Florida - Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte Counties

The team members from Music Compound gathered on November 8 for the 2024 Music Compound Awards and Retreat. This is an event that Music Compound, led by owner Jenny Townsend, hosts annually to celebrate its team members efforts and reinforce their commitment to the companys mission Inspire. Collaborate. Educate. and community.Twenty-four of Music Compounds team members attended the event, which included ice breakers, team building and awards, followed by food, swimming and volleyball, at a location in Lakewood Ranch.During the event, Music Compound leaders acknowledged milestones such as its new, larger facility on Bell Road in Sarasota; the surging book-reading totals through the Rock Your Summer Reading initiative; the companys new and/or expanded programs; and new hires. Stefanie Overturf of Phenomenal Business Coaching led a session on enhancing communication and building understanding within a team; Samantha Bruno Keenen, co-founder of Brand Story Experts and president of The All In app, shared insights on fostering a positive work culture and environment.Music Compound Awards were presented to:Inspiration Award: Iain HarrisCollaboration Award: Taylor GalfordEducational Award: David ReyesSummer Camp Award: Cody VanSlykeRising Star Award: Lohen BisahaMVP Award: Larry DanielsOur Annual Awards & Company Retreat serves as a wonderful way to celebrate our growth and achievements of the past year and launch the new program year with inspiration and recognition, said Townsend. This years event was all about connections, growth, transformation and celebration. Most of all, we endeavor to share our gratitude for our amazing team neither our continued growth nor our wonderful workplace culture would be possible without them!The Music Compound, now located at 775 Bell Road in Sarasota, provides an environment to inspire, collaborate and educate children and adults in pursuit of their love of music. Private and group lessons are available on a wide variety of instruments as well as programs such as Kidz Rock (ages 4-7), Junior Rockers (ages 8-11), ukulele and guitar groups (ages 8-12), the Musical Theatre Program (ages 7-14), Songwriting Series (ages 15+), Adult Jam Sessions, the Gulf Coast New Horizons Music program for adults ages 50+, and more.Visit musiccompound.com for more information.PHOTO ID: Music Compound owner Jenny Townsend (left) with MCA-winners (from l-r) Iain Harris, Taylor Galford, David Reyes, Cody VanSlyke and Lohen Bisaha (not pictured: Larry Daniels)Photo by Kayla Avirett

Submitted by, Right at Home, CLICK HERE for more information!With age, comes a variety of changes to your body and your health. For some, this manifests as minor aches and pains, and for others, vision loss. A decline in vision is a common change that happens with age, whether that means needing to use reading glasses and a flashlight to read a menu in a dark restaurant, or whether it means something more severe, like a near-total loss of vision.Since there is a sliding scale when it comes to aging and vision loss, we've put together a breakdown of what you need to know so you can make the right choices for your health and lifestyle.Types of Vision Loss for SeniorsAlthough there does'nt seem to be much data on how many people over the age of 65 typically experience vision loss, according to the American Foundation for the Blind, The risk of severe eye problems has been found to increase significantly with age, particularly in those over age 65. Not all vision loss will lead to blindness, however. There are many ways that we can be impacted by vision loss as we age, including the following:Cataracts are cloudy areas that form over the lens in the front of the eye. Cataracts keep light from easily passing through the lens to the back of the eye (the retina), causing blurry vision, and typically do not hurt. When cataracts are not treated with surgery, they can grow larger and have a negative impact on vision.Glaucoma is a buildup of fluid pressure behind the eye that can lead to vision loss and blindness if left untreated. While there is no cure for the condition, there are therapies available to help prevent vision loss.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)impacts the part of the retina that is responsible for detailed vision, such as reading. When someone receives a diagnosis of AMD, there has been damage to that part of the retina, leading to distorted or blurred vision.Diabetic retinopathy is a side effect of mismanaged diabetes and occurs when the small blood vessels stop sending blood to the retina properly. Advanced diabetic retinopathy can lead to severe vision loss or blindness. Luckily, if caught early enough, diabetic retinopathy can be treated, primarily by getting blood sugar levels under control.How to Avoid Vision LossAlthough it might not be possible to completely ward off vision loss altogether, it is within reason to make changes to your lifestyle that will help prevent severe eye problems, or help lead to their early detection. One of the biggest preventive measures you can take is scheduling annual exams with both your physician and an ophthalmologist. For your eye exam, make sure that your doctor is dilating your pupils and checking for glaucoma in addition to simply testing your vision. This can ensure that problems can be treated as they arise, and you can make incremental changes to avoid severe vision issues.Additionally, the National Institute on Aging recommends the following:Protect your eyes from the sun. Choosing to wear sunglasses and hats to protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays can help keep your vision intact longer. The sun can play a large role in the formation of cataracts and may be a factor in the development of macular degeneration, among other vision issues.Manage your diabetes. Since those with diabetes are more prone to experiencing health complications if the disease is not managed properly, getting your blood sugar under control is an important part of maintaining healthy eyes.Control your blood pressure .In addition to contributing to cardiovascular disease and stroke, high blood pressure can be responsible for vision loss as you age. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including the eyes.Eat an eye-healthy diet .Foods that are nutrient-dense and high in antioxidants and minerals may help prevent macular degeneration. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that are yellow, orange, and leafy green, will have the biggest impact on protecting your vision. Additionally, eggs, fish and nuts also help prevent vision loss as you age.Just because our health becomes more complicated as we age, does'nt mean that we should'nt make necessary changes to attempt to course-correct. By staying on top of our health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, aging does'nt have to be synonymous with chronic illness.

Your heart plays a fundamental role in brain health, supplying it with oxygen-rich blood. When the brain doesnt get the blood it needs, it increases your risk for health conditions, both now and in the future. If you have or are at risk for heart disease, take action to protect your heart health and lower your risk for dementia.How Your Heart Affects Brain HealthThe heart affects every single part of the body. It pumps blood throughout the entire body to deliver oxygen to tissues and organs. When the heart is healthy, it can support the lungs for breathing and limbs for movement. It also supports the brain, the vital organ that manages thought, emotion, movement, breathing and other essential functions.When the brain doesnt get enough blood and oxygen, even for a short time, it doesnt work well. We get confused, we make poor decisions and we can even pass out. When blood flow to the brain is reduced for a long time, it can damage brain tissue and contribute to or worsen dementia.Heart Disease-Related DementiasSome types of dementia are directly caused by heart issues and poor blood flow to the brain.Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia in people over age 65. It is caused by lack of blood flow to the brain. For that reason, it can occur after a severe stroke, multiple small strokes or other conditions that affect the brains blood vessels.Theres also new research about cardiogenic dementia, which results from direct changes in the brain from heart disease.There are different types of heart disease. For instance, atherosclerosis relates to the hardening of arteries. Heart failure is the loss of effective heart pumping over time. Yet all heart disease issues generally lead back to how much oxygen gets into our tissues, including the brain.The Increase of Dementia SymptomsWhile some dementias are directly caused by poor blood flow to the brain, other types of dementia can be worsened by restricted blood flow.For instance, if a person has Lewy Body dementia or Alzheimers, poor heart health can compound confusion and behavior. It can also lead to other vascular issues where our bodys arteries and veins dont work well, which can cause difficulty with walking, discomfort and increased falls. This makes dementia more difficult to live with and manage.Reducing Your Risk for Heart DiseaseOne of the best ways to care for your brain is to care for your heart. If you dont have heart disease, you can work to prevent it. Much of heart disease can actually be prevented with education and action. Below are some heart-healthy guidelines to follow.Know your risk factors.Some of the risk factors for heart disease are the same risk factors for dementia. This includes obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Reduce your risk factors as much as possible to protect your heart and brain.Have a healthy diet.Food is much more related to our overall health than we realize. The MIND diet uses principles from the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and Mediterranean diet to support brain health. The diet is rich in green leafy vegetables, berries, fish, olive oil, nuts, beans and whole grains.Move more.Physical activity keeps the brain and heart healthy. Your movement doesnt have to be strenuous. Walking and swimming provide great health benefits. Start small and increase your movement to the recommended 150 minutes per week of heart-quickening activity.Get enough quality sleep.Getting quality sleep doesnt just recharge us for the next day; it contributes to our long-term health. During sleep, blood pressure and heart rate decrease, giving the body a much needed reset. If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep through the night, talk with your primary care provider.Stay mentally active.Keep your brain active with things you enjoy and stimulate your mind, such as puzzles, word games, math games and trivia. Learning new skills or hobbies can also keep your brain active.Work with your health care provider.Talking to your health care provider regularly is important for maintaining health. We shouldnt see our primary care provider just when were sick; we need to see them when we are healthy so we can stay healthy. Be honest with yourself and your physician when it comes to health. Never be embarrassed to be honest about what you are feeling and communicate to your practitioner clearly and openly.Managing Existing Heart DiseaseIf you already have heart disease, its not too late to make changes to influence your health. All the prevention guidelines above are also a great way to manage heart disease.If medication is used to help you manage your disease, remember that medication alone is often not a long-term solution. Without changing your diet, movement or lifestyle, medication can become less effective in helping your body compensate for heart disease.Often in midlife, individuals are diagnosed with conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. As the body gets older, its harder to maintain homeostasis the internal balance thats needed for our bodies to survive. For instance, a younger body will often find it easier to compensate for a poor diet, while an older body will struggle.Thats why a holistic approach is needed to manage heart disease. By working on the many factors that contribute to heart health, the body wont be as dependent on medication to achieve homeostasis.Your Health is in Your HandsUnfortunately, heart disease and dementia are both on the rise, and research continues to show that they are intimately intertwined. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and 20% of all deaths in the U.S. are heart disease related.The positive news is that 90% of heart disease can be prevented. The more we know, the more we can act on to protect our brain and heart health.

Do you worry about running out of money during your retirement years? If so, how can you help prevent this from happening?            In the first place, if you have this type of fear, youre far from alone. Consider this: 58% of retirement savers from all age groups, including current retirees, say that outliving their assets is their greatest retirement fear, according to a study by Cerulli Associates, a financial services research organization.             This type of fear can certainly affect your quality of life when you retire. Still, theres no need to panic because you can take steps to help prevent the running-out-of-money scenario.             Here are a few to consider:             Know how much youll need during retirement. You need to get a clear picture, or at least as good an estimate as possible, of how much money youll need to support your retirement lifestyle. Once you do retire, some costs, such as transportation or other work-related expenses, might go down, while others medical expenses, in particular will likely go up. The fear of running out of money, like many fears, is caused largely by what you dont know, so having a good sense of how much youll need in retirement can help reduce your anxieties.               Build financial resources before retirement. Youre probably at your peak earning capacity in the years close to your retirement, so consider contributing as much as you can afford to your IRA and 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan.              Maximize your Social Security payments. You can start collecting Social Security as early as 62, but your monthly benefits will be larger if you can afford to wait until your full retirement age, between 66 and 67. (Payments will max out at age 70.)         Re-enter the workforce. Going back to work in some capacity is one way to possibly help build retirement resources and delay taking Social Security. If you have a particular area of expertise, and you enjoyed the work you did, you might be able to go back to it on a part-time basis or do some consulting. You could boost your cash flow, and potentially extend your contributions to an IRA and to an employers retirement plan.              Cut costs during retirement. Possibly the biggest cost-cutting measure is downsizing are you willing and able to move to a less expensive area or scale down your current living space? Of course, this is an emotional decision, as well as a financial one, and downsizing isnt for everyone, but it might be something to at least consider. As for the lesser ways of reducing expenses, take advantage of senior discounts, which are offered in many areas, including entertainment, public transportation, restaurants and retail establishments. And look for other opportunities, such as cutting out streaming services you dont use.           Look for more income from your investments. As you get closer to retirement, and even when you do retire, you might want to adjust your investment portfolio to provide you with more income-producing opportunities. However, even as a retiree, youll want some growth potential in your investments to help keep you ahead of inflation.            Ultimately, the more you can bolster your financial security before and during retirement, the less fear you may have of outliving your money.  Chad Choate III, AAMS828 3rd Avenue WestBradenton, FL 34205941-462-2445chad.chaote@edwardjones.com