Overcome Mental Abuse

You have most probably encountered the subject of mental abuse many times and you may have even read a thing or two concerning the subject. If you are someone that has personal experience with mental abuse or any sort of abuse for that matter, then you most certainly have reason more to set aside some time and open yourself to the possibility of having a life that is absolutely free from this often well hidden secret that constantly haunts your being.

In order to be trustworthy in the matter, I shall only say for now, that I have personally experienced the excruciating pain of being mistreated and the utter degradation of surrendering before the administrator of such pain and giving them complete control over thoughts and feelings.

Depending on the severity and length of subjection to abuse, you may or may not have the much needed willpower to distance yourself from people that cause you to punish yourself. Often times, it is hard for people that are not familiar with this problem, to understand, just why does a person choose to stick with the punishment. If you take any bad habit, like smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, in each case, the person is most likely aware that indulging the habit, is indeed harmful and a unnecessary or useless part of life.

Thinking along these lines, reveals a pattern of behavior that defies rationality and that is seemingly illogical for most human beings. However, there are many smokers, drug addicts and people that are constantly abused in the world today, so where does it all begin to make sense? In order to really understand, you need to give the pattern of behavior the attention it deserves, do not undermine the power it wields and the powerful effect it has on living.

I believe that habits are one of the essential building blocks of daily life, in other words, we create habits to automate life and to put routines into blocks that the brain categorizes in order not to get bogged down with a thousand and one little details. There is some absurdity in this because if you look at it from the top, you realize that all these habits make up the largest habit of all, which is staying alive.

I am sure there are behavioral specialists who could write many books on the subject but in my effort to stay close to the subject at hand, I will only say that habits form an integral part of our life and as such, the brain by means of evolution and programming, gives them a superior level of importance, thus allowing them many times to slip the radar, even when there are clear signals of danger.

To further understand why a person tolerates mental abuse, it is key to go back to the moment where it first started. By far, the worst cases of mental abuse are those in which it starts from a young age and for a number of reasons. Children are in a phase of constant growth and their brain is in the delicate phase of laying the foundation of thought that will help them get through adulthood, not that abuse should ever be accepted but in children the consequences are more likely to be life long and devastating. Children are also less able to escape from it where as the adult will more often have a choice, even though it is quite common for many adults and especially women, to become addicted to the abuse and in turn unable to flee from it.

There are a many reasons why a a grown person may feel unable to let go and seek shelter from abuse, most certainly where there are dependencies involved. A housewife that has no personal income may allow herself to be constantly abused in order to escape the responsibility of taking complete responsibility for her life, thus being forced to earn her own living. It may be fear based, often abusive spouses will threaten with physical abuse in order to keep their stronghold of control over the other person. In such cases, the person being abused may be overcome with such fear and refuse to take a leap towards regaining control of their life.

If any of this strikes a chord with you or someone that is close to you, know that this is for the reason mentioned above, I am actually speaking this from personal experience and an understanding which I have gained through the desire to claim my own life.

Ultimately, it is a psychological problem which you need to acknowledge, pretending it is something else will not diminish its capacity or duration. There are no new methods to combat this but there are many choices, even though it may seem like there are none. The first and most obvious choice is to formally recognize that it is a real problem. You may indeed always be aware of the abuse but you may not really target it specifically, again a force of habit which creates a invisible layer that protects the habit from direct and targeted attack. I am not sure why or how but habits definitely have qualities of living things, they have life, longevity, a defense mechanism and a number of other qualities that are only visible once you begin to actively combat them.

One of the most important messages I wish to convey to you is that, if you are unable or feel drained by the lifelong effects of mental abuse, humiliation and the fear involved, begin by seeking professional help. Seek help from groups, institutions, law, family or friends. No matter how alone you may feel, know that there are always fine human beings that will hear you out and not turn away from a desperate plea. Unless you are sure to have the will to break free from an abusive person, you must seek help, no matter how difficult or embarrassing it may feel to talk to others, trust me, they will not judge, ridicule or blame you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staffing Is The #1 Consideration

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

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

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

Create a Wheelchair Friendly Home

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

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

Install Ramps

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

Widen Doorways Wherever Possible

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

Invest in a Wheelchair Lift

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

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

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

Nursing Home Abuse Litigation Increases Thanks to Aggressive Lawyers

Florida and Texas have the most nursing home abuse lawsuits in the country, which is why you'll see advertisements for many Florida nursing home abuse lawyer all over billboards, park benches and buses. Lawyers specializing in nursing home abuse are on the rise, but so are lawsuits.

However, though this scenario could seem like an example of American litigation-frenzy gone overboard, it's also led to major changes in the Florida nursing home industry. Nursing homes are literally shaking in their boots as they clean up their acts and make significant improvements to their levels of care. Instances of reported abuses are down and state homes are scoring higher on inspections.

So, why are the number of lawsuits still going up?

Until changes are made to the laws in Florida, the number of abuse, negligence and accident lawsuits filed on nursing homes will continue to rise. As a result, nursing home operators and workers must be extra diligent to avoid any form of potential lawsuit. To do so, they're making significant improvements.

So, if improvements are being made in senior care, then why are lawsuits on the rise? One significant factor is the recent passage of several Florida state statutes that permit a Florida nursing home abuse lawyer (the plaintiffs' attorney) to be awarded their legal fees if a nursing home or assisted living facility is found to have violated a senior resident's rights.

And though these laws were passed with the best intentions as a way to protect seniors and ensure they receive proper representation, they have been distorted by several lawyers who profit from what is now an industry. As you walk down the streets of Tampa Bay, which are flooded for ads for attorneys to represent you in nursing home cases, you can see that there is clearly a dollar to be made.

What does all this mean for nursing homes?

As the number of lawsuits increase, so does the cost of insurance and legal fees for nursing homes. This can put a nursing home in financial jeopardy or in a position where they are unable to obtain the insurance coverage they need to operate.

What does all this mean for nursing home residents?

The greatest impact on residents is that Florida nursing homes are increasingly more aware of industry standards and protecting residents against potential abuse. Unfortunately, the high costs of lawsuits, litigation and insurance premiums is often passed on to residents and their families.

What is the importance of Chapter 400?

Chapter 400 is a Florida statute designed and written to protect the residents of retirement and nursing homes. It's essentially a clear list that safeguards a resident's rights such as financial rights, civil rights, religious rights and privacy rights along with freedom from abuse and other personal infringements.

Chapter 400 is clearly a necessary statute to protect elderly residents from abuses. It should be read and understood by every Florida nursing home abuse lawyer, along with all nursing home operators and employees in the state.

What to Look for in a Memory Care Facility?

Caring for a spouse, parent or a loved one with memory loss, Alzheimer's disease or any other types of dementia requires a commitment to cope each day with patience, compassion and flexibility. If any of these factors is missing, then you are not capable of handling the memory care required by these disorders. Such are the reasons why seniors diagnosed with different forms of memory impairments should be placed in a memory care facility where skilled personnel can give the maximum quality of care patients need.

What to look for in facilities that specialize in memory care?

Compassionate staff

More than just skills, it calls for a compassionate caregiver. Seniors who are struck with memory impairment such as Alzheimer's disease need specialized care, especially in the advanced and late stages of the disease. The workforce at the facility should not only concern themselves from assisting residents with their ADL (Activities of Daily Living), but as much as possible, go extra mile in getting to know each person so that they could provide them personalized care.

Compassionate caregivers provide a patient with a security blanket, someone he or she could rely on and cling to for survival. Needless to say, this quality of a memory care facility is very hard to determine. Many claim such existence in their facility but you need to validate it through testimonials and personal assessment.

Programs

It facilities should be equipped with programs from mild memory problems to advanced stage of dementia, offering fresh and effective approach to create a friendly and pleasant environment for the residents. Programs should include ways of maintaining the dignity and individuality of each resident. The facility should also have plans for multi-sensory experiences, daily exercise, group activities, organized outings and other activities which they deem would benefit each senior. The physical health and well-being of every individual should be monitored with nutritious meals and snacks served daily. There should also be hydration program that ensures seniors drink enough water and juice daily. A good memory care facility should encourage seniors to participate in activities like gardening, sewing, household chores and other undertakings that promote multi-sensory knowledge.

Programs for early signs

Facilities offering this kind of assistance should also have programs for seniors diagnosed with the early stage of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. Elders experiencing the early onset of memory impairment should seek memory care immediately to take advantage of the treatment and activities that help delay the advancement of the disease.

Amenities

Apart from staff and programs of memory care facilities, they should also offer amenities essential for residents' comfortable and safe life.

• Living spaces designed to help memory impaired residents function as independently as possible


• Comfortable community areas such as dining room, media room, guest room for family visits


• Emergency call response and fire safety systems


• Secured walking paths


• Regular wellness visits by registered nurse


• Regular housekeeping and laundry


• Concierge

Memory loss, Alzheimer's disease and other dementia are wrenching occurrences a senior can possibly experience. Choosing a memory care facility that's best for your loved one is a great challenge. Offer your loved ones the advantage of memory care in a facility that could provide them professional and emphatic attention.

Aged Care Funding Instrument: Rebuilding Senior Healthcare

Many milestones will be fulfilled once we reach our retirement age. One of the many problems that old people have is how they will live during this time. Living in a fast-paced world, families often place their elders in nursing homes to assist them on their daily needs. As much as we want the best for them, sometimes the quality of care given is affected due to poor resources and financial instability. As running costs continue to rise, they are unable to deliver the proper treatment unless they have enough funds to support them. This is where the government comes in. The Australian authorities are concerned with its senior citizen's healthcare and focused to rebuild its ACFI or Aged Care Funding Instrument.

The ultimate goal of the ACFI is to offer health attainment and monetary stability to every qualified aged resident. Healthcare benefits are ought to be distributed among the poor, disabled, and especially old age citizens. They are already weak, old and need most of our attention. This is why the government allocated more funds to sustain proper healthcare among its population. Many nursing homes and aged treatment facilities would claim funds on their behalf to sustain its health needs. The common issue among facilities is that funding levels do not complement the basic needs of weak and older Australians. Luckily through this health program, many residents are relieved from the burden. Although there are a few requirements to be qualified under this program, many would still benefit from it. Residents are assessed through a number of questions on different components. Being aware of its rules and policies would easily facilitate funds towards their treatment. The ACFI targets precision and honest data in order to reach high level and accurate documentation. Helping senior citizens complete their daily tasks, provide an adequate supply of medicines and equipment to help them live better are the main objectives of every nursing home facility.

Leading aged care assistance in Australia is almost fulfilling one resident need at a time. With funds linking to the elderly's specific needs, the problems of healthcare are minimized every year. This will produce more quality jobs for medical workers to apply their knowledge and skills. As these facilities continue to serve our elderly population, therefore they need to be assessed and be properly equipped with the right tools to maintain its standard of care. Focusing on the goals and purpose of each role will lead to the success of the community.

Considering Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers for Your Parents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nurses Stand Up to Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy has swept devastation over the entire eastern coast of the United States, uprooting trees, crushing houses, and flooding everywhere. During this natural disaster, most people were hunkering down in their homes, trying to stay warm and hoping for power. But the nurses of the area were hard at work, dealing directly with the fallout of the hurricane, and desperately trying to keep their patient's stabilized.

Perhaps the most famous story is of Margot Codon, a nurse at the NYU Langone Medical Center in the neonatal intensive care unit. On Monday night, the extreme flooding caused not only the power to go out, but the hospital's generator to fail. All the respirators and monitors keeping patients alive were now just heavy silent lumps of equipment. The staff was forced to evacuate patients, among these, a newborn who was only 8 hours old and still breathing on a respirator. It took a team of six people to safely move the infant and all the necessary equipment -- now being manually operated -- down nine flights of stairs in the darkness. Codon held the child and manually pumped air into the baby's lungs the entire way. Codon has been a nurse for 36 years and claims she has never experienced anything quite like this.

In Staten Island, nurses of the Visiting Nurse Service continued their care even as the hurricane whipped on around them. They tried to see most of their more stable patients on Sunday and prep them on disaster care scenarios, so that their time could be spent with essential patients on Monday and Tuesday. As phones were not working, these nurses actually drove in the storm to their patient's houses to make sure they were all right. One nurse almost walked into a live wire, and others left their own ruined homes on hold while they tended to their patients.

Many nursing homes had to be evacuated during or after the storm and there are still patients trying to find a place to go. There is definitely a need for another look at the backup nursing homes and hospital systems our country has in place. Luckily, the nurses are working hard to pick up the slack -- taking care of twice as many patients in spaces that are incredibly overcrowded, making house calls for patients who are not in critical condition and have a place to go, training family members on basic care for short term assistance.

Now, as the country is starting to get the clean up for Sandy under control, the coast is being threatened again, this time by a northeaster storm. This storm is expected to bring the same issues that Hurricane Sandy did, albeit in smaller doses. In the Rockaways of Queens, over 600 nursing home and adult care center residents are being evacuated before the storm hits. These facilities were already running on generator power and the evacuation is an effort to be preemptive.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of all the amazing things nurses have done in the face of disaster. There are many more tales that have not been told or may never be told, as they are considered just a part of the job. But that's what a nurse does -- they flourish in emergency and remain calm for their patients. It does bring up the question, how do you react in emergency situations?

Different Aspects of Nursing Homes

The bad publicity of nursing homes has lead people to think that nursing homes are operated with neglect and abuse. But then not all nursing homes are that way. In reality, there a handful of nursing homes that provides care and love to the elderly people making their stay something to be remembered. There are nursing homes that provide quality services that assure the safety of your loved ones.

Once you opt to send a loved one into a nursing home, there are lot of things you have to consider. It is important that you do a research on the background of the nursing home you are planning to choose. You can also ask friends and relatives that can recommend you to nursing homes that have a good service. You have to take note the service they provide and to what extent do they cover the services that your loved one needs.

One factor you might want to consider is that whether you would choose a full-care home or an assisted living home. Full-care homes are the ones wherein the staff take care and watch over the elderly parents for 24 hours. They help and assist the elders in pretty much everything that they do. If the elders cannot take care of themselves, then full-care homes are recommended where they will be. The staff accompany them while eating, bathing, consuming their medicines, dressing up and the like. These kinds of nursing homes are recommended for elders who are sick and ill because they require special attention and care.

In assisted living home, the staff will look after your aged parent and assist them only. In these cases, the elderly is still strong enough to walk and get what he needs. He is able to take a bath, eat, drink his medicines, sleep etc. The nursing homes only provide the food that they will eat and the activities that they can do but they can pretty much be independent inside the nursing home. In these places, they can also meet new friends that can relate with what they are going through. They will be surrounded with a lot of people that loneliness will never be a problem. They can still enjoy the last few years of their life.

Taking care of the elders is not an easy task. Most likely if you are employed and have some work, monitoring an elder will be hard to do. Nursing homes offer to take care and look after the people that you love. It is important that you secure the elders with the attention and love that they need. Sometimes, these can be given by the nursing homes. But it doesn't mean that you just leave them and never come back. Because even if you leave them in nursing homes, it is still your responsibility as relatives to show them the love and care you have.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit - Long Term Care Benefits for Veterans

Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit -- Long Term Care Benefits for Veterans What Is the Aid and Attendance Benefit? The Veterans Benefits Administration offers a disability income available to veterans who served during a period of war or to their surviving spouses. This special benefit is officially called "pension" but is more popularly known as the "veterans aid and attendance pension benefit". For a pension benefit for veterans younger than 65, evidence of total of disability must be provided. Veterans 65 and older do not have to disabled.

The National Care Planning Council estimates that as much as 30% of the US population over the age of 65 would qualify for the aid and attendance pension benefit under the right circumstances. That's how many war veterans or surviving spouses of veterans there are. The benefit is such a well-kept secret that only a small fraction of these eligible veterans are actually receiving it. Death pension -- a benefit available to a surviving spouse-- is a lesser amount based on the same rules for applying for a living pension claim. In other words, the deceased veteran must have met the rules for pension -- with the exception of being totally disabled or over age 65 -- or have been receiving pension in order for his or her spouse to receive the lesser benefit. In addition, in order to be eligible or keep receiving the benefit, the surviving spouse must remain single.

Who can submit a claim? A claim is submitted by the veteran or by the veteran's single surviving spouse in the case of a death claim. A duly appointed service organization, an employee of the local regional VA office, or a VA approved agent may file a claim on behalf of the veteran or the spouse. A claim cannot be filed with a general or durable power of attorney. The application will be sent back requesting proper documentation for a VA power of attorney. The veteran must sign a document specifically authorizing a power of attorney for someone to submit an initial claim for him. Many chagrined children with a durable power of attorney have submitted claims on behalf of a parent only to have the claim rejected by VA.

What happens if the veteran is incompetent? If the veteran cannot submit the original application or sign a power of attorney for a surrogate to file an application, then a duly appointed guardian can complete the application. VA also allows the spouse, a parent or next of kin, or a friend to complete and submit an application on behalf of an incompetent veteran if that person submits the proper power of attorney request and indicates the applicant could be considered incompetent for financial affairs. Even though the veteran or surviving spouse may be incompetent for financial affairs, he or she should always sign the power of attorney request if he or she is competent to do so. VA may appoint a fiduciary to take over the claim and the affairs for the claimant if VA determines he or she is incompetent.

How does VA handle power of attorney? Employees of VA and veterans service organizations already have authorization for power of attorney to file an application on behalf of the veteran. They have forms for the veteran to sign to allow this to happen. An attorney representing the veteran in other affairs can also request a power of attorney in the proper format and on his or her letterhead. Any single individual may also submit a letter requesting power of attorney to submit an application if it is signed by the veteran and if the letter provides certain required information. There is also a VA form in the book support packet that can be submitted for power of attorney. All attorney requests submitted for power of attorney must state that the veteran is not paying a fee to file the application on his or her behalf.

What is an "aid and attendance" or "housebound" rating? A "rating" is granted by a veteran service representative where a condition exists that makes the disability more severe. Medical evidence is required unless someone is a patient in a nursing home, and then the requirement is waived. The rating allows VA to pay an additional monthly amount of pension or compensation to a veteran or a surviving spouse for additional costs associated with this disability.

How does one qualify for aid and attendance or housebound rating? The application form has a block allowing for a request for either rating. Submitting medical evidence in advance instead of waiting for a request from VA can help expedite the process of getting this rating. We have provided in the book support packet, a sample form that might be used for this purpose. This form is also designed around information that VA is looking for and may be a more effective presentation of the facts than typical medical records from the doctor.

What is the effective date? The effective date is generally the day VA receives an original application. If it takes three months for the process of approval or six months, it doesn't matter. The effective date still reverts to receipt of the original application.

When does payment begin? Generally, payments start on the first day of the month following the month of the effective date. This means that if it took six months to get approval, at least five months of benefit will be paid retroactively. VA requires automatic deposit of awards in a checking or savings account.

What happens if the veteran dies during the period of application? If the veteran dies during the period of application and the application was not approved prior to the death, there may be accrued benefits. If the regional office had all of the information in its possession that would have led to an approval, then there is an accrued benefit payable. Otherwise there is none. The full benefit is available for the month of death of the veteran and to a surviving spouse through an application on Form 21-534. This is the same form a surviving spouse uses for a death benefit claim for himself or herself. VA will award either an accrued benefit or death benefit to the surviving spouse whichever is larger. If there is no surviving spouse or dependent child, VA will pay the unreimbursed costs of last illness and burial to the person who paid those costs. A special claim must be submitted for these costs, not Form 21-534.

What is a veteran's federal fiduciary, and does that affect the application? For a veteran who is considered incompetent to handle his own financial affairs, VA will appoint a fiduciary to receive the money and pay the bills. A federal fiduciary is an individual appointed for this purpose, usually a spouse or a family member. In most cases -- except for the spouse living with the veteran -- there is an interview required and mounds of paperwork. This process can take a long time, and it is to the advantage of the person filing an original claim to request the appointment of himself or herself as a fiduciary or for some other appropriate person or organization to help expedite the process. VA always makes the final decision on whom it appoints as a fiduciary. In fact, the agency might well ignore court appointed fiduciaries. In general, the decision favors declaring the veteran competent and avoiding a fiduciary where at all possible.

What is the income test for pension? If the household income adjusted for unreimbursed medical expenses and a deductible is greater than the maximum allowable pension rate -- MAPR -- there is no benefit. In 2007, the maximum allowable rate for a couple with aid and attendance allowance is $21,615 a year. For a single it is $18,234 a year. Without aid and attendance or housebound allowance the maximum couple's rate is $14,313 a year and for a single it is $10,929 a year. Death pension rates are lower. People seeking a benefit with adjusted incomes greater than these levels will be denied.

Can a household with income above the maximum limit qualify for pension? A quirk in the way benefits are calculated can allow individuals and couples earning between $24,000 to $60,000 a year to still qualify for a benefit. It has to do with the treatment by VA of the very large recurring medical costs associated with home care, assisted living, or nursing home care.

What is the pension household asset test, and what can be done if the asset test is not met? As a general rule assets cannot exceed $80,000. A veteran or spouse occupied-house, a reasonable amount of land upon which it sits and a vehicle are exempt from the asset test. In reality there is no specific test in the regulations. Veterans service representatives are required to file paperwork justifying their decision if they allow assets greater than $80,000. Thus this amount has become a traditional ceiling. The service representative is encouraged to analyze the veteran's household needs for maintenance and weigh those needs against assets that can be readily converted to cash. In the end, the decision as to allowable assets is a subjective decision made by a service representative. In certain cases a benefit award could be denied even if assets are below $20,000 or $10,000 or even zero dollars. There are legal ways to get around the asset test if assets are too high. These are described in our book.

What proofs and documents are required with the pension claim? We have already discussed the requirements for power of attorney and fiduciary if they apply. In addition, an original copy of the discharge from service -- typically DD 214 or form WD -- is required and the discharge must have been honorable. If there is a question about the marriage relationship, a marriage certificate or other proof may be necessary. Birth certificates of dependent children are usually not required but may be necessary under certain conditions. A dependent child is a minor, a dependent student under age 23, or a totally dependent adult child. There are certain documents that need to be submitted to prove future recurring medical expenses and to prove need for aid and attendance or housebound allowances. VA does not furnish these documents nor provide any information that they are required. Sample documents that could be used for these purposes are included in our book.

Can someone charge to help fill out the form? Federal code and VA regulations prohibit an agent, advisor or attorney from charging a fee to fill out and file a claim for pension. Most practitioners or providers help their clients for free, sometimes in the context of solving other retirement issues or providing long term care services. Some practitioners offer application advice for a fee (which is legal) but will send their clients to a veterans' service organization to complete the application. Some assisted living facilities or home care providers also offer free advice or help and this seems to be an acceptable practice. An agent or attorney can also be paid by a disinterested third party under certain conditions to complete an application. However, a home care agency, assisted living facility or nursing home that pays an agent or attorney to complete an application on behalf of a resident or client does not meet the definition of a disinterested third party is in violation of the prohibition for charging a fee

How are assets, income and unreimbursed medical expenses determined? The applicant must submit details on the application of all income and all assets including retirement savings accounts such as IRAs. Almost any type of money received or anything received that can be converted into money is income. The only exclusions for assets are a personal residence (occupied by the veteran or spouse) and a reasonable amount of land it sits on as well as vehicles and other personal possessions. Personal possessions used as an investment such as a coin collection are counted as assets. Unreimbursed medical expenses can be almost any expense related to medical needs.

Are there any other reporting requirements? VA requires that any change in income or assets be reported immediately. The award is calculated for 12 months in advance, but at the beginning of each calendar year, a formal report called an EVR (Eligibility Verification Report) must be filed detailing all income, assets and unreimbursed medical expenses for the coming calendar year. For example if the award is granted in April for 12 months in advance, an EVR must be submitted in January of the next year that could affect the award amount for the remaining four months of the initial 12 month period. The EVR will be used for determining benefits for the calendar year on which it is based.

What is a veteran's federal fiduciary, and does that affect the application? VA can appoint a number of different types of fiduciaries to manage the funds on behalf of an incompetent veteran. A federal fiduciary is typically an individual such as the spouse or a child whom the VA is most likely to appoint. If VA is not notified with the application that the veteran may be incompetent and that a fiduciary appointment is requested, this could slow down the application and approval process.

Will the pension benefit pay a nonlicensed homecare provider? VA does not pay providers directly but provides extra income to make up for the cost of licensed medical care. Medical conditions or injuries or diseases that require a need for ongoing licensed homecare will allow the applicant to reduce household income by the cost of homecare making it possible to receive the additional income from a pension award. If the beneficiary has an aid and attendance or housebound allowance, VA will allow deductions for nonlicensed providers as well.

Will the pension benefit pay a member of the family to provide care at home? As explained above, VA will not pay providers directly but only indirectly through extra income. If the beneficiary receiving care in the home has received a rating for aid and attendance or housebound, VA will allow expenses paid to a family member for care to be counted as unreimbursed medical expenses to qualify for the benefit. The care arrangement must be legitimate and appropriate evidence must be provided.

Does the pension benefit pay the costs of a nursing home? The application form has provision for indicating residency in a nursing home and whether or not the applicant is eligible for Medicaid. VA will automatically apply the monthly cost of the nursing home in determining the pension benefit. If the applicant is single with no dependent children at home and is eligible for Medicaid, VA is required to stop any payment of full benefits and only provide the veteran with $90 a month.

Does the pension benefit pay the costs of assisted living? As explained above, VA will not pay providers directly but only indirectly through extra income. If the beneficiary receiving care in assisted living has received a rating for aid and attendance or housebound, VA will allow expenses paid to assisted living for aid and attendance or housebound ratings -- including room and board -- to be counted as unreimbursed medical expenses. The cost of assisted living being used as a retirement residence is not considered a medical expense. It does not warrant a rating and cannot be deducted.

What are the requirements to receive a death pension benefit? The applicant must be a surviving spouse or a dependent child of an eligible veteran. VA form 21-534 is used to apply for death pension, death compensation, accrued benefits, or dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). The surviving spouse must be single. A surviving spouse of any age is eligible as long as the deceased veteran served at least 90 days during a period of war. They had to be married at least a year prior to death or have a child as a result of the marriage. There is no requirement for total disability for the surviving spouse nor for the deceased veteran to have been totally disabled or older than age 65.

How does one prove that unreimbursed medical expenses will recur every month? VA has specific rules for proving future recurring medical expenses. Information in our book outlines the type of paperwork that must be submitted for each type of long term care service. The book also contains appropriate forms for this purpose. Neither the claims form nor information from the regional office provides any guidance on the rules for proving future recurring medical expenses for home care or assisted living. One simply has to know how to do it. This one crucial step often makes the difference between a successful claim and a denial.

What if the veteran or spouse is currently receiving Medicaid? Our interpretation of the rules leads us to believe that VA will not consider Medicaid payments as income. However, Medicaid will consider the nonallowance portion of the pension to be income. This could affect Medicaid eligibility in income test states. There is evidence that some income test states count the entire pension benefit including the allowance as income. According to federal Medicaid rules this should not happen.

What happens when the veteran or spouse wants to receive pension & Medicaid together? Federal law requires that a single veteran receiving Medicaid with no spouse or dependent children can receive no more than $90 a month from VA. Veterans in state veterans homes are exempt from this requirement. The veteran with a spouse can receive the benefit to help defray the costs of a nursing home. As a general rule, the pension benefit would probably not work if Medicaid were paying the bill. But the benefit does work well for non-Medicaid nursing home beds and while the recipient is going through the Medicaid spend down.

This article is an excerpt from the book -- "VETERANS AID AND ATTENDANCE BENEFIT -- LONG TERM CARE BENEFITS FOR VETERANS" -- published by the National Care Planning Council and written and edited by Thomas Day, Council Director. This first-of-its-kind book is available in two editions -- the Standard Edition (209 pages) for the general public and the Professional Edition (443 pages) to be used as a handbook for advisors and care providers. Both books contain the necessary information and forms to complete an application for the benefit. The Professional Edition also includes citations from rules and regulations, hypothetical planning cases, asset reduction strategies and a software CD with benefit estimate software, all applicable forms and planning sheets. To review and purchase the book go to http://www.longtermcarelink.net/a16veterans_books.htm or type in your browser window www.veteranbook.com.

Attention Baby Boomer Generation - Understand Your Silent Generation Parents and Their Clutter

The baby boomer generation was born after 1945 when their parents (the silent generation), started to establish families and communities after the hardship of the second world war.

Many baby boomers are now finding themselves with elderly parents to care for.  Decisions regarding caregiving and life transitions to nursing homes or assisted living centers are difficult.  Caring for the silent generation parents in their own home or even moving them out of their home presents many challenges for downsizing and getting rid of belongings and family ephemera that has long been treasured by its owners.

There are many reasons why the elderly parents of the baby boomer generation may have been reluctant to purge or get rid of stuff over the years.  Understanding the emotional and social influences on that generation of people might help you to understand why all that stuff is still hanging around. 

You should understand that the  major influences on your parents generation were:

• the great depression


• second world war


• the post war boom

The Great Depression

Many silent generation parents will remember living through the great depression when they had nothing and had to make do on their own.  Resources were scarce and everything was recycled and re-purposed.  Throwing something away was considered to be wasteful and people were convinced that saving and reusing things was a measure of good character.  Your parents may not be able to get rid of things because it makes them feel like they are a bad person.  They want to believe they are a person of good character and they would like others to think that too so they hang onto things to prove it.

The Second World War

Experiencing life through the second world war created the value of duty before self.  It would have been impossible for soldiers to go off to war and for their families to be proud of them if this value was not embraced by the society in general. 

Your elderly parents may not think of an item and its usefulness in terms of their own needs but in terms of whether or not that item may have usefulness for someone else - especially family members.  They will not be able to bring themselves to part with items that may be useful to someone else since they consider it their duty to preserve items for future use.

Sometimes the silent generation is referred to as the veteran's demographic because of the great influence the second world war had on their way of thinking.  There can be little doubt that this particular way of thinking can lead to accumulation of goods that have long since outlived their usefulness.

The Post War Boom

Once the war  was over the veterans generation tried to settle into some sort  of normal life and what could be more normal than marrying and raising children so that's what they did!

Economic prosperity became the norm and the silent generation began to expect that their personal worth and assets would continue to increase.  They had done their duty and were promised prosperity as a reward for living through and participating the war efforts both abroad and at home.

 Wages continued to go up and real estate values rose so that the silent generation became used to being prosperous.  Bear in mind that this was all happening on one household income  as women were still not a normal or expected part of the workforce.  

Being able to enjoy prosperity through attention to money management  and land ownership created an expectation that the accumulation of material goods would make life better and more enjoyable and so those material goods began to pile up.  

Over a life time quite a bit of stuff can be accumulated if you never learn how to balance what comes into your home with what goes out.

 If you are a member of the baby boomer generation these influences may have also had a great effect on you and it may be necessary to examine your own ideas about clutter before you can help your silent generation parent with the difficult task of downsizing for the transitions ahead.

Easing the Transition to a Nursing Home

Moving to a long-term care facility can be difficult, but there are a number of steps that family members can take to ease the transition. By taking an empathetic stance and considering your loved one's emotions, you can choose actions that are both comforting and appropriate.

Fear and loss of control are two of the most common feelings among those admitted to nursing homes. To help your loved one combat those feelings, make sure that he or she is kept well-informed about what is going on. To the greatest extent possible, keep your loved one involved in the decision-making process. Where that isn't possible, offer explanations as to why things can't be done in the manner that he or she prefers. When it comes to choosing the home, make every effort to accommodate preferences, except in cases where safety could be compromised.

Feelings of anger or abandonment are not uncommon among those admitted to long-term care facilities. As with many things, when it comes to addressing feelings of those feelings, actions speak louder than words. Show your loved one that you intend to play an active role in his or her life, regardless of who takes care of the primary care duties. Visit often, and encourage other family members to do the same. If possible, make an effort to bring your loved one to family birthdays and holiday parties. The only way to alleviate feelings of abandonment is to prove that they have no merit.

Anger can be more difficult to deal with, but in most cases, the best course of action is to let it go. Just as parents understand when their teenagers proclaim their hatred for the parents, you need to understand that anger may be a necessary step for your loved one. If you continue to provide love and support, those feelings should pass in time. If they don't, a counselor or religious advisor may be able to help.

With many nursing home residents, there is a great deal of sadness. Dealing with chronic pain or illness can be a difficult reminder of things to come. Religious beliefs may be called into question, and many residents become very depressed. If a spouse has already died, the resident may feel like giving up. These are not signs of mental illness as much as they are signs of normal reactions to very difficult circumstances.

Instead of trying to make feelings of sadness go away, try to divert your loved one's thoughts to happy memories and enjoyable hobbies. Work at making your loved one feel warmth and love for the remainder of his or her days. Working together on a scrapbook or family photo album can be an enjoyable activity that calls to mind hundreds of good memories. It also helps your loved one feel that he or she is leaving something behind that the family can enjoy for years to come.

Show your support, understanding and caring for one another during this time, and be reassuring, making organized plans for who will visit and how often, and arrange some activities together to look forward to in the near future.

The move to a nursing home represents a stage of life that requires many changes, but the elderly person still has a vital role in the family and should be reminded of this as often as possible. By working together, a successful transition is indeed possible, and can serve to strengthen family bonds and create new precious memories.

Find out what services are offered by the nursing home in the way of allowing a gradual introduction to the facility before the move. Are there meetings you can attend together, social activities, or other means of helping your elderly family member to feel more comfortable and confident ahead of time? Psychological preparation, and a clear sense of what to expect will help you all figure out how to make a successful transition to a nursing home.

Oddly enough, the hardest part of moving to a nursing home may be dealing with the change in scenery. After many years in a family home, an institutional environment can feel harsh and unwelcoming. Helping your loved one to personalize his or her room can go a long way towards making it feel like home. Family photos, favorite plants, and familiar blankets and pillows can make a room more personal. A small stereo or headset with favorite music might be helpful to some residents, and many facilities will even allow family members to bring a beloved pet in for visits.

Helping the staff get to know your loved one can also help make the transition easier. While it is important to ensure that medical information gets to those who need it, try sharing some personal facts, too. If your loved one had a particular love for gardening, you may find that a nurse on staff has the same interest. Those types of connections can make a nursing home feel more like a regular home.

Just as every resident is different, every transition is different. You may find that your loved one's needs are different than someone else's, and you might make mistakes, but the fact that you are making an effort is the most important part of all.

Using Your Health Savings Account to Build Retirement Savings

Health Savings Accounts are an excellent way to build a second retirement account. These tax-favored accounts, which have only been available since January of 2004, can be opened by anyone with a qualifying high-deductible health insurance plan. Once you open an HSA account, you can place tax-deductible contributions into it, which grow tax-deferred like an IRA. You may withdraw money tax-free to pay for medical expenses at any time.

The biggest reason more people don't retire before age 65 is lack of health insurance, and many Americans reach age 65 woefully unprepared for the medical expenses they'll face once they do retire. One of the most important long-term reasons for establishing an HSA is to build up some money for medical expenses incurred during retirement.

Fidelity Investments reports that the average couple retiring in 2006 will need $190,000 to cover medical expenses during retirement. This assumes life expectancies of 15 years for the husband and 20 years for the wife.

HSAs are, without exception, the best way to build up money to pay for medical expenses during retirement. You should not contribute any money to your traditional IRA, 401 (k), or any other savings account until you have maximized your contribution to your HSA. This is because only health savings accounts allow you to make withdrawals tax-free to pay for medical expenses. You can take these distributions anytime before or after age 65.

Your HSA contributions won't affect your IRA limits -- $3,000 per year or $3,600 for those over 55. It's just another tax-deferred way to save for retirement, with the added advantage being that you can withdraw funds tax-free if they are used to pay for medical expenses.

For early retirees who are healthy, a health savings account can also be a smart option to help lower their health insurance costs while they wait for their Medicare coverage. The older someone is, the more they can save with an HSA plan. For many people in their 50's and 60's who are not yet eligible for Medicare, HSAs are by far the most affordable option.

Any money you deposit in your health savings account is 100% tax-deductible, and the money in the account grows tax-deferred like an IRA. For 2006, the maximum contribution for a single person is the lesser amount of your deductible or $2,700. In other words, if your deductible is $3,000, you can contribute a maximum of $2,700; if your deductible is $2,000, then that is the maximum. For families, maximum is the lesser of $5,450 or the deductible.

If you're 55 and older, you can put in an extra $700 catch-up contribution in 2006, $800 in 2007, $900 in 2008, and an additional $1,000 from 2009 onward. The contribution limit is indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), so it will increase at the rate of inflation each year.

How much you accumulate in your HSA will depend on how much you contribute each year, the number of years you contribute, the investment return you get, and how long you go before withdrawing money from the account. If you regularly fund your HSA, and are fortunate enough to be healthy and not use a lot of medical care, a substantial amount of wealth can build up in your account.

Health savings accounts are self-directed, meaning that you have almost total control over where you invest your funds. There are numerous banks that can act as your HSA administrator. Some offer only savings accounts, while others offer mutual funds or access to a full-service brokerage where you may place your money in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or any number of investment vehicles.

One of the biggest advantages of retirement accounts like HSAs are that the funds are allowed to grow without being taxed each year. This can dramatically increase your return. For example, if you are in the 33% tax bracket, you would need a 15% return on a taxable investment to match a tax-deferred yield of only 10%.

As another example, if you are in a 33% tax bracket and were to invest $5,450 each year in a taxable investment that yielded a 15% return, you would have $312,149 after 20 years. If you put that same money in a tax-deferred investment vehicle like an HSA, you would have $558,317 - over $240,000 more.

Because catch-up contributions are allowed only for people age 55 and older, if one or both of you are under age 55 you should establish your HSA in the older spouse's name. This will allow you to capitalize on the expanded HSA contribution limits for people in this age range and maximize your HSA contributions. Once that person turns 65 and is no longer eligible to contribute to their HSA, you can open another health savings account in the younger spouse's name.

Strategies to Maximize your HSA Account Growth

If your objective is to maximize the growth of your HSA in order to build up additional funds for your retirement, there are three important strategies you should implement.

Strategy #1: place your money in mutual funds or other investments that have growth potential. Though this is riskier than placing your money in an FDIC-insured savings account, it is the only way to really take advantage of the tax-deferred growth opportunity that an HSA provides.

Strategy #2: delay withdrawals from your account as long as possible. Though you may withdraw money from your HSA tax-free at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses, you do have the option of leaving the money in the HSA so that it continues to grow tax-free. As long as you save your receipts, you can make medical withdrawals from your account tax-free at any future date to reimburse yourself for medical expenses incurred today.

As an example, let's say a 45 year old couple places $5,450 per year in their HSA over a period of 20 years, they have $2,000 per year in qualified medical expenses, and they get a 12% return on their investments. If they withdraw the $2,000 from their HSA each year, they'll have a net contribution of $3,450 per year into their account, and they'll have $248,581 in their account when they begin their retirement years.

If on the other hand they delay withdrawing that money, they will have $392,686 in their account at age 65. If they choose they can withdraw the $40,000 to reimburse themselves tax-free for the medical expenses incurred during that 20 year period, and still have $352,686 in their account - over $100,000 more than if they had withdrawn the money each year.

Strategy #3: make the maximum allowable deposit to your HSA at the beginning of each year. Even though you are allowed until April 15 of the following year to make deposits to your HSA, you should take advantage of the tax-free growth in your account by funding it as soon as possible. The extra interest you can earn by contributing to your account on January 1 of each year rather than the next April 15 can amount to over $40,000 in a 20 year period, and over $100,000 in 30 years.

Using Your HSA to Pay for Medical Expenses during Retirement

When you enroll in Medicare, you can use your account to pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance under any part of Medicare. If you have retiree health benefits through your former employer, you can also use your account to pay for your share of retiree medical insurance premiums. The one expense you cannot use your account for is to purchase a Medicare supplemental insurance or "Medigap" policy.

Though Medicare will pay for the majority of health expenses during retirement, there many be expenses that Medicare will not cover. Nursing home expenses, un-conventional treatments for terminal illnesses, and proactive health screenings are all examples of medical expenses that will not be paid for by Medicare, but that you can pay for from your HSA.

Long-term care is assistance with the activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, or feeding yourself. It can be provided in your home, a retirement community, or a nursing home. Long-term care expenses can be paid for using funds from your HSA, and long-term care insurance can even be paid for from the HSA up to the following maximum annual amounts:

- Age 40 or under: $260

- Age 41 to 50: $490

- Age 51 to 60: $980

- Age 61 to 70: $2,600

- Age 71 or over: $3,250

To establish a health savings account, you must first own an HSA-qualified high deductible health insurance plan. Compare HSA plans side by side to determine the best value to meet your needs. Once you have your high deductible health insurance plan in place, you can open your Health Savings Account with the financial institution of your choice.

Assisted Living Social Work Jobs

There are a variety of assisted living social work jobs available to those who have proper educational experience.? Usually a master's in social work is required. Most of these jobs consist of helping others who reside in assisted living facilities, coaxing them to talk about their feelings and discuss their emotional state. A job such as this requires a special interpersonal skill which not everyone has. Those who enjoy working with older people will want to consider looking into one of these jobs. You will be dealing with both elderly and handicapped people. Along with physical disabilities also comes emotional problems and depression.

As an assisted living social worker, it will be your responsibility to get these people to talk about whatever problems they may be experiencing emotionally. While not always easy, it can be an extremely rewarding occupation. Since many people who live in these types of facilities are sometimes reluctant to talk about how they feel to counselors, it can be challenging. Some people are very lonely, are hurt by lack of family contact or have a lot of bad memories from the past. In this type of position it is crucial to develop a solid relationship with everyone in the assisted living facility in order to establish trust and an open line of communication.

Depending on the facility, you may be speaking with the same people a few times a week. The amount you are paid annually for this kind of job depends on where you work specifically, though social worker positions are typically low in pay. Nonetheless, the rewards can be quite high.

The daily responsibilities of an assisted living social worker vary depending on the facility, though most of the time they include making calls for concrete services, helping someone voice their feelings and dealing with adjustment issues. If you have a degree in social work or plan on pursuing one in the near future, it is a good field to work in because of the demand and job security.

Home Appliance Dangers

Over the past century, there has been no lack of new innovations to make our lives supposedly easier and more efficient. By extension, of course, our lives are supposed to be better off for the advent of these varied household appliances and their technical wizardry. Though this is typically the case (for those who actually make use of the devices instead of letting them gather dust), it is with regrettable frequency that both small and large home appliances cause members of a household to suffer serious or even fatal injuries.

While many of these devices come with instruction manuals that outline some of the specific dangers that a particular product may hold, these written materials often fail to fully express the range of potential hazards. They certainly lack any direct engagement with the real world circumstances in which the appliances are likely to be used and deployed, instead covering only those elements that are required by law or regulation. Depending upon the full facts of the situation, it may be appropriate to consider filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a home appliance that causes you or your loved one to suffer injury when it is used as intended.

Sources of Household Injury  

Perhaps the most alarming thing about the threat posed by household appliances is that it comes from both the objects that seem relatively harmless and also from those that are obviously coupled with some degree of inherent danger. It is incumbent upon the owner or operator of a device to be aware of the hazards that are to be expected and to use it as prescribed by the directions and common sense. There is little planning that can be done, however, to avert disaster when design defects, manufacturing defects, or malfunctions present themselves in the form of an accident.

Some of the household appliances that may prove dangerous and some of the potential adverse effects that a person might experience include:

• Toasters and Convection Ovens - May cause electrical shock or start fires


• Garbage Disposals, Food Processors, and Trash Compactors - Can start due to electrical surge and lead to amputations or severe lacerations


• Gas Stoves and Water Heaters - Improperly built gas lines can cause gas to leak, creating an explosive danger and the possibility of poisoning; poorly functioning water heaters can lead to scalding burns


• Space Heaters - If unstable they may tip over and cause fires, also pose electrical risk

Product Liability Professionals

If you have suffered injuries that have required you to seek medical attention, then it may be in your best interest to contact a skilled and experienced attorney. The Phoenix product liability lawyers of Haralson, Miller, Pitt, Feldman & McAnally, P.L.L.C. are happy to assist you with all your legal needs as you seek to recover.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

When someone becomes to old or sick to care for themselves, we often entrust them to a nursing home to provide care. While many nursing homes can be wonderful places for our elderly friends and relatives, others can actually provide a source of abuse for those we love. Sadly, abuse in elderly homes is far too common, and it can come in the form of physical, mental or emotional, and financial mistreatment.

Because people's body weakens naturally with age, it can be easy for a strong nursing home worker to overcome a resident and physically abuse him or her. Sometimes, an employee may become frustrated with a slow-moving resident and push the person around. Things like hitting, shoving, kicking, shaking, pinching, and burning all count as forms of physical abuse.

Also, there are some other forms of physical abuse that can be characteristic of a bad elderly residence. When workers use an inappropriate amount of chemical or physical restraints, this can count as mistreatment as well. Force-feeding a resident who needs help with eating is wrong, and forcing elderly residents to perform bodily tasks that are difficult for them is bad as well.

Sadly, sexual abuse is a form of physical abuse that is an awful but true occurrence as well. It can be difficult for elderly people to resist the advances of nursing home workers. Non-consensual sexual contact is abuse, and having sexual relations with a person who is unable to give consent is considered to be abuse as well. Sexual mistreatment can include rape, sodomy, improper touching, assault, nudity, and even forced sexual or nude photography.

Next, misconduct can also be mental or emotional. People who are forced to rely on others for the completion of physical needs may feel incompetent or embarrassed, and nursing home workers can exploit these feelings for their own benefit. When employees purposely humiliate residents, humiliate them, and harass them, this can cause long-lasting psychological damage. Also, verbally threatening elderly, isolating them, and treating them like children can be harmful as well. Lastly, the "silent treatment" can have a huge negative impact on a person's emotional well-being.

Lastly, caretakers can use threats like the ones above to bring about financial benefits for themselves. For example, they may force residents to give them money, financial assets, or property. This may include forging the older person's signature or stealing his or her belongings for the benefit of the workers themselves.

Older people deserve care and respect in nursing homes. Sometimes, though, abuse is present, and it can cause permanent physical, mental, and financial damage to a person. If you or someone you know has been exploited by a nursing home worker, you should speak to a lawyer about your rights.

For more information regarding nursing home abuse as well as other forms of personal injury law, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer at the firm of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., today.

Negligence and Intentional Tort Law

In general, personal injury law can be separated in to two categories: negligent acts or intentional acts.  They may also be referred to as "torts" an old english term meaning "legal cause of action" for which an individual can seek compensation for through the legal system.

Negligent Acts

A negligent act occurs when one individual damages the person or property of another without any "intent" to injure.  This may occur due to the carelessness of the first individual.  For example, a driver who is careless, and causes an auto accident by failing to obey the traffic laws may be considered negligent and would be responsible for any damages caused to any person or property.

In order to prevail in a negligence action, the injured party needs to prove that the other party had a duty of reasonable care, did not maintain reasonable care, and that the failure to maintain such reasonable care resulted in injuries to the aggrieved party.  For example, referring to the auto accident mentioned above, all drivers have the duty to operate their vehicle safely.  If they fail to do so, and this failure injures any other person, or THEIR property, then they would meet all of the criteria to be held negligent and therefore accountable for and damages caused to the injured party.

The majority of negligent actions include slip and fall situations, motor vehicle accidents, products liability cases, and injuries resulting from the malpractice of a medical professional or institution.

Intentional Actions or Torts

An intentional tort occurs when an individual intentionally acts to injure another or their property.  In most cases, is does not matter whether the party intended that an injury occur, only that he or she intended to commit the act which led to the injury.  In some states an intentional tort may also be defined as an act which a reasonable person knew or should have known would have led to an injury to a person or property.

Intentional torts include such acts as, kidnapping, assault, and spousal abuse.  In fact many intentional tort actions are brought as the result of the commission of a criminal act.

Alzheimer's - How Can Caregivers Manage Patient Anger?

Alzheimer's patients express their anger by yelling, swearing, pushing, shoving, waving their arms, and in some instances, throwing things. These behaviors not only disturb others, they are threatened by them. Caregivers must learn how to manage anger to ensure the safety of all. I learned this when I was my mother's family caregiver.

For nine years, I felt like my mother was dying right before my eyes. The intelligent, sensible, calm parent of my childhood became verbally and physically aggressive. Her conversation was peppered with swear words and I was shocked when she yelled, "Go to hell!" I was astonished when the assisted living staff told me she was involved in a fist fight. I was embarrassed when she stole someone's teddy bear.

Who was this person?

Gradually, I learned to tell the difference between the anger of confusion and the anger of self-defense. According to "Anger Management Therapy for Dementia Patients," an article on the Answers 4 Alzheimer's website, some patients become so angry they stop talking. Others yell and gesture excitedly when they become upset. Anger management therapy, the ability to understand consequences and redirect anger, helps some patients.

But the problem with anger management therapy is that the person has to remember it. My mother could barely remember her name. From the caregiver's perspective, anger management may look like futile effort. Though the therapy may be only partially successful, the article says "any progress is undoubtedly helpful."

Anger may be a sign of sundowning, the late afternoon mood changes, agitation, fear, pacing and rocking that many patients experience. After my mother threatened to run away her doctor transferred her to nursing care. Mom thought I had put her in a mental institution and was furious. When I visited her one afternoon I observed her sundowning behavior. She paced back and forth and looked out the window nervously. Later conversations revealed that she was having hallucinations.

Similar behavior is described in an article, "Sundowners Syndrome," published on the Alzheimer's A Place for Mom website. Caregivers can dispel anger by sticking to a routine, monitoring diet, controlling noise, opening curtains to let light in, and turning on more lights. Redirecting the person (reading to him or her, playing soft music, giving them a glass of juice) may also help.

Exercise also helps to quell anger, according to "Managing Common Symptoms and Problems, an article on the Help Guide website. But it has to be regular and purposeful exercise. My mother did not like the exercise activities, yet she participated in them. One activity involved sitting in a circle and throwing a ball. "Don't they think I can catch a ball?" she asked.

In the later stages of the disease Alzheimer's patients may become belligerent and aggressive. Caregivers have to protect Alzheimer's patients from harming themselves, the article notes. Provoked as you may be (and my mother certainly provoked me), do not answer accusations, confront the person, or discuss angry behavior. "The person with dementia cannot reflect on their unacceptable behavior and cannot learn to control it."

Get some help if the patient is overly aggressive. You may also say, "I have to leave now, but will come back later," and walk away. Caregivers need to remain calm and look for aggression patterns, such as the anger of sundowning. Remember, anger comes comes from the disease and not the person.

Copyright 2010 by Harriet Hodgson

The Successful Assisted Living Marketing Plan Is Evolving

Some Things Are The Same

In our many years of working with the assisted living and senior care industry, the fundamentals of increasing the census have remained pretty much the same. Simply put, the backbone of an effective marketing strategy remains:

• Developing services that target a specific senior market.


• Providing "evidence" of how you care, and how much you care for that specific senior market.


• Building notoriety through word of mouth.


• Creating a "referral pipeline" among professionals.


• Matching your care to the prospects issues and solving their problems.


• Developing follow-up and keep-in-touch systems that build the trust of your prospects.


• Regularly providing new tools that help those who like you (family members, friends, referral sources) to promote your facility.

Some Things Are Different

The big changes in the selling and buying process have come in the execution of this strategy. The availability and the amazing functions of the internet, smart phones, social networks and other technologies have changed how the public expects to find your facility and interacts your with staff. These new communication mediums are now "required" and must be integrated into the selling process.

In addition, many assisted living prospects now "demand" to have easier access to information, be engaged during the buying process and have a higher level of control. They want to be aware, up-dated and reassured so they can trust their buying decision (when they are ready to make it), and then win over their family members.

Ideas & Suggested Changes

Here are some suggestions for adjusting your marketing to the evolving selling and buying process.

• Utilize a database. This will help you keep track of multiple phone numbers and e-mail addresses, personalize group communications, and keep track of where prospects sit in their buying process.


• Ask every prospect, family member and referral source how they prefer to be contacted. Highlight this preference in your database, smartphone and social networks.


• Improve your website and make it the hub of marketing communications. It should include very current evidence of your care and services, integrate your updates with social networks and keep-in-touch systems, encourage return visits and the sharing of your site, and provide new tools for people who want to promote you.


• Utilize e-mail and social networks to make people aware of your updates. The key is to not overdue contact so people stop paying attention. Mix up the updates with your Activity Scrapbook entries, Caregiver Tips, videos and articles about seniors. We have found that two valuable updates per month is usually sufficient.

Replace & Integrate

Many in the senior care industry will read this article and tremble at the thought of more work. At the beginning, setting up your systems will add work. However, once systems are developed and in place, the evolved marketing plan will be more efficient. Updates to your website and social networks that are filled with emotion and reality can take a marketing director little time, and be lots of fun. E-mail and social networks that highlight those updates can reach hundreds (or thousands) of people on the three key lists with little effort and cost.

When you compare the investment of time and money needed in this technology strategy with what goes into hosting the standard one-time, generic, small-attendance open house, this is a real bargain. Note: By the way, well done updates can make an open house a much more effective marketing tool over a longer period of time. It can also bring the event to those who could not attend. And for those who choose to pass on such an event, a great update system can replace many (but not all) of the benefits of an open house.

Even The Building Of Professional Relationships Is Evolving

In the old days, the typical marketing plan built relationships by visiting doctor offices and hospitals, dropping off a brochure and maybe some cookies, and chatting a little. The building of relationships is still necessary today. However, many face-to-face visits may evolve into a "tech" visit. The cookies may be replaced by photos of your chef baking, a cookie recipe for diabetics, or a Caregiver Tip on helping seniors with little appetite.

Now I know that many people consider technology to be cold and have no feeling. I agree...when it is left on its own. However, what I am recommending is using the mediums of technology to highlight the warmth, care and expertise of assisted living, and making these valuable assets accessible to more people in the method they prefer (and at their convenience).

It's Worth The Effort

The rapid changes in technology are forcing the marketing world to adapt and change, and at a faster rate than it did in the past. This does put an additional burden on assisted living marketing departments and small home owners. (So does a low census.) Plans and strategies must continue to evolve to meet the demands of the "current" buyer and referral source. A higher census (and less financial stress) will prove it was well worth the effort.

Overview of Contingency Fees - Attorneys Who Only Get Paid If They Win

A contingency fee means that an attorney agrees to take on a case without charging any up front or hourly fee. In exchange for working for free and taking the risk that a recovery will be made, the lawyer receives a percentage of what is recovered when the case is over. While lawyers in every state handle some cases on a contingency basis, this article specifically provides an overview of cases Illinois attorneys can handle on the basis of they only get paid if they win.

In Illinois, contingency fee cases are most commonly found in injury cases like workers compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice and nursing home abuse. There are occasionally small fees to obtain medical records in a malpractice case. Other cases include legal malpractice and class actions. Illinois legal malpractice cases attorneys will want to see financial damages as a result of an attorney's unprofessional conduct that would make it financially worthwhile. For example, if a divorce attorney's misconduct resulted in less than desirable visitation, a lawyer will probably not take the case on a contingency basis. However, if as a result of a divorce lawyer's unprofessional conduct the client losses $100,000 from the ex's pension, a legal malpractice attorney may take the case on a contingency basis. In class action cases, attorneys work on a contingency basis because so many people have been wronged that if the lawyer wins the damages awarded will be substantial to compensate all of the clients. The attorney will take a percentage of the damages awarded to compensate for the work.

Other cases that are sometimes, but now always done on a contingency basis include challenges to a will, commercial litigation, overtime or compensation cases from employment law, collections (if the amount owed is enough) and some child support cases. When challenging a will in Illinois, a lawyer can work on a contingency if there is a real dispute. Illinois law prevents them from taking a percentage of what is recovered if it is just normal representation of an estate. In employment law and overtime cases, lawyers will work on a contingency basis if the dollar amounts owed are large enough. For example, if a client is missing one paycheck a lawyer will probably not take the case on a contingency basis. In child support cases, it is rare to find a lawyer to work on a contingency unless there is money that can be collected.

Lawyers are prohibited from handling a divorce or criminal case on a contingency basis in Illinois. Illinois attorneys also do not handle defense of civil lawsuits on a contingency basis because there would be no way to get paid.

The fees that an Illinois lawyer charges for a contingency case depends on the type of case and risk involved. In workers' compensation claims for Illinois, the law limits the fee to 20% of any settlement. In medical malpractice cases there is a fee schedule that changes depending on how much is recovered. In most other matters, it is customary for the lawyer to recover 1/3 of the money awarded. In some cases this fee will go as high as 40% or more, especially if there is a trial and/or appeal.

Top 9 Emotional Issues You'll Deal With When Moving Your Elder to a Nursing Home

Hopefully you are never faced with a decision that far too many are. Those who are forced to deal with the terrible nursing home placement decision normally do so for one of several reasons:

Your elder becomes too frail to live at home on their own

Your elder becomes too confused with his or her surroundings and become a danger to themselves

Your elder suddenly has become violent with others - striking out at them for no apparent reason

Your elder has just had a major medical issue that requires full time care

Having to make a sudden decision on a nursing homes for a loved one can easily be one of the most difficult decisions a person will have to face in their entire life. One way to help with this situation is to make a plan for such an possibility far in advance of ever needing to make such a decision. This way, even if you are faced with an urgent situation, you'll be able to refer to the plan you put together that was based on sound judgment and plenty of research, rather than letting your emotions drive the decision. Any plan should be discussed with your elder and should adhere to their wishes as closely as possible.

Unfortunately, even if you have a plan, you are very likely to run into several significant emotional issues when the time comes to finalize long term nursing home care. You certainly won't be alone in this situation - any caring person will run into at least some of these feelings. Hopefully by knowing what you will expect when or if the day ever comes, you'll be better prepared to deal with these emotions.

1. A strong sense of relief

Now that you don't have to worry about the responsibility of caring for your elder, you'll likely feel a strong sense of relief.

2. Guilt

Once your feelings of relief begin to subside, feelings of guilt will likely set in - because you feel relieved.

3. Selfishness

You'll feel selfish because you are looking forward to your life returning to normal.

4. Self-reproach

Because you were not able to live up to the promise you made to your elder that they would never have to live in a home.

5. Remorse

Because you feel that you abandoned your elder.

6. Embarrassment

You'll feel embarrassed that you couldn't afford a better nursing home than the one that your elder ended up in.

7. Anger

That the costs of long term nursing home care are such a financial drain - on your or your elder's finances.

8. Fear

That the nursing home administrator will call you one day and tell you that you need to take your elder home because things aren't working out at the nursing home for any number of reasons.

9. Guilt

If #8 happens, you'll feel guilty because you don't want to bring your elder home to live with you.

It's very important to realize that all of these emotions are completely natural. It's also important to realize that having to place your loved on in a nursing home is not your fault and is something that simply can't be avoided. The later years in life can be very cruel to both elderly folks and family members alike - and none of us have a choice in the matter. You simply have to do the best that you can to deal with your emotions and not let them interfere with what's best for both you and your elder.

Chicagoland Assisted Living For Maximum Life Enjoyment

Assisted living means freedom and dignity for people in need of help to maintain their daily lives. Assisted living facilities are in the middle between nursing homes and independent living. Independent living is for the elderly who are able to live on their own but who do not want to maintain their own home. Many people like life in a community of people of similar age who share their interests. Independent retirement living communities provide many social activities, trips, and community service. Often independent living facilities also provide all meals prepared, and they also provide a wide variety of services and amenities. Unlike residents of independent living communities, residents of assisted living are people who are not able to live alone; but neither do they need the continual care of a nursing home. Assisted living facilities differ from nursing homes in that nursing homes care for people who are too frail for independent living, and who need continual medical supervision. The elderly who are basically self-sufficient and require less constant assistance are better served by assisted living facilities. These Chicagoland assisted living facilities make a point of encouraging the elderly to be as independent as possible. The philosophy is one of respect for the dignity of the individual - their right to make their own decisions. Assisted living facilities often combine with independent residences on the one hand and with nursing homes on the other, to create a continuing care community in which residents whose needs change over time can transfer from one type of care unit to another with a minimum of stress.

Assisted living means help with dressing, walking, bathing, eating, laundry, and housekeeping. People who are experiencing confusion or memory loss can also receive special assistance. Help with medications and medical assistance are also readily available. There are many different types of facilities offering different accommodations, but typically residents have private rooms and meals are taken communally. Recreational and social activities are provided, as well as opportunities for community participation.

There are assisted living Illinois facilities of all types and financial ranges for people in many different financial circumstances; and help in securing financial assistance is also available. Usually upon admission a service plan tailored to the needs of each resident details the individual services which are required and which the facility will provide. This plan is regularly updated to reflect changes in the patient's condition. There are usually three types of contract available. All of them include home, services, amenities, and emergency care options. They can be extensive, modified, or pay per service. The extensive contract is the most expensive, but over the long pull may be the most cost effective. Extensive usually includes unlimited nursing care without increasing cost. Modified contracts include a specified amount of nursing care, with any additional required care paid by the patient. The pay per service contract, which is usually cheapest, does not include nursing care.

Retirement Communities or Nursing Homes - Post Retirement Planning Beforehand

A proper, beforehand planning is necessary to safeguard self-dignity and to attain a secured after-retirement life. We all admit that.

Life is never the same after-retirement. Some people want to live close to the hard-earned friends or family whereas some people want to live unaided or in Nursing Homes, Retirement Communities, Home Health Care, Retirement Homes, Active Adult Communities, Senior Apartments. Whatever the reason be, some basic calculations are necessary for a better future.

Let us answer two simple and primary questions-

What is my primary consideration in the decision on where to reside?

It may be closeness to family, state retirement benefits, medical reasons, dream location, specific medical care or other reasons.

Which type of care am I searching?

It may be assisted living, nursing home, retirement community (Active Adult), Residential Care, Home Health Care, CCRC, hospice care or some other types.

Individuals must explain each little question to themselves to live a hustle-free post retirement life. At times, the simplest of the task turns out to be an epic one.
For example, selecting the right nursing home is often a very hectic job as different nursing home specializes in different features.

Some minute details, in general, tend to be of high importance while selecting a nursing home for future, like the distance from a specific location. Apart from taking information on costs and fees, one must also note the types of care offered and types of aid accepted by that particular house. Even climbing stairs may be a bigger problem in future.

Budgeting is one of the most important aspects that need repeated critical assessment. The financial condition is not the same for everyone and one must sensibly figure out the budget on which he or she can comfortable sustain themselves for rest of life. Additional and hidden costs must be clarified beforehand.

One must take care of some seemingly insignificant issues that in future may become critical. It is always better if the home is in an easy-to-visit location for family and friends.

It is always recommended that the nursing homes should consult the family physician before consulting somebody else. The family members should make it sure that the nursing home uses or may use (if necessary) hospitals where the family physician practices.

Direct interactions with the present residents of the nursing home always provide a lot of information about the living standards and other characteristics.

The post retirement life should be self-planned to seize the most out of life, for which you have worked so hard so far.