Senior Care Franchises: A Growing Industry

The enormous generation that is referred to as the baby boomers was the largest generation ever born in the U.S. That generation has meant an aging current U.S. population and a boom in senior care franchises. The increasing life expectancy is also adding to the number of seniors and for the need for senior care services. In fact, seniors are the fastest-growing age demographic all over the world. About 12 percent of the U.S. population is 65 or older, providing an enormous customer pool for the businesses that cater to that age group.

Senior care franchises aren't likely to slow down, either. The number of seniors is increasing every year and is projected to continue increasing through at least 2050. That makes a franchise that focuses on seniors part of a growth industry that will always be in demand.

As seniors get older, they have all new needs that senior franchises can profit from fulfilling. Some of these needs include the need for seniors to stay in their homes with some assistance, special health care needs and being able to use assisted living facilities that care for those who can no longer live independently. All of these franchise types provide valuable services that are increasingly needed by our parents, grandparents and great grandparents.

Some senior care franchises provide medical help to those who need it, but not all of these businesses are medical in nature. Some simply provide useful services that seniors need to keep their independence or to make life a little easier. Personal care and companion services to seniors who need a little help around the house are becoming popular as more and more people want to make sure that their parents safe and comfortable in their homes.

The number of retirees is growing each year, with the 65+ age range growing by more than 300,000 a year. Worldwide, there will be almost a billion seniors in the world by 2030. There are now almost 40 million people in that age range in the U.S., providing an enormous market for senior care franchises. There is room for these business types in virtually every community in the country, from large urban areas to the smallest rural town.

Because of the great demand for these types of services, the supply of senior care businesses has not yet met the demand. Many areas are finding that their growing senior populations have put a strain on the few local resources available to them. This makes now the perfect time to get involved with senior care franchises.

Senior franchise businesses often focus on particular aspects of senior care that have proven to be needed in a number of senior households. Different franchises cater to different senior needs, with some providing medical staff for seniors who need constant care in their homes. Other businesses provide care just a few hours a day or provide on-call services to seniors who need special care. Entrepreneurs have an array of franchise options to choose from if they want to enter the much-needed senior care industry.

When is a Nursing Home Appropriate for the Alzheimer's Patient?

Caring for an Alzheimer's patient can be a huge burden. When it becomes too hard and too time consuming for you to take care of your loved one, it may be time to look for a nursing home.

When you feel comfortable, then you can start planning ahead which will help avoid crisis situations later. You may not ever need a nursing home, but act in a proactive manner just in case the day comes. It is well known that making decisions in a crisis situation can be very difficult and stressful on everyone, so make sure you plan ahead of time.

You may find information and a list of nursing homes in your area from your local Alzheimer's Association, or an elder law firm. They are most likely to have a list of facilities that offer dementia care or at least a dementia unit.

When you find the nursing home that will be the most appropriate for your loved one with Alzheimer's, make sure you check the following:

• What is its appearance? When was their license accredited?
  
  


• Is the facility location convenient for you and your family for frequent visits?
  
  


• How does the staff react to questions -- are their greetings warm and welcoming, do they interact with your loved one?
  
  


• How well do the resident participants socialize with other people?
  
  


• Are visits allowed and are they encouraged?
  
  


• What is the staff ratio per patient? It should be at least 1 staff member for 8 persons.
  
  


• Is it possible to take a tour of the facility and the rooms?
  
  


• If there is a waiting list, how long will it take before your loved one can be accepted?
  
  


• Do they have a single room or do they share with another patient?
  
  


• Are these rooms furnished or unfurnished? If unfurnished, you will be able to bring your own furniture and decorate your room as wanted.
  
  


• Are there elevators? What kind of emergency plan do they have if a patient needs to be evacuated promptly?
  
  


• How do they handle patients that wander and what kind of security do they have?
  
  

These are some of the questions you can ask on your first visit. You can always come back later or give them a call later if you have other questions.

Another aspect of the nursing home to take into consideration is the financial issue. Most insurance companies will not cover these costs. When your loved one is being admitted in the nursing home you selected, the admittance staff will be able to assist you and discuss the payment options with you.

Make sure to ask what is included in the fees or contract:

• Is there an ongoing process for assessing a resident's need for services and how often are those needs evaluated?
  
  


• What additional services and staff are available if the resident's needs change?
  
  


• Is there an agreement available which discloses healthcare, accommodations, personal care and supportive services, all fees, and admission and discharge provisions, emergency services if necessary?
  
  


• Is there any government or other programs available that may help covering the costs?
  
  


• What happens if funds are used up and full payments can no longer be made. Does the facility accept Medicaid?
  
  

You want as well to have a good knowledge of the environment and the type of healthcare your loved one is going to receive:

• What type of healthcare and personal care are available? Do they have routine exams available, like vision and dental?
  
  


• What is the qualification of the staff members?
  
  


• Is the staff available to assist residents who experience memory loss or disorientation, and how do they handle it?
  
  


• Does the staff take care of the doctor's appointments? Do they drive them over there and wait for them?
  
  

There is one more thing to consider when deciding if the nursing home is appropriate for your loved one with Alzheimer's. Will he/she be happier than at home? Many people do quite well in nursing homes.

Once your loved one enters the nursing home, he/she can still leave for short trips to sleep over at family and friends. If he/she is unhappy, a transfer to another facility or a return home with assisted living may be an option.

You may also doubt how beneficial a dementia care unit can be for your loved one who has Alzheimer's. If the dementia unit is developed and staffed correctly, it can be very valuable. The idea of a dementia care unit is to provide specialized care. This includes staff training specifically for dementia, smaller units to ease feelings of being overwhelmed, a quieter environment to prevent over-stimulation, and a locked unit safe for wandering and pacing. Wandering and pacing are symptoms that most Alzheimer's patients experience. Instead of trying to stop them from this behavior, dementia units let them continue it in safe surroundings. Most facilities for Alzheimer's care have their own activity director and many times the direct care staff are also trained to participate in activities with the residents with dementia.

To obtain more information on facilities in your area that offer dementia care units for Alzheimer's patients, contact your state's Department on Aging.

Choosing the Appropriate Senior Care Facility For Your Loved One

Does the responsibility of finding the ideal type of care for an elderly parent rest on your shoulders? If it does, it may seem to be a daunting task. You have to work through the horror stories about nursing home care, the innumerable different types of facilities available, and the cost. When you're working and have your own family to think about, there may not be enough hours in the day to decide on the appropriate care option. Each facility you consider needs to be researched and interviewed in order to determine where your parent would receive the best care and be the happiest. Even then, you're bound to have some doubts. Knowing what to look for will help simplify the situation for you.

Care services need to be adequate to give your loved one the specialized care that is needed. For instance, some centers have staff who are trained to care for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia. The training they have received has emphasized the need for patience and compassion while teaching them how best to care for those who have failing cognitive senses. Make sure that any facility your are considering has licensed, insured personnel, including registered nurses who are available 24 hours a day. A home that doesn't offer requisite services can be crossed off of your list.

Seniors today have a number of care options that weren't available until recent years. Assisted living facilities have been available to the well-to-do for a long time, but now many more people can afford to live in them and avail themselves of the services. Not every senior needs actual nursing care. Assisted living offers each person exactly what they need. Many older folks don't need care at all, but it gives them peace of mind to know that help is available if they experience problems. These centers offer them companionship with people their own age as well as a variety of social activities designed to help them build friendships. It is an ideal situation for many senior citizens.

Other types of shared housing include an independent living community, a skilled nursing facility, or a residential care home. All of these options are based on the concept of shared housing, and if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Moving from a house into one of them means that the senior no longer has to worry about such things as lawn upkeep, snow removal, navigating stairs, and routine home maintenance. Although most of the people who live there need little special care, just removing some of these responsibilities from them can make them feel much more carefree again. In addition, there is no need for your loved one to feel lonely when living in an active community such as these offer.

Emotional Abuse in Nursing Homes

Despite what the brochures and pamphlets say, nursing homes are not all about sipping lemonade and playing shuffleboard. In fact, there are a lot of serious issues to contend with to make a nursing home run.

Nurses and administrators of homes need to be mindful at all times of the unique needs of all of their patients. They need to do their best to make sure everyone is happy, properly medicated, and satisfied with the facility. As you might imagine, this can be difficult with sometimes ornery patients and even more ornery families.

Therein lies one of the more subtle causes of nursing home abuse - the emotional mistreatment of patients. It's can become evident when a nurse or practitioner falls out of line and starts hitting or abusing a patient. But what about emotional abuse? How can we tell if our elderly loved ones are actually being abused or just deciding to be (for lack of a better term) "grouchy"?

The truth is there is no exact line. Emotional abuse works in nuance and it is the duty of the family to pay close attention to changes in their loved ones. It also helps to be properly educated regarding what kinds of emotional abuse can happen and what the symptoms can be. Finally, it's critical that the family know when and how to pursue legal recourse should they think it necessary.

Types of Emotional Abuse:

It's tough to understand emotional abuse without giving some categories and descriptions. The following are not prescriptive or all inclusive, but mainly to help you in identifying potential problems.

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  Verbal Harassment. This constitutes a stream of insults, put downs, and slights. The patient is made to feel like a lesser person and can be made hyper-aware of their age and illnesses.


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  Threat of Punishment. Sometimes physical abuse is never reported because it is never needed. The nurse or practitioner could simply threaten, yell, and scare the patient into compliance.


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  Humiliation. Humiliation comes in many varieties, both public and private.


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  Deprivation. Deprivation blurs the line between physical and emotional abuse. Much less physically obvious, deprivation can be  withholding of medication, food, water, or even attention.


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  Abandonment. Successful living in a retirement home is more than just satisfying base needs. Mature adults require interaction and a feeling of fulfillment. Abandonment is an utter lack for these concerns.


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  Intimidation. Much like verbal harassment, intimidation is the use of coercion and threats to gain compliance.

Signs of Emotional Abuse:

Part of figuring out if abuse is occurring is paying attention to certain signs and symptoms. Consider the following:

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  Direct Reports of Abuse. First, and most obviously, is direct reports of abuse from your loved one. Whether they make the complaint to the home administrators or directly you, this is the best way to get a sense of what's happening. Unfortunately, due to physical/mental handicaps or just 'not wanting to make a fuss', direct reports or much less prevalent than one might think.


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  Emotional Withdrawal/Non-communicative. If your loved one is normally openly communicative and you see a sharp drop in that, it could be because they are having problems they don't want to burden you with.


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  Self Abuse or Deprecation. Some individuals begin to internalize the abuse and believe it. Watch for drastic  changes in levels of self confidence.


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  Emotional Sensitivity. When abuse is occurring, there is often an increase in agitation and suspicion. Be especially aware of this if your loved one has a naturally positive demeanor.


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  Unusual Changes in Personality. Adjusting to different surroundings can be difficult, but they shouldn't result in drastic personality changes.

Legal Recourse
It's important for people to know that criminal statutes exist for nursing home abuse. Often there are particular regulations in place regarding emotional abuse specifically. You should never feel like emotional abuse is simply something 'made up' or without precedent.

To figure out if you have legal recourse for emotional abuse in a nursing home, first do your best to assess the situation. Don't jump to unsubstantiated conclusions and understand the complexities of home living. But if you believe there is definite trouble, find and contact a specialist attorney in your area. With intangible factors such as emotion and mental state, it's critical to have representation who knows how to handle those factors.

Become a Certified Nursing Assistant With Free CNA Training!

Free CNA training for those looking to become Certified Nursing Assistants can often be found through employers, such as hospitals, through local vocational training organizations, and through online training. It should be noted that becoming a Certified Nurse requires taking and passing a state exam, which may not be covered by online CNA training. CNA training "classes" are different than training "courses".

The classes usually include hands-on clinical learning and practice, while courses are usually in the form of printed or online courseware. Depending on where you live, hospitals or nursing homes may hold free CNA training in exchange for you working for them. The best way to check is to get your local phone book and call them up. Look up long term care centers and call them up and ask.

Some hospitals have contracts with local community colleges and offer their courses free to the student. There are also CNA/HHA Scholarship Programs, which sponsor free CNA and HHA training for qualified individuals who would like to become Certified Nurse Assistants and/or Home Health Aides (HHAs) and work in long term care. These programs often cover the full cost of training, including the CNA state certification exam. They are usually administered and funded by the states Department of Public Health.

The Armed Services also offer various training programs. Through the Air Force Aid Society Spouse Employment Program, some facilities were recently approved to offer the Certified Nursing Assistant Program in partnership with Spectrum Medical Services. Through this program, the Air Force Aid Society will pay for 10 spouses of active- duty military to become certified nurse assistants. If you are a spouse of an active-duty military member and are interested in becoming a CNA, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at the AFB.

Going beyond free CNA training, if you're already a Certified Nursing Assistant and have been working in the same facility for some time, particularly if your employer has paid for your CNA classes, they may also be willing to send you back to school to get your RN certification.

Affording a Good Nursing Home

Last year, the world's only Titanic survivor faced a quandary. Millvina Dean was only two months old when the great ship sunk, in 2008 she was in her mid-nineties and needed money to pay for a nursing home to live out the rest of her days in relative comfort. What to do?

Well, like many people the world over, Miss Dean took a long look at her assets - and decided to sell them. More precisely, she decided to sell the mementos she still had of the disaster, a suitcase full of clothes her family was given to help them begin a new life. The auction of the wicker case and clothes, along with rare prints of the ocean liner and letters her mother received from the Titanic Relief Fund, raised almost $54,000 - ten times more than she thought it would.

It's official: getting old is expensive. If you are lucky enough to live a long life, chances are you'll eventually be paying for it by the nose. Many people end up having to finance their own care near the end of their days, and it can cost a fortune. In fact, the New York Times reckons that an independent-living facility can cost up to $9,000 a month - that's about what a a New York penthouse could cost!

If you are looking into a nursing home - defined as a home that provides 24/7 care as well as administers medicines and even some medical procedures - for you or a loved one, here are some ways to pay...

Reverse Mortgage. This is a mortgage that allows homeowners to convert part of their assets into cash. Kind of like a home equity loan. Ask for professional advice if you are interested in going down this route, and only deal with a reputable lender. Be aware that the loan must be paid in full if you fail to have the home as your primary residence for one year or more, ie, if you stay in a nursing home for more than 12 months.

Long-Term Care Insurance. Most people do not have this type of insurance, but it can be very helpful if you do. The earlier you start to pay the more you will accrue - and the less you will pay initially. It is advised to take this route only to avoid burdening family members with bills for your care, and not if paying the premiums could become insurmountable. And remember you will not be sold a policy if you already have a health condition such as Parkinson's Disease or Alzheimer's.

Medicare or Medicaid. It's estimated that about 45 percent of all spending on long-term health care is covered by Medicaid, while about 11 percent is covered by Medicare and Social Security. The rest is paid for by the individual, by and large. Medicaid is both federal and state funded, and there are strict rules regarding who qualifies.

Win the Lottery. What could be better? Don't forget you need to buy a ticket first. And keep in mind that statistically, you have a better chance of walking up to a complete stranger and correctly guessing their telephone number than you have of winning any lottery at all. Still, every week there are winners!
繚Inherit a Fortune. Easy and simple, this is a fantastic way to afford a nursing home - as well as a new Porsche, a vacation in the Bahamas and a college education for all the grandkids. Great if you can get it. Most of us can't - even if we hire a treasure hunter to find out if we are a long-lost heir to some incredibly rich dead soul.

Check Into a Veterans' Nursing Home. In theory, all veterans should have a place waiting for them when they need it. In practice, so many people need places that people on the lowest incomes usually get first priority. Check to see if you qualify before counting on this option.

Get Help from Other Family Members. Often family members will club together and pay what they can to insure that their parents or aging relatives are cared for when they need it most. Unfortunately, in many case family members simply don't have the funds - or have them earmarked for other priorities, such as Junior's college fund and Barb's new house in the 'burbs. Don't make the mistake of expecting a cash gift - you may be greatly disappointed. It's better to have an open talk in advance to learn whether any funds will be forthcoming, however uncomfortable this may be.

Top Tips for Paying for Care

Affordable long-term care will be a priority for many of us, but protecting our assets and savings should be a top priority as well. Here are some tips to do just that...

Don't give away all your assets. Remember the government can look back five years - if you gave away money that could make you ineligible to receive Medicaid for a period of time.

Avoid what is known as "spousal impoverishment," when the spouse who is left at home can also be left destitute as his or her assets are used to pay for the other person's nursing home care. You are allowed to opt out of having your assets count against you.

Read the fine print. It may sound like a fab idea to have a home equity loan or the equivalent, but know what you are getting into before you sign on the dotted line.

Hire a good, honest lawyer - if you can find one. Someone who specializes in Elder Law will be your best bet, as he or she will have years of experience in this type of thing.

Sadly, Millvina Dean died this May at the ripe old age of 97, in a private nursing home in the town of Ashurst, Hampshire in England. As the last survivor of the Titanic, her death was a memorable event. Three years earlier she had broken her hip and needed specialist care, and the sale of her historical memorabilia helped her through the most difficult times. We should all be so lucky!

Hospital Workplace Violence - Self Defense Training For Nurses Includes Many Non-Combative Options

Workplace violence in the healthcare sector has hit an all-time high! Statistics show that, typically, the average nurse is assaulted on the job 1 to 3 times a year and very few facilities have anything more than a "shell" policy to address this problem and prevent injury to it's staff.

Are you concerned about the problem of workplace violence effecting nurses and other medical professionals? Well, you're not alone.

In fact, the healthcare industry has awakened to this very real problem in the past few years. Administrators have found that previous assumptions and policies about workplace violence, as it relates to hospitals and the medical industry in general, have done little to deter or prevent the countless injuries to nurses and caregivers. In fact, the problem has escalated to the point where the healthcare profession is ranked third among all non-law enforcement and security occupations in the number of incidents which occur!

Third! Among all other professions!

And, the sad fact is that medical professionals are not being targeted by their own co-workers - but by their patients - the very people that they are trying to help!

Many leaders, as-well-as staff-duty nurses who work with patients everyday, are calling for more workplace violence self-defense training geared toward nurses and patient care professionals. Unfortunately, most administrators confuse self defense with fighting and therefore are concerned about the possibility of more violence if their nurses and staff members were trained in self defense tactics.

As a way to show the difference between fighting and actual defensive tactics training geared toward workplace violence prevention, here are 4 areas of workplace violence defensive tactics training that have absolutely nothing to do with fighting - and everything to do with empowering doctors and nurses to avoid, evade, and prevent a dangerous workplace violence attack from hurting them or others that they are responsible for.

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  1) Strategic Positioning. This is similar to what police officers are taught when knocking on doors, interacting with drivers during a traffic stop, etc. Nurses can be taught to adjust where they stand or position themselves relative to their patients to make it difficult for the person to hurt them if they lashed out and became violent.
  
  


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  2) Body language. By becoming more aware of the conscious and unconscious interpretations that we can have when we see different body language cues, the caregiver can learn to avoid those that might trigger a negative response - while also choosing cues that can easily and effectively defuse a potentially hostile workplace violence situation.
  
  


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  3) Vocal skills. This is the same as body language but where we can consciously and deliberately control the use of our voice. Speech patterns, rhythm, and vocal intonation can all be powerful tools for defending yourself in a workplace violence encounter.
  
  


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  4) Environmental Control. Often, caregivers are trapped in a violent situation because of the layout of the clinic in which they work. Simple changes to your work environment - from exam rooms to customer service counters - can be made that will aid in avoidance, evasion, and escape tactics, while also serving to control the flow of action should a physical workplace violence attack occur.

As you can see, if you're really looking for viable solutions to helping your nursing staff to be able to employ self defense tactics to deal with violence in the workplace, there are many more options available than merely teaching them how to fight!

What if you could get this type of training while also saving your organization from the financial and other losses from lost-time, employee turn-over, legal liability, and negative PR that often arise out of incidents involving violence in the workplace? How? By instituting defensive training tactics that both keeps your staff safe AND maintains a high level of professionalism and liability control!

Home Health Care: Choose Wisely

Many people don't think about it until it's too late, but home health care is something that you should consider before hospitals or nursing homes become your only option. Realistically, wouldn't you want your children to keep you around after you are unable to take care of yourself, in the comfort of your own home?

If you have not run across the idea of home health care yet in your travels, it combines the best of many worlds of care. The same quality of care a patient would get in a hospital is transferred to a private residence, where the patient is the sole focus of a trained professional on hand.

The person will be trained in many basic and advanced parts of the treatment process, including having knowledge of nutrition, IV's, patient and caregiver processes, occupational and dietary therapy, and a consistent knowledge of anything medically related that specific person needs to be health and safe in the home environment.

If medical agencies are smart, they always have an arm of their service that includes the ability of their staff to go on home health care assignments. This is because is can be beneficial to all parties involved, as the correct utilization of resources saves everyone time and money, and people use that to their advantage.

If you are worried about certain conditions for your parent, here are some things that home health care deals with as well - helping them eat and drink properly, basic cooking and cleaning, checking temperature and breathing, if they need assistance getting into and out of bed, if they need a helping hand with things like bathing or using the bathroom.

One of the first things that you should discuss is the plan of care. That is a document that details all of the daily, short term, and long term aspects of the care, from who is going to take care of what, to the types of medical equipment that needs to be on hand, to deciding which treatments are going to take how long and when results should be seen.

Staff should always be determined to improve their service as well. If you have noticed that your home health care provided has become lazy or does not take as much interest in the client as they should, you should immediately start shopping around for a better place to hire from. Improvement is always the key.

It's not an easy decision sending a loved one to a hospital or nursing home, so make the right choice and instead have the hospital come to you. The service can be excellent, and you'll feel more connected instead of guilty as time goes by and your parents are still happy.

Create a Wheelchair Friendly Home

It's too bad home planners of the past never gave a thought to designing an easily accessible 'wheelchair friendly' home. Sure, fitting as many rooms as possible within the least amount of square footage saved on the overall purchase price of a house, but tight bathrooms, narrow doorways, and sunken living rooms pose a real problem if a family member is confined to a wheelchair.

Many homeowners are now faced with the dilemma of remodeling their existing home to accommodate a wheelchair, or seek out assisted living facilities or nursing homes for a disabled loved one. Depending on the nature of the disability, most people fare much better if they remain in their home among familiar surroundings, but changes will need to be made to both the interior and exterior of the home for easy mobility.

Install Ramps

Install wheelchair ramps wherever possible at outside entrances and walkways. These can be made from wood, concrete, or the newer aluminum types, which are often portable. Thresholds should be kept to a minimum to allow the wheelchair to roll over them easily, and can sometimes be made smoother by placing a mat or rug over them. Just be sure the rug is big enough and securely held down so it doesn't slide. Handrails or grab bars along the ramps and thresholds are another good feature, so a wheelchair can be propelled along manually with the upper body and helped over the rough spots.

Widen Doorways Wherever Possible

Many older homes were built with narrow doorways, especially bathroom entrances. The doors are usually only twenty four inches wide, and need to be at least thirty two inches in order to fit most wheelchairs. Door frames can be widened easily enough, but even simply replacing old hinges with an expandable offset hinge will add two inches of clearance to any doorway.

Invest in a Wheelchair Lift

A wheelchair lift can greatly increase a disabled person's mobility within the home. Many homes are built on several levels, and that often limits a wheelchair to certain areas. There are many different styles and price options available today, and a reputable dealer will be able to help you find a solution to any accessibility problem you might have that can be solved with a wheelchair lift. In addition to your basic wall or floor mounted model, some units are portable, while some can be stowed beneath your vehicle to aid in getting in and out of the car.

And don't let the initial investment put you off - the cost of assisted living facilities has risen in the past few years, while the cost of a wheelchair lift has remained fairly steady in price and is well worth the investment.

While deciding whether or not you can remain in your home to accommodate a wheelchair can be a tough decision, just make sure you do the research and you will find many options available to help make your home 'wheelchair friendly.'

Absolute Truth About Rehabilitation and Care Centers and Nursing Homes

Have you ever really wondered what it is like to live inside of a nursing home? Have you considered it? Are you considering it now? Are you one of those people whose family is asking you to consider going into a nursing home? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you have come to the right place. Right here, right now, you are going to get answers. Yes. I will give you answers to the questions you have asked or might have asked, any questions you have about nursing homes, living in nursing homes, visiting nursing homes and even yes, even observing in nursing homes.

Since this is such a broad topic, I will give the answers in a series of articles, not in this one article. This one article will be just the beginning of a series. So, settle down, get a piece of paper or a notebook handy so that you can make notes about things that interest you, and you will be all set to read the rest of the article.

First, a word of advice. If you feel this is going to be helpful to you, and I promise it will, put this article in your favorites or email it to yourself and email it to your family. This way, even if you lose the website or if your computer crashes, you will be able to go to your favorites and read it again and again and email it to others again. Later on in the month, I will come back to this article and actually put a link in here that will help you find this article and more related articles about health care and health care services.

Now, to begin. Say you want to visit a nursing home and just check it out --not stay, but just observe the home and see what it is like. Now that the parts of the nursing home that the person will show you will be the BEST parts of the nursing home, not the worst parts of it. If you need an appointment to get a tour of the place, then that should be a red flag. You should be able to see a nursing home as soon as possible, not to make an appointment to see it. After all, you just want to look, that is all. And what time can looking take?

So, first, you make your appointment if you have to. Ask others if they have been there or if they have lived there and ask their direct opinion about the place. Usually you will get honest answers. But beware of this. MOST employees, staff or private contractors that work inside or that volunteer inside of the place, most of them will give positive reports. Think about it. They are employed there and they have something, everything to lose if they say anything bad about the place. If they tell you that they have relatives in there and they are being treated fairly and good, know that the relatives of staff, of course, receive better and best treatment, so much more than the other residents receive. And if you think this is not true, then you are dreaming. It is a fact, that if a relative works in the nursing home where you are, you will or might receive more attention, better treatment. It just makes sense. But even then, depending on the place, you can still receive bad treatment inside of nursing homes that are not run properly.

So, you visit and you observe and you take everything with a grain of salt. What you need is the real honest opinions, thoughts and observations of those that have been inside of these places , for hours, days and even weeks, and then you will truly get an honest opinion. CATCH? You need this person to be not affiliated, not working and not volunteering there at the place. This is why you have come to the right place here.

I am not affiliated, not employed, not a volunteer with any nursing home or rehabilitation and care center, though I have spent many long hours, days, weeks and even months inside these places visiting, and observing, making mental notes about treatments and about what I saw inside there. So, you have a first hand report of what it is like to live inside of a nursing home or inside of a bad rehabilitation and care center.

Not only do I have that experience but I have the notes and emails and other thorough input from readers of my articles and from readers and authors of other books about nursing homes. So this is a good base for the series of these articles.

In my next article, I will give you a total inside look of your first day inside the home and we will progress from there.

Helping Seniors Transition to New Living Arrangements

Geriatric Care Managers often get requests to help senior adults find new housing. These requests may come from the seniors who are overwhelmed with their current situation, the adult children sandwiched between their immediate families and their parents, or concerned friends. There are many things to consider when looking at making a change to different living arrangements. Geriatric care managers are positioned well to assist in guiding these decisions because they typically have walked this road with other clients before you. The care manager will be able to give you much insight into community resources, living arrangements that might be most suitable for your needs, and options that are affordable for you.

When considering new living arrangements, there are many things to consider. Is now the time to consider moving closer to your children geographically? Many folks find that they would like to be closer to their families, while others feel that staying close to their lifelong friends and circles of activities are a better option. What is your budget? Do you have resources that you haven't yet tapped into such as VA benefits, Home and Community based programs, long term care insurance, or savings that you would like to use for housing? Do you have equity in your home that can be used for the next phase of your life? Your geriatric care manager can help you look at financing options and recommend a financial planner if needed.

What level of housing do you need? There are many differences in the levels of care available for seniors, including independent living apartments, service supported independent living, assisted living facilities, residential homes for the aged, and nursing homes. Do you want a complex that offers care across a continuum of levels? For example, there are complexes across America that offer independent living apartments, assisted living, and nursing home care all on the same campus. These are places that you can call home for the rest of your life, knowing that you'll always be able to get the care that you need.

Don't make any decision without thoroughly weighing all the options. Your geriatric care manager can help you with information that will set you on a clear path to the best decision for you individually. For help finding a professional, well qualified, geriatric care manager, I recommend www.caremanager.org.

4 Reasons to Consider an In-Home Caregiver

If you have an elderly loved one, you probably have many concerns about his or her well-being. There are various reasons to consider hiring an in-home caregiver to look after a relative, especially if he or she needs extensive care. In many cases, a caregiver is fully licensed and bonded or underwent proper training, leaving a relative in good hands.Agencies often provide a full list of qualified professionals, who can assist your family in a time of need.

Here are a few reasons to consider a caregiver.

You work full-time.

Being able to provide an elderly relative with continuous care can feel like a full-time or second job in itself, and can also get expensive. By hiring in-home assistance, you allow protection and peace of mind. An agency or individual may charge by the hour; with the former, the going rate may be a little higher, to cover insurance and taxes.

You live further away.

If your relative is in a distant city or state, but needs constant care, you may want to consider someone who can tend to him or her daily, or stay for an extended period. If you do not know anyone who lives nearby, consider an agency, which usually performs a background check of any potential applicants. This can help allay any fears or paranoia you may have.

Round the clock care.

Some family members may require extensive medical attention, whether it is in the middle of the night or during the afternoon. You and your family may need someone who can handle emergencies at all hours, which is where a live-in or at-home caregiver becomes a factor.

Professional assistance for relatives.

Caregivers are licensed and trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. In the event of a medical emergency or more severe illness, you will want someone familiar with treating someone who is sick. A caregiver provides that efficiently.

When choosing a caregiver, be sure to provide detailed information. Nothing should be too specific when it comes to the health of your loved one. Include personal preferences or allergies to certain medications or food. Ask if the potential provider is qualified and comfortable handling extra tasks, and treat the process as you would a job interview. Be sure to also explain what may be required, such as extra chores or laundry. However, remember to also mention that he or she is also a companion for a relative, a friend. If your loved one likes to go outside, be sure to say so, but remind the applicant of any time constraints that may limit how much time can be spent outdoors, or how much exercise is too much.

How a Prize Wheel Can Make a Difference in a Nursing Home

Taking a job at a nursing home can be one of the most rewarding, or draining, experiences of one's life. It takes a very unique individual to perform the duties of a certified nurse's assistant, licensed practical nurse, activities director, or physical therapist without forgetting that the patient is a human being.

One of the most important experiences that a member of a nursing home's staff should undergo is team building exercises to improve communication and develop long-lasting bonds. Caretakers often must cooperate with a wide range of medical professionals on a regular basis. Without a healthy working relationship and strong communication between professionals, the healthcare of the patient will suffer.

A prize wheel can be the perfect complement to a healthy dose of compassion by injecting fun into one of the most draining, emotionally depressing workplaces in the country. By giving staff an opportunity to have fun and enjoy each others company, whether at an employee picnic or team building retreat, the door to strengthened interpersonal relationships can be opened and patients will directly benefit.

These amazing tools can even be used to complement speech therapy by providing patients an opportunity to practice their linguistic skills in identifying images placed in the slots around the spin wheel. Even for those residents with no cognitive impairments, a little prize wheel fun can help relieve suffering during difficult, often life changing experiences. Remember, not everyone in a nursing home is suffering from a form of dementia or preparing for the great beyond. Some unfortunate people find themselves sitting in a nursing home with debilitating injuries ranging from a severed spinal cord to severe head trauma. Often, these individuals are younger than forty years old.

An American made prize wheel can even be used to divide responsibilities amongst Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) by placing each nursing assistant's name into a slot in the prize wheel and spinning the wheel each time a new task comes up. This application, however, should not be considered when urgent tasks present themselves. In a medical emergency, every second counts. Using a little common sense with one's prize wheel can go a long way.

Many staff members at nursing homes enjoy giving gifts to residents on birthdays and around the holidays. With a prize wheel, deciding which employee buys gifts for which resident can be fun and charitable at the same time! In fact, participating in such an activity can have powerful team building effects.

For those who believe that working at a nursing home is an opportunity to help others, a prize wheel and a little compassion can make all the difference.

Choosing the Best Nursing Facility For Your Loved One

There are three basic steps you must take in order to find the best nursing facility for your loved one. First, you must create a list of nursing facilities that you are interested in. You may choose to do this by asking friends and family for recommendations, talking to your doctor, or by researching facilities in your area. Next, you'll begin comparing the nursing facilities on your list. Some of these options will likely drop off the list as you delve deeper into your research. Finally, when you have a shortlist of nursing facilities that you are most interested in, arrange a visit to each one to help you make your final determination.

Nursing Home Compare

Nursing Home Compare is an online tool that helps you find and compare nursing facilities. It has a comprehensive database of all Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes in the U.S. You can search by name (if someone you know gave you a personal recommendation, for example) or geographic location.

Nursing Home Compare also enables you to compare the quality of individual nursing facilities. The tool details: how each nursing home scored on its most recent health inspection; nursing home staffing data; quality measures; and fire safety inspection results. Regular nursing facility inspections measure how a facility scores across many different areas, including nursing care. Understanding the inspection results can be confusing if you are not familiar with how nursing facility operate.

When a nursing facility does not meet one of the more than 150 regulatory standards set forth by Congress, the inspection team issues a deficiency citation. These regulations cover extensive ground ranging from food safety, to fire safety to nursing care practices. Deficiencies are not all equal. They are measured in terms of scope and severity-that is, how many residents were affected, and how great the harm was on a scale of one to four. Keep in mind that most nursing facilities receive deficiencies from time to time-the important things to know are whether the deficiency was egregious, causing harm or the potential for harm to residents, and how responsive the facility was in correcting the problem.

Medicare's 5-Star Quality Rating System

In 2008, in response to complaints that Nursing Home Compare was too technical for most consumers, Medicare instituted the 5-Star Quality Rating System to provide an "at-a-glance" feature designed to make the inspection results easier for consumers to understand. However, critics of the 5-Star Rating System say that it leans too far in the opposite direction, oversimplifying the nuanced inspection results. Here is how it works. On a scale of one to five, Medicare assigns stars to represent the facility's score across each category of inspection results. Sometimes the star ratings can be deceiving, as some deficiencies are minor and pose no risk to residents. Nevertheless, any deficiency can affect the facility's overall star ratings. So when you use Nursing Home Compare, be sure to read the entire inspection results for the nursing homes on your shortlist.

Visiting the Nursing Home & Making Your Decision

Your initial research will answer a lot of questions and help you narrow your nursing facility search significantly. However, it is imperative that you visit these facilities in person before making your decision. Visiting in person will answer a lot of questions, too. But before you go, make sure you know what to look for. Read Checklist for Visiting a Senior Care Home and Long-Term Care Facilities: How to Choose the Right One for more information.

If you are able to whittle your list down to a few choices and are still having trouble making a decision, it's not necessarily a bad thing. You might choose to make a list of pros and cons for each remaining option to move your decision forward. Talk to people whom you trust, such as family, friends, or your doctor, about your choices. Your local long-term care ombudsman is another great source for information on local nursing facilities.

Moving Elderly People

Moving always has the potential to be stressful, but it can be particularly challenging for the elderly, especially if they are moving from a home that they have lived in for most of their lives into a smaller living space or an assisted living facility. Here are some tips to help you make the move as easy and efficient as you possibly can:

Planning: Leave nothing to chance; it is important to plan every the move as thoroughly as possible to avoid causing any necessary stress or discomfort. A young family may be able to sleep on the floor of an empty house for a day or two if something goes wrong, but it is not right to put the elderly in such an uncomfortable or unhealthy situation.

Discuss the move with them: Even if your elderly family members are no longer able to live as independently as they were once accustomed to, they are adults and deserve to be treated as such. Discussing the move with them and explaining the importance and benefits of the move will make them more receptive to the idea. Be respectful of their opinions and try to genuinely address any concerns they may have.

Help them sort through their stuff: This will probably be the most emotional part of the moving process as seniors may have many belongings for which they hold a sentimentally attachment. Help them decide which items to keep and which to donate to charity or to give to other relatives. Again, it is important to be respectful rather than simply insist on throwing everything that away, even if you cannot appreciate the value of certain items.

Make a checklist: Stay organized by making a checklist of all the things that need to be done, such as filing a change of address form with the post office, finding a new physician, transferring prescription information, and obtaining all necessary documents.

Hire professional movers: Many people would have a hard time moving a sofa or TV themselves even in the prime of their life. For those who are getting on in years, it is best to hire a professional to handle all of the heavy lifting and other physical labor. Speak with the movers ahead of time and introduce them to the elderly person you are moving so that he or she can be included and can trust the movers.

On moving day: Make sure that the seniors you are moving are well rested and discourage them from trying to help out with the move. Make sure that you have their medications handy and that any prescriptions that may be running low have been filled.

After the move is complete, help them unpack and settle in. Show them around their new surroundings and do what you can to help them feel comfortable and more at home. Assisting the elderly with a move can be challenging, but with planning, patience and professional movers, you can reduce the stress significantly.

Helping Aging Parents Thrive

As your parents age, it can be difficult to maintain the same parent-child dynamic you've always had while increasingly taking on the role of caregiver. Whether your parents are enjoying an active retirement or are part of the community in a skilled nursing center or assisted living facility, these 8 tips can help you help them to thrive during this time of transition.

Encourage Them to Get Active

One of the best ways to improve your parents' state of mind as well as their physical health is to encourage them to stay active. This encouragement can take the form of a gym membership or home exercise equipment purchase, but a free and fun alternative is to exercise with them.

If your schedule allows it, make time to visit your parents and take a walk together. Allow them to set the pace, and chat together as you exercise. You could also enroll in water aerobics or take a yoga class. The shared time will provide just the incentive your parents need to get active, and you'll both strengthen your bond as you strengthen your muscles.

Improve Their Mental Health with Classes

Fitness classes aren't the only way to improve health. In fact, learning something new in the form of a community education class can help seniors stay sharp. You can encourage your parents to take exciting new classes by focusing on the activities that have interested them over the years. Brainstorm together by making a list of everything your parents have enjoyed. Then look through those items to identify what they have in common.

Once you've narrowed down the topics, get out the course catalog from your local community college, library or senior center. Make another list of the classes that match up, and present the options to your parents. If they seem reluctant, you might offer to take the class together.

Bring the Mental Exercise to Them

Another great way to maintain mental focus is to engage in tricky mental activities. Even if your parents are dealing with physical challenges that make it difficult for them to take a community education class, you can bring the mental exercise to them.

Pick up a selection of crossword puzzles, Sudoku books, and mind puzzlers and spend the afternoon together working through a few of the puzzles. Or involve them in a family game of Trivial Pursuit. Alternatively, if your parents aren't fans of these activities, drop off a great selection of books or surprise them with a subscription or two to an interesting magazine.

Help Them Pass on Their Life Lessons

Whether your parents are living independently or require assistance, feeling valued and useful are important for their emotional health. In addition, many people can benefit from the knowledge and wisdom they have gained over the years. Try some of these ideas to help them to pass on some of their life lessons and experiences:

• Encourage them to volunteer in the community. Whether they choose to mentor new entrepreneurs with a program like MicroMentor or work with school children learning to read, everyone benefits from the experience.


• Help them make a list of life lessons and print the list up in book form. Topics might include favorite recipes and cooking tips, parenting advice, or other useful tidbits.


• Work with your parents to record their stories. You can do this in the form of a book or audio tape, or you could work with a professional to create something very special. Whatever method you choose, you and your parents will both be glad that you took the time to preserve their life stories.

Give Them a Social Outlet

While frequent visits and phone calls to your parents are sure to be appreciated, research suggests that having positive friendships actually may be even more important for longevity than regular contact with family. Whether your parents are living independently or with help, encourage them to interact with friends as much as possible.

If your parents are living independently, you might persuade them to start a book club or join a band. Regular card games, dance classes, and senior center activities can also be great places to establish and further cement positive friendships.

For those who have limited mobility, being social may be even more important. While most facilities have extensive social programs, getting involved can seem overwhelming to some seniors. Work with your parents to pick a few activities that interest them, and these can provide a great social outlet.

Get in Touch with a Support Group

Although your role in your parents' lives is changing, you still may find that you cannot provide all the emotional support they need. The retirement years can be challenging for several reasons, including the loss of loved ones, financial challenges, significant life changes, and health concerns.

Listening to your parents can help them navigate these challenges, but many people also need the help of a support group or therapist. These resources may be available in your parents' skilled nursing or assisted living facility. If not or if your parents are living independently, you can encourage them to find a support group or therapist through their local senior center or through a hospital.

Provide a Change of Scenery

No matter what your parents' living situation is like, a change of scenery can be extremely helpful in making the world feel like a bigger, better place. If your parents are healthy, travel is a great way to boost mood and see some amazing sites. Work with them to set up a dream vacation to Europe or a short jaunt to a nearby city.

For those with limited mobility, a change of scenery may mean an outing to a favorite restaurant or a night at the movies. Pick activities your parents will enjoy and coordinate your efforts with the nursing facility or assisted living center where they live. These facilities may be able to provide transportation if your parents need help.

Encourage Them to Practice Mindfulness

One key to helping your parents stay positive and enjoy their retirement years is to encourage them to notice and be present in the moment. When they were raising a family or building a career, they were likely rushing from one task to the next. Now they have a chance to slow down and see the beauty in the world.

You can encourage mindfulness by asking your parents to make a note of or take pictures of something beautiful every day. Then, at the end of the week, take some time to look through what they've created. This activity will boost their moods and yours, and it will also provide an opportunity to bond.

Take Care of Yourself

It's easy to get caught up in the very important role you now fill in your parents' lives. However, remember to take some time for yourself as well. Maintaining balance in your own life will make you a better caregiver, and that will go a long way toward enhancing your parents' retirement years as well.

The Ever Increasing Demand For Healthcare Workers

The need for healthcare encompasses the need for professionals in their field, as well as people who can provide administrative support. There are thousands of healthcare practitioners in Western countries and other parts of the globe. But the need to fill in their staff and experts seem endless.

One of the main reasons why healthcare jobs are still on the rise is because the number of patients is also rising. The need for nurses, doctors, medical technologists, and other professionals are always high due to the number of patients contracting diseases from various sources. The number of aging individuals is also another concern for institutions such as nursing homes.

Lifestyle change is another major factor that affects the demand for healthcare practitioners. To put it simply, many people are suffering diseases and ailments caused by poor diet, bad habits, and lack of physical activity. If you'll look at the rise of people with hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and obesity, you will understand why more and more healthcare jobs are being opened across the globe.

As much as possible, there should be only one person per patient or elderly individual in order for the healthcare provider to give quality care and assistance. In reality, this can be achieved but with consequences such as working long hours or doing part-time jobs in other institutions, hospitals, or private homes.

What positions are in demand?

Nurses, physicians, and surgeons are highly in demand in various hospitals. And as the healthcare sector grows, the demand for it will also increase.

Medical technologists [in various fields] are also on the rise due to the demands in many institutions such as hospitals. These specialists are also needed in homes and private clinics especially if they know how to administer EEG, ECG, lab testing, and many others.

Nutritionists and dieticians are highly in demand because of the rise in health problems connected to food intake and poor diet. These experts are always searching for ways and strategies to improve the health and diet of those inflicted with diseases caused by poor nutrition.

Technical tasks such as those required in hospitals will definitely need the expertise of such staff. Dental, ophthalmic, and clinical laboratory techs are sought-after for their skill and experience.

Therapists, psychologists, and health insurance experts are also needed badly in many major hospitals around the world. They provide specialized services typical of their fields of study. In the case of health care insurance experts, their jobs require medical billing, claims analysis, and reimbursement.

Chemists and pharmacists are also in demand these days due to the same reasons. The need to properly schedule, maintain, and dispense medicines are all part of the daily routines in hospitals, clinics, and similar institutions.

Physical Therapist Resume - How to Write a Good Resume For Your Physical Therapist Job Application

If you are the type of person that can find self-satisfaction for helping people than becoming a physical therapist just might be the job for you, not to mention that you can earn handsomely for it too. Obviously before you can do so you will need to get a job and for you to land one you will need a resume that is not only appealing but can portray you as the person that you say you are. So besides listing down all your educational background your resume should also be able to list your characteristics as well.

As such you have to be very careful when you write your resume, the reason for this is because this is the first ever interaction you will have between your future employer. So the resume must be able to stand out from the crowd and one that the employer will be able to remember from the stack of applications that they receive. This is of course not the only step as you will need to go for interviews and so on but nonetheless this is the most important step of all.

When writing your resume you should not just list down all your past achievements and educational background and be done with it. Today the problem is that anyone can get a degree but whether or not they have the necessary skills to back up the certificate is an entirely separate question. So make sure that you include other important information about yourself that will attract the employers.

Don't write a sloppy bio data about yourself, instead take the time and effort to compile all the necessary information and write a proper resume. Even through the simple task as that, your potential employers will have a glimpse of your passion about the job. Having said that you are not writing a biography so make it concise where they employers can get a sense of who you are.

Employers don't want a robot that can only heal patients they want people that can help other people too. This means that your soft skills should be as good as your medical knowledge, so make sure that you not only graduate at the top of your class but when it comes to dealing with people you have the patience for it even though there is no certificate for that.

Working in such as high risk environment the extra knowledge of CPR or first aid would certainly be an added advantage on your part. Include such information on your resume so you can land that dream job.

Restorative Care

Restorative care is given to an elderly person after they have had an accident or need to work muscle groups they do not usually use. More than physical therapy, restorative care is used for emotional well being as well. The goal is to not only help a person recover from a broken bone or pulled muscle, but also to get the person to socialize and want to be part of a group. Many times, elderly people will not want to participate in social activities because they are not able to move around easily or because they are afraid to make new friends.

Walking with an elderly person up and down the hallway for ten or fifteen minutes a day is usually enough for them to stretch muscles and interact with others. For many older people, sitting all day becomes a natural part of life. But this can have negative side effects including muscle atrophy, weight gain, and depression. Simply walking with an elderly person is enough to spark brain activity and keep the muscles alert.

For those who cannot walk, restorative care is given by pushing a person who is in a wheelchair around the facility so that they are visit friends or meet new people. Many times exercises are given which includes moving the leg muscles up and down so that the muscles remain active. The attention paid to residents is very special to them. They will hopefully want to take part in activities and will look forward to spending a few minutes each day exercising and visiting with other residents.

The CNA Certification Test - Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant!

In order to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant, you must complete a nurses aide training course, then pass the CNA certification test given by the State Board of Nursing. The test consists of two parts, a written exam and a hands-on or 'practical' CNA skills test. Licensing is done by the state, so you will want to register for testing in the state you expect to work in.

In most cases, you will be testing with a group. The written exam is usually given before the skills test, and everyone will take the test at the same time. You will have to answer approximately 100 multiple-choice questions, and are usually given up to two hours to complete them. The written test covers patient care and protocols, patient monitoring and record-keeping, laboratory and testing procedures.

Everything on the written portion will have been covered in your CNA classes. It is a good idea to review your class materials, handouts, and charts before the certification test, particularly if you won't be taking it right after completing the course. You can find some sample testing questions for the CNA exam online.

Following the written portion, the instructor takes the finished tests, and then individuals will be called on to perform their skills test one at a time. You may be asked to bring a "model" or helper with you to facilitate the skills testing. This person would act as your patient for you to demonstrate your skills on. The particulars of the skills test will vary, and may not be the same from person to person. You won't know which skills you will be asked to perform until the actual testing.

You can expect the practical exam to cover the most common skills you will encounter. This might include performing measurements of vital signs - blood pressure, pulse, and respiration; demonstrating the proper way make a bed, both with and without a patient in it; ambulating or moving your patient - helping them dress, moving them in to and out of a wheel chair, etc.; and responding to emergencies such as choking.

You won't know the outcome of your test right then and there; results will be mailed to you. However if you've been attentive in class and understand what you've been taught, and taken the time to study and review your materials prior to taking the test, you should have no problem passing. Once you have earned your certification, you are then free to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Nurse's Aide, or other similar position at any hospital, nursing home, or other facility in your state.

How Do Assisted Living Caregivers Help Patients Suffering From Alzheimer's?

Because Alzheimer's is chronic and progressive, victims are totally dependent on others and often receive care from relations, which can be both a mental and physical burden for families. As conditions worsen and memory loss progresses, caregivers must devote more time to loved ones. Assisted living care providers can assist families with elderly loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease and make a huge difference in the well being of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's. The following article discusses how caregivers can provide help.

Assisted living caregivers must have patience, understanding, and experience to compassionately work with Alzheimer's patients-many elderly care providers complete courses for accreditation in Alzheimer's and Dementia before working with care recipients. Elderly care for Alzheimer's patients includes carefully planning the daily schedule of a loved one to reduce stress, orientate them to reality, simplify surroundings, and avoid fatigue. Assisted living caregivers and elderly care providers specialize in providing care for seniors with Alzheimer's, and offer the following suggestions:

Reduce Stress: It's well known that stress can worsen the symptoms of most illnesses, Alzheimer's disease included. Take care that your loved one is protected from any potential sources of stress, including rapid routine changes, changes of surroundings, and care provided by different caregivers. Additional sources of stress include an overdose of stimuli, fatigue, and illness.

Establish a Routine for Your Loved One: For elderly loved ones with Alzheimer's, establishing a routine and keeping daily activities stable can be very comfortable because patients can relax and respond automatically. It's important to make a schedule for your loved one's daily care, and include any recreational activities he or she enjoys. Before sleep, establish a bedtime ritual to promote relaxation and better sleep. Stick to the daily schedule you've created as closely as possible, and provide copies of this schedule to any other caregivers who look after your loved one.

Orient Your Loved One - Reality Orientation: It's a good idea to remind your loved one during the day, "Good morning, it is Thursday and a beautiful spring morning. Let's eat breakfast."

Avoid Fatigue: When planning activities, take into consideration that morning is typically the most energetic time for elders. During activities and outings, keep in mind that your loved one will need frequent breaks to re-orient himself/herself and avoid becoming overtired. Assisted living care providers know that Alzheimer's patients lose the ability to concentrate for long periods of time, especially as the disease progresses. Schedule longer breaks with less activity if this is the case.

Simplify Surroundings: If you're planning on an outing with your senior loved one, don't bring them to a busy and crowded environment. Avoid malls and opt for a quiet, serene space such as a park. He/she will feel more relaxed. If necessary, use illustrations to guide your loved one's actions, for instance, place an image of a toilet on the bathroom door for clarification.

Patience: Be patient with your loved one and don't pressure them, be demanding, or expect too much. Each Alzheimer's patient has his or her own unique set of needs, feelings, and limitations. Demanding behavior will only create stress and frustration. Provide help when necessary and reorient your loved one whenever necessary to reduce frustration.

According to the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago, 10 million American's struggle to care for relatives and loved ones with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, and are prone to overworking themselves and possibly developing anxiety and depression. If you're currently providing care for a loved one, learn more about assisted living caregivers and elderly care providers. They help out with household chores, assist loved ones, and provide personal care services.

Experienced assisted living caregivers are available to provide in elderly care 24 hours a day to allow elderly individuals remain in their own homes and improve the quality of their lives. Assisted living caregivers and elderly care providers offer joyful companionship, meal preparation and diet monitoring services, errands and shopping, and many other services. Learn more about how an individualized elderly care program can improve the life and health of your loved one.

How to Save Your Parents Home If They Go to a Nursing Home

Q. My eighty-four-year old mother is selling her house and moving in with me. Can she purchase a life estate in my home in order to preserve her money in case she enters a nursing home?
A. Yes, under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), a person who purchases a life estate interest in another's home for full consideration and lives there for at least one continuous year does not face an ineligibility period for Medicaid nursing home benefits. If your mother expects to live in your home for at least a year, she could purchase a life estate in your current home or in a new home, which gives her certain rights to your property, including the right to live there. This provision does not apply to a transfer of property which your mother previously owned.

An attorney can assist you in determining the amount for which the life estate should be purchased, based on your mother's age and the value of the home. The life estate has no value for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for Medicaid. As the life tenant, your mother has the legal right to live in the property for life or for a specified period without paying rent. Upon her death, the life estate is extinguished.

If you sell your home during your mother's lifetime, your mother would have to sign the deed and a portion of the sale proceeds would be payable to her as the life tenant. Those proceeds would count as her resources for Medicaid purposes.
Q. What if my mother does not sell her house? Can she transfer it to anyone without being penalized?
A. Yes. Transferring the house to the following people would not affect her eligibility for Medicaid:

1. spouse


2. child under the age of twenty-one or a child who is certified blind or certified disabled at any age


3. a sibling with an equity interest in the home who has resided in the home at least one year immediately prior to the date the patient became institutionalized and continues to lawfully reside in the home


4. a caretaker child who has resided in the home for at least two years immediately prior to the date the patient became institutionalized and who provided care.

Q. What if my mother enters a nursing home before she sells her home?
A. If her equity interest in the home is $750,000 or less and she intends on returning home, it will not be considered as a resource in determining her eligibility for Medicaid. The equity value is derived by subtracting encumbrances such as liens and mortgages from the fair market value.

Reverse mortgages and home equity loans can be used to reduce the equity interest. Medicaid law is constantly changing and is subject to various interpretations. Because the DRA is so new, there are many ambiguities and uncertainties. Do not take any action without first consulting an attorney who thoroughly understands the Medicaid rules.

Baby Boomers Housing Dilemma?

In Canada there are approximately 10 million baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1965) and they begin turning 65 this year. One of the biggest upcoming decisions that boomers will face, and one that will impact the economy and housing market, will be whether they downsize the family home along with retirement. Financial experts are saying that we can expect today's high house prices to start falling as an over abundance of homes appears on the market.

Boomers are not predictable
But Baby Boomers are not doing exactly what the experts have been predicting. While analysts have been expecting that with retirement age of 65, Canadian Baby Boomers will sell their homes and downsize causing today's high prices to plunge, retirees are opting to remain in their family homes. They are making this decision for a variety of reasons; being Empty Nesters, they are turning the extra rooms in their homes into hobby rooms and exercise areas and they are enjoying having additional room for grandkids and guests.

According to David Foot author of Boom, Bust and Echo and professor emeritus of economics at the University of Toronto, the popular belief that when the kids leave home boomers will downsize, is just not happening. They're expected to hold onto their homes well into their 70s; "We still have about 10 years before the downsizing bulge alters the balance between sellers and buyers in the housing market," says Foot. He also observes that an aging population suggests slower economic growth and we should soon expect a change in the housing market and house prices to start relaxing.

So what does that mean for baby boomers? The longer aging boomers live in their homes the more they potentially stand to lose in waiting until there's an over abundance of houses on the market before selling the family home. David Foot's view of the upcoming housing market trend includes some subtleties in the buyer / seller balance. He says that housing in the suburbs will become more attractive to young people moving from urban condos to larger more family friendly homes.

Possible influences on housing costs
Another condition that can affect housing prices would be inflation and that a 5 or 6 percent increase in the inflation rate will overflow into house prices. A possible conclusion about when baby boomers should sell is that if they are putting financial gain above lifestyle, selling now and avoiding a possible downturn would be the thing to do.

Associate professor at the University of British Columbia - Tsur Somerville, says that in Canada it's too early to say how the housing crisis will play out and that immigration will be a key. Generation Y - the group following the Baby Boomers - have far fewer numbers of potential home buyers to fill the void that will be caused by an over abundance of homes on the market but immigration will help fill that void in buyers.

In 2009 - 2010 new immigrants accounted for nearly 60 percent of population growth in Canada and they will definitely help mitigate a possible real estate crash caused by boomers waiting to sell. Professor Somerville says that the areas of the country that need to worry most about home prices are cities that have a very small rate of immigration combined with young people and retirees relocating.

The question of whether there will be a housing dilemma is a huge question being addressed by analysts and discussed in think tanks among experts across the country. There are many factors that could and will affect the answer to this question in a variety of ways. Stay with me as I continue to study the effects of the decisions of Baby Boomers on our economy.

Recognizing Abuse in Nursing Homes

The choice to put your parent or elderly family member in a nursing home is never an easy one. These facilities may provide the care your loved one needs, but the nursing home environment can be less than inviting. Regular visitation and communication with your family member is a crucial step for his or her health and continued wellbeing.

Unfortunately, nursing homes can be the sites of a wide range of elderly abuses. These adults, who are often vulnerable to such abuse, may not be entirely aware of their circumstances. It is important to protect your family member from abuse and respond appropriately if you believe they have become a victim.

Nursing home abuse happens in a number of different ways. Physical abuse cases may result from negligent care on the part of a caregiver. Caring for a large number of adults can be a stressful position at times, but it is never reason for abusive or harmful behavior. If you see signs of physical abuse, like bruising or burns, it is important to take proper action.

Emotional or psychological abuse can also occur in these facilities. The manner in which caregivers interact with the residents of a facility plays an important part in their health. Emotional abuse can affect an elderly adult's wellbeing and have real, physical results. Yelling, name calling, or demeaning language does not promote a healthy or comfortable environment.

Finally, sexual abuse is a serious concern in elderly care facilities as well. Sexual assaults between residents or between a caregiver and resident can take a toll on a vulnerable older adult. The embarrassment and physical injuries that can result from this behavior must be addressed to the full extent of the law.

Humiliation in Nursing Homes

Making the decision to move a family member into a nursing home facility is not an easy one. But these facilities do plenty to ensure you that your family member will be well cared for and receive the respect and attention they deserve. It is crucial to ensure that is true if you have decided to place your loved one in a nursing home. Humiliation of residents is an unfortunate reality in many nursing homes.

A person's health or age is never a reason for them to be the victim of abuse. Yet elderly mistreatment is a real concern and does affect many of the clients who live in these facilities. Caregivers need to be held responsible for their actions towards their clients in order to ensure that every person in a nursing home gets the respect, attention, and care that they deserve and that you expect.

One of the dangers of elderly maltreatment is the possibility of humiliation. Many patients in these facilities are heavily dependent on their care givers for many daily functions. Every adult should be treated with respect and not made to feel like a lesser person because of their need for assistance. Care takers can be caring for a person negligently if they are humiliating them in private or in front of other residents.

Humiliation can occur in a number of different forms including public humiliation and sexual humiliation. These can take place in private or in front of other residents and can have devastating emotional and mental effects on a person, no matter their age.

Smoking Related Fires Are a Real Threat to Nursing Home Patients - Is it Time to Put Out the Fire?

It only is a matter of time before another nursing home fire claims the life of another patient. While less publicized, hundreds of elderly people receive burns every year during their admission to skilled nursing facilities. Anyway you look at the situation, fires in nursing homes remain a real-- yet under-appreciated threat to nursing home patient safety.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), from 1994 to 1999 approximately 2,300 nursing homes reported some type of fire at their facility each year. Equally alarming is that the GAO has found the number of severe fire deficiencies in nursing home has increased steadily from 2004 through 2007.

In response to this safety threat, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) now requires a smoke detector in every patient room and in public areas. Additionally, automatic fire sprinkler systems must not be installed in new facilities and retrofit in existing facilities over the next four years.

While compliance with CMS regulations may help reduce the chance of fires in skilled nursing facilities, owners and administrators should evaluate all activities and determine what policies may be implemented to further promote patient safety.

Step #1: Eliminate Smoking

Smoking in nursing homes can at best be considered counter-productive to patient health. Perhaps more accurately, smoking in medical facilities is threat to all patients and staff. Even when monitored, there is an increased risk of fire in nursing facilities that permit smoking compared with those that do not allow it.

Therefore, I propose nursing homes force patients to toss out their cigarettes or seek alternative facilities.

In addition to safety concerns related to fire, allowing patients to smoke in a nursing home diverts staff resources to the supervision of patients who choose to smoke and away from the task of providing skilled nursing care.

According to The National Fire Protection Association, elderly people are more than three times more likely to suffer a smoking-related injury than their younger counterparts. One need not look far to see examples of smoking accidents in nursing home and assisted living facilities:

Dallas, Texas- Woman dies in a fire at an assisted living facility. The fire inspector determined the fire started due to 'improper use of smoking material'

Chicago, Illinois- Two patients died at Hampton Plaza Nursing Home from smoke inhalation. The fire department concluded that the fire was started by smoking materials stored in a patient's closet.

Whittier, California- A nursing home patient with dementia ignited himself while attempting to light his cigarette. A investigation into the matter revealed the staff was unaware that the man was even outside of the facility.

Lebanon, Indiana- An oxygen dependent patient started a fire at an assisted living complex when the oxygen tank exploded as she smoked.

I doubt we will see nursing homes flocking to change their policies to 'smoke free' overnight. In the meantime, facilities should take steps to develop a smoking policy that is both realistic to implement and enhances patient safety. Here are some suggestions for developing a smoking policy:

Designate a smoking area for patients that is supervised and well ventilated.

Ban all smoking in patient rooms. Studies have shown that the risk of fire increases when people smoke in bed.

Establish an evacuation policy in case of a fire or emergency. Similarly, inform all staff and patients as to the location of fire extinguishers and teach them how to use it.

Keep all smoking materials including lighters and matches in possession of staff and locked at all times.

Provide ashtrays and smoking aprons (outerwear made from fire-proof material that reduces the chance of a stray ash igniting a patients clothing)

Develop a smoking cessation program.

Make sure your facility has smoke detectors and a sprinkler system.

Allow patients to smoke only when supervised by staff members.

Develop a set of consequences for patients who fail to follow the policy.

Write down your facilities smoking policy and give a copy to all patients and their families.

While the above guidelines may reduce the chance of fires in nursing homes, eliminating smoking remains one of the easiest ways to improve the overall living conditions for all patients and nursing home staff.

Jonathan Rosenfeld is an attorney based in Chicago who handled elder abuse and neglect cases in the Midwest and across the country. Mr. Rosenfeld works on the following types of cases:

Bed Sores, Pressure Sores, Decubitus Ulcers
Falls
Dehydration / Malnutrition
Medication Errors
Impacted bowels
Sex Abuse
Medical Errors

Feel free to contact Jonathan for a free case evaluation. (888) 424-5757

Divorce and Separation After Brain Injury - Findings of 3 Research Studies

It's a common belief that most marriages end in separation or divorce after a spouse has a traumatic brain injury. Certainly the physical, cognitive, social, behavioral and communicative changes caused by brain trauma can affect a couple's relationship. These changes are just the primary losses. Additional changes, known as secondary losses, can range from loss of income, to loss of friends, jobs or careers. As roles and responsibilities formerly shared by a couple are reexamined and redistributed after a spouse is injured, the relationship between a husband and wife changes in many ways. There is very little scientific research on marital relationships so much is still unknown about the impact of brain trauma on marriage. Reasons for a marriage dissolving are always complex, but this may be even more so when one partner has a disability or impairment due to a brain injury. So it is important to look at the findings from 3 research studies on this topic.

• One study conducted by Thomsen in 1984 found a very high rate of 78% for marital breakdown. But it is important to note that this was a very select group of individuals who were studied. It examined only 9 couples who were 10-15 years post-injury. In addition, many of them had severe brain injuries and most were living in a residential assisted living program. So one must question how applicable these findings are today.


• The second study led by J.C. Arango-Lasprilla was more recent in 2008. It also was much larger, including 927 individuals who were injured. In contrast to the earlier study, the marital breakdown rate was only 15% within the first 2 years post-injury. This study offers much more hope for relationships to survive the stresses and challenges of daily living after a partner has been hurt.


• The third study led by J. Kreutzer in 2007 not only found that 25% of relationships broke down but that this occurred an average of 4.1 years after a spouse's injury.

Research has found that several factors make a difference in whether couples stay together or separate after one of the partners has a brain injury. The highest rates of marital breakdown are found among younger couples and in shorter or more recent marriages. Another risk factor is domestic violence. Couples with a more severely injured member were also found to be at greater risk for separation or divorce.Much more research is needed to understand why some couples manage to stay together and others separate. But one thing is clear - research does not support the common belief that there is a much higher incidence of marital separation and divorce when one partner or spouse has a brain injury.

Physical Therapist Salary - Income Advice For New Therapists

Injuries are very much part of every professional athlete's life. At certain points in their careers, they may suffer injuries in varying degrees of severity. When this happens, the services of physical therapists are very much needed in order to ensure proper rehabilitation by developing a plan using treatment techniques to restore function, reduce pain, to promote the ability to move and to some extent, to prevent disability. Physical therapy workers are some of the better paid healthcare professionals because of this important role they play in injury treatment. The physical therapist salary is very competitive compared to many healthcare salaries.

Athletes are not the only group of people which need physical therapy services, as virtually anyone who has an unfortunate accident or disease that causes movement dysfunction, limiting the individual's abilities to move and perform functional activities would be a candidate. This type of therapist also develops fitness and wellness-oriented plans for patients to prevent their loss of mobility before this gets out of hand.

Most people that are interested in entering this career may want to know how much money they'll receive per year or per hour. Half of all these types of therapists employed in the United States receive $74,480 a year or $35.81 an hour; translating to $76,220 in mean annual salary, or a $36.64 mean hourly wage. The lowest 10% of therapists earning the least salary receive $52,170 in annual wage, while those upper 10% earning the highest physical therapist salary earn $105,900 a year.

Physical therapists in ALF or assisted living facilities earn the highest salary these days, as of September 2010, with an estimated salary of $99,000. Occupational physical therapists working in correctional facilities on the other hand, earn almost $60,000 in annual physical therapy salary. Homecare physical therapy workers receive $75,000 annually, the same with physical therapists in inpatient and outpatient work setting.

To give you a clearer perspective on the trend of the physical therapy salary, the salary index for this occupation in October 2008 was 1.0 and in July 2010, the salary index is about 1.15 with a high of 1.35 at the beginning of this year.

In relation with this increase in therapist salary, the Bureau of Labor Statistic reported that there will be a growth in the need for physical therapy in the next ten years growing by 30%. There are reported changes in the restrictions on physical therapy service reimbursements by third-party payers that will increase the number of patients with access to services, increasing the demands for physical therapists. This is in addition to the growing number of elderly people who will be needing physically oriented therapy services in the years to come.

Having a job in a physical therapy is a rewarding career in terms of the physical therapist salary one receives and the satisfaction of being able to help an individual survive an accident or a debilitating disease and recover fully again.

Assisted Living Facilities Should Take Advantage of the Recession

The Common Reaction To An Economic Downturn

Yes, we are in a recession. And the odds of a double-dip are increasing. In such times, typical business owners, including assisted living management, batten down the hatches. They cut spending, consolidate responsibilities, and attempt to weather the storm.

As monthly financial statements and census reports come in, owners stress out. Compared to last year, things look grim. Margins are down, sales are down, and morale is down. Does this sound familiar?

Could There Possibly Be Any Good News In A Down Economy?

The recession has a bright side. It comes from the fact that your competition is facing the same situation. They are most likely reacting to the recession in the typical fashion mentioned in the first paragraph. So, if everyone is using the same strategy based on spend less and do less, who has the strategic advantage? It could be you.

I suggest a change in perspective. Take advantage of what the recession has to offer:

• Increase in market share. This takes precedent over profits. While competition scales back, you should be aggressive in marketing and communications, as well as maintaining and even adding services.


• Refine operations. The big cutback during a recession should be the cutback in the waste of time, talent and systems. Efficiency can allow you to do what is necessary to increase market share while containing costs.

The Strategy Is Proactive

Step #1:

Especially in a down economy, it is critical to make each dollar spent responsible for a result. When an employee is given a job, they are held accountable to complete the task. Treat your dollars the same way. Employ your marketing expenditures to produce revenue, improve productivity, and/or increase customer loyalty. And make them report their results - utilize tracking.

By holding dollars accountable, unnecessary expenses are automatically cut. At the same time, dollars spent that attain desired results may be increased. This prevents the numbers oriented, "across-the-board" expense cuts that stifle productivity and devastate morale. And it encourages investment and growth in areas that prove successful.

Step #2:

Market aggressively and apply the responsible dollar strategy to your marketing plan. By tying revenues to marketing costs, expenses become responsible for results. By testing campaigns and coding responses, inefficient marketing expenditures can be stopped. On the other side of the coin, marketing expenditures that increase customer base, utilize key employees, and/or boost profit are continued, or may even be increased.

Step #3:

Service, service, service your customer. Add improvements, even when your service leads the competition by a mile. This makes sure the customer continues to feel special and drives word-of-mouth marketing. The least little extra is a big deal to your customer because services are being cut everywhere else. These extras can have little or no cost.

Remember: Superior service is an attitude.

Service improvements give you leverage in the market when all other variables (price, quality, features) are equal. Also, with an increase in business failures eminent during a recession, this leverage turns into increased market share. In fact, I recommend that you have a plan in place to be the hero if you hear that a competitor is closing. (Be prepared to buy a portion of the distressed business - appropriate residents who choose to move to your facility along with the best employees. In many instances you can pay over time with the new revenue, keep residents with staff members they know and love, and save some jobs.)

This Opportunity Is There For Those Who Want It

Does all this sound easy? No. The strategy is simple. But it takes hard work planning, discipline, teamwork, trust, the ability to change, and patience. Can this be managed during these difficult times?

Now is the perfect time! The pain of the recession is the ally of opportunity. It creates the leverage you need to institute and sustain changes in operations. It unites management and staff to fight for the good of the company. And it offers chunks of market share to those planning to grow out of the recession

Database Technology - Educational Options

In order for businesses, colleges, and government agencies to use the information stored on computers employees must be able to retrieve the data. Setting up computer databases store all the information needed by employees. Students can learn how to work with stored information by entering a degree program in database technology.

Students can enter programs through a college's computer science or information technology department. Educational options are offered at all levels leaving students with the option to work as:

• administrators


• data architects


• database librarians

and more. The curriculum worked through inside a degree program teaches how to work with computer databases to handle all areas from developing to managing databases. The wide skill set is usually taught at every level and knowledge becomes more advanced as students enter higher degrees. The use of a database has to be maintained and updated to ensure the best possible function and to use the best information retrieval methods. Employees rely on databases to work correctly so they can perform their job duties at the optimal level. Students thinking about entering education should research all of the industries options before beginning a degree program.

Learning to program and troubleshoot systems can be learned through a two-year associate's degree. Schooling stresses learning different applications and software programs. C++, Delphi, and more are some programming languages that students will become familiar with inside a degree program. Curriculum may cover topics on:

• visual basic programming


• database analysis


• algorithm design

and more to provide students with an educational base of the industry. To gain a complete understanding, students need to continue education at the bachelor's degree level.

The entire industry is covered inside a bachelor's degree program. Students work through specified courses that teach them how to create, develop, and implement a database. Further study is entered to prepare students to manage and distribute stored information on databases. At this point in education students can branch out and work through a specialty within database technology. Some areas include database software, programming, design, and analysis. Curriculum changes based on the concentration students enter but all students take some general courses. Courses could include:

• database concepts


• microcomputer applications


• communications


• information systems


• relational databases

and more. Students learn through a comprehensive degree that provides them with the knowledge to work in every area of the industry. Businesses use databases to store information on an increasing scale making education on how to operate and manipulate data a highly coveted skill.

Students who continue education at the graduate degree level should expect to be trained in advanced concepts and learn to become an administrator. Knowledge expands to include supporting, installing, and designing systems. Courses on architecture of databases and development techniques explore how to work as a leader. A PhD examines:

database design

• data mining


• retrieval


• application usage

and more. Students work through a concentration and conclude with a dissertation paper on their specialty.

Students can enter all four-degree levels and enter the field successful. The skills learned through each degree option are directly relatable to a career. Complete an accredited database technology degree program and enter the field a must have employee. Full accreditation provides proof that the program offer students the best quality education possible. Agencies like the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training ( http://www.accet.org ) are approved to fully accredit schools and colleges.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

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