My Sister - My First Teacher
I was told it started after my birth. The almost decade that separates us made all the difference to a nine year old who already had one older and younger brother and one younger sister. The age difference wasn't vast enough for her to take on the same role with them that she did with me. I was her real-life baby doll. Because of her, I was walking at nine months and potty-trained at twelve months. She knew at an early age she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. Naturally, I became her first student. She cared for most of my needs, I'm told. She carried me on her hip as if she were my Mother. Actually, we called our mom, Mother but I called her, Momma. Yes, my oldest sister Janet was my second...
Whew!Ever feel like you got away from a client by the skin of your teeth. I am helping a family move their mother from her home in Toledo, OH to an assisted living home in Pittsburgh, PA. "Mary," her son "Bob" and I met a couple weeks ago to discuss the details for this project - what was to stay and be packed. We also met with a moving company to coordinate the delivery of Mary's furniture and personal belongings. Mary's daughter, "Nancy," flew in from Colorado to work with me on getting her mom's home packed up and ready for the move. Based on conversations I had with Nancy, I was prepared for some friction with her mom. Friction was hardly the case. More like an explosion! Mary had far too many...
Caregivers - Choosing the Right Living Options...
There comes a time when each one of us must admit that, no matter how hard we try, we can no longer do it all. That is especially important when it comes to the subject of caring for our elderly parents. Consider the hypothetical situation of Carol who is divorced, her children and siblings all live out of state. At the first indication that her mother could no longer live on her own, Carol moved Mom into her home and has been her sole caregiver for six years. Carol recently had a heart attack brought on by stress and the all-too-common failure to care for herself. Her physician has advised that if she goes back to being the full-time caregiver for her mother, she would likely die before her beloved...
The sky is darkening and the rain is just beginning to fall on the elderly as a perfect storm in paying for long term care approaches. As in the weather version of the perfect storm, the eldercare perfect storm is brewing because of multiple factors coming together at once. The aging baby boomers will lead a huge increase in senior citizens. By 2030, there will be twice as many Americans over 65 as there was in 2005. With an increased population of older Americans coupled with the fact that American are living longer, the demand for long term care is projected to skyrocket. The aging population compounds the problem in a more subtle way. It is estimated the 80% of long term care is provided on an...
Do you love the medical industry, helping others and working with people in need? Are you patient, outgoing, warm and friendly? Do you love meeting new people and facing everyday challenges? If so, you may want to pursue a career as a nursing assistant. Once you obtain the correct professional experience and training, you will immediately be able to begin working with doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners. Nursing assistants are trained for the medical profession in trade, vocational or technical schools. Following a student's graduation, a nursing assistant may choose to become a certified nursing assistant, which will increase the likelihood of a higher-paying position. This involves...
Falls in the Elderly Population - Prevention in...
Falls suffered by the elderly pose one of the highest risk factors for mortality in the long term care population. Studies show that suffering from a hip fracture increases the likelihood of mortality by as much as 83%[1]. Falls occurring in nursing homes and assisted living facilities result in significant injury to elders and corresponding legal liability for the facility. Many falls are preventable in the long-term care setting if the facility promptly identifies an individual's risk factors for falling, and puts in place an appropriate care prevention plan to prevent the fall in the first instance. Generally risk factors for falling increase with age and may be greater for women than with men...
Financial abuse and material exploitation of the elderly may not cause physical injuries or leave scars, but they can have devastating effects and ruin the lives of victims. An elder’s entire life savings can disappear, leaving the victim unable to provide for his or her own needs and causing harmful stress and agitation. Financial elder abuse and material exploitation occur when an abuser uses an elder’s money or assets in a manner contrary to elder’s wishes, needs, or best interests, or for the abuser’s personal gain. Oftentimes, elderly victims are exploited because of vulnerabilities associated with advanced age, such as impaired mental capacity. Abusers can be caregivers in nursing...
Northern Virginia Long Term Care Insurance -...
Virginia Long-Term Care Insurance is a fairly recent phenomenon, due in part to the rapidly aging yet longer-living population, retirement planning of the "baby boomers", and quickly escalating long-term health and medical costs that aren't typically covered by traditional health insurance or Medicare. This type of insurance is especially helpful for those who develop disabilities or chronic (long-lasting) illnesses later in life. Long-term care services range from home- and community-based services to services provided in an assisted living, retirement or nursing facility. All services are typically designed and intended to improve or maintain an individual's health in the least restrictive setting...
Long-Term Care Insurance - When Does it Make...
All adults enjoy the independence that comes with growing old but once you reach the age that you have to become dependent on care and assistance, long term care insurance should be considered. However, long term care insurance isn't for everyone, if you are wealthy enough to afford assisted living expenses out-of-pocket or if you are poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, then long term care insurance might be not be for you. However, if you do not fit into either of those two categories, long term care insurance might be an attractive option. Many individuals rely on relatives and loved ones to provide care as they get older. But circumstances arise and you can never be sure if that unpaid caregiver...
Elder Abuse - Role of Victims and The Government
This is the second part of a series of four articles on Elder Abuse: Role of Civil Society and Government. We saw earlier an overview of Elder Abuse and various parties associated with it. We shall now talk about the victims per se and what they can do. Role of State and Central Government is also discussed briefly. Victims of Elder Abuse - What they can do Senior citizens should empower themselves with facts, information and data required to face and tackle abuse. They should have phone numbers and addresses of lawyers, doctors, police, pressure groups, counseling centers and the like. Ignorance of rights and the law in particular is harmful and places the senior citizen in a vulnerable position...
Be Alert To The Signs Of Elder Abuse
According to the National Institute on Aging, there were an estimated 1.5 million nursing home residents in 2004 alone. In the last couple of years, these numbers have increased significantly. While nursing homes can provide a useful service, it has sadly become a source of fear for some residents. Elder abuse has become a widespread problem in the long term care facilities, assisted living centers, and other residencies designed to protect the elderly. However, residents and the family of these persons do have rights and legal options to pursue which may include both criminal and civil action. This is why it is so important that a personal injury lawyer be consulted when and if an individual...
Is Long Term Care Just For Old Folks?
Long Term Care (LTC) does not mean nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health care. It means that someone needs assistance and someone to provide that assistance. LTC means that the need for assistance will extend beyond thirty days. It means that regardless of age you might need someone to care for you. Traffic accidents, industrial mishaps, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, Alzheimer's, and a host of other catastrophes happen to people every day, leaving thousands of people disabled. These unfortunate people require LTC. If you pick up the newspaper almost any day you will read about a person in their 20s or 30s that just had a heart attack or a stroke. You don't get over a stroke like...
Commercial Property Types-Which One Is The Best?
What commercial property types should you buy? You should consider the pros & cons of each property type, as well as, have a good understanding of your investment objectives and your experience. These factors will help lead you to your ideal commercial property. Listed below are the most common commercial property types. Apartments/Multi-family Apartments or multi-family buildings are usually the first choice for new commercial investors. Apartment management and financing is very similar to residential, and so new investors feel more comfortable with them. The main disadvantage with apartments, is that they are management intensive. In order for an apartment to be considered commercial...
Does a Pharmacist Career Offer Flexibility?
Pharmacists play an important role in the healthcare field. They are trained in the dispensing of medications which requires an understanding of how drugs work such as drug interactions, the effects of the drugs on the body, dosages and strengths, and the side affects. As the role of pharmacists evolved in the healthcare industry, this medical career has become much more flexible and lucrative. Pharmacists are now taking on more roles and responsibilities in the field of healthcare. They are involved in such areas as taking people's blood pressure, performing tests for such conditions as diabetes, checking cholesterol levels, educating people on different medications (prescribed and non prescribed...
Recovery from a stroke takes a long time. Sometimes, one will recover enough to handle most of the things one did before, but not all. This does not mean that giving up freedom will be a welcome notion. In fact, surrendering the freedom to do what one wants is never greeted with enthusiasm. It is important to most people to maintain as much independence as possible. When the amount possible is reduced by injury or failing health, it may be time to check out some assisted living centers. These are not the heartless complexes of one is imagination. Instead, they are places where one can live as freely as possible, with caring professionals checking in every so often to make sure things are all right...
Finding Innovative Senior Care in Your Community
While most cities in North America afford some type of care for the elderly, not all will provide the senior care that many families would like to provide for their loved ones. You can find this type of senior care in your community by talking with friends and seeking out local elderly and aging resource organizations. Another option, if these two efforts fail to produce a solution that meets your needs, maybe you should start thinking about promoting a new service. The elderly population in the North America is increasing rapidly. With that we have seen a proportionate demand and supply in the area of senior care are arising. While for the most part these include nursing homes and assisted...
Profit From Commercial Real Estate Investments
Property investors have now turned their attention towards the lucrative deals presented by the commercial properties. This sudden interest is the result of the option to diversify your property investment portfolio, along with a high income and tax breaks. However, it is advisable to conduct a research before taking the plunge. Commercial properties include hotels, malls, medical centers, retail stores, business and industrial property. These are operated for a profit from rental income or capital gain. Some common commercial property types are: - Apartments and multi family units: These are the first choice of investors. Apartment financing and management is very similar to that of residential...
Medicaid Qualifications For Those Who Need It
For many people, aging is a frightening process. Even at age 54, I'm a little concerned about our ability to provide for our needs once we're too old to work. I can only imagine what it's like for those on a fixed income, hearing about the prices of everything going up and up. Fortunately, we have Medicaid, so, in our old age, if we need care we can't afford, the care will be provided. This article is about how to qualify for Medicaid and the reasoning behind those qualifications. The Reason For Medicaid: One of the biggest fears on the minds of most seniors is the fear of running out of money before running out of time. What an ugly thing to think about. When I was a chaplain in an assisted...
Nursing home abuse can come in many different forms, and one of the most debilitating and difficult to discover is a senior who is being over medicated. Overmedication in seniors can come in many different forms, including adverse drug interactions or too many drugs in their system. Medication is ubiquitous throughout nursing homes and assisted living centers across the country, including Phoenix, Arizona. As a result, there are over 38 million cases of older Americans suffering from drug complications every year. Overmedication is a type of nursing home abuse that can completely transform the way a person’s physical and mental health. The medical professionals at nursing homes are responsible for...
Senior Step Stool
The aging U. S. population is very independent and wants to try to do things themselves, if possible. They want to get on & off buses by themselves so they want a step stool that is easy to see, safe & sturdy to stand on that is 6 inches high. They also want a step stool light enough for the bus driver to pick up & easily store inside the bus while in transit. The Senior Step is a lightweight yellow step stool that has a black sandpaper top for sure footing when stepping up to get on a bus or in a pickup truck. This step stool measures 24 inches x 14 inches. It’s 6 inches tall and weighs 9 lbs. making it perfect for buses used by Assisted Living Centers, Independent Retirement Centers and...
Safe Step Stool For Seniors
The Senior Citizens in the U.S. Population want to be independent regardless of their age and vigor. As much as possible they want to do things by themselves and not bother others. Just like for instance getting on and off the buses, they want to it by themselves and so they prefer a step stool that is easy to see, safe & sturdy to stand on and at the same time, a step stool that is light enough for the bus driver to pick up & store easily inside the bus while in transit. The Senior Step Stool is easy to recognize for its bright yellow color that has a black sandpaper top for sure footing when stepping up to get on a bus or in a pickup truck. This lightweight step stool measures 24 inches x 14...
Individuals with memory loss and confusion are at risk of harming themselves because their judgment is impaired, so dementia safety precautions are vital. They may not remember how to use a band aid, go outside without wearing a winter coat or may eat food that has grown moldy. Individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia begin to require supervision in order to be safe. At the same time certain home adaptations can increase peace of mind for caregivers. Doing a Home Safety Assessment Occupational therapists are trained to perform home safety assessments for dementia safety with special attention to factors that might contribute to falls, consuming toxins and...
If you are intrigued by the medical field and just love taking care of people, you just may have a promising future as a CNA, a certified nursing assistant. The good news is, that it will not take years for you to obtain the certification to make this career of your dreams come true. Chances are, there are institutions in your own community which offer CNA certificate training programs. As a CNA, you will be assisting people with their ADL's, or activities of daily living, in other words, their bathing, dressing, and eating. These could be both elderly people, or younger people with a range of disabilities. Keep in mind that the qualifications differ from state to state, but often include a...
Scent Machines
Scent marketing has become a popular business in the last few years due to the demand of consumers wishing to purchase scent systems and/or scent machines for their homes or businesses. It is a well known fact that the human beings sense of smell can have an effect on moods such as happiness, fatigue and a general feeling of well being. Promoting scent marketing is as simple as advertising the types, styles and sizes of the different scent systems and scent machines that your company offers. Because there is a wide variety of this product, it is a good idea to advertise to consumers with photo's of the product, along with the estimated prices and general information on how the product works. It is...
Can Having a Pet Really Help Improve Your Health?
Recently I've been considering the amazing benefits I've been experiencing since we've been acquired by our precious black and white Lhasa Apso pup. I've often wondered about pet owners and the sometimes apparent bond they have with their pets. Personally I've been a cat person most of my life probably because they are relatively low maintenance, but this puppy has given me a new perspective on pets. I've frequently heard that pet owners are more healthy and able to cope with stress in their lives. Could there be some truth to that? We've had Maiaa Black Majik now for about 3 years and I have to admit she is an absolute joy and treasure. As I come home from work and open the door she is there...
Long term insurance, more commonly long term care insurance, is an insurance policy that people take out to cover any costs that they might incur to live in their old age. This could include costs of assisted living homes or nursing homes or costs such as needing special geriatric equipment. The insurance is a way to provide for these extremely high expenses, especially at a time when the person is retired and out of any option of earning a regular income as in younger days. So, what does long term care insurance cover and what does it not? Here are some points. This type of insurance is basically sought to help people with their daily living activities when they grow older. There are 6 such...
Baby Boomers and Their Medicare
A baby boomer is described to be those individuals who were born during the Post-World War II. The term "baby boomer" is used in a cultural setting, and is used to refer to an individual who was born during the post-WWII baby boom. Various individuals, groups, organizations and scholars have different opinions on what comprises the group of baby boomers technically and culturally. As a whole, baby boomers are considered to have a relationship with the redefinition or rejection of traditional values although other people debated how wide does that rejection extend to considering the continuous diversity of values between old and young generations. In continents such as Europe and North America, they...
All The Luxuries Of Life In Gated Communities
Gated Communities, also popularly generally known as gated retirement communities, essentially have two major functions. They typically provide protection that numerous seniors desire for, and they also give a high quality lifestyle for people who have similar pursuits. However, don't even for a moment believe that only those in an advanced age stay in these gated retirement communities. Actually, there are other men and women also, like households with children and also newly married partners. There are many people who live there just for the weekend, and then return all focused and calm. Since the communities are based on some distinct interest oftentimes, like-minded people often get attracted by...
Elder Care - Knowing When it is Time to Step In
No one wants to put their folks in a nursing home, long-term care program, or a senior assisted living facility, but there comes a time when they may not be able to cope on their own anymore. It would be best if families would take care of their own as most cultures do and American Families used to do, but unfortunately, with the urbanization of America, things are now different. The question is when should you intervene or step in to help, assist, or provide your services? First, it is important to use engaging dialogue when talking to your folks and to visit them, see how they are doing, and what they need help with. Often, little tiny things can make a huge difference. Things like electric can...
Senior Care Franchises Are a Great Starter
g a franchising business can offer you brand awareness, trustworthiness and consistency that can take years to build up for any new business. It can be one of the easiest and most successful methods of entering the business world, however don't think of it as an easy ride. A franchise takes a lot of hard work and dedication to make it a success and you have to find the right kind of franchise opportunity for you. Many new businesses fail in the first few years due to a lack of commitment, dedication or knowledge, this figure is much lower for franchises with over 90% of them showing a profit within the first 3 years. The difference with a franchise business is that most of the problems have already...
thinking about switching your career path? If so, you might want to consider a path in the senior home care business, through franchise ownership. Health care is the largest industry in the US, and senior citizens represent the fastest growing segment within that industry. As America’s baby boomer generation grows older, the need for home health care has never been greater, especially since more and more elderly prefer to receive in-home care rather than hospitalization or admittance to a retirement community. A report by Franchise Direct announces that by the year 2020, there will be more than 62 million American retirees, many of which will require at-home assistance for their medical...