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<title>Latest Articles by adrianadams</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title>Health And Depression In The Elderly</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Health/Diseases_and_Conditions/Depression/health-and-depression-in-the-elderly.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Health/Diseases_and_Conditions/Depression/health-and-depression-in-the-elderly.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Having lived a happy life full of meaning and purpose, why would an elderly person become chronically depressed?  Besides learning the causes of the depression, are there things we can learn about that will remedy this type of depression in senior citizens?  The answer is an emphatic Yes!

The medical community deals with people in the throws of depression every day. Many of these people are those who have graduated from college and enjoyed success in their careers for many years until retirement.  Many of them have been married and raised children. Everything about their lives suggests that they should be happy as they begin their retirement years.

Senior citizens typically have dealt with many losses as they have gotten older.  Many of them have had to bury their spouses, their parents, and their siblings.  As they grow older, many of their friends have also passed on.  Some have even experienced the devastating deaths of children. 

Those who have grown children find that their relatives are often too busy with their own families and careers to visit them or notice how they are doing. Whether these older people realize it or not, their support network has basically disappeared. 

All of the deaths of their loved ones cause not only a sense of deep sadness, but also makes the senior citizens realize that their deaths are near. As this awareness settles in, many elderly people begin to take inventory of their lives and their successes or failures. 
Regrets for missed opportunities can cloud their thinking and steal away feelings of happiness.

During this time of life, it is typical for senior citizens to have increasing medical problems. Loss of mobility and physical independence creates an atmosphere for the growth of more depressive feelings. Because of poor health, many of these people also become more socially isolated which increases the depression. 

Two other things that often feed depression especially in the elderly are poor nutrition and insomnia.  These things begin a spiraling vicious cycle. At this point, hopefully there is someone involved with the senior who can help to turn the situation around.  Without outside intervention, the elderly person will probably not improve.

If you are involved with someone in this situation, it would be wise to have a physician evaluate the physical and mental condition of that person to encourage improvement. There may be medications that would be helpful with the physical health problems as well as the depression. 

Another thing that would be helpful is to encourage this person to become involved in some type of group activities on a regular basis.  Most communities have senior citizen centers that offer a variety of things for the elderly to do together.  Some of them even offer transportation for seniors to become more socially active.  Lunches are quite often available for a minimal cost to the elderly at the senior centers. 

Depending on the person's health, it might be good for the senior to volunteer a few hours a week at some organization. This will improve the feeling of being of value in the community. 
One thing that has been suggested quite often is for the older person to have a pet. It has been proven to improve blood pressure and heart rate in many people. Loving and feeling loved and needed by a pet is known to cheer people up, especially those who aren't able to get out of the house often. 

Encourage your loved one to get involved in a hobby.  Perhaps this person used to enjoy a hobby but has recently lost interest in that hobby because of depression. There may be a group in the community that would be thrilled to see what the senior has made in the past. There might even be a group that would like this person to teach others how to do this particular craft. 

Most important is to encourage the senior citizen to become involved with other people. If that person is not physically able to leave home, perhaps there are ways to help begin a connection with the outside world through telephone or even the internet.  Many seniors have gotten involved with online senior groups with common interests.

Some of these are groups that discuss medical problems, family situations, crafts or hobbies, diet and exercise, and even groups that discuss grief. It might even be easier for the older person to open up to someone they are chatting with online rather than in person.  Obviously, it is better to get them out of the house and active socially with others including joining in physical exercise of some type. ]]></description>
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<title>Two Way Radios Are Not Just For Play</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/two-way-radios-are-not-just-for-play.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/two-way-radios-are-not-just-for-play.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Not just for kids to play with anymore, two way radios are very useful and even essential in some situations. These two way radios have come a long way from the cheap little walkie-talkies that were more of a toy. 

Many men who go hunting out in the deep woods every year wouldn't be caught out there without their two way radios.  If a hunter gets separated from his group and is lost, all he has to do is call one of the other hunters for assistance. 

Although we hate to think of hunting accidents, they do happen. In a situation where emergency helps is needed, having two way radios can be life saving.  Some two way radios have ranges well over 50 miles now.  Spouses at home can be contacted in an emergency and help will be on the way within minutes.

Most of us carry our cell phones with us wherever we go. We keep them handy to call friends and relatives for many reasons.  However, those men who are out hunting in the woods may not have towers near enough to get cell phone reception.  Without two way radios, their ability to communicate with each other or their homes would be impossible.

One group of mountain climbers carried their two way radios with them on one of their excursions.  During their climb, an avalanche caught some of them and they were buried under a huge amount of snow.  Using their two way radios, they were able to contact emergency help.

Because those mountain climbers who were buried under the avalanche had two way radios on them, it was possible for emergency workers to locate them and save their lives. Carrying two way radios on such trips is definitely more essential than just being able to talk to each other.

Another advantage of using modern two way radios is that they are usually water repellent which cell phones are not.  If your two way radio gets wet, it will still work. Unfortunately, if you drop your cell phone in the water, your next stop will be at the store where you will be purchasing a new one.

Yes, we definitely need our cell phones.  However, having cell phones does not eliminate the need for two way radios. In our mobile life today, there are many places that we go where we absolutely need to carry two way radios. Although you may not want to invest money in more communication equipment, remember that carrying two way radios could save a life!  That life could be yours or the life of one of your family members! ]]></description>
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<title>Tips For Planning A Great Family Vacation</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/tips-for-planning-a-great-family-vacation.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/tips-for-planning-a-great-family-vacation.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Traveling is a great experience for people of all ages.  But, one of the best ways to travel is with your family.  As a parent, taking your children to new and exciting places is a great way to expand their knowledge and to help them get a better idea of the world in general.

Picking a Destination

There are literally thousands of different destinations to choose from when planning a family vacation.  Although most people think of Disney World when they think of family getaways, there are many other great options available.  Of course, Disney is sure to be a winner.  But, if your budget isn't big enough for Disney or if you simply want to go somewhere a bit different, you have many options available to you.

One great place to start is with the National Park system.  There are dozens of National Parks to select from, with each being beautiful and unique in its own way.  In addition, many national parks are surrounded by other great attractions that can make your family vacation complete.  The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for example, offers scenic splendor as well as many fun museums and other sites in nearby towns.

Planning an Itinerary

When planning an itinerary for a family vacation, it is a good idea to have a basic schedule of what you would like to see and do.  At the same time, you need to be flexible. When traveling with children, things can occur that you did not expect. If you are not flexible, these things can really put a damper on your vacation.  Therefore, you need to enter the vacation with an open mind.

It is also a good idea to involve the entire family in the planning process.  This way, you will be certain to hit the destinations that your family enjoys and you will have a better chance of keeping everyone happy.

Getting Prepared for the Trip

Once you have decided where you are going, how you are getting there, and what you will be doing, you need to get prepared for the trip.  Depending on where you are going, you might want to do a few background activities to help the children better understand what you will be seeing and doing.  For example, if you are visiting Yellowstone National Park, you might want to help them get a better understanding of geysers and you want to prepare them for how to stay safe in a national park. ]]></description>
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<title>Tips For Starting A Home Business The Right Way</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Speaking/Entrepreneurship/tips-for-starting-a-home-business-the-right-way.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Speaking/Entrepreneurship/tips-for-starting-a-home-business-the-right-way.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Starting a home business is an exciting moment in anyone's life.  After all, nearly everyone dreams of being free of a boss and working for his or her own personal gain.  Nonetheless, starting a home business can be frightening as well.  Therefore, if you are considering starting a home business, you should take a few steps in order to give yourself the best chance of success.

Do Your Homework

The first step you need to take when starting a home business is research.  You need to take the time to research the good or service you are considering offering in order to make sure there is a market for your business.  Just because you are great at making candles, it doesn't mean there is anyone interested in buying them.  Obviously, you want to start a business that you enjoy.  At the same time, you need to determine whether or not others feel the same way as you.  Do some research in your community or in the area where you are considering setting up shop so you can determine if this is a wise move on your part.

Check Out the Competition

If there is a market for the goods or services you are planning to offer, the next step is to check out your competition.  If there are several businesses in your area that are already offering that same good or service, then there might not be room for someone else.  At the same time, if the market need is greater than what is available or if you can offer something that is a bit different from your competition, you just might be on the right track.

Make a Plan

Now that you have a great business idea and you have determined it is viable, it is time to make a plan. Work on developing the long term goals of your business and then set smaller goals that will help you reach the bigger ones.  It is ok if these goals change as your business develops.  Nonetheless, you need to go into the business with a plan and a direction.  Otherwise, it is certain to fail.

Gather Your Finances

Once you have made a plan for your business, you will need the money to back it up.  If you have money saved up, you might be able to use that to help you start your business.  Otherwise, you will need to consider getting a business loan or using a business credit card.  Just watch out for interest rates and get the best deal possible. ]]></description>
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<title>How To Control What Programs Run When Windows XP Starts</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Computers/Operating_Systems/how-to-control-what-programs-run-when-windows-xp-starts.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Computers/Operating_Systems/how-to-control-what-programs-run-when-windows-xp-starts.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Using a computer can be either a blessing or a curse.  It's a blessing to be able to do so many things so easily.  

When Windows XP boots up, especially if you've owned your computer a while (but even on new machines sometimes) tons of programs start popping up.  This can be a major annoyance, especially if they are programs you don't even use!  Things like this are examples of why computers can be a curse.  The beauty of it is that you can take control.  Here's how!

You'd be surprised how many programs are running at start up.  To find out and control them simply click START and go to Run.  Type msconfig in the space provided and then click OK.  

A larger box will appear in the center of your screen and at the top of this box it says 'System Configuration Utility.'  The General tab is already open and is offering you three choices under 'Startup Selection.'  Choose 'Selective Startup' by clicking the little circle next to it (a small green dot will appear inside the circle).  Ignore the other options under Selective Startup (and do not change their default settings).  Do not press OK yet!

Look near the top where all of the tabs are (General, SYSTEM.INI, etc.) and click on the tab that says 'Startup.'  This is a list of all the programs that will run when Windows XP loads.  You can use the scroll bar located on the right to look through this list.  Simply left-click the scroll bar with your mouse and pull the mouse up or down to scroll through the list.

When you see a program you don't use (such as a messaging program) click the box on the left of its name so that the checkmark disappears.  Boxes with checkmarks tell a program to run when Windows starts; boxes without checkmarks tell the program not to run.  

If you are unsure what a certain program is, type its name into your favorite search engine such as Google to find out what it is.  If you've had your computer for a while, some of these programs may even be spyware or viruses.  You can effectively stop some malicious process from running by doing this.  

However, just because you don't recognize something doesn't mean it's bad.  It may be something you need.  Look it up online before you disable it!

Once you have chosen which ones to run or not run, click OK.  A dialog will prompt you to Restart.  (Make sure you have saved any work you have open, such as emails or Word docs, first before restarting.)  

If you are unsure, choose 'Exit Without Restart,' then restart manually when you are ready.  Manual restart is done by going to START and choosing Turn Off Computer, then choose Restart.  After restarting, your computer will remind you that you have chosen Selective Startup when Windows starts up.  

Do this regularly and your computer will run faster and more smoothly! ]]></description>
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<title>Improve Your Health And Improve Your Life</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Health/Wellness/improve-your-health-and-improve-your-life.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Health/Wellness/improve-your-health-and-improve-your-life.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Most of us are aware that your diet is critical to your continued good health. It is true that what you put into your body is what your body will be able to give back to you. There has been plenty of research done that shows us that a healthy and nutritious diet along with drinking plenty of water and regular exercise are the best ways to stay not only in top physical health, but you will enjoy better mental health too.

What is a Healthy Diet?

Go to any library or bookstore and you will shelves that are devoted to healthy eating. Some books recommend only eating raw food, some advise no carbohydrates and many recommend eating food that is organic. How is a person supposed to know how to create healthy meals for their families when even medical doctors and researchers can't agree?

Eating healthy to stay fit and mentally agile is simple; eat only real recognizable food. Cutting out white sugar, white flour, fried or processed foods is the first step to looking good and getting healthy. It is always recommended that you buy organic food to feed your family. When you visit the grocery store, you will notice that the organic food is much higher in price. This is one instance you can be sure that paying the extra money is well worth your while.

If you can't afford to go totally organic, be sure you buy organic produce, dairy and meat. This is where most of the chemicals are hiding and by purchasing organic food, you will be decreasing the amount of toxins your body takes in substantially.

Foods to Avoid

Foods such as rice, flour and sugar are often processed before they get to the table. Anything that is advertised as bleached means basically that the nutrients have been bleached out as well. Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains such as oat and wheat is far more nutritious than eating plain white bread and pasta.

Foods that are advertised as convenience foods often have a ton of added chemicals and preservatives. Anything that comes in a box such as rice or pasta side dishes are not foods that will give you the nutrition that whole grains and vegetables can. If you cannot read the ingredients on the box without difficulty, think about if you really want it going in your body.

Fried foods are especially harmful to your health. They clog your arteries and can make you feel sluggish and sapped of energy. Foods such as chips, French fries, donuts as well as a host of other foods do nothing positive for your health. Changing your diet to include more fresh fruits and vegetables and less processed fare is a giant step you can take to improve your health. ]]></description>
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<title>How To Understand And Encourage Your Elderly Friends</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Relationships/how-to-understand-and-encourage-your-elderly-friends.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Relationships/how-to-understand-and-encourage-your-elderly-friends.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ This is the story of a woman facing aging and disabilities.  Even if you are not in this situation, you probably have a parent or grandparent who is.  

No longer a strong independent woman, a disabled female senior citizen must learn new ways to cope with her changing lifestyle.  

At one time in her life, she was confident, physically strong and mentally alert.  She was able to multi-task-cooking, cleaning and seeing to the needs of her husband and children.

How things have changed! Her husband has passed away.  Her children have grown and no longer need her nurturing. They have families of their own which takes up their time and energy.  Brief phone calls and occasional short visits are what remain of her time with her children.  

Her ability to work in her chosen career has long passed.  It is a chore just to get out of bed on her own and then her walker is her constant companion.  Her doctor is her confidant although she seldom goes to see him anymore because there really isn't anything he can do for her.

She lives on a meager monthly amount of social security, not really enough to meet basic needs.  She chooses which medications she can afford to get refilled every month. What she eats is determined by what is on sale and she must wait until someone has time to go to the store for her.

Lately, not only do her legs not want to cooperate, her memory is failing.  She tries to hide it and makes excuses for why she has not returned calls she doesn't remember getting. Although she is lonely at times, she often lets the answering machine get her calls.  Conversations often don't make sense to her anyway.

Although she would like to tell someone how she feels, she isn't sure how to describe it and doubts if anyone wants to know. When she tried to share with her daughter, the response was not what she had hoped for.  Her daughter said, "I hope I never turn out like you."

She fears that if she complains too much, her family will totally avoid her or put her in a nursing home. When her sons come around, she always has projects or chores that need to be done. She feels she is a burden.

The years seem to have passed so quickly.  Now the days seem to drag on.

Do you have a parent or grandparent who might be feeling this way?  Think about things they need but are afraid to ask.  This could be as simple as your time.  Remember that we will all be there someday and will want the next generation to look after us. ]]></description>
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<title>The Road To Sober - Quitting The Alcohol Before It Consumes You Completely</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Health/the-road-to-sober-quitting-the-alcohol-before-it-consumes-you-completely.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Health/the-road-to-sober-quitting-the-alcohol-before-it-consumes-you-completely.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ When you've been listed on the roster for your first AA meeting, you know your drinking problem has gotten out of hand.  You've probably acknowledged in the past that your drinking is heavier than the usual social drinking spiels but deny that it is uncontrolled.  

However, when your drinking interferes with your life and brings in a lot of unwelcome repercussions on your health, job or studies, and directly or indirectly hurts the people you love, you are definitely abusing alcohol.  The situation is much graver then when you've tried and had little to no success at quitting, many times over.

There isn't a single incident that can be pinpointed as the cause of alcoholism but it occurs more frequently in individuals whose family has a history of alcohol abuse. People also often turn to alcohol when they are depressed, lonely, or just to relieve a little tension.  It starts off as an every now and then thing, moves to a little habit and then turns into an addiction.  Before you know it, you have friends and family advising you about the excessive drinking. 

Quitting isn't the easiest thing to do and immediately doing so will only result in frustration and failure, driving you back to even more alcohol consumption.  It's daunting to think about quitting even though you know it must be done, but it all seems much easier to keep the bad habit than to try aiming for sobriety.  The first and hardest step is acknowledging you have a problem and that you want to rectify it.  Once you can swallow your pride and admit that alcoholism is the bane of your life, try and commit to achieving results.  

A well laid plan can be mapped out for you to ensure your success.  Follow the plan and you will succeed.  Of course, it helps to get help from a support group.  You'll find family and friends willing to help you win your battle but you also have to show that you are in this too.  They cannot help you if you cannot help yourself.  In addition, attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and taking part in their recovery programs will provide additional support in your quest to quit.

Don't be afraid of what will happen to you when you quit.  Your body will be the first victim of your attempts to seriously quit. It has gotten so used to having alcohol in it that it will go through withdrawal symptoms on varying levels.  It is important to have your doctor support you, too, because he/she will also be needed in your life at a time like this.  Along with the programs you will be subjected to, treatment of severe alcoholism is best under a doctor's skilled practice to ensure that you will be kept safe from not only the alcohol, but yourself.

Getting your life back on track will be a long and difficult process but it can be done.  You should be proud that you are stepping up and regaining control! ]]></description>
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<title>Healthcare And Well-Being For Every Age</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Health/healthcare-and-well-being-for-every-age.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Health/healthcare-and-well-being-for-every-age.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In this present time, there are millions of men and women who are very concerned with health and wellness.  

Partly because of their age, these men and women have to deal not only with many health related issues, but also with financial issues and how they affect their health.  Many of them have to choose between getting their prescriptions filled or buying groceries. This in turn affects their physical health. This is the beginning of a spiraling cycle.

If you are reading this and you are in this position, there is help to stop this cycle. Specifically, if you live in the United States, there are a lot of resources that you may not have considered.   Let's see what some resources are that can be contacted right in your own town.

Most states have Area Agency on Aging offices that will help you get food and even find you help paying your utilities. They will visit your home.  Do you need medical care or a caregiver so that you can continue to live in your own home?  Believe it or not, there is even help with that. 

 There are visiting nurses and even visiting physicians.  There are home health care agencies that can set you up with someone who can come to your home to do basic chores including laundry, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, and meal preparation.  Most states have funds available to help you pay for this type of care.  These home health care providers will even help you with bathing and dressing if that is necessary. 

Whether you are disabled or just having health problems, and you are not quite the age where you are qualified for social security and Medicare, there are other programs that can help out. Some large department/food stores offer low cost or free prescriptions. Many of them even deliver those prescriptions to your home.  Once you have a program to cover your medical needs, you can even have your prescriptions mailed to your home.

If you are having a difficult time paying for groceries, there are churches and other organizations that will make sure you have enough to eat.  It is time to take that first step and admit that you would appreciate some help.

Even though you may feel embarrassed, please talk to your doctor about your situation. You will find that there is more support available than you realized. You have cared for others all your life; now it is your turn to receive some help. ]]></description>
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<title>Walking Down The Path To Better Health</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/walking-down-the-path-to-better-health.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/walking-down-the-path-to-better-health.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Man is distinguished from other animals by a myriad of characteristics, but perhaps the most obvious difference is that man walks upright.  Whether you believe you are a product of a higher being or evolved from other life forms, walking has enabled humans to easily move about the earth.  In  combination with a well developed brain humankind has conquered many challenges and developed a host of modern marvels.  

Walking enabled man to survive in the past and it remains true today.  Walking provides the means to live longer and there is virtually no expense involved, save for a pair of shoes - walking barefoot in many environments may pose a health risk.  It can be accomplished at slower speeds for the elderly or at a much quicker pace for the younger and for both the health benefits are tremendous.   

Walking provides the opportunity to achieve better physical and emotional health.  The old adage of a sound mind in a sound body is certainly a benefit of walking.  The emotional benefits of walking are as significant as the physical aspects.  It provides a bit of an escape from everyday stresses.  It provides a time to think if walking alone or to discuss issues, events, and daily occurrences if one is accompanied.  

Walking provides the opportunity to be an observer.  In a park or country setting, one can simply enjoy the abundance of nature or in a more urban setting there is the activity of day to day living that surrounds us.  In either case the focus is often removed from ourselves and gives our own mind the time to reflect and evaluate.  Events are occurring outside our direct sphere of interest and consequently the mind is often rejuvenated, refreshed and invigorated.

The physical benefits of walking are numerous.  Our limbs are engaged in an activity that man was designed to do.  Our muscle structure is enhanced as well as our internal organs.  Our hearts may beat a bit faster thus improving our respiratory and circulatory systems.  Digestion is benefited and fat is burned while improving our flexibility and endurance.  

High blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol plague many and the simple act of participating in a walking program offers the opportunity to reduce blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels in most people.  If one wants to live longer with a better quality of life the simple act of walking is the path to follow. ]]></description>
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