Modifying homes for people with poor vision

Sports utility vehicles have become popular across age groups. They give riders a unique combination of ruggedness, comfort, and practicality. They are also equipped with some of the best safety features. This makes them ideal for large families, long drives, overnight trips, and short vacations. One should never compromise on safety features in an automobile. Listed below are some of the top safe SUVs of 2023. You can rely on them for their safety features.

2023 Dodge Durango
Dodge has been making powerful, high-performance cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks for over 100 years. The brand has an impressive range of SUVs, including the Hornet and the Durango.

The 2023 Durango lives up to its rugged image. It is a 3-row and a 7-seater SUV, ideal for a growing family. It is available in seven models, starting at $40,090. It has ergonomically designed interiors built with high-quality materials. If all seats of the 3-rows are up, you can fit 4 suitcases in the cargo space. Along with this, the Durango has a top-class infotainment system with a 8.4 inch display, rear-seat entertainment system, dual screens, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The notable safety features in the 2023 Dodge Durango include Blind-spot monitoring, Rear cross-traffic alert, Adaptive cruise control, and Automated emergency braking.

To find local Dodge dealers near you, log on to their official website, call their customer care, or write to them.

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most awarded SUVs since its launch. The new model is a head-turner and a great performer. It stands out for its all-weather and all-terrain capability. The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in multiple trims. It is available both with a V-6 engine and as a hybrid plug-in. The new model has a modernized cabin, with luxury elements fitted in the higher-end trims. It has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Some of its salient safety features include Pedestrian detection, Lane-keep assist, Semi-autonomous drive mode, Collision warning, Adaptive cruise control, and Active lane management.

If you are looking for Grand Cherokee dealerships near you, visit Jeep’s official website and search for the official dealers near you.

2023 Volvo XC90
The 2023 Volvo XC90 is a stylish and luxurious mid-size SUV. It is the biggest SUV from Volvo, with 3 rows and 7 seats. It is available in three trim options – Core, Plus, and Ultimate. It is available in gasoline and hybrid variants, with an 8-speed transmission. The interiors of the Volvo XC90 have been rated highly rated both for its stylish design and the quality of materials used, like leather upholstery, walnut-accented interiors, and heated seats. It is fitted with a 9.0-inch touch screen and can be connected to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Volvo has always given the highest priority to safety, and the 2023 XC90 has some advanced safety features like Driver assistance technology, Adaptive cruise control, Blind-spot monitoring, and Lane keep assistance.

The Volvo XC90 comes with a price tag of $57,095. Launched in 2017, if you are looking for preowned models, you can check out the Volvo-certified pre-owned inventory directly through Volvo’s official website. Every car is certified by Volvo and goes through a stringent test for age, current vehicle condition, and mileage.

2023 Subaru Solterra EV
The Solterra All-Electric SUV is the first electric vehicle with Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive. It is available in three trims – the Premium, Limited, and Touring. This electronic vehicle is fitted with some of the latest engineering and technology features like Star Drive all-electric drivetrain with 72.8 kWh battery capacity, zero-emissions powertrain, ground clearance of 8.3 inches, and 80% battery charging within one hour. The Solterra EV has an 8-inch advanced multimedia system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It is an all-weather, all-terrain EV that can easily navigate surfaces like dirt, snow, or mud. It has some of the latest safety features like: Standard dual-function X-mode settings for stability, Downhill Assist Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Eye-sight Driver Assist Technology, Pre-Collision Braking, Dynamic Radar Cruise, Lane Tracing Assist, Rear-cross Traffic Alert.

Subaru Solterra Premium is the basic trim of the 2023 model, and its cost starts from $44,995. The next trim is the Solterra Limited. It has more advanced features and comes with a price tag of $48,495. Subaru Solterra Touring offers multiple luxury and comfort features, including those in the Limited trim, and its price starts at $53,220.

How to know about SUVs dealership near me
If you are looking to buy a new or a pre-owned SUV and don’t know where to start, asking your family, friends and colleagues for a referral is a great way to begin. They are likely to recommend a dealer only if they have had a good experience in terms of business and customer service. You can also read testimonials about SUV dealerships.

The next step would be to search online for an SUV dealership near you. Make a list of the SUVs you have in mind. Run a search for the brand’s official websites. All car manufacturers have a page on their website where you can search for dealerships near you based on your zip code. Once you have a list of dealerships, you can read about each one to learn more about their reputation, licenses, reviews, customer experiences, and reliability. Understand their warranty and insurance coverage, loans, service and maintenance details, and customer service ratings. It’s advisable to not buy a new or pre-owned car without visiting a dealer in person, test-driving the SUV, or carefully examining all related documents. SUVs are expensive, and putting in some effort and time in finding the right dealership will be worth your effort.

Buying a truck is a massive investment. On top of that, people tend to use trucks for several years, if not decades, due to the tough, enduring nature of these vehicles. Therefore, it is imperative to get everything right when purchasing a truck. There is a list of factors to ensure and another list of things to avoid while purchasing a massive people and load carrier. Here are the main dos and don’ts of buying trucks:

Dos
Here are the things one needs to ensure before putting down their hard-earned money on a truck:

• Check if the dealer provides an extended warranty
  

  Certain dealerships offer an extended warranty option for buyers. This is a useful alternative as it provides financial cover for repairs beyond the initially offered warranty period. Buyers must research which dealers offer this avenue on their trucks, as it tends to be rare. Also, one downside of an extended warranty is that buying and accommodating a purchase deal can be expensive.

  However, it is an option worth considering just for the ease of ownership and use it brings to a truck purchase deal. Truck owners would not have to worry about paying exorbitant repair fees for many years if they included an extended warranty when buying the vehicle of their dreams.

• Check towing and hauling capacity
  Towing and hauling capacity are the most critical aspects of purchasing a truck for many buyers. Fleet truck service providers mainly purchase trucks for commercial purposes. Trucks need to deliver massive payloads across large distances. So, in short, the larger a truck’s towing and hauling capacity, the more utility it will have for the individuals or companies purchasing it.

• Evaluate bed and cabin size
  

  Apart from commercial use, trucks may also be used to transport many people or family members. This means that cabin size and bed proportions are just as critical as towing capacity for buyers. If a buyer has a large family or a large number of people to seat and transport, they could purchase a large truck. Large trucks are expensive to own and run and consume large amounts of fuel. For all other purposes, mid-sized trucks can be more than adequate.

  In the case of pickup trucks, cabs are available in regular size (with two doors and no back seat), extended size (two or four doors with a small back seat), and crew (four doors with a large back seat). Pickup trucks also have multiple bed sizes, including short (around 5 feet), regular (around 6.5 feet), and long (around 8 feet). The bigger the cabin and bed sizes, the pricier a truck will be.  Buyers need to evaluate their needs and usage requirements before purchasing a truck.

• Be mindful of your budget and credit score
  This is a particularly overlooked aspect in the case of several truck buyers. Most buyers intend to purchase trucks on installment payments. However, to make the payment schedule smooth, one must know exactly how much they can afford every month. Additionally, buyers must be mindful of how much they can pay upfront for the vehicle. If an individual looking to purchase a truck goes to a dealership without considering or being aware of these two factors, they may land in financial trouble.

  Several vehicle loans or buy-now-pay-later installment options activate when a buyer’s credit score is high. Therefore, someone with a questionable credit history may not only find it difficult to get an attractive financing option while buying a truck, but they may also end up overpaying for the same. This is why picking a budget and relentlessly sticking to it is necessary, as it helps buyers avoid being out of pocket after a truck purchase.

• Take a test drive
  As is the case with buying any vehicle, taking a test drive is an essential step when purchasing trucks too. A test drive lets buyers know the pros and cons of every vehicle they drive, how spacious and comfortable they are, how accessible the cabin and various controls are, how well the engine works in various performance situations and other key attributes.

  Test drives expose the very best and worst of vehicles for prospective buyers. Therefore, most consultants and purchase advisors advise buyers to test all the vehicles they have shortlisted to buy before drawing a comparison between their pros and cons after a test drive.

Don’ts
Here are the things one should steer clear of while purchasing a truck from a dealership, either online or offline:

• Visit a dealer without a financing option
  Many dealership executives tend to make buyers believe that their financing options are the best option for them. However, buyers should know that these financing options are designed to make the most money for the dealerships’ finance departments and little else.

  Instead, buyers must consult with their banks or other financial institutions to find better financing options to smooth the purchase process. Visiting a dealership without a financial plan is not advisable, whether for truck purchases or truck equipment financing.

• Shop at just one dealer
  Different dealerships provide purchase offers for buyers, whether that is warranty-based extensions, other draws, or attractive discounts on their vehicles. One needs to visit multiple dealers and check out truck models from multiple manufacturers to get a wide array of options. By not doing so, one risks missing out on specific irresistible offers and discounts.

• Prioritize only price
  Price is a major buying factor, but solely prioritizing it can result in buyers purchasing semi-competent trucks with quality and performance issues in the long run. Now, “pricier” does not automatically translate to “better” regarding trucks. Nevertheless, one must take a holistic approach before putting their hard-earned money on a truck.  Other than these, some of the biggest don’ts are overlooking promotional offers and rebates and taking a new truck home until the paperwork is done.

Dental implants are the most promising way to restore a smile on the faces of people who have lost one or more teeth. This procedure is widely suggested for people who lost their teeth in an accident or due to periodontal disease. Dental implants help people grind and chew food properly and also help in giving their appearance a proper definition. Read on to learn more about this procedure, its types, and its benefits.

Who needs dental implants?
An individual with one or more missing teeth or damaged roots would require dental implants. This procedure replaces a tooth or teeth that have been lost. They are usually made of titanium, a biocompatible metal that does not cause inflammation in the body when it enters it. It can replace one or more teeth, including the root of a molar (the back part of your upper jaw).

Types of dental implants
There are three types of dental implants – endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants, and zygomatic implants. Dental implants are placed into the jawbone. They can be placed either endosteal (through the bone) or subperiosteal (on the surface of your jawbone).

Endosteal implants
Endosteal implantation is done by creating a hole in your oral cavity, then inserting a metal post inside this opening. This procedure lasts around six months and successfully restores teeth lost due to decay or trauma. When there are not enough teeth remaining after removal surgery, endosteal implants may be used as an alternative to other methods, such as partial dentures or bridgework, because it does not necessitate extensive surgery on your mouth area itself. 

Subperiosteal implants
Subperiosteal implants were invented as an alternative to endosteal implants, performed when there is an insufficient healthy bone in the lower jaw to support the implants. In this implant, a metal frame is planted with a post attached to the gum. Once the gum heals around the edge, the dental implants are screwed to the poles projected from the gums. 

Zygomatic implants  
Zygomatic implants are a lesser-known procedure where the implants are positioned into the patient’s cheekbone rather than the jawbone. 

Procedure
Dental implant surgery is a procedure carried out by a dentist or a team comprising a dentist and an oral surgeon to restore the functionality of missing teeth or improve their appearance. The procedure offers a permanent solution to missing teeth and necessitates less-invasive applications than other methods, such as bridges and dentures. Dental implants are placed into the jawbone below the gum line, where they function like natural teeth would have done before you lost them due to injury or decay. They are made from titanium alloy, so they will not break down over time and can last for decades with proper care.

Benefits
Dental implants are the only permanent solution to missing teeth and can improve the appearance of your smile. They are also an excellent choice if you have dentures, as they allow you to replace a single tooth with two or more dental implants. Dental implants can help improve chewing and speech besides enhancing one’s physical appearance.

Risks 
There are several risks associated with dental implants, including pain and swelling in the mouth for the first few days after surgery. The implant site may also bleed slightly initially, but this should stop within a few weeks. Infection at the implant area is another possible complication if you do not follow proper cleaning practices after your procedure or do not get regular checkups with your dentist.

If your bone does not fuse with the upper portion of your new tooth properly after it is placed, it becomes very likely that you will lose all support for that tooth later on down the line. It can happen even when everything goes well during placement. However, there are ways around this problem by using unique materials like composites made from calcium sulfate, which helps keep things strong while still keeping them flexible enough so they won’t break off easily during chewing activities. 

Failure of bone to fuse with the upper portion of an implant can lead to nerve damage in your jaw, causing pain and numbness in your gums and chin. It could result in reduced sensitivity within these areas even after healing has occurred since nerves continue working throughout life even if they were not damaged before placement. If you experience any of these complications or problems, your dentist may need to remove some of your new teeth and replace them with temporary ones until repairs or other implants are required.

Post-procedural instructions
After the procedure, proper care and medication are required to ensure no infection around the area where the implants are placed. After completing the procedure, you should keep the area clean by washing it with mild soap and warm water. One must also avoid foods that could cause bleeding during the healing process. For example, raw meat or red wine may cause infection around implants, leading to tooth loss or even worse scenarios like bone loss (osteoporosis). Also, avoid brushing too hard, as this might damage gums due to poor oral hygiene habits practiced by patients who had dental implants installed in their mouth at some point in past years before the treatment.

Although many risks are associated with dental implants, modern technology, and advanced techniques have reduced these factors to a minimum. They are an excellent option for people who are missing teeth or have damaged tooth roots and those who want to improve the appearance of their smiles. However, it is pertinent to mention that people diagnosed with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and certain autoimmune disorders are advised against getting dental implants as they are more prone to infections and other related complications. With regular and proper care, implants are expected to last a lifetime, provided the patient attends regular dental examinations every six months.

With an overwhelming range of anti-aging products available in the market, how do you know which ones will improve your skin’s appearance? You must first understand what ingredients work best for different skin types and conditions to reduce wrinkles. For example, you may consider factors like price, product labels, and conducting product patch tests to compare different products. This blog discusses eight valuable tips to help you choose anti-aging products that suit your needs.

What are anti-aging products?
Anti-aging products include a range of face wash, body wash, toners, serums, moisturizers, body lotions, etc., that help alleviate the physical signs of aging from your body.
Anti-aging products are essential to any skincare routine. They are designed to reduce facial wrinkles and improve the appearance of fine lines on the face and neck. These products often contain various natural oils and vitamins, like retinol and collagen, that help keep skin looking younger and refreshed throughout the day.
While anti-aging products can’t stop your skin from aging, they can help protect it from further damage by imparting hydration to delicate facial areas. Whether dry or oily skin, an anti-aging product is available to meet your needs.

Eight tips for picking the best anti-aging products

Pick a sunscreen
Common skin aging signs are wrinkles, sun spots, and fine lines. They are caused by dehydrated skin and prolonged sun exposure. To avoid this, apply sunscreen on the skin, even at home. Ensure the following conditions when selecting sunscreen:

• Look for an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher for protection against UVA and UVB rays (which may cause sunburn).
• Avoid sunscreens that contain artificial fragrances, harsh chemicals (like PFOA and acrylamide), alcohol, or preservatives (like parabens) if you have sensitive skin.

Recognize your primary concern
You should combat one anti-aging concern at a time. These concerns may range from wrinkles to inelastic skin, rough skin, and dull skin. However, no single product can address all signs of aging. Additionally, multiple products designed to address different issues simultaneously can cause more significant damage than benefits. Therefore, examining your skin type, understanding your concern, and choosing your product is necessary to avoid any side effects.

Choose a retinol-based cream
Retinoids are a compound derived from vitamin A. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that helps stimulate collagen production and elastin support resulting in brighter, smoother, younger-looking skin.
Depending on your skin type, choose between retinol cream and serum. While creams are better suited for dry skin, serums are effective for reducing excess oil, opening skin pores, and treating wrinkles and acne.

Read product labels
Choose a product that mentions the following on its package label:

• Hypoallergenic (the commodity can still cause an allergic reaction, but there is less risk).
• Non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic (it does not cause acne).
• Customer service hotline (you can ask for queries).

Conducting a patch test
Before you apply a product to your face, make sure to do a patch test. This is an easy and effective way of knowing if it’s suitable for your skin. If you notice no visible side effects, it’s safe to use.

Price
Although branded products usually assure the highest-quality ingredients and results, they may be too expensive. Therefore, you must keep your budget in mind while selecting the right anti-aging product because cheaper, more effective alternatives are also available.

Skin type
Dry, acne-prone, sensitive, oily, and combination skin have different needs and must select suitable product formulas accordingly. For example, if you have dry skin, you must focus on creams that moisturize and nourish deep within the layers of the epidermis. On the other hand, combination skin may benefit from moisturizers with essential body oils.

Drop unrealistic expectations
Anti-aging skin care products, while helpful in slowing down the signs of aging, cannot deliver drastic results. Unfortunately, those too-good-to-be-true promises of looking ten years younger in one week or getting facelift-like results are false.

Essential ingredients to look for in anti-aging products

Antioxidants
Antioxidants are one of the key ingredients in anti-aging products because they help to protect the skin from free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and cause premature aging. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals and prevent them from causing damage. Antioxidants may also reduce inflammation, enabling the skin to regenerate and mend some damage.
There are many antioxidants, but some of the most common ones used in anti-aging products include vitamin C, E, and green tea extract.

Argireline
This peptide calms the muscles around wrinkles and fine lines, reducing their appearance. It helps prevent skin sagging, giving a more youthful look overall. This powerful compound may heal the skin over time by encouraging collagen production, improving elasticity, and delivering antioxidants. It also protects your skin against aging-related environmental stressors, like sun exposure and pollution.

Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, making up about 30% of the total protein amount. It’s what gives our skin strength and elasticity. Unfortunately, as we age, collagen production slows down, and we start to see aging signs like wrinkles and sagging skin. That’s why many people turn to anti-aging products containing collagen, hoping to turn back the clock. Moreover, many people notice effective results after a few uses.

Hydroxy acids
Hydroxy acids are a compound that effectively reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. They can be found in many anti-aging products, including serums, creams, and masks. These compounds work by increasing the production of collagen, helping keep skin looking firm and young. Hydroxy acids are also effective at exfoliating the skin, which may help brighten the skin complexion and reduce the appearance of age spots (small, dark skin spots).

Wrapping up
The bottom line is that there is no magic solution regarding anti-aging products. However, following the tips mentioned above, you can stack the odds in your favor of finding products that work well for you and help you look and feel the best. Thus, take your time, research, and be bold and experiment until you find a routine that works for you.

Remote work has allowed employers, employees, and freelancers to work from anywhere with the help of a laptop. However, to carry out work without hassles, one should invest in a compact device with decent specifications. You must buy a laptop that suits your budget, is durable, and runs an OS you are comfortable with. To help you with a purchasing decision, here are seven laptop models that are suitable for various types of working professionals.

Best for MacOS users – Macbook Air M2

If you have the budget, want a lightweight laptop with a compact form factor, and prefer MacOS, consider the Macbook Air M2. The laptop is available at a starting price of $1100, which includes 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage. The laptop also comes with the Apple M2 chip, which includes an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. If you need a variant with more storage, go for the 512GB option, which is available at $1400. Either of these setups will give you enough power to complete daily tasks efficiently. Speaking of design, the Macbook Air M2 is an absolute head-turner wherever you use it. The 13.6-inch IPS display could enable you to enjoy content wherever you go. Furthermore, the laptop can give you up to 18 hours of Apple TV app movie playback on a single charge and up to 15 hours of wireless web usage. You also get a 1080p FaceTime HD camera that is suitable for work-related video conferences. If you use the device outdoors in sunlight, the display can go up to 500 nits, which should help improve visibility by a decent margin. Shop for this lightweight yet powerful machine on Apple’s official website.

Top overall for Windows OS users – Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 14-inch

Lenovo is famous for creating laptops for various industries, including for those who wish to carry out work-oriented tasks. The laptop features a 14-inch screen, making it ultraportable for users who are always on the move. Furthermore, the device is powered by the standard 12th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor. You could even pay an additional amount for a more powerful processor. The device includes a Windows 11 Home operating system, with 8 GB or 16GB of available RAM. As for the display, the base variant comes with a 14-inch IPS Anti-Glare display that makes it ideal for creating documents, spreadsheets, and reading PDF files. However, the electronic device packs enough juice to run slightly heavier applications or several tabs with minimal latency. The base model is available at a sale price of $1,320, instead of its original retail price of about $2,4000, and is available on Lenovo’s website.

Top pick for creators – 16-inch MacBook Pro

Another laptop from Apple that you should consider, especially if you create content, is the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The big screen will ensure you view videos and pictures with better colors and clarity. The base variant also comes with 16GB of RAM and is configurable up to 32GB, while the M2 MAX version can handle up to 96GB of RAM. You also get up to 512GB of SSD storage on the standard 16-inch Macbook Pro. The storage is also configurable, up to 8TB for those looking to store bigger files without rummaging for space, especially when they are on the move. Other bells and whistles included with the MacBook Pro are a six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers and HDMI digital video output support for one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz (4K resolution at 240Hz). There is also a 1080p FaceTime HD camera. You could pick the base model for about $2500, which comes with the Apple M2 Pro chip, or choose the Apple M2 Max chip starting at $3,100 for maximum performance. You can find the laptop on Apple’s official website.

Popular budget device – Acer Aspire 5 Notebook (A514-54-395V)

If you are interested in a budget-oriented laptop for work, the Aspire 5 Notebook is an ideal choice. The device has a Windows 11 Home OS installed, Intel® Core™ i3 11th-Gen processor, and 8GB of onboard RAM. The setup may allow you to take up and complete daily tasks such as typing documents, conducting research, and running a few tabs with ease. Apart from using the 14-inch screen for work purposes, you could also use it to enjoy streaming content. The device also features a battery that can last up to 10 hours (based on your usage) which is suitable for those who are on the move and do not always have access to a charging dock. The price of the Acer Aspire 5 Notebook is about $490 on the brand’s website. For the price, it also includes 256GB of SSD storage and a webcam.

Top 2-in-1 Chromebook – HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 inch Chromebook (6K058UT#ABA)

ChromeOS enthusiasts who want a decent, 2-in-1 laptop for work should consider this option from HP. The Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is available for a sale price of $1,370 on the brand’s website, which is $150 lower than its retail price. The device also features good specifications, which include 8GB of memory, 128GB of SSD storage, and Intel®️ Core™️ i5 chipset. Furthermore, the device features a 13.5-inch display that is also touch-enabled, making navigating websites and opening pages much quicker. The touch display also means that you can fold the device and use it as a tablet when you are on the move. The screen can also render 2K content, which means you could use it to watch high-quality streaming content when you take some time off from work. You also get a 5MP camera to help take work-related video calls when you are at home or on the move.