Sundowning and Seniors With Alzheimer's

Understanding my own Grandmother's absentmindedness in the beginning stages of her dementia was relatively easy. When she began to hallucinate is when things started to turn for the worse. I was walking with her in her assisted living facility when she told me about a recent hallucination.

"The other day, late in the afternoon, perhaps it was early evening, 3 people came into my room asking if they could share my bed and live with me," she said. "They had to ask Nancy (the admittance lady) first but I told them we couldn't all fit and they could not stay. I saw them as clear as day and then they vanished! It was then I recognized that perhaps they weren't real. But it sure seemed it was."

No wanting to upset my Grandmother, I said "I'm glad you recognized that!" Grandma said she agreed.

Those afternoon hallucinations marked the beginning of sundowning- early evening or late afternoon confusion in individuals with memory impairment or dementia. Regrettably, sundowning is not just hallucinations, it can be irrational ideas, agitation, wandering, and confusing dreams and reality. At times, people sundowning may become upset, suspicious, demanding, or disoriented.

My Grandmother did have a number of these behaviors. At one point she began to think people were robbing her room in the middle of the night while she slept. She began to forget names and people she'd known for years. She also began to shadowing me when I came to visit on a few occasions. She followed me so close that I almost tripped over her a few times, and telling some of the same stories again and again. So, what are some causes of sundowning?

Mental and physical exhaustion are two primary causes, in accordance to the Alzheimer's Association. Poor indoor and diminishing afternoon day light also contributes to sundowning. Another found cause are daytime naps.

LOOK OVER MEDICATION. A physician should review the medications as some may lead to sundowning. They also may prescribe a medication for sleep in order to prevent sundowning.

NAPPING IS DISCOURAGED. Daytime naps should be replaced with walking, group activities or some pet-therapy. After my Grandmother was unable to read she was still delighted listening to them read. One reader read a suspense-thriller. "I can't remember the title," my Grandmother said, "but it's got me on the edge of my seat."

STAY AWAY FROM CAFFEINE. Individuals with memory disease should abstain from caffeine. They also should not drink alcohol.

IMPROVE THE LIGHTING. People walking around the halls may be searching for the restroom, so be certain that all hallways have plenty of light. Night-lights also help the residents safely find the restroom.

LOWER AMBIANCE NOISE. Loud TVs, a blaring radio, and the noise of lots of people talking, can very well disturb and upset people with memory disease. Radios and TVs can be substituted with soothing CD music. Some facilities have a volunteer who comes in to play music and sing for residents.

REASSURE SECURITY. If the individual is concerned and upset about the hallucinations, be sure to assure them that they are in a secure and safe place where they are loved.

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.

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.

How to Start a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business

By now you must be aware of the many compelling reasons why a non-emergency medical transportation business offers entrepreneurs such a great business model. With the growth in the health care industry and the explosion of baby boomer retirees, this market is big and set to get even bigger still.

In this article we look at how to start a non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) business. Learn about some of the steps that are involved and some of the aspects of this business that you will have to consider.

Franchise or Independent Operator?

There are now several players offering non-emergency medical transportation franchises. Entrepreneurs benefit with the franchise model as they can operate under an established brand and get advice and training to get started and run a business. However, with the franchise fees that must be paid initially and on an ongoing basis, the upside potential for profit is reduced. If you do your homework, you will find that this business is not that difficult and it is possible to start up and thrive independently.

Choosing the Right Area

Give some thought to the demographics of the area where you are setting up your business. Look for statistics that prove that there are a good number of elderly, disabled or Medicaid citizens living nearby. Compile a list of hospitals, dialysis centers, retirement homes, assisted living centers and other relevant operations. You could even make initial contact with some of these organizations and find out about the transportation solutions that they currently have in place.

Research the Competition

Identify all of the major competitors that you will have in your area and evaluate them in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. You may decide to incorporate parts of their business model into your own business and reject other parts. Learn as much as you can about them by reading their websites and calling their offices to ask questions. You can even spend some time following around some of their vans in order to understand how they work and to find out exactly who their customers are.

Getting Started - Licenses and Permits

Regulations and requirements for medical transportation businesses vary from state to state so you should make enquiries at the local level to find out what your obligations are.

As you are in the business of transporting paying customers from one place to another you will need some kind of permit, just as a taxi driver does. Your application for this kind of license will be handled by transportation authorities at the state or local level. Due to the nature of this work, some states will also require businesses in this industry to be registered with local health authorities.

There may also be other paperwork that needs to be done such as registering your business name, getting a business license (possibly more if you serve multiple counties) and zoning considerations if you run a home business.

Vehicles and Equipment

It is common for medical transportation services to purchase regular vans, either new or used, and then have them fitted out to suit special needs clients. Business owners typically start out with one vehicle and gradually add to their fleet as their business grows.

The best vans for an ambulette have a high raised roof and doorways. Access is usually on the side of the vehicle but can also be at the rear.

Some operators still use manual lifts to help them get wheelchair passengers into and out of their vans. However, you should be able to provide a faster, more professional service if you have a modern hydraulic lift installed.

Once inside the van, wheelchairs can be fastened to various securing devices so that they don't move around during transit. Vehicles also require customized seatbelts for wheelchair bound passengers. You can also improve the quality of your service if you have some comforts like TV and air conditioning.

A decent sized van that is properly kitted out should be able to transport four wheelchair bound passengers at a time as well as have extra seats available for caregivers. Depending on your clients, you may also need a space in your van that will allow you to fit in a passenger that is confined to a stretcher.

Insurance Policies

To protect yourself from unforeseen events you will need to purchase a variety of insurance policies. A general liability insurance policy will ensure that you are covered in situations where your customers are injured or suffer losses while they are in your care. You will also need regular automotive insurance to protect yourself in cases where your vehicles are damaged, stolen or involved in traffic accidents.

Payment Options

Decide on how you want to collect payment for your services. You may have to invoice medical institutions on a monthly basis or you may need to process credit card payments for individual clients. If you service large clients like Medicaid then it may be as simple as receiving a check in the mail each month. Talk to some prospective clients and look at what their needs are. Find out what payment options your competitors are offering.

Service Hours

Give some thought to your operating hours. The best ambulette services in the market usually offer weekday service from early morning to late at night with decent hours on Saturdays too. As a sole operator you will be limited in the hours that you can take on. As you expand into a multi-driver operation you will be able to offer more flexible scheduling to clients.

Staffing Requirements

If you start out doing all the driving while also managing your business you will quickly get burnt out. In order to grow you need to step back and hire some drivers so that you can move into a purely management and marketing orientated role.

Staff should have a drivers license that allows them to take passengers and they may also be subject to certain standards or requirements at the local level. No matter what you should make sure that your staff are trained on how to do the practical side of the job. They need to know how to assist passengers and their caregivers as they get in and out of vehicles. They should also be instructed to smile and make pleasant conversation if the opportunity arises so that they help your brand to gain a positive reputation.

Marketing

There are many different ways to market a non-emergency medical transportation business. For some ideas on markets that you can target read our article on Medical Transportation Business Opportunities.

Initially you will have to go out and meet prospective clients and possibly even bid to try and win contracts. However, if your team are doing a good job then you will find that eventually business will come directly to you through word of mouth and referrals.

You can of course improve your chances of getting calls from private paying clients if you do a little advertising. A website that comes up in the search results when people search for ambulette services in your area can really help. A small Yellow Pages listing will also almost certainly be worth the cost. You can pretty much try any method that other local service businesses are using to promote themselves. Vehicle advertising is great for exposure and flyers, postcards or door hangers may work as well.

Stop Elder Abuse in Assisted Living Facilities by Getting to Know the Caregivers

I'm here with Margie Veis, the Executive Director of Summerhill Villa, an assisted living facility in Santa Clarita, California.

KH: We hear stories about elder abuse and things like that. How can families insure that won't happen?

MV:: Truthfully, I think that fear is always going to be in the back of people's minds.

Same thing as when you drop your child off at preschool. You're trusting strangers to take care of your loved one, so I think you need to be in tune and pay attention to your parent. Obviously, if someone has dementia and they say things you have to take it at face value, but I don't ever poo poo anything. I hate to believe it would ever happen, but I also would never stick my head in the sand and say it never would.

I think, again, getting to know who are the caregivers, getting to know the administrator, getting to know the nurses. Not that you have to be best friends with them but you can really get a feeling. Also, look at your parent and see how they are interacting. If every time a certain care giver walks by your parent they flinch, or it just doesn't feel right, you need to say something.

I don't think anyone could ever tell me it would never happen here because you can never say never. There are bad people and we do everything that we can, not to have them in our building.

KH: The residents could cause the problem. It's not necessarily your own people.

MV: That is true. It could be a resident. It could be a family member, it could be a visitor. I have to be in tune to family members with their parents. There are family members that take advantage financially, and there are family members that are verbally abusive. That's elder abuse. It's not only hitting someone, it's taking their money, it's using their money to buy personal things for you. It's calling your parents stupid, it's threatening them with things like "You know mom if you don't do this I'm not going to pay your bill. You're going to end up out in the street." It's physical. It's emotional. It's neglect. It's isolating. It's a broad spectrum of issues, and we have to be in tune to things like that. We do abuse reporting and those types of things with our staff because we're mandatory reporters.

Assisted Living Facilities - What to Look for Before Choosing

Do you have a loved one who is having difficulty with routine daily activities? If you want to give him the best care, there are several assisted living facilities that are equipped to give the personal care and support that he needs every day.

What are assisted living facilities? These are institutions that are created to cater for families who have loved ones are having difficulty doing activities of daily living such as taking their meals, doing their laundry or taking a bath. Most facilities also offer higher levels of care for seniors who cannot ambulate and those who require medical attention. Assisted living homes offer a wide range of services from simple assistance to specialized medical care.

There may be several nursing facilities in your state or locality that offer care for seniors and each have different services available. The choice you make depends on the quality and range of assistance is required to make your loved ones comfortable and happy. Before deciding on the facility of your choice, below are some things to consider. It is best to weight the benefits and compare top-rated senior retirement homes before making a final decision.

• Location - Most families prefer to have their loved ones in an assisted living home that is near their own homes so they can monitor and visit them regularly. It is more convenient to choose a facility that is in your locality because the transition will also be easier for your loved one if he stays in the same locality rather than moved to a retirement home in another state. Long drives can be a hassle and retirees are more comfortable with the idea when the family is not too far away.


• Services and Level of Care - Know what is comfortable for your loved one and what he needs. It is important to choose a facility that is safe, comfortable and matches the kind of care that is required of his condition. Assisted living facilities offer as much independence to their clients while assisting them in daily chores that they alone cannot handle such as doing their groceries, preparing their meals and going to the bathroom or going on daily walks. Facilities also have a range of social activities to entertain their residents and to allow them opportunities to mingle with other senior residents. You can also choose a facility that has a nursing home when the need for a higher level of care and medical attention arises. Such facilities focus not only on the personal needs of their clients but include a team of medical professionals to monitor the health of their aging residents.


• Cost - If you have purchased an insurance plan check if it includes paying for the continuing care facility for the elderly since not all insurance plans cover the costs of assisted living. Never assume that expensive facilities mean better services; know how much you are willing to spend and find a facility that offers the maximum benefits for your money.

Looking for the right senior home care facility can be overwhelming but comparing different assisted living facilities is essential in making the perfect choice for your loved one's comfort and happiness. It is not impossible to find a new home for him that is both affordable and suited for his needs.

Respite Care - A Must for Care Givers

As a single parent years ago, I remember clearly the feeling that I had when the kids went back to school after a VERY long summer vacation. The truth is that by the end of the summer I was very much "over" the care giving responsibilities, and my behavior around the kids probably showed it. I would often go in to the bedroom, shut the door, and tell any of the kids that knocked on the door that I was on strike and wasn't sure when I would be ending my "strike". Then came my version of "respite care" -- the kids went back to school. For 5 or 6 hours a day I got a break and I didn't need to go on strike nearly as much.

Now that I am older and my wife and I have had the privilege of being a caregiver to both my father and mother, I realize the importance of having some time away from those responsibilities as well. Taking care of an elderly parent or spouse can be a heart wrenching and trying experience in the best of circumstances. Not only do you have the emotional trauma of seeing your loved one decline mentally and physically, but you also must deal with the increasingly demanding day-to-day needs they have like feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.

I won't belabor the need for respite care. If you are taking care of an elderly parent or spouse there is no doubt that you need a break from those responsibilities. The problem becomes how to find and choose the right respite care resources in your community. First we'll go in to how to find the different programs, and then deal with the possibly more difficult problem of how to pay for what you do find.

Types of respite care:

For an hour or two:

In addition to the obvious solution of asking family and friends to take over for brief periods, there are also private agencies that will send a person to your home for an hour or a whole day. Do a search for "in home care giving" and you will get an idea of just how many agencies there are that specialize in this type of short-term care. A lot of times you can find a private individual who is willing to provide services for your loved one for a little less money. A good resource for finding qualified caregivers is to go through a local Community College that offers Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training. They may have past or current students looking for work. Private individuals charge $10 to $15 per hour and for the agencies, expect to pay in the $15 to $20 per hour range.

For a day:

Different varieties of Adult Day Care programs can be found in most communities. The better ones offer appropriate activities and maybe even a meal. Typically, they are sponsored by churches or civic organizations and the cost can be quite reasonable. Make sure that the program director allows you to observe for a day so that you can see if there is a match between your loved one's needs and what they offer. Some programs are geared towards those with Alzheimer's and Dementia, and some programs only allow participants who do not have those diagnoses. Most counties have some type of agency that deals with the elderly and typically have knowledge of the types of Adult Day Care services available where you live. Click this link to find out the state and local agencies in your area http://www.statelocalgov.net or click the link at our website. Expect to pay $40 to $50 per day for a good program.

For up to a week:

Often overlooked as respite care possibilities are the Assisted Living facilities. These are not nursing homes, but are for people who may need someone to supervise and help with bathing, dressing, taking meds, etc. All of these facilities like to keep their beds full, and a lot of times you can negotiate with the facility director to allow your loved one to stay for a few days or a week at a time. The great part about this option is that you can have the peace of mind that your loved one will be taken care for the time you are away. Some facilities offer a few nights stay for free, and this becomes a great way to get a free getaway. Assisted Living facilities can be expensive, with some charging up to $200 per day. The key is to find a facility willing to negotiate with you. I have seen rates go as low as $450 per week for a high quality facility.

When considering any respite care program, make sure that you get as many references as possible from people who have actually used the program you are investigating. Churches and government agencies are a good place to start when checking out these programs.

How to pay for respite care:

Finding grants, scholarships, and other funding to help defray the cost of respite care can be frustrating. There really is no easy way around this. It just requires making lots of phone calls, talking with a variety of people in similar situations, and sticking with it until you find something that works for you. Joining local support groups or online community will put you in touch with people who have similar needs. All of you will be able to benefit from your collective experience in funding respite care as well as other needs that you have in common.

For funding of participation in respite care programs, check with county agencies serving the elderly, local Alzheimer's Association offices, churches, synagogues, and the programs themselves. Often the respite care program will have their own money they use as a type of scholarship to help fund participation in their program. Most importantly, don't give up. A friend who desperately needed respite care for her mother, but couldn't afford it, just received a grant from the local Alzheimer's Association. With the grant money she was able to pay for a week in an assisted living facility. There is money available, but a lot of times it takes digging to find it.

Finally, if you are looking for respite care for a wartime veteran or their spouse, the Veteran's Administration provides a benefit called Aid and Attendance, which can be used to fund respite care. Benefits range from about $1,000 to $1,500 per month. Click here for more information on aid and attendance for wartime veterans: http://www.vba.va.gov or click the link on our website.

Time away from care giving responsibilities is a must. Whether it is for an hour, a day, or a week, you owe it to yourself and your loved one to get away from your responsibilities for a while.

How To Land Your Ideal Nursing Job

After graduating or obtaining a degree in nursing, the next thing to do is to get ready for job hunting. On the other hand, if you are an experienced nurse the next step is to find for a challenging new place, such as a higher spot in the medical field. In spite of the range of your nursing background, the process of seeking for a new career is time-consuming and a bit exasperating. The main thing you need to consider in the entire job search procedure is finding for the vacant nursing positions.

Following are rules and guidelines created to cut career search problem and to give you proper idea on how to get your dream-nursing job.

Set an appointment and visit the recruiting agencies and departments of local hospitals, medical centers, and doctor's offices to find out the vacant positions available. If ever there are no open spot, ask if you can send your application or resume for future job opening.

Call recruitment and contract employment agencies and make sure to get in touch with a recruiter in the agency to give you information about several job openings, and even some not advertised vacant job. Through recruiting agencies, your chance of finding a job increase for you got the opportunity to apply for positions at multiple companies at the same time with single resume submission.

Search on major job boards online. You could visit job sites such as Monster.com and Hotjobs.com and get the chance to work on several available job vacancies. One piece of advice, keep in mind that due to a lot of number of applicants this kind of search would be very competitive.

Accept training or contract work for the mean time, for these chances sometimes serve as a good opportunity for a long-term career in the medical profession. Furthermore, this also provides you proper training on the field at the same time it gives you the time to test your skills before committing in the job for a full-time position.

Consider seeking a career to colleges and universities that offers nursing degrees, for often they have a record of vacant positions in the school itself. Connect with the career center advisory of the school to acquire more information on how to connect with other people in the industry that could give career opportunity.

Use your connections, the more connected you are with friends, family and casual acquaintances the number of chances you get to let them know you are aspiring for a job. Recommendation from a related friend or family member helps a lot especially if it gives you the chance for an interview with the particular company or institution you seek. If you have a close friend or relative working in a hospital or institution, you wish to apply. Do not hesitate to ask them for help. They can make the hiring process easier for you.

Research more on often disregarded nursing job possibilities including opening for school nurses, health department staff vacancies on other state or county, health insurance institutions, assisted living facilities and retirement homes, teaching career for nursing school programs at universities and colleges, mentor-ship programs, and programs for traveling nurse that assigns you on varied locations locally.

After covering the above mentioned job search suggestions on how to get your ideal nursing job, one last piece of advice is to keep on researching about the background of companies where you want to apply. Finally, make sure to customize your own resume as well as your cover letter for this could be the best weapon you could present aside the skills you could give once hired.

Housing Options For Elders - Assisted Living Options

Another housing option for your elders is an "Assisted Living Facility." While these type of facilities have gained in popularity around the country, the term "assisted living" means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. While most states require a facility such as this to have a license, not all state require it.

Living spaces can be as simple as a shared room in a huge complex or as robust as a small apartment with a self contained kitchen in a small facility. A great thing about these type of facilities in general as that there are a number of additional services that can be provided for at an additional cost. Things such as meals, cleaning, helping with bathing and going to the bathroom, laundry can be a big help to many elderly folks. It's important to note that where ever you are located, assisted living facilities can't provide your elder with medical care. However, a staff member will normally be willing to help with medication reminders.

The term "Assisted Living" is more of a marketing term than it is a definitive term that describes the kind of facility it is. When looking at these type of facilities, always be sure to ask if the facility is licensed by the state and what level of support and supervision is provided. Knowing how many staff members are on duty during the various points of the day, if they provide assistance with taking medications, and if residents of the facility are checked on regularly are all things that will help you determine if the facility warrants further review by your and your family.

Your goal is likely to have your elder live as independently as possible, but in a place that is able to provide the additional services and supervision that he or she may need. Continue to ask questions so that your mind is put at ease with the facility you are considering.

Candidates for this type of living arrangement are those who require help and support with daily activities, but don't need any medical assistance or constant supervision.

As with any facility you are looking into for your elder, you will want to know about the pros and cons. In the case of assisted living facilities, there are two very big "pros". Fist, these facilities can extend your elder's independent living. Second, for those that are socially active, they generally find these facilities provide a great opportunity to mix with others

However, there can be some negatives. These negatives usually center around the staffing levels. In these cases, supervision and oversight may not be what it should be. This is why it's critical that you know about their staffing levels before making a final decision to move your elder into an assisted living facility, or any other facility for that matter.

Another negative is that Medicare doesn't chip in for assisted living. More than 90% of the tenants of these facilities pay out of pocket - or that of their family's pocket. Don't be fooled into thinking that just because you have a long term care insurance policy that you are all set. Many policies only pay a specific amount of money towards assisted living. After those funds are exhausted, there will be no money left for nursing home care. Certainly something to consider.

However, some states do indeed provide a limited Medicaid benefit for assisted living residents. But, most unfortunately, the states that do this, generally limit the number of folks who can access this benefit. So - you could very well find yourself in a situation where your elder qualifies for this assistance in their state, but ends up on a gigantic waiting list.

Another downside to assisted living is those who are in charge of the marketing departments at some of these facilities can be very, very aggressive and very light with details. You need to be persistent in getting an itemized cost breakdown for every potential service your elder may need. What's included in the base price? What do meals cost? How many meals are served? What about snacks? Is cleaning provided for apartments? If the rep can't or won't provide answers to these type of questions, go to their boss. If they won't help, go elsewhere.

For CNAs - Ten Tips For Supporting Patient Rights

As you know, there are three basic goals for every health care bill of rights: to help patients be treated as individuals by health care workers and insurance companies; to encourage a strong relationship between patients and their health care workers; and to show patients that they play a huge role in their own health. If a surveyor asked your nursing assistants questions about patient rights, would they be able to come up with the right answers? To make sure, here is some basic information (and ten tips) about patient rights to share with the CNAs at your workplace.

Health Care Rights

Rights are very important to Americans. Our country was founded on the belief that every individual is entitled to certain rights-like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, we don't lose our rights just because we get sick, need home care or move into a nursing home or assisted living facility. Wherever we go, our rights go with us!

However, when people become patients, it's common for them to feel like they are powerless over what happens to them. That's why it's so important for your patients to learn about their health care rights. This helps them to:

• Know they will be treated as individuals.


• Understand that they can make their own medical decisions.


• Realize that they do have power because of the important role they play in their own health.

While there are a few differences between the rights of a hospital patient, a nursing home or assisted living resident and a home care client, you'll find that the basic list of health care rights is the same for everyone.

Patient Right #1: The Right to Information

All patients have the right to:

• Receive current information about their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. This includes learning about any risks involved in a particular treatment and what the alternatives might be. They must also be told how long a treatment will take and if a certain treatment is experimental. (They have the right to refuse the treatment if they don't want it.)


• Know the identity of health care workers involved in their care. (They also have the right to be told if any of their caregivers are students or trainees.)


• Know how much a particular treatment or service will cost-and how much of this cost will come out of their pocket.

Patient Right #2: The Right to Respect

All patients have the right to:

• Expect their health care workers to be considerate and respectful.


• Receive care without discrimination because of their race, culture, religion, age, gender or physical disability.


• Expect their health care workers to be honest and ethical.


• Remain free from any abuse or neglect.


• Be allowed to live a high quality of life, free from unnecessary physical or chemical restraints.


• Be able to keep and use their personal belongings...and have those belongings treated carefully and respectfully.

Patient Right #3: The Right to Participate

All patients have the right to:

• Make decisions about their own care.


• Change their minds about health care treatments and services.


• Refuse care (after being told what might happen if they do refuse).


• Have an advance directive if they want one...including a living will or a health care power of attorney.

Patient Right #4: The Right to Privacy

All patients have the right to:

• Expect confidentiality from every health care worker who provides care.


• Review their own health care records if they want to. If they read something in their record that they don't understand, they have the right to have it explained to them.


• Expect privacy during their care.


• Be allowed to visit privately with friends or family members.


• Have private telephone conversations.


• Receive personal mail.

Patient Right #5: The Right to Quality Care

All patients have the right to:

• Expect that the same health care workers will care for them every day-as much as possible.


• Be treated like an individual.


• Expect that their health care workers will keep them safe from harm or injury.


• Get regular exercise (as tolerated).


• Receive the same quality of care-regardless of their ability to pay their health care bills.

Patient Right #6: The Right to Make a Complaint

All patients have the right to:

• Make suggestions or complaints about their care-without being afraid of the consequences. For example, patients can't be discharged simply because they're grumpy or they make frequent complaints.


• Switch to a different health care facility or agency if they want to.


• Know the health care organization's policies for handling a complaint.


• Have a prompt and fair response to any complaint.


• Take their complaint to the state if they are not satisfied with how an organization handles it.

Ten Tips for Supporting Patient Rights

1. Listen to your patients when they tell you what they need. Remember that each patient is different-even if they have the same health problems. Make an effort to treat every patient as an individual.


2. Remember that the patient's family may want to be involved in making health care decisions. This is okay if the patient wants family members to participate, but keep in mind that the patient has the right to privacy, too.


3. Make it a habit to explain what you are going to do with a patient-before you do it! Your patients will be better prepared and more able to cooperate if they know what's going on. For example, explain to Mr. Wilson that you're going to help him change position in bed-before you pull down his blanket and sheet!


4. Remember that it's possible for strangers to use illegal electronic devices to listen in on cell phone conversations. If you are talking to your supervisor about a patient over a cell phone, don't use the patient's last name.


5. If you travel from patient to patient during your work day, be careful to keep your patient documentation private. Don't let your next patient see what you wrote about your previous patient.


6. Don't gossip about your patients with anyone-even other members of the health care team. It's not necessary to share personal information about a patient unless it makes a difference to the patient's health. For example, let's say your patient, Mrs. Parker, told you a secret...that many years ago, she had an affair. This information has no impact on her current health and is no one else's business.


7. Be honest with your patients and their family members at all times. If they ask you a question that you can't answer, try saying: "I don't know, but I'll check with my supervisor." (But, be sure you follow through by discussing the issue with your supervisor.)


8. Put your own needs aside during the work day. Your job is to put your patients' needs first. By doing this, you'll be protecting their health care rights-and showing your patients that you are truly concerned about them.


9. Encourage your patients to tell you or your supervisor about a complaint first-so that you have a chance to make things better. (But, remember, all patients have the right to take their complaint to the state if they are unhappy with how your workplace handles the situation.)


10. Balance your loyalty to your coworkers with the safety and well-being of your patients. Report any violations of patient rights that you witness.

Assisted Living Residents Reflect On The 50th Anniversary Of The JFK Inaugural Speech

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans." The insightful quote delivered by President John F. Kennedy in his inaugural speech fifty years ago on January 20, 1961 seemed as though it was tailor-made to fit the baby boomer generation. Baby boomers have now started thinking about Assisted Living Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities for their retirement. Even though the oldest boomers were only fifteen years old at the time, President Kennedy's words exuded among other things, optimism, a hallmark of the generation. The birth of some 70+ million baby boomers indeed made history, and may even be the reason why they are in their own right, idealists.

Born in the post World War II era between 1946 and 1964, the generation grew up in a time of prosperity and reform in the U.S. that gave them the advantage of believing they could make a difference in the world. They questioned out dated authority systems and challenged the status quo. Born of parents who suffered through the hardships of the Great Wars and the Depression era, Boomers quickly discovered that life for them had so much more to offer. Boomers, well educated and widely associated with privilege, affluence and influence. As a group, they are considered the healthiest, most educated and wealthiest generation.

Echoed in the words of JFK, "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty," the boomer generation believes in freedom, at home and abroad. Their beliefs in the importance of individual freedom and choice as Americans spurred the generation into making tremendous contributions to various social change such as the civil rights movement, gay rights movement, feminist movement, right to privacy and rights of the handicapped. Over the last five decades since JFK's inaugural speech, the generation has come of age and the majority of them have affirmed their commitment to establish and preserve these rights.

The admiration for President Kennedy extended well beyond a generation of Americans, and never seemed as evident as when I saw his framed photograph on the library bookshelf of a Russian immigrant. The "puposka," as she liked to call herself, had left communist Russia with her elderly mother a few years after President Kennedy's assassination. I once asked her about it and she said that, "he was a great leader and his pursuit of liberty was something we continue to strive for as a people." So many of the inaugural quotes still ring true and hold credence today in our conflicted political climate. Some of the favorites are:

"So let us begin anew -- remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate."

"To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom -- and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside."

"Divided there is little we can do -- for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder."

Many Assisted Living residents fondly reflect on their fallen hero and his principles that still hold strong today. Some Assisted Living Facilities arrange story telling sessions so that children can learn about their residents' experiences during the times of JFK. The elderly citizens living in Assisted Living Facilities have a bonding experience with the children as they are able to pass on their stories and relive the moments of their life through their stories.

Long-Term Care Insurance - A Simple Explanation

Long-term Care Insurance can be an effective tool for protecting your assets and estate from the high costs of senior care. Though the average nursing home length of stay is significantly higher than most people believe, 2.4 years according to a report conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, less than 20% of long-term care is nursing home care. Home care, home health care, adult day care, assisted living facility care and others constitute the overwhelming majority of senior care services. These services are covered under most Long-Term Care insurance policies.

Generally, the people who are in need of care are responsible for paying the costs. Long Term Care is usually not covered by your personal health insurance plan or by the policy you may currently have from a present or previous employer. Medicare usually pays for only a small percentage of skilled nursing costs while Medicaid provides health care coverage to Americans with lower incomes and can pay almost half of all nursing home costs.

It is likely that you will need long-term care in the future however, no one can predict the kind of care that may be needed or the exact costs involved. With Long-term Care Insurance, you can plan and budget for a known and quantifiable premium for a policy that can protect you from potentially large out of pocket expenses. It can be beneficial to learn about the different types of policies available to you in order to match the most appropriate policy to suit your needs.

Types of Long-Term Care Insurance Policies

The most common policy type is indemnity which pays a maximum fixed benefit. A benefit amount is chosen at the time the policy is issued and actual expenses, up to a fixed predetermined dollar amount, are reimbursed as they are incurred.

Integrated policies pool benefits are becoming more popular today. The provisions allow for a total dollar amount that may be used for various long-term care services with expense limits on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Due to rapidly increasing long-term care costs, most policies offer inflation adjustments to help offset high anticipated future costs.

Long-term Care Insurance policies often take effect when an individual is unable to perform activities of daily living or becomes cognitively impaired from dementia or related illnesses. Home care services such as physical therapy, skilled and unskilled nursing care and home health aide support provided by licensed agencies are generally covered as are skilled, intermediate and custodial care services provided in licensed nursing facilities. It should be noted that if any conditions are preexisting, benefits often denied if care is needed within six months of the policy's issue date for that condition.

What to Consider Before Purchasing a Long-Term Care Insurance Policy

o Verify that the insurance agent is licensed to sell long-term care insurance in your state and is a Long-Term Care Specialist. It is to your advantage if he/she has additional education and training in Long-Term Care financing and planning (LTCP, CLTC).

o Review the ratings of the carriers to ensure that the insurance provider is financially secure since you will likely need the policy for years to come

o Determine exactly which services are covered, e.g., skilled nursing home care, unskilled nursing facility care, home health care, adult day care, etc.

o Examine the length of time benefits are provided for the various types of services covered, look for maximum lifetime benefit amounts

o Identify the length of time before preexisting conditions are covered

o Find out how long you must wait before benefits begin for services

o Inquire regarding coverage of Alzheimer's and other related illnesses

o Review any premium provision waivers

o Analyze cost requirements to ensure your ability to make policy payments during retirement years.

What Facilities One Should Expect In an Assisted Living Center

An assisted living center offers seniors a residential option, helping them remain as independent as possible, while giving them access to help with certain daily needs, such as cooking, housekeeping, and health care and commuting to appointments.

Assisted living centers are part of retirement communities letting the elder live a peaceful life as they enter in a secure and safe place, enjoying their privacy and freedom.The personalized services takes into account the resident's present needs and is flexible enough to accommodate extra services where necessary. This is ideal for those who do not need round the clock care.

Licensing requirements vary across the United States and hence, services may vary.

Typically, an assisted living center offers the following services:

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner, usually in a common dining room with other residents
• If required, help with eating, bathing, dressing, visiting the restroom, walking, etc.
• Housekeeping
• Personal laundry including bed linen
• Pet care if there are pets
• Personal care and grooming including shaving, hair care, etc.
• Bathing and dressing help ranging from being available for help and actually assisting the process
• Help with local travel, as in keeping an appointment at the hospital or visiting with friends
• Health and medical care
• 24-hour security
• Emergency contact arrangements
• Programs for daily activity and staying fit
• Prescription medication management - storage, administration and replenishing
• Scheduling doctors' appointments and visits
• Laundry services
• Readily available staff, just a phone call away, both for regular needs, scheduled in advance or for emergencies.
• Constant companionship to help move around.
Based on the above basic services, while selecting an assisted living center, the following factors come into the picture:
• A friendly safe and comfortable place that is well maintained and clean
• Hobbies and activities
• Amenities like a gym, library, onsite place of worship proximity to one, a library, recreation club
• Quality of food in terms of nutrition, choices available and whether the center offers the facility to eat in your room
• Procedure for handling health issues, including process for handling emergencies. What is the system for hospitalization?
• Compliance with local regulations since this varies from state to state.
• Whether any complaints have been registered against the assisted living center
• Last and certainly not least, the rates charged

The size of these centers may vary depending on number of residents. The choice of housing may be a studio accommodation or a one bedroom apartment. The residents, individual or a couple have their own set of keys to enjoy the freedom of coming or going as they like. Although breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a common dining room to promote interaction, some facilities may allow residents to eat in their own rooms. Some assisted living centers may have within the campus, a spa, fitness center, caf矇, theater and other activities to keep the residents engaged. Security is an important aspect.

It is important to remember that assisted living centers only offer a specific level of care and when that is not sufficient, different care settings may be required.

List of Questions to Ask When Looking at Assisted Living Facilities

There are many things to consider when looking at assisted living facilities. Of course, safety and security top the list, but there are many other factors to discuss. It's important to look at this decision with quality of life for your parents in mind.

In assisted living facilities, services typically include housing, meals and snacks, 24 hour monitoring, medication supervision, activities and socialization programs, transportation and assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming and mobility. Some assisted living communities offer a safe and secure area especially for people with memory impairments or other cognitive disorders. There are usually choices of size of rooms, from single room studios to 2 bedroom apartments.

With these general guidelines in mind, here are some specific questions to ask:

• How big is it? Large enough to have amenities, but not too large?


• Is it close enough for me to visit easily?


• Are the residents active and mobile? Are they happy and well cared for? ASK THEM!


• Are the common areas clean? The bathrooms? The carpet? Any bad odors?


• Are the floor plans easy to understand? Is the handicap accessibility adequate?


• Do you see family and friends visiting?


• Are there any outdoor areas? A patio? Courtyard with benches?


• Are there places for a resident to have some solitude other than in their room?


• What kinds of activities are offered and how often? Is an easy to understand list posted?


• Are there community rooms, hobby/activity rooms, exercise rooms, living rooms?


• Is there enough closet and storage space?


• How often are the rooms cleaned and the linens changed? Is laundry done?


• How are medications controlled?


• How much medical care is available?


• Does the facility have relationships with local doctors who make "house calls"?


• What are the minimum physical abilities residents must have?


• What kind of physical exam or evaluation is required before a resident is accepted?


• How well does the kitchen accommodate special diets?


• Does the facility have dementia care options?


• How long has the staff been there? Do the workers seem happy and glad to help?


• Does the staff seem friendly and caring? Are they clean and well groomed?


• How long has the Executive Director been with the facility?


• Who owns the facility? How long have they been in this business?

Be sure to trust your instincts. What is your "gut reaction" to the facility? Remember you are trusting this facility to take care of your parents and provide for their safety, security and maintenance.

The Real Difference Between Staying in Independent and Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities is a great choice if you need more personal care services than you can get at home or a living retirement community, but you don't need the round-the-clock medical care and supervision of a nursing home. Assisted living facilities provide the security and safety of 24-hour support and access to care. Day or night help is only a telephone call away. However, privacy and independence are motivated. A good center will build-up a customized plan that meets your needs and accommodates your disabilities, while giving you the freedom to do what you could for yourself.

Assisted living facilities are a fantastic option for families whose loved-ones need aid with the activities associated with everyday living. These activities of daily living or ADLs ranges from just a little helping hand all the way through comprehensive watch care including aid from medical staff. The standard services offered in these living facilities include meals, laundry services, and housekeeping. Depending on the needs of the citizen, they can also include assistance with bathing and dressing, ambulating, and all types of medical care as needed. Different facilities have different set-ups, of course, with some designating certain wings from specific levels of care.

Independent living facilities, however, are simply just any housing arrangement designed mainly for seniors, generally those aged 55 and over. Housing differs widely, from apartment-style living to free-standing houses. In general, the housing is friendlier to older adults, often being smaller sized, with easier navigation and assistance in yard maintenance if there is a yard. You can even hear the terms retirement communities, retirement houses, senior housing and senior apartments applied to independent living. The key difference between independent living and other housing options is overall health and assistance in daily living activities.

Independent living is a favorite option of self-reliant seniors who maintain active lifestyles and enjoy the convenience of having cultural, social and physical services at their fingertips. Seniors are free to go in and leave the community as often they wish. However, many prefer to take advantage of the amenities, activities and sense of community provided by their like-minded neighbors. Independent living expenses can also be often equivalent or even more affordable than those needed to own and maintain a home.

Finding a new home for an elderly family member, whether it be independent or assisted living facilities, can be a bit frustrating to say the least. If you are, however, equipped with the right tools, locating the optimal home for them can be such a breeze. The key factor is finding one that will give the best care and attention to your loved-one. It should provide activities that he or she likes to engage with. Surrounded with people he or she can very easily relate with. Most importantly is that it should be accessible to you so you can visit them anytime you want.

The Top 10 Benefits of Getting Old, Including Elderly Care Facilities

Sure death is closer as you age, but once you deal with the reality of that you can start having fun. These 10 benefits make me look forward to my golden years.

1. Elderly Care Facilities: Senior assisted living is a great way to manage when getting older starts to take its toll on your body. Having someone provide your meals and manage your medicines takes the tedium out of aging.

2. Confidence: Ah, youth. It can be exciting for all of the uncertainty, but it can also be jarring and worrisome. Forget about being unconfident and self-conscious -- with age comes a self-righteousness well worth the wait.

3. Wisdom: As if being self assured isn't enough, you also get the benefits of having lived and seen a variety of things young whippersnappers haven't. That makes your experience all the more valuable. Pass it on whenever you get a chance, but because kids have little patience, it may be better to write it down as a memoir, so the future generations can have your stories too.

4. Discounts: From museums to early bird specials, seniors get tons of reduced fares. Take your pick and start enjoying.

5. Free Time: Without working you can easily begin a new hobby and focus on yourself. Try golf -- it's great exercise and it's nice to immerse yourself in nature.

6. Solitude: And speaking of nature, now that you've been around the block, chances are you can finally appreciate what it means to be alone. The quiet and relaxation of listening to birds chirp or streams burble; kids just want to see what's next.

7. Grandkids: The best aspects of having children without the worry of discipline and raising them properly. And with gray hair it's hard to be thought of as foolish, so you can act as silly as you want around kids (or anyone else, for that matter).

8. Mental Strength: As we age, the brain grows stronger, having absorbed more. Philosophizing becomes easier and we don't take knowledge for granted the way young people often do.

9. Freedom: No one can really tell you what to do. You have age on your side, which goes a lot farther than any reasoning or "power."

10. Relaxation: With time to spare we don't have to rush or worry. That means you can breathe deeply and relax. Take a nap or a stroll, do whatever you want! You're retired!

Getting older is natural. Enjoy it as it occurs and you will be able to reflect on your youth without regret.

Are Your Nursing Assistants in the Know About Emotional Losses of the Elderly?

It's part of life. As people get older, they are forced to deal with a greater number of serious emotional losses. Do your nursing assistants have an understanding of the types of losses experienced by the elderly? Do your CNAs know how to help their elderly clients deal with those losses? Consider sharing the following information at your next CNA inservice meeting.

Emotional Losses of the Elderly

There's no way around it. Losses are painful and often sad. They represent an end to something-and this ending creates an emotional wound. This is especially true for the elderly who must endure a number of different emotional losses. For example:

• At age 65, Sarah Smith retires from her job. Even though this gives her more free time, she misses the daily contact with her former coworkers. A year later, Sarah's husband dies. His sudden death leaves her devastated...and in some financial trouble.


• During that same time, Sarah is diagnosed with both diabetes and hypertension. She also develops chronic back pain.


• On her 67th birthday, Sarah receives word that her sister has passed away. Three months later, Sarah's best friend dies from cancer.


• Six months later, her son decides that she should no longer live alone. He helps Sarah sell her house and moves her into an assisted living facility.


• To the staff at the facility, Sarah seems like a grumpy, forgetful woman who keeps to herself and seems impossible to please. No one is very fond of her. But look at things from Sarah's point of view. Within two short years, she has lost her work, her friends, her health, her husband and her home. Is it any wonder that she tends to be grumpy and withdrawn?

Just like physical injuries need time to heal...so do emotional wounds. People who spend time grieving are doing what they need to heal their emotional wounds. The only "cure" for grief is to go through the grieving process. People must do this in their own way and at their own pace.

Grieving is hard work and can leave people physically and emotionally exhausted. In the end, the process of grieving encourages people to take charge of their own lives and to move forward.

Keep reading to learn more about the losses people face as they age, the different ways these losses can affect people and what you can do to help.

The Loss of Youth

As people lose their youth, they may start to realize that their days on earth are growing short. Some people react to this by considering every day to be precious. They work hard to live each day to the fullest. Others react by becoming depressed and by giving up their youthful hopes and dreams.

What You Can Do to Help

• If you have negative feelings about getting older, don't let them show during your work with your clients.


• Help your clients focus on the things they are still able to do, rather than dwelling on the things they can't do anymore.


• Talk to your clients about current events, such as politics, music and movies. Keeping up with the times helps people stay "young at heart".

The Loss of Family & Friends

As people age, it's common for them to lose a number of loved ones. They must face the deaths of their parents, their siblings and their friends. However, it's not always death that takes away family and friends. Longtime friends may move away-to retirement homes or nursing facilities. Children and grandchildren may also move. But no matter what the cause, the result is the same: older people feel they have lost their loved ones.

People who have lost friends and/or family members may feel unloved and unappreciated. They are at risk for depression.

What You Can Do to Help

• Don't dismiss the grief that older people feel when they lose their parents. For example, if your 75-year-old client loses her 95-year-old mother, her grief may run very deep. Encourage her to talk about her feelings and reminisce about her childhood.


• Remember that social connections are important for seniors. You can help by encouraging them to talk or write to friends and family members on a regular basis. And remember...it's never too late to make new friends.

The Loss of Work

Some people look forward to retiring at age 65. Others keep on working well past retirement age. However, even people who are looking forward to retirement feel some grief over the loss of work. Older people may feel pain over losing their daily schedule. They miss having someplace to go every day.

Many people take pleasure in being productive. A large part of their identity comes from their work-whether they are paid for it or not. If they lose the ability to be productive, they may feel worthless. They may start to think, "I am no good to anybody...I'm just taking up space."

What You Can Do to Help

• Remember that the goal for most seniors is to fill their time in a rewarding way-rather than to have each day drag on with no purpose. So, help your clients find a variety of interesting and fun ways to pass their time.


• Help your clients feel valuable by recognizing the knowledge and wisdom they have gained through the years. For example, ask for their opinion on a current event or on an issue such as how to invest money or discipline a child.

The Loss of a Spouse

Losing a spouse, especially after a long term marriage, can be especially devastating. With the death of a spouse, many people lose their best friend, their confidante and their sexual partner. Every area of life is affected.

As married couples age, they usually hope to grow old together, but death often interrupts these plans. Most people live out their final years alone-especially women. (Among senior citizens, over half the women are widows. Only 13% of men have lost their wives.)

What You Can Do to Help

• Encourage your client to share some special memories of their spouse with you.


• Avoid offering false comfort such as, "You'll get over it some day." or "It was for the best." It's better to say nothing at all than to use "clich矇s" like these.


• Ask your supervisor is there is a support group that might help your grieving client.

The Loss of Health

As people age, they can experience a loss of health in a number of different ways. It can be a gradual process...slowly losing eyesight, hearing, muscle strength or memory. Or the loss of health can be a dramatic process...a sudden heart attack, stroke or tumor.

Some people react to a loss of health by denying that they have any problems. They continue with unhealthy habits such as eating too much, drinking too much and smoking cigarettes. Their attitude is, "Well, I'm going to die anyway...might as well do what I want."

Other people react to a loss of health by getting angry. They feel betrayed by their bodies and "cheated" out of a healthy future. Still others react by focusing on every little ache and pain. Their reaction is based on fear. They anxiously wait for the next health problem to appear-and they look for death around every corner.

What You Can Do to Help

• Help your clients maintain their health as much as possible by eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and avoiding too much alcohol.


• Because chronic pain can be a problem in the elderly, learn all you can about pain management.


• Be patient with elderly clients who are dealing with chronic illnesses. It may sound to you like they are constantly complaining about their health, but would you trade places with them...even for just one day?

The Loss of Independence

Many elderly people can still function on their own-they just take longer! Others may only need help for certain tasks like shopping for groceries or balancing their checkbooks. And, some seniors need help with basic everyday activities, such as bathing, grooming and dressing. Losing the ability to perform their own personal care can make your clients feel like children again. This can be difficult for many people to accept.

People who feel as if they have no control over their own lives may lose self-esteem. They may also become depressed and uninterested in doing anything for themselves.

What You Can Do to Help

• Allow your elderly clients to make as many of their own decisions as possible. This allows them to feel "in control" and may keep them from becoming more and more dependent on you.


• Enhance your clients' sense of purpose by giving them a responsibility: caring for a potted plant, straightening their room or folding their laundry.


• Above all, treat your clients with respect and dignity!

Remember...You'll Be Old One Day, Too!

As you work with elderly clients, do your best to maintain your patience and your sense of compassion. Your clients deserve it! Here's a little reminder, from a poem by Shel Silverstein.

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."

Said the old man, "I do that too."

The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."

"I do that too," laughed the old man.

Said the little boy, "I often cry."

The old man nodded, "So do I."

"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems grown-ups don't pay attention to me."

And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.

"I know what you mean, " said the old man.

Job Outlook For Social Workers

Most areas of social work employment are predicted to increase significantly over the next five to seven years. Some geographical considerations also impact job projections. Current estimates are that for the years between 2008 and 2018 the field will enjoy a 16% expansion of employment. This expansion is considerably higher than that of most other occupations.

Growing Population Of The Elderly

The job outlook for social workers entering the field of gerontological social work is especially good since the population of aging baby boomers will mean a larger demand for social services and health related care. Both public and private demand for social workers dedicated to this population will increase as the population needing this service expands.

Mental Health And Substance Abuse

One of the largest areas of growth in the social work field is predicted to be in the area of mental health and substance abuse. Experts are predicting nearly a 20% expansion of employment in this area of social work. Workers choosing this specialty will see employment opportunities in correctional facilities and in treatment of those released from correctional facilities as conditions of either parole or probation. Private treatment programs are also forecast to see a significant upswing in employment.

Child And Family

Experts predict around a 12% increase in social work positions involving child, home and family services. These workers investigate child abuse cases and are tasked with keeping children safe and placing them in protective and foster care among other duties. Keep in mind, however, that these positions are almost exclusively government funded. A precarious economy and lack of funding could change this prediction of expanded growth.

Public Health And Medical

The job outlook for social workers in the field of medical and public health is excellent. An estimated 22% increase is expected. This area dovetails into the realm of the gerontological social workers since medical and health care services for the aging baby-boomer population is expected to increase dramatically. Both public and private sectors should show significant growth. Private and partially publicly funded assisted-living centers and senior communities will allow for ample employment in the years to come.

Geography

Although a healthy expansion of the social work market is expected, some areas will offer more opportunity than others. The job outlook for social workers in rural areas will be the highest due to lack of competition and the unavailability of training centers that are more common to high density urban areas.

Conclusion

Prospects look particularly good in the field of social work in the near future. All areas are predicted to expand so it's a safe bet heading into this field. Geographical areas and possible public funding cuts are wild cards to keep an eye on.

The Advantages Of Becoming a Physical Therapist

Physical therapists are health professionals who help in restoring function, relieving pain, and improving the mobility of the persons with disabilities. They treat accident victims and patients with disabling conditions such as arthritis, fractures, low-back pain, head injuries, heart diseases, cerebral palsy and more. Physical therapy specialists advice several exercise programs to increase the strength, balance, flexibility, endurance, coordination and range of motion of the disabled individual. What is more satisfying than bringing back a disabled person to his normal life style?

To become a physical therapist, one must have a master's degree in physical therapy from an accredited institute and a state license. Moreover, he should possess strong interpersonal skills so as to communicate with the patient and his family. The physical therapy job demands scores of patience from the practitioner.

Physical therapist jobs are gratifying in the sense that board certified physical therapists can practice in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, long term care centers, acute care hospitals, nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, educational institutions, and more. One of the advantages of becoming a physical therapist is that you can opt for temporary, travel, per diem, contract, part-time, full-time or permanent placements.

Another advantage of becoming a physical therapist is that you get to know more people of different age groups, values, cultures, and faiths. The advantages of becoming physical therapist do not end there; qualified and skilled physical therapy professionals receive competitive salaries and excellent benefits as well.

Physical therapy improves the health and fitness of the patient. A physical therapist plays an important role in enhancing the quality of life of disabled people by developing their strength and lifting up their spirit. As the opportunities for physical therapy jobs are expected to rise, it is definitely a lucrative career option.

Helping The Elderly - Becoming a Social Worker for Seniors

With the numbers of seniors increasing every year with the baby boomers reaching retirement age the need for those social workers that help provide them with a variety of different services is increasing as well.

So it is important that people who are interested in helping people should consider becoming a social worker that specifically works for the older citizens of our country.

The first thing you will need to have to qualify is a bachelor's degree. This is the very first step in being able to be a social worker for senior citizens. Usually that degree would be in either human services or sociology.

You will then have to go on and get yourself a master's degree in overall social work. All states requires that a person has a master's degree in this field just to be able to get a license. During this time you will have a lot of different chances to participate in internships while you are getting your master's degree, some of the places you should consider doing this at is at nursing homes, senior centers or other organizations that work with older people in your area.

Many states are going to require that you also have completed a certain amount of hours in the field after you get your degree but before you get your license. This is supervised experience such as working with an organization that works with older clients.

After you have done this you will then have to move on and take the National Social Work exam. This exam is given by the ASWB or Association of Social Work Boards. This exam is the only way that you can get your license to become a social worker.

After you have passed your exam, you can then go a head and put in your application to get your license from your state. If you decide that you want to practice in a different state than where you got your education you will need to go there and apply with them because each state has their own application requirements.

So it is really important that you check with whatever state you are interested in working in, to see what kinds of documentation will be needed in order for you to apply for your license with them.

Once you have done all of this and you have gotten your license in hand, it is time for you to start looking for a place that you can work with senior citizens. You can work at a variety of different places once you have your license. There are hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing hospitals, state agencies and other community organizations that are in need of social workers to help represent the needs of their elderly citizens.

One final note: A major requirement for a person to get their license as a social worker is their ability to pass a criminal background check as well as a regular background check.