisted living facilities consider every such requirement and provide the necessary services accordingly. Assured safety for seniors A safe and secure environment is essential for peaceful living. Assisted living facilities offer safe environments for seniors to lead comfortable lives without worrying about taking safety measures. Background checks of staff members are performed thoroughly before they are employed to ensure that only reliable and trustworthy individuals provide services to seniors. Companionship Assisted living facilities provide the opportunity for seniors to closely interact and co-exist with individuals of their age groups who can understand and empathize with their challenges and needs. Availability of all facilities within the premises Seniors may often find it challenging to commute to other areas in search of utilities and services. Assisted living facilities offer all the required facilities, including healthcare needs within their premises, making it easy for seniors to fulfill all their requirements without having to navigate far. Access to a host of activities Many assisted living facilities offer physically and mentally stimulating activities for seniors, including yoga and meditation, reading clubs, board games, and hobby groups, which aid in overall health and well-being.

A lot of people get stuck in debt due to many reasons. The interest rates keep adding up, taking a toll on an individual’s financial stability. In such a case, debt settlement can be quite helpful if you wish to settle a large amount. Here is a list of top 10 debt settlement companies that you can consider to help ease the burden off your shoulders. National Debt Relief National Debt Relief has the most detailed insights on their website that can help you with debt settlement. It talks about the debt qualification, the amount of money you need to pay for enrolments as well as the debt relief services that they offer. The average savings after the fees is around 30%. CreditAssociates This particular company is known for helping clients with the elimination of debt. They undertake this entire process between twenty-four to thirty-six months. They use enhanced software, and the outstanding expertise of their team to help their clients with great debt negotiation services. Pacific Debt Inc This is one of the top 10 debt settlement companies that you can consider. You need to have a minimum of $10,000 in debt to avail their services. They offer an affordable monthly program/plan with payment as well as upfront fees. The service fees can vary somewhere between 15% and 20% of the entire debt. United Debt Counselors If you are looking for an online debt settlement company, then this is a great option. It works specifically for personalized debt settlement. You need to pay about 30% to 40% of your debt to avail the reduction services. CuraDebt CuraDebt is another company that offers debt settlement services with a great savings average. It offers 40% reduction after fees. You can opt for any of their business debt solutions that they offer.

Managing a business can become quite a task, even for small administrations. From expense tracking to banking and payroll, there are hundreds of factors to consider daily. This is where the expertise of business accounting software can come in handy. These offer a convenient set of tools and applications that simplify day to day operations. Here are the three most popular small business accounting software that you must check out for your enterprise: QuickBooks intuit QuickBooks offers one of the best business accounting software features for small administrations. Entrepreneurs can easily organize all their finances, manage invoicing and payments, track overall cash flow, and manage payroll for employees. The service also features an application for smartphones that enables business management on the go. Apart from being affordable, QuickBooks software is also compatible with apps like Amazon Business, Bill, and Fathom services. The accounting software can be integrated seamlessly with several other QuickBooks apps that track the individual expenses of a business. Plans start at just $12.50/month, going up to $75/month for the more premium features. FreshBooks FreshBooks is another great affordable software service for managing business expenses for self-employed individuals, freelancers, small businesses, and contractors alike. Avail of a mix of dedicated features for invoicing, expenses tracking, time tracking, project management, payments processing, and generating reports. You can also manage to account for tax purposes. Integration is one of the main features of this business accounting software, as FreshBooks is compatible with over 100 different existing applications for business and inventory management. You can get the Lite version for just $7.50/month and upgrade to premium plans that may cost $25/month for additional services. The service also offers custom pricing for businesses that do not require a complete range of software and applications. Business owners can contact the vendor and ask for a custom quote.

The degeneration of brain cells can lead to the development of various health concerns. It can compromise the person’s cognitive and physical function and deteriorate their lifestyle. To avoid these complications, doctors often recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eliminating unhealthy foods and adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent the brain’s and other organs’ free radical damage. Here are three essential tips that help avoid the degeneration of brain cells due to dementia. Have these foods to prevent degeneration Proper nourishment is essential for brain functions, and providing the correct nutrients helps prevent this organ from rapid damage. Here are some foods to consider: Nuts Regular inclusion of nuts in meal plans can help develop better cognitive skills. It can also help keep other systems running smoothly. Nuts have also been linked to having a better memory. Green vegetables Two servings of green vegetables a week can help prevent the degeneration of brain cells. Those who include leafy vegetables in their daily meals are better protected against cognitive decline. Fatty fish Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish like salmon, tuna, and herring. This nutrient also benefits people with low cognition and those at risk of developing degenerative brain disorders. Berries Berries are rich sources of anthocyanin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This compound helps prevent free radical damage and brain cell degeneration. Olive oil People who regularly use olive oil for cooking show better cognitive function. It helps in slowing down brain cell degeneration and the onset of symptoms. Get personal care For patients who can’t afford a long wait to see their physicians or can’t travel to a clinic, Optum Care can be of great help. The organization partners with healthcare professionals and clinics to provide better healthcare services by caring for patients’ primary and special-care needs.

Financial planning is a complicated endeavor that does not stop with simply opening savings and certificate of deposit accounts. You need an expert who can advise you on the best investment and diversification strategies for building a solid portfolio to secure your financial needs. But before hiring a good advisor, it is essential to understand how the process works and how to proceed from here. These questions can be a starting point. Here are the five questions you must ask a financial advisor: What are your qualifications? Financial planning is a vast topic with several areas of specialization in practice. So, you need to understand whether the advisor provides assistance for financial planning in general or focuses on a specific aspect of portfolio building. Primarily, they practice with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) qualification approved by federal regulatory authorities and guidelines for safe practices. What is the range of services you offer? Their experience will vary depending on the type of services provided, ranging from planning for retirement to tax mitigation strategies and real estate trust services. Some CFPs work as fiduciaries, ensuring they keep your best interests at heart when planning and strategizing your finances. You must also check to confirm any disclosures on the record of previous misconduct or legal sanctions imposed on their range of services. Do you work for a commission or a fee-only structure? Fees for professional services are one of the primary modes of payment for a CFP. But financial advisors can use multiple payment structures. So, you will have to confirm this before hiring them for a single session or keeping them on retainer. Discussing fee-only structures to avoid confusion and conflicts at the time of payment is better. You will also want to confirm “all-in costs,” as ambiguity in these terms can create hassles during payment.

If you run a small business, payroll software can help you manage all the particulars and activities regarding your employee workforce. If you have 50 to 100 employees, it can get a little difficult to keep track of all the payslips, tax files, and other important employee details. That’s where payroll software for small businesses come in. Let’s look at the top software options you can choose from: Gusto Hailed as one of the best payroll software for small businesses, Gusto offers a comprehensive system with intuitive software that can help you handle a variety of employee-related matters. These include employee pay stubs and tax forms, benefits and payroll reports, health insurance, state and federal unemployment insurance, PTO tracking, direct deposit facilities, wage garnishments, automated tax filings, and unlimited payroll runs in all 50 states. The interface is easy-to-use, and the brand offers a free demo as well. Unlike other software, Gusto does not charge extra for features like automated billing, health benefits, online estimates, and workers’ compensation. ADP This software can take HR and payroll off your hands, easing your burden if you’re managing a small business. It handles all the time-consuming tasks for you, ranging from managing employees’ 401(k) accounts to filing payroll taxes, and it also takes over tasks like onboarding, hiring, and recruiting. If you face any challenges, the ADP customer support is always there to help you. It also offers easy employee self-service and increases the efficiency of auditing the payroll process, lowering the risk of liabilities. The helpful ADP app also allows you to choose benefits, track time, and request paid time off and leaves. Not to mention, you get 3 months of free services when you sign up for payroll processing with ADP. Paychex This is one of the best payrolls for small businesses that combines HR and payroll and breaks it down according to the business size.

Switching phone carriers may be a daunting task, considering all the research and work needed to get through it. However, in some cases, it is inevitable, so it is always recommended to be well-informed and have all the details on hand before making the decision. There are many factors to consider when it comes to this, and there are some mistakes people make while switching phone carriers that customers can easily avoid. Take a look. 1. Choosing the wrong carrier This is one of the biggest mistakes people make and should definitely be avoided because of all the troubles that could limit a smooth phone experience. There are three wireless networks available: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Some factors that can help decide which carrier works best for a customer include data speeds, any problems with dropped calls, text messaging plans, and if they are delivered timely. So check for these metrics when choosing the carrier. 2. Failing to compare phone plans So many phone plans are available, and while customers compare them, they often do not get into the specifics of the pricing to understand each service. This can be essential, especially when someone has already started a plan and, in the middle of the month, they realize they have been charged for some extra features they have been using. Some examples include Verizon phone plans and the Unlimited Ultimate plan for the iPhone, starting at $65 per line. The Unlimited Plus plan provides the fastest 5G and 30GB of premium mobile hotspot data. They also provide home internet for as little as $25 a month, but the service availability varies. AT&T also has good offers, but it is important to know that internet services and offers may vary from region to region. So always check for the offers available near your residence or business, depending on one’s needs.

You may love a squeaky clean home. To get the job done, you may even have all the essential tools, including the mop, vacuum cleaner, and a broomstick. However, taking the initiative to clean the home thoroughly is no easy feat. The job is tedious and time-consuming. Sometimes, to keep the house clean, people end up making their living space dirtier. Here are five cleaning mistakes that make your home dirtier. Rubbing a stain before blotting Dropping food or beverages on the floor is a common accident in all households. For most people, the first instinct is to scrub such stains instantly. But doing so can cause the spill to spread and lodge its composition deeper into the floor material. Instead, you must blot the stain with a clean white cloth to extract the residue. You must then use an appropriate stain removal method based on the material of your floor. Disinfecting before cleaning Disinfectants are cleaning agents that can eliminate germs. However, the floor is generally masked with a layer of dust and germs. If you use a disinfectant when there is dust on the floor, it may prevent the chemical from working effectively. Therefore, you must sweep off any dust before disinfecting the floor. Using a sponge to clean surfaces If you use a sponge to clean surfaces like the dining table or the kitchen counter, it’s time to stop. A sponge used regularly to clean such surfaces might be unhygienic and infested with bacteria. If you insist on using a sponge, disinfect it regularly. Alternatively, you can use a microfiber cloth to clean these regions of your home. One cleaning cloth for multiple surfaces While using a single cloth to clean all areas of your home may seem like the easy way out, it is unhygienic. Using the same cleaning product may trigger the spread of germs and harmful bacteria from one surface to the next and may lead to diseases.

Technological advancements have enabled access to therapy from the comfort of home. So, psychiatrists can provide their services via virtual sessions. Online psychiatry services are especially beneficial for those who may not be able to visit a mental health professional in person or those who can not find suitable therapists nearby. Today, several online platforms facilitate psychiatric consultations. To make choosing a provider easier, here are some of the best platforms one can consider: 1. Teladoc Teladoc is among the most reputed online platforms for accessing therapy and psychiatric consultation. One of the platform’s key features is the option to choose a therapist or psychiatrist. One can see if they are comfortable with their choice and then continue to consult the same therapist for all sessions or choose a different one. This platform is accessible through both website and mobile application. So, users can attend therapy sessions via video chats on the electronic device of their choice. Another great feature of this platform is its pay-per-session model instead of a fixed subscription model. So, one can schedule and skip sessions if necessary. 2. Talkspace Talkspace is another great platform for online therapy and psychiatrist consultation. It offers a different approach when it comes to choosing a therapist. The platform asks users to take an assessment based on which they are matched with the most suitable psychiatrist. If one wishes to switch their provider, they can do that for no additional cost. A great thing about Talkspace is that, along with live video consultations, it offers call and text consultations at a lower price. 3. Brightside Brightside is another common online service provider that offers psychotherapy and psychiatric consultations. This platform also offers consultations via live video chats and instant messaging, so one can text their therapist at any time. This is a subscription based service that charges users on a monthly basis.

Buying delicious hot meals without leaving the comfort of the couch is a luxury everyone wants. Hence, the use of online food delivery services has seen a substantial rise in the past few years. Online delivery has become an extremely accessible and convenient option for everyone. To help you choose the best one, here are some of the best online delivery options in terms of delivery fees, reach, and seamless user interface. Grubhub Grubhub is one of the best online delivery options since it has an extensive reach and a wide variety of restaurant tie-ups. It is present in over 4000 cities across the country, and the app offers a simple user interface. Grubhub allows individuals to filter options based on fastest delivery, ratings, cuisine, and location. They also allow users to place advance orders up to four days prior. Restaurants decide their own fee and minimum order requirements. One can pay on Grubhub through cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, Andriod Pay, PayPal, and eGift vouchers. They also have special deals that are available exclusively on their mobile app. Uber Eats Uber Eats is serviceable in 24 countries across the globe. It is an extension of their ride-sharing app that facilitates users to order food on the go or make scheduled delivery. It charges a minimum fee of $2-3 on orders less than $10-15. They also charge a 15% service fee. However, a Marketwatch study found that Uber Eats was the cheapest in comparison with identical orders from other food delivery apps. Their $9.99 monthly plan offers free delivery with additional discounts. This service allows users to pay through credit cards or credit earned via the app. Individuals can track their orders in real-time and have the option to tip delivery agents. DoorDash DoorDash is one of the best options for ordering food online due to its easy interface.

Due to physical limitations, health issues, or other circumstances, older adults may require additional support to manage their daily activities as they age. In such situations, the role of a caregiver becomes crucial. Caregivers can provide such seniors with personal care, medical assistance, and emotional support. The caregiver’s support depends on the recipient’s requirements. However, caregiving can be broadly classified into four types based on the nature of the support provided. Professional caregivers When seeking care services, it’s important to rely on trained and certified professionals for the best possible care. Fortunately, many options are available for healthcare professionals who specialize in various areas of caregiving. For instance, one can find registered and practical nurses trained to provide medical care and ensure well-being. Professional caregivers also include certified nursing assistants to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs). Nurses and nursing assistants are usually available for help at a senior living facility, hospice care center, or hospital. Home health aides can be hired to provide personal care and support for those looking for professional caregivers at home. In addition, physical, occupational, and speech therapists can also be hired if specialized care and rehabilitation services are needed. Family caregivers Sometimes, family members become caregivers. These include parents, spouses, children, and siblings of individuals who need care. This usually happens when the care needs are basic and do not require the caregiver to have professional training. Sometimes, a senior may have a family caregiver working alongside a professional caregiver. Informal caregivers Along with family members providing caregiving assistance, a senior may have few informal caregivers. These may include friends, neighbors, and acquaintances willing to support the person’s care needs. Volunteer caregivers These are individuals who work with community centers or nonprofit organizations. They provide unpaid support and caregiving services to those who need it.