Nursing Home Abuse and Elder Abuse in Toronto

Toronto is Canada's most populous city and as its population ages, the abuse of the elderly is a growing concern for the community and local law enforcement. Reported cases of nursing home abuse and elder abuse are on the rise. The elderly are particularly vulnerable for abuse due to dependency on other persons for care and assisted living. Many elders become silent victims of abuse due to lack of awareness, communication and fear.

Toronto is a culturally diverse city and elder abuse may happen to anyone regardless of sex, race, culture, religion, physical or mental condition and financial status. With the trend moving towards independent community living, many seniors are finding themselves in their final years in a nursing home. Demands for nursing homes continue to rise as the number of qualified care workers struggle to keep pace. Many cases of abuse are traced to negligence - by staff, officials and operators of the facility.

The lack of government funding for health care in Ontario is a key issue that has the most impact on the elder population. From The Ontario Public Service Employees Union:

Using interviews, research and government statistics, the report, titled "Violence, Insufficient Care and Downloading of Heavy Care Patients: An evaluation of increasing need and inadequate standards in Ontario's nursing homes" reveals that patients with increasingly complex and heavy care needs are being downloaded into long term care homes, causing an increase in violence, accident and injury. Despite the evidence of significant unmet care needs the provincial government has delayed regulating the homes to ensure that funding goes to increasing care levels.[i]

All abuse is immoral and some are criminal. If you are in need of legal advice for a possible case of elder abuse in Toronto, please contact a nursing home abuse lawyer today.

[i] (Ontario Health Coalition, Long Term Care Facilities - Insufficient care levels, violence and increasing need in Ontario nursing homes, http://www.opseu.org/bps/health/longterm/ohcmay082008.htm )

Your Truck Accident Is Different From a Typical Car Accident

A tractor trailer accident (semi truck accident) is different from a "regular" car accident when it comes to preparing a case for trial. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck, tractor trailer or semi truck, you have experienced, first-hand, the extreme force that can result from an impact between a passenger car and a truck. Oftentimes, when such an impact occurs, people are severely injured or even killed in the tractor trailer accident.

The insurance companies that provide coverage to these truck drivers and the trucking companies take these crashes very seriously as they quickly become concerned about liability. You can be sure that as soon as a truck crash occurs, the truck driver is trained to immediately call his employer, the trucking company, to report the truck crash. This is true even if the truck driver doesn't think he did anything to cause the crash. Why? Because insurance companies realizes that if liability is established - if their insured truck driver is at-fault for the car crash - the insurance company may have to pay a lot of money to cover all of the injured's harms and losses (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life).

The actual coverage that is provided to a trucking company can be quite confusing. The trucking company may try to argue that the driver was an independent contractor and thus, they don't have to cover his negligent actions. An experienced truck crash attorney will know what to look for in order to disprove this theory. In Illinois specifically, there are truck regulations that do hold the truck company responsible for the actions of truck drivers driving leased trucks. On the other end of the spectrum, there may be more than enough coverage via the truck driver's individual policy, the truck company's policy, and even an excess insurance policy.

The investigation into a tractor trailer accident is extensive. An investigation team, hired on your behalf, should immediately go to the scene and take photographs, take measurements of the skid marks and other indications of impact, interview witnesses and set up a station to examine the vehicle and truck and trailer to look for braking and speed indicators. If possible, the investigator should review the truck driver's log books and the black box (also known as an onboard computer). The investigation team may contact the state department of motor vehicles to make sure that the tractor trailer and truck was properly maintained, inspected and the proper intervals, and was operated according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrative regulations. Sometimes, it is even appropriate to contact the District Attorney if criminal charges are warranted.

So what should you do if you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a truck, tractor trailer or semi? I recommend speaking with a Missouri or Illinois truck accident attorney.

Spotting the Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

Making the transition for a loved one from his or her current resident to a nursing home facility is often a very difficult one. There is usually a good deal of emotional turbulence concerning the decision of whether or not to send the individual to a care home. The decision is almost always made with the best situation for the patient in mind, but there is often a good deal of hostility despite this. If the individual was angry about being sent to the home, if it turns out that the care home engaged in some type of abuse or negligence, you may feel responsible and very guilty.

But there is no reason to feel guilty; these facilities are often times incredibly good at covering up any signs of negligence when visitors come into the facilities. But despite the fact that it is very difficult to know when a nursing home may abuse or neglect patients, it is possible to spot certain tell tale signs that can be detected through the patient or the staff. Some of these signs include:

• Bruises, cuts or other injuries-the elderly are very fragile, so in many cases bruises or cuts may have just occurred naturally but in other cases they can be a signal of abuse. To find out, ask the patient about the injury and then ask the care home workers. If the stories do not add up, continue to find out more about the situation.

• Serious changes in personality-if the patient suddenly becomes withdrawn and shy, it may be the result of being yelled at or neglected.

Nursing Home Acquired Bed Sores - A Billion Dollar Problem?

Research published by the National Decubitus Foundation reports that over one million people each year will acquire a potentially fatal bed sore or pressure ulcer of some kind. The same report also found that approximately 12% patients of nursing home patients at any given time have a bed sore or pressure ulcer. That's one out of almost every 8 patients. As shocking as that statistic may be, what's worse is that real bed sore statistics are probably higher. Why? Because many of the nursing homes or assisted care living facilities who have had the highest incidences of bed sores and pressure ulcers refused to participate in the research study.

In this day in age, an unavoidable bed sore or pressure ulcer is rare. There are well recognized and proven medical guidelines that all nursing homes are required to follow which have demonstrated that bed sores and pressure ulcers can be prevented. It can not be denied that most, if not all, of the bed sore or pressure ulcer occurrences in nursing homes are the result of pure negligence. Some examples include instance where nursing home or assisted living patients are ignored for hours, sometimes in urine soaked sheets and clothes and develop bed sores as a result.

Are Nursing home poor?

Typically, when nursing homes and assisted living facilities are asked about these statistics, the usual response is that the homes are underfunded and are too poor to afford additional staff or expensive equipment for bed sore prevention. But is this really the truth, or fiction? Lets analyze the numbers and decide.

Published statistics show that in 1994, the US had 6,374 hospitals with an average of 177 beds per hospital. The statistics show an 66% occupancy rate. This means that about 745,740 beds had patients on any given day. When the bed sore and pressure ulcer percentage is applied to the hospital population, the numbers reveal that are about 80,000 patients with bed sores or pressure ulcers sitting in hospital each day. Take that number and times it by the average hospital stay of 27 days for patients with bed sores, and you find that over 1,000,000 patients develop potentially fatal, yet preventable bedsores per year.

Now lets look at the costs associated with bedsore and pressure ulcer care. Studies show that the average costs about $2,360 for a patient over 65 to be cared for in a hospital each. If the same elderly patient develops a bedsore, the projected hospital stay is now increased by additional 27 days. This means from a pure numbers standpoint, there is about $51,000.00 in added medical costs per bed sore patient. When that number is multiplied by the 1,088,778 patients developing bed sores per year, the sum is an astronomical number of $55,000,000 that is just wasted on bedsore care! Shockingly, experts agree that this is a conservative estimate because bedsore patients are required to stay longer for skin grafting and infections. Add to the mix the thousands of other patients that actually die as a result of these bedsores. To their friends and family, the loss of that life is priceless.

The sad part is that based on the numbers presented above, hospitals and nursing homes can save $44 Billion in health care costs just by preventing bedsores. This money can be used to invest in better technology and enough personnel to provide quality care to patients and long-term residents. That is why many insurance companies now refuse to reimburse medical facilities for the costs associated with bedsore care.

Families should lose a healthy loved one because a billion dollar medical facility would not hire and extra nurse or two to ensure proper staffing. Similarly, nursing homes who spend millions on beautifully landscaped grounds and palatial lobbies in order to attract customers, have no right to neglect patients and cry poor when a resident dies from a bedsore infection. The economics and math demonstrates that the billion dollars that are wasted each year as a result of treating bad care, should be spent on preventive care to improve the quality of life for hospital and nursing home residents in this country.

Funeral Homes: What Can They Do for You?

A funeral home is a business that offers a variety of burial and funeral services intended to help families dispose of their loved one's remains in the manner of their choosing. There are a considerable number of goods and services offered by a funeral home, but not all will be selected by individual families. Each family is unique, each death is unique, and therefore each funeral service is unique. The type of goods and services chosen by the family will also be unique, depending on the wishes of the family and/or of the deceased. Families can customize the funeral service according to their needs, choosing from a range of services that best honor their loved one's memory.

The death of a loved one is a difficult time for families, and many people are unsure about the process of planning a funeral. Typically, the family will work closely with a funeral director, who will ensure that their loved one's funeral services are planned in accordance with their wishes. The funeral director can help them choose the best services to honor their loved one in the most solemn, memorable and dignified way possible. Below are just some of the many services available at most funeral homes:

Retrieval and Embalming of the Body: The funeral home is responsible for retrieving the corpse from the place of death (hospital, house, nursing home, etc.) and transporting it to the funeral home. It is in the funeral home where the body will be prepared for proper disposition. The funeral director will explain all of the available options to the family, and help them in making the right choices for their loved one, including whether there will be a viewing of the body or whether the body is to be embalmed before the burial. If the body is to be cremated, the funeral home is responsible for transporting the body to the crematorium, if they do not operate one on-site, and retrieving the remains after the procedure.

Preparation and Handling of the Body: Funeral home staff are responsible for handling the body with the utmost dignity and respect at all times while your loved one is being prepared for the funeral. This includes not only washing and embalming of the body, but also preparing the body for viewing. Funeral home staff will perform such services as dressing the body, hairdressing, putting on makeup for a life-like look, and placing the body inside the casket for viewing and burial. The family needs to be assured that the deceased person will be handled with the utmost care and respect during this process.

Processing of Paperwork: Documentation upon the death of a loved one can be overwhelming to grieving family members. Death certificates, special permits, and authorizations are just some of the paperwork that needs to be completed and filed for the deceased. The funeral director will gather information from the family to prepare the necessary paperwork, and ensure that all the paperwork is filled out and duly filed with the appropriate authorities. As many members of the family may want a copy of a death certificate, the funeral home must secure the correct number of certified copies of the death certificate to be given to the requesting parties. It is also the responsibility of the funeral home to transmit obituaries to newspapers and other news media so that relatives, colleagues, and friends of the deceased will be aware of the planned funeral service.

Funeral Planning and Concierge Services: The funeral director will help the family decide upon the details of the funeral service, and ensure that all funeral details are carried out according to the family's wishes. This includes arrangements for the where the funeral will be held, where the memorial service will be held, and whether the body or cremated remains will be buried, scattered, or disposed of by some other method. The funeral home will also assist the family in ordering the flowers needed during the service, the casket or urn to house their loved one, and other arrangements for the funeral service. Most funeral homes also offer a car service to pick up relatives at the airport and a concierge service to make hotel and restaurant reservations for the incoming family members.

Funeral homes provide a range of services that can help a grieving family make the right choices when planning their loved one's funeral. It is important for funeral directors and staff to offer compassionate care and understanding to the grieving family.

Alleviating Driving Concerns With Assisted Living

You may have heard the story about a 100 year old man who recently ran his car into 11 different people-9 of which were children. If you're like most of us, this news story prompted a lot of thoughts about how to determine when someone is too old to continue driving. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to something like this. Each individual ages a bit differently and someone unfit to drive at age 65 because of advanced Alzheimer's disease will definitely be in a different profile than a very sharp 85 year old.

If you have an elderly loved one that is starting to have difficulties driving, there are choices available that can help them. One of the most basic responses to this loss of independence is living in an assisted living facility. This might seem like an extreme response; why would you take away someone's freedom if you didn't absolutely need to? The answer to this question lies in the fact that assisted living is one of the most misunderstood aspects of senior care. Assisted living does not hinder someone's independence in the least, but rather enhances their daily lives.

So how does this relate back to the elderly driver problem? Well, in assisted living, transportation is generally provided for the individual. If they need to go to the store to get some supplies or they have a doctor's appointment, the facility that they live within will generally provide a ride for them. This instantly alleviates the problem of having to take away the keys from mom or dad. They won't need to drive because all of their rides will be provided for them.

Some senior citizens may balk at the prospect of residing within an assisted living facility. Luckily, this misconception goes away quickly. The majority of elderly adults find that they enjoy the camaraderie that is created within such a facility. It is a lot easier to meet and socialize with friends in this atmosphere. All of their needs are also provided for them. No longer is it necessary to spend hours cooking and preparing meals every day-these are all provided for you. Also, a lot of household chores are performed by the staff members within a facility. The responsibilities of living on your own disappear here and are replaced with a more relaxed and fun vibe. This is all accomplished within the safety net of 24 hour supervision by a trained staff-just in case an emergency were to arise.

If you have doubts about assisted living, it is important to get the facts before you move in. Find out if transportation is provided. Find out about access to activities. These things are offered by the most reputable homes, so make sure the homes you are looking for have them.

Three Reasons Why Assisted Living May Be a Good Option For Elderly People

Assisted living facilities are special homes for those elderly people who cannot perform even their regular daily life chores, including going to bathroom, clothing, bathing, cooking, and eating without assistance. These homes bridge the gap between independent living and living in a nursing home. The elderly and diseased people who choose to live in these facilities get proper assistance. However, it is very important for you to understand that it is not a substitute for nursing homes. Instead, it is a great midway that is comfortable for the elderly people. They get unceasing care here in the best possible manner and enjoy a healthy and relaxed living.

Care With Freedom
One of the biggest advantages of assisted living is that it provides proper care for the elderly in an environment that gives them an ultimate sense of freedom. These facilities proffer assistance with medication, periodic housekeeping, and timely and well-made meals. Besides that, if requested, the facility may also help them in managing their finances. Therefore, if you are one of those elderly people who need some assistance of living a healthy and happy life without giving away your freedom, such specially built facilities can be the best choice for you.

Medical Assistance And Health Care
The assisted living facilities also provide excellent services in terms of health care and medical assistance. They have expert professionals that are specialized in taking care of the senior citizens, including those who may need urgent medical attention. In most cases, these facilities work in association with a medical center. That is the reason why it is easily possible for them to get the medical care to the needy person. This way, it appears to be a great alternative to nursing homes. Where nursing homes have a dull living environment, the atmosphere in these facilities is quite lively.

Strategic And Completely Organized
Another great feature that assisted living homes have to offer is the very fact that they are strategic and well organized in a highly efficient manner. They are professional people and they have a customized plan for every individual residing in their centers. They first review the specific needs and requirements of the person and then develop a plan for them accordingly. One of the greatest concerns that elders have when it comes to handing over their important personal responsibilities to others is that whether they will get the kind of care they deserve. But such concerns are out of question when they choose to live in these facilities.

In this fast moving world, there may be times when elderly people may have to live alone in their homes. But, it is the age when they need someone to take care of their health and other personal needs. The assisted living facilities make a great alternative solution for them, as they make life easy and enjoyable.

A New Beginning: A Training Book on Home Based Care for Children With HIV/AIDS by Dr P Manorama MD

1. Introduction:

The stigma attached to the HIV epidemic is more dangerous than the epidemic itself. Especially, innocent women who inherit the pandemic from their husbands and the innocent children who inherit from parents are condemned by the society for no fault of theirs. They are not allowed to live a normal life like others. Children with HIV infection are not given admission in schools. In India there are about 84,000 children less than 15 years of age living with HIV. There are a few N.G.Os who have taken up their cause and help them in leading a normal life.

Dr P.Manorama is a well qualified and experienced social worker who is a pioneer in the field of HIV intervention. She established Community Health Education Society (C H E S) in Chennai and has adopted more than 500 children who have inherited HIV from their parents. (some of them are no more now). She is training several medicos and non-medicos on how to provide community and home based care to Children. For this purpose, she has written and released the book "A New Beginning" which is first of its kind in Tamilnadu. This book has helped many individuals and agencies alike in broadening their understanding to plan and also to execute with perfection comprehensive programmes for intervention with children affected and infected with HIV/AIDS.

The author of this article got a formal training with famous Christian Medical College, Vellore in this field and later was guided by Dr P.Manorama to get his PhD in alternative medicines (Psychological Counselling) and he is glad to submit the following article for information of readers. It is hoped that readers will get first hand information of this pandemic and ways and means to treat the children with HIV/AIDS.

2. Essentials of Home-based Care:

WHO defines home based care as a provision of health services by formal and informal caregivers in the home in order to promote, restore and maintain a person's maximum level of comfort, function and health including care towards a dignified death. It can be classified into preventive, promotive, therapeutic, rehabilitative, long term maintained and palliative care categories.

The goal of Community Home Based Care is to provide hope through comprehensive care, helping patients and families maintain their interdependence and have the best quality of life.

It should also reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease by providing emotional, physical and nursing care. It will also be the most cost effective model.

3. What are the formalities to be observed by the health/social workers while visiting homes of HIV/AIDS affected/infected children?

'Infected' means the children who are infected with HIV whereas 'affected' means people around them say, parents are infected, by virtue of which, lives of children are affected. Likewise, HIV children means only infected with HIV whereas AIDS means somewhat advanced stage of infection wherein other opportunistic infections have spread over the child.

The things to be done by Health workers while visiting home:

1. General enquiry about the health of the family is to be made and relevant medical records are to be organised.
2. Specific enquiry about health of children to be made, look for any possible weight loss. The nutrition should be taken care of by giving needed tablets and simple food.
3. To verify whether any ART (Anti Retro Viral Treatment) treatment is given to the children with visit to ART centres.
4. Environmental issues are to be attended. Stigma issues are to be discussed freely.
5. CD4 counts are to be verified at regular intervals.
6. Education should be taken care of.
7. They should reach children by freely mixing and playing with them.

Thus the primary need of health workers attending to the children is empathy and understanding of issues related to children.

Medical Care Taken to Homes:

HIV/AIDS is a chronic disease and needs prolonged lifelong care. Many a time, children with HIV may fall sick and need hospitalization. Also it may need continued treatment at home.

Children with HIV live for long years, when they receive good nutrition, care and treatment. It is very unfortunate that some children develop AIDS and have premature death for want of proper care and treatment. Hence, social workers visiting children at home need to understand the growth and development and possible basic care is to be given at home setting. Hence the basic need for a social worker in this field is identification and management of opportunistic infections (OI) and ART and also the terminal care. The pathetic aspect in this field is that the worker should be aware of even cremation arrangements when an AIDS affected children dies because people may refuse to undertake that work also because of the stigma.

5. Certain Common Infections and methods to handle them:

Common fever: The child should inhale fresh air. The skin is to be wiped with wet cloths all over the body till the temperature reduces to normal. If the child has high fever above 38.5 C paracetomol tablet is to be given.

Diarrhoea: Lot of fluids like rice water with salt, tender coconut water, butter milk, dhal water, rice kanji, soup, tea and fresh fruit juice are to be given. Older children may be given easily digestible food like idly, banana etc.

Common respiratory disorders like sinusitis and pneumonia:

Caregiver should clear the congested nose using a cotton cloth moistened in clean salt water. They should be given warm water at regular intervals. The head position should be raised with more pillows to help avoiding breathing problems. For babies who need feeding, it is better to give frequent feeding in small quantities.

Oral Thrush:

This is a symptom of fungal infection and a hallmark of HIV/AIDS. Children cannot eat and drink properly. They will have difficulty in swallowing. Oral cavity will show the plaques if white semi solid materials.

Gargling with salt water will help easing the throat. Clean mouths four times a day with soft cotton swabs. Cold food and drinks may be given. Spicy foods and citrus fruits are to be avoided. Soups and yogurt are good. Gentian violet solution may be given 3 or 4 times a day. If there is no improvement, a qualified doctor is to be consulted immediately.

Skin problems:

Skin problems arise because of bacterial, viral and fungal infections and scabies. The symptoms are itching, pustules and rash. The following basic treatments are recommended:
Daily bathing, the skin is to be smoothened using calamine lotion, coconut oil, soaps and lotions will reduce itching. Baby's bottom is to be exposed to free air (as against using nappies). Potassium permanganate solution is a good antiseptic for soaking infected soars.

Bed Soars:

Bed sours are caused when children are bed ridden. Caregivers should encourage getting out of bed often. Their position is to be changed once in two hours. Bed also is to be changed at regular intervals. Medical guidance should be taken before giving local anaesthetics for pain relief.

6. A R T (Anti Retro Viral Treatment)

(History of ART and other details about the treatment are reserved for a future article. In this article, we shall deal with only the topic of ART to paediatric patients by the caretakers and its follow up)

1. Parents are to be counselled before starting ART to their child. Medicines, once started cannot be stopped unless the child develops enough resistance. Parents are to be counselled about the cost involved (in case of private hospitals) and the results of ART, that it is no permanent cure for AIDS but improves the immune system helping the children to lead a dignified life and improve the life expectancy.

2.Paediatric syrups and Fixed Dose Combination are available free of cost at ART centres of Government hospitals.

3. CD4 is the best measurement for assessing immune deficiency and should be used in conjunction with clinical assessment. It helps to decide when ART should be started. Children up to 6 years of age have high CD4 count because of high lymphocytes. CD4 automatically drops to normal values when the reach the age of 6.

4.The persons registered for care and treatment at ART centres should have their clinical stage of HIV. The initiation of ART is based on the clinical stage and the CD4 count. The lack of CD 4 count should not delay the initiation of ART if the patient is clinically eligible. But, however the result of CD4 should be obtained as early as possible. That is why CD4 count testing is also free all over the country.

5. Finally, drug adherence should be evaluated with utmost care.
Involvement of children in treatment preparation is to be ascertained.
Half-hearted attempts to initiate therapy should be avoided.

CONCLUSION:

We had been seeing certain important aspects of paediatric HIV/AIDS care by caretakers as instructed by Dr P.Manorama in her book on this subject. AIDS pandemic is no more a dreaded disease or the caretakers are to worry about possible infection. The stigma and discrimination is much reduced because of the tireless workers like Dr P.Manorama and her volunteers.

This article is a humble attempt as a tribute to the great work rendered by them.

If the readers get clarifications about paediatric AIDS and they offer to volunteer their services to the innocent children who suffer for no fault of theirs, the aim of this article is fulfilled.

Let me complete this article by paying respects to thousands of social workers and caretakers who work in this field as volunteers against odds.

Degrees of a Burn Injury

A burn injury can be a painful experience to go through. Not all burn injuries are the same and they can vary greatly in the amount of damage they cause. Some of them can be simple and easy to treat at home, while others will require immediate medical care. In the past there were not as many facilities that were specific to burn victims. Today there are more options for those that are burned and they stand a greater chance of surviving and healing. Each year there are thousands of burn cases with over 3,000 of them resulting in a fatality; a large decline when compared to earlier years. There are a number of types of burn injuries that can be caused from heat, chemicals, friction, cold temperatures, radiation and more.

One of the more common types of burn injuries it was is a first degree burn. This one is superficial for the most part and often includes a burning feeling and reddening of the skin. This type of burn can usually be easily treated without the need for medical service unless it is present on more sensitive areas such as the face. A second degree burn goes deeper into the skin, burning down through the epidermis to the dermis. This can leave blisters on the skin as well as a deep red color. A second degree burn on a more serious level is known as a partial thickness burn. A third degree burn damages all of the skin as well as the subcutaneous tissue below. Not only does it harm these areas, it can also reach the muscle underneath. This type of burn will without doubt need to be treated by a medical professional and failure to do so can cause further damage including infection. A fourth degree burn makes it through all layers of skin, damaging anything below including muscle, nerves, blood vessels, tendons and even bones. Medical care will be needed as fast as possible and this type of injury can cause serious injury including the need for amputation.

Along with the depth of a burn, the amount of the body affected is also considered when assessing how serious an injury is. While the human body is able to recover from many types of trauma, some burn injuries may require additional help such as a skin graft. A burn can harm the nerves, leaving the injured part to lose sensation and the ability to feel in certain areas. The ability to heal will be depending on the health of the current victim along with how serious their injury was. A burn can cause irreversible damage along with unsightly scarring. Those that are burned seriously will be in need of medical service to not only heal them immediately but continue to carry on the mending process. Those that are injured depending on the type of burn can be left with lifelong effects. If a burn went all the way through the skin, nerves in the area may never be able to fully repair and the skin in the area may be unable to naturally heal on its own either. Injuries do not only occur to the outside of a person. Hot gases can be breather in that singe the lining of the nasal cavity, throat and lungs. When a burn injury does occur, emergency medical treatment should be sought first and then an attorney later to help seek compensation for any expenses and damages.

War Contractors Face Liability in Iraq and Afghanistan

In modern conflict areas, corporate policy and economic concerns can complicate security protocols and military missions. Incidents of negligence, abuse, fraud, personal injury liability and wrongful death can occur, even in a war zone. It is not unpatriotic to seek redress against corporations that have put their profits and convenience above their responsibility to our fighting men and women, their civilian contract employees or foreign citizens.

Members of our military face great risk, but it is not their duty to face hazardous exposure to improperly managed dump sites or burn pits, electrified plumbing, or unreasonably unsafe construction sites. Civilian contractors in war zones hire on to hazardous jobs and working conditions, but that does not allow their employers to completely disregard their safety.

No one, not one of our brave men and women, military or contract employee, not any of the citizens of Iraq or Afghanistan should have to face gross negligence or fraud by U.S. war contractors.

Operating under U.S. contract in Afghanistan and Iraq, corporations can still be liable under U.S. law for cases of wrongful death, gross negligence, fraud, and abuse. Just because they operate in dangerous areas does not excuse a company from wrongful acts.

As with so many other corporations, if profits and expediency are prioritized over human health and safety, people can get hurt or killed. Often in those cases, the only remedy available is a lawsuit.

Lawsuits are by no means a panacea and are the venue of last resort. Nevertheless, sometimes lawsuits function as the best regulators. A lawsuit will not heal an injury or bring back a lost loved one, but the exercise of justice and the repayment for damage done can help victims and their families survive and put their lives back together as best as they can.

In a war zone, soldiers are prepared and trained to fight an enemy. Combat obviously entails inherent risk. The policy of the armed forces is to train individuals to put them at risk for national security and to protect our interests. However, if flaws or shortcuts in an improperly constructed or maintained facility lead to injury or death, the corporation responsible may be liable.

When a driver working for a defense contractor is sent unarmed and untrained into a known, active battlefield, this goes beyond any reasonable risk they may have signed up for on taking the job. If as part of a corporate policy, employees are sent into hazardous situations with not only no warning but also the implied promise of safety, this is not collateral damage or an unavoidable casualty. This is gross negligence. This can be wrongful death. In our system, this act and this corporation may be only answerable to a lawsuit.

If a corporation exposes soldiers, employees and local citizens to hazardous, life-threatening chemicals in an open burn pit or dump area, regulators may not have power to do anything other than request a clean up or levy a fine. Victims often have to seek their own redress.

Similarly, if a soldier is electrocuted in a barracks shower because of improper wiring, or a contract employee suffers injury in a collapse of an inadequately constructed building, there may or may not be criminal wrongdoing, but the corporation behind the negligent building practice may also face civil liability. These are stories of incidents that have allegedly occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Whether we approve or not, corporations play a vital role in our modern military activity. Companies are profiting from our wars and military reconstruction efforts. Unfortunately, corporations are rarely adequate at policing themselves when it comes to protecting their employees.

As we grow more dependent on corporate contractors to participate in military actions, we need to safeguard the system under which their employees are protected as well as the rights of military men and women.

There is a justice system within the military built to deal with violations of military personnel. For U.S. corporations though, we rely on U.S. laws and regulations. There may be cause to involve the criminal courts, but corporate policies and behaviors that result in injury or death often end up in the civil justice system. There, actions rely on victims coming forward and filing suit on their own, with the help of their lawyers.

In our modern corporate run society, the civil justice system is very often the only effective regulator. When corporations enter the battlefields, the civil justice system must be prepared to follow.

In the criminal system, prison sentences and fines are the deterrents that make the laws effective. In the civil system, monetary penalties not only aim to help the victims but also hopefully deter future acts and protect others from becoming victims themselves.

Convincing an Elderly Parent to Accept In-Home Care Assistance

When an elderly person begins to show signs of requiring in-home assistance, it is usually an adult son or daughter who first recognizes the need. However, quite often it turns out that the parent does not feel that he or she needs help in the first place. Sometimes no amount of reasoning or persuasion can overcome the disagreement. What to do?

The reason this issue can become such a point of contention across generations has to do in part with a difference in perspectives. A son or daughter may notice a parent exhibiting gait unsteadiness, missing medications or showing impaired ability to perform self-care or household tasks. This naturally leads to concerns about safety and well-being. Arranging for help in the home is an obvious solution that can allow a parent to live comfortably and safely.

The parent's perspective, of course, may be quite different. His or her focus may be on privacy and independence. To accept the need for an aide or companion may seem like surrendering one's dignity and control. Cost may also be a concern. Reconciling these different perspectives can be difficult if not impossible. Here are some suggestions from our experience that may be of help to the children of elderly parents:

Try to Avoid No-Win Arguments

We see lots of families locking horns over whether the parents are really slipping or not. A typical discussion goes this way:

You:"Mom, I've been noticing you haven't been eating as well lately, and when I look in your refrigerator it seems like you have barely touched food that I bought for you days earlier."

Mom:"I'm eating perfectly well, dear. You know I'm not as active as I used to be, and I don't need as much. I'm certainly not going hungry."

You: "But wouldn't it be easier if we had someone come in and cook for you?"

Mom:"No, I don't want that and I don't need that. I cook for myself just fine."

You:"Another thing, we've noticed that you aren't as steady on your feet as you used to be. We're worried that you could fall."

Mom:"I'm very careful. Don't worry about me."

You:"But you fell last month getting out of the tub. It was lucky you didn't hurt yourself."

Mom:"That was just a fluke accident because the vanity light wasn't working. I'm really fine. I don't need any help."

You: "John and I think you do, Mom."

Mom: "Well, I don't."

These kinds of arguments usually don't accomplish much. They can lead to anger and can just harden resistance.

Emphasize Your Needs, Not Theirs

A parent may be a little more accepting of home caregiver services if you emphasize that it's for your benefit. Point out that you would feel more comfortable knowing someone was helping with the meals, laundry and household chores. Pose it as a favor for you. Explain that it would give you peace of mind as you attend to your own personal or job priorities.

Accept that Safety Doesn't Trump Everything Else

One important lesson we've learned over the years is that compromise is almost always necessary on the issue of safety. An elderly person with functional impairment and/or chronic illness is at increased risk of mishaps, injuries and adverse events. To make safety the overriding issue seems like the compassionate, ethical thing to do. But if it comes at the expense of dignity and quality of life, it may not be.

Better to accommodate a parent's values and preferences while practicing the art of the possible. If your parent refuses your entreaties to get live-in care or move to assisted living, set up more limited home care visits and arrange for an emergency alert system. If imbalance is a problem, make sure a medical evaluation is done, and then learn about the many ways a home can be modified to protect against falls (e.g., installing grab bars and rails; using no-slip mats; assuring good lighting; removing trip hazards and clutter.) If medication errors are a concern, make sure that a physician reviews all prescriptions to keep the regimens as simple as possible, then at least buy a medication dispenser. There are even a variety of electronic dispensers that will automatically dial a programmed telephone number if doses are skipped.

Don't ignore the many possible ways in which technology can allow adult children to monitor the safety of aging parents. Remote monitoring of vital signs like blood pressure, tracking movement throughout the home with motion detectors or cameras, confirming compliance with medications-all of these and more are possible nowadays.

A great deal can be done to improve safety for an elderly person living alone. But at the end of the day, no combination of strategies will eliminate all risk. The challenge is to maximize safety while not ignoring important values like self-esteem, dignity and reasonable independence.

Focus on Help with Household Tasks

One way to persuade an elderly loved one to accept in home assistance is to present it as help with household chores, laundry and meals rather than personal care. Many people of all ages use housekeepers, and this doesn't entail the perceived stigma that a personal care aide may represent. Once the "foot is in the door," the elder can develop a relationship with the caregiver and then become less resistant to personal care.

Enlist the Help of a Trusted Professional

Whereas an elderly individual may resist the pleas of concerned family members, the advice of a trusted personal physician, lawyer or clergyman may be more persuasive. Meeting with such an individual is almost always a good idea. But be careful about appearing as if you have enlisted the professional to press your point of view. If the elder feels he or she is being "ganged up on," this approach may backfire.

Don't Ignore Signs of Dementia

Behaviors such as repeating the same story over and over, forgetting appointments, becoming lost in previously familiar surroundings or losing the ability to perform tasks that were once routine, are signs of dementia. Too many people ascribe such behaviors to normal aging.

When a parent has dementia, persuading him or her to accept help becomes much more complicated, because judgment may be seriously impaired. How assertive should you be? What are your filial and ethical obligations? At what point do you insist upon taking control, and at what cost to your relationship?

The first critical priority is to arrange a medical evaluation to assess the cause and extent of dementia and to initiate treatment, if possible. Find out from the physician how much cognitive impairment exists, and what kinds of decision-making responsibilities you should be taking over for your parent. Educate yourself about the problem by contacting the Alzheimer's Association or the NIH's Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center.

What Is Elder Abuse?

Everyone knows that it can be difficult to deal with and take care of an aging family member. Dealing with senior citizens is never easy and takes a lot of patience and compassion. Unfortunately, some people at this task and wind up mistreating the elderly. This happens all of the time in home environments, nursing home, and care facilities. In order to understand elder abuse better, let's take a look at the different types of elder abuse that exist.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is when an older person is harmed or taken advantage of by another individual. This can be a family member, friend or stranger. There are many different types of elder abuse. The most common types are physical, mental, neglect, and financial.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse occurs when any appropriate physical contact takes place with elders. This includes punching, slapping, and hitting of a senior citizen. Even restraining or confining a senior citizen qualifies as elder abuse. An elderly person cannot be restricted in order to make it easier to take care of them. Signs of elderly abuse are bruises, markings, cuts, and swelling.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is just as harmful and traumatic as physical abuse. Subjecting an elderly person to situations that cause them to be frightened or humiliated is elder abuse. This includes swearing, yelling, and using insulting terms. An elderly individual should not be subjected to cruel treatments that can weaken their mental state. Emotional abuse can be spotted in individuals that are either afraid, timid, or are in a constant frightened state.

Neglect

Sometimes doing absolutely nothing at all is a sign of elder abuse. Depriving an elderly person of necessary care is abuse. Elderly people should not be deprived of food, clothing, and adequate home care. They should be kept in an adequately heated environment with all of the items that they need. They should be comfortable in their environment and have all of the medication that they require.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is a valid form of elder abuse. Taking advantage of the weakened physical or mental state of the elderly is illegal. This includes taking items from them or using up all of their financial resources for personal gain. Taking the power of attorney from an elderly person and not using it to take care of their best interest is a form of financial abuse. The elderly are often the victims of financial scams from family members and strangers whose goal is to wipe them out. Trying to profit from the misfortunes of an elderly person is a clear cut sign of elderly abuse.

All of the forms of abuse listed above are types of elder abuse. You need to be watchful to make sure that your family members, neighbors, and friends do not become victims of elder abuse. Pay attention to all of the signs and check up on your loved one regularly. Be sure to only hire qualified trained personnel whom have an outstanding reputation for dealing with the elderly.

Medicare Ambulance Fraud: How to Report False Claims for Fraudulent Ambulance Transport

Under Medicare "Part B" - Supplementary Medical Insurance for the Aged and Disabled - Medicare covers medically necessary ambulance services. Ambulance services are deemed medically necessary "if they are furnished to a beneficiary whose medical condition is such that other means of transportation are contraindicated." 42 CFR 410.40. Although "bed-confinement" is itself neither sufficient nor required as evidence of medical necessity, it is a "factor to be considered." A Medicare beneficiary is bed-confined if three requirements are met: "(i) the beneficiary is unable to get up from bed without assistance; (ii) the beneficiary is unable to ambulate; (iii) the beneficiary is unable to sit in a chair or wheelchair."

Medicare imposes an additional requirement for non-emergency, scheduled, repetitive ambulance services, such as dialysis transport: in addition to itself determining that medical necessity requirements are met, the ambulance service provider must, before providing service, obtain a written order from the patient's physician certifying the medical necessity of ambulance transport. 42 CFR 410.40(d). Such order is valid for 60 days.

Effective April 1, 2002, CMS established a fee schedule for ambulance services, replacing the previous "reasonable charge" billing procedure. See 42 CFR 414.601. The fee schedule defines several different levels of ambulance service. Payment is made on the basis of services actually performed - rather than on the type of call or vehicle involved. For example, Basic Life Support (BSL) is defined as "transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and medically necessary supplies and services, plus the provision of BLS ambulance services." Accordingly, ambulance providers are required to maintain all records demonstrating the medical necessity of transport services billed to Medicare or Medicaid, as well as the actual provision of a level of service requiring an ambulance.

Identified types of fraud related to ambulance transport include:

-- False billing for ambulance service to patients who are not bed bound or otherwise in need of transport by ambulance;

-- False records reflecting fictitious patient conditions intended to justify unnecessary ambulance service;

-- False records indicating health services - such as oxygen - that were not provided;

-- False billing for individual transport when transport was in fact provided on a group basis;

-- False billing for ambulance services that were never provided; and

-- Paying Illegal kickbacks to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in exchange for referrals of dialysis patients.

Under the federal False Claims Act, persons with credible first-hand knowledge of such ambulance fraud and false claims for unnecessary ambulance transport services to Medicare, may be entitled to substantial rewards. The False Claims Act requires companies who have defrauded Medicare to re-pay three times the amount of the total false claims plus up to $11,000 in fines per false claim. Accordingly, the amounts recovered against large ambulance companies who game the system can be in the millions, tens of millions, or even more. Whistleblowers who report the fraud by filing suit under the qui tam provisions of the federal False Claims Act may be entitled to as much as 25% (and under certain circumstances up to 30%) of such recoveries. Additionally, employees who blow the whistle are entitled to certain protections, including reinstatement, treble back-pay, and attorneys' fees and costs.

8 Business Strategies for Independent Consultants

As a Certified Professional Organizer簧, one of the services I offer is coaching new professional organizers to help them start their business and guide them to success. Here are eight business strategies that can help any independent contractor build their business and position themselves for victory in a competitive market.

1. Own your decision.
Whenever I am asked, "How do I start a business as a consultant?" my answer is always the same: "Say you are one!" If you've made the decision to follow your bliss and do the work you were born to do, own it! If you are starting out part-time and still working a job, forget to mention the job when someone asks you, "What do you do?" Don't say, I work at a real estate office, but I'm starting my own consulting business, just say with pride and confidence, "I'm a consultant!"

2. Get comfortable with public speaking.
I remember the first time I spoke in front of a group. My heart was pounding so hard, I thought everyone could see it. But with time and practice, I can now face an audience with self-assurance. Public speaking is a great way to get clients. You are not only offering information, but also establishing yourself as an expert. I was a member of Toastmasters International?簧 for ten years and I cannot say enough about how helpful that was.

3. Network, network, network.
People are more likely to hire you if they have met you personally and had a first-hand experience of who you are. When I first started my business in 1996, I joined the Chamber of Commerce and started meeting other professionals in my area. I also networked at my church, within a business exchange group, and through a business women's club. Anywhere there are people, there are potential clients. Decide what to call your business, get business cards, and tell everyone you know and meet about your service.

4. Build a website as soon as you can.
A website will help position you as an authority in your field and also serves as a great way for people to learn more about you. Brochures are nice, but a well-developed website rocks!

5. Become a household name.
Think of a hook - a story that might interest your local media. Then pitch your story to your local newspaper or radio station. When I first started my business, I called my local paper and said, "I have a great idea for a story!" How could she resist asking, "What is it?" I said, "How about a story tracking a senior citizen as they downsize from their single family house into assisted living?" She was sold, but I didn't even have a senior on board yet. I contacted our local assisted living facility and asked if they could recommend someone that fit this category. I was put in touch with a lovely woman and in a couple weeks we were front page news. Paid advertising is great, but nothing beats free publicity.

6. Ask everyone for referrals and recommendations.
One of the best proven ways to get new business is through a referral from someone who is well-regarded and well-connected. Once you tell someone that a mutual friend, client or colleague has referred you, you already have one foot in the door.

7. Believe your price.
One of the most frequently asked questions from people starting a consulting business is, "What do I charge?" If you start out too high you won't sound convincing, and the people to whom you are quoting your price will sense your lack of confidence. If you start out too low, you may get the job, but you might end up feeling resentful and under-appreciated. Ask yourself, "What is a fair, but competitive price for my time and expertise?" Other factors are how much you need to earn in order to remain motivated, to pay your bills, and feel valued.

8. Trust the Universe.
Until you get established there are going to be times when business is slow and you might think you won't make it. If you truly believe you are doing the work you were put on earth to do, you have to have faith that the Universe will support that belief. Hang in there and know that as long as you are giving it 100%, you'll be OK. So many times, when I reaffirm that truth, the telephone rings.

Elder Care Solutions - 5 Reasons Your Senior Parent Should Live With You!

Whether Mom's recovering from a stroke or simply can't remember to turn off the stove, you know she can no longer live independently. So what are your options when it comes to caring for an aging parent?

There are a number of elder care solutions. One common answer is to place your family member in an assisted living or nursing facility. These can be good solutions for seniors who require high levels of skilled care. However, caring for an aging parent who needs less skilled care--occasional help with daily tasks, medication reminders, etc-a nursing community can be pricey and unnecessary.

Members of the sandwich generation, or those who care for both aging parents and their own kids, are turning to a more family-oriented care option: moving mom or dad into their own home.

Check out these 5 reasons why caring for an aging parent in your home is a happy elder care solution.

1. Safety - The elderly, especially those who are frail, are vulnerable to dangers, from falls to criminal activity. Protection from these dangers makes moving mom and dad into your home not only one of the smarter elder care solutions, it also gives you a peace of mind you might not get when your parent lives alone.

2. Health Care - Is Dad eating? Is Mom's forgetfulness getting worse? If your loved ones lives independently or resides in a nursing home, it can be hard to monitor their mental and physical health. Caring for an aging parent in your home allows you and other family members to keep a closer watch on Mom or Dad's condition. When you move mom into your home, you'll get the peace of mind that comes from seeing firsthand how your parent is doing.

3. Family - Okay, caring for an aging parent in your home isn't always going to be warm and fuzzy, but the fact is that living together can be fulfilling for you, your parents, and especially for your children. When your parent shares a home with younger generations it might even boost his or her thinking power. Experts say that when a senior tells a detailed story-such as reliving the time they walked four miles through the snow to get to school-it can strengthen pathways in the brain, which could help keep dementia and other cognitive problems at bay.

4. Outside help - Even if you plan to share your home with an aging family member, your elder care solutions may include hiring outside help. For example, you might hire a reputable care provider, sometimes called respite care, to sit with Grandpa for a few hours while the family enjoys a hike. In-home caregivers are much easier to monitor than a caregiver at a nursing facility, and allow you freedom from 24/7 care. In-home caregivers also provide the peace of mind that comes from being able to monitor how others care for your loved one.

5. Financial - With the average stay at a nursing facility costing more than $70,000 each year, caring for an aging parent in your home will make your family bank account happier-especially in an economy marked by high unemployment and lack of job security. The money you save now can be used to ensure that funds are available if your family member ever needs full-time skilled medical care.

Caring for an aging parent is tough when your loved one is in nursing care or living independently. However, elder care solutions that include sharing your home with mom or dad can offer a peace of mind that makes you and your loved one happier.

Where Clutter Goes, Financial Troubles Follow

The relationship between clutter and financial troubles boils down to simple respect. Respect your stuff which includes your money and it will respect you back. It is not much different from relationships with other people. When mutual respect exists, then relationships work much better and are much more rewarding. People can be quick to discard friends and acquaintances that are not working for them. When they fail to trash the things that are not working in their life, we call it clutter.

Learning to appreciate what we have and take care of it requires effort but it can also bring on a whole new attitude. The need to have more and more will turn into wanting less and less. That old and familiar sense of chaos starts fading like a bad dream. Once you know what you have and where to actually find it, the strain on the bank account lightens up as well.

To deny that we all want nice and new things would go against the laws of nature. It is in our DNA. The secret is to keep the balance and make smarter choices. Things have a way of giving us a certain level of comfort and a temporary high especially when stress is running at full throttle. Think twice and consider the consequences when it comes to space and affordability

Houses are not the only things that get cluttered. Our minds get pretty cluttered too when we are trying to juggle too many things at once. Financial responsibility can be tough enough for the best of us but downright monumentally challenging for the chronically distracted.

Money tends to get thrown at any given situation to fix it. Bills get forgotten and late charges accrue. No thought is given to what is unnecessarily spent on the little things that crop up on a daily basis. The value of money somehow gets lost in the shuffle.

There is a path to get onto firmer ground. It starts with cleaning out the clutter in the house. The realization that simple is better begins to make sense. The things that have real meaning and actually add to your well-being will emerge from the ashes. The mind starts to clear and things stop having the importance that they once had. Wasteful spending is yesterday's news. When respect for your hard-earned money becomes a priority, your money will have a way of sticking around a bit longer. In the final analysis, it will be nothing short of a win-win situation for all.

Your Nursing Home Guide

There are many care services available to help the elderly and their families manage situations that are related to age, or geriatric care options. Some of the options we will discuss in this nursing home guide are assisted living, nursing homes, and adult day cares.

The first part of this nursing home guide will be nursing homes. They provide you with facilities with skilled nurses for seniors who require constant care. They will have a trained nurse available twenty four hours per day to help your loved one. Nursing homes are often a separate facility, but often they are inside a hospital.

Assisted living facilities are another type of senior care housing. They can provide housing, personal care services, and health care to seniors who need some assistance. Compared to a traditional nursing home, an assisted living facility is usually more independent. Although they often provide many of the nursing services that nursing homes offer, they do not provide all of them.

An adult day care center is a facility that provides companionship and care for seniors who need assistance during the day. They are staffed with senior caregivers and it helps to encourage socialization among senior citizens. Some adult day care centers are in separate facilities, but they may also be found in a senior center, church, hospital, school, or nursing facility. The costs for this type of service can vary depending on what is offered.

In this nursing home guide, I hope that you have learned about the different types of senior care centers available. Before choosing what home to place your elderly loved one in, I would highly recommend the book, Nursing Home Secrets Revealed, which can help you make the decision to put your family member in a nursing home, and provides help on choosing the right home.

Hi-Tech Elderly Home Care Helps Make Nursing Homes a Thing of the Past

It's something my sister and I have heard ever since we were young, and somehow, my father and my mother completely agreed on this too - when they were too old to live independently (and I don't really think they expected the day would actually come), we were not to send them to a nursing home. Instead, we were to think of some kind of a pain-free euthanasia method to dispatch them. Yes, that's gruesome, but the way they said it, it seemed like it was the nursing home that was gruesome, and what they were suggesting was in fact a humane alternative. But now that they are both closing on 90 and their health is failing from a number of diseases that we all get as we live out our geriatric years, I've had to investigate the options to nursing home care. I didn't have a choice - If I did convince them to go to one, they would probably run away or something. The thing is, technology now has made elderly home care completely possible by remote control. There are ways to go off to work and still be sure that your parents haven't slipped and fallen, that they have had their exercise, that they've remembered to eat. Of course, it's the Internet and several high-tech devices that make this possible.

Perhaps the devices and the abilities listed below seem like just some more high-tech wizardry on the market - more stuff on the crowded shelves at the stores; you have to understand that nothing could be farther from the truth. Assisted-living, nursing homes and old-age homes have been ways to put our elderly relatives out to pasture for about a century now. This no longer has to be done. With these elderly home care devices, your parents can live with you; your children and their grandparents can get to know each other, and life will be much kinder to all concerned without wrecking anyone's worklife. If this isn't a revolution, what is?

Phillips Lifeline is a unit of the electronics giant that services the elderly home care market. The Lifeline is a Panic Button pendant that can be worn by a person; when an emergency occurs, they can press the button on the pendant, and right away, Philips will send emergency doctors home and call the designated person. Even better, they have an AutoAlert system that can detect falls on its own and call the doctor is in. The service costs $50 a month.

What do you do in a case where you fear that grandma is perhaps too ill to contact you? What if an elderly person suffers a stroke and can't press a button? The alternative is a system that costs about $1000 a month. An elderly home care company called GrandCare installs custom sensors everywhere your parents are likely to go in the home. They will put a sensor in the shower so that they'll know if mom has fallen down; there will be one next to the toilet to make sure she isn't having trouble getting up. There'll be one on her bed to make sure she gets up at the right time, and there will be one on every door to the house to alert you when she goes out.

How about the pill taking regimen that every elderly person needs to have help with? There are typically a dozen kinds of medicine; how can they ever remember all of that without personal help from you? That's where the Philips Medication Dispensing Service comes in. You can stock it up with 60 doses of pills, and the machine will speak out when it's time to take them. If the pills aren't taken after a reminder, the device will get on the phone and alert you. The service costs $75 a month. Or consider the ActiveCare Personal Assistance Link; it's a basic cell phone that also has GPS and a fall detector. If an elderly person has fallen, the device will right away call for help, with GP{S coordinates.

In the future, elderly home care promises to get even better. They will put sensors on a walking stick or on the shoes to help remind a person that there is not enough exercise they've had.

Senior Citizen Assisted Living Can Help Baby Boomers Keep Their Independence

Reaching your golden years is a great accomplishment. It is in fact one of the best things about living in the times that we do. There are so many opportunities and activities available now that did not exist previously, that it is almost impossible to take advantage of them all.

Senior citizen assisted living is one of those ideas that has come of age in a time when there are more people than ever who are retiring. The baby boomer group is the largest demographic group on the planet and many of them are reaching retirement age right now.

This has created a need for all manners of senior retirement arrangements that range all the way from complete and total care, kind of like the nursing homes used to be, through senior assisted living facilities which help seniors maintain all the independence they can for as long as is possible, to active adult retirement communities where often the primary focus is one golf or some other sport.

This range of choices is absolutely unprecedented in our society. Not only that, but with the touch of a few buttons on the computer keyboard, the internet springs to life and brings you tons of information about all these various living arrangements so you can decide exactly what kind of facility you need.

Assisted living facilities do a great job of tailoring specific service plans for their residents. This means that each person gets the care they need on an individual planned out basis. The goal is to not change the senior person's lifetime of habits or lifestyle but still make it possible for them to receive the care they need to live a great and fulfilling life.

There are many of these facilities in many locations and each of them is a little different in what they have to offer their residents. The types and levels of services offered can be quite different one state to another, and because the industry is overseen more by the individual states rather than the federal government, it is important to make sure that the kind of care you need is available in an assisted living facility in the state that you are thinking of living in.

It is not that any of the care is worse in some states than in others, it's just that the laws and regulations are a bit different. But as fare as getting the help you might need when you are living in a senior citizen assisted living community, all of them deliver exactly what you need. And not more than you need.

The goal is always is keep the most amount of independence possible and in the retirement community world, the assisted living facilities do the best job overall of juggling between providing care and maintaining independence.

Nursing Home Residents Welcome Bird Feeders

Everyone likes to watch birds at a feeder. Who can resist the sight of a black and white chickadee extracting the kernel from a sunflower seed? Or the delicate beauty of a bright yellow goldfinch perching at the feeder? But there is one group of bird watchers who particularly enjoy watching life at the feeder.

Nursing home residents around the country get tremendous pleasure from watching birds. In West Virginia, residents benefit from the dozens of feeders built by the state's Nursing Home Bird Feeder Project. Voluntary contributions by Kansas state income tax payers support wildlife projects through the state's Chickadee Checkoff Program. The nursing home program has given hundreds of bird feeders to nursing homes in Kansas.

An Ohio grade school builds feeders for nursing homes and donates them as holiday gifts. Local hardware stores donate the supplies, making this a real community project. A chain of stores that sells wild bird products offers bird feeder recycling: anyone who brings in an old feeder gets a discount on a new feeder. Store staff clean up the recycled feeders and give them to nursing homes, along with a five-pound bag of food.

In fact the feeders are so popular at some homes, residents organized bird watching clubs to learn more about the birds and share their enthusiasm with others. They invite local bird watchers to give talks about birds and show slides of the bird watching trips. In turn, local bird watching clubs invited residents to join their bird watching trips. An increasing number of accessible trails and viewing platforms make bird watching possible even for people in wheelchairs. And for those people whose mobility limitations restrict them to the car, who says you can't watch birds from the car?

Several nursing homes have extended the bird-friendly facilities to include bird hoses and birdbaths. At one nursing home, residents decorate houses for bluebirds and purple martins.

Hummingbird feeders are perhaps the most popular type of feeder. Slender translucent red tubes contain sugar water, which the tiny birds sip. Suction cups attach tube feeders to windows, so people can enjoy the quick movements of the colorful hummingbirds even from their beds.

Nursing home managers recognize the definite advantages of attracting birds to their residences. Bird feeders bring the dynamic natural world into the slower world of the nursing home. The colors, movements, and sounds of birds appeal to the senses. Bird identification stimulates the mind and provides opportunity for sharing and discussion. For those who are able, filling and cleaning the feeders are useful and rewarding tasks.

Giving to and taking care of others is a precious part of life. Taking care of the birds helps residents feel part of the flow of life, a feeling that too often gets lost in places like nursing homes and hospitals. Bird feeders give pleasure to nursing home residents and residents give sustenance to the birds--a true win-win situation. The new trend of installing bird feeders at nursing homes brings new meaning to the phrase, "It's for the birds."

Tips on Personal Injury Claims

The expression "personal injury" is used to refer to a wide range of injuries sustained in various types of accidents. Such injuries include whiplash sustained by people from car accidents, broken ankles caused by slipping and falling on pavements, cases of cerebral palsy among patients arising from medical negligence, and many others. Personal injuries can be felt in different forms, both psychologically and physically.

Such injuries include injuries sustained at work and work related complications such as handling of harmful chemicals or materials; stress-induced psychological illness; traffic accident injuries and injuries resulting from use of defective goods or services or when people trip over pavement stones. Additionally, personal injuries may arise as result of child abuse and other related misconducts or as result of erroneous administration of of drugs or vaccine to patients by medical practitioners. In the same magnitude, victims of crime sustain physical or psychological injuries whereas discrimination and harassment at workplaces subjects employees to psychological injuries.

As there are diverse forms of personal injuries, personal injury claims are convoluted and may be highly time-consuming. Many people who suffer personal injuries usually require adequate time to recover, but due to inconveniences such as financial constraints and lack of awareness about the magnitude of their problems, they usually find themselves going back to work or resuming their normal duties, which only worsens the injuries. However, this is wrong practice: people have to make personal injury claims in order to facilitate an allowance for recovery time without having to worry about financial difficulties or any other obstacles.

Making personal injury claims is and important step in helping victims to recover from the injuries and may also help to avoid recurrence of similar problems in future. For instance, a claim against an injury sustained in a car accident at a black spot may necessitate erection of mirrors on the highway, which may help avert occurrence of accidents in the same spot in future. In deed, many people involved in personal injury claims do so to avoid recurrence of the injuries to them or others.

Personal injury claims for abrupt incidents such as road accidents have to be reported immediately or within 72 hours after occurrence of the incident. This is because the sooner the case is reported, the better the chances of securing compensation. Although it is good to report personal injuries immediately they are sustained, it is recommended that victims of traumatizing incidents such as car accidents take some time to report. This is because immediately after the incident, victims are usually depressed and may not report the details of the accidents adequately.

In reporting the details of personal injuries, victims have to jot the relevant details appropriately, including specifics of how the injuries affect their daily activities. Victims of personal injuries can claim compensation twofold: against special damages or general damages. Compensation for general damages is paid in regard to injury such as pain or other form of suffering and the value is usually decided by courts. On the other hand, compensation for special damages is usually based on the financial losses suffered by victims of injury from the time of injury to the day when the case is heard in court.

CNA Certification In Washington State

Currently, there is a great need for Certified Nursing Assistants in the state of Washington. This demand for skilled people might be a career opportunity to investigate. The first thing to do is learn what the requirements are to achieve CNA certification in Washington State.

The necessity for competent personnel is very high in long term care, in home health care services, and in nursing homes. These places present terrific beginning level jobs for the new CNA to begin a career. The desperate need for trained professionals in this field indicates continued job opportunities.

The trained nursing assistant receives a salary of roughly $26,000 per annum with a benefits package. The rate of pay for CNAs in Washington is a bit higher than that of the nationwide average of CNAs pay.

The training of CNAs is coordinated by Washingtons Department of Health and Social Services. People who are looking to become certified as nurse assistants have to obtain at the least, eighty five hours combined of classroom experience and practical education. Even if the curriculums differ among institutions, they are required to adhere to the requirements of the state in regard to certification.

Incorporated in the eighty five hours of schooling is hands on experience, and classroom work. The class study entails learning on the subjects of anatomy, biology, emergency care, interpersonal skills, patients rights, infection control, and healing or curative care.

To complete the hands on part of the training, students are required to work with a nurse instructor. The education locations are in long term care and nursing homes facilities. The hands on skill the student obtains throughout this section of the instruction presents the opportunity for the students to use their skills working in a real life setting.

The state requires that any person employed as a nursing assistant within twelve months of finishing their education, or before they receive formal training, or during the course of their training, shall be reimbursed a specific dollar amount for their education and certification test expense.

It is crucial to confirm the current fee for the test. The student may check with the school they are attending to obtain this information. Upon passing the exam for CNA Certification in Washington State, the individual's name will be listed with the Washington Licensed Nursing Assistant Registry. Regulations mandate that to renew the certificate, the CNA must give documentation proving that he or she was employed in the field for a minimum eight hours within the twelve months leading up to the renewal day. The renewal date falls on the yearly birth day of the individual.

The Medical Clinic - What To Expect From It

Most clinics nowadays have their own specialization; meaning, they can be classified according to the specialty of the doctor practicing his profession in it. For instance, clinics ran by clinical psychologist are called psychology clinics; clinics ran by physiotherapists are physiotherapy clinics; clinics that focus on treatments of women who want to get pregnant are called fertility clinics; clinics that provide skin care treatments are dermatological clinics; and so on and so forth. They are called specialty clinics. More often than not, however, when we speak of a medical clinic, most likely we are referring to a general practice that is run by one or several practitioners of general medicine. But what could the general public expect from a medical clinic if, unlike the specialty clinics, its area of specialization is not specified?

It is natural for people who find that they may be suffering a health condition to seek consultation. They would then proceed to a clinic to have some examinations conducted and, if necessary, treatments done. The conditions treated in a clinic range from acute minor illnesses such as back pain, headaches, allergies, sprains or broken bones, respiratory infections and minor lacerations, to chronic conditions which include asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Even immunotherapy, or providing allergy injections, is performed in a medical clinic.

But medical clinics are not all about treating health problems. It also offers preventive care to patients. As more and more people become health conscious, they are often found making their way to a clinic to have their cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels screened. You can also go to these clinics if you are in need of immunization services. Flu shots, tetanus shots, HPV vaccines, and others, can now be made more accessible to patients via these clinics. Did you know that travel vaccines are also available to those who are frequently flying or traveling from one place to another?

Physicals and general check-ups need not be done in large hospitals. But a medical clinic is also fully equipped to accommodate these regular checks. Prior to a major surgery, the patient to be operated on would have to be subjected to some preoperative physical checks. These checks can be done at a medical clinic.

We mentioned specialty clinics earlier; their existence does not preclude the offering of their services in a general medical clinic. In fact, you will find many medical clinics these days that also offer services on men's and women's health. The presence of gynecology clinics does not mean gynecology exams are no longer performed in medical clinics. The same is true for fertility conditions and also issues on sexually transmitted diseases. While it is true that eating disorders often fall under a psychologist's care, people who suffer from them can also approach the practitioners in a medical clinic.

Have you ever wondered about the human resources powering a medical clinic? You will be welcomed by nursing and assistants and be taken care of by nurses and physician assistants. Of course, the ones who would mainly look into your condition and lead the treatment would be the doctors themselves. You can count on these medical professionals to provide topnotch service since they are representing the clinic they work in, just as the professionals in larger facilities or hospitals are also serious in doing their jobs.

Top Reasons To Buy A Health Care Franchise Business

For a number of reasons there has probably never been a better time to buy and start a health care related franchise business. In this article you will find some of the top and most compelling reasons to consider starting your own health care franchise today. This includes info about some of the emerging social, demographic, and economic trends in the marketplace that bode extremely well for the healthcare industry in general. As well as some of the advantages that franchising can offer to individuals who want to maximize their chances of owning a successful business.

Favorable Market Trends:

With the inevitable aging of the huge baby boomer generation it is estimated by the US Census that by the year 2030 over 70 million Americans will be over the age of 65. This population trend will produce enormous business opportunities in the senior health care services industry for savvy entrepreneurs who position themselves to serve this fast growing age demographic. In particular non-medical and in home care services are expected to be one of the hottest growth segments in health care industry as more seniors choose to decline residing in assisted living facilities for a number of reasons including economic.

Fastest Growing Industry:

By all estimates the Health care industry overall is still the fastest growing industry in the US and demand for services will continue to expand for the foreseeable future. In particular the home care services industry is expected to grow significantly in the next decade. This bodes well for small and locally owned businesses (including franchise businesses) that are positioned to provide non-medical and in home care service to seniors and the elderly.

Recession Resistant Industry:

For many reasons, including the fact that health care spending is generally considered a necessary expense and not discretionary, the health care industry is widely regarded as extremely recession resistant, if not recession proof. Thus owning a recession proof business or franchise can obviously provide a small business owner with a level of security and predictability about the future that is very enviable in this day and age.

Turnkey & Proven Business:

One of the hallmarks and biggest advantages of buying a franchise business is that it allows you to go into business for yourself, but not by yourself - which should ultimately increase your chances of success. Today most established health care franchises can offer a turnkey and proven business model with a track record of success that you can verify in the due diligence process before you sign a franchise agreement. This includes the opportunity to talk with other franchisees in the system to help validate the viability and profitability of the franchiser's particular business model.

Low Start-Up Costs:

In general many home health care and assisted living services franchises being offered today are relatively very affordable and have low start up costs. This is particularly true when you compare the costs of opening a more traditional retail brick & mortar type franchise like a fast food restaurant. Some health care services franchises even have the option to be operated form a home-based office which can also help lower your initial start-up costs as well as significantly help reduce your monthly overhead expenses.

Elder Abuse Prevention in a Nursing Home With a Spy Camera

As the general population ages, more of our elders spend their final days in a nursing home. If you think they are free of abuse there-forget it! It has been reported that one of six nursing homes or assisted care facilities report some type of elder abuse. That is a scary stat.

The abuse can come in many shapes and forms-verbal, psychological, physical of course and mental abuse are all reported. For patients with Alzheimer disease abuse seems to be higher with theft being much more common.

If you have loved ones in such a facility how do you go about catching it? One of the best ways is with a hidden spy camera or common spy camera foe elder abuse prevention.

There is a new generation of spy camera with a DVR built in. These new high-tech hidden spy cameras are basically simple board cameras hidden inside everyday household or office objects. The more common the better. Most are working products that can further carry out the deception. Some examples include clock radios, tower fans, air purifiers, exit signs and more.

The DVR has an 8 GB SD card that can record up to 144 hours of activity. Motion activation is a feature along with area masking and a date time stamp. The motion activation feature could allow up to a weeks' recording depending on the activity level.

These new DVR hidden spy cameras make covert recording of potential problems very easy and by comparison very cheap. Be proactive and stop elder abuse with your folks now.

When are you getting one?

The Most Important Characteristics Of Modern Day Nursing Homes

We all know the institution. It is called a nursing home but it also has other names also. Sometime, different people or sources may refer to it as a skilled nursing facility or SNF. Also, you might also have heard about the term skilled nursing unit, or SNU. However, all of the above 3 terms actually mean the same thing.

But what are the nursing homes and what is their main function? A nursing home's most important role is as a rest home, a place where its residents can rest, be taken care of and lead a normal and peaceful life. Usually, the residents of nursing homes are the ones that require constant attention and care. For this reason, most of the people present in the nursing homes are either people with disabilities or certain deficiencies, and they can be both young and elderly. However, an age limit does apply, because only adults 18 years old or above can reside in nursing homes.

The nursing homes - especially the most modern of them - are designed with stairways, bathrooms, elevators, dining rooms, hairdressers, nursing facilities, and so on. There are different shapes and sizes of everything in order to accommodate all inhabitants. The most important purpose is looking after the inhabitants 24 hours / day.

Nowadays, there are many modern residences that are very welcoming, warm and provide with the best treatment from highly qualified staff. And the truth is that most nursing homes today are equipped with adequate facilities for the convenience of the residents. Same applies for the staff, and workers must be qualified and possess human qualities which enable them to treat the people present in these institutions.

Now speaking a little bit more about the features of modern nursing homes, you should know that the average institution has large single and double rooms, having an average surface of about 15 square meters, all very bright and furnished. The residents have big lockers for their objects, and all the rooms are usually fully equipped with geriatric showers.

There are also halls so that the residents can be comfortable according to the activity performed as they want to read, watch TV, receive visitors or be talking with other people.

General services include: permanent medical assistance, service nursing and health care, gymnastics and rehabilitation, occupational therapy, service barber, podiatry service, religious services, laundry and meals.

Facilities usually include: elevators, fully equipped bathrooms, television, kitchens, etc. The modern trend is to make these institutions resemble a real residence, and the patients have the choice of waking up when they desire to do so. They can also have pets, and many other facilities. In the end, the high quality nursing homes offer a better life for people who live in them.

Generally, There is No Happiness Inside Nursing Homes

Have you been searching for happiness? Is happiness within your reach? Do you miss the life that you used to have before you entered the nursing home or the physical rehabilitation center? Just what happened and when?

For the most part, from what I have observed and from what I have heard from so many nursing home residents, there are no happy people inside of these places. Yes, there are bits of minute-happiness, a kind of joy that is temporary that exists while residents are experiencing music programs or some other creative events that some nursing homes schedule. But usually, right after the event is over, a large number of the permanent residents go back to their general unhappiness. They wish that some visitors would come there all the time. They wish that they would have more freedom, or even some freedom. And they wish, most of all not to be permanent residents of these group living places, these nursing homes and these rehab facilities.

So, you say that you have seen happy residents? Perhaps you have seen the ones that must put on a happy face or be penalyzed. Perhaps you have seen the happy faces of those who know that they are going home soon or even immediately. Or even so, perhaps you are seeing the happy faces of those who know that their family members and friends are on the way over to visit them. But most likely you have not seen any happy residents who are happy because they are destined to live there forever, in those shared rooms, in those places where there is only community dining and in other places where you have to eat what is put in front of you.

Yes, no choices in meals. I noticed at one rehab center, they would give out the menus to make it appear as if the residents had choices in meals, but in reality, the residents did not have choices in their meals. Everything that could make someone experience a little joy, was merely an illusion.

Is there any happiness in any nursing homes in America or overseas? Are there any people who are sincerely, genuinely happy to be there? Probably not. But you ask yourself those questions but better yet, ask some residents who have the good fortune to be discharged from those rehab centers and nursing homes.

These are vital questions to ask yourself if you are sitting in a wheelchair for many , many hours a day --but do not need to. This article is addressed to those who are physically able to walk , with aid or without aid, with walkers or crutches or with help, but are forced to be in a wheelchair for most of your life.

What happens when you come from a hospital, after an operation or after a bout with serious illness or life-threatening illness and then you are transferred to a physical rehabilitation center or to a nursing home for short-term care? What happens and what is supposed to happen might be two totally different things.

One person that we know of (and there are probably hundreds or thousands who have the very same story) was admitted to a physical rehabilitation center or nursing home for short-term care. When he arrived, he was sent or admitted to the short-term care floor of the physical rehabilitation center (a nursing home) so that he could learn to walk after his below-the-knee amputation.

Once on that floor, after a very short while, this patient was transferred -without the request of himself or his family- to the "long-term" floor of the same physical rehabilitation center/nursing home. Due to red tape and due to the double-talk at the place from staff and workers, the family and patient waited for weeks to find out why the transfer.

Meanwhile as soon as he was transferred to the slower-moving floor (the long-term care) floor of this place, the staff permitted the patient to linger in bed all day and night -until he developed bedsores and until his muscles couldn't hold up any longer due to the long bed rest -that was unnecessary.

Remember this is just ONE story , of what might happen inside a physical rehabilitation center or nursing home when you arrive there for short-term care -expecting to come back to your own home in a short while.

So, here this patient and this family lost out, in great ways. The patient had major losses as bedsores developed and the facility never even noticed that bedsores were developing because the patient was in bed so long at the beginning.

Now, if that is one story, that is now out here in the public, where are the other stories.

Where is the happiness? Where is the joy in life? What happens to a person's joy and happiness and what happens to a family's joy and happiness when patients who are short-term are turned, unwillingly into long-term or life-time care residents inside of rehabilitation centers and nursing homes?

Where is the happiness?

How does one gain the happiness back?

Edited and updated in June 2008.

Adult Assisted Living Is The Right Choice For Some Baby Boomers

When its time to find a place to live in after retirement, some baby boomers need different choices of places to live than others. That sounds like kind of a silly thing to say, but it wasn't very long ago that there were not any choices of where to live after retiring. All you got was nursing home. Period.

Nowadays, seniors who are very independent can choose to live in active retirement communities and those who need a just a little bit of help during the day can live in special adult assisted living facilities for seniors.

Nursing homes pretty much treat everyone who lives there as if they needed around the clock nursing care. Some of them do and some of them don't. But if you live in a nursing home, you are going to get that kind of care.

Active senior retirement villages are really just community developments where all the properties are owned by baby boomers; usually you need to be over 55 to get a residence there. But adult assisted living facilities for seniors are right in the middle.

Some people just need a little bit of extra help to get through their day. Lots of times these are people who are older seniors, 75 or 80 or so. But in many instances, because there simply are so many baby boomers, many of the younger senior folks are turning to assisted living places as well.

Living in one of those places is dependent on how much help the senior would need in the course of a day. Sometimes, all somebody needs is a bit of help fixing meals; and if that's the case, then an assisted living facility could be just the ticket. The residents live in their own individual condos or apartments, and the staff is assigned to help them with whatever care they need.

The idea is to help the seniors keep as much independence as is possible and still have a great day every day. A lot of people, especially the baby boomers, grew up as very independent people. They knew what they wanted and had no qualms about going out to get it. So they do not want to be completely dependent on a nursing staff for their daily activities.

And the idea that maintaining the maximum amount of independence is important is why adult assisted living facilities for baby boomers are the perfect kind of arrangement. Not too much help, but just enough to make the days go perfectly.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice

When we visit a doctor or health care provider for treatment of a medical ailment, we expect for them to at least deliver safe, if not effective, treatment to us. The last thing we anticipate is to receive care that jeopardizes our safety - at least, not without our prior knowledge of the risks involved. Because medicine is such a delicate field of work, medical providers must go through ample training and gaining experience before they are allowed to treat patients. They are expected to deliver a very high level of care to their subjects.

When physicians make errors while treating another person, the consequences can be devastating. They need to act right away to remedy the dangerous situations they have created. Failure to do so indicates complete disregard for their patients' safety, and they may be charged with the crime of medical malpractice.

If you believe that you have suffered injury due to negligence on the part of a physician or other health care provider, then you may have been a victim of medical malpractice. As such, you have the right to recover damages for the extra medical bills you accrued and the unnecessary pain and suffering you endured. If you are unsure about how to successfully do this, then an experienced and qualified medical malpractice attorney can provide you with legal help and guidance.

What qualifies as medical malpractice?

Because medicine is such a complex field, there are many different types of medical malpractice that health care providers can perform. The following healthcare-related mistakes result in approximately 195,000 deaths every year:

• Wrong Diagnosis


• Delayed Diagnosis


• Improper Treatment


• Surgical Errors


• Emergency Room Errors


• Pharmaceutical Errors


• Birth Injuries


• Hospital Negligence


• Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect


• Lack of Informed Consent


• Wrongful Death

Malpractice, unfortunately, affects both patients and their families. It can cause a great amount of physical pain, emotional stress, and financial strain. Families that must cover high medical bills, especially when their main wage-earner is the one in the hospital, are placed in very difficult situations. Fortunately, however, these victims do have the right to recover compensation for their losses.

Contact Us

If you or someone you love has been a malpractice victim, then you may be able to recover compensation from the responsible party. The New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of Levinson Axelrod have the experience necessary to help you make an effective claim for compensation. To learn more, visit http://www.medicalmalpracticenj.com/ today.