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Dog Lost For Two Years Is Ecstatic To Finally Reunite With His Owner

Indeed, dogs are man’s best friend, forming a close, strong bond with their human companions. Just as people take care of their furry friends, dogs give their owners emotional support and genuine, unconditional love.

When this link is broken, it’s a real tragedy. Many a time we hear about puppies stolen from their owners – a harsh act that’s hurtful to both man and animal. Fortunately, one woman in Ukraine got the chance to reunite with her beloved dog from which she’d been separated for two years.

Volunteers at one animal shelter in Ukraine found a lovely, blue-eyed homeless dog wandering the streets. Since the dog had mange and it was starving, it was evident that it had quite a hard life on the streets, to say the least.

Volunteers were determined to give the cute dog a new, warm home – not knowing that he actually already had one and that someone was longing to reunite with him.

So, to find him a home, the volunteers posted pictures of the pup on social media. Due to the fact that the dog was in poor health, they initially doubted that someone would be interested in adopting it. But, their doubts were dispelled when a great number of people filled with sympathy for the pup’s hardship and sadness began to share pictures of the shelter on social media.

Two days later, a woman contacted the shelter, informing them that her dog had been stolen from her in 2017. When she saw the dog’s photos, she was amazed to see how similar that pup appeared to the dog that had been taken away from her.

The following day, the woman came to the shelter and very soon, the meeting turned into a beautiful, heartfelt reunion.

The video of the emotional reunion, which you can find below, shows that both woman and dog were ecstatic that they were finally reunited.

Japanese Company Takes Care Of Its Employees By Paying Them To Adopt Cats And Bring Them To Work

An IT company from Japan has found a way to become efficient and effective at its work by creating a stress-free work atmosphere for its employees.

Can you guess how?

They are LITERALLY paying their employees to rescue cats and bring them to work. Yup, you read it right. They are 100% cat-friendly, and I don’t know about you, but I am already browsing for cheap flights to Japan, because, this seems like the dreamiest job ever!

Ferray Corporation is now home to many rescued, stray cats. For a long time, this company worked on improving the work atmosphere and the efficiency of their employees, but nothing they did worked as miraculously as bringing in cats.

The presence of cats made everyone feel less stressed, more calmed, motivated and inspired for work. Everyone has agreed that working in an office where cats roam free and sleep around has increased the employees’ overall productivity and decreased their stress levels.

All in all, it seems that cats are really the key to a job well done.

And what’s even better, the company is paying its employees to bring more and more cats.  That’s right. In order to motivate them and encourage them to rescue and adopt even more cats, the company pays 5,000 yen or $45 per cat.

In Ferray Corporation, every day is ‘Bring your own cat to work’ day!

Now that is a company I would enjoy working in!

Cat lovers and IT professionals don’t forget to send your resumes. This seems like the best job opportunity that you’ll ever get in your life!

Also, if you are curious to see how these office cats handle the office life, go check their Twitter account. You will enjoy it, I guarantee you!

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Praised For Sharing Picture Of Him Feeding His Partner While She Nursed Their Baby Girl

Famous American actor and semi-retired professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock,” did a great job of setting an example of how to be a loving and supportive partner and dad.

On his Instagram, he shared a sweet picture of himself feeding his partner Lauren Hashian while she breastfed their baby girl Tiana. He accompanied the adorable photo with heart-melting words which got the attention of thousands of social media users. He wrote:

“I’ll handle this business. Mama @laurenhashianofficial has her hands full nursing/feeding baby Tia, so I’m feedin’ mama her dinner. My pleasure.

“So much respect to her and all mamas out there holding it down and running things. Just landed and good to get all my girls settled in.”

“Now, I gotta go satisfy my own appetite… Iron Paradise, here I come.”

The picture which has been liked over 5 million times so far has also received thousands of comments from mums and dads from all over the world in which they praised and shared their support for the loving father of three daughters.

The actor often writes about how much he loves and admires the four most important women in his life. After the birth of Tiana, his third daughter, in an Instagram post, he wrote: “Blessed and proud to bring another strong girl into this world.” In the post, he also praised both his partner, Lauren Hashian, and all women out there for their strength in childbirth. He wrote:

“Tiana Gia Johnson came into this world like a force of nature and Mama labored and delivered like a true rockstar.

“I was raised and surrounded by strong, loving women all my life, but after participating in baby Tia’s delivery, it’s hard to express the new level of love, respect and admiration I have for @laurenhashianofficial and all mamas and women out there.”

He also added: “Word to the wise gentlemen, it’s critical to be by your lady’s head when she’s delivering, being as supportive as you can.. holding hands, holding legs, whatever you can do. But, if you really want to understand the single most powerful and primal moment life will ever offer – watch your child being born. It’s a life changer and the respect and admiration you have for a woman, will forever be boundless.”

Undoubtedly, the respect and admiration Johnson’s fans have for him are boundless too.

Grateful Dog Cannot Stop Cuddling With The Woman Who Rescued Him From A Shelther

Animals have feelings. You can deny that fact for as much as you want, but the truth is, they do. They know what love is and they can feel when someone cares for them.

That is the case with Russ, the Pitbull who got rescued from a shelter.

Filoon was a student at Temple University who was working a part-time job as a volunteer for a local animal shelter when she first met Russ. The poor creature was suffering from multiple health conditions. He was sick with kennel cough, he had an eye infection, an itchy, irritated skin, and a bleeding tail.

But that didn’t stop Filoon from nurturing this baby. In fact, those were some of the reasons why she felt obligated to do something for this pup. She noticed how scared and silent he was, and she just knew that one day, she will be his mommy.

Over the next week, she visited Russ again and even took him for a drive. It was then when she realized that they are meant to be together. And ever since that moment, they became inseparable. She rescued the poor baby, and now he cannot get enough off snuggling with his owner.

Here’s a photo to prove that.

This was taken by a friend of Filoon while she was studying. In the photo, you can see the heartwarming moment between one loving owner and a grateful, happy pup that cannot contain his love for its human.

I cannot get over how cute they are. It seems like they found each other in the most perfect time of their lives. We hope that they stay best friends forever and we can’t wait to see more pictures of them in the future!

 

Man Who Taped The Mouth Of Pit bull Caitlyn For 36 Hours Finally Sentenced To 15 Years In Jail

Dogs are the purest and kindest creatures that ever walked this Earth. They are here to show us what unconditional love really means. They are here to make our lives happier and love us in a way that we’ve never been loved.

Yet, there are still cruel and vile people who would hurt them.

Caitlyn, the lovely Pitbull is just one case out of thousands.

Her story became known across the world after she was found injured on her previous owner’s porch in North Charleston, USA. 15 months old Caitlyn had a tragic destiny. Her previous owner had sold her to a 41-year-old man for just USD $10. The man had only had Caitlyn for a few days when he injured her so badly that she nearly died. 

Two years ago, she went through the hardest time of her life. Her mouth was taped and shut for 36 hours straight. The abuser used electrical tape and wrapped her mouth nine times. The poor thing barely breathed. She was left all alone and she couldn’t do anything to help herself.

Fortunately, a neighbor found her and immediately called Animal Control. They took the poor creature to the Charleston Animal Shelter and they started the procedure in removing the dangerous tape that was all over her mouth.

The tape was fastened so tightly that the blood flow to her nose was stopped and she couldn’t breathe.

The doctors said that Caitlyn was in luck. If she stayed a few hours more in that condition, she could have suffered serious damages to her sinus cavity and tongue. Luckily, she was found just in time. The veterinarians did their best to take off the tape without hurting her and thanks to them she was able to recover faster.

”This is the most serious case of animal abuse I’ve seen throughout my career,” Aldwin Roman, director of outreach at Charleston Animal Society, said when Caitlyn first arrived.

Luckily, with the help of the doctors and her will to live, she recovered. But even though Caitlyn healed and got back on her feet, the authorities didn’t stop investigating her case.

They found the one responsible for this unforgivable crime and justice was finally served. William Dodson, the man who taped Caitlyn’s mouth got sentenced to 15 years in jail. Five of those were for animal cruelty, and the rest of them were for illegal possession of a weapon.

As for Caitlyn, she is finally thriving. She already found a new family that loves her and cares for her.

Top Tips for Practicing Self-Care, and Doing it Well

Life moves so quickly around us, that we barely get the chance to take a breather. We often find ourselves being so busy looking after those around us, that we don’t give ourselves a second thought, and worrying about the future more than we enjoy the present. It’s all too easy to end up in a constant cycle of working too hard, caring for others, and doing little else. But it is in fact very important to take the time to look after yourself too. It doesn’t have to take up too much time or be expensive but doing little things to take care of yourself can go a long way. With these top tips, you’ll be sure to feel well looked after in no time!

Take a Look at Your Diet

All too often, we associate diet and monitoring it with the act of wanting to lose weight, but this isn’t the only reason we should be mindful of the food and drink we put into our bodies. More often than not in our busy lives, we will grab food on the go, without really taking notice of the nutritional value of it. Allow yourself to plan your meals in advance if that will help you to take more notice of what you’re actually putting into your body. Not only this but put whatever it is you’re so busy doing to one side while you eat your meal. Mealtimes should be stress free and enjoyable, and if you can even make the effort to make them social too by sharing your meals with your partner, friends or family.

Take the Time to Talk

Take the time to talk to someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed by life. For some people, this could be a phone call to a friend or relative, and to others it could mean taking an hour a week to seek professional help like therapy if they’re really struggling. However, therapy isn’t the only option and there are other less traditional options if that interests you. Some people might take interest in seeking the help of a Psychic Advisor. More often than not, it’s the future that makes us worry in the present, so by seeking professional help that can put our minds at ease about the state of future, we can possibly enjoy the present more.

Exercise Frequently

This is something we’re told constantly by parents and doctors alike, but it’s actually scientifically proven that exercise can increase feelings of happiness. It doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym and bulk up, do whatever exercise you enjoy! This could be yoga, going for hikes, or even going out dancing with friends. It doesn’t matter how you choose to exercise, as long as you do it regularly.

Create a Space Just for You

A lot of the time, we only spend time in our bedrooms asleep, and therefore we neglect the space itself. Instead, you could consider sprucing up your room to make it more inviting. It can be something as cheap and easy as some new pillows, a cosy throw, fairy lights or lighting a scented candle. By creative a cosy and welcoming space for you to spend time in, you give yourself a safe haven in which to conduct your own self-care.

Come Offline

Although certain websites  include some useful self help guides, generally being online distracts from the important things you should be doing, and the quality time you should be spending with people you care about in person. Particularly when it comes to social media, it can trigger feelings of sadness and anxiety. A lot of the time, we’ll find ourselves looking through other people’s accounts and comparing our live to theirs – but remember social media is not a true likeness of real life! If you imagine a “best bits” reel, that’s the equivalent of social media. People only post what they want others to see, so try and remember that when you’re sitting comparing your everyday life to what other’s put online.

Get Creative

Finally, try doing something creative. By getting the creative juices flowing, you’ll find yourself feeling a lot more mindful and productive. It doesn’t have to be anything you share. Even if you’re not a pro artist, why not try your hand at painting a picture of something you love? Creativity can be literally anything, from baking a batch of cupcakes to redecorating a room in your home. Whatever makes you feel a sense of achievement is more than good enough!

How to Choose the Best CBD Oil for You: The Ultimate Guide

Cannabidiol oil or CBD oil is oil made from the flower, bud, leaves as well as stems of the Cannabis sativa plant. It is one of the best natural supplements, which people have found definitively useful. You can opt to take it orally or add it to moisturizers and balms for topical application.

Its use is global, making it hard for some to even, know what quality is. This makes its buy a bit difficult for some, especially first time users.

Nonetheless, do not worry we got you covered today, with this guide to choosing the best CBD oil for you.

1.     Establish a buying criteria

Given its rampant growth, it can be hard to choose from the various forms available from CBD oils to CBD-based products. However, by knowing what to look for you can buy the best type for yourself. You can consume Vitaleaf Naturals CBD oil, it may right for you among mazes of choices.

For example, you can base your buying criteria on its price, taste be it flavored or natural taste. Ease of use and efficacy also plays a role when it comes to buying this oil, as capsules are often easier to ingest than vape oil while vape oils are more effective than capsules. In the end, this determines your consumption habit.

Its concentration also matters as it states how muchCBD is in your CBD oil option, thus making it easier to assess its strength and value.

2.     Select an appropriate dose of CBD oil

All CBD products come in different doses and concentration. Higher doses of CBD will obviously have a distinct and noticeable effect, so you can opt to work your way up the dose or maintain a particular dose. It all depends on how comfortable you are with your dosage.

For dose information, you can check the product information, either on its external package or on the manufacturer website. You can also seek recommendations from a reputable medic in this field, for appropriate dosage depending on your goal.

3.     Select the best form of CBD product

The current market is not short of CBD-infused and based products. The variety can be overwhelming for some, as you might be tempted to just dive in and try it all. Some popular ones are tinctures, topicals, vape oils, and capsules.

Tinctures can be applied orally, added to beverages or food via a dropper. For vape oils, you can take them orally or inhale it vaporized form. You can apply topicals where you need it and for capsules just pop them in your mouth and drink some water.

4.     Know its various extraction methods

Knowing how your CBD oil is made can help you make a better buying choice. As some methods might expose this product to harmful contaminants while others may make it very pure. The more you know the easieritwould be, to find your ideal product amid the wide range available.

5.     Know its source

As much as you know how your CBD oil is made, it is also great to know where it was grown.High-quality ones are made from high-quality materials, so keep that in mind. In relation, always buy from reputable brands, no matter the price tag.

6.     Check THC level in your CBD oil

CBD oils are often derived from hemp and marijuana and each of them has some levels of THC, an acidic compound in cannabis plants. THC has psychoactive effects, so knowing how much of it your product has, can help you make a better purchasing decision.

7.     CBD full spectrum or isolates

You should also consider the overall makeup of your oil since the market usually offers two types the full spectrums and the isolates.

Isolates are purified while the full spectrums have all the active ingredients that are found in the plant. There are many things, which separate, isolates from spectrums and it is what determines the quality and capability of your product.

8.     Shop for independent lab tested products

When shopping for your oil, especially online always check if it is third-party tested. This means it should have another approval from a neutral party, independent lab testing. This is because this oil still lacks proper regulation and manufacturers can just sell it as they please.

The independent lab tests often protect you as the consumer, so it is best to keep an eye for it while shopping for your CBD oil. You can check for Third Party Tested label on the product or the website about section.

Conclusion

In conclusion, be informed about CBD and CBD oils for safe and better use. Otherwise, always feel free to contact a professional in the area for some help and guideline.

ED Infographic 500w

Contrary to the popular belief, erectile dysfunction is a common issue among men of all ages. According to https://www.privatedoc.com/blog/2019/04/hard-facts-erectile-dsyfunction/, for the 4.3 million men in the U.K. who have reported impotence symptoms it’s important to understand what causes these symptoms and how to ease them.

Erectile dysfunction has many causes, both physical and psychological. The first thing you need to consider is how often it happens: is it a long-term issue or it’s an isolated case? If it occurred once or twice in the past few weeks, it can be the outcome of medication taken for other health issues or of a stressful situation that’s currently going on in your life.

Smoking and regular alcohol consumption are two other common causes that make it hard to get or keep an erection. If this is the case for you, you can cut back on the cigarettes, reduce the amount of alcohol you usually consume or simply consume them less often.

Many times, the psychological causes are the roots of long term ED problems. Depression and anxiety alter the hormonal balance in the body, making you unable to perform sexually. In simpler words, “performance anxiety” is not just a myth – it’s a reality.

Over the years, erectile dysfunction has been mislabelled as “lack of masculinity.” This could not be farther from truth. The reasons behind this health issue are too varied and complex, and they cannot – and should not – be related to masculinity. In most cases, this label triggers anxiety, which furthermore worsens the problem. Depression and anxiety can also worsen the condition because of the additional stress and the negative feelings of disappointment, shame, and guilt.

Sometime, impotence can be a symptom of an underlying disease, such as diabetes, heart disease or blood pressure variations. To make sure this isn’t your case, check with your doctor and make sure your overall health state is good. However, if there is a serious health problem involved, the symptoms will go away once you start the treatment.

Moreover, a 40+ BMI (Body Mass Index) can also be at fault for ED symptoms. The extra pounds that your body stores as fat act as a hormonal gland, creating hormones that disrupt the normal cycle in your body.  In this case, a balanced approach on meals and nutrition can help you shed some pounds and rid of the symptoms.

In other cases, injuries and surgeries can also affect the sexual performance, even if they are not located in the inguinal area. A damaged nervous system or clogged blood vessels can affect the proper functioning of the entire body – especially the extremities.

Last, but not least, unresolved couple issues can also be an important cause of this issue. It often happens that it’s the connection with your partner that has been affected, and impotence is just a symptom of it. Are there any grudges you hold against them? Are you mad at them for any reason? Work through these problems with your partner – it will be a great relief to take the pressure off your shoulders, and the performance anxiety might disappear.

Alcohol Use Disorder: What You Need To Know

Drinking alcoholic drinks for many is often seen as a way to relax, socialize, or celebrate. However, drinking too much or drinking as a way of dealing with feelings of depression or anxiety has a severe effect on the entire body. Most commonly, alcohol intake harms the brain, heart, pancreas, mouth, liver, and immune system. But, in spite of its widely-known negative impacts, more Americans than ever before are consuming alcohol regularly.

According to research data published in 2018 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, yearly more than 88.000 people in the United States die from alcohol-related deaths. Also, more than 15 million Americans struggle with an alcohol use disorder. However, what is genuinely devastating is the fact that less than eight percent of those receive treatment.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and alcohol use disorder (ADU) is a medical diagnosis of severe problem drinking. AUD is a chronic relapsing brain disease defined by

  • Compulsive alcohol use, 
  • Loss of control over how much you drink and
  • A negative emotional state when not drinking (you feel anxious, irritable, and/or stressed)

Alcohol addiction results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life. According to science, AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. The level is established based on the number of symptoms a person experiences. Since even a mild disease can escalate and lead to severe problems, doctors advise that early treatment is essential.

Risk Factors for Developing Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder can stem from different factors. The existence of alcoholism risk factors does not mean you will automatically develop a drinking problem; however, knowing them should serve as a prevention measure. 

Several common alcohol abuse risk factors include:

Drinking at an Early Age – Excessive use of alcohol at a young age can lead to problems later on in life. This especially applies when adolescents engage in frequent binge drinking. Alcoholism can affect anyone at any age.

Family History With Alcohol Addiction – Growing up around family members or relatives that suffer from alcoholism increases the risk of alcohol abuse. If you are surrounded by people who drink excessively, alcohol use can look differently. In these circumstances, you can easily fall victim to bad habits.

High Levels of Stress – Drinking to reduce stress can quickly become problematic.  For this reason, it is essential for professionals in high-stress level industries to find other ways (like doing sport or maintaining a hobby) to de-stress to prevent alcohol abuse.

Peer Pressure – When a partner or close friend frequently drink, you may be more inclined to join them. Giving in to peer pressure can be tempting, so rather than feel the need to drink, offer to be designated driver.

Frequent Alcohol Consumption Over a Long Period – When drinking too much becomes a pattern, you significantly increase your chances of developing an alcohol-dependence. The more you drink, the more you become tolerant to alcohol, which means in time, you will need to drink more alcohol to achieve the same effects you felt with less.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Alcohol use disorder is diagnosed when a patient’s drinking causes distress or harm. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5), 11 criteria help a professional decide if someone has an AUD, and those are:

  • Drink more, or longer, than planned
  • Have tried to stop or cut back more than once, but couldn’t
  • Spend a lot of time drinking, (or being sick or hungover)
  • Want alcohol so badly you are unable to think of anything else
  • Have problems with family/ work/ school,  due to drink (or because you are hangover)
  • Carrying on with drinking even though it has caused problems for you or your closed ones
  • Cut back or quit on other activities that were important to you so you can drink
  • Have found yourself in situations where you can get hurt while drinking or afterward 
  • Keep drinking even though it makes you depressed or anxious, damage your health, or led to a memory blackout
  • To reach the effect, you have to drink more
  • Found that you had withdrawal symptoms, like trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, a seizure, or seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there.

These criteria address both the physical and psychological components of alcohol use disorder. The physical dependence is an essential component of the alcohol addiction; however, a person can be physically dependent on alcohol (the body will build tolerance and will go through withdrawal if the intake ceases or if there is a severe reduction of the usually consumed amount) without being psychologically dependent on it. The psychological component refers to how the person’s thoughts and actions become adjust toward obtaining and drinking alcohol, even to the exclusion of essential responsibilities.

If a person experience at least two of the eleven factors (symptoms) described above, in the past year, then it is considered that the person has an alcohol use disorder. The existence of two or three signs equals a diagnosis of a mild alcohol use disorder, while four to five symptoms are considered moderate, and six or more is considered severe.

Available Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder

Most people with diagnosed alcohol use disorder can get better from some form of treatment. Medical treatments include two types of therapy – medicines and behavioral. Medications usually prescribed for treating alcohol use disorder are Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate. Alcohol counseling includes cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, marital and family counseling, and brief interventions.  For the majority of people, using both types gives the best results. Also, going to a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been an essential activity for many. The important thing is that if you have an AUD, it is vital to ask for treatment.

In severe cases, intensive treatment is required – joining a residential treatment center for rehabilitation (rehab). These treatments are highly effective since they are highly structured. They usually include several different kinds of behavioral therapies, including medicines for detox (medical treatment for alcohol withdrawal) and/or for treating the AUD.

Last but not least

It is easy for a few drinks with friends to become a full-blown alcohol addiction. Individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder cannot function normally without alcohol,  thus often suffering in silence. If you think you or someone you know may have an alcohol use disorder, it is vital to ask for help. There are many treatment options available like residential alcohol treatment centers california that can help you or your loved one overcome alcohol abuse and achieve long-term sobriety. 

Foreclosure: Trials of Retired Senior Citizens

In time past, older citizens were certain of financial security in their futures. As soon as they retired, the government paid pensions and social security worked for them. Once their 30-year mortgages were settled off; the remainder of their days were spent in comfort and essential luxury.

Sadly, however, economic recession and market crashes have adversely affected the once- certain and peaceful world of senior retirement security. Millions of seniors in the United States are now burdened with debt more than what it used to be. It has been estimated that around 1.5 million Americans have been victims of foreclosure between the years 2007 and 2011, losing their homes in the process.

Another estimated 3 million seniors are said to be at risk of foreclosure, and some 3.5 million mortgages are higher than the property’s value; they are underwater. This has created a bad situation where seniors are at risk of loss if selling their property becomes a necessity, and there may be no equity left if a compelling need comes up. It is sad to say that so many seniors are facing financial horror in their retirement, as opposed to the intended security they were supposed to enjoy.

Causing Factors

The rapidly increasing number in mortgage foreclosure can be attributed to several reasons. These include loss in value of the property, reduction in the pension amount, and an increase in living and medical costs. When these are considered, there is little or no extra money that could go into savings. Over the years, the final consequence is that up to half of all seniors have no substantial savings as a retirement plan. Owning a home is gradually falling from its status as a thing of pride.

The losses that can be incurred by mortgages are rather scary and dim the excitement of owning homes. Homes are no longer seen as assets but can well be liabilities. Accumulated equity in the past had tremendous value, but in recent times, accumulated equity has decreased, and appreciation in the value of a property is relatively low. The initial concrete sense of financial security for older citizens has weakened. Owning a home is almost now a guaranteed way to lose money, and ultimately, the home in question.

The Negative Effects on Health

All the outlined problems are now having a direct negative consequence on the health of citizens. Most of the victims are the elderly; they are vulnerable and are not as energetic as they were when younger. Research to study the link between the crises and the general health of the affected community has been conducted. Experts found out that areas with higher cases of foreclosure and general mortgage crisis recorded higher visits to health centers and an increase in the use of stress-relieving drugs.

Some of the reasons for hospital visits were found to be stress, agitation, and even worse, attempted suicides. In general, the areas had higher occurrences of physical ailments arising from mental stress. It is easy for people in serious debt to overthink and lead themselves into depression, and many elderly adults have ended up dying when the stress becomes too much to handle.

Negative Effects on the Economy

While the adverse effects of foreclosure on the homeowner’s health have been outlined, it turns out that the economy also takes a hit from these effects. A staggering 4.4 million foreclosures have been recorded between 2008 and 2013. This figure equals a total cost of about $2 trillion in the value of the property. This amount of money lost has affected the economy at different levels from local to state and the nation. Not only does it negatively affect homeowners themselves, but a loss in value of the property and reduction in the nation’s revenue is also prevalent consequences of large-scale foreclosure.

Another way by which foreclosure affects the economy comes from the homeowners themselves. With a foreclosure, many homeowners usually lower or completely stop purchasing other services. The economy thrives on large scale purchases and expenditures made by its citizens. As millions of homeowners reduce their spending, a good fraction of the whole nation’s economy is slowed. This effect can be particularly adverse in states that contain a large majority of the nation’s total foreclosures.

The homeowners who are victims of foreclosure are usually not granted new loans until after at least two years, automatically reducing the number of possible buyers in the real estate market. Another significant effect is that foreclosures are infectious; in the same area, a foreclosure on one property would cause a reduction in the value of the surrounding homes by giving the area a ‘bad’ look. This can, in turn, lead to further foreclosures.

Attempted Solutions

In an attempt to fix the situation, the US government has spent billions since the year 2008.  Prevent Foreclosures and Keep Families in Their Homes is an initiative that involves guiding homeowners on how to ensure they are up to date on their mortgage payment requirements. If a foreclosure is imminent, advocates and counselors also try to revisit payment agreements set in place between lenders and homeowners.

They usually try to extend the payment time over more extended periods, effectively reducing the expected monthly payments to values the homeowners can afford to pay. Another possibility is to discuss allowing the homeowners to keep residing in the property, with a future hope of reclaiming the property’s ownership. There are still many considerations ongoing to determine which homeowners facing foreclosures can be helped by the government and the amount that should be provided.

In most cases, however, the homeowners signed up for reverse mortgages when they didn’t have a full grasp of its implications. They were cajoled and wooed in by greedy lenders who only stated its benefits; no taxes. They also made sure it appeared like their homes faced no risk of foreclosure at all. Homeowners who can sustain their nation 21 loans payments and those who live in homes they clearly can’t afford are recognized as not needing help from the government.

The main objectives are to bring stability to affected neighborhoods and provide help to enable homeowners to recover. So far, the government has helped in the following ways:

  • By providing support with new housing for victims who have lost their homes to foreclosure.
  • Aiding in necessities like food, clothes and electricity.
  • By providing legal help with the mortgage.
  • By giving aid in school tuition fees for children of affected homeowners
  • By providing medical help for physically and mentally affected homeowners.

The effects of foreclosure are drastic but are not absolute. There is still hope for people who face foreclosure threats. However, it is better to avoid the possibility altogether; foreclosures are mortgage failures. Before signing any mortgage arrangement, make sure you fully understand what you are getting into, what it entails, and the worst-case scenarios.

However, it has been pointed out that solving the foreclosure problems and their effects on people do not require coming up with new services but instead improving on the existing areas. Funds have been released to help assist people who are about to or have foreclosure problems. The ARRA was a fund of $1.5 billion passed to help assist such people and saved many from ending up homeless. Retirement should be a time to relish in one’s comfort and financial security, not to start worrying all over again. The seniors deserve better!