Expert Voices Today

Assisted Living Options: Research Early, Don’t Wait for Crisis Call

WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS! At one of my recent seminars, an “at-her-wit’s-end” adult daughter, Sally, rushed up afterward pleading for my advice on how to get her elderly parents to move to Assisted Living before their health deteriorated any further. She lived cross-country and was terrified about them being alone as there had already been a few close calls—like the time her father left the gas stove on without it lighting, filling the house with fumes and nearly asphyxiating himself and his wife. Sally had already tried to hire caregivers to come into her parents’ home, but her obstinate father wouldn’t allow it, so she was desperate to get them to move before the next crisis call—hoping it wouldn’t be for actually burning the house down… or worse! More…

The Little Words to Make or Break Your Relationship

How often have you heard the phrase, “It’s the little things in life that really count?” Well, as a relationships expert who also tries to help people improve life in general, I certainly appreciate the meaning of that question. I started thinking about how it even applies to how you communicate with each other. So often, you are taught about how to use the right words. Certainly, a big concern is the tone that is employed. And let’s not forget the non-verbal language of facial expressions and the body. But then I realized that in just a matter of one, two, or three words, a message can be quite positive or negative. Counting it out More…

Health and Happiness

I just returned from a lengthy trip that included stops in Israel, Egypt, Morocco, and Spain. The trip was planned with a loose itinerary because the best travel is the unexplored and the adventures you experience along the way. When you travel you open yourself up to experiences outside the safety of your nest. More…

A Home is Not a Piggy Bank

One of the reasons we are now officially in a recession is, of course, because of the meltdown in housing prices. In some places, especially on either coast, home prices have fallen 30% from their highs. All those people who were counting on the rising equity in their homes to keep them afloat--they planned to take out ever increasing home equity loans to pay for things like new cars and college for the kids--are now in serious trouble. More…

Out with the Old and in with the New

Last week so many of you responded to my posting about apples that I thought I would post midweek and thank you. This would also give me a chance on this first day of December to designate this – Take care of Yourself Month! I’ve made a decision to take care of myself this month by cleaning out the old habits, thoughts, and stuff, and preparing to bring in the new with the New Year. No doubt for all of us this Holiday season is very stressful. However we can all do little things to feel a sense of accomplishment and find a sense of balance and peace. So I challenge you to take a step today and keep focused on being good to yourself for the next thirty days. Make a commitment. More…

Protect Fido and Frisky From Holiday Hazards

We are in the midst of the holidays and everything from our clothing to our home is decked out to look as festive as possible. But in our seasonal bliss, are we creating a potentially harmful home for our pets? Did you know there are many foods, plants and other items directly tied to the season that could put your dog or cat at risk? I had the opportunity to talk to veterinarian Dr. Steven Hansen on my weekly podcast this week. Dr. Hansen is a board-certified toxicologist with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Poison Control Center. He encourages all pet owners to be on alert about these hidden dangers. More…

An Apple a Day Keeps the Pounds Away

There's a good chance you've heard the phrase, "An apple a day will keep the doctor away." But have you heard that an apple a day will keep the excess pounds away? In times of stress and in the holiday season many people gain excess weight. We all want to know how to eat those great foods and still not gain a pound. There are many tricks from eating before you go to a party to watering down your drinks but the best method of all is to do everything in moderation. One piece of chocolate will not a diet break! More…

If you haven't finished your Christimas shopping...

...it could work to your benefit this year. This is just a guess on my part, but given the economy I think the mark downs you saw today, "Black Friday," will continue to Christmas Eve. That's the good news. The potential bad news (other than the fact that all the mark downs mean the economy is in trouble) is if retailers are smart, they will have cut back on their ordering. So, I wouldn't wait too long. The item you want could be gone. More…

‘Tis The Season to Be Jolly – Right?

I love happy people. Most of us all love and want to be around happy people. But I think I’ve learned the most from those who are temporarily in a funk – only, however, if they confess to it and ask for help. I had an interesting reminder of this recently and it has really stuck with me since then. More…

A Bad Idea -- Understandable Though It May Be

Bank of America is currently running ads that on the surface sound appealing. They are offering to let you put your retirement savings in things that are guaranteed. Given the recently performance in the market, who wouldn’t want that? The answer should be: You. Guaranteed investments are the not the way to go, if you are saving for a long-time goal (like retirement.) The returns on such things as money market funds, and certificates of deposits, even if they are guaranteed may not be enough to keep up with inflation, let alone produce the long-term growth that you need. More…