Intracranial Hematomas

Even when the skull itself is not damaged, the brain can suffer serious injuries which can be permanent. In fact, head trauma is the leading cause of disability and death in adults. One type of head injury is an intracranial hematoma, which can affect different areas of the brain with varying severity.

Intracranial hematomas (ICH) occur when a blood vessel ruptures in or around the brain. This can cause a buildup of blood and swelling in the brain, and the pressure caused by this can make for permanent brain damage. You can suffer from an ICH from the same things as basic head injuries, which include:

Auto and bicycle accidents

Slip-and-falls

Car-pedestrian accidents

Construction site accidents

Blunt force trauma

Physical abuse

Severe shaking

ICH are categorized by location, which determine the severity of the injury. The main types of ICH include epidural, subdural, intracerebral, and diffuse axonal injuries (DAI). Epidural hematomas occur when the bruising is beneath the skull, but still above the dura, or the tough lining of the brain. The problem with epidural hematomas is that they can keep growing, which places pressure on the brain. This pressure can eventually cause a person to lose consciousness. Epidural hematomas are also associated with skull fractures.

Subdural hematomas occur slightly deeper than epidurals. The dura, mentioned above, is actually composed of three layers. When a contusion, or bruise, happens within these three layers but still above the brain, it is called a subdural hematoma. Like an epidural, pressure placed on the brain from prolonged bleeding can cause a person to lose consciousness.

There are three types of subdural hematomas: chronic, subacute, and acute. Chronic contusions bleed very slowly, which means that you may not even notice the injury at first. Subacute injuries can also take several days or weeks to notice, but the bleeding is still more severe than chronic hematomas. Lastly, acute bruising occurs pretty much immediately. The bleeding is so severe that signs are almost instantly obvious. The level of bleeding makes these the most life-threatening subdural hematomas.

Intracerebral ICH, or intraparenchymal, are when the bruising happens to the brain itself. Not only does the brain suffer damage at the site of the injury, but the momentum of the brain can make it slide slightly in the skull and strike the opposite site. This results in axonal tearing, which destroys nerves' ability to communicate.

Lastly, diffuse axonal injury, or DAI, occurs when multiple areas of the brain are bruised. This is closely related to intracerebral hematomas, and they are often caused by strong shaking.

If you have suffered from an intracranial hematoma or other such brain injury due to someone else's negligence, you may be able to hold that party liable for their actions. For more information, check out the personal injury attorneys from Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., today.

The Importance of Home

Where families gather, children are raised and we always seem to find solitude and comfort. I our retirement years, it is the place that we hope we can remain, in that comfort. Everyday families are faced with the responsibility and worry about the emotional and physical well being of a parent or loved one being able to reside safely in the comfort of their home. They face the overwhelming responsibility of care provider. With factors of failing health, disability, safety or mobility issues too many adults are being prematurely placed into nursing or assisted living facilities. Transition in an individuals lifestyle can cause depression and loneliness. The most important factor in a better quality of life for an aging adult is to be able to retain their independence. Just the feeling of being still in control of their own life and decisions can improve the over-all well-being of an individual. Providing assistance to a loved one early on can help eliminate or delay the sometimes premature placement into a facility. Moving out of your home can cause stress, anxiety, depression and disrupt their whole life. Sometimes placement is necessary for families, but sometimes it is premature.

Family caregivers face enormous stress in their lives. Taking care of yourself and your own family is difficult enough and then adding the extra responsibility of another person solely depending on you can become overwhelming in any persons life. Home care allows family caregivers to get back to a more normal way of life and ease their stress, worry, guilt and lessen the responsibility that is placed on your shoulders. It seems like when a loved one or a parent becomes ill or disabled, the children's lives stop. Finding time for yourself becomes a distant memory. When the burden of care becomes an enormous main factor in your life considering in-home care assistance. This can have a profound effect on a family and loved ones life in many positive ways. When children care for their parents, that is the most wonderful sacrifice there can be. But aging adults want to retain their dignity and survive independently of their children in their own homes. This has a great effect on their health and well-being. When mom calls ten times a day, it's because she may feel isolated or just lonely. Sometimes providing a companion is all an aging adult needs. As a persons lifestyle changes, so do their needs. Addressing the needs at hand and providing assistance early can alleviate so many factors in families lives to be able to maintain a better quality of life. Not just for mom or dad, but more important for the children. This gives our parents a new sense of independence, and freedom in your own life. Providing home care assistance allows you to live your life again and not worry about the safety and well-being of your parents.

Work Overseas As A Certified CNA Nursing Assistant

It can be clearly seen that with the ever growing older population and the demands placed on hospitals to provide clinical care for patients that assistant nursing employees are enjoying ongoing employment opportunities. Nursing homes and hospitals world wide often have continuous recruitment campaigns to attract nursing assistant staff for permanent positions. Basically the role of a nursing assistant is now seen as a major position in the health care and as such, created a large demand in employment vacancies.

With the demands placed on these institutions means the assistant nursing staff are needed to perform front line individual care for clients stopping over in the hospital or nursing homes. This care ranges from feeding, making beds, recording basic health observations, helping in taking a shower and dressing also a multitude of other tasks. The function of the assistant nurse allows the clinical staff such as registered nurses to be free from the day to day chores and focus on providing clinical care to the patients.

Hospitals and nursing institutions are faced with the standpoint that nursing assistants are becoming part of an aging workforce. This presents challenges in itself as with an aging workforce comes age associated illnesses, loss of physical condition, commitments to family and more essentially the lack of interest to work as most are financially secure from retiring partners. Once there was a large casual pool where NUM's could telephone around looking for staff to employment on short notice. Those days have now dried up as the casual pool has extremely diminished.

This leaves you in the precise situation where you can commence your CNA training to become a certified nursing assistant. You will be beyond doubt that once you have finished your training that finding a job will not be that complicated. In fact, you will find that offers of employment will come with payment of an above award rate, enhanced allowances, rosters that fill your lifestyle and working conditions to make certain you are well rewarded for taking up a position. Do not be shocked of being offered full time permanent employment.

If you are considering returning to the workforce after raising your family, or you are long termed between jobs or simply wish for a career change, then entering the health care field as a nursing assistant should be your paramount priority. If you have just completed your education and looking for a career path, remember, nursing institutions and hospitals are demanding younger workers who are fit and healthy. Not only this but males are supported to complete their training as a male presence in a nursing home or hospital provides balance and they can present help to other staff.

As can be seen here in this article if there is a demand in your local area then rest assured there will be just the same demand world wide. This means employment opportunities overseas or interstate. Imagine taking a working holiday around the world where you get the good fortune to employment in major hospitals. Often such positions come with accommodation so that means you do not have to acquire a place to stay, often having lodgings supplied for free and very close to your workplace.

There are immeasurable opportunities provided in the health care field and that of a Certified Nursing Assistant is possibly the only one that has ongoing constant demands for staff to fill positions in hospitals and nursing facilities.

Aging Gracefully - They Say the Anger Response Is Natural

In a discussion over aging parents and relatives, my friend indicated that angry responses from aging adults are natural. I thought about it for a bit and wondered why. It seems the anger issues arise from their frustration of having to allow others to make some choices for them. But why?

As children we are expected to make no choices, in fact, we get very few. As adults, most of the time, we'd give our left testicle to be able to let others make our choices for us on those days when choices become too much. So, what is so difficult when we are overwhelmed with choices, with allowing others to make some of those choices for us? Why would we be so angry?

When my mother needed medical care she couldn't deal with on her own, she called me. I answered that call, by contacting the medical people she requested and making those appointments for her. The more I accepted those responsibilities for her, the angrier she got.

At one point, I'd over heard her talking to my sister - at least I thought that's who she'd been talking to. I wondered if my sister was doing okay, or if they'd talked about her next procedure, thinking it would be nice to know what they'd discussed. So, I asked. She became extremely angry and started listing off every phone call she'd made for the past several hours. I hadn't asked for an accounting of her calls, but simply about one call. Her anger became the center of the conversation and rather than continue the discussion, I just stopped talking. Eventually, she stopped focusing on the anger and ended her rampage to continue reading a book she'd brought from home. After several minutes, she raged at me, "I guess I'll just have to stop calling anyone if you're screening my calls now too."

My sigh of frustration must have caught her off guard because she got up and left the room.

My frustration is due to memories of her older sister responding in the same way to any questions we asked of her. I have no intention or desire to screen her calls. She has full access to the phone and any calls she chooses to make are fully available to her. That hadn't been my point or my idea, but rather hers. ?

In each decision, I've encouraged her to choose the day and time, and most of the procedural choices when she understood them. Even when she didn't understand the procedures, I encouraged her to ask questions or talk to me about them. The choices were still hers, but she'd shrug and say, "I don't know what to do, just make the choice for me." Then she'd add... "You will anyway."

When others asked about her attitude, I'd try to explain away her anger as a sleepless night, or even just frustration over her current health issues, but ultimately, I wondered. When I asked her Doctors and other medical staff, they assured me, angry responses from aging patients are natural. They didn't choose to grow old, it was forced upon them.

Perhaps that's the answer.

Nursing Home Negligence

Caring for an elderly family member can be an extremely difficult for the average family. Most families simply do not have the necessary time or the expertise to help an elderly individual with his or her health needs. In these cases, many families turn to nursing home facilities to care for them. Taking a loved one to a nursing facility is not a decision that is made lightly; families have to trust that their elderly relatives will be well cared for by dependable, experienced health professionals. Unfortunately, sometimes nursing home residents are neglected or even abused, which can cause serious physical and emotional harm.

Types of Negligence

Some nursing homes are not the positive, well-kept places that they appear to be at first glance. Nursing staff may not give their elderly residents the attention that they need, or worse, may intentionally abuse them. Below is a list of some of the types of negligence or abuse that may occur in a retirement home:

• 
  Physical Abuse
  


• 
  Psychological Abuse
  


• 
  Sexual Abuse
  


• 
  Theft and Fraud
  


• 
  Malnutrition
  


• 
  Bed Sores
  

While it can be difficult to catch a staff member in the act of abuse or neglect, there are warning signs that a family can watch for. Any sudden personality changes in a loved one, particularly sudden withdrawal or depression, could be hints that something is not right at the home. Likewise, if an elderly resident shows repeated signs of physical abuse such as bruising, concealed scrapes, or bed sores, he or she may be a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect.

For More Information

If you have a loved one in a retirement home and suspect the staff of abuse or neglect, consider consulting with an attorney to discuss your legal options.

Texting While Driving is Dangerous & the Negligence Results in Personal Injuries

The introduction of Apple's new iPhone 4, is only one indicator of the rapidly growing and constantly improving market for cell phones. The number of smart phones being purchased and used in California has greatly increased, allowing users to access various applications any place at any time. Inevitably, this has lead to the increase of text messaging while performing other tasks. One such example of this growing trend: texting while driving.

In fact, this became such a common habit among drivers that as of January 1, 2009 California banned the act of text messaging while driving. Even before electronic devices are considered, automobile accidents take place every day around the country, especially in the state of California, with one of the highest number of registered vehicles in one state.

Texting creates a distraction for drivers, and leaves them at risk of incapably responding to their surroundings. In fact, some statistics conclude that texting while driving can lead to a car accidents twenty-three times more likely than if a drive her had not been texting. More over, drivers who are texting while driving are at risk of slower reaction times in the face of an accident (or a potential one). According to the January 2010 report by the National Safety Council, an estimated 30% of all automobile crashes (1.6. million) are caused by drivers talking and texting on their cell phones. This figure reveals that by simply waiting for a few moments, millions of drivers and victims could avoid collision, unnecessary car repairs, and bodily injuries.

Over the past couple years with the rise in popularity of text messaging, the law firm of Ledger & Associates has seen a dramatic increase in the repeated and devastating effects of negligent driving all over the state of California. There have been too many cases dealing with wrongful deaths and negligent drivers who have injured innocent people as a result of choosing to text while they drive. Therefore, carelessness can put drivers at fault in a personal injuries case, for lack of attention and negligence. In essence, texting while driving is inherently dangerous. Now falling under the phrase "distracted driving" in many articles, this activity is not only potentially criminal, but there are also personal injury lawsuit ramifications.

If you or a loved one are the victim of a car accident caused by a driver's inattention, and especially while on the phone or driving, you deserve to be compensated for your sufferings, and you may need a lawyer to help you win your case.

In order to avoid this kind of incident from continuing, drivers must practice safe driving. Keeping your eyes on the road can avoid mild or severe injuries, even death, in many cases.

Successful Careers To Be Had In Nursing Home Facilities

Many people these days want more from their jobs than just an adequate pay check at the end of the month. Indeed, they are usually looking for a rewarding career which lets them look forward to going to work instead of dreading walking through the door. For these people, nursing home jobs may be the answer. A nursing home job allows people to interact with the older folk while catering for their needs. If they do not have older relatives, this may be a need that has gone unfulfilled until now.

Since these places are becoming more common, it will certainly give the worker a confidence that their position is long-term. With any long-term career, most people want to feel that they can progress up the ladder so that not only do they succeed in this chosen profession, they also get to earn better as they go along too.

These days, the general public is living far long than our forefathers did. Just one or two generations back adults would often pass away before they reached fifty. Now though, with better food, education and health care, people are far more likely to reach their seventies and well beyond in some cases.

It would seem then that we have a whole different approach to old age than we used to. No longer do we see old age as a time to sit with slippers in front of a fire. These days, people are far more likely to be fit and agile individuals who go on adventure holidays around the world. Unfortunately though, there are those who have illnesses or infirmities which precludes them from this kind of life.

These people often have to reside in a place where others can help them with their daily routines because they cannot do this for themselves. Medicines and health care also has to be sorted out for them and it is this growing number of people who have a new careers blossoming for those in the caring professions.

Since doctors and nurses take care of the medical aspect of their treatment, it is obvious that they need help in other departments. They may need a help in washing themselves or visiting the bathroom etc which some find a little difficult to cope with. However, those who want to help normally have that kind of demeanor which allows the older person to still keep some dignity while they are doing what is necessary to us all.

It is not only hands on care though, where careers are blossoming. There are many positions which have to be filled in these places. Everything from cooks to cleaners, caretakers to maintenance etc, all have to be done well so that the older person can relax and enjoy the last part of their lives in peace.

Indeed, if anyone has an elderly person at home, this should give a good indication of how these people need a helping hand themselves after helping us all to start our lives as successfully as we have.

Online BCA Course And Other Online Courses

At a general level, differences in the conceptual and practical meanings of computer literacy exist within and across nations, at a specific level, they are found multiple programs offered given school. Diversity expresses itself through the scope and depth of computer literacy programs, the objectives they seeks, the outcomes they produce, and the places they occupy in curricula. Computer literacy programs now found in schools are not easy to classify, in part of because they are not easy to classify, in part because they are usually defined in general terms. In addition, those describing programs often fail to distinguish clearly between concepts and their uses, and the resulting obscurities make classification difficult. Nevertheless, the categories of literacy elaborated below do help document and clarify the diverse expressions of current programs. Since 1980, many educators' interests have shifted from hardware to software. A decade or more ago, computers tended to be concentrated inside centralized data processing areas where they were used primarily for clerical, accounting, and statistical purposes.

Today, they are much more visible in living rooms, offices, classrooms, and work stations of all kinds. They handle a rapidly increasing range of tasks or functions including world processing, computer graphics, computer-assisted or computer managed instruction, statistical analysis, financial data, inventory control, video games and much more.

As software became a more important concern of parents and teachers. Many of the small companies of the 1970 have now become sizeable corporations. Today's many universities provide computer courses like:

BCA course: - It's a three years undergraduate degree course after 10+2, we can say it's a preliminary course as well as professional course in the field of computer. Many institutes provide online BCA course also in which you can learn computer fundamental as well as and many more like computer graphics, data structure, Multimedia and many programming language.

MCA course: - MCA is the one of most popular computer course in the field of computer. Today many universities also provides online MCA course for working individuals.

Other that these computer courses online MBA course in India also very popular. It's also a two years post graduate degree program in the field of management courses.

Security Camera Surveillance - Protects Elderly Kin

Turning to security camera surveillance as a way to protect elderly relatives probably never crossed the minds of most families 10 years ago. Today, the practice is almost routine.

Every 10 seconds another baby boomer reaches retirement age. That growing elderly population, along with an entirely new set of threats facing elderly family members, has made increased attention to personal safety a necessity for sons, daughters and caregivers of elderly family members.

For post-retirement parents and family members with the extra challenges of chronic illness, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, the threats are even more prevalent, whether care is given at home or in a nursing home. For them, security camera surveillance can add an extra layer of safety and security.

When the Unthinkable Happens
A recent news article told the story of three men who knocked on the door of an elderly woman's condo and talked the dementia sufferer into going with them to several local retail stores.

Unaware of what was happening, the woman obliged, and by the end of the day the men had persuaded her to apply for credit accounts in each of the stores. Then the men went on a shopping spree that ended up costing the woman more than $10,000.

When the bills started arriving, worried family members were only able to piece together the details of what happened by using security camera surveillance video from the stores where the accounts had been opened.

The story both highlighted the vulnerability of many senior citizens, as well as the value of having the safety net of security surveillance videos.

Elderly Facing Multiple Risks
The potential for health emergencies, elder abuse, stolen prescriptions, identity theft and general mistreatment or under attention has given rise to a new generation of family members turning to security camera surveillance as a solution for ensuring the health and security of their loved ones.

The National Research Council Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse estimates that between 2% and 10% of seniors in nursing homes have been victims of abuse or theft.

Being able to keep an eye on loved ones via camera feeds has given concerned family members both peace of mind and the ability to maintain work schedules while still providing the needed attention.

In-Home or Care Center Situations
An at-home security camera surveillance system installation can provide peace of mind when family members want to feel security in their part-time, in-home caregiver's service. An in-home system can also alert family members with remote monitoring capabilities to health emergencies with ample time to respond.

These in-home systems also allow family members more information in the event of an ill or infirm relative who wanders off or leaves the premises.

Before installing a security camera surveillance system in an elderly relative's room in a care facility, you'll want to first be sure you've reviewed any contracts and spoken with an administrator first.

In some states, it's legal to possess a camera that's in personal belongings that stay with the elderly person, such as a stuffed animal, pen or wristwatch.

Also, some states, such as Texas, have already passed legislation that allows these "granny cams."

When in doubt, be sure to ask someone in a position of authority in any care center you've contracted with.

Top 5 Tips on How to Manage in Home Care - Elderly Home Health Care

Managing in home care workers when you have elderly home health care services in the home can seem like a full time job. Putting systems in place and taking preventative measures will make the transition of having in home health care services an easier transition.

There is a trade off to keeping a family member at home for as long as possible. Many family caregivers make huge sacrifices that affect their own close relationships, careers, financial status and health. Usually, there is one family member that provides all the care the other family members have little to no involvement.

Providing care for elderly in home care can take its toll on a family caregiver. There are resources available to you to assist you in the home. Once you have the providers in place, I will help you put some systems and preventative measure in place to give you peace of mind.

Whether you are a long distance caregiver or the family caregiver that lives in the same neighborhood, these systems and measures will work for you. The first step to any relationship is communication. Managing or overseeing, whatever you see your role here; this is going to be very different from any other role you have had in the past. Even if you are a seasoned manager over many people, this still will be a different experience for you.

I will explain. Elderly home health care workers are individuals that are going to be providing very intimate services in the sanctuary of your home. This is a delicate situation on many different levels.

The aging senior has expectations of things done a certain way at a certain time, just the way they like it. The home health care worker is coming into a person's home and must learn their routines, likes and dislikes wants and needs. It is not an easy job.

Some seniors just cannot be pleased and the slightest little thing has them upset and frustrated. So the first thing that you will need to prepare yourself to learn is to communicate and compromise.

More on top 5 tips on how to manage in home care. Elderly home health care.

When a new individual is first introduced to the home and the aging senior, try to be there and help make them familiar with the surroundings. Try to have a place to put their belongings, a place in the refrigerator to keep their lunch and drinks. If they are going to be there long hours, offering food or take out menus from local places that will deliver would be thoughtful.

Long hours means a place to get a break, so make sure that you give permission to use a room or a table or allow for some privacy to make phone calls on those breaks.

Acknowledge when a health are provider does something right. Praise goes a long way. If a worker does something exceptional, take time to put it in writing to the company to the attention of their supervisor.

Encourage a relationship between you and the in home care employees. They are there to care for your aging parents, but they will be there and see and hear things you may miss. Or your parent may try to hide something from you that they will tell the health care worker and not you.

Monitoring in home care is the next step and that should be done on a regular basis. For those that are long distance care givers ask neighbors, family or church members to stop in unannounced intermittently. Elderly home health care when managed properly and preventative measures are put into place will allow an individual to remain in the comfort or their home, for as long as possible.

Elder Abuse - Role of Victims and The Government

This is the second part of a series of four articles on Elder Abuse: Role of Civil Society and Government. We saw earlier an overview of Elder Abuse and various parties associated with it. We shall now talk about the victims per se and what they can do. Role of State and Central Government is also discussed briefly.

Victims of Elder Abuse - What they can do

Senior citizens should empower themselves with facts, information and data required to face and tackle abuse. They should have phone numbers and addresses of lawyers, doctors, police, pressure groups, counseling centers and the like. Ignorance of rights and the law in particular is harmful and places the senior citizen in a vulnerable position. Senior citizens should join several associations and peer groups like walkers clubs, prayer groups, Day Care Centers etc. When abuse occurs they should openly discuss it with others without feeling shy or ashamed. Senior Citizens must make themselves financially sound and independent.

They should never give away their property to their wards or disclose all their assets to everyone. Where feasible they should not hesitate to take Reverse Mortgage Loan and ensure a steady flow on income. Taking recourse to legal provisions should be the last resort. Having anger alone or standing on one's prestige alone is not enough. Civil Suits take years to get decided and lot of time & time are wasted.

Pointers to the State and Central Governments:

Central Government: Present MWPSCA 2007 does not talk about softer issues of Elder Abuse. Provisions must be made in this to render it a comprehensive piece of legislation. Presently it is an act to tell the World Bodies like the UN: "Look Here, We also have a law on Senior Citizens". The subject of Elder Abuse relates more to HRD (Human Rights protection) and MOSJE should liaise with HRD and promote meaningful program to handle EA issues. Standards for OAH should cover EA prevention and reporting also.

State governments must adopt the Central law. Rules framed there under must include EA in Old Age Homes, Nursing Homes, Senior Facilities or Assisted living centers or Hospices. Tribunals set up under the MWPSCA need to liaise with SCAs or Resident Welfare Associations for solving EA cases.

Stay Out of Nursing Homes - They Are Bad For Your Health

Statistics don't lie, as the old saying goes. If that is true then you could easily come to the conclusion that nursing or retirement homes are bad for your health. The majority of folks who go to these intensive care facilities live less than 2 years.

Most of us would hope that is the case if we end up in a nursing home. Personally, I'd like to check out on the day I was admitted!

I'm not referring to assisted living facilities. These are where you normally have your own apartment or town home, nurses stop by to check on you, and other safety features are built in. Those type of projects actually have fairly good records where longevity is concerned.

What we are focusing on in this article are those places where all manner of human decency are taken from you. Granted, some of us get so bad that we (humankind) have not yet come up with much of an alternative. However, there are some things you can do to greatly reduce your chances of ending up in a place like that!

First of all, take as good of care of yourself as possible. Get up and move around. Don't overdo it, but be active, and your golden years will be much better! Look into natural and alternative supplements that can add quality to your life (one such supplement now getting great reviews, even by many in the medical profession is Resveratrol).

The other thing you can do is to invest in a good Long-Term Care (LTC) policy. In my opinion the good ones are those that will even pay a family member to live with you in your home and take care of you. Many times when older folks get in bad health, they expect their children to put their own lives on hold and come back home to take care of them. Many of us would be willing to do that, if we could somehow keep an income in the process. A good LTC plan can do just that!

I used to write a LTC plan that offered all your money back in ten years if you did not use any benefits. I now have a few clients who have received cash back after a decade. Most of them kept the LTC plan in force. I hope they make it another ten years! These type of plans may no longer be available, but check with your agent to be sure.

Another thing that statistics show can add to a long life is to have a good income in your retirement years. Those with more money tend to live longer. Perhaps this is because they are more active (with travel etc.). Maybe it is because they have more to live for, or perhaps it is because they can afford better health care? Whatever the reason, statistics show that you can live a lot better in your "Golden" years with a little planning!

Nursing Homes and Retirement Homes

Today, you can still hear many people refer to and many people searching for "nursing homes" as well as other colloquialisms like "old folks home." "Nursing homes" are largely a thing of the past, especially in Canada's senior housing industry. In fact, the phrase evokes notions of people alone, badly neglected or under-served by staff that treats residents like numbers... or worse. In today's culture of retirement care, as with education and many other institutions, neglect and abuse are zealously being put in the past. On the other hand, residents often receive pampering like never before.

In today's retirement homes, there are a wealth of amenities and services available to residents who expect to be treated well. Many retirement homes are built with seniors' needs in mind. There are a wealth of ownership options, everything from full ownership to life leases, an option created specifically with seniors and their families in mind, to rental of units, condos or houses. In some high-end luxury retirement homes, residents may be treated to indoor golf greens, exercise classes, indoor swimming pools, spas and much more. All of this is with caring staff, ready at hand, should any assistance or care be needed.

Of course, nursing is not a thing of the past. There are many people who require assistance or daily care with activities such as bathing or cooking. In turn, today's retirement residences offer a wide variety of services that are tailored to elderly residents who have various levels of ability. The model of care offered in most long-term care homes today (the closest thing in the retirement industry to what might be called "nursing homes") goes far beyond a one-size-fits-all blanket treatment of elderly residents.

Today's retirement homes smartly offer residents a variety of care options and many homes include the availability of nursing staff, assistance to long term care and Alzheimer's patient care. Of course, that does not make these places "nursing homes." This is simply a way of accounting for people with a wide variety of needs.

Assisted Living - When Is It Time To Move?

When you have elderly parents or relatives, it may be a struggle to determine when exactly is the "best" time to move your loved one into an assisted living facility. While there is no perfect time or exact science, it generally is recommended that sooner rather than later is best.

Waiting for a crisis situation to happen - such as a senior who falls and has a long-term hospitalization or wanders away from home and can't remember how to go back - is not a good idea. The decision you and the senior will have to make will be done under a great deal of stress - with little time to research the best options. Also, the housing that you and the senior would have preferred may now no longer be available.

What are some signs that it is time to seriously consider assisted living?

Difficulty performing daily activities

* Wearing same clothes multiple days

* Bathing less frequently with personal hygiene suffering

* Not bothering to cook for one person, skipping meals

* Laundry and housekeeping are a burden

* Spends time in only a few rooms in the house

Memory loss

* Repeating questions or statements, multiple phone calls with the same questions

* Leaving the stove on, frequently misplacing items

Medication concerns

* Forgetting to take medications resulting in missed dosages or over dosages

* Running out of medications - or not properly ordering medications from the pharmacy

* Keeping expired medications

Lack of Socialization

* Losing touch with friends and becoming isolated

* Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed such as going to church

* Showing signs of depression such as crying or sleeping a lot

* Loss of spouse, relatives and long-time friends

Fear

* Becoming increasingly paranoid or fearful of others

* Afraid to be alone at night

* Becoming more dependent on family members

* Feeling neighborhood is not as safe as it used to be

Safety concerns

* Stairs, steps and clutter make it more likely to fall

* No help nearby if fall or emergency occurs

* Difficulty getting in and out of tub or on and off of toilet

If you have noticed some or most of the signs, it is time to consider a safer environment for your loved one.

Duties of a Health Care Administrator

Health care administration itself is an extremely broad area. However, their duties depend on the type of facility they are working in, as well as the size of it. For large facilities like medical centers, there would be a few layers of administrators, whereby there will be one head of administrator to oversee the rest by setting the goals and directions as well as making the final decisions. This person would usually be the one who reports to the board of directors. However, in smaller facilities like a clinic, the health care administrator's duties would be general, whereby they would oversee the whole operation.

In large facilities, assistant administrators would usually oversee some specific areas of the health care operation, for example, someone may be in charge of the personnel and nursing activities, while others for finance and other areas. The administrators here would need to set procedures and policies for the organization so that the operations will run smoothly, and they are in charge of implementing them.

On the other hand, small facilities as usually run by doctors, whom would be the one who makes the decisions. Yet, they would need to hire administrators to take care of the daily operations of the facility. For these administrators, their duties are less specialized as compared to large facilities, but they are more hands-on with their approaches. They usually focus on business aspects of the facility like personnel, staffing, and finance.

The salary of an administrator is rather lucrative; however, unusual work schedules are part of the package. They are usually on-call especially when there are problems because most health care services have the responsibility to provide their services around the clock. Apart from that, they will need to attend many meetings, depending on the size of the organization, and attend conventions. They also need to take care of budget and staffing matters.

The position you get depends on your qualifications and experiences. If you are aiming for a higher level position, you should opt to pursue for a Master's degree in Health Care Administration. One of the best ways to climb the ladder faster is to gain experience by working in a health care setting, while completing your Master's degree. This way, you can eye for a higher position when you have completed the degree.

Assisted Living In The Year 2020 - 3 Things You'll See

Although we'd like to think that in the year 2020 we'll all be invincible and have no need for assisted living, chances are this wont be the case. However, assisted living facilities, like everything else around us, continue to evolve every day.
So what should we expect from these facilities in the future?

1. Current health care services are expanding to meet the various needs of America's growing elderly population. That being said assisted living will remain to be very popular because it offers the perfect blend of privacy, independence, and personal care. What will not stay the same is how these facilities look, feel, and are run. As the elderly population continues to grow these facilities will look less and less like nursing homes and more and more like upscale communities, and lets be honest, who doesn't want to live in an upscale community?

2. Residents of these facilities will demand, and probably be granted more involvement and control in how the facility is run. Rather then just going along with the set schedule and prepared activities the residents themselves will have more control over what happens, when, and how often. And chances are, as the facility community changes and evolves, so will the desired activities. For example, for a few years the majority of residents may prefer to watch enjoyable movies together, hang out and eat popcorn and having an old fashioned movie night, then as new residents move in the general consensus might change to be that it's more fun to play... BINGO!

3. But the biggest change of all will be the role technology will play in assisted living facilities. New gadgets will aid in the general management of the facility and the care of its residence, allowing care givers to offer a higher level of care while still respecting the privacy that makes assisted living what it is.

a. Advancements in monitoring technologies will allow facilities to have things such as remote sensing to help the staff ensure that all residents are safe and not in need of assistance.

b. Tasks that can be found difficult for some residents, such as opening doors and turning lights on and off, can be automated for them! Also, systems will be in place to give auditory reminders or instructions to individuals who need help remember things. For example, maybe a resident would like to go play cards with a friend on the patio tomorrow at 2pm, they can set the system to remind them tomorrow afternoon! One thing that's expected to become very common place is a talking pill box, reminding you when to take what pills!

c. There will also be very easy and dependable alert systems allowing all residents to promptly call for help anytime they need. This will bring a new level of safety and general care to all assisted living facilities.

Career Search For 2011 And Beyond

Given all the business closures and downsizing happening in this economy, what types of jobs are going to be available in 2011? Many jobs are being tossed aside for others with so many transitioning to digital, online or automation. Do you know where your job stands in 2011 and beyond? Are you passionate about the job you are in, or is it time to transition out of it and find a new industry? These are some of the questions you should be asking yourself regularly. When high schools and colleges cut back the funding for career counseling at their schools, it was a dis-service to their students but fortunately there are companies like Truefocus that help people take control of their careers and therefore their long term success. Whether you are a college student, a retiree that needs to find work again, or were recently laid off after 25 years with the same company, start thinking about how your future will look.

Here are a few ideas...

Freelancing. There are many types of services that used to be for the 'employed' only but have opened up for freelancers. More and more people are becoming independent sales rep's, customer service rep's, virtual assistants, social media shops. The beauty of freelancing is being your own boss, working from home, and writing off a portion of your home expenses on your taxes. (Contact your tax accountant for specifics).

If your skills are limited to conventional ones, such as writing, there are many different directions you can go whether as an employee or in freelancing. Content in the form of articles and blogs are needed by everyone on the Internet. You can specialize by either coming up with original content OR being one that analyzes or compares content from various sources. There is a huge need for ghostwriters for want to be authors. Start your own company and grow it until you can hire professional writers.

With the Internet, you can work for anyone in the entire world! You are not limited to the United States, your State or even your current city. Think grand and life with be grand, think small and you'll miss out on life. If you still have a job, be thinking of your next step by learning whatever you need to learn to start a part-time gig. Get the momentum going and it'll be much easier to switch to a better job or one you love.

The freelance world is growing so fast that two job boards have been recognized and have won awards for 2010-Freelancer.com and Vworker.com.

If you are a people person and enjoy helping others, the health care industry is always a sure bet for regular employment. Be sure to interview people in whatever field you are interested in to learn of the downsides of your choice position. Though regular employment is an upside to working in health care, substandard pay and demanding hours are fairly typical in this industry.

As Americans are aging, there is a huge need in hospice care, home health care and nursing home care. Home health care agencies hire non-medical personal to keep elderly or disabled patients company, buy groceries or pick up medicine. An aide can provide personal hygiene type of services, ie a bath, check vitals, and clean house.

The green industry is growing fast. i.e. Solar Energy or Wind Power. Between 2004 and 2009, wind turbine energy production grew 39% lending to the need of additional Wind Turbine Service Technicians An entry level Technician gets paid an average of $15 an hour to start which with experience, can jump to $50 an hour! One other note, this field is so new the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have a lot of data on it!

Take control of your life. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to design your own job position in an industry you love. Employers are often too busy to create positions they need that would help them solve a problem, grow their revenue or cut their costs. Do it for them and you'll not only solve one of their problems but get a job while doing it.

Don't forget there are many resources available in books and online that can help you create your new career path.....many of them free. Or find a career counselor or coach that takes the time to understand you and your needs, has had many careers themselves and understands the challenges, and is able to walk with you through the entire process.

Hidden Cameras - Some Amazing New Uses

You probably know what most people use spy cameras or hidden cameras for: nanny cameras; home security; to catch a cheating spouse, partner or boyfriend; to catch a cheating employee; or to keep an eye on that workman in your house. Those are the main uses for spy cameras or hidden cameras.

Here are some amazing new and unusual uses for hidden cameras that we thought we'd share with you.

The first is as a training tool, especially in sales, where a presentation is important. Often a script is needed. When variations from that script can jeopardize the sale, if the sales associate and a manager can watch the presentation of a new salesperson to discover flaws in the presentation, a hidden camera can serve as a valuable management tool.

In the area of human resources, two of the more difficult problems to document are bullying and sexual harassment. Often it is a "he said, she said" situation with no witnesses. That is where a hidden camera can provide first class evidence. With both verbal and audio documentation of what happened mysteries are solved.

And last but not least is the area of documenting elder abuse. Elder abuse is much more prevalent today than you would imagine. A government study recently showed that 60% of all nursing homes experience some kind of elder abuse. Often the victims have dementia or Alzheimer's and have a difficult time verbalizing their problems. A hidden camera may be the only way to document that.

One of the things that make hidden cameras or spy cameras so effective is that they are hidden inside objects that are commonly seen around an office, home or business. As a matter of fact they are so common that people don't think twice about seeing them. Items such as wall clocks, alarm clocks, air purifiers and clock radios are some examples of the more commonly used items that house spy cameras.

A great example is the Coke Can DVR Spy Camera. Everything gets recorded better with coke!

Many hidden cameras these days not only have the camera inside but have a recording device like a DVR. Some "body worn" hidden cameras even have a tiny microphone to record audio in addition to recording video.

The DVRs most commonly use an SD card to record the audio and video. The SD card can then be inserted into a computer's SD card reader for easy playback.

So those are some new uses for hidden or spy cameras that you may not of thought of before; to document sexual harassment or bullying, as a training tool for employees and to catch elder abuse.

What Is Expected Of a Certified Nursing Assistant?

With so many different nursing programs and degrees on offer it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Quite simply, a CNA is someone who helps patients with healthcare needs under the supervision of an RN or an LPN. Issues of liability and legality prevent the CNA from performing certain procedures.

Role and duties of a certified nursing assistant

A nursing assistant's duties will vary depending on where she works. Laws vary from state to state and what is allowed for a registered nursing assistant in one state may not be allowed in another state.

CNAs have the chance to work in a variety of settings such as nursing homes, adult day care centers, assisted living facilities, personal residences, and act as liaisons between the RN or LPN and the patient.

The CNA in many cases serves as the RN or the LPN's ears and eyes.

Some of the CNA's duties include providing basic needs for patients of any age, gender, ethnicity and work under supervision. As they have close contact with patients they provide vital information about the patient's condition to their supervisors.

The workload can become intense and stressful, but many CNAs state that the job is rewarding and that they have a desire to care for people.

A successful CNA is one with good people skills and one who engages well with patients. Being a team player is an especially valuable trait.

Training programs are offered by the Red Cross, community colleges, online nursing schools and medical facilities. Many schools offer training within medical facilities as part of the course program. This allows the students to stay focused and also gives them hands-on training. All CNAs are required to take an examination before they can start work.

The demand for CNAs is high among institutions which provide quality care for the elderly. People at health care facilities recognize the importance of a qualified and compassionate CNA and how it can positively affect patients.

A CNA can find support through organizations such as the National Association of Health Care Assistants. Remember every state is different as far as the amount of time required for training and the type of environment where you would like to work. Before starting your CNA training, contact the State Nurse Aide Registry and/or State Licensing Board to enquire about their requirements - especially about the state in which you want to work.

Finding a college where you can train for a CNA is easy. Go online under the heading nursing colleges and fill in your degree subject and other details and a list of colleges will come up for you to browse and choose from. They all have similar nursing programs although the titles might not all be the same. Have a notebook and pen ready to make notes. Check out the eligibility requirements. Check to see what paperwork and documents you need to fill out your application. Remember to check out programs in your own state.

Duties Performed By A Registered Nurse

We all know there are different professions working in medical field and the most we interact with is the healthcare profession. When we talk about the health care profession nurses are the one working day and night in wards, homes, medical centers and in nursing homes. There are different types of nurses, if a person claim to be a nurse then we cannot say that the person can perform all the nursing tasks. Nurses are divided into different categories for some specific tasks and they get trainings and education accordingly. A certified nurse assistant is the basic nursing and there is a certification exam students need to pass in order to become a nurse. Then there are licensed nurses who supervise the certified nursing assistants and perform some major tasks as well. The highest rank in nursing profession is a Registered Nurse who monitors the entire characteristics relating patient care.

These three are the major types of nursing, now if we talk about the trainings and education; these nurses need to start working in healthcare profession. Certified Nursing assistant gets a few weeks training which qualify them to pass the exam for the certification. The Certified Nursing Assistant trainings are provided by almost every school and college in country.

The American Red Cross is also facilitating students with training in approximately 38 cities. Students can also take their classes online by registering with the websites providing the training classes. The duration for the training varies according to the states rules. Then the licensed Practical Nurse training duration for a practical nurse is from 9 to 18 months depending on the institute. The training entry requirement is high school Diploma however some institutes have a requirement of a prerequisite training. There is an entry test for the admission to check the student's skills. Once the training is finished, students are required to pass the exam for license. After getting the license they can work as licensed Practical nurses. Now how to become a registered Nurse? You have to pass four years bachelor degree BSN bachelors of sciences in nursing or you can also get an associate two years degree which is cost effective and saves time as well. If you do hospital diploma for four years you can also become a RN but then you have to pass the license exam and have to apply for a RN license.

All types of nurses work in same ward either in cardiac or in general ward they will be helping patients but with different responsibilities. Certified nursing assistants help Licensed Nurses with their daily routine work and also help patients with feeding, cleaning and grooming. The licensed Practical Nurses check the vital signs for the patients, help them with the medicines and also give them the injections, they also perform some simple laboratory tests and supervise the Nursing Assistants. The responsibilities of a Registered Nurse are to maintain the records for the patient's medical and vital signs amend the treatment procedure by examining their symptoms and changes in patient's conditions and also report them to the doctors.

Hidden Spy Cams From Nanny to Granny Cameras - Gotcha Covered

Hidden spy cameras are most times used to catch somebody doing something they shouldn't be doing. Usually that something is illegal. Stealing from a home, a nanny abusing a child, a theft from a business by an employee, elder abuse in a nursing home, home security and business security are good examples of the many versatile uses of them.

A spy camera is nothing more than very small board camera placed inside a common object. Usually that object is a working object to further the deception. Some examples are an alarm clock, mirrors, wall clocks, AM/FM radios, smoke detectors and so on.

All hidden cameras require some kind of device to record the images like a DVR or VCR. Some hidden spy cameras have DVR's built into them making them exceptionally easy to use.

Two of the most common uses of hidden spy cameras are as nanny cams and a so-called granny cams. When we entrust the care of our young children to a babysitter or a nanny we want to be sure that they are doing what we pay them to do - watching the kids and not talking on the phone are having a party at the house. The easiest way to do that is with a hidden camera.

Senior citizens are the fastest-growing segment of our population. As they get older many of them require in-home care or a stay in a nursing home. In either case there is no absolute assurance that your mother or father is getting the best care or that they are not being taken advantage of.

Incidents of elder abuse in nursing homes is well documented. A home health caregiver is subject to the same temptations as any burglar. There could be many valuable things around the house and with only a senior citizen around theft is quite common.

So from a nanny cam to a granny cam we have you covered. Getting a spy camera DVR or a regular spy camera and find out what is going on with your mom and dad or your kids when you can't be there.

Simple Living - High Thinking

What is the source of all happiness? Is it money? Or is it power, name, fame and recognition? Nothing appears to be true as most of the wealthiest, famed and powerful people are no happier than the ordinary people. If it is true, why do we all strive to achieve these material goals to achieve happiness?

The answer seems simple. We always crave for what we do not possess in the anticipation that once we get what we want, we should feel happy. This concept seems to have originated from our basic desire to satisfy our hunger. When you are hungry, you desperately seek food. You feel satisfied once your stomach is full, yet the craving returns after a few hours once the food is digested.

No animal except man has understood this simple truth. Hence man did not feel satisfied after satisfying his hunger as he learned that the craving will come back. Hence he anticipated the future by using his thought, and started cultivating and storing food and grains so that he would be free from the necessity of satisfying his basic need. Once he had taken care of his basic needs, he started thinking high about larger things of life like the understanding of the material world and even thoughts of God or the Creator of the universe.

Jesus said that a man will not live for bread alone. It is because man is the most superior creation of the world and he cannot be satisfied by merely living to eat and reproduce. He eats only to live. The goal of his life is to think high, as high as the thoughts of God.

Then, why most human beings are not happy? The answer seems to be that they fail to follow their nature and seek happiness in satisfaction of their basic instincts just like any other animal. In order to feel happy he has to think high, not only for the human being but also for all the creations of the universe. It is only by developing proper understanding of the world that we can feel happy as happiness can come only if we are able to know the minds of the people and understand the reason for their action. Improper understanding of the world causes frustration since we always find that actions of other people to be wrong and unreasonable.

Creativity

Right knowledge is necessary to understand the world. Yet knowledge is often available in the form of written words which are created in a particular context. Since the world changes with every passing moment and we never deal with the same people and the same situations again, we can never use old knowledge to solve new problems. We have no option but to create new knowledge for ourselves taking help from the old knowledge. The new knowledge must be useful for understanding the present world and solve the present problems. This capability of human beings to create new and useful knowledge is often called "Creativity".

Creative people not only solve their own problems but they also help other people and societies in solving their problems. The world always seeks people who can create new knowledge for the present realities of the world based on the knowledge of the past. These people are able to create knowledge as they can understand the secret of knowledge and modify it to suit changes in time and values.

Creative people are capable of thinking beyond the obvious, beyond the written words of literature or beyond the senses? What are the necessary conditions for creating such thoughts which are relevant yet eternal? How do people create such thoughts? What motivates them to create new thoughts? How can one become such a high thinking person?

Maslow's Law of Hierarchy

This theory was best expressed by Maslow in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation". The basic concept is that the higher needs in this hierarchy only come into focus once all the needs that are lower down in the pyramid are mainly or entirely satisfied.

Maslow believed that the most essential need of man is physiological needs or the deficiency needs. As per this theory, man can think high, viz. the stage of "self- actualization", only after all his lower level needs like food, water, security, confidence, self-esteem and respect by others are satisfied. These needs are called as the worldly needs since they are material in nature.

After man has satisfied all his worldly needs and he has reached to the top of the world in power and riches, he may still not be satisfied as he seeks to grow further beyond the world, i.e. near to God. Maslow termed it as growth needs associated with psychological needs. It was termed so because it is unique in each individual and this need is non-materialistic in nature. As per the theory, these innate growth forces constantly create upward movement in the hierarchy unless basic needs remain unmet.

The Validity of Needs of Hierarchy

Mysterious are the ways in which the world functions. For every theory, there seems to be a counter-theory. Often, thoughts that sound logical and satisfy our commonsense, turn out to be nothing more than an illusion created by logic and accepted by man without application of his mind.

It appears that most of the creative men made their best creations when even the basic needs were not met. For example, Einstein wrote three best papers on photoelectric effect, Brownian motion and theory of relativity at the young age of 25 when he did not have a decent job, had no recognition, had little wealth and had been facing the worst period of his life financially and emotionally.

All through history, people reached to the self-actualization phase not as the last step of the ladder of their development but often in the first step itself and the rest of the stages followed thereafter.

It appears that satisfaction of worldly needs is not the beginning of creativity or high thinking but often the end of it. Even the greatest creators lost their creativity once their worldly needs were satisfied and they got recognition and respect, power and wealth from the world. Thus worldly possessions seem to be the biggest enemy of creativity as they kill creativity as soon as they meet each other. They are like antiparticles that annihilate each other as soon as they are brought into contact with each other.

Indian thoughts on Creativity

Indian philosophers realized, many thousand years back, the need for creation of a separate class or caste for creation of knowledge. They understood that worldly desires can only create materialistic knowledge which can make rich people richer, powerful more powerful and create an unequal society. The materialistic knowledge can only create a materialistic society where people would be fighting with each other for more wealth and power. The purpose of true knowledge is to unite the world and bring peace, happiness and prosperity to all and not only to a few.

They discovered that worldly possessions are in reality the biggest enemy of the true knowledge. They, therefore, attempted to create a class members whereof could be kept away permanently from the worldly pleasures, so that they could focus on the creation and distribution of knowledge. They called such professionals as Brahmins or the "knower of the universe" and gave them the highest place in the society but without any material achievements.

Brahmins held the responsibility for acquisition of knowledge and wisdom for the world. They wrote the earliest books for mankind. The Vedas are now accepted as the oldest creation of human mind. The earliest Veda i.e. Rig Veda originated around 3500 BC- 1500 BC. The Vedas were followed by the Upanishads and then by the Bhagavatdgita, the most famous treatise of the Indian philosophy.

However, the life of a Brahmin was the most difficult. As per the Shastras (holy books) their duties comprised of teaching, learning, performing Yajna (vedic rituals), accept charity and give charity.

The typical daily schedule of a Brahmin, according to the Sastras, is described as following:
o A Brahmin must get up two hours before the sunrise (Brahma muhurta).
o After getting up, he cleans his teeth, bathes in cold water and performs prayer
o Next he performs rites or sacrifices to the gods
o Next is the daily study and chanting of the Vedas
o In the second part of the daytime, the Brahmin must teach his disciples the Vedas
o Afterwards he must gather flowers himself for the worship he is to perform.
o Since he is not expected to earn a salary, he must beg for his food and also for the materials for the conduct of various sacrifices.

Shastras gave Brahmins the right to beg for their food and other requirements. They were not expected to accumulate wealth and own lands. They must donate excess charity to the priests. Brahmins were permitted to eat only Sattvik or simple food which included raw fruits and vegetables, milk, and limited cereals.

The daily schedule, eating habits and duties prescribed for Brahmins, were based on long experience of Indian philosophers. They had understood that the only method to create divine or eternal knowledge was to rise above the worldly pleasures of senses.

Simple Living: the only method for high thinking

The proof of any theory lies in the real-life examples of the world. We can ourselves see that all great thinkers of the world led a simple life. Some of them continued to remain simple and hence, they maintained their creativity till their last moment, while others fell prey to the worldly temptations and lost their genius.

Gautama Buddha is one of the greatest philosophers of the world, who was born in 563 BC. He founded Buddhism, one of the greatest religions of the world. He was the son of King Shuddodhan and was brought up in luxuries of life. He got married and had a son. However, at the age of 29, he renounced all the material possessions including his family and became a monk. He wandered in all places and meditated for six years before he got enlightenment or true knowledge at the age of 35.

Jesus Christ was the founder of Christianity, the most popular religion of the world. He was born at Bethlehem from Joseph and Mary. He assisted his father in carpentry. His parents escaped to Egypt to protect their child from the reach of the Judean king, Herod the Great. Jesus was lost at the age of 12 and no account of his life is available till he attained the age of 30, when he was baptized. Following his baptism, Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. During this time, the devil appeared to him and tempted Jesus thrice. Each time, Jesus refused each temptation. He started his public discourses thereafter, which attracted a large number of people and gradually gave birth to Christianity.

Albert Einstein is widely regarded as the greatest scientist of the 20th century and even of all time. He could not find a teaching job due to his unconventional thoughts. The father of a classmate helped him obtain employment as a technical assistant examiner at the Swiss Patent Office in 1902. The job barely provided him enough salary to make both ends meet. During these years, he stayed in a single room apartment with bare minimum facilities. Yet in 1905, he wrote four papers that changed the world forever and gave birth to modern physics. Most physicists agree that three of those papers (on Brownian motion, the photoelectric effect, and special relativity) deserved Nobel Prizes. He was awarded Nobel Prize for his paper on Photoelectric Effect in 1921, i.e. 16 years after its publication. Despite being world-famous, he maintained a simple life-style and lived in a small apartment at Princeton University. He limited his wardrobe so as to save time in selecting his dress.

We can find similar lifestyles among all great thinkers and philosophers like Mahatma Gandhi, Darwin, Newton, Mirza Galib (Urdu Poet), Tusidas, Kabirdas and innumerable other great thinkers of the world.. In the history of mankind, no king, or dictator, or rich man has ever earned recognition as a creative genius, though they had fulfilled all their physiological needs.

Conclusion: The time to think high is now or never

Most people believe in the Maslow's law of hierarchy, which stated creativity or self- actualization as the last stage of fulfillment of human needs, only after all the worldly needs were satisfied. They, therefore, strive in their life to satisfy all their worldly needs in the hope that after they have achieved all their worldly goals, they would strive for self-actualization or doing things which interest them most or the things they love most. In the process, their life is passed and they never get time to understand and acquire the right knowledge of the world, which is necessary not only for the spiritual quest of man but also for making him happy. Since happiness is the goal of every man or woman, hence, the right time to start thinking high is now or it would never come.

Top Ten Tips for Creating a Spectacular Activity Calendar

Creating a monthly calendar of activities can be a daunting responsibility of the Recreation Director. Coming up with original ideas, scheduling the right date, time, and location, and somehow, trying to fit it all into those little boxes so that it is legible and attractive, is not an easy task! It can be very difficult to create a well-balanced program of activities that meets the needs and interests of the population you serve. The following are some tips to help you develop your monthly calendars.

1.Conduct a Population Analysis and a Calendar Analysis on a regular basis. Compare the findings to ensure that the calendar is well-balanced and appropriate for the current population. These important forms can be purchased as part of the Recreation Department Review Manual developed Re-Creative Resources Inc.

2.You should try not to have the same activity domain back to back. For example: 10:00am Exercise 10:30am Trivia rather than 10:00am Exercise 10:30am Bowling

3.Keep the titles of the activities simple and easy to understand. Quite often, we create these fabulous names that do not clearly define the activity.

4.Don't wait until the last few days of the month to plan the next month's calendar. You should be planning your calendar months in advance-at least the special events, entertainers and such. Many Recreation Directors even schedule entertainment in January for the entire year!

5.Every facility or agency is different and the ways in which Recreation Directors create and display calendars is unique. There is more than one way to skin a cat and calendar development is really up to the creator. The primary concern is that the calendar reflects the needs and interests of the population. Style, format, color, font, etc. vary. Just be sure that the calendar can be read, understood and that it is not too intricate or over-stimulating.

6.Proofread the calendar for typing, grammar and spelling errors as well as times, locations, etc. The calendars must be presented in a professional manner.

7.Think THEME. I believe that themes are a great way to add fun and pizzazz to the Activity Calendar. Themes are very easy to incorporate and keep the activity program interesting and educational. For theme-related activities think about the following:

•Physical activity such as exercise and/or physical game
•Cognitive activity such as discussion, word game and/or trivia
•Educational activity such as discussion, educational videos, guest speaker
•Sensory-incorporating all 6 senses
•Creative activities such as music, writing, arts and crafts
•Food-related activities such as cooking, socials, etc.

8.Calendars can be created using many different programs or software. Whether you use Microsoft Word, Publisher, or special calendar creator programs, is up to you.

9.Create a calendar template to use as a guide. The first column is the general template and the 2nd column is the specific calendar of activities. Use a list of activities to guide you. Download your free list of activities.

10.Involve others in the calendars planning process. This is not a job solely for the Activity Director. Talk to the residents, activity staff or other people who may have invaluable input into creating a well-balanced, fantastic, activity calendar that is easy to understand and read and reflects the true interests and needs of the residents in the facility.

HAPPY PLANNING!

Sustained A Lifting Injury At Work? Here's What You Must Do

Heavy lifting accidents are a common cause of injuries in the workplace. These accidents are not limited to warehouses, factories and construction sites, but all those workplaces which require employees to perform some sort of manual handling tasks. Whether you are employed in a school, shop, restaurant or office, you are at a risk of sustaining a lifting injury if your job involves performing manual handling tasks.

Typical Injuries Caused By Heavy Lifting At Work

There are a range of physical symptoms associated with injuries caused by heavy lifting, but the victim may also suffer psychological injuries during their recovery period. Depression is a common symptom which in most cases also leads to deterioration in the quality of life of the victim. Typical injuries caused as a result of heavy lifting at work can include:

- back injuries
- arm injuries
- shoulder injuries
- sprains and strains
- neck injuries
- herniated discs
- hernias

Back injuries are the most common types of injuries associated with heavy lifting at work. They can cause severe pain and in some cases, total incapacity whilst recovering. For this reason, it is important for any person who has suffered lifting injuries at work to seek legal advice and consider putting up a lifting injury claim for compensation.

Injuries caused by heavy lifting can require specialist medical treatment. It can even affect the ability of a person to work which can affect his earning potential. It can result in loss of income if the victim is required to take considerable time off work. Additionally, the injury may have long term consequences. The symptoms may be ongoing for which future medical treatment may be required. Therefore, it is vital for the victim to recover costs of care and all his financial losses that he incurred due to his injury. After all, why should you suffer due to the negligence of another person? If you were hurt because of someone else, you have the legal rights to recover compensation.

Lifting injuries can result from strain over tome where the actual injury occurs outside of work. If your lifting injury occurred somewhere other than work, but heavy lifting is part of your work routine, then you may still be able to recover compensation. These kinds of personal injury cases are quite difficult to pursue and hard to prove, but if you consult with an expert injury lawyer, you will be able to find out more about your options.

Feelings of Guilt When Our Parents Go Into an Assisted Living Facility

When my mother began having falls and was having difficulty remembering to take her numerous medications three times a day, we discussed the idea of an assisted living facility. My mother and I spent several days checking out various places and she was put on a list for three of the ones she liked the best. And then she settled back and thought she probably had about two years before she'd have to leave her home. But the call came in just three months time.

My mother was strong-willed and extremely independent. She dug in her heels and decided that it was too soon. But it was her favorite place because it was less than one year old and offered an on-the-premise grocery store. We went to visit it again and after meeting some of the people who lived there and the staff, she agreed. Until it came time to pack up her things and then she dug in her heels again.

And that's when guilt came again to weigh heavily on my shoulders. My feelings of ambivalence jumped to the fore. Was it really for the best? Was she going to feel abandoned? When our elderly parents are least able to do things for themselves, they are expected to meet new people, make new friends, get used to a new environment and become accustomed to new ways of doing things. Admittedly, it is a difficult challenge for them but there are often few other viable options available.

On the one hand we know that it is the best solution because they will get better medical care, there are more social opportunities, they are closely monitored and the facility has the means to take better care of your elderly loved one than you can. And also when we remember that the decision-making abilities of the elderly are not as good as they once were, we know it is the best thing to do.

But knowing that doesn't stop us from feeling we're not doing as much as we should be doing. We suffer with feelings of inadequacy, guilt over not making as many phone calls as they would like us to make, trying to get them to do what they don't want to do, i.e.: drink more fluids or eat more fruit, or things like doing chores for my mother while on a visit. She did not consider it a visit even when I had spent several hours chatting with her while I was working.

As the only daughter and the one who took her to her appointments, did her chores and looked after her, I was also the one who bore the brunt of her anger. Her anger and frustration always left me feeling as if I hadn't done enough for her. This led to extreme feelings of guilt. Could I do more? But often I wasn't sure what was expected of me.

Added to that was my mother's fear of dementia which led to more anger when her memory failed. But when I took her to a Gerontologist doctor who suggested medication, it just fueled her anger. The burden seemed to be on me to help her feel better but I didn't know how because I agreed with the doctor that she should have medication.

My mother has since passed away. With much soul searching I have decided that I had done the best I could with what I had available to me. I do believe the assisted living facility was good for her. And on her good days, she loved it there and was very happy with the staff and her surroundings.

For those who are going through this difficult situation and have feelings of guilt riding on their shoulders, it is very helpful to talk to others who are dealing with the same situation. I believe there are few of us who do not at some time or another feel guilty with decisions that have been forced upon us when caring for our elderly parents. If we know that we are doing the best we can, we can do no more.

CNA Profession at a Glance

CNA stands for Certified Nursing Assistant and is a health care professional who is trained to perform certain basic medical procedures and to help with basic life needs.

To become nursing assistant, one needs to be legal age and take suitable training course. Although the minimum federal requirements are 75 hours for class and labs, most states have much higher requirements for Nursing Assistants to get certified.

CNA classes are offered widely at different prices and durations. But there are also many, who offer free CNA classes, usually community colleges or different health care facilities. Some of the providers may require preliminary test ( basic education and English language ) to be passed before taking the actual class.

Before starting their labs all prospective nursing assistants should provide medical examination which states that they are free from communicable diseases, able to lift up to 75 lb and are in good health in general.
After successfully completing of all studies and labs, and taking the corresponding tests, a state exam is needed for final certification.

State exams consist of two parts: written test and practical exam. If one fails on the written test they are not allowed to take the practical one and need to re-take the written test. And if one fails the practical exam they are allowed for two more attempts, whenever and wherever scheduled state exams are conducted.

Once nursing assistants get certified, the most common places where they can find a job are:
- nursing homes
- assisted living facilities
- hospitals
- rehabilitation centers
- doctor's offices
- special care facilities
- home care

Each of the above mentioned job opportunities require more or less specific skills to be deployed, but as a rule all the skills can be mastered at one place: the nursing home. The more experience CNA-s have in the nursing homes, the easier for them to find better job later.

Nursing homes are long-term health care facilities for people who lost the ability to take care of themselves: elderly; handicapped; people with severe illnesses, bound in bed for the remainder of their lives; humans on artificial life support etc.

The main task for the nursing assistants, working in the nursing homes, is to help residents with ADL-s ( activities of daily living ) and provide all the routine care, such as:
- dressing and undressing the residents
- turning and repositioning bedridden residents
- feeding
- cleaning up residents' body excretions ( urine, feces etc. )
- bathing residents
- changing linen and making beds
- transferring residents from bed to wheelchairs or other chairs and vice versa
- answering residents' calls for help
- observing residents conditions and reporting if there are any changes
- charting in special books for all work and observations done

CNA profession is one of the most extreme profession on today's job market due to the work environment and specific duties. It is very demanding, physically and emotionally job, that requires all nursing assistants to be always in good physical shape and high state of mind to promptly respond to all challenges and successfully complete their duties.

Rewards for CNA work are beyond this material world as this work substantially speeds up spiritual development of all humans and opens their hearts for each other and for God.

Senator Kennedy's Legacy - The CLASS Act

One of the most important pieces of the recently enacted "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" is the "CLASS Act", which stands for the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program. Authored by Senator Ted Kennedy and others, it creates -- for the very first time -- a long term care insurance plan to help those with functional impairments pay for necessary care at home or in their communities. While the daily benefit is limited, the CLASS Act will ultimately help many continue to live at home or in assisted living facilities, rather than be forced prematurely into a nursing home in order to qualify for government assistance. Some key features of the program are:

(1) enrollment is open to those who are employed and choose to make voluntary monthly contributions to the program, and there is no underwriting exclusion based on pre-existing conditions; enrollment will open January 1, 2011;

(2) eligibility kicks in only after the individual has been enrolled in the voluntary payroll deduction program for 5 years, but the payout will not begin until 2017;

(3) benefits will be a minimum of $50/day but be scaled up as high as $75/day, depending upon the degree of impairment, and there is no lifetime "cap" on payout;

(4) benefits will coordinate with government assistance from the Medi-Cal program (called "Medicaid" in many states), such that CLASS benefits will have no effect on eligibility for Medi-Cal, Medicare, Social Security Retirement or Disability benefits, nor SSI. In fact, persons in nursing homes who qualify for CLASS benefits will be able to retain 5% of their daily or weekly cash benefit without seeing a reduction in their Medi-Cal subsidy.

Unfortunately, because of the 5 year vesting requirement and the companion requirement that the individual be employed for at least 3 out of those 5 years, most currently retired seniors will not see any direct benefit from the program. However, seniors can, and should in our view, encourage their children and family members who are still employed to sign up. That encouragement can be a part of the parents' legacy to their own children, just as Senator Kennedy left his legacy to the nation.

Nursing Home Insurance, Tips for Security

Reaching the age of retirement is a well deserved event that warrants the reward of being able to really experience the greater things in life. But working hard over the span of ones life surely takes a toll on personal health. Because of this, more and more senior citizens will need some sort of aid in their living situations. Data shows that as many as 50 % of our nations elderly are in need of assisted care. In addition, as the amount of individuals needing these programs heightens, so does cost.

Fortunately, there are multiple methods to minimize month to month prices that are not nearly as complex as one may believe. One approach is to utilize the web. The internet has reinvented the buying and selling of goods and services. Therefore, it goes without saying that insurance (like everything else) is more affordable online. Being dubious about this concept is perfectly reasonable, but if bought right, it can cut your insurance costs by as much as 30 %. There are numerous reasons as to why insurance rates are lower from online retailers. Selling insurance internet is highly competitive due to the fact that so many salespersons utilize the web as a selling tool. Therefore, with increasing rivalry comes decreasing costs for potential customers. Next, think about daily operational costs for local lenders, they have supplemental costs like rental fee and office essentials to deal with. An online retailer has marginal operation cost obligations and can as a result sell at a lesser rate.

Another insurance cost slicing approach is to make your monthly payments a routine. You may not think it, but insurance suppliers notice steady payment patterns because they result in a significant amount of savings for the agency. For instance, if you pay your dues on the same day every month then the insurance firm doesn't have to worry about the cost of distributing your statement. The money you save for the agency by paying your bills on time is reprimanded via lower monthly costs.

Last but not least, the sooner you obtain a policy, the less you will have to pay in the future. Even if you are years from pension, it is crucial to note that almost ten percent of Americans, even those as young as 40, need facilitated care. Purchasing insurance earlier on in life is a safeguard for when you are older, as effective money maintenance and costs become more and more hard to overcome as you age.

Should My Senior Parent(s) Live With Me?

One of the most common comments I hear, when an adult child becomes the caregiver to their senior parent is, I wish I would have known how hard it would be. If you are considering moving your mom or dad in to live with you, you'll need to really explore why you're doing it and whether you can keep the responsibility from becoming a burden. There are several questions you should consider before you agree to become a senior caregiver.

What type of resources do you have at home? You'll want an extensive support network to help you through the trials of care giving. Also be sure you have the time to commit to your mom. If you work full time, attend school or are raising young children it's unlikely you'll be able to handle the responsibility long-term without hitting burnout. Becoming a senior caregiver will affect every aspect of your life, so be sure to assemble resources to help you. Those resources might be hiring a housekeeper, in home non-medical assistance, or finding a place for mom to go for respite care. And always schedule time away from the house, for your own mental reprieve.

Is everyone that lives in the home supportive and capable of assuming the responsibility of caretaking if you can't be available? The dynamics of your immediate family and your relationship with them will change after your dad moves in. In an ideal situation your family will come together and share the responsibility, like helping to prepare dinners or reminding dad to take medications. However if someone in the house is hesitant or resentful for any additional duties it will make your ability to manage long-term, much more difficult. If you are sure about taking on the caregiver responsibilities for your dad, make sure that it's not at the cost of your immediate relationships, especially those with your spouse and children.

Do their medical needs require more than you are equipped to deal with? If mom needs help with daily living activities like dressing, bathing, transferring into a wheel chair, or she is experiencing incontinence, it might be more than you can physically handle. Mom may require 24 hour care in the future, if you move her into your home, ask yourself if you capable of handling the schedule then ask how long you can handle it. With today's medical advancements, seniors can often live for years needing 24 hour care. In addition, if your mom has advanced stages of Alzheimer's or dementia, providing care at home may not be the safest option.

Why do I want mom or dad to live with me? Don't move your dad in with the impression that it will be like having a roommate, because eventually you will have to assume the role of a senior caregiver. You'll want to move your dad in for the right reasons. When you are trying to make your decision, consider the emotional, financial, and long-term ramifications of this move. You should never take on the responsibility out of guilt alone; you may end up spending the time you have left with your dad being resentful instead of creating lasting memories.

Are you emotionally ready to become a caregiver for your parent? Watching our parents age is emotional; being part of their every day caretaking is much harder to experience. Be prepared for your relationship with your mom to change, when living together you may fall into your old parent-child relationship. Feelings from your childhood, especially those unresolved, will resurface. In addition, you need to be prepared to parent your parent. You'll be required to make and enforce decisions for your mom, especially if your mom suffers from Alzheimer's or dementia. Being a senior caregiver can be emotionally and physically draining.

What is your long term plan if you find being a caregiver is more challenging than you anticipated? Every good plan requires an exit strategy. Before you agree to have dad live with you, make sure you discuss an alternative living arrangement if you can no longer handle the level of care necessary. Also know when enough is enough, if you start experiencing caregiver burnout, your relationships with family and friends are suffering, and your health has been negatively affected, it might be time to consider the next long-term care plan for dad. That plan may include hiring an in home assistant, adult daycare or even moving them into an assisted living home or a nursing home.

These questions weren't meant to persuade you from becoming a senior caregiver for your parents, rather they are meant to encourage extra considerations for the responsibility.

Places You As a Caregiver Can Take Your Elderly Patient

As an in-home caregiver, you are responsible for elderly or disabled patients. These patients may live in an assisted living facility, or with family members. However, in the case of the latter, a relative may not be able to tend to the patient around the clock. That is where you, the in-home caregiver, come in. If the patient is allowed to go outside, there are a number of activities in which you can participate. Below are a few to choose from.

The Park
This option allows for two things that are good for your health. First, it allows your patient to get fresh air and see what exists outside. More importantly, it allows him or her - and you as a caregiver - to get exercise. If he or she is recovering from an illness or injury, the exercise could help get back on track, or close to 100 percent. Be sure to check with a doctor and find out how much work is too strenuous; not everyone can handle the same exercise plan.

Walk Around the Neighborhood
If the park is too much work or too far, consider going for a walk or ride around the neighborhood. Again, it allows you both to get fresh air, but for a shorter, more confined space. One walk around the block or up the street works just as effectively. If possible, consider getting a bicycle for the two of you as well.

Public Places
Public facilities like a library, museum, or a zoo offer educational opportunities for both children and adults. In addition, both offer various programs for the elderly, with games or various crafts. Some even offer computer and cellphone courses to help those not technically inclined reach the digital age.

Go for a Ride
Sometimes your patient wants to get out the house, not so much for exercise, but to sightsee. If approved, go for a ride to the beach or through the mountains, depending on where you live. A nice ride to somewhere out of the ordinary works for everyone involved, so why not give it a shot?

Again, consult the doctor to see what is suitable for your patient. In some cases, he or she may have to use a wheelchair if too much walking poses a threat. In any event, he or she may appreciate the opportunity to get out the house and get a little fresh air.

Elderly Homes and Assisted Living for Baby-Boomers

Assisted living or elderly homes, are set up to assist seniors that are disabled, paralyzed incapacitated or simply just not capable of caring for themselves in their old age.

Those that are capable of taking care of themselves, are provided and independent apartment with cooking, cleaning and housekeeping services available if required. Assisted living facilities are not as expensive as nursing home due to the fact that they do not provide the medical attention that nursing homes do.

Assisted living facilities room approximately 200-300 seniors citizens and offer activities and facilities for the tenants to stay active. Being assisted living facilities are much like a community, they can find friends that share common interest which can relieve the amount of stress on them.

Before committing to a particular facility, make sure that you make at least two visits to be sure that the patient care and property maintenance is consistent.

Before choosing a facility make sure that you are sure that that particular facility offers the services and amenities that are needed. This can be a challenge for those that want to maintain their way of living after relocating.

Whatever special needs or requirements that are needed for the tenant can be alleviated with options offered by the facility.

Some of the best elderly homes offer recreational activities which helps reduce loneliness and boredom. Assisted living facilities are a benefit for those that need their services. There are task that are just too difficult for some that are in their later years.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits

When a case of nursing home abuse is brought to court, the home in question must defend itself and the actions in question of its staff. If irrefutable evidence is presented that the resident has been abused or mistreated in any way, the victim WILL receive compensation if proper actions are taken. In some cases, the home may also be ordered to shut down. Home residents' rights are guaranteed by the federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law. The nursing home law requires homes to "promote and protect the rights of each resident".

In spite of the law, home abuse continues to be a serious problem. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates at least one in 20 nursing home patients has been the victim of abuse. According to the study, 57% of nurses' aides in long-term care facilities admitted to having witnessed, and/or participated in, acts of elder abuse. Unfortunately, the signs of home abuse are not always easy to recognize and ultimately prove.

If you think yourself or someone you know has been abused in the care of a nursing home ( and want to be financially compensated) they're are certain rules of thumb to follow. You should obtain and file all the names of the staff of the home in question along with any documentation that suggests or even proves you were abused. Such as medical bills, pictures of injuries, etc. When you have all of this together you should arrange a meeting with a personal injury attorney ASAP.

Why hire a personal injury lawyer? What a lawyer can do for you in these cases is invaluable. Your lawyer will (assuming he or she has experience dealing with elder abuse in your state) know what it takes to build you a solid case that will ultimately get you financially compensated for your injures, pain and suffering. While you can represent yourself against your nursing home and avoid fees of a nursing home lawyer, you can be assured everything is prepared up to par with a lawyer who has experience on your side. Also, most lawyers dealing with personal injuries and nursing home abuse will only take payment if a settlement is reached for their client.

Sometimes, the abused person and the nursing home in question can come to an agreement regarding compensation with the aid of their personal injury lawyer and the intervention of a judge is not required. This is normally the quicker and more convenient process, not requiring formal presentations of witnesses or evidence exhibits. If an agreement cannot be reached outside the courtroom however, the case may be pursued in front of a judge. Here, evidence and witnesses will be presented to support and disprove each case. The final outcome of the case will be decided upon by a judge, and although appeal processes are available, they are lengthy and hard to succeed with.

Also, you should know most states personal injury statutes of limitations grant a 2 year period in which you can file a lawsuit.