The Truth Behind Aircraft Accidents: Claims and Compensation

Plane accidents do not necessarily equate to those catastrophic scenarios you see on television shows and movies. There are a lot of possible injuries in flight that could affect you and your health and life, temporarily or permanently. You could fall over, hit your head, cut yourself or get food poisoning from what they serve. Or you could get involved in a violent altercation after the airline unwittingly changed your booking or seating without giving you an option or a warning. Sure, you could pass these over as a simple mistake or misunderstanding, but there are grievances that can threaten your life. Small problems, like bumping your head, can become serious issues once they are checked by a physician. Therefore, it may not be wise for you to allow things to slide by. Operators should take responsibility for their faulty procedures, if that is the case, and you may be entitled to receive the aeroplane's accident compensation.

There are several laws governing aircraft accident compensation claims that you can rely on. There is the Montreal Convention which raises negligence during air travel as one of the main types of claims you can pursue. And it offers two vital benefits to those seeking to be compensated subsequent to contracting an illness or injury as a result of or during a flight.

First of all, the air carrier is responsible for any injury caused to a passenger regardless of whether the airline itself caused the injury or was responsible for the passenger's accident. This is an advantage that is solely realized in an aircraft accident claim.

For the most part, finding reasons to compensate for an accident claim is easy. But all the legalities that go along with it may become too overwhelming for the inexperienced. The law is complex. And in such cases, the help of specialized solicitor may be required. You want to find someone who is experienced in the field of holiday accident law to represent you and see to it that he or she is from a credible and decorated firm.

Remember, aircraft accident claims are created to favor the complainants and this makes them the first target of contention. If you want your compensation to push through, you will need the skills of a highly experienced solicitor, specializing in aircraft accident claims, to recover the maximum compensation possible for the damages incurred. There are a number of firms online you could contact for such professionals or, at least, ask advice on related matters.

Credentials and Opportunities to Be a Certified Nurse Assistant

The Certified Nursing Assistant credentials are gained after passing a written and clinical program of training for 2 to 3 weeks or 3 to 6 months depending upon the state, the frequency of lessons and institution you are gaining the certification from.

The Certificate covers keeping the rooms and beds clean, reporting the patient's condition, taking vital signs, infection control and Oral hygiene, serving and helping the patients eat. They even assist in medical procedures, emergency and CPR, handling legal issues for nursing, assisting in medical procedures and the environmental safety of medical unit.

The students partake 16 hours of clinical training which provides them with hands-on experience of assisting in patient care with a doctor and nurse. Most typically the employment opportunities exist at Health Care Agencies, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Doctor Offices, Day Care Centers, Medical Clinics, Hospices, Assisted Living Facilities, and Urgent Care Centers.

You could opt for Certified Nurse Assistants training through continuing education to enter the medical field. A person can go on to study and serve as a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse through continued education.

The students are introduced to various health related topics besides this they are taught to deal with ethical and legal issues necessary for patient care. The courses help develop deep understanding between the nursing assistants and nursing professionals.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act asks the certified nurse assistants to be graduates with an accreditation of 260 hours long course. The Certified Nurse Assistants course does not vary much and lay down the foundation of Nursing Assistant Certification Exam. The technical training requires the Nurse Assistants to be proficient in taking vital signs, tracking the patient's progress through emergency procedures and charts, etc.

They need to have good interpersonal skills and a good understanding of patient's rights. They are required to rehabilitate the patient and make them comfortable. They are required to have a deep understanding of complex legal and ethical issues. Most Certified Nurse Courses require the student to have a good understanding of their duties laying groundwork for further vocational growth as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse.

A certified Nurse Assistant is not a Medical Assistant even though both the jobs are similar there is a vast difference in the two. In many cases the people who want to make nursing a career would chose a Certified Nurse Assistants work than a Medical Assistants.

The Certified Nurse Assistants provide bedside care unlike the Medical Assistants whose duty is to take care of patients, greet them, take their vital signs, complete medical records, educate patients, improve and give health care instructions, provide medication, etc. most of the above duties are similar but the medical assistants provide ancillary tests as ordered by physicians and other health care professionals which is not done by the Certified Nurse Assistants.

Checklists for Life - How Checklists Can Help Ease Stress and Avert Crisis for Boomers and Seniors

For many people, as they get older, their needs change dramatically. Depending on a person's age, health and mental capacity, there may be many things that a senior just can't keep up with the way they used to, or many things a Boomer doesn't have (can you say "Advanced Directives") and doesn't know they need until it is too late.

We believe that one of the best ways to get boomers prepared for their futures, as well as to keep seniors organized in the present, is by equipping them with checklists that cover major areas of their life. We believe that while checklists may not have the minute details laid out (checklists are meant to deliver concise advice), they are a great planning tool that give people a macro-view of what needs to be learned, gathered, prepared, and ultimately executed, especially when preparing for the most unexpected moment; moments where without a plan in place becomes a crisis situation.

Many times a checklist can prevent an unavoidable situation from turning into an emergency situation. By implementing a checklist you likely will have planned well enough that you will be able to quickly put a plan into action and avoid the crisis.

To really be prepared (there are so many aspects to our lives that integrate together, yet are distinctly different) there are many different types of checklists that are needed so you are ready when any given situation arises. Here is a list of some of the checklists you will need to start your planning process:

Maintaining Independence - Losing one's independence, in many cases, is the most frightening and feared things for many seniors as they grow older. Having checklists in place with such things as how to avoid falls and other accidents, how to avoid loneliness, how to approach senior driving issues, aging in place concepts and caregiving/caregiver stress management are all good checklists to have on hand to help seniors (and their adult children/caregivers) maintain their independence and be prepared for the future.

Estate Management - our estate management checklist will make sure that you have done all the necessary paperwork to make things manageable after you are gone, ensuring that your life and legacy are carried out how you intended them to be. This list will include things like wills, estate planning, titling assets and funeral planning and expenses.

Financial and Legal - Money and legal issues go hand in hand with aging. Financially, life is different after you are retired and it takes good planning to make sure your money lasts long enough to cover your expenses or leave a legacy behind. Your checklists for financial and legal should contain things like how to hire an attorney, what to look for in a good financial planner, how to set up a power of attorney, things to consider in retirement, or how to avoid scams targeted at the elderly.

Housing and Care - Where you live and who cares for you are things that can change quickly when you are older, especially if you are struck with an illness or accident. Having alternate plans in place that everyone understands ahead of time makes it less likely you will end up having to live somewhere you don't want or where you won't get adequate care. Checklists for Housing and Care will include things like how to make sure you ask the appropriate questions when looking for housing, the different types of housing options available, details about independent living, assisted living, nursing home care, in home care and even hospice care.

Health and Medical - Health issues for senior are unique and there are many things to consider when deciding how medical decisions will be made if the need arises. Seniors also have different dietary and exercise needs too that should be considered. Your checklists for health and medical should include things like how to find a good doctor, creating a hospitalization plan, medicine management, vision, hearing, dehydration, heart attacks, Alzheimer's and Cancer and information on other medical conditions affecting seniors.

Discounts and Free Stuff - The one big upside to being a senior is the fact that there are so many discounts available to seniors. You can get discounts on everything from food, lodging and even senior shopping days in the stores. Getting a list of all the discounts available can save you big money which is always a good thing for your retirement budget.

Fun and Travel - One great thing about retirement is that you have a lot more free time to do the things you love. Many people like to use these years to do all the traveling they wanted to and never had the time. Seniors can find many great travel discounts and checklists for safe travel available to them. Leisure time for seniors many times also equals great times and memories with grandchildren, so having checklists in place (especially for grandparents who haven't had small children at home for quite some time!) are helpful.

Having a set of standard checklists will make life so much easier and more organized for you. When you have that kind of organization in play things don't have to turn into emergencies, which equals better outcomes for everyone. It is a little bit of work to get it all set up but once you have worked through the steps the peace of mind you will get knowing that you have a plan is priceless.

We have created a downloadable Checklist E-book called Checklists for Life with over 195 easy to use checklists covering all of the topics mentioned above, giving you or your clients instant access to the lists they need most. Also, if you find there are checklists you need that are not included in the E-book, we will create the checklist for you at no charge and add it in to the most current edition for others to benefit from as well.

Nursing Home Neglect - Emotional, Verbal and Physical Abuse

A nursing home that does not have the properly trained staff to carry out its responsibilities often dooms patients to regular abuse. While it is not a general observation or a fact that nursing homes neglect their patients, there are actually a number of nursing homes reported to have been mistreating and abusing their residents.

The elderly are often brought to nursing homes because their sons or daughters believe that these homes can take care of them better. However, blinded by the façade of these amazing elderly residences, those brought to the care of these homes suffer from physical and emotional neglect, as well as different kinds of abuses.

Commonly, areas of abuse include bedsores, malnutrition, wandering, physical abuse, mental abuse, falls, dehydration, and elopement. It is definite that these patients deserve only the best care, but with the rate of abuses that are regularly reported, this is no longer the case. The abuse does not only include in some mistreatment by neglect of physical needs but also both verbal and emotional abuse as well. Stories related by some patients tell of the insufferable verbal abuse that they often hear from nurses and attendants that were given the task to take care of their needs. These needs are all-encompassing and should be given the proper attention by these nurses.

Nurses should be appropriately trained so that they could in turn provide the right treatment to nursing home patients. When these nurses do not receive the proper training, their tendencies are to be impatient and unkind, often these emotions bring about the abuse they inflict on the elderly.

At times, abuses to the elderly result to serious injuries, and in the worst cases, result to death, either directly or indirectly. An elderly may run off and hurt himself, after hearing foul language or verbal abuse from his attendant. Words that hurt should not be heard since these old people lack the emotional security by being confined in these homes just to be aggravated by heartless nurses. Oftentimes, health requirements of patients are neglected such as the proper medical treatment or medication, dehydration, urinary tract infection, weight loss, and respiratory infections, which when left untreated would surely complicate the health of the patients and lead to death. The really unfathomable situation is when these homes justify death as the effect of poor health of the patients which they do not attribute to their own negligence.

When this happens, it is a very wise thing to seek the help of lawyers and attorneys who can help you in seeking justice for the injuries or death of a loved one, suffered under the hands of nurses and attendants in nursing homes.

Moving Loved Ones Into Nursing Homes - How to Make the Transition Easy

Putting loved ones into nursing homes is sometimes inevitable when the person becomes too infirm to live at home. While this is a solution to one set of problems, it can sometimes give rise to an entirely new set of them. This is because the transition from a home to an assisted living facility is emotionally wrenching for all the people concerned. Thankfully, there are certain things you could do in order to ensure that your loved one makes the transition with a great deal of ease.

At the very outset, it is important to get the entire family involved with the process of selecting a place. Make sure that you communicate the exact reason for selecting one place over the other nursing homes, ensuring that the person who is to stay there also understands everything. It is also important to get everyone to understand that the nursing home will provide a level of care that can only rarely be given at home. You need to maintain a positive outlook throughout because this will influence other people to feel the same way.

Since the move to the assisted living facility will undoubtedly be tiring and stressful, it is best to reduce the stress levels overall. Free up your schedule entirely for the move so that you do not have any other issues that require attention. It would be best for the entire family to escort the person there, so that he or she does not feel that she has been gotten rid of unceremoniously.

One person should stay back in order to help the aged or infirm person settle in comfortably. If possible, this person should also have a meal there because this time spent will help the person relax considerably. This is a good time to escort the soon-to-be resident all over the place in order to get a good idea about the available infrastructure. Make sure that you call up the nursing home in advance in order to find out whether this will indeed be possible.

Finally, you should spend some time briefing the nursing staff about your loved one's habits and specific medical issues, preferably in the presence of your loved one. This will reassure the person that his or her needs will be taken care of in the best manner possible and also that nothing important has been forgotten. The move to the nursing facility will then happen without too much resistance.

Different Types of Lawyers

Nearly everyone is going to need to hire a lawyer at some stage in their life. There are many kinds of lawyers available, and it is often quite difficult for people with no experience to know what kind of lawyer they are actually looking for. Each lawyer has a field that they specialise in. It is important that you know what each kind of lawyer specializes in, and what they can do for you.

Lawyers can be basically separated into two categories. Civil and criminal. Civil lawyers generally deal with issues such as adoption and divorce, domestic issues, and criminal lawyers deal with personal injury, crime, and corporate law. Although here you will find a list of the main types of lawyers that are available, be aware that there are many other smaller specialties within each specialisation. Therefore you need to ask a lot of questions to find out which lawyer is actually right for you.

o    Divorce Lawyers specialise in divorce and annulment. They can provide many services during these hard times. There are many issues that you may not even know about that a divorce lawyer can help you with. These include, mediation, financial planning, avoiding going to court, visitation and custody.

o    Civil Lawyers deal with individuals and businesses, organizations between individuals. For example they may handle marriage and divorce, property disputes, malpractice and wrongful death.

o    Bankruptcy Lawyers help individuals and businesses file for bankruptcy and work to help them get the best possible terms for their situation. They maybe be able to help them keep their homes and cars, or avoid personal items being repossessed.

o    Family lawyers cover quite a wide range of services. All issues that relate to families. There are many family related problems that can occur that a family lawyer can help you with. Domestic violence, child visitation rights, paternity, divorce and adoption.

o    Criminal Lawyers work with criminal offenses. Often people need someone to defend them, as they have been charged, this may be in or out of the court, it simply depends on the crime. The range of crimes that criminal lawyers defend is large, ranging from murder to sexual assault to fraud.

o    Accident Lawyers help people that are victims of injury or accidents in order to get compensation.

o    Malpractice Lawyers help people that have suffered from medical malpractice. Often, medical professionals don't do the job they are supposed too, for whatever reason, however the results can be disastrous. Problems that can occur are health and personal problems and can often affect an individual or their families greatly.

o    Immigration Lawyers provide assistance regarding any immigration issue. They often work with government agencies.

o    Personal Injury Lawyers help get compensation for many different kinds of accidents. Construction site accidents, automobile accidents, and things such as even nursing home abuse.

o    Tax Lawyers help people do their tax returns and basically deal with all issues of tax.

There are a large variety of lawyers available to help in any situation, and it is wise to know what kind of lawyer you need for your specific case.

Can I File a Personal Injury Claim After a Horseback Riding Accident?

Horseback riding is an enjoyable activity that also involves some amount of risk for the rider and the horse, especially when riding through rough terrain or on challenging courses. If an injury occurs while riding a horse, the liability usually falls on the rider. There are some instances, however, when someone else might be responsible for a rider's injury.

Horse riding facilities and academies, ranches, tour companies, and stable operators are not responsible for the injuries of riders, but they are responsible to meet a certain standard of reasonable care in order to prevent injuries. If the owner/operator of a horse business did not take reasonable care, they might be held liable in a personal injury case filed by the injured horseback rider.

While the standard of reasonable care varies from case to case, there are some factors that might indicate liability on part of the owner/operator:

• If the horseback rider was given faulty, sub-par equipment

• If the horseback rider was not given proper safety equipment

• If the horseback rider was matched with an uncontrollable horse

• If the horseback rider's guide was not properly trained

Any of the above factors can indicate negligence on the part of the horse's owner. Again, though, liability most often falls on the rider. Anyone who rides a horse should make sure that they take all precautions to help avoid an injury. Riders have many responsibilities:

• Comfort with the horse . Riders should be comfortable riding and directing their horse before riding unassisted. If a rider is uneasy on a certain horse, they should voice their concern and ask for a different horse.

• Safety Equipment . Riders should wear safety equipment, including a helmet.

• Horse Comfort . Riders should not intentionally agitate or aggravate their horse.

When rider and horse are comfortable and in a generally safe environment, horseback riding is an enjoyable sport. Accidents do happen, however, and at times a personal injury suit may be necessary. If you have suffered a horseback riding injury that you think was caused by negligence outside of your own control, a personal injury settlement can help you address your medical bills, time away from work, and unexpected lifestyle changes.

If you think that your horseback injury is a result of another's negligence, you should contact an attorney in your state who specializes in personal injury claims. Each injury case is different and an attorney will need to review the factors of your injury in order to determine if you have a viable claim.

Celebrate National Activity Professionals Week January 20-26

Activities for the elderly are essential especially for people with dementia. Find out why, and find out why those providing the activities are important.

Who are the people providing the activities?

The leader of the activity department is a certified activity director(ADC), a certified, licensed, occupational therapy assistant(COTA/L), or a
registered occupational therapist(OTR). However besides this, these directors are passionate about helping those in need.

Working with the activity directors are the activity assistants. They are, at the very least, high school graduates with a strong desire to help people.
Both directors and assistants are highly creative and caring. They gently encourage residents, especially those with dementia, clients, or even family
members to join in the fun and opportunity, the activities bring.

Where do these activities take place?

All nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult day care centers provide activities for their residents or clients. Families, choosing to keep their loved ones with a disability such as dementia, at home also offer their loved one(s) activities.

What kinds of activities are made available?

Before discussion of this, let us discover how the kinds of activities presented, are determined. The current thinking is that activities are person centered.Group activities are designed for the interests of the majority, but one to one activities are offered to those who would rather "do their own thing". "Activities purpose is not just to kill time, but rather to make time live" unknown author. For some, it may be engaging in a group activity. For others solitary activities are more their preference. Of course, there are individuals who sometimes like groups and sometimes prefer to be alone.

Even prior to determining the type of group and and individual activities offered, activity staff assess the needs and strengths of all the residents or clients.Activities promote the highest level of physical and mental functioning. Activities are success oriented. Figuring all this out can be tricky, but activity professionals are special people.

Offered are old favorites, like bingo, sing a longs, exercise, entertainment, current events, religion, and trivia. However, creative staff think of new and exciting activities that may put a new twist on an old favorite. Often activities are adapted and modified so that each person can participate if he so chooses.

When do these activities take place?

Activities can take place any time of the day or night.People with dementia and other diseases often need activities at night because their sleep wake pattern may be altered.

Why are activities important?

As mentioned earlier activities help to preserve the highest level of mental and physical functioning. Activities also bring fun and purpose into one's life. Activities raise self esteem and prevent depression.Activities keep people calm or alert depending on their need. Activities help keep individuals connected. Yes, activities do many thing besides theobvious.

So this activity professionals week, January 20-26 be sure to say, "Thank you" to anyone you know who does activities. Visit a local nursing home, assisted
living facility, adult day care center, or a person who provides activities to their loved ones at home.

Employed Position Describes Your CNA Duties

If you have completed Nurse Aide Training program and earned the CNA Certification by passing the Licensing Test, you are allowed to work in a hospital, nursing home, hospice, long term care unit, rehabilitation center and other facilities. You are also permitted to work as a travel nurse aide, home health aide, private duty CNA and school nurse aide.

In course of your employment for routine nursing cares of the patients, you are required to execute various types of CNA Duties. It is also necessary that you must follow the provisions of state and federal authorities, and Nurse Practice Act, while executing your job responsibilities.

It is also wise to remember that your CNA Job Description shows the responsibilities that must be executed by you. You may be working part time, full time, day or evening shift. In addition, you must be ready to start your shift any time, irrespective of your shift hours because a patient require 24 hours caring and may require your service anytime.

Further, you must be fit and active because, in course of your employment as a nurse aide, you may also have to travel frequently to attend patients in distant locations and perform duties as required by the patient. You must be capable of lifting certain weight because you may have to reposition the patients, assist them in their movement through wheel chair and stretcher.

As a certified Nurse Aide, you must also keep in mind that different facilities also require execution of varied duties, and your responsibilities varies from facility to facility. For example, if you work in a Rehabilitation Center, you are required to deal with elderly residents and perform responsibilities related to that Center.

Your duties in Rehab Center include:

• Maintain Health Condition and Care Report of the resident.
• Assist the residents in their daily living activities.
• Count, measure and record vital signs.
• Assist in, speech or occupational therapy activities as directed by the therapist.
• Work under the direct supervision of the registered nurse and report everyday condition of the patient to RN.
• Assist in the rehabilitation plan and transfer of the resident.

Similarly, if you work as a Travel Nurse Aide, your job requires working in a distant located facility. The duty that must be executed by you depends on your employed facility. You may have to execute basic nursing duties, along with the facility specific duties. The job Description of a travel nurse aide depends on the place of working.

It is also vital that whatever be your CNA Duties and Responsibilities, you must bear compassionate nature and humble behavior while offering cares to the patients.

Non-Taxable Personal Injury Payments

When a person is injured in an accident, he or she may pursue legal action to recover the costs of medical treatment. These lawsuits are useful mechanisms for individuals needing to cover high medical costs, especially due to the rising costs of healthcare. Technically speaking, this money counts as income, meaning that it becomes a consideration for federal taxes. However, due to the purpose of these funds, they are not treated in the same way as other forms of income.

According to the federal tax code, the government will not tax any personal injury funds resulting from an injury claim. This can include compensation received for physical injury, medical expenses, emotional damages, and even lost wages. In the case of lost wages, compensation will prove non-taxable while the actual wages themselves would have been regularly taxed.

Some individuals may attempt to use the medical expense deduction when filing for their income tax return. However, if the funds were received without tax as a part of a settlement or judgment, this deduction must be adjusted by filing these funds as income in the tax return.

There is one instance when this money becomes taxable. If a person is injured in an accident and receives a sum of interest as a part of the settlement total, that additional income is considered a separate taxable entity from the actual compensation sum. As a result, any money received through interest, not the compensations funds themselves, will be considered taxable income by the IRS.

To learn more about tax statuses with car accident injury claim funds, contact an auto accident lawyer.

Understanding Class Action Lawsuits

Class actions are also familiarly referred to as representative actions due to the very nature of these types of cases. In general, when an accident, defective product, or anything else has wide ranging consequences that affect a number of different people, the general consensus is to file a class action lawsuit. These are legal issues that involve multiple people, and it often takes form in a group that is bringing suit against an offending company, person, etc. However, the reverse can also be true, in which case an entire class of defendants is being sued. In general, the main determining factor in cases of this nature is the number of individuals involved. Because multiple persons are included in cases of this sort, the actions have been fittingly titled as "class actions."

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (specifically, Rule 23 and 28 U.S.C.A. 禮 1332 (d)) is what is used to govern class action lawsuits. Under the conditions stipulated in these laws, entire groups of people can determine whether or not theirs is a case that could be eligible for class action. In general, the federal courts will become involved in matters that involve civil actions in which the amount in controversy is in excess of $5,000,000. The federal courts will also be utilized in any matter in which even one of an entire class of plaintiffs is a citizen of a state other than that of the defendant; any member of an entire class of plaintiffs is a citizen of a state and any defendant is the citizen of a foreign state; and any member of a class of plaintiffs is a foreign state or citizen or the subject of a foreign state when the defendant is a citizen of the state. Assuming that any of these conditions are at play when a class action suit is filed, the federal court system will undoubtedly be called upon to take action in the matter.

The nature of class action lawsuits sets up the potential for a number of plaintiffs or defendants, sometimes ranging in the hundreds. Therefore, it is not uncommon for cases such as this to span across state borders and affect residents of the country nationwide. These suits must show a commonality of issues in order to be considered in the process of a class action suit, a feat that can prove to be difficult considering the fact that many states have their own set of laws and governing expectations. However, the possibility for nationwide action lawsuits does exist, and when they are brought before the federal courts they are generally re-distributed to pre-trial multidistrict litigation cases. In this way, it is possible for the courts to look more closely at individual cases prior to attempting to handle the whole suit at once.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may or may not be better served in the federal court system vs. the state court system. In general, it has been determined that federal courts tend to produce more favorable results for defendants, while state courts are more apt to act in the favor of a group of plaintiffs. In many instances, the initial filing of a class action suit will be done in the state courts and then moved up to the federal level if circumstances call for it. Also considered to be general practice of cases of this nature is the fact that these suits are filed naming at least one, but often several, plaintiffs on a proposed class of affected individuals. There must be a common injury suffered among the group under legal speculation in order for the claim to be valid. Furthermore, due process often comes into play with these matters. This means that public notice must be made in which the class action is made viewable to all members potentially involved. This can be accomplished through public broadcast, written statements, and the like. Failure to meet any one of the aforementioned standards could effectively negate the need for a class action suit altogether.

Government Assistance For Single Mothers - Grants, Housing, Living Expenses and Medical Care

A single mother is tasked with the responsibility of performing the role of mother in addition to the father role. Fortunately there is government assistance for single mothers through various programs available.

A single parent has a harder task than any two parent family. Most of the single parent head of households are females. Many single moms have not had the opportunity to get a good education nor sufficient housing.

Food and funds are often insufficient and the single woman, in many cases cannot afford child care nor can she afford a home. Consequentially, she requires assistance in order to for basic provisions for her children.

There is a government program called WIC which is designed for single women or qualified parents with children five and under. Food such as milk, cereal, cheese, juice, beans, peanut butter and eggs are the main foods that are provided.

Each month the qualified parent or parents are given vouchers which are to be use at any time before the expiration date. The above listed foods are all rich in vitamins and nutrients necessary good health. This program is offered by the Department of Children and Families.

Another program offered by the Department of Children and Families is called TANIF. This two parents or single mother government assistance program offers temporary financial assistance for needy families. Monetary funds are provided to qualified families. The parent or parents must meet all of the income and need criterion.

Grants and housing vouchers are also part of a government assistance program. The housing authority will house a single mom and her family for a fraction of the cost of basic apartment.

Food stamps are also provided. Over ten years ago food stamps came in the form of paper vouchers. Now single mothers use a card similar to a credit card to make all of her purchases. Each month, depending on a her situation and income, she is awarded a specific dollar amount of food stamps.

For medical assistance, there is Medicaid or various other healthy kid programs. Children can receive medical care at not cost if they qualify. Depending on the income, a small co-payment may be charged. Every state has similar rules and regulations that apply to single mother support programs. For more information on government assistance for single mothers, visit your local Department of Children and Families or see the site below for list of resources specifically to address individual needs.

No Matter What You Need To Deodorize There Is An Air Freshener That Is Right For You

Air Fresheners are odor control products that can help make your home and business environments smelling clean, fresh, and pleasant. There are many types of fresheners including freshener sprays, trigger sprayers, metered dispensers, automatic odor control systems, fan dispensers, aerosol cans, dry deodorants, liquid deodorants, and gel packs. No matter what you have to deodorize, from a home, to an office, to a public restroom, there is an air fresher that can meet your needs.

For health care facilities, educational institutions, nursing homes, hotels, schools, restaurants, churches and other public buildings, trigger sprayers such as the Country Morning Refresh Concentrated Deodorant and Smoke Odor Eliminator is a must have odor control product. For commercial settings, the Super Block can absorb unpleasant odors and provide air freshener for dumpsters, water treatment facilities, and much more.

Automatic odor control systems and metered dispensers are great for keeping your restroom or any room smelling fresh like new For larger homes and small businesses, metered aerosol dispensers are used to release freshener for up to 90 days and cover an area of 6,000 feet. Metered freshener dispensers and refills are perfect for any need. Keeping your room constantly smelling fresh with a constant supply of air freshener refills. The metered dispensers will deliver each scent periodically to ensure complete coverage from your freshener. The Time Mist 9000 Shot Metered Seasons Air Freshener Kit is a popular metered aerosol dispenser. The wall mountable AJAX Solid Air Freshener and the Arm & Hammer Deodorizing Freshener Spray are also popular products for keeping everything smelling fresh and clean.

Fan dispensers, such as the SeBreeze Automatic Odor Control Freshener System by Rubbermaid, is a portable fan dispenser that takes refillable Fragrance Cassettes to fill the air with a clean, fresh scent. Fan dispensers provide long-lasting effective odor control for restrooms, hospitals, nursing homes, commercial buildings, or anywhere that freshness is desired. These fan dispensers actually dispense fragrance 24-hours a day for around the clock odor control. This type of automatic odor control system is especially effective when used in public restrooms as a bathroom freshener.

Aerosol air freshener spray the air with a fresh deodorant formula that smells good and fresh. These sprays are non-staining and safe. The convenient thing about aerosol can fresheners are that they are transportable, don't need batteries or electricity, can be used only when needed, and are suitable for household, office, trailer, hotel, vehicle, boat, and car use. With aerosol freshener sprays, you can travel with and spray a fresh, clean scent anywhere you go.

Liquid deodorants and gel packs also a good way to continuously deodorize the air. These types of deodorants are for use in dispensers, and they fill the air with a fresh fragrance. Each type of dispenser is made for a certain type of deodorizer, so you have to decide which type you want to use. No matter which type of freshener and/or refill you prefer, be sure you will get the odor control you need and want if you consider all of the freshener options and make the choice that is right for your needs. No matter what you are trying to deodorize-a house, an office, a restaurant, a trailer, a car, a boat, a school, a restroom, or a barn-there is an air fresher option that is right for you.

How Do Nurses Help People?

A common career path to take these days is to become a nurse. Whether you are an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or an RN (Registered Nurse), your career is able to be very rewarding if you enjoy what you're doing. But for those of you that are not a nurse, you would probably like to know how nurses help people.

When you enter a hospital or nursing home - often you will see a lot of nurses. This is because they are sometimes called "the work horses of the hospital". They are the ones who complete simple and routine tasks to patients. Some of these tasks include taking vital signs, giving medicine to those who need it, bathing, comforting patients, transporting them from room to room or place to place, and making sure that the patients are happy and have everything that they need to get healthier or feel better.

Often times when you enter a clinic, you're probably more likely to receive initial care from a nurse rather than a physician. Why? Because they can do just about everything that a doctor can do. In fact, nowadays - some nurses even have the authority to prescribe medication to patients! They have really come a long way in the last 70 years when it used to be a 100% female career choice.

Helping people is the top priority that all nurses have. The majority of the time, they do not enter this career field unless they have a strong will to give a helping hand to those who are in need.

7 Most Common Misconceptions About Assisted Living

A challenging part of life is the fear of the unknown. This worry surely is true for making a choice to move oneself or a spouse into an assisted living community. Lots of people don't really understand what life in an assisted living community is like. Instead they depend on pre-conceived suggestions (more like stigmas) that have developed over time. Becoming comfortable with a community, the staff, and its occupants may help seniors adjust to their new way of living. Nervousness is often times overcome as the occupant assimilates into his / her new everyday living routine. Once within their new home, residents can find joy that surpasses what they have experienced in years.

Below are a few of the most common misunderstandings connected with assisted living.

1. I will lose my freedom! In fact, most residents who reside within assisted living communities realize that they're experiencing much more freedom than when they were residing in their homes. Upon relocating into an assisted living community, day-to-day tasks are a thing of the past. You can forget house-work, doing the bills, or even cooking. In cases where one was housebound or at the mercy of a friend or loved one to go anywhere, one can now go where and when they desire utilizing the provided transportation. Numerous residents still drive and therefore are welcome to come and go as they wish. Finally, if they have been taking care of another elderly individual at home such as a spouse, sister, or relative, that care is now taken over by the personnel inside the community.

2. I don't want to stay with a bunch of sick people. The most common assisted living resident is usually a senior citizen that has suffered a mild decline in their overall health. This can be brought on by a personal injury, an ailment, or simply just due to aging. They might encounter challenges to do certain everyday functions such as bathing or dressing, or they are not as sharp mentally as they used to be. However, the majority of occupants are not sick or bedridden.

3. I will lose my privacy. Many aging adults have concerns about their personal privacy within a communal living environment filled with unrelated people. Assisted living communities are created to provide utmost privacy for occupants while also promoting a warm and friendly social atmosphere. Most assisted living communities have large dining rooms, and great rooms for meeting new people and for activities. However, occupants who're in search of solitude can simply find it within the privacy of their own suite or apartment. Several communities accommodate 2 residents to an apartment, while some offer only private rooms.

4. I don't do activities. Activities are always voluntary and no one is forced to do anything they do not want to do. Many people find that even when they do not want to do an activity, they do like the companionship of other people.

5. It will cost too much. Assisted Living Communities are available in many price ranges and can vary from $2,500 to $6,000 a month or more, depending on your geographical area and also the care you need. What a lot of potential residents fail to recognize is that in today's world, it literally costs thousands of dollars to keep up a personal home. If you think of merely the primary expenses related to living in a private home: property taxes, repair, groceries, along with the utilities, one can easily quickly recognize that an assisted living community may actually cost less than remaining in one's home.

6. The food will be poor. There can be a large difference in food services from community to community. It is very important to be an informed customer in order to find the appropriate fit for you or your loved ones appetite and diet plan. Prior to making a final choice with regards to location, you should visit at meal times, test their food, and take notice of the quality of the mealtime experience.

7. I'll never see my children or friends again. This is certainly a stigma from the past. Nearly all assisted living communities have an open door policy that allows guest visitation anytime unlike their nursing home predecessors. An assisted living community is "home" for the resident and ought to be treated as such. Friends may visit any time and can usually stay for as long as they desire. In fact, family and friends will often be encouraged to participate in the activities that are offered. A number of communities even enable residents to arrange for transport to visit their friends and families.

We hope that you will look past some of these fallacies of the past and view assisted living with an open mind. We are confident that you will be happy that you did.

Elder Care Costs

Health management and the housing of elders are expensive in modern living conditions. To avoid irrelevant tax payments, financial planning is essential to control elder care costs. Long term insurance policies help to manage elder care costs to a great extent.

Today, the costs of assisted living range from $1000 to $5000 per month. The cost of assisted living can be covered by certain long term care insurance policies. Rent for independent living and retirement house changes according depending on the quality and services offered. Rent for senior houses and retirement homes without meals ranges from $800 to $1,500 per month, and with food, the cost can be $1400 to $3400 per month. This includes nursing care and recreational facilities. Long term care in a nursing home costs from $3000 to $6500 or more per month. Shared or private rooms have different rates. Elders who need help for everyday activities opt for home care service. Home health care costs around $50 to $85 for each visit. If medications and other services are provided during home health care, then the rate averages about $90 per visit. An average of $100 is paid for 24-hour home care service.

Adult day care program costs range from $10 to $50 per day. Geriatric care manager charges $40 to $100 per hour. Elder care cost for emergency response service ranges from $35 to $50 per month. The fees for medication reminder services for the elder run about $20 per month. Expenditure of each meal delivery also ranges from $2 to $5. Wheelchair vans are highly expensive and the cost for round trip services is $50 to $100. Medicare, Medicaid, managed care plan, supplemental insurance and long term care insurance are some of the financial alternatives for providing elder care.

Activities for Seniors

The later years in life don't always sound too appealing. There's a lot to being old that elderly people wouldn't recommend to their younger counterparts! But, as we all know it's an unavoidable fact of life; we'll all get old some day.

That doesn't mean that you'll have to stop doing things - granted, age can limit our physical and mental abilities to some extent, but this will vary from person to person. Being old is more of a mindset - some of the most senior people in my life are also some of the most active, healthy, sharp witted people I know and they show no signs of slowing down! But Those I know who have slowed down are still looking for challenges and enjoying life.

Retiring can leave some people feeling at a loss. At a stage in life where daily work is no longer available to you, what is there to do? Seniors often find themselves with much more time on their hands day to day than they used to have. Not working can leave a pretty big void - if you see it that way at least. The best way to see it is as opportunity - you can fill that time with something you've always wanted to learn, go places you've always wanted to go and do things you couldn't have done with the commitments of work holding you back.

Traveling the world is a journey many seniors embark on and for obvious reasons. Experiencing the beauty of the earth, it's countless peoples, cultures and delights is in amongst the most rewarding experiences that life can offer - and it's never too late to do it.

Moving into a care home later on in life can add to or bring back feelings of 'uselessness'. Don't feel that you've lost anything, in fact you're gaining a great deal by moving into a nursing home - proper care, comfort and access to new things, giving more time to pursue the things you love. Do you like playing an instrument? Maybe you and some other residents could play together, form a house band and put on shows for the whole community? Or how about writing and painting? Even if these are things that you don't do now, wouldn't you love to learn? Retirement can offer that opportunity.

Some of these activities can cost little or nothing to do, so you've got nothing to lose by trying. Retirement can be a financially difficult period - but still, it shouldn't stop you enjoying life and having new experiences. Being in a care home can offer you more time and opportunity to do the things you love, plus you get the benefits of care and a safe, welcoming environment, with all the support and help you'll need to get the very best out of life.

Patient Hoists - When Carrying is Not an Option

Persons with weak leg muscles now have the capability of being lifted to their feet with the help of useful and durable machines that are called patient hoist. The first model was made to fit any patient that cannot move on their feet. This unit help them stand on their feet and even move around from one place to another.

The concept of patient hoists was born from the idea that if loads can be supported and lifted, so can people. Before this hoists were brought out, care takers or nurses are given the tasks of moving their patients around or lifting them to their feet. Aside from being time consuming and energy draining, this method can even use additional injuries to the patients.

What are some of the types of patient hoists?

1. Unilift ceiling hoists for patients.

This is the first patient hoist that has been used worldwide for many years now because of the unlimited options that these hoists are built with. This unit is placed permanently on the ceiling and is made to fit the dimensions of the room where it is being used. It also offers a variety of curves, traverses and rails so that movement is not hindered.

There are available switches available on the rails for patients to be able to use if they want to move around the room using the lift on their own. It can be noted that these type of unit is very well designed with the best technology and is known for their safe use.

With unilift hoists, patient are able to go to the bathroom and bask to the room with no trouble.

2. Multi-purpose and transport patient hoist.

This hoists is considered the one with the most capabilities. This is a patient host that is used as a lifting belt. Because of its swiveling designs, there are various applications and capabilities that one can use with this hoist. Patients can be lifted even if they are lying or sitting down. Whatever position the patient is comfortable with, they can taken easily from one room to another.

An additional feature of this patient life is its feeling of comfort and security. Movements are minimized so that the patient will not feel any sway or unnecessary moves while being lifted to their desired place.

3. Patient hoist used in nursing homes.

The universal patient hoist is known for being the choice among nursing homes and centers. Persons using this are those that have limited movement capabilities. This is the perfect hoist for patients that need to be carefully handled while being lifted.

It also helps the nursing aids put their patients in the proper position while taking into account that there are certain limitations to the positions that they should be placed on. There are a lot more varieties of them out in the market. Some of these can even be custom-made to the preferences that the patient and their care taker have.

The different types of patient hoists that are now available and can be bought makes it possible for sick people to enjoy some of the benefits of movements and going places. Just imagine what it was like back when these people have to be carried around manually and you will be able to appreciate the creators of patient hoists.

Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes

Thousands of elderly Americans live out their final years in nursing homes so that they can get the constant attention and assistance that they need. Unfortunately, many nursing home attendants take these signs of vulnerability as an opportunity for exploitation.

Sexual abuse in nursing homes is a problem of unknown magnitude because many cases go unreported. Often, abuse of any form occurs to assert dominance over another individual. In the case of sexual forms of abuse, this may not necessarily be the case.

Since patients are often weak and frail, they cannot fight back against advancements of abuse. Additionally, they may be coerced into giving consent because they rely on the attendants for their well-being. Finally, some patients who cannot communicate well are unable to report the abuse that they have experienced.

Sexual abuse is a broad term used to describe many lewd, sexual acts that are forced upon an individual by another person. Common forms of this abuse are:

• Rape


• Inappropriate touching


• Sexual harassment


• Forced physical interaction

It is important to note that sexual assault may also refer to acts to which an individual has consented if the individual was forced to consent. Sexual crimes are illegal and also may be punishable in civil courts for the emotional and physical harm that may be inflicted on victims.

Many elderly individuals are unable to report acts of abuse for a number of reasons, including fear for repercussions and a physical inability. As such, it may be up to a victim's family to report instances of abuse on its loved one's behalf.

Abuse should never be tolerated, especially in homes for the elderly. If your loved one was abused in any form in his or her nursing home, discuss your legal rights and options with the New Jersey nursing home abuse attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A.

How to Choose Nursing Homes

Choosing a nursing home is a very important decision for the entire family. There are many important factors to consider, and selecting the right nursing home is critical. The compatibility and quality of a specific home can determine whether or not it is a good or bad experience, and whether or not the resident enjoys their time there.

The important things to consider can be divided into three broad categories: administration of the nursing home, the physical aspects, and the services that the nursing home provides.

Administration of the nursing home. As in many areas of life, the administration of a nursing home determines much about the atmosphere in the home and how it is run. Some important things to consider are whether or not they are registered and licensed, and whether or not they participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. It is also very important to feel comfortable with the staff of the home, as they will have the most daily interaction with the resident.

Physical comfort and safety. The physical comfort and safety of a given nursing home are very important. Safety and security is an integral issue because many elderly citizens are unable to successfully defend themselves and their property. The residence needs to have measures in place to protect the residents, and also apparatuses to ensure their physical safety. Grab bars and wheelchair ramps are important for protection as well. Physical comfort will vary greatly from person to person, but it is important to be happy with the room accommodations and the furnishings of the buildings. Comfortable temperature can also be a problematic issue for some residents.

Services provided. Nursing homes can provide a wide array of services to their residents, and many of them are extremely helpful. Prospective residents must understand exactly what medical, dental, and nursing services are offered on-site. It is also important to be comfortable with the food services, especially whether or not the nursing home adapts well to therapeutic diets. Therapy services, along with pharmacy capabilities, are a big advantage. Along with the activities provided for the residents, it is important to be clear on whether or not the nursing home staff will take the residents to their medical appointments.

Identifying And Defending Against Nursing Home Abuse

There is a wide array of injuries and ailments that can stem from nursing home abuse, many of which have nothing at all to do with a violent altercation. If your family member has sustained an injury from a fall due to improper supervision, if they've become ill as a result of dehydration or if an injury has resulted from improper or unnecessary restraints used by a staff member, you may be entitled to compensation.

In many cases a victim of nursing home abuse is either incapable or simply too afraid to express the pain or discomfort caused to them by the abuse or neglect of a staff member. This can make nursing home abuse or neglect very difficult to prove if there are not telltale physical signs or a reliable witness who's willing to come forward with the truth.

Physical signs like cuts, bruises and fractures can be a good indicator that the level of care isn't exactly where it should be in an assisted living facility, but there are far more subtle signs that could indicate a potential problem. Things like skin rashes, disorientation, weight loss and unexplained mood changes can all be potential signs that the appropriate level of care isn't being administered by the staff and that something needs to be done.

This is precisely why you need to reach out to a qualified team of attorneys if you feel as though something may be amiss at the home or assisted care facility in which one of your loved ones resides. A consultation with attorneys that specialize in cases of nursing home abuse and neglect can help you figure out the best course of action to follow regarding the care of your loved one.

If there are signs of nursing home abuse or neglect in your case, a personal injury attorney can begin to take the steps necessary to prepare your lawsuit against the facility. Your attorney can help you draft a formal complaint against the facility and fight for the medical care and financial compensation needed to help your loved one to recover from the abuse or neglect. By contacting a personal injury attorney who has tried elder abuse or neglect cases, you not only can get justice for your loved one but prevent other families from suffering as yours has.

Medicaid Home Care in New York - What You Need to Know

As many people know by now, the eligibility rules for Medicaid changed drastically in February, 2006, when the legislature enacted the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). It is much more difficult to help clients needing nursing home care become Medicaid eligible.

What many people may not be aware of, however, is that in New York, there is no lookback period and no penalty period for Medicaid Home Care. Elder law attorneys are still able to do a lot to help seniors who need a home health aide in the home but are afraid of depleting their assets and becoming penniless.

It has been my experience as an elder law attorney that most people prefer to remain in their homes as long as possible. With a proper care plan in place, seniors are very often able to stay in their homes longer. As you might imagine, a senior's health may stay in tact much longer if he or she is getting proper meals and hydration, routine medical care and receiving supervision with walking and getting around, thus avoiding falls. This basic kind of care can keep a senior healthy and functional for years longer than may otherwise be possible.

There may come a time when a senior needs a nursing home level of care. However, it is just as possible that having care in the home may prevent the need to ever put that person in a nursing home.

Medicaid and New York Application Process

The process of getting someone eligible for home care and applying for home care in New York takes at least 3 months, if not longer. In New York, there are a few different ways of applying for home care. You may submit an application through one of the Medicaid field offices (called "CASAs"). You may apply through one of the Certified Home Health Agencies ("CHHAs"). You may also apply through the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program ("CDPAP"). Your elder law attorney will help you decide which avenue to go down depending on your particular situation. In New York City, for instance, I often apply through a CHHA, because once the CHHA is satisfied that all the application requirements have been met, it may put the care in place before the Medicaid agency even approves the application.

If a client already has an aide in place and wants to keep that person, assuming that aide is able to be certified, I would go through the CDPAP program, which allows consumers to hire their own aides, within certain parameters.

The home care application process is time-consuming and confusing. Once you foresee there may be a need in the future, you should start investigating your options as soon as possible, because, as with most governmental programs, there is a lot of paperwork involved.

Florida Children Being Stuck in Nursing Homes

It has recently come to the attention of the Justice Department that Florida has been institutionalizing hundreds of young children with disabilities by putting them in nursing home facilities that are designed for elderly patients. And the children are not just staying for a quick layover, some have been in a nursing home for years. These actions are in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Justice Department believes that the reason behind having so many children in nursing homes is due to Florida failing to set aside enough money to cover in-home nursing care, therapy and other services that would enable parents to care for their own children in their own homes. Federal investigations show that the state has completely cut 24-hour in-home nursing and other home-based services for children who use ventilators, feeding tubes, and other complicated technology. Without any help from the state, parents are trying to find the funds to take care of their children at home, but many are falling short and are forced to let their children go to a nursing home.

Children by the hundreds are being put in these nursing homes all over Florida and they are growing up without their families. At least 50 children have been stuck in the same home for 5 years. Tom Perez, the Assistant Attorney General to Pamela Bondi, the Florida Attorney General, state that the children "live segregated lives" and are not given many chances to be around children or adults without disabilities. They are also not given opportunities to experience a majority of educational, social and recreational activities that are "critical to a child's development."

These children are surrounded by elderly nursing home patients and a few other children with disabilities. They spend the majority of their time in their beds or watching TV and federal authorities have said that their educational opportunities are limited to about 45 minutes per day. These kids are classified as "medically complex" or "medically fragile," and can be suffering from traumatic brain injuries or cerebral palsy. Some are on ventilators, many have tracheotomies, and most need medical apparatus or equipment to help them survive.

A 5 year old quadriplegic child, injured in a car accident, has been residing in a state facility for three years. Her mother has been trying in vain to bring her home, told that there is a waiting list for community and home-based services that is between 5 and 10 years. Another child is a 6 year old girl living in an institution who has to receive nutrition through a feeding tube. While under her mother's care, the feeding tube fell out several times and it was recommended that the girl should be released back to her mother, but to give the child brief daily visits from a nurse to maintain the tube. The state refused to pay for any amount of nursing care, and so the child remains in the facility.

It's estimated that to be cared for in a nursing home, each child costs about $500 per day, which is more than elderly patients cost. Nurses are working overtime, scurrying between patients, and desperately trying to take meet the needs of a wide range of patients. Federal investigators are threatening a lawsuit. Florida maintains that they were just following federal laws.

What to Look For in Nursing Home For an Alzheimer's Patient

At some point, most Alzheimer's patients will spend time in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Whether, the stay is a temporary or permanent in nature, the special needs of Alzheimer's patients must be recognized and evaluated before the person is placed into a nursing home environment. There are no specific nursing home regulations in place for people with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Consequently, the burden of selecting an appropriate facility falls squarely on the shoulders of the family or close friends. The following is general 'game plan' that can be used by families of people with Alzheimer's, dementia or traumatic brain injury to aid in the selection of a temporary or permanent nursing home.

Before any change in living arrangements is contemplated, a complete physical and mental assessment of you loved one should be completed. A candid discussion of the individuals needs should be done in the presence of the family and caregivers. Try to decide what the person is really capable of an in what areas the person needs assistance. Honesty is crucial. An open and honest discussion will help with the selection of a facility, but will also help the staff at the facility a baseline get an idea of your loved one's needs.

Initial selection of a nursing home or long-term care facility for an Alzheimer's patient is no different from the selection of a nursing home for a non-Alzheimer's patient. The first step is to do some research about the facilities via friends or on the internet. I suggest the Medicare website as a starting point. You can see on-line where the facilities are located and what services they offer.

After conducting some initial fact gathering about the facilities, a visit to the facility is a must. Do not risk the safety and happiness of your loved one at a facility without physically visiting the facility. Before deciding on a facility at least two visits are in order. The first visit should be a scheduled visit to get a tour from the staff. If the initial visit passes muster, a second unannounced visit should be made. The second visit will likely be more telling than a carefully coordinately tour. Do not hesitate to talk with the staff during your visits. You can learn a lot about the facility depending on their attitude and demeanor. Unhappy staff is usually indicative of unhappy residents.

Unlike most nursing homes that care for the elderly, nursing homes that care for Alzheimer's patients and those suffering from a brain injury needs to take precaution to reduce the risk of residents harming themselves and others. Nursing homes for Alzheimer's patients should have specialized design considerations to help ensure the individual's safety and happiness. Facilities should:

- Place restrictions on in-and-out privileges for residents. Safeguards to prevent elopement and wandering --common sources of injury to Alzheimer's residents.

- Require each visitor to sign in. Mentally impaired residents are disproportionately physically and sexually abused compared with the general nursing home population.

- Bracelets and alarms. Does the facility have a tracking system or alarm for residents who have a tendency to wander? Depending on the mobility of the individual, a surveillance bracelet should be used to keep track of the person.

- The facility should have clearly marked walkways inside and outsides the facilities. The walkways should be well lit, have directional signage with diagrams as opposed to written diagrams.

- Have a circular configuration. Alzheimer's patients get particularly frustrated when encountered by dead-ends and right angles.

Staffing Is The #1 Consideration

'Does the facility regularly handle people with Alzheimer's?' This is an important question to ask, because the most important factor in your loved ones happiness and safety will be dependent on how much experience the facility has in dealing with Alzheimer's patients. Seek out a facility that focuses exclusively on Alzheimer's care or has a specialized unit for residents with Alzheimer's. If the facility houses both Alzheimer's and non-Alzheimer's patients, precautions should be in place to control both groups access to the other. Though it may seem segregationalist, depending on the level of functionality, most Alzheimer's patients should be kept together for their own safety.

Most incidents involving nursing home injury occur due to staffing problems. Don't be afraid to ask some or all of the following:

- Does the facility require / provide any specialized Alzheimer's training for the staff?
- Does the facility do backgrounds checks on all employees?
- What is the policy for alerting a family member to an incident?
- What is the policy for physical and / or drug restraints?
- What is the facilities toileting policy? Are diapers changed regularly or does the facility only change on a schedule?
- How does the facility ensure that resident's eat? Do they have staff to monitor what is and is not eaten?
- What is the resident / staff ratio? A general rule is 1:6 for staffing during the day.

Getting a Job As a Teacher: Work Experience Is a Must

As a former administrator, I learned that one thing all prospective employers look for on a teacher resume is former work experience, particularly work experience involving working with children. When looking over a resume, principals look for the following:

The quality that employers seek above all else is a strong worth ethic. They want teachers who are energetic, dependable, team-oriented, and hard-working and set a good example to the community. Job experience with a positive recommendation is the best way to demonstrate you meet these qualifications.

Prior to my first job as a Special Education teacher, I had work experiences as I worked my way through college. I was a nurse's aide in a nursing home, did respite care for a foster child with autism, and worked in a group home for teenagers and adults with disabilities. In addition, I had numerous jobs from McDonald's to a work study job as a typist in my college department. In addition to being valuate to my obtaining a teaching job, these largely minimum wage jobs taught me a lot about the world and made me better able to related to people who work these jobs every day to support their families. As an administrator and teacher, this work experience made me more approachable to classified staff and families who live in poverty because I could appreciate the work they were doing.

All of these experiences played a part in me easily landing my first job as a teacher. Despite having graduated in November, I started a full-time job on January 3rd.

Admittedly, it is difficult to work and go to school at the same time, but it's not impossible. I worked up to 40 or more hours per week and went to school at the same time because I had to. If you can't do both at the same time, at least work during school breaks.

Job experiences involving children are particularly valuable. Such jobs can be babysitting, summer camps, tutoring, daycare, music lessons and more. Volunteer experience is also helpful, particularly volunteer experience with children who have special needs, who are English Language Learners, are socio-economically disadvantaged or from an urban area. Here are some suggestions of places to volunteer to gain these experiences: a children's hospital, Special Olympics, an urban league, a church or synagogue, a food pantry, or a family homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

Of particular importance to principals is your ability to manage groups of children so such jobs as summer camp counselor, daycare center worker, vacation bible school or Sunday school teacher look good on resumes.

Again, work experience, particularly work experience in working with children, is valuable to obtaining a teaching job. Make certain you are an exceptional employee with good recommendations. It will pay dividends.

What Should You Expect From Assisted Living Facilities?

If you ever cringed at the idea of putting your loved ones in a nursing home then you may very be interested in learning about assisted living facilities. What is it that we seem to dislike about nursing homes? It's that our loved ones lose their independence, isn't it? We don't like the scenario anymore than they do-that someone else has to feed them, clothe them and clean up after them.

The Advantages of an Assisted Living Facility

What's nice about assisted living facilities is that the residents keep their independence as much as physically possible. This type of home is ideal for an aging or infirm family member that can still manage to move around the house and who does not require any doctor or nurse supervision. There are a great number of people who might require daily assistance for cleaning, cooking, eating or simply performing day-to-day chores. It is believed that one million Americans are currently living in such a facility.

What kinds of residents currently live in assisted living facilities? There are many different people residing in these homes, each with his/her own ailments and desires. Some residents are widowed. Some may be suffering from memory loss. Others are mentally and physically strong but prefer to be around people their own age. Others may have problems with mobility or incontinence. The majority of patients in such a home do not have pressing medical needs, and so they do not require hospitalization or constant surveillance.

The Differences Between Assisted Living Homes and Nursing Homes

Another factor that distinguishes assisted living facilities from nursing homes is the flexibility of location. Such a facility can be hosted inside an apartment complex or even a large home. Though each facility will differ in protocol, generally speaking, patients are served three meals a day and receive regular visits from staff members. The amount of time the staff member spends at the facility can vary. Some patients require 24-hours of surveillance. Others however, will only require a couple of visits a day.

It largely depends on the conditions reported. If a resident is not capable of bathing or dressing himself then there may be a need for regular supervision. If a resident mainly needs help in cooking meals, lifting heavy objects, doing laundry or running errands outside, then there will be less stringent monitoring.

Assisted living facilities are not medical facilities and so do not have a doctor or nurse on staff. Some facilities may have a doctor on call in case of medical emergencies. However, staff members are usually not authorized to perform any medical procedures. What they can do is help make the life of a resident easier by performing menial tasks and by socializing with the residents.

Staff members at assisted living facilities can help to create health and exercise programs as well as social or educational activities to keep residents mentally and physically active. The best facilities often times have recreation rooms, exercise rooms, chapels and libraries. Another advantage of an assisted living community is that such a service may take your relative outside of the home for field trips.

Remember that this is a very important time in your relative's life. Just because he or she is aging does not mean that life is over. Now more than ever, your loved one needs emotional support and a reason to stay alive and enjoy life. Assisted living facilities promote independence, which is healthy to a person's self-confidence. Talk to a specialist today to learn more about your options!

10 Useful Nursing Home Questions

Placing a loved one in an assisted living or senior care environment can be quite stressful. If you properly prepare with the right nursing home questions in mind, chances are you will find it easier - and most importantly less stressful - to choose the option that best fits you or your loved one's needs.

Listed below are 10 examples of useful nursing home questions to make your decision easier:

1. How safe is the location where the care facility is situated? Is it in a good neighborhood with low crime, or are the police forced to step up patrols in the area? Have the police been dispatched to the nursing home itself?

2. What is the ratio of nursing home staff to residents? Do residents appear to relate to staffers in a positive way, or do smiles disappear when a certain orderly or nurse enters a room?

3. What procedures are in place to ensure proper dispensing of medicines? Are there examples of poor response in medical emergencies?

4. What is the atmosphere that exists among residents? Is it friendly and outgoing, or are there social groups that exclude certain residents?

5. How many complaints against staff or the firm itself have been filed by residents or family members? What was done to resolve such complaints?

6. How many accidents or injuries have occurred on facility property?

7. What social activities are offered by the facility? Are there volunteer youth groups that are called in to interact with residents?

8. How well-groomed are the residents? Have they been allowed to ignore their appearance, or does the staff encourage and facilitate a high level of cleanliness?

9. Does the facility itself appear to be well taken care of? Is it in a state of disrepair? Are air conditioners and heaters functioning properly? How clean are the bathrooms and floors?

10. What representations does the nursing home facility make regarding its obligations to residents? What guarantees do they make? What are they responsible for, and what am I responsible for?

Clearly there are many questions you will have as you begin the process of determining the right nursing home for your loved one. These ten useful nursing home questions will start you off in the right direction.

Knowing what to ask - and just as importantly, who to ask - is essential to ensuring the best possible care for your loved one.

Considering Senior Assisted Living For Retirement

Most people don't like the idea of living in an assisted living home for the fact that they feel their losing their own independent way of life. So the elderly sometimes go for years without checking themselves into an assisted living facility. However many assisted living facilities offer a very independent style of living. Some facilities offer a group of small size homes for that independent lifestyle one needs. Other communities have club houses where you'll find many activities to become involved with.

It's nice to have independent living while having more activities to take part in. Finding the right community is one of the most important decisions a senior nearing retirement must make. Each senior living facility has its own living options, pros and cons. It's important to research all options so you may choose a community that's right for you.

Retired Seniors must take into consideration their current and future needs. Assisted living facilities can provide seniors a vast amount of support such as housekeeping, activities, laundry, exercise and also healthcare monitoring. Choosing the right care facility can be a challenge when looking for a home that will provide and maintain the same quality of life as life before retirement. With the right amount of research, you may find a home that offers a similar or better quality of living.

One thing that a senior care facility can eliminate is loneliness and boredom through its activities and daily tasks shared with other peers. Over the years senior living facilities have greatly improved by providing the active lifestyle and several other options and amenities.

Before choosing assisted living, always determine the level of care you will need for years to come and be sure to make a visit to the facility in advance. It's nice to spend some time around a few facilities in order to become comfortable with the senior community environment.

The Truth About Nursing Home Malpractice

Advances in medical technologies are enabling individuals to live longer and longer every year. As such, industries such as nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are experiencing booms in their business. Studies show that approximately 1.6 million Americans are cared for every year in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Additionally, a quarter of the US population will receive care in a long-term care facility at some point during their lives.

As such, one would hope that growing industries such as these would provide the quality care, respect, and comfort to the elderly and ailing individuals in our society that they need and deserve. Unfortunately, cases of nursing home abuse and negligence are increasingly prevalent. In recent years, the federal government has conducted extensive studies regarding the quality of nursing home care, and the results have been shocking and discouraging.

Occurrences of Nursing Home Malpractice

Government studies have revealed that approximately 30% of all nursing home facilities are guilty of some form of medical malpractice. The term nursing home malpractice can, in fact, encompass a number of different things, including physical, mental, or psychosocial harm.

Some of the most common examples of nursing home malpractice include

· Emotional abuse or negligence
· Patient dehydration or malnutrition
· Bedsores
· Pressure sores
· Infection
· Unexplained ailments
· Slip and fall accidents
· Medication errors
· Inappropriate physical restraint
· Financial malpractice
· Untreated pain

With regards to the last example listed above, studies have revealed that a shocking 50% of all nursing home patients suffer from untreated pain.

Reporting Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home (and other long-term care facility) malpractice affects thousands of individuals and is a horrific crime, as it takes advantage of and abuses some of the most vulnerable members of our society. As such, it is critical that nursing home abuse and negligence is investigated and reported as soon as it is suspected in an attempt to try and end the cycle of malpractice.

As long as nursing home facilities go un-punished for malpractice, they will continue to abuse and neglect patients. If you suspect that a family member or loved one is being abused in a long-term care facility, there are a number of non-profit organizations that will investigate the institution to see if they are truly guilty of nursing home malpractice. It is important to contact these organizations as soon as possible to prevent the continued suffering of thousands of individuals.

If you would like more information on fighting nursing home malpractice, contact the Indianapolis nursing home malpractice attorneys of the Charles D. Hankey Law Office today.

Nursing Homes and Nanny Cams

Nursing Homes are about the last places anyone wants to be, but about 1.6 million people now live in some type of nursing facility in the United States. Believe it or not, 30 years from now, the number is expected to be a whopping 5 million.

As necessary as these facilities are, many patients have been placed at risk; according to government figures, one out of four nursing homes every year is cited for causing death or serious injury to a resident.

Eighty-three percent of elderly Americans have been interviewed and most everyone said they would stay in their homes until the end if they could. Thirty percent say they'd rather die than go into a nursing home. And their fears may be well founded. As there are a rising number of abuses in nursing homes, due to fact that many workers hired aren't properly screened. Indeed across the nation, dangerous nursing home workers are not being detected, and elderly people certainly aren't being protected.

As many as 33 states do some sort of background check on a cross-section of nursing home workers but none require a national background check.

Since many nursing home residents have limited abilities to communicate, identifying potential abuse requires careful monitoring. Looking for the signs of nursing home abuse requires frequent visits to the nursing home or assisted living facility but of the people working there will know if you are watching trying to catch them abusing your parent or friend.

A hidden camera could be the ideal covert solution to record the activities going on day to day and to let you know exactly how your loved one is being treated. And a nanny cam could be your best chance for recording and documenting physical abuse of your loved one. But the inherent problem with hidden cameras is that they need an external recorder like a DVR or Time Lapse VCR to be connected to it to record the insidious events. Obviously, this isn't possible in a nursing home or other caregiver location.
A Stand Alone Hidden Camera/DVR (StealthCam) allows you to daily see what's really going on and leaves no tell-tale signs that covert video is being recorded.

These are some steps to follow if you suspect that your loved one is being abused.

o Visit frequently. To assess the care provided, vary your visits to different times of the day and evening.

o Buy a Stand Alone Hidden Camera/DVR that will record all covert video surveillance. Motion activated real time video or high-resolution "still shots" are recorded on a tiny Secure Digital (SD) card, housed in a hidden compartment. All recordings are time/date stamped for legal reference, if necessary. The SD card, which is used to record the covert video, is removable from the unit and can be played on your PC via included SD card reader, or viewed directly on your TV. No additional software needed.

o Talk to nurses and aides about your concerns.

o Talk to the Director of Nurses, Social Worker and Administrator.

o Talk to the doctor.

o Call your state oversight agency. In each state there is a division of the Department of Health which deals with oversight of nursing homes and enforcement of nursing home regulations. This agency conducts yearly surveys of each nursing home and also investigates complaints filed by family members. Find out who the state licensing agency is from your nursing home. They are required to provide this information to you when your place a resident in the nursing home.

o If you believe that your family member may be a victim of any form of abuse or neglect by the nursing home, you can and should file a complaint with the state Licensing and Certification Division. They are required to investigate your complaint. If the Licensing and Certification division substantiates your complaint, they have the authority to issue a citation against the facility, impose a fine, and require corrective action.

Career in Computer Science in Pakistan

Computer is the most wonderful invention of the seventeenth century. In Pakistan, the education of computer was first started in the year 1970. Today, different level of education in computer are imparted including certificate courses of various duration, one or two years diploma course, BSc, MSc and B.E (Bachelor of Engineering)

Career and Jobs opportunities:

Computer science is multi faceted science that offers a wide range of career opportunities for both men and women. This profession is so broad that it has a variety of career options from programming to designing, and sales to research and development. With a degree in computer science, you can opt to join the variety of fields including programming, system analyst, graphic designer, network administrator, etc. Students having Master in computer science or BSc in computer science or diploma in computer science can get good jobs in Pakistan.

Professions related to computer in Pakistan were started in the 70s. Initially this field was not so famous but with the passage of time, today computer has become an integral part of every business, industry, trade, communication, governmental and non governmental organization. It is presumed that by the year 2012, more than one million computer professionals will be required in different fields in Pakistan. The way the usage of computer is increasing in every walk of life one can easily guess that in the future there will be a great demand for computer experts and lucrative career options will be available in various organizations. In fact, one will find computer professionals using their knowledge and skills in a wide variety of occupational opportunities such as programmer, system analyst, graphic designer, network administrator, etc.

Admission Requirements:

For admission in M.Sc ( Computer Science) Admission Requirement: B.A (Mathematics) or BSc (pass)

For admission in B.E ( Bachelor of Engineering) Admission Requirement: F.Sc (Pre-engineering)

B.Sc (computer science) Admission Requirement: F.Sc (Pre-engineering)

Diploma in Computer Science Admission Requirement: Intermediate (science, arts, commerce)

When it comes to getting admission in computer science, the enrolment is on the rise in the last five or six years. There are a huge number of job opportunities available for computer related professions in Pakistan and abroad which is the reason that students are keen to get admission in this discipline. Merit has also been high in the last few years.

Some prominent universities offer various computer related degree programmes in Pakistan are:

Khyber Medical University, Peshawar

Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad

Bahria University, Islamabad

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad

National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad

National University of Science and Technology,Rawalpindi

Institute of Management Sciences, Lahore

Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore

Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore

University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore

Iqra University, Karachi

Mehran University of Eng. & Technology, Jamshoro

NED University of Engineering & Technology,Karachi

Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology, Nawabshah

SZABIST Institute of Science & Technology, Karachi

Sir Syed University of Engg. & Technology, Karachi

CECOS University of Information Technology and Emerging Sciences, Peshawar

University of Science & Technology Bannu, Bannu

How to Choose the Right Nursing Home

Not everyone has time to adequately care for their elderly family members and it might become necessary to admit your loved one into a nursing home. If you decide that a nursing home is the right option for your family, then you must also face the difficult decision of which nursing home to choose.

What to Ask on a Visit

There are numerous questions to be answered about a given nursing home before you should choose to admit a loved one in to the care of that facility.

- Ask to see the most recent survey report. Every year a report is filed after the state inspects the facility, including all violations that were found and any efforts by the facility to rectify the violation.

- Ask about the ratio of nurses to residents at any given time. This can tell you a lot about the care that will be provided and how quickly a response to an emergency can be obtained.

- Ask to see how many complaints were filed in the last year and what they were.

- Ask about the turnover at the facility. If the nurses are happy and sticking around, the stress level and care that is provided is likely going to be better.

- Ask if all of the nurses are certified.

- Ask about what steps are taken to keep residents mobile to prevent muscle atrophy.

- Ask how many people have left the facility in the last year.

- Ask about the food that is offered and if there are options.

These questions will give you a good idea of whether or not the facility is right for you. After seeing several homes, you can compare the answers to these questions and narrow it down to the right fit.

Call the Texas Department of Human Services (1-800-458-9858)

You will not be able to get an answer on whether a facility is necessarily good or bad, but you can get a number of questions answered that you can be confident are accurate. Asking a state department might also be more comfortable for you than asking the actual nursing home. You'll be able to find out about:

- Any proposed license terminations in the past two years

- The number of complaints filed in the past year

- The number of those complaints found to be valid

- The number of "quality of care" violations have been found in the past two years

Nursing Homes Can Be Held Liable for Negligence

Be thorough in your search for the right nursing home to avoid poor care. If do you choose a nursing home that ultimately does not treat your loved one with the appropriate care and injury or death results, then you might be able to claim damages as a result. You should seek information and consultation on how to handle such a situation. If you would like to get more information on your rights regarding this negligence and the steps you can take to take action, view the website of personal injury lawyers Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C.

Why Continuing Education Is Important

As a working professional, it's important to stay informed about your company and your own job. In many cases, the field in which you may work may not be at a point where it is so advanced that it cannot grow any further. This can be true in the fields of medicine, construction, engineering, education, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, to name a few. Being able to have a company and its employees stay up-to-date on the newest trends and innovations within the field is important, and that's why continuing education is a necessity for many working adults.

Continuing education can be found through many colleges and universities and can be located on and off-campus. Many local colleges can offer courses in education and business, and many universities also offer courses in medicine. As an education professional, whether it is a teacher or administrator, it's important to learn about new teaching techniques, or perhaps pick up a new language or even take a few courses in curriculum development or a new method of teaching.

As a business professional, a course in accounting, computers or certain computer software, or even management can help the employee brush up on their business skills, and prepare them for mastering their own job while looking towards advancing to a more challenging position within an organization.

The field of medicine is always making new discoveries as diseases and other complications arise or have had cures discovered. This is one of the fields where it's imperative that continuing education be offered so that we as humans can learn more about ourselves.

Continuing education can provide to be a very valuable tool in one's professional career. Usually continuing education courses are done at nights or on weekends and only take up a small amount of your time. Some continuing education programs can take up an entire college semester while others can be only a few weeks. If you are looking to brush up on your skills, consider looking into a continuing education course for yourself!

Are Your Nursing Assistants in the Know About Infection Control?

Norovirus. H1N1 flu. MRSA. VRE. Across the U.S., infections, outbreaks and epidemics continue to make the headlines. How are the nosocomial infection rates at your workplace? Could your CNAs use a refresher on some infection control basics? Here is some updated infection control information for you to share with your nursing assistants at your next CNA inservice meeting.

Staying On Top of Infection Control

Do you ever feel like infection control procedures waste too much time during your work day? Shouldn't it be enough to wash your hands a few times during the day? After all, how dirty can they get, especially when you're wearing gloves? Well, consider these facts:

• Eleven health care workers in one hospital came down with hepatitis A because they didn't wash their hands after caring for a patient with hepatitis.


• An epidemic of yeast infection spread through an intensive care unit for newborns because several staff members failed to wash their hands after playing with their pet dogs.


• At least half of all cases of food poisoning are caused by people not washing their hands before preparing food.


• Treating people for infections that they pick up while in the hospital can cost up to $30 thousand-per person! Nearly all of these infections could be prevented if health care workers used proper infection control techniques.


• Studies show that over 1.7 million nursing home residents catch an infection every year from germs spread by health care workers' hands.


• Every year, thousands of health care workers catch a cold, the flu or other infection from their clients because they fail to follow proper infection control procedures.

Have You Heard the Latest?

On Handwashing

Studies continue to show that health care workers wash their hands less than half as often as they should. Why? The reasons given include:

• "I don't have time to keep washing my hands all the time."


• "My skin gets dry if I wash my hands too often."


• "There's never a sink around when I need to wash my hands."


• "I don't need to wash my hands. I wear gloves."

Research shows that bacteria thrive on dry, chapped skin. In addition, washing damaged skin is less effective at removing bacteria. (So, if the soap at work causes your hands to become chapped and dry, ask your supervisor about using an alternate soap.)

On Influenza

Flumist is now widely available for those who are leery of injections. It is a pain-free nasal spray available to anyone (2-49 years of age) who does not have chronic disease or a weakened immune system and is not pregnant.

Flumist is a live virus vaccine as opposed to the shot which is an inactivated virus. Therefore there is a small chance of getting flu-like symptoms after taking it. The symptoms are usually mild and last only a day or two.

There are antiviral medications that help treat the flu. They must be given within 48 hours of getting sick with the flu and should not be taken for longer than five days.

On Tuberculosis

Health departments across the country have worked hard to control the spread of TB. Their hard work has paid off! Tuberculosis has been on the decline in the U.S. for the last ten years. However, this is no time to relax! More than 14,000 new cases of TB were reported in 2005 in the United States alone.

Ten years ago, about 25% of our tuberculosis cases involved people who had moved to the United States from other countries. Today, that number is 58%! If you work with clients who have recently immigrated to the United States, be sure to watch for signs of tuberculosis.

On HIV/AIDS

About one million Americans are living with AIDS and about one quarter of these people don't even know they are HIV+.

AIDS cases among people over age 50 are on the rise. Many of the cases come from heterosexual sex. (For example, many older people fail to use condoms because they are no longer worried about pregnancy.)

HIV is also on the rise among young people in America. Studies show that many young people are not practicing safe sex because they believe that HIV will never happen to them.

The treatment for HIV continues to change as new drugs are developed-and doctors learn how to use these new drugs. This is important since at least half of all Americans being treated for HIV are now resistant to the standard AIDS drugs. (For example, the AIDS drug AZT is no longer effective for 70% of AIDS patients.)

On Drug Resistant Bacteria

Doctors used to prescribe antibiotics freely, hoping that they might make a patient feel better. Now, doctors are becoming more cautious about prescribing antibiotics. For example, if they feel that a patient's illness is caused by a virus, they often prefer to "watch and wait".

MRSA and VRE continue to be the most common drug resistant bacteria in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

In 1974, MRSA infections accounted for only 2% of all staph infections. In 1995, it jumped to 22%. Most recently, that number hit 63%!

Over the last 5 years, C. diff has become stronger, easier to transmit, and harder to treat. This new, stronger strain has spread to nearly every state in the United States and Canada and is becoming a worldwide problem.

In the past, C. diff only affected the elderly and chronically ill patients who had been on antibiotics. However, recent reports show healthcare workers have become infected even though they were healthy and had not received antibiotics before the onset of illness.

15% to 20% of healthcare workers are C. diff carriers. This means that they have no symptoms but can spread the bacteria to others.

What's the bottom line? Proper Infection control practices are never a waste of your time!