Which Charity Should I Donate To?
At the peak of the holiday season, many Americans find themselves overcome by a spirit of generosity and goodwill. Many people go beyond finding the perfect gift for friends and family and give their time or money to a charitable organization, seeking to make the holidays a little better for those worse off than themselves.
scrutinize a charity’s rating, spending habits, category, and much more. When examining a charity, they
look for all kinds of red flags, such as if they spend more than one-third of their budget on administrative costs or if they aren’t
But with thousands upon thousands of charities to choose from, how do we ensure our dollars are truly going to the best possible cause?
forthcoming about their operations and expenditures. If you’re unsure of where to donate, check out their list of “Charities With Perfect Scores.” If you want to provide humanitarian aid, Direct Relief (DirectRelief. org) is a well-known charity, and it has a perfect rating of 100 on Charity Navigator. They provide medical treatment in resource-poor communities. If you’re more inclined to protect the environment, check out The Conservation Fund (ConservationFund.org), which seeks to preserve natural resources while fostering economic development in America. Education-minded donors should look up Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO-usa.org), another organization with a perfect 100 from Charity Navigator. They strive to provide robust education for underserved communities. There are thousands of excellent charities to donate to, and many of them are probably right in your backyard.
Get Treatment Before It’s Too Late Poor Balance? As the only species on Earth that walks upright with a vertical spine, our human bodies are constantly performing an intricate balancing act as we navigate the world. At every moment of the day, our brains are interpreting the disparate signals from our vestibular system to ensure we move without falling. Since it happens behind the scenes, it’s easy to take balance for granted. Unfortunately, most of us never think about our ability to balance until we injure ourselves, at which point it may already be too late. If you or someone you love suffers from poor balance, it’s important to do everything you can to address it early. Especially in the elderly, a sudden fall is extremely dangerous, as it can lead to everything from permanent bone damage to potentially deadly surgery. It may seem obvious, but it’s best not to hand your credit card info to an anonymous organization soliciting your aid. The IRS has little regulatory power over most charitable organizations since they don’t typically pay taxes. As a result, it’s all too easy to be defrauded. “Never give a gift where you didn’t initiate the communication,” advises TimMeisenheimer, a certified financial planner. Calls can be a red flag, as charities who employ telemarketers are much less likely to receive the entirety of your donation. If you’re donating online, he also advises you to check that there’s a “https” at the beginning of the URL, which indicates a secure connection. But the best way to avoid shady scammers is to research the charity before you hand over your cash. One helpful resource is CharityNavigator.org, a charity-screening website where you can
program, we can help individuals of any age regain their balance and learn to safely navigate without the risk of injury.
When treating those with vestibular or other balance issues, physical therapists are equipped with a wide array of possible treatments to address the patient’s specific issue. However, treatment almost always involves a set of exercises tailored to the patient’s abilities. Therapists may use one of many special techniques designed to calibrate the patient’s vestibular system and resolve
dysfunction. At the same time, they can “reteach” the patient’s brain and body how balance is supposed to work. In addition, therapists will walk patients through exercises
that increase range of motion and strength to problem areas, thereby increasing stability. In general, therapists will do everything they can to restore balance and coordination. If you or someone you know is at risk of a stumble or fall, don’t hesitate to contact the Health Masters location nearest you today and take the first step toward safety and comfort.
Luckily, the physical therapists at Health Masters are here to help. Using our comprehensive balance rehabilitation
2 • healthmasterspt.com
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