Understanding What VSED Exit Can Do For You and Your Family

Voluntary stopping of eating and drinking, or VSED, is a form of assisted suicide that is commonly chosen by the elderly. It is especially enticing to the terminally ill, those that have only 6 more months to live, and to sufferers of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

For many, VSED exit is a viable option. It has no legal consequences and requires no legal permission. Here’s what’s there to understand about VSED, its impact on an elderly patient, and the family left behind.

VSED Explained

VSED is a decision made by an elderly to stop from eating and drinking with the sole purpose of death. Individuals who have stopped eating because of lack of appetite caused by an illness don’t count as VSED. Individuals who can’t eat on their own, but are rather fed through feeding tubes, are also not considered VSED.

In VSED, there has to be a voluntary choice on the part of an individual. However, because majority of VSED participants are elderly, they choose to undergo VSED with the help of healthcare professionals. Because of this, VSED is sometimes considered as an assisted suicide.

However, unlike most assisted suicide methods, VSED don’t have any legal requirements. An elderly wishing to undergo VSED doesn’t have to be proven mentally incapacitated or ill with a terminal disease. Not even a physician’s authorization or governmental action is needed. What’s needed then?

How VSED Works

An elderly however, should have the right, solid determination to go through the entire process of VSED. Support from the elderly’s family is also of utmost importance.

At a minimum, the process of VSED could end in as little as five to seven days. At most, an elderly could die after two to three weeks. The length of the VSED process varies between individuals. Age, nutritional status, and illness are factors that can speed up or slow down the dying process.

A VSED exit provides an option to hasten death through dehydration. At first, VSED goes through a smooth start. Slowly, energy levels would go down and mental alertness would slip away. By the third day without water, an elderly will alternate being in and out of consciousness. Without water though, the body can’t survive for long.

By the time symptoms of dehydration starts to show, a healthcare professional, usually a nurse, would administer shots of morphine. This is to stop the pain caused by the loss of water in the body. Mainly however, morphine is used to control discomfort for the elderly.

Making the Right Decision

The effects of a VSED exit are different in every case. While it may provide a graceful, dignified death to some, it is gruesome and painful to others. Whatever it may lead to though, the elderly should have all the support they need as they go through VSED.

The Advantages of Building a House Instead of Buying

Having your house built from the ground up has its advantages compared to buying an already-built one. Here are some reasons why you should at least consider getting your dream home via this route.

1. It costs less - When you compute everything, you will be surprised that building your home actually costs less than buying one. Most ready-made homes are priced that way because other factors such as the location and the markup from both the contractor and the dealer have been added to the sticker price. If you have your home built from scratch, all you have to pay for are the materials, manpower, and processing of paperwork.

2. It allows you to personalize your home - The biggest advantage of building your home is you can customize the design according to how you want it. You can adjust all aspects of the design - from the number of floors and rooms to the type of tiling used in the bedroom and bathroom. By going this route, you can literally create your own home from scratch.

3. Everything is up-to-date - One advantage of building a house is that it is bound to be constructed using modern materials. At the same time, the overall design of your home will contain the latest technologies developed in construction over the years. Among the advantages of homes constructed with modern materials and design include better durability, improved energy efficiency, and less polluting agents.

4. Furnish it the way you want - Aside from the construction, designing your own home gives you the freedom to select the type of furniture and appliances you want to use. When you buy a house, you have to consider factors such as space or fit before purchasing appliances. That is not the case when you build a house. In fact, you can customize the design of your house to have specific features before construction.

5. There’s a different feel to it - There is a different feel to it when you have your home built from scratch. There is a different kind of satisfaction knowing that it is you and your family who are responsible for the design of your house. Once the construction is complete, and you enter the house, you’ll know right away that this is your home.

Building your house from scratch can prove very advantageous for you. Of course, it takes vision, proper planning, and working with the right contractor to turn your dream

How to Overcome the Fear of Starting a Business

Starting a business of your own can be a daunting task – even if it is in an industry that you are very familiar with, or if it involves something that you have been doing for a long time. Taking the first few steps to a life of self-employment can still be scary.

Following are some tips that can help you overcome the fear of starting a business, and get your business going:

Write Your Goals Down

Simply writing down your goals can increase the likelihood of you achieving them. Determine your specific business goals, then summarize them into short sentences or a few words. This way, you will have something concrete to work on, and you won’t feel like groping in the dark. You can easily visualize written goals in your mind. You will get the clarity, sense of purpose, and direction you need to face the difficult tasks ahead.

Educate Yourself

What you may actually be afraid of is the unknown. This is just normal. The cure is simply to educate yourself. Try to learn everything you can about the business, the market, and entrepreneurship in general. There are lots of books and online articles you can read to help you get a good grasp of all aspects of your business. It can likewise be very helpful if you talk with owners of similar businesses. Ask for their advice or have them share their own experiences. This way, you will not only be better-informed; you will also realize that the challenges that you are facing are no different from others. The knowledge that you’re not alone will help reduce whatever fears you may have.

Remember Why You’re Setting Up Your Business

Recall why you are doing in. Fear may stem from losing your focus. If all the nitty-gritty of establishing a business is starting to drag you down – setting up your office, systems, and tools, and crunching numbers – just step back and take a minute to remember why you decided to put up the venture. Focusing on the “why” will bring back your passion and give you renewed strength to fight all the distractions.

Resist All Temptations to Make Excuses

You will never overcome your fears if you keep on making excuses for what you do or fail to do. Just because growing a business is foreign territory to you does not mean you cannot gain the knowledge you need to succeed. Instead of giving excuses for your shortcomings, whether perceived or not, be proactive and do what you can to gain sufficient knowledge to make your dream a reality.

Seek Help

Not all people can learn and do everything on their own. It is alright to ask for help from other people. Ask the advice of people who have been in similar situations before. Sometimes, just talking to other people can help relieve the burden you may be experiencing from running a business on your own.

Fear is not necessarily bad as it can spur you to prepare more and work harder to achieve success. However, fear of failure may overwhelm you. When it does, just let go and embrace the challenge. The benefits it will bring will surprise you.

EPA Rules and What They Mean for Real Estate Development

The US Environmental Protection Agency has an impact on practically every aspect of the economy – including real estate development. Homeowners, renters, buyers, investors and other persons concerned with real estate development are all mandated to comply with certain rules and regulations when it comes to the use and purchase of land.

The Role of EPA in Real Estate

As you know, many chemicals may be found and dumped in real estate properties. From lead in the furnishings to oil under the ground, the EPA sets standards that would regulate how property owners should deal with their real estate if any sort of environmental risk is involved.

Through such rules, the role of EPA becomes obvious: to make any contamination of real estate publicly known for the benefit of everyone who has interest in said real estate. Both buyers and sellers are now required to undergo an appropriate inquiry to find out the relative safety of the area. The purpose of EPA is not to prevent the use of real estate altogether but rather, to find out contaminant problems in order to address the issue and make it safer for its occupants.

Impact of EPA – What Real Estate Developers Should Know

The new rules of EPA add a new layer of procedure for buyers, homeowners, renters, sellers, and investors when it comes to real estate. Although it prolongs that process for the transfer of property, it undoubtedly provides an additional layer of safety for the end user. Here’s what every person in the sector should know:

Homebuyers

Buyers should now request the following papers before pursuing purchase of property built before 1978.

·         EPA-approved pamphlet detailing the identification of lead based paint and how  to control it

·         A “Lead Warning Statement” attached to the contract and an affirmation that the seller has met the notification requirements

·         Disclosure of any known information regarding the existence of lead-based paint in the property.

·         A total of 10 days inspection for lead based paint. The inspection may be waived, lengthened, or shortened.

The same obligations are required of real estate agents who are selling homes.

Renters

If you’re renting property which was built before 1978, you should also get the following from your landlord:

·         An information pamphlet approved by the EPA

·         Disclosure of any information relating to lead-based paint in the property

·         An attachment of Lead Warning Statement in the contract.

Additional Guidelines

Around 2002, more guidelines have been released by the EPA which could put real estate developers at risk of paying liability for contaminants. Fortunately, there’s a set of guidelines accompanying this release which can help real estate developers protect themselves from liability:

·         Interviews with past and present owners to find out the possibility of contaminant release in the property

·         Review of available records regarding waste disposal, water use, spill records, and other contaminant-risk activities

·         Review of historical information about the property like department records, photographs, and previous uses of the property since it was developed

·         Presence of any environmental cleanup lies

All in all, these EPA regulations will require due diligence on the part of the real property developer with the end goal of making homes and buildings safer for people occupation.

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DIY Exterior House Painting Tips

You enjoy multiple benefits simply by painting the exterior of your house. You protect it from the damage that extreme weather conditions bring. You strengthen the exterior and prolong its life and beauty. You enhance your home’s curb appeal and raise its value.

When you decide to paint the exterior of your house yourself, consider these helpful DIY tips.

• Plan ahead.

You have to consider the time of year. You will have a hard time making paint adhere to wet surfaces. Paint also requires ample time to dry. You have to know the weather patterns where you live so that you are able to select a time when the humidity and the probability of rain are both low.

• Choose high quality paint.

High quality paint may be a bit more expensive upfront. In the long run, however, you will get your money’s worth. The paint will provide better coverage. It also lasts longer; you will not have to repaint again and again.

• Prep the landscape.

Painting is certain to be messy. Protect any vegetation on the ground by covering the area. Transfer all grills, hoses, and outdoor furniture. Cover up those which cannot be moved by using drop cloth. Make sure that you wrap the covers securely around the items or to weigh them down efficiently so they stay in place.

• Prep the surface.

If the surface is coarse, uneven, or dirty, you will have a hard time getting the paint to adhere. Make sure you get a clean solid surface by doing the necessary prep work.

Remove all chalky residue, grime, dirt, and mildew from the surface. You can use a power sprayer for this. You can also use a stiff-bristle brush to hand-scrub the surface.

You can only paint over previously painted surfaces if the surface is smooth and in good condition. Remove old paint that has flaked off or blistered.

Make sure that all the nail heads are below the surface. Tap them down using a hammer-and-nail set. Use exterior-grade putty to seal the holes. Sand the putty once it is completely cured.

If you apply new caulk around the trim, doors, and windows, see to it that the caulk you use is paintable.

If you are working over some bare wood, make sure that you prime the wood prior to painting.

Use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to cover all the lighting fixtures, windows, and doors.

• Replace rotten wood.

Rotten wood will continue to weaken even if you paint over it. You have to replace all rotten wood trim or siding. If the area is small, you can opt to apply a wood hardener and wood filler. Prep and sand the new parts before you apply paint.

• Apply primer.

Before you apply your chosen color coats, make sure that you apply good quality primer. You can also opt to get the more expensive newer technology all-in-one primer-and-paint products that will reduce the total number of coats you need to apply.

• Work your way down from the top.

Let gravity work with you by painting your way from top to bottom. Painting this way will help you to manage streaks and deal with mishaps better.

What Is the Role of a Real Estate Developer?

Real estate is a booming business. An industry that’s easily worth billions of dollars, competition in this field is strong. Critical in the development of this industry is the role of the real estate developer. This article will put a spotlight in the many roles that the real estate developer plays.

1.   Securing of legal documents - There are many legal documents that must be passed before any type of construction project is approved. One of the most important roles of the real estate developer is to ensure that all such papers are adequately accomplished. Before construction starts, all legal, regulatory, and statutory clearances must be cleared. Title deeds and legal dues for each projects should also be secured.

2.   Securing of finances - It is also the job of the real estate developer to ensure that the necessary funds for developing a company’s different projects are prepared. Aside from securing finances from both investors and financing institutions, the developer should also ensure that all loans and interests are properly accounted for.

3.   Pricing of projects - Setting prices is also the responsibility of the real estate developer in charge. There are many factors involved in determining the price of a property: the amount of money invested in its development, the target market for such properties, and the economic environment. Proper pricing ensures that the company gets sufficient profit on each sale while getting each unit sold as quickly as possible.

4.   Quality control - It is the responsibility of the real estate developer to ensure the quality of each project. They must see to it that each project gets completed according to both the plan and the schedule. At the same time, developers should also see to it that constructions are done at the best possible quality, ensuring that no investment gets wasted by subpar work.  

What Qualities Does a Person Need to Become an Entrepreneur?

Everyone wants to be a great entrepreneur, but not everyone has what it takes to be one. While it takes the right opportunity and a little bit of luck, you can groom yourself to become a great businessman. Here are some qualities a person must have to become an entrepreneur.

1. Passion - To become successful in any venture, you must have the passion for it. It is arguably the most important trait you must have to succeed in this field. When you have a genuine love for what you are doing, everything is not a burden to you. You do everything you can to make your business succeed, and you do it for reasons that go beyond profit.
2. Confidence- As an entrepreneur, you got to be confident, both on yourself but also on your people. You got to see every single event, even obstacles and failures, as an opportunity to grow and improve. You also got to be confident enough with your abilities to make each of your ventures successful.
3. Creativity- This is another trait possessed by people who end up becoming great entrepreneurs. They see opportunities where others don’t. They are also innovative, resourceful, and willing to think outside the box. Without taking unnecessary risks, creative people find ways to put their businesses in a better position to succeed.
4. Discipline- The best entrepreneurs know that they should be disciplined enough to see the fruits of their labor. They are 100% focused on accomplishing their goals, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get it done. This level of discipline will then trickle down from them to the people they work with.
5. People Skills- An entrepreneur understands that he/she cannot do it alone if he/she wants to achieve success. The entrepreneur knows how to communicate. Great communication skills means you can sell products better, motivate your people better, and engage people from outside your business better.
6. Work ethic- If you want to be the best entrepreneur, you can never afford to be lazy. The best businessmen never rest on their laurels; always seeking for ways to further improve in their craft. They are willing to go the extra mile to ensure their goals are accomplished. When you work hard and work smart, success is just around the corner.

Those are just some of the qualities you must have to become an entrepreneur. Develop these traits and you improve your chances of prospering in this field.