When hoarding becomes a problem: How to convince your elderly parents to stop

hoarder

You’ve been noticing it for a while now.

Your elderly parents have been hoarding more and more stuff in their home, to the point where there’s barely any room to move.

You’ve tried to talk to them about it, but they just don’t seem to understand how serious the problem has become. They’re convinced that they need all of that stuff, and they’re not willing to let go of any of it.

What can you do? Let’s explore how to convince your elderly parents to stop hoarding. With patience and perseverance, you can hopefully expect a change.

What is hoarding?

Hoarding happens when a person accumulates a lot of stuff and can’t get rid of it.

For your parents, it might be newspapers, magazines, clothes, or knick-knacks. Basically, anything and everything.

The problem with hoarding is that it can severely impact a person’s quality of life. It’s unhealthy to live in a cluttered environment, and it’s harder to keep things clean and organized. Plus, it’s a serious fire hazard.

Why do the elderly hoard?

You may be wondering why your elderly parents are hoarding. What could possess them to hold onto so many things?

Well, there are a few reasons.

Often, elderly people have a hard time letting go of things because they’re afraid of forgetting the past. They may also feel like they’re the only ones who see the value in all those items. Other old folks may hoard as a way to relieve boredom or loneliness.

How does hoarding affect the elderly?
a granny hoarder

Image Credits: styledegree.sg

Hoarding can have a serious impact on the elderly, both physically and emotionally.

Physically, it can lead to health problems like joint pains and respiratory issues. And emotionally, it can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even depression.

Ultimately, hoarders need help sorting through their belongings and deciding what to keep and what to throw away. It’s not a straightforward process, but it can be life-saving for your elderly parents.

How to approach your elderly parent about their hoarding

It can be tough to broach the subject of hoarding with your elderly parents.

After all, this is a behavior that they’ve probably been practicing for years, and it’s likely something that’s been ingrained in their lives for a long time.

But the longer you wait to address the issue, the worse it’s going to get. So how do you go about it? The first step is to set up a time when you can have a calm and private conversation with your parents. Try to avoid accusations or judgments.

Express your concerns openly and honestly, and be prepared to listen to your parents’ side of the story. Remember, this is a difficult topic for them to deal with, so be patient and respectful. If they’re receptive, you can work together to come up with a plan that will help them overcome their hoarding behavior.

It can be hard to deal with a loved one who hoards, but there are ways to help them. Approach the situation delicately, and if serious, get them to see a therapist or counselor who can help them address the underlying issues behind the hoarding. There may also be support groups available for people who deal with loved ones who hoard. Join one of those groups, or start your own, so you can share your experiences and build a community around people in a similar situation. All hope is not lost!

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Popular year-end holiday camps by PeopleUp for your children

Parents, the school holidays are going to be upon us very soon! Have not planned anything yet and turned off by the exorbitant travel ticket prices? Not to worry, here are some popular and enriching year-end camps to keep your littles ones engaged during the school holidays. They come with different learning objectives, so you are bound to find one that is perfect!

An outlet to express their high energies

3-Day Ultimate Holiday Camp

Looking for a good mix of sports, performing arts and simply just loads of fun? The Ultimate Holiday Camp include sports and activities that will be shuffled up to include an average of 60mins for each day. Approximately 3 sessions per sport will give your child adequate time to grasp the basics and stimulate their interests!

Activities:

  • Tennis
  • Rockclimbing
  • Aikido
  • Hip hop dance
  • Inline skating
  • Obstacle course
  • Bouncy castle

Suitable Age Group: 5-12 years old

Time: 9am to 6pm

Dates: 21-23 Nov, 28-30 Nov, 5-7 Dec, 12-14 Dec, 19-21 dec, 27-29 Dec

Locations: PeopleUp Enrichment Hub, 200 Pandan Gardens

Reviews:

For the serious sports junkie

3-Day Ultimate Sports Camp (SAFRA Mount Faber)

If moulding tomorrow’s Olympian is what you are looking for, the Ultimate Sports Camp is a good place to start. This is an action-packed holiday camp where kids will enjoy 3 full days of quality play, sports and learning.

Activities:

  • Tennis
  • Aikido
  • Golf
  • Inline skating
  • Archery
  • Hip-Hop Dance

Suitable Age Group: 5-12 years old

Time: 9am to 6pm

Dates: 5-7 Dec, 12-14 Dec, 19-21 Dec, 27-29 Dec

Locations: 2 Telok Blangah Way, SAFRA Mount Faber

Reviews:

3-Day Ultimate Sports Camp (SAFRA Tampines)

Looking to unearth the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Megan Rapinoe? Expose your child to soccer as well as other sporting activities such as rock climbing and tennis at the Ultimate Sports Camp to be held at SAFRA Tampines.

Activities:

  • Rock climbing
  • Aikido
  • Soccer
  • Inline skating
  • Hip-Hop Dance
  • Tennis

Suitable Age Group: 5-12 years old

Time: 9am to 6pm

Dates: 21-23 Nov, 28-30 Nov, 5-7 Dec, 12-14 Dec, 19-21 Dec, 27-29 Dec

Locations: 1/A Tampines Street 92, SAFRA Tampines

Reviews:

Taking the “city” out of them

3-Day Outdoor Adventure Building Camp

Growing up in a city such as Singapore and living in high-rise apartments, your children may not have experienced what outdoor living is like. Why not “toughen” them up by sending them for a unique experience in nature at BEEP Lab’s one-of-a-kind campsite? They will pick up practical life skills, leadership qualities while having tons of fun!

Activities:

  • Knotting 101
  • Building outdoor structures
  • Teambuilding and leadership activities
  • Outdoor cooking
  • Basic first aid
  • Outdoor sports and missions that teach survival skills

Suitable Age Group: 9 years old and above

Time: 9am to 6pm

Dates: 21-23 Nov, 28-30 Nov, 5-7 Dec, 12-14 Dec, 19-21 Dec

Locations: 91 Lorong Chencharu, GUI@Khatib

Reviews:

Wandering into Space

BEEP Lab 3-Day Space Explorers Expedition

Your little one is not so much of a sports or outdoorsy person? Why not trigger his/her love for space with an immersive exploratory expedition from Earth to lunar base on the Moon and planet Mars?

Activities:

  • Space imagination, exploration and understanding
  • Modern day space technology
  • Understanding life in alternate planets
  • Biomimicry in space

Suitable Age Group: 6-12 years old

Time: 9am to 6pm

Dates: 21-23 Nov, 28-30 Nov, 5-7 Dec, 12-14 Dec, 19-21 dec, 27-29 Dec

Locations: BEEP Lab @ PeopleUp Enrichment Hub, 200 Gardens, BEEP Lab @ SAFRA Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah way

Reviews:

Highly popular with raving reviews

All of these 3-day holiday programmes are specially designed for children of various ages and interests. There will be coaches and dedicated caretakers to optimize learning outcomes of the participants. They are as convenient as they can get as food (2 snacks and lunch) and transport will be provided. All the sessions will be conducted at all-in-one enrichment hubs. Most importantly, parents have been sending their kids to the camps with absolutely no regrets! These highly popular programmes have limited runs and get up snapped up real quickly, so do act fast!

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How to respond if your loved one is having suicidal thoughts

person crying beside the bed

What do you do if your loved one tells you they’re thinking about ending their life?

It can be difficult to know how to react when someone close to you reveals that they’re feeling suicidal. Stay calm and know that you’re not alone. There are professionals who can help support your loved one and get them the help they need.

In this post, we will discuss the best ways to respond if your loved one is having suicidal thoughts.

Offer hope

Remind them that things can and will get better.

Let them know that you support them and that you’re there for them no matter what. Most importantly, don’t feed their negative thoughts. They need some positivity now more than ever.

Avoid judgment

Your loved one is already feeling a lot of pain about life, and the last thing they need is for you to add your mindless comments.

Instead, try to be supportive. Let them know that you want to help them get through this tough time. Promote hope and healing, and be understanding if your loved one doesn’t want to immediately talk about what’s going on.

Take their feelings seriously
comforting a loved one

Image Credits: unsplash.com

When your loved one is having suicidal thoughts, take their feelings seriously. This isn’t the time for jokes or making light of the situation.

Your loved one is probably feeling a lot of confusion about recent happenings, and they need you to be there. Talk to them about their thoughts and feelings, and let them know that you’re ready to listen anytime.

Help them develop a plan to move forward

Remember that suicidal thought are just that—thoughts. They don’t have to become a reality.

Help your loved one develop a plan to move forward. This might involve therapy, medication, or just someone to talk to. The crucial thing is that your loved one knows they’re not alone and that there are people who care about them and want to help them get through this challenging time.

You may feel lost and unsure of what to do if your loved one is having suicidal thoughts, but remember that you are not alone. There are people who can help you, and there are steps you can take to support your loved one. Also, don’t neglect taking care of yourself. Supporting a loved one who is struggling with suicidal thoughts can be emotionally draining. Make sure to take time for yourself and allow yourself to heal too.

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Money Topics to Discuss When in a Long-Term Relationship

Like everything else in your relationship, it all boils down to communication. Your quest to find the right person may include someone with a pleasing personality, someone whom you share interests in, someone who gets along well with your family and friends, and other factors that affect your chemistry. As your journey to the “one” comes to an end, you must remember one crucial component: money.

Money has been known to be a leading cause of stress in relationships. This topic is often off-limits, and many couples steer away from conversations involving one’s financial situation. Maybe you are skipping money conversations because you do not want to deal with the consequences of your spending habits. Or, perhaps you have been dating for less than a year and you fear that bringing up a serious topic is going to put a pause on your fun times.

When in a long-term relationship, it is important to discuss your finances with your partner. Everything would not simply work itself out. Your relationship with money will take effort and time.

#1: TALK ABOUT YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY MANAGEMENT

What are your partner’s views on spending and saving? Start the conversation with a non-judgmental tone. You can also share some examples of past experiences that may have influenced your current views and behaviors surrounding money.

This is where you and your partner will go in-depth into how your finances look now and whether your financial habits and views are compatible with one another.

#2: ELABORATE ON YOUR MONEY GOALS

Say you have always dreamed of owning a flat, and you want to do it sooner rather than later. You may want to forgo large expenses such as a European vacation or paying rent near the city-center. Is your partner on board with the plan? Is she or he ready to purchase a flat with you? You need to talk about your money goals and work together to accomplish them.

#3: DISCUSS YOUR ASSETS AND DEBTS

Let us face it! The reality is that, even if you and your partner do not combine finances now or ever, your partner’s money situation is going to affect yours. Do discuss your assets and debts. Big expenses and potentially thousands of dollars of debt can impact any short-term or long-term plans you have.

#4: ASK IF YOUR PARTNER PAYS BILLS ON TIME

If you always pay your bills later, this could affect your ability to borrow money. Your inability to borrow money can affect your future plans with your partner. To check your credit, consider requesting a copy from one of the reporting agencies or your financial institution.

#5: DECIDE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO COMBINE FINANCES

Some couples choose to set up a joint bank account as soon as they decide that they are in it for the long haul. While others have kept their money separate for their entire lives. Decide whether you are going to combine finances or not.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

No matter how you structure your accounts, a joint spreadsheet is a helpful tool to keep track of your household expenses and income. Remember that you can affect each other’s financial situation, especially when entering matrimony.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Why social media fixation is a problem for teens

social media icons

The allure of a “constant connection” to friends can be dangerously addicting, and it’s no secret that teens are especially vulnerable to social media’s lure.

The constant need for validation and attention can result in several problems for your teen, including anxiety, cyberbullying, and decreased academic performance.

If you’re concerned about your teen’s social media fixation, there are steps you can take to help them break their addiction. In this post, we will outline some of the dangers of social media addiction and suggest ways you can help your teen overcome it.

The dangers of social media fixation

You may have noticed that your teen is glued to their phone or laptop, scrolling through social media feeds for hours on end. It’s not just a phase—it’s a real problem.

Here’s why social media fixation is a problem for your teen:

  • It’s addictive. Teens are hardwired to seek out social validation, and social media provides the perfect platform for that. 
  • It’s distracting. Your teen is missing out on essential aspects of their development because they’re so focused on their online persona.
  • It’s harmful to relationships. Your teen may be forming digital relationships instead of actual ones, and that can be damaging in the long run.
  • It’s a waste of time. Your teen could be using that time to learn new things, explore their interests, or develop healthy habits, but instead, they’re wasting it online.
Why teens are susceptible to social media fixation
woman having her picture taken

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Teens are susceptible to social media fixation because their brains are still developing.

The parts of the brain that deal with judgment and impulse control are not fully formed, which means they’re more likely to act on instinct and not think things through.

Add to that the fact that social media is all about instant gratification, and it’s easy to see why teens can get hooked. They’re constantly being bombarded with images and messages that make them feel good, and it’s hard to resist the temptation to keep scrolling.

Warning signs that your teen may be addicted to social media

If your teen is constantly checking their phone or laptop, even when they’re in class or doing homework, then there’s a good chance they’re addicted.

And if they’re withdrawing from friends and family in favor of their online life, then that’s another sign that there’s a problem. It’s crucial to address this issue head-on.

But what can you do to help your teen break free from social media?

Here are a few tips as we come to a close: talk to your teen about the dangers of social media, set reasonable rules, and monitor your teen’s use of social media. You can also help your teen find other activities to replace their social media addiction. This could include things like playing sports or learning how to master a musical instrument.

You’re likely familiar with the dangers of social media fixation—it can lead to teen depression and a skewed view of the world. But try not to be too judgmental in your parenting journey. Your teenager is going through a lot of growing-up changes right now, and they need your support more than ever. Be there for them, and remind them that you love them no matter what.

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