The Horrific World Of Nursing Home Abuse - What's Really Happening and What You Can Do

Most of us are naïve when it comes to the prospect of us growing older and needing care when we are older. We often need more care, but none of us ever dream that we will end up in a nursing home. However, when the time comes to decide, the decision is often in the hands of relatives rather than the hands of the individual entering care. We all think we will do what is right by our elderly relatives, but so many people unwittingly do just the opposite because nursing home abuse is so widespread that it is impossible to know before hand exactly what you are getting your relative into. As a result, there may be a day when you need to call on an elder abuse lawyer for help.

Nursing home abuse is often quite unimaginable and the cases that get to court will almost always reveal details that you never want to imagine happening, let alone come to terms with the fact that they actually do. Nursing home abuse can be horrific but even the slightest incident can often send your elderly relatives spinning off into a world that they have no control over and make their lives hell. An elder abuse lawyer could look into the case you have and offer guidance as to how to proceed with it to get justice for your family member and peace of mind for yourself.

It can take many forms. It could be hateful words or snide comments. It could be rough handling. The food could be tampered with. There is any number of behavioural and physical signs of abuse that could be combined to make your relatives life a living hell. This may not even happen to your relative, but if it does, an elder abuse lawyer would be waiting to help you.

There are literally thousands of elder abuse lawyers out there just waiting to take on cases. There was nowhere near that many in the 1990s, but the fact that one on three nursing homes were accused of neglect or abuse in 1999 and 2000 alone gave rise to the need for law students to specialise and fight for this particular cause, against nursing home abuse.

The fact that an elder abuse lawyer would be willing to take on your case in a heartbeat demonstrates what a big business it has become. Some of them actively campaign against nursing home abuse whereas others are just in it for the money. However, regardless of their motives, any one of them could help you to come to terms with the events that unfolded as well as get justice for your relative by hitting the nursing home in question where it hurts - the wallet!

It's a fact of life these days and you would be foolish to consider it blown out of proportion by the media. However, there is no point dwelling on the whys and wherefores if it does happen. There is only one way to deal with it - hire the best elder abuse lawyer you can and attempt to return to the normalcy of everyday life.

The Truth About Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing homes are being occupied in record numbers. Unfortunately, as nursing home residency increases, so do reports of widespread neglect and abuse.

The U.S. Administration on Aging estimates that over one million aging Americans are being exploited or abused. Further aggravating the problem is that many cases of neglect and abuse in nursing homes go unreported by staff. Lastly, several government studies suggest that about 90 percent of nursing homes are understaffed to begin with. The sad truth about nursing homes is that a large number of them focus more on profit than on providing quality resident care.

Lowry and Associates, a personal injury law firm based in Maine that provides legal services to victims of nursing home abuse, offer the following tips on what to look for when choosing a nursing home for a loved one:

Look for well-groomed residents who are actively engaged in scheduled activities.

Look for homes with pressure sore survey ratings at near zero.

Look for homes with physical restraint survey ratings at near zero. A high incidence of physical restraints may indicate a home that substitutes restraints for proper staffing levels.

Even if a home has appropriate staffing levels, take note of the quality of interaction between residents and the staff.

Gauge reactions to resident complaints. You can also get an idea of the relative number of complaints among nursing homes in an area by contacting Maine's long-term care ombudsman.

Consider a non-profit home since these generally have lower deficiency ratings and higher levels of staffing.

Estate - Will You Lose Your Home To Medicaid?

The largest financial risk that seniors face today is the potential of assisted living and nursing home costs to devour the nest egg that has taken a lifetime to build. Many will end up relying on Medicaid to pay these costs. If that's the case for you, chances are that Medicaid will come after your home when you die.

Before you get alarmed, make sure that you are not confusing Medicare with Medicaid. Medicare, available to seniors who have paid into the government's Social Security system, covers roughly the first 100 days of skilled nursing home care following a hospital stay of at least 3 days. Medicare doesn't help with custodial care.

Since Medicare is, in essence, insurance you have paid for through payroll taxes, the government can't try to reclaim that money when you die. Medicaid, on the other hand, is a welfare program that provides health care to the poor of any age. Qualifying for Medicaid requires the patient's liquid assets to be no more than $2,000, not including their home.

Traditionally, Medicaid has allowed a patient to keep their home while they're in the nursing home. Since Medicaid doesn't force the sale of the home at that time, many seniors assume they will be able pass it to their heirs at their death. Recent actions by states are making that less likely.

Back in 1993, Congress passed a law that required the state agencies that run Medicaid to make every effort to get reimbursement for the money spent on each patient. This means the states are required by law to take any assets remaining at death, up to the amount spent by Medicaid. So if Medicaid spends $75,000 for your care, the states will seek to recover $75,000 from your estate when you die.

For years, many states completely ignored this law or only casually attempted to recover Medicaid costs. But those days are over. Facing budget crunches and exploding health care costs, many states are now aggressively pursuing recovery of their expenses.

There is a whole industry devoted to shielding seniors' assets from the government so that they qualify for Medicaid. These include the use of irrevocable trusts, placing assets in the name of a child or the purchase of an annuity. But there are already rules in place that disqualify you for Medicaid when assets have been transferred to a trust or child within 3 to 5 years of your application. It will not surprise me to see states try to make it harder to move or otherwise protect assets.

More common are situations like this hypothetical one. A widow named Thelma develops dementia and Ted, her son, moves his mom out of her house and into a nursing home. Thelma's meager bank accounts are drained and she soon qualifies for Medicaid. For the next two years, Thelma's health gradually declines and she finally passes away.

Several months later, Ted is preparing to fix up the old home place as a retirement home for him and his wife. But he's shocked when he receives a notice from Medicaid that $85,000 is owed to cover the cost of Thelma's nursing home care. Ted will then have to sell the old family home, get a mortgage on the home or use other money he has saved for his own retirement to pay the bill. Regardless, the result is that the bulk of Thelma's estate went to the state instead of to Ted.

What if Thelma's home wasn't worth the $85,000 that the state was trying to recover? States are now beginning to go after other assets and personal possessions such as vehicles, family heirlooms and antiques. The state can force the auction of all of Thelma's belongings by placing a claim against her estate.

The state can legally pursue any and all of Thelma's assets in an attempt to recover what was spent on her care. Fortunately, the state can NOT seek to recover any remaining shortfall from Ted.

Investigate the procedures of the state where care is being received, because each state has different standards and procedures for Medicaid cost recovery. The trend will continue for states to increase their attempts at Medicaid recovery from estates of recipients. Be aware so you aren't caught off guard.

Tips for Selecting a Nursing Home

Every year, many families across the US make the difficult decision to check a loved one into a nursing home. While this is not an easy choice to make, it is often the safest option for an elderly or disabled adult who can no longer care for himself or herself. Before making a final decision, most families carefully research all of their options when it comes to care facilities.

If you are considering long-term care for a member of your family, you can protect his or her best interests by researching all of your options before selecting a home. There are many steps you can take to learn about and compare different places. A few tips that may help include:

• If possible, make your choice ahead of time. If your loved one is hospitalized for an unexpected injury or illness, you may need to move him or her into a home with very little time to do research. If you have family members who may need long-term care in the future, you may want to begin researching your options now.


• Call Medicare, or visit their website. This government program provides health care for retired and disabled adults. They also certify nursing homes that meet their care and safety standards. They can provide you with information about certified homes in your area, so you can easily compare and contrast.


• Make sure to research the level of care each facility provides. Different patients have different needs; some simply need quick access to medical treatments, while others need constant assistance. It is important to find a place that meets your loved one's specific needs.


• Always tour a facility before selecting it for your loved one. Make sure you view the living areas, kitchen, and bathrooms. Look for any signs of potential neglect, such as dirt, mold, or spills that have not been cleaned up.

While the decision to check a family member into a facility will never be easy, these are some steps you can take to help reduce stress and suffering for yourself and your family.

How to Plan a 100th Birthday Party

Turning 100 is a momentous occasion. Less than 2% of the US population reached their 100th birthday. Planning a birthday celebration for any centenarian takes sensitivity. Quite possibly they are frail and mobility challenged. The location of the party must take this into consideration.

Step 1. Discuss the party with the birthday celebrant. NEVER THROW A SURPRISE PARTY for someone this age. Together, work up an invitation list of friends and family members.

Step 2. Know all you can about the birthday celebrant. If she is in a wheelchair or in ill health, hold the party at their home. If she lives in a nursing home, coordinate with the administrator for this very special event. You need to know about all allergies and limitations. For instance, if she can't hear, don't waste money on music.

Step 3. Plan the food. There may be rules to follow if she lives in a nursing home. If you can hold the party in a private home, consider hiring a caterer. An alternative is to ask friends to bring a dish. The hostess supplies only the Birthday Cake and drinks.

Use the dining table with her best linens and china for a smaller group. Many centenarians are especially fond of their possessions and will have fond memories at dining table set with her beautiful china and silver.

Buffets will be difficult for senior citizens. If there is a large group of guests, put the food on a buffet or dining table, but have helpers serve the seated senior citizens-especially the birthday girl.

Step 4. Be sure to have a non-alcoholic punch or soft drinks as the celebrant or the elderly guests may need to avoid mixing alcohol with medicines.

Step 5. Bake her favorite Birthday Cake. Top it with letter candles spelling out H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y or put three large candles for 1-0-0 on the cake. Western tradition allows for 100 small candles on the cake, but she probably cannot blow them all out, and this will make her feel bad.

Step 6. Entertainment should be appropriate for senior citizens. Children's choir is a favorite. A violinist or pianist could provide background music as well as a set program.

Step 7. Consider hiring a photographer or videographer. Copies of these mementoes will be cherished by all members of the family.

Step 8. Decorations make any location festive. Party supplies: banners, balloons, yard signs can be bought at your favorite party store or online.

Don't forget flowers for centerpieces and corsage or boutonniere for the gentleman.

Step 9. Dress. Work with the birthday celebrant on dress for the day. Make sure has a current hair cut or hair style. Fix makeup for ladies and choose a great looking outfit. Buy a tiara for the birthday girl. Party supply places have fun ones with the number 100 prominently displayed. A funny hat for a birthday guy sets the party mood. They want to look and feel good for this special day.

Step 10. Gifts. Happy Birthday from the Today show and Willard Scott can be obtained by sending a request with a photo to: Willard Scott Birthdays, TODAY show, NBC News, 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. NBC requests this information be in their hands 6 weeks prior to the recipient's birthday. They cannot mention everyone on the air, but it doesn't hurt to send in a request.

Get a list of the birthday celebrants' governor, US senators, and representatives, and mayor of their town. Write them with the details of the centenarians approaching birthday and ask them to send them a letter of congratulations. Most politicians have staff who tend to such matters.

Contact the local newspaper and the church where the birthday girl or guy is a member. They will print it in the paper or church bulletin. Be sure to say that the birthday will be celebrated with a small, private gathering of family. This way, you won't get party crashers.

A favorite gift is a digital picture frame with family photos. Gather all photos together, add music, and set it up as a continuous slide show. It is a wonderful way to remind centenarians of their extended family. If you have access to photos from their past, include them as well.

Enjoy this very special party! You will make this person very happy on her birthday.

Sample letter to Mayor requesting a congratulatory letter for the Centenarian

Dated 6 weeks in advance of birthday

Mayor John Doe

City Hall Suite 100

City, St, Zip

Dear Mr. Mayor

It is my honor to prepare a birthday party for one of your city's newest centenarians. Mrs. Jane Brown Smith has lived in your fine city virtually her whole life. She worked with her husband in his three businesses while raising her two children. She has been active in her church, name of church, and civic organizations, Kiwanis Club, Rotary, and Boy Scouts. List any awards or recognitions that she has received.

Mrs. Smith turns 100 years old on April 17, and it would mean a lot to her to receive a letter of congratulations from you, Mr. Mayor. Please send your letter close to her birthday to:

Mrs. Jane Brown Smith

123 ABC Street

City, St, Zip

Thank you in advance for making her 100th birthday special.

Very truly yours

Mrs. Smith-Jones, daughter

Administrative Jobs - Tips to Deal With Your Boss

Different jobs offer different duties and chance to interact with the boss, like an HR executive will have greater chance to talk with boss than a software programmer. People involved in administrative jobs have to thus learn to deal with boss personalities so that they are able to give them a satisfactory reply each time and save themselves from arguments.

This is not easy, of course it is not, after all boss is a boss who has the power to ask hundred questions for simple things completely confuse employees and still seek proper replies. I have in fact seen numerous employees into administrative jobs shiver when they have to talk to the boss regarding some critical issue and there are hundreds of other people who leave their jobs as they are unable to cope with their boss.

Boss personalities can be classified into various unique categories, however three of the most important are, authoritative, egocentric and everyman boss. When you are into administrative jobs you need to understand your boss's personality and deal with them accordingly.

An authoritative boss is very specific about the manner in which the task is done and loves to know the details. To work with them collaboratively and want that they should appreciate you for your work then you need to make sure that you work efficiently to complete all assigned tasks with details so that you have accurate answers to all the questions asked.

An egocentric boss is self-motivated and less cooperative with the administrative staff. He/she is less interested in feedback or suggestion on any issue and wants that things or processes should be done or followed as per their instructions. Calm is the most important thing needed to deal with such bosses because it is only when you are calm that you will able to deal with their nature.

Everyman boss is a little easy going and gives staff space to talk freely and suggest different things. However these bosses are often seen to be weak in leading the team. Administrative staff should understand their weakness and use it to their advantage by using leadership skills whenever you feel that the decision taken is incorrect.

Considering Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers for Your Parents

It is a difficult decision to put your parents into a long-term care facility. It probably took you a long time to make the decision. Now, after having them there for a few years, perhaps you believe they are being abused. If you do believe this to be the case, it is important for you to research nursing home abuse lawyers and find one that will be able to help your parents' case.

If you do not already have power of attorney in your parents' lives, it might be a good idea at this point to get it. If your parents still are able to communicate well, then perhaps that will not be necessary, but if they struggle with memory and other issues dealing with the mind, it might be best for you to be able to speak for them at certain times and handle this case. You should at this point narrow down your search for nursing home abuse lawyers and find one that is experienced, compassionate, and affordable.

It is important that of the nursing home abuse lawyers that you consider, you choose one that is experienced not just in law, but in this specific area. Compassion toward the elderly is also an important trait in a lawyer to make your parents feel comfortable as they speak with him or her. Affordability is important because nursing care is expensive. You will not want to run out of the money that is helping your parents get care.

There are many things that can take place in long-term care facilities. All problems are not intentional, but all problems should be addressed. Bruises, bed sores, unsanitary conditions, rude speech, and unusually excessive sleepiness are all areas that should be addressed. You are your parents' advocate now. It is a strange change to go from being child to almost being the parent, but it is a necessity that you begin to take on this role so that your parents can get the help that they need.

If you suspect your parents or other patients in the facility are being abused, it is important to contact the administrator and arrange a meeting along with your lawyer. The administrator should begin an investigation of the allegations that you have provided.

The state will not stand for a long-term care facility being abusive to their residents. If you blow the whistle on a problem like this, no one except the abusers will look down on you for your decision. Your decision to say something may end up saving a number of lives besides that of your parents.

Nursing home abuse lawyers have an important responsibility to protect those who came before us. If you ever suspect your family members or someone else in a facility are being abused, go through the right channels to get the help you need.

Criteria For Finding the Best Nursing Home

There are a lot of people looking for nursing home just like us. If you notice, the nursing home business is widely in boom because of the demand. This is fueled by our busy way of life and we cannot stop the aging process of the population. We cannot prevent or stop from getting older, even doubling the size of our population so this gave way for the rise in demand for these nursing homes.

With the number of these homes rising, we need to choose carefully for the services they are offering. The quality is very important because we are putting our family members here and also we do not want our hard earned money put into jeopardy.

We need to consider the different criteria in finding the best care home for our family. These are the factors that we need to check:

1. A nursing home should have a permit to operate or a license. When they are operating legally it means that they have met all the requirements and passed the standard that the government has imposed. Their legality in operating is not an assurance of quality, you need to further know the management aspect of the homes;

2. A nursing home should have good management. Consider the personnel who will take good care of our elderly. Though a lot of movies gave the scenarios of abusive caregivers it does not follow that this is not happening in some of our home care that is why we need to be very careful in choosing one. They should have enough reliable personnel to handle their patients.

3. A nursing home should be comfortable. After scrutinizing their staff it is time to consider their premises or facilities. Check their beds, bathrooms, air-conditioning and insulation of their building. Do not rely on the home care advertisement. You need to do the hands-on inspection as well.

4. Check whether the nursing homes are secure and safe. Of course all home cares are safe but check if they are elderly safe. If the family member that we are going to enroll is in a wheel chair, we need to check if they have enough ramps in the area for his mobility. Consider also if they are strict in implementing precautionary measures to prevent accidents.

5. Nursing homes should cater good food. Usually our elderly is very picky in eating, in this stage a lot of them are very hard to feed. Food presentation is important as well its palatability. We need to make sure that their food handlers are following the different guidelines in food safety.

6. A nursing home should give good medical services. If anything happens to our elderly, they have access to immediate medical services.

We are not very critical in choosing a care home. Always think they are our partners in giving our elderly love ones a better place where they can spend the remainder of their lives comfortable and enjoyable.

When the Injury Is Intentional

Not all personal injuries arise from negligence. Some of them result from people who intentionally cause others injuries. These intentional physical or emotional injuries arise from two different types of wrongdoings or torts. These are assault and battery. These are the same in the sense that both are done intentionally by an offender. However, the similarity ends there, because in an assault case, the wrongdoer threatens and acts like he or she might do something to harm the victim, whereas in battery, the wrongdoer actually touches and makes contact with the person and does something to injure him. Some of these incidents result from minor altercations that do not necessarily require hospitalization and that get settled by simple settlement and understanding. However, when a victim gets hospitalized due to serious injuries, then that is a good enough reason to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer.

When a victim gets assaulted, it is much more difficult to prove because no physical injuries are likely to have stemmed from the assault. However, if the victim experiences severe emotional fear and trauma arising from the assault, then there is a good chance that the victim will get compensated as long as the personal injury lawyer gets to prove the extent of the emotional distress experienced by his client. The victim may get repaid for the amount that he or she spent in the hospital and other damages that might possibly arise from the assault or battery inflicted upon him or her. Some of these damages may involve settlement for pain, humiliation, suffering and anxiety. Some personal injury lawyers include demand for "loss of consortium" which is filed by the uninjured spouse against the wrongdoer for compensation for marital relation or time lost with the victim because of the injury.

If you are filing for claims against an assault or battery case, hire a good lawyer to defend you from possible excuses that an offender may present to the court. Your personal injury lawyer will probably have to eliminate the possibility of the offender claiming that he or she was acting out of self-defense when the situation happened. Moreover, your personal injury lawyer has to prove that you are not participating on a contact sport when the assault or battery happened. Also, your lawyer needs to prove that you have emotionally and physically suffered from the event and your life has been greatly affected. For example, you may provide concrete evidence that you have missed going to work for fear that you will find the offender waiting for you in some street corner to hurt you again. You may also have sustained injuries that you could photograph for record and reference to substantiate your claim to physical injury.

Everybody has the right to safety from malicious individuals who intentionally cause other people fear and harm. If you or someone in your family is subjected to grave threat and physical injuries, do not sit quietly and allow that individual to continue offending you and your loved ones. There are laws that protect you from people like these, all you need to do is ask the help of a lawyer and bravely face your offender in court. You might also save and vindicate other people who have been offended by the same person who caused you pain and suffering.

The Advantages Of In Home Nursing Care

Many seniors who are frail, disabled, and infirmed prefer to stay in their own homes rather than in the hospital. Good thing there is in home nursing care to provide seniors all types of healthcare solutions ranging from personal care to technical nursing. Highly trained and qualified caregivers can be hired to provide in home nursing care ranging from a few hours to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Home healthcare services are provided by skilled nurses and health aides. Skilled nurses can administer medications and disease management programs. Meanwhile, health aides help seniors with daily activities such as bathing, eating, and walking. They may also provide assistance with monitoring bladder catheters, colostomy, or administering oxygen.

With in-home nursing services, seniors and their families enjoy many benefits. One such benefit is that you get quality health care that is a more affordable and cheaper option than a nursing home.

In addition to providing seniors medical aid at a low cost, in home nursing care also enhances the over-all well-being of seniors. This is because this type of nursing care allows them to maintain regular communication and daily socialization with other people. Such social interactions can help sharpen a senior's social skills and help him stay connected.

With the availability of professional medical care, family members don't have to be absent from work or school in order to care for their senior loved ones. For family caregivers, hiring in home nursing services allows them to have a well-deserved break.

Deciding when to hire in home nursing services for your senior parents can be challenging. Below are some of the possible cases when you should seriously think about hiring a home nursing care provider to provide professional care for your senior loved one.

1. When you can no longer provide all the care or assistance that your senior loved one needs. As your loved one advances in age, he might begin to lose the ability and strength to care for himself. For instance, your elderly parent may need help with using the toilet or getting into and out of the bed, but you don't have the physical ability and strength to provide for his needs. Instead of taking the risk of injuring yourself or neglecting your senior parent's need, you should consider hiring a home health care provider for him. When he has already recovered and he's beginning to move around again, a home health care worker can be hired to assist him with his daily activities and help him avoid future accidents or injuries.

2. When your senior parents suffer a fall. Seniors who have suffered a fall often sustain an injury that requires a surgery. In this case, the help of an in home nursing care professional may be necessary, especially while they are recovering.

3. Your senior loved ones require regular medical attention. Seniors who are critically ill may need the care and daily monitoring of a medical professional. Instead of keeping them in the hospital, which is often costlier, consider hiring in home nursing care for him. Seniors who continue to live in a familiar environment while they are receiving the right type of medical attention often recover more quickly than those who stay in a nursing home or other health care institution.

4. When you can no longer bear the emotional burden of caring for your senior parent. Watching your elderly loved one's health and mental state gradually decline can be emotionally devastating. But with a home health care professional providing the medical care and daily needs of your senior loved one, you can have more quality time to spend with him. Such time can be wisely spent by showering him all your love and attention instead of constantly worrying about how to provide him the right senior care. This makes in home nursing a practical option not only for your senior loved one, but for you and the entire family as well.

5. When your senior parents have symptoms of advanced dementia. Family members often find it difficult to handle senior loved ones who show signs of advanced dementia such as violent outbursts of erratic behavior. Home health care providers are often the best people to provide care for this type of patient, mainly because of the training and experience they have working with those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. These individuals have the special training needed in dealing with such difficult situations.

Nursing Homes - 9 Compelling Reasons to Choose One

1. Assistance with daily tasks - nursing homes provide assistance to their residents with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, drinking, using restroom, running errands and administering medicine. Typical daily tasks can become increasingly difficult with old age. Many seniors lose their driver's license at some point and are no longer able to drive to the grocery store or local pharmacy.

2. Social environment - residing in a nursing facility provides seniors with a built-in social network of their peers. Senior residents can enjoy the company of others who are living in the same facility and share their experiences. Many nursing facilities also offer organized social events open for participation from all residents. Many senior citizens suffer from depression due to feelings of isolation from living alone and not having access to social outlets.

3. House keeping - the nursing home staff will take care of laundry service, dry cleaning and general cleaning services in your apartment home. Cleaning can be an arduous task for many aging seniors. Having an on-site cleaning staff can prove to be valuable and save time and energy.

4. Food service - nursing facilities provide all meals and snacks. Many facilities offer various meal plans to cater to different tastes and dietary requirements. Some facilities also offer meal planning services with a licensed dietitian to ensure that their residents are enjoying a healthy and balanced diet. The food services and meals provided is incorporated into the nursing home cost.

5. Health care services - Amongst the most obvious benefits of skilled nursing facilities is the personalized health care services offered to residents. These services typically include regular administration of daily prescriptions, medical attention when needed, emergency medical services, 24-hour health monitoring services. Having on-site medical care available from registered nurses and health care providers is crucial to a senior's safety and well-being.

6. Safety - the elderly are frequently targets of physical, emotional and financial abuse. Living in an assisted living facility offers seniors a protected environment to help insulate them from possible abuse. Imagine if a senior was living alone and forgot to lock their front door at night due to Alzheimer's or dementia suffering. Nursing homes offer greater levels of security and protection than seniors who are living alone or un-supervised.

7. Access to resources - while living in a nursing home, residents enjoy easy access to whatever resources they might need. Nursing home residents don't have to worry about learning how to use the internet or holding on the phone while trying to obtain information. The nursing home staff will help residents find the information they need quickly and efficiently.

8. Relieving your family - many family members become caretakers for elderly parents or relatives. Many of these people have their own lives with busy work schedules, children, obligations, etc and don't have enough time to attend to their own personal lives while providing constant care to their elderly family members. By living in a nursing home, the senior citizen is taking a burden off their younger family members and is also receiving care from dedicated professionals who are available 24-7.

9. Specialized health care - skilled nursing facilities are staffed by registered nurses and they have the ability to provide proper health care to seniors with serious health conditions. This level of care is above and beyond what a family member can provide. Many of the serious diseases that plague the elderly such as Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, cancer and diabetes require health care by a medical professional. Living in a facility with 24-7 health care services will maximize a senior's health and safety.

Georgia Assisted Living Costs

Long term elder care help at assisted living homes costs approximately $2,500 a month generally in the state of Georgia. If you think that's steep, the cost for nursing care is almost twice, costing between five thousand and six thousand dollars a month on average.

With monthly prices so stiff, how can you intend to pay for these services appropriate for long term care?

It's expensive in GA to be given long term senior care, regrettably there are only two options available to most of the general public. You can pay for the care services out-of-pocket, or you can buy long term care protection which will probably cost about $50.00 a month whether you wind up needing the care or not.

Here is a summary of the typical costs of long term help in Georgia, and Metro Atlanta, including Alpharetta, Augusta, Macon, and Savannah.

• Georgia: $2,400 monthly


• Atlanta: $3,451 monthly


• Alpharetta: $3,750 monthly


• Augusta: $2,277 monthly


• Macon: $2,656 monthly


• Savannah: $2,836 monthly

The cost of assisted living in GA can also vary relative to the needs of the individual. For many facilities there is a base monthly charge for the suite plus supplementary fees are added as required. There can also be a 1 time community fee during move in.

Monthly Room Fee: $4,500 and Under

The suite charge at an assisted living home every month in georgia includes upkeep, maintenance of the room and common areas, some to all utilities, activities and sufficient assistance with daily activities. The costs differ for different reasons, but the primary factor is location. You can more often than not estimate this by the local real estate. A Buckhead community in Atlanta would cost more than one located in Woodstock.

Supplemental Charges: $600 - $4500

Determined by the level of aid that is essential for the individual, GA assisted living homes all have extra services to help you or a loved one with daily or common activities. The services vary in prices, and depending on how many are essential can start at $20 a day, and get as costly as $100 daily. Everyday medication reminders and circulation is the most used service and runs about $450 a month if not included.

Be sure to check each communities price plan for these services even if they're not necessary at first, they may rapidly cause the bill to escalate in the near future. The following services are commonly offered throughout assisted living homes in GA.

• Grooming


• Dietary


• Speech


• Socialization


• Vital signs


• Bathing


• Vision


• Transfer


• Weight loss/gain


• Skin Care


• Dressing


• Hearing


• Mobility


• Lab work


• Special requests

1 Time Facility Entrance Charge

The entrance charge is a 1 time, payment made upfront between 1 - 2 thousand dollars and is as a rule paid before moving in. Typically it's used for maintenance of the building and campus of the facility. It varies from $1000-$2000.

The Advantages Of Assisted Living And How Facilities Can Help

It may be difficult having to come to the realization that a loved one can no longer go through their daily routine on their own. Perhaps it is parent or grandparent that needs special care. In many cases their offspring can not take them into their own home to care for because they do not have the specially needed facilities and equipment to accommodate them. Many people cannot afford to stop work in order to provide full time care and hiring a round the clock in-home caregiver is too expensive. Sadly, in a great deal of cases, many people do not have anyone close to them that may provide care so assisted living facilities become the final option.

There are millions of people who are in need of assisted living all over the world because they can no longer conduct activities of daily life (ADLs) on their own. This usually refers to the elderly but can also include those with disabilities. This type of care usually means that a person resides in a facility where normal daily needs such as eating, bathing, dressing and taking medications are conducted under the supervision or with the assistance of trained professionals.

In most cases a person who resides in these establishment requires help in at least three ADLs. These are people who do not require the intensive amount of care that could be present in a nursing home and requires a more social environment to be comfortable.

Statistically, residents of these facilities are women which outnumber the men three to one. Most are widowed but some still have husbands, wives, or significant others. The average age of one of the residents is 86.9 years and the average length of care is around twenty eight years.

One of the largest advantages is that of the social environment that these residences provide. Large common areas are available for eating with others and this helps to mitigate the loneliness many elders feel. This is a primary difference between ALFs and intensive care units where patients are kept bedridden and hooked up to monitoring devices most of or all the day.

Also, the residents need not be concerned with the preparation of meals. A trained kitchen staff offers three meals a day in a community dining hall where the people who live their can converse and mingle if they choose to do so.

Many of the newer facilities provide the residents with many amenities that are akin to still being independent while always ensuring that trained assistance is close by. For instance, in many cases a person may be given their own apartment type living area. No special monitoring equipment such as might be present in nursing homes are needed but basic household chores are provided by the staff. Bedding changes, trash removal, laundry services and fresh meals are provided daily.

Several assisted living facilities also offer service to the mentally ill. This is primarily reserved for people who are in certain stages of dementia, to include Alzheimer's disease. However, other types of patients with mental disabilities are welcome in some cases as long as they do not pose a threat to others or themselves.

Types of Retirement Communities

Introduction

According to a recent survey by the Met Life Mature Market Institute, 83 percent of individuals reaching retirement age do not plan to leave their current residence. Unfortunately, some of these individuals are going to be faced with circumstances beyond their control that will require them to do just that. The good news? Seniors today have many available options when it comes to choosing a retirement community. For some, the type of community selected will be a matter of choice, while for others it will be based on need. There are essentially six types to choose from: Active Adult, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Continuing Care, Alzheimer's Care and Nursing Care. Let's take a closer look at each type.

Active Adult Communities

Active Adult Communities include a variety of different dwelling options such as single-family homes, town homes, cluster homes, manufactured housing and multifamily housing. These communities are either age-restricted or age-targeted. Age-Restricted Communities are specifically aimed at persons age 55 and older while Age-Targeted Communities are similar to Age-Restricted Communities except their marketing targets adults age 55 or older but they are not explicitly age-restricted. Leisure Communities are another option designed for empty nesters but without age restrictions.

Independent Living Communities

Independent Living Communities are designed for seniors who are active, healthy and able to live without assistance. They also consist of a variety of housing options in settings designed for independent lifestyles. They are no different from other residential communities except that there is an age restriction (over 55) or an age target.

Assisted Living Communities

Assisted Living Communities cater to people who have trouble performing some activities of daily living without help. They are state licensed and designed for seniors who need regular help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, toilet assistance, walking, medication reminders) but who do not need a nursing care facility. Care is available for seniors with some functional impairments, either physical or cognitive. Other services consist of an emergency call system supported by 24-hour security and staff availability, meals served in a common dining room, housekeeping services, transportation, health promotion and exercise programs, medication management, personal laundry services, and social and recreational activities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are designed for healthy people who don't want additional worries about where they are going to live as they grow older and how they are going to cope with potential future illness or the frailty of extreme old age. Once moved into a Continuing Care Retirement Community, residency is continued in the same development regardless of health changes at an established unchanging cost.

Alzheimer's Care Facilities

These facilities specialize in caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. A patient may start off in an assisted living facility in the early or mid-stages of the disease, but due to its progressive, degenerative nature will most likely need more care as time goes on. Frequently, assisted living facilities have a separate Alzheimer's unit but when this isn't the case, after the onset of advanced dementia, the patient would need to be transferred to a facility equipped to provide the required care.

Nursing Care Facilities

There are two types of nursing facilities associated with residential facilities. There are intermediate care facilities which provide custodial and intermediate care, and skilled nursing facilities, which provide custodial, intermediate, and skilled care. Custodial care is non medical care that includes around-the-clock supervision, as well as assistance with personal needs such as eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, toilet assistance, and mobility. Intermediate care provides basic medical care. Skilled care provides more intensive medical care.

Conclusion

As you can see, Seniors have many options when it comes to choosing a retirement community. While some choices are driven more by need than desire, at least we can take comfort in knowing there are so many options and levels of care available. And those reluctant to embrace the idea of giving up their pre-retirement home should be made aware that it's not only possible to live independently, but that independence can co-exist with the conveniences, amenities and peace of mind many adult active and independent living communities have to offer.

Premise Liability Law

A person who is injured while on the premises of another has the right, under Premise Liability Law, to seek compensation from the property owner. A court may determine whether or not compensation should be paid, and will also determine the amount of compensation. In general, compensation will only be payable if the claimant can prove that the property owner was negligent in some way, and that it was this negligence which led to the injury or loss.

Premise Liability Law and the Workplace

Any employee who suffers an injury while in his or her place of work is covered by the terms of Premise Liability Law. If the employee can prove negligence on behalf of the employer, compensation may be payable.

This is a complex area, and it is advisable to seek advice from an accident lawyer. To see why, it is best to look at a couple of examples.

Workplace Accidents

1) The first example is relatively straightforward. A storeowner decides to replace the flooring behind the store counter. The new flooring is elevated several inches above the surrounding flooring. It is installed overnight when the store is closed.

The following morning, the employee responsible for opening the store, trips over the new flooring and injures herself. The storeowner had not told her of the new flooring, and accident lawyers could claim that the owner is negligent.

2) The second example is more complicated. A store uses a basement area to hold stock. Access to the basement is via a trapdoor. The owner realizes that the trapdoor is potentially dangerous when open. She buys a protective cage to be placed around the trapdoor before it is opened. Every member of staff is shown how to use the cage, and given explicit orders that they must use it every time they want to open the trapdoor.

An employee, believing he is the only employee in the store at the time, opens the trapdoor without putting the safety cage in place. A cleaner coming to work earlier than expected falls through the open trapdoor and is injured.

While the cleaner's injuries are clearly the result of negligence, who is actually responsible for paying compensation? An accident injury lawyer could best explain the options in this particular example.

Professional Expertise

Nearly every area of law has the potential to be extremely complicated, and Premise Liability Law is no exception. What may seem to be a straightforward case can have many twists and turns. Whether you are a plaintiff (claimant) or an employer, it is a high-risk strategy to proceed without getting professional advice from a specialist accident lawyer. Not only can an experienced accident lawyer insure that all the facts beneficial to your case are presented, but he or she is best qualified to know if the compensation amount offered or asked for is realistic.

The Notion of Time in Dealing With a Dementia Patient

The notion of time is an acquired taste. We are not born with it, kids spend years trying to deal with it properly (i.e. to their parents' satisfaction), some people never learn to manage it, and dementia patients lose it even if they were previously very organized and excellent planners like my mother.

As a caregiver though, I was thoroughly convinced that time exists and must be obeyed. Silly me! In my defense, I must say that I was coming from a professional career and that I do have a bit of a reputation as a control freak. Moving in with my mother who has dementia was quite a lesson in how people who have no notion of time, live. It can definitely be done and actually, once you learn to do it, it changes your whole perspective on day-to-day living. Nothing is stable and making plans is almost a gratuitous exercise.

When I first arrived, my mother's physical condition was quite poor so she had many appointments for doctors, tests, rehabilitation, etc. Unfortunately, her mental condition had deteriorated so much that I also had to take over the role of parent to my own mother. Initially it is a disconcerting feeling, but soon you realize that it is essential and you just get down to it. Every morning at breakfast, I would announce what visit we had that day (I never scheduled more than one per day so that she would not get totally stressed). An hour before we were scheduled to leave, I would go in to help her choose her clothes and get dressed. Then I would let her rest. At departure time minus 20 min., I would go to get her only to find that she had fallen totally asleep (she was taking a lot of meds for pain) and it would take more than 15 min. to get her to a semblance of "awake". At this point, I was literally dancing around trying to get us out of the house and on our way. I was snappish and brusque. My mother would get her "deer in the headlights" look, she was totally lost. Almost from one minute to the next, she could forget that we had an appointment.

Eventually we would get into the car and I would see that we weren't too late. (I come from Switzerland where we believe on being on time!!) I would heave a deep inner sigh of relief, then my mother would announce that we had to go back home: she was not feeling well or had to go to the bathroom again, etc. Usually this would happen about two miles from home and was due to fear of the unknown. With no recent memory, she would feel totally destabilized at the idea of going somewhere unfamiliar, or even familiar since she couldn't hold on to the idea of where we were going. My usual "because the doctor said to" was not always successful. I would try to cajole/bully her into waiting until we got to the appointment (nothing is really very far from where we live), but she would become panicky and we would often wind up returning home and missing the appointment. Some of my U-turns were less than smooth! I was doing neither of us any good: I was still driven by a clock that was becoming more and more meaningless and my mother could sense my tension and annoyance. We were having very unpleasant moments, all because of my notion of time.

Finally, as I adapted my mindset to my new situation, I realized that in our little world, the notion of time can be taken with a grain of salt. If we are late to a doctor's appointment, then we just have to sit in the waiting room longer; no one really minds and we have nothing to do for the rest of the day anyway... I now pack books for us to read in case this happens and we take little walks if my mother gets stiff. If we are late to the senior gym class, the instructor just smiles broadly at us and thanks us for coming; classmates move seats so that we can have two seats together. If we are late to our occasional social luncheons, everybody hustles to make room for us and says how great my mother looks. They also give me a wink and whisper in my ear what a great job I am doing. Time such as I knew it, is becoming irrelevant. If we miss a gym class or a luncheon, it makes no difference since my mother won't even remember that we missed it. I am learning to live differently. I can't imagine trying to have a responsible outside job in this way, but I have come to realize that since I came here to help my mother live out her last years pleasantly, I should keep that in mind at all times.

I am convinced that the lack of memory causes the poor notion of time. How can you situate yourself if you cannot remember what just happened or what is supposed to happen soon? How can you get from one point in time to another with no memory? How can "cause and effect" exist when cause is completely forgotten by the time effect happens? It means that dementia patients believe that things happen for no apparent reason and that can be very scary.

Also, in my mother's case as for most, it is the short term memory that goes first. The long term memories from her youth are still there, creating a hodge-podge of ideas and concerns that seem very present and worrisome to her. I remember one day early on when my mother lowered her voice to confide in me that when "Maman" and "Papa" (her parents) died, the house would be "ours". I pointed out, yet again, that the house was hers, that she and my father had had it built 30 years ago, that her parents had never come to this country and had died years ago, and that my sister and I would inherit the house when she died and that we would worry about it then. She needn't worry.

It might sound a little brutal, I could just say "uh-huh", but in my thinking, much of her memory bank is a blank slate wiped clean by her TIA's or her stroke(s). When I explain things to her, I always try to put things in context and in a positive light, so that she can mull them over, without becoming alarmed. It's a repetitious job but I think that she is responding. Her short term memory is still gone, but her reasoning seems to be coming back. The other day, I was showing her the baby blanket I am making for my next grandchild and I said that I might like to add one more row of crochet. She actually looked at me and said: "Will you have enough wool?" Wow! What awareness! I was thrilled and, smiling in my heart, I said: "Probably not, we'll have to go to the store to get some." She was quite pleased , the knitting goods store is very familiar and she likes going there. (Can I even hope that this was the reason that she asked the question? ) The trip would be something that she could look forward to, if only she could remember it. On the other hand, this way she has a little jolt of pleasure every time I mention that we have to go or are on our way to the knitting goods store.

It's a strange way to live, I find I am becoming remarkably zen. As I let the importance of time drift away, my mother seems less fearful, more accepting of living in only the present moment.

Watch For The Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse

If your loved one is confined to a nursing home facility, take time out to be concerned about possible nursing home abuse. Many families don't think about things like this--they just assume that their relative is being given the proper treatment and are being closely monitored by staff. Nursing homes, in fact, are usually understaffed and the employees are overworked and stressed out--a breeding ground for abuse toward the helpless patient. The first type of abuse I will mention is physical abuse--this includes assault and battery (sexually also) conducted by a staff member who may have a mental problem or emotional problem. The problem is being taken out on the patient. Physical abuse can also include unreasonable or unauthorized restraining or a patient being made to stay in a certain confined area. Also it could include not feeding the patient or medicating the patient properly. Look also for the surfacing of injuries that cannot adequately be explained by anyone and also investigate any reports of nursing home abuse directly from the patient.

Now, physical abuse is not the only way your loved ones can be abused in a nursing home. Verbal abuse can also be devastating and harmful to a nursing home patient's condition. Notice the actions of your relative when you visit him or her in the nursing home. If an outgoing person becomes suddenly and noticeably withdrawn and quiet--something may be wrong on the part of the staff conduct. The patient may appear to be unusually upset and seem frightened of people. You may also notice that a patient has recently started to behave nervously---such as rocking back and forth, biting the nails, wrenching the hands and shaking. Or the patient may suddenly and curiously ask to be away from the crowd and left alone in their room. Sometimes a once loving and caring relative will suddenly turn mean and vicious toward their family--this may also be a sign of verbal nursing home abuse.

Neglect is also a form of abusive behavior by the staff of a nursing home. A nursing home patient needs particular items for everyday living--food, cleansing and grooming products, clean clothes, and help with personal hygiene. If the nursing home fails to supply these for the patient's use--this is considered neglect. Also if the resident's room or any facility inside the nursing home where the patient will be exposed to is unsafe or nasty, the resident is being neglected. Last, but certainly not least, if the patient requires special medical attention the situation needs to be addressed by the nursing staff. The patient may be under nourished or have bed sores that could have been prevented if not for neglect.

Be very aware that there are much more serious results that can occur from nursing home abuse. It all depends upon the extent of the abuse. One frightening and devastating incident is the death of a resident under unexpected or neglectful circumstances. There have been incidents where a patient wandering around outside was hit by a vehicle or took a fall resulting in death or a serious injury. Watch your relative who is a nursing home resident for rapid, unusual weight loss which is not consistent with any known ailment that the patient has. Sometimes a resident's illness is ignored when they need emergency treatment or need to be taken to the hospital.

In short, if you have a close relative or friend in a nursing home, you cannot avoid watching for signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse. If you see the abuse or suspect it, contact your lawyer.

Adult Diaper Rash - How to Reduce the Redness and Heal the Skin

It is difficult for an adult to deal with the need to wear diapers. Often, problems of incontinence are kept a secret from family members for a while. Once this is out in the open with family members, the next hurdle can be how to deal with adult diaper rash. Not everyone gets diaper rash, but depending on one's illness, lifestyle , allergies and hygiene this problem can occur. If one is in bed most of the day this can also complicate the problem.

One can wear diapers as an adult both due to bed wetting, urinary incontinence, urinary infections, leakage and fecal incontinence. If one is in an assisted living facility or nursing home, the staff should be taking care of this problem. An adult diaper rash can be small pimples, larger sores or red patches.

It's important to frequently change the diaper because the skin gets irritated by urine and fecal material and this leads to a rash often. Ideally it is best to change the diaper as soon after it is soiled as possible. However, due to one's sleep routines, degree of disability, hours of hired help and other factors this isn't always possible. If there is a rash, frequent changing of the diaper, stronger diaper materials that absorb dampness plus applying effective lotions on the skin are important to heal the skin.

At the assisted living facility I work at, one client complained of her diaper being too tight on her body. It is important to be sure that it is adjusted properly. If the diaper is tight and the body heats up then this can make the problem more severe. Urine is acidic and having this trapped is not healthy. If you are taking care of someone or hire help, be sure that they let the body dry off when the diaper is removed. Be aware when you are wiping whether there is an issue with the alcohol in some wipes.

Over the counter diaper rashes are effective. Some people prefer Vitamin A and D ointments and others find applying dry cornstarch useful for drying up the red diaper rash and sores. Check for allergies as well as certain foods can create a rash in the sensitive areas of the body.

Be sensitive to the adult your are helping with the issue. There is often a sense of shame. Assure the person that it is very common and not to beat themselves up about it. Show your care and use humor to diffuse a negative mood so you can uplift the person in your life.

Fall Prevention for the Elderly

Methods of preventing falls in the elderly have improved greatly over the years, and technology and fall management strategies in hospitals and nursing homes have all contributed to improve care of patients, residents and family members at risk of a fall.

One of the main improvements in technology has been to give carers and nurses "advanced warning" when there is a risk of a fall. This is commonly when a person at risk of falling leaves their bed or chair. The latest bed sensor mats and chair sensors are able to alert the carer or nursing staff or indeed warn the person themselves to stay where they are until assistance arrives.

The elderly in particular can be at risk of falling for a variety of reasons including cognitive problems, restricted mobility, loss of balance, dizziness, medication and muscle weakness for example.

So when you need to be alerted to the risk of a fall, what are your options? Here we quickly summarise the products available that should be of interest:

Bed Sensor Mats - a mat is placed in the bed under the sheets or under the mattress. The bed mat is connected to an alarm which is activated when the mat detects that the person is about to leave the bed. There are several alarm options:

A friendly voice reminder can be played, such as: "stay in bed John, I'm on my way". A friendly voice is particularly helpful when someone is confused, especially when they awake during the night, and a friendly voice is reassuring. The sensor mat detects if the person has not returned to bed and will play the reminder a second time. If they still do not return to bed the carer is alerted.

An alternative version will sound an alarm only to notify nearby staff/carers to attend. A light also flashes to help with identifying who's alarm has been activated in a multi-occupancy room.

A third version will connect to a nurse call system and alert staff via their monitoring system. In this case the room monitor can be set to silent if preferred to avoid noise in a shared room.

Chair Sensor mats - as above, the chair sensor mat is placed in a chair or wheel chair and detects when a person is about to leave their chair. The same alarm
options described above also apply.

Fall prevention has many options and all our bed sensor mats, chair sensor mats and monitors are interchangeable so you can tailor your requirements -
whether you are a hospital or nursing home or a home carer.

For further advice, please talk to one of our fall prevention specialists on 1890 344 344 or email info@homecaretechnologies.com.

Nursing Home Alert Number One

Every single day, in some rehabilitation and care centers and in some nursing homes, patients are being permitted to develop bedsores on their bodies due to lack of care and negligence. Every doctor knows that to avoid and prevent bedsores, you must turn or move a patient at least once every two hours. Yet in some of the nursing homes where the care is lacking, patients are allowed to sit and lay in one position for up to six or seven hours each and every day and then the same in the nighttime. You can prevent this from happening to someone that you love by just knowing this information and by doing what you can to make sure that patients in all facilities are being taken care of.

I urge you to be very careful in choosing a rehabilitation and care center.

I urge you to be careful in choosing nursing homes. And if at all possible, try to keep yourself at home instead of resorting to using any of these corporations in your life. Every human would probably be better off in their own homes rather than residing in rehab and care centers and in nursing homes. Yes, there are some good ones, but there are some horrible ones. It is up to you to distinguish which is which one.

The following article is for your information. If you need professional help, contact a lawyer, counselor, or doctor immediately.

First ,a little background and information about nursing homes and rehab centers: Nursing homes and physical rehabilitation centers are in a world of their own. And when you find the ones that are extremely focused on security so much that you feel like you are in a concentration camp and not in a nursing home, then you know that something is very wrong in that facility. I have learned from experience, from visiting patients and residents inside of various nursing homes and rehabilitation centers that the good nursing homes feel like that, like homes, while the bad nursing homes feel like you are in a war and you are the prisoner. Go with your feelings. If you are evaluating nursing homes and rehab centers, go with your feelings. Your feelings are true. If you feel that something is wrong but you cannot immediately put your finger on what is wrong, listen to your inner instinct, and search for a better nursing home or rehab center. The world is not all harmful. Trust that there are nursing homes that actually take good care of people. You just need to be diligent, focused and persistent in your evaluations of these places.

SO, what would you look for if you were looking for a good nursing home?

Try beginning here:

1. Peace, quietness with activity, cleanliness and orderliness.
   
   
   
   


2. Adequate room, space, recreation activities and appropriate therapy, equipment, tools and staff.
   
   
   
   


3. Advertisements, brochures, research and background & word of mouth reputation

Peace, quietness with activity, cleanliness and orderliness (These is what I saw when I visited the nursing home that actually takes care of their patients and residents)

Peace, quietness with activity and cleanliness and orderliness are priorities when searching out a great place to live or temporary visit. If you walk in and you feel peaceful, then you know the place is doing it's job. The peace that you should experience is not a "twilight" zone peacefulness where you hear no sound and see no people, but a peacefulness where you see the hub-bub of what's happening around.

In the good place, there were always relatives, friends, and even young people visiting. There was consistent and daily visitors and good activities. As opposed to the bad nursing home, where most of the activities were staff trying to keep residents in bed, and away from visitors.

If you walk into a place and see people arguing constantly or if you see someone having fits in the lobby and it appears to be a regular thing, you might need to look elsewhere for your nursing home or physical rehabilitation center. Cleanliness is of the utmost importance, so notice how the place looks. Notice if you are on one of the upper floors if there is dirty clothing around or soiled linens in the hallways. These are small signs that something is wrong. Notice if many of the residents or patients are complaining that their clothing is "lost" or that clothing doesn't seem to come back from the laundry at that place. These are all things to notice if you are going to do an appropriate evaluation of any facility.

Orderliness , yes notice that. Is everyone "losing" things? Are many patients or staff complaining that something is always "missing"? These are things to note and things to take into consideration when checking out a nursing home. Orderliness is a sign that things are possibly going okay but always thoroughly check out the physical rehabilitation place or the nursing home and keep checking it out until you are satisfied that you have seen everything that you need to see. Never choose a place in haste.

Adequate room, space, recreation activities, tools and staff:

Adequate room, space and recreation activities are very important in these facilities, nursing homes and physical rehabilitation centers. Are you looking around and seeing overcrowded rooms? Are you seeing tons of wheelchairs all over the hallways but not seeing enough staff attending to those who need help?

Are you seeing residents and patients crying or yelling for help but the staff appears to be ignoring those pleas for help? Notice whatever you see, and make note s in your small notebook. You will not remember everything by member, so do not rely on that. Just write it all down.

Appropriate therapy equipment and tools:

Look for the physical therapy room. Have a tour of the entire place before committing to any admission to the facility. Specifically ask to see the physical therapy room if you are there for therapy. How is the equipment stored and maintained? Is the equipment clean? Is there enough equipment?

What about special equipment that is needed for patients and residents who have special needs? Are there "amputee" walkers in the therapy room or do the amputees have to hop around like a frog in order to get from one place to another in the physical therapy room. Are there crutches in the room but the personnel refuses to train the residents on the crutches? Are staff and personnel too occupied with being worried about liability rather than being occupied with helping, aiding and giving proper treatment and care to new patients?

Try and look at the therapy room when it is "full" -usually early in the morning or early afternoon. How many residents are in the room? How many are actually doing therapy? How long do residents "wait" for their therapy; how long do they just sit and sit and sit during the day, and during the pre-therapy sessions?

Ask your regular family doctor what kind of therapy or what kind of care that the patient needs. If you have discovered that you are in one of the horrible nursing homes, find your own doctor, and do not rely on their own doctors. II learned this too late; but you are now informed about what would be most helpful to you. Do not rely on "their " doctors but have your own if you are able to afford that.

Advertisements, fancy brochures, research and background and word of mouth reputation:

Know that word of mouth reputation is probably more important than advertising and brochures. You need to know which residents used to go there and how they liked the care that they received there. You need to hear that from impartial people, not from staff, personnel or doctors. Research . Go online and see if this place is on the list of the WORST nursing homes in the country. But, do not relax too soon. EVEN if this place is not on the list, that doesn't mean that it is not a bad place. All that means is that it is not on the list YET.

Advertisements: : When the advertisement looks as if it is describing a totally different facility, that might be false advertising , so be aware of these things. Does the advertisement say there is a pool, yet there is no pool? When you ask to see it are you told, "it is under construction" -- yet, the advertisement or brochure makes it "appear" as if the pool is there already and ready for use or in use already. Does the advertisement offer a solarium or private rooms, when there clearly are no solarium or private rooms available. Does the brochure offer MUCH but the facility offers little? These are warning signs. These are signs to look for.

So do your homework, your research and your observations before committing to enroll anyone in any physical rehabilitation center or in any nursing home.

Google the name of the nursing home or rehabilitation center. See what comes up.

Check with your consumer affairs agencies and with your Better Business Bureaus. Even though this is a nursing home, you still might be able to check with the Better Business Bureau to find out what kind of customer service policy they have or to find out if there are any previous complaints against this nursing home or physical rehabilitation center.

Look Around You:

See everything that you can see. If possible , visit the place more than once before you do any admissions of patients or relatives.

Listen to those around you. Yes, listen. As residents and patients and families pass you by in the hallways, listen to the conversations that they are having . You will be surprised at what you hear when you listen to other conversations in the hallways of the nursing homes and physical rehabilitation centers.

See if you can get a tour of the upper floors in any facility. This is usually where they "hide" residents that they do not want the public to see. So, if you are visiting and evaluating a nursing home or a physical rehabilitation center, make sure to see the upper floors. You can find a staff person to give the tour.

By listening, you will get the most important information about the place that you will need. As you walk by someone who is walking in the hallways , you might "hear" that a resident was missing for a while, or that a resident walked out of the facility, or that a resident keeps trying to leave the nursing home or physical rehabilitation center. Listen carefully. You will learn about the facility, about the residents, doctors and everything related to staying in that facility.

You might go online and find some nursing home blogs that are not affiliated with the nursing homes (sometimes residents and patients can do some blogs in some nursing homes). You can join in there and do some observations, and perhaps, who knows, perhaps you can start a residents or patients group online.

Whatever you do, your key are these things:

• Listen.
  
  
  
  


• Hear.
  
  
  
  


• Observe.
  
  
  
  


• Note.
  
  
  
  


• Observe more and again.
  
  
  
  


• Listen more carefully.
  
  
  
  


• Connect.
  
  
  
  


• Stay connected.

Doing these things and making these your first priority when choosing a rehabilitation center or nursing home, will give you the best advantage and will give you good choices.So, this article has listed and explained some of the best things that you can do to make sure that your choice of nursing homes or rehabilitation centers are best. But also, this article and all the ideas inside this article are equally important AFTER you have made the choice and after you have already gone through the admission process. Always keep your ears and eyes open. You can't go wrong by doing that. Warning Signs:

There are some warning signs that you should be leery of if you happen to see them or experience them in any physical rehabilitation and care centers and nursing homes. These are some of the warning signs:

• Filth -- Is there dirty clothing all around on the floors or in the hallway? Are the floors sticky or dirty? Does the room or corridor smell or have nasty odors?
  
  
  
  


• Overcrowding -- Do you see wheelchair after wheelchair after wheelchair - waiting for long periods of time to get upstairs or downstairs on the elevators? Are the rooms overcrowded ? Is the rehab center or nursing home overcrowded? What do the fire regulations say?
  
  
  
  


• Noise Pollution -- Is there loud music playing all the time? (Is this a cover-up for the "noises" that the staff doesn't want you to hear)?
  
  
  
  


• Lost Clothing - Losing clothing is one thing, but are you in a facility that constantly loses most of your clothing? Are residents and patients in the long-term units constantly wearing other people's clothing? Are there residents or patients lying naked or half-naked in their beds due to lost clothing? These are huge red-flags for you to look for.
  
  
  
  


• Oppression - Do the residents seem frightened or scared? Are the residents afraid to complain about anything? Or when they do complain are they ignored as if they are invisible or are they punished for complaining? Are family members punished for complaining?
  
  
  
  


• Staff who is never "available" but they suggest that you "ask someone else" , then you are given the run-around. Huge red-flag here.
  
  
  
  


• Inadequate smoke alarms, and inadequate fire drill preparations and lack of emergency evacuation instructions.
  
  
  
  


• Mislabeling of important things in the facility. (This will be explained in another article).

Most places are not like these (listed above) but we still need to be aware so that we can distinguish the good from the bad. So keep your ears and eyes open , always and spread the word!

There are so many other ways to almost guarantee a pleasant stay at a nursing home or physical rehabilitation center, but this is just a beginning.

Update: Recently I have been able to visit a nursing home center that is a nice place for humans to stay. This nursing home is in Brooklyn, NY. The difference between this one and the other one is like night and day . It gives everyone hope knowing that there are some places where life goes on the way it should. There are some places that have professionals workers and that have enough so that each resident and patient are treated with respect, and good care.

When you visit nursing homes or rehab centers -to inspect them, make sure you see the long-term floors and the floors where people actually are living in . Listen to your inner instincts. If something is telling you that something is wrong; you are most likely correct and something is wrong. Do what is best and right for you.

The nursing home and care center that gave me nightmares (due to conditions and due to how residents are treated and taken care of) is in Staten Island, New York. I still have nightmares sometimes over what I saw inside of that nursing home. I hope that no one has to go there ever. If I had a pet that needed care, I would not send that pet to the home in Staten Island. The nightmares were relentless and they are finally letting up.

UPDATE: Sometimes it seems as if it is very hard to get out of a nursing home. It seems that way because it is that way. There is so much red tape and so much paperwork and pre-discharge items to handle. If you are in a nursing home and have no family and friends to visit you, you will find that the red tape is doubled and you will find yourself that you might feel like you are a prisoner in that home. Try and seek outside help. Write a letter to your assemblyman or congressman if you are feeling that you are being held against your will at any medical facility or rehabilitation and care center.

Updated May 04, 2008

Nursing Home Facilities - Top 10 Myths

Myth #1: Nursing facilities smell bad.
Reality: Most good facilities rarely smell bad, and when they do, chances are, it will be taken care of promptly. Not only are nursing homes inspected by each State on behalf of the Medicare administration every twelve to fifteen months, but they are also inspected by family members and other health professionals, albeit more informally, on a regular basis. So while you may encounter an unpleasant odor on one visit, it's likely you may never experience it on subsequent visits. If you do, take it up with the administrator. Nursing home administrators are typically very sensitive to this issue and will take action quickly.

Myth #2: Nursing home facilities are like hospitals.
Reality: Nursing homes are residential facilities that provide medical care, but they are not like hospitals. The environment is much less clinical, for one thing. In addition, community living has a much different feel than a temporary stay in a hospital. Nursing homes offer activities to keep residents engaged in the community, and interacting with one another. And as neighbors, residents often form lasting friendships.

Myth #3: The people who live in nursing home facilities are all dying.
Reality: Nursing homes provide continuous medical care for people whose medical conditions require around-the-clock care or monitoring. While it is true that some elderly and terminally ill residents may be dying, at that point they are certified by their doctor to receive hospice (i.e., end-of-life) care, and that is certainly not the case for all residents. Many nursing home residents simply need a higher level of care than is available at an assisted living facility.

Myth #4: All nursing facilities are the same.
Reality: This couldn't be farther from the truth. It is important to carefully research the facilities you are considering, because despite stringent federal regulation, all facilities are different. This can be a wonderful thing-for example, when it creates a strong sense of community among residents-but it can also have a down side, especially when a facility does not address problems that affect residents' quality of life and/or quality of care.

Myth #5: Caregivers can use restraints to control residents.
Reality: Restraints may only be used when it is medically necessary for a resident's safety or the safety of others. It is unlawful for facilities to administer physical or chemical restraints for any other purpose.

Myth #6: Insurance will pay for my nursing home care.
Reality: It depends on the type of coverage you have. Many people are surprised to learn that Medicare only pays for 100 days of nursing home care per illness, and prior to that, you must meet a number of requirements before you are eligible for benefits. Also, only the first 20 days are covered in full; the rest requires a significant co-payment ($133.50 per day in 2009). After that point, you are responsible for paying for expenses out of pocket until you become eligible for Medicaid. Some long-term care insurance policies provide coverage in a nursing home facility, but not all. If you have a long-term care insurance policy that provides nursing home coverage, check your policy to determine your coverage limits and restrictions.

Myth #7: There is no privacy in a nursing facility.
Reality: It's true that there is typically less privacy in a nursing facility than in other types of senior housing. Most rooms are shared by two residents, and caregivers may enter the room as needed-visitors, too, as desired. However, nursing homes are required to maintain a private area for visits with family, and most facilities try to respect residents' privacy as much as is possible. Residents have the right to privacy, and to keep personal belongings and property as long as they don't interfere with the rights, health or safety of others.

Myth #8: Nursing facility residents have limited rights.
Reality: Residents retain all of their legal rights once they move in. In addition, Medicare has established a Nursing Home Residents' Bill of Rights that clearly defines residents' rights pertaining to: respect; services and fees; money; privacy; and medical care.

Myth #9: A move to a nursing facility is a permanent move.
Reality: Most nursing homes have wings for both long-term care and short-term care. The long-term care wing is for residents, while the short-term care wing houses people who are recovering from an illness, injury or surgery and require rehabilitation. So while a move to a nursing home facility may be permanent for some people, many others return home once they have sufficiently recovered.

Myth #10: Nursing facility residents are always on caregivers' schedules.
Reality: It's true that a structured schedule can enable caregivers to do their jobs in the most efficient manner possible. However, more and more rest homes are recognizing the need to address residents' needs in a more holistic manner, and in a way that honors their dignity and preferences. This includes empowering residents with more options and autonomy in setting their own schedules.

Picking the Perfect Nursing Home

If you are in the process of looking for a nursing home for a loved one you will want to find the best possible care available. It can be a trying time when you have to watch a loved one be re-located to a nursing home so it is reassuring to know that you have done your part and looked in detail for high quality care. Empower yourself and your family member by taking the time and effort to research all of the homes available to you. This is a rough guide to help make this process slightly easier.

The first thing to do is to research homes in your area or the area you wish your loved one to be re-located to. This can be done via the internet or using the phonebook and you should look to shortlist at least five or six nursing homes to further research.

Once you have taken the time to research and short-list some nursing homes the next step is to call each of the homes and arrange a tour. One useful tip is to listen carefully to the person's voice who answers the phone, take into account their tone and demeanour as this could be a first indication of what the quality of service will be like. Whilst on the phone take time to ask question and be specific. Ask all of the questions you can think of whether they are about the various medical suppliers the home uses or about the available recreational activities for the patients.

When you arrive for your tours of the various homes make sure aware of your first impression, is it airy, clean and bright? You need to assess the atmosphere and best judge whether your family member will be happy staying in the home. Also take into account all of the little details. What is the hospital furniture like? Ask about the equipment, if they mention something you don't know about like bp monitors then you should ask. One of the most important things to do on a tour of a nursing home is to use your own eyes and ears, the tour guide will only tell you how wonderful the home is so you must be on the lookout for negatives. This is not to say that you should go on the tour with a negative outlook you should just keep your eyes open for anything that does not look good. Also remember to ask for an information package about the home, this will help to further research the home.

Whilst you can receive all the advice in the world about looking for the perfect nursing home nothing will compare to your own instinct. Always keep in mind that your loved one will be living in the home you choose and this will ensure that you pick the best possible option for you and your family.

Being a Nurse - Its Benefits and an Overview of What They Do

The current financial crisis makes it difficult to survive for a lot of us. For the most part, we find ourselves overwhelmed by one financial problem after the other. As such, we couldn't help but ask ourselves what kind of career will give us a stable source of income and a better life for us or our families?

Well, you might be surprised that the answer to that question is more obvious that you think: being a nurse. At this time, nurses are one the most in-demand workers in the health industry. There are approximately 2.4 million job openings for nurses right now, and to fill this need, hospitals and the like are offering competitive salary, benefits, and compensation package.

There are a lot of opportunities for personal growth and development in nursing. Specialization in specific nursing fields is an alternative which nurses can take advantage of not just in hospitals, but even in medical clinics, outpatient centres, nursing care facilities, and geriatric facilities.

With a wide array of work places that offer career development, nurses would practically never run out jobs. Also, this kind of advantage makes nurses competent enough to work even in other parts of the globe.

Aside from the popularity of nurses nowadays, nursing is one of the very few careers which will never go passé. Like doctors, there will always be a need for nurses. Also, there are several types of job opportunities in the field of nursing. In the Unites States alone, there is currently a need for approximately 100,000 nurses, and experts say that this figure may triple over the years. With incentives like these, who could say no to such a promising career?

Registered Nurse (RN) - Background of their Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of a registered nurse can change from every state and institution. Laws on a RN's scope of practice vary in each state. Different institutions also have varying guidelines for the scope of practice of the nurses and medical professionals they handle. At times, these guidelines are even more restrictive than that of state laws.

To help an RN determine whether something is within the scope of their profession, some states have devised the following questions which RN's can ask themselves:

1. Is it allowed by the nurse practice act of the state you are working in?

2) Is the skill something you learned in your basic nursing education or in any additional training program you've attended, including clinical training?

3) Can you find the procedure in the policy manual of the institution you are working for?

4) Is the task in conformity to the "Prudent and Reasonable" standard for nursing?

If after asking these questions a nurse is still unsure whether a task is included in their scope of practice, he or she can get clarification from their state nursing board.

Evaluating a person's health and devising an appropriate health plan is one of main duties of an RN. Normally, RN's coordinate with other health care professionals in giving individuals under their supervision suitable health care and education.

However, as mentioned before, the regulations in each state differ. As such, it is wise to always consult the nursing laws in the state where a nurse is working to verify if a particular task is within a RN's scope of practice. A RN should also check the policy and guidelines of the institution they are working for, to ensure that what they are doing is within the areas of responsibility allowed by that institution.

LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) - Playing an Important Role in the Healthcare Industry

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse in the state of Texas and California, assists RNs and give patients a more personal level of attention.

Although LPN's are normally supervised by physicians and RNs, their responsibilities increase as their gain more knowledge and experience.

Some LPNs already take on tasks such as taking vital signs, monitoring in and out volumes, turning patients to avoid bedsores, treating and/or dressing wounds, providing enemas and more.

LPNs also take care of simple duties like getting measurements (height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, etc.), giving alcohol rubs, assisting patients take care of their personal hygiene, and most of all, offering the patients a friendly face and a caring heart as they walk the road to recovery.

LPNs are the ones responsible for the day to day care of patients. They give patients a more intimate and hands on attention, which RNs are no longer able to provide due to their busy schedule.

In some states, LPNs are allowed to administer prescribed medicines and starting IVs. On other states however, such tasks are not part of their responsibilities. LPNs also need to spend time with the family of the patient and teach them how to take care of their loved one, especially once they continue their recuperation at home. The LPNs provide the patient's family with all the information they need to take care of the patient once they've been discharged.

Due to the variations of state regulations, it is hard to give a definite job description for a LPN. Some states even allow LPNs to assist with the delivery, care, and feeding of a newborn.

For the most part, the work of LPNs covers various fields of medicine and healthcare. As such, there are also LPNs who work in nursing homes, medical offices, or private homes.

Healthcare facilities like nursing homes certainly benefit from the services of LPNs, as they are able to asses residents, supervise nursing aides, and develop basic healthcare plans. In a doctor's clinic, a LPN takes care of setting appointments, filing medical records, and other administrative functions.

LPNs are very important to the smooth flow of the health care profession. RNs and NPs will definitely have a harder time with their jobs without LPNs.

Although the general scope of practice of LPNs is apparent, the extent of what they can perform will vary depending on their place of work.

As you think of starting a career in nursing, it is important to note that although doctors and administrators may be on top of the list, nurses and LPNs are definitely the heart and soul of the healthcare industry.

Hiring a Home Health Care Employee

 Providing the primary care for an elder loved one can be difficult. When you cannot deliver all the elder care yourself and support from friends, family, and community organizations is not enough, it may be useful to hire a home health care worker. He or she can offer care from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day, and can provide many other helpful services. Types of in-home health care services include:

• General Health Management like administration of medication or other medical treatments


• Personal care such as bathing, oral hygiene, dressing, and shaving


• Nutrition help like preparing meals, assisting eating, and grocery shopping


• Homemaking services including laundry, dishwashing, and light housework


• Companionship for example reading to the senior or taking them on walks

Recruiting and Interviewing Applicants

There are many avenues for hiring a home health care employee. Generally, home health care workers can be hired directly or through an agency. Home health care agencies often have a staff that includes social workers and nurses that will manage your care. However hiring an independent home health care worker is generally more cost effective, it will also give you more control over the type of care you receive. 

Senior home care workers should be carefully screened for proper training, qualifications, and temperament. Fully discuss the needs of the elder care recipient during an interview with a prospective home health care employee.  There should be a written copy the job description and the type of experience you are looking for.

References

Have applicants fill out an employment form that includes the following information:

• Full name


• Address


• Phone number


• Date of birth


• Social Security number


• Educational background


• Work history 

Before hiring, you should ask to see the senior home care worker's licenses and certificates, if applicable, and personal identification including their social security card, driver's license, or photo ID. 

References should be checked out thoroughly.  Prospective employees should provide the employer with names, dates of employment, and phone numbers of previous employers and how to contact them.  It is best to talk directly to previous employers, rather than just to accept letters of recommendations. Also ask the applicant to provide or sign off on conducting a criminal background check 

Special Points to Consider

Make sure the person you are considering hiring knows how to carry out the tasks the elder care recipient requires, such as transferring the senior to and from a wheelchair or bed.  Training may be available, but make sure the worker completes the training successfully before hiring him or her.

No one should be hired on a seven-day-a-week basis.  Even the most dedicated employee will soon burn out.  All employees need some time to take care of their personal needs.  No worker should be on call 24-hours a day.  If the elder care recipient needs frequent supervision or care during the night, a family member or second home health care worker should be able to help out or fill in.

Live-in assistance may seem to be more convenient and economic than hourly or per-day employees but there can be drawbacks.  Food and lodging costs must be calculated into the total cost of care, and it could be difficult to dismiss someone without immediate housing alternatives.  If you decide to utilize a live-in arrangement, the employee should have his own living quarters, free time, and ample sleep.

Job Expectations and Considerations

Before hiring a senior home health care worker, you should go over the tasks you expect them to perform and other issues, such as promptness, benefits, pay scale, holidays, vacations, absences, and notification time needed for either employer or employee before employment is terminated. If you work and are heavily dependent on the home health care worker, emphasize the importance of being informed as soon as possible if he or she is going to be late or absent so that you can make alternative arrangements. Be clear about notification needed for time off, or what to do in the case the home health care worker experiences a personal emergency that requires them to abruptly leave work.  It is important to have a backup list of friends, family, other home care workers, or a home health care agency you can call on.

Be clear about issues concerning salary, payment schedule, and reimbursement or petty cash funds for out of pocket expenses.  

You should spend the day with the home health care worker on his first day to make sure you are both in agreement over how to carry out daily tasks.  It would also be helpful to supply the home health care worker with a list of information on the elder care recipient such as: special diets, likes, dislikes, mobility problems, health issues, danger signs to monitor, possible behavior problems and accompanying coping strategies, medication schedule, therapeutic exercises, eye glasses, dentures, and any prosthetics. 

You should also provide the following information to your home health care worker: your contact information, emergency contacts, security precautions and access to keys, clothing, and locations of washing/cleaning supplies, medical supplies, light bulbs, flashlights, fuse box, and other important household items.

Transportation

Another big consideration in hiring a senior home care worker is how he or she is going to get to work.  If they do not have a reliable car or access to public transit, then you might want to consider hiring someone to drive him or her, which might be more economical than using taxis.  Inform your insurance company if the home health care worker is going to drive your car when caring for the senior.  Your insurance company will perform the necessary driving background checks.  If the home health care worker is using his or her car to drive the elder care recipient, then discuss use of her or his car, and conduct a driving background check.

Insurance and Payroll

Check with an insurance company about the proper coverage for a worker in your home.

Make sure all the proper taxes are being drawn from the employee's check by contacting the Internal Revenue Service, state treasury department, social security, and the labor department.  If you do not want to deal with the complexities of the payroll withholdings yourself, than you can hire a payroll company for a fee.

Even if your home health care worker is working as a contractor, you are still obligated to report the earnings to the IRS.  Talk to your accountant or financial adviser about making sure you are following IRS rules.

Ensuring Security

You should protect your private papers and valuables in a locked file cabinet, safe deposit box, or safe. If you are unable to pick up your mail on a daily basis, have someone you trust do it, or have it sent to a post box. You should check the phone bill for unusual items or unauthorized calls. You should put a block on your phone for 900 numbers, collect calls, and long-distance calls.

Keep checkbooks and credit cards locked up. Review credit card and bank statements on a monthly basis, and periodically request credit reports from credit reporting agencies.  Lock up valuable possessions or keep an inventory of items accessible to people working in the house.

You can help to prevent elder abuse to your loved one by: 

• Make sure the home health care worker thoroughly understands his or her responsibilities, the elder care recipient's medical problems and limitations, and how to cope with stressful situations.


• Do not overburden the home health care worker.


• Encourage openness over potential problems.

The following are possible signs of elder abuse or neglect: 

• Personality changes


• Crying, whimpering, or refusing to talk


• Sloppy appearance


• Poor personal hygiene


• Disorganized or dirty living conditions


• Signs of inappropriate sedation, such as confusion, or excessive sleeping


• Mysterious bruises, pressure sores, fractures, or burns


• Weight loss

If you suspect abuse, act immediately.  Do not wait until the situation turns tragic.  Investigate the situation by talking to the elder care recipient in a safe situation, or install monitoring equipment. Examples of abusive behavior include yelling, threatening, or over controlling behavior that could involve isolating the senior from others. If the situation is serious, you should replace the home health care worker as quickly as possible. If you fear the elder care recipient is in danger, he or she should be separated from the home health care worker as soon as possible.  Place the elder care recipient with a trusted relative or in a respite care facility. Make sure your loved one is safe before confronting the home health care worker, especially if there is concern about retaliation.

Report the situation to Adult Protective Services after ensuring the safety of the elder care recipient.  The police should be contacted in the case of serious neglect, such as sexual abuse, physical injury, or misuse of funds.

Supervising a Home Health Care Worker

The most important thing to remember after hiring a home health care worker is to keep the lines of communication open.  You should explain the job responsibilities clearly, and your responsibilities to the home health care worker. Do not forget that the home health care worker is there for the elder care recipient and not the rest of the family.  For live-in arrangements, the maximum amount of privacy should be set up for the home health care worker's living quarters. Meetings should be set up on a regular basis to assure that problems are nipped in the bud.  If conflicts cannot be resolved after repeated attempts, than it is best to terminate the employee.  In such a case, you may have to either place the elder care recipient in a nursing home temporarily or hire a home health care worker through an agency.  Reserve funds should be kept on hand in the case of such an emergency.  

General Eligibility Requirements for Home Care Benefits

Hiring a home health care worker directly is usually less expensive than hiring through a home health care agency; but if the elder care recipient is eligible and you wish to use assistance from Medicare, you must hire someone through a certified home health care agency.  For the senior patient to be eligible, three or more services must be ordered by a physician. Other factors or eligibility are the required need for skilled nursing assistance, or one of the following therapies: physical, speech or occupational. The elder care recipient's medical needs will determine asset and income requirements.

Hiring Home Health Care Workers through Home Health Care Agencies versus Independently

Different health professionals can assess the elder care recipient's needs.  A nurse or social worker can help with design and coordination of a home care plan.  Your care manager, doctor, or discharge planner can help with services being covered by Medicare.  They generally help make the arrangements with a home care agency.

You should ask the home health care agency how they supervise their employees, and what kind of training their employees receive. Find out the procedures for when an employee does not show up.  Also ask about the fee schedule and what it covers, there may be a sliding fee schedule. Furthermore, find out if they have a policy for minimum or maximum hours. Ask the agency if there are any limitations on the types of tasks performed.

Especially if you have to pay for the care services yourself, find out if there are any hidden costs such as transportation.  If all the costs for hiring a care worker through an agency become too much, you may want to consider hiring directly. 

Hiring independent home health care workers is not only more economical than using an agency, but it also allows more direct control over the elder care.