What you need to know about the stages of Parkinson’s disease

an elderly man looking out from the corridor

As our parents grow older by the year, there is a higher possibility of catching Parkinson’s disease. According to Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s disease usually develops among old folks who are 60 or older.

We’re sure you have heard of the condition, but if you have not, it’s essentially a brain disorder that results in specific symptoms like:

  • Stiff limbs
  • Unmanageable tremors
  • Delayed movements (also known as bradykinesia)
  • Balancing difficulties thus leading to issues standing up

To identify the severity of the condition, doctors may use the Hoehn and Yahr rating scale to aid them in assessing. Here’s what you need to know about the five stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Stage 1

At the first stage, the symptoms may not be that obvious. Even if they present themselves, it’s not severe enough to impact daily activities and current lifestyles.

However, watch out for slight changes in an older person’s walk, posture, or facial expressions. There may also be mild tremors and movement restrictions on one side of the body. Should you notice such signs, bring your parents to the doctor so they can receive medications to minimise the possibility of it worsening.

Stage 2

As Parkinson’s disease progresses to the second stage, facial expression changes can appear more vividly. Your parents may also feedback that they are experiencing more trembling and stiffness.

Due to muscle contraction resulting in stiffness, an individual may take more time than usual to complete a simple routine. But at this stage, it should not impact their balance. Some may start to feel the symptoms on both sides of their body. Selected people can even find it tough to express their thoughts verbally.

Stage 3
old people in Singapore

Image Credits: todayonline.com

The third stage is the midpoint of Parkinson’s disease. At this phase, a person suffering from the condition will start experiencing loss of balance, decreased reflexes, and slower movements overall.

Stage 3 is important because the elderly person may be more prone to falls. While tasks are significantly affected at this juncture, individuals are still able to complete them. Do consider sending your loved one for occupational therapy as they continue to consume medication to reduce the symptoms.

Stage 4

As we approach the second last stage of Parkinson’s disease, know that stage 4 is a critical phase because individuals won’t be able to stand and complete daily tasks alone.

With significant drops in movement and reaction times, the senior person at this point will require either a walker, assistive device, or a physical person to assist them in their lifestyle. It’s not an exaggeration to say that leaving someone with Parkinson’s disease at stage 4 to handle their daily routine is dangerous.

Stage 5

This is the final stage of Parkinson’s disease, a phase where an individual will require 24-hour attention to prevent unnecessary falls due to heightened stiff legs.

Apart from physical challenges, older people at the last two stages of the condition are likely to experience confusion, delusions, and hallucinations. Dementia may also come into the picture, and medications taken previously will start to exhibit its side effects.

If you’re new to Parkinson’s disease and need more information, please head to parkinson.org.sg for support initiatives and reliable resources by the Parkinson Society Singapore.

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These are the local firms adopting flexible time-off policies

a woman on a staycation

More so recently, you must have heard of overseas firms adopting flexible work weeks and unlimited annual leave. It seems like the trend is moving over to Singapore, with some firms implementing these time-off policies.

Want to know the names? Stay on this page.

#1: Mambu

Mambu is a Berlin-based startup with offices across the globe, including Singapore.

The fintech firm has a summer four-day workweek policy in place for all of its offices worldwide. Specifically, from June to August, its employees in Singapore get to enjoy an additional day off a week.

To senior application consultant Heemank Verma who works in Mambu’s Singapore office, this is something exciting. He mentioned that employees are always looking forward to the three months early on at the start of the year.

“Our company does not (condone) micromanagement, people take ownership of their work. I feel like that is a fundamental basis of the four-day work week,” he added.

To that, Mambu’s APAC managing director Myles Bertrand noted that the company focuses on productivity, output and results instead of the quantity of time spent working. With policies like that in place, people are likely to be more motivated when reporting for work.

#2: Deloitte

Deloitte is a professional services firm that has jumped on Netflix’s famous “no vacation policy”.

Instead of keeping track of the number of leave days an employee has, individuals have the freedom to decide for themselves. To be exact, different leave types like compassionate leave, marriage leave, and public holidays in-lieu are combined into a flexi-leave arrangement.

According to Melvin Wong, senior account manager at Deloitte Singapore, he meets with his supervisors to plan the calendar of events at the start of each financial year. This, in turn, allows him to plan his annual leave around major client activities.

In addition to the flexi-leave arrangement, Deloitte has also introduced a flexi-work scheme as part of its work-life integration programme. Employees will have the privilege to choose to work from home or alter office hours if they have to attend to other personal commitments.

#3: Facebook

Last on our list, we have a familiar name – Facebook.

Apart from the 20 days of annual leave employees have, Facebook also awards two Choice Days. Choice Days are times where individuals can take days off to volunteer, celebrate a special event, or simply do something they enjoy.

In the past year, the multinational conglomerate also came up with special leave days to support its workers amid the ongoing pandemic. This year, its Singapore office will give its employees three additional company-wide days off, all in the name of rest and recharge.

Final thoughts
a man looking at his laptop

Image Credits: vulcanpost.com

Jealous? Don’t be. Ms Deanna Lim, a representative from recruitment agency Robert Walters Singapore, said that more companies are expected to welcome such flexible leave policies.

“This allows them to stay competitive within their industry. Increasingly, we also see more firms adopting different initiatives and revising their existing employee benefits so they can support the formation of family units,” she added.

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Get Better Sleep To Function Better At Work

Many people sleep less than the recommended hours and are under-performing at work due to sleep deprivation. A good night’s sleep includes both the quantity and quality of your slumber.

Pulling an all-nighter may provide short-term results, but regularly skipping sleep can be detrimental to your ability to focus and to perform higher-level brain functions for the days to come.

It is essential to give your body the restorative rest it deserves. Here are four ways to improve your sleep.

#1: REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO LED LIGHTS

Exposure to LED lights inhibits the increase in sleepiness during nighttime. Aside from watching television, using your hand phones and tablets before you go to sleep can suppress melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone primarily released by the pineal gland at night. It has long been associated with the control of the sleep–wake cycle. Thus, having a lamp with a lower color temperature is recommended at night.

#2: AVOID DRINKING CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a strong stimulant that can interfere sleep. It can increase your adrenaline production and block sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain. Get better sleep at night by avoiding the consumption of caffeine. The National Sleep Foundation recommends avoiding coffee, tea, chocolate, and soft drinks before bedtime.

Apart from coffee and tea, chocolate contains caffeine in varying degrees. A dark chocolate bar may have about 30 milligrams of caffeine. This is equivalent to the caffeine content in a cup of instant tea.

Chocolate has other stimulants too! One of its stimulants is theobromine. Theobromine is the compound that makes chocolates dangerous for cats and dogs. Theobromine, found in small amounts in chocolate, increases heart rate and causes sleeplessness.

#3: HAVE A CONDUCIVE SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT

Ensure that your bedroom is welcoming and relaxing. Remove unnecessary distractions like the television and other devices with blue light. Moreover, you must keep the room temperature cool and use curtains to block the natural light. Natural light can keep you awake, while blue light will disrupt your sleep.

#4: CREATE A SLEEPING ROUTINE

Sleeping routines can improve the length and quality of sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to maintaining long-term healthy habits. Enjoying a quality slumber is free and is perhaps the most budget-friendly step you can take towards wellness.

At least 6 to 8 hours of sleep is ideal for teens and adults. Learn how much sleep you really need and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Then, set up a conducive sleeping environment without distractions. You can also develop a curfew for your electronics usage.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Please reduce the intake of caffeine and avoid physical activity before you go to bed.  Practice calming activities such as taking a warm bath or listening to relaxing music instead.

Have a wonderful rest!

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Basic tips for writing the best sales emails that are enticing enough to click

email marketing graphic

There are several methods for marketing a product or service, and emails are one option.

But stick around for long enough, and you will realise that the statistics aren’t that pretty all the time. Some marketers make the mistake of focusing on what the company wants to convey rather than what customers are interested in reading. As such, there’s a low clicking-through and reading rate.

If that is you, it is not too late. Read on for some basic tips on writing the best sales emails that are enticing enough to click.

#1: Spend some time crafting the subject line

No, we’re not talking about clickbait email subjects as that might backfire. You don’t want to be losing email subscribers because your subject lines do not match the content shown.

But what you want to do is to spend some time crafting an email title that is catchy enough to allow a reader to click in. It doesn’t have to be flashy or gimmicky. It just has to be straightforward and corresponds with the disseminated information.

For example, if you want your customers to ask questions and let them know the company is ready to listen, a subject line that writes “Any questions?” can be good enough.

#2: Get to the point and cut the fluff

Folks nowadays are exposed to tremendous amounts of online content, and everything on the internet is fast-paced.

To capture your readers’ attention, get to the point and cut the fluff. Now that your subject line has led a reader to click through, deliver what was marketed via the title. Structure your content neatly, so it’s easy to scan and pick out the relevant information. Remember also to include links to the respective web pages to avoid your email ending up too lengthy.

#3: Treat your customers like friends

While a creatively written email can demonstrate your artistic skills as an employee, it should not be too profound and offputting for your clients.

An excellent way to avoid sales jargon or snazzy catchphrases is to treat your customers as fellow friends or colleagues. Reread your email and ask if it’s phrased the way you would speak to someone you know. If it sounds odd, you know it’s time to tweak.

Two-way communication is key
email marketing

Image Credits: entrepreneur.com

Ultimately, you can follow the above tips but still fail to achieve the conversion rate your company seeks. Then, maybe a final step would be to ensure that there is two-way communication in place.

While your primary goal may be to release new products or service information, make sure that your customers have an outlet where they can provide feedback or ask questions. At the end of every sales email sent, include an easy way for recipients to call, text, or write back.

Boring sales pitches can only go so far. If you want to get the word out, offer value.

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What to expect for Singapore’s 56th birthday

NDP 2020

Do you remember how we celebrated our nation’s birthday last year? Instead of everyone gathering as one people at a venue, our sunny island focused on heartland activities instead.

But this year, things will be different. As we take steps to live with COVID-19 possibly becoming an endemic disease, this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) will return to the Marina Bay floating platform.

While it will still be a scaled-down event, there are live performers and an audience. Here’s what to expect for the upcoming NDP 2021.

#1: Performers will be tested before every rehearsal

You’ve probably read or heard the news that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has achieved herd immunity with over 90% of personnel injected with a first dose of the vaccine.

This is definitely good news, but all performers will go through antigen rapid testing before every rehearsal. Most performers will also attend dry runs in smaller groups to ensure everyone’s safety.

#2: Only fully vaccinated individuals can enter

Wave goodbye to balloting as Singapore has decided to prioritise peeps who’ve contributed selflessly in our fight against the pandemic. So if you’re a front liner, essential worker, or a community volunteer, you might stand a chance to watch the parade live in person.

However, to enter as a spectator, you will have to be fully vaccinated. Similar to the performers, there will be mandatory pre-event testing.

#3: Look forward to heartland activities
NDP heartland activity

Image Credits: lifestyleasia.com

True patriots who aren’t able to watch the NDP live in person don’t have to be blue. There will still be heartland activities, and we believe the organisers will release more details as National Day draws nearer.

If it’s similar to last year’s, residents can expect fireworks displays throughout our tiny red dot, mobile columns around the neighbourhoods, and parachutists doing their thang. Stay tuned for more information to come!

#4: NDP 2021 may not be well prepared

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has called on Singaporeans to be understanding should the show be not as well prepared compared to past years. This is due to shorter preparation times amid the evolving COVID-19 situation.

“NDP is as much about each Singaporean using the occasion to affirm together what we value about Singapore. We hope that the NDP will uplift, we hope that the NDP will encourage. We hope that the NDP will give us a wider perspective, because it’s been a tough year, a year and a half, and I think with Singaporeans’ help, we can achieve it,” he noted.

#5: Theme song is sung by well-known artists

Composed by local singer Linying and music producer Evan Low, this year’s NDP official song is titled “The Road Ahead”.

Hear the voices of Linying, Sezairi Sezali, Shye-Anne Brown, and Shabir and watch the music video directed by Huang Junxiang and Jerrold Chong via the YouTube link above!

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