(BPT) - In uncertain times, there is one source of comfort we can all agree upon, and it is the unconditional love provided by our beloved four-legged friends. Pets are family and are there for us when we need it most. And when tragedy strikes a family member, whether through a natural disas…

(BPT) - When Ashley Fajardo tested positive for the Huntington’s disease gene at 18 years old, she was devastated but not surprised. Having lost her mother to the rare genetic disorder five years earlier, she knew her odds for having the gene were high.

(BPT) - If you have upcoming surgery planned, one of your concerns may be post-surgical pain. With all the news coverage about the opioid crisis in the United States, you probably have questions about the best kind of pain relief for you. You may want to know how you can recover quickly, wit…

(BPT) - As routines shift, people often have to make behavioral changes to adapt to their new daily schedules, which can come with excuses. Whether it’s learning to cook healthy meals more frequently, adapting to outdoor exercise or adjusting a skincare regimen, people tend to make excuses a…

(BPT) - You’ve probably heard the term “essential worker.” You might even know a few. Among them are those in the medical profession, education and food production. And they’re working hard to keep our nation going during the COVID-19 crisis.

(BPT) - Because everyone is spending more time in their own backyards now, parents are wondering how to create healthier lawns for their families.

(BPT) - When it comes to keeping your family and home safe, you’re probably familiar with the most common household hazards that can occur. And chances are you have taken precautions to prevent most hazards by installing devices like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers.

(BPT) - For Dorothy, being diagnosed with bladder cancer almost four years ago reinforced the importance of living in the present and appreciating every moment. This holds true even in some of the most unique circumstances, Dorothy explains. “I had my 76th birthday party with my grandchildre…

(BPT) - An unexpected diagnosis

(BPT) - It's early afternoon on a Thursday when Donna Portscher walks through the doors at a DaVita dialysis center in north Georgia. It is a familiar setting — the faces, the clean smell of a medical center and the sound of dialysis machines in the background. She pays visits to dialysis ce…

Having children is a great joy, but it also can be stressful. Pressures are plentiful, from making sure your child has the right gear to needing to help manage their school and social schedules. To intensify matters, COVID-19 has brought quarantines and social distancing around the world, an…

(BPT) - With COVID-19 changing the way we interact, gather and celebrate, many holidays will look different this year, including Memorial Day. But that doesn’t mean servicemembers, veterans and their families need our support any less.

(BPT) - Homeowners only get one chance to make a first impression. That’s one chance to impress potential buyers, family, friends and neighbors with the first thing they see: your home’s exterior.

(BPT) - Our nation is sharing in an experience with the COVID-19 crisis that will serve to reshape the future of our communities, our work, our families, and each and every individual. With so much attention focused on the diagnosis and treatment related to the virus, we recognize that those…

(BPT) - It’s your heart. Don’t hesitate.

(BPT) - As recent months have demonstrated, stress is unavoidable. Now more than ever, it’s important to understand stress and how we can manage it. While stress can be beneficial, too much of it can be harmful. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women’s Health exp…

(BPT) - Since the COVID-19 outbreak, restrictions in daily activities and social interactions have caused a major shift in caregiving roles and responsibilities. Many people have found themselves acting as a full-time caregiver for the first time. Parents and guardians are teaching lessons a…

(BPT) - It’s not always easy to be at home with kids day after day, but with a little creativity, you can beat cabin fever. Whether you're in your own backyard or venturing out, there are plenty of things you can do to have fun together. Make sure to choose activities that are age-appropriat…

(BPT) - Whether it's a quaint patio, a simple garden, a rolling expanse of land or the many possibilities in between, the backyard is the perfect place to unwind. As people spend more time at home, creating a personal outdoor sanctuary is more important than ever before.

(BPT) - If you’re dreaming of summer, imagining how you could be relaxing with a good book in the shade, entertaining family in your outdoor kitchen, playing with the kids in the sunshine — or just breathing in the sights and sounds of nature in your own personal oasis — here are some tips t…

(BPT) - For almost all of us, we have been on "sit and stay" for over two months. The only person happy about this is the dog.

(BPT) - As people are spending more time at home, many are learning new activities and finding simple joy in doing the things they love, such as cultivating their own gardens.

(BPT) - As we all spend more time at home right now, it can be a great opportunity to get a head start on summer projects and begin tackling your list of home improvements, especially as we look toward warmer weather. One thing that often gets overlooked is regular deck cleanings. Since summ…

(BPT) - With social distancing and stay-at-home orders, you may not be able to go to health care appointments like you did before. For people who receive physical therapy (PT), this can impact their ability to heal fully, manage their conditions and feel their best. Fortunately, telehealth i…

(BPT) - It will take some time to adjust and recover from the major disruption experienced because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many consumers are figuring out how to cope with challenges when it comes to their financial health.

(BPT) - Across the country, temporary school closures are forcing kids into instant distance learning environments for the remainder of the school year. Parents are trying to work their day job while simultaneously educating kids. For most, there isn’t ever enough time in a day to handle bot…

(BPT) - While the summer months often serve as an important reminder on the dangers of sun exposure, many people may not realize that skin cancer can happen to anyone at any time of the year. With more than five million new cases diagnosed each year, skin cancer is the most common cancer in …

(BPT) - Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys and for those affected by this condition, nearly 50% will experience End State Renal Disease (ESRD) by age 60. According to the National Kidney Foundation, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPK…

(BPT) - In the U.S. alone, 28.1 million people are living with diabetes, and an added 7.2 million are living with undiagnosed diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the American Diabetes Association reports that 84 million American adults h…

(BPT) - Nothing says “summer” quite like The Original Margarita. And for the aspiring mixologist to the cocktail newbie, extra time at home is perfect for mastering The Margarita. There is nothing easier than shaking up this refreshing cocktail, in its original form or in one of its many del…

(BPT) - When determining the look of your outdoor living space, decking is only half of the equation. In many cases, it’s the deck railings that are most visible and the design element that makes the first impression.

(BPT) - This Mother’s Day, you may not be able to be with your mom in person due to social distancing. The time apart may be difficult for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t honor your beloved mom in other thoughtful ways that don’t require person-to-person contact.

(BPT) - Electricity is always there for us. From keeping the lights on to running important "background" tasks like maintaining a steady Wi-Fi signal, we're often unaware of how electricity touches all aspects of our lives. That is, until something happens, like a severe storm hits and the p…

(BPT) - While many homeowners love the unique charm and beauty that can only be found in an older home, the truth is that older houses present challenges to keeping everyone safe, especially little ones. For any house where children are being raised, or where they may spend a lot of time, it…

(BPT) - While most of the world has hit pause on daily life, kindness and giving can be considered essential services. Socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 health pandemic are challenging families across the globe, as schools have closed, after-school meal programs have paused, busine…

(BPT) - In these unprecedented times, when many families are facing physical, emotional and financial hardships, a common question is, “How do I keep up with my mortgage when I’m not working?”

(BPT) - The flexibility to learn and earn a degree online allows students nationwide — from full-time employees to single parents and more — to achieve goals while managing family and life. Millions of students study online today, and those numbers are only increasing.

(BPT) - Buying a home is an exciting time. Once you purchase a property, you want to make it your own. Whether it's a 100-year-old beauty or a fresh new build, there are improvements you can make that not only personalize the space, but add instant value to your real estate investment.

(BPT) - Spending more time in the kitchen means learning the importance of not only keeping food fresh for weeks at a time, but also minimizing waste for fewer trips to the grocery store. Food waste also impacts our wallets. In fact, a recent Bosch home appliances survey conducted by OnePoll…

(BPT) - It can be easy to dismiss head pain as a regular headache, but in fact there is no such thing. More than 300 types of headache exist and the likelihood you’ll experience one in your lifetime is high. Worldwide nearly 40 million people have some form of headache disease.

(BPT) - When was the last time you treated yourself so that you could feel good inside and out? Now is the perfect time to show some serious TLC to your skin, nails and hair to give yourself the ultimate full-body pampering session.

(BPT) - If you are among the millions of adults in the U.S. who do not know they have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the past few months of social distancing have been a particularly steep battle. Our country was instructed to “sit still,” a command children with ADHD hear …

(BPT) - Since the first Earth Day was observed 50 years ago, the day’s message has only grown in importance. For anyone wondering how they can contribute to a better tomorrow, a good place to get started is right in your home with smart, energy-saving home appliances and tools. Even small ch…